Tournament Finals!! Chicago, Illinois -- 10/26/2018!!

The show opens in silence as an image of Vlad Blackheart is shown in the ring with he and his daughter Lara. The moment captured shows the night that Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama captured the NFW Tag Team Championship with the Blackhearts celebrating with them. Beneath the image, the text reads:

~In Loving Memory Of Vlad Blackheart~

~Jan. 14, 1975 - May 5, 2016~

After the image fades away, the sound of Saliva's "Ladies And Gentlemen" is heard as the tournament logo explodes onto the screen and we hear the announcer's thunderous voice:

"THE VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT FINALS!!"

As "Ladies and Gentlemen" plays on, a vignette rolls, recapping the highlight moments of the block matches, all culminating in the finals victories. We see a never before seen bit of footage of Steven Brody shaking Chris Wolfe's hand backstage after it was determined that he would be A Block's winner. Following this, a stylized image of Chris Wolfe appears onto the screen:

"A BLOCK WINNER -- CHRIS...WOLFE!!"

The vignette resumes, recapping B Block, building up to the moment of Judas Lasher winning his final match in B Block and cementing himself as that block's winner. After a replay of the Dominion of Pain posing in the ring behind their victorious leader, a terrifying image of Judas Lasher appears on the screen with the King of Pain sneering menacingly at the camera:

"B BLOCK WINNER -- JUDAS...LASHER!!"

A new image, portraying Wolfe and Lasher in a versus screen in front of the tournament logo appears with the text reading "MAIN EVENT - TOURNAMENT FINALS MATCH!"

"ALSO TONIGHT!!"

The rest of the card is shown in what will be chronological order before the main event finals.

"EIGHT MAN TAG TEAM MATCH: THE GREAT WHITE NORTH...VERSUS...CHAOS!!"

A versus styled image slams on the screen depicting Great White North members Scott Leroux, El Piso Mojado and the Army of Darkness on one side while the other side depicts CHAOS members Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii.

"EIGHT MAN TAG TEAM MATCH: BULLET CLUB ELITE...VERSUS...THE HOUSE OF PAYNE!!"

The next image depicts BC Elite members, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi and The Young Bucks on the left while the right side depicts the McKeesport Mafia tag team, along with Shelton Benjamin and Carmine Moretti.

"RETURNING TO THE RING: CLARENCE FLETCHER TOWNSEND AND THE MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE!!"

An image of Clarence Fletcher Townsend, dressed in one of his finest suits appears on the screen, smiling smugly at the camera while, beside him, Victoria Emmerson wears an equally smug smirk as she holds up the briefcase containing $1,000,000.00

"WOMEN'S TAG TEAM MATCH: THE RENEGADES...VERSUS...SMALL BUT MIGHTY!!"

A versus image appears of Candi Broduer and Serena Frost on the left while Lara Blackheart and Mia Hayashi appear on the left.

"FOR THE NFW MIXED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: KICKS AND STONES...DEFENDING AGAINST...THE DOMINION OF PAIN!!"

A versus image appears on the screen of Crimson Sabre and LeeAnn Viskan on the left while Vincent Stone and Erin Mercer appear on the right. In the center background, the Mixed Tag Team Titles appear to emphasize the prize of victory.

"FATAL FOURWAY LADDER MATCH FOR THE NFW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: THE FALLEN...DEFENDING AGAINST...KILLER ELITE SQUAD...THE GUERILLAS OF DESTINY...AND ULTRA-VIOLENCE!!"

The NFW Tag Team Titles appear in the center of the screen, over a ladder, while the teams appear in order, from left to right, top to bottom: The Fallen, K.E.S, the G.O.D, and Ultra-Violence.

"FOR THE NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP: ADRIANNA SALVATORE...DEFENDING AGAINST..."LIONHEART" ALEX BRODY!!"

The NFW Women's Championship slams onto the screen over the VBMT background image with Adrianna Salvatore appearing on the right while Alex Brody appears on the left.

"AND NOW...WELCOME TO...THE VLAD BLACKHEART...MEMORIAL...FINALS!!!!"

The camera cuts to the inside of the arena. Pyro goes off as the energetic audience is seen going wild, raising their signs and various memorobilia in honor of Vlad Blackheart, as well as Chicago sports team based pieces. As the camera sweeps around the arena, we are greeted by Nick Hanson and James Reynolds on commentary.

HANSON
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Finals! We're here in Chicago, Illinois at the United Center!! We have a packed house, Jim!! We are SOLD OUT at over 23,500 tickets!! We had to allow standing patrons, believe it or not!! Seats sold out within a week and we still had a high demand for tickets!!"

REYNOLDS
"Well, that's New Frontier Wrestling for ya!! This company's had a few downfalls, but it definitely was never due to the quality of content!! People have loved it since it first got off the ground. On top of that, you have the finals event for a tournament in honor of one of it's greatest stars happening in that man's home town, AND, another of Chicago's hometown boys is participating in the finals!"

HANSON
"Absolutely. We're talking about the winner of B Block - The King of Pain, Judas Lasher. He silenced all critics earlier this week when he defeated long time rival, William Mannheim to cement his spot in tonight's main event. He'll be facing A Block winner, up and comer, Chris Wolfe who has more than proven that he deserves to be in the main event scene of this promotion!"

REYNOLDS
"But only one of those two men can go onto meet the champion at WrestleWar, Nicky. Who's it gonna be?"

HANSON
"It seems we've got a split poll on social media, but we'll get our answer later tonight. But first! Jim, we've got a handful of other great matches on the line. We've got three championships on the line. The crowd is buzzing already about whether or not titles will be retained or change hands. I keep hearing a little group behind me; they're rooting for Alex Brody. She's got a shot at the NFW Women's Championship. A match she earned by pinning champion, Adrianna Salvatore during the tournament in a preliminary tag team match."

