NFW Collision #154!

After the show’s opening reel, the cameras shift to the ring where NFW World Champion, Morgan Payne is standing in the center with a microphone. There’s no music, no fanfare. She clearly came out here during the previous scene and has been waiting patiently for her cue. The championship rests over her shoulder and she’s dressed somewhat more formally than we’re used to seeing her. Well…not so much formally; more along the lines of “neater.” Her hair tied back into a loose ponytail and she’s dressed in a pair of neat, pressed blue jeans, a cleaner, newer pair of Timberland boots, a button up white blouse and a black blazer. She even has her glasses on - a rare sight for most. When she has her cue that the cameras are on ringside, she lifts the microphone up.

Morgan Payne: I ain’t gonna be aht ‘ere long, I just have something I say and it oughta be heard by as many people as possible.

Someone in the crowd calls out ”Hey, whatchinz up to?!” Morgan gives a tiny smile, a somber one and gently shakes her head.

Morgan Payne: Not tonight, man. Just bear with me ‘ere.

She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and lets it out before continuing.

Morgan Payne: Over da past week, I said some things over social media. Hurtful things. Dahnright disgusting things, some o’yinz might even say. See, earlier dis month, my wife Stephanie had a match over in HYBRID. Yinz know da place.

There’s a hearty cheer from most of the crowd and Morgan nods.

Morgan Payne: She had a match at Best Served Cold where she suffered an injury after da bell at da hands of Nathaniel Dixon.

The crowd responds with scornful boos but Morgan raises her other hand, asking for silence before bringing it back to rest over her title on her shoulder.

Morgan Payne: Stephanie just barely started her pro wrestling career middle o’last year. I helped get her ready. I helped train her. I sat there at home an’ watched every match she had. I sat there an’ watched her at Best Served Cold. Ya can understand I was p–...

She pauses and takes another deep breath.

Morgan Payne: I was livid when her opponent didn’t release the submission hold after the bell and intentionally snapped her ankle. Dat ain’t da first time Nathaniel Dixon’s done somethin’ dat got my blood boilin’.I ain’t gonna waste time wif a long recap. Yinz know what I’m talkin’ abaht. Goes withaht sayin’ when I watched Stephanie get hurt, I saw red. Ever since then, I been havin’ words wif Nathaniel Dixon all over social media. However…

Again, someone in the crowd pipes out ”However, comma!” Morgan can’t help a small grin and just nods.

Morgan Payne: However, comma…

Before turning serious again.

Morgan Payne: Over da last week, my temper got da better o’me. Yinz know how I can get. Dat ain’t an excuse, s’just a sad fact abaht how I am most o’da time. My temper flared and I took things to a level it shouldn’t have ever been brought to: I brought his family into it. Family dat ain’t been nothin’ but kind t’me an’ mine since…cheese an’ crackers, whenever, I can’t even remember. S’been so long. I decided to play da eye for an eye route. Someone I loved got hurt, so in a not so vague way, I threatened to get back at Nathaniel by goin’ through those he cared abaht.

Morgan slightly brings the mic down and shakes her head. She’s visibly trying to keep everything together as she brings the microphone back up and continues.

Morgan Payne: Dat ain’t me. Now, I ain’t perfect. Nobody is. I got my flaws. Everybody does. S’what makes us human. But there’s lines dat oughta not be crossed. I done some dahnright heinous things in my time as a pro wrestler, but nobody - none of us - in our right minds, should involve non combatants. Especially ones who been kind to us in da past. So, I wanna say from da bottom o’my heart, as sincerely as I can: Ami Fitzsimmons…Ryleigh Dixon…Serenity Dixon. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for da cruel things I said. I’m sorry for the threats. I’m sorry for how I conducted myself towards you. It was unprofessional and to be real, it was unbecoming of me as one of the headliners o’dis company. If yinz can forgive me…all I ask is take it into consideration. Please.

