NFW Presents: The Vlad Blackheart Memorial 5 Pre-Show!

We open up outside of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Colosseum to find everyone’s favorite intergalactic visitor, Captain Cosmo standing there with a cheesy grin on his face holding a microphone and wearing a full suit with various space designs on it.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes! Hello, Cosmonauts! Captain Cosmo here! And he is standing outside of Vlad the Blackheart’s Memorial Colosseum!

Cosmo motions to the arena as Cameraman Jeff shows the building off to the viewers watching.

Captain Cosmo: It would appear that the humans who built this building forgot to add the “The” in between Vlad and Blackheart! Captain Cosmo must inform friend Steven about that later!

The camera focuses back onto The Captain.

Captain Cosmo: It feels good to be back here for the Wrestling of the New Frontier! And today, Captain Cosmo shall be interviewing several of the participants who are competing in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! Let’s go inside, shall we?!

He then begins to make his way towards the building with Cameraman Jeff following behind. Once they reach the building they enter through the front doors and are greeted by a giant bronze statue of the legend himself, Vlad Blackheart. Cosmo then mimics the pose of the statue while looking up at it before turning back to the camera.

Captain Cosmo: Here we are inside Vlad the Blackheart’s Memorial Colosseum! And as you can all see, there is the legendary human himself, Vlad the Blackheart! It is quite wonderful, don’t you think Jeff?!

The camera moves up and down in a nodding motion.

Captain Cosmo: Right! Let’s go and find someone to interview!

As they head further into the arena, The Captain spots the NFW Perseverance Champion, Sylvia Lopez in the distance. He turns back to the camera.

Captain Cosmo: There is the Champion of Perseverance, Sylvia Lopez! We should avoid interviewing her because she only likes to be interviewed if the one interviewing her has blue hair and is called Dakota Winters!

They continue further and eventually spot Big Bubba Thompson with Cameron and Shawn Worley in the distance talking amongst themselves.

Captain Cosmo: It appears Captain Cosmo has found his first interview! Let’s go!

Cosmo makes his way over to the trio and greets them.

Captain Cosmo: Hello friends Bubba, Cameron and Shawn! Captain Cosmo here! With Cameraman Jeff too! It is good to see you all again!

Cameron Worley: Yo, Captain, how’s y’all doin’? Ain’t seen you in a coon’s age.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo is doing well, friend Cameron! He has arrived here at Vlad the Blackheart’s Memorial Colosseum to interview participants involved in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart!

Cameron motions at Bubba.

Cameron Worley: Bubba, come on over here and talk to the Cap’n for a spell.

Bubba walks over, his eyes wide with nervous excitement.

Big Bubba Thompson: I do somethin’ wrong?

Captain Cosmo: Not at all, friend Bubba! Captain Cosmo is here to interview you about the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart!

Big Bubba Thompson: Ok. I don’t really know how this works but they asked me if I could do it and Cam and Shawn said yes, so I’m here.

Cosmo nods.

Captain Cosmo: Do not worry, friend Bubba! Captain Cosmo will just ask you some questions and all you have to do is answer them! Is that okay with you?!

Bubba nods happily.

Captain Cosmo: Okay then! Bubba?! Thank you for joining Captain Cosmo for this interview! First question! Have you seen the Cosmic Pug?!

Bubba’s eyes go wide again in surprise.

Big Bubba Thompson: They got puggies here?

The Captain goes wide eyed himself and looks around.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo does not see any!

Cosmo shrugs and decides to continue on.

Captain Cosmo: Never mind that one! Next question! Do you trust Emus?!

Bubba frowns in confusion.

Big Bubba Thompson: Ain’t them’s the really big birdies what like to run and be ornery?

Captain Cosmo: They are enemies to Captain Cosmo and they want to steal the Cosmic Pug to carry out their evil, dastardly plan! Captain Cosmo advises that you stay away from them, friend Bubba!

Big Bubba Thompson: Ain’t seen many big birdies up close.

Captain Cosmo: That’s good! Anyway! Third question! This is your first time competing in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! However you are the biggest human in it! So do you think you will win?!

Caught off-guard, Bubba gasps.

Big Bubba Thompson: They’s more than people in this?

The Captain glances back to the camera in confusion himself before looking back at Bubba.

Captain Cosmo: Including yourself, there are twenty humans involved in this tournament! Just those humans! So how do you think you will do?!

Big Bubba Thompson: Oh, this gon be fun! I likes gettin’ in the ring and they said this means I get to do it a whole mess of times!

Captain Cosmo: Yes! It should be quite wonderful! How many matches of the wrestling do you think you will win?!

Big Bubba Thompson: Oh, I don’t know. I can win ‘em all. Least, that’s what everybody tells me. I can win ‘em all or I could lose ‘em all. Just depends.

