NFW Collision #163!

We open up backstage after Raion’s match just moments earlier. We see him walking down the hallway, turning a corner where we see Lilith Meadows standing there in his way towards the locker room.

Lilith Meadows: Good job tonight, Mr. Lion, we’re proud of you!

The young Saint of Athena regards the Fae with a mixture of perplexity and guarded politeness. When he looks at her, there is a note of curiosity in his eyes.

Raion Kido: Um - thank you, Ms. Meadows? I would have thought you were not particularly amenable to talk after last show. To what do I owe the courtesy?

Lilith grins, just looking him up and down for a moment before she chuckles a little bit.

Lilith Meadows: Ain’t I allowed to congratulate a fellow competitor after he fought hard and didn’t have no one come out and try and protect them?

The Lion takes note of the veiled remark, at which he draws a heavy sigh, but nevertheless he speaks calmly in his answer.

Raion Kido: I believe I’ve already apologized, Miss. I meant no disrespect, and I know better now, so you need not worry about me again. But for what it’s worth, I do appreciate the congratulations.

The Knight of the Zodiac extends his hand to the Fae.

Raion Kido: Is there something I can do to make it up for you?

Lilith shakes her head and just smiles before stepping aside.

Lilith Meadows: No, we think you’re a good enough person.

Since she will not take his handshake, Raion has no choice but to take his hand back, and so he gives her a nod.

Raion Kido: I suppose that will have to do, Miss. Let’s hope we meet in the ring one-on-one some time, and thank you once again!

And so the Fae and the Lion part ways. The young Japanese wrestler continues down the hallway to his locker room, and opens the door…


… and when he crosses over, he’s greeted by a shower of an amber-like substance, and patches of fur.

Raion Kido: “What the-!?”

The poor Saint of Athena is now drenched in the gooey liquid, and matted with fur all over - his resplendent Golden Cloth armor now stained. He takes his breastplate off to examine the damage, and then he notices a fallen bottle on the floor.

Raion Kido: “God damn it! What was all that?”

As he picks the bottle up, its contents are revealed to him. Thankfully, it is only maple syrup - somewhat troublesome to remove, but not completely impossible. Down the hall, you hear the familiar giggle of Lilith Meadows as she stands at the end, pointing at Raion before she skips away, her laugh echoing a little bit. Hearing her laughter, the Lion peeks out the hallway to see her go.

Raion Kido: “That juvenile fairy!”

Drawing a short sigh of annoyance, the Lion shuts the locker room door - after all, he has to fix the damage.
The camera opens on a member of NFW security sitting at a computer in a small office.

Security Guard: “Come in.”

The door opens and Trixie Decker enters, wearing sunglasses, a cut-off tee, leather pants and a Wolves of Odin jacket. She removes her jacket and hands over her license and paperwork to the guard.

Trixie Decker: “Hi. I’m here to pick up my Collision security badge.”

The guard looks at Trixie’s license and sneers before angrily thrusting it back to her. He grunts as he stands, walks half a foot, grabs a folder, and returns to his rolly chair – making no effort to mask his displeasure. He pulls out a security badge and starts to hand it to Trixie, but yanks it back.

Security Guard: “Just so we’re clear, I don’t want any shenanigans here at Collision.”

Trixie rips the badge from his hands, clipping it onto the neckline of her shirt.

Trixie Decker: “Then you shouldn’t have any. Honestly, you look like you could stand more of a high fiber and hijinks diet, but I’m not a doctor.”

The guard’s brow furrows.

Security Guard: “You got up to a lot of mess in Trauma and, in Destiny, you tricked an employee into replacing official NFW merch with knock-offs that mocked talent.”

Trixie Decker: (raising a finger) “One, allegedly--”

Security Guard: “Footage of you doing it aired on Destiny.”

Trixie Decker: (raising a finger) “You can’t believe everything you see. I’m sure you’ve looked at yourself and seen a useful member of society, after all. Also, I will note that knock-off merch I allegedly foisted onto Destiny sold insanely well. No one was complaining about checks.”

The guard’s scowl deepens.

Security Guard: “Just know I’m gonna be watching you closely. NFW Collision is a tight ship.”

