NFW Presents: WRESTLE WAR XVIII - Night 2! 12/22/2021!

Umi Toriyama: Go resseki no minasama, kono kontesuto wa 1tsu no aki ni settei sa rete imasu. Toripurusurettomatchidesu! Sore wa NFW nintai senshuken no tamedesu!!

The lights go dark to start the main show of WRESTLE WAR XVIII Night 2. Then, familiar music begins to play.

The lights in the arena go dark in the main hall. All is quiet except for the buzzing audience. A faint light appears on the stage where a hooded robed figure stands. The bottom of the face makes it obvious Kristi Yahontov is under the hood. A faint operatic music is heard.

Kristi Yahontov: Peace is a lie. There is only passion.

The operatic begins to build a little, swelling as Kristi begins to walk the stage.

Kristi Yahontov: Through passion, we gain strength.

The chorus swells even higher. At the very top of the stage, a black light illuminates the area, showing Cali-Kate, dressed in a black hooded cape. The cape is wrapped around her concealing her gear. She is also shackled, her head bowed in a glass crate.

Kristi Yahontov: Through strength, we gain power.

The light seems to flicker around Kate's cage as Kristi continues to walk the stage.

Kristi Yahontov: Through power, we gain victory.

Kate reaches into her cape and produces a saber hilt. She ignites it and a red "blade" extends out. The chorus builds.

Kristi Yahontov: Through victory, our chains are broken!

The chorus reaches a crescendo. Kate snaps apart the bindings and they fall completely to the floor.

Kristi Yahontov: The Force shall free us!
Kate swings the saber and the glass cage shatters all around her, the pieces falling all over her. The cape now separates revealing her gear underneath. It is a black and red outfit, reminiscent of Ryuko Matoi, from Kill La Kill. The shoulders aren't quite as flared, but it's an otherwise stunningly accurate recreation. An intense stare is on her face. The moment hangs for a few seconds.


The screen flashes


The main tune of Koda Kumi's "W Face" hits at last. Kate retracts the "blade" as she begins moving to the ramp. Kristi joins her and both flip down their hoods. Kristi is smirks and giggles, but Kate just deadpans her stare across the audience. Kate hands the hilt to Kristi, shaking her head in arrogance before heading down the ramp alone.

Lips lined, beautiful

She's fine, itsumo

matou BE-RU

furimuku Everyone"

Kate glides down the ramp almost, one foot in front of the other as she epitomizes the lust she usually inspires even more now somehow. She approaches ringside and finally a smile forms on her lips, cocky and sure of herself.

Seth Ernst: It looks like the former champion brought along Kristi to have her back tonight.

Miranda Augustino: It’s a smart move by the best NFW Perservence Champion in history. You and I both know Hayley will try something. Griffin ‘ll more than likely get Stacy Jones to interfere on his behalf, too. He might as well bring that fan who attacked Hayley on his order, too.

Seth Ernst: ... Do you ever listen to yourself?

Miranda Augustino: Of course, Seth! I love the sound of my own voice.

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 goes to one side of the ring, discarding her cape on the way, giving the audience the full view of her gear. Kate's hair is even dyed black with a red streak to match the cosplay gear. She hops on the ring apron and starts to shake her ass at the audience. Kate looks over her shoulder and gives a wink out to the camera before she hops into the ring. She gives another seductive dance before the beat picks up again. When it does Kate slaps her ass and shouts out at the audience giving them a pose and showing off once more. Her music finally fades and she goes to her corner to prep for the match.



"Good Girls Gone Bad" hits the PA system, and Hayley Halsey steps through the curtains, instantly drawing boos from the crowd!

Miranda Augustino: The disrespect from this crowd is atrocious, ladies and gentlemen. Frankly, Hayley should sue some of these fans with disparaging signs for libel. I mean, look at that one over there! “Hayley sucks”? That’s an allegation that could ruin her reputation and maybe even impact her future employment opportunities.

Seth Ernst: ...

She starts to walk down the ramp, obviously confident in her self-proclaimed, prodigious abilities. She has a smirk on her face as she gets to the ring, obviously enjoying the reaction she's getting from the fans. When she enters the ring, she finally acknowledges the "haters" with a 'hush' signal, which only serves to incite them to boo her louder. Hayley laughs at this as she starts to focus on her match, and the song fades.


The lights start fading from pink to green to blue to all sorts of colors as the Perseverance Champion Griffin Hawkins shows up at the ramp as “Separate Ways” by Journey fills the air. He’s holding his title over his shoulder to the fan’s glee.

Seth Ernst: Griffin’s been here since the latter half of 2019, and he’s proven himself to be one of the top names on Trauma since. Now he defends in this triple threat match against the former champion, Cali-Kate, and Hayley Halsey. It’s highly anticipated.

Miranda Augustino: That’s right, Seth! Right here in the Tokyo Dome! This Bunkyō crowd seems to love attempted assaulter Griffin Hawkins for whatever reason, but I’m sure they’ll cheer twice as loud when Cali-Kate makes her grand appearance! She’s the best Perseverance Champion who’s ever walked this earth, and she’s loved by all.

Seth Ernst: Let’s try to keep the biases to a minimum tonight.

As Griffin makes it down the ramp, the capacity crowd cheers wildly for the fan-favorite champion! He slaps hands with plenty of young fans and even takes a group selfie with one of their phones on request. Signs in the audience read “Rock The Tokyo Dome, Griff!” and “Shut Hayley Up!” He soaks in the positive reaction as he walks up the steps and steps between the ropes. Then, he gets on the turnbuckles and raises devil horns in the air with both hands, pumping the crowd up.

Miranda Augustino: Look at him, Seth. I mean, devil horns? Add blatant Satanism to his long list of transgressions. I bet he wears socks with sandals, too. Disgusting!

Seth Ernst: You’re ridiculous…

He gets down, taking off his leather jacket before getting out of the ring. He sees a young little boy in the front row as he takes off his silver aviator shades. He places his sunglasses on the young fan, who looks excited to be here, smiling as he pats him on the head. Then, he rolls back into the ring, and kicks his feet up ropes in the corner of the ring, and leans across the turnbuckle like it's a hammock.

Umi starts to introduce everyone in Japanese.

Umi Toriyama: Charenjā no go shōkai! Kristi Yahontov o tomonau… Mazu, Kariforunia-shū ragunabīchi kara... Kanojo wa Geekette Extraordinairedesu... Cali-Kate!!

She does a little pose while Kristi cheers for her on the outside. Boos follow, as expected.

Umi Toriyama: Tsugini, Washinton-shū pyuarappu kara... Kanojo wa jishō `eraba reta mono'desu... Hayley Halsey!!

Even louder boos erupt from the crowd while Hayley appears too disgusted even to acknowledge the crowd’s response.

Umi Toriyama: Soshite, karera no taisen aite! Kanada, Ontario-shū u~inzā kara 227-pondo no omo-sa... Nintaichanpion no tōchi to yōgo… Gurifin Hōkinsu!

Seth Ernst: I couldn’t have said it any better myself! Toriyama’s done a great job throughout this whole Japanese tour, and that deserves acknowledgment.

Griffin gets on the top rope to flash his devil horns hand gestures at the crowd. The audience roars back at him with overwhelming positivity. He pops back to the mat and stands in his corner again, preparing for this triple threat match.

Griffin hands off his title to the referee with all three of them in their corners. He holds up the NFW Perseverance Championship for all to see. Then, the bell rings.


Cali-Kate moves first, utilizing her size and quickness to dart towards the NFW Perseverance Champion at full speed for a flying lariat. Griffin ducks, nimbly maneuvering himself behind her to hit a swinging neckbreaker! The crowd cheers before their feelings start to shift when Hayley Halsey decides to roll out of the ring. She immediately grabs a can of pepper spray from behind the apron while Kate and Griffin face off toe-to-toe. Hawkins has twelve inches on the blonde spitfire, though the former champ doesn’t back down. Kate sweeps the leg, but Griffin jumps! Hawkins follows up with a Shot in the Dark (superkick) to try to end this early, when Kate does a split to dodge the strike stylishly. When she comes back up, the two start to trade blows with more punches and kicks that all land on their intended destination, only for both of them to remain standing! The crowd gets into it just before Hayley rears her foot back and sends her glittered boot straight for Griffin’s most sensitive area between his legs! Hayley laughs as Griffin buckles over, groaning in pain when the Geekette Extraordinaire almost immediately tackles Hayley down to the mat! Ground and pound strikes follow. Left punch! Right punch! Left punch! Right punch! Pow! Halsey shows off her technical prowess in a moment of desperation by reversing the pair’s position with a twist, so she’s mounting Kate. She reaches out to grab her pepper spray, only to realize it’s in Katelyn’s hand. With the press of a button, a concentrated burst of capsaicin gets into Hayley’s eyes!

Miranda Augustino: Serves her right! You don’t mess with the best NFW Perseverance Champion this side of the multiverse and make it out unscathed. Hayley will be feeling that for an hour!

Griffin writhes himself into a seated corner position when Kate rushes the married man for what she calls a That Bass (bronco buster). Then, bouncing up and down on Griffin’s chest with her hands on the ropes, the crowd gets a show as Kristi watches intently from ringside. Once she’s done, Katelyn dismounts and watches as Hawkins rolls off the corner and moves closer to the middle of the ring. So she climbs the turnbuckle.

Seth Ernst: Is she going for it?!

Miranda Augustino: Yes! The Bass-ic frog splash! It’s—

Seth Ernst: Griffin managed to get his knees up! This is anyone’s game, folks.

Kate clutches her stomach. Griffin recovers. As soon as he does, he springboards off the ropes and nails a now-standing nearly blind Hayley with a Rocket Kick (springboard enziguri) as hard as he can. Halsey tumbles out of the ring and falls to ringside when a wounded Katelyn rushes him as fast as she can! Griffin runs at Cali-Kate in response, the two of them speeding at each other with intensity in their eyes to the crowd’s delight!

Miranda Augustino: Geek Chic Kick by Cali-Kate!!

Seth Ernst: Shot in the Dark superkick by Griffin!!

Miranda Augustino & Seth Ernst: At the same time!!!

Crowd: HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!!

