N*FW Highway To Hell! Phoenix, Arizona! 9-9-18!

To the sound of AC/DC's "Highway To Hell", the introduction video for the show starts up with quick highlights of the events that lead up to the matches that are on the schedule for tonight. Everything from Abaddon's viscious attack on Lara Chastain to Tama Tonga's attack last week on Morgan Payne. Brief highlights of the McKeesport Mafia's newly ignited war with Suzuki-Gun, not to forget the involvement from Connor K and AKI. Another brief clip shows highlights of the Max LeBrun and Nico Salvatore interview before recapping their number one contender's match that saw Max come out victorious, followed by the chaos that has panned out between the Renegades and the Great White North. As the title to the show - HIGHWAY TO HELL - flashes across the screen, the camera cuts to the arena as the opening pyro goes off and we are greeted by Nick Hanson and Jim Reynolds.

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Scene opens up in the backstage area , the camera pans throughout to a door opening and its revealed to be the door of GM Brody's office and there is a gentleman thats coming out the doorway and the camera shows that to be of Ryan Steele, As Ryan is coming out in to the hallway, you can see and hear that he shut the door behind him. Rysn suddenly notices thst the camera is in front of him.... "I just want to let that idiot know that hes not dealing with any competitor in our next match.. Hes dealing with The Omega... Let me give you a little bit more into my story..... You see i was on the good side with heaven and hell as they battled each other.. and when things got rough i joined the better team.. right as the Apocalypse happened, the illuminati got involved... soon i realized that i was the last one... And in Greek Mythology we all know that the Omega is the last and Alpha is first.. So i was called The Omega for a reason to do the work of my people... to wipe the world clean of good doings... and thats exactly what im going to do when i take on that idiot who challenged me for my spot in the tournament... so he better take heed.. i aim to claim whats mine, what i deserve... and ill stop at nothing to get it... " As Ryan finishes talking Sabastian Young steps into the scene.... "Hey Ryan , We gotta talk..... " SRY Says..."What about?" Ryan Asks... scene closes as the walk down the locker room hallway and the screen goes black....

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Tama Tonga defeated Ryan Steele by pinfall in 8:03 when Tanga Loa interfered with a lariat behind the referee's back, while his brother was going for a chair, thus setting Tama up to hit the Gun Stun for the win.

Hanson: "Are you ki...I don't believe it!"

Reynolds: "I can't either, Nicky!"

Hanson: "Ryan Steele has just been ousted from the Vlad Blackheart Memorial! And in his spot -- THIS guy!!!! Tama Tonga!!"

Reynolds: "Well!! Steele said he was willing to put his spot up in order to get back at Tama Tonga for what he did last week!"

Hanson: "Yeah, I just find it hard to believe that it actually ha---"

All of a sudden, the announcers were cut off by the sound of Saliva's "Go Big Or Go Home". The logo for A.O.D appearing on the video wall.

Hanson: "Wait a minute, what the hell? What's going on, now? Our first match of the night and already some kinda surprise?"

Reynolds: "Well we know the music, Nicky. We just don't know why---"

The crowd popped as not necessarily the Army of Darkness, but William Mannheim alone came walking out onto the stage, adjusting his gloves as he grinned down at the ring.

Reynolds: "Ohhhhhhhhh crap! Nicky, do you remember what Tama Tonga said last week?!"

Hanson: "I do, indeed, Jim. And I bet The Mangler does, too!"

Reynolds: "NO SHIT! HERE HE COMES!!"

Without another word, William Mannheim suddenly sprang into a full sprint for the ring. Halfway there, Tanga Loa attempted to intercept him, only to recieve a vicious Clothesline From Hell!! Then, Mannheim turned to find Tama Tonga out of the ring, coming right at him, thus beginning a sudden brawl between the two.

Hanson: "HERE WE GO!! HERE WE GO!!"

Reynolds: "THIS CROWD IS GOING NUTS, NICKY!!"

Indeed they were, as the crowd jumped to their feet, roaring their approval as Mannheim, clearly the bigger and stronger out of the two, threw in his shots on Tama Tonga.

Reynolds: "The last guy who questioned what William Mannheim was still capable of got a barbed wire chair for his troubles, but I think he just wants to whup the G.O.D's ass!!!"

Recovering from the clothesline, Tanga Loa grabbed a chair from under the ring and began making his way towards where his brother was trading blows with Mannheim. The crowd exploded again, however, as Pitt then appeared and came sprinting down towards the scene. In a hasty effort to escape, Tanga threw the chair at where Tama and Willy were brawling. It did the job enough to break them apart so he could usher his brother over, giving the Guerillas of Destiny a window to escape through the crowd, taunting the Army of Darkness while they backed up towards the arena doors. Pitt stood there, more so trying to calm down his partner who was absolutely fuming at the two NFW newcomers.

Hanson: "Jim, I think I speak for everybody when I say I can't wait to see what happens with these two teams!"

Reynolds: "Hell, I can't either, and ya have to realize! Tama Tonga's now in B Block! You know who else is in B Block? THAT man!! The Mangler!! William Mannheim!!"

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Scene Opens up as the camera pans right by a busy interstate, we see cars hustle and bustle as people are trying to get to there desired destination as the camera pans more, it seems that the interstate goes through a very big city..
The camera catches a street sign that says " Sacramento 1 Mile" and undernrath that it says "Los Angeles Next Right" The Camera pans throughout the city and cones up on what seems to be a very expensive home. The camera zooms in on the doorway as we see a gentleman that closing the door behind him... and that gentleman is revealed to be Clerance Fletcher Townsend..... " Hello NFW Universe... I took some time off get my head in the game.. you see when that fool Yano took my briefcase.. it sent me into another state.. a mental state.. one that ive never been in before... but at the PPV.. i will be in the right state of mind.. to face Yano... You see Yano... when im in that ring with you.. all your fun games and little jokes are gonna be over.. and the Townsend's Million Dollar Challenge will still be open after i get done with you... because soon you will realize that hospitals are not very fun..especially when they send you the bill for your care.... But i dint have to worry about that... because im worth millions.. " Victoria Emmerson steps in camera view and walks around to the passenger side of what seems to be a very expensive car and she gets in.. "Oh Yano.. i forgot" as he opens the driver door to the car and its revealed to be a 2018 Rolls Royce SUV... "I dont have to worry about money.. cause everyone's got price... " Scene closes as Clerance gets in the driver side and shuts the door a drives off.. with the camera showing the license plate that says "ALL4$$$"
Scene goes black.....

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*The camera cuts back to the ring as "Wolfish Soldier" is continuing to play as Shingo Takagi and Havok are in the ring with T-Hawk standing on the ring apron, but dressed in the Suzuki-gun track suit and not dressed to wrestle. He can be seen saying something to both Shingo and Havok as they both nod back to T-Hawk as Paul Heyman stands in the ring with a mic in his hand.*


"Ladies and gentlemen, due to an injury sustained by T-Hawk early this week working out, the doctors have recommended that he be held out of action this week as a precautionary measure. But a suitable replacement has been found. Ladies and gentlemen, I direct your attention to the entranceway and present to YOU, the NEW tag partner for Shingo Takagi and Havok!!!" Heyman yells as he points toward the entranceway as the arena lights darken and the following pops up on the screen:


"I Have to Be a Lonely Warrior Tonight"


in both English and in kanji as "Kaze Ni Nare" by Ayumi Nakamura plays and Minoru Suzuki comes out and makes his way to the ring, with a stern look on his face and a towel around his neck.


Hanson: "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh MAN!!!!"

Reynolds: "Welp, Nicky. You're on your own, on this one."

Hanson: "What?! Where are you going?!"

Reynolds: "The hell away from here!"

Hanson: "Oh very original, Jim. What are you, Don Callis?!"

Reynolds: "That man's a damn genius. Seeya!"

We hear Reynolds drop his headset and get a brief cut of him booking it through the crowd.

Hanson: "Well folks, I'm gonna try to call this one on my own. As you heard, T-Hawk is no longer in this match. Minoru Suzuki is on his way to the ring. In fact he's coming around, in front of me, as I speak and---"

Hanson flinches as Suzuki suddenly gives the front of the commentary table a firm kick that shakes the entire thing.

Hanson: "--AGH!! HEY, C'MON!!"

*Once Suzuki steps up on the ring apron, he prompts to crowd to sing the chorus and steps through the ropes as he says something to T-Hawk and gives him a pat on the shoulder before T-Hawk steps down from the apron and he stretches his back across the ring ropes as the arena lights come up.*

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Suzuki-Gun defeated Connor K, AKI and Shelton Benjamin by pinfall after 17:20 when Suzuki nailed AKI with the Gotch Style Piledriver.

Following the bell, once the three of Suzuki-Gun had exited the ring, Connor and Shelton entered to try and help AKI to his feet. As soon as they got the man up, however, Suzuki-Gun slid back into the ring and sprung a sudden attack on their opponents for the match again.

Hanson: "Oh, now c'mon!! Not this again!! What the hell?! The match is over! Paul! PAUL!! Call these guys off! There's no need for this!!"

