NFW Trauma #149 - 05/11/2024!

Trauma opens as “Heart vs Mind” by I Prevail comes over the speakers. The crowd goes into a frenzy, as the shrieking vocals that gets the song fully started kicks in.


With that, Kai Morgan jumps out through the curtain, dressed in his street clothes and raising up his arms to get the crowd hyped. He makes his way to the ring. Kai makes his way into the ring, grabbing a microphone before gesturing to cut the music.

Kai Morgan: What's up, Chicago?!

The crowd cheers in response.

Kai Morgan: What a fun couple of months we’ve had, huh? I come back for the first time in, like, ages. Take on Damon Cross. I lost. I take on the guy who wants next at Cross. Which, like, good on you, Travis. I’m rooting for ya.

Another pop from the crowd, this time rallying behind the man Kai mentioned, Travis Levitt.

Crowd: DRA-GON! DRA-GON! DRA-GON! DRA-GON!

Kai Morgan: Yeah, yeah! Go ahead! He deserves it!

Kai waits for the crowd to pipe down before continuing.

Kai Morgan: But in between that was a guy. This guy who claimed to be on the level of a God, who got cocky and thought he’d step to me. And in a surprising change of pace for me? I won.

Kai laughs a bit, almost as if to make fun of his own poor record.

Kai Morgan: But something about that, it got under his skin. Losing to me tends to do that to people, I’ve come to realize. Forget Sedition Rising. Taking a three count and getting all in your fee-fees is the most iconic team in wrestling. Nothing new. Nothing I’ve never seen before.

Kai’s demeanor changes a bit now, getting a bit more serious.

Kai Morgan: But then, he decided to take it a step further. He decided to mess with my career. Decided to mess with something that allows me to put clothes on my child’s back and food on my family’s table. You wanna talk about what gets me in my fee-fees? That right there’ll do it.

Kai pauses, before looking into a nearby camera.

Kai Morgan: That right there ain’t what a God does. That’s what a coward does, and given how long I’ve been at this, I can tell you right now that being a coward don’t make you special. So—

At that moment, “Pati Mai” begins to play out of the speakers and the crowd in the arena begin to boo as they know who’s walking out… none other than “The God of Thunder” himself. As he enters and stands at the top of the stage we can see he isn’t there to fight, instead he raises the microphone in his hands to his mouth and begins to talk.

Kūali’i Tofilau: You know, Morgan… you have a lot of talk for a man who once walked my path… because unlike these moronic fans… I remember how you used to be… I may not have been in the company at this point… but I remember hearing headlines about it… the great Kai Morgan… turning… on his best friend after he just went through a deathmatch…

The crowd continues to boo Tofilau, not that it registers to him that they’re doing anything at all, as he walks down the ramp as he speaks to Kai.

Kūali’i Tofilau: You see, however… the difference between then and now is that I don’t care about you. Not at all. There is not a single ounce of care for someone like you… someone who can’t make up their mind what their priorities are… one minute taking matters into your own hands is fine… the next you frown upon it.

Tofilau makes his way up the steps, and stands on the ring apron opposite Kai.

Kūali’i Tofilau: Now… you’re in here calling me a coward… and you KNOW... I’m going to need to beat an apology out of you… so before we get that far… what have you got to say, Morgan?

Kai smiles a bit, seemingly knowing something deep down that Kūali’i doesn’t.

Kai Morgan: I swear I have never seen someone come so close to the point, just to miss it all the same.

Kai swings his microphone around.

Kai Morgan: You say you’ve watched me before. That you’re currently walking my path. Maybe you didn’t watch closely enough. I’m not telling you anything I’m telling you from this place of moral superiority. The time for that has come and gone. I’m telling you all of this from experience.

