Post by Steven Brody, CEO on Sept 16, 2018 21:38:03 GMT -8
A vignette recap for Highway To Hell played with AC/DC's titular song, recapping the highlights of the show that were most likely to be addressed or followed up on tonight's show.
The finals of the Mixed Tag Team tournament that saw Vincent Stone deliver a counter-FATALITY to "Switchblade" Jay White, followed by the cover. Next, was a visual of Stone and Erin Mercer raising the newly revealed championship belts over head.
Next came the B Block qualification match between Tama Tonga and Ryan Steele that saw Tonga seize the final spot, only to then be attacked by William Mannheim which broke into a brawl before the G.O.D retreated, laughing.
Next was a short recap of the brutal NFW Tag Team Championship match that saw the McKeesport Mafia and Killer Elite Squad brawl it out all over, inside and around the ring. Following the retaining of the titles, came the face off between the Renegades and the Fallen that turned into a four man attack on the Mafia. The final shot was of the entire Renegade stable standing in the ring with their fists out in front of them.
Next, highlighted the return of Matt Klazzic - revealed as the mystery competitor for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial's A Block as he exchanged shots with the returning Adam Cole and sent him packing out of the ring before raising his arms in an X to the crowd.
(Hanson: "MATT KLAZZIC HAS RETURNED!! AND HE'S GONNA BE IN THE VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL!!")
Next was the NFW World Championship match between Max LeBrun and Scott Leroux. The half hour war that saw both men - mentor and student - beat the absolute, living HELL out of each other. Brief shots of both Kennedy Campbell and Candi Broduer as they looked on, almost fearful for what their respective guys would do to each other in order to get the win. After a recap of the third and final Anueyrsm, the shot focused on the moment Max LeBrun clutched the championship, panting and grinning sadistically in the corner.
(Reynolds: "We have a new champion, Nicky!")
(Hanson: "The Renegades just changed the game!")
The final recap was of the hellacious, bloody six man tornado cage match between the Dominion of Pain and the Circle of Snakes. After a brief recap of the actual portion where it looked like an actual match, the recap cut to Abaddon screaming his confession to the members of the Circle.
(Reynolds: "Where the hell are they going?!")
We hear Reynolds say as the clip is shown of Chris Wolfe, Tyler Grey and Apocalypta walking up the ramp, abandoning Abaddon. Apocalypta is seen, again, turning and ripping off her hood and snake balaclava as she fumes down at the ring to watch the onslaught of finishers delivered to Abaddon before Judas Lasher scored the pin.
The words HIGHWAY TO HELL: END OF THE ROAD burn across the screen as the AC/DC song abruptly switches to Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" as we see an updated version of the NFW opening. Finally, the shot cuts to ringside with the opening pyro show as Hanson and Reynolds welcome viewers to the show.
Hanson: "GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO NEW FRONTIER WRESTLING WHERE WE ARE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN! We are one week removed from Highway to Hell and I have to say, it certainly lived up to it's name. That night was hell in more ways than one."
Reynolds: "I couldn't agree more, Nicky. We saw a new World Champion crowned in Max LeBrun. We saw Ryan Steele lose his spot in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, HOWEVER, that same night, he showed his true colors with Sebastian Young as the Fallen attacked the McKeesport Mafia following a successful title defense against the Killer Elite Squad."
Hanson: "And let's not forget, Jim, the main event of that night. We witnessed...Jesus, what was probably the most gruesome and brutal display of savagery I've ever seen in a wrestling ring. It wasn't even wrestling it was just...pure carnage!"
Reynolds: "Absolutely agree with you, Nicky. The Dominion of Pain lived up to their promise, completely dismantling the Circle of Snakes. More specifically, dismantling their leader Abaddon before getting him to confess that, after all this time...he was using them! He straight up used them for his own gain!"
Hanson: "Abaddon confessed, and we saw not just Chris Wolfe and Tyler Grey but also the Women's Champion, Apocalypta...they all just walked out on him and left him to be brutalized by the Dominion of Pain! I'm hearing that he's still in critical condition in a Phoenix based hospital. We haven't heard a word from him or any family yet!"
Reynolds: "Well, he might have been a son of a bitch, but even I almost feel the guy."
Hanson: "I can't say I don't. However, the show must go on. Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you, tonight, to our final regular weekly broadcast for the next several weeks. However, it comes with good reason, because starting next week, it's the beginning of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. Twenty men, broken into two blocks for a round robin tournament. The winners of each block face each other in the finals to decide the number one contender to the NFW World Championship at January's Wrestle Wars!"
Reynolds: "I'm excited, Nicky! And I know Commissioner Brody's excited! So, tonight, we're keeping the heat turned up, folks! Of course, you know we have our regularly scheduled Television Championship match. The Buzzsaw will be defending against The Renegades' Tyson Law, however, we have two more title matches, right Nicky?!"
Hanson: "Absolutely, Jim. First, we have the NFW Tag Team Championship match. Champions Big Daddy Payne and The Punisher, Andrew Payne are...are...hell, they're LIVID at what happened last week! They went to Commissioner Steven Brody and demanded a match against the Fallen, HOWEVER, Renegades' leader Max LeBrun demanded compensation. He said, 'if you're gonna stick my boys in a match with the Mafia, put the Tag Team titles on the line!' The champions agreed, Commissioner Brody agreed, so tonight, we get a tag title match! But our main event, Jim...we knew this match was coming. It was pretty much set in stone, weeks ago...hell, over a month ago! It's the match the fans are calling A Clash Of Queens. The Red Queen, Erin Mercer finally gets her shot at the NFW Women's Championship as she takes on The Queen of Anarchy, formerly known as Apocalypta but as she let it be known on social media, she will now be known as Adrianna Salvatore."
Reynolds: "I can't wait, Nicky. Let's kick this show off!"
"Belial... Behemoth... Beelzebub"
Reynolds: "On second thought, can I run to the bathroom real quick?"
Hanson: "Sit right there and stop being a wimp."
"Asmodeus... Satanas... Lucifer"
Reynolds: "I'm scared, Nicky...."
Hanson: "Shut up, Jim. Just don't make any sudden movements."
Ghost's "Year Zero" opens the show, as the lights in the arena dimmed and turned blood-red, the crowd erupting as Judas Lasher emerged from a ring of fire on the stage, clad in his black suit and ceremonial goat skull mask, the rest of The Dominion of Pain filtering in from either side of the stage. Lara Blackheart and LeeAnn Viskan flanked his sides, as Buzzsaw and Crimson Sabre stood behind him, The Ultra-Violence bringing up the back with their massive size.
As the group walked to the ring, Lasher stopped a few times to "bless" a few random fans that were decked out in Dominion merch, before finally stepping into the ring, the rest of the group following him, before LeeAnn reached up to slowly remove the mask from him.
"Last week... The Dominion of Pain made one thing perfectly clear." Judas began, a sickly smug look on his face. "At Highway To Hell... we showed that with ultimate disrespect comes ultimate punishment. Abaddon manipulated this man's daughter..." He said, pointing to Doomsday, and metaphorically shat upon the grave of our brother Vlad. We returned, vowing to destroy that fraud and everything he held dear. We took his pride... we took his confidence.... we took his followers..." Lasher grinned again, a sadistic glint in his eye, as the video wall showed a short clip of Abaddon, practically choking on his own blood, falling to Judas' barbed-wire enhanced Devilock.. "And finally... we took his career."
He pointed at the aisle, motioning to the entire locker room. "Of course... now that we have accomplished our primary mission... I would like to remind you all of why Lara here was so hesitant to call upon us to begin with. The Dominion is destruction personified. We are a plague, that with nothing to focus upon will bring wrath, agony, and destruction upon all in our path. Nobody is safe. Not The Renegades..." He said first, making slight acknowledgement of the Twitter was between Max LeBrun and LeeAnn, "Not The Great White North... not the Bullet Club.... not even The House of Payne. All will either kneel... or be wiped out."
Taking the microphone from Judas, one half of the massive tag unit within the Dominion known as Ultra-Violence, Doomsday, stepped up. His hood still shrouding his head as he lifted the mouth piece up. "If people who don't know me...were to learn anything last week...it's that I'm a man of my word. I told Abaddon that I would tear apart his very being...lest he relinquished his hold he forced upon one of my children. He refused...so I kept my promise. People can believe all they want...that Keith Jameson will return. Recovered. Repackaged." He gave a half hearted shrug of one shoulder. "I said last week that it wasn't about wrestling. It wasn't. A man thought he was something more and trifled with more powerful forces. He was wrong. And now he may very well never even walk again. I made sure of that...." He paused, turning towards the video wall. "I know not everybody saw Highway to Hell...roll the clip...."
The video wall comes to life with a replay of the moment that Doomsday picked Abaddon up after delivering the first Mushroom Cloud powerbomb to him. The focus of the footage is to show the second one that he delivered. However, upon impact, the clip freezes to capture the angle that Abaddon landed on his neck. The clip rewinds back to the beginning of the move and follows through with the entire move itself to show the impact. After that, the video wall goes black, cutting back to Doomsday leaning forwards against the ropes.
"...I broke...a man's neck...for thinking he could piss on a comrade's legacy...for thinking he could take advantage of my daughter's fragile state of mind. Let what happened last week be a lesson...to anyone who thinks they have what it takes, to stand up to the Dominion. We ended Abaddon's career...*I* made sure he'll never walk again...and that's not the first instance I've gone that far. I made the very man who helped me get a start in this company...rethink his own career...after he stabbed me in the back and tried to end mine. The Circle of Snakes is broken...that's the good news. The bad news...at least for the rest of the New Frontier...is that the Dominion is still here...and we are far...from...finished!!"
Lara took the mic, wearing a black miniskirt, knee-high heeled boots, a tight Poison tee, and her father's old leather jacket over it, and gave an arrogant grin, leaning on the ropes. "I know that if he'd been able... my dad would've kicked the shit out of every ONE of those assholes after dipshit headbutted my mom. So it's nice to see his best friend... my godfather... do it for him. Jude The Dude here wanted Daddy to eventually take over the Dominion. And since he can't... it's an honor and a privilege to do it in his stead. Now that we've had our revenge... it's time to conquer. It's also time to start wrapping this up, because halfway down the aisle, the big bottle of Mountain Dew I gulped down earlier started to hit me, and I gotta pee like a racehorse."
Buzzsaw started to speak, before stopping and just staring at Lara with a mixture of amusement and frustration. Finally, he shook his head and began to speak. "Enough talk of a man who will no longer bother us. Now... we talk of the future. The future that this group right here will help to craft. I am on a mission. To make this World Television Championship one of the most prestigious, coveted titles in all of wrestling. So I'm making it official: each week, I will have an open challenge for this title. Anyone who wants a shot - from NFW, from NJPW, from WWE, from any independent promotion I the world... come and try your luck. I'll tear through you regardless who you are or where you're from."
Lasher took the mic back, slowly raising an eyebrow as he looked out to the crowd. "This is the beginning of a new era. An era where the Dominion shows that it is forever, and that we are to be taken very, VERY seriously. Year Zero is now. Ave... Satanas."
Lasher dropped the mic in the middle of the ring as their music began to play once more.
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*The camera shifts to another area and we see Matt Klazzic making his way into the arena, wearing his new silver and black mask, stopping to shake hands and exchange high fives with various members of the ringside crew, welcoming him back. Klazzic stops and greets them as we see Josh Davidson come into the scene.*
"Hi Matt, welcome back. I think I speak for everyone in the back when I say it's good to see you here again," Davidson says as he and Matt shake hands.
"Well thank you Josh. It's good to be back. It was a long road, but now for the first time, I'm happy to say I'm in a good place and I'm ready to show all these nice fans here that while guys like Adam Cole may be just a flash in the pan, Klazzic...is forever," Klazzic says with a rare sense of confidence that even shocks Davidson as the two shake hands and Klazzic continues on his way. The camera zooms in on Davidson's confused face for a moment:
"He really needs a new catchphrase," Davidson says shaking his head as the camera fades to black.
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The first match of the night saw a raging Morgan Payne taking on Candi Broduer in their scheduled match. Morgan, absolutely fuming after the previous week, attacked Candi like a madwoman, using her groundwork and strength to power out of most of the holds Candi attempted to get her in. Once she got the upper hand, she began unloading shots on Candi, turning to all of her hard hitting moves one after another.
Reynolds: "She is fighting MAD Nicky!!"
Hanson: "I can't say she took last week too easily, Jim! She's got Candi on the ropes quicker than even I expected!"
With Candi in the corner, Morgan charged across the ring, clobbering her with an elbow before immediately whipping her to the floor. She immediately followed up with rushing towards the ropes, setting up for her basement dropkick. As she initially charged Candi in the corner, however, the camera caught a glimpse of a woman in ripped jeans and a black jacket came hopping over the banister and slid into the ring with a steel chair. Despite the referee looking DIRECTLY at her, she stopped Morgan in her tracks as Candi's opponent came off the ropes, smacking her right in the face with the chair.
Reynolds: "WHOA!!!!"
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL!!! WHERE'D SHE COME FROM?!"
Reynolds: "WHO THE HELL IS SHE?!"
As the bell rang and signaled for the DQ, the woman with the chair stood over Morgan and brought the chair down two...three...four more times before the referee finally pulled it away from her. By now, Candi Broduer got to her feet and stepped right up to the girl, getting in her face...before the two slapped hands and fist bumped each other.
Reynolds: "AWWWWW, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Hanson: "SHE'S A RENEGADE!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!?!?!?"
Giving Morgan a disrespectful boot to the head, the new girl followed Candi out of the ring and walked with her up the ramp as the fans booed and jeered at the two.
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Adam Cole defeated Matt Klazzic in 17:53 after reversing a superplex attempt into a flipping piledriver off of the top rope that looked more like a move of desperation on Cole's part in an effort to pick up the win as Matt Klazzic displayed an all knew ferocity and sense of 'killer instinct' during their match. It was clear that Klazzic had undergone some sense of a transformation as, even though Cole scored the pinfall, the man slithered out of the ring and backtracked up the ramp with his own arm raised while his other arm clutched the back of his neck where he had taken several high angled slams. The look on his face, while semi-comical, was one of being stunned and caught off guard as if to say...who or what the hell did I just face?
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*The camera shifts to the backstage interview area where we see Josh Davidson standing alone.*
"Hello ladies and gentlemen, I was supposed to be joined by Shingo Takagi but he's nowhere to be found at this time. However...," Davidson continued as a member of the production crew comes from off-camera to whisper something in Josh's ear then pointing down to his right.
*Davidson then nods at the crew member then he prompts the cameraman to follow him out of the interview area where we hear the sounds of a brawl. The camera focuses to the source and we see Minoru Suzuki, Shingo Takagi, and Havok in a 3-on-3 brawl with AKI, Connor K., and Shelton Benjamin. Some officials try to intervene, but Heyman nonchalantly holds them back with his arms out, while repeatedly saying, "I'll take care of this, don't worry" to the crew he's holding back while he looks back with an evil grin at the mayhem. Eventually, more officials step in to separate the two sides as Davidson walks up to Heyman, with Takagi, Suzuki, and Havok flanking him.*
"Paul Heyman, what was this all about???" Davidson asks.
"Josh, it was simply the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr. Takagi and Havok were both very disapppointed at being left out of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament in favor of...Curry Man and Matt Klazzic?!? Why didn't they just take things a step further and invite Bill and Randy Mulkey out of retirement from their nursing home somewhere in Anderson, South Carolina. Both men were very disappointed and myself and my client, Minoru Suzuki, could not convince them to calm down. And it just so happens that those three individuals took it upon themselves...YES!!! I'M TALKING TO YOU THREE!!!" Heyman yells off-camera, the camera pans to his right and Shelton Benjamin, AKI, and Connor K. are still being held back by officials and road agents trying to get at Suzuki-Gun.
"As for tonight, Crimson Sabre. There's no doubt on the talent you bring to the ring. But you're stepping in the ring with a man who's worked with wrestlers just as fast and just as agile as you and took them down and took them out. He's a man who may look like he should be a Jr. Heavyweight, but make no mistake, there's nothing "Junior" about his skills or his offense in THAT ring. Go ahead and take that risk, because when you do, it will just take one opening for Shingo Takagi to hit the Last Falconry and it's lights out for you.
As for you, Shelton Benjamin, you had your...oh, look who wants to step up to the big boy plate. Is there something you want, young man?" Heyman asks as Connor is coming up to the group, being held back by AKI and Shelton and with Minoru Suzuki stepping in front of Heyman up to Connor, giving him a scowl of disdain.
"Hey Suzuki, for some reason I have your attention. I know you got the Vlad Blackheart tourney and all, but just to remind you that I'll still be here...," Connor says as he gets a hand loose and gives Suzuki a HARD slap that actually turns Suzuki's head, causing an audible gasp to be heard from the arena crowd and everyone to stop and pause for a moment in shock, except for Connor, still being restrained and defiant.
*AKI, Shelton, and the remaining agents take this moment to bring Connor back as the camera focuses back on a shocked look on Heyman's face as he looks at Suzuki, hands over his mouth as Suzuki looks back and wipes a small trickle of blood from the side of his mouth. The camera zooms in on Suzuki's face as he looks at his hand and sees the blood and gives an evil smile in the direction of Connor as the camera fades to black.*
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*In the backstage area, we see Klazzic slowly walking back to the locker room area, removing the tape from his wrists as he walks and taking some deep breaths as he's just finished his match. As he walks into the locker room, we see him pause and look at someone off-camera.*
"Well, we did it. Just like you said. It wasn't about the outcome tonight, it was about the hard work and the willingness to change, and I have you to thank for that," Klazzic says as he looks down, still tired, and not acknowledging the person off-camera.
