NFW Presents: RISE OF LEGENDS - 02/28/2023!

Nick Hanson: Well that was one hell of a Undisputed Championship match from the champion and challenger on Trauma!

Jim Reynolds: I’ll say! I know it’s not a competition but I have to wonder how our roster can answer that!

Nick Hanson: We’re about to find out here in a few moments!

The arena lights slowly fade out as the opening discordant note of “Cthulhu Awakens” by Apollon de Moura echoes through it. A wavering, pulsing, blue light highlights the entrance area. Standing at the top of the ramp is Milisandre Crowthorne. The hood of her stringy, patchwork coat is pulled up over her head. She pulled the hood back and looked ahead towards the ring. She slowly started to walk towards it, that eerie blue light following her.

She climbed up the ring steps and turned out to look at the crowd. She turns back towards the ring, no expression on her face. She enters the ring and stands in the middle of it. She slowly raises her arms and the lights rise and return to normal. She removes her coat and then moves to her corner.


The lights go out, shrouding the arena in darkness as the opening riff to "Pittsburgh" tears through the speakers. As soon as the guitar riff starts, the video wall comes to life with the "BEHOLD THE KINGDOM" banner while the back wall screen comes to life with a combined static and barbed wire design.



The cameras find Morgan Payne walking - no, storming through the backstage section, fired up and ready for a fight. Hood up. Hands taped. World Heavyweight Championship fastened around her waist. She looks ready to kick some ass as she moves down the hall of the arena, approaching Gorilla position.


The camera follows her as she reaches the steps to the entrance area. Rolling her shoulders to stay loose, she steps through the tunnel and out onto the stage to a loud boo from the crowd, scattered with a few audible cheers. She soaks in the hate as she opens out her arms and strikes The Kingdom pose before approaching the ring with a wolfish grin on her lips.


Once she reaches ringside, Morgan takes a running jump up onto the apron, unclasps the title and raises it up in the air. She stands to face the crowd for a moment, looking over the masses with that same smirk on her lips. Morgan steps into the ring and climbs a turnbuckle, throwing her hood back and strikes her pose once more. She drops down and backs into her corner, promptly removing her sleeveless hoodie, tosses it over onto the floor and proceeds to pull on the ropes then kick a leg up onto the top turnbuckle to stay loose as she waits.

Milisandre Crowthorne and Morgan Payne come to the center of the ring, practically getting nose to nose before Senior Official James Greer steps up next to them. Behind him, Darlyn Fajardo brings up the microphone.

Darlyn Fajardo: Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is your second main event of the evening! It is scheduled for one fall and it is for the New Frontier Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship!

The crowd roars with excitement. Crowthorne and Payne are staring DAGGERS through each other to the point that Referee Greer preemptively sticks an arm between them under the off chance that they decide to start tearing into each other right there.

Darlyn Fajardo: Introducing first, she is the challenger! She weighs in at 132lbs, fighting out of Arkham, Massachusetts! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Herald of the Great Dreamer! MILISANDRE CROWTHORNE!

Nick Hanson: Herald and Priestess to the Elder God, Cthulhu! She took everything from the champion just over a year and a half ago! She’s decreed that it is His will that she do so again!

Jim Reynolds: Look at that empty gaze in Milisandre’s eyes, Nicky. She has no remorse for the torment she’s caused Morgan Payne!

Crowthorne doesn’t budge an inch. She doesn’t taunt to the crowd. She doesn’t even bat an eyelash as she stares into the eyes of the champion.

Darlyn Fajardo: Her opponent! Weighing in at 140lbs! Representing The Kingdom! Fighting out of The Burgh! She is the New Frontier Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion! MORGAN PAYNE!

Nick Hanson: They met in a Last One Standing match for the Silver Mountain Championship in August of 2021. It ended in a draw with Morgan Payne retaining the championship. Folks, Morgan began speaking of dreams. Nightmares. Visions of being approached by who she believed to be the very deity that Milisandre gives praise to. Milisandre targeted Danni Deballion as a way to get into Morgan’s head. A rematch was offered where, in October of that same year, we saw Milisandre defeat a shaken and delirious Morgan for the Silver Mountain Title. We didn’t see Morgan for months after that. She suffered some sort of mental crisis and was admitted into a rehab center for substance abuse. Now, here these two stand again, the biggest prize on the line and I have never seen Morgan Payne so focused, Jim Reynolds!

