NFW Trauma #71! 05/21/2022!

The show starts on a solemn note, the lights of the arena dimming down as the fans wonder just what’s happening. They don’t have to wait long for answers, as a single spotlight shines over the ring, with Kai Morgan sitting in steel chair underneath it. He has a microphone in hand as the fans bombard him with boos. However this time, unlike any other time, Morgan raises a single hand and the crowd’s noise begins to cease.

Kai Morgan: May…thirtieth…twenty twenty-one…

Morgan pauses, measuring his next words carefully.

Kai Morgan: In ten short days…I will have been signed with New Frontier Wrestling for one full year…

Has it all been perfect? No. It hasn’t. Admittedly, it’s been quite the opposite. Hell I’m still hung up on a loss I took three months ago, to someone who just saw it as another Tuesday. But here’s the thing, a few light blemishes aside, I’ve cemented myself a pillar of this company…whether you like it…or not…

In the 355 days since I’ve put pen to paper on my NFW contract, I’ve taken on veterans, newcomers, champions, contenders…and a few light blemishes aside, they’ve all one way or another found their way to the mat…1-2-3…I had a marquee match at last year’s WrestleWar…Hell it was because of me that this show almost didn’t happen…I did all that within a year…

Morgan leans towards the camera now, making sure his next words resonate with those currently watching.

Kai Morgan: Within a year, I made Kai Morgan a name that you all remember whether you like it or not…

Which is why it burns me alive when people like Kasey Kash wanna claim that they made me. That I was living under their shadow. I’ve done more in one year, than people claiming to have made me as big as I am have done in twice the time, and yet they still think I need them…fuck off!

Another pause, before Kai continues.

Kai Morgan: It burns me alive seeing people talking down to me, thinking that I’m “bitching and complaining” because I’m fighting tooth and nail for what I deserve. 2022 is nearly halfway over, and I’ve only been defeated once this year. On May 31st, ten days from now, I will have been signed to NFW for one full year, and I’ve only been defeated three times. Yet I’ve watched time and time again as people like Kasey Kash get fifteen-thousand chances at the top title of our brand, while I haven’t even gotten one chance at any titles all. It’s not bitching and complaining to say that my time is overdue, and if I have to fuck with Kasey Kash’s career in order for people to take notice then I’m fucking going to.

A final pause.

Kai Morgan: Next Saturday…Manifest Destiny III…is my proving ground! I’m gonna beat Kasey Kash…I’m gonna prove why I should be the one at the top of this company…and take my place as the rightful Undisputed Champion!

Morgan drops the microphone, taking in the overswell of boos before the spotlight fades. Before long, all of the lights in the arena come up again and Morgan is gone.
The camera fades to Ayu Megumi, Ayu walks into the camera smiling as she is in a tracksuit today because she had no match today. Ayu shakes hands with Dakota Winters before looking at the camera and picking up the mic from Dakota.

Dakota Winters: Before starting to ask you questions, congratulations on last week's win with you and Ibbie like a team for a long time, it's another great win for you. How do you feel after last week's victory and how is your relationship with Ibbie, can you let us know?

Ayu Megumi nodded at Dakota Winters' question. She smiled warmly before picking up the mic to answer the question she had received from Dakota.

Ayu Megumi: Ibbie and I, we are friends, we have a good relationship, we are not just opponents in the ring. We are friends who can work together. We are friends who can fight in the ring. Even though we have a good relationship Even though we're friends, I still want to beat Ibbie. I'm always looking forward to that day. I want to prove myself to a strong opponent. And I think Ibbie is a strong opponent. If I have that chance again I want to beat Ibbie. I want to keep gaining more and more experience. I know I haven't been in America for a long time and I need time to learn the culture here as much as possible. And I think if I can beat Ibbie someday I will prove that I've improved a step further. I still have many errors. I still have to train myself to be ready all the time someday when my chance of catching gold comes, that day will be when I'm most ready. I know if I'm going to fight Ibbie Once again, our friendship remains the same. Its friends can't be wiped out with just a few fights. We don't hate each other. But we respect each other, that's why we can be friends even if we have to fight on the ring. I want the match between me and Ibbie to happen again. I know it's a very difficult match. But I wish there was a winner in this match. Because what happened made me still wonder to myself, am I good enough for American wrestling? But I want to prove myself, that makes me train myself to wait for that day. The day when I will no longer doubt myself But my relationship with Ibbie will not change, we will remain good friends. We will always work together. Because I have a lot of respect for Ibbie. Ibbie is the one who drives me to do my best in every match. Someday I'll break the walls I've built.