Cosmo nods.

Captain Cosmo: And finally! Is there anything you would like to say to the other humans involved in this tournament?!

Bubba simply smiles and starts waving.

Big Bubba Thompson: HI!!!!!!

The Captain turns back to the camera and grins awkwardly before turning back to face Bubba.

Captain Cosmo: Well, Bubba! Captain Cosmo thanks you for your time and he wishes you good luck in the tournament!

Big Bubba Thompson: Aw, thank you Cap’n!

Captain Cosmo: Okay! Captain Cosmo shall see you all later! Goodbye for now!

Both Bubba and Cosmo wave into the camera as we cut elsewhere.
We open up to the roof of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Colosseum to find the NFW Perseverance Champion, Sylvia Lopez pacing back and forth with a wide grin on her face as she clutches her “shiny” close to her chest as if she were cradling her own baby.

Sylvia Lopez: Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament! Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament!!! VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT!!!

The Bellevue Banshee lets out a cackle before swiftly turning to face the camera.

Sylvia Lopez: Sylvia knows how much Vlad Blackheart liked to play! And this year Sylvia gets to play in his memory!

She bounces up and down on the spot in excitement.

Sylvia Lopez: Etsuko Mitzusaka! Cass Baumer! Bubba Thompson! River Chance! Ayu Megumi! Tanja Devereaux! Ibbie! Eavan Maloney! And Kai Morgan! Sylvia gets to play with them all!

Lopez giggles, her eyes sparkling as if she were in love with the very idea of having so many play things, and knowing her she probably is.

Sylvia Lopez: Sylvia is going to have so much fun! Yes! So much fun! So much fun!!! SO MUCH FUN!!!

The Perseverance Champion then suddenly lunges towards the camera forcing it to cut off elsewhere.
We cut backstage to once again find Captain Cosmo standing by with his microphone in hand and his cheesy grin on his face.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes! Welcome back Cosmonauts! Captain Cosmo here! And right now he is being joined by the Girl that is Amazing! Ayu Megumi!

The camera pans out a little to reveal Ayu Megumi standing beside the intergalactic visitor.

Captain Cosmo: Hello, friend Ayu! Thank you for joining Captain Cosmo for this interview for the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart!

Ayu Megumi: Thank you Cap, it's an honor to meet you! How are you doing, are you alright?

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo is doing quite wonderful, friend Ayu! He has had the chance to interview some fantastic talents who are set to do the wrestling soon in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! He is looking forward to watching the event and seeing who comes out as the winner!

Cosmo displays that cheesy grin of his again.

Captain Cosmo: Anyway! First question for you, friend Ayu! Have you seen the Cosmic Pug?!

Ayu Megumi: Aw, cosmic pug? I can't see it yeah, I really don't see.

Ayu smiled at Captain Cosmo, but she was a little confused but she smiled.

Captain Cosmo: Very well! Next question! Do you trust Emus?!

Ayu Megumi: Eh!? Emus, an emus!? Hmm, do I have to believe it too? I can believe it, right!?

The Captain briefly turns his attention to Cameraman Jeff who just shrugs before Cosmo turns back to Megumi.

Captain Cosmo: The dastardly Emu Federation are the sworn enemy of Captain Cosmo, friend Ayu! They wish to kidnap the Cosmic Pug and use its powers to destroy the universe! Captain Cosmo must stop that from happening while also making sure that there are no humans who are working alongside them!

Ayu Megumi: Oh! I understand! I'm really sorry. Haha. I was a bit confused but now I get it. Since that's the case, I definitely don't believe them!

Captain Cosmo: That’s good! Anyway, friend Ayu?! You shall be participating in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart along with nineteen other humans! Do you think you will win?!

Ayu Megumi: I don't know if I will win. It's all about the future and I think I'm not good enough to be a winner but I will do the best I can. It's hard for me but I will try my best.

Captain Cosmo: Well Captain Cosmo believes you are good enough, friend Ayu! You must believe in yourself! I mean, just look at Captain Cosmo?! He is from another planet! He came to Earth in search of the Cosmic Pug! And because he believed in himself, he has made many human friends and even met a human girlfriend that he is going to be marrying!

Ayu Megumi: I understand! You're so cute, I believe in myself, I'm just doing what my sister taught me and of course, the most important thing is believing in myself. And this tournament is not easy compared to my past matches. But I'll do my best when looking back, I won't regret it.

Captain Cosmo: Wonderful! Now! Last question! Do you have anything you would like to say to the other humans in this tournament?!

Ayu Megumi: I will do my best! Nice to meet you all, no matter who I've met before. or someone I've never met I'm happy to meet you guys. I look forward to winning the first match in this tournament so whoever meets me in the first match. I will do my best and the rest of this tournament I will do my best. I don't know what will happen but I will not regret participating in this tournament, oh, and, Cap. Please repeat after me, Believe today, shine tomorrow!

