NFW Presents: SUDDEN DEATH III - 07/30/2022!

Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the New Frontier Wrestling Trios Championships! Introducing first, the challengers…!


As the lights in the arena begin to dim, “Finished I Ain't” by Ghostpoet begins to play through the arena as purple strobe lights shine from the stage, and emerging from the back are Strike 2 Kill. Both men stand on the top of the entrance ramp with a look of ruthlessness about them, they look at each other, nodding heads and fist bumping, before making their way down to the ring. Lingering behind them is their manager, Gregory Murphy, who has a slimy grin on his face as he swaggers down the entrance ramp after them.

Once they reach the edge of the ring, both men leap onto the apron and climb onto the top ropes of either side of the nearest turnbuckles, posing for the fans who applaud in appreciation.


“Hey” by The Pixies begins to play through the speakers, emerging from the back is the Dragon's Curse - Takashi Shinobu, who wears a long robe as he stands on the top of the entrance ramp. He poses for a moment, soaking in the atmosphere as the fans applaud and cheer. Making his way down the entrance ramp, Shinobu is focused as he passes members of the crowd in the front row, who are all trying to get a touch as he passes through. He stands just on the outside of the ring, taking off his robe and throwing it aside, before running up the ring steps and entering the ring with a burst of energy. He climbs the top ropes, once again striking his signature posing before jumping down and stretching in the corner.

Thea Crawford: Accompanied to the ring by Gregory Murphy, at a combined weight of five hundred seventy-four pounds… Takashi Shinobu, Miles Watson, and Liam Richardson… HEROES! FOR! HIRE!

Miranda Augustino: Honestly, I like these guys! They’re a pretty unique trio and they already have success as Trios Champions in Zion. Why not here as well?

Seth Ernst: You have a point, Miranda. Heroes For Hire have found their way to NFW and they’re looking to make their first impact count.

Thea Crawford: And their opponents…!


Work Bitch by Britney Spears will play throughout the arena. The crowd starts to boo as Bianca, Vanessa & Danielle walk down the ring alongside her older sister and manager “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn. They get to ringside and walk up the ring stairs. Tiffany motions to the referee to open the bottom and middle ropes so they can enter.

Thea Crawford: Accompanied to the ring by “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page, from New York City… Bianca, Vanessa, and the “Diamond Princess” Danielle Page! The Socialites!!!

Seth Ernst: Still, I can’t take anything away from the Socialites. They ARE the NFW Trios Champions for a reason. They’ve had a little bad luck with singles competition, but this time…?

Miranda Augustino: Oh yeah! This time, it’s a team effort. I know they’ve got a few tricks up their sleeves, especially with “Too Sexy” Tiffany Page at their side!

Before referee Thurgood Jackson can collect the Trios Championships for the display of what’s at stake, Tiffany pulls Bianca, Danielle, and Vanessa to their corner to talk strategy. She even shoos the in-ring camera away from them! Takashi’s genuinely confused by this. Liam and Miles seem mildly -- if not severely -- annoyed by this. Gregory scowls and tells his men to charge them. While Takashi is a little reluctant due to his nature, Liam and Miles go right after the Socialites without hesitation! The Trios Championships are knocked away and the referee quickly signals for the bell--


--before he gathers the belts and hands them to a ringside official! Takashi frowns, uncertain of how things have started, but once the Socialites begin to fight back and make the situation a three-on-two handicap? That’s when Takashi runs forth to even the odds. He hits a pitch-perfect dropkick on Bianca and sends her through the ropes and out of the ring. Meanwhile, Liam’s going off on Vanessa with “London’s Calling” (Combination of Strikes-into-Enziguri)! She falls onto the mat, leaving Danielle to contend with Miles. Despite her best efforts, Miles catches her with his signature Overhead Kick that sends her stumbling to the outside.

Miranda Augustino: Ohhh, things are heating up real quick, Seth!

Seth Ernst: That’s for sure! I don’t think the Page Sisters expected this.

With two of the Socialites on the outside, Liam and Miles look to Takashi. He’s still a little uncertain, but he moves up to the ring ropes. Gripping the top rope, he launches himself and nails the barely-rising sisters with “Kick of Glory” (Springboard Missile Dropkick)! Bianca and Danielle crash onto the padded floor while the fans are absolutely loving it!

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

Takashi takes a moment to get to his feet. Meanwhile, the referee tries to argue with Liam and Miles in an attempt to get out of them out of the ring. Miles decides to let Liam handle this and begins to make his way to their respective corner where Gregory is applauding them on the outside. Liam turns and redirects the referee, moving to cover and hook Vanessa’s leg.



Seth Ernst: Well, at least now there’s some control in this Trios Championship match!

On the outside, Bianca and Danielle are slowly getting to their feet. Takashi moves to join Miles at their team’s corner, both of them watching Liam chain together a series of strikes on Vanessa. With the referee’s focus on the action in the ring, he doesn’t notice Bianca and Danielle pull Miles and Takashi down from the ring apron. Bianca and Danielle hit Takashi with a double dropkick that sends him crashing into the steel steps! Gritting his teeth, Miles pursues them -- and they’re running around the ring! Now the referee’s caught up in this chaos and he swiftly moves out of the ring. He’s able to get in between the ladies and Miles who tries to argue with him. Back in the ring, Liam’s shocked by a low blow from Vanessa! The referee doesn’t see this at all. Liam falls down to his knees while Vanessa uses the opportunity to level him with--

Seth Ernst: Empire State of Mind! Suddenly, the tables have turned on our Heroes!

Miranda Augustino: Even then, Vanessa’s not going for the cover just yet. I think she has a plan!

Liam is laid out in the middle of the ring. Meanwhile, Vanessa turns to her corner and sees Bianca and Danielle at their corner, ready to go. On the outside, Miles and Gregory have been helping Takashi to his feet. With the referee back in the ring and his focus on the action, Vanessa gets a legal tag and Bianca comes in. Bianca lifts Liam to his feet and holds him up, while Vanessa levels him with a tandem move they call--

Seth Ernst: Influencers!!

Miranda Augustino: Ayyy, this looks REAL BAD for Liam!

Gregory yells at Miles to get in there! Now Vanessa joins Danielle in their corner, while Bianca goes for the cover on Liam!



Seth Ernst: Miles Watson won’t allow it, Miranda!

Jackson has to quickly corral Miles back to his corner. Rising to her feet, Bianca scoffs and picks up Liam, delivering a harsh SLAP across his face! This seems to wake up Liam, however, and he blocks the next strike from Bianca. He unleashes a flurry of boxing strikes in a wild frenzy that is only known as--

The Crowd: FUCK HONOR!

--and the final right hook sends Bianca onto the mat with a THUD! The referee turns around, sees Bianca down, and moves in to count when Liam covers her.


Now the referee’s forced to corral Danielle back to her corner! Taking a breather, Liam crawls his way over to his team’s corner and tags in Miles who’s all fired up. Helping Liam to his feet, the two of them pull Bianca up and send her back down with a double hip toss. After a double back handspring, they fluidly hit Bianca with a double dropkick to her face! When the referee turns around, Liam’s in the corner with Miles going for the cover on Bianca. Jackson makes the count!


Danielle and Vanessa are relieved. Getting to his feet, Miles pulls Bianca up. He looks to finish things quickly with “The Last Stand” (Sitout Face Slam), but Tiffany jumps up onto the ring apron and yells at him! The referee’s distracted by this, trying to get her to stand down. This allows Danielle and Vanessa to come in and hit Miles with a double superkick! The fans boo loudly as Miles crashes onto the mat, Bianca falls to the side, and her sisters quickly retreat to their corner. Liam tries to rush in, but now the referee blocks him off with an argument! Tiffany jumps down from the ring apron with a laugh… until Gregory comes up from behind and seizes her arms!

Miranda Augustino: Ohhh, chica! You’re about to have a bad time!

Seth Ernst: You know what? There has to be some controlled chaos!

Liam notices this from the corner of his eye and he pulls back from the referee. Takashi frowns as Liam jumps down to help Gregory drag Tiffany towards one of the neutral corners. Gregory pulls out a pair of handcuffs and the fans are actually cheering for this! Danielle and Vanessa try to run over and help Tiffany, but Takashi surprises them with a DOUBLE LARIOTO! Gregory and Miles are able to handcuff Tiffany to the steel ring post while she’s kicking and screaming! Takashi’s quick to move back to his corner and he extends his hand out to Miles who’s making his way over. Vanessa’s the first to regain herself and she rushes over to her team’s corner to extend a hand to Bianca. The referee’s shaking his head from all of the disarrays. He nods as Takashi and Vanessa get the tag and they rush one another -- the same idea in mind, a double lariat! The fans are bursting with a mix of cheers and boos as both competitors are down.