Both competitors’ feet collide with the other’s face, causing Griffin and Kate to bounce to their backs with a loud thump! The snap when it happened was loud and clear, even to those in the cheap seats.

Seth Ernst: And Hayley’s coming in to try to steal the victory!

A dazed Hayley Halsey covers Griffin with a hooked leg right on cue.


Halsey dives on top of Kate instead, frustration in her eyes!


Kristi Yahontov at ringside reaches to try to put Kate’s foot on the bottom rope.


Miranda Augustino: Cali-Kate’s still alive out there!.

Seth Ernst: If not for Kristi’s interference, she might have been done for, though!

Miranda Augustino: There’s really no way of knowing for sure.

Exhausted, Hayley crawls over to where Kristi stands at ringside, then calls the Russian Gem a “lesser being” at the top of her lungs. Yahontov feigns innocence, a rotating index finger against her cheek. That’s when Hayley starts to rise off the mat. A wounded Griffin is deadlifting her, followed by a Glam Slam (Michonoku Driver II)! That’s when the champion tries to pin combo the move in an attempt at victory.


Kristi hits Griffin with a low Meg-Assault hip attack signature move to break the pin, then pulls the rockstar up into a Rock of Ages (Skull Crushing Finale)!! Cali-Kate’s protégé shakes her mentor awake, then shouts that she needs to get the pin! Katelyn’s slow to crawl to the opposite side of the ring, then lazily slings an arm over Hawkins’ chest.


Miranda Augustino: I thought that was it for sure!!

Seth Ernst: So did I, Miranda. Though, the ref’s saying Griffin kicked out before his hand touched the mat.

Bruised and staggered, Cali-Kate uses all her strength left to rise Griffin to his feet right before she twists him into her Starstruck (inverted double underhook facebuster) position. The crowd starts to stomp their feet and clap in unison, trying to will Griffin back to life before she can hit the move, and that’s when the NFW Perservence Champion lives up to his accolade! Turning the maneuver to try to hit his own inverted double underhook facebuster he calls South of Heaven, the two try to overpower the other back and forth. Both of them twist and turn, twice now trading advantageous positions until Hawkins decides to catch Katelyn off-guard with a shove. Cali-Kate gets knocked back into Kristi, who tumbles out of the ring to the floor.

Cali-Kate flies back at him, running with what she’s got left to land her Comic-Kaze (tilt-a-whirl DDT)! Griffin flips forward but somehow lands on his feet, his knees buckling until finally he’s hit with a follow-up Starstruck (inverted double underhook facebuster)!

Miranda Augustino: She’s gonna do it! Cali-Kate’s gonna become a two-time NFW Perseverance Champion!!

Seth Ernst: But what about — !?

Hayley Halsey comes out of seemingly nowhere to hit Cali-Kate hard with a Desti-Knee Smash (springboard somersault double knee)!!

Miranda Augustino: Noooooooooooooo!!!!!

After a moment of eye rubbing, Hayley kicks Griffin in the groin while he’s down for good measure, then covers him for the pin while Cali-Kate’s out cold. Kristi tries to wake her up again.


The scene comes up backstage with Abigail Lindsey and Sela-Rica Lark heading down the hall in their riding gear. They smile at each other as they pass several backstage personnel and refs.

Sela Rica-Lark: This is it. The showdown. The final battle of this bitter conflict. It comes down to one last breakthrough. One last moment to capture glory. Well, we don't need to capture glory, we already have that in spades. That's what the Queen's Guard so desperately need. They need the glory of defeating a team like us. Because if it wasn't for us, what would the Queen's Guard even have now? A night off? Oh, I'm sure they'd love that, but we don't take kindly to that. So this, for us, is one more playdate. One big playdate to tear down the Kingdom's pride.

Sela chuckles as she sways in place, looking up at the ceiling.

Sela Rica-Lark: Beautiful graces finally in our little domain, our little corner of the world. Come and walk into our parlour one last time this year, for you will never come out again. This playtime, we bring the crimson of the holidays dressed in the blood we spill. No White Christmas is coming.

Abigail shakes her head, agreeing with Sela’s no white Christmas sentiment.

Abigail Lindsey: ”Fun fact, Christmas isn’t an official holiday over here in Japan. Makes sense. Christmas is a Christian invention. Eastern religions like Buddhism reign over here in the land of the Rising Son. That’s never stopped us Americans from traveling around the world, enforcing our traditions on someone elses land. Salacious Intent brings the Christmas spirit over here in spades. One major tenant of Christmas is to give gifts to the ones you love. No secret I love Sela. My gift to my favorite person on the entire globe are the heads of the Queen’s Guard.”

Abigail grabs Sela’s hand.

Abigail Lindsey: Ladies. This has gone on long enough. Every step along the way was orchestrated by our dark design. To quote a silly little movie, we’re in the end game now. This year has been full of highs and lows. Ending 2021 on a massive high is all anyone will ever remember. The best Christmas gift of 2021 is to allow chaos to reign. No one raises hell better than us.

Abigail giggles as she looks at Sela. She pulls her in. The scene closes on Salacious Intent passionately kissing.

Yuusuke Takeda: Tsugi no kontesuto wa, 3ttsu no fōru no uchi 2tsu de, 30-bu no seigen jikan de junsuina rūru ga itchi shimasu. Hajime ni, Kyōto kara Tekisasu-shū Darasu keiyu de… MATT SHIELDS!

The lights dim as a bit of static appears on the big screen before the noise is heard through the arena as the lights slowly turn red.
“Getting ready for bed at a regular time is one of the most important habits you can learn. David has probably never stopped to think what a wonderful thing sleep is. Dreams are normal too. Going to bed at a regular time each night makes it easier to go right off to sleep.”
Ice Nine Kills “American Nightmare” echoes through the building as the lights flash with every boom of the kick.”

A melody for heavy eyes

Early to bed, early to die

Welcome to your worst nightmare”

A golden Freddy Krueger-style claw pierces through the static on the screen, slowly moving towards the crowd.

Past the street where they cursed my name

But I won't be forsaken

Craven my revenge from the shallow grave

Where I went down in flames

The beast has been awakened”

The claw comes forward and on the ramp, a golden clawed hand reaches up from under the stage and begins pulling forward.

My cruel hand will rock you to sleep”

A gold and black horned Oni mask greet the crowd next and the Tokyo Dome is excited for a classic Matt Shields spectacle ring entrance, just like he used to do many years ago.

With American dreams

Of countin' the bodies while you count sheep

I'm the American nightmare

Yeah, I'm living the dream

I'm slashing my way through the golden age of the silver scream

Sweet dreams”

Shields emerges from the depths in a tattered green and red striped leather jacket, with black and gold Gaijin Nightmare gear. Shields stretches out his clawed hand and the lights go completely out. There’s a sudden red flash every few seconds, Shields moving in the shadows, getting closer and closer to the ring. A spotlight shines down on the ring as he stands on the apron with the gold claw in front of his face. He tears off the Oni mask, his face painted up to give that burned scarred Freddy Krueger appearance. The lights go back out, another red flash with Shields standing in the ring. Another flash and he’s in the corner. Then the spotlight returns, Shields has removed the jacket and his claw, showing that his entire body is painted, his tattoos even partially covered, but mostly visible. He raises his hands to show red and green striped wrists gauntlets and bloody hands.

Nick Hanson: Well, you can accuse Matt Shields of a lot of things, but not knowing how to make an entrance isn’t one of them!

Jim Reynolds: He’s still a dick, and I don’t buy this crap he’s selling. Push comes to shove, he will go for the eye, a blatant choke, or do something dirty. If he does, you’re paying at Ribera and I’m getting the Yokozuna!

Nick Hanson: I’ll take you up on that. He’s terrible, but he made a promise to his son. As much of a jerk as he is, that’s not a promise he’ll break.

Yuusuke Takeda: Kare no taisen aite, nyūyōku no kuīnzu shusshin... JESSICA MATTHEWS!

Within the arena, the lights begin to dim and the NFW Tron comes to life. Everyone is treated to the visual of an 8-bit video game-styled "title screen". The fans rise with heightened anticipation.

A sound clip of a quarter being inserted into an arcade machine is followed by a sound byte of "Level Up!" in Jessica's voice. From the PA system, “Protector” by City Wolf resonates throughout the arena. The NFW Tron begins to play a “best of” series of clips showing off the Nerd Extraordinaire.


Jessica Matthews steps through the black curtains, embracing the spotlight, and the fans are absolutely crazy about her! Their cheers and applause fill the entire arena with pure excitement.


On her right arm is her Avengers: Endgame Captain America Shield, polished to a nice and bright shine. Her golden blonde hair is tied back into a long braid. Jessica takes a moment to simply look at the crowd and listen to their positive reactions. Smiling, she lifts her right fist into the air and displays the UMVC3 Captain America victory pose.


The Guardian (of the Galaxy!) makes her way down the entrance ramp and tags some of the fans along the way. She circles around the ring for more interaction before she's back at the start. Jumping onto the ring apron with ease, Jessica springboards herself into the ring and performs a shield roll to get to her feet. She strikes another pose and the fans grow louder with their cheers. While she moves to her corner and relieves herself of the necklace, the jacket, and the shield, she offers a salute and parade rests.



Jim Reynolds: Even though she’s a Guardian, Jessica Matthews doesn’t need to do anything but be Jessica Matthews. She knows she’s better than Shields and she is ready to show it.

Nick Hanson: This is definitely the match to show that. Not only is it two out of three falls, but there’s also a time limit and pure rules are in effect. Jessica will have to use her speed and quickness, and I think if she can catch Shields early and get that first fall, that will get to Shields for sure.

Jim Reynolds: And then he’ll cheat like the bastard he is! You’re right about Jessica using her speed, though. That’s where she’s got the advantage and she needs to utilize it to counter the size and strength advantage as well as Shields technical skills. I got a hundred thousand yen on her doing that, so fingers crossed.


