NFW Trauma #129 - 10/21/2023!

A row of empty seats is shown at ringside when suddenly “March of the Villains” by Hot Tag Media starts to play throughout the arena as the members of the Phantom Troupe suddenly appear entering through the crowd in their usual gear, but carrying drinks and snacks as they take the empty row of seats next to ringside and sit down, Dylan throwing a small handful of popcorn at Zach while Devon simply rolls his eyes as the group gets settled
Trauma kicks off in a big way this time around; after the opening montage, the fans are greeted by the sounds of “God is Dead?” by Black Sabbath, heralding the arrival of the one and only Damon Cross!

Seth Ernst: Welcome to Trauma, fans! It looks like we’re starting off big tonight with the number one contender here to have a few words!

Miranda Augustino: A few? Once he gets started, he never shuts up!

Lucas Knox: Yet when he speaks, people listen. There’s no need to be sour, Miranda.

Stopping at the top of the ramp, looking rather like an old-school private eye in his attire for the evening, Cross looks out over the fans who in equal parts cheer and boo him. This brings a half-smile to his face as he starts down the ramp, cane in hand, towards the squared circle.

Madoka Kawada: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the winner of the 6th Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament and the number one contender to the New Frontier Championship… DAMON CROSS!

The fan reaction amplifies on both sides for a moment as Damon ascends the steps and enters the ring. There’s an actual set-up in the ring, which we see as the cameras settle on it for the first time tonight: there’s a dark carpet spread out on the canvas and two comfortable looking armchairs with a small table between them bearing a lamp and even an oval-shaped coffee table with drinks and such. It looks like a piece of someone’s study as opposed to interview space, but there you have it.

There’s even a coat rack in the corner, where Damon hangs his coat and hat and leaves his cane. He turns around as “God is Dead?” fades out and politely gestures for the microphone from Madoka. Taking it, he holds the ropes for her to exit the ring.

Seth Ernst: I like the setup, but… does it seem like a bit much?

There’s even a familiar book sitting on that small table beneath the lamp and, yes, a bowl of apples on that coffee table. This is definitely Damon’s doing.

Miranda Augustino: If Damon’s trying to class up the joint, well done. If he’s trying to be smarmy and cocky, well… spot on there, too, I guess.

Lucas Knox: I like it. Very old fashioned.

Seth Ernst: Agreed.

Lifting the microphone, Damon addresses the curious fans briefly-

Damon Cross: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Sanctum… a little something I put together so we could have some intelligent discourse around here, for a change.

Miranda Augustino: Like I said: cocky.

Lucas Knox: Not totally off the mark, though.

-but with that done, he gets right down to business.

Damon Cross: Will it become a thing? It damn well should. But a long, fruitful journey demands a strong beginning. So please allow me to welcome the first of what shall be many guests: your reigning New Frontier Champion… The Unbreakable One… STACY JONES!

"Unbreakable" by Kingdom Collapse blasts out of the PA system and as soon as Jonathan Norris belts out the word Unbreakable, "Unbreakable" Stacy Jones bursts out through the curtain and walks over to one side of the stage looking out to the fans and throwing up the devil's horns with her hands before then proceeding to walk over to the opposite side of the stage and doing the same thing. With the NFW Championship fastened around her waist, her attire seems to be quite fitting of the setup that the number one contender has put together as she is dressed in a black and white striped suit, black stiletto shoes and a black “Unbreakable” shirt underneath the blazer. She then walks back to the center of the stage and when the word Unbreakable is sung again, she along with the fans yell it out too at the same time before she begins to make her way down the ramp, slapping the fans hands on the way.

Seth Ernst: Well here she comes! Our very own NFW Champion! Dressed for the occasion as well, mind you!

Miranda Augustino: One has to wonder though, with Funeral Derangements just around the corner… is the champion ready for the challenge that is Damon Cross?

Lucas Knox: I’m pretty sure we, along with Damon Cross, know all too well that while Stacy may be looking ahead to her big Ultimate Battleground match, that that doesn’t mean she’s looking past her next challenger.

