N*FW Wrestling #16 - Minneapolis, Minnesota! 7/29/2018!

Before the show's intro vignette starts, the camera crew finds Erin Mercer backstage, arriving at the locker rooms, or at least returning to them from somewhere. Still in her street clothes, she strolls happily up to a door with the nameplate 'KID CTHULHU' on it and knocks with one hand while a black plastic bag is clutched in the other. "Cthuuuuulhuuuuuu!! Ol' buddy ol' paaaaaallll!!" She cheerfully calls as she simply lets herself in immediately after knocking.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAY!" The green-masked girl called out happily, bounding over to give her friend a little hug. Other than her mask, she was still in her street clothes: snug black jeans, sneakers, and a black and blue "Lista Ingobernables de Jericho" tee. "What's with the bag? If that's hooch or something I'm gonna be really upset."

Erin happily returned the hug before grinning big at her new girl bestie. She raised the bag in her hand up like it was a winning prize or something she was extremely proud of. "Waaaaay better than hooch!" She said, rolling her eyes with a laugh before going serious and defensive. "Not that I've ever tried it! I just mean, like...." Realizing she was digging herself into a hole, she shook her head and waved her empty hand dismissively. "Anyway! Don't take this the wrong way but...." She nodded at Kid Cthulhu's tee. "Take off your shirt." Reaching into the bag she was carrying, she pulled out two black t-shirts, obviously fitted for women. One shirt, Erin hung over her shoulder as she tossed the empty bag aside. "So, I toootally couldn't stop laughing over your hashtag on Twitter the other day. Soooooo...." The other shirt - the one she was about to give to Kid Cthulhu - she flipped out so both Cthulhu and the camera could see it. "BAM!!" On the front of the shirt was an etched design of a face made to look like it was drawn by a comic book artist. One half of the face was Kid Cthulhu's mask while the other half resembled Erin Mercer's own face as if it were a mask itself. The eyes follow on both sides while the side resembling Erin Mercer's face emphasized her pale complexion with red hair and red lips. "Aaaaand!" Turning the shirt around to show, written across the back in green text, it said #MERTHULU. "So! Whattaya think?!" Erin asked excitedly, hoping for approval.

After what can only be described as a squeal that could wake the dead, The Kid grabbed the shirt, and quickly dashed out of view of the camera, changing into the new shirt and then dashing back out. "This is the COOLEST THING EVER, Erin. I feel like that movie Step-Brothers: DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?"

While Cthulhu was off screen, changing shirts, Erin discarded her Straight Line Stitch tee--

Reynolds: "Sweet baby Jesus, that's a black bra...."

Hanson: "Oh for the love of god, Jim."

Reynolds: "What?! Look at it!!"

--And pulled on her own Merthulu shirt. When Kid Cthulhu stepped back into frame, Erin, without missing a beat, played up the movie reference, giving a sharp nod of her head. "YUP!!" She then gave her friend a fist bump. "YOU WANNA GO OUT THERE TONIGHT AND KICK THE HELL OUT OF TWO BITCHES WHO DESERVE IT?!"

"Erin Mercer, YOU my dear are the wind beneath my wings." Kid Cthulu said, with a snorting little laugh. "I swear, since we started hanging out, this is the most fun I've had since getting into the business."

Erin smiled and laughed adoringly at the compliment. "Awww, Kid!" She gave a light, playful shove to her friend's shoulder. "Hey, whoever says you can't have friends in a competitive line of work like ours, is flat out insane. Besides, true friends seem like they're hard to come by nowadays but when we do find one, it's guaranteed to lead to great things!" She raised a finger, pointing to Kid Cthulhu. "Besides, I meant what I said about if I became number 1 contender. Either one of us could have won that match. So after I take that strap from Apocalypta and make it to where that championship has real meaning, I want to give *you* first crack at it. You don't have to hate each other's guts to show these fans what wrestling's all about."

"Hey. I believe you. Seriously. The fact that you've been keeping my secret shows me I can trust you." Kid replied, before adding to Erin's comment. "Speaking of friendly competition... am I the only one thinking that Shelly and Marissa's match is gonna be borderline horrifying? There's no bad blood there... but they are two of the most brutal people I've seen here."

"Hey, I might be a Libra but I know how to choose my friends!" She chuckled. Erin turned serious, then, at the mention of Shelley Silver and Marissa Payne's match later that night. "Well, I definitely don't envy the referee who has to be in the middle of them but both of them are headstrong and they know this business like the back of their hands - whether it's through their blood, or the time they've spent doing it. It's gonna be good. OH!" Her eyes went wide like she had an idea. "We should watch it with Morgan and Lara! Ah, no. They'll probably be out there as their seconds." Her eyes went wide again and she pointed to Kid Cthulhu. "Guest commentary!"

Kid's eyes went wide behind the mask, and she let out an adorably cute squeal. "GUEST COMMENTARYYYYYY!!!!!" Ohhhhboy. This wasn't gonna end well, was it?

"It's settled!" Erin said, clapping her hands together. "We wrestle the tag match of the night! THEN, we go out there and call the singles match of the night!" Turning to the camera then, she threw one arm around Kid Cthulhu and threw up the deuces with her other hand. "MERTHULHU...OUT!!"

Reynolds: "Are they really gonna join us on commentary?"

Hanson: "I...guess? Maybe?"

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~LET ME HEAR YOU SCREAM!!!!~

The opening vignette to N*FW rolls before we open to the pyro blasting off on the stage and the arena lights up, revealing the screaming Minneapolis crowd.

Hanson: "WELCOME TO N*FW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! NICK HANSON HERE WITH JAMES REYNOLDS; WE ARE LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA!!"

Reynolds: *in a heavily put on Minnesota accent* "MEE-NEH-SOOOOO-TAH!!! IT'S TIME FOR N*FW DON'CHA KNOW?!"

Hanson: "What is even WRONG with you?!"

Reynolds: "What? That's how they talk here, Nicky!"

The camera briefly cuts to the two sitting at the table where Hanson buries his face in his palm.

Hanson: "For God's sake, Jim, you are gonna get us pulled off the air, one day. Anyways, ladies and gents! Thanks for joining us tonight. I don't need to keep saying that we have a stacked card, tonight. You already know how we do things. BUT! For some that may not know, we're looking at not one but TWO return matches, here tonight! First! It's Max LeBrun and Julian Morrison of The Renegades. They've been raising hell and causing problems all over N*FW for the past month and a half, ever since they set foot into the company--"

Reynolds: "Returned!" Reynolds says, raising a finger to correct Nick.

Hanson: *rolling his eyes* "Yes, returned to the company. They've been targeting, surprising of all, the veterans of N*FW. Our pioneers that helped build this company. They say they're being glory hogs. They say that they're old, washed up and they need to get the hell out of the spotlight and make way for new, younger blood. Well, tonight, their opponents have different thoughts. They take on, the returning Army of Darkness. We have The Mangler, William Mannheim and long time tag team partner, Pitt, stepping up to show the Renegades that they've still got some fight left in them."

Reynolds: "And that's not all, Nicky. As you said, TWO return matches. "The Omega" Ryan Steele, will take on the Master of Pain, leader of the Dominion of Pain, Judas Lasher, who hasn't set foot inside a ring in ten years. However, he's returned shortly after N*FW re-established themselves as a brand in wrestling, at the behest of his goddaughter, Lara Blackheart. She called in a favor. She called Judas and asked for help against the Circle of Snakes, and trust me when I say the Dominion arrived and have been bringing all out HELL to their targets, but tonight...tonight...Judas Lasher has a guy that isn't involved in this in anyway. He's just the guy who got picked to show him what the next generation is all about, OR...he might just end up being the unlucky son of a bitch who Judas Lasher plans to use to show the Circle of Snakes leader, Abaddon, what he has in store for him."

Before Nick Hanson could get in a response to start the show, the intro song of N*FW was interrupted by a recently familiar Hollywood Undead song, kicking on through the speakers.

~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!~

"Ladies and gentlemen," the ring announcer spoke into the microphone as the riff to the song picked up, "at this time, please welcome to the ring, representing The Renegades, the Toronto Daredevil, Max LeBrun, and Candi Broduer!"

As the song reached the start of the lyrics, Max LeBrun lead the way out onto the stage, dressed in all black clothing of jeans, boots, a t-shirt with the Renegades 'R' logo on it and a black leather jacket. His black hair, tied back into a short ponytail, giving a full view to all of the scarring on his face. With him, as always, was Candi Broduer

Hanson: "Well, I knew they said there was an announcement, but I didn't expect the show to kick off with it."