Morgan lowers the microphone and bows her head, closing her eyes. There’s a long pause and a murmur as the crowd talks amongst themselves about what they’re seeing here before them. After a moment, she raises the microphone again.

Morgan Payne: Now…as for Nathaniel…

She reaches back and pulls her hair tie out of her hair, letting her hair cascade around her head. She flexes her fingers out, causing the band to roll back down around her wrist. Morgan reaches up and pulls her glasses off, tucking them into the breast pocket of her blazer. She looks up with a more familiar gleam in her eyes. A cold, burning disdain as she stares right into the hard camera.

Morgan Payne: All I can say is dat da time’s gonna come when Stephanie’s recovered. She’s gonna be back on her feet and when she is, I know for a fact dat she is comin’ for you. S’fitting dat what happened t’her at your hands happened at a show called Best Served Cold cuz dat’s exactly how revenge is gonna be dished up and believe me, dat girl can cook. So I’mma sit back and watch every step o’her comeback, after I help get her back into fightin’ shape. An’ after dat, if you ever wanna settle up wif me? Yanno where I’ll be. Shit…

She pauses, looks at the World Title on her shoulder before shifting her eyes back to the hard cam.

Morgan Payne: I’ll even sweeten da deal. Until then…I’mma handle my business while yinz handle yours. Maybe one day our paths’ll cross but until then? Have da day you deserve.

Morgan drops her arm and lets the microphone hit the mat with an audible thump as she exits the ring and walks up the ramp to no music still. She does idly reach out and touch hands with the front row on her way up to the stage and disappears through the tunnel.
Meanwhile, stagehands and production crew members in the loading dock tend to their duties with diligence. NFW security keeps watch while a few Collision roster members chat in the background. The camera pans through to an equipment crate. Sitting atop the crate is a sturdy briefcase equipped with an electronic lock. The keypad on the lock prompts for a four-digit combination code. The trunk’s dented and burned from previous failed attempts at opening it, but Cass Baumer is determined! She grips a crowbar firmly and begins to pry at the lock, but the tool slips and slides against the metal latch, unable to find a solid grip. No matter the angle, the prize container she won at Collision #153’s What’s In The Box Fatal Fourway Ladder Match proves stubborn.

With beads of sweat on her forehead, Cass changes tactics and starts slamming the crowbar into the briefcase with increasing frustration and power. Her cries of desperation echo through the loading dock. Despite her efforts, the lock was far from opening. Eventually, she pauses, out of breath and gasping for air. Finally, she drops the crowbar with a clanging thud, defeated. As she catches her breath, the show continues elsewhere.
When they go to raise his hand, however, Violento pulls it free, still looking down at his opponent before driving a heavy stomp into the man's stomach! The assault begins, with Lety smirking as her charge looks to stomp a mud hole into Fumagalli, when all of a sudden "Blinding Lights" by The Weekend hits the speakers!
Nick Hanson: What in the world?

Jim Reynolds: What?! Who—? HOLY SHIT!!

Nick Hanson: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Marilyn Matthews comes sprinting down the ramp, steel chair in hand. Lety doesn't even attempt to intervene as the former 3x champion slides into the ring. Violento hasn't stopped his attack, but that changes when Matthews brings the chair down hard over his shoulders! He stumbles forward a step, slowly turning to face the interloper. Mary swings again, but Toro get his arm up, taking the brunt of the swing. She swings a third time, but Violento dodges the swing, dropping to the mat to roll out to the floor. Lety comes to check on him, but he shakes his head, staring up at the Digital Duchess as they back up the ramp.

Jim Reynolds: SHE’S BACK!! NICKY, SHE’S BACK!!

Nick Hanson: THE DIGITAL DUCHESS, MARILYN MATTHEWS IS BACK, FOLKS!!!

Jim Reynolds: BE–HOLD!!!!

