NFW Trauma #109 - 05/20/2023!

The show has barely returned from a promotional time-out when we’re seeing through the eyes of a camera being rushed through the backstage area! In the distance we can hear shouting and multiple impacts, leading one to believe that there’s a brawl going on… and it turns out to be just that! Lana Corvin is the first one spotted, laying in right hands to someone of whom she has a tight handful of their hair while she peppers them with rights! After a few moments we can make out the form of Damon Cross, but only after he rips free of Lana’s grip and drives his head into hers! The shot hurts both of them, but Lana gets the worst of it, letting Damon get in some fists of his own!

Security is about, but they seem hesitant to get in the middle of the two and are mostly keeping the fans at bay as the two future opponents are battling awfully close to concessions! Lana boots Damon dangerously close to the waistline, putting a stop to his barrage, yet her charge ends with her grabbed and hurled over a refreshment counter, in the process wiping out a popcorn machine and sending over-buttered kernels flying everywhere!

Seth Ernst: Looks like this time no one is getting in the way of these two battling it out! But I can’t imagine that Mrs. Viskan is gonna like this!

Miranda Augustino: After all the shit Damon has been talking, all the instigating and bitching and all else? You better believe she’s not! An I agree with that sentiment!

Lucas Knox: Five bucks says Lana’s old man put her up to the idea of taking the fight to Damon after what almost happened last week!

Seth Ernst: That’s actually pretty logical!

And Lana isn’t done just because her pores are clogged by plant butter! As Damon throws aside a security guard making the foolish choice of trying to stop the brawl, sending him careening into a group of trash cans, the United States Champion comes up with a vengeance, chucking a salt shaker full-force at Damon’s face! He doesn’t have much time to react, not even able to get a hand up before the condiment container smashes over his forehead, sending iodized seasonings into his eyes!

Damon Cross: Gah… fuck, that stings!

Lana slides over the counter, snatching a pitcher full of what appears to be beer of some kind from off a nearby counter and rearing back as she approaches the momentarily distracted Cross!

Lana Corvin: You ain’t felt shit yet!

The shatterproof plastic cracks something fierce when Lana smashes it upside Damon’s head, and while it does wash away some of the salt, the alcohol stings a fair bit and the weight of it stuns Damon further. Lana boots him again, grabbing him in a front facelock and driving clubbing blows between his shoulders! Damon fires back with wild punches to the ribs, but most of them are off-center. Lana drags him towards another of the counters, reaching over the counter and grabbing, of all things, a pizza cutter!

Miranda Augustino: Gonna slice him like a deep dish! Get after it, Lana!

That’s exactly her intention! Damon catches sight of it somehow, though, and goes into defense mode, driving Lana back-first into the counter, doing it a second time before she fully lets go of him and drops the implement! There’s some blood dripping down Damon’s cheek, mixed with beer and flecks of white, and the Unforgiven looks more than a little pissed by this point… except for the sick smile he’s wearing.

Seth Ernst: That… that isn’t a good look!

Lucas Knox: What’s he thinking about doing now?!

Grabbing one of the hot pizza trays from nearby, Damon grabs and takes a big bite of the pepperoni piece that was left on it before tossing that aside and waffling Lana in the face with the hot metal! He gets in a second shot to the back before she knocks the weapon away and the two degenerate back into trying to strip-mine each other’s faces with their knuckles!

Miranda Augustino: If these two keep it up, there might not BE a title match at Manifest Destiny! But if that means the belt stays with Lana, I’m all for it!

Seth Ernst: Don’t get your hopes up, Miranda! It looks like security is finally stepping in now that they have some backup!

Miranda Augustino: Phooey!

That back-up comes in the form of law enforcement, the group parting into two sides, each one separating the brawlers and, in turn, hustling them towards the exits! LeeAnn Viskan even appears briefly, telling the security and police to do just that and to “make sure they STAY out!” before leaving the scene! The fans are cheering for more carnage, and both champion and challenger are clearly trying to get at one another again, but neither makes much headway before they’re escorted forcibly to different exits, with Ashe Corvin moving in to harangue the guards who are moving his champion daughter away!