REYNOLDS
"Funny you say that, Nicky. On my way in, I overheard some fans saying she won't be able to pull it off."

HANSON
"Well, we'll find out who's right and who's wrong, Jim. But again, that's later tonight. We've also got the NFW Tag Team Titles on the line in a four way ladder match. We've got the NFW Mixed Tag Team belts on the line in a match that the champions themselves asked for!"

REYNOLDS
"Let's not forget the part I'm looking forward to the most."

HANSON
"Which is?"

REYNOLDS
"Oh, c'mon, Nicky! The Million Dollar Challenge! My boy CFT is back! Clarence Fletcher Townsend! We haven't seen him since he kicked the shit out of Toru Yano at Highway To Hell! He's back with the luscious Victoria Emmerson and he's putting one million dollars of his own personal money on the line if someone can beat him in singles competition! He *IS* the only undefeated superstar on the roster, right now. He's got one hell of a thing going for him!"

HANSON
"Well, you're right there, Jim. We'll see Clarence Townsend--"

REYNOLDS
"Ahem! Nicky, it's Clarence *Fletcher* Townsend. Get it right."

HANSON
"...Yes, excuse me. We'll see Clarence Fletcher Townsend in action tonight, as well. But first, let's take it to the ring where our very own Amy Connors awaits to open the show with the national anthem!"

In the center of the ring, Amy Connors stands underneath a spotlight in the otherwise dimmed arena. Contrasting her usual business skirt and blouse, she wears an elegant green, evening gown along with a lovely yet nervous smile. Raising the microphone slowly up, she shocks the arena with the operatic voice of an angel. As she sang the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the side video walls depicted the United States flag while the main video tron played a short photo slideshow of more images of Vlad Blackheart in his most memorable moments.

CONNORS
"Ohhh, say, can you see...
By the dawn's early light...
What so proudly we hail...
At the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars...
Through the perilous fight...
O'er the ramparts we watched...
Were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare!!
The bombs bursting in air!!
Gave proof thro' the night...
That our flag was still there....
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave...
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Lowering the microphone, Amy Connors wiped a tear from her eyes as the crowd gave a standing ovation.

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The shot changes to a wide aerial angle of The United Center, lit up like a beacon in the night. As the camera slowly zooms in, the crowd of fans waiting to enter the building can be seen, filing in, the cold night air leaving them no choice but to bundle up. Voices can be heard, excited fans, laughing, cheering, along with other familiar voices repeating hellos. The shot transitions to a closeup of William Mannheim and Scott Leroux, greeting fans

"Hey! Hi! Yes, they're fine, thanks for asking..."

Mannheim turns to Scott

"Bro, these people are really nice. I mean, I thought people from Chicago were supposed to be like a step down from New Yorkers - Diet Assholes, if you will..."

"Man... don't even believe that shit." Scott replied with a laugh, wearing cargo shorts and a Maple Leafs tee despite the cold. "This city has some of the most passionate fans ever. Guaranteed even the prelim matches are gonna get pops like they were the main event of WrestleWar." Smirking, he signed an autograph for a leggy blonde that had handed a DVD to him... also jotting his hotel phone number on it. "Here ya go, babe. Holla."

"I dunno, maybe I'm stuck in 2001. Last time I remember being here, Pitt and I ended up getting arrested in a bar fight because some dickhead decided wrestling's fake. But, hey, times change...and so far I'm liking it!"

As the shot widens, The Great White North can be seen greeting fans outside. Every one of them dressed in some variation of tshirts and shorts - Mannheim sporting a black Hamilton Tiger-Cats shirt along with camo cargo shorts.

"Dude? You'd get arrested for that anywhere." Leroux chuckled, shaking his head. "Besides... what major city have you idiots NOT gotten into a bar fight in?" He pointed out,winking at another girl as he signed a photo for her.

"I suppose that's true. Enough about our poor choices...let's talk about something more relevant. Looks like that war we were talking about before is goin full steam...we should figure out a tactic."

Mannheim poses for a selfie with a middle aged man and his son.

"Again, I agree... but we gotta calm your boy down a bit, man." Scott said with a low, concerned whistle. "You and I know from fighting each OTHER what happens when two guys become obsessed with destroying each other. We were able to patch shit up over the years... but we've both fought Doomsday before. If Rick takes this too far.... win or lose he may never be the same."

"Hey, I told him already. He knows what he's getting himself into...I told him to leave it alone, he told me to shove it up my ass."

Mannheim shrugs.

"The hardest thing to do is sit on the sidelines and watch...but sometimes you gotta let things play out. I'm pretty sure everyone knows this is a dick waving contest between those two."

"Then let's just focus on treating the Renegades like the punk-ass emo bitches they are." Scott said, shrugging as he looked to security to start making some room for them to get back into the arena. "I think I know what needs to happen, and soon. We need to make a statement. A statement that even those thick-headed dipshits will understand."

"Oh fuck yes...those little shits write the material for us! Let's round up and you can fill us in..."

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The opening contest was definitely one to set the bar as the Great White North and CHAOS did an all out battle in their eight man tag team match. After a total war between the two four-man teams that lasted 12:44, Scott Leroux scored the victory pin for the Great White North after hitting a Corkscrew Nailbomb on Hirooki Goto.

REYNOLDS
"And that's how you kick off a show of this caliber, Nicky!! WOW!!!"

HANSON
"You said it, man!! What an amazing performance by both teams here!!"

REYNOLDS
"I can't be the only one that doesn't notice things looking a little tense, here, though...."