When Ayu finished speaking, she smiled and pointed at the camera.

Captain Cosmo: Believe today! Shine tomorrow! And DON’T TRUST EMUS!

When Captain Cosmo finished speaking, they both laughed, and Ayu Megumi shook hands with Captain Cosmo before Ayu bowed to Captain Cosmo to show her respect for him before Ayu walked away from the camera.
When the shot changes, the perspective of the camera takes us to the familiar setting of The Castle: home to The Collective unit of The Kingdom. The person behind the camera is in a clear sprint across the lawn, coming up on the property's gym in an obvious hurry. We can bear the panting breaths of whoever it is as they run full speed up to the door, almost slamming right into it. Just then, a petite woman's arm reaches out and her hand pulls the door open. The shot rushes into the gym, spinning around in a quick search. Apologies to anyone with motion sickness but the girl behind the camera is all high energy and they're not stopping. Finally, the camera falls on the familiar visage of River Chance across the room, in the middle of dumbbell curls. The girl behind the camera squeaks and the shot goes rushing over to where the massive woman, still sporting some visible scrapes and bruises from Cruel Summer gets her reps in.

Gabby Cassiano: Riveeeeeeeeer!! RiverRiverRiverRiverRiverRiver!!

River stops in her tracks, visibly confused by this occurrence. She turns her attention to the camera, before checking her surroundings momentarily. Her head tilts slightly, as she approaches.

River Chance: Gabby, may I be of assistance?

She inquires, not fully sure exactly what is going on. She didn't want to appear as dismissive, but she wasn't exactly sure how to approach the situation either. The pov moves up and down as Gabby bounces on her feet, excitedly.

Gabby Cassiano: Hiiiiiiii!! Sorry, I know you're working out, staying strong and stuff! Everybody look at River's muscles!! Grrrrr!!!

Gabby giggles before continuing.

Gabby Cassiano: Anyway! First things first: how ya dooooooooooin? Feelin' better? Still hurting from Cruel Summer? Looks like you're healing well!

River Chance: No apologies necessary. However, to answer your inquiry, I am...adequate.

River's answer, as expected, was short and to the point.

Gabby Cassiano: Good good! That's goooooooooood!

She's about as energetic as Peanut during a Jeff Dunham skit.

Gabby Cassiano: So the tournament's coming up! The Vlad Blackheart Memorial! Are you excited?! Are you, are you?!

River Chance: Verily, it is. As far as my level of excitement, it is within normal parameters.

Almost like Gabby's polar opposite, River’s demeanor remains stoic. The bouncing of the camera stops and there's a brief silence.

Gabby Cassiano: Oh... Well, I guess that makes sense. You do lots of wrestling. This is just like another Tuesday for you. Or Monday, since ya know, A Block and stuff.

River Chance: Inaccurate, it is a tournament. It will last several days.

Gabby Cassiano: Well yeah. I mean like...ya know what? Nevermind. Let's see. Ooh! So who are you most excited to face in your block? There's alotta super good wrestlers in A Block! You got Tanja Devereaux, she's kinda spooky. You got Kai Morgan, are you still mad at him for almost getting NFW shut down? Then you got Sylvia Lopez! She's kinda crazy but she's pretty good in the ring! She has the Perseverance belt too! If you beat her, you can challenge for it! Ooh, then you got Ayu Megumi! She is sooooooo amazing, like oh my gosh! You got Ibbie, too! She might still be just Ibbie but she's also the U.S Champion! Hey, if you beat her in this, do you get like a title shot and stuff? I know you're on different brands but rules is rules right?

River Chance: Bubba.

Gabby Cassiano: Bubba?

The camera angle actually tilts, like Gabby's tilting the camera with her head before it straightens again and bounces.

Gabby Cassiano: Oh oh! Yeah! Bubba Thompson! He's such a big sweetie! I wanna give him a hug.

It takes a second to process before she realizes.

Gabby Cassiano: Oh! You're most excited to face Bubba? That could be fun. You're not upset about having to fight a friend?

River Chance: No, I am not. It is because we are friends, that I most look forward to the contest. After all, an activity shared with one you care about, is more enjoyable, would you not agree?

Gabby Cassiano: Ooooh, that makes sense! Yeah, like going shopping or playing video games. Or wrestling if you're a wrestler. Wait! Since you two are friends, that makes you and Bubba like the Ken and Ryu of NFW! Question is, which of you is Ken and which of you is Ryu?

River Chance: Neither. I am River, and he is Bubba.

River looks slightly confused by this, not quite understanding the comparison. Gabby seems even more confused than River is, at this point.