"I'm proud of you, Matt. My work is done. That mask is yours. Just remember to wash it when you're done. Good luck, Matt. The people are behind you now more than ever," the man off-camera says with a chuckle.
"Just remember, you owe me a favor," he adds.
"What favor?!?" Klazzic asks to himself as he enters the locker room and the scene fades.*
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The Crimson Sabre defeated Shingo Takagi by pinfall in 11:42 after hitting him with a flipping chest stomp from the top rope.
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*The blue sky cluttered with chunky, puffy clouds brightly fills the screen. Slowly the shot pans down, as the words "EARLIER TODAY" can be read at the bottom of the screen, an outdoor firing range seems to be the setting. Panning to the left, William Mannheim, Pitt, Rick Dickulous, and El Piso Mojado are chatting amongst themselves. Mannheim notices the cameraman and waves him over. As the cameraman moves towards the group, Rick Dickulous can be heard telling a story*
"...so, no shit, guy, he was knee deep in bear dookie looking for the tractor keys he left sitting beside his ham sandwich."
*The four men laugh, Piso mimics digging through an imaginary pile of dung, comedically holding a hand over his head with a smile*
"ÂĄMIRA, PENDEJOS! LAS LLAVES SON CĂLIDAS..."
*Mannheim shakes his head and points at Piso*
"I have no idea what you just said, but clearly you're on the same page."
*Pitt looks at Mannheim with an odd stare*
"Willy...he said: 'LOOK, STUPID! THE KEYS ARE WARM.' Kinda makes sense if they were in a steaming pile of bear *beep*."
*Willy and Pitt look around*
"Looks like we need to get those censors high again, Pitt...maybe Rick should make them some brownies."
*Rick smiles from ear to ear*
"Guy, I can TOTALLY make some killer Pink Kush brownies, and a Girl Scout Cookies icing..."
*Rick trails off, deep in thought. Mannheim shakes his head*
"Alright. So here's the deal, boys. The Detroit Police Department agreed to let us blow off a little steam here at their outdoor firing range before we go whup the shit out of a few trash talkin' little bitches. Now, down range we have some targets set up..."
*As Mannheim continues speaking, the shot cuts to each target in succession: first, a watermelon with Taiji Ishimori's face painted on it; second, a larger watermelon with Bad Luck Fale's face painted on it; third, an even larger watermelon with Tonga Loa's face painted on it*
"...and each of you has a weapon which was absolutely not removed from the evidence locker of 5th Precinct by Sargent Daniels over there..."
*A man in a Detroit Police Department uniform, the name tag reading DANIELS, waves at the camera*
"...so, let's go pop a few off before we pop a few off!"
*The four high five before walking off to the right. Cut to inside the sheltered firing line at the outdoor range. Three weapons sit on the table: a silver six shooter, a Glock 17, and a Desert Eagle. Sargent Daniels addresses the group*
"Good afternoon gentlemen, big fans! I remember cheering whenever Army of Darkness came out to cause chaos! Oh man, lookit me, I'm a goddamned fanboy..."
*Mannheim waves it off*
"No worries, Sarge...we just do our best to keep our fans entertained, y'know?"
*Daniels smiles and nods*
"So, as mentioned, we have our targets lined up out there for each of you, and we have weapons ready for each of you, as per Mr. Mannheim's request. You've all been given range safety training, so at this point, I'm gonna call on our first shooter: El Piso Mojado. Piso, you can see the Taiji Ishimori target, correct?"
*Piso puts his hand over his eyes and squints. The camera pans out to show that, comically, the target is within 50 yards*
"!Si seĂąor! No creo que el objetivo sea de tamaĂąo natural, aunque."
*Sargent Daniels picks up the silver six shooter and hands it to Piso*
"Son, I have no idea what you just said, but you can take this firearm and you can shoot at your target."
*Piso steps to the firing line, aims carefully, then suddenly drops the pistol to his hip and begins slapping the hammer of the gun, much like cowboys in old western movies. Six shots fire from the barrel, and six hit the melon. Piso spins the six shooter around his finger and mimics holstering it before spinning it again, the grip facing Daniels. Daniels takes it with an impressed smile and sets it on the table*
"If that's any foreshadowing, you guys are gonna definitely kick the shit out of those Bullet Club punks tonight! Next shooter: Rick Dickulous. How the hell did I get so lucky?"
*Daniels picks up the Glock 17 and hands it to Rick*
"You can see that Bad Luck Fale target, Rick? About 50 yards out? Just point and squeeze after you take the safety off..."
*Rick aims, squeezes, realizes he forgot to turn off the safety, turns off the safety, and squeezes 10 rounds out of the barrel. All 10 strike a tight grouping in the centre of the mouth of Bad Luck Fale's target. As the slide kicks back, Rick pushes the safety back onand hands the weapon back to Daniels*
"Looks like I'm off, guy...probably because it's a handgun. If it were a rifle, it'd be just like back in the logging camps, eh?"
*Daniels smiles and sets the weapon back on the table*
"Mr. Dickulous..."
"Just call me Rick, buddy!"
"Ok, Rick...you've just shot better than 75% of the Detroit Police Department. If this is an off day, I don't want to see an on day! Let's move on down the line here. Pitt, looks like you're up..."
*Pitt looks down at Daniels who hands the big man the Desert Eagle*
"...now, this weapon has a lot more kick than the last two. I know you're a big guy, but I just want to warn you that--"
*Pitt aims the weapon down range one handed and squeezes off 10 rounds, the recoil barely moving his wrist. Chunks fly off the watermelon as each round hits it, Tonga Loa's painted on face exploding as the melon is reduced to pulp. Pitt sets the weapon back down on the table and looks flatly at Daniels*
"That gave me a chubby. You know where I can get a hot date for $20?"
*Daniels shakes his head at Pitt*
"I do, but I can't tell you. I can't have it on me that one of my childhood heroes contracted ghonnaherpasyphillaids from a $20 hoe..."
*Pitt frowns*
"Guess I'll have to call Eileen Jambecourte again. That one legged midget really knows how to--"
"PITT!! JESUS CHRIST, MAN!"
*Mannheim looks disgustedly at Pitt*
"It's bad enough I had to hear you gorilla fucking the snot out of her the other night, I don't need any more of a damned visual!"
*Daniels looks at Mannheim*
"Since you were my favourite wrestler growing up, Mr. Mannheim..."
"You can call me Willy, Sarge. This is a first name basis get together here!"
*Daniels' face lights up, the fanboy rearing its head again*
"Oh. My. God. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!"
*Daniels composes himself by inhaling and exhaling deeply a few times*
"Ok....Willy....since you were my favourite wrestler growing up, I took a few liberties and set up something special for you. You guys should come with me."
*Daniels leads the four men off camera to the right. The scene cuts to the five men standing around a table with a grenade launcher laying on it, three grenades stand on end beside the weapon on the table*
"Willy, you have yet to blow off any steam, and I've watched Piso, Rick, and Pitt all absolutely destroy their targets. So, we have here an M87 grenade launcher, ad way off in the distance there's a target I think you'll appreciate."
*An industrial toilet is sitting 100 yards away, the seat lifted, a picture of Tama Tonga taped to the erect seat. The toilet appears to be filled with excrement, and the five men laugh in unison*
"Sargent Daniels..."
"Please, call me Lance...this is a first name basis get together, after all."
*Mannheim looks at Daniels surprised*
"Jesus, no wonder you became a cop. With a name like Lance, I bet you got called a homo every fucking day!"
*Daniels smiles*
"I did. And my husband is happy that happened..."
*Mannheim blinks, then holds his temples with a hand for a second before shaking his head*
"Well, Lance...I'm happy that you're...happy?"
"Gay, Willy. I'm gay."
"You know what? It's 2018. If you love buttsex, more power to ya. I'm just happy you got an accurate representation of Tama Tonga for this demonstration."
*Daniels loads the rounds into the launcher, sets the safety, then sets it back on the table*
"Now, you have three rounds because you'll need to walk the rounds back to the target. It's not completely accurate, and the greater distance requires a little getting used to. Just relax, squeeze the trigger, and watch the fireworks."
*Mannheim steps forward, a huge smile on his face. He releases the safety and takes aim. He squeezes the trigger, the round arcs gently through the air, and slams down dead centre of the target - a camera set up close to the shit filled toilet shows the grenade riccochet off the raised lid and plop into the shit, the lid falling closed as the grenade explodes, ending the close shot feed. All five men cheer loudly, Mannheim setting the weapon back down on the table as a group high five takes place*
"Now, THAT? That was definitely foreshadowing. Lance, THIS is why I love Detroit! You can literally blow shit up, and nobody cares!"
*Lance nods*
"It's true. Detroit is more of a war zone than Kabul, and I spent time there..."
*Mannheim places a hand on Daniels' shoulder*
"Well, Lance, when Great White North beats on Bullet Club tonight, and more specifically, when I'm beating on Tama Tonga tonight, it's all for you...and your husband."
*Daniels lets out a little squeak*
"OHMYGAWD I HAVE TO CALL DEMARCUS AND TELL HIM!!"
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The Great White North d. Bullet Club OGs by pinfall in 14:01 when Pitt pinned Tanga Loa after he and Rick hit him with a double powerbomb.
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In an almost give away as to who was behind the camera, the shot opens up on a flat screen TV displaying gameplay of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The player controlling the protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, has the character running frantically around the stage, trying to avoid an onslaught of roomba robots and flying drones while a glowing red enemy chases after him. Viewers can see that the player's health bar is nearly gone.
"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!" The voice of Vincent Stone curses frantically as the camera pans back to reveal the newly crowned NFW Mixed Tag Team Champions sitting in front of the TV. Stone wears a pair of jeans, black Newbound sneakers, a vintage NWO Japan t-shirt and a Hands of Stone skull cap.
"Throw one of the roombas at him!" The other half of the NFW Mixed Tag Champs, Erin Mercer, already in a white, black/silver trimmed variation of her ring gear, and a Team Merlex t-shirt, says hysterically beside Stone as she points at the screen.
"I gotta get away from these stupid drones!" Stone responds, hilariously panicking as he mashes the controller. Finally, Kiryu on the screen snatches up one of the roombas, but all too late as dozens of the flying drones explode like multiple time bombs, killing the character on screen. "Fuck this goddamn boss!!!!" Stone drops the controller and relaxes back in his chair.
"Wow. I feel SO out of place right now." Alex Brody sighed, sitting across from the two of them, quietly playing her 3DS. "You guys are all 'DIE DIE KILLLLLL' and I'm sitting here catching bugs for my neighbors on Animal Crossing." It was a testament to how sweet and good-natured Alex was that despite her knockout looks, it was hard to think of her as anything other than "precious".
"Hey, this is one of if not *THE* best game series' I've ever played." Stone remarked, pointing to the title screen. "Like, no shit, each one that comes out should win a Best Story award. Just this secret boss, pain in the ass makes me wanna kick SEGA in the dick. Aside from that, I'm the goddamn champ of these games! Speaking of champ!" He said, turning towards Erin again who had suddenly become quiet and almost somber. "Whoa...Erin? What's the matter?"
Erin sat up, looking to Stone and Alex like she'd been snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh? Oh. Nothing...just...I realize it's almost game time and...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as all hell, right now." She broke into a nervous laugh.
Stone lifted a curious eyebrow. "You? Nervous? That's a new one. You've been in the ring with this girl, before. What's to be nervous about?"
Erin looked at him, as if she were surprised that it wasn't obvious. "Vin...this is my first go at a singles title of my career. Not just in NFW, my *career*! My stomach's in knots right now. I've wanted this so badly since I started training. Now that it's here...can I actually pull this off?"
Vincent Stone looked a little shocked at what he was hearing. "Wow, you're actually doubting yourself, aren't you? Stop it. It's understandable that you're nervous. I'm sure everyone is when they're in your shoes. But the second you start doubting yourself? That's the moment you make mistakes. Right, Alex?"
"The man speaks the truth." Alex laughed, pointing to herself. "Look at me. I am so my own worst enemy it's not even funny. Even Chris told me I could be one of the best if I'd just stop doubting myself." She looked at Stone then, wincing slightly. "In her defense though? I've been in the ring one on one with Salvatore before. IT IS NOT HAPPY FUN TIME. She is so dangerous... if Erin was literally crappin' bricks right now I wouldn't blame her."
Stone leaned back in his chair, laughing. "Hey, I'll be the first to admit, she even scares me a little...but while she may not be running along side a creepy cult anymore, she's still the Queen of Anarchy. *You*...." He pointed to Erin, even letting his finger poke her in the shoulder, "...need to show her why they call you the Red Queen! She's gonna come at you with everything she's got. You need to show her that you can take it...then you need to hit back even harder."
Erin nodded and let out a deep breath. "You're right. This is the moment I've been waiting for...I need to make it count, regardless of the outcome. Besides, I've got my BFF over there who's gonna be in my corner, right?!"
"You betcha!" Alex said cheerfully. "Cos whether I'm celebrating with the new champ, or comforting my best friend... either way I know where I'm needed." This girl was going to have to eventually develop a killer instinct if she wanted to truly thrive in this business... but for now, she was at least one hell of a support group for someone.
Erin smiled, sitting up in her seat then. "Thanks, hon. I couldn't ask for a better bestie to be in my corner, for this." She brought her fists up and looked down at them. "Besides...while they seem not as bad as before, lately...I know she's gonna have Mia out there with her. If two queens are gonna go to war...at least I can count on the battleground being even...." She opened hand out, slamming her other fist into it. "Let's make this a war the wrestling world remembers...." She said, finally, more so to herself as if she were addressing her opponent, the champion in front of her.
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As the show returned from a commercial break with Nick Hanson and Jim Reynolds welcoming viewers back, they were suddenly cut off with the opening rift to Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" tearing through the arena's speaker system.
Hanson: "Ohhhh god, what now?"
Reynolds: "C'mon, Nicky. You knew we were gonna hear from them, tonight."
~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!~
As the drums and bass picked up in the song, the entrance curtain was flung aside with the Renegades appearing out on stage, one by one. First, came the new NFW World Champion, Max LeBrun. Dressed in faded blue jeans, his black boots, brown jacket and a Renegades' "PULL THE PIN" t-shirt, the Toronto Daredevil came to stand center stage. The presence of the title belt was visible as he appeared to be wearing it backwards, concealed under his jacket. After a cold smirk, however, he reached around and turned the belt around to reveal the center plate in all of it's glory....
Ryan Steele is seen wearing his wrestling gear which consists of The Omega symbol in various places of his outfit along with "The Fallen" logo in slanted print along with a new Renegades jacket alongside him is his Fallen tag partner Sabastian Riley Young wearing his wrestling gear which you see him with "Danger" , "Caution" & "Hazardous" signs on his outfit . His outfit is yellow, black and white.
Bringing up the rear are Julian Morrison, in cargo jeans and a Raiders jersey, and Tyson Law, who wears his wrestling gear, along with a red bandanna and a "Magneto Was Right" tee. At their sides are Candi Brodeur , still in her ring attire from earlier, and Serena Frost, fresh off of her earlier attack, still wearing the shredded jeans, Hatebreed tee, and black leather jacket from before. While Candi looked stoic and calm.... Serena looked brooding and angry. Like a bomb that could go off at any moment. Her pale skin, jet black hair, and sneering lips cut a gothic and violent appearance.
Standing next to the group "The Fallen" get into thier stance as Sabastian kneels down with one arm in the air as Ryan stands over Sabastian's legs With Ryan holds both arms in the air.
Once the rest of the Renegades made their appearance, Max raised up the "grenade fist" over his head and "popped the pin" before leading the march down towards the ring. His first order of business was that of walking right up and snatching the ring announcer's microphone while the others got into the ring. Max, himself, then proceeded to roll inside under the bottom rope, immediately getting to his feet with a cold, cocky smile on his face as the music faded out. This made it more audible to hear the crowd's disapproval.
Crowd: "YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!"
Max's grin only widened as he laughed inaudibly. The man turning to the rest of the Renegades and thumbing to the Detroit audience before turning to address them, raising the microphone up. "Now, is that anyway to treat the top stars of this company?" He asked with an arrogant chuckle. "Shit, is that anyway to treat your new...fucking...champion?!" As Max said this, he reached behind him with his free hand and unclasped the strap on the World Championship belt, raising it over his head with his features taking on a cole glare.
"I told everyone...I told the whole goddamn world that I was gonna knock Scott Leroux off of his pedestal. And you know what? I did just that. WE...as a whole...told the world that we were going to knock everyone off their feet, and hit this company where it hurt. We did just that. We told you that we were far from finished...that at Highway To Hell...you would see the beginning of our expansion...our growth. We started it there...and we finished it, tonight. Don't get me wrong...we aren't finished. Not by a fucking long shot. Morgan?" Max turned towards the stage, addressing Candi's previous opponent that night from the back. "You're pissed...I get it. However? I don't care. None of us do. I knew, though, that a war against the McKeesport Mafia wasn't going to be easy. We needed the right people. As much as I don't mind smacking up a bitch or two, I saw another opportunity. An opportunity to give another rising star a chance at greatness. Something that nobody else here would take their time to do! The battle lines are drawn, Mafia. Our troops are ready...and your asses...are next on our list. Now! With that being said. I know BDP and Andy think their baby girls are forces to be reckoned with. To that? I say...bull...shit. You want forces to reckon with in the women's division? You're looking at them right here!" He turned, pointing to Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "However! I'm not gonna stand here and take up the spotlight...I'm not gonna hog the moment like those that we're dedicated to eradicating from this business. So, with that being said: welcome to the family, girl. Speak to the people of this dogshit city...." Max said, handing the microphone off to Serena Frost.