Once she reaches the bottom of the ramp, she continues slapping the fans hands who continue to scream out the words of the song with Jones. She then hops up onto the ring apron and climbs through the ropes before scaling the turnbuckle and with a closed fist she pumps it into the air along with the drum beat while the fans do the same. She then hops down and walks over to the ropes closest to the announce table and requests a microphone before being handed one as she then looks around at the setup in front of her as “Unbreakable” fades out. Damon looks on calmly, patiently, even applauding the champion as she makes her entrance.

Once she has her microphone, the champion and challenger shake hands briefly before the former is offered a seat, after which Damon takes his own. As expected, Cross gets right down to it.

Damon Cross: Shall we be honest here, Stacy?

The champion, of course, nods in agreement to that; what other way is there to be, after all?

Damon Cross: Most of NFW, and most of these fans, didn’t expect to see me win the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. They expected someone like Jordan Majors, perhaps Morgan Payne, or, God forbid, Cass Baumer to take home the victory and the opportunity. And, really, I can’t blame them for that. Just look at most of this year and what went down with my career. For a little while, even I was ready to bet against me.

He offers a smile, but there’s something predatory about it. The fans are hanging on every word, but even they’re not certain how to be taking this. Damon, realizing that he’s rambling a little, sits back and brings his opener to a close.

Damon Cross: But now, they’re silent. They’re in the rear view, where they belong, while I’m facing forward. Towards you, Stacy, and that championship-

A title which Stacy has put on display in the center of the coffee table.

Damon Cross: -which I intend to have around my waist at the end of WrestleWar. My question is this: how far are you willing to go to deny me my place in wrestling history?

Jones chuckles a little as she sits back in the chair and glances over to the NFW Championship.

Stacy Jones: How far am I willing to go to deny you your place in history? Well, Damon… you could ask my brother, Seifer. Who while I was HYBRID Grand Champion, took me on with my title on the line and he put his own career on the line. You could also ask Kai Morgan, because after coming back from an injury that almost ended my career, I willingly put it all on the line when I took him on for the very championship you are aiming to take from me. So if I am willing to end my own brother’s career… and if I am willing to lose it all for that very championship, Damon? What do you think my answer to that question would be?

Nodding knowingly, Damon considers quietly for a few moments as the fans cheer on their champion. After a couple seconds, he replies.

Damon Cross: You fought family to protect your championship, which is never an easy endeavor. But put your career on the line? Stacy, we do that every time we enter the ring. I’m sorry to say that that… isn’t special. The only difference in this case is that you were willing to walk away while you still could instead of having to be carried away because you could not.

Some of the fans don’t like that comment, but Damon’s eyes and ears are only for Stacy right now. Her expression tightens just a little, but she doesn’t seem rattled… a testament to her inner strength.

Damon Cross: Permit me to be honest: Seifer never reached the heights he should have. And Kai Morgan?

He pauses, if only to let the fans react to the name, then…

Damon Cross: He was a punk who had to win through dubious tactics, often by the skin of his teeth. That’s not to disparage you, Stacy, because you put him in his place handily. That’s what experience does for a person. You knew what was coming and you were ready. Here’s the rub, though: you knew what was coming with me, too, back when we both toiled in HYBRID. But that wasn’t enough back then, was it?

That tone got a bit firm, and that reminder of what once was has more fans railing on Damon not only for how he’s addressing their champion, but for the reminder of his old days… Crossroads, the Crusade, the God of Ascension. It’s something they’d rather not remember.

Stacy Jones: You’re right, Damon. You are absolutely right. You defeated me back then… and since then you have only gotten better and better. As you alluded to earlier, you said that nobody expected you to win the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. But that’s not true, because I expected you to win. And that’s not a knock on anyone else involved in the tournament, this year’s VBMT was arguably one of the closest to date. And despite the fact that lately I have been dealing with other issues here in NFW, I watched the entire tournament from start to finish… and I saw what you claim that nobody else did. I could see it in your eyes that you were not going to be denied. Hell… looking at you right now, I see that same look in your eyes. But here’s the thing, Damon… I don’t want you to rehash the same thing I have heard over and over again, most recently from Adrianna Salvatore. Because yes, you have changed since back then… and you have grown a lot and have gotten better and better… but what everyone else, including Adrianna, have failed to realize… is that they’re not the only ones who have grown and gotten better. I may not harp on about my accomplishments as much as others do, that’s not how I’m wired… and if people wish to do that themselves? That’s their prerogative. But I know one thing for certain, and that’s that I am in the position I am in because I am damn good at what I do between these ropes. And right now? I am the very best on this roster because I am carrying that--

The Unbreakable One points to the NFW Championship.