As James Reynolds mentioned this, the two teams came to the center of the ring with the referee quickly maneuvering his way between them to prevent what looked like an altercation about to break out.

REYNOLDS
"The hell is this about? They both put on a good match!"

HANSON
"Well, tensions are always capable of arising anywhere, Jim. We may have some here between these two!"

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Backstage, in the locker room, the camera opens up on Andrew Payne as his daughter, Morgan, helps him with his gloves, sliding them onto his taped up hands as he sits on the bench in the McKeesport Mafia locker room. "So, here we are, again...." The man known as The Punisher says as Morgan fastens the straps around his wrists. "Back in the tag team scene...." He flexed his fingers, making sure his gloves had a good fit. "If ya ask me, that's where we belong; what do you think, brother?"

"Absolutely." BDP agreed, adjusting the straps on his kickpads. "There was a time when I wanted to be the big man on campus. The World Champion. Now? I want to focus on being a true tag team. I want to cement our legacy as a team, not just as stablemates."

"Fuckin' A, brother." Andy punched one fist into the other hand before standing from the bench, rolling his neck and shoulders, beginning to warmup. "First order of business is getting those tag team titles back. *Our* tag team titles. So that goes without saying, but whether it's those rat shits The Fallen or whoever else comes out of tonight with the win in that ladder match, your asses are on notice." He turned, addressing the camera for that last bit before turning back to BDP as the camera revealed the two others involved in their eight man tag match that night. "But tonight, we're just here to kick some ass. Not really the guys who's asses I wanted to kick, but we can send a message, at least. Yo! Carmine!" Andy addressed their new muscle of the team. "This is, what, match three for you? How're you adjusting?"

The big bruiser of the group, Carmine had been hanging back quietly, dressed in black slacks, army boots, and a white dress shirt with black tie. When Andy addressed him, he paused pulling on his fingerless gloves and raised an eyebrow. "Just fine, boss. I ain't here to put on five-star matches or impress anyone. I'm here to beat the ass of anyone who steps to this group."

BDP gives the big man a pat on the shoulder, before looking to Shelton Benjamin and then back to Andy. "This has been a journey. For all three of us. And none of us are getting younger. We all know that. But that doesn't mean we can't still make a mark here. As a team. As one cohesive unit."

"The way I see it?" Andy replied, looking between the three others. "We've still got a bit of time to remind everyone just who we are. What we're capable of. All due respect, I've heard enough about the Dominion of Pain, about the Renegades, about Bullet Clubs, about the goddamn Firing Squad. This promotion thrived off of the House of Payne tearing shit up!" In one of his rare moments of showing actual passion for something, Andrew's voice got a little louder. "And when we're finished straightening this place up, even after we're gone and we've passed the torches; NFW's gonna show that the House of Payne, still runs this bitch!! Non Facciamo Alt--" Before Andrew could finish, Morgan stepped back into frame, cracking open a tall can of Yeungling and taking a big pull off of it while sticking her hand in to get in on the chant before her father stopped short and looked at her in comical disbelief. "Really, kid?"

Lowering the can and stifling a belch from her beer, Morgan looked around at the four men. Her father, and three guys who -- even with Carmine only being recently seen -- were basically like uncles to her. "What?" She said, looking adorably nonchalant as she stood with the 24oz can in her hand. "I ain't booked t'night. Yins got somethin' t'say?" Looking right at her dad, she took another pull from her beer.

"You know what?" BDP laughed, shaking his head. "Goofball here actually popped in at the right time. We love the Steelers, right? And what do we love most about them? The tough, no-nonsense rep. No cheerleaders, no goofy promotions, no taglines... so why the hell are we bothering with that shit? No more catchphrases. No more fancy promotional shit. Just The House of Payne kicking the shit out of anyone and everyone."

"Hey, I'm all for that." Andrew remarked, fist bumping BDP. "Just remember, that shit was your idea in the first place. But, enough of all that. If we're going out soon, we're going out the right way. The way we came in. No games. Dangerous as fuck. God help anybody who gets in our way. We doing this?" Andrew turned, ready to head out the door with his brothers in arms. Before anyone else could get a word out, the locker room was filled with the echoing of Morgan letting out a loud beer belch after slamming the rest of her can and crushing it in her hand. Her father looked at her, perplexed and a little embarrassed. The girl cleared her throat, putting on the sweetest, most innocent face she could muster. "Go get 'em, guys! Yins're gonna kick some Elite ass!" Sighing, Andrew shook his head and simply made off for ringside as his daughter popped a Marlboro Smooth into her lips, pausing with the lighter in her hand and shrugging her hands out. "What? Somethin' I said?"

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The Golden ELITE defeated the House of Payne in the second match of the night, by pinfall in 17:37, when Kenny Omega delivered the One-Winged Angel to Shelton Benjamin and held onto his leg afterwards while the referee made the count.

After the match, the other members of both teams all entered the ring and came to the meet in the center.

REYNOLDS
"Uh-oh, Nicky. We gonna see more tension?"

HANSON
"Oh, I hope not. This was a great match. Hopefully they--YES!!"

The crowd popped as Kenny Omega raised a hand up which BDP clasped, instigating a show of sportsmanship between both sides as everyone exchanged daps and fist bumps alike.

HANSON
"That's what I'm talking about, Jim!"

REYNOLDS
"Well, we haven't seen any outbreaks yet! Let's hope this trend keeps on tonight!"

As a final show of respect, Kenny placed his hands together, bowing in a sincere show of humility, the Young Bucks threw a couple more high fives and Kota Ibushi gave a more traditional bow as the House of Payne gave the Golden ELITE the ring to celebrate their victory.