"Let me cut to the chase right off here." Serena said, her voice sweet... yet with a tone that held nothing but venom and contempt. "I may only be 22, but I've already busted my ass in this business for six years. Everything from setting up rings, to training for ungodly hours every day, to working in shitty little high schools and town fairs. I earned this. But was I able to get in this promotion on my own merits? Hell no. I didn't even get turned down... I got NO REPLY AT ALL." Her eyes narrowed as she listened to the crowd jeering her. "This man right here..." She jerked a thumb toward Max, "personally came to me and offered me what nobody else would: a CHANCE. So now? His enemies are MY enemies. And since he wants the Payne girls beaten down? It's gonna be my pleasure breaking those pretty faces beyond recognition." She literally flipped the mic into the air, not even caring who caught it.
Its seen that Ryan Steele catches the mic with both hands as he gives a little smirk on his face... "You Serena i hope you do that... Because i had Morgan hook, line and sinker... You know Andrew your daughter is a very good one in bed.. Just saying. You know kinda like when an owner of a dog says "come here" the dog follows.. Well Morgan you did the exact same thing... Hahaha... You should've known when i brought my best friend in that it was all over... Him and I were destined to be here.. much like Serenas story.. we scratched and clawed our way to the top of the indies.. winning tag title after tag title and NFW will be no different...." Ryan passes the mic to Sabastian.."Yea thats right Ryan.. Hell i even made a name for myself in the indies... and there is a reason why im called " The Dangerous One" and Andrew and his little buddy will soon find out why......"
Julian tried to pass the mic over to Tyson, who just shook his head and held a hand up in deference. He'd had enough talking... now was the time to kick ass. Nodding, Julian motioned to the group in the ring. "This group right here... this is all about people who got overlooked and passed over getting the chances they deserve, and taking those chances by any means necessary. The N*FW World Championship is already ours... next we take the Tag Team Titles. Soon, this whole goddamn promotion will belong to The Renegades. Close us out, Champ." He smirked, tossing the mic back to Max.
Catching the mic, Max ran his fingers through his hair to keep it out of his face. "You heard what Jay just said." He remarked, pointing to Julian. "Tonight, we take the Tag Team belts...and we're gonna do it, through the one of the most overlooked...underrated...most dangerous tag teams this business has ever seen." He turned the aim of his finger towards Ryan and Sebastian. "Tonight...The Fallen will rise.... The Mafia will fall...and the Renegades cross off another name on our list of targets. Stick around for the fireworks, Detroit.... We're bringing you Devil's Night a little early this year...." He winked at the camera, dropped the microphone and "pulled the pin" as Renegade by Hollywood Undead resumed with Max resting the title belt over his shoulder as they made their exit back up the ramp....
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Havok defeated Shelton Benjamin by countout in 9:39 after a chokeslam from the top rope to the floor that left Benjamin writhing on the floor with Havok hesitating in getting out of the ring. Halfway out, he stepped back into the ring and waved a hand dismissively towards his opponent, accepting the countout victory to the boos of the crowd.
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As the sound of Prophets of Rage's "Unfuck The World" filled the arena, the lightning immediately took on a black and yellow effect.
Reynolds: "Awwwwww here we go, Nicky! Ya ready for a tag team title match?!"
Hanson: "Sure as hell am, but I bet these fans are more ready that I am."
Despite the crowd's energetic reaction to the music, two of the faces that came walking through the curtain looked anything but happy. One of them was one half of the NFW Tag Team Champions, "The Punisher" Andrew Payne - title belt around his waist, dressed not in his regular ring gear, but a simple Punisher skull t-shirt along with black jeans, boots, gloves and elbow pads...his original attire!
Reynolds: "Aaaaaand someone does NOT look happy, Nicky!"
With the McKeesport Mafia, respectively were their daughters, Marissa and Morgan with Morgan wearing a look of murder in her heterochromic gaze as she walked down the ramp with the others -- dressed back in her usual style of mostly black, tomboyish street clothes; her trademark Steelers flat bill, of course, rested upon her head.
Hanson: "Jim, I have never seen that young lady so angry since she set foot inside this company."
Reynolds: "Nicky, I've followed those girls since the indies. I've never seen either of them so mad in their entire careers!"
Hanson: "Well Morgan Payne - the poor girl's just had a bad night. She's had a bad *week*! Last week at Highway to Hell was the kickoff, and then not to mention earlier this evening during her match. She got attacked by that woman we saw leave with Candi Broduer."
Reynolds: "If looks could kill, we'd have a mass genocide of Lions' fans...not that I'd be complaining of that."
Hanson: "Jesus, Jim...."
Inside the ring, Andrew Payne removes his old, black entrance trench coat and angrily throws it over the ropes and onto the floor while Morgan takes up a seat in one of the corners, sitting on the top turnbuckle with her custom Jordans resting on the middle ropes, for now....
Big Daddy Payne stood beside his partner, also dressed more like he did in the past, wearing black jeans, combat boots, an Antonio Brown jersey, and an Iron Maiden bandanna around his head. As he held the microphone, about to speak... his daughter Marissa walked over and snatched the microphone from his hand. Giving an apologetic look to her father; the tall, leggy redhead walked to the center of the ring, clad in black & yellow camo leggings and a TJ Watt jersey, eyes narrowing as she stared toward the locker room.
"Sorry, Dad... but this week.... I need to talk first. You know what, Max? Until now, I had nothing personal against you. You mighta had some underhanded ways of doing shit... but I admired your reasoning. But having that little-dicked piece of shit Ryan Steele use my best friend and blood sister, break her heart, and then stand there smirking while your new little indy darling Serena Frost attacks her? Yeah... that's a big no from me, bro. You don't fuck with a girl's heart, ok? Especially when that girl has a sadistic best friend who didn't like your ass to begin with. So here's how it is. I have a challenge for you - you and whichever of those two bitches you'd rather team with, against me and a partner of MY choice, right here next week."
Taking the microphone from her, Andrew Payne patted his blood niece on the back with an approving nod. Then, he raised the mic but stopped for a second, to turn to where his daughter had taken perch. From there, he offered the microphone out to her but Morgan just lowered and shook her head. Nodding slowly, with his cold glare growing even angrier, seeing the state of mind his daughter was in, Andrew brought the mic back up to his mouth. "Ryan...." Andrew said in a hauntingly cold tone that longtime fans knew meant he wasn't just upset. He wasn't just angry. He was out for blood. "...I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. You wrestle dirty...that's fine. I'm not exactly a 'by the book' type of guy, myself. You and I put on a wrestling clinic against one another...until your new pals decided to butt in. Still...I gave you the benefit of the doubt.... I'm man enough to say...you fooled me. But now I realize that our match was one big setup. But worse than that...you lied to my daughter's face. A girl who put her trust in you. Now, I'm not gonna stand here and say that this beating headed your way is just for her. Frankly, she's an adult and I know she can handle herself. But you crossed the line personally last week when you and your walking hazard sign of a partner decided to gang up with Law and Morrison on me and my *brother*. If you think the two of you are walking out of here with these...." He lifted his half of the NFW Tag Team Championships up beside his head. "Kid...you are sadly...fucking mistaken.... Tonight...you two are gonna find out what the McKeesport Mafia are all about, when you cross into our world. The lights are on...the door is open...welcome...to the House of Payne...."
Lowering the title belt in his hand, Andrew turned towards his partner and began handing the microphone out towards him. In a bitter hilarious moment that got a chuckle from the crowd - wondering if BDP would even get a word in at all - Morgan hopped down from the turnbuckle and stormed over, grabbing the microphone from her father, instead. "YO! RY!" Morgan called into the mic and went to lean against the ropes, facing the stage. "Y'think yer pretty damn funny, comin' out heah, boastin' t'my pops about 'oh, ya baby girl's real good in the sack!'" Morgan raised her other hand up, swaying back and forth as if to say 'ooooh, I'm so embarrassed!' "I wonder how humilitated ya'd be if everyone here knew the whole truth? Yeah, I admit it. We fucked." She turned to her father then, shrugging her shoulders with an apologetic look on her face before turning back to the stage. "But believe me; y'name might be Steele. But that sure ain't a euphanism for what's in ya pants, otherwise y'name'd be Ryan fuckin' Noodle. And with the size yer packin', pal? Trust me, it sure as shit wasn't fuckin' memorable!" From there, Morgan raised her other hand to the crowd with her thumb and index finger about three inches apart, raising her eyebrows.
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Morgan lifted the mic up again. "I ain't shittin' yins, either! And t'quote one o'my own favorite wrestlers?" She stood up on the bottom rope, leaning towards the stage again. "Oh, it's true...it's DAMN TRUE!!" Finally, she hopped back off of the ropes and handed the microphone to BDP, the crowd meanwhile began to chant....
Crowd: "NOODLE DICK! NOODLE DICK!"
BDP just stared at Morgan, wide-eyed. "Hoooooly shit. I almost feel like we don't even HAVE to do anything to him now." He laughed, before suddenly going completely serious. "Almost. See, a running gag between my wife and I is the fact that our individual stables couldn't BE more different. But there's one thing we do have in common: respect being a VERY big deal. You think it's cool to come out here, disrespect my brother, disrespect his kid.... in what fucking world does that seem like a good idea to you? In what world do you NOT see this ending only when you've been beaten to within an inch of your useless life?"
He shook his head, taking a deep breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not getting any younger. We all know that. It's why I haven't been as focused, as serious as I used to be. I wanna have some FUN before I retire. Gimmicks, catchphrases, tag team matches with my friends... but this kinda shit? This is what makes me start feeling the need to bring the old me back."
Taking the microphone for a final time, Andrew fist bumped BDP and turned to the crowd. "There's a reason D and I came out here, rockin' our old gear." As he said this, he tugged on his own Punisher skull t-shirt. "It's like hitting a switch and bringing us back to who we were over ten years ago when we first teamed up. When D called me on the phone and pitched the idea of joining him in this business. No. It's not because we were younger. Not because we were more in shape. We were meaner back then. We let a lot less shit fly back then. After tonight, will I hang this outfit up and throw on the spandex and the yellow boots again?" He gave a half shrug. "Yeah, sure. But consider this a new chapter for the McKeesport Mafia...and the House of Payne.... We might be getting on in years...we might laugh a little more...but anyone who crosses us? You're gonna get a sore reminder as to what our old name really meant. It starts with Max LeBrun's two little fuckboys of a tag unit. You wanna really see what it means to hold the youth back from opportunity, Max? You're about to see just that, when D and I start by taking out your little gang of rebels...renegades...rejects...whatever the fuck you wanna call yourself. You wanna talk about pulling the pin on the grenade? Tonight is the Fallen's 11th Hour, and we're the goddamn reapers...." Andrew tossed the microphone to the side, sending it scattering out of the ring. He then dropped his title belt where he stood for the referee to collect as he backed up across the ring and hunched down, leaning on his knees as he watched the stage with a look of murder in his eyes.
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The Fallen defeated The McKeesport Mafia by pinfall in 11:27, to become the new NFW Tag Team Champions when Steele pinned BDP after Julian Morrison ran in and hit BDP with a double underhook DDT as the referee was distracted by Sebastian Young who grabbed a chair and was going for Andrew Payne with it, only to throw it down and back up with his hands raised after Morrison had struck.
Hanson: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?"
Announcer: "HERE ARE YOU WINNERS....AAAAAAND NEW....NFW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...RYAN STEELE...SEBASTIAN YOUNG...THE FALLEN!!!!"
Reynolds: "OH MY GOD!!! WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, NICKY!!!"
Hanson: "IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT, THOUGH!!!! THIS IS JUST ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE RENEGADES AND THEIR GODDAMN TRICKERY!!!!"
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Opening up backstage, the camera immediately focuses on a pale, tattooed canvas that is clearly a woman's back. Within seconds, a hooded, denim vest adorned with a patch resembling the former face paint design used by Apocalypta is drawn up as the camera pans backwards to show a clear view from behind of the NFW Women's Champion. It's already clear that she's in completely different ring gear. No longer clad in black and red leather pants with gothy, buckled boots, the woman's attire looks more like honest to god wrestling gear.Solid black boots and kickpads with "Queen Of Anarchy" written in jagged red font in a T shape pattern - "Queen Of" going across, "Anarchy" going down - and solid black kneepads. The rest of her outfit consisted of short black trunks adorned with a barbed wire design that matched the halter neck top she wore, with a see through, mesh center in the front. Viewers and fans expecting to see the terrifying painted face of the former Circle of Snakes member are probably rather shocked as the woman turns around to reveal the woman's own, natural face (granted she now wears dark shaded, regular makeup). Her new ring gear reveals even more tattoos adorning her body, additionally on her legs which she used to keep concealed. She still wears her usual elbow pad on her right arm while her left fist is heavily taped - ironically, the opposite of how her brother wears his. Through the beauty of her features, however, there's still a dark, eerie look in her brown eyes. A killer instinct that has not left her, even despite the events of last week's Highway To Hell. Checking her hand tape, the woman now known as Adrianna Salvatore, flexes her fingers, making sure the tape is fitted properly.
And of course, nothing quite ruins the dark, intimidating mood this all set like the arrival of Adrianna's favorite "mouse", Mia Hayashi. Twirling happily into the room, already halfway done with the Elektra cosplay she was going to wear to the ring, the huge grin on her face was almost off-putting, considering how snarky and bitchy she typically looked. "Theeeeeeeeeeeere's muh bestie!" She squeaked, likely leaving thousands of viewers thinking 'who is this woman and what did she do with Mia?'.
And if that display of behavior wasn't odd enough, the menacing looking Women's Champion looked towards Mia...and gave a natural, gorgeous smile that could light up the darkest room. "There you are." She said, greeting the smaller woman with a hug before taking a gander at her outfit of choice for the night. "Jesus, Mouse. Are you *trying* to distract me tonight? I'm starting to think you wear these outfits just to torment me." Adrianna leaned over to the side a little to get a look at Mia's backside in what was probably one of the most revealing outfits in comic history.
"No, no... not trying to distract anyone. And sadly, Mr. White is back in Japan right now, so he doesn't even get to appreciate how my booty looks in this. Tragedy. Anyway!" She said, before twirling her sai expertly, and hopping to sit on a nearby makeup counter. "I'm in THE best mood tonight. I managed to finally help get my bestie away from the loon that had been using her, I actually kind-of made amends with the one person I actually regret hurting.... all is right in Mia-ville right now."
"The only tragedy in my book is that you've friend zoned the shit out of me. Seriously, Mouse. You've got my mind dirtier than the water in Flint, right now!" After that, she sighed and turned serious again. "Really, though? You have no idea how good I feel, right now. I've actually been sleeping better. I'm finding enjoyment in things I used to again. I just...I don't know. I feel...free. Thanks, mostly, to you, Mia. I feel like I'm the one who owes you now...." As terrifying as the woman could be, it was almost bewildering to see her hug Mia again; this time in a way that showed how sincere and grateful she was for everything her new friend had done for her.
"Dude." Mia said, blinking for a moment as she processed the Flint joke. "You do not EVER have to thank me, or feel like you owe me. All I did was what a real friend SHOULD do. And like I said: I fucked over one friend... I'm not about to make that mistake again. We're a team now, babe. All for one, all that happy horseshit. Besides, you might not be so grateful once I eventually start pestering you to cosplay with me. Cos you're tall as hell, and I'm already eyein' you up for a Captain Phasma costume."
Adrianna frowned humorously at the tall remark and looked up as if there were an invisible measuring device over her head. "Mouse, I'm only five-eight. You're just adorably short." The mention of being made to cosplay during her matches had the woman folding her arms over her chest. "I doubt I could even perform three fourths of my moveset in clunky armor, Mouse. I appreciate the thought, though." She gave Mia a lovable tap on the nose before turning serious again. "You know...this is probably a bad time to bring this up, so close to match time. But a part of me's a little worried about tonight. Ever since I started running with Abaddon, my entire mindset has been about getting the win with no regard for who's in that ring, across from me. But the more I think about it...I never actually liked *hurting* opponents unless I had a real reason too. I won't lie...Erin Mercer's a tough bitch. I refuse to lose to anybody...but I don't wanna kill the poor girl...." She sighed, looking thoughtful before looking over at the shorter girl beside her. "What do I do, Mia? You know where I'm coming from?"
"I'm not short. I'm fun-sized." Mia said with an adorably offended huff. "As for tonight.... look, babe. I appreciate that you're more human now. I do. But don't let that affect you in that ring. You think Mercer is gonna hold anything at all back? Hell no. You think she'd be happy if she wins, and it was only because you were afraid of hurting her? Screw that. Go in there, and go in with the intention of breaking her fuckin' face. She's cool, A. I get that. But when you get in that ring, you need to forget about anything and everything, other than walking out still the champion. Unless we end up wrestling eventually. Then go easy. I'm too young and pretty to die."
