Post by Steven Brody, CEO on May 20, 2018 16:28:03 GMT -8
After the opening vignette to the show, we are greeted by the routine show of pyro going off on stage. The crowd raises their various signs, obviously amped up for tonight's show.
Hanson: "Welcome to New Frontier Wrestling, ladies and gentlemen! We are live at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida!"
Reynolds: "I am PUMPED, Nicky! It's the go-home show before Reckoning Day and things are heating up!"
Hanson: "That's putting it mildly, partner. Last week, we saw Lara Blackheart's plan finally unfold. The RETURN of the Dominion of Pain!"
Reynolds: "Things are getting scary, Nicky. Judas Lasher is one of if not THE most unpredictable minds we have ever seen in professional wrestling!"
Hanson: "Master strategizer and expert technician in the ring."
Reynolds: "Dude's like a fucking Satanic Lex Luthor."
Hanson: "That...might be the most accurate comparison I've ever heard."
Reynolds: "Am I ever wrong?"
Hanson: "Well, that's debatable, Jim, but let's just sit back and see where this all goes."
Without warning, the lights in the arena suddenly went out. Not some of them, not just dimmed... but literally the entire arena went into blackout, the only light visible coming from the flashing of cameras in the audience.
There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence, before a choir could be heard over the loudspeaker.
"Belial... Behemoth... Beelzebub..."
"Asmodeus... Satanas... Lucifer."
Ghost's "Year Zero" kicked in then, a blood red spotlight shining on the ramp and the aisle as The Dominion made their way from behind the curtain. Leading the way were Judas Lasher, long white dreadlocks tied back into a makeshift ponytail, and wearing a black suit with red tie, and LeeAnn Viskan, formerly red hair now dyed black, and wearing a short black dress with matching knee-high leather boots. Behind them were The Crimson Sabre, black, purple, and red lucha mask and baggy purple pants adorning his slight but chisled frame, The Buzzsaw, looking menacing as ever, black tribal tattoos covering the majority of his arms and chest, his black and red Darth Maul-inspired mask adding to his intimidating appearance, and the Dominion’s weapon of mass destruction, Doomsday. Towering over the rest of the group, the nigh seven footer walked along close behind them in loose black leather pants, boots and a black denim/leather coat (denim sleeves with a leather body and hood) with the hood hiding his face. The back of his coat bore the symbol for nuclear hazard with the words ‘NO MERCY FOR ALL’ bordering the outside.
As the group made their way to the ring, Lasher and LeeAnn stood on the ring apron, as Sabre and Buzzsaw held the ropes for them to enter. taking the microphone as he walked to center ring, he stayed silent for a moment, as the crowd chanted "WELCOME BACK! WELCOME BACK!"
"Ten years. That's how long it's been since I stepped into this ring. I was happily retired, and focusing on writing my first book, a manifesto on modern Satanism. LeeAnn here... was also retired. She was focusing on married life, and on helping her child begin her own wrestling career. The Sabre was living in Mexico, running a wrestling school. Doomsday was mostly retired... although I don't know that one ever truly retires from being an engine of destruction, eh, Matteo?" He grinned at Doomsday, before looking at Buzzsaw, who had gone from an obvious midcarder years ago to one who quite clearly was now main event material. "And my crown jewel... The Buzzsaw. So green when I first took him under my wing. He's spent ten years in Japan, Germany, Australia, and Mexico, winning titles and becoming more dangerous with every match."
He turned back toward the camera, an evil glare now aimed directly at wherever Abaddon might be watching.
"Ten years. And yet.... all it took was one phone call to bring The Dominion back. You see, once you've been part of the Dominion... you're Dominion for life. And Vlad Blackheart..." he paused, as the crowd cheered the mere sound of his name, "While most of these people knew him as 'Eazy V', or as 'Dr. Feelgood'.... when he came into this sport, he was Vlad The Impaler. The man we called Satan's Son. He was vicious. He was hungry. And most importantly... he was like a brother to me. When he passed away.... I took his young daughter Lara aside at his funeral, and told her, "Vlad was family. And now you are as well". I told her that she was officially a legacy member of this group. And that just as we'd have dropped everything to come to Vlad's aid... we now would do so for his offspring."
'But this was not merely a call for help.... you see, Abaddon, when your piddling group of Dominion wannabes were merely bullying a young girl, a simple one-off beating to show you your place may have sufficed. But to torment this girl? To put hands on her mother? Lara knew what I know - the only way to solve this... is to salt the earth. To bring The Dominion back fully, and destroy The Circle of Snakes entirely. Not simply a beating. Not simply an embarrassing display... no, this must be solved by the absolute destruction of Abaddon, and the dissolution of his group of followers.And... speaking of those followers..."
He walked over to Doomsday, handing him the microphone. "I think my friend would like to address one certain member of the group. You've been... a bad, bad girl."
Doomsday took the microphone, beginning to slowly pace around the ring as he thought on what to say.
Hanson: “Bad girl...what?”
Reynolds: “Is Judas talking about...?”
“APOCALYPTA!!”
Doomsday’s voice was as loud as he was big. The giant stopped in his tracks, standing with his brethren again and staring into the camera as it closed in on him. The bottom half of his mask visible from under his hood...until he revealed the rest by pushing it off of his head to reveal the proverbial fire in his eyes. His voice softened to a deep growl that could still shake one’s soul.
“The damage you’ve caused...the shame you’ve brought upon your blood...is inexcusable. I’ve sat back and let you do you, because that’s how you were raised. That’s how BOTH of you...were raised! If it weren’t for your brother...I might have considered myself a failure...as a father.”
Hanson: “WHAT?!”
Reynolds: “HOOOOLY COW!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
“You may not know it, but I’ve been watching you both since you stepped into this company.” Doomsday growled low, snarling into the mic. “And at first...I felt the pride of a father who’s children worked...and strived...to follow in his footsteps but at the same time, blaze their own path. Nico picked a fight with a dog in the yard who’s just as bad as him to prove that he is the alpha male. You...left a trail of carnage behind you and became the top of your division. You hold the crown of the women’s division. But at what cost?” He snorted and pointed to the side towards the back. “Following a fool who fancies himself a master of darkness and casting aside the ones you came up with. Turning your back on your sisters who learned your craft along side you. And you SPIT on the memory of the one who helped to make you who you are in this business!” Doomsday rests a hand on his chest. “I taught you how to turn your strength into a weapon...I took you and your brother to Pittsburgh to harness your technical skill and learn how to move inside this arena.” He circles his finger around in front of him.
Doomsday pauses to brush his hair out of his masked face. “Then, when the two of you became a couple of the most dangerous athletes, ready for the indies...we went to Chicago and you learned how to make yourselves unique. How to portray yourselves and stand out among the duplicates and the impersonators. There was only one guy I knew who had the charisma and knowledge to teach you what no one else could...and over the last several weeks, you have SHIT...ON HIS NAME!!”
Hanson: “Ohhh, papa’s not happy.”
Reynolds: “Daddy’s pissed, Nicky!”
“You disappoint me...Adrianna.” Doomsday seethes. “I spent my career, getting scars carved into my flesh...having demons and ancient texts inked permanently onto my body. My arms...and back...tell the story of the kind of hell I have willingly put myself through. But if you remember...my heart stands as a reminder of where my true values lie....” Doomsday pulls open one side of his jacket to reveal the tattoo over his chest; a jagged heart with the names ‘Adrianna’ and ‘Nico’ etched into his olive bronze skin. He lets the camera get a good look at the tattoo before letting his jacket fall over it again. “You will always be my family...I will always be your father...but the line has been drawn. Drawn in the dirt that will soon be quenched with the blood of your new ‘family’. So if there is ANY part of the real you still left behind that charade you put off...listen very closely...the rapture is coming...armageddon has it’s sights set.... If you hope to survive the storm...you’d better get out of the way of it’s path....”
Done with his words, he hands the microphone off before lifting his hood again and bowing his head like an ashamed father.
LeeAnn took the mic from the big man, looking almost ridiculously out of place among all these twisted, violent men... until she smiled. And the sadism inside her shone brightly for all to see. "What... a... bunch... of... idiots." She rolled her eyes, giggling a little. "I was perfectly happy being a full-time mom and wife. I really was. But see... there's a couple of things you all have to realize. First of all? While Lara Chastain and I didn't always see eye-to-eye... what you did to her was inexcusable. Vlad was my best friend. He was the guy who got me into this sport in the first place. So the minute you put your hands on his widow? You signed your death warrant, as far as I'm concerned. But also... as Judas said: The Dominion is forever. We can't look after Vlad anymore... but you bet your ass we can look after his kin. When Judas called me, he said only two words: "it's time". So we went about calling on some of the most cunning and dangerous people to ever be a part of this group... and began to plot the demise of The Circle of Snakes. I don't plan on wrestling full-time again. I might get in there once or twice if the occasion calls for it. But more than anything, I'm here because Judas knows I'm the only bitch with enough of a cruel streak to truly help him prepare for the future. To help him groom his successor."