Trixie Decker: (raising a finger) “Oh, I do like ‘em tight.”

Security Guard: (growing frustrated) “Just get this through your head right now. There will be no mischief in Collision. Like it or not, eventually chaos always bends its knee to law and order. You’re not gonna get away with starting your little fires here.”

The camera cuts to Trixie, staring off-camera at the security guard. Suddenly, a filing cabinet in the room catches on fire. The camera cuts back to the security guard, who is horrified and panicked.

Security Guard: “WHAT?! HOW!?”

Trixie Decker: (confused) “How what?”

The guard flails as he gestures to the filing cabinet.

Security Guard: “How’d you set it on fire?!”

Trixie tilts her head, confused.

Trixie Decker: “Did you see me set it on fire?”

Security Guard: (stammering as he searches the office) “No, but who else--”

Trixie Decker: “I’m confused. You acted like you were this eagle-eyed protector of Collision’s virginial perfection, but now you’re admitting you didn’t see who started that fire and just blaming me. That doesn’t sound like a tight ship to me.”

The camera cuts back to the security guard, having found a fire extinguisher. He shoves past Trixie, running to the burning filing cabinet and aims the extinguisher – only for more fire to come out.

Trixie Decker: (rolling her eyes) “I supposed that’s my fault, too.”

Security Guard: (screaming, terrified) “PROBABLY!”

The camera cuts to Trixie, who’s shaking her head with disapproval as she puts her sunglasses back on.

Trixie Decker: “It sounds like someone has a responsibility problem. It’s your office you let catch on fire, yet you’re blaming an innocent young woman who only came here to get her security badge early, like a responsible member of the NFW family. Next thing I know, you’ll be blaming me because you’re on fire, too.”

The camera cuts back to the security guard who is now, in fact, engulfed in flames.

Security Guard: “HELP ME!”

The camera cuts back to Trixie, who looks annoyed. She walks out of the room, then returns with a sign in her hand. She places it on the wall, revealing it to be a “No Smoking” sign.

Trixie Decker: (rolling her eyes) “I have it on good authority chaos always bends its knee to order.”

The camera follows Trixie as she leaves the office, now lit ablaze. Multiple members of the security team run past her to put the fire out. She smiles as she walks.

Trixie Decker: “I like this place. They give you a warm welcome.”

She walks past a garbage can, snapping her fingers, revealing a handful of flash paper. With another snap, the garbage can lights up as Trixie walks off camera, followed by a fade to black.
We come back to ringside, with “Undefeatable” playing as the crowd begins to pop! Out from the entry tunnel comes Jessi Ozborne, her QoC-themed letterman jacket being adorned over her black and pink ring gear. With her black and pink dyed hair tied back in a double pony, it seems as though she’s ready for a fight as she makes her way inside the ring, grabbing a microphone from one of the ringside techs. Her mood seems jovial, as shown from the moment she first speaks.

Jessi Ozborne: Hello Chicago…

Crowd: PAPI’S HOME!!!

Jessi Ozborne: Yes, she is! And Papi kinda has a bit of a problem, so without any interruptions, let’s get down to business!

The crowd cheers Jessi on as she continues.

Jessi Ozborne: Last week, I came out here for the first time in forever, and I made my intentions clear. I wanted to answer Kasey Kash’s Zion Undisputed Championship Open Challenge at Ascension. You guys loved the idea. Kasey Kash seems to love the idea. Even negative ass Jim Reynolds said it had “Match of the Year” written all over it. So I’m up on Twitter at all times, as I am apt to do, and I keep scrolling and refreshing. Scrolling and refreshing. All over the NFW Twitter. I keep thinking “Maybe GFX is busy. Maybe the social media intern hasn’t gotten around to announcing the match yet. I’m a patient girl. I can wait.” So I keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Until, oh shit…

Jessi overexaggeratedly scratches her head.

Jessi Ozborne: It’s Tuesday again! So I didn’t get the match announced. People seem to be short with me regarding whether or not the match is even happening. But I got one last ace in the hole. See, when I made the challenge, I invited Kasey Kash to come right here to Chicago to accept it in person. Make it official right here and now. So without further adieu, give it up for the former NFW Undisputed Champion, the current Zion Wrestling Undisputed Champion, and one of my best friends in the whole world, Kasey Kash!