Jim Reynolds: If looks could KILL, Nicky! Look at those eyes!

Referee Greer backs the two away from each other and sends them to their corners where he raises the World Title in the air to the crowd. He passes it to the outside to the timekeeper and checks for foreign objects they might have hidden away. Once he’s certain they’re both clean, he comes to the center of the ring and calls for the bell!


Nick Hanson: And here we go, ladies and gentlemen!

Crowthorne and Payne step out of their corners and circle up on the mat. They step in and lock up, collar & elbow where Crowthorne immediately looks for an arm wringer, trying to take Payne to the mat, possibly for an Armbar but Payne reaches across and catches her by the wrist, looking for a Wrist Lock reversal. Crowthorne twists out of it and gets behind Payne with a Hammerlock. Payne immediately pushes back, powering Crowthorne in against the ropes which causes the referee to call for the break. Crowthorne lets go and sticks her hands up. Payne turns around to glower at the challenger and Crowthorne SLAPS her across the face! Payne’s head snaps and she stumbles with her back to the Herald as the crowd boos and oooohs. We can see the look on Payne’s face as she tries to keep her cool but that quickly becomes not the case as she whips around and lunges for her opponent. Crowthorne jukes around her and as Payne bounces back off the ropes, she catches her around the waist with her legs into a Sunset Flip Rollup for the pin!


Payne fires the shoulder up and throws her weight around, putting Crowthorne on her back where she straddles her chest and hooks her legs under her arms. The ref counts again, this time for the champion.


Crowthorne thrusts her hips and shoulders up, sending Payne overhead and facedown into the mat where Crowthorne then catches her by the leg for an Ankle Lock. Payne fights it and reaches for the bottom rope but Crowthorne pulls her away from it and cinches the Ankle Lock in tight. Payne fights against it some more until she’s able to flip around onto her back and shove Crowthorne back with a boot to the chest. She starts getting up to her feet and Crowthorne comes in with a stiff shoot kick to the chest but Payne catches her by the leg and stands up, seeking a Leg Trap Overhead Belly To Belly, however, Crowthorne reaches back and manages to let her weight fall back, causing them to fall into the ropes, forcing the break again. Payne has no choice but to let go and back off but not before Crowthorne pops her in the eye with a thumb, blinding her. The crowd boos and Crowthorne runs off the ropes, getting the first burst of real offense in the match as she takes Payne down with a Lou Thesz Press and starts laying into her with rapid punches!

Nick Hanson: And the challenger, unloading on the champion after finally forcing an opening!

Jim Reynolds: It was unorthodox but it’s effective, Nicky!

Payne covers up with her arms as Crowthorne just unloads on her before finally letting up and rising to her feet. She lifts Payne up with her, holding her by the hair which the referee warns her about. Crowthorne switches her anchor point to Payne’s wrist and pulls her in for a stiff backhand chop across the chest. The impact POPS, resonating throughout the arena and Crowthorne hits her again before whipping her into a corner and charges in with a Leaping Splash. Crowthorne goes to follow up with a Running Bulldog but Payne shoves her off into the ropes and looks for a Discus Forearm as her opponent bounds back towards her but Crowthorne jukes underneath her arm, hits the ropes and Payne turns right into a vicious STO!! Crowthorne comes off the ropes again and hits a Running Leg Drop right across Payne’s chest, looking for the cover again.


Jim Reynolds: It’s gonna take more than that to keep her down. I’m sure Milisandre remembers!

Nick Hanson: I’m sure she does, but I’m sure she also remembers the effect that her mind games had on the champion before. She practically picked Morgan apart in their Iron Woman match in October!

Jim Reynolds: Morgan put up a good fight! You could say that unnatural forces were at hand, however.