Shields looks fairly cocky as the match begins, smirking at Jessica and just waiting in the corner. Jessica comes straight forward and pulls back for a chop, but Shields circles around. Shields backs up, and motions for a lock-up when Jessica turns around. Jessica looks back at him with a smirk of her own, nods, and moves forward. Jessica waits until the last second, then slips behind Shields and applies a hammerlock, surprising him. Shields reaches over Jessica’s head, using his height to grab her chin getting the break and right into the side headlock. Shields quickly takes the arm and applies a hammerlock of his own. Jessica is quick to break out, as she elbows his arm away, ducks under and now she’s got a hammerlock of her own. Shields reaches over for the headlock, but Jessica ducks under it and does a quick grip switch, keeping the hold applied. Unfortunately, Shields is adept with both arms and he manages to counter out into the headlock. Jessica straightens, arm on the waist, hand on the neck and she takes Shields down to a knee. Jessica breaks the headlock and takes the arm of Shields. Shields rolls through, takes Jessica’s wrist, and traps the elbow then right back to the hammerlock. This time, though, Shields slips his right hand between Jessica’s back and her arm, transitions over, and presses down on Jessica’s shoulder, driving her down to the mat. Jessica uses her agility and flexibility to arch up so she can turn her body, escape and transition into a side headlock. Shields counters with the legs, but Jessica quickly escapes, and with a sudden kick to the face, Jessica is able to catch Shields with the Guardian of the Enterprise. Jessica has the arm trapped and Shields is scrambling to get the ropes, finally turning enough to get his boot on the bottom rope. Hiroki Tanaka calls for the break and Jessica takes a few extra seconds, but slips back. Hiroki informs Shields he is down to two rope breaks.

Jim Reynolds: Wow! Jessica Matthews forcing Shields to use his first rope break and it’s pretty early in this match.

Nick Hanson: We’re about three, maybe four minutes in. Some very impressive wrestling from both Shields and Jessica there, but it’s that speed, agility, and flexibility that made the difference.

Tanaka has separated Shields and Jessica after the rope break and now restart from the standing position. Jessica gives Shields a sort of mocking salute and moves in for a lock-up. Jessica slips behind again, but this time Shields is waiting for her with a big back elbow. Shields turns and delivers a blistering chop, then follows up with a nasty forearm, stepping in to deliver the vicious blow. Shields then delivers a knee to the midsection, and the first neckbreaker of the match is the swinging variety. Shields makes the cover and gets a 1 count. Shields stays on the attack as he brings Jessica up and hits a hangman’s neckbreaker. Another cover and another one count. Shields brings Jessica up again, hammerlocks the arm, and hits an arm trapped belly to back suplex. Another cover and still just a 1 count. Another pull up and this time it’s a Fisherman’s neckbreaker. Shields doesn’t even both with the cover this time. He just brings Jessica up, traps the arm, and delivers the arm-trapped scoop slam. Shields seems to have a pretty clear plan as he hauls Jessica up to his shoulders, setting her up for the Majo No Toki, but she counters with a crucifix driver and gets a close two count. Jessica rolls back and pulls herself up on the ropes. Shields is a bit shocked and a little rocked after getting driven straight back down on his skull. Shields is slow to his feet allowing Jessica to hit a big shotgun dropkick. Shields rolls back and stumbles up to his feet, setting him up for a beautiful running European uppercut. Jessica is quick to follow up with the Punch-Punch-Kick Combination before she takes him down down a roaring elbow. A bit more of the fans are cheering Jessica, appreciating her talent, but some are still very pro Shields. Jessica looks out to the crowd and yells “Tōkyō dōmu ni ikou” as she raises her fist high. Jessica hits the ropes and charges in with a Shining Wizard. Shields rolls out of the way, pops up, and clobbers Jessica with a Northern Lariat. Shields grabs Jessica’s arm and moves in for the Whispers of Azathoth. Shields almost has it locked in as Jessica slowly scooches and hops towards the ropes. Jessica gets her bottom foot on the rope, but Shields holds on as he finally has the hold fully applied. Hiroki begins the count and Shields breaks right before five. Hiroki warns him, but Shields reminds him that he’s got until “Go”.

Nick Hanson: Shields is using his strength and striking to take the advantage back and now Jessica Matthews has used her first rope break.

Jim Reynolds: But look at what he did! It was a cheap move holding on to that submission.

Nick Hanson: I wouldn’t call that cheap. That’s strategic. As Shields said, the rules state he has to break before the count of five. He’s still who he is, and he will take every legal advantage he can get.

Shields taunts Jessica a little bit, holding his neck, mocking her pain as he smirks. Tanaka backs both up, then restarts the match and Jessica charges right at Shields with a running dropkick sending Shields into the corner. Jessica pops up and runs in with a big forearm smash, then drops Shields with a spinning springboard bulldog. Jessica covers and gets a nice 2 count. Jessica delivers a second rope moonsault and covers for another two count. Jessica rolls back, waits for Shields, and this time she connects with the shining Wizard, sending him right back down to the mat for a cover and another 2 count. Jessica grabs Shields’s legs and gets set for the Sharpshooter, but he kicks her right in the face. Jessica flies back into the ropes and Shields pops up with a European uppercut. Jessica gets spun around and Shields hits a quick half-nelson neckbreaker. Both lay on the mat, catching their breath and shaking the cobwebs. They slowly get up, both moving about the same and to their feet at relatively the same time. Shields delivers a forearm and looks for a belly-to-back neckbreaker, but Jessica kicks off Shields's chest and catches him with an amazing midair back snap kick that leaves Shields dazed. Jessica lands in the classic superhero pose right behind Shields. Jessica hits the ropes, charges in, and delivers a sliding German suplex. Jessica slides through right into the bridge


Nick Hanson: Wow! Jessica Matthews with that beautiful counter as she takes a page out of her husband’s book, but then that German suplex, using momentum and again her great flexibility and inventiveness!

Jim Reynolds: Definitely showing everyone what she can do tonight. Great technical chain wrestling, striking, speed, some power, and heart that you can not measure.

Jessica goes up to the top rope and delivers an incredible corkscrew neckbreaker, the Tokyo Dome fans showing their appreciation for her athleticism. Jessica heads back up top and flies off with a shooting star press, only to land on the knees of Shields. Shields rolls right into the small package pin and gets a close two count. Shields takes the arm of Jessica, drops down, one foot behind her shoulder, the other in front of her elbow, he kicks forward, snapping her arm back. Shields kips up, grabs the wrist, and back to the hammerlock. Shields traps the arm, slides to the side, and delivers an arm-trapped Russian leg sweep. Shields hits a big jumping knee drop right down on Jessica’s shoulder, rolls through, stands tall, and raises his right arm, high in the air. Jessica slowly gets up, holding her arm as Shields charges in with 40 Legions. Jessica just manages to duck under the big discus clothesline and she hits a Pele kick. Jessica quickly follows with a flying forearm smash to keep Shields woozy. Jessica goes to the top and comes off with a diving neckbreaker. Jessica stays on the attack and looks for The Rally Killer, but Shields scrambles over the ropes before Jessica can get the submission fully applied, her arm definitely bothering her a bit. Hiroki has Jessica break and though she takes a few extra seconds, she breaks and steps back. Tanaka separates them, the match is back on and Jessica runs to the ropes, leaps up, and surprises Shields with The (Improved) Dixon Arrow. Jessica drives Shields down with the beautiful DDT, but she doesn’t cover. Instead, Jessica goes straight up top to deliver the Silver Moon Shockwave. The crowd erupts in cheers for the breathtaking mover as Jessica goes right into the pin.


Yuusuke Takeda: Jeshika mashūzu ga saisho no pin o toru!

Jim Reynolds: YES! Jessica Matthews takes the first fall and we’re what, ten minutes in? I knew I was smart to put my money on her.

Nick Hanson: Well, nobody ever said you were unbiased, Jim. Taking that first fall is big for Jessica Matthews, though. It puts Shields’s back against the wall and it’s going to be in his head that she pinned him first.

Jim Reynolds: True, but it’s the last pin that counts in this one. Still, this puts her in the driver’s seat. Hell, she could win it with just one fall! Remember, there’s a thirty-minute time limit. Oh crap, what happens if it’s a draw?!

Jessica lays on the mat for a bit, using the time to recover and massage her arm a bit. Shields starts to slowly get up, but he’s put right back by a rolling elbow. Jessica grimaces slightly after the attack and shakes her arm a bit, working out the pain. Shields pulls himself up in the corner and Jessica runs in with the forearm smash. Jessica grabs her arm in pain, shakes her head, runs to the corner, jumps to the middle to spin around, and then runs in with a jumping hip attack. Jessica heads back up top, a little bit slower as she only uses one arm to steady herself on the climb. Shields is slowly getting up as Jessica starts to set. Shields dives forward and dives onto the rope, shaking it enough to cause Jessica to stumble. Shields pulls himself up, catches his breath, then runs in and hits a jumping European uppercut, snapping Jessica’s head back. Shields climbs to the middle rope and delivers a few sudden stiff forearm shots before he sets her in position for Greetings From Crystal Lake off the middle rope. Shields jumps and connects, both of them crashing down to the mat. Shields covers and hooks the near leg.


Nick Hanson: Shields with the big move, doing the smart thing and just shaking the ropes, though he should have hooked both legs. Could have evened things up there. Still, he made Jessica use her second rope break.

Jim Reynolds: Both have one left. Then submissions, pins, whatever would normally be ended by a rope-break won’t work anymore.

Jessica rolls to the outside after getting driven down to the mat from the ropes. Shields takes a bit to recover, then goes to the outside with a slingshot crossbody as Jessica is slowly getting up. Shields gets to his feet, stretches out his hands, and screams as the fans cheer him on. Shields pulls Jessica up and connects with a cross-armed neckbreaker. Shields rolls back inside, moves to the middle of the ring, and goes to one knee as he pounds his fist down on the mat. Shields stretches his arms and screams “HAIL TO THE KING!” before he pops up, goes to the far ropes, then charges at Jessica with a suicide dive, only to get caught in mid-air by an enziguri. Shields flops down to the floor and Jessica stands up, using the ring to help her a bit. Shields starts to roll away from the ring and Jessica looks to the ropes. Jessica hops up to the apron and when Shields stands, she crashes down onto him with Wings of Kennedy. The crowd gives Jessica another round of cheers and applause as she brings Shields to his feet and rolls him into the ring. Jessica slides in and quickly makes the cover.