Yeah, I turned my back on my best friend. I also tried to put said best friend out of a job. In fact, I tried to put damn near everyone in this building out of a job before. I did whatever I felt like doing. Didn’t give a fuck about the consequences. Kept doing it until not a single person in these stands respected me. Until not a single person in that locker room respected me. But I didn’t care. Just like you don’t care. It’s all secondary to getting to the top.

Kai pauses to let his words register with Kūali’i.

Kai Morgan: And when you get to the top, yeah, it’s gonna feel good. Fantastic, even. But it comes to an end one day. It always does. The business never moves with you. It moves through you. And when your time is up? That lack of respect, both from these people out here and those people in the locker room? It’s gonna feel cold. You’re gonna be freezing.

So you can go ahead and beat an apology out of me now, or let me beat some respect into you later. But one thing that ain’t gonna change is that if you keep walking this path you speak of, this guy that you don’t care about ain’t be the only one calling you a coward.

Kuali’i takes a moment to process what was said to him, before he just starts laughing to himself. He takes a moment and then gets into the ring, standing at the opposite end of the ring to Kai

Kūali’i Tofilau: You know what I find funny? I find it hilarious how you’re standing here… in front of me… and in front of all these idiots who paid a ticket… and you’re talking about how this is all ‘from experience’... you talk about how it’s gonna feel ‘cold’... but what you’re failing to understand is the reasoning I keep it as just me.

It’s protection. Protection from the snakes in the garden only looking for a chance to poison their bog… Protection from these idiots around us from turning on you.

He takes a half step forward, continuing to speak.

Kūali’i Tofilau: You may not get it… but there is a METHOD to what I do… there is a REASON… I do things the way I do… you may call it cowardice… these people may call it cowardice… I call it necessary. I don’t CARE what these people… nor you think of me… but what I do care about is you getting me with one lucky shot… and now I have a blemish on my record… that I need to fix.

Kai almost immediately responds, raising his voice almost as if he’s fed up with what Kūali’i is saying.

Kai Morgan: Go ahead, then! Try to fix the blemish on your record! Try and beat an apology outta me! Do whatever you think you gotta do to make things right for you! Matter of fact, I’ll make it easy for ya! Two weeks from now, we got Manifest Destiny. I’ll be here. No doubt your dumbass’ll be here too. So how about I talk to Ms. Viskan and have a rematch made official?

The crowd gives the prospect of another match between these two a massive ovation.

Kai Morgan: I’ll be here, and hell, I’ll even stay after. Just to see what type of meltdown you have when I put another tick in the loss column for you.

“Heart vs Mind” by I Prevail begins to play again, with Kai shoulder checking Kūali’i on his way to the ropes. He nearly steps through, before stopping himself briefly, swiping his hand across his throat to signal for production to stop his music.

Kai Morgan: One more thing, though. Call this a piece of free advice in the form of a question. What did the five fingers say to the face?

Kūali’i stares begrudgingly at Kai, rolling his eyes in annoyance. He knows the answer to this question is bound to piss him off. He raises the microphone to his lips in an attempt to answer, only for Kai to quickly paint brush him across the face. Kūali’i stands there for a moment, his eyes twitching with rage as he tries to collect himself and think of what he’s gonna do next. He then pounces towards Kai, looking for a Clothesline. He ducks it however, catching Kūali’i just as he turns around with a Superkick that sends him toppling out of the ring. Kūali’i stands at ringside, looking as furious as ever as the crowd cheers on Kai’s behavior.
Backstage, Orphynn is seen arriving through the doors in the Colosseum. She’s wheeling a small case behind her and is dressed in a small tank with a black jacket with red dragon designs on the sleeves on over it and jeans and boots. She also has on a pair of sunglasses on which she removes once she’s indoors and tucks into her tank. It doesn’t take long for her to recognize somebody off camera.

Orphynn: Hey, I’m glad to see you here and ready to finish this series off tonight. This is your last chance to try to win against me, so I’m expecting a lot more than last time.