Crowthorne pulls Payne to her feet again and delivers a Ranhei, looking for another rollup but Payne kicks out before the referee even hits the mat and rolls up to her feet. Crowthorne steps in to grab her again but Payne bats her hands down and blasts her with a forearm. Crowthorne reaches again but Payne blasts her with a forearm. Crowthorne reaches again. Forearm from Payne. And again. And again! And again! Finally, Crowthorne shoots in low and yanks Payne’s feet out from underneath her, taking her to the mat. She looks for a Cross Armbar–

Nick Hanson: Beautiful takedown and transition there from the challenger!

–but Payne rolls into her and manages to pull her arm free. Crowthorne sits up. Payne shoots for a Penalty Kick! Crowthorne lays back and Payne’s foot soars right over her face, barely missing!

Nick Hanson: & Jim Reynolds: Oooooooh!!

Crowthorne quickly rolls to her feet and steps in with a Knee Lift to the midsection on Payne. She snapmares her down to the mat. Cocks back with her foot. Penalty Kick to Payne but the champ drops back, barely evading it and comes up onto her feet, bringing the action to a stalemate! The crowd applauds both women.

Nick Hanson: You can see the look in Morgan Payne’s eyes. It’s like she’s remembering what she faced back at the Vlad Blackheart 4 Finals!

Jim Reynolds: She’s in so much better shape, though, Nicky. Physically and mentally.

Nick Hanson: Very true but Milisandre Crowthorne may be what some call a career rival. She knows her weaknesses. She knows how to get into her head.

Crowthorne and Payne step in again with the Herald reaching out to offer up a lacing of the fingers. As soon as Payne takes it, Crowthorne steps in and drives another knee into her ribs, snapmaring her to the mat and administers a Chin Lock with a knee digging into her spine. The referee drops to a knee to check for a submission from Payne but Crowthorne quickly lets her up out of it and drills her in the spine with a Shoot Kick before dropping back down and reapplying the Chin Lock. Payne continues to resist, refusing to give up and Crowthorne lets her out of the hold again, this time, pulling her back flat onto the mat and hits a double bootscrape across her face. Payne sits up, grabbing her face and Crowthorne throws the Chin Lock right back on. She suddenly transitions into a Figure Four Headlock and wrenches it tight, looking to choke Payne out!

Nick Hanson: Oh, we might have a new champion right here if she blacks out, Jim!

Jim Reynolds: Say what you want about Milisandre Crowthorne. She’s one creepy ass chick but she is so clean with those submission holds!

Nick Hanson: She can catch you in one in the blink of an eye. We’re seeing it here! Payne might be fading!

But Payne manages to roll herself over, bringing Crowthorne with her and to get a boot on the ropes, causing the break. Crowthorne lets up on the hold and quickly gets to her feet, pushing Payne over onto her back. She reaches down and grabs an arm of Payne’s, bending it back with her hand against the mat. This puts Payne’s elbow propped up in the air and before Payne can react, Crowthorne STOMPS on her arm!! Payne SCREAMS as she grabs her arm and rolls away from the challenger. Crowthorne begins stalking towards the champion slowly, looming over her. Payne kicks at her leg in a desperation attempt to keep some distance but Crowthorne just absorbs it and kicks Payne in that arm.

Nick Hanson: She might have broken that arm, Jim!! I’ve never seen anything like that before!

Jim Reynolds: Never in the ring! I’ve seen it in the hood!

Nick Hanson: You were in the hood?

Jim Reynolds: I got mad street cred, Nicky. Just ask the champ. We shared G cards!

Nick Hanson: You have a G card?

Jim Reynolds: You calling me a liar?

Payne kicks at Crowthorne again and Crowthorne responds with another boot to the arm. She grabs Payne by that wrist and flips her over onto her back, delivering a kneedrop into the crook of the elbow before bending the arm up and applying wrist pressure.

Nick Hanson: She may or may not be looking for a tap here, but either way this is setting her opponent up for the Grip of Cthulhu!

Jim Reynolds: It won her a title from Morgan Payne the last time, it could very well do so again!