Gabby Cassiano: No, I know that. I just mean like... Moving on! So let's say you win your block and go to the finals. You'll have to wrestle the winner of B Block. Who are you looking forward to wrestling the most from there?

River Chance: It would be unwise, to claim victory before it has been achieved. With that in mind, the obvious choice, would have to be Morgan. The reasoning, is much like that of my desire to wrestle Bubba. Before you ask, I am River, she is Morgan.

River cracks a slight grin, at her own uncharacteristic bit of humor.

Gabby Cassiano: Awwww, if you and Morgan were the block winners? That'd be hard to watch cuz I love you both! I'd still watch it thoguh, cuz it'd be really good and–

She catches onto River's humorous quip at the end.

Gabby Cassiano: Was...was that a joke? You made a joke! Guys! River made a joke!

The camera goes nuts with the girl's excited bouncing up and down until the pov goes tumbling towards the floor with a thud against the gym floor. Thank god for protective cases.

Gabby Cassiano: Whoops!

The phone is picked up with the shot now on Gabby as she looks into the lens.

Gabby Cassiano: Okay, last question! What--ooh wait, hang on…

She notices the camera's been flipped around. She taps at the screen and the pov switches around to show River again.

Gabby Cassiano: There we go! So, one more question. What would it mean to you to win it all, get the trophy and be the one who gets to go to WrestleWar to compete for the World Championship?

River Chance: It would mean I won. No more, no less. Personal accolades, have never been a priority for me. So while having an opportunity for a title is nice, not having one is not going to dampen my spirits. I am competing this year, as a favor to Morgan. She requested that I sign up, to help honor her godfather's memory, and that is what I intend to do, win, lose, or draw.

Gabby Cassiano: Awwwwww, that is so sweet! So I never met Vlad Blackheart. Did you know him at all?

River Chance: I, unfortunately, was never afforded that opportunity.

Gabby Cassiano: Oh. Yeah... Well, that's all the questions I got, Rivy! Anything else you wanna add to those watching before we cut?

River Chance: No.

Gabby Cassiano: Oh... Okies! Well, thanks for taking the time to let me play interviewer! Ooh, maybe I'll try my hand at that as a career! I'll let you get back to your workout! Pump that iron and work them guns!

River Chance: You are welcome, my thanks for the conversation. Also, I do not own firearms, please inform whoever told you this, of that.

Gabby Cassiano: You're welcome! I...ya know what? I'll make sure they know! Thanks again, River! Baiiiiiiiiiiiii!!

The camera turns and Gabby stumbles over something. The phone goes tumbling down and bounces off of another weight bench at just the right angle. We hear a soft crack before the phone is lifted again with Gabby's face taking up the lens. She pouts, obviously having cracked her screen.

Gabby Cassiano: Darn iiiiiiiiiiiiit!

Cut to black.
Isabella Salvatore and Jordan Majors are shown sitting across from each other in neat chairs as the shot opens. They both stare at the camera. Isabella, the Destiny ring announcer, smiles. Jordan has almost no expression as she stares straight ahead with her round glasses sitting on the middle of her nose.

Isabella Salvatore: Hi, I’m Isabella Salvatore and I’m Destiny’s ring announcer. I’m joined by one of our wrestlers. Some of you might remember her from the NFW vs. Zion Invasion, but she’s now part of our company, too. She lives on the Destiny brand here in NFW, Jordan Majors! Jordan, thanks for being here and may I start by asking your thoughts of being part of this tournament?

Jordan Majors: My thoughts? Surprise. Shock, really. I mean, I haven’t exactly blown the world away with what I’ve accomplished since I put pen to paper here. Everywhere else in this business I’m dotting i’s and crossing t’s. But when I get in an NFW ring, it all falls apart for me.

Isabella Salvatore: Now that’s not completely true. I’ve seen you–

Jordan puts a hand up and looks at the camera.

Jordan Majors: Thanks Issy, but have them just focus the camera on me. I can take it from here.

Isabella Salvatore: Umm, ok?

The camera shifts away from Isabella and on to Jordan who shifts in her chair and leans forward.

Jordan Majors: I’m not much of a star for this company. I know people overlook me. They don’t care about me. They look at me and think I’m just another one of the outsiders that showed up here hoping to make some noise but is well on her way to falling on her face and disappearing. Well, maybe that would be the easy thing. Just give up, right? Just let things go down as they continue to and forget about trying to find success in this company. But let me make one thing clear… I never do things the easy way.

Jordan looks over at Issy off screen but then looks back at the camera.