Paul Heyman was briefly seen raising his hands up and shaking his head, basically refusing to get into it before that twisted smile broke out across his face.

Hanson: "This is unnecessary!"

Inside the ring, the brawl continued with three pairs breaking off. Suzuki locking Connor K into the rear naked sleeper chokehold while Shingo Takagi pummeled AKI in one of the corners. Outside of the ring, Havok and Shelton continued brawling it out with the McKeesport Mafia member looking as if he was starting to make a comeback until Havok reversed an irish whip into one of his own and sent Shelton rolling over the steps. He then proceeded to roll him back into the ring and deliver the Disasterpiece while Suzuki performed a Captain's Hook on Connor K, maintaining the sleeper hold. Here, Suzuki began laughing maniacally, taunting the young superstar in Japanese as Connor finally began to fade before he went completely limp. Only then did he release the hold and get to his feet as the Suzuki-Gun stable theme started back up. After a final boot to the unconscious Connor K, Suzuki called for Shingo and Havok to follow him out of the ring. The three made their departure, then, with Heyman. Ringside staff and security alike trying to get out of the way of the three, lest they catch a shot of their own from one of them.

Hanson: "When is this gonna end? When is it going to END?!"

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*The scene shifts to a darkened locker room, with only one or two lights on. The camera catches the silhouette of someone sitting in front of an opened locker. The person's head deep in thought as it appears there's a towel covering his head.*

"Remember what it took to get you here. You remember what everyone on that roster did to you, right?" someone can be heard off-camera as the individual sitting on the bench slowly nods.

"Now it's your turn. It's your turn now," the same person says as the seated individual nods again.

"I just want you to know, that no matter what happens from this point on, I'm proud of you. It takes a hell of a man to change and you did it. Just remember what it took to get you here. Prove it to 'em, right?" The voice says as the seated individual stands up and slams the locker shut and turns his back to the camera and walks out as the scene fades to black.

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Clarence Fletcher Townsend defeated Toru Yano in their Falls Count Anywhere match after 12:10 when he delivered a snap DDT onto the floor where, ironically enough, Toru Yano had pulled up the floor padding. Despite the rules of the match, however, Townsend insisted on picking Yano up and rolling him back into the ring for the pinfall victory.

After the bell sounded, Townsend snatched his long lost brief case from the referee and held it victoriously above his head...before taking a running swing with it and smashing Toru Yano across the face when the man got back up to his feet, albeit dizzy. Afterwards, he exited the ring, making his way up the ramp with Victoria Emmerson on his free arm, taunting the camera, repeating "I told you. I told you all!"

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"Belial... Behemoth... Beelzebub"

"Asmodeus... Satanas... Lucifer"

Judas Lasher leads his Dominion of Pain to the ring, as Ghost's "Year Zero" rings through the arena, the lights dimming and turning to a red hue as a good portion of the crowd sang along to the music. Clad in his red and black pinstriped suit, his dreads tied into a ponytail, Lasher held the ropes open for their manager, LeeAnn Viskan, and the youngest member of the group, Lara Blackheart.

Walking to the center of the ring, The King of Pain took the microphone and smirked to the camera.

"Finally.... Judgement Day.... has arrived."

As Judas lowered the microphone, leaving the audience in silent curiosity as to what was to come next, the opening guitar note to Calavera's "Ultra-Violent" rang through the arena.

Hanson: "What the hell?"

As the song fully picked up, the lights darkened down again with eerie red and white strobes flickering across the stage as the, briefly absent members of the Dominion that made up their newest tag team unit appeared from the entrance curtain, walking towards the ring with no nonsense in their steps. No pause to pose on the stage, no playing to the crowd. Just their roaring entrance music as the two behemoths, Doomsday and Belphegor walked down to join the rest of their stable.

Reynolds: "Ummm...Nicky? What the hell are these two doing out here?"

Hanson: "Well, they *are* Dominion."

Reynolds: "But...Nicky. Why are they dressed to compete? And, ya notice Buzzsaw and Crimson Sabre...well...aren't."

Hanson: "...Oh...crap."

Despite his age, Doomsday performed a rather nimble climb up onto the apron before stepping through the ropes and yanking back the hood of his jacket; the man tossing back his soaked, black hair as he circled the ring, watching the crowd intently and took the microphone from Judas before clasping the man's hand in a sign of brotherhood.

"...Surprise...surprise..." He said slowly, before turning directly to the camera, "SURPRISE, ABADDON!!"

Reynolds: "Niiiiicky? What does he mean by that?"

Hanson: "Oh, I think it's obvious, Jim."

Continuing, Doomsday slowed to a stop in his pacing, putting himself next to Belphegor. "I'm sure you thought, Abaddon...that you and what's left of your damaged circle...were going to be on even footing against the Dominion.... I'm sure you thought...that maybe you had a chance that with you and your two dogs...you stood a chance of survival, against the dark father...and the wolves." He shook his head slowly and judging by the way his shoulders briefly shook, the man was actually laughing to himself. Enjoying this. "Oh, no...no.... You see, it's like we told you. Tonight isn't about...'wrestling'...." He made quotation marks with his empty hand's fingers. "It's not about giving the people that came here, their money's worth. Tonight is about...chaos...carnage...it's about...total...annihilation.... Tonight, you get the Master of Pain...and the beasts that wreak total hell across everywhere they set foot! Mark my words, Abaddon...Keith.... Tonight, you pay the price for your transgressions against a child...a little girl...who did nothing to earn your ire...." Here, he moved and placed a hand on Lara's shoulder. "You spit on her family name...you robbed her...of a friend...and me...of my own blood.... I told you...that I would be here to take my piece.... So tonight isn't about 'wrestling'. That will come in the future. But for now...anybody here...who brought your children...anybody watching at home...your sons and daughters...sitting in your lap....turn off your television. Go home...because tonight is not for those with a soul to observe.... Tonight...is about utter...complete...ultra...violence...." From there, he released Lara's shoulder and handed the microphone off.

Lara took the mic from Doomsday with little smile, before leaning against Belphegor as though he were a wall. "Here's the thing, 'Keith'. You screwed with me. Forgivable. It's wrestling, right? People get nasty in feuds. You mocked my dad. That was really fucking low, but, again.... sometimes people do some nasty shit to get under someone's skin. Either of those would've got you a good ass-kicking from my boys here. It would've been brutal, but it would've been over. I mean, look at Mia. She ran her mouth about me and my folks. In return, I beat her like Joe Jackson beat his kids. And it's over. But nooooo. You had to take it one step further. And put your hands on my mother. You headbutted her, you fucking jackass. You busted her open and gave her a concussion. A woman who, even in her youth, was never more than a *manager*. You took things waaaaay over the line, you douchebag. And now, you get to be the example. The sacrificial lamb, to show everyone else here what happens when you push The Dominion too far."

Belphegor (in oddly sweet display of affection) gave Lara a gentle little hug before taking the mic from her. "Adrianna... Tyler... Chris... I can only hope that after tonight, you see the mistake you've made. That your eyes will be opened the way mine were. Abaddon is not your savior. He is not your protector. He is using you, just like he used me. The Dominion may not be what anyone would call normal... but they are a *family*. And I will do anything to protect my family."

Taking the microphone from Belphegor, Doomsday knocked forearms with the man and looked around him at the Dominion before honing in on the camera again. "Family...that's the different between us...Abaddon...and your 'cult'." He pointed to the camera after thumbing to those he stood amongst. "We...the Dominion...merciless as we may be...are a family. You...are the manipulative...megalomaniac who feeds lies to those he sees as nothing more than sheep. And mark my words...*boy*...sooner or later...your sheep, yes, I will call them sheep...I will call my own daughter, your sheep...they will see you for who you really are. You will confess it...you will admit it...even if I have to tear your apart with my bare hands...." Doomsday paused, looking beside him to Judas and gave the man a fist bump before slowly looking back at the camera. "Ave...Satanas...." He said, dropping the mic as "Year Zero" restarted as the Dominion made their departure from the ring.

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The Iron Maidens wrestled to an incredible 25 minute draw against Lara Blackheart and Shelley Silver that saw the four exchange emotional hugs with one another before raising their arms side by side.

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*The scene shifts to a backstage interview area where we see Josh Davidson standing alone.*


"Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please welcome Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith, Jr., the Killer Elite Squad along with Paul Heyman," Davidson says as the arena crowd booes as Archer and Heyman enter from the left and Smith enters from the right behind Davidson and gives him a rather stern shoulder squeeze, making Davidson uncomfortable and moving to his left as Smith joins the others.