Lucas Knox: Well, that’s that, I suppose! Talk about intense! They might ought to lighten up on the rules come their title match, otherwise the ring might not contain them!
Backstage, Jordan Majors is standing by with Dominique Ciotti. Jordan has one of the NFW Tag Team Championships resting on her left shoulder. She looks primed and ready to go in her ring gear.

Dominique Ciotti: I’m standing with Jordan Majors as she prepares to head out for her first-round match against Lyra in the Event Horizon Tournament. First off, Jordan, welcome to Trauma.

Jordan Majors: Thanks, Dominique. Always fun to make a trip to the other brand. I know quite a few of the talents over here so it’s nice to see them at their home.

Dominique nods and quickly changes her demeanor as she changes tone.

Dominique Ciotti: Obviously, a very tough match on tap for you tonight against Lyra. We’ve come to know that Lyra is just downright insane, for lack of a better description. And to face her in a no disqualification match? I’m sure this must be weighing a bit heavy on you?

Jordan grins a bit and then nods at nothing in particular. She unconsciously fixes her hair behind her ears and looks at Dominique.

Jordan Majors: Am I worried? Anyone who tells you they aren’t a little worried is lying. This kind of match… anything can happen, right? But the weird thing is that it excites me. I sat earlier this week and talked with Yennefer Filth. This is really more of her arena, this type of match. And talking to her about this all just got me really exhilarated. I know that probably makes ME sound a little unhinged, but look… I don’t get to do this kind of thing all that often. So as soon as the no DQ part of this tournament was revealed, I was absolutely ready for anything and everything. Beat me with a chair, hit me with a bat, choke me with a camera wire, just… mmm.

Jordan grins. She sort of shimmies in place and laughs to herself before looking at Dominique, who seems confused and slightly concerned.

Jordan Majors: The other thing is, I love tournaments. If I get hurt here, it will be my own doing. Because this tournament was smaller when I tossed my name in the mix. There’s something about testing yourself. Pushing your body to its limit and finding limits you didn’t know you had. There’s a reason I’ve gone from debut on Collision to a tag team champion so quickly. There’s a reason I have won so many championships in my career. I’m never afraid of taking on a challenge. I know Lyra is truly unpredictable. But maybe the truth is I’ll enjoy the pain she inflicts. And maybe she isn’t capable of putting me through so much pain that I can’t go anymore.

Dominique Ciotti: Are you… are you saying that you want her to hurt you?

Jordan Majors: I invite her to try. This tournament might favor the bold and the crazy. But I think it most favors the ones that can take it. The ones who will be put through massive amounts of pain and dish equal amounts right back at their opponent. It favors people like Jordan Majors who frequently show more heart and determination than just about anyone in this industry. And I know that sounds like generic wrestle speak, Dom. But ask anyone who’s been in the ring with me. I’m just built differently. My career speaks for itself. Never the strongest. Never the fastest. Never the most talented. But always the most willing to take everything you have and keep on coming. So make me hurt Lyra. Make me want to give up, baby. And see who comes out on the other end.

Jordan looks at Dominique and shoots her a confident smile.

Jordan Majors: Maybe get used to seeing more of me on Trauma. Because I plan on walking back through that curtain as the winner. Whether I’m covered in her blood, or my own. You can take that to the bank, Dom. Because this girl… she’s money.

Jordan smirks as she exits past Dominique and heads for the curtain. Dominique turns and looks back at the camera.
The scene opens with Trauma backstage interview Dakota Winters, standing in front of a Trauma logo'd backdrop with a microphone in hand. 

DAKOTA WINTERS: "Ladies and Gentlemen, joining me at this time is the manager of the Heroes for Hire, Gregory Murphy -"

Before Winters can continue, Murphy interjects:

MURPHY: "Whoa, whoa, Dakota, what happened to the whole intro thing we discussed before-hand? Y'know, 'the world renowned wrestling agent and author of a New-York's time's best selling booking, the manager of the most complete faction in all of professional wrestling... Gregory Murphy..."

Dakota rolls her eyes as Murphy grins from ear to ear. 

DAKOTA WINTERS: "Well there you go Greg, you just said it for me."

MURPHY: "Yeah but it would've been better if you had just stuck to the script."