Jordan Majors: My entire wrestling career has been marked by failure after failure, with these little moments of success in between. But let me tell you something about Jordan Majors. When she finds success, she grabs on to it and she doesn’t let it go. She builds on it. Whether it be slowly or at light speed. And she pushes herself well beyond what any of the Twitter experts and locker room statisticians think she can do. She has limitless potential. And it doesn’t matter if someone writes her off or thinks they can bury her, she will keep coming back and ruining your precious narratives about her. But she only has so much patience. She can only be pushed so far before she reaches her breaking point.

Jordan lets her head hang for a moment and then slowly looks back up into the camera.

Jordan Majors: This tournament? This is the first and only “opportunity” I’ve had in this company. And so now everyone can watch me start to take the pages of the story written about me here and rip them up. Piece by piece. Because this tournament is going to be the beginning of me rewriting that story. Of me going out there and proving that no one - not anyone in this company - has more desire than I do. Wants this more than I do. So I will my entire heart and soul into this tournament. I will fight like hell and leave no doubt. And I know, I know… this is the same crap that you here from everyone with who wants to be the hero. But I’m not here because I want to be some beloved hero. I’m here for me. Because I love a challenge and I can’t allow myself to walk away with it. Because I dreamed of this when I first saw wrestling as a little girl. Because wrestling means everything to me. I will NEVER stop fighting for my dreams. EVER.

Jordan takes one last look at Issy and then she smirks as she looks back at the camera.

Jordan Majors: No one expects a damn thing out of me at this tournament. So I just have to turn this thing on its head. Shock everyone. A few people out there call me big match Jordan. Time to show NFW exactly why. Maybe I’ve struggled in NFW to this point. Maybe I’ve not lived up to the hype behind my signing. But this tournament is when it changes. You can take that to the bank, my friends. Because Jordan Majors IS money.

The camera stays fixated on Jordan before slowly fading out as she grins confidently.
The camera opens up at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Middle of the day with a light overcast. We start on the trees and slowly ban down towards the ground where the graves are seen. Headstones of all sizes sit staggered throughout the grounds. The cemetery looks mostly empty except for one woman sitting in front of a larger grave marker meant for a family plot. At this point in time, there’s one name in the center of the stone.


From the back, we see the woman sitting on the grass in front of the plot, clad all in black. Ripped jeans, Timbaland boots, a Pittsburgh Steelers flat bill turned backwards and a leather jacket over an old vintage “Easy V” Vlad Blackheart t-shirt. We can already tell it’s Morgan Payne, even without the camera on her face.

Morgan Payne: Been six years now. Hard to believe really. There’s still times I sit there an’ think ‘bout how much I miss you. Ain’t a day goes by where I don’t. There’s just days where it hits a lot harder than usual. Birthdays n’at. Shit, dis year I spent da time ‘round yer birthday in da gym workin’ on gettin’ back in da ring after three months of drug rehab. An’ before I even came back, another company started tryna take dahn da promotion you put on da map.

Morgan chuckles dismissively, reaching for her cigarettes in her jacket but she pauses and decides against it.

Not here.

She unfolds her legs from how she’s sitting and brings her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She rests the side of her head down on them as she looks at the gravestone.

Morgan Payne: I couldn’t let dat happen, Unc. NFW knew dat, too. S’why the ones in charge called me t’rally the troops for battle, n’at. I did my best t’make sure da company - yer legacy - din’t go dahn in flames. Part o’me wants t’be full o’myself and say it was cuz o’me alone but truth is? We all did it together. Erry gah damn one of us in NFW came together, bad blood aside and said “nah, yinz ain’t shuttin’ us dahn.”

She smiles, somberly as her eyes grow misty.

Morgan Payne: In da end, all I ever wanted t’do - all I ever wanna do - is make you proud o’what you built all them years in da House Of Payne school wif Pops an’ Uncle D. And Aunt LeeLee.

There’s a pause. Morgan lifts her head and shifts her posture again, recrossing her legs in front of her and stares down at her hands.

Morgan Payne: Lotta people in dis tournament, dis year…s’like I said, couple years back… Don’t nobody really seem to give a shit what it’s really about. They see da chance t’win a trophy, sign a contract an’ get they time in da spotlight. S’all well an’ good n’at but da more I sit and think ‘bout it, I don’ give a shit ‘bout any o’dat. S’all just a bonus on top o’everything else I’m doin’ dis for. It ain’t for gold. It ain’t for winnin’ a title to prove I’m da best. Shit, I already know I’m da best. ‘Cuz I was trained by da best. Last year, I forgot errything you tried taught me an’ it almost cost me everything.

Morgan lifts her head to look upon the gravestone again and shakes her head, sending a tear down her cheek.

Morgan Payne: I ain’t gonna forget dat ever again. Never. Dis year’s all ‘bout showin’ da world who never got to know you, how great you were. I’m winnin’ dis tournament, held in yer honor, usin’ every lesson dat you passed dahn as a teacher. I’m doin’ it for me. I’m doin’ it for my family. I’m doin it for yer family. I’m doin’ it for you, Uncle V. An’ ain’t nobody gonna stop me.”