"Now, gentlemen, before I get to your returning tag title match tonight with the McKeesport Mafia, I did want to get your thoughts, Mr. Heyman on not only Minoru Suzuki's entry into the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, but your thoughts on Mr. Suzuki's first loss last week in that submission match with Rick Dickulous. A match that not only saw Suzuki not tap, but one that was filled with chaos as once again, Suzuki-gun had to deal with the likes of not only the McKeesport Mafia, but AKI and Connor K., two men who have no official affiliation, but nonetheless, didn't hesitate to fight side-by-side with them against your group. What do you ha...," Davidson is quickly interrupted by Smith who swipes the mic out of his hands and Archer takes a swill of water from a bottle and spits it in Davidson's face as he gets shoved off-camera by Smith, causing the three of them to laugh at Davidson's expense.


"Thank you, Mr. Davidson for your weekly worthless contribution. Rather than regale you with what Mr. Suzuki's reaction would be to your questions, allow me to direct this one simple message tonight to AKI, Connor, and Shelton Benjamin: Gentlemen, you have no idea what your actions are about to lead to, because you now have Mr. Suzuki's undivided attention; especially you Connor. You should know better how Mr. Suzuki likes to treat annoying young lions who get in his way. Now you not only got in his way, you caused a small bump along the way. And that is something that Mr. Suzuki will not tolerate. And you will see that tonight when the three of you step foot into that ring tonight. Now, with that aside. Gentlemen? Do you have anything you wish to add for your tag title match tonight?" Heyman says with a chuckle as he holds the mic up to both Archer and Smith.


"BDP? Punisher? You're in for a world of hurt, boys. You may have weasled your wait out of Japan with those tag title belts, and that's our fault for taking you guys a little lightly. Tonight, you get the full measure of the power and technique of K.E.S. EVERYBODY DIES!!!" Archer yells and spits water into the camera as Smith piefaces the cameraman to the point where the cameraman falls over while filming. At that moment, the camera catches Heyman leaning down in front of the camera, giving a smug grin.


"And we thank you, for your time," Heyman says as he drops the mic on the camera as the scene fades.

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The Final Round of the Mixed Tag Team Tournament saw Kicks And Stones, the team of Vincent Stone and Erin Mercer defeat "Switchblade" Jay White and Mia Hayashi in a brutal 20:16 match when Jay White went for the Blade Runner. With an extended taunt, however, Vincent Stone found a second wind and 'came to life' so to speak, reversing it into a suplex setup.

Hanson: "NO, WAIT!! STONE REVERSES!!! CAN HE HIT IT?!?!"

With a quick cut throat taunt from Stone, the entire arena roared out a thunderous--

"FINISH HIM!!!!!"

Vincent Stone then promptly hooked White's leg and hoisted him up, delivering the FATALITY, combined with a rollup for the three count.

Reynolds: "WOOOOOOOW!!!!! YOU TALK ABOUT A TAG TEAM BOUT FOR THE RECORD BOOKS!!!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, here are you winners and NEW N*FW Mixed Tag Team Champions - Vincent Stone...Erin Mercer...KICKS...AND...STONES!!"

As Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" sounded through the arena, Stone sat up in a sweaty heap, clearly not 100% as to where he was as Steven Brody entered the ring, carrying the two white leather straps plated in gold and silver plates and handed them to an excited but equally exhausted Erin Mercer. The woman eagerly accepted the belts, tears in her eyes as she moved to Stone and laid one in his lap before pulling him into a hug.

The final shot of the post-match celebration saw Vincent Stone back on his feet with he and Erin Mercer on opposite corners, raising the titles overhead.

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Backstage, the camera opened up in the arena to find Max LeBrun walking down the hallway lined with locker room doors. In one hand, he carried his bag over his shoulder. In the other, a brown paper bag, nearly bulging with whatever was in it. The hand with his bag over his shoulder was also occupied with his phone in his hand; that which Max looked down at on occasion and tapped away at the screen.

Finally, the man reached a door with the nameplate that read 'RENEGADES', and pushed the door open, stepping inside. "Yoooooo!!! Sorry I'm late! Thought I'd swing by and grab us all some burritos!" He chimed his stable mates there in the dressing room, raising the paper bag up.

As he walked in, the first person he'd see is Julian Morrison, staring at him with wide eyes, face devoid of color. Next to him was Candi Brodeur, hilariously with a similat expression on HER face, as Tyson Law sat in the corner, watching videos on his phone.

Julian shook his head, before speaking in a hushed tone. "Bro. BRO. What the hell were you THINKING?"

Obviously unsure as to what Julian was even getting at, Max set down the bag and pulled out one of four heaping burritos wrapped in tinfoil. With that first bite in his mouth, he chewed idly and raised an eyebrow at his friend and girlfriend at the same time. Whatever it was they were worried about, he certainly wasn't. Thus came the confused shrug from the man as he looked down at his burrito and raised his eyebrows. "What? I know they say not to eat anything too heavy before a match but I was thinking healthy, all the same. Try one; no harm no foul." He picked up the bag again and extended it out. "Here, babe." He said, then, to Candi. "I got you your favorite. I know you like tuna and avocado."

"Dude." Julian said, shaking his head. "That little exchange you had with LeeAnn is ALL OVER social media right now. You are either the bravest guy I've ever met, or the stupidest."

Max blinked nonchalantly at Julian, taking another bite of his burrito with the crunch of lettuce sounding as he looked between Julian and Candi. Finally, he shook his head with a reassuring look on his face as he extended the index finger of his hand holding his burrito. "Mmh...." He paused to swallow his bite. "Fuck her. Nothing I said to her wasn't true. As far as what other idiots have been saying, who cares? We're supposed to be scared of the crew she runs with? Why? Because they like to fight and kick the shit out of people? News flash, so do we. Judas knows how to fuck with people, yeah. People that are fake. I almost feel sorry for Abaddon tonight, but then again, I don't because he's just about as fake as those motherfuckers that are holding us back! Now the three of us have seen our share of shit. You?" He pointed to Julian. "Hell, you used to roll with them, so when it does come down to it between us and them? You've probably got intel we can use. Candi's the toughest woman in this business, right now. LeeAnn can talk all she wants about being a bad bitch. We've got the baddest bitch in the industry right here, so fuck LeeAnn Viskan, fuck her little protege Lara, and fuck Lara's little outsider girl, Shelby Shiver...whatever her damn name is. And me?" He pointed himself, looking off to the side with his expression comically changing as if he was trying to think of what he could credit himself with that would serve as a good defense against the Dominion. Finally, something seemed to dawn on him and he looked at the two again. "Hell, I picked a fight with Kane when I was still green behind the ears. So why should we have any reason to be scared of a bunch of old washed up losers that we're gonna have to take out sooner or later anyway." He crunches on his burrito again before looking passed the two and over at Tyson Law. "Twysshon?" He called to the man with a mouthful, before swallowing enough that he could talk coherently. "The hell are you doing back there?"

"Man..." Tyson laughed, trying not to laugh. "I'm just staying outta THIS shit. Candi and Julian are acting like someone just took a damn hit out on us, you're doing the whole "fiddling while Rome burns" thing... so I'm just being the guy who sits here playing Dissidia and wondering how I got banded up with a buncha loons."

Candi cracked up briefly there, the smile that accompanied it a rare reminder of the fun, upbeat girl she had been years before. "Ok, ok. I get it. We're just... damn. We're still getting our footing as a group, and I feel like we're taking shots at the most tight and together group there IS. So sue me for being afraid we're biting off more than we're ready to chew."

"Fucking dick!" Max laughed, throwing a handful of napkins at the man. "Hey, listen...Candi's right. We may just be getting our footing still. But we didn't come here to make friends and we didn't come to earn the respect of a bunch of assholes that have tried to keep us down, anyway." He shook his head and sighed. "Look, I may be a leader here, but I'm not here to tell you guys what to do or to use you as my own push. Too many idiots pull that and you see what happens to their groups. They crash and burn. However, I did pick each of you out because I see the potential in you that the big wig motherfuckers refuse to, simply because none of us fit their bill. Do I have a vendetta? Oh yeah. I knew I couldn't do this alone, though, so that's where you all come in. Like minded individuals that will *ALL* benefit from what we're doing. I know I've got the spotlight tonight, I know that. Believe me; even after I get finished kicking Leroux's sorry ass, my job doesn't stop there until each and every one of you gets your due. And you're right, babe...." He nodded to Candi. "We *are* taking shots at a tight and together group. But as far as *THE* most? Baby girl, that's us, all the way. Because we have a common goal. Them?" He thumbed off to the side. "They came here to take out a single group that pissed off a legend's baby girl. After that's done? What are they gonna do? Nothing. We've got this. All of us."

Candi raised an eyebrow, smirking as she shook her head. "Good thing I love you, babe. 'Cause you're a fucking lunatic."

Julian just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah. I know them better than most. Which is why I'm freaking out. BUT ANYWAY. Let's focus on the here and now. We know what we got in mind for tonight. The next strike. Let's just make sure that goes off without a hitch."

Max shook his head, waving his hand with the burrito in it. "Don't worry about that part. I just made one last call to make sure we got the ball rolling. All we need to do is make sure we got everything squared away on our side. SO!" Again, Max picked up the bag of burritos and placed it in Julian's hands. "Everybody...come get your food and let's make sure we're all on the same page for tonight. Tyson! Stop touching yourself to Tifa Lockheart and get over here!" Max called over before looking and noticing the camera man was still there. "Do you mind? Get the hell out!" In a quicker pace than usual, the camera moved backwards as Max came strolling towards it until he was able to shut the door in the camera man's face, leaving the final shot being that of the 'RENEGADES' nameplate as the shot faded to black.