Judas took the mic back from her, before accepting a black satin bag from a ringside attendant. "Because truly... as I never had children of my own... I must choose who will take The Dominion into the next generation. At forty-nine years old, clearly I can't do it for much longer." He opened the bag, taking from it a slightly-faded black leather jacket, with the letters "VB" etched on the back in red. "Dearest Lara... your father chose me to be your godfather... that makes you family. And when you are ready? I want you to accept this jacket. This was your father's, back when he first joined The Dominion. I want to give it to you. Make you a part of this group. And in time... help you to do what I sadly was never able to do for Vlad: hand the reigns of The Dominion over to you."
"Oh.... one last thing. Abaddon? Prepare. Because while I will destroy you... I will do it MY way. Methodically. I will tear down your confidence. I will destroy your aura. And when you have absolutely nothing left.... that's when I will end you. You have awoken the beast, and now? You must accept your penance." He grinned, holding his free hand up to make the devil horns. "Ave... Satanas." He dropped the mic then, as their music began to play once more.
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In the first match of the World Title tournament, Vincent Stone defeated Shelton Benjamin in 18:20 with a top rope crucifix drop, followed by quickly running off the ropes for the Disasterpiece and pinfall, advancing him to the semi-finals at Reckoning Day.
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In the second match to determine the Tag Team Championship contenders, Tyler Grey and Chris Wolfe defeated the Young Bucks after an electric match that lasted 24:01 when Chris Wolfe nailed the Direwolf on Matt Jackson for the three count.
Reynolds: "Ohhhhhhhh goddamn, Nicky! It's set!"
Hanson: "Yes, it is, Jim! We have our Tag Team Title match at Reckoning Day! GreyWolfe vs The McKeesport Mafia!"
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*The camera follows Mannheim and Pitt through the back hallways of the arena, both men's heads on swivels. As they make their way down a hallway lined with dressing rooms, they stop at the only open doorway - the dressing room of Scott Leroux. Mannheim knocks on the door*
"Yo, Scott? You around, bro?"
The man known as The Tap-Out King walks over, looking up at his old rival. Wearing a Maple Leafs jersey over his ring gear, he snapped his him once before raising an eyebrow. "Somethin' I can do for you, Willy?" He asked, his tone showing that time may have buried their rivalry, but still hasn't instilled trust.
*Mannheim flashes a grin*
"Just checkin' up on things. Whoever this assailant is, he's a slippery bastard. Just doin' our part to keep everyone safe."
*Pitt looks down at Leroux with a grin*
"Not that we think you can't handle yourself or anything, y'know?"
"Are you kidding me? I'd suspect you guys WERE the assailant if you weren't both big as goddamn houses..." He sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Look guys... we're all getting too old for bullshit. If you're here to kick my ass, take your best shot. If you're here to talk? Talk. Just be straight with me."
"I think you know us a bit better than that - if we were gonna attack you, we wouldn't have knocked. No bullshit, Scott. We've got a thing you might be interested in...mind if we come in and close the door?"
"Yeah, yeah. C'mon in." Leroux stepped aside, ushering the two huge men in with an intrigued look on his face. He knew Mannheim well enough to know that when he got serious like this? Or at ALL? Something major was up.. "Starting to think us old-school guys gotta stick together anyway."
*The door closes as Mannheim and Pitt step in, the camera staying outside*
Hanson: "Whatever this is, it's gonna be huge!"
Reynolds: "I don't know, seems to me like Mannheim's circling the wagons."
Hanson: "Wouldn't you? Stay tuned, folks! We'll be right back!"
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The next match of the card was the next first round tournament contest. Belphegor, for the most part, completely dominated against Colt Shields, hammering into and tossing him around the ring the way he did mostly everyone who stepped into the ring with him. The enormous monster, clearly, had the victory already in the bag as he finally whipped Shields into the turnbuckle and called for his signature Spear.
Reynolds: "Aaaand, we've seen this before, Nicky."
Hanson: "Yup. Say good night, Colt."
Reynolds: "I swear, everytime Belphegor hits this move, it's like a dog being hit by a speeding--"
Hanson: "WAIT A MINUTE! JIM, WHAT THE HELL?!"
As Hanson exclaimed excitedly from their table, the crowd began going nuts, jumping to their feet as Doomsday from the Dominion of Pain hit the ring, running. Deceitfully fast for a man his age and size, he slid in under the bottom rope and was on his feet in almost the blink of an eye. Belphegor, meanwhile, got turned right around when *WHAM!* Doomsday shot across the ring and SLAMMED into Belphegor with a Spear of his own. A resounding "OHHHHHHHH" came from the crowd as the impact made it look like Belphegor was closer to a Light Heavyweight, as his feet left the mat and he hit with a thunderous thud on the canvas.
Hanson: "OH MY GOD!!! DID YOU SEE THE WAY BELPHEGOR GOT ROCKED?!"
Reynolds: "HOOOOLY SHIT!! THAT'S HOW AN OLD MAN DO!!"
As Doomsday got up on one knee, ripping back the hood to his jacket and flipping his hair back with a terrifying roar, the referee called for the bell. The ring announcer then stood with her mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match - as a result of a disqualification - BELPHEGOR!!!!!"
Reynolds: "Wait, what the hell did Doomsday just do?! He just HELPED Belphegor advance!"
Hanson: "I don't think that's what he has on his mind, Jim! Judas Lasher, LeeAnn Viskan, Lara Blackheart - they all said the Circle of Snakes was gonna go down and we just saw their very foundation take the first hit!"
Reynolds: "Wait, what the hell's Colt doing?"
Angered and staggering on his feet, Colt Shields moved behind Doomsday and slapped him on the back to get his attention.
Hanson: "Well, Doomsday *did* cost him the match. I can't imagine he's too happy."
As Doomsday slowly turned, Colt begin inaudibly berating him. At first, the large veteren of the ring stood there simply taking the verbal abuse...until Colt *SPITS* in his face!
Crowd: "Oooooohhh."
Reynolds: "Ohhhh, you fucking IDIOT!"
Crowd: "You fucked up! You fucked up! You fucked up!"
Indeed so, as Doomsday wiped the spit off of his mask...and *SNATCHED* Colt Shields by the throat in a vice grip, lifted him up with surprising ease and drove him back down to the mat with a thunderous CHOKESLAM!!! As the referee stood at a safe distance, yelling for Doomsday to leave the ring, the big man turned and walked over to the ropes to stare down over them at Belphegor who had rolled out of the ring before walking to step over the top rope and hop back down, silently retreating up the ramp as the crowd roared their approval.
Crowd: "YOU STILL GOT IT!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "YOU STILL GOT IT!"
Reynolds: "Yes he fucking does, Orlando. Yes, he does!"
Hanson: "I've never seen anything like...my god."
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Kid Cthulhu defeated Trina Tanaka by pinfall in 9:27 after landing The Call.
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Adam Cole and Ryan Steele had a pretty decent, back and forth match. Both men having an answer for virtually everything the other threw at them. After a heated exchange of strike blocks and escaped holds, Adam Cole surprised Steele with a sudden superkick that rocked him on his feet. Immediately, he grabbed him for the Last Shot when suddenly...
The revving chainsaw intro to Jackyl's "The Lumberjack" sounded through the arena. Cole immediately released Steele and turned towards the stage with an inaudible 'what the fuck?' After the chainsaw part, however, the music just...stopped....
Reynolds: "What the hell, Nicky?"
Hanson: "How would I know?"
Adam Cole focused on the stage for a few more seconds, even looking at the crowd and pointing in disbelief before finally turning back towards Ryan Steele...who popped up and *BAM* hit him with the Chaos Theory and covered him for the victory at 7:45.
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Backstage, Candi Brodeur is seen arriving at the arena via the parking lot. The camera follows her along through the hallways and to the locker room area.
Hanson: “Here’s Candi Brodeur, ladies and gentlemen.”
Reynolds: “Looking hot hot HOT as always!”
Hanson: “Yes, thanks for that insight Jim.”
Reynolds: “You’re welcome, pal!”
Hanson: “She’s not on the card tonight, but perhaps she has some final words before the inferno match next Sunday.”
The camera follows Candi right up to her door as she opens it and steps into her assigned locker room. The second it closes, she jumps and gasps; startled. “What the...?!” She reacts to something off screen. “Who are you? What do you want?!”
The camera swings around to reveal...the masked assailant from the previous two weeks. Same mask. Wearing blue jeans and a long sleeved black t-shirt with a crimson ‘R’ on the front.
Hanson: “What the-?!”
Reynolds: “-fuck is he doing in her locker room?!”
Suddenly, the masked assailant rushes towards the camera! Candi lets out a startled cry as the camera hits the floor and the shot immediately cuts out. We instantly cut to Reynolds and Hanson at ring side.
Hanson: “Jim, what the hell just happened?’”
Reynolds: “We gotta get someone to check on Candi! What the hell was that asshole doing there?!”
Hanson: “I mean, he’s been targeting the roster over the past couple weeks and we’ve seen some brutal attacks but...you don’t think....”
Reynolds: “Oh that bastard! He’d better not! That’s a woman! Somebody get back there!”
The shot cuts to a commercial break.