Miranda Augustino: It’s almost like we’re back to square one!

Seth Ernst: You might be right. Still, I don’t think the referee has any real control anymore…

Danielle looks to get some payback after her recovery. She slides into the ring, but Liam’s right there to intercept her. Both of them are trading blows, but somehow Danielle catches Liam off guard with “Princess Kick” (Chick Kick)! Liam falls onto the mat. Miles comes running in and he surprises Danielle with his signature Handspring Cutter! Now Danielle is down on the mat. Miles is still pretty beaten up, trying to catch his breath from the adrenaline rush. Now all six wrestlers are down on the mat. Despite the breakout of insanity, the legal participants in the ring are still Takashi Shinobu and Vanessa Page. Referee Thurgood Jackson is checking on everyone. Still handcuffed to one of the steel ring posts, Tiffany Page is SCREAMING. On the opposite side, Gregory Murphy is still in possession of the key with a mischievous grin. He glances back into the ring when Jackson begins an official twenty-count.


Realizing the team he manages can’t win the Trios Championships via count-out, Murphy begins shouting at them to get up. Tiffany is screaming at the Socialites to get it together. Naturally, the fans are rallying behind the Heroes For Hire.


Life begins to stir within the champions and the challengers. Bianca and Danielle are slowly getting to their feet, but Liam and Miles aren’t too far behind them. After the official count ends, Tiffany shouts at Bianca and Danielle to “do something!” Bianca and Danielle begin to attack Liam and Miles, but they’re steadfast on a second wind, fighting just as hard -- if not harder. Then finally, Vanessa and Takashi are on their feet. Jackson’s almost given up on trying to reign everyone in. At this point, the tornado tag rules might as well be in place. After a vicious back-and-forth, Liam and Miles get the upper hand on Bianca and Danielle, sending them out of the ring with dual dropkicks!

Miranda Augustino: Heyyy! Look at the teamwork!

Seth Ernst: You know what this means, Mir…?

Unfortunately for the Socialites, this leaves Vanessa all alone in the ring with no one to help her. Still, Takashi keeps it between the two of them, their strikes fierce despite their respective exhaustion. It’s only when Takashi launches Vanessa towards the ropes that she tries to catch Takashi with “Head Over Heels” (Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors), but Liam captures her in a precarious position! A vertical suplex lift that transitions right into a roundhouse kick by Miles! Liam and Miles look to Takashi who simply nods and ascends one of the corners of the ring. Once he’s at the top, he performs a phoenix splash to complete the trio finish known as--

Seth Ernst: THE END OF DAYS!

On the outside, Tiffany is SCREAMING with absolute fury, while Gregory is grinning from ear to ear. Takashi goes for the cover and hooks Vanessa’s leg! Liam and Miles keep Bianca and Danielle out of the ring!! Thurgood makes the count!!!




Thea Crawford: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner of the match… AND THE NEW NFW Trios Champions! Takashi Shinobu, Miles Watson, and Liam Richardson…! HEROES! FOR! HIRE!

Miranda Augustino: They did it! We have new Trios Champs, Seth! WOW!

Seth Ernst: What a great match! To think this is just the beginning of Sudden Death III! Stay tuned, everyone!

Winners: Heroes For Hire
Result: Pinfall
(NEW CHAMPIONS!)

Thea Crawford:: The following contest is set for one fall and is for the NFW Genesis Championship!
During the opening drum fills of FFDP’s Making Monsters, lights flash all over the arena before they all center on the entranceway. Eavan Maloney rides out on a 2018 matte black Harley-Davidson motorcycle and throws her right arm in the air before riding down to the ring, doing a lap around the ringside area and parking her bike at the bottom of the ramp. Eavan slides under the bottom rope and gets up on the second rope of all four corners and raises her arm again at each corner, before leaping backwards off the last corner and paces around as she awaits (her opponent)

Thea Crawford:: Introducing first, the challenger, weighing in at 122 pounds. She hails from Howell, New Jersey and represents the Shieldmaidens, this is EAVAN “KRIGARE” MALONEY!!!

Seth Ernst: And here’s Eavan Maloney back to where she was before… the championship scene!

Miranda Augustino: Mhm, Mami knows what she’s doing!

Seth Ernst: But can she overcome the Chaos Circus? That’s the question.

Miranda Augustino: If anyone can, it’s her!
The eerie, creeper words that start “The Netherworld Circus” are heard echoing through the dark arena. As they finish, spotlights come up on the ramp and some dark, evil looking clowns are seen dancing around and then two of them hold up a dark curtain at the entrance and stand there, waiting as the rest continue dancing around on the ramp.

The Ringmistress: Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, prepare yourself for a night of dark and violence. The Dark Circus proudly brings to you, the greatest show of violence on earth, the dark one himself, your favorite performer and mine, the one, the only, The Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingmasterrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

As she finishes up the introduction, Ringmaster bursts through the curtain, tipping his tophat towards the ring to his girl before giving kicking the cane off the ground and twirling it around and placing it back down and making his way to the ring followed by his clowns who are skipping and dancing behind him. He makes it to the ring and tosses his tophat to Ringmistress followed by his cane and steps into the ring. He removes his jacket and hands it off to her as she steps out of the ring and the lights go off once more. When the lights come on, the music ends and the clowns have disappeared from around ringside, leaving only the Ringmaster and Ringmistress there.

Seth Ernst: Well here they come!

Miranda Augustino: Oooh, I think Eavan should have brought back-up!

Seth Ernst: She may very well should have.

Miranda Augustino: This should be good with these two both willing to pay the price.


Eavan walks around the ring, never taking her eyes off the defending Champion even as he simply remains standing in one spot, watching his much smaller challenger move about. The Ringmistress glowers from the floor even as her man, the Ringmaster takes off running at Eavan. Eavan runs at him as well. The Ringmaster goes for a discus clothesline but Eavan jumps up into a crucifix and he falls over into the pin attempt.


The Ringmistress growls from the floor, pointing at Eavan and giving her a piece of her mind. Eavan runs to the ropes right in front of the Ringmistress and jumps into a quebrada. The Ringmaster goes to catch her and Eavan swings it down into a NOLA Makeover. The Ringmistress almost throws something at Eavan and Eavan smirks over at her before jumping onto the cover.


Seth Ernst: That was close!

Miranda Augustino: Mami almost had him but the Ringmistress gave him that little extra time to get out of it, otherwise, she had him right there.

Seth Ernst: He needed it.

Miranda Augustino: He did, Mami don’t miss a shot like that!

Eavan puts on a rear chinlock and tries to work even in the face of the Ringmistress’s incessant jabbering at her. The Ringmaster starts to sand her up and Eavan jumps into a hurricanrana. The Ringmaster catches her and starts to reverse into a powerbomb but he holds her up and then gives her one into the turnbuckles. Eavan bounces off the corner and the Ringmaster hits her with a nasty discus clothesline that flips her ass over tea kettle. The Ringmaster drops into an almost arrogant cover while the Ringmistress claps for him and turns to count along.

The Ringmistress turns around and starts demanding that the referee do his job and make the count because that was obviously three and he must be incompetent to not see this. The Ringmaster moves to calm her before turning back to Eavan. He reaches down to pull his opponent up and Eavan pulls him into an inside cradle.


The Ringmistress screams at the referee some more even as Eavan gets up and runs to the ropes. The Ringmaster pays no attention to the noise and catches eavan coming in for a slingblade. Eavan goes down and the Ringmaster covers.


Seth Ernst: Eavan’s starting to cut it close on these pin attempts by the Champion.

Miranda Augustino: She can take the beating but how long until guile starts playing a role?

Seth Ernst: That’s what you call it, guile?

Miranda Augustino: That’s kind of what it is.

The Ringmaster mounts Eavan and starts to pound away at her with his fists. Eavan gets her knees up and rolls out of the way. The Ringmaster tries to hook her for a pin but Eavan rolls it even more into a modified victory roll.


Eavan gets him standing up for an O’Connor roll. The Ringmaster holds onto the ropes and Eavan jumps up for a shotgun dropkick. The Ringmaster starts to tumbles over the top rope and Eavan runs for a tiger feint kick that amends him back into the ring. The Ringmaster starts up and Eavan slingshots herself into a sunset flip.