Payne struggles to escape the hold but Crowthorne transitions it into a Figure Four Armbar. She wrenches it in tight and Payne screams out again but refuses to give in. Instead, she finds a way to roll them both across the mat again, using her power advantage and gets a foot on the rope. Crowthorne holds on and the referee starts to count


Crowthorne releases the hold and stands to her feet. Payne comes up onto a knee and Crowthorne boots her in that targeted arm again, doing so again, forcing Payne back into the corner. She lays in with another couple of boots to the arm. The referee admonishes her. Crowthorne dismissively shrugs her hands and boots Payne in the face. She grins down at Payne and motions for her to come on before kicking her in the face again.

Milisandre Crowthorne: You can’t win, Morgan. You can’t win! It’s his will that you fall again! You can’t deny a God!

She does so a second time and Payne’s expression slowly goes from one of pain to annoyance. Another boot to the side of the head turns that look to one of anger and she looks up at Crowthorne, rising to her feet as she clutches her arm at her side. Crowthorne strikes her with a palm across the face and Payne fires back with a forearm to the jaw. Crowthorne throws one back. Payne eats it and gives one right back to her. Crowthorne hits her again and Payne returns it, this time following up with a series of more forearms. Crowthorne staggers and throws a forearm of her own but Payne blocks it with her forearms and lays into Crowthorne’s side with a low roundhouse kick. She follows up with a set of palm strikes to the sides of the head, clinches with her hands and hits a jumping Muay Thai Knee then another stiff roundhouse to the chest, knocking Crowthorne onto the mat. Payne hits the ropes and comes in with a Sliding Forearm, flattening the Herald out. Payne pops up to her feet and yells to the crowd, getting a supportive pop in return. She turns and looks down at Crowthorne.

Morgan Payne: I’ll kill your fucking God, bitch!!!

Crowd: Ooooooooooohhhh!!!!

Nick Hanson: And Payne able to fight back and put Crowthorne on the mat!

Jim Reynolds: With some choice words, too! She turned it on! I told you she was a different person this time around!

Nick Hanson: It’s almost like she–Ohhhhhhhh!!!

Nick Hanson stops short as Crowthorne sits right up off of the mat. The Ace turns, seeing this and glares, delivering a stiff Shoot Kick to the spine of her opponent. Crowthorne grimaces as she crawls over to a corner and pulls herself up. Meanwhile, Payne posts up across the ring from her and comes running in with a European Uppercut. This rocks Crowthorne and Payne quickly follows up with a backhand chop, throws Crowthorne to the mat into a sitting position and runs back off the ropes, coming in with a Hesitation Dropkick, completing “Yoi Yoi Double Yoi!” Crowthorne almost goes through the ropes as normal but Payne catches her around the waist and pulls her back in, up to her feet into a waistlock for a Backdrop Suplex! She immediately transitions over into a ground mount, straddling Crowthorne’s chest again and starts laying into her with the palm strikes.

Nick Hanson: And the champion! Laying into the challenger like a woman possessed!

Jim Reynolds: Crowthorne’s got her guard up but she’s got nowhere to go!

What Crowthorne does manage to do, however, is catch Payne by the wrist of her left arm and rotate over until she’s in position for a Kimura Lock! But Payne rolls through before she can get it fully locked in and comes up onto her feet! Crowthorne rises up. Payne cocks back for a chop. Crowthorne ducks preemptively. Payne grabs her by the back of the head and drives her knee up into her face!

Morgan Payne: FUCK YA FACE!!

Crowd: BING BONG!!

Payne runs off the ropes, looking for The Faded Line (Clothesline From Hell) but Crowthorne lifts a leg, catching her with a Big Boot in the tender shoulder! Payne staggers! Crowthorne comes off the ropes and leaps for another Lou Thesz Press but Payne catches her in her arms, right into an Exploder Suplex! Cover!


Payne comes up onto her knees, finding her second wind and rises, moving to the corner. She climbs the turnbuckle as Crowthorne rises and leaps off into a Missile Dropkick! Another cover!


Payne wastes no time, picking Crowthorne back up and kicks her in the midsection. She turns, grabbing her around the head, looking for The Art Of Ruin (Stunner) but Crowthorne shoves her off into the ropes. Payne bounces off and launches herself back at the challenger! Her leg comes up and it Tastes Like A Timbaland Boot, Bi–NO!! Crowthorne catches her by the leg and SNAPS her down with an Inverted Dragonscrew Legwhip! Payne hits the mat, grabbing at her knee as Crowthorne’s eyes lock in on her with a deeper malice.