Dakota Winters: Many people are starting to worry about whether or not you will end up like both of your sisters, ending up joining the dark side after what happened to your sister has made many people start to wonder what is hidden inside. you Will it be like a time bomb?

After Dakota finished asking, Ayu lowered her head slightly, showing the worry in her heart. She knew that what had happened had caused many people to believe in her less. She slowly looked back at the camera and began to answer questions.

Ayu Megumi: I know what happened was quite disappointing. I'm heartbroken but I can promise it won't happen to me. Even if I do what Megumi does, I will do the best that my sister has ever done. But I definitely won't end up like them. I'm not going to join the dark side or anything. I'm a different Megumi and I've always been, I don't want anyone to look at me as anyone, even my sister. I don't want to be. I have my own way and I have chosen the best for myself and that is all of you. I choose to be beside all of you, that's my best. I promise I won't be like you guys worry. Because for me nothing is more important than the love of all the fans. Don't judge me just because I'm Megumi, I know what I should or shouldn't do. So don't worry, it won't happen. I want you guys to trust me. I know what I have is the best. I know what I have. I shouldn't let it go. Thank you for your love, I will always be Ayu Megumi like this, you still don't have to believe it now. But time will prove that what I said I wasn't lying. Time will prove that I am a different Megumi. I know it's hard to believe so I asked for time. Time will tell everything. Everyone doesn't want me to be like that and I know that. And I definitely don't want to join the dark side. There's nothing hidden inside of me. Nothing can destroy what I am. This is who I really am. This is really Ayu Megumi and it will never change no matter how much time has passed. Believe today, shine tomorrow.

Ayu Megumi finished speaking, nodding to Dakota Winters as a sign that she had finished answering her question. Ayu gave Dakota a slight smile before she smiled at both Dakota Winters and surrounded him, pointing at the camera.

Scene fade to black.
The scene comes up backstage and we see Zoey Madison sitting down on the table. She’s wearing a black crop top, black mini skirt, and black heels. Chucky is seen inside the box right next to her. She checks her nails and gives off a slight little smile. She looks up at the camera and giggles.

Zoey Madison: “Hello ladies and gentleman. In just a few minutes, I’m going to be taking on Coda. You know, I haven’t heard much from Coda on twitter and that makes me sad. I mean, what could she be so afraid of? Hmm? I honestly have no idea why? But you want to know something? She should be afraid. Be afraid of what I’m going to do to her.”

She puts her hands down on the table and gets off of it. She puts her hands behind her back and giggles.

Zoey Madison: “But you want to know something, Coda? You’re nothing more than a messenger to Cass. You want to know a secret? I think she's afraid and I wouldn’t blame her.”

She turns around and smiles as she sees the Chucky doll in the box still. She goes near the box and lifts it up and smiles at him.

Zoey Madison: “You know, Chucky. There’s nobody else in this world that I want as a best friend. When you think about it, I don’t think Coda even has friends. But you and I, we’re like two peas in a pod. I wonder if she’s anything like Cass? What do you think, Chucky?”

She turns towards the camera and shows off her bright white teeth.

Zoey Madison: “Coda… you have dreams? Hmm? What kind of dreams are you hoping to have while facing me in the middle of that ring? Do you dream of beating me? Guess what? I’m going to break that dream and shatter it into a million pieces. But you want to know something else? She’s going to do a lot worse.”

She goes and sits down on the table and checks her nails and blows on them from the breath of her mouth. She looks up at the camera and giggles.

Zoey Madison: “If you think I’m gonna let you beat me, then you got another thing coming, Coda. I’m going to embarrass you in the middle of that ring and you will realize how dangerous I can be. The chaos circus is taking over this place and we’re going to dominate everything that stands in our way. In just a few minutes, you and I are going to play.”

She puts her hand up and giggles as her eyes turn from a hazel to a bloodshot red.