Eavan heads to the corner and goes up to the top. She sets herself and jumps off into a beautiful 450 splash. The Ringmaster moves at the last second and Eavan crashes to the mat. The Ringmaster cradles her.


The Ringmaster pulls her to her feet and takes a front facelock. He picks her up for a brainbuster and hotels her up, allowing all the blood to drain to her head, the Ringmistress shouting her approval as he does so. As he looks to turn and bring her down close to the corner, the Ringmistress turns and raises her arms in triumph. Eavan knees the Champion in the head and allows her feet to come down onto the top turnbuckle, reversing it into Family Tradition. She covers.


Eavan sits forward and takes a swing at the Ringmistress but the Ringmaster rolls Eavan up from behind to stop her.


Eavan gets up and hits him with the Sorsh Shot and then follows with the Gnat Gnat. The Ringmistress screams at Eavan and as Eavan starts to walk towards her, Mr. Gigglesworth pops up and jumps up onto the apron. Eavan takes a swing at her and then takes a swing at the clown as well. Mr. Gigglesworth drops down and the Ringmaster gets Eavan in an O’Connor roll. He makes sure to pull the tights as well.


Thea Crawford: Here is your winner and STILL NFW Genesis Champion….THE RINGMASTERS!!!!

Seth Ernst: What did they just…?

Miranda Augustino: The fucked mami over is what they did!

Seth Ernst: The Ringmistress, Mr Gigglesworth and pulling the tights?

Miranda Augustino: Mami had him and they knew it!

Red, silver, and blue lights wave throughout the arena as the opening to "Zombie" begins. As the song slowly began picking up, Rob walked out to the stage with Kaede right beside him. The woman stood by him, a confident grin on her face as she looked at her client who had a vest on that was a mix of the American and Marine Corps flags. He stood there for a minute, doing nothing until the chorus of the song began playing. At the start of the chorus, he unzips his vest then let out a loud "Oorah!" He began making his way down the ramp, high fiving the fans as he did, Kaede still right beside him.

Thea Crawford: The following contest…is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first…being accompanied to the ring by Kaede Tanabe…from Chicago, Illinois…weighing in at 226 lbs…”The Devil Guard”...Robert! Marino!

Once he reached the ring, he climbed to the apron and held the top and middle ropes open, allowing Kaede to enter the ring first then he followed behind her. Once he was in the ring, he slid the vest off and handed it to Kaede before holding the ropes open for her again to allow her to exit the ring. He began stretching and warming up for the match once she was safely out.

The lights in the arena go out.

We suddenly start to hear the subtle crackling of a vinyl record player, starting off the beginning Hands Like Houses’ “Spineless Crow”. The chilling opening notes shortly followed by the opening lines, setting the tone

An origami city folding in

Construction, creation

We are architects and kings”

Just then, we gain a sliver of visibility, with a single white spotlight following the silhouette of a man, who can no doubt be Kai Morgan. He slowly strolls across the stage as the rest of the first verse plays out.

To build these homes from memory

As we're tangled in our sleep

We were young together but I've grown ancient”

Just as the chorus begins to play, the arena comes to life, with all the lights flashing tones of red and white as Morgan lifts his hands into his usual finger gun gesture! He slowly makes his way down the ramp as the second verse plays out.

Thea Crawford: And his opponent…representing The Chaos Circus…residing in The Dark Circus...weighing in at 204 lbs..."The Liontamer"...Kai! Morgan!

Morgan finally makes it to the end of the ramp, eyeing his opponent as he makes his way towards the ring steps! He lets a bit of his rage seep through, smacking the top of the steps before making the climb up! He stands on the apron, surveying the crowd before entering the ring and immediately going for his gesture in the center. He walks over to the corner, preparing for the match as his music fades.


The match starts off with a cold bit of stillness, each competitor giving the other a deadly glare as they begin to circle the ring around each other. They eventually meet in the center of the ring, going for a Collar-and-Elbow Tie Up! Marino tries to subdue Morgan with a Wristlock, but he quickly escapes, rolling forward to un-wring his arm before popping up and taking Marino to the mat with an Arm Drag! Marino scrambles to get to his feet, while Morgan simply kips up right in front of him! He pats Marino on the head, a look of condescension on his face, the experience Morgan has over Marino becoming ever clearer here! Marino swats Morgan’s hand away in frustration, popping up and going for a Lariat to his adversary! Morgan ducks this however, getting his arms around Marino’s waist before lifting him up for German Suplex! Marino reverses, dropping Morgan mid lift with a Hip Toss! Morgan rolls to his feet, looking to catch a seated Marino off guard with a Running Knee Strike! But Marino lays out to dodge it, catching Morgan with a Schoolboy Roll Up Pin as he passes him by!

TWO…!

Kick out by Morgan! Marino looks to capitalize, rolling over and going for a Kick to Morgan’s head as he tries to get up! But Morgan catches this, grabbing hold of Marino’s ankle and going for an Ankle Lock! He attempts to get it cinched in earnest, rising to his feet with Marino’s leg in tow, but Marino reverses, rolling forward and sending Morgan careening towards the ropes! He takes advantage of the situation however, hitting a picture perfect Handspring against the ropes before coming back to Marino for a Back Elbow! Marino catches him however, hooking his leg before throwing him to the mat with a Cradle Back Suplex! He bridges for the pin!

TWO…!

Kick out by Morgan, but he doesn’t stop there! He comes down from the pin, immediately twisting Marino into an Anaconda Vice! Marino is in trouble here, trying his best to outstretch his arm towards the ropes to no avail! He eventually finds success however, shifting his leg towards the edge of the ring before the tip of his boot just manages to kiss the bottom rope! This is enough for the official to break up the hold, with Morgan being clearly frustrated! He pulls Marino to his feet, looking for a Vertical Suplex to add more pressure to the head and spine! But Marino reverses, landing behind Morgan before getting his arms around his waist and going for a German Suplex! Morgan reverses now, however, landing on his feet behind Marino before getting his hands around his waists and pushing him towards the ropes! He attempts to pull Marino back, looking for an O’Connor Roll Pin, but Marino hooks his arms on the ropes, leaving Morgan to hit the mat alone! He rolls back to his feet however, rushing over to Marino while he’s next to the ropes to land a Bicycle Knee Strike against them! Marino is stunned on the ropes, with Morgan stepping back and looking for one last fatal move to send him over! Marino ends up pulling the wool over his eyes here, sending Morgan over the top rope with a Back Body Drop! Morgan clings to the top rope, skinning the cat before pulling himself up to the apron!

He looks to get back into this, attempting to launch himself over the top rope towards a still recovering Marino! But he nails Morgan with a Forearm as he makes the jumping leaving him hunched over on the apron! Marino sees this as an opportunity to strike, leaping over the top and going for a Slingshot DDT on the apron! Morgan catches this however, getting back a bit of balance before rushing across the apron and smashing Marino into the ring post! He falters from the apron, with Morgan seeing an opportunity as Marino tries to get back up at ringside! He pops up to the top rope, hitting Marino with an Arabian Press! He rolls right back to his feet off the highflying move, leaning against the barricade and doing a “dusting off his shoulder” gesture! He pulls Marino to his feet, looking to throw him back into the ring, only to have the tables turned on him! Marino pushes him straight into the apron, before grabbing him from behind and tossing him to the concrete ground at ringside with a German Suplex! Morgan clings to his hit, the impact with the floor obviously causing a lot of pain! Marino gets him back into the ring now, going for the cover!

TWO…!

Kick out by Morgan! Marino looks to end this right here, taking to the corner as Morgan begins to recover! He rushes over to Morgan as he gets to his hands and knees, looking for Independence Doom! Marino doesn’t get the chance to execute the Punt Kick however, with Morgan popping up to his feet and nailing Marino with a Superkick! The shot turns Marino around, with Morgan quickly taking advantage by getting Marino into a Ripcord Position! He pulls him in, nailing him with a Forearm, and from here the shots become rapid fire! He follows up with a High Knee, then a second Forearm, followed closely by a Spinning Back Elbow! He keeps his back turned to Marino, launching a Kick straight into his midsection that sends him kneeling, before pulling his leg back and clocking him in the back of the head with a Switchblade Kick! Morgan’s killer instinct reaches empty, faltering on top of Marino for a pin!

TWO…!

Marino reverses, getting Morgan in a Schoolboy Roll Up!

TWO…!