Nick Hanson: Crowthorne able to stop Payne’s momentum and she’s not looking too happy at that comeback from the champion!

Jim Reynolds: Morgan had her teetering and Milisandre doesn’t like it!

As Payne tries to crawl to the ropes to pull herself up, Crowthorne grabs her by the leg and drags her back to the center. She holds Payne’s leg down and comes down with her knees into the back of the Ace’s knee. Payne cries out and Crowthorne throws on a Front Leg Lock. Payne yells out in pain again as she tries to reach for the ropes but she’s too far away. She resorts to booting Crowthorne in the side of the head with the heel of her other boot until she lets go. Crowthorne rolls up to her feet, Payne sits up and the Herald BLASTS the Ace with a Shoot Kick to the chest. Payne falls flat on the mat…and sits right back up into a cross legged position and the crowd reacts with anticipation. Crowthorne looks at her and slowly tilts her head to the side, almost intrigued by the new resilience of her opponent. She cocks back and blasts Payne with another kick to the chest. Payne eats it and comes up onto her knees and even makes a brushing motion on her chest. Crowthorne’s eyes light up. The lion, the witch and the audacity of this bitch! Crowthorne starts dishing out more kicks. Payne grits her teeth and stands to her feet. This time Crowthorne throws a low roundhouse into that right leg of Payne’s she was working on. Payne buckles. Crowthorne throws another roundhouse into the left arm that she’d been targeting. Payne staggers, starting to wither again as Crowthorne hits a Spinning Back Thrust Kick to the ribs, following up with some of her own palm strikes to the face. One in particular catches Payne across the jaw and she fires right back with a Discus Forearm that staggers the Herald. The Ace snatches her arm and whips her into a corner, following close with another forearm smash. She whips her across the ring again and gives pause for a second to get some distance before charging in with a Yakuza Kick in the corner! Payne immediately follows up with a series of Forearm Strikes, clutching Crowthorne behind the head to keep her in place and just…starts…fucking…UNLOADING!! The barrage of strikes forces Crowthorne down into a sitting position in the corner but Payne keeps going in on her. Over and over and over and over! The referee eventually starts counting!


It doesn’t seem that Payne even hears him so he opts to physically rip her away from her opponent, asking if she wants to be disqualified. That blind rage seems to diminish in Payne as she comes back to her senses and holds her hands up in surrender.

Nick Hanson: Champion could have gotten disqualified right there! She wouldn’t want that!

Jim Reynolds: Can you blame her for losing it, though? This rivalry has gotten so personal. It isn’t just about the defending the title for Morgan. It’s about conquering her inner demons spurred on from their last encounter!

Nick Hanson: And it isn’t just about taking the title for Milisandre. She wants to break Morgan! Humiliate her! She wants to diminish her sanity completely! And even now, on the receiving end of punishment from the World Heavyweight Champion, it looks like she’s well on her way to doing so!

Jim Reynolds: Look at her, Nicky. She’s smiling! She is fucking SMILING!

Indeed, sitting in the corner, hair matted to her sweaty face, Milisandre Crowthorne is smiling up at Morgan Payne and she starts to laugh. Payne grits her teeth and motions for Crowthorne to bring it on. Crowthorne pulls herself up to her feet and slowly walks towards her. The two lean in and bump foreheads together. Crowthorne licks her teeth as Payne continues talking trash. Keeping their foreheads pressed together, Crowthorne tilts her head to the side and smiles an unnerving smile. This sets Payne off and she BLASTS her with a forearm! Crowthorne stumbles and turns away before slowly turning back and rolls her neck, grinning wide and maniacal like. Payne rocks her again and this time, Crowthorne hits a STIFF backhand chop to the chest. Payne reels, clutching her chest but comes back with a chop of her own. Crowthorne is pushed back but she shakes it off and chops Payne back. Payne almost crumples but she stands strong and chops Crowthorne again. The challenging Herald staggers and comes in with another chop, quickly following up with a forearm. Payne stumbles, rocks and gives a forearm of her own right back. Crowthorne fires one right back. Payne fires back on all cylinders. Crowthorne fires back, unloading and going into overdrive. Payne stumbles back. Crowthorne steps forward and Payne goes for a kick to the midsection, perhaps looking for The Art Of Ruin again but Crowthorne catches her by the leg and spins her around. She steps in! Sets Payne up! PATH OF HASTUR (Abdominal Stretch Ranhei)! Cover!