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"MAAAAAAA!" Lara Blackheart yelled out, in the middle of digging through her luggage in the locker room. She had her long blonde hair tied back, was wearing little to no makeup, and just had on baggy pink sweatpants and a Motley Crue tee. "Do you have my heels for later tonight? I wanted those ones that make my ass pop."

Lara Sr. (Alessandra to those closest to her) walked into the locker room, carrying the shoes in question. "You left them in the car," she said, setting them down on the locker room bench. "Be careful where you walk in them. The last thing you need is to try working with a broken ankle because of a misstep."

"Mom. That was ONE TIME. And I was goofing off with Paris at the time. This will be way more serious." Lara replied, quickly showing one of the biggest difference between the girl and her parents: while they were famous and rich, Vlad Blackheart and Lara Chastain kept mostly to themselves and a small circle of friends. Their daughter? Reveled in all the celeb party pals she'd accumulated. "I mean, I wore bigger heels than these last week when...... yeah nevermind forget that anecodte. ANYHOO. You ok? You look.... I dunno.... nervous or something."

Lara Sr. gave her daughter a bit of a glare when she mentioned Paris. The girl HAD to get better friends than that. Then again, she celeb life really wasn't for her. She was much more happy at home than any party. Her face relaxed into a smile when Lara asked about her, though. "I'm alright. Just anxious to see who's going to win tonight, I guess."

Lara felt one eyebrow go up, hilariously in the same manner as one of her two godfathers, The Rock, "Reeeeeeally." She said, before shaking her head. "Anyway... we got a lot of Papa's old friends out there. Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Savannah Hayes... lots of people who worked with him are in the front row." She took a moment, as usual getting a little emotional when talking about her father. "I think he'd really like how we did all this."

Lara Sr. decided to ignore that for right now. "He'd be thrilled to see everyone here again," she said, opening her purse and pulling out a couple of tissues. Her daughter wasn't the only one that got emotional when talking about Vlad. If anyone got her going then the waterworks would REALLY start flowing. She'd probably do good to get through the ceremony tonight without crying. "He was so proud and happy to see you wrestle, too, you know?"

"I know. That's why I decided to bury the hatchet with Mia and have this tag match tonight. He trained us both... and I know he'd wanna see this." The blonde said, for once being totally serious, without an ounce of silliness or snark in sight.

Lara Sr. STILL couldn't believe what Mia had done. Even though they had made up, she still kind of wanted to chuck the girl through a damn window on principle. "He would," she admitted with a sigh. "Even if Mia deserves a few more ass beatings for the stunt that she pulled."

"She does, I admit. I've forgiven her, Ma. But I'll never forget. She'll never do that to me again." Before she could add more, the sound of a throat clearing could be heard. The camera panned around to see Mia Hayashi in the doorway, duffle bag in hand, wearing simple black jeans and a Fall Out Boy tee, & giving a hilariously sheepish smile. "Yeah... I can't even argue. I'm a self-centered bitch, and I recognize that. I'm trying though. I'm trying really hard to change that."

"That's our way, hon. Forgive but don't forget," Lara Sr. said to her daughter, taking a deep breath to calm herself before turning to Mia. As good of a ratings stunt it would be for her to lose her temper, she really didn't want to tonight. Tonight was about honoring Vlad, not making a scene. "And as long as you keep trying, we won't have a problem," she replied simply, giving her a patented 'mom' glare.

"Lookin' good, by the way. Ma'am." Mia added with an adorably lecherous wink, before holding up the duffle bag and looking back to her partner. "Brought the outfit we talked about. If we're gonna do this... we gotta do it RIGHT. I'ma go say hi to Adrianna, then get changed and start getting in the zone." She winked at each of the ladies again, before turning and prancing away. Hilarioously, Lara tilted her head, watching her leave. "You know? Sometimes I ask myself how I ever dated that girl. Then I see her from behind and it alllllllll comes back to me."

Lara Sr. literally facepalmed when her daughter said that. "How did I raise such a horny child?" she asked, more to herself (and Vlad if he happened to be listening somehow) than to anyone in particular. "If you date her again, I'm going to kick you both right in the culo."

"....holy crap, you speak SPANISH?" Lara asked with a blink. "Jesus, Ma, when were you gonna share that? I mean, I barely speak ENGLISH! Remember when Grandpa used to try teaching me Italian? I learned the curse words and that was about it."

"Then he didn't even teach you the best curse words if you think that is Spanish," Lara Sr. pointed out. She shook her head, muttering under her breath something that sounded like, "Porca vacca," if you listened closely.

"Well... let's alllllll be honest for a minute." Lara said with a lopsided grin as she jiggled her breasts once. "It's not my brains that I'm known for. Anyway... why don't you go catch up with some of the others? Maybe see if a certain evil guy we both know is ready for his match..." She winked, clearly hinting at something. "I'ma get changed and get ready for my match. I'd rather not have you out there, just in case Frost and Brodeur decide to try using you to distract me."

She swatted at Lara when she said it wasn't her brains that she was known for. "You're smarter than you give yourself credit for," she insisted. "I'll leave you be for now, though. Just remember to give them hell, OK?"

"I will." The young blonde turned around, heading back toward the showers. She paused just long enough to turn back around and add, "And Ma? I love you."

Lara Sr. smiled at her. "I love you, too, kiddo," she said.

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Scene opens up as we see the backstage area.....
We see Victoria Emmerson and Clarence Fletcher Townsend in an elegant setting in a locker room. The camera pans throughout the room and we see fine china set out on a table, and luxurious, elegant vase.. And the camera view is taken by Clarence. "You people see this? This is my life... not yours...T the stuff in this room cost just about as much as one person's salary for 3 years.. I have a limo waiting for me when I get done tonight and that costs $375,000, and yes I own the car. And yet I still don't get the respect I deserve. So tonight, whoever takes me up on my Townsend's Million Dollar Challenge...is gonna find money doesn't come on trees and I drive a high price......" Scene closes as Victoria shuts the door on the camera.