Jim Reynolds: Aw, crapbaskets! That one was close, but that’s the risk of these big beautiful moves outside the ring. You gotta get your opponent up, back in the ring, and then make the cover.

Nick Hanson: That’s a great point, and you wonder if Jessica Matthews had rolled Shields in after the enziguri and then hit a big move, could this be over now? Still, she’s in control of this match and up one fall to none.

Jessica brings Shields to his feet and connects with a rewind kick before she delivers an amazing hurricanrana, sending Shields face-first into the corner. Jessica pops up and catches Shields with a dragon suplex as he comes back. Jessica bridges for the pin and gets a nice two-count. Jessica hops over the ropes onto the apron, then comes back in with a slingshot senton. Jessica pops up and hits a standing moonsault, then a big standing shooting star press for a very close 2 count. Shields rolls to the corner, but all he gets him is a hesitation dropkick to the face. Jessica continues to show off her great athleticism with a second rope springboard corkscrew moonsault that gets another two count. Shields is just staggered and wobbly as Jessica goes to the apron, springboards up to the top rope, jumps to the other rope, and then dives back, catching Shields with an absolutely astonishing cutter. Jessica makes the cover


Nick Hanson: WOW! Jessica Matthews busting out some beautifully graceful and inventive moves tonight, Shields barely manages to roll his shoulder up.

Jim Reynolds: HOW WAS THAT NOT THREE! How the hell did Shields get his shoulder off the mat?

Jessica grabs Shields up of the mat and hooks him for the cobra clutch, but Shields is able to deliver a hard elbow to the midsection and transitions into a belly-to-back neckbreaker. Both take a bit of time on the mat to recover before they get up. Jessica comes straight at Shields with a forearm, and Shields returns. Shields fires off a hard chop next, but Jessica returns it and follows up with a left hand. Shields stumbles back and Jessica goes in, but Hiroki steps between them and raises up a fist, telling Jessica her last punch was illegal as she had her hand closed. Jessica is warned and Hiroki steps back. Shields comes in with a nasty European uppercut, but Jessica fires one right back at him, then follows up with a chop. Shields isn’t gonna lose this one, and he throws a deadly chop, stepping straight in. The loud smack echoes through the dome as Jessica steps back, but she uses that to her advantage and delivers a kick to the leg of Shields. Jessica comes back with a chop, then a kick to the other leg. Shields comes back with a forearm, but Jessica connects with a kick, chop, kick, then surprises Shields with a gamengiri rocks him and leaves him open for a taste of his own medicine as Jessica hits Shields with his own move, connecting with Greetings From Crystal lake before she rolls through and applies Omni-Lionheart. Shields is howling in pain as he scratches and claws towards the ropes. He just makes it, and his third rope break is used.

Jim Reynolds: Oh damn, Jessica Matthews made Shields use his last rope break!

Nick Hanson: That is big. We’re just a little past the halfway point, Jessica Matthews is up one fall to none, and Matt Shields has used his final rope break.

Shields crawls over to the corner, seething after being forced to not only use all three of his rope breaks but to have to use them before Jessica. Jessica comes towards the corner, and Shields slides forward, catching her in the knee with a big kick, sending her face-first into the turnbuckle. Shields quickly follows with a half nelson neckbreaker, then takes some time to shake the cobwebs. Shields hits a running forearm as Jessica is getting back up, then he pulls her in for a butterfly neckbreaker, but Jessica manages to break it and connects with a wrist clutch enziguri. Jessica maintains wrist control and goes the La Magistral pin, one… two… thr - countered by Shields into a schoolboy, one… two… thr - countered by Jessica into an armbar attempt. Shields rolls through for another one… two… thr - but Jessica rolls her shoulder up. Shields brings Jessica up for a powerbomb, but she counters with a victory roll one… two… thr - Shields pushes back and counters into a pin of his own, one… two… thr - Jessica counters and gets a small package, one… two… thr - Shields kicks out and stakes Jessica up with a matchbook cover, one… two… thr - Jessica kicks out and rolls into a jackknife, one… two… thr - Shields grabs the waist, bridges up spins Jessica around and connects with the MATTOSLIIIIIDE out of nowhere. He bridges right into the pin


Yuusuke Takeda: MattShields ga 1 pinfōru o kakutoku shimashita!

Nick Hanson: Matt Shields ties this thing up at one fall a piece -- right around the twenty minute mark. Ten minutes, one fall, no rope breaks for Shields, one for Jessica

Jim Reynolds: Damn! Shields with that dangerous move and once he got Jessica in that position, he was set, having both Hellhound’s Bite and that Mattoslide. Still have total faith in her, though.

Shields rolls to the corner and sits up, taking a bit of time to recover and enjoy his first pin. Shields grabs the ropes and pulls himself up, then brings Jessica up and delivers a quick overdrive neckbreaker, using the chance to slam Jessica’s arm down into the mat. Shields quickly applies the hammerlock with Jessica down on the mat, he traps the arm between his knees, grabs Jessica’s other arm, and drops back, looking to hyperextend the shoulder. Jessica rolls out of the ring, clutching her arm in pain. Hiroki Tanaka is trying to check on her, but Jessica just walks off. Shields waits and catches Jessica with a baseball slide, sending her crashing into the barricade. Shields slides out, takes Jessica’s arm, and slings her back into the ring, but he keeps wrist control and slams the arm down on the apron. Jessica rolls to the other side as Shields slides back in. Shields goes to Jessica, brings her up, and whips her across the ring. Shields hits a hip toss, turns, and looks to transition into the neckbreaker, but Jessica counters with a hurricanrana. Jessica pops up and catches Shields with a superkick right to the jaw as he gets up. Shields staggers back into the corner and Jessica comes in with another jumping hip attack. Shields stumbles back up, but Jessica grabs the back of his neck and tosses Shields back into the corner, sending him face-first into the middle buckle. Jessica runs in and hits a corner tiger feint kick, sending Shields tumbling backward. Jessica continues the innovation as she jumps to the top rope hits a shooting star press and rotates through to drop Shields with a Meteora. Jessica uses her good arm to grab a leg.


Jim Reynolds: Damn, so close! Jessica Matthews with another brilliant move that I don’t remember her using before.

Nick Hanson: It’s Wrestlewar. This is the time to show off some new moves or try some crazy stuff.

Shields rolls to the outside, breathing deep and stumbling around a bit while Jessica Matthews is working her arm out, stretching and massaging, trying to alleviate as much of the pain as possible before she charges for a suicide dive, only for Shields to spin around and catch her with a modified version of his Frailty elbow strike. Jessica slumps, hanging over the middle rope as Shields slides in the ring. Shields turns Jessica, grabs her in the DDT position, then turns, bringing her up for a falling neckbreaker. Shields pulls Jessica away from the ropes and heads up to the top rope. Shields stops before he reaches the top, stretches his arms out, and yells “ Akumu no guntai, raizu!” Shields steps up to the top and dives off with Year Zero, crashing down onto the knees of Jessica. Shields clutches his back and rolls straight out of the ring, down to the floor.

Jessica moves to the ropes and pulls herself up as Shields is slowly starting to stand. Jessica follows Shields to the outside with Angel of the Lord, the crowd cheering in approval of the outstanding high flying maneuver. Jessica brings Shields up and goes to send him into the ring, but she has to switch arms. Jessica slings Shields inside, follows, and makes the cover, but Shields is again able to kick out because it took a bit to get him back in the ring. Jessica brings Shields up and he quickly takes control of the arm. Shields drops to his back and looks for the shoulder snapper he used before, but Jessica steps forward, causing Shields to roll back and stand up. Jessica shoots Shields off the ropes and delivers a spinning heel kick that takes Shields down. Shields is a little slow to get to his feet, but he quickly snatches Jessica’s wrist and pulls her towards him, right into a stiff forearm shot. Shields maintains control of the wrist and uses that to bring Jessica in and up onto his shoulders. The second time’s the charm for Shields as this Majo No Toki attempt proves successful. Shields makes the cover


Nick Hanson: Shields with a very close one there, almost putting an end to it. Jessica Matthews is tough and resilient though. I think his best bet would be the submission route

Jim Reynolds: Who’s side are you on, Nick? Shields is a bastard, he is going to cheat, you are paying for Ribera, and I am getting paid.

Shields shakes it off and gets right back on the attack with an arm-trapped DDT, a cover, and a two-count. Shields again pulls Jessica up, delivers a few quick forearm strikes, and then hits an Argentine neckbreaker. Another cover and another two count. Shields pulls Jessica up, drives a knee into her midsection to double her over, then he places a knee behind her neck, grabs her far arm, and drives her back, connecting with the inverted overdrive. Shields makes the cover and it’s another close two count. Shields slams his fast down on the mat, steps back, and raises his arm high once more. Jessica is clutching her neck as she gets up and turns around right into 40 Legions. Shields makes the cover after he nearly took Jessica’s head off.


Jim Reynolds: YES! Jessica Matthews kicks out once more. It’s no wonder she wears her heart on her sleeve; that thing is way too big to fit inside her.

Nick Hanson: Uhm, I think you might wanna rephrase that, but she has always been a fighter. She’s not the biggest or the strongest, but no doubt she’s one of the toughest.

Shields is again seething, furious at yet another kick out from Jessica. Shields signals for the end brings Jessica up and sets her in position for The Necronomibreaker. Jessica is well prepared though as she kicks her feet off the top rope, then pushes forward off the ropes, sending Shields rolling back. Jessica rolls through, gets to her feet, and hits another superkick right to the jaw as Shields turns. Jessica takes a few seconds to get her bearings before she delivers a step-up enziguri to keep Shields discombobulated. Jessica takes a few more seconds before she hits the ropes, runs at Shields, leaps up, catches his head, and uses the other ropes to deliver a spiking tornado DDT. Jessica goes to the apron, leaps up, jumps to the other ropes, and looks for the double springboard shooting star Meteora, but Shields is able to duck and Jessica crashes down hard right on her knees. Jessica slowly gets up and Shields wipes her right out with a chop block. Shields grabs the leg and delivers a basement dragon screw leg whip before he takes Jessica’s arm. Shields steps over Jessica, still holding the arm as he forces her onto her stomach. Shields kneels down on Jessica’s back, traps the arm, and goes into an armlock Texas cloverleaf. Jessica is howling in pain as she scratches and claws at the mat, pulling herself towards the ropes, very slowly. Shields cranks back a bit on the leg, then goes forward to apply more pressure with his knee, but Jessica uses that slight rocking motion to help her lunge forward and grab the bottom rope with her free hand.