DAKOTA WINTERS: "Moving forward, despite none of your clients being in action tonight, you're here tonight - is there any particular reason?"

MURPHY: "I'm a member of the roster Dakota, just as much as anybody else, I'm signed as a manager... I'm just here, doing what managers do, scouting the talent here on Trauma and analyzing who, and where the problem is... but that's just the thing Dakota, the problem is everyone and the problem lies everywhere. This roster is infested with dirtbags, low-lives and scum, the worst of the worst. We see it on a weekly basis, teams running riot and causing havoc. There's a few people, fighting the good cause, fighting the good fight and being professionals in what they do. Hell, the current Genesis Champion Nakita Niles has been one of those bright sparks! She's been there, in the trenches, having to fight injustice since she's been here and now she's got a title... but still, that isn't enough."

Murphy pauses, shaking his head in dismay as he sighs. 

MURPHY: "Whether it's the Queens of Chaos or The Tracey Family, or our United States Champion Lana Corvin, or even The Bastard King, Trauma's very own Undisputed Champion, Kai Morgan... they're tarnishing everything this brand should be about! It should be about honor! It should be about respect! It should be about wrestling and just that, but these guys, they're accustomed to bending the rules and playing by their own, and that's fine... we get that. Are we prepared to stoop to their level? No. But what we can do, is outwrestle them, Dakota.

A smile grows on the face of Murphy as he continues.

MURPHY: "What we can do is fight them, at every hurdle, at every step of the way, we'll be there - ready to burn everything to the ground and start anew! Your Hero and Mine, he's ready to take the mantle. He's ready to be that hero, to be that shining light that this brand needs as a beacon of hope. He's a ready made man, on the cusp of conquering it all and alongside him, he's flanked by the greatest trio's team to ever assemble, in The Golden Ace; Takashi Shinobu, and the duo known as Strike 2 Kill; Liam Richardson and Miles Watson. The greatest faction in all of professional wrestling! But you know this all, already! A new age here on Trauma. Where the Heroes for Hire are at the mountaintop, and at your service."

The scene gradually fades to black.
Ringside at the NFW Collision Center. The Kerry's music hits. They make their way to the ring, family together. They all get mikes.

Jericho: With everything workibg against us or very unsure about our future, we are still standing.

Deedray: It don't matter who you are, what your résumé is, or how far back you go because ours always speaks for itself.

Valereigh: Straight up point, we know we got everything it takes.

Jericho: So in case it's bot clear: Dee and Val tonight are gonna do exactly what needs to be done. Our family legacy will be secure.

Deedray: And my chance at a littke payback.

Jericho: And that too. Because there are no weak links here. You hear that Queens? There are no weak links. You're gonna fight a family unit. That's how we were raised its how we train, its how we live.

Deedray: Your reign is coming to an end and after we bury Legacies under our legacy there won't be a question anymore.

Valereigh: There isn't anything that beats family. Legacies follow their lines but they aren't family. Queens got the attention and skill, but still not family.

Jericho: It all makes a difference. And it all comes to light tonight.

Deedray: Me and Val, we carry just as much of the burden, even if we aren't related by blood. There are just some things, when you grow up together that makes bonds stronger even than that. So bring it on because we are aboit to put that exclamation mark at the end of "and new" sooner rather than later.

Fade.
As Legacies reconvenes and recovers inside the ring, The Kerry Family all come together to celebrate the victory. Alexandra and Jamie help each other to their feet just as they notice the three Kerry siblings turning their attention towards them. The three look at each other then back at the two opponents from the match that just ended. Alex and Jamie tense up, looking ready for a further fight if it comes down to it. As feared, the Kerry Family appear pleased with themselves as they spread out and move forward, looking to try and surround the Legacies members.

Seth Ernst: Aw, what’s this now? Three on one?

Miranda Augustino: I’m told Lana Corvin has been removed from the building with Damon Cross. She can’t get out here if things get ugly!

Lucas Knox: Things look like they’re about to get very ugly! The Kerry Family’s got a shot at the trios titles. They don’t wanna do this.

Seth Ernst: They talked about some payback. I don’t think they’re done collecting!

