NFW Collision #147 - 11/01/2022!

Nick Hanson: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Tuesday Night Collision! Coming to you live from the Stadio Olimpico in lovely Rome, Italy! I’m Nick Hanson… and as always I’m being joined by Jim--

Suddenly the feed begins to start cutting in and out with static with the mics also cutting out too.

Jim Reynolds: What the He-static-s going on, Ni-static-Are we sti-static-the air?

More static affects the screen as an image of Dolores the doll keeps flashing up on the screen.

Jim Reynolds: I thought Hal-static-was ove-static

The signal is suddenly lost completely, but only momentarily as it opens back up to a darkened candle lit room where we see the Perseverance Champion, Sylvia Lopez sitting at the vanity once again. Her championship belt laying on the desk in front of her along with her creepy mask on its stand as we see in the mirror, sitting behind her on the same chair as before is Dolores the doll. The camera then shifts to showing only the reflection of the doll in the mirror.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔞𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲, 𝔖𝔶𝔩𝔳𝔦𝔞. 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔞𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲.

The camera pans to Lopez as she stares into the mirror with a look of pain on her face before then switching back to the doll.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔘𝔫𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔦𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔚𝔦𝔠𝔨𝔢𝔡 𝔒𝔫𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔣𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔟𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔰. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔉𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔶 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔩𝔢 𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔯𝔞𝔫 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔶. 𝔈𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔣𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔥 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔟𝔩𝔬𝔬𝔡 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔊𝔬𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔴𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔶 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔩 𝔡𝔞𝔶.

The camera now cuts to show the Bellevue Banshee caressing her wedding ring as she gazes down upon it.

Sylvia Lopez: Sylvia does not want it to be true!

Now back to the doll.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: ℑ 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴, 𝔡𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡. 𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔱𝔯𝔲𝔢. 𝔄𝔩𝔩 𝔬𝔣 𝔦𝔱. ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢 𝔦𝔱 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔶. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔞𝔦𝔫. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔲𝔣𝔣𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔟𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔨. 𝔄𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔪𝔢 𝔣𝔲𝔩𝔩 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔩.

And back to Lopez.

Sylvia Lopez: You’re not going to hurt them, are you?! Sylvia’s family?!

Back to the doll again.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: 𝔈𝔫𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔬𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔥𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰, 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡! 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔞𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲! 𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰 𝔦𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔠𝔲𝔪𝔟 𝔱𝔬 𝔪𝔶 𝔴𝔯𝔞𝔱𝔥?! 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔳𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔯𝔬𝔱 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔭𝔞𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔰!

Back to Lopez now, tears in her eyes as she shakes her head.

Sylvia Lopez: No! Please?! Sylvia made a mistake setting you free! Sylvia loves her family! And she knows they love her too!

And back to the doll, and this time its eyebrows are furrowed in anger.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: 𝔓𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔱𝔦𝔠! 𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔴𝔢𝔞𝔨! 𝔍𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔪! 𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔶 𝔱𝔬𝔬 𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲! ℑ𝔣 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔰𝔢𝔱 𝔪𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢?! 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔫 ℑ 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔡𝔬 𝔦𝔱 𝔪𝔶𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔣!

The camera then cuts to Lopez’s hand, trembling as it slowly begins to reach for the mask as the Bellevue Banshee shrieks, shaking her head no and trying to fight against it.

Sylvia Lopez: No! Stop! Sylvia does not want this!

Eventually, the trembling hand takes hold of the mask and then slowly brings it towards her face, Lopez then closes her eyes as tears fall down her cheeks.

Sylvia Lopez: Sylvia is sorry!

The mask is then placed upon her face causing the candles to flicker as it does so.

𝔇𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰: ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢 𝔬𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢.

From out of the shadows, a tall figure emerges and after a few moments we see exactly who it is.

Gabriel Ohio.

The smile engulfs his face, the cold grin, one we are still not comfortable with.
He stares, before placing a hand on her shoulder.

Gabriel Ohio: Dolores is a gift. Embrace it. The others will come for you. Choosing nothing but the most opportune moment to pretend to be a hero. The white knight didnt save the damsel in distress for her benefit, he just wanted to plough her. Where are they now? They have abandoned thee. Come with me. There is much more to show you.