Reynolds: "Hey, great start to the show, I say!"

Hanson: "Why do you love them, so much?"

Reynolds: "They speak the truth, Nicky! The truth!"

Hanson: "The tru...? Nevermind."

Approaching the ring, Max barely even acknowledged the audience as he and Candi were greeted with boos, jeers and random insults. Rather than entering the ring, the man walked around the outside and right over to the ring announcer where he plucked the microphone out of his hands. Only then, did he climb up onto the apron and turn to look upon the crowd with smug amusement on his face. After sitting down on the middle rope to let Candi inside, Max entered behind her and stepped to the center of the ring as the music faded out. For a moment, he remained silent as he looked around at the crowd, who assaulted them with a vulgar chant.

Crowd: "FUCK YOU LEBRUN - CANDI SUCKS - FUCK YOU LEBRUN - CANDI SUCKS!"

Briefly grinning at Candi beside him, he finally raised the mic and turned towards the crowd. "Top crowd we have here in, Minneapolis. You guys' chants are...really unique!" Max said with raised eyebrows and a mocking tone before going serious again. "That's the problem with wrestling fans nowadays - hell, that's the problem with wrestling as a *whole* these days! Here it is, you have two of the greatest damn athletes standing in front of you - haven't even reached their peak yet - and you sorry ass people can't even show a smidge of appreciation. Instead? You're waiting for those washed up has beens to come out here and gimp around the ring on old bones like they've still got it...."

As Max pauses, the crowd erupts into a taunting pop at the vague mention of the ones the Renegades have been targeting since their arrival. Lifting the microphone again, Max continues. "Alright, shut your fucking mouths! You wanna root for the broken underdogs in this war? Save it for later when Julian and I send WIlliam Mannheim and..." He cringes, looking back at Candi, "...Pitt..." Then turns back to the crowd, "...back to the nursing home where they can spend their days assaulting more people than Mike Elgin."

Crowd: "OHHHHHHHH!!"

Reynolds: "Now, that was funny!"

Hanson: "Give me a break."

Continuing, Max turns from the crowd on one side and looks towards another. "But for now...in case you all haven't been keeping up with the program, my girl here...." He extends a hand, gesturing to Candi, "...the best damn acquisition that this company's Women's Division has ever seen..." He cracks a Cheshire grin at Candi, "...has a little...what'd you call it babe? Announcement? I'd like to call it a bomb shell! Lock and load, candy cane...." He hands the microphone off to Candi and steps back beside her.

"Ohhhh yeah. You could definitely call it that." Candi replied, a sadistic grin on her face. "Another way to describe it... is a statement. A statement that it does not pay to stick your nose where it doesn't belong." She took her leather jacket off, throwing it to ringside. Now in black jeans and a tight Renegades tee. "See.... this weekend, a certain masked nuisance felt the need to put Max here on blast via Twitter. Max warned her to back the hell off... and she refused. So, Kid Cthulu? Welcome to the end of your short fucking career."

She paced around the ring for a moment, before pointing up at the video wall. "Allow me to show you some footage I acquired from earlier in the day. You see... all it takes is one stealthy person with a smartphone to ruin a bitch for good. Let's see what we've got here, hmm?"

The video wall then switches to the footage Candi spoke of, that shows Kid Cthulu walking toward the private showers, a towel wrapped around her body and her mask still on. As she looked around to make sure she was indeed alone.... she then untied the mask and removed it, revealing none other than interviewer Alex Brody!

Reynolds: "Aaaaareeeee yoooouuuuuu fuuuuuckiiiiiing KIDDING?!"

Hanson: "Commisioner Brody's daughter, Alex Brody!!! But...but she's just an interviewer, I thought!"

Reynolds: "Apparently, not Nicky! She's that masked idiot who bites off more than she can chew!"

Hanson: "You realize you're calling the boss's daughter an idiot, right?"

Reynolds: "Aww, fuck! Please don't fire me, Steve!"

"Gasp!" Candi laughed mockingly, as the footage paused on a perfect shot of Alex's face. "No WONDER you were so hung up on being secretive! Why... I believe you once said if anyone found out your identity, you'd ose your job. Now we know why... because daddy dearest doesn't want his widdle girl getting hurt. Well.... the secret's out now, bitch. So get to steppin'."

Staring at the tron screen, with a mocking wide eyed look on his face and his jaw dropped, Max slapped a hand up against his forehead as he took the mic from Candi and raised it up. The man looked around at the shocked audience. "Holy fucking career killer Batman!" He paused, lifting a hand apologetically to Candi, "Or should I say...Batgirl." Here, he walked up and leaned on the ropes, facing the stage. "You know, I'm surprised nobody pieced this together earlier but us? We had a hunch, something was off with little miss hero wannabe. I mean how many times did anybody see Alex Brody and Kid Cthulhu in the same room, together? And then, Alex, your little passive note to Erin Mercer -- 'oh trust me! Help is on the way! You are not alone!'" He pushed off of the ropes. "Like a fucking support help line before you suit up and come running down to the ring later that night. Yeah, it struck our curiosity but we said 'you know what? Fuck it. If it's so, then let it be. Doesn't suit our agenda. BUT!!! Like Candi said...and like *I* said...you had your warning. A fair one, I'd like to think, but you kept pushing, trying to play tough girl!"

He pointed towards the frozen shot of Alex on the tron screen. "You should still consider yourself lucky, because I was half tempted to let Candi just beat the shit out of you and unmask you in front of these worthless pieces of garbage sitting in the stands! So consider this...." He extends a hand out, presenting the frozen clip on the screen, "...a mercy. Consider it a quick kill. Kid Cthulhu...no, excuse me...Alex...Brody. Our Commissioner's dear baby girl. Consider yourself, the first casualty of this war. One of many to come. Instead of tearing you apart slowly, we went for the head shot. The rest of you? We aren't gonna be so generous. Willy? Pitt? Tonight, Julian and I are going to DIS-MANTLE you, piece...by...fucking...piece. You think we give a damn that you're what, six foot, seven foot, eight foot? Both of us have taken on guys bigger than us, and we're still here to tell about it. Hell, I've got the scars to prove it!!"

"Trust me when I say, there ain't a damn thing you can do to us that'll stop us from achieving our goal." He leaned into the camera from the corner, this time. "Sure, you can talk big, but that's not what gets you anywhere in this business. Getting into this ring, and kicking ass is what gets you noticed! And after tonight? There's gonna be two more asses kicked. Two more names marked off of the Renegades' hit list. Oh and believe me, we have a loooooong fucking list! Long list! And it keeps growing! Because none of you people have any brains to take us seriously. Maybe THIS..." He pointed to the screen again, "...will serve as a wake up call! But if not? Sit tight and watch the fire rise...as we burn this bitch to the ground and rebuild it into what it truly needs to be!"

They're interrupted then,by Kid Cthulu walking slowly out onto the ramp. With a defeated sulk, she reached up and peeled the green mask from her head, showing that indeed, this wasn't some ruse by The Renegades. "Congrats, guys. You did it. Credit where it's due, you did exactly what you said you'd do. The moment you showed that video, my father wasted NO time knocking on my locker room door to tell me he was firing me for my own safety. Because apparently in his eyes I'm still a child who needs protection. So, yeah. Kudos. But you did NOT ruin my career. Because whether it's EWC, New Japan, or a hundred other feds... I will still compete. And I'll find a way to get even with you for this. I promise you."

Max leaned back off of the ropes and brings a fist to his chest. "Gotta admire that strength and perseverance! I'm sure you'll make it big somewhere in an independent bingo hall, but as for here? Oh yeah! You're right. We did exactly what we said we would! That's what we do! We stick to our guns and we keep our word! So, with that being said, go ahead and run along to wherever it is that you think you can fulfill your pipe dream!" He waved a hand, 'shooing' her off. "Go on, Alex! Bye bye!"

Hanson: "Aw, c'mon. That's not necessary!"

Reynolds: "He *did* warn her!"

Max looks around at the booing crowd. "What, you want me to start singing Steam? No, plain and simple. Get the fuck out of our sight!"

Sure enough, Alex turned around then, an angry look on her face as she silently walked to the back.

Candi laughed, pointing at her as she left. "Now... you all see that? That's what happens when you decide you're capable of coming at us. Great White North? You're up next on our path of destruction. Bunch of old-timers, too proud and selfish to let go, and dragging Mannheim's idiot kid down with you. You want us to "Hail to the King"? Bitches.... Max here is the Kingslayer."