As the crowd anxiously awaits to hear some familiar music for the first time in months, instead, they’re greeted with a voice coming over the PA system.

Steven Brody: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Jessi. Wait a minute.

The crowd murmurs as the CEO himself comes walking out onto the stage with his own microphone. He continues to speak as he walks down the walkway towards the ring.

Steven Brody: Jessi, you know I admire you as a talent. You know I appreciate your work ethic. You know I see your potential as a competitor.

He reaches the ring, moves up the steps and joins Jessi inside the ring. He leaves her a sense of personal space, staying by the ropes.

Steven Brody: And I know one of these days, at the rate you’re going, sooner or later, you’re going to be champion again. Hell, you’re already a three time World Champion in your career, right now. However, as it stands…

There’s a pause as he seems to be trying to find the right words to not sound too disappointing.

Steven Brody: You can’t simply demand a match with an unsigned talent and expect that it just happens. I’m sorry, Jessi.

The crowd boos at hearing this and it shows on the CEO’s face: a fact he almost hates to bring up. Jessi’s face curls into that of devastation, as if her entire world just collapsed around her. She looks down at her feet, before looking up to speak to her boss.

Jessi Ozborne: I-I-I don’t understand…I…I was the told the first day I got here that if I kept climbing that ladder, kept reaching for that brass ring that I could be somebody around here. You told everyone who signed around the same as me those words exactly, and out of all of those people, I’m one of the only one’s left. People have been coming and going, yet all this time I’ve been here. I’ve been busting my ass, looking for a ladder tall enough to reach that brass ring, and when I finally find it…you just wanna stop me before I can climb the first step?

Jessi’s eyes start to gloss over, the young woman herself probably not even aware of it as her gaze is fixed on the CEO. Brody stands silently, listening to Jessi’s case, occasionally nodding in agreement with her statement. As she finishes, the man looks at her with what could only be identified as sympathy.

Steven Brody: Jessi, no. No, I don’t wanna stop you. I wanna do the opposite. I wanna motivate you. Just like every other man and woman, every other member of the roster. I wanna push you to your fullest potential and like I said, what I see standing before me right now? I do see a future champion. Whether it be Perseverance, Silver Mountain, and yes absolutely, I see a future World Heavyweight Champion of this company because I know you can do it. You’re already well on your way there. You’re closer to that brass ring than you think and you’re most definitely higher than the first rung of the ladder. If I thought any different? If I believed anything else? I wouldn’t have fought as hard alongside Luthor Callaway to have you back under this banner because it’s my honest opinion, and I know Chicago agrees with me, Jessi Ozborne is a huge part of the future of this company. Hell, of this entire industry.

He finishes his words and simply holds the microphone out towards the crowd, knowing full well of the pop that’s coming as they start a “JES-SI OZ-BORNE” chant.

Jessi Ozborne: Then Mr. Brody…please. Give me the chance to show everyone exactly that. An opportunity like this doesn’t come around often. I don’t know if it’ll ever come again. Hell, with all the crazy ass challengers banging down Kasey’s door, I don’t even know if he’ll even have that title by Ascension. But I need to just take a chance. I need to see if I can do it. I need to see if I have what it takes to be one of the best that this company…that this industry has to offer. I’m just asking for one shot. Just this once. I swear to God, I won’t ask for a single thing like this again.

By this point, Jessi’s hands are clasped together as she stands before the CEO, her heavy grip defined by the whiteness of her knuckles. The crowd are fully behind her now, even helping her plead her case.

Crowd: LET! HER! HAVE! IT!
clap clap clap clap clap
Crowd: LET! HER! HAVE! IT!
clap clap clap clap clap

Brody looks around him at the audience, listening to the roar of the crowd. As they take a moment to quiet down, he turns to Jessi again, looking at her with a stern but understanding gaze. He lifts the microphone up again.

Steven Brody: Alright, Jessi. Alright. You wanna see for yourself if you have what it takes? That’s exactly what I want from an NFW wrestler. That is exactly the attitude I wanna see. So here’s what I’m gonna do. Here’s what we are gonna do, you and me.