Zoey Madison: “If you think I’m gonna let you beat me, then you got another thing coming, Coda. I’m going to embarrass you in the middle of that ring and you will realize how dangerous I can be. The chaos circus is taking over this place and we’re going to dominate everything that stands in our way. In just a few minutes, you and I are going to play.”

She gets up and walks away leaving the doll by himself. His face was completely lifeless as he looked at the camera with a steady smile. Once Zoey’s gone, Coda slowly approaches the doll with curiosity. Glancing in the direction that her opponent left, she looks back down at Chucky still in the box.

Coda: You believe a mere clown can defeat me, doll?

With that, she recoils and runs at Chucky to hit it with a solid big boot! It tumbles off the table and lies on the boxes’ back.

Chucky: “Hi, my name is Chucky, and I wouldn’t talk if I was you. Hidy ho, HAHAHAHA!”

Coda looks confused at the doll’s highly specific response. The hesitation only lasts a moment, though. She snears and walks away in the opposite direction. Zoey comes back and leans down and looks down at the doll. She smiles as she walks away with Chuckie’s box in her hands. You hear her talking to the doll off screen before fading away.

Zoey Madison: “It’s time to play Chucky.”

As the scene fades to the ring.
We cut back to the ring as Ken Ashcorp’s “Absolute Territory fills the arena speakers! The crowd give a mixed ovation for the young lady, especially after the footage that came to light earlier in the night. Despite this, she continues down the ramp, entering the ring and taking a microphone as her music dies out.

Jessi Ozborne: People have been talking a lot about me in the past few weeks. How Jessi Ozborne has “changed”, or how Jessi Ozborne “isn’t the sweet girl she used to be”.

The crowd continue to raise their voices for Ozborne, still divided on their opinion of her. She silences them again.

Jessi Ozborne: And yeah…I’ll concede to that. The Jessi Ozbor—the Jessica Ramsey that walked into NFW nearly five months ago is nowhere near the same Jessica Ramsey that’s in this ring right now.

Maybe it was something about Kai coming back. Maybe it was seeing myself crumble so many times since he disappeared. Maybe it’s me just finally growing up. Regardless of what it is, that sweet little girl you knew is dead. I’m done letting people walk all over me. I’m done being what everyone wants me to be. I’m done being afraid of what others think. In fact, I’m done being afraid in general.

THIS is Jessi Ozborne. The NEW Jessi Ozborne. And whether you love me or hate me for it, I’m not gonna let you change who I am.

Once again, the crowd gives her a divided reaction, with some still not buying these words as an excuse for her violent actions over the weeks.

Jessi Ozborne: Now as for my match next week, considering the so called “champion” is off ducking the challengers via satellite, and my other opponent is lurking in the shadows somewhere, it seems as though I’m the only one in this match out here to address you all tonight. It’s quite fitting really, I’m the only one with the guts to stand in this ring tonight, just like I’ll be the only one standing in this ring next Saturday. Except at that point, I’ll be holding the Genesis Championship over my head, as I should be.

I’ll admit, last time I went after a title here in NFW, it didn’t go so well. To be fair, I don’t think it can get any worse than being bent out of shape so badly that you have to yell in front of a crowd of thousands that you quit. But the difference between now and then is that everything about me has changed. My drive, my ambition, my will. I will not let myself fall like I did last time. You’re about to see the peak of The NEW Jessi Ozborne, and that means that next Saturday night I’m gonna get EVERYTHING I’ve Ever Wanted!

Jessi drops the microphone, the crowd sending her off with more cheers than boos now as she leaves the ring and we cut elsewhere.
The camera shifts back from the ringside area and the celebration happening there to the backstage where the crew had finally arrived, but unlike every other time as the large doors were pulled open…Atlas wasn’t alone.

It wasn’t the tiny beautiful blonde with him this time. Walking in a V pattern was the entire Hit Squad. The Titans themselves flanked the head of their crew. Cronos, Crius and Hyperion all walked behind Atlas with each of them wearing either sweats or windbreaker workout breakaways.

They were here with a purpose.

Atlas: “You ready boys?”

Miranda Augustino: “Ready?! For what?!”

Seth Ernst: “You didn’t see the blue bird? The Titans are coming to settle a score.”