The camera backs slightly and scrolls over as Jimmy Bones comes into frame. As the show has barely just begun, he’s still in his crew staff uniform of black jeans and a black work shirt with the company logo across the back over a long sleeved white undershirt with said sleeves tugged up around his forearms and black work boots. All this is topped off with a company hat over his cropped blonde hair.

Jimmy Bones: Hey, Phynn!

His face even lights up a little when he sees her as he sets a piece of equipment down beside him on a table.

Jimmy Bones: Trust me, I’ve been thinking about that all week. It’s had me working harder in training than I ever thought I could. You’ll get all you expect and then some.

Jimmy pauses and there’s a brief moment where he looks at her and rubs the back of his neck.

Jimmy Bones: So…you look nice!

Orphynn: Um...

Orphynn blushes a little as the compliment hit her out of left field. She diverts her attention by looking over her outfit.

Orphynn: Thank you, but these are just my comfy clothes I wear for traveling. You're really repping NFW tonight, so I hope they honor everything on the line with the series if you win. I'm glad to hear you've been upping your training and working harder, but I'd be a liar if I told you I wasn't doing the same. I don't want to give you an easy out and I feel conflicted because I want to win tonight, but I also want you to win and go on to bigger things in the future. I saw it in those videos you posted, in the ring in our past matches...

She cracks a smile at her opponent for the night.

Orphynn: ...and I can even see it right now as you come in with a little more confidence in your step.

Jimmy looks down at himself over his “uniform.”

Jimmy Bones: Huh? Oh! Heh, yeah. I still have to change out of my work clothes and into my gear.

He stops for a moment, folding his arms together and nods.

Jimmy Bones: Yeah. I’m glad at least someone sees I take this seriously. I wanna win tonight…I practically need to win tonight, but I know you’re not gonna make it easy. I’d never ask for that. If I do this, I wanna know I managed to beat you at your best. We’ve shaken hands the other two times, there’s no reason we can’t do it again after tonight. You’ve helped me realize how much potential I really have, Phynn, and…I can’t thank you enough. Really.

There’s an awkward pause before Jimmy rubs his hands together, almost nervously.

Jimmy Bones: Well, listen uh…I better go get ready. I should let you go too, but did you wanna…I dunno…

He gives a small shrug.

Jimmy Bones: What are you doing after the show? Did you wanna maybe like…hang out? Do something? Get something to eat?

She smiles at the request.

Orphynn: Provided neither of us are injured, I’d love to get something to eat after the show and autograph sessions, of course. Good luck and I’ll see you out in the ring soon.

Jimmy visibly brightens up a little more.

Jimmy Bones: Great! I’ll see ya then. Later Phynn!

He gives her a gentle pat to the side of the shoulder and picks up the piece of equipment he was handling when Orphynn first approached him. Jimmy continues working with it as he excuses himself to let his opponent for later that night be on her way. Orphynn leaves the scene as the camera follows her until she’s suddenly stopped. The camera pans back to show she’s face to face with Pandemonia!

Pandemonia: Maybe one day you'll stop wrestling jobbers and face some real talent. I was told by Ticket that you were the next step up from me, but seeing you right here in front of me now, you're more like a step back.

Pandemonia puts a finger against the chest of Orphynn while speaking to her.

Pandemonia: In fact... Stepping back is what you need to do and leave this organization before I do something you'll regret.

Orphynn does step back, but only far enough to get Pandemonia’s finger off her chest.

Orphynn: I don’t back away from anybody and definitely not you. I don’t know what you have against me other than having a similar build, but I came to NFW, they didn’t come to me. So, we aren’t the same and I’m not your replacement.

Pandemonia smirks, but speaks with more anger in her voice.

Pandemonia: Don't hand me that bullshit! You haven't been here long enough to dictate your own matches, yet they let you. Tonight, go out and wrestle your jobber friend, but I'll be watching. We'll deal with each other soon enough, but it'll be on my time table, not yours.