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The next round of the World Title tournament saw Scott Leroux face off against Kenny Omega. Surprisingly, Omega showed his fellow Canadian a small bit of respect before the bell by offering a fist bump. Once the match began, however, the Cleaner's usual colors of taunting and trickery came to surface. Still, Leroux stayed toe to toe against the man.
Hanson: "This match has Orlando on their feet, Jim!"
Reynolds: "I hear ya! Wait, what the hell is this, now?"
From the stage, Rick Dickulous came walking down at about the halfway point, carrying and waving a Canadian flag. He served no distraction, however, but was clearly there to support Scott Leroux; the big man constantly calling out praise and slapping the mat anytime he was down, motiviating him to get back up. In the conclusion of the match, Scott Leroux was positioned in the center of the ring as Kenny Omega pointed a gun-finger at the man, calling for the V-Trigger. As the Cleaner came rushing across the ring, however, Leroux revealed he was clearly playing possum and rolled under the dangerous knee strike, snatching Omega off of his feet by the other foot and latched him right into the anklelock. Nearly reaching the ropes, Omega was dragged back to the center of the ring where he finally tapped out at 28:06.
Hanson: "And Scott Leroux is going to Reckoning Day to the semi-finals!"
Reynolds: "You can't take anything away from Kenny Omega, though! What a match!"
As "Hail To The King" by Avenged Sevenfold blasted through the speakers, Rick Dickulous climbed into the ring and raised the man's other arm in victory.
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The camera crew brings us to a lavish looking backstage room that looks to resemble an interview area. That, of course, being just what we are here for as Amy Connors smiles beautifully at the camera, looking like a million dollars as always.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to N*FW’s special; Outside The Ropes. During this segment, we sit down with your favorite superstars and get a little more information on who they are, and we even ask them a few fan questions as well. This is our first episode so without further adue, let’s introduce our first superstar who, truth be told, needs no introduction at all. She’s a second generation performer, a famous face around the country even before making her main league debut. Daughter of the legendary Easy V - she’s America’s Sweetheart, Lara Blackheart! Hello, Lara. Thank you for joining us, tonight!”
"Hey Amy." Lara said with a little wave, trying not to smirk. "Looking great as always.... seriously girl, holla sometime... anyway. I figure I already know what most of the questions are gonna be, but what the hell? Let's see what ya got for me."
Amy laughs good heartedly at Lara’s compliments. Albeit shifting a little in her seat and blushing uncomfortably as she looks down at the paper in her hands. “Well, we know how you came into wrestling and where you trained, but what a lot of people want to know is was wrestling always your choice of a career? I mean you obviously have good standing with many faces in the Hollywood crowd.”
"Between my dad and Uncle Dwayne, yeah. I kinda got involved in Hollywood circles pretty early. But I've always wanted to be in the ring. All the way back to when I was a little kid, and Mom would take me and...." Lara paused then, sneering as she grew quiet for a moment. "Me and a now-ungrateful bitch to see Dad's matches."
Amy Connors smile wavers some, realizing she hit a sore spot, evidently. “You’re obviously talking about your former friend and tag partner, Mia Hyashi. Before we get to some fan questions, I’m sure the entire N*FE universe wants to know, do you have any final words for Mia - your opponent - leading into next week at Reckoning Day?”
"Mia's always been a bit selfish. A bit opportunistic. But this is so far over the line it's insane." Lara took a moment to compose herself, lest she lose her composure. "My godfather told me, when I was little, "sometimes, the only way to make someone pay for how low they've sunk... is to sink even lower". Mia? We've been pretty much everything to each other that we can possibly be. But now... I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure you never again betray anyone the way you betrayed me."
Nodding, Amy lifts the sheet of paper up again. “Thank you, Lara. If you don’t mind, now, we’re gonna move onto some fan questions. Chris from Chicago says: ‘Hey Lara, holla at me sometime. You fine as sh—‘“ Amy’s eyes go wide in shock as she silently finishes the question and looks up at her guest with a nervous smile. “Umm. We’ll skip that one!” Looking down again, “Justin from Virginia Beach says: Lara, I was raised on wrestling watching your dad and Judas Lasher in the original Dominion of Pain. I’m pretty stoked to see Judas back with a lineup of legends. My curiosity is killing me; what did you mean when you said this was the nuclear option and when you apologized to the New Frontier for going the route of calling them in?’”
Lara thought on that for a few silent seconds, before tapping her index finger against her lip. Judas is my godfather. And I love him. But I also know that the man I know outside of the ring, while granted, still pretty weird and devious, is NOT the same man he is when he's in that ring. He's an evil mastermind. When his Dominion is at full strength? They have the ability to destroy anyone and anything in this promotion. And while right now, they're laser-focused on Abaddon and his idiot friends... eventually they'll obliterate them. And once they do... and that laser-focus is gone... nobody is safe."
Amy swallowed nervously. At her age, she’s obviously one of the newer staff of N*FW. “I see....” She said. “I’d like to elaborate more on Justin’s question. When you say ‘nobody’ is safe, do you mean just the roster or—“
Amy is cut off by the sound of the door SLAMMING open off camera. We hear a male staff member yelling out, “You can’t go in there!” Amy looks off to the side, wide eyed and practically shrieks in terror. “OH MY GOD!!”
As she does, the Circle of Snakes’ Apocalypta comes FLYING into frame, tackling Lara right out of her chair and to the floor; the tatted up Women’s Champion begins attacking Lara with utmost savagery. Uncalculated, unprecise blows raining down all over the smaller girl as Apocalypta screams obscenities at the top of her lungs. It is clearly unlike her usual cold, calculated persona. “BITCH!! FUCKING BITCH!! WHY?!?! TELL ME WHY!!” She screams as she rains down blows. “WHY HIM?! YOU HAD NO RIGHT!! NONE OF YOU HAD NO FUCKING RIGHT!!!”
Of all people, MIA actually ran in behind Apocalypta, grabbing the taller girl by the arm and the neck and pulling her frantically off of Lara. "Hey! HEY! STOP! You're a wrestler, dammit, not a friggin' killer!" She pleaded with Apocalypta, finally speaking in a more soothing tone. "Adrienne... c'mon hon.... do this shit in the ring. You're not a monster, ok? Don't act like one."
Once Mia finally gets Apocalypta off, the taller woman stands over her. At first, it looks like she’s ready to throw her ally out of the way until Mia takes on the softer tone...and the terrifying champion nearly breaks down completely in front of the camera. “They have no right....” She says, her voice nearly cracking before she looks passed Mia and down at Lara. “I’m gonna bury you, bitch.” She pants. “First Silver...then you....” She bends down off camera to pick up her title and hold it at her side before turning to leave with Mia. Before the champion is off screen, though, she looks to the side at the camera. “Watch closely...Viskan....”
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Returning from the commercial break, the crowd immediately begins booing as I Prevail's "Come And Get It" starts to play. Dressed in black slacks and a black silk shirt with the top half unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up his forearms, Nico Salvatore struts out onto the stage with his cocky smirk.
Hanson: "Oh god, what does he want? The hell's he doing out here?"
Reynolds: "Maybe he's got more zingers to throw at Tyson Law!"
Hanson: "Those were not funny."
Reynolds: "You kidding? They're hilarious!"
Hanson: "This man is FAR from a professional athlete. He's just a bully!"
Entering the ring, Nico calls for a microphone from the ring announcer, trading it for what looked like a card of some sort. He hands it to her and makes the 'call me' gesture before shooing her out of the ring, grinning coldly at the crowd and raises the microphone.
"You people can boo me, all you want but let's face it; the only thing hotter in this city than this summer heat...is me!" He gestures to himself, chuckling silently as the crowd boos and chants.
Crowd: "Fuck you, Nico!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "Fuck you, Nico!"
Nico laughs away from the mic before raising it up again. "I'm feeling the love, really. You's are killing me with kindness. But hey! Enough about me, huh? Let's talk about a certain puke, who's been ducking and dodging me the past few weeks: Tyson!"
The crowd's boos turn into cheers at the mention of Nico's recent new nemesis' name.
"Tyson Law! Bro...." He shrugs out his other hand. "Where you at, man? We had one good match. I even complimented you on it...then you just up and started ignoring me. Like a little baby back, bitch! I should've seen you for what you really are. And that's nothing but a damn coward. What, you pick up on the Dominion coming in and decide to hide with ya tail tucked between your legs? I mean, you obviously got plenty of room with that lack of manhood down there, f'nuc."
Hanson: "Oh for god's sake. Someone shut off his mic!"
Reynolds: "Hah! No, keep it on! Give us more! This guy should have been a professional roaster!"
Nico paces around the ring, fixing one of his rolled sleeves as he smirks at the crowd and lifts the mic again. "I mean, I even tried reaching out to you on Twitter and still nothing! What, did a couple o'jokes hurt your little feelings? You scared of how bad I'm gonna beat that ass! Because let's face it, Ike Turner could probably sit down next week and take notes."
Reynolds: "NICE!"
Hanson: "Jesus Christ, Jimmy...."
Nico rubs the back of his neck, pretending to be concerned. "That is...if you even plan to show up at Reckoning Day. I mean, I'm hoping you do. Beating your ass in front of a bunch of idiots like this'll be a nice change of pace from all the times I've been beating up your sister's ass in my hotel room."