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After Clarence Fletcher Townsend and Victoria Emmerson made their entrance to the ring -- with Townsend yet to disrobe from his entrance suit -- the two waited for who the challenger would be, if anyone. Clarence paced slowly in a circle, smiling smugly at the audience.

REYNOLDS
"Who's it gonna be, Nicky? Do you have any idea?"

HANSON
"You know, Jim? I actually went around and asked a few members of the roster who weren't booked tonight, to see if I could get an early scoop. All of them said they were just here to help out backstage and watch the rest of the matches. I don't know wh---"

Nick Hanson abruptly cut himself off as the intro to Halestorm's "I Am The Fire" suddenly came on over the arena's sound system. The crowd in the United Center immediately shot to their feet and let out a pop that nearly drowned out the music, itself.

REYNOLDS
"WHOA!!!!!"

HANSON
"OHHHHHH MAN!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"Did you forget to question this young lady, Nicky?!"

HANSON
"I didn't even know she was here, Jim!!! Talk about a surprise challenger!!"

REYNOLDS
"Shelley Silver, ladies and gentlemen!!! Shelley Silver is answering Clarence Fletcher Townsend's challenge!!!"

The crowd continued to roar their approval as Shelley Silver made her entrance to the ring, looking all business as usual. Inside the ring, Clarence Fletcher Townsend and Victoria Emmerson looked like they were arguing with the referee on whether or not Silver could legally challenge him. The referee's body language suggested he was saying that it was all well and good.

REYNOLDS
"Nicky, I'm a little curious to see this. I know there's nothing against male and female superstars competing against one another in NFW, but since we've been re-established, I think this may be the first inter-gender singles match!"

HANSON
"A type of match, however, that that young lady, on her way to the ring is no stranger to, Jim! Shelley Silver based her career off of wrestling *ANYBODY* and now she's here to show the New Frontier just how serious she is!"

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The Townsend's Million Dollar Challenge match kicked off to an abrupt start when, as Clarence Fletcher Townsend called for the referee and his opponent both to afford him the time to remove his suit, Shelley Silver shook her head at the crowd, earning a gigantic pop when she cleared the ring at full speed and collided with Townsend into the corner. CFT was still in his slacks and dress shirt as Shelley Silver opened up on him with a series of stiff shots that seemed more befitting of a boxing match...or a street fight. When the referee finally got her to break away from Townsend, the crowd popped again as Townsend slipped out of the ring and hastily attempted to remove the rest of his ring gear.

Here, Shelley Silver hit a sudden running baseball slide out of the ring, knocking CFT into the barricade and immediately went on the attack again before throwing him back into the ring and continuing the match.

HANSON
"SHELLEY SILVER IS NOT PLAYING AROUND!!"

REYNOLDS
"DOES SHE EVER, NICKY?!?!"

HANSON
"I have to wonder what would she do with a million dollars?"

As the match returned to the ring, Shelley Silver began showing her more physical strength by countering a strike attempted by CFT and hitting him with a snap German Suplex.

HANSON
"WOW!!!"

Here, however, Victoria Emmerson was seen sneaking around and grabbing Silver's nightstick, attempting to climb on the apron and toss it to Clarence.

HANSON
"Oh, c'mon, now! She's not supposed to get involved! This is still a regular match!"

REYNOLDS
"She just wants to protect her man, Nicky--WHOA LOOK OUT!!"

What Victoria Emmerson didn't seem to count on, however, was Shelley's own manager getting involved as Sloane Cameron quickly hurried over and yanked her down off of the apron, followed by a stiff elbow shot to the jaw.

HANSON
"VICTORIA TRIED TO INTERFERE AND SLOANE CAMERON SAID NO MA'AM, YOU DON'T!!!"

REYNOLDS
"Watch out inside the ring, Nicky! What's Silver up to?!"

HANSON
"Oh, we know damn well, Jim! We've seen this set up before!"

As CFT picked himself up off of the mat and leaned back into the corner, Shelley Silver waited for him to be positioned just right before dashing right at him, leaping up and hitting him with the---

HANSON
"SILVER BULLET!"

On impact, CFT snapped back into the turnbuckle, still on his feet. Shelley Silver raised an eyebrow, almost humorously impressed that the man hadn't gone down yet. Shrugging, she dashed into the opposite corner and came right back for a second Silver Bullet before throwing herself over CFT, hooking the leg for the cover, at only 3:08 into the match.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

REYNOLDS
"HOLY CRAP, NICKY!!!"

HANSON
"Is that her shortest match she's had?! I'll have to double check but that may be Shelley Silver's shortest match in her career!"

REYNOLDS
"It's also her most rewarding win! She just beat a man's ass for one million dollars, Nicky!!"

As "I Am The Fire" erupted over the sound system again, Sloane Cameron entered the ring with the briefcase herself, presenting it to Shelley Silver before the two left, both smirking to themselves as the crowd chanted.

CROWD
"THAT WAS AWESOME!!" *CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP* "THAT WAS AWESOME!!"

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Cutting from the previous match, the camera moved to a segment that was titled in the upper left hand corner --

[YESTERDAY AFTERNOON]

In the background, we see the interior of a gym where other patrons practice various types of maneuvers. We see grapplers, mat wrestlers, someone hitting a heavy bag and another working a speed bag. As the camera pans out, however, we see Erin Mercer inside a sparring ring. With her red hair tied back into a simple ponytail, dressed in simple workout clothes of black yoga pants and a white sports bra, she held -- of all people -- her tag team partner and best friend, Alex Brody, back against her on the mat in a rear naked chokehold. While it was obvious she wasn't applying full pressure on the girl, she was definitely doing her best to make it tough to get out of. However, viewers would soon see, that was the point.