Stacy Jones: --around my waist. You’re a smart man, Damon… but I also thought Adrianna was smart too. Don’t be another Adrianna and underestimate me, because at this point? It’s getting rather tiresome how many people in this business do seem to underestimate me, despite the fact that I am currently holding what they all want.

Damon Cross: I know better than to underestimate you, Stacy. That nickname of yours isn’t something to sell t-shirts; it’s who you are. Unbreakable. Unstoppable. An example of everything that’s right in wrestling. Handing out meaningless praise does no one any favors, but what I just said? I meant every word. Because every word of it is true.

He leans in a little more.

Damon Cross: Above all else, though, Stacy? You are a survivor. Even your worst enemies would have to grant you that much.

Sitting back again, Damon picks up the glass of water on his side of the table and takes a long sip before putting it back down. Then…

Damon Cross: The thing about survival, though, is that it often requires sacrifice. Drop your pack to outrun the predator chasing you down. Give up the job you love for another that will allow you to pay your rent. And so on. It comes in many forms. In wrestling?

He gestures to the championship himself.

Damon Cross: I’m going to give you no choice but to sacrifice that championship to me in order to move forward.

Stacy Jones: Well in that case--

Jones takes hold of her championship and stands to her feet, she places the championship over her shoulder and turns to her challenger, not in a threatening or malicious way, but in a deadly serious way.

Stacy Jones: --I’m going to have to give you no choice but to sacrifice making history. Because respectfully, Damon… the only way you’re taking this championship away from me and ending The Unbreakable Era… is by prying it from my bloody, broken body.

Rising as well, Damon nods in agreement, responding simply to Stacy’s retort.

Damon Cross: As you wish.

"Unbreakable" by Kingdom Collapse starts up again as Stacy holds up the belt to the delight of the fans before leaving the ring. Damon stays where he is, once more applauding the champion as she makes her way back up the ramp, never taking his eyes off her or the title.

Seth Ernst: That got serious in a hurry, folks. It looks like WrestleWar will live up to its name and then some when these two clash.

Miranda Augustino: Stacy never gives up and Damon never stops fighting. It’s some weird flip on the irresistible force/immovable object argument. I have no idea how to call it!

Lucas Knox: I’d be surprised if anyone does. Hell of a start to Trauma, folks. But stay tuned, because there’s much more to come!
For the first time the NFW crowd boos Professional Wrestling's Little Sister! Pandemonia just laughs and nods to T1ck3t outside the ring.

T1ck3t: You know... Ms Viskan... You seem to be a woman who enjoys a good bit of carnage, a little violence, maybe even displays of pure power. Well, I've signed, sealed, delivered, and now unpacked carnage, violence, and pure power right here tonight!

The crowd continues to boo The E-fed Watcher herself.

T1ck3t: Oh, I'm not done yet. I told you Pandemonia contains her power and unleashes it in all its devastating glory when she sees fit... And she's just getting started tonight. NFW management, send out all you have to spare back there!

Just then from the back running to the ring comes three more competitors, El Piso Mojado and Los Ding Dongs! The crowd half cheers, but knows it's only a matter of time before the inevitable occurs. As all three men enter the ring, the bell sounds beginning the new match.

Ding Dong Dos and El Piso Mojado climb opposing turnbuckles and jump at the same time targeting Pandemonia, but she calls upon her Primal Knowledge and walks out of their way causing them both to collide midair and crash to the canvas. As Pandemonia goes to pick up both downed opponents by their throats, she's kicked in the ass by Ding Dong Uno causing her to fall forward and lose her grip on the other two. The three then team up stomping her while she's down and T1ck3t is shouting her disapproval to the referee who just shrugs and allows the attack to continue.