Hanson: "Good god, somebody shut him UP!"
Nico's grin grew even wider, as he was so caught up in himself that he didn't notice that the crowd began going nuts over something. "I would've been here to say all this earlier, but after showing her what a real man is, I had to make a stop at the clinic to get checked out. Wanted to make sure, I didn't contract anything serious. Y'know what I mean?"
Hanson: "WAIT A MINUTE! FROM THE CROWD!"
Suddenly, Tyson Law ran out of the crowd and slid under the bottom rope, tackling Salvatore as he turned around. Before the man knew what hit him, Tyson followed up with the Lawbreaker, knocking him totally out. Standing over him, Law stooped down with the microphone and pointed in his face. "I tried to be a gentleman. I tried to be a sportsman. But you kept poking at me. And poking at me. And it was real goddamn funny, asshole. You wanna stand around and talk about how terrible I am? Put your money where your mouth is: me and you, no-disqualification street fight! Let's see if you really ARE better than me."
Reynolds: "What?! He can't just change the match like that!!"
Hanson: "No, but I wouldn't put it passed Mr. Brody to give the go-ahead on it! Thank god! Maybe Tyson Law will finally shut him up for good!"
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Backstage in the locker room, we hear the sound of music coming from a set of headphones. Loud enough, however, to identify what’s playing. The camera itself sits focused on an old photo of the original House of Payne, but a shifting shadow on the wall tells us the room is not empty.
‘I bet you got it twisted and don’t know who to trust.
So many playa hatin’ niggas tryin’ to sound like us.
Say they ready for the funk, but I don’t think they knowin’.
Straight to the depths of hell is where those cowards goin’.’
As the music continues, the camera pans back to reveal Morgan Payne pacing back and forth with black and yellow beats on her ears over her Steelers flat bill. She’s already set in her ring gear with a cig pinched between her fingers which she occasionally takes a drag on. Whether she’s focused on the task ahead or disturbed by everything else going on, is hard to say.
"Mor?" The incredulous tone came from Marissa Payne, who slowly walked over to the other girl, looking an odd combination of amused and in disbelief. "How in the actual fuck are you just bopping around, singing, acting like everything's hunky-dory?" The redhead sighed, crossing her ankles as she leaned against the wall. "She did it. Lara really did it. This is so, SO bad, Mor."
Catching her friend speaking, Morgan pulls the headphones down around her back and breaks into a grin. “I know, Mari. I know. It looks bad but...if ya think about it? We just gotta stay outta the way, right? I mean the only chick with them is ya Ma and she ain’t gonna go outta her way t’hurt either of us. ‘Sides....” She slaps the wall beside Marissa and SCREAMS in excitement. “FUCKIN’ IRON MAIDENS GET T’PAHTY AS A TEAM FINALLY!” She grabs her blood sister, violently shaking her out of excitement. “We’re gonna show the women’s division who the baddest fuckin’ women’s team on the planet is! And who better to do it against than a couple o’backstabbin tricks? ‘Specially after what creepy-face did t’Lara earlier? We can’t let that shit slide, yo!”
"You do NOT know my mother as well as you think you do." Marissa muttered, almost more to herself than to Morgan. "Yeah. You're right though." She said, trying to distract herself a little. "It's been too damn long since we got to team up. We'll teach those bitches a lesson in respect. And so help me god, if I see one damn smirk from Mia, I am gonna kick her full-force right in that dick-trap she calls a mouth."
Morgan lifted an eyebrow. Marissa may have muttered it but her friend still caught it. “Whazzat ‘sposed t’mean? I know she can be a hardass bitch but she’s always been legit with us.” She paused and cracked a humored grin. “Except for that time we got caught sneakin’ booze outta the cabinet. You ‘member that shit?” Morgan cackles at the memory before getting back to business.
She nods to Marissa. “That’s always been our strategy. You kick Mia’s little ass and I’ll handle the crazy one. It’ll be like a karate-godzilla movie crossover! Sorta...I dunno. That made more sense in my head.” Morgan frowns in confusion.
"Ma's always said business and home should always be kept separate." Marissa said, sighing. "It's like the evil, sadistic bitch we see in the ring and the sweet lady at home are two completely different women. I just think that while she's here we should stay out of her way. Just in case."
She couldn't help but laugh at how excitable her lifelong bestie always seemed to be. it was refreshing to see in such a normally cynical and angry environment.
"I love you, Mor. You're always able to get a smile outta me no matter how angry or worried I get."
Morgan pouted at the mention of keeping a safe distance from her favorite aunt. “Awww, but I love Aunt LeeLee!” She looked like a little kid being told she couldn’t do something. Only for a second though until she nodded in understanding. She’d seen enough of LeeAnn Viskan to know that she was not to be messed with.
Marissa’s remark about her always knowing how to make her smile made Morgan give a cheeky smirk of her own. “Hey, I ain’t good at a lot o’shit but I know how to cheer my bestie up!” She gave her a playful slug in the shoulder. “But ya betta hold onto some o’that steam. Much as I wanna kick the shit outta those two cunts, I know it ain’t gonna be a walk in the—“
“Ahem.”
Morgan turns to the sound of the camera man clearing his throat with a look on her face as if to say ‘bitch, you did *not* just interrupt me’ and shrugged her hands up. “Ya gotta problem, bro?”
“Umm. It’s just...I know the broadcast network is lenient on colorful language, but you might wanna lay up on the uhh...’C’ word.”
Morgan frowned, looked at Marissa then back at the camera man. “What? ‘Cunt’? Who da fuck cares whether I say ‘cunt’ or not? I got boobs and vagene, so it’s totally chill. So who cares if I say ‘cunt’?” She looks to Marissa. “D’you care if I say ‘cunt’? This cunt does, apparently.” She thumbs to the camera man.
"Well... It's not exactly the classiest word..." Marissa said, before remembering who she was talking to. "Soooo.... Yeah. Go... Go get 'em, champ."
“Fuckin A!” Morgan gives Marissa a double high five. “Then let’s get out there and show those cunts that we’re not the cunts to fuck with!!”
Giving an excited yell, Morgan punches her locker behind her and goes hurrying out the door, almost bowling the camera man over. Behind the camera we hear the poor guy sigh. “I need a new job....”
Giving a sigh matching that of the cameraman, Marissa looks to the man, shaking her head. "She means well." She looked to the camera, hilariously pleading look in her eyes. "Really. I mean it. She means well."
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The Iron Maidens vs Apocalypta and Mia Hayashi was an absolute tag team WAR! It took about five minutes for the match to officially start as, once the Iron Maidens made it to the ring, a two on two brawl broke out with all four women ending up out of the ring and fighting around ringside. Once the match finally did get officially underway, everyone on both teams got a piece of the other in brutal back and forth exchanges. Marissa held her own against Apocalypta's power and technical wrestling with vicious kicks and elbows that eventually had her wobbly on her feet. Meanwhile, Morgan had quite a difficult time just trying to get a hold on Mia as the smaller woman used her quickness and agility to keep away from her grasping hands. When she finally got a hold of her, though, Morgan let weeks of pent up frustration fly loose on Lara Blackheart's former friend as she hammered away with an array of forearms and knees, combined with jaw dropping power moves.
After 19:13, Apocalypta sat on the top turnbuckle, rocked from an enziguri by Marissa. To the pop of the crowd, the daughter of BDP hopped up for an attempt at a Frankensteiner. Apocalypta showed that she still had some gas in the tank, however and, cheers turned to boos as she held onto Marissa when she went to bring her down, lifted her back up and performed a shocking leap from the ropes, driving her down with a diving powerbomb. As Morgan started entering the ring to break up the pinfall, Mia shot across and kicked out her feet with a baseball slide while Apocalypta covered Marissa for the pinfall.
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In another one sided match, favoring the Circle of Snakes, Abaddon toyed with Satoru Shade III in the final first round match for the World Title tournament. The match lasted all of 6:10 before Abaddon finished his opponent off with an Impaler DDT and covered him for the pin.
Hanson: "Ohhh my god, Jimmy. And that sets up the second semi-finals match for Reckoning Day. Abaddon is going to Reckoning Day and so is Belphegor."
Reynolds: "NICKY, LOOK!"
Barely seconds after the bell rang and the announcers began to talk about the conclusion of the match, Abaddon began to rise to his feet, unaware of Judas Lasher rushing down the ramp to the ring. Still in his suit, minus his tie and jacket, Judas grinned wickedly at Abaddon from behind and as soon as the leader of the Circle of Snakes turned around, the Dominion of Pain's leader sprung up off of all fours and dragged Abaddon straight to hell with his signature cutter known as--
Hanson: "LUCIFER'S HALO!!!! The Dominion of Pain has made a statement to the Circle of Snakes!!"
Reynolds: "At least he waited for the end of the match, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Like I said, Jim, this isn't about keeping them away from titles. This is on a far more personal level! Abaddon and his crew have run rampant through N*FW since day one but it's like the saying goes! If you knock on the Devil's door, soon enough he's gonna answer! And tonight, he just opened up and said 'come on in, boy!'"