Nick Hanson: We almost had a new champion right there!!

Jim Reynolds: We’ve already seen one title change hands tonight that was just won at Wrestle War, this past December! It’s happened before, too! It’s not unseen or unheard of!

Nick Hanson: But alas, the champ is still alive in this match for now!

Crowthorne rises to her feet and targets Payne’s leg again, holding it up where she starts to lay into the back of the knee with kicks. The Ace reacts, yelling out in pain and the Herald looks for a Figure Four Leglock but Payne shoves her with a boot to the rear, into the corner again. Payne rolls back up to her feet, bouncing tenderly on her leg but as Crowthorne comes out of the corner, Payne explodes across the ring and nails her with a Brogue Kick to the face with full velocity! Not just any kick but one she and the crowd like to call–

Crowd: TASTES LIKE A TIMBALAND BOOT, BITCH!!

Crowthorne goes down like a sack of bricks but so does Payne!! Slapping her knee in pain before lying there and holding it as it’s the leg she delivers the move with.

Nick Hanson: CROWTHORNE’S DOWN!!! CROWTHORNE’S DOWN!!

Jim Reynolds: YOU GOT HER, CHAMP!!! COVER HER!!

Whether it’s the commentary team, the crowd screaming for it or just sheer knowing what has to be done, Payne crawls over and covers Crowthorne, hooking the leg!

Jim Reynolds: THIS ONE’S OVER!!



Nick Hanson: SHE’S CONQUERED HER DEM–


CROWTHORNE KICKS OUT!! Payne falls back off of her, shocked and stunned. A hand over her mouth in sheer disbelief. She almost looks on the verge of breaking as the crowd goes wild. Half booing but also roaring with a sense of respect for the challenger. They react with even more anticipation as Crowthorne, albeit it more slowly this time, sits right back up! Payne shakes her head in disbelief and gets back to her feet, backing into a corner. This time she slaps her knee, calling for her Uncle BDP’s signature Shining Wizard. Crowthorne starts getting back up, rising to a knee. Payne pauses for a moment, considering something and finally reaches down, pushing her kneepad down around her ankle. The crowd “ooooooohs” in anticipation as she posts up, ready and waiting. Crowthorne rises and turns around and Payne rushes in!! BUKAKKE BLA–NO!! Crowthorne sidesteps!! Payne stumbles!! The champ turns around and here comes the challenger!! BOW DOWN (Double Knee Facebreaker)!!!!

Nick Hanson: BOW DOWN, SAYS THE HERALD OF THE GREAT DREAMER!!

Jim Reynolds: MORGAN’S OUT!!! SHE’S DONE!!

Nick Hanson: NEW CHAMPION?!


Jim Reynolds: IT IS!!!


Payne’s shoulder flies up off the mat, almost as if she’s just had a heavy muscle spasm but it’s enough for a kickout!! The referee confirms two to Milisandre Crowthorne and the challenger is beside herself. That look is quickly replaced by an incredulous sneer aimed at the champion as she stands and pulls her to her feet. She starts setting up for the Grasp Of Cthulhu (Octopus Hold) and she gets it locked in!! Payne snaps out of her daze as Crowthorne wrenches back on that left arm and screams out in agony. The referee’s right there, asking her if she wants to submit but Payne desperately shakes her head, refusing to. Crowthorne wrenches back on the arm even more but Payne fights to pull free.

Milisandre Crowthorne: Give it up, Morgan!! Surrender to his will!

Crowthorne eventually starts to transition into the Grip Of Cthulhu (Royal Octopus Hold) but when her legs come up, Payne shifts and manages to maneuver Crowthorne up onto her shoulders!

Morgan Payne: FUCK! YOU!