The crowd cheers for all three of them, but those cheers are short-lived when Pandemonia starts fighting them off and getting to her feet. The cameras catch T1ck3t on the outside now laughing as Pandemonia gets to a vertical base while her three opponents continue to try to keep her down. With Ding Dong Uno and Ding Dong Dos grabbed by their throats, El Piso Mojado attempts to run in, but catches a Big Boot for his efforts. Pandemonia then delivers a double chokeslam to Los Ding Dongs laying them out. She picks up El Piso Mojado and hits him with the Brutal Critical (F-5). She then grabs Ding Dong Uno and does the same to him and the same to Ding Dong Dos! With all three men laid out cold, she tosses each of them out over the top rope with Biel Throws to the outside. T1ck3t nods her approval and yells for the ref to start the 10-count. The ref does as instructed and counts from 1 all the way to 10 without any movement out of Pandemonia's opponents. He calls for the bell and T1ck3t is seen on the outside handing the mic back to Madoka Kawada telling her to do her damn job.

Madoka Kawada: Here is your winner via count-out. Pandemonia!!!

T1ck3t celebrates with her client in the ring when Jimmy Bones rushes in to interrupt, but he ends up eating a Brutal Critical like the others.
Tanja was taking advantage of the training facilities that the arena had while Trauma was having as she wanted to keep herself in shape between matches. She never knew when she would be called upon during a show for a run in or replacing someone at the last minute during the evening or anything else for that matter.

Tanja Devereaux: The Wicked Witch of the Bayou never sleeps as we are always on guard for the next soul to carry to the afterlife or the next soul to inflict pain. We are happy to know that no one knows when or how we will do these dealings in the world of the living as very few understand our ways or why we live that path..

The Cajun stepped off of the bike she was using and grabbed a towel before she headed to the weight bench.

Tanja Devereaux: We are not going to be ignored any longer and with a very spiritual night coming up soon, we will prepare ourself for the release of the spirits of the dead that will enter the world of the living. They will cause fear in many and many will not understand why they are there. We will walk the streets in respect to those spirits and speak for them when they need their voice.

Tanja could tell that some of the other users of the gym were uncomfortable with the words she was sharing but she knew they were only uncomfortable due to the lack of understanding of what she brought to the world professionally and personally.

Tanja Devereaux: It may be early but some of the spirits may have a thing or 2 to say and do before the special spiritual evening comes. Many of them find the commercialization of this night blasphemy and they hate what the night has become. Some will want to make sure that their point is made before they arrive to the world of the living and that they are only the beginning..

Tanja turned away and began to use the weights for her training, ignoring someone coming to her and ask a question.
“Classy” Bianca Page walks into a luxury box of the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum where the rest of the Influencers are, with notable expectation of Queen Bianca Davis, who is noticeable by her absence.

Vanessa Page: Where have you been, Binx?

"Classy" Bianca Page: I was just chatting with Travis Levitt…

"Diamond Princess" Danielle Page: EW why?

"Classy" Bianca Page: Travis is good friends with William. You remember William? My boyfriend.

"Diamond Princess" Danielle Page: Ugh! That doesn’t mean you have to play nice with his friends.

"Classy" Bianca Page: Don’t start with me, D…

Vanessa Page: Alright you two, We have business to handle. The Trios Championship match is coming up.

"Diamond Princess" Danielle Page: With those two teams that are merely place holders?

Vanessa Page: The one and the same match because we all know that there is no other Trios team anywhere that competes with us. Which is why we need our NFW Trios Championships back.

"Classy" Bianca Page: We can all agree that, V. We scout these two scrubs tonight. Then I will go to Funeral Derangements where I will expose Darcy as a true fraud and then she will come in and be the new muscle of the Influencers.

"Diamond Princess" Danielle Page: That’ll be so fun to have her working for us.

"Classy" Bianca Page: You know it, ladies, but before we sit down to watch this Trios Championship match I have to speak about how Trauma ended last week. First of all we all saw how B was robbed last week in the main event. Stacy needed Damon out there in order to wrestle against B. Is he your emotional support dog, Stacy? B was out there alone to have a good clean match and it is a shame you couldn’t hold up your end of the bargain. It is why I came out to cash in my Wildcard Briefcase so NFW and the whole wrestling world can have a New Frontier Champion that everyone can be proud of. But did that happen? NOOOOOOO because Damond stuck his nose in the business of the Influencers.