With one hand, Ohio pulls Dolores off screen, a supernatural strength as Dolores is pulled into the dark as if bungeed out of existence. The voices of Ohio and Dolores echo as they speak as one, echoing off the walls.

“Perdidit nunc invenit. Quaerendum nobis est, si audes. Non opus est salutaris. Capto et corruptionem superveniet in te.”

(The lost are now found. Seek us if you dare. We do not need saving. Try and the corruption will overwhelm you.)
Outside the arena, a hearse rolls slowly to a stop. Stepping out of the driver’s side is Daedalus. He looks like a funeral director, with his shiny black loafers, and pinstriped black suit. He adjusts his tie as he breathes in the air with a smirk. He’s interrupted as the back doors of the hearse open up abruptly.

Kosnar crawls out in his blood-stained jumpsuit and drags a body bag out with him. Presumably, Pisces is in there. He drags the bag out and it hits the ground with a thud. Daedalus joins him and both Creeps turn to look around as if he sensed something was amiss. The cameraman pans around, looking over Daedalus’s shoulder where the lights of the parking garage begin to flicker.

The two lights become four and then the whole garage around them is flashing between light and darkness. This only happens for a few moments before the lights snapped back on and standing directly in front of Daedalus and the Creeps were a small army of figures dressed in black robes with the hood up, their faces covered by the expressionless black masks.

The Demons of the Children of Nephilim.

Standing at their head was the tiny frame of the brown haired woman. In the flashes a moment before it appeared as if in the darkness her face was painted black and white and her hair was orange and red.

Asmodeus.

But the Children do not attack. They simply stand there and stare. Asmodeus drops her arm to her waist and dips into an exaggerated bow all the while never taking her eyes off Daedalus’s own.

Respect but clear she did not fear him.

Maiko/Asmodeus: “I have come with a message.”

Maiko’s voice was a duality. Two voices at once. How was this accomplished? Who knows, but it was.

Maiko/Asmodeus: “The airport was necessary to earn the trust of a piece Lord Lucifer needed removed from the board. A piece that has proved troublesome to his plans in the past. Lord Lucifer offers no apology, but wishes me to convey that my Demons and I shall be on Collision from this point on. Watching. But I shall not interfere with your business. He wished to convey….a professional courtesy.”

As soon as the words finished the lights all around them began to blink and flicker again and in that duality of light and dark Maiko and Asmodues again appeared. Maiko in the light, Asmodeus in the dark and then as quickly the lights snapped on and the Creeps were standing alone in the garage again as if they were never there.
The camera finds Josh Davidson standing at Gorilla position, looking as nervous as a cat being cornered by a Great Dane. May as well be that situation as he’s standing beside the woman known only as The Doctor with the towering form of Havok standing back in the center of them. Nonetheless, the interviewer begins accordingly.

Josh Davidson: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, Josh Davidson here with…The Doctor. Doctor…?

He trails off, hoping for a name, perhaps but the woman simply offers a warm smile and her hand.

The Doctor: Please, just Doctor is fine. Hello, Josh. It’s nice to meet you!

Josh eases up from his nerves a bit and shakes the woman’s hand.

Josh Davidson: Oh! Hello, it’s nice to meet you too! So…Doctor. I know we’re just moments away from the match here. Let me start by saying that we, here in NFW, are not unfamiliar with Havok. He was…

Josh pauses and looks up at Havok. Previously, the masked man was looking around, seemingly absent mindedly, taking in his surroundings. However, at the sound of his name, he looks down, directly at Josh and looms over him as the interviewer’s clearly trying to find a way to describe him without having his head taken off.

Josh Davidson: ...A-a-umm…a formidable talent inside the ring. After an injury, we thought him gone forever, but now, obviously, he’s returned. Can you shed light on that subject? What is it that brings him back? Is he healthy enough to compete?