He motions between himself and Jessi, then acknowledging that she’s dressed to compete.

Steven Brody: You came out here in your gear. That’s good. Proof that you’re a ready and willing competitor at any given moment. So here’s the deal. We have four weeks before Ascension. Four. I’m gonna give you a test that I only give to those I feel confident can handle. Three matches. Tonight. Next week. The week after. Call it an extended gauntlet, if you will. You show me that fire. You show me that fighting spirit. You do that? I’ll sign off, personally, on the match myself. Jessi Ozborne. Kasey Kash. The Zion Wrestling Undisputed Championship. April 25th. Ascension. How about it?

Jessi rapidly nods, realizing she’s on the cusp of getting exactly what she wants.

Jessi Ozborne: Three people. Three-hundred people. Bring them all on! Whatever it takes to get that shot, I’ll do it! You got yourself a deal!

Jessi quickly shakes Brody’s hand, with the crowd cheering as they realize that she may have a chance.

Jessi Ozborne: I promise you, I am going to make the absolute most of this opportunity you’re giving me. Thank you so much!

Brody smiles and nods, stepping out onto the apron before turning to Jessi one final time.

Steven Brody: I know you will, Jessi.

Without another word, the CEO steps down to the floor via the steps and silently makes his way swiftly up to the stage and disappears through the tunnel to the back as Jessi gets ready. There’s a momentary silence then…before “Animals” by Architects blasts over the PA, preceding the appearance of Brett Irwin having been sent out as Jessi’s first test…
We cut to show Collision Interviewer Amanda Thorn standing with a microphone. She smiles at the camera.

Amanda Thorn: It’s been an amazing night so far. I’m here waiting for the three-time NFW World Heavyweight Champion Marilyn Matthews to join me.

Marilyn walks into the frame slowly. She is dressed casually seeing as she wasn’t booked tonight. She smiles at Amanda as the crowd pops seeing her. They wait for a moment before Amanda continues.

Amanda Thorn: Thank you for joining me, Mrs. Matthews. I have just a couple questions for you.

Marilyn Matthews: It’s a pleasure Amanda. Please, ask away.

Amanda Thorn: Well, we are all glad to have you back after your break. Congratulations by the way. What are you looking to do here now? Do you want to add on to your World Title count or is something else catching your eye?

Marilyn Matthews: Thank you, Amanda. It’s good to be back. As much as I love the reason I was gone I am glad to be back. As far as what I’m going to do goes, World Title ain’t even in my sights right now. Not saying I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity for it, but I’m not going to go out of my way. I’m just here to do what I do best. Maybe Morg and I go for the tag titles. Maybe I go for the Silver Mountain Title. Who knows. But for now, I have to deal with that big ass hamburger.

Amanda couldn’t stop her chuckle. After regaining her composure she nodded.

Amanda Thorn: I have no doubt you’ll claim whatever title you set your eyes on. Speaking of Toro, have you figured out why he has been attacking you? Any hint?

Marilyn Matthews: Your guess is as good as mine at this point. I have no idea what the reason is. But if he continues this I’ll have to deal with it like I always do. Show him exactly why…

Mary was cut off as out of nowhere Toro barges into the shot. Amanda screams and moves out of the way quickly. The giant of a man that is Toro takes Mary down with a massive shoulder charge. The former World Champion hits the wall hard and bounces off of it, landing on the floor with a thud. He then drops down to a knee and starts to hammer massive punches down at Mary. He only stops to readjust his position and starts using the other hand. After a solid three minutes of this assault security swarms the scene. It takes a dozen of them to finally pull the beast off of Mary. Medical staff rushes in to check on her as Toro is escorted off.
We open up backstage where we see Amanda Thorn standing there with a microphone in her hand. She gave a smile.

Amanda Thorn: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest, Chasity Cage.

Chasity Cage: Thanks Amanda, so you said you wanted to speak to me about what’s happened the past few weeks. What’s your question?

Amanda nods her head as she gives a quick look at Chasity.

Amanda Thorn: You debuted a couple of weeks ago, looking great in your first match, but then last week, it took Coco St. Cloud to use the ropes to get the win over you. How are you feeling after last week?