At that, Max threw out his arms with an arrogant grin as the crowd roared with a chorus of boos, mixed with telling Alex "PLEASE DON'T GO! PLEASE DON'T GO!" Raising the microphone a final time, Max's grin turned cold and twisted as he looked around at the audience. "Kingslayer...I like that one, babe. Good shit." He gave Candi a fist bump. "And as for all of you? You can sit back and watch helplessly...as your King falls. Because when he does *I* will be the one to end him. *I* will be the one to bring down the sword. I will leave Scott Leroux in a broken pile, done and forgotten. Scotty?" He turned back towards the stage. "You were right about one thing; you taught me everything you knew to get me started. But rest assured that, in the ten years that have gone by, I've grown IMMENSELY. You haven't seen shit as to what I'm fully capable of, yet. But you will. I'm gonna save the best...just for you. Until then?" He cracked a grin again and chuckled, looking briefly at Candi before turning back to the stage. "Valar Morghulis...motherfucker!" Dropping the mic with a thud to the mat, Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" kicked on over the speakers again as he lifted the top rope for Candi before hopping down to the floor and the two departed up the ramp.

Hanson: "Well...talk about a bomb shell, indeed. What a way to kick off the show! Not that it was on a good note...."

Reynolds: "This is terrible, Nicky! They shouldn't treat Alex that way!"

Hanson: "You said it partner. I comple--- wait a minute. Are you just saying that to save your job after calling her an idiot?"

Reynolds: "What?! No, of course not! Well...maybe a little bit?"

Hanson: "Pussy."

Reynolds: "Nicky!"

Hanson: "What?"

Reynolds: "Watch your mouth!"

Hanson: "...Oh brother...."

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In the opening match, for the N*FW Television Championship, the match started out as most would have expected. Belphegor, using his sheer size and power, was like a mountain of steel when The Buzzsaw began dishing out martial arts kicks at his legs and sides. After absorbing a few hits, Belphegor seized Buzzsaw by the throat and THREW him across the ring. As Buzzsaw got to his feet, Belphegor came rushing in and crashed into him, smashing Buzzsaw between himself and the corner. He then tossed him into the center of the ring and began to rain down heavy blows - fists and elbows - that kept Buzzsaw grounded for the most part.

As Buzzsaw continued to try and fight back, Belphegor whipped him into the ropes in an attempt for a clothesline. Buzzsaw rolled under the big man's arm and popped up with a series of kicks to the back of his legs that looked to begin staggering the man.

Hanson: "He might be smaller in stature, but don't let that fool you! Those kicks are LETHAL!!"

Reynolds: "You know, Nicky? I don't think I've seen anyone outside of Belphegor's weight class hold their own against him like this. I'm impressed!"

After exchanging several more shots of which Buzzsaw absolutely REFUSED to stay down, the smaller man went for a kick that Belphegor caught against his side and lifted him by the throat to deliver a brutal CHOKESLAM! While Buzzsaw struggled to get to his feet, in the center of the ring, Belphegor poised himself in the corner, beckoning for him to rise.

Hanson: "Aw, no. Here it comes!"

Reynolds: "So much for Buzzsaw. He's about to get broken...in...HALF!!"

As Buzzsaw made it to his feet and began to turn, Belphegor took off from the corner like a speeding train.

Hanson: "Here comes the Speeeaaar--WAIT, NO!!!!"

But Buzzsaw rolled out of the way and sent Belphegor smashing shoulder first into the corner!!

Reynolds: "HOOOLY COW!!"

Hanson: "Did you hear that impact?!"

As Belphegor backed away from the corner, Buzzsaw shook the dizziness from his head, saw his opportunity and quickly ran off of the ropes, delivering a basement dropkick to Belphegor's knee, sending him down. Kipping up, he struck a ready stance...reared back...and....*WHACK*

Hanson: "CREEPING DEATH!! THAT VICIOUS KICK!!"

Reynolds: "OHHH MY GOD!!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT?!?!"

Belphegor's head snapped back as he collapsed onto the mat and Buzzsaw quickly went for the cover.

1!!!!

2!!!!

3!!!!!!!!!

Ending the match at jsut 5:22!!

Hanson: "I DON'T BELIEVE IT, JIM!!!!!"

Reynolds: "YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!! HE DID IT?!??!?!"

Hanson: "BUZZSAW HAS DEFEATED BELPHEGOR!!! AND WITH AUTHORITY!!!!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner...aaaaaaand NEEEEWWWW N*FW TELEVISION CHAMPION.....THE BUUUZZZZZSAAAAAAAAW!!!!!"

Hanson: "Oh my god, Jim, would you look at that?"

The camera zoomed in, briefly, on the collapsed Belphegor as traces of blood oozed from under the nose hole in his mask.

Reynolds: "My god! Is that from that kick?!"

Hanson: "Jim, as odd as this sounds to say, we might need to get some medical attention for Belphegor in here...."

As the ring doctor entered the ring to assess Belphegor's condition, Buzzsaw rested the Television title over his shoulder, walking over towards the corner where he gestured for the view to come closer. Once it did, the masked member of the Dominion of Pain raised up a hand with four fingers...and lowered down one, leaving just three.

Hanson: "Hooooly CRAP, Jim! You saw that! One down...three to go!! The Dominion has made a statement here, tonight and we've barely just gotten started!!"

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*In the backstage area, we see AKI in one of the backstage interview areas with Josh Davison.*


"Alright, I'm here with this newcomer who certainly made an impression last week and disappeared just as quickly. Now, I'm told that you simply go by the name AKI, is that correct?" Davison asks.


*AKI just looks down at the mic and back at Davison with no change in expression.*


Davison pulls the mic back and continues to talk. "Ok...? Now, the question on everyone's mind is why did you choose last week to debut and why did you choose to help Connor K. from another two-on-one assault at the hands of Shingo Takagi and T-Hawk, who, I may add, requested you tonight one-on-one. What are your thoughts on your official in-ring debut tonight?" Davison asks.


*AKI again looks down at the mic for a moment before looking back up at Davison and then focusing his gaze past Davison's shoulder. The camera pans out and we see Connor K. standing behind Davison, waiting for a response. Davison looks back and is momentarily surprised before stepping back as the two men face each other down.*


"Look man, I know you didn't have to do it. But I want you to know, like they say, any enemy of my enemy, is my friend. You had my back last week, and I'll have yours tonight. We cool?" Connor says as he extends his hand out to AKI.


*AKI looks down at it for a moment, then looks back up at Connor and walks away, leaving Connor hanging and staring at AKI for a moment before giving a slow nod to himself as the camera fades to black.*

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AKI defeated T-Hawk in 10:40 when, during a decently back and forth match, Shingo Takagi hopped up onto the apron in an attempt to distract the ref, T-Hawk scooped AKI up in what looked to be a setup for the Veracruz, Connor K appeared seemingly out of nowhere and ran into T-Hawk with a stiff forearm that sent AKI rolling off of his shoulders and onto the mat.

Reynolds: "WHAT THE HELL IS CONNOR K DOING OUT HERE?!?!"

Hanson: "You heard him, Jim! He told AKI he's got his back!!!"

After a quick look to each other, Connor threw himself against the ropes, coming off fast and landed a stiff Bakatare Sliding Kick to T-Hawk, directly in the face!! AKI, immediately after, comboed it into a delivery of the AKI Spiral!! With the ref still distracted, Connor slipped out of the ring and ran up to yank Shingo off of the apron and hit him with a stiff, running forearm as AKI covered T-Hawk for the pinfall.

Hanson: "Now THAT'S how you fight back!! Connor gets a little payback and AKI scores his first victory!"

Reynolds: "Maybe so, Nicky, but they just screwed over members of Suzuki-Gun! You think that's gonna bode well with Minoru?"

Hanson: "Hey, fight fire with fire, I say!"

Reynolds: "Would you say that to his face? I sure wouldn't!"

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The camera opens up on the interior of a lush looking office room. Standing in front of the desk, the ever professional Commissioner Steven Brody stands with a small smile on his face. It's clear that the news of his daughter still lingers on his mind, but nonetheless, he manages a bigger smile to the fans. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As you may have heard, I mentioned a special announcement for tonight on N*FW's official social media account. WIth that being said...." He clasped his hands together, "...I'll keep it short and sweet: Starting next week, we will begin a tournament for the first-ever NFW Mixed Tag Team Champions. This division will indeed be intergender in the truest form, as teams consisting of one male and one female will wrestle with no restrictions placed on who can battle who. To keep things at least partially on the level, the cutoff weight for males in this division is 240lbs. The initial teams will be announced via the official NFW Twitter account later this week."