At this point, Morgan gets up on one knee and leans forward, placing a hand against the front of the stone and presses her forehead against the engraving of Vlad Blackheart’s name.

Morgan Payne: I miss you…

Morgan casually wipes her eyes, standing up to her feet and turns, walking towards the gate leading out of the cemetery. The camera slowly pans back around, focusing once more on the gravestone as the shot fades to black.
We open up to find Captain Cosmo again standing there with a microphone in hand and a big cheesy grin on his face.

Captain Cosmo: Yes! Hello! Welcome back! Captain Cosmo here! And he is being joined by the current Champion of the American States that are United! Ibbie!

Ibbie walks up into frame with the United States Championship over her shoulder and a confused look on her face. Ibbie's manager, Loree Merope, is standing just off to the side. Ibbie extends her hand toward Cosmo still looking confused.

Ibbie: Hi, I'm Ibbie!

Cosmo is now looking confused, yet shakes her hand anyway.

Captain Cosmo: Yes! Captain Cosmo knows that you are Ibbie! He introduced you just now as Ibbie!

Ibbie nods her head at what Cosmo stated, but then explains her own confused look.

Ibbie: Yes, and you are you and you are Captain Cosmo, but I was just being polite and saying who I am and shaking your hand. Your introduction of me, though, wasn't completely correct, because I'm Ibbie, yes, but I'm United States Champion and not the... um... Champion of the... American States? That are United? I'm the United States Champion, Ibbie!

The Captain looks back to the camera briefly before then looking back to Ibbie.

Captain Cosmo: That is what Captain Cosmo said!

There’s a brief pause between the two.

Captain Cosmo: Anyway! Ibbie?! Captain Cosmo is here to interview the participants involved in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! And he was wondering if you, Ibbie… would like to be interviewed for it?!

Looking even more confused than before, Ibbie turns to Loree who whispers something into her ear. Ibbie then looks to Captain Cosmo, but then back to Loree who nods her head and motions for her to continue.

Ibbie: I... I thought that's what I was here to do... An interview.

Ibbie looks around confused at Cosmo, then to the camera, then to Loree who decides to make an attempt to move things forward.

Loree Merope: Captain Cosmo, my client, Ibbie, means to say yes, she would be delighted if you would take this time to conduct an interview.

Ibbie smiles and nods along with what her manager stated. The intergalactic visitor nods and once again briefly glances back to the camera.

Captain Cosmo: Wonderful! Okay then! First question! Have you seen the Cosmic Pug?!

Ibbie gets frustrated and tries to walk away, but Loree quickly spins her back around and back into the interview area. Ibbie looks over to Loree.

Ibbie: Loree, I don't know what he's saying, none of his words make sense.

Loree Merope: No, Captain, unfortunately, we have not see the Cosmic Pug, however, should we, you'll be the first we'll contact.

Captain Cosmo: Very well! Thank you, friend Loree! Next question! Do you trust Emus?!

Ibbie suddenly gets a look of revelation on her face.

Ibbie: Wait! Yes, I remember you now! You're that guy who says his own name when referring to himself like he's not himself or outside of himself. You warned me not to trust Emus so no, I don't trust them. I haven't trusted them since we last talked.

Loree is shaking her head the whole time as her client didn't recognize Captain Cosmo from his distinctly unique appearance.

Captain Cosmo: That’s good! Third question! You, Ibbie… along with nineteen other humans shall compete in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! It shall be quite a wonderful show as Captain Cosmo was here at last years and it was won by The Apocalypse that is Walking, Adrianna Salvatore! So! Do you think you will win this years?!

Ibbie adjusts the title on her shoulder with one hand while twirling her hair between the fingertips on her other hand.

Ibbie: I'm always training to become better. That's a personal goal, and a good one that also helps me to keep hold of the championship. I hope I'm making it to the end and winning the tournament and I'm going to try my best to do so. A win like this would be a great one considering how I'm in it with some of the best talent NFW has to offer. I'm always training, I hope I'm making it to the end and winning, I'm going to try my best. I'm in it with some of the best, but don't let all of that confuse you. I'm also still Ibbie. Never forget that!

The Captain nods.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo shall never forget that you are Ibbie, Ibbie! Last question! Is there anything you would like to say to any of your opponents?!

Ibbie takes a moment to collect her thoughts.