Vanessa Page: Unacceptable!

"Classy" Bianca Page: Totally unacceptable!!! So you lucked out, Stac, but you can rest assured that when I do cash in my Wildcard Briefcase I will be successful in taking your precious little championship away from you. That is if you still have the championship when I cash in because Damon has a good chance to beat you. Or I might just commit the heist of the century.

"Diamond Princess" Danielle Page: Oooooh I like that idea.

"Classy" Bianca Page: Right? It’ll be a sweet way to end WrestleWar. Just saying.

Bianca devilishly smiles.

Soon coming into the room wearing her trademark black crown, and a lavish black dress is none other than the Queen influencer, herself Bianca Davis who is fuming surrounded as always by her two “minions' '.

Queen Bianca Davis: Look, I don’t need to tell you what happened last week was a disgrace a perfectly laid plans ruined by the same people who quite frankly are put on a pedestal they don’t deserve in the first place, the same reason this company is stagnant, as Baumer of all people has stated.

Bianca rolled her eyes as boos came from the audience, as she says.

Queen Bianca Davis: Face they need us, they need ME in the main event way more often. I am just sick of it. I saved that wretched bitches head and then I got robbed in the main event? I am done, I am so done things need to change, and the need to change now?!

The Socialites look at each other each with a smile on their face.

Vanessa Page: You are so right, girl. My sisters and I are going to get back those Trios Championships. Have you decided how you are going to make the NFW better?

Bianca scoffs as she said looking at her phone with a slight smirk on her face.

Queen Bianca Davis: Looking at these metrics I am brining in an audience that ehse morons can’t accept, I mean I am bigger than just wrestling so they can hate me, boo me, whatever they want but simply put I should be and will be the centerpiece of this brand because it should revolve around me, revolve around the Infulencers rather they like it or not! Now, we need a statement ladies I was embarrassed last week!

"Classy" Bianca Page: What happened last week was disgraceful. I should be standing here right now the New Frontier Champion!!! But noooo! Damon and Stacy want to play their foolish little games going into WrestleWar. So go ahead and do your thing you two. Just remember that while my primary focus is on getting back the Trios Championships…

Bianca lifts up the Widcard Briefcsse.

"Classy" Bianca Page: This is my all access pass to anything and everything I want!

Vanessa Page: It was once said many years ago, “Enough is enough and it is time for a change.” That change begins now and we will not be ignored anymore!
The camera cuts to the ringside section where the Phantom Troupe is enjoying the show when Dominique Ciotti walks over to the row and approaches Devon Slayton.

Dominique Ciotti: I'm here with the Phantom Troupe and their mastermind, Devon Slayton. Devon, why are the Troupe sitting at ringside?

Devon hands his drink over to David who accepts it as the older wrestler stands up, running a hand through his beard for a moment as he does so.

Devon Slayton: Well Dominique, the answer to your question is pretty simple actually as none of the Troupe was scheduled to be on the show this week,I thought that the boys and I could do to at least take in the show and see what our most immediate threats to us becoming the Trios champions would be.

Dominique Ciotti: Sounds pretty fair and on the level, plus you have got some killer snacks I see. So are you enjoying the show thus far?

Devon nods in agreement as Dominique motions at the Troupe and their collective of tasty arena foods.

Devon Slayton: It's been a pretty killer card thus far, I'm actually quite impressive with young Otto Nova.

Dominique Ciotti: From the sounds of that comment, it's almost like you were expecting something more from the Son of the Shock Collar, Mister Slayton

Devon's ice blue eyes narrow ever so slightly under the brim of his hat as he tilts his head a little bit to the right in regards to her.

Devon Slayton: ...Quite. But the point of the Matter, Miss Ciotti, is that me and the boys are here to enjoy ourselves tonight. So if you'll excuse us?

Dominique makes like she has more questions but Devon simply accepts his drink back from David and the screen cuts from the Troupe.
Backstage at the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum with the NFW Trios champs.

Deedray: Now or never.

Jericho: We know we got this. We did it before.

Deedray: We did what we set out to do. Its thabks to you.

Jericho: Huh uh. You two earned this as much as me. OG would be proud of us.

Valereigh: Shall we?

Deedray: Lets do it.

Fade