Reynolds: "MIXED...Tag Team Champions?!"

Hanson: "Talk about interesting!"

Reynolds: "I'll say! You don't see that a lot in professional wrestling!"

Hanson: "Well, Commissioner Brody said he wanted NFW to stand out among other promotions, this will certainly help! And it starts next week!"

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Scene opens as we see Clerance Fletcher Townsend and Victoria Emmerson talking in the backstage area when the NFW interviewer comes up to Clerance.

Interviewer- Clerance Townsend... can i get a few words from you?

CFT- Yea how about you and the other ingrate idiots get my name right... its CLERANCE FLETCHER TOWNSEND!!!

Interviewer- Oh I apologize, kind sir. Mr. Townsend...you beat down a former opponent of yours last week. Why??

CFT- Cause he is making light of my Million Dollar Challenge. I am the biggest star that NFW has to offer. I mean look at me. Well dont really because you'll get jealous very quick. I have everything in a nutshell. Money. Fame. An absolutely gorgeous lady by my side. I mean what can go wrong now? Oh that's right. That idiot thought he could steal my briefcase and not beat me. Well I taught him a lesson didn't I? And it's a lesson that he had to be taught...so I taught it to him. So if he wants to make this official, I'll finish what I started last week....

Interviewer- Sounds like you're laying down a challenge. Are you?

CFT- You are a very bright young woman and you pay attention to detail. You're not like the rest of these idiots back here..but yes I am. So if he feels froggy, he knows what to do.

Interviewer- Well there you have it guys, back to you at ringside.

Scene closes.....

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The challenger for Clerance F. Townsend's Million Dollar Challenge turned out to be none other than "Shotgun" Colt Shields, who came down to the ring, amped up and ready to take his shot at $1,000,000.00 However, as soon as the two opponents were ready in their corners, waiting for the referee to start the bell, the sound of Ghost's "Faith" erupted throughout the arena.

Reynolds: "Ohhhhhhhh NNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!"

Hanson: "You gonna run again, Jim?"

Reynolds: "You're damn right, I am!"

Reynolds said, before we could hear the headset being ripped off of his head as the man went cowarding into the crowd. Meanwhile, as the music suggested, the monster known as Doomsday, came stepping through the curtain, flicking his wrist and rolling his shoulder as he approached the ring, ready for a fight.

*As Doomsday's music fills the stadium, and his pyro fires. Seamlessly the feed is switched from live feed to a backstage feed, the camera zooms out to show Rick Dickulous watching on a monitor in the backstage area. Rick's lungfull of smoke adding to the already cloudfilled air. He puts his pipe down and points at the screen*

"Hasn't ANYONE seen Pacific Rim? Jesus Christ on a Motorbike, ya fuckin' hoser! Enough is enough...CANADA TO THE RESCUE, GUY!"

*Rick bats the clouds of smoke away from his face as he runs off screen. The camera slowly zooms back in and switches as seamlessly as at the beginning back to the live feed*

Hanson: "Wait a second, what the hell is Rick Dickulous doing?"

Reynolds: "You're asking me, like I give a shit."

As Doomsday reached the ring and reached up to take hold of the ropes where Townsend and Shields were waiting, nervously....

Ramin Djawadi's main theme composition for the movie Pacific Rim suddenly interrupted his music and the lights returned to normal.

Hanson: "What the hell?"

Reynolds: "The fuck is going on?"

Releasing the ropes, Doomsday turned back towards the stage almost...bewildered at what he saw, and that was none other than Rick Dickulous marching out from behind the curtain, onto the stage in an almost robotic fashion.

Hanson: "Is he....what is he...?"

Reynolds: "HE'S A JAEGER!!!! IT'S RICK JAEGER, NICKY!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! OH THIS IS GREAT!!!"

As the movie theme song continued, mixed in with the laughter of the crowd, Doomsday looked back at his intended targets in the ring, then back at Rick. After a moment the monster of a man legitimately shook his head in disbelief before beginning to walk back up the ramp. If it was a fight Rick wanted. Rick was going to get it!

Immediately upon closing the distance, Rick Dickulous dropped the silly walk and instantly went into trading vicious shots with Doomsday as the two began to brawl it out, off of the ramp and towards the backstage area.

Hanson: "They're not wasting any time, Jim! Here we go!!!"


Reynolds: "They're gonna fight it out right here?! What about the match?!"

Hanson: "Bell hasn't rung yet and there's been no interference, soooo....."

When the bell finally did ring, Clerance F. Townsend immediately went on the offensive, attacking Colt Shields and making short work of him in 6:19 by making him tap out to Breaking Wall Street.

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After the match, the cameras quickly cut to the backstage area where Doomsday and Rick Dickulous were still involved in a heavy brawl. Both men exchanging stiff shots that looked like they were trying to knock the other out cold, flat out.

Reynolds: "For fuck's sake, Nicky! We just called a full match and these two are still going at it!"

Hanson: "Well, somebody's gotta break them up before they really hurt each other...or god forbid someone else!"

With an audible *POP* Rick fired off a Krav Maga elbow that caught Doomsday square in the jaw and sent him stumbling, turning his back to the man.

Hanson: "My GOD!! Did you hear that shot?!"

Reynolds: "Yuuuuup!"

With a primal roar, Doomsday turned back around and charged Rick like a diesel truck, slamming into him and driving both of them through the nearby catering table.

Hanson: "SPEAR!!!!!"

Reynolds: "Welp! There go the refreshments!"

On the ground, the two men resorted to simply slugging it out; clobbering each other with their fists and forearms as the camera panned in to get a close up. Seconds later, several voices were heard as multiple hands reach in to pull the men to their feet and apart from each other.

The camera panned back sharply, revealing the interference to be none other than both the rest of the Great White North and Dominion of Pain, each holding back their respective members.

Hanson: "Finally! Thank god!"

Reynolds: "Ironic, considering...."

Hanson: "Oh, would you shut up?"

Once the two men were relatively calmed down, the camera rests on the two groups in what was an uncomfortable standoff. On the Dominion side, Doomsday angrily yanks his arms free of Crimson Sabre and Buzzsaw before simply standing there, glaring through his mask with murder in his eyes at Rick....

"Rick...RICK, FOR FUCK SAKES!"

*Mannheim pushes Rick violently, stepping in front of him, snapping his fingers in front of Rick's face. Rick breaks the death stare with Doomsday and looks at his father*

"I'm just doing what nobody else has the balls to do, guy. This....guy....needs to be stopped. Enough is enough."

*Mannheim sighs and turns back around, the camera zooming in to show a closeup of Judas Lasher and Mannheim, face to face. The crowd goes nuts, their cheer audible into the back hallways of the arena*

Judas stares, emotionlessly, at Mannheim, their eyes locked on one another. Finally... of all things, a *smirk* formed on Lasher's face, and rather than yell, or argue, or fight in any way, he merely said, in a respectful tone. "Hello again, William."

*Mannheim's stare exudes hatred, discontent, and years of bitter rivalry. His voice, rather than full of rage, seems to be oddly calm*

"Judas."

*Mannheim nods towards the assembled Dominion members*

"You should probably keep your boys in line. Seems to me they're running around here like they own the place...and we both know that's not true."

*Mannheim's voice drops to almost a whisper, though still audible*

"They should be reminded of their place...and I won't stop *MY* boys from keeping them in it."

*Mannheim extends a hand towards Lasher, his voice returning to its original volume*

"Call it respect owed, Jude."

"There will be a reckoning eventually, William. We both know this." Lasher said, still giving that damnable smirk. "All peace treaties eventually come to an end. Right now... my focus is on Abaddon. But once he is destroyed.... no-one is safe." And with that calm, yet terrifying statement, Judas accepted the handshake.

"I wouldn't call it a peace treaty...more a warning. Play your games, fuck some goats, drink some blood, I don't care if you piss on each other, what I care about is ensuring a future for these kids. Us Canadians are known around the world as peacekeepers, but we're also known as the peacekeepers who don't take anyone's shit. Keep your noses clean, and maybe this won't erupt into all out war - we've both been down that road, and we both know where it leads."