Chasity Cage: Honestly Amanda, that loss made me question why I continue to do this. But thanks to the most amazing boyfriend and my best friend, I was reminded. You see Coco thinks this is over, but it’s far from that. It’s just a matter of time before I show her PRECISELY who I am.

And as if on cue, we see Corey walk into the frame, wrapping his arms around the waist of Chasity and pulling her into a passionate kiss that causes Amanda to roll her eyes a little bit.

Corey Alexander: That’s right Amanda, Chasity knows she was cheated, I know she was cheated, all the people watching know she was cheated last week because we all know Coco St. Cloud can’t compare to my baby girl in both looks and talent. Nobody can even come close to comparing to Chasity Cage.

Chasity Cage: Hey baby. See, he knows it, they know it, everyone does. Now, it’s time for me to start teaching Coco, the error of her ways, and how better to do that.. Then to cause a little chaos every time she’s in the ring.

Corey grins, giving Chasity a squeeze and kiss on the cheek.

Amanda Thorn: How are you planning on going about that exactly?

Corey Alexander: Now, Amanda, if we told you, that would ruin all the fun, wouldn’t it?

Chasity Cage: I can’t just give away all my secrets right off the bat Amanda. If I did that, they wouldn’t be a surprise for our little friend, Coco. She thinks that talking shit about my name, calling me poor. Honey, you know nothing about me. I didn’t grow up in the ghetto, I grew up in an elegant home, one of those old ones, with a rich history. I didn’t have to worry about anything, other than my grades. I went to the best schools, the best university. But my passion was in wrestling. And unlike you, I don’t have to pay my way to the top. I’ll get there by kicking your ass. You think you know me. Think again.

Corey and Chasity look at her before walking off, with Corey grabbing a handful of her ass, before slipping his hand into her back pocket.
The match ends and Morgan Payne is celebrating her victory in the ring in front of the Chicago crowd. Dona Rotten sits up on the mat, looking dejected but accepting of the outcome. Morgan sees her and offers a hand to help her up but Dona politely waves it off and stands on her own. The two stare at each other for a moment as Morgan keeps her hand extended, this time for a shake. Dona shakes her hand firmly and raises her arm, pointing to her before going to leave the ring. Dona and Alice start heading up the walkway when Morgan watches for a brief moment before calling for a microphone. She starts to speak as her music is cut off.

Morgan Payne: Yo yo yo, Dona. Dona! Stop, stop.

Nick Hanson: What’s going on?

Jim Reynolds: Champ’s got something to say, Nicky. Shut the fuck up!

Dona and Alice turn towards the ring as Morgan motions for the former to come back.

Morgan Payne: C’mere. Come back in here wif me.

Dona and Alice talk back and forth for a second before Dona tells Alice to wait where she is and walks back to the ring. She climbs back inside and stands before Morgan. Morgan steps forward with a fist out.

Morgan Payne: Gimme some.

Dona bumps her fist and looks at Morgan, expecting there’s more to her calling her back in than just that. Surely enough, Morgan continues.

Morgan Payne: Dona. You one of da baddest bitches to ever step inside a wrestling ring. You an’ Eddy Poe rolled up in here four years ago and I watched yinz run wild together. Yinz tore da gah damn house dahn. You been kickin’ ass in wrestling rings all over da world from here in da states, all da way over in Japan. Ahnno from seein’, you can’t walk dahn da streets of Osaka wifout people comin’ up and wantin’ to shake your hand. Grab a quick picture. You got a rep in dis business. People know who you are and for good reason.

Dona can’t seem to help but give a humble smile as she pushes her hair out of her face and the crowd starts to chant.

Crowd: DO-NA ROT-TEN!
DO-NA ROT-TEN!
DO-NA-ROT-TEN!
DO-NA ROT-TEN!

Dona looks around at the audience, getting a little misty eyed. She puts a hand over her heart and throws the horns up to the crowd who throw them right back. Morgan continues with her words taking on a more serious tone.

Morgan Payne: ...But in da match we just had…I felt like somethin’ was missin’. I feel like da Dona Rotten dis world has come to know wasn’t there.

The crowd murmurs in confusion as Dona slowly turns to Morgan, looking equally taken aback.