As Mia spoke, a look of revelation came over Adrianna's face before she finally nodded. "Yeah...you're right. I can't be worried about shit so long as I'm at the top." Here, she reached down off camera and picked up the Women's Championship belt off of the bench and brought it into frame to look at it. "The only reason I still have this is because of how hard I've fought to keep it. I can't my humanity get in the way once that bell rings... If Mercer *does* wanna take this from me...she's gonna have to hurt me worse than I hurt her. So far, no one's been able to do that." She nodded slowly and fixed the belt around her waist, adjusting it properly in place. "And you don't need to worry, Mouse." She said with a playful, seductive grin as she reached out to trace one side of Mia's jaw with a finger. "As much as I may not make it out of the friend zone with you...the last thing I'd ever do is bruise that pretty little face of yours. Besides! I love fun-sized."
"Oh, you precious angel." Mia said with a laugh. "Trust me. There's a very good reason why I keep you firmly locked in the Friend Zone. And one day, maybe I'll be able to be open enough to talk about it. But just... in the meantime, don't for a minute think it's because I don't find you attractive, or because I'm not into you."
Here, Adrianna placed her hands on her hips, tilting her chin up while keeping her eyes down on Mia with a serious, thoughtful look on her face. A look that slowly broke into a grin. "Soooo...you're saying there's a chance...!" Her posture relaxed some. "Works enough for me! Until then, I'll be happy so long as you keep letting me drool over you in those outfits. When you're ready to open up, you know I'll listen...." She gave Mia another poke on the nose and smiled warmly at her. "Now then...." Her smile dropped back into that cold, calculated look of a killer that fans could guess was probably the stoic look she wore under her face paint while with the Circle of Snakes. Somehow, though, without the paint and contacts...the look was all the more terrifying. She reached back, pulling up the hood to her vest and rolled her shoulders. "You with me, out there?"
"Goddamn right, lady. Now let's show these people what a real fighting champion looks like." Mia said, clapping Adrianna on the back confidently. "You're the shit, and it's time people see that."
The camera faded out with Mia and Adrianna both walking out of the locker room and heading towards the ringside area....
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The Buzzsaw retained the NFW Television Championship, defeating Tyson Law by KO in 1:33 when the ref stopped the match after a brutal snap kick to Tyson's jaw knocked him out on impact.
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As the crowd prepared for the main event, the lights dimmed down with colorful strobes lighting up the entrance area. It looked similar to a rock concert as Diamante's "Coming In Hot" began to play over the speaker system.
On the blacked out stage, smoke erupted from the center before the stage lit up, revealing a back view of Erin Mercer, now having swapped out her t-shirt for her signature black, leather jacket. The crowd gave a huge pop as Erin turned to look over her shoulder with a sultry smirk on her face, winking at the camera. With her on stage, urging the fans to get louder by rocking her fist was Alex Brody. As the song built up to the chorus, Erin twisted around to face the ring, bending down before coming back up with the metal horns high over her head, triggering a display of pyro sparks to go off on either side of her before she began to stroll down the ramp in her sexy strut with Alex right beside her.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Introducing the challenger; being lead to the ring by Alex Brody, from Los Angeles, California...she is the Red Queen...ERRRIIIIINNNN MERCEEEEEEEER!!!!!!"
Erin Mercer climbed up onto the apron, pumping the horns in the air to the crowd before rolling backwards over the top rope into her signature pose on all her hands and knees as she flipped her hair back out of her face with that same sultry grin at the camera before coming up to stand and move to her corner. She only exited the ring, as a traditional sign of respect, once her music faded and the lights temporarily returned to normal.
Hanson: "Well that's certainly a surprise. New music and a little more confidence from Erin Mercer. I like it!"
Reynolds: "Ohhh, I love it, Nicky. MM-MMH!!"
Hanson: "Oh god...."
A few seconds later, however, the entire lighting in the ringside area went out, shrouding the audience in total darkness. Up on the video wall, a video began to play of the darkness of space, moving passed the planets and the moons as red text appeared on the screen.
~She watches from the ageless Void....~
~Enlightened Shadow of her former self....~
~Waiting for the time she'll take human form again....~
Reynolds: "What the hell, Nicky?"
Then, the music began to pick up with a heavy drum and bass set, while the text continued to fade into view.
~She's the Queen of Anarchy....~
~Unchained Aggression....~
Reynolds: "Nicky...?!?!"
Hanson: "Relax, Jim...."
As the build to the song picked up, inside the void of space, a pair of brown, feminine eyes, cold and ruthlessly, appeared, staring out at the viewers before one more piece of text appeared, overlaying a nuclear explosion on planet Earth. With it, came a deafening explosion of pyro on stage.
~ADRIANNA SALVATORE~
With this, it became clear that the song was none other than Disturbed's "The Vengeful One." As lights began to flicker across the stage, it was evident that Mia Hayashi was standing out on the center, watching the ring. In a sudden flash of light, however, it was revealed that a crouching figure knelt in front of her on one knee, also facing the ring. Slowly rising up, the new silhouette blocked out Mia's due to the sheer size difference for a moment before the lighting on stage resumed, close enough to normal to reveal Adrianna Salvatore with her hood shrouding her head. Mia stepped out from behind her and took up a position right beside her, resting a hand on Adrianna's shoulder while pointing to the ring and giving inaudible words of encouragement. Mia and Adrianna banged forearms together before the former began walking alongside the latter towards the ring.
"Introducing her opponent...from Brooklyn, New York...she is the NFW Women's Champion...ADRIANNAAAAAAAA....SALVATOREEEEEEEE!!!!"
Upon reaching the ring, Adrianna stuck to her Circle of Snakes-esque entrance, hopping up onto the apron and crawling backwards under the bottom rope until she reached the center of the ring. The difference here, however, was that instead of simply raising her head and drawing her thumb across her throat, she popped up onto one foot and flung her hood back, staring coldly into the camera as she unclasped the title belt from around her waist and lifted it up beside her head.
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The main event started off at a surprisingly, steady pace. One that saw the crowd left curious as, instead of savagely coming right at Erin Mercer, Adrianna Salvatore opted to test the waters in a show of strength that she clearly had the advantage on. Each time, it looked like she was getting the upper hand, Mercer escaped their position of locked hands and rolled back, circling the ring with her again.
Hanson: "A slow start, but exciting nonetheless!"
Reynolds: "Definitely! They've studied each other; they know what to look out for. I don't think I've ever seen Apoca--excuse me, Salvatore exchange like this with anyone!"
As if on cue then, the test of strength was over and the two women lunged at each other, engaging in a full lock up.
Reynolds: "OH-HOOOO, HERE WE GO, NICKY!! This is what I was expecting!!!"
Hanson: "Heart's already racing, Jim!"
Whatever worries Erin Mercer seemed to have back in the locker room, had been left in the back as she came at the champion with every ounce of will power that fans were used to seeing from her in any of her matches; maybe even a little more. Adrianna, surprisingly, displayed less of her mindless aggression that she had shown as Apocalypta and demonstrated a more disciplined, but equally dangerous offense. It was similar to how she had gone into her match against Shelley Silver, only a little more controlled than that, even.
In the beginning, Mercer and Salvatore seemed to be on equal footing with neither getting the upper hand on each other until Erin Mercer whipped Adrianna Salvatore into the ropes. Salvatore ducked under an attempt at a clothesline, coming off the ropes again and went for her own clothesline. Mercer ducked underneath and ran off the ropes on one side as Salvatore came off the other. This time, however, Salvatore caught Mercer mid-air during a crossbody attempt and whipped her right into a countering powerslam, going immediately for the pin.
1!!!
2!!!
But Erin Mercer kicked out of the attempt.
Hanson: "Too early. Perhaps the champ might be realizing how formidable the challenger is. Might be getting a little shaken!"
The exchange continued until the match turned into an all out war where both women began displaying their brutal striking ability. Mercer's kicks versus Salvatore's knees and forearms. Both women were clearly rocked passed the halfway mark as they began to sway on their feet, trading chops and forearms and knees with one another. It was Erin Mercer, however, who seemed to have the heart to begin firing off rapid shot after rapid shot until Salvatore dropped down to one knee.
Reynolds: "SHE'S DOWN!! SHE'S DOWN, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "ERIN MERCER COULD DO IT!!!!"
Erin Mercer ran off the ropes, charging back for an attack when Adrianna Salvatore popped up with a kick to the midsection and immediately grabbed her into a suplex position.
Reynolds: "WAIT, NO!!!! IS SHE GONNA....?!?"
Sure enough, Adrianna lifted Erin up off of her feet and wasted no time in playing to the crowd; instead, releasing Erin to catch her and drive her down for a....
Hanson & Reynolds: "GROUND ZEROOOOOOO!!!!!!"
But Adrianna fell onto her back, prompting Mia Hayashi outside to begin slapping the mat and shouting at her to capitalize. Meanwhile, Alex Brody, on the other side, slapped and shouted for Erin to get up. Erin Mercer managed to sit up then, as Adrianna rolled over onto her stomach, panting heavily. This put her into position, however, for Erin to seize an opening as she rushed forward, almost desperately and locked Adrianna's arms with her own before flipping her own body over and locking the champion into a cattle mutilation hold.
Hanson: "ANGEL TRAP!!!! MERCER'S GOT THE ANGEL TRAP LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "IS THE CHAMP GONNA TAP?!?!"
Hanson: "SHE CAN BARELY MOVE HER ARMS!! SHE'S GONNA HAVE TO VERBALLY GIVE UP IF SHE SUBMITS!!"
Instead, Adrianna was heard screaming in pain as she kicked and flailed her feet. Both women's corner seconds frantically called out encouragement to their friends. Alex, calling for Erin to keep the hold locked in, to arch her body up more. Mia, calling for Adrianna to try and get to the ropes, moving to the side that Adrianna was closest to and shouting for her to move towards her voice.
Reynolds: "This doesn't look good for Salvatore, Nicky!"
Hanson: "She's fading! She's in so much pain, that she's fading, Jim!!"
As the referee began to check Adrianna's limp arm, however, her hand shot up after the third check and she began to rotate her lower body towards where Mia was shouting. Erin Mercer had no choice but to walk her feet across the mat as Salvatore managed to get a foot on the bottom rope, causing the referee to call for the break. Both women laid out on the mat, desperate to catch their breathe before Erin frantically got to her feet and picked Adrianna up onto hers, setting her up in preparation for a powerbomb lift.
Hanson: "Here we go! Gonna go for the Red Death!!"
As Erin lifted Adrianna up to set up the position, Adrianna buckled forward once she was up on Erin's shoulders, allowing her to roll forward and bring Erin down with her. Erin and Adrianna both rolled back and got to their feet. Charging each other, Mercer went for a discus elbow. Salvatore ducked underneath, came off the ropes and right back for Erin, leaping off the ground with her knee coming up with a sickening POP right to the face.
Crowd: "OOHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Reynolds: "THERE'S THE HELL'S BELLS, NICKY!!!!!"
Hanson: "HELL'S BELLS!!! THAT STIFF KNEE SHE USES!!!!"
Reynolds: "ERIN IS ROCKED, NICKY!!"
But Adrianna wasn't finished, however, as she looked towards the ropes and back at Erin again. Giving a frustrated huff, she came off the ropes again, leaping up to deliver another loud HELL'S BELLS to Mercer!!!
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
Erin Mercer staggered back, losing her balance and falling into the corner, leaning face first against the turnbuckle. Pacing around the ring, Adrianna seemed at a mental crossroads as she looked at Mercer resting almost lifelessly in the corner. From outside, Mia Hayashi beat on the mat and shouted for her friend to keep up the attack. Finally agreeing with her, Adrianna poised up in the corner and came charging across the ring, literally leaping forward to go for a THIRD Hell's Bells; here, however, Erin Mercer suddenly found a second wind. Enough to get out of the way and send Adrianna CRASHING into the corner where she yanked the champion out into the center of the ring and set her up again. This time, she lifted her up and quickly finished the positioning so she could deliver a brutal RED DEATH in the center of the ring!!!!!
Reynolds: "RED DEATH!!!! RED DEATH, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "IT MIGHT BE OVER RIGHT HERE!!!!!"
Erin rolled over, beside Adrianna, onto her stomach, still cringing from the two Hell's Bells she had taken while Adrianna laid, seemingly unconscious beside her.
Reynolds: "SHE'S OUT, NICKY!!!! THE CHAMP IS OUT!!! ALL ERIN HAS TO DO IS ROLL HER OVER!!!!"
Hanson: "SHE CAN DO IT, RIGHT HERE!!!!"
Finally, Erin did managed to roll Adrianna over onto her back and drape her body over hers, weakly pulling up the leg.
1!!!!
2!!!!
BUT ADRIANNA KICKED OUT!!!!
Reynolds: "OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOODDDDDDD!!!!!"
Hanson: "I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE KICKED OUT OF THAT!!!!!!"
Neither could Erin Mercer, as the challenger raised up onto her knees with an anguished look on her face as she ran her hands through her hair. A quick shot of Adrianna Salvatore on the mat showed the woman with a glazed over look in her eyes. Erin Mercer, meanwhile climbed to her feet, looking down at Adrianna Salvatore in disbelief before finally looking to the turnbuckle with a look of determination and decisiveness.
Reynolds: "Uh-oh, what's she doing, Nicky?"
Hanson: "She's got something on the mind! I think she's planning on putting the champ away big time!"
Erin Mercer moved to the turnbuckle, climbing to the top where she gave her angel wings pose to the crowd before leaping off the turnbuckle, soaring through the air in a breathtaking moonsault.
Reynolds: "HEAVENLY MOONSAULT!!"
Hanson: "HERE SHE COMES!!!"
But Adrianna Salvatore brought her knees up, causing Erin to come crashing down onto them with her knees.
Hanson: "NOOO!!! THE CHAMP COUNTERED!!"
As Erin rolled to the side, clutching her midsection, Adrianna quickly reached over and pulled her right back against her, throwing her into a rear chokehold.
Reynolds: "OOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!! NICKY!!!! SUBMISSION HOLD!!!!! SHE'S GOT HER IN THAT CHOKEHOLD!!!!"
Hanson: "THIS COULD BE IT, JIM!!! WE KNOW ADRIANNA LEARNED SUBMISSION WRESTLING, FROM NONE OTHER THAN LEEANN VISKAN!!!!!"
Reynolds: "AND WE KNOW HOW DEADLY VISKAN CAN BE WITH WHATEVER SHE LOCKS ON!!!"
Hanson: "CAN THE CHAMP EMULATE HER SUBMISSION MENTOR?!?!"
Erin grapsed and clawed at Adrianna's arm, kicking and trying to get to the ropes. Just as she looked to be getting close, Adrianna placed her own feet on she mat and used them to drag herself and Erin more towards the center of the ring before locking her legs around Erin's waist and tightening the torque she had around Erin's neck.
Hanson: "THERE IT IS, JIM!!!! SHE'S GOT IT FULLY LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "OHHHH MAN!!!!"
In a mixture of fading cringing in pain, Erin reached out desperately for where Alex Brody was urging her to try and get to the ropes again. Both her and Adrianna positioned on their sides at this point. The camera briefly captured the merciless scowl on Salvatore's face as she continued to squeeze tightly. Erin continued to reach out towards the ropes...until she finally brought her hand back and began half consciously tapping on Adrianna's forearm, ending the match at 20:18.
Reynolds: "THAT'S IT!!! SHE'S DONE!!!!"
Hanson: "SHE TAPPED!!!"
In a clearly evident show that she was no longer the heartless monster from the Circle of Snakes, Adrianna Salvatore immediately released the hold at the referee's behest and at the sound of the bell. Erin rolled over, gasping for air on her stomach while Adrianna laid out on the mat in a puddle of her own sweat as both Mia and Alex hurried into the ring to rush to their sides.
"Here is your winner, by submission....aaaaaaaand STILL.....NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPION....ADRIANNAAAAAA SALVATOREEEEEEE!!!!!"
As Disturbed's "The Vengeful One" kicked on over the speakers again, Mia Hayashi took the title belt from the referee, placing it into Adrianna's arms as the woman sat up slowly. Beside her, Alex helped Erin sit up. The defeated challenger obviously frustrated as tears ran down her face. Beside her, however, rather than immediately go into celebration, Adrianna Salvatore stood over her opponent and stared down at her. Despite the pain racking her own body, Erin Mercer pulled herself to feet for what appeared to be a staredown. Only when she took a moment, to keel forward, holding her ribs did Adrianna reach out and lift the woman's head by the chin...before offering her hand in a sign of respect. Hesitant at first, Erin Mercer finally accepted, clasping hands with the champion inaudibly voicing her respect, nodding and stepping back as she and Alex opted to leave the ring. Only then, did Adrianna celebrate, high fiving/clasping hands with Mia before almost hilariously pulling the smaller woman into a hug.
Hanson: "A great match and a great show of sportsmanship. THAT's what I like to see!!"
Reynolds: "Ya know, Nicky...? It's obvious that the champion is a changed woman...but one thing that isn't different about her? She is fucking SCARY in that ring!!"
Hanson: "Well that's our show for the week folks!! We hope you're ready for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament! It starts, next week!!! Good night everyone!!"
The show ended with Mia raising Adrianna's arm, pointing to her, ranting adorably to the audience at how bad of a bitch her friend was before letting the taller woman hang an arm over her shoulder and lean on her as she helped her towards the back with the shot fading out....