A low, grumbling growl comes from the massive man until The Doctor puts a hand on his arm to assure everything’s alright. She then answers.

The Doctor: I understand your concerns for my patient’s physical well being, Mr. Davidson. That being said, I assure you that my patient has made a full recovery of the injuries that he sustained which seemed to end his career. A truly miraculous recovery, indeed. Bones have healed. Discs have been repaired. Tendons are as strong as ever. Time heals all wounds, as they often say. As to what brings him back, that is still a mystery to me. It’s become part of my psychological study on him. Why did he so strongly feel the need to return? What is his motivation? Is it the desire to compete again or is it something else?

Josh Davidson: Which brings me to my next question, Doctor. When we saw him return, it was in Cancun, at Cruel Summer. He returned with a vicious and ruthless attack on River Chance during her match with Arianrhod. A personal battle for her. Why did Havok feel the need to involve himself?

As Josh speaks, The Doctor makes a face but maintains her calm demeanor. She frowns towards the man, almost imploring him.

The Doctor: Forgive me, Mr. Davidson, but I don’t so much like those used to describe my patient’s actions. Vicious? Ruthless? Had that been the case, I imagine things would have turned out a lot worse than they did. I feel as though he showed restraint that day. Something we worked on, isn’t that right?

She directs this question to Havok, smiling reassuringly. Havok just looks at her with a low grumble under his mask before both of them look back to Josh Davidson. He looks between the two before settling on The Doctor again and nods after a moment.

Josh Davidson: I will admit, given his last uhh…tenure here…he has shown some restraint in his uhh…motives. Moving on, though, if we may?

The Doctor: Please, of course!

Josh Davidson: Nonetheless, it seems that River Chance has taken issue with what happened at Cruel Summer and has challenged Havok to a match at Wrestle War. Now, while he has accepted her challenge, he has a trial match tonight. Supposed you could call it a tryout to see if he’s well enough to compete in the ring, take a look at his ring rust, that sort of thing. What are your thoughts on that?

The Doctor simply raises her eyebrows and shrugs with a soft smile.

The Doctor: After an extensive hiatus from the sport, a tryout match seems suitable and fair. I can assure you that he has maintained his physical condition, during and after his physical rehab, including up to now. There have been some lasting side effects from his injury but I know he’s been working on adapting and overcoming those. Perhaps he will demonstrate as such in his match!

Josh Davidson: I see, and what of Arianrhod? After his altercation with River Chance, Havok carried Arianrhod away from ringside. Can you elaborate on that?

Without missing a beat, The Doctor brings a hand up to her chin and narrows her eyes, thoughtfully.

The Doctor: It’s fascinating isn’t it? His draw to this woman. I’m not sure what the motive behind it is. He refuses to discuss it, at least as of for now. I hope to learn more as time goes on.

Josh Davidson: You’ll keep us posted, won’t you, Doctor?

She smiles again and tilts her head to the side.

The Doctor: Doctor - Patient Confidentiality, Mr. Davidson. There’s only so much I can divulge to the public per my oath as a medical professional.

Josh Davidson: I see… Well, one last question. Do you…or your patient, have any words for his opponents tonight?

The Doctor shrugs and claps her hands together. As sincerely as can be, she speaks directly into the camera.

The Doctor: Here’s to a good match and good luck to you, athletes! I’m actually excited to see a professional wrestling match so up close!

Josh smiles before turning towards Havok and hesitantly offering the mic his way.

Josh Davidson: Uhh…big guy? Did you have anything you wanted to say…?

Havok just looms over Josh, imposingly. Josh begins to shrink back some as The Doctor puts a hand on Havok’s arm, gently coaxing him back.

The Doctor: Hey. Hey, now. There’s no need for that. It’s alright…

Before another word can be said, the sound of “Get Wrecked” by House vs Hurricane sounds out in the arena and Havok moves out between Josh Davidson and The Doctor, lumbering towards the curtain leading out to the stage.