Miranda Augustino: “Against wh…oh no…”

Seth Ernst: “Here we go!”

The lights above the group flickered and in the flicker a figure seemed to appear and disappear. Each time they flashed off the tiny woman was standing in the hallway ahead of them only to appear to have disappeared by the time they flickered back on and reappeared during the next flash.

Atlas: “No more games!”

Atlas yelled in outrage and the flickering of the lights stopped and the strange painted up woman was gone but in her place the hallway was lined with candles leading to a door at the end of the hallway.

Hyperion: “What the fuck?!”

Cronos: “Yo, Atlas bruh, this is some freaky wicked witch of the west shit.”

Atlas: “Ignore the parlor tricks. We have a job to do.”

The youngest of the Titans narrowed his eyes on the closed door at the end of the trail of candles and pushed forward without another word until a voice called out from behind them.

Lluvia Cane: “You're making the same mistake she did. Thought you were smarter than that.”

Atlas looks back over his shoulder to find Lluvia Cane standing at the other end of the hallway between two doors with her blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. He just licks his lips and smirks, giving her a wink.

Miranda Augustino: “Lluvia?! Why’s she here?!”

Seth Ernst: “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Atlas: “Don’t you worry your sexy lil head Baby Girl. We got this.”

Lluvia Cane: “Your funeral.”

She told the group with a shrug and watched as they all disappeared into the door.

The camera flashes to inside the room to find Lucifer standing with his back to the door and his head bowed as if in prayer.

Lucifer: “Welcome gentlemen. I’ve been expecting you.”

Atlas: “Yo, fuck you. Quit this whole act and fight like a man! This? All of this?”

Atlas motions around the room where the Children would normally be.

The empty room.

Miranda Augustino: “Where is everyone else?”

Seth Ernst: “This feels…wrong.”

Atlas: “It’s over, Ya Heard? What you did to Jasmine? Nah Dawg. What you did to her family, you disgusting fuck? Turning Jessica on her friends? Friends who Yo Boy is actually fond of? Nah Dawg. This shit ends now, even if that means your bitch ass catches a beating.”

Lucifer let out the smallest sigh and didn’t so much as turn to look at the group.

Lucifer: “You are sure this is the path you wish to choose? Absolutely sure?”

Cronos: “Fuck this cat Atlas!”

Crius: “You gonna talk or fight huh?!”

Lucifer: “Why would I do that?”

Before the group could say anything the door leading into another locker room opened and a slender woman walked into the room. She was five foot two, maybe five foot three with long dirty blonde hair and of Asian descent. She was wearing a pair of black pants that flare out around the ankles and a baby doll top with a Katana and Tanto on her right hip.

Hyperion looked at the tiny woman and let out a roaring laugh.

Hyperion: “You serious with this?! This is your back up?”

Miranda Augustino: “....This is bad….”

Seth Ernst: “They need to get the hell out of there!”

Lucifer: “Deal with them.”

Sariel just bowed her head and turned to face the group as Lucifer headed toward the back door leading into another hallway. Atlas stepped forward to stop him and the tiny woman stepped to the side into his path.

She untied the two blades from her sides and leaned down, setting them down at his feet and the camera feed suddenly flashed to static.
The cameras in the back once again returned to static, wavering up and down before finally coming to a usable feed inside the room lit by candles.

Miranda Augustino: “Oh god….”

Seth Ernst: “We need medics here!”

Cronos, Crius and Hyperion were lying in bloody heaps all over the room. Cronos was lying half inside a locker and half out with the locker door dented so deeply it was like he had been slammed into it with the force of someone his size….or his head had been kicked into it with tremendous force.

Crius was lying in the center of the room, his arm twisted and mangled with blood in a puddle around his mouth and nose, eyes rolled back in his head. Tho, through the twitching his chest could be seen to rise and fall.

Hyperion was lying in the doorway with half the wooden door snapped in half. It was as if someone had slammed the door into him as he was coming at them full speed and the force of the two colliding had shattered it.

Miranda Augustino: “She did all this….?”

Seth Ernst: “...There is a reason Sariel isn’t a competitor. No one will insure her. She’s too dangerous.”