The finals of the Mixed Tag Team tournament that saw Vincent Stone deliver a counter-FATALITY to "Switchblade" Jay White, followed by the cover. Next, was a visual of Stone and Erin Mercer raising the newly revealed championship belts over head.
Next came the B Block qualification match between Tama Tonga and Ryan Steele that saw Tonga seize the final spot, only to then be attacked by William Mannheim which broke into a brawl before the G.O.D retreated, laughing.
Next was a short recap of the brutal NFW Tag Team Championship match that saw the McKeesport Mafia and Killer Elite Squad brawl it out all over, inside and around the ring. Following the retaining of the titles, came the face off between the Renegades and the Fallen that turned into a four man attack on the Mafia. The final shot was of the entire Renegade stable standing in the ring with their fists out in front of them.
Next, highlighted the return of Matt Klazzic - revealed as the mystery competitor for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial's A Block as he exchanged shots with the returning Adam Cole and sent him packing out of the ring before raising his arms in an X to the crowd.
(Hanson: "MATT KLAZZIC HAS RETURNED!! AND HE'S GONNA BE IN THE VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL!!")
Next was the NFW World Championship match between Max LeBrun and Scott Leroux. The half hour war that saw both men - mentor and student - beat the absolute, living HELL out of each other. Brief shots of both Kennedy Campbell and Candi Broduer as they looked on, almost fearful for what their respective guys would do to each other in order to get the win. After a recap of the third and final Anueyrsm, the shot focused on the moment Max LeBrun clutched the championship, panting and grinning sadistically in the corner.
(Reynolds: "We have a new champion, Nicky!")
(Hanson: "The Renegades just changed the game!")
The final recap was of the hellacious, bloody six man tornado cage match between the Dominion of Pain and the Circle of Snakes. After a brief recap of the actual portion where it looked like an actual match, the recap cut to Abaddon screaming his confession to the members of the Circle.
(Reynolds: "Where the hell are they going?!")
We hear Reynolds say as the clip is shown of Chris Wolfe, Tyler Grey and Apocalypta walking up the ramp, abandoning Abaddon. Apocalypta is seen, again, turning and ripping off her hood and snake balaclava as she fumes down at the ring to watch the onslaught of finishers delivered to Abaddon before Judas Lasher scored the pin.
The words HIGHWAY TO HELL: END OF THE ROAD burn across the screen as the AC/DC song abruptly switches to Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" as we see an updated version of the NFW opening. Finally, the shot cuts to ringside with the opening pyro show as Hanson and Reynolds welcome viewers to the show.
Hanson: "GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO NEW FRONTIER WRESTLING WHERE WE ARE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN! We are one week removed from Highway to Hell and I have to say, it certainly lived up to it's name. That night was hell in more ways than one."
Reynolds: "I couldn't agree more, Nicky. We saw a new World Champion crowned in Max LeBrun. We saw Ryan Steele lose his spot in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, HOWEVER, that same night, he showed his true colors with Sebastian Young as the Fallen attacked the McKeesport Mafia following a successful title defense against the Killer Elite Squad."
Hanson: "And let's not forget, Jim, the main event of that night. We witnessed...Jesus, what was probably the most gruesome and brutal display of savagery I've ever seen in a wrestling ring. It wasn't even wrestling it was just...pure carnage!"
Reynolds: "Absolutely agree with you, Nicky. The Dominion of Pain lived up to their promise, completely dismantling the Circle of Snakes. More specifically, dismantling their leader Abaddon before getting him to confess that, after all this time...he was using them! He straight up used them for his own gain!"
Hanson: "Abaddon confessed, and we saw not just Chris Wolfe and Tyler Grey but also the Women's Champion, Apocalypta...they all just walked out on him and left him to be brutalized by the Dominion of Pain! I'm hearing that he's still in critical condition in a Phoenix based hospital. We haven't heard a word from him or any family yet!"
Reynolds: "Well, he might have been a son of a bitch, but even I almost feel the guy."
Hanson: "I can't say I don't. However, the show must go on. Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you, tonight, to our final regular weekly broadcast for the next several weeks. However, it comes with good reason, because starting next week, it's the beginning of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament. Twenty men, broken into two blocks for a round robin tournament. The winners of each block face each other in the finals to decide the number one contender to the NFW World Championship at January's Wrestle Wars!"
Reynolds: "I'm excited, Nicky! And I know Commissioner Brody's excited! So, tonight, we're keeping the heat turned up, folks! Of course, you know we have our regularly scheduled Television Championship match. The Buzzsaw will be defending against The Renegades' Tyson Law, however, we have two more title matches, right Nicky?!"
Hanson: "Absolutely, Jim. First, we have the NFW Tag Team Championship match. Champions Big Daddy Payne and The Punisher, Andrew Payne are...are...hell, they're LIVID at what happened last week! They went to Commissioner Steven Brody and demanded a match against the Fallen, HOWEVER, Renegades' leader Max LeBrun demanded compensation. He said, 'if you're gonna stick my boys in a match with the Mafia, put the Tag Team titles on the line!' The champions agreed, Commissioner Brody agreed, so tonight, we get a tag title match! But our main event, Jim...we knew this match was coming. It was pretty much set in stone, weeks ago...hell, over a month ago! It's the match the fans are calling A Clash Of Queens. The Red Queen, Erin Mercer finally gets her shot at the NFW Women's Championship as she takes on The Queen of Anarchy, formerly known as Apocalypta but as she let it be known on social media, she will now be known as Adrianna Salvatore."
Reynolds: "I can't wait, Nicky. Let's kick this show off!"
"Belial... Behemoth... Beelzebub"
Reynolds: "On second thought, can I run to the bathroom real quick?"
Hanson: "Sit right there and stop being a wimp."
"Asmodeus... Satanas... Lucifer"
Reynolds: "I'm scared, Nicky...."
Hanson: "Shut up, Jim. Just don't make any sudden movements."
Ghost's "Year Zero" opens the show, as the lights in the arena dimmed and turned blood-red, the crowd erupting as Judas Lasher emerged from a ring of fire on the stage, clad in his black suit and ceremonial goat skull mask, the rest of The Dominion of Pain filtering in from either side of the stage. Lara Blackheart and LeeAnn Viskan flanked his sides, as Buzzsaw and Crimson Sabre stood behind him, The Ultra-Violence bringing up the back with their massive size.
As the group walked to the ring, Lasher stopped a few times to "bless" a few random fans that were decked out in Dominion merch, before finally stepping into the ring, the rest of the group following him, before LeeAnn reached up to slowly remove the mask from him.
"Last week... The Dominion of Pain made one thing perfectly clear." Judas began, a sickly smug look on his face. "At Highway To Hell... we showed that with ultimate disrespect comes ultimate punishment. Abaddon manipulated this man's daughter..." He said, pointing to Doomsday, and metaphorically shat upon the grave of our brother Vlad. We returned, vowing to destroy that fraud and everything he held dear. We took his pride... we took his confidence.... we took his followers..." Lasher grinned again, a sadistic glint in his eye, as the video wall showed a short clip of Abaddon, practically choking on his own blood, falling to Judas' barbed-wire enhanced Devilock.. "And finally... we took his career."
He pointed at the aisle, motioning to the entire locker room. "Of course... now that we have accomplished our primary mission... I would like to remind you all of why Lara here was so hesitant to call upon us to begin with. The Dominion is destruction personified. We are a plague, that with nothing to focus upon will bring wrath, agony, and destruction upon all in our path. Nobody is safe. Not The Renegades..." He said first, making slight acknowledgement of the Twitter was between Max LeBrun and LeeAnn, "Not The Great White North... not the Bullet Club.... not even The House of Payne. All will either kneel... or be wiped out."
Taking the microphone from Judas, one half of the massive tag unit within the Dominion known as Ultra-Violence, Doomsday, stepped up. His hood still shrouding his head as he lifted the mouth piece up. "If people who don't know me...were to learn anything last week...it's that I'm a man of my word. I told Abaddon that I would tear apart his very being...lest he relinquished his hold he forced upon one of my children. He refused...so I kept my promise. People can believe all they want...that Keith Jameson will return. Recovered. Repackaged." He gave a half hearted shrug of one shoulder. "I said last week that it wasn't about wrestling. It wasn't. A man thought he was something more and trifled with more powerful forces. He was wrong. And now he may very well never even walk again. I made sure of that...." He paused, turning towards the video wall. "I know not everybody saw Highway to Hell...roll the clip...."
The video wall comes to life with a replay of the moment that Doomsday picked Abaddon up after delivering the first Mushroom Cloud powerbomb to him. The focus of the footage is to show the second one that he delivered. However, upon impact, the clip freezes to capture the angle that Abaddon landed on his neck. The clip rewinds back to the beginning of the move and follows through with the entire move itself to show the impact. After that, the video wall goes black, cutting back to Doomsday leaning forwards against the ropes.
"...I broke...a man's neck...for thinking he could piss on a comrade's legacy...for thinking he could take advantage of my daughter's fragile state of mind. Let what happened last week be a lesson...to anyone who thinks they have what it takes, to stand up to the Dominion. We ended Abaddon's career...*I* made sure he'll never walk again...and that's not the first instance I've gone that far. I made the very man who helped me get a start in this company...rethink his own career...after he stabbed me in the back and tried to end mine. The Circle of Snakes is broken...that's the good news. The bad news...at least for the rest of the New Frontier...is that the Dominion is still here...and we are far...from...finished!!"
Lara took the mic, wearing a black miniskirt, knee-high heeled boots, a tight Poison tee, and her father's old leather jacket over it, and gave an arrogant grin, leaning on the ropes. "I know that if he'd been able... my dad would've kicked the shit out of every ONE of those assholes after dipshit headbutted my mom. So it's nice to see his best friend... my godfather... do it for him. Jude The Dude here wanted Daddy to eventually take over the Dominion. And since he can't... it's an honor and a privilege to do it in his stead. Now that we've had our revenge... it's time to conquer. It's also time to start wrapping this up, because halfway down the aisle, the big bottle of Mountain Dew I gulped down earlier started to hit me, and I gotta pee like a racehorse."
Buzzsaw started to speak, before stopping and just staring at Lara with a mixture of amusement and frustration. Finally, he shook his head and began to speak. "Enough talk of a man who will no longer bother us. Now... we talk of the future. The future that this group right here will help to craft. I am on a mission. To make this World Television Championship one of the most prestigious, coveted titles in all of wrestling. So I'm making it official: each week, I will have an open challenge for this title. Anyone who wants a shot - from NFW, from NJPW, from WWE, from any independent promotion I the world... come and try your luck. I'll tear through you regardless who you are or where you're from."
Lasher took the mic back, slowly raising an eyebrow as he looked out to the crowd. "This is the beginning of a new era. An era where the Dominion shows that it is forever, and that we are to be taken very, VERY seriously. Year Zero is now. Ave... Satanas."
Lasher dropped the mic in the middle of the ring as their music began to play once more.
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*The camera shifts to another area and we see Matt Klazzic making his way into the arena, wearing his new silver and black mask, stopping to shake hands and exchange high fives with various members of the ringside crew, welcoming him back. Klazzic stops and greets them as we see Josh Davidson come into the scene.*
"Hi Matt, welcome back. I think I speak for everyone in the back when I say it's good to see you here again," Davidson says as he and Matt shake hands.
"Well thank you Josh. It's good to be back. It was a long road, but now for the first time, I'm happy to say I'm in a good place and I'm ready to show all these nice fans here that while guys like Adam Cole may be just a flash in the pan, Klazzic...is forever," Klazzic says with a rare sense of confidence that even shocks Davidson as the two shake hands and Klazzic continues on his way. The camera zooms in on Davidson's confused face for a moment:
"He really needs a new catchphrase," Davidson says shaking his head as the camera fades to black.
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The first match of the night saw a raging Morgan Payne taking on Candi Broduer in their scheduled match. Morgan, absolutely fuming after the previous week, attacked Candi like a madwoman, using her groundwork and strength to power out of most of the holds Candi attempted to get her in. Once she got the upper hand, she began unloading shots on Candi, turning to all of her hard hitting moves one after another.
Reynolds: "She is fighting MAD Nicky!!"
Hanson: "I can't say she took last week too easily, Jim! She's got Candi on the ropes quicker than even I expected!"
With Candi in the corner, Morgan charged across the ring, clobbering her with an elbow before immediately whipping her to the floor. She immediately followed up with rushing towards the ropes, setting up for her basement dropkick. As she initially charged Candi in the corner, however, the camera caught a glimpse of a woman in ripped jeans and a black jacket came hopping over the banister and slid into the ring with a steel chair. Despite the referee looking DIRECTLY at her, she stopped Morgan in her tracks as Candi's opponent came off the ropes, smacking her right in the face with the chair.
Reynolds: "WHOA!!!!"
Hanson: "WHAT THE HELL!!! WHERE'D SHE COME FROM?!"
Reynolds: "WHO THE HELL IS SHE?!"
As the bell rang and signaled for the DQ, the woman with the chair stood over Morgan and brought the chair down two...three...four more times before the referee finally pulled it away from her. By now, Candi Broduer got to her feet and stepped right up to the girl, getting in her face...before the two slapped hands and fist bumped each other.
Reynolds: "AWWWWW, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Hanson: "SHE'S A RENEGADE!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!?!?!?"
Giving Morgan a disrespectful boot to the head, the new girl followed Candi out of the ring and walked with her up the ramp as the fans booed and jeered at the two.
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Adam Cole defeated Matt Klazzic in 17:53 after reversing a superplex attempt into a flipping piledriver off of the top rope that looked more like a move of desperation on Cole's part in an effort to pick up the win as Matt Klazzic displayed an all knew ferocity and sense of 'killer instinct' during their match. It was clear that Klazzic had undergone some sense of a transformation as, even though Cole scored the pinfall, the man slithered out of the ring and backtracked up the ramp with his own arm raised while his other arm clutched the back of his neck where he had taken several high angled slams. The look on his face, while semi-comical, was one of being stunned and caught off guard as if to say...who or what the hell did I just face?
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*The camera shifts to the backstage interview area where we see Josh Davidson standing alone.*
"Hello ladies and gentlemen, I was supposed to be joined by Shingo Takagi but he's nowhere to be found at this time. However...," Davidson continued as a member of the production crew comes from off-camera to whisper something in Josh's ear then pointing down to his right.
*Davidson then nods at the crew member then he prompts the cameraman to follow him out of the interview area where we hear the sounds of a brawl. The camera focuses to the source and we see Minoru Suzuki, Shingo Takagi, and Havok in a 3-on-3 brawl with AKI, Connor K., and Shelton Benjamin. Some officials try to intervene, but Heyman nonchalantly holds them back with his arms out, while repeatedly saying, "I'll take care of this, don't worry" to the crew he's holding back while he looks back with an evil grin at the mayhem. Eventually, more officials step in to separate the two sides as Davidson walks up to Heyman, with Takagi, Suzuki, and Havok flanking him.*
"Paul Heyman, what was this all about???" Davidson asks.
"Josh, it was simply the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr. Takagi and Havok were both very disapppointed at being left out of the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament in favor of...Curry Man and Matt Klazzic?!? Why didn't they just take things a step further and invite Bill and Randy Mulkey out of retirement from their nursing home somewhere in Anderson, South Carolina. Both men were very disappointed and myself and my client, Minoru Suzuki, could not convince them to calm down. And it just so happens that those three individuals took it upon themselves...YES!!! I'M TALKING TO YOU THREE!!!" Heyman yells off-camera, the camera pans to his right and Shelton Benjamin, AKI, and Connor K. are still being held back by officials and road agents trying to get at Suzuki-Gun.
"As for tonight, Crimson Sabre. There's no doubt on the talent you bring to the ring. But you're stepping in the ring with a man who's worked with wrestlers just as fast and just as agile as you and took them down and took them out. He's a man who may look like he should be a Jr. Heavyweight, but make no mistake, there's nothing "Junior" about his skills or his offense in THAT ring. Go ahead and take that risk, because when you do, it will just take one opening for Shingo Takagi to hit the Last Falconry and it's lights out for you.
As for you, Shelton Benjamin, you had your...oh, look who wants to step up to the big boy plate. Is there something you want, young man?" Heyman asks as Connor is coming up to the group, being held back by AKI and Shelton and with Minoru Suzuki stepping in front of Heyman up to Connor, giving him a scowl of disdain.
"Hey Suzuki, for some reason I have your attention. I know you got the Vlad Blackheart tourney and all, but just to remind you that I'll still be here...," Connor says as he gets a hand loose and gives Suzuki a HARD slap that actually turns Suzuki's head, causing an audible gasp to be heard from the arena crowd and everyone to stop and pause for a moment in shock, except for Connor, still being restrained and defiant.
*AKI, Shelton, and the remaining agents take this moment to bring Connor back as the camera focuses back on a shocked look on Heyman's face as he looks at Suzuki, hands over his mouth as Suzuki looks back and wipes a small trickle of blood from the side of his mouth. The camera zooms in on Suzuki's face as he looks at his hand and sees the blood and gives an evil smile in the direction of Connor as the camera fades to black.*
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*In the backstage area, we see Klazzic slowly walking back to the locker room area, removing the tape from his wrists as he walks and taking some deep breaths as he's just finished his match. As he walks into the locker room, we see him pause and look at someone off-camera.*
"Well, we did it. Just like you said. It wasn't about the outcome tonight, it was about the hard work and the willingness to change, and I have you to thank for that," Klazzic says as he looks down, still tired, and not acknowledging the person off-camera.