"Indeed." Lasher agreed, the tension thicker than mud between them. "It leads to glorious, beautiful bloodshed. The likes of which nobody does better than you and I." He's then the first to take a step back, giving a deferring nod. "You and I are destined to collide forever, my old friend. Don't fight it."

*Mannheim nods*

"Maybe so, Judas. But not here, and definitely not now."

*Mannheim points in the air and waves his finger in a circle, pointing back down the hallway Great White North ran down to subdue Rick Dickulous*

"Let's roll, boys. Team meeting time."

*With that, the members of Great White North begin filing down the hallway. Mannheim begins walking at the rear of the line, only to turn back around to face Lasher while walking backwards*

"Our time will come again, Lasher...and when it does, you can bet your bottom dollar they'll talk about it for ages."

*Mannheim waves*

"Deuces, Jude."

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Shingo Takagi and Taichi defeated Connor K and Shelton Benjamin by pinfall in 14:08 when Taichi delivered the Black Mephisto.

After the match, the two teams were at a stand off with Benjamin helping Connor to his feet. It didn't look like either of them were ready to back off and leave.

Reynolds: "Nicky, I think these guys still wanna go!"

Hanson: "They just might, Ji--- WAIT A MINUTE!!"

As Hanson was yelling in surprise, fans were shocked to see a massive hulk of a man - at about 6'3", ripped with muscles from head to toe, come sliding into the ring and immediately charge right at Connor K and Shelton Benjamin, delivering a vicious lariat to Connor. On instinct, Shelton Benjamin attempted to attack but was caught around the waist where the sudden assailant delivered a stunning overhead belly to belly suplex as Shingo and Taichi looked on approvingly while the man immediately popped up onto one knee and gave a downward flex of his muscles.

Hanson: "DID YOU SEE HOW HE JUST THREW SHELTON BENJAMIN ACROSS THE RING?!"

Reynolds: "Like a damn CHILD!!"

Once the initial rush of carnage had calmed down, a good look at the man revealed him to be wearing what was presumably, his ring gear - black boots, wrist tape, elbow pads, knee pads and trunks with the word 'HAVOK' on the back'. With this, was a simple black face cover styled mask that allowed view of his short, spiked brown hair but nothing of his face...except for his eyes. His eyes that he locked in on Connor K with as the man began to get to his feet. As he started getting up, Shingo Takagi rushed over and grabbed onto him, taunting Connor in half-audible Japanese while pointing to the newly arrived...animal. Finally, he irish whipped Connor right into the grip of the masked man who caught him by the throat, sneering down at him through the eye holes in his mask.

Hanson: "Good lord, those eyes, Jim! The look in this man's eyes!"

Reynolds: "It's like he's insane!!!"

With a primal roar, this new superstar hoisted Connor K up like he was practically weightless and delivered a thunderous, one handed sitout chokebomb to the center of the ring while Shingo and Taichi performed a beatdown on Shelton Benjamin. Once they saw that he was done with Connor, the two picked up Shelton Benjamin and beckoned between him and their masked ally - 'you want him, too?' While he didn't speak, the masked man gestured to the two with his hands curling inward - 'lemme have him!' Together, Taichi and Shingo shoved Benjamin towards the man, who then irish whipped him into the ropes and delivered a pop up POWERSLAM right out of the air.

Reynolds: "JESUS, NICKY!!"

Hanson: "This guy's got freak strength, I'll say that much! What's he doing out here with these two, though?!"

A chorus of boos filled the arena.

Reynolds: "Ohhhhh, I think we're about to find out."

Hanson: "Awwwww no."

*After the carnage left by the masked man in the ring, Paul Heyman leads Minoru Suzuki to the ring along with K.E.S., T-Hawk, and TAKA Michinoku, who's holding some sort of black garment in his hand. As the rest of Suzuki-gun enters the ring, the masked man stands opposite them until Minoru Suzuki comes to the center of the ring. The masked man approaches Suzuki, who then offers him what looks to be a folded T-shirt with Heyman flanking Suzuki and giving a coy smirk in the direction of Havok and nodding in approval. He takes the shirt and quickly puts it on, revealing the Suzuki-gun logo as he and Suzuki give each other a fist bump as the rest of Suzuki-gun clap in approval.*
Hanson: "Ohhhhhh my god!!!!!! He...they...Suzuki-Gun just added a new member!"

Reynolds: "Are you kidding me?!"

Hanson: "And look at Minoru Suzuki! He is SMILING at what this man has done! He LOVES IT!!"

*From here, Paul Heyman takes the micropgone.* "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of my client, Minoru Suzuki, it is MY honor to introduce to you, the NEWEST member of Suzuki-gun. Sometimes during a battle, you need to throw a wrench into things just a little bit. A wise man once said, 'just when you think you have all the answers, someone changes all the questions.' Ladies and gentlemen, the questions have changed. Allow me to present to you, the newest member of Suzuki-gun, HAVOK!!!" Heyman says in a nearly gutteral tone as Havok flexes and postures to the crowd as Heyman cordially hands the mic to Minoru Suzuki.


"Dakara, guntai wa Nihon ni nyūtai shita gun ni kagira rete iru to omoimashita ka? Īe, machigatte wa ikemasen. Watashi wa kono otoko ni, hoka no dare yori mo nagai me de mitekimashita. Kyōgi-ba ga henkō sa remashita. Watashitachi ga owattara, watashitachiha tantōsha ni narudeshou. Subete no taitoru ga watashitachi no mono to nari, Nihon no ta no minasan no yō ni, anata no mae de mananda yō ni, Suzuki-gun ICHIBAN!!!" Suzuki says defiantly as the members of Suzuki-gun raise one finger to the air as TAKA Michinoku gets in front and unfurls the Suzuki-gun flag.

Hanson: "So...you have Paul Heyman and Minoru Suzuki. Then you have the Killer Elite Squad...T-Hawk...Shingo Takagi...TAKA Michinoku...Taichi...and now this man...Havok!! My god, Jim, this is probably the most terrifying Suzuki-Gun I've ever seen!"

Reynolds: "I have to agree, Nicky.... You have the general...his advisor...you have the soldiers...an now they have a damn TANK in their arsenal!"

Hanson: "Yeah and that tank just rolled over two men without breaking a sweat! What the hell is their motive?! Why is Suzuki-Gun here in N*FW and, dare I ask, what are they going to do next?!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cutting backstage again, we find the inside of the Dominion of Pain's locker room, currently empty. As the music from ringside fades out, we hear the locker room door BURST open!!!!

Almost immediately coming into the shot, first, is Doomsday, huffing to deep under his mask it almost sounds like a growl as he paces around in front of the camera while the rest of the Dominion appears. After a moment, the man's struggle for calm evidently fails as he grabs a folding chair and THROWS it against one of the lockers, putting a dent in it. The man then goes off, kicking the locker room's metal trash bin, so hard it clears the room like a soccer ball with a metal clatter against the wall.

In his rage, it appeared that nobody could get through to the big man. Even the shouts of his Dominion brethren fell on deaf ears. Finally, Judas Lasher himself stepped in, raising his voice in Doomsday's face. "Matteo. Stop this. NOW." Finally, with a deep sigh, he hauled off and SLAPPED the big man as hard as he could, right across the face. "MATTEO. CALM DOWN THIS INSTANT."

The slap of bare hand across the leather of his mask sounded like a small pistol shot going off in the locker room. At first, it seemed like the Master of Pain had only angered the beast even further as Doomsday went still and loomed over Judas with heaving breaths.

After a moment, however, Doomsday relaxed his posture and pushed his hair out of his eyes with a grumbling sigh and stepped back. “That little shit....”

"Focus, old friend." Judas told him, in almost a fatherly tone. "Remember why we're here. Remember who you're trying to save. Does any of that have to do with Mannheim or his son? No. When the time is right, they will pay. But for now, you MUST focus on Adrianna."

In a moment of, what almost seemed like a glimpse of rare humanity in Doomsday, the big man put his hands on his hips and sighed. "I'm trying.... But you know how stubborn she can be...worse than her brother." Doomsday's voice, deep, gruff and muffled under his mask, sounded like there was a hint of concern in it. "...I'm gonna keep trying...but I can only do so much before I may have to leave in the hands of another...." At this, he briefly glanced over at LeeAnn Viskan.

LeeAnn just nodded. "I don't want to do it... but if I have to, I'll tear her down to build her back up." The words were not said in arrogance... but in calm, knowing confidence. Even retired ten years, she knew there were few she couldn't take out.