"Get that arm in, Alex. C'mon! Get it in!" Erin says firmly but with an encouraging tone in her voice as she wrenches back on Alex Brody's neck. "She's gonna have this locked in a lot tighter than I do, right now, so c'mon! You gotta work fast!"

With a huff that came out far more adorable than she would have liked, Alex finally FORCED her way out of the hold, frustratingly pounding th canvas with her fist afterward. "Erin, there's no way I'm gonna beat her. You weren't even REMOTELY putting those holds on me at 100%, and Adrianna's a frikkin' TERMINATOR in there."

Erin came up onto her knees, sighing with her hand on her hips. "You're still doubting yourself. Stop it!" Erin reached out, grabbing her friend by the shoulders. "You have *pinned* her! You can do this! Yeah, she's strong, but you're nimble. If we can't master escaping it, then we go back to making sure she *doesn't* lock it in!" Erin stands up with Alex, shaking her hands and hopping back and forth on her feet before getting into a ready position. "Alright. Evading. Lock that chokehold on me."

The two circle the mat, facing each other. The instant that Alex goes for the rear naked choke, Erin catches her by one arm and flips her with an armdrag, onto the mat. Erin runs passed her, coming off the ropes and stops herself in her tracks when it looks like she's ready to nail Alex with a follow up. "And then you feed her your shin or a knee. If she throws herself under it, you come off the other side of that ring. She's gotta come back up. Whether it's her sitting up and exposing her back or rolling over to meet you head on, you come back and dropkick her across the damn mat." Helping Alex back to her feet, she takes her by the shoulders again. "You can do this. I know you can. And I'm not the only one who believes in you. You've got thousands of fans at your back. Hell, even *she* is calling you an opponent worth challenging for her title. You just need to believe in yourself."

Alex gave a nervous nod, closing her eyes for a moment as she visibly gathered her strength. "You're right. I just have to avoid those submission holds. I'm definitely quicker than her, so maybe I can keep her at bay long enough to wear her down a little..." She still clearly didn't think she truly had a chance, but credit where it was due, she was TRYING now.

While Erin was visibly frustrated with the lack of faith her friend her in herself, she understood where she was coming from. It wasn't too long ago that she, herself, had the same fear and doubts in this same situation. "Look...." She said. "You know you're not gonna be out there alone. You were there in my corner. I'm gonna be there in yours." She cracked a small smirk. "Even if I'm wearing a sling or a neck brace...or both. Win or lose, you just have to silence the idiots who think you're only here because your dad owns the place. You show them that you're here because you *deserve* to be, because you *do*. I mean, c'mon, you're the fucking Lionheart of NFW. A name that you earned from the only person that had the right to pass that moniker onto you. That says your hero believes in you, too."

".....you're right." Alex admitted, this time looking far more determined as she thought in silence. "I don't think I have the physical strength yet to break out of that chokehold. But if I rely on quick kicks, rollups, and leglocks to keep her on the mat, I might be able to fluster her enough to make a mistake. And then I just have to be ready to capitalize on that."

Erin smiled, placing a hand adoringly on her friend's head. "Exactly! And don't forget the arms strategy! She can't cinch that hold in if you work on that arm." Erin said, slapping her own shoulder. "I know it sounds like a dirty trick. Trust me, though. She'd probably be offended if you *didn't* try to go for it. In fact, let's work on targeting that body part. You'll have her wondering what the hell she's gotten herself into before either of you even break a sweat. Ready? Go!"

The camera angle focused on the two, panning outward as Erin and Alex resumed circling the ring and running drills to get Alex ready for what was easily the biggest match of her young career, yet....

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After Candi Broduer and Serena Frost made their entrance to the ring and stood, waiting for their opponents, the crowd was already clap-chanting for the notorious, indie league tag team.

CROWD
"SMALL BUT MIGHTY!!" *CLAP-CLAP-CLAPCLAPCLAP* "SMALL BUT MIGHTY!!"

REYNOLDS
"Listen to this crowd, Nicky!! They've been waiting for this!!"

HANSON
"I'm sure you've been waiting for it, as well, Jim...."

REYNOLDS
"You bet!!"

The anticipation paid off, finally, as t.A.T.u's "All About Us" started up throughout the arena, earning a pop from the crowd -- mostly those who were familiar with the tag team's independent run.

ROGER ARDEN
"Their opponents...from Chicago, Illinois...the team of Lara Blackheart and Mia Hayashi...they are...SMALL....BUT...MIGHTYYYYYYY!!!!"

As Roger Arden announced the Renegade's opponents, Lara Blackheart and Mia Hayashi appeared on the stage. Both wearing identical and dangerously revealing schoolgirl uniform's with short skirts and tied up blouses. Walking towards one another -- both with a sensual strut to their steps -- the two met with their hands intertwining. With both girls leanng in, their noses brushed together as they exchanged suggestive smiles to the other. Just when it looked as if their lips were about to meet, the two turned their attention on their opponents in the ring and both raised a hand, wagging their index fingers before beginning their seductive walk to the ring, holding hands with interlocked fingers the entire way like one might have expected a couple of teenage lovers to do.

REYNOLDS
"Ummm....."

HANSON
"You alright, Jim?"

REYNOLDS
"Fuuuuuck ME, NICKY!!!"

HANSON
"No thanks, Jim but I'm sure I know who you're wishing *would.*"

REYNOLDS
"...I deny nor regret nothing...."