The crowd continued going nuts as Judas Lasher stood over Abaddon in the center of the ring with his hands out to the side and that wicked smile on his face. This served as the final shot of the night before the camera faded out to black....
Hanson: "Welcome to New Frontier Wrestling, ladies and gentlemen! We are live at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida!"
Reynolds: "I am PUMPED, Nicky! It's the go-home show before Reckoning Day and things are heating up!"
Hanson: "That's putting it mildly, partner. Last week, we saw Lara Blackheart's plan finally unfold. The RETURN of the Dominion of Pain!"
Reynolds: "Things are getting scary, Nicky. Judas Lasher is one of if not THE most unpredictable minds we have ever seen in professional wrestling!"
Hanson: "Master strategizer and expert technician in the ring."
Reynolds: "Dude's like a fucking Satanic Lex Luthor."
Hanson: "That...might be the most accurate comparison I've ever heard."
Reynolds: "Am I ever wrong?"
Hanson: "Well, that's debatable, Jim, but let's just sit back and see where this all goes."
Without warning, the lights in the arena suddenly went out. Not some of them, not just dimmed... but literally the entire arena went into blackout, the only light visible coming from the flashing of cameras in the audience.
There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence, before a choir could be heard over the loudspeaker.
"Belial... Behemoth... Beelzebub..."
"Asmodeus... Satanas... Lucifer."
Ghost's "Year Zero" kicked in then, a blood red spotlight shining on the ramp and the aisle as The Dominion made their way from behind the curtain. Leading the way were Judas Lasher, long white dreadlocks tied back into a makeshift ponytail, and wearing a black suit with red tie, and LeeAnn Viskan, formerly red hair now dyed black, and wearing a short black dress with matching knee-high leather boots. Behind them were The Crimson Sabre, black, purple, and red lucha mask and baggy purple pants adorning his slight but chisled frame, The Buzzsaw, looking menacing as ever, black tribal tattoos covering the majority of his arms and chest, his black and red Darth Maul-inspired mask adding to his intimidating appearance, and the Dominion’s weapon of mass destruction, Doomsday. Towering over the rest of the group, the nigh seven footer walked along close behind them in loose black leather pants, boots and a black denim/leather coat (denim sleeves with a leather body and hood) with the hood hiding his face. The back of his coat bore the symbol for nuclear hazard with the words ‘NO MERCY FOR ALL’ bordering the outside.
As the group made their way to the ring, Lasher and LeeAnn stood on the ring apron, as Sabre and Buzzsaw held the ropes for them to enter. taking the microphone as he walked to center ring, he stayed silent for a moment, as the crowd chanted "WELCOME BACK! WELCOME BACK!"
"Ten years. That's how long it's been since I stepped into this ring. I was happily retired, and focusing on writing my first book, a manifesto on modern Satanism. LeeAnn here... was also retired. She was focusing on married life, and on helping her child begin her own wrestling career. The Sabre was living in Mexico, running a wrestling school. Doomsday was mostly retired... although I don't know that one ever truly retires from being an engine of destruction, eh, Matteo?" He grinned at Doomsday, before looking at Buzzsaw, who had gone from an obvious midcarder years ago to one who quite clearly was now main event material. "And my crown jewel... The Buzzsaw. So green when I first took him under my wing. He's spent ten years in Japan, Germany, Australia, and Mexico, winning titles and becoming more dangerous with every match."
He turned back toward the camera, an evil glare now aimed directly at wherever Abaddon might be watching.
"Ten years. And yet.... all it took was one phone call to bring The Dominion back. You see, once you've been part of the Dominion... you're Dominion for life. And Vlad Blackheart..." he paused, as the crowd cheered the mere sound of his name, "While most of these people knew him as 'Eazy V', or as 'Dr. Feelgood'.... when he came into this sport, he was Vlad The Impaler. The man we called Satan's Son. He was vicious. He was hungry. And most importantly... he was like a brother to me. When he passed away.... I took his young daughter Lara aside at his funeral, and told her, "Vlad was family. And now you are as well". I told her that she was officially a legacy member of this group. And that just as we'd have dropped everything to come to Vlad's aid... we now would do so for his offspring."
'But this was not merely a call for help.... you see, Abaddon, when your piddling group of Dominion wannabes were merely bullying a young girl, a simple one-off beating to show you your place may have sufficed. But to torment this girl? To put hands on her mother? Lara knew what I know - the only way to solve this... is to salt the earth. To bring The Dominion back fully, and destroy The Circle of Snakes entirely. Not simply a beating. Not simply an embarrassing display... no, this must be solved by the absolute destruction of Abaddon, and the dissolution of his group of followers.And... speaking of those followers..."
He walked over to Doomsday, handing him the microphone. "I think my friend would like to address one certain member of the group. You've been... a bad, bad girl."
Doomsday took the microphone, beginning to slowly pace around the ring as he thought on what to say.
Hanson: “Bad girl...what?”
Reynolds: “Is Judas talking about...?”
“APOCALYPTA!!”
Doomsday’s voice was as loud as he was big. The giant stopped in his tracks, standing with his brethren again and staring into the camera as it closed in on him. The bottom half of his mask visible from under his hood...until he revealed the rest by pushing it off of his head to reveal the proverbial fire in his eyes. His voice softened to a deep growl that could still shake one’s soul.
“The damage you’ve caused...the shame you’ve brought upon your blood...is inexcusable. I’ve sat back and let you do you, because that’s how you were raised. That’s how BOTH of you...were raised! If it weren’t for your brother...I might have considered myself a failure...as a father.”
Hanson: “WHAT?!”
Reynolds: “HOOOOLY COW!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
“You may not know it, but I’ve been watching you both since you stepped into this company.” Doomsday growled low, snarling into the mic. “And at first...I felt the pride of a father who’s children worked...and strived...to follow in his footsteps but at the same time, blaze their own path. Nico picked a fight with a dog in the yard who’s just as bad as him to prove that he is the alpha male. You...left a trail of carnage behind you and became the top of your division. You hold the crown of the women’s division. But at what cost?” He snorted and pointed to the side towards the back. “Following a fool who fancies himself a master of darkness and casting aside the ones you came up with. Turning your back on your sisters who learned your craft along side you. And you SPIT on the memory of the one who helped to make you who you are in this business!” Doomsday rests a hand on his chest. “I taught you how to turn your strength into a weapon...I took you and your brother to Pittsburgh to harness your technical skill and learn how to move inside this arena.” He circles his finger around in front of him.
Doomsday pauses to brush his hair out of his masked face. “Then, when the two of you became a couple of the most dangerous athletes, ready for the indies...we went to Chicago and you learned how to make yourselves unique. How to portray yourselves and stand out among the duplicates and the impersonators. There was only one guy I knew who had the charisma and knowledge to teach you what no one else could...and over the last several weeks, you have SHIT...ON HIS NAME!!”
Hanson: “Ohhh, papa’s not happy.”
Reynolds: “Daddy’s pissed, Nicky!”
“You disappoint me...Adrianna.” Doomsday seethes. “I spent my career, getting scars carved into my flesh...having demons and ancient texts inked permanently onto my body. My arms...and back...tell the story of the kind of hell I have willingly put myself through. But if you remember...my heart stands as a reminder of where my true values lie....” Doomsday pulls open one side of his jacket to reveal the tattoo over his chest; a jagged heart with the names ‘Adrianna’ and ‘Nico’ etched into his olive bronze skin. He lets the camera get a good look at the tattoo before letting his jacket fall over it again. “You will always be my family...I will always be your father...but the line has been drawn. Drawn in the dirt that will soon be quenched with the blood of your new ‘family’. So if there is ANY part of the real you still left behind that charade you put off...listen very closely...the rapture is coming...armageddon has it’s sights set.... If you hope to survive the storm...you’d better get out of the way of it’s path....”
Done with his words, he hands the microphone off before lifting his hood again and bowing his head like an ashamed father.
LeeAnn took the mic from the big man, looking almost ridiculously out of place among all these twisted, violent men... until she smiled. And the sadism inside her shone brightly for all to see. "What... a... bunch... of... idiots." She rolled her eyes, giggling a little. "I was perfectly happy being a full-time mom and wife. I really was. But see... there's a couple of things you all have to realize. First of all? While Lara Chastain and I didn't always see eye-to-eye... what you did to her was inexcusable. Vlad was my best friend. He was the guy who got me into this sport in the first place. So the minute you put your hands on his widow? You signed your death warrant, as far as I'm concerned. But also... as Judas said: The Dominion is forever. We can't look after Vlad anymore... but you bet your ass we can look after his kin. When Judas called me, he said only two words: "it's time". So we went about calling on some of the most cunning and dangerous people to ever be a part of this group... and began to plot the demise of The Circle of Snakes. I don't plan on wrestling full-time again. I might get in there once or twice if the occasion calls for it. But more than anything, I'm here because Judas knows I'm the only bitch with enough of a cruel streak to truly help him prepare for the future. To help him groom his successor."