Judas clapped his old friend on the back, staring through the mask and seemingly into the other man's soul. "I will get us what you've been after, Matteo. Sometimes... when brute force doesn't work, that's when sheer manipulation comes into play."

Doomsday nodded slowly...agreeing with his long time friend. "Now that you mention that...." He looked up from the floor enough to meet Judas' gaze. "It's looking like brute force ain't doing shit in terms of getting what we want from Brody...." Straightening his stance to fully symbolize just how enormous he was in stature, he looked down at Judas and LeeAnn together. "You give the word...and Plan B goes into effect...." With that, he raised a hand up to be clasped.

Nodding, Judas smirked proudly. "Now... that's the way a true student of mine would think. Might can be overcome. But intelligence... that is truly unbeatable."

Without another word, Doomsday clasps hands with Judas before turning and leering into the camera. Then, more back to the terrifying tone he's known for, he lets out a low snarl. "Let the games begin...." And excuses himself from the Dominion of Pain's locker room, before the shot fades out on Judas and LeeAnn watching him go.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scene opens up in the backstage area where the camera pans throughout the locker area finally stopping on a man sitting on equipment boxes, who looks to be deep in thought.. as the camera pans up its shown to be none other than Ryan Steele who last week had a deep conversation with one of his opponents from a match two weeks ago...

Interviewer-- Ryan , can we ask yiur thoughts on your conversation with Tyson Law from last week...??

Ryan- "Honestly... ive been in deep, deep thought just about that subject........ He brought up a couple good points, i mean im talented, and im thinking im getting overlooked. Hes right.. i should be taking back my career.

Interviewer- And with all that hes said, how does that put prospective on your career?

Ryan- See, thats the thing im having trouble with....

Interviewer- One last question Ryan... You recently built a Training Facility with a Program... hows that going at this time???

Ryan- Right now its a little behind schedule. They are having electronic equipment issues...so that has put us behind schedule but when it opens i will be sure to let everyone know....

Interviewer- Thank.....

Male Voice- Ill take it from here sweetheart, im sure my friend has enough to worry about than trying to answer your dumb questions....

Ryan- Hey man whats up???

Friend- Going good.... I just got offers from various promotions man... You should come with me... They said we could bring in..."The Fallen"

Ryan- Man that sounds good but im happy where im at.....

Friend- Are you?? Im mean i seen last week.. That guy gave you some stuff to think about and you are sitting on a equipment box... instead of kicking ass & taking souls....

Ryan- Ive just hit a bump in the road.. itll work itself out man, no sweat.....

Friend- I just dont know man, i mean ive got your back but i dont know whats wrong with you right now.. and quite frankly, i dont think you even know....

Ryan- so he just gave some stuff i have to ponder on, and think and work out... im sure i will figure out what needs to be done when the time is right...

Friend- Look man, we've been friends for basically all our lives right.. touring the world, wrestling in different countries... im just trying to help you...

Ryan- i know man....

Friend- Well when you figure it out, Give me a call......

The friend walks out of camera view although a face was not seen.. its becoming apparent that this person knows Ryan very well and the seen closes with Ryan staring down the locker room hallway........................

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The camera cuts to a new scene. Inside a dim lit room, that usually serves as a giveaway for the presence of the Circle of Snakes, we find a pair of feet wearing black Nike's and ankle socks. The shape of the calves as the camera pans up, tells us it is a female, also confirmed by the heavy, but slow breathing. Continuing up and beginning to pan out, we find what looks like a makeshift gym somewhere in the back of the arena where isolation from other personnel is almost a guarantee.

The breathing, we find, is coming from that of the N*FW Women's Champion, Apocalypta. Clad in black workout gear - capri length yoga pants, a black sports bra and her towel shrouding her head again, she's in the middle of slowly yet impressively squatting an extreme amount of weight in slow reps. From the plates on the bar, it looks to be over 300lbs. The camera focuses as she grips onto the bar with her bare hands and slowly moves up and down; already dripping as each rep grows slower and slower. Yet she keeps pushing, until her final rep seems like she'll barely even complete it. But, with a hissing exhale, she does and racks the bar; turning her back to the camera as she pulls the towel off of her head, revealing the back of an elevation mask that covers the bottom of her still hidden face.

"So... if you were going for 'super scary bitch', kudos, babe. You nailed that one." At the sound of that voice, the camera turned to the other side of the room, where Mia Hayashi sat near the lockers, putting the finishing touches on her outfit for tonight: a cosplay of The Punisher. "I like it. We're gonna whoop some ass tonight. We NEED to. We both got something to prove, and those two morons are just the people to do it against."

Removing the elevation mask and dabbing face with the towel, Apocalypta hung it back over her head to keep herself hidden as she turned towards Mia. Still heaving from her squat set, we could still see her head tilt to the side as she looked her friend and tag partner over. "We have nothing to prove...to anyone...." She grimly remarked as she moved over to stand by the smaller girl. "The only thing we're doing tonight is making two more examples out of people who think we couldn't cut it. Mercer wants to have everyone thinking she'll be the one to dethrone me. And the 'Kid'?" Her shrouded head shook. "I don't know what she thinks she plans to do, tonight...unless she's admitting she has a death wish." Apocalypta sat down next to Mia and looked over at her. "...I like the outfit. Ironic, if you think about it...." She remarked, considering who the duo's primary rivals seemed to be affiliated with.

"Yeah, I guess... but still: gotsta show my Marvel love." Mia admitted with a casual shrug. Still, she grinned when her partner mentioned Cthulu. "I got The Kid. Don't even worry about her. I want this victory, A. I want this like Marty Jannetty wanted to bang his daughter." Oh. My. God. Can someone get this girl a verbal filter? "Long as your pal Dark Lord Fuckface stays away from ringside, we're golden."

Apocalypta looked like she was about to say something before it seemed to suddenly register as to what Mia had just said. She raised a finger like she was about to comment but, instead, decided against it and gave Mia a pat on the leg, resting her hand there in what might have seemed like another intruding advance as she gave the girl's thigh a light squeeze. "...Do me a favor, M...never change." Whether she forgot where her hand was or just didn't care, Apocalypta didn't budge an inch as she shook her head again. "Abaddon? He's confident in me. And he knows I'm confident in us. I can't think of why he or any of my other brothers would show their faces while we're handling business." Something in her tone, however, said she was no longer entirely sure of her words.

"He ain't confident in anyone or anything, babe. I just hope you realize it before he hurts you." Mia said, before holding her hands up. "AND I will drop it now. I know you're defensive about the guy. And I get that. It sucks hearing someone you care about talk shit on someone ELSE you care about. It's like when my brother talks shit on Switchblade Jay White, and I'm all 'Shut your cock-trap, Jimmy, that's my boo and one day I'ma have his babies' and then we argue and what the fuck were we talking about again?" She paused, blinking in confusion for a few moments. "ANYWAY. But yes. Tonight we're gonna give those two morons an ass-kicking they'll NEVER forget. You take Mercer out, and I'll take care of Masked Fluttershy and hopefully knock some killer instinct into her."

Apocalypta just sat and stared at Mia for a moment, from under her head towel, trying to further process the girl's rambling. "And people call me the crazy one?" She chuckled. "Oh, Mia. That's why you're my little mouse." She reached up, releasing Mia's thigh and gave her an adoring tap on the nose. "But believe me...he's confident." Did she really believe that? "You just can't deny who we're up against in the Dominion of Pain. Trust me...I know, better than any of them." She looked forward and down for a moment, a brief silent pause of contemplation before sighing and shaking the disturbing realization from her mind. "You're right, though. We can worry about that later. Right now, we keep our eyes on tonight." She turned to Mia again and appeared to be looking her over. "Mmmh. Shame you're already set to go. I could use my little mouse's help rinsing off." She stood up from her seat, and continued to tease...or maybe terrify Mia with a finger brushing under the girl's chin. "You're still invited to the visual, however...." She mused before stepping off camera, towards the showers.

Mia raised an eyebrow, as though both annoyed, and impressed at the woman's tenacity. "I'm good, I'm good. You go get ready, Kevin Spacey. I gotta go make a call anyway." Watching as her partner walked away, Mia stood, shaking her head as she walked towards the exit. "God, I wish there was ANYTHING I wanted in life as much as she wants to fuck me."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Ryan Steele stood in the ring, the lights dimmed, and a growling voice could be heard over the loudspeaker: "...AVE SATANAS"

As the music then kicked in, 'Ave Satanas' by Venom Inc, Judas Lasher appeared at the top of the ramp, LeeAnn Viskan by his side. He wore a long black robe, and a mask fashioned from a goat skull over his face, with LeeAnn wearing a leather knee-length black dress with high-heeled boots and holding a small black bowl.