Miranda Augustino: Well, if Alexandra and Jamie can’t get out of there, they’re gonna have to pay the pi–

Just when it looks like the Kerry Family are about to pounce on the two, the lights in the arena go completely out and the crowd starts buzzing.

Lucas Knox: Wait a minute! Is this…? What’s going on?

Miranda Augustino: Power failure? Guys?

Seth Ernst: I can still hear you over my headset. It isn’t the power! Someone killed the lights!

Lucas Knox: Is Lana Corvin back?! Did she slip back into the arena?!

Miranda Augustino: I don’t know, Lucas. We know she was removed from the premises. Maybe she—OHHHHHHHHH HO HOOOOO SHIIIIIIT!

Miranda immediately switches gears as the lights in the arena come back on and, standing behind The Kerry Family is…ADRIANNA SALVATORE! What’s more is she’s wearing…a LEGACIES SHIRT!

Seth Ernst: She’s back!!! Adrianna Salvatore is back!!!! And she’s with Legacies!!!

Lucas Knox: The Kerry Family doesn’t see her!!

Miranda Augustino: No, but Austin and Calaway do and they’re fucking loving it!

Indeed, Jamie and Alexandra’s faces have gone from wary of being outnumbered to flat out laughing right at The Kerry Family. When it finally dawns on them that something’s up, they turn around to see the intimidating woman before them with a twisted smirk on her blackened lips. She draws her thumb across her throat and jams it towards the mat. Chicago, Illinois yells in sync:

Crowd: CLICK! BOOM TIME!!!

Deedray and Valereigh both pivot around towards Jamie and Alexandra. Deedray eats a G2 Stunner from Jamie while Alexandra drops Valereigh with a picture perfect Superkick. Jericho flies into fight mode and turns to swing on Adrianna but the apparent new member of Legacies catches his arm and blasts him with a shot of her own. Once. Twice. Then whips him across the ring into the ropes. As he goes across, Adrianna hits the ropes on that side, rushing to meet him in the middle with “GAMMA RAY BURST (Impact Spear)!!” Each taking a heavy hit, The Kerries roll out of the ring and join together on the ramp as Legacies comes together in the ring. Alexandra Calaway snatches a microphone from Thea Crawford.

Alexandra Calaway: Ladies and gentlemen, please! Will you bring your attention to me?

She says with a knowing smirk that gets a more positive reaction out of the crowd.

Alexandra Calaway: Allow me to introduce to you, the new member of Legacies. Protege of the great Vlad Blackheart. Daughter of Doomsday. The Walking Apocalypse! Adrianna! Fucking! Salvatore!

Adrianna raises her fists above her head, relishing wickedly in the reception as the three now turn to the Kerry Family on the stage.

Alexandra Calaway: Something you three would do well to remember the next time you decide to jump: this is our house. Bitches!

She tosses the microphone away as Legacies’ music hits and the three stand tall in the ring with Alex and Jamie warmly welcoming their new member.
Tanja Devereaux had just stepped out of the locker room area for the female roster members of Trauma after she was keeping an eye on the events of Trauma before her 1st round match in the Event Horizons Tournament. She noticed that Celeste St. Laurent was coming up to join her with concern on her face. Tanja stopped as she narrowed her eyes to her spiritual advisor before calling her out.

Tanja Devereaux Care to share with us why you look so upset Celeste?

Celeste St. Laurent I am beginning to worry that your delay in dealing with the situation at hand is not going to end well. I know that you wanted to wait for the right time but I am thinking that you should not delay any longer..

Tanja Devereaux You know full well why we are rushing our plans, old friend. We need to deal with this matter in a manner that does not overwhelm the situation.

Celeste St. Laurent The longer you wait……..

Tanja Devereaux You gave us this warning before. You have seen what she has been dealing with as of late and we can’t force our mission and path onto her. You, as another person of leadership, will understand that we need to take things one day at a time. Papa Legba would not allow us to force anyone to do anything they didn’t want to

Celeste remained silent as Tanja folded her arms.

Tanja Devereaux We may have our plans to do some involvement in aiding someone on the Trauma roster but we must wait for the opportune time to do so but we have other things to plan for.