Judas took the mic back from her, before accepting a black satin bag from a ringside attendant. "Because truly... as I never had children of my own... I must choose who will take The Dominion into the next generation. At forty-nine years old, clearly I can't do it for much longer." He opened the bag, taking from it a slightly-faded black leather jacket, with the letters "VB" etched on the back in red. "Dearest Lara... your father chose me to be your godfather... that makes you family. And when you are ready? I want you to accept this jacket. This was your father's, back when he first joined The Dominion. I want to give it to you. Make you a part of this group. And in time... help you to do what I sadly was never able to do for Vlad: hand the reigns of The Dominion over to you."
"Oh.... one last thing. Abaddon? Prepare. Because while I will destroy you... I will do it MY way. Methodically. I will tear down your confidence. I will destroy your aura. And when you have absolutely nothing left.... that's when I will end you. You have awoken the beast, and now? You must accept your penance." He grinned, holding his free hand up to make the devil horns. "Ave... Satanas." He dropped the mic then, as their music began to play once more.
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In the first match of the World Title tournament, Vincent Stone defeated Shelton Benjamin in 18:20 with a top rope crucifix drop, followed by quickly running off the ropes for the Disasterpiece and pinfall, advancing him to the semi-finals at Reckoning Day.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the second match to determine the Tag Team Championship contenders, Tyler Grey and Chris Wolfe defeated the Young Bucks after an electric match that lasted 24:01 when Chris Wolfe nailed the Direwolf on Matt Jackson for the three count.
Reynolds: "Ohhhhhhhh goddamn, Nicky! It's set!"
Hanson: "Yes, it is, Jim! We have our Tag Team Title match at Reckoning Day! GreyWolfe vs The McKeesport Mafia!"
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*The camera follows Mannheim and Pitt through the back hallways of the arena, both men's heads on swivels. As they make their way down a hallway lined with dressing rooms, they stop at the only open doorway - the dressing room of Scott Leroux. Mannheim knocks on the door*
"Yo, Scott? You around, bro?"
The man known as The Tap-Out King walks over, looking up at his old rival. Wearing a Maple Leafs jersey over his ring gear, he snapped his him once before raising an eyebrow. "Somethin' I can do for you, Willy?" He asked, his tone showing that time may have buried their rivalry, but still hasn't instilled trust.
*Mannheim flashes a grin*
"Just checkin' up on things. Whoever this assailant is, he's a slippery bastard. Just doin' our part to keep everyone safe."
*Pitt looks down at Leroux with a grin*
"Not that we think you can't handle yourself or anything, y'know?"
"Are you kidding me? I'd suspect you guys WERE the assailant if you weren't both big as goddamn houses..." He sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Look guys... we're all getting too old for bullshit. If you're here to kick my ass, take your best shot. If you're here to talk? Talk. Just be straight with me."
"I think you know us a bit better than that - if we were gonna attack you, we wouldn't have knocked. No bullshit, Scott. We've got a thing you might be interested in...mind if we come in and close the door?"
"Yeah, yeah. C'mon in." Leroux stepped aside, ushering the two huge men in with an intrigued look on his face. He knew Mannheim well enough to know that when he got serious like this? Or at ALL? Something major was up.. "Starting to think us old-school guys gotta stick together anyway."
*The door closes as Mannheim and Pitt step in, the camera staying outside*
Hanson: "Whatever this is, it's gonna be huge!"
Reynolds: "I don't know, seems to me like Mannheim's circling the wagons."
Hanson: "Wouldn't you? Stay tuned, folks! We'll be right back!"
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The next match of the card was the next first round tournament contest. Belphegor, for the most part, completely dominated against Colt Shields, hammering into and tossing him around the ring the way he did mostly everyone who stepped into the ring with him. The enormous monster, clearly, had the victory already in the bag as he finally whipped Shields into the turnbuckle and called for his signature Spear.
Reynolds: "Aaaand, we've seen this before, Nicky."
Hanson: "Yup. Say good night, Colt."
Reynolds: "I swear, everytime Belphegor hits this move, it's like a dog being hit by a speeding--"
Hanson: "WAIT A MINUTE! JIM, WHAT THE HELL?!"
As Hanson exclaimed excitedly from their table, the crowd began going nuts, jumping to their feet as Doomsday from the Dominion of Pain hit the ring, running. Deceitfully fast for a man his age and size, he slid in under the bottom rope and was on his feet in almost the blink of an eye. Belphegor, meanwhile, got turned right around when *WHAM!* Doomsday shot across the ring and SLAMMED into Belphegor with a Spear of his own. A resounding "OHHHHHHHH" came from the crowd as the impact made it look like Belphegor was closer to a Light Heavyweight, as his feet left the mat and he hit with a thunderous thud on the canvas.
Hanson: "OH MY GOD!!! DID YOU SEE THE WAY BELPHEGOR GOT ROCKED?!"
Reynolds: "HOOOOLY SHIT!! THAT'S HOW AN OLD MAN DO!!"
As Doomsday got up on one knee, ripping back the hood to his jacket and flipping his hair back with a terrifying roar, the referee called for the bell. The ring announcer then stood with her mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match - as a result of a disqualification - BELPHEGOR!!!!!"
Reynolds: "Wait, what the hell did Doomsday just do?! He just HELPED Belphegor advance!"
Hanson: "I don't think that's what he has on his mind, Jim! Judas Lasher, LeeAnn Viskan, Lara Blackheart - they all said the Circle of Snakes was gonna go down and we just saw their very foundation take the first hit!"
Reynolds: "Wait, what the hell's Colt doing?"
Angered and staggering on his feet, Colt Shields moved behind Doomsday and slapped him on the back to get his attention.
Hanson: "Well, Doomsday *did* cost him the match. I can't imagine he's too happy."
As Doomsday slowly turned, Colt begin inaudibly berating him. At first, the large veteren of the ring stood there simply taking the verbal abuse...until Colt *SPITS* in his face!
Crowd: "Oooooohhh."
Reynolds: "Ohhhh, you fucking IDIOT!"
Crowd: "You fucked up! You fucked up! You fucked up!"
Indeed so, as Doomsday wiped the spit off of his mask...and *SNATCHED* Colt Shields by the throat in a vice grip, lifted him up with surprising ease and drove him back down to the mat with a thunderous CHOKESLAM!!! As the referee stood at a safe distance, yelling for Doomsday to leave the ring, the big man turned and walked over to the ropes to stare down over them at Belphegor who had rolled out of the ring before walking to step over the top rope and hop back down, silently retreating up the ramp as the crowd roared their approval.
Crowd: "YOU STILL GOT IT!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "YOU STILL GOT IT!"
Reynolds: "Yes he fucking does, Orlando. Yes, he does!"
Hanson: "I've never seen anything like...my god."
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Kid Cthulhu defeated Trina Tanaka by pinfall in 9:27 after landing The Call.
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Adam Cole and Ryan Steele had a pretty decent, back and forth match. Both men having an answer for virtually everything the other threw at them. After a heated exchange of strike blocks and escaped holds, Adam Cole surprised Steele with a sudden superkick that rocked him on his feet. Immediately, he grabbed him for the Last Shot when suddenly...
The revving chainsaw intro to Jackyl's "The Lumberjack" sounded through the arena. Cole immediately released Steele and turned towards the stage with an inaudible 'what the fuck?' After the chainsaw part, however, the music just...stopped....
Reynolds: "What the hell, Nicky?"
Hanson: "How would I know?"
Adam Cole focused on the stage for a few more seconds, even looking at the crowd and pointing in disbelief before finally turning back towards Ryan Steele...who popped up and *BAM* hit him with the Chaos Theory and covered him for the victory at 7:45.
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Backstage, Candi Brodeur is seen arriving at the arena via the parking lot. The camera follows her along through the hallways and to the locker room area.
Hanson: “Here’s Candi Brodeur, ladies and gentlemen.”
Reynolds: “Looking hot hot HOT as always!”
Hanson: “Yes, thanks for that insight Jim.”
Reynolds: “You’re welcome, pal!”
Hanson: “She’s not on the card tonight, but perhaps she has some final words before the inferno match next Sunday.”
The camera follows Candi right up to her door as she opens it and steps into her assigned locker room. The second it closes, she jumps and gasps; startled. “What the...?!” She reacts to something off screen. “Who are you? What do you want?!”
The camera swings around to reveal...the masked assailant from the previous two weeks. Same mask. Wearing blue jeans and a long sleeved black t-shirt with a crimson ‘R’ on the front.
Hanson: “What the-?!”
Reynolds: “-fuck is he doing in her locker room?!”
Suddenly, the masked assailant rushes towards the camera! Candi lets out a startled cry as the camera hits the floor and the shot immediately cuts out. We instantly cut to Reynolds and Hanson at ring side.
Hanson: “Jim, what the hell just happened?’”
Reynolds: “We gotta get someone to check on Candi! What the hell was that asshole doing there?!”
Hanson: “I mean, he’s been targeting the roster over the past couple weeks and we’ve seen some brutal attacks but...you don’t think....”
Reynolds: “Oh that bastard! He’d better not! That’s a woman! Somebody get back there!”
The shot cuts to a commercial break.
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The next round of the World Title tournament saw Scott Leroux face off against Kenny Omega. Surprisingly, Omega showed his fellow Canadian a small bit of respect before the bell by offering a fist bump. Once the match began, however, the Cleaner's usual colors of taunting and trickery came to surface. Still, Leroux stayed toe to toe against the man.