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

Small But Mighty defeated the Renegades in their highly anticipated match, by pinfall in 16:42, when Lara Blackheart pinned Candi Broduer after she and Mia Hayashi delivered their old tag team finisher, The Lolita Complex.

After the bell, Candi Broduer and Serena Frost made a hasty exit while Lara and Mia celebrated their victory to the pop of the crowd, exchanging a hug with one another before exiting the ring and going around to personally high five, hug and take selfies with as many fans as possible before they had to return backstage so the next match could begin.

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Backstage, in front of a new backdrop for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial that advertises only the finals event, Amy Connors stands with her microphone ready. On either side of her stand Vincent Stone and Erin Mercer. Both in their ring gear with Stone wearing a Hands of Stone skullcap and a "Come Get Your Kicks" t-shirt while Mercer is back in her black, leather jacket with her title belt around her waist. Stone holds his over his shoulder. While their gear is still stylized as usual, except today, they wear matching color themes of red and black.

"Amy Connors, here. Good afternoon, everyone! I'm standing with the NFW Mixed Tag Team Champions -- Vincent Stone and Erin Mercer, Kicks And Stones. We are moments away from the Mixed Tag Team title match! Vincent, Erin, I've gotta wonder, along with everyone else, how are you two feeling about tonight?"

"We're feeling pretty good, Amy." Stone answers, leaning into the mic while addressing the camera. "Erin and I know we've got a tough match ahead of us. We've both got heart and drive but experience is on the side of our opponents. LeeAnn Viskan and Crimson Sabre are two of the most dangerous competitors in this business, and we know we've gotta give them everything we've got, but that's just what we're gonna do."

Smiling, Amy Connors brings the microphone back to her mouth. "Well, confidence is always great to have when being faced with a huge challenge ahead of you. Now, I know you've touched on this before, but the titles being on the line, today -- you guys actually went to Commissioner Steven Brody and asked for this to be a title match. Can you elaborate on that decision and how it came to be?"

"Look, Erin and I have a history, together. Kicks And Stones isn't something new for us, here in NFW. We formed this unit shortly after she got her start in the indies, after I took a step back thirteen years ago and had to re-evaluate my future in this business." Vincent Stone adjusts his belt on his shoulder. "She came in after I'd done that and we were in the same promotion. Within that promotion we became three time Mixed Tag Team champions with one of those reigns being the longest that company had ever seen! Unfortunately, while we have a lot of fans supporting us, we also have some that discredit what wrestlers accomplish on the independent circuit. It's a sad fact, but it's also a true one. A lot of people see a rising star from the indies--" He points to Erin, "--and a guy who had a rocky start over a decade ago when I was just a punk kid--" He thumbs back to himself, "--and they call this a fluke." He motions to both of the title belts. "A lucky break. They say it'll never last. So, that's why we put our titles on the line. Do we have something to prove? Maybe, maybe not. There's a part in both of us that feels maybe we do and that's what we're looking to do, here and now. To prove that we deserve these belts. To prove that we deserve to be called NFW champions."

"Well, we're looking forward to this match, definitely!" Amy Connors remarks, turning slightly to focus on Erin Mercer. "Now, Erin, this is an interesting story for you, as well. This is almost a dream match for you, isn't it?"

"Absolutely, Amy." Erin confirms, smiling sweetly and a little nervously. "As a kid, I grew up watching LeeAnn Viskan in this very promotion. I could probably go on forever with trivia facts on her. A three time NFW Women's Champion, an expert in various arts of submission. Arts that I studied because I wanted to emulate her. I wanted to *be* her! Now a certain group may say she had ill intentions, inviting a rookie like me to share a wrestling ring with her, but I've seen how she reaches out and urges the rising stars to improve and better themselves. Like Vin and I've been saying, her and Crimson Sabre didn't ask for this title shot. We wanted to offer it up. Vin's checked off a handful of dream opponents of his, already. I finally get to check off one of mine. But this day's not just about us. It's about honoring the memory of a man that gave everything to this promotion. Gave everything to professional wrestling. So if you wanna live out your dreams, sometimes you've gotta risk it all." As she says this, Erin motions to the Mixed Tag Team Championship around her waist.

"Well, guys, thank you so much. Both of you." Amy Connors says, turning to address them both. "It's obvious you're both ready for this as much as we are. Without further adue, let's not waste any time and take it to ringside. Jim, Nick, back to you!"

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

Prior to the beginning of the match, Kicks And Stones entered first, followed by Crimson Sabre who, surprisingly enough, entered solo. The male half of the challenging team coming as far as the end of the ramp before his music faded out and he stood, silently waiting as the sound of Leaves' Eyes came over the speakers....

~My destiny....~

~I made a promise I couldn't keep....~

~I left my love on Northern ground....~

~My destiny....~

~My destiny....~

As the song picked up with it's guitar intro, NFW's one and only LeeAnn Viskan made her entrance to the ring as a competitor, for the first time in over ten years, once again dressed to raise hell and do damage. On top of the audience going absolutely INSANE, the camera briefly cut to show Kicks And Stones reaction. While Vincent Stone seemed focused on keeping his head in the game, Erin Mercer waited in their corner, hunched and ready...but a notable, starstruck smile on her face. One could even see a happy tear creeping down her cheek that she quickly tried to wipe away before it could be seen.

After an intense tag team contest that raged on for 14:59, including every possible confrontation match up between all four competitors that was possible (even Crimson Sabre/Erin Mercer and Vincent Stone/LeeAnn Viskan), the Dominion of Pain defeated Kicks And Stones, by submission, when LeeAnn made Erin tapout to the Chemical Wedding, to make herself and Crimson Sabre the NEW NFW Mixed Tag Team Champions.