Kick out by Morgan, but Marino isn’t quite done with him yet! He pulls Morgan off the mat into a Powerbomb position before tossing him straight to the mat! He keeps a hold on Morgan however, lifting him back up and tossing him down with another Powerbomb! Once again Marino pulls him up, and once again Morgan is treated to another Powerbomb! A pattern seems to be forming here, and one that’s beginning to pick up steam! Marino repeatedly lifts Morgan off the mat and tosses him down with Powerbombs, with Morgan’s head whipping the canvas a little harder each time! He eventually lifts Morgan up one last time, rushing over to the corner and nailing him with a Bucklebomb! Morgan staggers out of the corner, with Marino hitting the ropes and nailing him with a Spear! Pin by Marino!

TWO…!

THR-

Kick out by Morgan! Marino looks a bit surprised here, thinking the damage he inflicted there would’ve been too much for anyone to overcome! He gets Morgan to his feet, getting Morgan in position for the Drone Drop! He goes for the lift, but Morgan manages to escape, immediately putting Marino in position before dropping him with DYSPHORIA!! SWINGING REVERSE STO CONNECTS!! He goes for the pin!

TWO…!

THREE-

NO! MARINO KICKS OUT!! Morgan is in shock here, thinking that would’ve definitely been it! Someone else seems to have thought so too, as The Ringmistress makes her way out to ringside, rushing onto the apron and beckoning the referee towards her! The two argue over the legitimacy of her being out here as The Ringmaster then appears, sliding a steel chair under the bottom rope for Morgan to use. Morgan looks at the chair for a moment, seemingly contemplating his next move, before ultimately stepping on it and kicking it out of the ring, right in front of The Ringmistress and the official! He calls the ref’s attention to the attempted foul play, getting both The Ringmaster and The Ringmistress ejected from ringside! Morgan looks to The Ringmaster, reassuring him that he can take care of this on his own!

Kai Morgan: You guys go! I got this!

The Ringmaster obliges without argument, seemingly taking Morgan’s proclamation seriously as he smiles and gives him a thumbs up! All this leaves an opening for Marino to swoop in, taking Morgan from behind with an O’Connor Roll Pin!

TWO…!

THREE-

Kick out by Morgan! Not looking to lose the upper hand, Marino rushes towards him as he gets to his feet! This proves to be a terrible idea by Marino however, with Morgan managing to catch him and throw him into the ropes with a Stun Gun! He quickly follows up, getting behind Marino and tossing him to the mat with a Snap German Suplex! Marino attempts to get to his feet, but this ultimately seals his undoing! Morgan catches him with a Axe Kick to the back of the head, before turning around and nailing him with a Discus Forearm to complete SHATTERED SKIES!! Marino crumbles to the mat, with Morgan looking towards the corner! He takes to the turnbuckles, his usual spot when looking for the Six Shooter! But this time, it’s different! This time Morgan begins to climb the ropes instead! He stands at the top turnbuckle, seemingly gauging his distance, before launching off for a 450 Splash! The fans are in awe, not having seen a move like this from Morgan before now! He inches closer and closer to Marino on the mat! However things go sour quickly, as Marino gets the knees up, plunging them straight into Morgan’s ribcage! This gets an immediate and visceral response from The Liontamer, who flops on the mat in agony while clutching his chest! It’s clear to anyone watching that something is seriously wrong, but upon the referee’s check, Morgan still refuses to throw out the match! The official keeps his distance, letting the match continue just in time for Marino to make it back to his feet! He pulls Morgan off the mat, getting him in position and throwing him right back down with the DRONE DROP!! ATAXIA CONNECTS!! He goes for the pin, this certifiably being over!

TWO…!

THREE-

KICK OUT BY MORGAN!! Everyone is in shock, with no one expecting him to actually kick out here, especially Marino! He pulls Morgan to his feet, not even sure of what he’ll do next to put him away! He settles on a second Drone Drop, going for the lift while Morgan is practically deadweight! This fails to connect however, with Morgan twisting out and landing on his feet behind Marino! He nails him with a kick to the back of the leg, before drawing that familiar invisible bow-and-arrow and releasing it, hitting Marino with F.B.S!! V-TRIGGER CONNECTS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!! Morgan isn’t finished however, slowly crawling towards the corner with his arms still clutching his chest! He pulls himself up using the ropes, leaning against the turnbuckle pads as he calls for Marino to get up! Marino slowly makes it back to his feet, with Morgan rushing towards him and looking for the Six Shooter! Marino ducks underneath it however, leaving the referee to take the brunt of the damage from the move! Morgan looks down on the fallen official, somewhat relieved that the accidental nature of him striking him means that he still won’t be getting fired! However, a bigger problem is at play here, with no official around to count a pin here! Marino rushes over to Morgan to take advantage, but he reverses with a Forearm before staggering back into the ropes!

It’s just then that Morgan catches a glimpse of something…the steel chair that’s been left at ringside! He looks at Marino, then the fallen referee, before exiting the ring to grab it! He makes his way back into the ring, steel chair in hand, waiting for Marino to get back to his feet! Morgan raises the chair over his head, but just then his attention is caught by the reaction of the fans! The crowd begins to boo Morgan for the shortcut he’s looking to take, leaving him conflicted on what to do next! He lets out a mighty scream, seemingly fighting with himself over what to do! Eventually he makes a decision, tossing the chair right back out of the ring as the fan’s boos begin to turn to cheers once again! He backs into the corner once again as Marino gets to his feet, rushing towards him for the Six Shooter! But Marino reverses this time, driving Morgan into the mat with a Powerbomb before taking to the top rope! Marino launches off, hitting Morgan with the DEVIL DOG DEATH!! DIVING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP CONNECTS!! Marino with the pin!

TWO…!

THREE!!

~ DING DING DING ~

Thea Crawford: The winner of this match…Robert! Marino!

Marino begins to celebrate his victory following the pinfall, climbing to the top rope and getting the fans to their feet with applause. He eventually comes down, seeing Morgan sitting in the corner, once again down on himself following another loss. Marino approaches him, outstretching a hand to him as Morgan looks up in hesitation. He eventually accepts, with Marino pulling the Liontamer back to his feet and shaking his hand. He and Morgan exchange some words which, while not picked up by the cameras, seem to be positive. Morgan comes out of the handshake, barely managing to gut through the pain in his ribs in order to raise the former Marine’s hand out of respect.

Seth Ernst: Just when I thought I’d seen it all in this business, here I am surprised once more with this…Kai Morgan actually being respectful.

Miranda Augustino: Far cry from the guy who tried to have our plug pulled at the beginning of the year, but a welcomed change indeed. And I’m sure that Robert Marino has especially gained a new respect for him tonight.

Marino and Morgan come apart, with The Devil Guard looking to leave the ring and go backstage. Morgan however, begins the falter, with it being clear that Marino was the only thing keeping him upright in his condition. Marino turns back to him, offering to help him up once again, but Morgan politely declines. With a bit of hesitation, Marino finally vacates the ring, leaving Morgan to attempt to get up on his own. Just then, Jessi Ozborne appears through the curtain, quickly and worriedly making her way down the ramp. She shoots a dirty look towards Marino as she passes him, before sliding into the ring and tending to Morgan. He initially refuses Ozborne’s help, with her eventually having to force her arms around Morgan to get him to accept her assistance. She helps Morgan to his feet, with the two getting to their feet in the center of the ring to an unusual sight. The crowd in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Coliseum begin to applaud Morgan’s efforts.

Crowd: YOU WERE AWE-SOME!
clap clap clap clap clap
YOU WERE AWE-SOME!
clap clap clap clap clap

Seth Ernst: It seems that the NFW faithful seem to feel the way we do, Mir!

Miranda Augustino: You talked about seeing it all, Seth? The fact that the NFW fans are actually cheering for Kai Morgan right now is the moment I’ve truly seen it all.

Ozborne looks up to Morgan with a smile, reassuring him that those cheers are for him as he stares around confused. Ozborne helps Morgan to the edge of the ring, opening up the ropes so that he can climb through. He makes it to the floor at ringside, but without Ozborne’s support, he quickly falls to the concrete. Ozborne trails Morgan to the outside, once again helping him up to his feet. The two begin to slowly make their way towards the ramp, but before they do, something in Ozborne’s expression begins to…change. Her face turns from a look of sympathy to that of…pure rage. Before anyone can register the souring of her expression, Ozborne’s true intentions come to light, as she turns around and throws Morgan right into the ring post!

Seth Ernst: Wha-WHAT THE HELL?!

Miranda Augustino: No no no no no, tell me I didn't just see that!