Hanson: "This match has Orlando on their feet, Jim!"
Reynolds: "I hear ya! Wait, what the hell is this, now?"
From the stage, Rick Dickulous came walking down at about the halfway point, carrying and waving a Canadian flag. He served no distraction, however, but was clearly there to support Scott Leroux; the big man constantly calling out praise and slapping the mat anytime he was down, motiviating him to get back up. In the conclusion of the match, Scott Leroux was positioned in the center of the ring as Kenny Omega pointed a gun-finger at the man, calling for the V-Trigger. As the Cleaner came rushing across the ring, however, Leroux revealed he was clearly playing possum and rolled under the dangerous knee strike, snatching Omega off of his feet by the other foot and latched him right into the anklelock. Nearly reaching the ropes, Omega was dragged back to the center of the ring where he finally tapped out at 28:06.
Hanson: "And Scott Leroux is going to Reckoning Day to the semi-finals!"
Reynolds: "You can't take anything away from Kenny Omega, though! What a match!"
As "Hail To The King" by Avenged Sevenfold blasted through the speakers, Rick Dickulous climbed into the ring and raised the man's other arm in victory.
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The camera crew brings us to a lavish looking backstage room that looks to resemble an interview area. That, of course, being just what we are here for as Amy Connors smiles beautifully at the camera, looking like a million dollars as always.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to N*FW’s special; Outside The Ropes. During this segment, we sit down with your favorite superstars and get a little more information on who they are, and we even ask them a few fan questions as well. This is our first episode so without further adue, let’s introduce our first superstar who, truth be told, needs no introduction at all. She’s a second generation performer, a famous face around the country even before making her main league debut. Daughter of the legendary Easy V - she’s America’s Sweetheart, Lara Blackheart! Hello, Lara. Thank you for joining us, tonight!”
"Hey Amy." Lara said with a little wave, trying not to smirk. "Looking great as always.... seriously girl, holla sometime... anyway. I figure I already know what most of the questions are gonna be, but what the hell? Let's see what ya got for me."
Amy laughs good heartedly at Lara’s compliments. Albeit shifting a little in her seat and blushing uncomfortably as she looks down at the paper in her hands. “Well, we know how you came into wrestling and where you trained, but what a lot of people want to know is was wrestling always your choice of a career? I mean you obviously have good standing with many faces in the Hollywood crowd.”
"Between my dad and Uncle Dwayne, yeah. I kinda got involved in Hollywood circles pretty early. But I've always wanted to be in the ring. All the way back to when I was a little kid, and Mom would take me and...." Lara paused then, sneering as she grew quiet for a moment. "Me and a now-ungrateful bitch to see Dad's matches."
Amy Connors smile wavers some, realizing she hit a sore spot, evidently. “You’re obviously talking about your former friend and tag partner, Mia Hyashi. Before we get to some fan questions, I’m sure the entire N*FE universe wants to know, do you have any final words for Mia - your opponent - leading into next week at Reckoning Day?”
"Mia's always been a bit selfish. A bit opportunistic. But this is so far over the line it's insane." Lara took a moment to compose herself, lest she lose her composure. "My godfather told me, when I was little, "sometimes, the only way to make someone pay for how low they've sunk... is to sink even lower". Mia? We've been pretty much everything to each other that we can possibly be. But now... I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure you never again betray anyone the way you betrayed me."
Nodding, Amy lifts the sheet of paper up again. “Thank you, Lara. If you don’t mind, now, we’re gonna move onto some fan questions. Chris from Chicago says: ‘Hey Lara, holla at me sometime. You fine as sh—‘“ Amy’s eyes go wide in shock as she silently finishes the question and looks up at her guest with a nervous smile. “Umm. We’ll skip that one!” Looking down again, “Justin from Virginia Beach says: Lara, I was raised on wrestling watching your dad and Judas Lasher in the original Dominion of Pain. I’m pretty stoked to see Judas back with a lineup of legends. My curiosity is killing me; what did you mean when you said this was the nuclear option and when you apologized to the New Frontier for going the route of calling them in?’”
Lara thought on that for a few silent seconds, before tapping her index finger against her lip. Judas is my godfather. And I love him. But I also know that the man I know outside of the ring, while granted, still pretty weird and devious, is NOT the same man he is when he's in that ring. He's an evil mastermind. When his Dominion is at full strength? They have the ability to destroy anyone and anything in this promotion. And while right now, they're laser-focused on Abaddon and his idiot friends... eventually they'll obliterate them. And once they do... and that laser-focus is gone... nobody is safe."
Amy swallowed nervously. At her age, she’s obviously one of the newer staff of N*FW. “I see....” She said. “I’d like to elaborate more on Justin’s question. When you say ‘nobody’ is safe, do you mean just the roster or—“
Amy is cut off by the sound of the door SLAMMING open off camera. We hear a male staff member yelling out, “You can’t go in there!” Amy looks off to the side, wide eyed and practically shrieks in terror. “OH MY GOD!!”
As she does, the Circle of Snakes’ Apocalypta comes FLYING into frame, tackling Lara right out of her chair and to the floor; the tatted up Women’s Champion begins attacking Lara with utmost savagery. Uncalculated, unprecise blows raining down all over the smaller girl as Apocalypta screams obscenities at the top of her lungs. It is clearly unlike her usual cold, calculated persona. “BITCH!! FUCKING BITCH!! WHY?!?! TELL ME WHY!!” She screams as she rains down blows. “WHY HIM?! YOU HAD NO RIGHT!! NONE OF YOU HAD NO FUCKING RIGHT!!!”
Of all people, MIA actually ran in behind Apocalypta, grabbing the taller girl by the arm and the neck and pulling her frantically off of Lara. "Hey! HEY! STOP! You're a wrestler, dammit, not a friggin' killer!" She pleaded with Apocalypta, finally speaking in a more soothing tone. "Adrienne... c'mon hon.... do this shit in the ring. You're not a monster, ok? Don't act like one."
Once Mia finally gets Apocalypta off, the taller woman stands over her. At first, it looks like she’s ready to throw her ally out of the way until Mia takes on the softer tone...and the terrifying champion nearly breaks down completely in front of the camera. “They have no right....” She says, her voice nearly cracking before she looks passed Mia and down at Lara. “I’m gonna bury you, bitch.” She pants. “First Silver...then you....” She bends down off camera to pick up her title and hold it at her side before turning to leave with Mia. Before the champion is off screen, though, she looks to the side at the camera. “Watch closely...Viskan....”
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Returning from the commercial break, the crowd immediately begins booing as I Prevail's "Come And Get It" starts to play. Dressed in black slacks and a black silk shirt with the top half unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up his forearms, Nico Salvatore struts out onto the stage with his cocky smirk.
Hanson: "Oh god, what does he want? The hell's he doing out here?"
Reynolds: "Maybe he's got more zingers to throw at Tyson Law!"
Hanson: "Those were not funny."
Reynolds: "You kidding? They're hilarious!"
Hanson: "This man is FAR from a professional athlete. He's just a bully!"
Entering the ring, Nico calls for a microphone from the ring announcer, trading it for what looked like a card of some sort. He hands it to her and makes the 'call me' gesture before shooing her out of the ring, grinning coldly at the crowd and raises the microphone.
"You people can boo me, all you want but let's face it; the only thing hotter in this city than this summer heat...is me!" He gestures to himself, chuckling silently as the crowd boos and chants.
Crowd: "Fuck you, Nico!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "Fuck you, Nico!"
Nico laughs away from the mic before raising it up again. "I'm feeling the love, really. You's are killing me with kindness. But hey! Enough about me, huh? Let's talk about a certain puke, who's been ducking and dodging me the past few weeks: Tyson!"
The crowd's boos turn into cheers at the mention of Nico's recent new nemesis' name.
"Tyson Law! Bro...." He shrugs out his other hand. "Where you at, man? We had one good match. I even complimented you on it...then you just up and started ignoring me. Like a little baby back, bitch! I should've seen you for what you really are. And that's nothing but a damn coward. What, you pick up on the Dominion coming in and decide to hide with ya tail tucked between your legs? I mean, you obviously got plenty of room with that lack of manhood down there, f'nuc."
Hanson: "Oh for god's sake. Someone shut off his mic!"
Reynolds: "Hah! No, keep it on! Give us more! This guy should have been a professional roaster!"
Nico paces around the ring, fixing one of his rolled sleeves as he smirks at the crowd and lifts the mic again. "I mean, I even tried reaching out to you on Twitter and still nothing! What, did a couple o'jokes hurt your little feelings? You scared of how bad I'm gonna beat that ass! Because let's face it, Ike Turner could probably sit down next week and take notes."
Reynolds: "NICE!"
Hanson: "Jesus Christ, Jimmy...."
Nico rubs the back of his neck, pretending to be concerned. "That is...if you even plan to show up at Reckoning Day. I mean, I'm hoping you do. Beating your ass in front of a bunch of idiots like this'll be a nice change of pace from all the times I've been beating up your sister's ass in my hotel room."
Hanson: "Good god, somebody shut him UP!"