Ibbie: There are many talented competitors in this tournament and I can't address each of them specifically. Competitors not only from Trauma, but also from Collision. Everyone knows up front that I have a spot in my heart for Ayu Megumi because she's my best friend and a great competitor like myself, so I'd wish her luck in the tournament. I know she and I both will be performing to the best of our abilities like always. I didn't perform my best at the Guardians of the Pyramid, but competition was tough that night and my opponent was more prepared. As far as this tournament, if I don't win it all, I hope to at least have some impressive matches along the way. I'm going to be aiming for the top and I'm going to try my best and everybody knows, just like you, Captain Cosmo, that I'm also still Ibbie! The best Ibbie! Big Match Ibbie! Champion Ibbie! And above all else, everybody's friend, Ibbie! Always Ibbie!

Ibbie whips around and walks off out of frame while Loree is standing there watching her leave.

Loree Merope: Please accept my apologies, and sorry to leave so sudden, but my client gets a bit fired up on big match nights.

Loree dashes off after her client as Cosmo turns his attention back to the camera and shrugs.

Captain Cosmo: Well there you have it! Ibbie everyone! Okay, goodbye!

The camera then abruptly cuts off.
The scene opens in a dark room with a steel chair sitting at the center of the frame. The sound of footsteps approaching is heard before a man steps in front of the camera. At first, he stands head above the camera because of its positioning but he sits down, revealing it to be none other than…Jimmy Bones. Jimmy looks down at the floor, remaining silent for a long moment. Mulling over things in his head before he lifts his half painted face to the camera lens.

Jimmy Bones: A lot of people have been asking me the same question. “Why, Jimmy? Why are you entering this tournament? You don’t stand a chance at winning this thing. You can’t even come close compared to the caliber of talent here.”

Jimmy shrugs his shoulders. He brings his hand up and runs it over his short cropped blonde hair, pushing his hood back off of his head.

Jimmy Bones: Well, I say…”maybe you’re right.” Maybe I don’t have a prayer in the world against the likes of Christina Olson. Maybe I don’t stand a chance against someone like Morgan Payne. Maybe I can’t hold a candle to Lluvia Cane. Yeah, I know I don’t have nineteen world championships like Crystal Zdunich. I can’t wrestle circles around people like Jordan Majors can. I don’t have the mystique on my side of someone nobody’s been able to study like Maga Rosa. I don’t have a name for myself made across multiple promotions like Rei Park. Even compared to a walking disco nut like Lil Juicy, maybe I am just a goddamn joke and who knows? Maybe I do walk into this tournament and maybe Johnny Towers beats my ass again. I may not be the greatest at what I do. I never wanted to be. You wanna know what else I’m not though?

Jimmy presses his fingertips together and leans forward in his chair with fire and determination in his eyes.

Jimmy Bones: I’m not a goddamn quitter. These people in this tournament can sit back and laugh all they want, but I want you all to ask yourselves, how many other wrestlers do you know that have a string of losses like I do and still lace up their fucking boots every week? How many other wrestlers get their asses kicked as bad as I have and don’t pack up their bags and piss off into the sunset? Go ahead. I’ll wait.

He actually does wait for a moment. He lifts his eyebrows as if expecting an answer. He shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.

Jimmy Bones: Nobody. Not a single goddamn soul has picked themselves up more times than I have. So, why am I wrestling in this tournament with every odd stacked against me? Because I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I’m not gonna sit here and go on about how I’m going to win that trophy. I’m not gonna promise the world that I’m gonna go to WrestleWar to face the champion in the main event. What I am gonna do is go out into that ring against nine of the best damn wrestlers this business has ever seen and give my all and I will continue to do that until I stop drawing breath into my lungs or until my body simply can’t anymore. And if you’re all gonna try to stop me…

Jimmy stares hard into the camera for a moment before he gets up out of his chair.

Jimmy Bones: Then you're gonna have to fucking kill me.

He walks out of the frame as the scene ends.
We cut back to find Captain Cosmo again with his cheesy grin plastered across his face standing outside of the indoor bar area where inside it appears to be quite raucous.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes! Hello, Cosmonauts! Captain Cosmo here again! Coming to you live with another interview hopefully for the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart!

Cosmo enters the bar area to find Johnny Towers playing darts with Sid Robinson while Tyler Brown and Kim Hindley watch on with a couple of drinks in hand. It’s clear they’ve all had a few as they’re being rather loud, enjoying themselves as The Captain approaches them and waves.

Captain Cosmo: Ah yes, hello friends! Captain Cosmo here!

Laughing a little, Towers turns his head looking a little bemused.

Johnny Towers: Bloody hell, get up people, the captains here.

They don't stand up but salute Cosmo as he comes closer.

Johnny Towers: So what gives us the pleasure of your visit?

Captain Cosmo: Well, friend Johnny! Captain Cosmo has spent the day interviewing those who are doing the wrestling in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! He had heard through the vine of grape that you would be here so he decided to come along and see if you would like an interview!

Johnny Towers: Why fucking not.