The applause from the crowd suddenly dissipates to silence, with Morgan clattering to the floor. He looks up to his best friend with confusion and a tad bit of sadness in his eye. His gaze is returned with a cold look of anger, as Ozborne walks up to him and begins to stomp on his prone body relentlessly, each stomp having a little more vigor than the last! She kneels at Morgan’s side, beginning to graduate to punches that dig right into the side of his skull! She gets to her feet, coming face-to-face with a sea of booing fans. She ignores all of them as she drags Morgan to his feet and throws him into the ring! She walks across the ringside area, grabbing the steel chair that Morgan had thrown out earlier.

Seth Ernst: Why is Jessi Ozborne doing this? This man brought her into this business…put a roof over her head! How could she treat him like this?

Miranda Augustino: I don’t know why, Seth, but I do know it’s about to get a lot worse for him!

Ozborne re-enters the ring, steel chair in hand. She lingers over the body of her now former best friend, before laying a chair shot right across his back. From there, the scene gets even more violent, with Ozborne laying chair shots into him faster and faster, not leaving Morgan any time to recover from the last shot before the next. She nearly breaks the chair clean in half over Morgan’s back before tossing it to the mat. She kneels down beside Morgan, pulling his head up by his hair and laying the chair underneath it. She gets directly in his ear, the cameras most definitely picking up what she says next.

Jessi Ozborne: Listen to me…you piece of shit! I’m done with you…DONE WITH YOU!

With that, Ozborne lays Morgan’s head down on the chair, stepping back as he attempts to get back up from the assault! Just then a sea of officials begin to pour out from backstage, looking to finally put an end to the onslaught by separating Ozborne from Morgan. But Ozborne persists, pushing past all of them to leap onto Morgan with a CURBSTOMP ON THE CHAIR!!

Seth Ernst: This…this really bad Mir! Kai Morgan could be really hurt here…

Miranda Augustino: Physical wounds can heal, Seth. But those mental ones are gonna be bitch for Kai Morgan for who knows how long. And speaking of bitches, I’m glad someone is finally able to get Jessi Ozborne out of the ring.

The officials finally pull Ozborne away, taking her out of the ring and backing her up the ramp as she continues to hurl profanities at Morgan. The fans aren’t shy in showing how they feel about all this, hurling some profanities of their own at “Queen Papi”

Crowd: FUCK YOU JESSI!
clap clap clap clap clap
FUCK YOU JESSI!
clap clap clap clap clap

Morgan lays in the center of the ring, tears lining his eyelids as medics begin to enter the ring to tend to him. Jessi is finally escorted backstage as we fade out.

Result: Pinfall

Thea Crawford: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is your main event of the evening! It is the Guardians of the Pyramid match…for the NFW Undisputed Championship!

Seth Ernst: It’s that time, everyone!

Miranda Augustino: Guardians of the Pyramid, let’s goooooooo!!

Thea Crawford: Introducing first…from Asheville, North Carolina, weighing in at 123lbs. She is the Cherokee Rose…LLUVIA CANE!!
"In God We Trust" hits and Lluvia comes out to the stage in her gear. She does a little shimmy then seductively sways her hips as she does a slow 360, showing off her body as she does so. Lluvia then heads down to the ring and slides in under the 3rd rope, doing another little sashay once she stands up. She holds a smirk on her face as she waits for things to get going.

Thea Crawford: And her opponent…from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at 135lbs. This is…ASHLEY “AK47” KENYON!!!
Slash's "World On Fire" starts up and the lights start dancing about. Ten seconds in, the main riff starts and Ashley Kenyon walks through the curtain, arms raised to accept whatever reaction she's gonna get. She smirks and sashays down to the ring, making sure everybody's getting a good look as she goes. She steps up to the apron and shakes her ass before seductively bending over and slipping between the ropes into the ring. She walks to the center of the ring and wags a finger as if to say, "no touching," even as she nods contradictorily, egging the fans on to want more and more of whatever it is she's selling them.


Seth Ernst: Here we go, ladies and gentlemen! The Guardians of the Pyramid match is upon us!

Miranda Augustino: This is gonna be insane, Seth!

Seth Ernst: Always is, Mir!

Lluvia and Ashley circle up in the middle of the ring, starting intensely at each other. The fans are just waiting for them to go off on each other.

Seth Ernst: Boy, these two have a history don’t they?

Miranda Augustino: They do! Dating back to Hybrid and even more recently.

Seth Ernst: Interesting circumstances, indeed.

The two women lunge in, lock up collar & elbow and start jocking for position. They push back, looking to get one another back against the ropes but neither’s getting anywhere with it until Ashley breaks the lockup with a stiff forearm to the jaw of Lluvia. She grabs her jaw, stumbling back and looks at her opponent. Ashley beckons her forward and the two circle the mat again. Lluvia steps in. They lockup again and fight for the advantage again. This time, it’s Lluvia who breaks the hold, throwing a knee into Ashley’s ribs. She follows up with a series of her own forearms to the jaw, repeatedly, over and over, and over. This gets Ashley back against the ropes and Referee Yumi Akiyama calls for the break. Lluvia whips Ashley across the ropes, looking for a double axe handle but Kenyon ducks and hits the ropes. Lluvia spins around and catches Ashley on the return with a bridging hurricanrana, hooking both legs for a surprise cover!


Seth Ernst: Early cover by Lluvia Cane and she almost had that one, I think!

Miranda Augustino: That was a tight rollup!

Lluvia immediately grabs Ashley on her rise back to her feet and looks for a vertical suplex. Kenyon blocks with her foot and goes for her own but Cane blocks just the same and drives a knee into her midsection. She takes Ashley down with a Snap DDT to the mat and gets up to her feet, grabbing at her legs. Cane’s looking for a Sharpshooter but Kenyon shoves her with her boot right into a corner, rolling backwards up to her feet. Lluvia turns around and steps right into a Shotgun Dropkick by Ashley. NFW’s Merc With A Mouth comes in immediately with a running Stinger Splash, whips Lluvia into the opposite corner and comes in right behind with a corner clothesline. She then lifts Lluvia up onto the turnbuckle, looking for something big. Lluvia punches down at her head. Ashley staggers back a step then answers with a rope assisted Enziguri. She climbs up onto the turnbuckle, setting Lluvia up but the shots start flying back and forth. Lluvia drives her knuckles into Ashley’s ribs. Ashley answers back with hard rights across the head. Lluvia throws a couple of right hands to the jaw. Ashley grabs Lluvia by the hair and delivers a headbutt that dazes her before setting her up and delivering a big superplex down to the mat. Both women sprawl out on the mat but Kenyon crawls over and hooks the leg.


Miranda Augustino: Close but no cigar, chica!

Seth Ernst: Both of these competitors would love to repeat what Anton Crowley did last year and fight through to the very end of this match!

Miranda Augustino: Yeah, but they wanna do it while walking out as Undisputed Champion, too! That’d be a first!

Seth Ernst: Right, Mir! Never has the champion retained in this match, regardless of entry position!

Miranda Augustino: We might see that tonight, though. Our champion has been on fire since she won the belt at WrestleWar!

Seth Ernst: Adrianna Salvatore sits in the back, eagerly waiting for her time to come. She just has to wonder who will her opponent be?

Kenyon picks Lluvia up and hits a Russian Legsweep, driving her into the mat. She twists around, looking to transition into a Cross Armbar and she gets it for a moment but Lluvia quickly catches the bottom rope with her boot, causing the break. She gets up to her feet and plants her feet, motioning for Lluvia to start getting up. As soon as the Cherokee Rose is on her knees, Ashley starts throwing roundhouse kicks to the head, rocking her at first but that look soon turns to one of fire and conviction as she glares up at her opponent. She starts fighting up to one foot on the mat and catches one of Ashley’s kicks as she stands up to her other foot. Ashley gets that “oh shit” look on her face briefly before Lluvia throws her leg down and lunges in with a big clothesline, laying her flat then follows up with a Moonsault Legdrop. She hooks the leg!


Lluvia slaps the mat, getting up to her feet and motions for Ashley to get back up as she’s poised to strike. As Kenyon gets to her feet and turns, Lluvia goes for Angelic Rebellion. Kenyon ducks underneath it and steps back, waiting for Cane to turn back towards her again where she goes for The Kiss Off! Lluvia catches her foot, spins her around and drives a boot into her midsection, pulling her in for another Suplex. She hits it, but holds on for another. She hits that and twists her legs around to go for a third! Lluvia gets it, effectively completing Empress of Thunder. Ashley’s laid out on the mat now as Lluvia gets to her feet and points to the corner. She climbs to the top turnbuckle with the crowd rallying behind her as she calls for Your Horizon (Frog Splash)! She shoots for it! She soars! She biffs it as Kenyon brings her knees up! Lluvia crash lands right on her ribs and rolls across the mat as Ashley gets up to her feet. She comes back into the corner, waiting for Lluvia to make it up. Kenyon pulls on the ropes, amping herself up for her attack as Lluvia gets vertical and looks up just in time to see Ashley charging in with her boot flying at her face. STALL & CRAWL (Brogue Kick)!