Marilyn Matthews unfolds the chair, plops it down in the middle of the ring and sits down, motioning for Toro to bring it on as the monster and his manager make their way back up onto the stage. “Blinding Lights” comes back on over the PA as we cut to the next shot.
Backstage at the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum, Jamie Austin could be seen walking down the hallway, a smirk on her face. She knew the looks she was getting for what she had done to her sister, but quite frankly, it just didn’t bother her. She could see Amanda Thorn approaching her with a camera following behind her, and the woman rolled her eyes before stopping in her tracks, waiting for the interviewer to reach her.

Amanda Thorn: Jamie? I was wond-

Jamie Austin: I’m going to stop you right there. I already know that people want to hear from me. Why wouldn’t they, after all? I stunned everyone when I turned on my sister after being her lackey for so many years! But I’m not going to waste my time listening to your trivial questions. So you can give me the microphone and go stand out of the way while I speak.

Jamie yanked the microphone from Amanda’s hand before shooing the interviewer away. Thorn glared at Austin but said nothing, instead choosing to take the high road. She nodded at the camera operator as she moved to stand behind them, the glare never leaving her face as she watched Jamie get herself ready.

Jamie Austin: I’ve heard the whispers, I’ve seen the glares. Do any of you really think they bother me? Do any of you really think you deserve an explanation of my actions? You worthless pests are lucky I’m even giving you any of my time now, as it is!

Jamie smirked as she paused for a moment before raising the microphone again.

Jamie Austin: For most of my sister’s pathetic career, I’ve been by her side as her manager. Even when she tried casting me aside, I was still getting things worked out for her in secret! When her and Lluvia needed someone for the trios team, who came answering the call? ME! But even that wasn’t enough, it seemed. Oh sure, I was welcomed by the Kingdom because of Lluvia, but I was never truly one of them. Where were they when Arianrhod was in control of Lilith, and she destroyed my ankle?! Did any of them bother checking on me after surgery or at any point during my recovery? No! My own sister barely checked on me! Daniel and his family made sure I saw the best surgeon and had the best physical therapists that we could get!

Jamie paused again, rage filling her eyes at the memories. She licked her lips for a moment before continuing.

Jamie Austin: None of them gave a damn…none of them even knew that I was healed! Sure, they had possibly seen my updates on Twitter, but they didn’t know that I was biding my time for the right time to return because none of them ever bothered to call or text me to see how I was! When my sister and Johnny started going at it, I knew then that WrestleWar would be the perfect time. Even that fuckwad didn’t know I was going to be there…yeah, I saw your accusations, Morgan. That twat doesn’t have anything to thank me for since I was acting on my own. I didn’t give a fuck either way when it came to who won the damn match, I just wanted to hurt Jonna. I’m done living in other peoples’ shadows! I’m done being an afterthought for everyone! And I’m sure as Hell done with being a last resort and last option for everyone else.

Jamie paused one final time, a satisfied grin coming to her face.

Jamie Austin: I started with my sister. Tonight, I continue that journey with River. Tonight, I show everyone that Jamie Austin is not someone you want to forget about. I remind everyone that I’m not someone you sleep on. It’s time for this star to shine on its own, and I plan on making that happen one way or another. You better just hope you’re not one of the people I have to go through for it to happen.

Jamie blew a kiss at the camera before shoving passed them, tossing the microphone at Amanda Thorn as she did.
We fade off the last match and right to backstage, here Collision interviewer, Devyn Mitchell, is standing by at an interview set. The area shines bright with a plethora of lighting rigs and LED widescreens bearing the Collision logo! Mitchell raises the microphone to her lips as she introduces her next guest.

Devyn Mitchell: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, Jessi Ozborne.

The muffled sounds of the crowd cheering inhabits the backstage area as Jessi Ozborne shuffles into frame from stage left. A solemn look crosses her face as Mitchell begins to conduct her interview.

Devyn Mitchell: Jessi, first I’d just like to say congratulations on an impressive win in an amazing match against Jordan Majors last week. But of course, the main talking point coming out of that main event was what happened afterwards. How have you been feeling since then?