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After what was more a severely heated grudge match than a tag team title competition, the McKeesport Mafia defeated the Killer Elite Squad in 17:31 to retain the NFW Tag Team Championships after Big Daddy Payne nailed Lance Archer with the Bukkake Blast while Andrew Payne and Davey Boy Smith traded blows outside of the ring. The distraction of the bell served enough to allow Andrew Payne to deliver the Faded Line to Smith outside of the ring, bringing the brawl to an end so he could join his partner in the ring to celebrate their victory.

Hanson: "Once again, the McKeesport Mafia, successfully defend their tag team championships!"

Reynolds: "Ohhhhh but was that a close one this time, Nicky!"

Hanson: "It most certainly was! You'd be an idiot to say that Smith and Archer aren't on the same level as those two Pittsburgh boys right there!"

Reynolds: "Absolut--wait, what the hell?! Look out, Nicky!"

Hanson: "Oh now, c'mon!"

As Hanson voiced his dismay, the crowd began booing as Julian Morrison and Tyson Law of the Renegades hit the ring. Before they could spring an attack, however, both members of the McKeesport Mafia turned just in time and were ready for a fight. Law and Morrison, however, didn't spring an attack, right away. Instead, the two sides began verbally taunting each other with the Mafia egging the Renegades to bring it on, if they wanted it.

Reynolds: "Are we gonna see another brawl, Nicky?"

Hanson: "Well, it's certainly been a hellacious night but I guess they don't call it Highway to Hell for nothing!"

Before either of them could get another word out, the crowd let out an excited pop as two more men appeared on the stage and came rushing to the ring.

Hanson: "Wait, look, Jim! Ryan Steele! Sebastian Young! They call themselves The Fallen! What are they doing here?!"

The crowd looked on as Steele and Young - Steele still in his ring gear, only now with a Disturbed t-shirt on - hit the ring and hurried to stand in between the two other teams, facing off against Tyson Law and Julian Morrison.

Reynolds: "Ohhhhh, I think I know exactly what they're doing, Nicky!"

Hanson: "I do, too, Jim! That's the father of Ryan Steele's girlfriend! I think he's had enough of the disrespect these Renegades have been dishing out!"

Inside the ring, it was now The Fallen and The Renegades facing off against each other. Steele and Law practically banging heads and beginning a back and forth of trash talk while Morrison and Young stared at each other. Things looked to be reaching a boiling point as the McKeesport Mafia remained ready for when things eventually hit the fan. When it did, however, it did so in a way they didn't expect...as Ryan Steele and Sebastian Young suddenly turned and began attacking Big Daddy Payne and Andrew Payne, with Julian and Tyson immediately joining in on a 4 on 2 beat down.

Reynolds: "WAIT A MINUTE!!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?!"

Hanson: "The Fallen just turned and attacked the McKeesport Mafia! They...they're...they're attacking them with the Renegades!!"

Reynolds: "What the hell is going on, Nicky?!"

Hanson: "I don't know!"

Inside the ring, Steele and Young teamed up together on BDP to deliver a pop up flatliner - Steele performing the popup while Young caught him on the way down. Meanwhile, Julian Morrison picked Andy up after Tyson Law delivered the Lawbreaker and snapped him down to the mat with the Downward Spiral.

At that point, the four stood over the two, high fiving and fist bumping to the boos of the crowd. Next, Steele and Young, facing the crowd and turning with their arms out in mocking shrugs both reached up and pulled off their regular t-shirts to reveal....RENEGADE tees underneath!!

Hanson: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!"

Reynolds: "NO WAY!!!"

Hanson: "RYAN STEELE AND SEBASTIAN YOUNG, THEY...THEY'VE JOINED THE RENEGADES!!! THAT'S WHAT MAX LEBRUN WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE SAID THE ARMY WAS GROWING!!"

Reynolds: "Watch out, Nicky. Speaking of Max."

The crowd's boos picked up as Max LeBrun and Candi Broduer appeared. By now, Max was in his ring gear with his own Renegade t-shirt on, minus his gloves and arm sleeve. He wore that disgustingly cocky smile on his face, however, as he got into the ring and high fived the two newest members. Coming to stand over the two members of McKeesport Mafia, Max seemed to focus on Andy before grinning to Ryan and gesturing down at the man. He could be seen mouthing, 'you wanna give some more?' In return, Ryan Steele cracked a cold grin that fans had yet to ever see from him. It was chilling. At Max's behest, Tyson and Julian lifted Andrew Payne up as Ryan Steele SPIT in his face before twisting him around so Andy's back was to him. He then hit him with a somersault DDT, he named the Destiny Calling.

Reynolds: "OH!!!! MAN!!!!"

Finally, Max accepted a microphone brought in by Candi and sarcastically smacked it, causing a repeated 'thump-thump-thump' to fill the arena, before raising it to his mouth. "Surprise, motherfuckers! I told you last week we were far from done...and that we had more tricks up our sleeves! I told you...the Renegades...were growing! What we have here are two more promising talents who have been SHIT ON by the old faces of this business!! And they're just as tired of it as we are! They need no introduction, but I'm gonna drill it into your heads anyway: the NEW members of the Renegades!" He pointed to both men individually as he named them. "The Dangerous One - Sebastian Riley Young...The Omega - Ryan Steele...The Fallen!" To the boos of the crowd, Steele and Young raise their arms - Steele closing his hand into extending the middle finger at the audience as he turned in a slow circle.

"Oh...and to end this on a memorable note...I just have one thing to say...." Max continued, gesturing the camera to get closer. "C'mere, c'mere...." Once it did, he leaned into the lens and raised his fist in that trademark Renegade hand gesture. "Hey...LeeAnn...you watching this? Remember this moment....2018....The Renegades start a feud...by kicking the living shit...out of the McKeesport Mafia...." Dropping the mic, Max 'pulled the pin on the grenade' before storming over to BDP and picking him up onto his feet to deliver the Aneurysm!!

~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!!~

As he stood back up, "Renegade" by Hollywood Undead filled the arena as the now six member stable exited the ring and made their exit.

Hanson: "Jim, I...I know I say this a lot lately but...I...I'm speechless...."

Reynolds: "Me too, Nicky...." Reynolds said in a surprisingly somber tone. "These guys were bad enough when they started out...and now they just got bigger...."

Hanson: "What does this mean for NFW? What does this mean for professional wrestling as a whole?"

Reynolds: "It terrifies me to think about it...."

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

*The scene shifts to Commissioner Brody's office as he's seated at his desk typing something on his laptop when there's a knock on the door.*


"I'm not taking any appointments at this time, come back later," Brody says but the knocking continues.


"I SAID, I'm not taking any appointments at this time. Come...back...later!!!" Brody says sternly and taking a deep breath to pause and collect his thoughts. He starts to type a third time when the knocking starts up again.


Brody, clearly agitated, gets up and approaches the door, "Look, I don't know if you're one of those idiot Jehovah's Witnesses, but when I said I'm...," Brody says as he opens the door and pauses. His mood changes considerably at the person in the doorway, off-camera.


"Well damn, I wasn't expecting you to be here until next week! This is a pleasant surprise. Come in, come in. I trust there were no issues with your flight. So tell me, what brings NFW's Pacific Liaison and Talent Relations stateside so early, hmm? Miss Kurimoto?" Brody says as he offers his hand and brings in former NFW wrestler/manager Shoko Kurimoto, giving her a twirl and guiding her to a seat in front of his desk as he sits at the edge, giving a pleasant smile.


"Well, Mr. Brody, I just wanted to see for myself how things were going here after NFW's successful tour of Japan. It was one thing to be able to see things on our soil, but I wanted to see it for myself here in the U.S., and to get an early start on my vacation visiting family and friends," Kurimoto says warmly.


"Of course. Nothing wrong with starting vacation early, right? And I think you can see firsthand how things have been here, especially since you were the one who helped broker the agreement with Mr. Meij and the New Japan office. We certainly owe you a great deal of gratitude and thanks, Shoko," Brody says as he returns to his desk and sits at his chair.


"Oh no, I cannot take any credit for this. I merely presented you with the opportunity, and you did the rest," Kurimoto says.


"Well, I don't want to keep you. Have you gotten around backstage to meet some of the talent? Did you want to come out on stage one last time? We can give the fans a formal introduction if you like," Brody says.


"Oh no, I think I had my share of being on camera and being in front of the fans, not that there's anything wrong. I prefer to stay behind-the-scenes, that's all. As for going meeting the talent in the back, I've met some of them on my way here, but I'll take a quick walkthrough again on my way out. After all, there's friends and family here too, remember?" Kurimoto says as she stands up.