Nick Hanson: Wow. Jessica Matthews is not giving up. She has to be in so much pain with the damage that had already been done to her arm in addition to the attack on the knee.

Jim Reynolds: I hate to say it, but that’s why it’s called high risk. She looked to add a little bit to that move that almost got her the win, but it took just a second too long.

Hiroki Tanaka informs Jessica that was her last rope break, then points to the screen where a clock with 2 minutes on it appears and begins counting down. Jessica’s arm hangs at her side as she holds herself up on the ropes. Shields grabs Jessica, whips her across the ropes, and comes back with a flying forearm. As Jessica lands, her knees and elbow hit the mat as she does nearly as much damage to herself as Shields. Jessica stands, hits the ropes, and looks for a jumping hip attack, but Shields catches her with an atomic drop. Shields follows with a Tiger suplex and bridges into the pin for a 2 count. Shields brings Jessica up, takes the arm, and connects with Frailty. Jessica slumps down with Shields still in control of the arm. Shields locks in Whispers of Azathoth as the clock reaches sixty seconds and begins the final minute countdown. Jessica starts to fade with around 30 seconds left, but surges and gets her feet on the ropes, Tanaka informs her it doesn’t matter. Jessica is fading again, but she starts walking up the ropes, pushes off, and catches Shields with a sit-out straightjacket Shiranui. Jessica hooks both legs with maybe five seconds left



Yuusuke Takeda: Anata no shōsha... Jeshika mashūzu!

Jim Reynolds: Yes! Yes! Fuck yes! Jessica Matthews secures the pin with literally one second left.

Nick Hanson: Such a close match, but Jessica Matthews comes out on top! She turned a negative into a positive, using the ropes for a creative counter and another beautiful move.

Jessica seems a bit surprised as Hiroki Tanaka raises her hand in victory. She looks at the clock to see 00:01, then stands at attention and salutes the crowd before she asks for her Shield. Jessica raises the Shield high in the air as the crowd roars with cheers and appreciation for the amazing match. Shields has rolled out to the floor and seems to be untying his boots as he hangs his head. Shields slides his boots off, stands up, and rolls into the ring. Jessica raises her Shield, still ready to fight, but Shields just sets his boots down in the middle of the ring, exits the ring, and walks off. Jessica looks down at the boots, then up the ramp at Shields before he steps back through the curtain. Jessica poses with her Shield high, letting the fans get some pictures as she celebrates her very hard-fought and well-earned victory!

“Ika sete!

“Minoru-kun, ochitsuite kudasai…”

One of the rooms within the Tokyo Dome backstage area is the Haven. The camera pans over to reveal Hikaru Page with her son’s wrist in her hand. He’s trying to pull away from her, conflict and confusion in his jade-colored eyes.

Minoru Yamamoto-Page: Okaasan, I need to find Matto-Daddo! He left his wrestling boots in the ring! I-I know what that means!

Hikaru Page: Minoru-kun…

“I’ll go with him.”

Hikaru and Minoru look over. The camera moves in that direction and reveals Trenton Page. He walks over and places a hand on his son’s shoulder, his eyes on his wife.

Trenton Page: I may not be a fan of Matthew, but I’m willing to be cordial for Minoru’s sake.

Hikaru is genuinely surprised by this. A small yet sweet smile crosses her face. Slowly, she releases their son’s wrist. Minoru doesn’t try to run away. Instead, he looks up at his father with stars in his eyes.

Minoru Yamamoto-Page: Otōsan...

Trenton Page: Let’s go, kiddo. We’ll catch up to him.

The father-son duo nod and they head out through the open door. Stepping into the doorway, Nathaniel Dixon’s eyes focus on the two who just left the Haven and raises an eyebrow.

Nathaniel Dixon: Mā. Warui jiki ni kita koto ga arimasu ka, Yamamoto-sama?

(Oh my. Have I come in at a bad time, Yamamoto-sama?)

The Hostess of the Haven turns towards the Evolutionary Imperative and politely bows.

Hikaru Page: Shazai, Nasanieru-san. Sore wa kazoku no mondaidesu.

(My apologies, Nathaniel-san. It is a family matter.)

Nathaniel Dixon: Ah, I completely understand family matters. Speaking of, I hope you don’t mind I invited my baby sister and my oldest niece to join us?

Hikaru Page: Not at all, Nasanieru-san

She shakes her head and gently smiles. Nathaniel smiles in return and steps aside, allowing Ryleigh Dixon and Ami Fitzsimmons into the Haven. They’re both dressed in lovely kimonos, Ryleigh’s yellow and Ami’s pink. Hikaru’s own kimono is royal purple. Nathaniel is the only one who contrasts them with a three-piece Armani suit. They all politely bow towards Hikaru who mirrors the same politeness. She gestures to the black leather couch.

Hikaru Page: Please have a seat. Would any of you like something to drink? I have matcha green tea with honey and lemon, Fiji water, and hot sake.

Ryleigh Dixon: I’d love some tea, Hikaru-chan. Arigato.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Water please.

Nathaniel Dixon: Oh, I’ve finished my wrestling obligation. Hot sake sounds lovely.

Hikaru smiles and begins to serve her guests their selected drinks. Nathaniel, Ryleigh, and Ami sit down on the couch with the gentleman in the middle. After pouring herself a cup of tea, Hikaru carefully sets down the teapot and takes her seat on the matching recliner.

Nathaniel Dixon: You know Kunzai-sama, yes?

The Lotus Blossom is a little taken aback to hear that name. It resonates with her memories, especially with the incident in HYBRID Wrestling.

Hikaru Page: H-hai…

Nathaniel Dixon: Yes, I remember. Yakuza boss -- well, he’s retired now. Shido Hideyoshi is the new leader of his gang. Akio Tsuzuki is, well… “indisposed”. He’s no longer a threat to you or your family. Certainly not to Kurosu-san.

Ami is perplexed by this revelation, unable to take a sip of her water. Ryleigh shoots a particular look at her oldest brother. Hikaru’s eyes are slightly wide.

Hikaru Page: How… how do you know all of that, Nasanieru-san?

Nathaniel offers her a simple smile and his earth-colored eyes shimmer.

Nathaniel Dixon: I know things.

Ami Fitzsimmons: I’m confused.

The San Diegan Model takes a sip of her tea.

Ryleigh Dixon: Mmm, this tea is divine!

Hikaru Page: Oh! I’m glad you like it, Rairī-chan.

Quite the subject change. Nathaniel chuckles softly and with a swift motion, he downs his serving of the hot sake. He releases a content sigh and leans back against the couch.

Nathaniel Dixon: Yamamoto-sama, I know I requested an interview with you. However, I believe we should proceed without the eyes of the world upon us.

Ryleigh and Ami look at him, a mixture of emotions conveying from their body language. A relaxed smile forms on Nathaniel’s face. Hikaru’s a little confused, but she nods.

Hikaru Page: A-alright.

She takes a sip of her tea before she sets her cup down on the Japanese cypress table. Turning towards the camera, she bows her head.

Hikaru Page: Gomen’nasai, mi’naa. Please enjoy the rest of WrestleWar!

The last-second change is a surprise, but soon enough, the perspective changes entirely.
The scene comes up backstage focused on one of the tag team belts slung over the shoulder of Torian Drake. The camera zooms out to reveal Dylan Drake standing with him. Both brothers smirk at the camera

Torian Drake: Tokyo, ima koso NFW tagguchīmuchanpion o mukaeru tokidesu! Watashi wa akumeidakai doragon, Torian Drake! Soshite, sore wa watashi no ani, daburu D Dylan Drake! Tokyo, ano gōon o kiite miyou!

The audience gives a roar to the tron as the Drakes listen out to the camera. The Drakes look at the camera directly.

Torian Drake: Gallus Mag,-ji ga kita.

Dylan Drake: We have stayed silent for a long time.

Torian Drake: Shikashi, soreha watashitachi ga namakete iru to iu imide wa arimasen.

Dylan Drake: We have been training for this night.

Torian Drake: NFW shijō saidai no yoru. Soshite, tagguchīmu no chanpion to shite, watashitachi wa kore o ōkina bakuhatsu ni kaeru tsumoridesu.

Dylan Drake: We'll leave our mark tonight and on you.

Torian Drake: Koko de chokumen suru kyūkyoku no taiketsu no junbi o shite kudasai!

The brothers put their belts together in front of them. The camera zooms in on the belts before the scene fades out.

Yuusuke Takeda: Tsugi no kontesuto wa MMA rūrumatchidesu! Kaku raundo de 5-bu de 5-raundo no kanōsei ga arimasu. Faitā no 1-ri ga nokkuauto matawa tappuauto sa reta baai, shiai wa shūryō shimasu.

Saisho ni shōkai suru no wa, Mishigan-shū Detoroito kara, kare no taijū wa 89 Kiroguramudesu... Kare wa `1000-Go no Otoko' Kai Mōgandesu!
The smooth, hazy beat of Aesop Rock’s “Gauze” subtly creeps into the arena speakers as the arena is bathed in a dark, murky lighting. Kai Morgan enters, the bright spotlight placed on him cutting through the ambience of the current setting.

The first verse kicks in as Morgan starts to make his way to the cage slowly. His body language reads in a way of carelessness. His shoulders slacked, and his face possessed a snide expression to it. There’s an intrigued rise from the crowd as he’s joined by his corner team which is made up of his girlfriend Teresa Jacobson and Zion Wrestling roster members, Daria Dorsey and Mai Blackman.