"I'm proud of you, Matt. My work is done. That mask is yours. Just remember to wash it when you're done. Good luck, Matt. The people are behind you now more than ever," the man off-camera says with a chuckle.
"Just remember, you owe me a favor," he adds.
"What favor?!?" Klazzic asks to himself as he enters the locker room and the scene fades.*
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The Crimson Sabre defeated Shingo Takagi by pinfall in 11:42 after hitting him with a flipping chest stomp from the top rope.
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*The blue sky cluttered with chunky, puffy clouds brightly fills the screen. Slowly the shot pans down, as the words "EARLIER TODAY" can be read at the bottom of the screen, an outdoor firing range seems to be the setting. Panning to the left, William Mannheim, Pitt, Rick Dickulous, and El Piso Mojado are chatting amongst themselves. Mannheim notices the cameraman and waves him over. As the cameraman moves towards the group, Rick Dickulous can be heard telling a story*
"...so, no shit, guy, he was knee deep in bear dookie looking for the tractor keys he left sitting beside his ham sandwich."
*The four men laugh, Piso mimics digging through an imaginary pile of dung, comedically holding a hand over his head with a smile*
"ÂĄMIRA, PENDEJOS! LAS LLAVES SON CĂLIDAS..."
*Mannheim shakes his head and points at Piso*
"I have no idea what you just said, but clearly you're on the same page."
*Pitt looks at Mannheim with an odd stare*
"Willy...he said: 'LOOK, STUPID! THE KEYS ARE WARM.' Kinda makes sense if they were in a steaming pile of bear *beep*."
*Willy and Pitt look around*
"Looks like we need to get those censors high again, Pitt...maybe Rick should make them some brownies."
*Rick smiles from ear to ear*
"Guy, I can TOTALLY make some killer Pink Kush brownies, and a Girl Scout Cookies icing..."
*Rick trails off, deep in thought. Mannheim shakes his head*
"Alright. So here's the deal, boys. The Detroit Police Department agreed to let us blow off a little steam here at their outdoor firing range before we go whup the shit out of a few trash talkin' little bitches. Now, down range we have some targets set up..."
*As Mannheim continues speaking, the shot cuts to each target in succession: first, a watermelon with Taiji Ishimori's face painted on it; second, a larger watermelon with Bad Luck Fale's face painted on it; third, an even larger watermelon with Tonga Loa's face painted on it*
"...and each of you has a weapon which was absolutely not removed from the evidence locker of 5th Precinct by Sargent Daniels over there..."
*A man in a Detroit Police Department uniform, the name tag reading DANIELS, waves at the camera*
"...so, let's go pop a few off before we pop a few off!"
*The four high five before walking off to the right. Cut to inside the sheltered firing line at the outdoor range. Three weapons sit on the table: a silver six shooter, a Glock 17, and a Desert Eagle. Sargent Daniels addresses the group*
"Good afternoon gentlemen, big fans! I remember cheering whenever Army of Darkness came out to cause chaos! Oh man, lookit me, I'm a goddamned fanboy..."
*Mannheim waves it off*
"No worries, Sarge...we just do our best to keep our fans entertained, y'know?"
*Daniels smiles and nods*
"So, as mentioned, we have our targets lined up out there for each of you, and we have weapons ready for each of you, as per Mr. Mannheim's request. You've all been given range safety training, so at this point, I'm gonna call on our first shooter: El Piso Mojado. Piso, you can see the Taiji Ishimori target, correct?"
*Piso puts his hand over his eyes and squints. The camera pans out to show that, comically, the target is within 50 yards*
"!Si seĂąor! No creo que el objetivo sea de tamaĂąo natural, aunque."
*Sargent Daniels picks up the silver six shooter and hands it to Piso*
"Son, I have no idea what you just said, but you can take this firearm and you can shoot at your target."
*Piso steps to the firing line, aims carefully, then suddenly drops the pistol to his hip and begins slapping the hammer of the gun, much like cowboys in old western movies. Six shots fire from the barrel, and six hit the melon. Piso spins the six shooter around his finger and mimics holstering it before spinning it again, the grip facing Daniels. Daniels takes it with an impressed smile and sets it on the table*
"If that's any foreshadowing, you guys are gonna definitely kick the shit out of those Bullet Club punks tonight! Next shooter: Rick Dickulous. How the hell did I get so lucky?"
*Daniels picks up the Glock 17 and hands it to Rick*
"You can see that Bad Luck Fale target, Rick? About 50 yards out? Just point and squeeze after you take the safety off..."
*Rick aims, squeezes, realizes he forgot to turn off the safety, turns off the safety, and squeezes 10 rounds out of the barrel. All 10 strike a tight grouping in the centre of the mouth of Bad Luck Fale's target. As the slide kicks back, Rick pushes the safety back onand hands the weapon back to Daniels*
"Looks like I'm off, guy...probably because it's a handgun. If it were a rifle, it'd be just like back in the logging camps, eh?"
*Daniels smiles and sets the weapon back on the table*
"Mr. Dickulous..."
"Just call me Rick, buddy!"
"Ok, Rick...you've just shot better than 75% of the Detroit Police Department. If this is an off day, I don't want to see an on day! Let's move on down the line here. Pitt, looks like you're up..."
*Pitt looks down at Daniels who hands the big man the Desert Eagle*
"...now, this weapon has a lot more kick than the last two. I know you're a big guy, but I just want to warn you that--"
*Pitt aims the weapon down range one handed and squeezes off 10 rounds, the recoil barely moving his wrist. Chunks fly off the watermelon as each round hits it, Tonga Loa's painted on face exploding as the melon is reduced to pulp. Pitt sets the weapon back down on the table and looks flatly at Daniels*
"That gave me a chubby. You know where I can get a hot date for $20?"
*Daniels shakes his head at Pitt*
"I do, but I can't tell you. I can't have it on me that one of my childhood heroes contracted ghonnaherpasyphillaids from a $20 hoe..."
*Pitt frowns*
"Guess I'll have to call Eileen Jambecourte again. That one legged midget really knows how to--"
"PITT!! JESUS CHRIST, MAN!"
*Mannheim looks disgustedly at Pitt*
"It's bad enough I had to hear you gorilla fucking the snot out of her the other night, I don't need any more of a damned visual!"
*Daniels looks at Mannheim*
"Since you were my favourite wrestler growing up, Mr. Mannheim..."
"You can call me Willy, Sarge. This is a first name basis get together here!"
*Daniels' face lights up, the fanboy rearing its head again*
"Oh. My. God. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!"
*Daniels composes himself by inhaling and exhaling deeply a few times*
"Ok....Willy....since you were my favourite wrestler growing up, I took a few liberties and set up something special for you. You guys should come with me."
*Daniels leads the four men off camera to the right. The scene cuts to the five men standing around a table with a grenade launcher laying on it, three grenades stand on end beside the weapon on the table*
"Willy, you have yet to blow off any steam, and I've watched Piso, Rick, and Pitt all absolutely destroy their targets. So, we have here an M87 grenade launcher, ad way off in the distance there's a target I think you'll appreciate."
*An industrial toilet is sitting 100 yards away, the seat lifted, a picture of Tama Tonga taped to the erect seat. The toilet appears to be filled with excrement, and the five men laugh in unison*
"Sargent Daniels..."
"Please, call me Lance...this is a first name basis get together, after all."
*Mannheim looks at Daniels surprised*
"Jesus, no wonder you became a cop. With a name like Lance, I bet you got called a homo every fucking day!"
*Daniels smiles*
"I did. And my husband is happy that happened..."
*Mannheim blinks, then holds his temples with a hand for a second before shaking his head*
"Well, Lance...I'm happy that you're...happy?"
"Gay, Willy. I'm gay."
"You know what? It's 2018. If you love buttsex, more power to ya. I'm just happy you got an accurate representation of Tama Tonga for this demonstration."
*Daniels loads the rounds into the launcher, sets the safety, then sets it back on the table*
"Now, you have three rounds because you'll need to walk the rounds back to the target. It's not completely accurate, and the greater distance requires a little getting used to. Just relax, squeeze the trigger, and watch the fireworks."
*Mannheim steps forward, a huge smile on his face. He releases the safety and takes aim. He squeezes the trigger, the round arcs gently through the air, and slams down dead centre of the target - a camera set up close to the shit filled toilet shows the grenade riccochet off the raised lid and plop into the shit, the lid falling closed as the grenade explodes, ending the close shot feed. All five men cheer loudly, Mannheim setting the weapon back down on the table as a group high five takes place*
"Now, THAT? That was definitely foreshadowing. Lance, THIS is why I love Detroit! You can literally blow shit up, and nobody cares!"
*Lance nods*
"It's true. Detroit is more of a war zone than Kabul, and I spent time there..."
*Mannheim places a hand on Daniels' shoulder*
"Well, Lance, when Great White North beats on Bullet Club tonight, and more specifically, when I'm beating on Tama Tonga tonight, it's all for you...and your husband."
*Daniels lets out a little squeak*
"OHMYGAWD I HAVE TO CALL DEMARCUS AND TELL HIM!!"
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The Great White North d. Bullet Club OGs by pinfall in 14:01 when Pitt pinned Tanga Loa after he and Rick hit him with a double powerbomb.
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In an almost give away as to who was behind the camera, the shot opens up on a flat screen TV displaying gameplay of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The player controlling the protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, has the character running frantically around the stage, trying to avoid an onslaught of roomba robots and flying drones while a glowing red enemy chases after him. Viewers can see that the player's health bar is nearly gone.
"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!" The voice of Vincent Stone curses frantically as the camera pans back to reveal the newly crowned NFW Mixed Tag Team Champions sitting in front of the TV. Stone wears a pair of jeans, black Newbound sneakers, a vintage NWO Japan t-shirt and a Hands of Stone skull cap.
"Throw one of the roombas at him!" The other half of the NFW Mixed Tag Champs, Erin Mercer, already in a white, black/silver trimmed variation of her ring gear, and a Team Merlex t-shirt, says hysterically beside Stone as she points at the screen.
"I gotta get away from these stupid drones!" Stone responds, hilariously panicking as he mashes the controller. Finally, Kiryu on the screen snatches up one of the roombas, but all too late as dozens of the flying drones explode like multiple time bombs, killing the character on screen. "Fuck this goddamn boss!!!!" Stone drops the controller and relaxes back in his chair.
"Wow. I feel SO out of place right now." Alex Brody sighed, sitting across from the two of them, quietly playing her 3DS. "You guys are all 'DIE DIE KILLLLLL' and I'm sitting here catching bugs for my neighbors on Animal Crossing." It was a testament to how sweet and good-natured Alex was that despite her knockout looks, it was hard to think of her as anything other than "precious".
"Hey, this is one of if not *THE* best game series' I've ever played." Stone remarked, pointing to the title screen. "Like, no shit, each one that comes out should win a Best Story award. Just this secret boss, pain in the ass makes me wanna kick SEGA in the dick. Aside from that, I'm the goddamn champ of these games! Speaking of champ!" He said, turning towards Erin again who had suddenly become quiet and almost somber. "Whoa...Erin? What's the matter?"
Erin sat up, looking to Stone and Alex like she'd been snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh? Oh. Nothing...just...I realize it's almost game time and...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as all hell, right now." She broke into a nervous laugh.
Stone lifted a curious eyebrow. "You? Nervous? That's a new one. You've been in the ring with this girl, before. What's to be nervous about?"
Erin looked at him, as if she were surprised that it wasn't obvious. "Vin...this is my first go at a singles title of my career. Not just in NFW, my *career*! My stomach's in knots right now. I've wanted this so badly since I started training. Now that it's here...can I actually pull this off?"
Vincent Stone looked a little shocked at what he was hearing. "Wow, you're actually doubting yourself, aren't you? Stop it. It's understandable that you're nervous. I'm sure everyone is when they're in your shoes. But the second you start doubting yourself? That's the moment you make mistakes. Right, Alex?"
"The man speaks the truth." Alex laughed, pointing to herself. "Look at me. I am so my own worst enemy it's not even funny. Even Chris told me I could be one of the best if I'd just stop doubting myself." She looked at Stone then, wincing slightly. "In her defense though? I've been in the ring one on one with Salvatore before. IT IS NOT HAPPY FUN TIME. She is so dangerous... if Erin was literally crappin' bricks right now I wouldn't blame her."
Stone leaned back in his chair, laughing. "Hey, I'll be the first to admit, she even scares me a little...but while she may not be running along side a creepy cult anymore, she's still the Queen of Anarchy. *You*...." He pointed to Erin, even letting his finger poke her in the shoulder, "...need to show her why they call you the Red Queen! She's gonna come at you with everything she's got. You need to show her that you can take it...then you need to hit back even harder."
Erin nodded and let out a deep breath. "You're right. This is the moment I've been waiting for...I need to make it count, regardless of the outcome. Besides, I've got my BFF over there who's gonna be in my corner, right?!"
"You betcha!" Alex said cheerfully. "Cos whether I'm celebrating with the new champ, or comforting my best friend... either way I know where I'm needed." This girl was going to have to eventually develop a killer instinct if she wanted to truly thrive in this business... but for now, she was at least one hell of a support group for someone.
Erin smiled, sitting up in her seat then. "Thanks, hon. I couldn't ask for a better bestie to be in my corner, for this." She brought her fists up and looked down at them. "Besides...while they seem not as bad as before, lately...I know she's gonna have Mia out there with her. If two queens are gonna go to war...at least I can count on the battleground being even...." She opened hand out, slamming her other fist into it. "Let's make this a war the wrestling world remembers...." She said, finally, more so to herself as if she were addressing her opponent, the champion in front of her.
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As the show returned from a commercial break with Nick Hanson and Jim Reynolds welcoming viewers back, they were suddenly cut off with the opening rift to Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" tearing through the arena's speaker system.
Hanson: "Ohhhh god, what now?"
Reynolds: "C'mon, Nicky. You knew we were gonna hear from them, tonight."
~YOU'RE A RENEGADE!~
As the drums and bass picked up in the song, the entrance curtain was flung aside with the Renegades appearing out on stage, one by one. First, came the new NFW World Champion, Max LeBrun. Dressed in faded blue jeans, his black boots, brown jacket and a Renegades' "PULL THE PIN" t-shirt, the Toronto Daredevil came to stand center stage. The presence of the title belt was visible as he appeared to be wearing it backwards, concealed under his jacket. After a cold smirk, however, he reached around and turned the belt around to reveal the center plate in all of it's glory....
Ryan Steele is seen wearing his wrestling gear which consists of The Omega symbol in various places of his outfit along with "The Fallen" logo in slanted print along with a new Renegades jacket alongside him is his Fallen tag partner Sabastian Riley Young wearing his wrestling gear which you see him with "Danger" , "Caution" & "Hazardous" signs on his outfit . His outfit is yellow, black and white.
Bringing up the rear are Julian Morrison, in cargo jeans and a Raiders jersey, and Tyson Law, who wears his wrestling gear, along with a red bandanna and a "Magneto Was Right" tee. At their sides are Candi Brodeur , still in her ring attire from earlier, and Serena Frost, fresh off of her earlier attack, still wearing the shredded jeans, Hatebreed tee, and black leather jacket from before. While Candi looked stoic and calm.... Serena looked brooding and angry. Like a bomb that could go off at any moment. Her pale skin, jet black hair, and sneering lips cut a gothic and violent appearance.
Standing next to the group "The Fallen" get into thier stance as Sabastian kneels down with one arm in the air as Ryan stands over Sabastian's legs With Ryan holds both arms in the air.
Once the rest of the Renegades made their appearance, Max raised up the "grenade fist" over his head and "popped the pin" before leading the march down towards the ring. His first order of business was that of walking right up and snatching the ring announcer's microphone while the others got into the ring. Max, himself, then proceeded to roll inside under the bottom rope, immediately getting to his feet with a cold, cocky smile on his face as the music faded out. This made it more audible to hear the crowd's disapproval.
Crowd: "YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!"
Max's grin only widened as he laughed inaudibly. The man turning to the rest of the Renegades and thumbing to the Detroit audience before turning to address them, raising the microphone up. "Now, is that anyway to treat the top stars of this company?" He asked with an arrogant chuckle. "Shit, is that anyway to treat your new...fucking...champion?!" As Max said this, he reached behind him with his free hand and unclasped the strap on the World Championship belt, raising it over his head with his features taking on a cole glare.
"I told everyone...I told the whole goddamn world that I was gonna knock Scott Leroux off of his pedestal. And you know what? I did just that. WE...as a whole...told the world that we were going to knock everyone off their feet, and hit this company where it hurt. We did just that. We told you that we were far from finished...that at Highway To Hell...you would see the beginning of our expansion...our growth. We started it there...and we finished it, tonight. Don't get me wrong...we aren't finished. Not by a fucking long shot. Morgan?" Max turned towards the stage, addressing Candi's previous opponent that night from the back. "You're pissed...I get it. However? I don't care. None of us do. I knew, though, that a war against the McKeesport Mafia wasn't going to be easy. We needed the right people. As much as I don't mind smacking up a bitch or two, I saw another opportunity. An opportunity to give another rising star a chance at greatness. Something that nobody else here would take their time to do! The battle lines are drawn, Mafia. Our troops are ready...and your asses...are next on our list. Now! With that being said. I know BDP and Andy think their baby girls are forces to be reckoned with. To that? I say...bull...shit. You want forces to reckon with in the women's division? You're looking at them right here!" He turned, pointing to Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "However! I'm not gonna stand here and take up the spotlight...I'm not gonna hog the moment like those that we're dedicated to eradicating from this business. So, with that being said: welcome to the family, girl. Speak to the people of this dogshit city...." Max said, handing the microphone off to Serena Frost.