"Oh, of course. How could I forget? Well, I don't want to keep you. Maybe you can stop in again? Maybe at the Finals of the upcoming Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament?" Brody asks as he stands up and leads Shoko to the door.


"We'll see. Take care and good luck Steven. You should be very proud of yourself for what you have here," Shoko says as she and Brody and shake hands and give a quick hug as she walks out the door and the camera slowly zooms in on Brody giving a brief smile as the scene fades to black.

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

Cutting back to ringside, after a brief ad from the sponsors for tonight's event, the camera finds Steven Brody in the ring with a microphone.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen.... As the owner and commissioner of New Frontier Wrestling, I'd like to thank you all for attending tonight as well as extend a thank you to those who are tuning in from their homes. Before we continue the show with our main event, I'd like to ask you all for a moment of your time to make, what I hope will be, an exciting announcement. As you all know, in two weeks, we will be starting our inaugural Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. A twenty man, round robin contest, consisting of two separate blocks of ten superstars. In each block, all superstars will meet each other in singles competition until they have faced everyone else in their block. In the end, the leading superstar of each block will face each other in the finals which will be held in the Alamo Dome, as we return to San Antonio, Texas. The winner of that finals match will go on to face the NFW Heavyweight Champion in January at our biggest show of the company - Wrestle Wars...."

Steven Brody paused to let the crowd react to the reminder which, despite the grim mood of the previous match, did draw an excited pop from the audience before Brody lifted his microphone to continue. "Now, with that said...as you all saw last week, we revealed the ten competitors of B Block -- granted, there has been an obvious change in the line up. Tonight, before we treat you to our next match for the NFW World Heavyweight Championship, I'd like to finally reveal to you, our lineup for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial's...A BLOCK!!" Turning and pointing towards the video wall, the audience was treated to a variation of the video that was used to announce B Block the previous week.

~LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PLEASE....WON'T YOU BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO ME....FOR A FEAST FOR YOUR EYES TO SEE...~

As Saliva's "Ladies and Gentlemen" plays, the announcer's thunderous voice announces each A Block competitor as their picture SLAMS onto the screen with highlights of their matches in the background.

“The Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament! Twenty superstars! Eighteen matches! One winner! Introducing...the competitors of A Block!”

"REPRESENTING THE MCKEESPORT MAFIA...SHELTON...BENJAMIN!!"

"REPRESENTING SUZUKI-GUN...THE SUBMISSION MASTER...ZACK...SABRE...JUNIOR!!"

"CHRIS...WOLFE!!"

"REPRESENTING THE RENEGADES...THE TORONTO DAREDEVIL...MAX...LEBRUN!!"

"REPRESENTING THE DOMINION OF PAIN...THE NFW TELEVISION CHAMPION...THE BUZZSAW!!"

"REPRESENTING THE GREAT WHITE NORTH...THE NFW SILVER MOUNTAIN CHAMPION...RICK...DICKULOUS!!"

"THE BIG RED MACHINE...KANE!!"

"THE GOLDEN STAR...KOTA...IBUSHI!!"

"THE URBAN GLADIATOR...NICO...SALVATORE!!"

"AND...INTRODUCING...MISTER...X!!"

The display explodes, switching to a collage of all ten superstars side by side with the tournament’s title underneath them. “The Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament! A Block! Who will go the finals?! Who will make history?! Don’t miss it!”

Cutting back to the ring, Steven Brody raises the microphone again with a more natural smile on his face. "There you have it folks. Twenty superstars...twenty *wrestlers*..." He said with a smirk to the camera. "Eighteen matches...two blocks...one winner. Who's gonna win it all?" He shrugged with a smile. "We'll have to see! Without further due, now, please enjoy the rest of the show!"

As Brody lowered the mic, smiling to the crowd, he turned to take his leave of the ring when all of a sudden....

Adelita's Way's "Bad Reputation" filled the arena
through the speakers.

Reynolds: "WWWWWHHHAAAAT??!?!?!"

Hanson: "No way....you...you gotta be kidding me, Jim...."

Reynolds: "OH PLEASE SAY IT'S SO!!!"

As the lyrics to the song began, a mixed chorus of boos and cheers erupted from the audience as the long, absent Adam Cole came walking through the curtain to step out onto the stage. Looking as smug as ever, the wayward member of the roster made his leisurely strut down the rampway in blue jeans, boots and one of his own merchandise shirts with the sleeves cut off.

Reynolds: "ADAM COLE!!! IT'S ADAM COLE!!!"

Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!?!"

Reynolds: "HE'S THE MYSTERY GUY FOR A BLOCK, BAY-BAY!!!!"

Hanson: "Oh, you gotta be kidding me. No way!"

In the ring, Steven Brody stood, looking absolutely perplexed as he watched Cole walk up the steps and calmly step in under the ropes. Brushing right passed the NFW commissioner, he took a kneeling position in the center of the ring before popping up with his fingers in the air. The audience around him roaring with the man:

ADAM COLE, BAY-BAY!!!!

As Cole's music faded out, Brody raised the microphone up to his mouth. "Adam? You mind telling me exactly what---" Suddenly he was cut off again, as Cole calmly took the microphone from his hand and raised a hand, mouthing, 'it's cool Steve. I got this.' Smiling from ear to ear, Cole turned his attention back to the crowd.

"My name...is ADAM COLE, BAY-BAY!!" Again, the man was assaulted by mainly boos from the crowd, despite the smug ass grin on his face. "And you people know DAMN well, that you can't have a tournament...consisting of the top, most deserving superstars and not have my name in the hat." He remarked, pointing to himself and shaking his head. "Now, believe me, I almost thought the guys in the back were dumb enough to make that decision, BUT...then I remembered what a cheeky little devil our good ol' commissioner can be. Steve, you rascal!" He said, turning and
pointing to the annoyed looking commissioner who just stood there, rubbing his forehead. "Man, I'm all for surprises, but you shouldn't tease these people like that! Best to have just told them...Adam Cole is your Mister X! Your final guy in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial, right? I mean, let's face it. I am the next Vlad Blackheart. Hell, I'm better than anyone else in either of those blocks. I can guarantee you, a clean sweep through this tournament and whether it's Scott Leroux...whether it's that loud mouth little bitch Max Lebrun, you are looking at your first Vlad Memorial winner, you are looking at the next number one contender for the Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Wars and you are looking...at the NEXT...NFW...Heavy..."

Cole stops as the arena lights dim around ringside as Cole looks at Brody, confused, then looking around as the arena lights darken and "War" by Vince DiCola plays in the arena and the same individual from earlier stands at the rampway wearing a hooded black and silver jacket. As the song continues to play, the man makes his way to the ring as the camera shifts to Cole, who's looking to Brody for an explanation and Brody stoically shrugs his shoulders as the man gets into the ring and steps in the center of the ring as Cole steps up in front of him as the arena lights come up on the two in the middle of a staredown. Cole can be seen mouthing, "You? Are you fucking kidding me?!?" to the man as he slowly pulls his hood back to reveal a returning Matt Klazzic, now in a silver and black mask.

Hanson: "JIM!!!!!"

Reynolds: "WHAAAAT?!?!!? MATT KLAZZIC?!?!!?

Hanson: "WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN WEEKS!!!! WE THOUGHT HE LEFT!!!!"

Reynolds: "WHAT'S HE DOING OUT HERE NOW, THOUGH?!?!"

Cole again looking incredulously at Klazzic, looks back at Brody who again gives a stoic shrug as Klazzic removes his jacket and puts it aside, to the delight of the fans.

Cole shakes his head and looks to the crowd for a moment, then tries to throw a surprise punch, that gets blocked by Klazzic, who proceeds to return a series of right forearm shots of his own, staggering Cole and bringing the crowd to his feet.

Hanson: "WAIT, COLE GOES FOR A CHEAP SHOT, BUT KLAZZIC CATCHES IT!! NOW HE'S LAYING INTO THE PANAMA CITY PLAYBOY WITH A COMBO OF HIS OWN!!"

Reynolds: "My...GOD!!!! Look at those shots, Nicky!!"

Hanson: "Those look painful!"

Klazzic forearms Cole to the ropes, then gives him an Irish whip and comes off the opposite ropes and nails Cole with a jumping knee attack that puts Cole down. Klazzic then goes over and picks up a stunned Cole and lets out a yell, before winding up and giving a Cole a Burning Lariat while he holds him by his head, bringing Cole to the ground in a heap as Klazzic yells at the crowd, who cheers their approval in return. He pauses for a moment before picking Cole up by the hair, Klazzic brings Cole to his feet before picking him up for what appears to be a scoop slam but instead turns it into a Northern Lights Bomb and drives Cole to the mat as the crowd cheers wildly. Klazzic stands up, looks and nods to Brody, before standing in the center of the ring and forms an "X" over his head with his arms.

Reynolds: "WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!!!! ARE YOU TELLING ME....?!?!"

Hanson: "I THINK WE JUST FOUND OUT WHO 'MISTER X' IS, JIM!!!!"

Reynolds: "MATT KLAZZIC'S ENTERING THE VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL?!?!?"