A slight flicker hits the lights as Jessi proceeds to answer, going unnoticed by either of the women.

Jessi Ozborne: In all honesty, Devyn? Not great. Not at all. Last week was supposed to be simple. Just a good old fashioned match against one of my best friends. Setting the tone for the year the Queens have ahead of them. But of course, it had to be ruined because someone decided to make a spectacle at my expense by dropping some personal shit right in my face.

Devyn nods in understanding, the LED screens behind her beginning to flicker with static now

Devyn Mitchell: If I could ask, could you tell me what you were feeling at that moment?

Jessi Ozborne: I felt humiliated. I realize that not a single human being in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Coliseum understood what seeing that note meant to me. But it felt as though in that exact moment, everyone, including my sisters, thought that I was weak and pathetic. I was…afraid.

Jessi’s tone starts to escalate, causing the screens and the lights to flicker faster and more frequently, something that doesn’t go unnoticed by either of the women.

Devyn Mitchell: We-well Jessi…I just have to ask: Who is ‘Regina’, if you feel comfortable answering?

Jessi’s solemn expression sours into one of anger, with the question obviously lighting a rage in the Queen of Queens. Her answer comes out uncharacteristically harsh and snappy towards the interviewer.

Jessi Ozborne: No, Devyn. I actually don’t feel comfortable answering that question. And I’m not okay with you trying to pick and pry into my personal life. I’ve spent the last week trying to figure out who would bring such a thing to the surface, and you think I’m just gonna tell you and everyone else here just because you asked?

Jessi’s rising temper uncoincidentally results in the electronic equipment around them beginning to flicker even more. Lights begin to turn on and off at random, while the LED screens continue to flicker between static and black screens with nearly matching text across them, unable to be made out. Devyn notices this very much so, and begins to become concerned. Meanwhile, Jessi is too consumed in her current rage to give it any of her attention.

Jessi Ozborne: I don’t know who the fuck is behind this, but when I find out who is I swear to FUCKING GOD, I’m gonna—

Just then, Devyn directs her attention towards the ceiling, her eyes going wide with shock as she quickly turns to Jessi.

Devyn Mitchell: JESSI!! LOOK OUT!!

Devyn quickly snatches Jessi by the arm, pulling her in closer just in time for a lighting fixture to drop right by them as it crashes from the ceiling to the floor, right where Jessi was formerly standing. All the electronics around them shut off, as Jessi and Devyn both look at the light in paralyzing fear. Eventually, everything turns back on and returns to its normal state, with Jessi trying hard to shake off what she had just experienced.

Jessi Ozborne: I–I’m sorry—I just…

Without even finishing her thought, Jessi scurries off, leaving a confused and petrified Devyn in her dust as we fade elsewhere.
The camera cuts backstage, where interviewer Amanda Thorn stands next to NFW newcomer Raion Kido, who looks resplendent in his shimmering Golden Cloth armor.

Amanda Thorn: “Here we are with one of the new arrivals to Collision, none other than “The Lion” Raion Kido, and Raion, thank you very much for being here tonight.”

Raion nods with an amiable smile, rather kind and friendly for someone with the aspect of a gleaming golden knight.

Raion Kido: “The pleasure is all mine, Miss, and thank you very much for your time!”

Amanda Thorn: “You’ve started off here with the right foot, that was an impressive debut against Eduardo Gutiérrez.”

The Lion now responds with a slight shrug of his shoulders, but replies to Ms. Thorn without missing a beat.

Raion Kido: “Many have said that the first time they see me, Miss, but for someone like me is not so much looking impressive but actually making the right impression by taking on the very best that NFW has to offer.”

Amanda Thorn: “That is most commendable, but surely you have to wonder whether your debut was enough to put people on notice.”

The Osaka wrestler clenches a fist, a wild look of excitement now on his face.