He steps into the cage and kneels right in front of the hard camera as the first verse reaches its end:


Just then, Morgan throws a double finger-gun gesture straight towards the camera, sticking out his tongue as he does so. He gets to his feet, before awaiting his opponent. As he does, he sits down in the chair in his corner and sets his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

Yuusuke Takeda: Soshite, kare no taisen aite wa, nyūyōku-shū morabia shusshin de, taijū wa 73-kiroguramudesu... Kare wa Xander' The Jiniasu' Firumoadesu!

The lights go out abruptly as the crowd buzzes knowing that The PEACEMAKER is about to make his entrance. With the amazing production his wife showed last night there’s been a ton of anticipation for what Xander is going to show tonight seeing it’s rumored that the couple are now both using music from Riot Games. It seems like minutes pass before anything happens. Xander is clearly using some gamesmanship and making Kai wait for him to be ready. The crowd buzzes even harder as suddenly the same opening Fillmore has come out to since his debut starts. The usual tank rolls onto the massive screen behind the stage, distorts into animation, then blinks in and out a few times and the screen is black again.

Another few moments pass before the very familiar image of the League of Legends champion Jinx appears on the screen. She cocks her head to the side and moves her face really close to the screen before tapping on it with an audible tap sound. Looking annoyed she does a double flip backwards and shoots her minigun towards the display and it looks like it cracks. Not satisfied, she pulls out a different weapon that looks like a sharkhead at the end. The woman known as the Loose Cannon fires her “Super Mega Death Rocket!” which is her ultimate attack in the game and the screen shatters. The animated 3D projectile actually flies around the arena a few times before landing right in the ring in an explosion of purple and blue fire and smoke. Upon impact, the first hit of “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons x J.I.D starts to play. A second hit is heard as…

The crowd pops the loudest they have this night so far as there’s another slight pause as the moment builds. On the display, Jinx climbs down to the stage and is now a 3D hologram prancing around the stage as the song begins..


The music holds out for a few moments as Jinx brings up her minigun once again and when the chorus drops she lets off a spray of rounds in the air. At the same time large amounts of pyrotechnics almost turn the entire stage white and it’s hard to look at for a second.


While the chorus plays, Xander Fillmore and the whole TRIOCS team start to walk out onto the stage. Xander is wearing a black cloak adorned with many of the characters from the show Arcane on it and a hood down. The ladies of Team TRIOCS are all wearing what look like traditional MMA style walkout shirts with the team's logo and The PEACEMAKER below it on the front. On the back are the Riot Games logo and Xander’s last name at the top.


Xander walks real slow to the middle of the stage where Jinx is still firing away manically as she notices Xander approaching and she aims the gun towards The PEACEMAKER. He shoots his head back making his hood fly back before raising one finger to the hologram. Xan shakes it back and forth a few times before pointing to the cage. Jinx looks confused for a second but quickly gets what Fillmore is telling her. She brandishes the rocket launcher once again and pulls the trigger. Another SMDR is shot out and once again lands in the ring with the same intensity as it did the first time as the chorus comes in again.


Xander in complete excitement jumps in place a few times, fist bumps Jinx and looks back at the team, giving them a head nod before making his walk down the ramp towards the octagon. The Loose Cannon goes back to propelling animated bullets in the air above the crew as they stroll to the place where the fight is to happen.


During the rap section, Xan reaches the prep man and removes the cloak to reveal he is wearing knee-length MMA-style compression trunks. On them are the same design as the cover he was wearing, clearly branded with the Riot series main characters. The cut man applies the vaseline on his face and checks his gloves before releasing him to enter the cage.


Xander walks up the stairs to the top and bows to the octagon, his team, and finally the crowd before entering. He runs around the eight-sided structure and purposely right in front of Kai before ending at the blue corner of which he’s been assigned tonight. The team meets him on the other side and hangs a TRIOCS banner behind him. The true Mixed Martial artist looks in a rather good shape and is laser-focused on Morgan on the other side of the cage.


Jinx shoots one final rocket into the octagon as Fillmore shadow boxes a bit and takes a drink of water as his music ends. Jinx pulls out a grenade, pulls the pin, and drops it in front of her. There’s a cloud of the same multicolored smoke and when the image fades she’s gone and the spotlights aim to where this battle will ensue.

As Xander is standing across the cage, staring daggers towards his opponent, Kai just casually smirks back at him. He pulls his hands out of his hoodie pockets and unzips it. Kai pulls the hoodie open to reveal a Zion Wrestling - Zachary Porter t-shirt underneath. Kai starts laughing to himself as the entirety of TRIOCS visibly fumes at him. Just to further get under Xander’s skin, he takes his sweet time removing his hoodie and t-shirt. Daria Dorsey and Teresa Jacobson both cheer him on, pumping him up while Mai Blackman slips Kai’s guard into his mouth and administers the vaseline across his cheeks and eyebrows. As she does, she offers some last-minute coaching to the Man of a Million Words before giving him a hearty smack in the chest and steps back. Kai kisses Teresa, fist bumps Daria, and steps back up into the cage.


In the specially set up octagon, Kai Morgan and Xander Fillmore had both made their way into the cage, a look of death radiating from both of their faces as they stared each other down. There was no bumping of their gloves out of respect as Heather Young nodded for the fight to get started. The two men immediately started circling each other, feeling each other out for the first few seconds of the 1st round, but Kai Morgan quickly threw a stiff punch, catching Xander off guard on the jaw. Fillmore moved his jaw around for a second but didn’t stay off guard for long as Morgan threw a kick towards the other man’s head though it was avoided.

3:30 remaining in Round 1

Xander was quick with a takedown, slamming Kai to the mat of the octagon, throwing a few punches as he hovered over Morgan. Kai covered his face and head, trying to block and soften the blows being thrown at him. In between Fillmore’s throws, Morgan manages to throw a few of his own hands, giving him the opportunity to get Fillmore back some. Kai barely has the time to get back to his feet before Xander throws a kick towards Kai’s ribs, but Morgan is able to avoid the kick and throws one of his own, hitting Fillmore in the back of the knee, causing it to buckle for a moment.

2:00 remaining in Round 1

Now being behind Fillmore, Morgan dropped to a knee, going to slam his shoulder into the previously impacted knee, but Xander quickly turned and slammed his foot into Kai’s ribs with a vicious side kick. The impact from the skin-on-skin impact made a sickening smack noise, and anyone close could see Morgan grimace and go for his ribs before stopping himself. Fillmore noticed the reaction and immediately sent a couple more kicks into Morgan’s ribs for good measure. Fillmore mounted Morgan and began raining lefts and rights onto the other man yet again, this time managing to cause a couple of cuts on Morgan’s face. As he was getting heavy hits in, the buzzer sounded to signify the end of the first round, much to the irritation of Fillmore.


As the judges determined the scores for Fillmore and Morgan, the two men made their ways to their corners. Daria Dorsey gave Kai his water while Mai Blackman began talking a bit of strategy with him. Teresa kneeled down in front of her other half and began gently wiping away the blood on his face from a couple of cuts that he had received from the punches. Once the blood was gone, she grabbed the Vaseline jaw and put a little more in those areas, eyeing the reddening skin around his ribs before backing off some with her role being complete, and Kai passed his water back to Daria. On the opposite side, Xander’s team could be seen doing the same for him, minus tending to cuts and such, while they awaited the results of the first round. They didn’t have to wait much longer before the points were announced, showing Xander taking round 1 by two points.


The teams left the respective areas as the men got up and waited for the 2nd round to get underway.


The two men wasted no time in going at each other yet again with Fillmore immediately going after the previously attacked ribs of Kai. He was able to get his arm around Morgan’s neck, slamming his fists into the ribs to try and cause more damage. As Xander went for an outside leg trip, Kai nailed him with a swift uppercut to the underside of the man’s chin, catching him near the back of it. This sent Xander back a couple of steps, unable to follow through with the leg trip.

2:30 remaining in Round 2

Seeing an opening, Kai threw a couple of rights at Xander before moving in for a double leg takedown, slamming Fillmore down to the octagon mat. With the TRIOCS member down on the mat, Morgan dropped and got set up for an arm-triangle choke, clinching the submission hold in with a vengeance. As it seemed that he was fading from the lack of blood flow, Xander found some inner strength and began getting his footing under him. As he got back to his feet, he lifted Kai in the air and slammed him onto the mat with a sloppy powerbomb, causing Morgan to let go of the choke. Fillmore stumbled away, coughing for a minute now that he was able to get away from the other man.

1:00 Remaining in Round 2

Kai got back to his feet, not wanting to give Xander much time to recoup, and hit Xander with a couple of quick jabs, putting as much force behind them as he could. He managed to catch Fillmore just below his eye with one of the hits then caught him on the cheek with the next one, returning the favor of the cuts he had been given in the first round. Xander began guarding his face, trying to block the hits being thrown his way, and as the seconds trickled down on the clock, Kai transitioned to hitting various areas with fierce kicks. The buzzer sounded to signal the end of round 2, and the men shot each other death glares before making their way to their respective corners.


Xander’s team moves over to him, his cut being cleaned and new Vaseline being applied while he drinks some water from the bottle he took from one of the team members. While the cut man finishes up, Xander begins listening to some ideas from the other. Kai has some water as well before a smirk comes to his face while listening to Mai. Teresa does a quick check on the cuts that were sustained in the first round, satisfied with how they looked for now. Daria took the water bottle from him as the round 2 points were announced.



As their teams left the area, the men got up, ready for the final round to get underway.


Kai and Xander began circling each other, the smirk on Morgan’s face still there to taunt Fillmore. As Fillmore comes at Morgan with an uppercut, Kai jerks out of the way, verbally taunting Fillmore as he did. Xander went for a swift side kick to the already damaged ribs, but Morgan caught the leg and flipped the other man onto his back. Frustration was beginning to show on Fillmore’s face as he got to his feet, and he went to viciously punch Kai in the face. The other man blocked the punch only to spit in Xander’s face. The disrespect sent Fillmore over the edge, and he just reared back and punched Kai square in the face. Morgan went down almost instantly, and Heather dropped down to check on him. She waved her arms, calling for the buzzer to sound to end the round and bout. She went over and spoke to the judges, letting them know that Kai Morgan was out like a light.



Nick Hanson: HE’S DOWN!!! KAI’S DOWN!!! KAI MORGAN IS DOWN!!!