Hanson: "IT WOULD SEEM SO AND MAN, DOES HE LOOKS DANGEROUS!!"

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

Five Finger Death Punch's "Top Of The World" thundered throughout the arena, signaling the preparation for the NFW Heavyweight Championship match as Max LeBrun made his entrance, accompanied by Candi Broduer.

Making his usual entrance, completely ignoring the fans at ringside - even those who reached out as fans - Max sprung over the top rope and played to the boos with his pose in the centrer of the ring before moving to his corner.

After a momentary silence, the opening riff to Avenged Sevenfold's "Hail To The King" kicked on and the crowd immediately exploded into a huge pop. As the guitar and tempo to the song picked up, the NFW Heavyweight Champion, The Tapout King, Scott Leroux appeared on stage, accompanied by Kennedy Campbell. The completely opposite to Max, albeit with his trademark cockiness, he played to the crowd more on his way to the ring.

Reynolds: "Nicky, I could not be more PSYCHED for a title match than I am for this one!"

Hanson: "It's definitely got spectacle written all over it and it hasn't even started yet!"

Coming to the center of the ring, the announcer introduced both competitors in traditional order. The challenger - Max LeBrun first, and the champion - Scott Leroux, second. As the referee went over his expecations in the match, Max and Scott stared coldly at each other. At the call for a handshake, Max paused but, surprisingly extended his hand.

Hanson: "Whoa...sudden show of respect from student to mentor?"

Reynolds: "Ya got me!"

Admittedly, surprised, though grinning, Scott nodded and moved to accept the handshake only to have Max jerk his hand up out of the way with a smug laugh. Scott returned the laugh...before adding a slap across Max's face that drew a pop from the crowd as he handed the belt off to the referee and called for Max to "fucking bring it, kid!"

Max responded with an attempt at a shot of his own and, at the sound of the bell, the match kicked off with a bang -- challenger and champion instantly throwing shots filled with pent up rage being released at one another. It was an all out war between the two as they dished out everything they had at one another. After the initial flurry of shots had ended, the two circled the ring with Max attempting to match Scott in a technical, grappling contest. While Scott was clearly still the more experienced, Max definitely proved he knew what he was doing as the two came to a standoff with the champion grinning cockily but nodding his approval at his opponent...his former student....

Once things grew more intense as the clock ticked on, the fires of rivalry burned brighter as the standoffs grew shorter and the two began just beating the absolute hell out of each other. The crowd was on their feet as Scott Leroux whipped Max LeBrun towards the ropes. Max went to attempt a counter by going for a back springboard cutter, only to have Scott catch him around the waist and deliver a high angled German Suplex right onto his neck.

Hanson: "OHHHH!!!!! LOOK AT THAT ANGLE!!"

Reynolds: "THAT'S GOTTA BE IT!!"

1!!

2!!

Hanson: "OHHH, MAX LERBUN KICKS OUT!!"

Collapsing onto the mat, beside each other, Scott laid out on his back, staring up at the lights while Max writhed on the mat, clutching the back of his neck and reaching for his taped shoulder. As the two got to their feet and continued, they began dishing out their high impact moves in an attempt to put the other away. An exchange of running offense between the two ended with Scott Leroux, whipping Max off of the ropes to go for a back body drop. To the shock of the crowd, however, Max had apparently scouted the move and quickly hooked Leroux's arms once he stood over his head.

Reynolds: "WAIT, NICKY!!!!"

Hanson: "LEBRUN HAD LEROUX SCOUTED!! NOW HE'S GOT HIM SET UP!!!"

Reynolds: "HERE IT COMES....!!!"

Hanson: "ANEURYSM!!!!!"

Hanson yelled as Max planted Scott right on his head, crawling over to try and make the cover. He hooked the leg.

1!!!

2!!!

Hanson: "NO!!!! LEROUX KICKED OUT!!!"

Reynolds: "HOW THE HELL DID HE KICK OUT OF THE ANEURYSM?!?!?"

Max LeBrun looked just as stunned as he sat up with wide eyes, grabbing at his head in disbelief.

Hanson: "You can see the look on Max LeBrun's face! He thought he had it!!"

Reynolds: "*I* thought he had it!!!"

As the match continued on, Max countered another German Suplex, flipping back and landing on his feet before poising himself.

Reynolds: "OHH!!! MAX AVOIDS ANOTHER GERMAN!!! NOW HE'S POISED!!! LOOK OUT SCOTT!!!"

Hanson: "GONNA GO FOR THE SLAPSHOT!!"

As Scott turned around, Max lunged out for the Slapshot but the champion quickly rolled underneath the kick and seized the challenger by his grounded foot, yanking him face down into the mat, right into the ANKLE LOCK!!

Reynolds: "HE'S GOT THE ANKLE LOCK!! HE'S GOT IT LOCKED IN!!!"

Hanson: "HE ALMOST MADE KAZUCHIKA OKADA TAP OUT TO THIS SAME MOVE!!! I DON'T THINK LEBRUN CAN HOLD OUT LIKE THE RAINMAKER DID!!"

Similar to how it had been at When Worlds Collide, LeBrun was caught in the middle of the ring, trying to drag himself towards the ropes. Just as it looked as if his fingers were about to touch, Scott Leroux pulled him back to the center and threw himself back, wrapping his legs around Max's seized ankle to apply more pressure and torque. This turned Max's groans of pain into a more audible scream.

Reynolds: "MAX LEBRUN IS GONNA TAP, NICKY!!!! HE'S GONNA TAP!!!!"

Hanson: "I HOPE THE CHAMPION BREAKS HIS GODDAMN ANKLE, IF YOU WANT ME TO BE HONEST!!"

From outside of the ring, Candi Broduer slapped the mat, urging Max to crawl back her way and grab the ropes; the woman eventually climbing onto the apron, causing the referee to get up and storm over, demanding she get back down. As the two continued arguing, Kennedy Campbell ran over and - to the delight of the crowd - yanked Candi Broduer off of the apron, beginning an outside brawl. This, however, caused the referee to remain distracted and Scott Leroux released the hold to get the referee's attention again. This gave Max LeBrun time to recover, clutching his ankle and poise himself. As Scott Leroux turned back around, Max lunged out again! Scott Leroux narrowly evaded and Max Lebrun delivered a SLAPSHOT to the referee. This left him open again for another German Suplex by Scott Leroux but the referee wasn't there to make the count.

While Scott Leroux attempted to rouse the referee, the signature referee came hurrying down to take over. Scott Leroux went for the cover again over Max LeBrun.

1!!

2!!

But Max Lebrun managed to kick out due to the delay!!

Picking him up again, Scott Leroux lifted Max LeBrun up for a powerbomb, but Max managed to slip out of it, off of Scott's shoulders, kicking him in the midsection and delivering a second ANEURYSM!!!!

1!!!

2!!!!

Hanson: "WHOOOAAAAA!!!!! SCOTT LEROUX KICKS OUT AGAIN!!!!!"

SCREAMING in rage, Max LeBrun slapped the mat, audibly cursing at the top of his lungs before turning to Scott Leroux with a hate filled scowl. As Scott Leroux attempted to move towards the ropes, Max stormed over and dragged him back by one leg to the center of the ring and put Scott in...THE ANKLE LOCK!!!

Reynolds: "NO WAY!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!"

Hanson: "HIS OWN MOVE!!!! MAX LEBRUN HAS THE CHAMP IN HIS OWN MOVE!!"

It was evidently applied correctly, too, as Scott Leroux voiced his pain and struggled towards the ropes. As Max dragged him back, however, he managed to roll over onto his back and kick Max away with his other foot.

Hanson: "WAIT A MINUTE, HE'S OUT!! SCOTT'S OUT!!"

Hurrying to his feet, Scott rushed over and grabbed Max as he was trying to get back up after being shoved to the mat.

Reynolds: "Wait a minute, no way! He's not gonna go for the Aneurysm, is he?!?!"

Hanson: "An eye for an eye, Jimmy! Max used his move, so why not?!"

Before Scott could hook both of Max's arms, however, Max managed to slip out of the setup and caught Scott with a stiff forearm, sending him back. Using the foot that hadn't been torqued by Leroux to stand on, he lunged forward for another attempt at the Slapshot but Leroux caught it this time!! While it looked like Leroux was about to go for another Ankle Lock, Max quickly yanked his foot out of Scott's hands and the champion went for a clothesline instead. Max ducked underneath it, however and quickly positioned himself again. Scott Leroux turned around---

~SMACK!!~

Hanson: "THERE IT IS!!!! SLAPSHOT!!!!"

Reynolds: "NO WAY!!"

While Scott Leroux didn't completely drop, he stumbled back and collapsed onto a knee. Max LeBrun, looking to seize the moment, rushed forward and hooked his arms again. He hoisted Scott up for a third time---

Reynolds: "You gotta be kidding!!! He's gonna go for it a third time?!?!"

Hanson: "This might be it!!"