With that, Pandemonia leaves Orphynn who is left with an annoyed look on her face.
Super Tiger II makes her way over to the ropes after the bell rings, holding out a hand to one of the techs to take a microphone. The crowd immediately goes silent, everyone curious to hear what the woman wearing this legendary mask has to say.

Super Tiger II: NFW UNIVERSE! ¡¿Qué onda mi nueva familia?!

The young Hispanic woman grins, nodding her head at the positive response from the crowd, every single member of the audience on the edge of their seats.

Super Tiger II: You’re probably all wondering just who the hell I am, wearing a mask and carrying a name you all loved and adored for half a decade as one of the greatest female wrestlers on the planet, yeah?!

She laughs, shaking her head and holding up a finger.

Super Tiger II: Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I can’t tell you that! Risa Lemon told me, in no uncertain terms, that I was to keep my real identity secret!

Super Tiger II does a lap around the ring, grinning like a fool as she looks out at all of the people listening to her every word.

Super Tiger II: For over a year I’ve been training in secret. Risa Lemon. Morgan and Andrew Payne. The House of Payne in McKeesport, PA. HOW YINZ DOIN?!

The Hispanic woman’s voice has that faint hint of an accent, reminiscent of the Ace, Morgan Payne, indicating that she does in fact hail from the same place.

Super Tiger II: I’m not gonna stand out here taking up too much more air time. That’d be pretty rude of me, no? But get used to this sight, NFW Universe. Super Tiger is here, and she’s here to stay, right here on TRAUMA!

She climbs up onto the southeast turnbuckle, holding the mic to her mouth.

Super Tiger II: One thing for sure hasn’t changed! ALWAYS GROWING! EVER CHANGING! CONSTANTLY EVOLVING!

She pauses, looking into the hard cam with another grin.

Super Tiger II: I AM THAT EVOLUTION! SUPER TIGER RESU!! GOOOOO!!!!

The masked wrestler jumps down off the turnbuckle, tossing the mic to a tech at ringside as “The Eagle Has Landed” kicks back up, and she nods along, pumping her arms to fire up the crowd as she exits the ring!
Like the rest of Sedition Rising, Lana was present at Trauma for moral support for Otto. She was found stalking around the backstage area. She hadn’t been booked since she beat the hell out of Ailyn Darrington. She was getting antsy and practically looking for a fight. She turns a corner and runs into Teresa Morgan. Normally this wouldn’t bother her too much, but in her given mood it struck a nerve. She turned and glared at Teresa.

Lana Corvin: Well if it isn’t the hairdresser that decided to play wrestler. Watch where you are going. Actual real wrestlers are walking around.

Just as Teresa goes to speak Lana holds up a hand and cuts her off.

Lana Corvin: Yeah yeah, I know. You are sleeping with a former world champion and Adrianna trained you. Just do me one favor, okay? Don’t make Adrianna look like a shit trainer. Wouldn’t want to have to beat the shit out of one of her close friends.

Lana gives Teresa one last look before turning and walking away. Teresa watched Lana walk off and slowly shook her head. She knew the woman was a friend of Adrianna’s, but it didn’t stop the words that came from her.

Teresa Morgan: Conceited bitch…the place is full of them, I swear.

With another shake of her head, Teresa sighed and then shrugged to herself before continuing on her way.
Darcy is pacing back and forth backstage as she looked around. The cameraman was slow to approach, he then tapped her on the shoulder, she looked over at him, then continued pacing. She then stops in the middle of the row. She then throws a chair past the cameraman.

Darcy Graves: For the last few weeks, all I've been hearing from Queenie is how I'm not worthy, how she wants to cancel me. But guess what? I'm still standing. You and your little goon squad are about to learn what most people already know: when you mess with a bull, you get the horns. Queenie, in my case, you'll be getting a reminder that I was known as the reaper for a reason. The reaper always collects on her debts, and right now, Queenie…

Darcy pulls the cameraman closer then pushed him back. She laughed slightly and then moved past him, looking back.