Seth Ernst: STALL & CRAWL!!! SHADES OF THE LATE, MISSED, AERYNN MAGUIRE!!!!!

Miranda Augustino: WITH AUTHORITY!!!!!

Seth Ernst: COVER!!!


Lluvia kicks out again!! Ashley sits up on her knees, clenching her fists and shaking her head as she gets up and puts a distance between herself and Cane again. Once more, she goes back to the corner and sets up to strike again, this time, warming up her dominant leg. Lluvia makes it to her feet and here comes Ashley again!! KISS OFF–NO!!! Lluvia ducks! Ashley turns and Lluvia goes for Angelic Rebellion (Chick Kick)!! NO!! Ashley ducks again!! Lluvia pivots back around!!! KISS OFF (SUPERKICK)!!!! The impact SLAPS throughout the arena!!

Crowd: OHHHHHHHHH!!

Seth Ernst: THAT’S GOTTA BE IT!!!

Lluvia falls back onto the mat and Ashley collapses back over her with her shoulders across Cane’s torso. Referee Akiyama drops down!


Thea Crawford: The winner of this round, by pinfall…ASHLEY KENYON!!

Miranda Augustino: And this first round is over, bitches!!

Seth Ernst: With an explosive finish!! But Ashley’s only got a moment to rest before the next opponent comes out in this hellacious gauntlet style contest!

Ashley rolls off of Lluvia, letting her out of the ring and drags herself over to a corner to pull herself up to her feet. As she catches her breath, Thea Crawford looks at the note card in her hand and announces.

Thea Crawford: This next round, ladies and gentlemen, will be contested for under Hardcore rules! No disqualification! No countout!

Seth Ernst: Ashley Kenyon just wrestled one hell of a bout, now she has to continue under Hardcore Rules?!

Miranda Augustino: Hey, if anyone can do it, it’s her! She’s got no reservations against her now!

There’s a pop throughout the crowd as “New Soul” by Yael Naim comes from the PA. Loree Merope walks out on stage, accompanying a very excited Ibbie down the walkway. Ibbie takes the time to say hello to and high five the fans while Alexandra Caldwell stands in the ring rolling her eyes, getting impatient. Ibbie makes a lap around the ring and even stops in front of Donovan Cunninghan to whom she waves.

Ibbie: Hi! I’m Ibbie!

Donovan looks at her incredulously and feigns a lunge at her and Loree quickly gets in between her client and Donovan while ushering Ibbie into the ring. Ibbie steps through the ropes, hopping on the balls of her feet, ready to go. She waves at Caldwell. Caldwell motions for her to just bring it. Referee Yumi Akiyama calls for the bell and the start of round 3!


Alexandra and Ibbie come out of their corners and circle up. The blood’s been cleaned from Caldwell’s face and she’s even managed to pry a couple of the staples out of her skin during her cooldown period. Alexandra and Ibbie step in and lockup. It’s a submission match now, so Alexandra goes right for a twisting arm wringer but Ibbie counters out of it and brings Caldwell to the mat with an arm trapped Snapmare which she quickly transitions into a Fujiwara Armbar. Alexandra realizes she’s in trouble already as she tries to maneuver herself around to get a foot on the ropes. Again, Donovan Cunningham is there for her aid and lifts her boot up onto the bottom rope. The referee calls for the break but then chides Donovan, warning that the next time he gets involved in the match, he’s out of here.

Seth Ernst: Senior Official Yumi Akiyama, folks, not taking any flack from any member of the roster. Be they competitor or manager.

Miranda Augustino: One of the best at her craft! Don’t let her size fool you!

Unfortunately, it’s while Yumi’s doing this that Ibbie goes to pick Alexandra back up and Dat Girl rakes the eyes of Ibbie. The fan darling staggers back and Alexandra shoulder blocks her into the ropes, starting to press her knee to the back of her shoulders, choking her out on the middle rope. Loree Merope runs over to try and call Yumi’s attention to what’s going on but it only draws Yumi’s attention to now trying to get her to back off as well. Donovan Cunningham, sneaky bugger that he is suddenly turns and tries to switch sides, telling Loree to listen to what the referee’s telling her to do. Eventually, Loree runs around the side of the ring to where Alexandra and Ibbie are and starts climbing on the apron. This gets Yumi’s attention over there and Loree immediately jumps back down and backs off. Yumi now sees Caldwell and yells at her to get Ibbie off the ropes, starting to count. Caldwell breaks at 4 and Referee Akiyama backs her off but when Ibbie pulls herself up, Alexandra steps in and throws on a Sleeper Hold. She pulls Ibbie away from the ropes and takes them both to the mat, locking the hold on tight. Ibbie fights against the hold, trying to escape to no avail. The crowd chants for Ibbie to not give up and keep fighting but she looks to be fading. Referee Akiyama lifts her arm up. It falls.

Seth Ernst: This could be a short round! Is Ibbie out already?!

Miranda Augustino: I don’t know!

The referee lifts it up again and lets go. Ibbie’s arm falls a second time.

Seth Ernst: That’s two, Mir!!

Miranda Augustino: C’mon, chica!! Don’t go out this early!

The official lifts Ibbie’s arm the final time and lets go. Ibbie’s arm starts to drop but she brings it up just before it hits the mat!! Her eyes snap open and she has new life breathed into her as Loree starts a rhythmic clapping to get the fans behind her client even more. Ibbie digs down deep and starts fighting her way up to her feet, forcing Alexandra up with her. Once she gets her feet planted, she manages to angle herself to start throwing elbows into Caldwell’s midsection until Dat Girl has no choice but to let her go. Ibbie hits the ropes and shoulder blocks Caldwell. She staggers back but stays on her feet. She hits the ropes herself and runs in for a clothesline but Ibbie slips underneath her arm, hits the ropes and launches herself back at her opponent with a crossbody splash. Caldwell catches her out of the air and goes for what looks to be a Fallaway Slam but Ibbie slips her legs up over Caldwell’s shoulder. Caldwell realizes her grip is off and she doesn’t go down with the slam and, instead, Ibbie lands safely on her feet behind her where she hits a sudden Backstabber on Caldwell! Ibbie wastes no time and transitions right into a Crossface on Caldwell right in the center of the ring! She wrenches it back hard! Loree runs over to the side of the ring where the two competitors are facing and starts cheering for Ibbie to keep the hold on. Donovan Cunningham runs over beside her and yells at Alexandra Caldwell to not tap out, but to crawl her way towards him.

Seth Ernst: Both managers are calling out support for their clients!

Miranda Augustino: Ya gotta give them both credit, if nothing else!

Caldwell starts crawling her way towards the ropes, dragging Ibbie with her. Donovan extends his arm, appearing to offer his hand out for Caldwell to grab and Loree swats it back, telling him not to try and offer any unfair advantage. This gets the two managers arguing again just as Caldwell makes it to where she could have grabbed Donovan’s hand had it still been extended. Donovan turns his attention from Loree, sees this and quickly reaches out to grab Alexandra’s hand, pulling it towards the rope until she can grab it. The referee calls for the break but once again, leans over the ropes, yelling at Donovan. The manager tries to argue his case but Referee Akiyama’s had enough and she gives the order to throw him from ringside! The crowd pops as Donovan tries to plead for forgiveness but Caldwell warns him if he doesn’t leave, she’s going to disqualify his client. Caldwell angrily tells him to get the hell out of here before he costs her the opportunity at the championship.

Seth Ernst: Ibbie almost became the first one to give Alexandra Caldwell a pinfall or submission loss in NFW!

Miranda Augustino: She is, indeed, undefeated Seth!

Seth Ernst: What an accomplishment that’ll be if Ibbie can make her tap here, tonight!