Again, Max Lebrun delivered the ANEURYSM!!! This time, letting Scott Leroux's body fall towards him, legs first as he scrambled forward to roll the man up.

1!!!

2!!!

3!!!

~DING-DING-DING~

Reynolds: "NO FUCKING WAY!!!!!!!"

Hanson: "WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION?!?!?!"

Reynolds: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!"

"Here is your winner.....and NEEEEEWWWWW NFW....WORLD...HEAVYWEIGHT...CHAMPION...MAX...LEBRUN!!!!"

Hanson: "Jim, did we just see what I think we did?!?!"

Reynolds: "I...to take a page from your book, Nicky...I don't know!"

As Five Finger Death Punch's "Top Of The World" blasted throughout the arena, Max LeBrun was helped to his feet by the rest of the Renegades once they came to the ring after the bell. As the man leaned on Tyson Law and Ryan Steele for support, Candi hugged him around the neck as Julian Morrison snatched the championship belt from the referee, grinning ear to ear, presented it to his friend, resting it over the exhausted man's shoulder, before embracing him like a brother.

Once Max was finally able to support himself on his own two feet, he called for a microphone. Again, Julian Morrison snatched it from the ring announcer and handed it to the new champion who stood with the title belt over his shoulder. He looked around at the audience as his music faded out and he raised the microphone up, slowly, to his mouth.

"Shut...the fuck...up...." He said between heaving breathes.

Hanson: "Nice attitude from our new champion, huh?"

Reynolds: "You're surprised?"

"Nick...Jim...." Max panted, as he looked towards the announce table. "I know your jobs well enough to know what you're saying...so you two as well...shut up...and fucking listen...."

Max LeBrun winced as he shifted his weight onto his 'healthier' foot, adjusting the title belt over his shoulder. "Each and every one of you...each and every...goddamn one of you people here.... You bought your tickets...you brought your cameras...you all came here...wanting to see me lose tonight. Oh yeah, I know. I know how all of you are. Because it's like I've been saying, it's like *WE* have been saying...you don't give a damn about the talent that bust their ass trying to earn their spot in the business nowadays. None of you care one goddamn bit...about the men and women who struggle for a spot. A shot at an opportunity to make something of themselves. You only care about the ones who have already made names for themselves.... You only care about the legends already made. Well, here's a news flash, for you.... I...just BEAT...one of your so called legends!!"

As Max said this, he lifted the Heavyweight Championship off of his shoulder and raised it over his head. "The so called underdog...just spat in the face...of everyone who ever doubted him!! And that's what the Renegades are all about!! We will continue...to spit in the face...of people who think we're not good enough, just because we haven't been around in this business for as long as these other washed up, pieces of trash that continue to try and hold onto what they used to have!! This right here...." He clutched the championship in his hand, "...it might be the greatest prize in this company. It might be the most prestigious title that the Renegades will ever hold, but mark my words because I can assure you: it DAMN sure won't be the last!! We will not stop until we take every single championship that this company puts out!! Andy? BDP? I think we made it perfectly clear; you're on our list. We're coming for your asses, and we're coming for those tag team titles. Scott? I know you can still hear me. As you drag your broken ass back to the locker room, I want you to let that second generation, big dumb son of a bitch Rick Dickulous know that his reign as Silver Mountain Championship...is on borrowed time!! Mercer? Stone? Congratulations on those Mixed Tag Team Championships. We'll appreciate you keeping them warm for us. And Buzzsaw? Oh, we haven't forgotten about you. Oh yeah...even your little TV championship that you took off of your new best buddy in your band of misfits? We're coming for that, too! A new generation has risen in professional wrestling. A new generation has risen in NFW!! We declared the war...we've backed up our words every single time thus far, unlike the rest of you!! And trust me, I know damn well that one of you old timer's is gonna come after me. You're gonna come after this championship. You don't think I'm worthy. You don't think I've earned it because I don't play to your oversized egoes and overrated legacies! Well the only thing I have to say to that is, if you think you can make a move? I'm putting the ball in your court! Good luck! Because I'm going into the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament...AS the NFW Heavyweight Champion...I'm going to win the tournament...AS the NFW Heavyweight Champion...and I'm going to give the spot in the main event at Wrestle Wars to a fresh, talented competitor who *deserves* the opportunity. Who has *earned* the opportunity but has never tasted it because of having it kept from them by their predecessors! I...*we*...the Renegades...are going to change the world of professional wrestling.... And the only thing any of you can do? Is simply sit back...." He positioned the championship on his shoulder and raised his fist with his thumb tucked in, "...and watch it all...go..." He flicked his thumb out - the pin on the grenade, "...boom!"

"Top Of The World" resumed again as Max LeBrun raised the belt once more before Julian Morrison and Candi Broduer helped him with putting it around his waist before Julian and Tyson lifted the new champion up onto their shoulders as streamers fell from the ceiling.

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As Danzig’s “Circle of Snakes” filled the arena, the lights dimmed down to a familiar effect of red around the entryway while the rest went completely out.

Hanson: “Well, here we go Jim. The moment, I’m sure, most have been waiting for.”

Jim: “Yeeaah, but to be honest? I’m a little worried about what we’re gonna see, Nicky. I’ve never been a fan of these types of gritty matches....”

As the music, continued, The Circle of Snakes all, slowly, appeared on stage. The competitors for the upcoming match, Abaddon, Chris Wolfe and Tyler Grey, all in their ring gear with their different styles of facepaint covering their face. Joining them, was the NFW Women’s Champion, Apocalypta. As she was not competing this evening, she remained in her street clothes, complete with her hooded, denim vest baring various patches that she was usually seen with outside of her gear. Instead of facepaint, she concealed her features with sunglasses and her balaclava mask baring the open mouth of a viper.

Approaching the ring, noticeably slower than usual, the four of them stopped to gaze upon the steel structure surrounding the ring itself. Apocalypta even going so far as to reach out and touch the steel before following the three men around to where the steps were set in front of the wide opening to allow them entry into the ring. Abaddon took the ring announcer’s microphone before entering himself. The music fading and the lights returning to normal with the four standing together in the ring. Through the sea of boos from most of the fans, a chant could be heard from the rest, yelling....

“LASHER’s GONNA KIIILLL YOU!! LASHER’s GONNA KIIILLL YOU!!”

Formerly calm, brooding, and stoic, Abaddon now clearly looked frazzled, paranoid, and twitchy, as though he'd barely slept in weeks. Running a hand through his long black hair, he finally snapped at the crowd, yelling into the microphone. "Shut up!!! All of you! That man has made my life hell for last month and a half. He's toyed with my mind, with my followers' minds, and has tried to destroy our careers. But this will NOT end the way he expects. The way all of you expect. Tonight, the Circle of Snakes makes a triumphant, united front. Tonight, we will prove Lasher to be a liar and a scam artist. A manipulator with an old, used-up bag of tricks."

Taking the microphone from him, Apocalypta paced around the ring, looking down as if she were deep in thought. Finally she came to a halt in front of Abaddon and lifted her gaze to him.

“People like to talk...like to spread lies. They like to try and get inside people’s heads. For the passed several weeks, I thought that’s what Judas and his Dominion were doing. And you know...? I think I was right.” The volume of boos elevated at her words as she turned from Abaddon and looked to the crowd. “All this time, I’ve had Judas Lasher and his hounds...including my own father...and the woman who supposedly cared enough to give myself...and my brother a place...during the toughest time of our lives...playing mind games. They want me to do to Abaddon what they did to me. And if you want the truth? You almost won. You almost had me, last week. But then, I thought about it. The only time I heard from any of you during any of this was when the Circle came together and you started playing your mindgames. If any of you really gave a damn? You know how to get ahold of me...you know where to find me. It’s not like this entire goddamn roster of us and the rest of the rats doesn’t all travel to the same little points on the map! But instead? My own father, as a way to remind me how much he misses me...sends the one who was practically a second mother to me to attack me before I could put the America’s little Pornstar through the mat. Instead of one of you having the guts to come to me and hold up old family photos and say ‘look at this! This is what we miss with you’, one of you sends me an unmarked box like a cryptic message. Well, you know what I thought of your message?”

She turned towards the camera then, stepping towards it. “I *burned* your little memorabilia pieces until there was *nothing* left!” Clutching her title in her hand, she pointed back at Abaddon. “And last but not least? Sure...he may not have always have been ‘Abaddon’. But as all of you, apparently, damn well know?” She brought her hand back around and pointed to herself. “*I* wasn’t always ‘Apocalypta’. I used to be a relatively normal...hell, I’d dare say even happy little girl.”

She slowly shakes her head. “It wasn’t Abaddon who made me into the monster that I am. No...it was you.” She pointed at the camera, indicating the Dominion. Indicating the McKeesport Mafia. “Abaddon had his secrets. We all do. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the pain I felt from being left alone by the people I cared about the most. *You* made me the monster that I am.... *You* made me the heartless...soulless being that stands before the world, tonight.” Finally, she reaches up, removing the sunglasses on her face. Underneath, without makeup, isn’t a pair of empty, solid white eyes. Her eyes, under the hood and above the face cover are normal. A deep, hazel green with intensity burning inside of them. “And tonight...the snakes...will feast upon the the rats. And...Belphegor...if that means you get added to the list of prey...as much as it bothers me to admit it...there’s plenty of you to go around....” Lowering the microphone, the coldness in her eyes briefly changes to look like what might be regret before she turns away from the camera and tosses the mic to the next member.