"Let me cut to the chase right off here." Serena said, her voice sweet... yet with a tone that held nothing but venom and contempt. "I may only be 22, but I've already busted my ass in this business for six years. Everything from setting up rings, to training for ungodly hours every day, to working in shitty little high schools and town fairs. I earned this. But was I able to get in this promotion on my own merits? Hell no. I didn't even get turned down... I got NO REPLY AT ALL." Her eyes narrowed as she listened to the crowd jeering her. "This man right here..." She jerked a thumb toward Max, "personally came to me and offered me what nobody else would: a CHANCE. So now? His enemies are MY enemies. And since he wants the Payne girls beaten down? It's gonna be my pleasure breaking those pretty faces beyond recognition." She literally flipped the mic into the air, not even caring who caught it.
Its seen that Ryan Steele catches the mic with both hands as he gives a little smirk on his face... "You Serena i hope you do that... Because i had Morgan hook, line and sinker... You know Andrew your daughter is a very good one in bed.. Just saying. You know kinda like when an owner of a dog says "come here" the dog follows.. Well Morgan you did the exact same thing... Hahaha... You should've known when i brought my best friend in that it was all over... Him and I were destined to be here.. much like Serenas story.. we scratched and clawed our way to the top of the indies.. winning tag title after tag title and NFW will be no different...." Ryan passes the mic to Sabastian.."Yea thats right Ryan.. Hell i even made a name for myself in the indies... and there is a reason why im called " The Dangerous One" and Andrew and his little buddy will soon find out why......"
Julian tried to pass the mic over to Tyson, who just shook his head and held a hand up in deference. He'd had enough talking... now was the time to kick ass. Nodding, Julian motioned to the group in the ring. "This group right here... this is all about people who got overlooked and passed over getting the chances they deserve, and taking those chances by any means necessary. The N*FW World Championship is already ours... next we take the Tag Team Titles. Soon, this whole goddamn promotion will belong to The Renegades. Close us out, Champ." He smirked, tossing the mic back to Max.
Catching the mic, Max ran his fingers through his hair to keep it out of his face. "You heard what Jay just said." He remarked, pointing to Julian. "Tonight, we take the Tag Team belts...and we're gonna do it, through the one of the most overlooked...underrated...most dangerous tag teams this business has ever seen." He turned the aim of his finger towards Ryan and Sebastian. "Tonight...The Fallen will rise.... The Mafia will fall...and the Renegades cross off another name on our list of targets. Stick around for the fireworks, Detroit.... We're bringing you Devil's Night a little early this year...." He winked at the camera, dropped the microphone and "pulled the pin" as Renegade by Hollywood Undead resumed with Max resting the title belt over his shoulder as they made their exit back up the ramp....
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Havok defeated Shelton Benjamin by countout in 9:39 after a chokeslam from the top rope to the floor that left Benjamin writhing on the floor with Havok hesitating in getting out of the ring. Halfway out, he stepped back into the ring and waved a hand dismissively towards his opponent, accepting the countout victory to the boos of the crowd.
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As the sound of Prophets of Rage's "Unfuck The World" filled the arena, the lightning immediately took on a black and yellow effect.
Reynolds: "Awwwwww here we go, Nicky! Ya ready for a tag team title match?!"
Hanson: "Sure as hell am, but I bet these fans are more ready that I am."
Despite the crowd's energetic reaction to the music, two of the faces that came walking through the curtain looked anything but happy. One of them was one half of the NFW Tag Team Champions, "The Punisher" Andrew Payne - title belt around his waist, dressed not in his regular ring gear, but a simple Punisher skull t-shirt along with black jeans, boots, gloves and elbow pads...his original attire!
Reynolds: "Aaaaaand someone does NOT look happy, Nicky!"
With the McKeesport Mafia, respectively were their daughters, Marissa and Morgan with Morgan wearing a look of murder in her heterochromic gaze as she walked down the ramp with the others -- dressed back in her usual style of mostly black, tomboyish street clothes; her trademark Steelers flat bill, of course, rested upon her head.
Hanson: "Jim, I have never seen that young lady so angry since she set foot inside this company."
Reynolds: "Nicky, I've followed those girls since the indies. I've never seen either of them so mad in their entire careers!"
Hanson: "Well Morgan Payne - the poor girl's just had a bad night. She's had a bad *week*! Last week at Highway to Hell was the kickoff, and then not to mention earlier this evening during her match. She got attacked by that woman we saw leave with Candi Broduer."
Reynolds: "If looks could kill, we'd have a mass genocide of Lions' fans...not that I'd be complaining of that."
Hanson: "Jesus, Jim...."
Inside the ring, Andrew Payne removes his old, black entrance trench coat and angrily throws it over the ropes and onto the floor while Morgan takes up a seat in one of the corners, sitting on the top turnbuckle with her custom Jordans resting on the middle ropes, for now....
Big Daddy Payne stood beside his partner, also dressed more like he did in the past, wearing black jeans, combat boots, an Antonio Brown jersey, and an Iron Maiden bandanna around his head. As he held the microphone, about to speak... his daughter Marissa walked over and snatched the microphone from his hand. Giving an apologetic look to her father; the tall, leggy redhead walked to the center of the ring, clad in black & yellow camo leggings and a TJ Watt jersey, eyes narrowing as she stared toward the locker room.
"Sorry, Dad... but this week.... I need to talk first. You know what, Max? Until now, I had nothing personal against you. You mighta had some underhanded ways of doing shit... but I admired your reasoning. But having that little-dicked piece of shit Ryan Steele use my best friend and blood sister, break her heart, and then stand there smirking while your new little indy darling Serena Frost attacks her? Yeah... that's a big no from me, bro. You don't fuck with a girl's heart, ok? Especially when that girl has a sadistic best friend who didn't like your ass to begin with. So here's how it is. I have a challenge for you - you and whichever of those two bitches you'd rather team with, against me and a partner of MY choice, right here next week."
Taking the microphone from her, Andrew Payne patted his blood niece on the back with an approving nod. Then, he raised the mic but stopped for a second, to turn to where his daughter had taken perch. From there, he offered the microphone out to her but Morgan just lowered and shook her head. Nodding slowly, with his cold glare growing even angrier, seeing the state of mind his daughter was in, Andrew brought the mic back up to his mouth. "Ryan...." Andrew said in a hauntingly cold tone that longtime fans knew meant he wasn't just upset. He wasn't just angry. He was out for blood. "...I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. You wrestle dirty...that's fine. I'm not exactly a 'by the book' type of guy, myself. You and I put on a wrestling clinic against one another...until your new pals decided to butt in. Still...I gave you the benefit of the doubt.... I'm man enough to say...you fooled me. But now I realize that our match was one big setup. But worse than that...you lied to my daughter's face. A girl who put her trust in you. Now, I'm not gonna stand here and say that this beating headed your way is just for her. Frankly, she's an adult and I know she can handle herself. But you crossed the line personally last week when you and your walking hazard sign of a partner decided to gang up with Law and Morrison on me and my *brother*. If you think the two of you are walking out of here with these...." He lifted his half of the NFW Tag Team Championships up beside his head. "Kid...you are sadly...fucking mistaken.... Tonight...you two are gonna find out what the McKeesport Mafia are all about, when you cross into our world. The lights are on...the door is open...welcome...to the House of Payne...."
Lowering the title belt in his hand, Andrew turned towards his partner and began handing the microphone out towards him. In a bitter hilarious moment that got a chuckle from the crowd - wondering if BDP would even get a word in at all - Morgan hopped down from the turnbuckle and stormed over, grabbing the microphone from her father, instead. "YO! RY!" Morgan called into the mic and went to lean against the ropes, facing the stage. "Y'think yer pretty damn funny, comin' out heah, boastin' t'my pops about 'oh, ya baby girl's real good in the sack!'" Morgan raised her other hand up, swaying back and forth as if to say 'ooooh, I'm so embarrassed!' "I wonder how humilitated ya'd be if everyone here knew the whole truth? Yeah, I admit it. We fucked." She turned to her father then, shrugging her shoulders with an apologetic look on her face before turning back to the stage. "But believe me; y'name might be Steele. But that sure ain't a euphanism for what's in ya pants, otherwise y'name'd be Ryan fuckin' Noodle. And with the size yer packin', pal? Trust me, it sure as shit wasn't fuckin' memorable!" From there, Morgan raised her other hand to the crowd with her thumb and index finger about three inches apart, raising her eyebrows.
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Morgan lifted the mic up again. "I ain't shittin' yins, either! And t'quote one o'my own favorite wrestlers?" She stood up on the bottom rope, leaning towards the stage again. "Oh, it's true...it's DAMN TRUE!!" Finally, she hopped back off of the ropes and handed the microphone to BDP, the crowd meanwhile began to chant....
Crowd: "NOODLE DICK! NOODLE DICK!"
BDP just stared at Morgan, wide-eyed. "Hoooooly shit. I almost feel like we don't even HAVE to do anything to him now." He laughed, before suddenly going completely serious. "Almost. See, a running gag between my wife and I is the fact that our individual stables couldn't BE more different. But there's one thing we do have in common: respect being a VERY big deal. You think it's cool to come out here, disrespect my brother, disrespect his kid.... in what fucking world does that seem like a good idea to you? In what world do you NOT see this ending only when you've been beaten to within an inch of your useless life?"
He shook his head, taking a deep breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not getting any younger. We all know that. It's why I haven't been as focused, as serious as I used to be. I wanna have some FUN before I retire. Gimmicks, catchphrases, tag team matches with my friends... but this kinda shit? This is what makes me start feeling the need to bring the old me back."
Taking the microphone for a final time, Andrew fist bumped BDP and turned to the crowd. "There's a reason D and I came out here, rockin' our old gear." As he said this, he tugged on his own Punisher skull t-shirt. "It's like hitting a switch and bringing us back to who we were over ten years ago when we first teamed up. When D called me on the phone and pitched the idea of joining him in this business. No. It's not because we were younger. Not because we were more in shape. We were meaner back then. We let a lot less shit fly back then. After tonight, will I hang this outfit up and throw on the spandex and the yellow boots again?" He gave a half shrug. "Yeah, sure. But consider this a new chapter for the McKeesport Mafia...and the House of Payne.... We might be getting on in years...we might laugh a little more...but anyone who crosses us? You're gonna get a sore reminder as to what our old name really meant. It starts with Max LeBrun's two little fuckboys of a tag unit. You wanna really see what it means to hold the youth back from opportunity, Max? You're about to see just that, when D and I start by taking out your little gang of rebels...renegades...rejects...whatever the fuck you wanna call yourself. You wanna talk about pulling the pin on the grenade? Tonight is the Fallen's 11th Hour, and we're the goddamn reapers...." Andrew tossed the microphone to the side, sending it scattering out of the ring. He then dropped his title belt where he stood for the referee to collect as he backed up across the ring and hunched down, leaning on his knees as he watched the stage with a look of murder in his eyes.
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The Fallen defeated The McKeesport Mafia by pinfall in 11:27, to become the new NFW Tag Team Champions when Steele pinned BDP after Julian Morrison ran in and hit BDP with a double underhook DDT as the referee was distracted by Sebastian Young who grabbed a chair and was going for Andrew Payne with it, only to throw it down and back up with his hands raised after Morrison had struck.
Hanson: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?"
Announcer: "HERE ARE YOU WINNERS....AAAAAAND NEW....NFW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...RYAN STEELE...SEBASTIAN YOUNG...THE FALLEN!!!!"
Reynolds: "OH MY GOD!!! WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, NICKY!!!"
Hanson: "IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT, THOUGH!!!! THIS IS JUST ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE RENEGADES AND THEIR GODDAMN TRICKERY!!!!"
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Opening up backstage, the camera immediately focuses on a pale, tattooed canvas that is clearly a woman's back. Within seconds, a hooded, denim vest adorned with a patch resembling the former face paint design used by Apocalypta is drawn up as the camera pans backwards to show a clear view from behind of the NFW Women's Champion. It's already clear that she's in completely different ring gear. No longer clad in black and red leather pants with gothy, buckled boots, the woman's attire looks more like honest to god wrestling gear.Solid black boots and kickpads with "Queen Of Anarchy" written in jagged red font in a T shape pattern - "Queen Of" going across, "Anarchy" going down - and solid black kneepads. The rest of her outfit consisted of short black trunks adorned with a barbed wire design that matched the halter neck top she wore, with a see through, mesh center in the front. Viewers and fans expecting to see the terrifying painted face of the former Circle of Snakes member are probably rather shocked as the woman turns around to reveal the woman's own, natural face (granted she now wears dark shaded, regular makeup). Her new ring gear reveals even more tattoos adorning her body, additionally on her legs which she used to keep concealed. She still wears her usual elbow pad on her right arm while her left fist is heavily taped - ironically, the opposite of how her brother wears his. Through the beauty of her features, however, there's still a dark, eerie look in her brown eyes. A killer instinct that has not left her, even despite the events of last week's Highway To Hell. Checking her hand tape, the woman now known as Adrianna Salvatore, flexes her fingers, making sure the tape is fitted properly.
And of course, nothing quite ruins the dark, intimidating mood this all set like the arrival of Adrianna's favorite "mouse", Mia Hayashi. Twirling happily into the room, already halfway done with the Elektra cosplay she was going to wear to the ring, the huge grin on her face was almost off-putting, considering how snarky and bitchy she typically looked. "Theeeeeeeeeeeere's muh bestie!" She squeaked, likely leaving thousands of viewers thinking 'who is this woman and what did she do with Mia?'.
And if that display of behavior wasn't odd enough, the menacing looking Women's Champion looked towards Mia...and gave a natural, gorgeous smile that could light up the darkest room. "There you are." She said, greeting the smaller woman with a hug before taking a gander at her outfit of choice for the night. "Jesus, Mouse. Are you *trying* to distract me tonight? I'm starting to think you wear these outfits just to torment me." Adrianna leaned over to the side a little to get a look at Mia's backside in what was probably one of the most revealing outfits in comic history.
"No, no... not trying to distract anyone. And sadly, Mr. White is back in Japan right now, so he doesn't even get to appreciate how my booty looks in this. Tragedy. Anyway!" She said, before twirling her sai expertly, and hopping to sit on a nearby makeup counter. "I'm in THE best mood tonight. I managed to finally help get my bestie away from the loon that had been using her, I actually kind-of made amends with the one person I actually regret hurting.... all is right in Mia-ville right now."
"The only tragedy in my book is that you've friend zoned the shit out of me. Seriously, Mouse. You've got my mind dirtier than the water in Flint, right now!" After that, she sighed and turned serious again. "Really, though? You have no idea how good I feel, right now. I've actually been sleeping better. I'm finding enjoyment in things I used to again. I just...I don't know. I feel...free. Thanks, mostly, to you, Mia. I feel like I'm the one who owes you now...." As terrifying as the woman could be, it was almost bewildering to see her hug Mia again; this time in a way that showed how sincere and grateful she was for everything her new friend had done for her.
"Dude." Mia said, blinking for a moment as she processed the Flint joke. "You do not EVER have to thank me, or feel like you owe me. All I did was what a real friend SHOULD do. And like I said: I fucked over one friend... I'm not about to make that mistake again. We're a team now, babe. All for one, all that happy horseshit. Besides, you might not be so grateful once I eventually start pestering you to cosplay with me. Cos you're tall as hell, and I'm already eyein' you up for a Captain Phasma costume."
Adrianna frowned humorously at the tall remark and looked up as if there were an invisible measuring device over her head. "Mouse, I'm only five-eight. You're just adorably short." The mention of being made to cosplay during her matches had the woman folding her arms over her chest. "I doubt I could even perform three fourths of my moveset in clunky armor, Mouse. I appreciate the thought, though." She gave Mia a lovable tap on the nose before turning serious again. "You know...this is probably a bad time to bring this up, so close to match time. But a part of me's a little worried about tonight. Ever since I started running with Abaddon, my entire mindset has been about getting the win with no regard for who's in that ring, across from me. But the more I think about it...I never actually liked *hurting* opponents unless I had a real reason too. I won't lie...Erin Mercer's a tough bitch. I refuse to lose to anybody...but I don't wanna kill the poor girl...." She sighed, looking thoughtful before looking over at the shorter girl beside her. "What do I do, Mia? You know where I'm coming from?"
"I'm not short. I'm fun-sized." Mia said with an adorably offended huff. "As for tonight.... look, babe. I appreciate that you're more human now. I do. But don't let that affect you in that ring. You think Mercer is gonna hold anything at all back? Hell no. You think she'd be happy if she wins, and it was only because you were afraid of hurting her? Screw that. Go in there, and go in with the intention of breaking her fuckin' face. She's cool, A. I get that. But when you get in that ring, you need to forget about anything and everything, other than walking out still the champion. Unless we end up wrestling eventually. Then go easy. I'm too young and pretty to die."