Raion Kido: “If last show was not enough, Ms. Thorn, I shall make certain that my next match shall have people talking in the end!”

Amanda Thorn: “Speaking of people talking, I need you to answer me this, and sorry if this comes across as strange…”

Whatever doubts Amanda have in her eyes are soon dispelled by a thumbs up sign from the Lion.

Raion Kido: “Don’t worry, Ms. Thorn, I am not easily offended, and I think I can probably tell what you’re going to ask.”

Amanda Thorn: “Well… what is this you’re wearing? It looks absolutely fantastic, but also pretty heavy!”

The Lion responds with a big, toothy smile, shining almost as much as the burnished plate of his golden armor.

Raion Kido: “This, Miss, is the Golden Cloth of Leo. The proof of my valor and my identity as a Saint of Athena.”

Amanda Thorn: “Saint… of Athena?”

Raion Kido: “In the age of myths, Ms. Thorn, the goddess Athena was the goddess of war and victory. She was born with a helmet on her head and a spear in her hand. However, she did not really want to fight unless it was absolutely necessary, and whenever this was the case, she had a number of youths with her - the Saints of Athena!”

At this point, the Lion throws a punch to the air, his fist cutting through the very air about him.

Raion Kido: “Their fists could rend the sky! Their kicks could split the earth! Not only were these Saints the strongest in the world, but they had with them a special power that came from their spirit - a power that lies within each and every one of us… the power of the cosmos!”

Amanda doesn’t really know what to answer, but the Lion is not a fool enough not to notice, and so he raises a placatory hand, as if asking for patience.

Amanda Thorn: “Umm…”

Raion Kido: “The cosmos, Miss. The universe itself. Everything in the universe is made out of atoms. Stars, rocks, flowers - your body and mine. And all these atoms have in common a single source - the very beginning of the universe, the Big Bang!”

Imagine the power an explosion that big took to scatter all these atoms of energy and matter into the universe, and everything that was created from them.

And now imagine what could happen if we could harness a power like that within ourselves - that’s what the Saints of Athena do, and it’s what allows them to create miracles!

But a power like this, Miss, is to be used to protect humanity, and that is the charge that Athena has given her Saints, along with their Cloths - armors such as the one I wear. As many as there are, there exist twelve among them that are unique, and shine in gold. The Golden Cloths, one for each sign of the Zodiac, and mine is the Cloth of Leo.

Hence, Miss, why I am known as the Lion. And soon enough, all of NFW shall too!”

As Raion’s explanation goes, Amanda goes wide-eyed, captivated by the Saint of Athena’s words. When he finishes speaking, she almost starts clapping, but only clasps her hands together.

Amanda Thorn: “Oh wow! Now I really want to see all of this you speak of in action, Raion!”

Raion Kido: “I trust, Miss Thorn, you shall not have to wait too long. Several places in the wrestling world have already seen this power, Collision got a taste of it last episode and now I promise you, the people in the locker room, the thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home. shall see it… right here in New Frontier Wrestling!”

Raion points towards the camera, a winning smile on his face, and Amanda now turns towards the camera as well.

Amanda Thorn: “That was Raion Kido, ladies and gentlemen, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Now let’s go back to the ring!”

And with the final shot of Raion and Amanda smiling, the feed fades out back to ringside.
At the loading dock, production crew members talk amidst moving equipment's loud and busy sounds. The clanking of metal and the banging of doors make up the soundscape of this otherwise quiet spot of the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum. One of the stagehands notices that the briefcase won at last week's What's In The Box Fatal Fourway Ladder Match has found itself in a new position: on the floor near one of the large doors. In an instant, Cass Baumer's beat-up RV barrels through the loading dock, leaving a trail of exhaust smoke in its wake with a double horn honk! Some backstage crew dives out of the way! It skids to a stop, screeching sharply. It hits a few equipment crates like bowling pins that tumble over each other.