Towers throws the dart he's holding into the board and turns around walking towards a chair.

Johnny Towers: Wheres my fucking manners, Kim get the Captain a drink.

Captain Cosmo: Just water please, friend Kim! Captain Cosmo’s race cannot drink alcohol unfortunately as it is poisonous to us!

The intergalactic visitor smiles into the camera.

Captain Cosmo: Yes! Hello, Cosmonauts! Captain Cosmo here! And he is being joined by the Anarchist who is Ultraviolent! Johnny Towers! Thank you for joining Captain Cosmo, friend Johnny!

Johnny Towers: Glad to be here my old mucka, good to be interviewed by someone who isn't that sycophantic fuckwit Josh Matthews.

Kim walks along placing Cosmos water and a pint of Guinness next to Johnny.

Johnny Towers: Thanks babe, now then Cap I am kinda surprised you came alone today, not long ago you said you didn't like me too much.

Cosmo briefly glances back to the camera and then back to Towers.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo did not come alone! He came with Cameraman Jeff! And he is pretty certain that his friend Ollie is lurking around here somewhere! Anyway! Shall we proceed with the interview?!

Johnny Towers: Of course man, hey look I don't hold any grudge against ya silly bollocks, ya are actually a favourite of ours ain't I right people?

All of them raise their glasses toasting Cosmo.

Johnny Towers: Anyway if we had an issue with ya we wouldnt be talking to ya, so yeah lets fucking do this.

Captain Cosmo: Wonderful! First question! Have you seen the Cosmic Pug?!

Johnny Towers: Nah I haven't, but if ya want I know some geezers that can help with the search.

Captain Cosmo: Very good! Next question! Do you trust Emus?!

Johnny Towers: Fuck no, people try to say I’m fucking evil but those twats give people like me a bad name.

The Captain nods.

Captain Cosmo: Wonderful! Okay! So, friend Johnny! You are one of twenty humans competing in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart! Do you think you will win?!

Johnny Towers: Damn fucking right I’m gonna win, I need this to keep my momentum going and get to the top of this damn company where i deserve to be.

Captain Cosmo: Understandable! Okay! Final question! Is there anything you would like to say to any of the other humans that you shall be doing the wrestling with in the Tournament of Memorial to Vlad the Blackheart?!

Johnny Towers: Of course… Be afraid, because I damn fucking sure aint gonna be settling for no silver god damn medal with this thing, each and every one of you have seen what I have done in my short time here and I am only getting started. There will be violence, there will be blood and there will be carnage and I dont care if its the man i defeated at Cruel Summer Kai bitchass Morgan or the deathmatch wanna be Morgan fucking Payne, I will run through and destroy every single person that steps in that ring with me.

Captain Cosmo: Quite the message there, friend Johnny! Well anyway! Captain Cosmo thanks you for your time! He hopes you enjoy the rest of your day with your friends!

Johnny Towers: Thanks for having me Captain, you got here in good time to be honest with ya.

He picks up his pint and chugs it down.

Johnny Towers: We got some business to take care of so we gotta be heading off, but can ya do me a favour Cap you see that man over there?

Towers points over at the bartender and The Captain looks over to who he’s pointing at.

Captain Cosmo: Yes! Captain Cosmo sees him!

Johnny Towers: Well ya see he’s actually my business manager, ya just need to have a quick word and he will give ya the all clear to be able to get in touch with me in the future.

Captain Cosmo: Captain Cosmo thanks you, friend Johnny! He shall speak to him immediately!

Towers then pats Cosmo on the back as Robinson, Brown and Hindley all snicker as the four walk off. The Captain approaches the bartender with a big cheesy grin on his face.

Captain Cosmo: Yes! Hello, friend! Captain Cosmo here! Friend Johnny sent him to see you!

The bartender then nods before passing him a piece of paper.

Captain Cosmo: What is this?!

Bartender: The bill.

The Captain looks down at it and then goes wide eyed before turning to Cameraman Jeff.

Captain Cosmo: SON OF AN EMU!

The camera then cuts abruptly elsewhere.
We find Eavan Maloney sitting cross-legged on a crate inside an empty Vlad Blackheart Coliseum. A couple of semi trucks behind her sit idling. Dressed in black jeans and a black hoodie with the hood pulled up, you can barely see Eavan’s eyes through her hair obstructing her face.

Eavan Maloney: “By now, you’ve heard everybody tell you how they’re going to win the tournament. How they are going to win the briefcase and use it on their respective top champion and be the face that runs the place. So allow me to tell you all the truth.

Fuck Vlad Blackheart and fuck. This. Tournament.”

Eavan gets up off the crate, holding a baseball bat. She approaches the camera, we hear a crack and Eavan laughing before the camera falls to the side. We can see Eavan skipping away, whistling to herself.