Nico's grin grew even wider, as he was so caught up in himself that he didn't notice that the crowd began going nuts over something. "I would've been here to say all this earlier, but after showing her what a real man is, I had to make a stop at the clinic to get checked out. Wanted to make sure, I didn't contract anything serious. Y'know what I mean?"
Hanson: "WAIT A MINUTE! FROM THE CROWD!"
Suddenly, Tyson Law ran out of the crowd and slid under the bottom rope, tackling Salvatore as he turned around. Before the man knew what hit him, Tyson followed up with the Lawbreaker, knocking him totally out. Standing over him, Law stooped down with the microphone and pointed in his face. "I tried to be a gentleman. I tried to be a sportsman. But you kept poking at me. And poking at me. And it was real goddamn funny, asshole. You wanna stand around and talk about how terrible I am? Put your money where your mouth is: me and you, no-disqualification street fight! Let's see if you really ARE better than me."
Reynolds: "What?! He can't just change the match like that!!"
Hanson: "No, but I wouldn't put it passed Mr. Brody to give the go-ahead on it! Thank god! Maybe Tyson Law will finally shut him up for good!"
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Backstage in the locker room, we hear the sound of music coming from a set of headphones. Loud enough, however, to identify what’s playing. The camera itself sits focused on an old photo of the original House of Payne, but a shifting shadow on the wall tells us the room is not empty.
‘I bet you got it twisted and don’t know who to trust.
So many playa hatin’ niggas tryin’ to sound like us.
Say they ready for the funk, but I don’t think they knowin’.
Straight to the depths of hell is where those cowards goin’.’
As the music continues, the camera pans back to reveal Morgan Payne pacing back and forth with black and yellow beats on her ears over her Steelers flat bill. She’s already set in her ring gear with a cig pinched between her fingers which she occasionally takes a drag on. Whether she’s focused on the task ahead or disturbed by everything else going on, is hard to say.
"Mor?" The incredulous tone came from Marissa Payne, who slowly walked over to the other girl, looking an odd combination of amused and in disbelief. "How in the actual fuck are you just bopping around, singing, acting like everything's hunky-dory?" The redhead sighed, crossing her ankles as she leaned against the wall. "She did it. Lara really did it. This is so, SO bad, Mor."
Catching her friend speaking, Morgan pulls the headphones down around her back and breaks into a grin. “I know, Mari. I know. It looks bad but...if ya think about it? We just gotta stay outta the way, right? I mean the only chick with them is ya Ma and she ain’t gonna go outta her way t’hurt either of us. ‘Sides....” She slaps the wall beside Marissa and SCREAMS in excitement. “FUCKIN’ IRON MAIDENS GET T’PAHTY AS A TEAM FINALLY!” She grabs her blood sister, violently shaking her out of excitement. “We’re gonna show the women’s division who the baddest fuckin’ women’s team on the planet is! And who better to do it against than a couple o’backstabbin tricks? ‘Specially after what creepy-face did t’Lara earlier? We can’t let that shit slide, yo!”
"You do NOT know my mother as well as you think you do." Marissa muttered, almost more to herself than to Morgan. "Yeah. You're right though." She said, trying to distract herself a little. "It's been too damn long since we got to team up. We'll teach those bitches a lesson in respect. And so help me god, if I see one damn smirk from Mia, I am gonna kick her full-force right in that dick-trap she calls a mouth."
Morgan lifted an eyebrow. Marissa may have muttered it but her friend still caught it. “Whazzat ‘sposed t’mean? I know she can be a hardass bitch but she’s always been legit with us.” She paused and cracked a humored grin. “Except for that time we got caught sneakin’ booze outta the cabinet. You ‘member that shit?” Morgan cackles at the memory before getting back to business.
She nods to Marissa. “That’s always been our strategy. You kick Mia’s little ass and I’ll handle the crazy one. It’ll be like a karate-godzilla movie crossover! Sorta...I dunno. That made more sense in my head.” Morgan frowns in confusion.
"Ma's always said business and home should always be kept separate." Marissa said, sighing. "It's like the evil, sadistic bitch we see in the ring and the sweet lady at home are two completely different women. I just think that while she's here we should stay out of her way. Just in case."
She couldn't help but laugh at how excitable her lifelong bestie always seemed to be. it was refreshing to see in such a normally cynical and angry environment.
"I love you, Mor. You're always able to get a smile outta me no matter how angry or worried I get."
Morgan pouted at the mention of keeping a safe distance from her favorite aunt. “Awww, but I love Aunt LeeLee!” She looked like a little kid being told she couldn’t do something. Only for a second though until she nodded in understanding. She’d seen enough of LeeAnn Viskan to know that she was not to be messed with.
Marissa’s remark about her always knowing how to make her smile made Morgan give a cheeky smirk of her own. “Hey, I ain’t good at a lot o’shit but I know how to cheer my bestie up!” She gave her a playful slug in the shoulder. “But ya betta hold onto some o’that steam. Much as I wanna kick the shit outta those two cunts, I know it ain’t gonna be a walk in the—“
“Ahem.”
Morgan turns to the sound of the camera man clearing his throat with a look on her face as if to say ‘bitch, you did *not* just interrupt me’ and shrugged her hands up. “Ya gotta problem, bro?”
“Umm. It’s just...I know the broadcast network is lenient on colorful language, but you might wanna lay up on the uhh...’C’ word.”
Morgan frowned, looked at Marissa then back at the camera man. “What? ‘Cunt’? Who da fuck cares whether I say ‘cunt’ or not? I got boobs and vagene, so it’s totally chill. So who cares if I say ‘cunt’?” She looks to Marissa. “D’you care if I say ‘cunt’? This cunt does, apparently.” She thumbs to the camera man.
"Well... It's not exactly the classiest word..." Marissa said, before remembering who she was talking to. "Soooo.... Yeah. Go... Go get 'em, champ."
“Fuckin A!” Morgan gives Marissa a double high five. “Then let’s get out there and show those cunts that we’re not the cunts to fuck with!!”
Giving an excited yell, Morgan punches her locker behind her and goes hurrying out the door, almost bowling the camera man over. Behind the camera we hear the poor guy sigh. “I need a new job....”
Giving a sigh matching that of the cameraman, Marissa looks to the man, shaking her head. "She means well." She looked to the camera, hilariously pleading look in her eyes. "Really. I mean it. She means well."
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The Iron Maidens vs Apocalypta and Mia Hayashi was an absolute tag team WAR! It took about five minutes for the match to officially start as, once the Iron Maidens made it to the ring, a two on two brawl broke out with all four women ending up out of the ring and fighting around ringside. Once the match finally did get officially underway, everyone on both teams got a piece of the other in brutal back and forth exchanges. Marissa held her own against Apocalypta's power and technical wrestling with vicious kicks and elbows that eventually had her wobbly on her feet. Meanwhile, Morgan had quite a difficult time just trying to get a hold on Mia as the smaller woman used her quickness and agility to keep away from her grasping hands. When she finally got a hold of her, though, Morgan let weeks of pent up frustration fly loose on Lara Blackheart's former friend as she hammered away with an array of forearms and knees, combined with jaw dropping power moves.
After 19:13, Apocalypta sat on the top turnbuckle, rocked from an enziguri by Marissa. To the pop of the crowd, the daughter of BDP hopped up for an attempt at a Frankensteiner. Apocalypta showed that she still had some gas in the tank, however and, cheers turned to boos as she held onto Marissa when she went to bring her down, lifted her back up and performed a shocking leap from the ropes, driving her down with a diving powerbomb. As Morgan started entering the ring to break up the pinfall, Mia shot across and kicked out her feet with a baseball slide while Apocalypta covered Marissa for the pinfall.
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In another one sided match, favoring the Circle of Snakes, Abaddon toyed with Satoru Shade III in the final first round match for the World Title tournament. The match lasted all of 6:10 before Abaddon finished his opponent off with an Impaler DDT and covered him for the pin.
Hanson: "Ohhh my god, Jimmy. And that sets up the second semi-finals match for Reckoning Day. Abaddon is going to Reckoning Day and so is Belphegor."
Reynolds: "NICKY, LOOK!"
Barely seconds after the bell rang and the announcers began to talk about the conclusion of the match, Abaddon began to rise to his feet, unaware of Judas Lasher rushing down the ramp to the ring. Still in his suit, minus his tie and jacket, Judas grinned wickedly at Abaddon from behind and as soon as the leader of the Circle of Snakes turned around, the Dominion of Pain's leader sprung up off of all fours and dragged Abaddon straight to hell with his signature cutter known as--
Hanson: "LUCIFER'S HALO!!!! The Dominion of Pain has made a statement to the Circle of Snakes!!"
Reynolds: "At least he waited for the end of the match, Nicky!"
Hanson: "Like I said, Jim, this isn't about keeping them away from titles. This is on a far more personal level! Abaddon and his crew have run rampant through N*FW since day one but it's like the saying goes! If you knock on the Devil's door, soon enough he's gonna answer! And tonight, he just opened up and said 'come on in, boy!'"
The crowd continued going nuts as Judas Lasher stood over Abaddon in the center of the ring with his hands out to the side and that wicked smile on his face. This served as the final shot of the night before the camera faded out to black....