Darlyn Fajardo: The following contest is a gauntlet match!!! Introducing first—

The Doctor: Thank you, Mr. Davidson! It was a pleasure meeting you!

She smiles before moving to follow Havok through the curtain as his music continues and he is announced.
The cameras zoom in on the backstage area and it is there where we are able to see Crystal Caldwell. As soon as the cameras catch her she is all smiles as she looks directly into the lens. She nods her head with a grin as she is about to speak but all of a sudden the crowd actually begins to go crazy. Crystal takes a moment to collect her thoughts as she begins to speak.

Crystal Caldwell: To be honest I really do love the sound of everybody cheering me on. Last week I was able to offer all of you my entire heart and to be honest it was a relief to me. For years upon years I stood in that ring and I gave ALL of YOU what I thought you wanted. I showcased that I was a true actress. Instead of being completely vulnerable and honest to myself I covered my depression with name changes, nicknames, marriages, and portraying who I was in a way to showcase the biggest facade in all of wrestling. It is a facade that everybody saw through and the reality is I have nobody to blame for any of that but myself. I put myself in that situation and I have to live with the consequences of every single decision that I have made.

Crystal just nods her head as the crowd chants for Crystal and she loves hearing it.

Crystal Caldwell: I can’t expect for change to happen overnight and I have accepted that. I have burnt a lot of bridges that are going to take a long time to repair but you know what?! I am willing to put that work in because if I have a true goal I need to do whatever it takes to get to that end point. It can be with making new friends, finding my own identity, or even thinking that my career is going to blossom without putting in work. Some people in the world are blessed with the gift of greatness from the very beginning. Just look at Frieza from Dragon Ball Z. Dude never trained a single day in his life and he was the strongest in the universe until Goku had to break through his limits with a traumatic event of his best friend dying to get to that point.

Crystal cracks a serious expression as she begins to speak some more.

Crystal Caldwell: I know I come out to the ring wearing my Shoto Todoroki inspired gear but the truth is I wasn’t born with two amazing quirks off of the bat. I was just a girl whose existence was a mistake, a nobody born in the inner city of Detroit to a drug addict. Little did I know that I was part of two great wrestling families in the Hiltons and Lopezs as I have siblings upon siblings who have become something in the wrestling world. A biological father who is a famous wrestler but that’s another story. In my eyes I am a woman who is like Deku from My Hero Academia. I don’t have a quirk and there really is nothing special about me. That’s why it is so important for me to work hard so I can shatter through my limits like Goku did.

Crystal flicks her hair as she shares more of her heart.

Crystal Caldwell: Last week after I poured my heart I felt like I shattered through the level of vulnerability that I didn’t want to touch. I stood in front of that camera as myself and it felt good. It was a good small step in the right direction, and I know there are issues that still need to be worked on before Diamond can accept that her wife is trying but I am willing to work on it. If I could have a doover for my entire NFW career I would definitely wish one. I would want to show Marilyn that I was serious about facing the best that this company had to offer and put more into that first feud. I wouldn’t have been silent as I just went through week to week only being concerned about collecting a paycheck and not putting forth effort. All of that changes because I refuse to be mediocre. I will be something and I will be looked upon as one of the best in this company. Mark my words on that.

Crystal shakes her head.

Crystal Caldwell: Jessi annoys the unholy hell out of me. It’s not because of the way she talks me down or the cheapshots, but it’s based on the fact that she is my reflection. Even this week she changed her hair color AGAIN. She changed her Twitter name AGAIN. It just screams Crystal Hilton and it made me realize what I have put so many people through. The only difference is that people backstage actually like her. I didn’t think that anybody really cared for me exceptfor the Foundation but two weeks ago something changed. Jordan Majors came to the ring to actually save me. I appreciate what she did even though during the Zion and NFW war I wanted to see my Alexandra destroy her. I appreciate Jordan. We do have a history…

Jordan shuffles in from the side looking ring ready and smiles at Crystal

Jordan Majors: That’s exactly why I showed up on Collision. MAMI’S HERE!