The sight of something shooting by the camera caused it to spin around. Atlas was lying on his side leaning back on the metal bench in front of the lockers with his head resting on it and a black glad figure seemed to shoot at him like a ghost.

She aimed a knee at his head but to her surprise he actually shot up and caught her by the chest and throat. With a grunting roar he turned and launched her into the same opened door Lucifer had gone through and she disappeared beyond into the dark.

Atlas pushed himself up, the camera catching his condition for the first time. Blood leaked down his, now fuller from the swelling, lips and from one of his nostrils. He limped on one leg as he headed toward the door and found….nothing beyond but an empty hallway.

Miranda Augustino: “Where are the medics?!”

Seth Ernst: “Forget them, where is Sariel?!”

Atlas groaned and drove his palm into the doorframe. She was gone and he knew it. He turns and limps back into the room as the medical personnel were making their way into the room finally. The big man collapsed to his injured knee next to Crius and looked up past the medics at the broken doorway.

At the other end of the hallway stood the blond form of Lluvia Cane who just sighed and shrugged as if to tell him…I told you not to do this.
“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page is standing next to Dakota Winters in the backstage interview area.

Dakota Winters: I am here with “Too Sexy” Tiff…

"Too Sexy" Tiffany Lynn Page: Believe me Kota. Everybody knows who I am but we are all concerned with what we saw last week.

Dakota Winters: That is correct. Last week we saw Arsenal become the number one contenders to the NFW Trios Championship.

"Too Sexy" Tiffany Lynn Page: My sisters are approaching the sixty day mark as Trios Champions and here comes the first ever NFW Trios Champions trying to become relevant again. Nice try ladies but we are the standard of this division for a reason. Which is why the three of you won’t slow down much less stop the title reign of the Socialites. Whenever you three are lucky enough to step into the ring with my sisters you’ll each realize your times have passed. The Socialites are the present and the future.
The scene comes up in the main arena with the audience buzzing about the next thing about to happen. It isn’t long before the lights go down and the words appear on the screen…


… followed by the 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 her 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.

Seth Ernst: Well… she… doesn’t have a ladder with her. That’s an improvement.

Miranda Augustino: I’m still seeing it in my head, replayed over and over.

Seth Ernst: I guess the real question is, what will she do this week?

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

furimuku Everyone"

Kate looks around as she walks down the ramp. 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"

Seth Ernst: At the very least, she looks to be in a better mood.

Miranda Augustino: ¡Cállate! You’ll jinx it like you did last week!

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. A spotlight falls on Kate as she is annoyed by the continued jeers of the crowd.

Cali-Kate: I’m sure you’re all thrilled to see that I didn’t break myself as bad as you hoped I would. Well, surprise motherfuckers. I’m not going anywhere that easily and it’s gonna take a lot more than a fall to take me out. So whatever you got on your tiny little minds, get it out now and forever hold your peace after.

The audience begins to boo harder, but it dies down pretty quick. Sporadic chanting breaks out in the crowd, but nothing solid can be heard. Kate tries to annoy the audience with her hand to her ear, but they don’t bother giving her the satisfaction.

Cali-Kate: Okay, now that you’re all done, let’s make sure we all understand one another before I get into what I’m about to do. We all know what led to this point: I’m not able to go up against the Children directly. Post-trauma and all that. Like adding a spark to an accelerant. Foom and everything, including your own stupid ass goes up in flames. So instead I’m kept from doing everything I can to right the injustice of the mere existence of the Children. No, not just an injustice, a fucking abomination! That’s what their continued existence means to this company. Instead it’s being allowed to fester like an open wound.

Kate shakes her head as the audience pauses for a moment to continue listening to her words.

Cali-Kate: And for what exactly? To praise the same asshole who dumped me a couple weeks ago. Guess it shouldn’t be a surprise he’s basically surrounded himself with females once again then. But this isn’t about him or my fallen sister or any of their cohorts right now. This is just about me and let’s get to the demonstration at hand.

Kate looks up and looks to the tron where a video package begins:

From last week’s Trauma, it’s the shot right after Kate has perched on the top of the ladder. There are several angles that get shown of Kate launching herself and sentoning through the announce table.