Meanwhile, Loree smartly backs off from the ring as Ibbie continues her advance towards Alexandra but Caldwell catches Ibbie on her charge and hits a Flapjack, dropping her right on the mat. As Ibbie writhes on the mat, Alexandra grabs her by the boot, lifts up her leg and drops her knee back down as hard as she can. Ibbie grabs at her leg but Alexandra doesn’t let up. She grabs her foot again and starts laying kicks to her knee. Ibbie cries out in pain as Alexandra lays more kicks in before administering a Figure Four Leglock. Ibbie thrashes against the mat but doesn’t hit the mat in any way that’s counted as a tapout. She reaches for the ropes, unable to quite get there. She tries to pry Alexandra’s legs off of hers but Caldwell has them on tight. Ibbie covers her face with her hands, biting through the pain and not wanting to give up.

Seth Ernst: She’s fighting it, Mir! She doesn’t wanna submit!!! She’s hungry for championship gold!!

Miranda Augustino: Imagine Ibbie’s first championship being the UNDISPUTED Championship, Seth!!! Big match Ibbie!!!!

Loree slaps the mat repeatedly, cheering Ibbie on and gets the crowd clapping again. This motivates Ibbie to dig deep and she manages to power herself into rolling over onto her stomach. This reverses the pressure onto Alexandra’s legs and now Ibbie arches herself to add more torque to the reverse hold. Alexandra’s eyes go wide as she screams in pain and she’s further from the ropes than Ibbie is. She tries to turn herself but Ibbie does the same and crawls forward, dragging Alexandra away from the ropes with her.

Seth Ernst: She’s got the reverse on tight, Mir!!! Ibbie’s got this!!!!

Miranda Augustino: C’moooooon, hold on Ibbie!!

Seth Ernst: Is she gonna tap?! Is Alexandra Caldwell gonna submit?!

Miranda Augustino: She looks like she might!!

Alexandra raises her hand up, quivering, above the mat. She’s just about to tap before she balls it into a fist and punches the mat, letting out a frustrated guttural yell and rotates herself over again but this time, she breaks the hold and grabs at her legs. Ibbie grabs her beaten leg as well and the two find themselves in opposite corners, staring each other down. Both women pull themselves up to their feet and limp out towards the center of the ring. Alexandra’s taken aback by Ibbie’s gumption. Ibbie has a fierce, albeit adorable look of hard conviction on her face as she stares her ruthless opponent in the eyes. It only grows as Alexandra pie faces her and tells her to stop mean mugging and do something. Ibbie looks back at Alexandra, seething. Caldwell pie faces her again, taunting her further. This time, Ibbie hauls off and just palm strikes her across the face. Alexandra looks stunned at the strike, as well as Ibbie’s apparent audacity. She cocks her arm back for a forearm strike but Ibbie blocks it and feeds her one of her own. Ibbie starts firing off on Caldwell, backing her into the ropes and Irish Whips her across the ring.

Seth Ernst: Look at Ibbie fighting fire with her own fire!!

Miranda Augustino: They’re both the fire tonight!

Ibbie drops down onto the mat as Caldwell runs back at her. Caldwell jumps over her to hit the ropes again. Ibbie pops up and goes for a Back Body Drop but Caldwell frog leaps over her, going for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb but Ibbie manages to stay on her feet before jumping up and drilling Caldwell with a Double Foot Stomp to the chest! As Caldwell rolls over onto her stomach, Ibbie moves right in and goes for Ibbie’s Plan A (Full Nelson Camel Clutch)!! Ibbie wrenches back tight as Loree cheers her on. Alexandra has that look of desperation on her face again as she tries to reach for the ropes but she has her arms trapped in that Nelson hold. Referee Yumi Akiyama gets down in front of her, looking for any signal that she wants to give up.

Seth Ernst: This could be it!!!! She’s got her main submission locked in, Mir!!

Miranda Augustino: What a moment!!

Ibbie wrenches back as much as she can but Alexandra struggles against it at the same time and with her greater physical strength, she manages to get her knees up under her which lifts Ibbie up onto her back, causing slack in the Full Nelson hold. Alexandra gets an arm free and lifts Ibbie up into a piggyback before flipping Ibbie right over in front of her, right into position for When The Lights Go Out (Rear Naked Choke) and she locks it in tight! Ibbie reaches for the ropes but Alexandra jumps, wraps her legs around Ibbie’s waist and throws her weight back, taking them down to the mat. Ibbie tries to pull Alexandra’s arm off with one hand while reaching for the ropes with the other but she starts to fade!

Seth Ernst: Is Alexandra gonna advance onto Round 4?!

Miranda Augustino: Nobody has pinned or submit her yet, Seth!! She could make it to the end of this where the Undisputed Champion awaits!

Seth Ernst: Mind you, she’d still have to go through two more opponents before facing Salvatore, even!

Miranda Augustino: Ibbie’s fading!

Ibbie fights against the chokehold further but her resistance grows weak and her eyes flutter shut. Referee Akiyama lifts her arm and drops it.

Seth Ernst: That’s one!

She lifts Ibbie’s arm again and drops it.

Miranda Augustino: That’s two!

Referee Akiyama lifts it one final time, lets go of the wrist and…


Seth Ernst: That’s it!! Ibbie’s out!! She’s out!

Miranda Augustino: Awwww man!! Hey, great effort, chica!! You got my respect!

Thea Crawford: The winner of this round, by submission…ALEXANDRA CALDWELL!!

The referee makes Alexandra let Ibbie go so she can get her out of the ring. Loree steps in, looking distraught but sympathetic to her client. She helps Ibbie out of the ring and the fans applaud Ibbie’s effort.

Seth Ernst: What a round, Mir! What. A. Round!

Miranda Augustino: And we still got three more to go!

As if answering Seth’s question, Falling In Reverse’s “Zombified” kicks on over the PA system as the cloths are removed from the tables, revealing that they are indeed made out of stacked panes of glass. Lana stands in the ring, waiting, as Kasey Kash emerges from the tunnel and picks up into a sprint towards the ring. He baseball slides in under the bottom rope and here comes Lana, now wielding one of the kendo sticks left scattered around from the Hardcore round earlier.


Lana immediately starts wailing away at Kash before he can even start getting up. Lana’s not granting a second of leniency as she knows she’s up against a fresh opponent after going through a hellacious fight herself. Kash covers up his head with his arms as Lana swings away, splitting the kendo stick across his back until it’s absolutely useless and she tosses it out of the ring.

Miranda Augustino: Lana ain’t wasting time, Seth! She wants to join the Corvin family line of World Champions!

Seth Ernst: She entered the match at a fairly decent spot, Mir! If she can maintain this offense and save her energy, she can most definitely fulfill her dream!

Miranda Augustino: She’ll have to kill the same dream for the one they call the Unkillable! The self proclaimed TRUE Undisputed Champion! Kasey Kash!

Lana pulls Kasey to his feet and whips him violently into the corner. She’s right on his heels and, as soon as he slams into the corner, she slams into him with a big corner clothesline before throwing right hands to the jaw. Kasey’s looking rocked and taken off guard as Lana lifts him onto the top turnbuckle and climbs up, looking for a superplex. As she tries to lift him, he wraps one leg under the middle turnbuckle and starts fighting back with punches to the ribs. Lana slips off and back down to the floor on her feet. This gives Kasey the opportunity to step up onto the top turnbuckle and launch himself off with a magnificent Missile Dropkick! Lana falls and rolls backwards, scrambling up to her feet and Kasey comes running in. Lana goes for a discus forearm but Kasey slips under and kicks off of the turnbuckle behind her, catching her with a Tornado DDT, spiked right in the center of the mat! He makes it up to his feet and taunts the crowd.

Kasey Kash: THE TRUE FUCKING CHAMP IS HERE!!!!!

Seth Ernst: Yeah, keep telling yourself that, pal.

Miranda Augustino: He’s consistent, if nothing else!

Kasey looks ready to start breaking some glass as he leans over the ropes to examine one of the glass tables. He turns back towards Lana and grabs her by the hair.

Kasey Kash: C’mere, cunt.

Miranda Augustino: That may be the longest he’s ever gone before saying that word.

Seth Ernst: Think so?

Kasey holds onto Lana’s hair as he steps through the ropes, out onto the apron. With his pulling, she has no choice but to step out there with him and he sets her up for a powerbomb.

Seth Ernst: You gotta put your opponent through, not one, but two glass tables to win this round, folks. Surely a gruesome end for whoever’s fight ends here in round 5.

Miranda Augustino: I’m still uneasy about the damn Cell hanging up above the ring. What’s that about?

Seth Ernst: Who knows, Mir, but Kasey’s about to put Lana through a world of hurt! Wait a minute–no!!

Before Kasey starts to lift her up, Lana grabs his legs and powers herself up, back body dropping Kasey smack dab onto the apron! Kasey lands with a sickening thud and rolls down to the floor, cursing up a storm at the shock of pain through his spine. Lana picks him up to his feet and pings his head off of the apron. She then turns him and bounces his head off of the surface of the glass table itself, so hard that the top layer of glass spider webs.