There’s a collective cheer from the crowd inside the arena and Jordan can’t help but grin.

Jordan Majors: I’ve known this girl for a long time in my career now. We’ve gone to war. We’ve stood toe-to-toe in the ring and gone barb-for-barb on the mic together. At the end of the day, I know what she stands for. I know she says what she means and she will back it up. Y’all out here trying to write her off right now and, listen, I get it. She was sounding pretty crazy. But she came back and she delivered a kind of passion you rarely see in this business. How can you not want to be in the ring with that? How can you not want to defend someone like that? Jessi… she’s just young. She has all the aspiration in the world. But doesn’t she know that when someone as successful as Crystal Caldwell speaks, she should listen? She should show her nothing but respect?

Crystal Caldwell: I know I sound pretty crazy. In my eyes it is my version of Hamilton’s Reynolds Pamphlet. He was so determined to write about his affair just to defend that he didn’t take a single dime from the US Treasury but what he didn’t realize is in doing so he tarnished his entire marriage. I might have done the same thing in a more modern era but I am working hard to change that narrative that Crystal is terrible and I am this awful spouse. I refuse to stand in that HURRICANE and watch everything BURN. Instead of trying to defend what I did I rather be humble and own it. I can own it so that I have a clear mind when I do what I need to do to the Queens of Chaos and especially Jessi. Jordan might have said she is young and I can understand naivety for some stuff but she started a war. Those cheap shots will eventually get answered for and tonight marks the stop. However it’s just not going to be here on Collision. I told Jessi since the first day it could be anywhere. I was so happy when my sister in law got a win over Logyn on Trauma. I hope it hurts Jessi a little.

Crystal looks at Jordan and speaks some more.

Crystal Caldwell: Which is why I will be on Trauma on Saturday to help promote Jenny as she takes on Lillith. I promised my wife Diamond that I would take her on a date after the show but seeing as I will STILL be in town I might as well give my sister in law some encouraging words. I also want to be in the building just in case any of those Queens try to do something to the people who are closest to me.

Jordan holds her hands out in question and looks at Crystal momentarily.

Jordan Majors: I was there in Paris when Jessi and Crystal broke out into a fight. And let me just say that it’s “Crystal” clear who was in the right and who was in the wrong. I’m not just here to support the right side of this battle. I’m here to show NFW what I stand for and to show that while Crystal is the present I am the future and that just as she changed this business, I will too. Tonight, I have no doubt things will go in favor of the right side of this battle. Nah, you know what Crystal?. They can take it to the bank. Because Jordan Majors IS money!

Crystal Caldwell: Jordan Majors Is MONEY, Crystal Caldwell is a human highlight reel, and pairing up a cash cow with a Burning Rose means that we are going to turn up the heat in that ring tonight. It will be straight fire. The Foundation is the tag team to beat in this company! Flame On… Money Talks! Don’t get too close because you will get burned.

Crystal flicks her hood over her head showcasing the Todoroki designs of having hot and half cold.

Crystal Caldwell: Ready to show what we can do Jordan?! I appreciate you having my back saving me from a beatdown. Tonight it’s all equal ground and I doubt the Queens can handle a fairfight. As a matter of fact it’s about time to usurp all of them and show that no monarchy lasts forever. It’s time to watch Jessi’s little Queendom crumble to dust.

Jordan Majors: I know what I’m here for. Time to make it happen!

With that Jordan and Crystal look at another before turning their attention over to the camera.
The camera shifts backstage where we find Morgan Payne walking through the arena near the locker rooms. She’s already in her ring gear with her hood down as she heads down the hall with the camera following behind her. When she stops and turns in front of a door, we see the wary but hardened look on her face as she stares at the nameplate, designating this room as belonging to–


Morgan sucks in a deep breath, lets out, and raps her fist against the door, hard in three loud knocks before stepping back and waiting. The camera man slowly moves around just enough behind her that we can see the door full on as well as whoever might be the one to answer her knock.