Cali-Kate: Last week was my body on the line, and it’s clear even to me that my attempt to enlighten anyone as to why proving myself is so important is enough to say I’ve definitely put that on the line. My heart… considering the bridges I’ve burned, it’s safe to say my heart wasn’t left off either. So all that’s left to put on the line now is my soul.

There’s a confused chirp from the audience. Kate sneers a little bit.

Cali-Kate: How do I prove how much my soul is on the line? I’m not about to attempt some out of body experience since I pretty much had one of those. It’s not in my nature to surrender to anything so even hell knows that’s not gonna happen. So what’s it gonna be?

Seth Ernst: Don’t think I want to know what she has planned.

Miranda Augustino: Kate needs an intervention! She can’t keep this up possibly.

Kate takes a fairly dramatic pause.

Cali-Kate: There’s only one way that I can prove that my soul is in this and ready to take on any challenge and finally set me apart for good. And that’s gonna be putting my reputation itself on the line. You see in this business, all you have is what you’re known for. So that being the case, if I’m gonna be an outcast, not that any of you deserve it, then I may as well go out looking my damn best. Backstage people, hit the music.

Kate drops the mic and soon enough her music fades onto the speakers again. Kate’s body begins to move in a sensuous manner. She gyrates and shimmies to her music, rolling on the ring as she kicks her legs in the air. As she gets back up, moving slowly to all fours up to the chorus hitting again as she grabs at her top ready to pull it off. But before she can, there’s a sharp rebuke over the speakers.

Isabella Santiago: Kate, wait! No! Hey! None of that!

Kate’s music stops and she looks to the stage where Isabella Santiago has walked out. Kate stares up at her as the GM brings the mic back to her mouth.

Isabella Santiago: Kate I don’t know what’s gotten into you recently, but this behavior, your actions last week, this that you’re doing now, none of it is acceptable behavior.

Kate shrugs back at Isabella before she continues.

Isabella Santiago: Now I get you’re mad about something, but this acting out is not going to do you any favors, okay? If anything, it’s going to bite you in the end.

Kate goes back to pick up her own microphone.

Cali-Kate: You know, Santiago, for the last couple of years, I’ve been nothing but a team player. I’ve gone to all my matches. All the fan meet and greets, jumped through every hoop and given every chance to every challenger that wanted to step into the ring with me and the one time that I actually make an actually legitimate request, I’m told to stand down. Literally, I am the reason these asses are in their seats right now. I am the only worker that is consistent with everything I do, but I can’t get my chance to make sure that everything I’ve worked for here is safe! I can’t make sure the Children don’t continue their bullshit because someone up top said I can’t engage them!

There’s a short pause.

Isabella Santiago: Kate, I never said you couldn’t take on the Children directly if you wanted to.

Kate looks at Isabella with a confused look.

Isabella Santiago: And, as far as I know, Steven Brody never said anything about it either.

Kate is still paused in the ring. The audience is ready to explode as they wait for Kate to make a reaction. There’s a long pause again.

Seth Ernst: Then why was Kate under that impression?

Miranda Augustino: Somebody lied! And look at Kate! She’s ready to blow!

Seth Ernst: Someone played Kate like a fiddle for over a month! That’d make anyone mad, but I’m not sure how wise it is to piss off the Wildcard.

Kate fumes in the ring and starts pacing the ring. She brings the mic up and down several times, unable to keep a coherent thought on her lips.

Isabella Santiago: Kate, Kate, listen to me, okay? I don’t know who told that to you and I’m sorry I didn’t get around to it sooner. But nothing that you can do in this state is going to do you any good.

A line of security starts to file out from behind the curtain and lines up on the ramp.

Isabella Santiago: So for tonight, I want you to go home. I want you to take the time to calm down. And I’ll let you deal with all of this after Manifest Destiny.

Kate continues to fume as she hangs off the ropes.

Miranda Augustino: I really do hate to say it, but I think that’s for the best.

Seth Ernst: I have to agree there.

Miranda Augustino: Over a month of being tormented by the Children, unable to touch them and all based on a lie.