Tanja nodded as Celeste remained at distance from the Cajun. Someone that worked backstage leaned towards Celeste and whispered something into her ear. Celeste nodded and informed the backstage hand that she would speak to Tanja at a later date.

Tanja Devereaux Our plans for the Event Horizons tournament is to make sure that Trauma is represented properly in the finals. In the long run, we want that the title is represented properly on both brands as we have had experience in these extreme style hardcore matches with the scars and bruises to prove it. We will show those scars in time but our warning to others in the tournament has been given

Celeste bowed to Tanja and placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her the message that was from the backstage worker. Tanja nodded to her and the two of them went back to the locker room area.
After the main event match, we fade over to a grassy area, barely illuminated under the natural lights of the nighttime. Though we’re not able to see much, the faint silhouettes of stones rising from the ground seems to indicate that we’re in a graveyard. A pair of headlights cut through the dark now, with a truck parking in the path splitting the sets of epitaphs. Out from the truck comes Kai Morgan, a lantern in one hand, and the NFW Undisputed Championship belt in the other.

Kai Morgan: One thing I’ve learned in this business is that you learn more about the people around you by watching what they do more than hearing what they say.

Kai begins slowly walking past a row of tombstones, dragging the lantern along to illuminate the tops of them.

Kai Morgan: Stacy Jones seems to think she has my number. That she’s gonna be the one to knock me off my perch. But one thing that you need to understand is that the first battle you need to win is the mental one. That’s one that I’ve won every single time. It’s the reason why the list of names I’ve down goes so far. And this time it’s no different. I’ve seen all the rants. All the garbage Stacy has been talking about over the past few weeks. The fact that she’s willing to put her career on the line for this. And all for what? Because I won’t take her seriously?

Kai walks by another tombstone.

Kai Morgan: Let me explain something to you, Stace. Can I call ya that? I don’t care. See, the thing about me is the whole “I’m gonna be the one to take you down” speech has been overdone for me. I’m simply tired of it. Especially since every time I hear it, it never seems to come true. So it really is no offense to you, I promise you that much. It’s just that sometimes you hear something so much that it just comes across as white noise to you, and I don’t see you breaking up the static.

Kai walks by another tombstone. This time something about its appearance is very noticeable to those at home, with the name on it reading “XANDER FILLMORE” in big, bold letters.

Kai Morgan: And that truly is a shame, because you’ve had a hell of a career so far. I don’t wanna have to end it, but I know I’m going to. The only thing stopping me from feeling fully sympathetic for you is the fact that you did this to yourself. You saw my track record, you saw what I can manage to do, and instead of deciding to take your incoming defeat on the chin and living to see the day where you might have a chance, you instead decided to throw that all away, and I just don’t know why you would do that.

Kai passes another tombstone, this time with the name “KASEY KASH” engraved in it.

Kai Morgan: Now, I’m gonna be honest with you, whether Stacy wins or not, someone’s going away after this match is all said and done. I got better shit to do and quite frankly, you all don’t deserve me. I’m gonna put my unmeasurable talent to good use somewhere it’ll be appreciated. Only reason I’m going through with this match is because I wanna leave this place one more person and title short.

Kai passes by one last tombstone, this one labeled “NATHANIEL DIXON”, before stopping at a final one. The ground before it was completely uprooted in a perfect rectangle fit for a coffin. It’s all too predictable that the tombstone bears the name of “STACY JONES”.

Kai Morgan: So what happens to the New Frontier Championship once I take off with it? Huh? Well, that’s why I’m out here. I’m not usually one for theatrics, but I made an exception this one time, because I wanna illustrate just what upholding this legacy means to me. I wanna show you all what happens to this place once I’m no longer around to carry it on my back. I wanna show you just what’s gonna happen to Stacy Jones’ career after I put an end to it.

With that, Kai throws the Undisputed Championship into the hole in the ground. He then reaches into his pocket, grabbing a box of matches.

Kai Morgan: It’s all gonna look a little something like this.

With that, Kai lights one of the matches and throws it into the hole with the belt, setting the entire burial sight ablaze. He looks over the flames, before talking off, the last visual of the night being the fire engulfing the sight of Stacy Jones’ metaphorical grave.