Darcy Graves: Tasha, Simon, Bianca, you've got 14 days before the reaper comes to collect that championship. Keep it nicely shined because when my reign starts, that belt will serve as a reminder to those who want it that a true workhorse will be standing between them and the championship. There will be no more picking of challengers. It'll be...

Darcy then had turned her back looking over her shoulder.

Darcy Graves: Open Fight Night

Darcy walked away as the cameraman put the camera down.
The cameras come into focus and as they do we are able to see a shot of Crystal Hilton smiling in a revealing blue dress. She is sitting down in a chair and has the United States Championship draped over a shoulder. She smiles as she runs her fingers through her hair as she looks deep into the camera.

Crystal Hilton: So tonight will indeed be a good night. It will be the night where four different individuals all fight as hard as they possibly can to walk away with the chance at getting to face me. Honestly you got Otto Nova, Miguel Rodriguez, Jasmine Matthews and even Jessie Robinson. There are so many different ways this match could go and honestly I can’t wait to see how things unfold. If you were to honestly ask me who out of the four of these do I really want to face I have but one single answer…

Crystal smiles as she nods her head and speaks some more

Crystal Hilton: Truthfully it really doesn’t matter who is in that ring with me because I know through all of the hard work and dedication that the answer will result in the same exact result. It’s going to end with me having my hand lifted proudly in the air and with title raised proudly above my head. I am here to put on absolute bangers. Being in the ring with me will elevate somebody to get better. I hadn’t felt that way in a long time but honestly I am feeling myself and I know I am among one of the best wrestlers that is currently on this roster.

Crystal is more passionate as she shares more of her heart.

Crystal Hilton: Blood sweat and certainly tears went into winning this championship and a lot more has gone into defending it and continuing onward with the prestige that it holds. I know there are a lot of people who assumed that things would be one and done for me but I am showing everybody that clearly isn’t the case. There’s a reason why I am a god damn champion. Life is good. Things are going amazing with the wives. Things are going great with the children minus the one daughter in-law that is acting like a fool on Collision. Things in general are just amazing and I can’t wait to see what fate has for me. \

Crystal reaches for her championship and holds it up.

Crystal Hilton: So to the four of you giving everything you got out there. Bring it… Show that you want to be in a banger with yours truly. Whether you love me, you hate me, or you respect me it doesn’t matter. Who wants to rise up and prove to the world they have what it takes to fight for gold… My gold! Step up… I will be waiting.
The Socialites are walking out of their locker room of the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum. “Diamond Princess” Danielle Page and “Classy” Bianca Page are in their wrestling gear while their sister Vanessa is in trendy street clothes.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page: It’ll be nice to step into the ring with some fellow royals tonight.

Vanessa Page: Will those in the Kingdom actually think so?

“Classy” Bianca Page: I highly doubt.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page: I’m inclined to agree with you, sis. But in every great Kingdom their time will come in order for the rise of a true Princess such as myself…

Vanessa Page: And don’t forget our Genesis Champion and the Queen of NFW Bianca Davis.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page: The Influencers will truly run NFW Trauma in no time and what we can do is get those NFW Alliance Championships.

Vanessa Page: Those Championships will look great on us.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page: They surely will, V, because we aren’t just three sisters whose minds are all twisted with delusions of grandeur. We know how good we are and we know we are the future of the Alliance division.

“Classy” Bianca Page: What teams like the Kingdom, The Kerry Family, Phantom Troupe, and dare I even say Sedition Rising will all realize that the three of us are just a level above the rest.

Vanessa Page: That is so true, Binx.

“Classy” Bianca Page: But don’t get it twisted, people. I still have my eyes on the very championship I should have my hands on at this very moment. That’s right, the NFW Championship. So go ahead and beat the hell out of each other, Damon and Travis. It’ll be great to see but the biggest mistake either one of you could possibly make is to forget about me.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page: No matter how any of you want to cut it, The Influencers, the Socialites, Binx, or Queen B, we will truly reign supreme, and if we have to dethrone the Kingdom to do so then so be it.