The knob turns and the door begins to open, revealing Daedalus behind it. At first, it seems that it’s only him, but as the door opens wider, Kosnar and Pisces can be seen in the far corner of the room watching curiously for their unexpected (or perhaps expected) visitor. Daedalus grins at Morgan silently, and raises his eyebrows as if to ask, “Yes?”

Behind him, the Creeps slowly step closer, their interest piqued.

Seeing Daedalus in the doorway and the other two starting to approach, Morgan straightens her posture more.

Morgan Payne: A’ight look. I ain’t here ta throw shade or warnings n’at.

She pauses, looking past Daedalus to Pisces and Kosnar, then back to their manager.

Morgan Payne: Just wanna make sure we on da same page tonight.

The expression on Daedalus changes to what seems to be confusion? Maybe? He turns his head to look at Kosnar towering over him, then back towards Morgan. His grin slowly returns.

Daedalus: Of course, Ms. Payne. And what page are we all on? I think I speak for all of us when I say we prefer page six-six-six.

His grin seems to spread impossibly wider on his face as his eyes lock onto Morgan’s. Behind him, Kosnar and Pisces are nodding slowly in agreement. Pisces steps closer, craning her neck over Daedalus’s shoulder and stealing Morgan’s eyes from the Creeps’ manager. Morgan furrows her brow at Daedalus’ little quip. When Pisces approaches, her mismatched orbs are drawn to the doll-like enigma of the Astro Creeps. Her jaw visibly tightens as she watches Pisces carefully. Her eyes move to Kosnar then back to Pisces. Without taking her eyes off of her, she speaks again.

Morgan Payne: Cute. But whatever your thing with Jessica and da Children is, my name’s Linds and dat’s between yinz. All I care ‘bout is are we…

She motions between herself and the three.

Morgan Payne: …gonna be able to work as a team, tonight? Yinz got business wif da tag champs. I got my own wif Jansen Myrrh. So can I trust these two not ta stab me in da back when we’re out there?

Daedalus’s eyes light up with realization.

Daedalus: Oh! That! Psh…

He waves a dramatically dismissive hand at her.

Daedalus: The Astro Creeps are a lot of things, Miss Payne. But we are true to our word. If we say we’re going to stab you in the back, then we certainly will! But!

He holds up an index finger and leans in, as if telling Morgan a secret.

Daedalus: If we say we won’t, then you can trust us to keep our word. You’ve got your business…

He glances back at his Creeps.

Daedalus: And we’ve got ours. We will treat it accordingly. You’ve nothing to worry about. Kosnar and Pisces are your play things tonight. Use them as the weapons they’re meant to be.

He gives her a reassuring wink and smiles. Then he leans forward again and whispers quietly so only Morgan and the cameraman can hear. Kosnar and Pisces try to get closer, frustrated when they’re denied by the hand of Daedalus.

Daedalus: Who knows? You may even quite enjoy their company.

We see the movement of Morgan’s tongue under her upper lip along her teeth as her stature tenses and shifts as she lifts her gaze to Kosnar. Then drops it to Pisces.

Morgan Payne: Right.

She sucks her teeth and looks at Daedalus again.

Morgan Payne: Let’s just handle business as needed. We both wanna give da respective champs a glimpse of da future. So…we good?

Morgan leans back from Daedalus, enough to carefully lift a hand, offering a handshake. The Creeps’ manager gazes down at her hand with interest, before slowly grasping it in his own icy grip.

Daedalus: Of course!

They release their handshake and Morgan steps back, keeping an eye on the Creeps in front of her. Daedalus steps back and slowly closes the locker room door. The Astro Creeps keep their gaze on their partner until the door closes completely.
“Thank You For Hating Me” plays throughout the arena as Payne and Myrrh sit up. Myrrh looks a little confused as to what happened until she hears the music and gets confirmation from the referee. Now, she looks on the verge of exploding but she closes her eyes and lets that breath out. She turns towards Payne as the two stand up. Payne stands with a hand out, looking for a handshake and seems to be telling her “c’mon, it was a good match.” Daedalus leads the Astro Creeps off through the crowd, neither of them looking in the mood for a grand celebration. Across ringside, Abigail Lindsay and Milisandre Crowthorne make their way backstage. This leaves Payne and Myrrh by themselves. Myrrh looks around at the cheering crowd, seeming to be paying respects to them both. She looks back to Payne and her shoulder sink, she nods and shakes Payne’s hand. She even pulls her in for a warm hug.