Miranda Augustino: OOH SHIT!

Seth Ernst: Have to wonder if that’d have counted, had the table completely shattered!!

Lana’s evidently intent on seeing if it does as she bounces Kasey’s head off of it again, causing the cracks to spread further. She goes for it a third time and Kasey plants his hands on the surface. It cracks even more but he throws a back elbow right into Lana’s face. She staggers back and Kasey grabs her by the head and rings her head off of the ringpost. He whips her against the barricade and comes in with Bicycle Pump Kick that almost sends her over into the front row but Kasey keeps her from going over and drags her back over to the ring apron where he climbs back up and pulls her with him. Kasey sets up for the powerbomb again, looking to put Lana through the panes of glass but she drops down onto one knee and brings an arm up right between the legs!!

Crowd: Ooooh!!

Seth Ernst: Awww man! A low blow from Corvin but it’s all legal!!

Miranda Augustino: Rightful desperation, Seth! Nobody wants to go through a glass table!

As Kasey clutches himself, Lana stands up on her feet and pulls his head in between her legs, hooking his arms, butterfly style behind his back.

Seth Ernst: Aww wait a minute!

Miranda Augustino: Is she gonna–no way. No way!

Seth Ernst: She can’t do this!! I know the rules of the match but c’mon!!

Miranda Augustino: For the love of God, don’t do it Lana!!

But Lana does, in fact, lift Kasey up off of the apron, turn and falls forward off of the apron, delivering The Glorifier (Angel Wings) through the glass table!!!! The panes of glass SHATTER as Kasey is planted face down through them, leaving the two of them in a pile of glass. Even Lana’s hurting as she grabs at the backs of her thighs which are starting to show signs of blood. Kasey, meanwhile, is unmoving as he lays face down on the ringside floor for a moment. He’s breathing at least.

Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!

Seth Ernst: I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT THE HELL WE JUST WITNESSED!!

Miranda Augustino: ATTEMPTED FUCKING MURDER?! AYYYY!!!

Lana pulls herself up to her feet and leans back against the apron as she observes Kasey on the floor. He’s starting to move but it’s clear he’s hurting. She grins with satisfaction before limping over to him, blood running down the backs of her legs as she reaches down to pick him up. The crowd reacts in horror to find Kasey’s face completely covered in blood, as well as his neck and shoulders, all down his arms.

Miranda Augustino: Ahhhhhhh damn, man!!! Look at that!! This match might have to be stopped!! Live to fight another day, Kasey!

Lana grabs Kasey by the head and screams in his face, asking how much of a bad motherfucker does he think he is now. Before he can answer, she clubs him in the jaw with a forearm. She’s already looking to put him through a second glass table as she walks him around in front of the commentary table and rolls him into the ring.

Miranda Augustino: The hell is she doing now?

Seth Ernst: Her Goddess only knows, Mir. I’m not sure I want to.

Lana climbs up onto the apron and reaches down, pulling Kasey up to his feet in front of her. She starts looking for another Glorifier but Kasey’s feet sag under him and he goes down to one knee. Lana tries to pull him up again, verbally telling him to get his ass up. As she tries to pull him back up, he slips his arms free and starts throwing punches to her stomach. It backs Lana off a step on the apron; enough for Kasey to make it up to his feet and he starts digging deep and trading shots with Hecate’s Favored.

Seth Ernst: Kasey’s been out here five minutes and he already looks like the victim in a horror movie.

Miranda Augustino: Wouldn’t be Kasey if he didn’t, Seth!! He might wind up a literal corpse if he doesn’t do something here!

Kasey and Lana continue trading shots back and forth with Kasey swaying on the apron and Lana holding onto the top rope for dear life. She rocks Kasey with a big forearm smash, sending him back. He answers with a Yakuza Kick right to the face that staggers her and she keels over, holding her nose. Kasey’s eyes go wide through the bloody mask and he sees his chance. He runs, leaps over Lana and catches her by the waist, snapping her right off the apron! Sunset Flip Bomb!! SHATTERING the second glass table!!!!!!

Crowd: OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Seth Ernst: Right out in front of us!!

Miranda Augustino: For the love of all that is holy!

Lana lays in a pile of glass, shrieking in pain as Kasey sits back, shaking an arm. A quick, gruesome closeup shows a decent shard of glass embedded into his forearm. The brutality only worsens as Kasey grits his teeth and slowly, carefully pulls the shard out of his flesh. The crowd reacts in horror as does the commentary team.

Miranda Augustino: Ohhhh god, I can’t watch this!!

Seth Ernst: Oh my god!

Miranda audibly gags as Kasey gets the shard out and looks at it with a mixed reaction of horror and twisted amusement before dropping it. He holds his arm against his side as he struggles up to his feet and looks around. He finds…the staple gun from earlier and picks it up.

Seth Ernst: What the hell is he doing?

Miranda Augustino: I’m not even looking, Seth.

Seth Ernst: Kasey’s got the staple gun! What the hell is he doing?!

Lana’s still writhing on the floor as Kasey presses the staple gun against the gash on his forearm and literally starts pumping staples in to close the wound up! Even Referee Yumi Akiyama looks away. The ring doctor comes over to try and examine Kasey but he shouts at him to “FUCK OFF!!!” After a couple more staples, he’s satisfied, dropping the tool and pinning his arm to his side again. He walks over, now, to where the doctor is checking on Lana Corvin and shoves him away from her before reaching down and picking her up, Tiny pieces of glass stick to her back as blood oozes down her back and shoulders. He rolls her back into the ring and crawls in after her. He sits for a moment back in the corner, looking for a breather until he sees Lana start to get up to her feet. Kasey pulls himself up on the ropes and starts motioning for her to get up into position. She makes it up and Kasey charges towards her, looking for Going The Distance (Last Shot) but Lana explodes up and nails him in the head with a Gamengiri! Both competitors hit the mat again, barely moving.

Seth Ernst: Right on the money!! Lana saved herself from that devastating knee but she’s still gotta put Kash through a second table before he does her!

Miranda Augustino: If they don’t bleed out first!

Lana gets to her feet and bites through the pain, pulling Kasey up and lifts him for a vertical suplex. She stalls with it, before dropping him down next first onto her knee!! SPEAR OF DIANA!!!! Kasey rolls across the mat and out onto the apron. Lana sees him in prime position to send him off and into the second table needed to advance to the final round. She steps back and leans against the ropes, waiting for him to get up. Kasey is slow moving but he pulls himself up on the outside of the ropes and Lana cocks back her hand.

Seth Ernst: Gonna go for Hecate’s Dagger again. That’s how she eliminated Alexandra Caldwell earlier!!

Miranda Augustino: This time, it’s gonna send Kasey right through that last table behind him!! I can’t look!

Lana comes charging forward and readies her hand but as she jumps, Kasey grabs the top rope and drops down, causing Lana to roll over the rope and onto the floor. Kasey immediately rolls to safety inside the ring. Lana scrambles up onto the apron again. Kasey’s back against the ropes now and he comes charging in, roaring at the top of his lungs as he leaps with everything he has, going higher than he usually needs to!! GOING THE DISTANCE!!!! Lana’s head snaps back!! She falls back!!! CRASH!!!! RIGHT THROUGH THE GLASS TABLE!!!!!

Seth Ernst: GOOD GOD!!!!


Thea Crawford: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this round…KASEY KASH!!!

Miranda Augustino: Thank god that round’s over!! I can’t think of how this match can get anymore brutal!!

Immediately, the ring crew rushes down as the EMTs move to help Lana away from ringside. There’s quite a few crew members that come down to the ring and work hastily during Kasey’s 60 second rest period. Two crew members start removing one side of the ropes. Half a dozen more come up onto the mat with large plastic sacks and start dumping thumbtacks all over the mat, spreading them out so they’re covering it completely. More members wheel down barbwire tables and trash pins full of God only knows what sorts of weapons are inside them. Kasey Kash stands back in the corner, watching this all go down with a look of bewilderment on his face. A second referee is seen helping Yumi Akiyama apply gloves and a long sleeve referee shirt over her short sleeved one.

Thea Crawford: Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the final round of the Guardians of the Pyramid…and it is…A TARTARUS PRISON MATCH!!!!!

The crowd. Goes. WILD!!!!

Seth Ernst: OHHHHHH MYYYYY GOD!!!!!

Miranda Augustino: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!