As Mia spoke, a look of revelation came over Adrianna's face before she finally nodded. "Yeah...you're right. I can't be worried about shit so long as I'm at the top." Here, she reached down off camera and picked up the Women's Championship belt off of the bench and brought it into frame to look at it. "The only reason I still have this is because of how hard I've fought to keep it. I can't my humanity get in the way once that bell rings... If Mercer *does* wanna take this from me...she's gonna have to hurt me worse than I hurt her. So far, no one's been able to do that." She nodded slowly and fixed the belt around her waist, adjusting it properly in place. "And you don't need to worry, Mouse." She said with a playful, seductive grin as she reached out to trace one side of Mia's jaw with a finger. "As much as I may not make it out of the friend zone with you...the last thing I'd ever do is bruise that pretty little face of yours. Besides! I love fun-sized."
"Oh, you precious angel." Mia said with a laugh. "Trust me. There's a very good reason why I keep you firmly locked in the Friend Zone. And one day, maybe I'll be able to be open enough to talk about it. But just... in the meantime, don't for a minute think it's because I don't find you attractive, or because I'm not into you."
Here, Adrianna placed her hands on her hips, tilting her chin up while keeping her eyes down on Mia with a serious, thoughtful look on her face. A look that slowly broke into a grin. "Soooo...you're saying there's a chance...!" Her posture relaxed some. "Works enough for me! Until then, I'll be happy so long as you keep letting me drool over you in those outfits. When you're ready to open up, you know I'll listen...." She gave Mia another poke on the nose and smiled warmly at her. "Now then...." Her smile dropped back into that cold, calculated look of a killer that fans could guess was probably the stoic look she wore under her face paint while with the Circle of Snakes. Somehow, though, without the paint and contacts...the look was all the more terrifying. She reached back, pulling up the hood to her vest and rolled her shoulders. "You with me, out there?"
"Goddamn right, lady. Now let's show these people what a real fighting champion looks like." Mia said, clapping Adrianna on the back confidently. "You're the shit, and it's time people see that."
The camera faded out with Mia and Adrianna both walking out of the locker room and heading towards the ringside area....
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The Buzzsaw retained the NFW Television Championship, defeating Tyson Law by KO in 1:33 when the ref stopped the match after a brutal snap kick to Tyson's jaw knocked him out on impact.
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As the crowd prepared for the main event, the lights dimmed down with colorful strobes lighting up the entrance area. It looked similar to a rock concert as Diamante's "Coming In Hot" began to play over the speaker system.
On the blacked out stage, smoke erupted from the center before the stage lit up, revealing a back view of Erin Mercer, now having swapped out her t-shirt for her signature black, leather jacket. The crowd gave a huge pop as Erin turned to look over her shoulder with a sultry smirk on her face, winking at the camera. With her on stage, urging the fans to get louder by rocking her fist was Alex Brody. As the song built up to the chorus, Erin twisted around to face the ring, bending down before coming back up with the metal horns high over her head, triggering a display of pyro sparks to go off on either side of her before she began to stroll down the ramp in her sexy strut with Alex right beside her.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Introducing the challenger; being lead to the ring by Alex Brody, from Los Angeles, California...she is the Red Queen...ERRRIIIIINNNN MERCEEEEEEEER!!!!!!"
Erin Mercer climbed up onto the apron, pumping the horns in the air to the crowd before rolling backwards over the top rope into her signature pose on all her hands and knees as she flipped her hair back out of her face with that same sultry grin at the camera before coming up to stand and move to her corner. She only exited the ring, as a traditional sign of respect, once her music faded and the lights temporarily returned to normal.
Hanson: "Well that's certainly a surprise. New music and a little more confidence from Erin Mercer. I like it!"
Reynolds: "Ohhh, I love it, Nicky. MM-MMH!!"
Hanson: "Oh god...."
A few seconds later, however, the entire lighting in the ringside area went out, shrouding the audience in total darkness. Up on the video wall, a video began to play of the darkness of space, moving passed the planets and the moons as red text appeared on the screen.
~She watches from the ageless Void....~
~Enlightened Shadow of her former self....~
~Waiting for the time she'll take human form again....~
Reynolds: "What the hell, Nicky?"
Then, the music began to pick up with a heavy drum and bass set, while the text continued to fade into view.
~She's the Queen of Anarchy....~
~Unchained Aggression....~
Reynolds: "Nicky...?!?!"
Hanson: "Relax, Jim...."
As the build to the song picked up, inside the void of space, a pair of brown, feminine eyes, cold and ruthlessly, appeared, staring out at the viewers before one more piece of text appeared, overlaying a nuclear explosion on planet Earth. With it, came a deafening explosion of pyro on stage.
~ADRIANNA SALVATORE~
With this, it became clear that the song was none other than Disturbed's "The Vengeful One." As lights began to flicker across the stage, it was evident that Mia Hayashi was standing out on the center, watching the ring. In a sudden flash of light, however, it was revealed that a crouching figure knelt in front of her on one knee, also facing the ring. Slowly rising up, the new silhouette blocked out Mia's due to the sheer size difference for a moment before the lighting on stage resumed, close enough to normal to reveal Adrianna Salvatore with her hood shrouding her head. Mia stepped out from behind her and took up a position right beside her, resting a hand on Adrianna's shoulder while pointing to the ring and giving inaudible words of encouragement. Mia and Adrianna banged forearms together before the former began walking alongside the latter towards the ring.
"Introducing her opponent...from Brooklyn, New York...she is the NFW Women's Champion...ADRIANNAAAAAAAA....SALVATOREEEEEEEE!!!!"
Upon reaching the ring, Adrianna stuck to her Circle of Snakes-esque entrance, hopping up onto the apron and crawling backwards under the bottom rope until she reached the center of the ring. The difference here, however, was that instead of simply raising her head and drawing her thumb across her throat, she popped up onto one foot and flung her hood back, staring coldly into the camera as she unclasped the title belt from around her waist and lifted it up beside her head.
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The main event started off at a surprisingly, steady pace. One that saw the crowd left curious as, instead of savagely coming right at Erin Mercer, Adrianna Salvatore opted to test the waters in a show of strength that she clearly had the advantage on. Each time, it looked like she was getting the upper hand, Mercer escaped their position of locked hands and rolled back, circling the ring with her again.
Hanson: "A slow start, but exciting nonetheless!"
Reynolds: "Definitely! They've studied each other; they know what to look out for. I don't think I've ever seen Apoca--excuse me, Salvatore exchange like this with anyone!"
As if on cue then, the test of strength was over and the two women lunged at each other, engaging in a full lock up.
Reynolds: "OH-HOOOO, HERE WE GO, NICKY!! This is what I was expecting!!!"
Hanson: "Heart's already racing, Jim!"
Whatever worries Erin Mercer seemed to have back in the locker room, had been left in the back as she came at the champion with every ounce of will power that fans were used to seeing from her in any of her matches; maybe even a little more. Adrianna, surprisingly, displayed less of her mindless aggression that she had shown as Apocalypta and demonstrated a more disciplined, but equally dangerous offense. It was similar to how she had gone into her match against Shelley Silver, only a little more controlled than that, even.
In the beginning, Mercer and Salvatore seemed to be on equal footing with neither getting the upper hand on each other until Erin Mercer whipped Adrianna Salvatore into the ropes. Salvatore ducked under an attempt at a clothesline, coming off the ropes again and went for her own clothesline. Mercer ducked underneath and ran off the ropes on one side as Salvatore came off the other. This time, however, Salvatore caught Mercer mid-air during a crossbody attempt and whipped her right into a countering powerslam, going immediately for the pin.
1!!!
2!!!
But Erin Mercer kicked out of the attempt.
Hanson: "Too early. Perhaps the champ might be realizing how formidable the challenger is. Might be getting a little shaken!"
The exchange continued until the match turned into an all out war where both women began displaying their brutal striking ability. Mercer's kicks versus Salvatore's knees and forearms. Both women were clearly rocked passed the halfway mark as they began to sway on their feet, trading chops and forearms and knees with one another. It was Erin Mercer, however, who seemed to have the heart to begin firing off rapid shot after rapid shot until Salvatore dropped down to one knee.
Reynolds: "SHE'S DOWN!! SHE'S DOWN, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "ERIN MERCER COULD DO IT!!!!"
Erin Mercer ran off the ropes, charging back for an attack when Adrianna Salvatore popped up with a kick to the midsection and immediately grabbed her into a suplex position.
Reynolds: "WAIT, NO!!!! IS SHE GONNA....?!?"
Sure enough, Adrianna lifted Erin up off of her feet and wasted no time in playing to the crowd; instead, releasing Erin to catch her and drive her down for a....
Hanson & Reynolds: "GROUND ZEROOOOOOO!!!!!!"
But Adrianna fell onto her back, prompting Mia Hayashi outside to begin slapping the mat and shouting at her to capitalize. Meanwhile, Alex Brody, on the other side, slapped and shouted for Erin to get up. Erin Mercer managed to sit up then, as Adrianna rolled over onto her stomach, panting heavily. This put her into position, however, for Erin to seize an opening as she rushed forward, almost desperately and locked Adrianna's arms with her own before flipping her own body over and locking the champion into a cattle mutilation hold.
Hanson: "ANGEL TRAP!!!! MERCER'S GOT THE ANGEL TRAP LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "IS THE CHAMP GONNA TAP?!?!"
Hanson: "SHE CAN BARELY MOVE HER ARMS!! SHE'S GONNA HAVE TO VERBALLY GIVE UP IF SHE SUBMITS!!"
Instead, Adrianna was heard screaming in pain as she kicked and flailed her feet. Both women's corner seconds frantically called out encouragement to their friends. Alex, calling for Erin to keep the hold locked in, to arch her body up more. Mia, calling for Adrianna to try and get to the ropes, moving to the side that Adrianna was closest to and shouting for her to move towards her voice.
Reynolds: "This doesn't look good for Salvatore, Nicky!"
Hanson: "She's fading! She's in so much pain, that she's fading, Jim!!"
As the referee began to check Adrianna's limp arm, however, her hand shot up after the third check and she began to rotate her lower body towards where Mia was shouting. Erin Mercer had no choice but to walk her feet across the mat as Salvatore managed to get a foot on the bottom rope, causing the referee to call for the break. Both women laid out on the mat, desperate to catch their breathe before Erin frantically got to her feet and picked Adrianna up onto hers, setting her up in preparation for a powerbomb lift.
Hanson: "Here we go! Gonna go for the Red Death!!"
As Erin lifted Adrianna up to set up the position, Adrianna buckled forward once she was up on Erin's shoulders, allowing her to roll forward and bring Erin down with her. Erin and Adrianna both rolled back and got to their feet. Charging each other, Mercer went for a discus elbow. Salvatore ducked underneath, came off the ropes and right back for Erin, leaping off the ground with her knee coming up with a sickening POP right to the face.
Crowd: "OOHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Reynolds: "THERE'S THE HELL'S BELLS, NICKY!!!!!"
Hanson: "HELL'S BELLS!!! THAT STIFF KNEE SHE USES!!!!"
Reynolds: "ERIN IS ROCKED, NICKY!!"
But Adrianna wasn't finished, however, as she looked towards the ropes and back at Erin again. Giving a frustrated huff, she came off the ropes again, leaping up to deliver another loud HELL'S BELLS to Mercer!!!
Crowd: "OHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
Erin Mercer staggered back, losing her balance and falling into the corner, leaning face first against the turnbuckle. Pacing around the ring, Adrianna seemed at a mental crossroads as she looked at Mercer resting almost lifelessly in the corner. From outside, Mia Hayashi beat on the mat and shouted for her friend to keep up the attack. Finally agreeing with her, Adrianna poised up in the corner and came charging across the ring, literally leaping forward to go for a THIRD Hell's Bells; here, however, Erin Mercer suddenly found a second wind. Enough to get out of the way and send Adrianna CRASHING into the corner where she yanked the champion out into the center of the ring and set her up again. This time, she lifted her up and quickly finished the positioning so she could deliver a brutal RED DEATH in the center of the ring!!!!!
Reynolds: "RED DEATH!!!! RED DEATH, NICKY!!!!"
Hanson: "IT MIGHT BE OVER RIGHT HERE!!!!!"
Erin rolled over, beside Adrianna, onto her stomach, still cringing from the two Hell's Bells she had taken while Adrianna laid, seemingly unconscious beside her.
Reynolds: "SHE'S OUT, NICKY!!!! THE CHAMP IS OUT!!! ALL ERIN HAS TO DO IS ROLL HER OVER!!!!"
Hanson: "SHE CAN DO IT, RIGHT HERE!!!!"
Finally, Erin did managed to roll Adrianna over onto her back and drape her body over hers, weakly pulling up the leg.
1!!!!
2!!!!
BUT ADRIANNA KICKED OUT!!!!
Reynolds: "OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOODDDDDDD!!!!!"
Hanson: "I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE KICKED OUT OF THAT!!!!!!"
Neither could Erin Mercer, as the challenger raised up onto her knees with an anguished look on her face as she ran her hands through her hair. A quick shot of Adrianna Salvatore on the mat showed the woman with a glazed over look in her eyes. Erin Mercer, meanwhile climbed to her feet, looking down at Adrianna Salvatore in disbelief before finally looking to the turnbuckle with a look of determination and decisiveness.
Reynolds: "Uh-oh, what's she doing, Nicky?"
Hanson: "She's got something on the mind! I think she's planning on putting the champ away big time!"
Erin Mercer moved to the turnbuckle, climbing to the top where she gave her angel wings pose to the crowd before leaping off the turnbuckle, soaring through the air in a breathtaking moonsault.
Reynolds: "HEAVENLY MOONSAULT!!"
Hanson: "HERE SHE COMES!!!"
But Adrianna Salvatore brought her knees up, causing Erin to come crashing down onto them with her knees.
Hanson: "NOOO!!! THE CHAMP COUNTERED!!"
As Erin rolled to the side, clutching her midsection, Adrianna quickly reached over and pulled her right back against her, throwing her into a rear chokehold.
Reynolds: "OOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!! NICKY!!!! SUBMISSION HOLD!!!!! SHE'S GOT HER IN THAT CHOKEHOLD!!!!"
Hanson: "THIS COULD BE IT, JIM!!! WE KNOW ADRIANNA LEARNED SUBMISSION WRESTLING, FROM NONE OTHER THAN LEEANN VISKAN!!!!!"
Reynolds: "AND WE KNOW HOW DEADLY VISKAN CAN BE WITH WHATEVER SHE LOCKS ON!!!"
Hanson: "CAN THE CHAMP EMULATE HER SUBMISSION MENTOR?!?!"
Erin grapsed and clawed at Adrianna's arm, kicking and trying to get to the ropes. Just as she looked to be getting close, Adrianna placed her own feet on she mat and used them to drag herself and Erin more towards the center of the ring before locking her legs around Erin's waist and tightening the torque she had around Erin's neck.
Hanson: "THERE IT IS, JIM!!!! SHE'S GOT IT FULLY LOCKED IN!!!!"
Reynolds: "OHHHH MAN!!!!"
In a mixture of fading cringing in pain, Erin reached out desperately for where Alex Brody was urging her to try and get to the ropes again. Both her and Adrianna positioned on their sides at this point. The camera briefly captured the merciless scowl on Salvatore's face as she continued to squeeze tightly. Erin continued to reach out towards the ropes...until she finally brought her hand back and began half consciously tapping on Adrianna's forearm, ending the match at 20:18.
Reynolds: "THAT'S IT!!! SHE'S DONE!!!!"
Hanson: "SHE TAPPED!!!"
In a clearly evident show that she was no longer the heartless monster from the Circle of Snakes, Adrianna Salvatore immediately released the hold at the referee's behest and at the sound of the bell. Erin rolled over, gasping for air on her stomach while Adrianna laid out on the mat in a puddle of her own sweat as both Mia and Alex hurried into the ring to rush to their sides.
"Here is your winner, by submission....aaaaaaaand STILL.....NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPION....ADRIANNAAAAAA SALVATOREEEEEEE!!!!!"
As Disturbed's "The Vengeful One" kicked on over the speakers again, Mia Hayashi took the title belt from the referee, placing it into Adrianna's arms as the woman sat up slowly. Beside her, Alex helped Erin sit up. The defeated challenger obviously frustrated as tears ran down her face. Beside her, however, rather than immediately go into celebration, Adrianna Salvatore stood over her opponent and stared down at her. Despite the pain racking her own body, Erin Mercer pulled herself to feet for what appeared to be a staredown. Only when she took a moment, to keel forward, holding her ribs did Adrianna reach out and lift the woman's head by the chin...before offering her hand in a sign of respect. Hesitant at first, Erin Mercer finally accepted, clasping hands with the champion inaudibly voicing her respect, nodding and stepping back as she and Alex opted to leave the ring. Only then, did Adrianna celebrate, high fiving/clasping hands with Mia before almost hilariously pulling the smaller woman into a hug.
Hanson: "A great match and a great show of sportsmanship. THAT's what I like to see!!"
Reynolds: "Ya know, Nicky...? It's obvious that the champion is a changed woman...but one thing that isn't different about her? She is fucking SCARY in that ring!!"
Hanson: "Well that's our show for the week folks!! We hope you're ready for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament! It starts, next week!!! Good night everyone!!"
The show ended with Mia raising Adrianna's arm, pointing to her, ranting adorably to the audience at how bad of a bitch her friend was before letting the taller woman hang an arm over her shoulder and lean on her as she helped her towards the back with the shot fading out....