Jim Reynolds: KAI MORGAN IS FUCKING OUT, NICKY!!

Nick Hanson: A TKO VICTORY FOR THE PEACEMAKER OVER HIS NEMESIS!!

Jim Reynolds: SERVES HIM RIGHT, THE TWO-FACED FUCK!!

Yuusuke Takeda: Go resseki no minasama, TKO ni yoru MMA no shiai no shōsha... Xander' The Jiniasu' Firumoadesu!

As Xander’s hand is being raised by Heather Young raised for his TKO victory over Kai who is still being attended to by the NFW medical staff the crowd explodes into chants for him.

Crowd: XANDER - FILL - MORE… clap… clap… clap…

Crowd: XANDER - FILL - MORE… clap… clap… clap…

Crowd: XANDER - FILL - MORE… clap… clap… clap…

Moments later Collision interviewer Amanda Thorn approaches The PEACEMAKER for the usual in-cage post fight chat every MMA company does for the victor.

Amanda Thorn: Wow Xander, that was one of the most insane fights I think we've seen by two men that clearly hate one another in quite some time!

Xander Fillmore: Yeah… He was just as underprepared as I expected him to be, but shit that guys got a chin and rather good cardio! With that said I think he gassed there from the constant pressure a REAL MMA FIGHTER can bring and in the end I used my years of training to get the knockout win we all knew would come, Amanda!!

Amanda Thorn: He did bust you open pretty well there and some thought the doctor might stop the fight because of that cut.

Xander Fillmore: Everyone but me and the team… Cuts are a part of the fight game and the cut man did a phenomenal job of managing the slice. It’s nothing a few stitches won’t fix and I think I’ll have a cool scar to remind me of how this night went our way!!!

Xander looks over his shoulder to the entire TRIOCS team that is still beaming with excitement for their fellow teammate as he takes off his gloves and throws them into the crowd.

Amanda Thorn: Well that’s gonna be a nice NFT someday! Anyway, let’s take a look at the finish up here on the screen and tell me what you think, Xan?

The replay rolls and he and Amanda watch where Xander scored a perfect takedown and worked to get the mount where he ground and pound Kai’s face in until he was unconscious and Heather Young mercifully saved Morgan from being hurt really badly.

Xander Fillmore: That’s years of early morning and later nights to become one of the best Folkstyle Wrestlers in the world and like I said he was clearly spent so he couldn’t stop me from bashing his face in… Not much more to say about that, Miss Thorn!! But I do have one more thing to say before we prepare Effy for her to defend her World Championship in a bit. This goes out to Kai and his buddy whose shirt he wore to the octagon tonight… Zachary Porter we have unfinished business!! And I vow to beat the fuck out of you just like I did your boss here tonight!!

Xander looks at Kai who is being helped out of the ring by this corner and he just chuckles at his handy work.

Xander Fillmore: I don’t care where or how, you and I will go at it and the powers that be please NEED to make that happen!! Because from what I see we’re one and one in the childish attacks and that is not enough for me to be satisfied. Be a man and step out of your girlfriend's shadow and face me!!

Amanda Thorn: Well that’s a lot to unpack there and I guess we’ll have to see what the NFW and ZION matchmakers can set up. You got anything else to follow that up with, Xander?

Xander Fillmore: Nope… Thank you for the fantastic line of questions. My job is done here and I’m gonna go get patched up now. Have a great rest of your night, Tokyo Dome… I know we in TRIOCS will go a perfect 5-0 in singles matches when FM beats Adrianna in our MAIN EVENT later tonight!!

Fillmore turns to the team of ladies behind him and scoops up Rayola in a huge hug and kiss as Ryleigh takes a selfie style pic of the team. “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons x J.I.D plays loudly and the crowd pops once more for Xander and the entire Team TRIOCS’s victory.

Yuusuke Takeda: Tsugi no shiai wa, ōrudogoddomatchi no toraiarudesu! Chanpion ni naruniha, charenjā wa 3 fōru de chanpion o taosu hitsuyō ga arimasuga, chanpion ga 1 fōru de katta baai, taitoru wa hoji sa remasu.

Nick Hanson: A match that definitely favors the champion, except that I don’t think Jasmine Matthews is all about winning the gold tonight, Jimmy!

Jim Reynolds: I like both these chicks, Nicky, which makes this a tough one to call. Tonight, I gotta agree with you: Jasmine wants blood for what was done to Morgan. The title might just be secondary.

Nick Hanson: She’s still a Matthews, though, and none can dispute the talent and drive of the Kingdom. It isn’t out of the question to say she has a shot.

Jim Reynolds: Not even a little. But Crowthorne is something altogether different. She’s fuckin’ creepy. And she plays it to the hilt. Is Jasmine even ready for that?
The synthesized intro of "Big Bad Wolf" begins matched shortly by the drums and the lights of the arena fade to darkness. A eerie purple glow begins to appear on the stage as the guitar strums kick in the words "Even in these chains you can't stop me" repeated four times with a loud drum strike after each one. After the fourth the guitars and drums kick in full force and the words "The Fanged Rose" appears on the screen with the well known red eyes of the Matthews "Reptile" behind it.


Yuusuke Takeda: Saisho ni, chōsen-sha o shōkai shimasu! Nōsukaroraina-shū gurīnzuboro ni sumi, taijū ga 140-pondo no ōkoku o daihyō suru kanojo wa, FangedRose…JASMINE MATTHEWS!

As Maria shrieks the follow up The Fanged Rose comes through the curtain. The black coat buckled around her throat with the hood up shadowing her face. She steps to where the stage and the ramp meet she drops into a kneel with a hand on the ramp.


Each line she bobs lightly until the final word and Jasmine shoots up straight throwing the hood back from her face and letting out a bestial shriek before she sprints to the ring and sides under the ropes. She pops back up and marches to the turnbuckle where she climbs to the top, throws one leg over to balance herself and lifts a single fist into the air.

Nick Hanson: That is one ferociously angry lady.

Jim Reynolds: That’s her standard attitude. If you were surrounded by idiots every time you stepped out of your castle, you’d be pissed, too.

Nick Hanson: She had better rein it in a little, though. Her opponent thrives on opponents being off-balance.

Jim Reynolds: That’s the difference between Jasmine and the rest. When they’re angry, they’re sloppy. When she’s angry, she’s at her best.

Yuusuke Takeda: Soshite shōkai… chanpion!
The arena lights slowly fade out as the opening discordant note of “Cthulhu Awakes” by Apollon de Moura echoes through it. A wavering, pulsing, blue light highlights the entrance area. Standing at the top of the ramp is Milisandre Crowthorne. The hood of her stringy, patchwork coat is pulled up over her head. She pulled the hood back and looked ahead towards the ring. She slowly started to walk towards it, that eerie blue light following her.

Yuusuke Takeda: Masachūsettsu-shū ākamu shusshin de, taijū ga 132-pondo no kanojo wa, Mariana no zangō chanpion o tōchi shi, yōgo shite imasu. Antedirubia no joō… MILISANDRE CROWTHORNE!

She climbed up the ring steps and turned out to look at the crowd. She turns back towards the ring, no expression on her face. She enters the ring and stands in the middle of it. She slowly raises her arms and the lights rise and return to normal. She removes her coat and then moves to her corner.

Nick Hanson: Some people, Jim, can put you on defense before the bell even rings. They crawl up in your head, find a comfortable spot and pour a drink like they own the place.

Jim Reynolds: That’s Milisandre in a nutshell. It’s a good thing she’s attractive or most people might be afraid to get close to her.

Nick Hanson: Does the Queen of the Kingdom look worried?

Jim Reynolds: She looks like Milisandre just kicked her dog. She’s about to go Jane Wick on the champion!


And immediately the challenger lunges for the champion, driving Milisandre into the buckles and firing off hard body shots aimed at her ribs! Jasmine is figuratively frothing at getting to lay into Milisandre, following up her barrage of punches with a humongous chop that leaves Crowthorne clutching her chest and fighting for air! She staggers out of the corner and is yanked back in by the hair, the referee’s admonishment ignored by Jasmine as she lights up the champion with another big chop. Pushing her hand against Crowthorne’s chin, bending her head back, Jasmine licks the edge of her hand, grits her teeth and lashes in with a third brutal chop that leaves the champion on her hands and knees!

Nick Hanson: Good grief! Behold the Kingdom!

Jim Reynolds: Nice to see you coming around, Nicky! Jasmine wants this done yesterday!

Anger is making Jasmine strong. She brings Milisandre up by the hair and sends her into the ropes, shoulderblocking her down and just laying the boots to her mercilessly. Milisandre punches at Jasmine’s midsection as she is pulled up, but Jasmine responds with a hard kneelift before whipping the champion again into the ropes. This time, Milisandre catches herself on the top strand, putting the brakes on Jasmine’s momentum. The challenger charges and Milisandre elevates her over the top. Jasmine lands on the apron, though, and grabs the champion by the head before dropping down, snapping the back of Milisandre’s neck over the top rope! Dropping to her knees again, Milisandre clutches her head as Jasmine briefly plays to the rabid crowd before rolling back into the ring.

Jasmine leans into the ropes, then charges at Crowthorne, aiming a knee to the back of the woman’s head. Shockingly, Milisandre ducks this blow despite seemingly not seeing it coming! Jasmine puts on the brakes, briefly off-balance by the lack of expected impact. The champion delivers a high knee that runs Jasmine into the ropes, buying the champion some time to recover! Jasmine comes right back at her, and Milisandre is ready, blocking her strike and taking her over with a capture suplex! Immediately she floats over and goes for the arms, attempting to put Jasmine in the Black Hole, but the challenger gets to the ropes just in the nick, breaking things up before Crowthorne can close her clutches!

Jim Reynolds: Close one there! Milisandre can make you tap out so many ways that it’s scary!

Nick Hanson: The last thing Jasmine wants is to be stuck in a submission hold for any length of time! Remember, she has to beat Milisandre in three straight falls to win the title!

Jim Reynolds: And Milisandre only has to get one fall! I’d say that’s unfair, but honestly? It’s genius!