Morgan Payne: Ahnno da past year and a half ain’t been easy, chick. You been through alotta bullshit as a wrestler. Losin’ da Genesis Title to a sneaky ass bitch who only ever gained accolades by stabbin’ in da dahk. Trust me, ahnno what it’s like to deal with muhfuckers like dat. It’s aggravating. It’s frustrating. Ahnno it killed your motivation to da point, you almost hung up ya boots. Now it seems like your fire’s only half relit. It ain’t burnin’ as hot and bright as ahnno it can. As these people know it can. As you know it can!

Morgan gently jabs a finger into Dona’s chest. Dona looks down at the hand and up at Morgan with narrowing, curious eyes. What’s she getting at?

Morgan Payne: They used t’call you da Scream Queen. Not ‘cuz you ran arahnd screamin’ but ‘cuz muhfuckers used t’scream at the idea of havin’ to fight you. And yanno somethin’ Dona? I miss her. I miss da Scream Queen. NFW misses da Scream Queen. Professional! Fucking! Wrestling! Misses! Da Scream Queen!

Morgan turns to the crowd, asking them to back her up on this and Chicago goes wild.

Crowd: SCREAM QUEEN!
SCREAM QUEEN!
SCREAM QUEEN!
SCREAM QUEEN!

Morgan looks at Dona and shrugs her shoulders, motioning to the fans again as if to say “see?” After they quiet down, she brings the mic back up.

Morgan Payne: So here’s what I wanna do, chick. And I don’t mean no disrespect to you. Yahoo dis. I fuckin’ love you. We always been tight as hell. But here’s what I want’chu t’do. I want you to dig deep. I want’chu to look inside yourself and I want you to find where in your soul dat nightmarish bitch is hiding. I want’chu to wake her up. I want’chu to tell her she’s got an opportunity to be a champion again. ‘Cuz I wanna offer you a rematch for dis World Title. April 25th. Right here at da Colosseum. At Ascension. Da Scream Queen, Dona Rotten…versus Da Ace, Morgan Payne!

Dona lifts her head to look directly into Morgan’s eyes as the crowd roars their approval. Morgan sticks out her hand.

Morgan Payne: How ‘bout it, Dona? C’mon. Fuck a gahdamn contract signin’, let’s make dis official right ‘ere.

Nick Hanson: A handshake agreement for a World Title match at Ascension!

Jim Reynolds: I’d watch these two again!

Dona looks around at the crowd then back to Morgan. She looks back at Alice who’s applauding with them. She turns back to Morgan…and nods, shaking her hand much to the crowd’s approval!

Nick Hanson: YES!!!! YES!!!!!

Jim Reynolds: This is gonna be great, Nicky!!

Morgan and Dona share a hearty handshake. They each turn and start to part ways, but before their hands break away, as Morgan releases on her end, Dona’s hand suddenly snaps out and catches Morgan by the wrist. Dona yanks Morgan in, turns back towards her and BLASTS HER WITH A GREEN CLOUD OF “VENOMOUS MIST” RIGHT IN THE FACE!!!!! Morgan grabs her face, clawing at her eyes!!!!!

Nick Hanson: WHAT THE HELL?!?! DONA ROTTEN!!! WITH THAT MIST!!!!

Jim Reynolds: WHAT’S SHE DOING?!

Morgan drops down to one knee, trying to rub the mist out of her eyes. Dona Rotten looms over her, sneering with remnants of the mist around her mouth and running down her chin. She runs off the ropes behind Morgan and DROPS HER WITH A “CHAINSAW KICK”!!!!!!!! Morgan is Laid!! Out!! Dona drops down to one knee beside her and runs a finger down Morgan’s cheek, pushing some hair out of her face. She grins a green stained smile as she picks up the World Heavyweight belt and admires it for a second. Dona gingerly places it on Morgan’s chest and folds one of her arms over it before picking up the mic. There’s a look in Dona’s eyes, long unseen as she brings the mic up to her green smeared lips.

Dona Rotten: ...You’re…On.

Godsmack’s “Bulletproof” comes on over the speakers as Dona drop the mic down beside Morgan and stands up, looking around at the stunned audience. The show slowly starts to fade out, going off the air with a “HO-LY SHIT” chant echoing around the arena.