Kate slowly begins to exit the ring. She drops the mic as she continues to look at the ground. Her hair drapes over and conceals her face. From her shaking, it’s clear she’s still angry. As she walks past security she is followed by them. Kate pauses standing next to Santiago who politely continues to encourage Kate to leave. Slowly, dejected, she walks past the curtain. It almost looks like a sort of funeral procession as Kate is escorted backstage. The camera follows along the whole time. Kate continues to shake and attempt to hold in her anger. Security takes her to the nearest backstage exit a couple minutes later and makes sure she exits. As Kate leaves she turns back, silhouetted against the lights of the lot outside. Security closes the door just before the scene fades out
Backstage, the camera finds Bethany Kenyon standing in the Arsenal dressing room seemingly by herself. As the camera moves into position, she nods to it welcomingly.

Bethany Kenyon: The Ringmaster cometh…

She nods to herself slowly, pondering the entire situation at hand.

Bethany Kenyon: Now I know, Ash and Jezzy would both be like..

She shrugs exaggeratedly.

Bethany Kenyon: So what? He’s a…

Nodding, she smiles apologetically as she almost laughs despite herself.

Bethany Kenyon: Well, let’s just say it wouldn't be good, what they would say. They would both bring up how we’ve seen shit like this before and say they were not impressed but Nik would agree with me that looking at things like that is a mistake.

Looking up to the camera, she nods in pointed acknowledgment.

Bethany Kenyon: Yes, we have seen shit like this before. Hell, we fought the Children before anybody truly knew who and what they actually were! We’ve seen things even before that, that would make most people curl into the fetal position and not come out of their rooms for years after…

Bethany shakes her head.

Bethany Kenyon: But none of that has anything to do with you.

A look of clearly being impressed crosses her face.

Bethany Kenyon: You flipped Kai Morgan to be subservient to you on some level. When you can make a man decide being number two or three behind you is better than being his own number one, you are not to be underestimated, especially when it’s a man like Kai Morgan that was running his own damn show! People can dismiss you all they want but they are doing themselves a disservice in that dismissal. A man with that kind of influence…

She shakes her head again.

Bethany Kenyon: You never know where the reach of a man like that can go…

Glaring into the camera, Bethany’s gaze remains unmoved.

Bethany Kenyon: Tonight, we see first hand what you're made of, Ringmaster, and I know it’s gonna be some stern stuff. So come on, let’s get this show on the road!
The scene opens showing the property of Loree Merope. The expansive lawn and long driveway meeting her mansion in the distance. As the camera pans through the scene, it fades into a new scene of Loree sitting in a chair writing in a journal. As she writes, her inner monologue is heard reading as she writes.

Loree's Voice: It has been a quite a long while since my strange visitor show up to my doorstep looking to repay my generosity with a payment of her own. The woman struck me as odd, and I initially considered her a threat, but just as odd was this feeling of calm that came upon me. It's a feeling I felt back then and also to this very day whenever she's around. Then there's her name... Ibbie. How can I hear a name like that and not become full of joy and warmth? The same joy and warmth she now shares with the rest of the world and because of it, the world loves her back.

Loree is seen contemplating her next words for a moment before continuing her writing.

Loree's Voice: Ibbie and I have been friends since the moment she introduced herself to me…

The scene fades out and into a flashback. Loree is in her home eating breakfast with Ibbie and carrying on some conversation.

Loree Merope: So, Ibbie, where is your family? How can you just leave them to come see me?

Ibbie: I'm a fan of wrestling and heard you were a manager who helped out those new the the business. I had no problems leaving everything behind to get here.

Loree Merope: Yes, but your family? Don't they miss you?

Ibbie: I don't have family that I can remember.

Loree looks at Ibbie confused, but somewhat adoringly.

Loree Merope: You poor soul. Everyone needs to have some type of family. Maybe I could provide that for you and the two of us could be more of a family.

Ibbie smiles brightly.

Ibbie: I'd like that. You have been so kind to me already. Giving me a family in addition to everything else would be amazing!

The scene fades back to Loree writing.

Loree's Voice: Ibbie looked up to me as a daughter to her mother from that point forward. This dynamic has worked to keep her motivated as she strives in the ring to be the best and my opinion of her progress is of high value to her. Everything seemed to go great for Ibbie and her future except for the dreams. Nightmares that I have yet to explain, though she did confide in me revealing their true meaning. It's a difficult pill to swallow to put it lightly…

The scene fades into another of Ibbie tossing and turning at night in a bed, but fully asleep. Slight mumbles are heard from her that grow into screams.