The Socialites arrive at Gorilla Position.
The scene opens in the locker room of The Kingdom. Stephanie Kenyon can be seen shadow boxing. Abigail Lindsay on the other hand can be seen sitting on the floor, her legs crossed yoga style. She is looking down into the pages of a book.

Abigail Lindsay: Did you know it has been thirty five days since our last match? Heh, felt like a lifetime ago to be honest.

Stephanie shugs slightly as she continues on.

Stephanie Kenyon: I’ve heard of worse but yeah, it's been a while.

Abigail Lindsay: Sometimes I wonder if LeeAnn knows we exist. Business is picking up. Jasmine did main event Trauma two weeks ago against Damon. We’re main eventing tonight. And Jasmine did compete for the right to challenge Crystal earlier. Things are looking up for The Kingdom?

Again, Stephanie shrugs as she continues shadowboxing.

Stephanie Kenyon: This is our chance to keep that name in her mind. If we manage to do that one way or another, we might just take control of our own shit.

Abigail pulls her attention from the book she was looking at. She focuses on how Steph is heavy into her warm up routine.

Abigail Lindsay: What’s on your mind, sweetie? Hate the idea that I’m boring you.

Stephanie stops in her tracks and looks at Abigail.

Stephanie Kenyon: You ain’t borin’ me, Abi, I just don’t really know what to say about Miss LeeAnn. I know we ain’t been booked a ton, but I’ve never been booked a ton so it’s not really that different to me. If it’s unusual…

She pauses, nodding apologetically.

Stephanie Kenyon: I’m sorry I missed it.

Abigail extends her hand to Stephanie, grabbing it, she pulls herself up to her feet. She places a hand on Steph’s shoulder.

Abigail Lindsay: I am the one who's sorry. Just frustrated sweetie, that’s all. She insists on us showing up to Trauma on the days we’re not scheduled to compete. Lounging in catering most of the time is pretty boring. I want to go out there and cause a little trouble. Make a real statement. But we’re supposed to be the good guys, we can’t push the envelope. The lack of any real opportunity is not to my liking. It’s May. Not one contender’s match for the Alliance Championships. Yay to Bruiser being back. If Collision is any indication, Ashley, Stacy, who I like by the way, are not done with Sedition Rising.

Abigail runs her fingers through her hair.

Abigail Lindsay: Will beating The Socialites even matter? Will humbling them put us on the right path? This whole show up to work, win matches, be the good girl routine isn’t working. I long for the days I get to cause a little chaos. Damn the consequences.

Abigail sighs, getting that off her chest. Stephanie smiles sweetly for her.

Stephanie Kenyon: Of course it’ll matter, Abi. It's the Socialites. They been in the mix for how damn long now? That’s how we tell the world we here! We take them mouthy, arrogant, haughty sisters and make them wish they’d never met for reasons besides the fact that we like workin’ with things that are usually covered in axle grease. You know how much they’ll hate just bein’ in the ring with us? Now add in what happens if they don’t win too!! It’s like that scene at Miracle Max’s in the Princess Bride. “Wait, I miracle him and Humpedink suffers?” They get in the ring with us and no matter what, humiliation galore!

Abigail smirks. She gives Steph a quick kiss.

Abigail Lindsay: You’re right, sweetie. Sometimes I’m afraid you are going to make an honest woman out of me. You’re the best of us. I’ll keep my eyes on the task at hand. The rest is out of our control. Let operation humiliate The Socialites commence.

Stephanie embraces Abigail and kisses her.

Stephanie Kenyon: I love you, Abi.

Abigail Lindsay: Love you too, Steph.