She runs forward, delivering a Rolling Fireman’s Carry Slam, dropping Crowthorne onto the mat! Payne rolls through and up onto her feet, grabbing the top turnbuckle! She hops up and hits a Springboard Moonsault but as she comes down, Crowthorne gets her knees up right into her chest! Payne stumbles back, clutching her sternum as Crowthorne gets back to her feet. She runs in for another Bow Down but Payne blocks the knees with her arms and sidesteps! Crowthorne stumbles past! Payne snatches her back across her shoulders into an Inverted Fireman’s Carry! DAHNTAHN AFTER DAHK (Burning Hammer)!!!! Both women lay strewn out on the mat! Crowthorne’s not moving and Payne’s just barely showing life!

Nick Hanson: D.A.D WITH AUTHORITY!!! THAT HAS TO BE IT!!!

Jim Reynolds: IT’S GOTTA BE!!

Payne covers and–


Crowthorne throws up an arm, reaching for the sky as if calling to her God himself and it gets her shoulder off of the mat! Payne can’t believe it! She is absolutely speechless!! She collapses onto her side, staring at Crowthorne in disbelief but Crowthorne just stares up at the lights above.

Crowd: THIS IS AWESOME!!
Clap-clap-clapclapclap
THIS IS AWESOME!!
Clap-clap-clapclapclap
THIS IS AWESOME!!
Clap-clap-clapclapclap
THIS IS AWESOME!!
Clap-clap-clapclapclap

Nick Hanson: Listen to this crowd, Jim Reynolds!!

Jim Reynolds: You’re damn right it’s awesome, Nicky!!

Nick Hanson: Neither of these two have any quit in them!!

Payne starts pushing herself up slowly. Crowthorne sloooowly sits up again and the two stare at each other. They start making their way to their feet and Payne steps in with a boot to the midsection of Crowthorne! She hooks her arms for the Coma White! But Crowthorne slips out and gets Payne into position for Path of Hastur again!! She rears back to deliver it but as she goes for the follow up, Payne slips free and twists around, catching Crowthorne with a Side Russian Legsweep!! Both women hit the mat and Payne wastes no time, center of the ring, throwing her legs up around her head and wrenching back on the arm!! THREE RIVERS CROSSING (Grounded Octopus Hold)!! Locked in tight!!

Jim Reynolds: SHE’S GOT IT LOCKED IN, NICKY!!!

Nick Hanson: MIDDLE OF THE RING!!! CROWTHORNE’S GOT NOWHERE TO GO!!

Jim Reynolds: IS THIS IT?!

Crowthorne writhes and struggles to get free of the maneuver but just when it looks like she’s about to get her arm free, Payne pulls back on it and hooks it underneath her arm bit and arches up her hips. The Herald’s face contorts into a look of agonizing pain as the Ace starts delivering the kicks with the move, across her head. The crowd is screaming. Both challenger and champion are screaming aaaaaaaaand…CROWTHORNE STARTS SLAPPING THE MAT!!

Jim Reynolds: IS SHE TAPPING?!

Nick Hanson: SHE’S TAPPING, JIM!!!! SHE’S TAPPING!!

Jim Reynolds: SHE TAPPED OUT MILISANDRE CROWTHORNE!!!!

Referee James Greer motions for the bell!!


And Payne releases her from the hold as “Pittsburgh” erupts from the speakers in the arena!!

Darlyn Fajardo: Here is your winner and STILL the NFW World Heavyweight Champion!! MORGAN PAYNE!!!!!

Nick Hanson: She has done it!! Over a year since her opponent tonight caused a detrimental shift in her life, she has done it!! Morgan Payne has conquered her demons!

Jim Reynolds: And she holds onto the coveted prize! Denying Milisandre Crowthorne her tribute to her God!

Nick Hanson: What a match that was and what a show! We thank you for being with us here tonight, ladies and gentlemen!! For Jim Reynolds, I’m Nick Hanson!! We’ll see you on Collision next week!

The show ends with Milisandre Crowthorne taking her leave to the back while an exhausted, teary eyed Morgan Payne stands in the center of the ring as the World Title is placed around her waist by the referee. Confetti and streamers rain down as she stands before the crowd, arms out, relieved and thankful while the show fades out.