Abaddon looked to Grey and Wolfe, raising an eyebrow when they both appeared to bristle a bit at Apocalypta's words. "Tyler? Christopher? Is there something either of you would like to say?"

Wolfe just turned his gaze downward, shaking his head. "No, sir. Nothing at all."

Seemingly happy with that answer, Abaddon turned back to the crowd. "You may have gotten into the mind of that brainless oaf Belphegor, but you will not do so to the rest of The Circle of Snakes. These are MY followers, Lasher. They do what *I* say! They will not listen to you or anyone else. You pushed me into a corner... and tonight? Tonight is where it ends."

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From the moment the six man tornado cage match started, it was complete and utter, all out war between the Dominion of Pain and the Circle of Snakes. Abaddon, attempting a cheap shot to start the match was easily thwarted by Judas Lasher who began laying into him with shots. The team of Tyler Grey and Chris Wolfe were easily over powdered by the Ultra-Violence tag team unit of Belphegor and Doomsday.

From outside of the ring, Apocalypta looked on silently, unsure of how to really react. While she seemed slightly disturbed at how things were unfolding - the woman bringing her arms up and clutching the back of her hooded head uncomfortably, she seemed more disturbed by the dismantling of Grey and Wolfe. At one point, she even walked up to the cage where Belphegor was raining fists down on Wolfe. Upon close inspection with the camera, she could faintly be heard calling up to him. "Belphegor, stop! Enough! Bel!" Only when Chris Wolfe looked to be sitting limp in the corner did Belphegor meet Apocalypta's gaze with a faint look of remorse in his eyes. He turned, then, as Tyler Grey had began fighting back against Doomsday, striking the big man with a kendo stick across his braced arm and knees, actually looking to phase him. An attempt at one more big shot saw Belphegor simply snatch the stick out of his hand, drawing his attention. Belphegor tossed the kendo stick aside and opened his arms out, inviting Grey to take a shot. Before he could, however, Doomsday sprang from the ropes and hit Grey with a spear that sent him reeling through the ropes and against the cage door.

While the previous carnage unfolded, Judas Lasher had spent about five minutes, digging into Abaddon's forehead and face with a shard of broken glass. Finally, the leader of the Dominion of Pain called for a microphone which had to be tossed over and inside the cage. Once Belphegor brought the microphone over, Judas resumed his torturing of Abaddon while taking the microphone into his free hand.

"Tell them, Abaddon...tell them the truth...."

Abaddon yelled inaudibly at Judas, prompting the man to lower the mic and dig the glass into his forehead again. Once more, Abaddon, his face no longer white with paint but red with blood, screamed in agony.

Hanson: "Jim, I think I'm gonna be sick! This is too much!"

Reynolds: "I have to agree with ya, somebody stop this match, already!"

Hanson: "This isn't even a match! It's like something out of Hostel!"

"Tell them the truth, Abaddon....and I'll stop...." Judas said coolly into the microphone before lowering it to Abaddon's mouth. By now, the man could be heard SOBBING through his cries of agony.

"ALRIGHT!!! ALRIGHT!!!! I DID IT!!! I USED THEM!!!"

Hanson: "What?!"

"I USED THEM ALL!!!!"

Smiling, Judas Lasher stood from the mat and turned to the recovering Chris Wolfe and Tyler Grey with his glass wielding hand extended out towards Abaddon. "Do you see now...?" He turned towards Apoclypta outside of the ring, smiling. "The truth...."

Standing side by side now, Grey and Wolfe looked at Abaddon in disbelief...their looks turning into eventual glares as they looked at one another in an inaudible discussion before nodding and moving towards the cage door, calling for the referee.

Reynolds: "Wait a minute, where are they going?"

Hanson: "I think, they...."

Reynolds: "They're LEAVING?!"

Hanson: "I think so, Jim!"

While the outside referee seemed hesitant to open the cage door, per the rules of the match, he was suddenly shoved by Apocalypta who snatched the keys to the cage from him and hastily unlocked the door to open it up and let Tyler and Chris out. Once the two had stepped out and down to the floor, Apocalypta stood there with the door open, glaring from under her hood and mask at Abaddon as he made a weak reach for the cage opening. Even through the bloody mask on his face, he could be seen mouthing "P...please...please...."

The camera caught one final close up of Apocalypta's unconcealed, brown eyes...filled with an unholy rage...mixed with the pain of betrayal...before the SLAMMED the door shut and - to the approving roar of the crowd - relocked the cage shut and turned to follow Chris Wolfe and Tyler Grey up the ramp.

With absolute terror in his eyes, Abaddon managed to pull himself up to his feet with the help of the ropes as he watched his entourage abandon him. Chris and Tyler never looked back as they disappeared behind the curtain. Once she reached the stage, however, Apocalypta stopped and turned slowly, staring at Abaddon down in the ring. Slowly, she reached up and pulled down the hood to her vest...and peeled the Circle of Snakes face cover up and off of her head, to another roar of the crowd as - for the first time since her debut - the NFW world was given a real look at the Women's Champion's face. No face paint. No contacts. The completely revealed features of Apocalypta as she stared coldly down at the helpless Abaddon...before dropping the Circle of Snakes merchandise to the floor....

Now, truly alone, Abaddon slowly turned around to face his judgement and was suddenly floored with a SPEAR from Belphegor!! The former Circle member popped up, roaring his rage to the approval of the crowd as he knelt over his former leader. Things were far from over as he picked the man up and fed him over to Doomsday who clutched Abaddon by his bloody face, sneering down through his mask at him before easily turning him around and lifted him into a thunderous MUSHROOM CLOUD, spinning a full three turns before SLAMMING Abaddon to the mat. At the sight of his old finisher, longtime fans were on their feet, cheering for another one. Doomsday looked around at the audience, flexing his braced arm but finally nodding to them as he lifted Abaddon up and delivered a SECOND Mushroom Cloud. Finally, he pulled him to his feet and turned him towards Judas Lasher, shoving him right into LUCIFER'S HALO!!!!

Hanson: "Abaddon can barely stand, Jim! How long are they gonna go on with this?!"

Reynolds: "I don't know, Nicky. What the hell is Lasher doing now?"

As Reynolds posed his question, Judas Lasher unraveled a portion of barbed wire from a baseball bat and rewrapped it...over his HAND!!

Reynolds: "What the HELL is he doing?!?!"

Those curious about it, found out just as quickly as Reynolds posed his second question as Judas Lasher suddenly buried his wrapped fingers into Abaddon's mouth in a mandible claw like hold.

Hanson: "DEVIL'S LOCK!!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S DEVIL'S LOCK!!! AND HE'S GOT THAT BARBED WIRE AROUND HIS HAND!!!!"

Reynolds: "IS THIS GUY OUT OF HIS MIND?!?!?"

Abaddon flailed against the lock with a new found energy, at first, until he finally gave in and seemed to pass out. Only then, did Judas Lasher cover the man's limp form, tossing back his dreads, SNEERING at the camera as the referee performed a merciful, fast three-count, effectively ending the match at 15:09.

Hanson: "Thank god, that's over!!!"

Reynolds: "Absolutely!! Get those madmen out of the fucking ring and get the EMTs out here!!"

As "Year Zero" thundered throughout the arena, the cage was lifted from the ring with the medical team rushing out from the back with a stretcher, accompanied by a mortified Steven Brody. Brief shots to the crowd showed that even some of the fans were shocked and horrified of what had just transpired.

~HAIL SATAN....ARCHANGELOOOOOO....HAIL SATAN.....WELCOME YEAR ZEEEEEROOOOOOO~

Hesitant to even get in the ring with the Dominion of Pain still there, the EMTs looked on as they stood over the crippled form of Abaddon. Only when the three exited the ring did EMTs rush in and carefully begin to set Abaddon on the stretcher as Brody stood, absolutely speechless towards the Dominion of Pain. While Belphegor and Doomsday passed him without a second glance, there was a brief staredown between the commissioner and Judas Lasher before the veteran superstar gave the younger commissioner a gentle pat on the shoulder with an eerily calm smile before moving on. Halfway up, the three paused to find Apocalypta still watching from the stage - still unmasked. The look on her face was about as eerily calm and accepting as Judas' was. With a final look passed them to the broken Abaddon, the woman let out an inaudible deep breath before running her fingers through her hair and slowly turning to disappear through the curtains.

Exchanging a short glance, Judas gave Doomsday a nod who broke off from the three and followed her to the back. Belphegor followed behind his tag partner at a distance while Judas Lasher paused on the ramp and turned back to the crowd, spreading out his bloody hands with his trademark, cold smile as the show faded out to a close....