The two walked down the aisle, stopping briefly as they passed various fans wearing Dominion merch, so that Judas could dip his thumb into the bowl, which was filled with ash, and 'bless' each fan by placing an inverted cross on their forehead with the ash.

As he got to the ring, Lasher removed the mask, handing it to LeeAnn as he took the microphone. "Mr. Steele. I feel as though I owe you a preemptive apology. You see... you have done nothing to deserve my wrath. You are young, inexperienced, and still making a name for yourself. And yet... you have been chosen as my first opponent. Sadly... that means that you will be used as the canvas on which my masterpiece of violence begins. Good luck to you, child. You will most certainly need it."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While Ryan Steele put up one hell of a fight against the twenty plus year veteran, Judas Lasher, the older, more experienced man demonstrated to the audience just how dangerous he still was as he was still able to dish out his signature combination of strikes, holds and mind games all to make up a wicked offense.

The match came to an end at 5:19 when Lasher delivered a running DDT to Ryan, planting his head into the mat. As Steele's head came up from the impact, Lasher scooped him up into a Northern Lights Driver that earned an "OHHHHHHH" from the crowd, due to the thunderous impact. Afterwards, Judas Lasher took his signature, stalking pose on his hands and fists as Ryan Steele began climbing back to his feet.

Hanson: "Ohhhhhh and here it comes!"

Reynolds: "We've seen a glimpse of it recently, Nicky, but fans have been waiting to see Lasher hit this where it counts!"

As Ryan Steele got to his feet and staggered, turning around, Judas Lasher popped up off of the ground - surprisingly nimble for his age - and delivered a vicious LUCIFER'S HALO, immediately covering Ryan and flicking his dreadlocks out of his face, grinning evilly into the camera as the referee counted the pinfall.

Hanson: "AND JUDAS LASHER WINS HIS RETURN MATCH!! WOW!!!"

Reynolds: "Don't sleep on a fifty year old veteran, Nicky! You'll get laid out!!"

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As Mia Hayashi and Apocalypta stood in the ring, ready and waiting, "Wish I Had An Angel" by Nightwish came on through the speakers as Erin Mercer made a half-enthusiastic entrance on her way to the ring.

Reynolds: "She doesn't seem like herself."

Hanson: "Uhhh, ya think? Her tag team partner just got fired at the start of the show!"

Reynolds: "You still butthurt over that?"

Hanson: "I'm disappointed over that, but I do somewhat understand Mr. Brody's view on the matter."

As Erin let out a heavy sigh, standing outside of the ring and waited for whoever her replacement tag team partner was.

Just then, Battle Beast's cover of "Push It To The Limit" kicked on and the crowd jumped to their feet, roaring their approval.

Hanson: "NOW, THERE'S A TAG TEAM PARTNER YOU WANT AGAINST THESE TWO!!"

Reynolds: "And you have to admit, she's been itching for a good fight!"

Hanson: "Alright, where's she coming from, Jim?"

Reynolds: "Haha, I dont' know!"

As the song pounded on through the speakers, Morgan Payne, came waltzing through the crowd itself, bobbing her head to her music and high fiving the fans she passed by. At the first opportunity, Morgan accepted a cup of beer from a fan where she downed it in one quick chug before spraying it into the air and giving the fan a fist bump. Hopping over the bannister, she immediately walked up to Erin to exchange a few quick words of encouragement before giving her a fist bump and they entered the ring together.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morgan Payne and Erin Mercer proved to be a surprisingly decent tag team with one another as their individual styles, more or less acted as a good counter to the combination of Mia Hayashi and Apocalypta. While it was a sudden change in Erin's offense, she took to handling Mia as much as she could, while the stronger Morgan, played the game of strength and power against Apocalypta, catching the Women's Champion in multiple pop up and snap style slams that, more or less, surprised the Circle of Pain's female member. The other team had their own answer, as well, however as Mia began matching against Erin with martial arts kicks and high flying strikes while Apocalypta eventually was able to outwrestle Morgan Payne and lock her into a Kata Hajame, causing Morgan Payne to tap out at 10:37.

While Morgan rolled out of the ring to recover, the fans popped as Apocalypta and Erin Mercer found themselves standing toe to toe in a post match standoff.

Hanson: "Ohhhh, now look at this, Jim! Champion and challenger, face to face!"

Reynolds: "Yeah but the champion just got a one up on her opponent, tonight!"

Hanson: "She got a victory yes, but it was at the expense of her tag partner!"

Reynolds: "What's gonna happen, now?"

As the fans cheered on for a fight, Apocalypta slowly looked over towards Mia who was calling her over for the two to just leave. Grinning sadistically under her, mostly in tact face paint, the Women's Champion turned back to Erin Mercer and lifted her title belt over her head in one hand. Erin raised her eyebrows, looking up at the belt then back to Apocalypta and nodded.

'Yeah, I see it. Trust me. I see it.'

At that, Apocalypta backed off, to a booing crowd, and exited the ring, leaving with Mia Hayashi.

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*Mannheim and Pitt are seen lacing up their boots in a dressing room. Both men are noticeably more lean, their recent training sessions paying off, despite their age*

"You remember how it used to be, Willy? Back when we used to run this place? When the old Army of Darkness was around?"

*Mannheim tucked the laces into a boot*

"All the time, dummy...but that's not the deal anymore, we talked about this. It's about them, not us. Right?"

*Pitt nodded as he stood up, squatting to test the fit of his boots*

"I know." *Pitt makes air quotes* "'But tonight isn't!'"

"Exactly. Tonight isn't about Max LeBrun, and it most certainly isn't about Julian Morrison - it's about teaching them a little respect. From the way LeBrun's been flapping his cocksucker, that's gonna have to happen the hard way."

*Pitt stops mid squat*

"Uhh, with whips, chains, a wet sponge, and a car battery?"

"Jesus H Christ no! What kind of sick shit are you into? I thought it was weird catching you watching Lesbian Midgets getting sheepfucked!"

*Pitt stands up and grabs a roll of white tape off a shelf*

"That was only one time, and I told you it was a porn rabbit hole! I was looking for this weird Japanese tenticle porn thing, and I saw something weirder in the suggested videos. So I thought, 'Naaah, it can't be that bad.'"

*Mannheim stands up and reaches for another roll of wrist tape*

"You were wrong, weren't you?"

"Yeah, I mean I was alright watching the first sheep jumping in, but after that, *beep* got weird. It turned into a midget sheep-kake clambake...."

*Mannheim shakes his head in disbelief*

"A midget sheep-kake clambake?'

"Yeah, that was the title of the film..."

*Mannheim points at Pitt*

"And that's why you need NetNanny and have some godawful censor not letting you say fuck..."

"*beep* you, Willy..."

"Look, dummy...you wanna bring back the old days? This is our chance. You know as well as I do we're both on the same fucking page...now let's go out there and show these kids why they picked the wrong two motherfuckers to try and run down with a car...and show Brody and the fans that we still got it."

*Pitt finishes taping his hands*

"Maybe then they'll let me say *beep*."

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Mannheim and Pitt of the Great White North defeated Max LeBrun and Julian Morrison of The Renegades by disqualification when Julian Morrison took a chair from Max LeBrun while the latter was outside the ring and blatantly SMASHED it over Mannheim's head, right in front of the referee, ending the match at 17:44.

Crowd: "OHHHHH!!!!"

Hanson: "Aw, c'mon! What was that for?! This was a great match, so far!"

Reynolds: "They don't care about a match with these guys, Nicky! They just wanna take them out! Just like Max said!"

As the bell rung, Max LeBrun and Pitt both entered the ring with Pitt going to rush Julian Morrison. Julian, instead, tossed the chair right at Pitt, who caught it, only to have Max follow up by superkicking it the rest of the way right into his face.

Reynolds: "Aaaaaaand here comes the dismantling part!"

Hanson: "Don't speak so soon, Jim! Here comes the rest of the boys!"

As Scott Leroux lead Rick Dickulous and El Piso Mojado down to the ring in a rush to help their team mates, Max LeBrun and Julian Morrison skirted out of the ring rather quickly, all with devious smiles on their faces. As they backpedaled up the ramp, Scott Leroux pointed and yelled at the two while Piso and Rick helped Mannheim and Pitt up. While Max and Julian moved up the ramp, Max smiled wickedly and shook his head.