Abigail grabs Steph’s hand. They walk out of the locker room as the scene fades to black.
The scene opens on a simple shot of a dusky dark gym, with a flickering light. The soft sounds of thuds and scuffling all that can be seen for a moment, until the camera finally catches the sight at the corner of the scene. A simple boxing bag, with ‘The Dragon’ Travis Levitt in front of it. He’s ducking and moving, back and forth, striking out at the bag and then dodging back. Not just his fists either, The Dragon firing off some kicks to the bag, even as he side steps and keeps his pace and strikes steady. And as he works the bag, his voice comes in over the top.

Travis Levitt: Its been over a month now, since I first set myself on this path. Since I came out of March Mayhem beaten and bruised, trying to find my way again. Stumbling through the dark, just seeking a momentary glimpse of the light. And in those dark days, scrambling for something to do, I found a step….

Travis ducks and weaves, spinning quickly to land a spinning backfist with a solid hard thwack. The acne then quickly cuts to show Travis on an elevated bar, pulling himself up with some chinups, and doing a half turn each way before lowering himself down again. The Dragon is grunting with every chin-up, sweat dripping through his singlet, but his focus isn’t wavering.

Travis Levitt: Facing Bianca Page, remembering how close she had come to being NFW Champion, and realising I wasn’t as far off the path as I believed. Beating her gave me confidence. Gave me back my belief. And it gave me a way forward. It gave me a goal. The NFW Championship. I had already shared a ring with Damon Cross. Already seen his skills and abilities up close. I knew how good he was…so the question became something else. Something more important…

Travis lays back from his latest chin-up, staring ahead for a moment and breathing hard into another scene transition. Now Travis is inside the wrestling ring, bouncing off the ropes, coming to the center, and taking a sudden twist and slam to the mat before bouncing up and hitting the other side. Levitt keeps hitting the ropes and repeating the spot, even as his voice kicks in once more.

Travis Levitt: Bianca Page. Kai Morgan. Stacy Jones. All conquered by the Godkiller. And now, conquered by The Dragon too. Not just a sign of my credentials for a title shot. Not just following the massive footsteps of Cross to prove myself to him. But also a sign of what was truly more important. Self Belief. I needed to best the best, in order to prove to myself that I was ready. Not even a year within the walls of New Frontier Wrestling, and already calling my shot? I had to know I was ready. And am I?

Travis bounces off the ropes and flips forwards crashing to the mat, but he doesn’t rise. Instead laying there for a long moment, staring up at the roof. The camera slowly coming in, until Travis sits up and looks towards it, and then down at his boots. Taking a deep breath as he closes his eyes but then shakes his head.

Travis Levitt: Not yet.

He pauses for a few moments longer but then slowly raises his head and looks towards the camera, and this time it's not a voice-over, but words coming directly from the sweaty dirty face of Levitt himself.

Travis Levitt: I’m almost there, Cross. Almost ready for you. Each day I study the tapes. I watch not just my matches, but yours. And more importantly? I listen when you talk. I watch not just what you say, but how you say it. And that tells me, Godkiller, that for all your flaunting of your own skills, your dismissal of my task, that you’re already thinking of me as a challenge. A worthy foe for your gold. That means, I’m in here already.

Travis taps his temple and grins, but then lays back down with a chuckle. After a moment though he kips right back up to his feet, getting his balance and then stepping towards the camera with a grin.

Travis Levitt: I’m done with my tasks. I’m done proving myself. Next week, Cross, I want to see you in that ring. And I’m going to look you dead in the eye, and challenge you for your NFW Championship at Manifest Destiny. Thats the respect I have for you Cross. No cheap shots, no bullshit tactics like some kind of Influencer. Just two men, with respect for this business, agreeing to face-off for the greatest prize in this sport.

Travis reaches the ropes, leaning on the top one and then smiling softly as his lips curve up in a grin, and he raises his fist, directing it towards the camera and giving a wink.

Travis Levitt: Flame On, Dragonites.

And with that, Travis turns and heads back to his training as the scene cuts away.