Nick Hanson: There ya go. There ya go!

Jim Reynolds: Hey, these are two top competitors. This could have gone either way! Kudos to them both!

Jansen Myrrh steps back, clapping and urging to crowd to give it up for Morgan Payne as the latter raises her arms to happily celebrate when SUDDENLY MYRRH BLINDSIDES HER WITH A FOREARM SMASH!!!! Cheers immediately turn to boos as Myrrh stands fuming over Payne, pushing her hair out of her face. She sneers at the crowd then starts putting the boots to her future challenger!

Nick Hanson: WHAT THE HELL IS JANSEN MYRRH DOING?!

Jim Reynolds: I THOUGHT THEY WERE COOL ABOUT THIS!!

Myrrh drops down onto her knees and starts raining shots across Payne’s forehead then gets up and throws some more boots down. Finally, she turns to her manager at ringside.

Jansen Myrrh: GET ME A FUCKING CHAIR!!!!

Nick Hanson: Aw no, for what?! What the hell is the champion gonna do?!

Seo-hyung Kwon finds a chair under the ring and slides it in to Jansen Myrrh who brings it to the center of the ring. She grabs Morgan Payne by the hair and pulls her head up, dragging her slowly to her feet, slinging obscenities before driving a knee into her gut and tucks her head between her legs.

Nick Hanson: No! NO!!! Not on the chair, for God’s sake!!!

Jim Reynolds: Watch out, Nicky! Here comes–wait, huh?!

The crowd cheers as, sprinting back down to the ring, Abigail Lindsay comes running as fast as her feet can carry her! Payne is lifted up for the Myrrh-Driver but Lindsay grabs her legs and pushes her back down to her feet, causing Jansen Myrrh to step back and release her from the hold. Lindsay kicks the chair out of the way and gets between Payne and Myrrh, shoving the world champion with aggression.

Abigail Lindsay What the hell are you doing?!

Jansen Myrrh: What the fuck are YOU doing?!

Abigail Lindsay The match is over! Leave her alone!

Jansen Myrrh rolls her eyes and puts her hands up in submission. Abigail Lindsay has a point and she starts to turn to leave…but it’s a ruse as she turns back around and kicks Abigail Lindsay in the ribs, grabs her and lifts her right up!!

Nick Hanson: Hey wait a damn minute!!

Jim Reynolds: That’s her partner for the night!

MYRRH-DRIVER TO ABIGAIL LINDSAY!!!! Lindsay is planted right on her head onto the mat and lays motionless at Myrrh’s knees as the champion yells at her to “stay the fuck out of her business.” She looks up just in time and suddenly scrambles out of the ring as Morgan Payne is back up, brandishing the steel chair and coming at her with it. Kwon meets up with Myrrh on the ramp, handing her the World Championship which she raises up high with a wicked smile, laughing at what just happened.

Nick Hanson: Jansen Myrrh was about to drive Morgan Payne into that steel chair but Abigail Lindsay, surprising enough, intervened!

Jim Reynolds: Only to catch a Myrrh-Driver for her troubles!

Nick Hanson: The champion looks satisfied and the number one contender looks ready to kill!

The boos are deafening as champion and manager retreat. It doesn’t stop Payne from whipping the chair out of the ring and almost hitting Myrrh and Kwon as the chair lands just a foot away from them. She leans against the ropes, fuming and holding her neck before turning back to kneel down at Abigail Lindsay’s side. Lindsay’s starting to come around but Payne keeps her from moving too much as the show goes off the air.