Ibbie: NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE THIS LIFE!!! YOU DON'T DESERVE IT! YOU STOLE THIS FROM ME AND I WILL GET IT BACK!

Ibbie sits up quickly and screams out. Loree rushes into the room to check on her.

Loree Merope: Ibbie, dear, what is the matter?

Ibbie: I... I had a bad dream.

Loree Merope: It will be alright, you are awake now and the nightmare is over.

The scene fades back once again to Loree writing.

Loree's Voice: But it wasn't... She's had the same nightmare or type of nightmare repeatedly and often. Each time involving someone she calls Myranda. I am not at liberty to discuss further what she suspects the nightmares to mean, so I just have to be helpless to help her. The only thing I've been able to do is get Lorna's doctors involved, but Ibbie won't tell them what she told me. I've only been able to keep my sanity on the matter by writing my thoughts down. I am worried for the girl as she's clearly got issues and I'm sure it alienates her to me and others. Pity for she's such a loving, caring soul and deserves to live her life without this... difficulty.

There is a knock on the door followed by Loree inviting the visitor into the room. She closes her journal as Ibbie enters the room and begins talking. What is said is inaudible as the audio fades into "New Soul" by Yael Naïm while the scene shows them continuing to talk to each other before fading to black.
The scene opens up not backstage inside the arena. Instead we see Alexandra Caldwell, with the Genesis Championship resting on her lap, sitting on a small black leather arm chair. Her legs are crossed. Her hands are resting on the arm rest. She takes a deep breath before launching into her address.

Alexandra Caldwell: “I would like to start off by stating the most obvious fact in all of this BUT what most people with no commonsense fail to grasp...”

Alexandra takes a deep breath.

Alexandra Caldwell: “I am an athlete.”

“Oh, aren’t all pro wrestlers athletes? Not in the way that I am. I played competitive sports all of my life. High school. College. Basketball. Track. You name the sport I likely tried out or made a team in which I excelled. Being a competitor has been rooted in my veins from Day One-ish. Which is why I find it highly INSULTING that the two people who were chosen to challenge me for the Genesis Championship are no more, no less, than a freaking side show. “

Lets start with The Ringmaster. He has never cared about becoming a champion. Has formed a posse. Kidnaps people. More focused on causing general and unfiltered chaos. Does that sound like an athlete to you? I. Think. Not.

Alexandra shakes her head. After a slight pause, she rolls her eyes.

Alexandra Caldwell: “Then we have poor innocent Jessi. A woman who started off as this nice adorable little sickening thing to become an even grossier sickening thing. Most of you praise Jessi for growing a backbone and applauding her for this violent streak she has shown. I see a woman who doesn’t know who she is. How can a woman like that handle being champion if things like Kai getting kidnapped, him changing and the chaos circle antics drive her to the edge of madness?”

“Being a champion takes a lot more than holding a championship, you need to be mentally tough. You need to be able to handle the stress of being sent to interviews, occasionally main eventing shows knowing one false step can give your opponents hope for a more prosperous tomorrow. I went out there to represent me, my wife, this company and my family in that Gemini Tag Team tournament. I was handling my business there and here at the same freaking time. I fulfilled my NFW commitments. I never complained about missing a show. Never been that type of woman, unlike certain people who shall remain nameless. Jessi in a few short months has allowed the pressure and the chaos of being a professional wrestler to morph her into this being I bet she doesn’t even like looking at in the mirror. And to make things worst, certain individuals have coddled her along the way. A weak minded fragile woman like that becoming champion, might as well retire the Genesis Championship on sight. There is no way she can handle what it takes to be a professional wrestler and athlete.”

Alexandra rolls her eyes once more. She grabs the Genesis Championship. She holds it up for everyone to see.

Alexandra Caldwell: “I don’t appreciate being forced in the middle of someone elses quarrel. But I am a champion. The unbeaten, undisputed, uncontroverted Genesis Champion by the way. It’s my job to put you two down. You got fifteen minutes to get the job done. Spoiler alert... that... isn’t... happe-ning. All. Hall. Alexandra!

Alexandra Caldwell blows a kiss into the camera as the scene fades to black.