Cass steps out of the massive vehicle, surrounded by a cloud of whispy emissions billowing around her legs. She surveys the damage she's caused with concern, her medium-length brown hair blowing in the breeze from the large door she just sped through. The sounds of moving equipment have stopped momentarily. There's no clanking of metal or banging of doors, either. The only sound is Cass's sneakers slapping against the ground as she struts toward her object of interest while the stagehands look on in shock. Finally, Baumer drops to one knee, casually picking up the briefcase with a new tire tread mark on the metal.

It's still unopened.

The smoke clears, and Baumer is irate. However, her obscenities are gradually drowned out when the crew starts to continue their work again. Bit by bit, the loading dock comes alive while Cass is slumped in a seated position next to the briefcase she won that won't open. The RV stays in place, now a temporary obstacle to work around until Baumer decides to leave. Before then, Collision moves on as the Kiwi mutters almost incoherently about how much she wants to save Christina Olson.
After the match, Dane climbs out of the ring and snatches the NFW Perseverance Championship belt from the ringhand, and grabs a microphone before climbing back into the ring.

Dane F’n Preston: “Well, well, look who’s finally got himself a LIVE microphone…Didja miss me?!?”

As the crowd pops, Preston wipes his face before slinging the Perseverance title over his shoulder, and takes a moment to catch his breath.

Dane F’n Preston: “I told you all that I had something I wanted to get off my chest, and I always make good on my word! I feel like my winning the Perseverance Championship has been overshadowed by my participation in this war with the Children of Nephilim, and I never really had a chance to relish in my victory. But that’s not really what I’m here to address. You see, my goal is to make the Perseverance Championship thee premiere title on Collision and to prove that the Champeen, yours truly, is a fighting Champion. But there’s a problem with that, a wrench in the gears if you will. I can’t expect to be a fighting Champ without any contenders. So this goes out to the entire NFW locker room. I don’t give a damn whether you’re signed to Collision, Destiny or Trauma. You think you can take this title from me, come and get it…if you can!”

Without another word, Preston flips the microphone out to the ringhand and climbs out of the ring, fist bumping fans as he makes his way backstage.
We cut to a darkened hallway in the bowels of the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum. One of the overhead fluorescent lights flickers on and off. One moment the lights go out and when they come back on an instant later the tattered-robed figure known to the NFW fans as Milisandre Crowthorne appeared. Her voice sounds almost as if it is being filtered through water as she speaks.

Milisandre Crowthorne: Once again He has spoken and I have listened. It is time for His Herald to have a larger platform. More voices need to hear His message.

She pauses.

Milisandre Crowthorne: Morgan Payne spoke of battling and besting demons. She, of all people, should know that there are things out there far older and more terrifying than demons. Things that will drive you mad simply by looking at them. Beings that know everything you think about. Even in those moments of solitude and darkness. They listen. They hear.

An unholy and terrifying chuckle sounds.

Milisandre Crowthorne: It is an apt name for the event that His Herald shall take the top prize in NFW. For a Legend shall Rise. One forgotten to history. One that only a select few know. The sacrifice to usher in His time shall be the golden child of the NFW. The self-proclaimed Ace.

Another laugh followed by a pause. The lights flicker again and Milisandre is gone.

Milisandre Crowthorne: The sins of the father shall be paid by the blood of the child.

Fade.
In the women's locker room, Cass Baumer sits with intense focus. The briefcase she won at the What's In The Box Fatal Fourway Ladder Match rests in her lap as her fingers expertly tap the keypad, inputting each possible four-digit combination in order. Her green-blue eyes are fixed on the task at hand as she methodically works through the possibilities. The camera provides an over-the-shoulder view, capturing her determined efforts to unlock the mysterious bounty.

0132.

0133.

0134.

Despite her efforts, there's a maximum of 9,865 more possibilities. Other wrestlers seem oblivious to her problem, with murmurs of conversations filling the room. Cass doesn’t seem to hear them, though. She’s in her own world now, intent on opening her prize while Collision keeps rolling.