Jasmine slides out of the ring under the bottom rope, snarling and staring at Milisandre who, still in the ring, seems almost bored. Then she gestures for Jasmine to come back in and the challenger is happy to oblige! She charges the champion, who leapfrogs Jasmine and catches her with a deep armdrag! Jasmine is back up in a hurry, aiming a knee at the champion’s head, but Milisandre ducks this and delivers a neckbreaker, floating over quickly into a pin attempt!


Almost before the referee’s hand hits the mat a second time is Jasmine up, aiming a punt-style kick at Milisandre’s head! The champion leans out of the way and Jasmine grabs her, nailing a float-over DDT, spiking the champ’s head hard to the canvas. Mounting from the side, Jasmine throws hard knees one after the other at the champion’s ribs. She only stops when the referee’s count hits four, but grinds her forearm across the face of Crowthorne while staring the official in the eye… and then starting right back up with those knees!

Nick Hanson: Now we’re going to see what Milisandre is made of! Angry Jasmine is one thing. Angry and focused Jasmine is another entirely!

Jim Reynolds: It’s the Matthews blood, Nicky. But don’t go sleeping on Milisandre just yet; she’s a lot tougher than you think!

And this is proven when the camera catches a glimpse of the champion’s face, showing her actually smiling despite the repeated blows. Jasmine does not see this, pulling Milisandre’s head up by the hair and driving her face into the mat! The official is right back on her case but Jasmine just makes a rude face at him and does it again! Milisandre, however, weathers this well and once Jasmine pauses again, the champion makes her pay for it with a Thesz press followed by many a right hand to the jaw! Milisandre backs off for a moment, staring as Jasmine slowly gets vertical. She runs in for a leaping clothesline but Jasmine rolls to the side, coming back up to her feet and charging in for a spear! Milisandre leapfrogs the challenger, delivering an exploder suplex and hanging on with the leg hooked for a pin attempt!


Jasmine is out at two, coming up with a clothesline of her own which Milisandre ducks. Almost victimized by a German suplex, Jasmine flips backwards and lands on her feet, blasting the champion in the back of the head with a forearm and then the Bloodline kick before making a pin of her own!


Nick Hanson: Now things are getting even more intense! Jasmine, again, has to get three falls before Milisandre can even get one!

Jim Reynolds: If she keeps this up, she has a shot! Milisandre looks like she’s slowing down a little!

Hitting the mat once, Jasmine rises and brings Milisandre with her, hitting a second Bloodline kick. Sent to a knee, Milisandre fights off a DDT and strikes Jasmine directly in the throat! An STO follows and the champion hits a leaping clothesline, then another! A second exploder suplex is followed by the Decay and Milisandre arches up, her fingers locked, trying to stretch Jasmine to the point where she has no choice but to give up! The challenger reaches the ropes moments later, but Milisandre holds on till the count of four, ignoring the official’s irritation at her flouting the rules!

Nick Hanson: Silly as it might sound, Jasmine needs to pick up the pace and keep it there! If this slows down too much, Milisandre is going to wear her down and put her away!

Jim Reynolds: And all the toughness in the world won’t completely change that this is essentially three matches for the challenger! But if anyone can make it happen, it’s Jasmine!

Nick Hanson: I wonder…

The champion is far from done, though. Grabbing Jasmine by the hair and waist, she sends the Kingdom member between the top and middle ropes, ramming her shoulder into the ring post! And then does it a second time, leaving Jasmine reeling in the corner. She still fires back with some left-handed strikes, but Milisandre powers through, wrapping the right arm around the top rope and firing off some chops of her own, a receipt from earlier in the match! Then, putting her foot to the rope, she grabs Jasmine’s right wrist and pulls on the arm for all she’s worth! The challenger claws at the hands and pounds on the leg, but Crowthorne continues to hang on as long as she can without getting disqualified!

Jim Reynolds: Now we’re seeing the brutal side of the champion, Nicky! I know what she’s gearing up for… and Jasmine might be in trouble!

Milisandre goes for the arm a second time and it takes the challenger blatantly punching her right in the eye to make the champion back off! She shakes off the blow quickly, however, and wrenches on that right wing, twisting and pulling on it without mercy. She manages to flip Jasmine to the mat with her work on it, twisting the challenger onto her back and driving her knee into the shoulder. Refusing any offers of submission, Jasmine slowly fights her way back up, driving one, two, three headbutts into the temple of Milisandre to force the woman to let go. Trying to shake out her arm a bit, Jasmine blasts the champion with a leaping knee and a spear, taking Milisandre down! The spear hurts like hell, keeping Jasmine from immediately making the pin…


…and thus Milisandre is able to keep from being pinned. When she’s back on her feet, though, she turns right into the Ice Cold from Jasmine! Spinning to the mat, Milisandre looks completely out of it as Jasmine hooks the leg with her left arm!


Nick Hanson: And Jasmine wins a fall! One down, two to go! Can she weather the assault from the champion long enough to take the title, Jim?!

Jim Reynolds: Maybe she can! If I’m her, though, there should be no rest! Not now! Milisandre is still only half-conscious! Jasmine has to stay on her and put this away!

The referee checks on the champion but Jasmine is having none of that, pushing past him and picking up Milisandre and wrenching the arm, delivering a series of knees to the midsection! With a wicked grin, she moves to hoist Milisandre up on her shoulders… and the Japanese fans know exactly what she’s thinking!

Nick Hanson: Are we gonna see the Injection here, Jimmy?!

Jim Reynolds: If that wouldn’t be a poetic way to put the champion down, I don’t know what would be! But I think Milisandre is feeling it coming!

Nick Hanson: Elbows… first to the head, then to the right shoulder! Milisandre is trying to break out of this and-

-and she succeeds, albeit barely! Jasmine is holding her shoulder but gets spun around by Milisandre looking for a big right hand! Jasmine ducks this, delivering the Strike and sending the champion out of the ring! Rolling out after her, Jasmine levels some hard kicks and knees to the ribs of the champion, who shoves her backwards into the steps to break loose! A running kick sends the top half of the steps off the base and to the floor… but Jasmine is able to avoid the blow! Milisandre leaps to the apron and runs off, delivering a clothesline to Jasmine that sends her to the floor… and then her eyes land upon the dislodged steps. Milisandre steps over the challenger, picking up the top half of the steel, turning to stare at Jasmine.

Jim Reynolds: Wait a minute, if she gets herself disqualified that’s another fall against her!

Nick Hanson: As much as I hate to suggest it, the damage she does might be enough to warrant such a move, Jim! Jasmine wouldn’t be able to stand up to her after shots like those steps could help deliver!

Jim Reynolds: See, now you’re thinking like a winner for once!

Milisandre takes a moment too long to consider, though, and Jasmine throws a kick to the midsection from the floor that makes the champion stagger back, with a second one making her drop the steps as the referee’s count continues!


Jasmine is the first to roll in… but she rolls right back out! Milisandre is on the attack first, laying into Jasmine with chops before she is shoved back again. Still favoring her shoulder, Jasmine rushes the champion, driving her back-first into the barricade, then whipping her back-first into the apron! She goes for a second Ice Cold but Milisandre moves side, kicking the hamstring as Jasmine’s leg is temporarily braced up on the apron! Rolling the challenger back into the ring, Milisandre quickly follows and drives her boot into the right arm of the challenger while Jasmine is still trying to get up! But Jasmine retorts with a clothesline from the same arm, throwing all of her 140 pounds into it despite the pain it deals to her as well! Putting the sole of her boot to the head of Milisandre, she twists it harshly against her brow then drags a thumb across her throat, signaling for the Constrictor!

Nick Hanson: If Jasmine locks this in, there’s no doubt that Milisandre will have to tap… and then it’ll be a one-fall match!

Jim Reynolds: She’s got the champion by the hair, Nick! This might be academic!

Milisandre has it scouted, though! Before Jasmine can lock it in, she’s shoved all the way to the corner, back-first against the buckles! She lowers hard clubbing shots to the back of Milisandre, who throws shoulders to the midsection in response! A strike to the arm again stuns Jasmine, but she responds with a headbutt, forcing Milisandre back! Another Ice Cold is aimed at the head of the champion, but she sidesteps and swings up onto the back and shoulders of Jasmine with the Grasp of Cthulhu!

Nick Hanson: Submission locked in by the champion! Jasmine has to get out of this somehow, Nick!

Jim Reynolds: Why are you telling me like I’m supposed to have ideas?! Milisandre has won many a match with a hold like this! And Jasmine is already damaged!

Clearly the hold is putting yet more pressure on Jasmine’s arm, but she still slings Milisandre off and to the mat! Holding her arm, she stomps the hell out of Crowthorne, who somehow gets out from under the barrage of boots and to the corner! Jasmine rushes in, taking a kick to the face, followed by an STO! And it’s right back to the Grasp of Cthulhu once she pulls Jasmine back to her feet, the champion determined to end this!

Nick Hanson: That woman is merciless!

Jim Reynolds: Don’t say that like it’s a newsflash, Nicky! She’s always been ruthless! Now she’s just not shy about showing how much so!

This time, Jasmine is doing all she can to block the hold, trying to keep Milisandre from cinching things in… but her arm can only take so much! Milisandre quickly turns it into the Grip of Cthulhu, applying yet more pressure to the challenger! Trying to fight through it, Jasmine gets within an inch… no, a centimeter… of the ropes! A fingertip alights on the middle strand, but Milisandre throws back with her grip, wrenching harder than ever on the contorted form of the challenger, forcing a tap-out and the end of the match!


Yuusuke Takeda: Anata no shōsha… soshite soredemo Mariana kaikō chanpion… Merisandoru Kurousōn!

Releasing the hold after the bell, Milisandre drops to her knees, breathing heavily as the title is placed in her hands. Jasmine rolls from the ring, still clutching her right shoulder with a furious expression on her face. Milisandre slowly rises to her feet, staring at the belt before holding it high, getting a mixed but impressive reaction from the fans in attendance!

Nick Hanson: A big win for the champion, getting the win over one of the Kingdom’s best!

Jim Reynolds: That’s a big ol’ feather for her hat, Nick! Or would that be a tentacle? Because, y’know… Great Old Ones.

Nick Hanson: Sometimes I don’t know if your brain works too much or not enough…