'Not yet, Scotty!' He laughed. 'Not yet!'

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Shelley Silver and Marissa Payne had the crowd on their feet, practically from the start of the match as soon as they locked up.

Hanson: "HERE WE GO, JIM! ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!"

Reynolds: "DAMN RIGHT!!"

Hanson: "Vincent Stone said, on Twitter, that this was gonna be better than Ultimate Surrender! I just might have to agree!"

Reynolds: "Do you even know what Ultimate Surrender is?"

Hanson: "Gotta be some kind of submission match, right?"

Reynolds: "...Well...yeah. Sure...that's exactly what it is...kind of. Just call the match, Nicky, you innocent little soul you."

Silver and Payne fought a good, hard hitting match where both women dished out their hardest offense and damn near every trick they had in their books! Marissa landed her sharp strikes where she could but Shelley kept her on her toes with counters, grapples and hard hitting blows of her own. On a rare attempt at a springboard maneuver from Marissa, Shelley squated down to throw off the attack and scooped her right up into a devastating Senton Bomb!!

Hanson: "THAT'S GOTTA BE IT!!!! SHELLEY GOES FOR THE COVER!!"

1!!!

2!!!

MARISSA KICKED OUT!!!

Hanson: "OHHH!!!! 2 AND NINE TENTHS!!!!! PAYNE'S STILL ALIVE!!!"

Reynolds: "THIS IS ONE HELL OF A MATCH, NICKY!!"

As Shelley lifted Marissa up to her feet, Marissa suddenly EXPLODED with offense, throwing SIlver's hands off of her and attacking her with a vicious combination of forearm strikes. Shelley began to fire back with strikes of her own until the two began to look unsteady on her feet. Marissa struck...Shelley struck...Marissa struck...Shelley struck...and Marissa came back with a sudden ROUNDHOUSE KICK to the side of Shelley's head!

Reynolds: "A VICIOUS KICK! THERE'S THE COVER!!"

1!!!

2!!!

SHELLEY KICKED OUT!!!

Hanson: "SHE'S STILL ALIVE!!! THIS MATCH WILL CONTINUE!!!"

Reynolds: "It might, it might not!! Watch out, Nicky!!"

As Marissa scrambled to her feet, she gave a quick look to the ropes, down at Shelley, then back at the ropes before running off them.

Hanson: "Ohhh, here it comes!!!!"

Hanson & Reynolds: "BITCH KILLAAAAAAA!!!!"

But Marissa Payne collapsed to the mat after her signature knee strike and was unable to immediately go for the pinfall.

Reynolds: "SHE COULDN'T CAPITALIZE!!!"

Hanson: "THESE WOMEN ARE EXHAUSTED, BUT THEY REFUSE TO BACK DOWN!!!!"

As Marissa climbed back to her feet, groggily, she stumbled over to pull Shelley up off of one knee. As soon as Shelley got both feet on the mat, however, she grabbed Marissa and scooped her up over her shoulders.

Hanson: "WAIT, JIM! SHELLEY SILVER!!! WHAT'S SHE GONNA---"

Reynolds: "IT'S LOOKING DARK, NICKY!!"

Hanson & Reynolds: "SUNDOOOOOOOOOWN!!!!"

The crowd roared in surprise as Shelley Silver hit Marissa Payne with her Samoan Driver and caught one of Marissa's legs.

1!!!

2!!!

3!!!!

Hanson: "SHELLEY SILVER IS YOUR WINNER!!!!!"

Reynolds: "MY GOD!!!!"

As Halestorm's "I Am The Fire" blasted through the arena, the referee raised Shelley SIlver's arm before the woman immediately helped Marissa Payne to her feet and the two exchanged a handshake and a hug out of respect.

Hanson: "That's sportsmanship, right there! That's what this business is all about!"

As the crowd cheered the two competitors on, both Lara Blackheart and Morgan Payne emerged from the curtain and made their way down the ramp to celebrate with the two opponents. Hugs and fist bumps being exchanged all around before they stood side by side and Lara and Morgan simultaneously raised Shelley and Marissa's hands, pointing to them.

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Tyson Law defeated El Piso Mojado after 11:31, by pinfall, after delivering The Lawbreaker.

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Kennedy Campbell vs Candi Broduer never happened because, as the two stood in the ring, waiting for the bell, the crowd suddenly exploded into a pop, jumping to their feet as ALEX BRODY came sprinting down the ramp, slid into the ring and went right after Candi Broduer!!!! For a moment, Kennedy Campbell stood at a loss for words before it looked like she was moving to get involved, but the referee quickly ushered her out of the ring while another referee came down to try and pull Candi and Alex apart.

Reynolds: "Alex Brody is supposed to be fired, Jim! What's she doing out here?!"

Hanson: "I don't know! She said she was gonna get even but I don't know if this is worth it!!"

Reynolds: "These refs can't separate them!"

After a moment, the referees managed to pull the two apart with one referee each holding back one of the girls. However, from outside of the ring in Candi's corner, Max LeBrun slid in and pulled the referee holding her back off and shoved him to the floor. From here, Candi Broduer sprinted across the ring and went to attacking Alex Brody, thus sending the other ref backwards, to the mat and out of the ring, as well.

Hanson: "The refs couldn't hold them! They're gonna tear each other apart!"

Reynolds: "Seems that way!"

Hanson: "What the hell is Max doing?! Get control of your girl, damn it!"

Here, Max LeBrun looked on as Alex and Candi stood in the center of the ring, brawling it out. If anything, he looked like he was enjoying the sight of the two exchanging blows as he began to pace around the ring with an amused smile on his face, calmly removing his jacket. As the two continued, Max tossed his jacket aside and suddenly yelled.

"CANDI!!!!"

In response, Candi dropped down, ducking a forearm attempt by Alex Brody that sent her stumbling forward, towards Max. On Max's end, the man suddenly stepped forward and to the shock of the crowd, delivered a loud, devastating modified SUPERKICK to Alex!!!

Hanson: "OH MY GOD!!!!!!"

Reynolds: "HE HIT HER WITH THE SLAPSHOT!!"

Hanson: "OHHHH MY GOOODDDD!!!!!!"

Reynolds: "WHAT THE HELL?!?!"

The crowd was absolutely FURIOUS as Alex Brody laid out in the center of the ring with Max LeBrun coming to stand over her with a cold, calculated look in his eyes while Candi hovered over her, taunting and insulting her. Alex, clearly wasn't hearing her, as she was out cold.

Hanson: "THAT'S THE COMMISSIONER'S DAUGHTER, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!"

Reynolds: "Jesus, Nicky, he just kicked a woman right in the face. Who does that?!"

Hanson: "You're surprised?! I thought you were rooting for these bastards!"

Reynolds: "I didn't think he'd do something like THIS though! The Slapshot to a woman?!"

Together, The Renegades, four in the ring by now, continued to stand over Alex Brody, taunting and humiliating her before a voice suddenly boomed through a microphone.

"LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE, RIGHT NOW, GODDAMMIT!!"

The crowd gave a cheer of relief as Commissioner Steven Brody came storming out through the curtain, FUMING!! Walking all the way down to the end of the ramp, the Commissioner raised the microphone to his mouth.

"I could fire each and every one of you right this goddamn minute... but instead... I'm going to undo something that shouldn't have been done in the first place. Kid Cthulu may have been fired earlier... but next week? In the first round of the Mixed Tag Team Title Tournament? You two assholes--" He said, pointing to Max and Candi, "--are taking on the newest member of the women's division, Alex Brody, and a partner of MY choosing."

Reynolds: "WHAT?!?!?!"

Hanson: "WHOOOOAAAA!!!!"

The crowd gave a deafening pop.

Hanson: "SHE'S BEEN REINSTATED!!!"

Reynolds: "AFTER WHAT THEY JUST DID TO HER, HE'S GONNA REINSTATE HER?!"

Hanson: "I think she proved something by coming out here like she did!!"

Reynolds: "And she's gonna be in the tournament!!!"

Hanson: "FIRST ROUND! NEXT WEEK! MAX LEBRUN AND CANDI BRODUER TAKE ON ALEX BRODY AND A MYSTERY PARTNER!! I CAN'T FRIGGIN WAIT, JIM!!"

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Scott Leroux defeated Abaddon by pinfall in 8:42 when Judas Lasher ran in while the referee was down after an accidental collision and hit Abaddon with Lucifer's Halo. By the time the referee sat up, a still groggy Abaddon was hit with a package piledriver by Leroux for the win.