HANSON
"WE HAVE NEW MIXED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, JIM!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"THAT WAS A HELL OF A MATCH, NICKY!! KUDOS TO BOTH TEAMS!! SERIOUSLY!!!"

As Ghost's "Year Zero" played for both Sabre and LeeAnn, the disappointment was evident on the faces of both Vincent Stone and Erin Mercer. Regardless, it was LeeAnn who swapped her half of the championship into her other hand so she could help Erin up to her feet and pulled the girl in for a hug. Meanwhile, Crimson Sabre approached Vincent Stone, gave him a fist bump and clapped a hand on his shoulder, inaudibly commending him on his effort, it seemed. To the delight of the crowd, Stone took Sabre's hand from his shoulder and raised that arm, pointing to the man for the crowd to give it up for him. Erin Mercer, at the same time, raised LeeAnn Viskan's arm before leading the crowd in a round of applause for her and Crimson Sabre. More respect was shown, this time from Crimson to Erin and from LeeAnn to Stone before Kicks And Stone gave the ring to the Dominion of Pain and made their exit down the secondary walkway. Their heads held high, albeit with the pain of loss still on their faces.

HANSON
"You know, Jim, I hate to see such expressions on the faces of a couple of wrestlers who are normally so upbeat and energetic, but you gotta give it to them both. They may have lost the titles but damned if they didn't make sure Viskan and Crimson *earned* those belts, every damn step of the way!"

REYNOLDS
"Damn straight, Nicky. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing these two teams tussle again."

HANSON
"I'm actually surprised, despite the expectations, how hard these teams went when it came to the intergender mix ups! Aren't you?"

REYNOLDS
"No kidding! Stone looked a little unsure at first but damned if it didn't look like he gave LeeAnn Viskan his all after a bit!"

HANSON
"That was textbook mixed tag team action for ya."

REYNOLDS
"Hey, ya think that match killed any chance Stone thought he had with Marissa?"

HANSON
"Hahaha. I don't mean to laugh, but honestly, who knows? It depends on how she looks at some of those stiff ass shots he threw at her mother."

REYNOLDS
"Hey, she damn near kicked his fucking face in."

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

The camera angle switched to inside a locker room, immediately focusing on the heretical visage of a goat’s skull over a pentagram emblazoned on a poster on the wall. The words Ave Satanas were inscribed underneath. This served to tell the fans just who they were about to hear from as a massive form in a black leather coat passed in front of the camera, baring a patch with an inverted pentagram and the words No Mercy For All.

“You are almost there, brother.” Beneath the hood and wet locks of hair, Doomsday didn’t even bother looking towards the camera, but instead focused on the man he was speaking to. “The others doubted you...underestimated you...and you destroyed them. There is but one left remaining...and victory is yours.”

"Chris Wolfe worked his ass off to get here tonight." Lasher said, with no malice or disrespect in his voice. Far from it... he sounded almost sorry. "But tonight... he is going to be put down like all the others that came before him. Nothing is going to stop me from raising that trophy tonight. Vlad and myself both grew up here... Chicago is our home, and in our home I will honor him one last time."

"I understand why Adrianna had faith in him." Doomsday said, also with no malice in his voice, yet he also didn't seem to share his daughter's enthusiasm in Chris Wolfe's capability as far as tonight went. "But he has no idea what he faces tonight. While he may leave his mark at some point...it is not this day. This day goes to the darkness...it will be a night of total...annihilation...at the hands of the Dominion. Today...in honor of our brother...we begin reclaiming our foothold within the New Frontier...even if we have to spill blood in order to do so...."

"Exactly, my friend. One promise I can and WILL make: tonight? When the final bell rings, the mat will be stained with the blood of Chris Wolfe." Judas said,beginning to tape his wrists up. "One does not go into battle with Judas Lasher and not come away without scars to remember it by."

Doomsday let out a breath that sounded more like a muffled growl under his mask. "Those who know you should expect nothing less. But Wolfe's blood will not be the first to spill in this arena. There are six others who approach their final hour. Six...dead men walking...who will walk their last mile down that ramp...and into the abyss where their executioners await!! And while the ladder to freedom will be ever present...the ladder to your salvation...you will all find that salvation is unreachable...with broken bones. Instead...it will be the harbingers of the end...the masters of the old...ultra-violence...that climb the ladder...and slam the door to your tombs shut for good...." Going silent, Doomsday looks to the other side of him as the camera pans back just enough to reveal his tag team partner.

Belphegor, possibly the only man on the NFW roster that could make Doomsday appear less than giant, stepped into the frame, taking up damn near the whole thing. Long hair dangling in front of his skull-painted face, the typical quiet, brooding beast looked at his partner, before placing a huge hand on his shoulder. "Bro. You've seriously got to chill."

Silent...almost as if the remark caught him off guard, Doomsday looked at the hand on his shoulder then back up at Belphegor...then to the camera with a visible quizzical look in his eyes under his mask as the shot faded out.

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

Scene opens up as we see energy-filled fans who packed the arena. Voicing their opinions. Suddenly the camera pans throughout the backstage area. We see Ryan Steele & SRY known to the NFW as "The Fallen" conversing over strategies to overcome their match. "So Man, we have 3 other tag teams that are gunning for us and our championships....How do we get this "W" tonight...? Sabastian asks.. "That's simple" Ryan replies.."We Seek and destroy.. its what we been doing all these years bro... What you see as 3 tag teams.. i see as 6 souls that will fall at our feet.. now we use every advantage given to us.. we are smart.. we are methodical... we always have been.. They will fall and we shall rise........" Ryan says.. "Sounds like you got something up your sleeve?" Sabastian asks Ryan... "Yea Something like that.. Just follow my lead..." Ryan responds .......scene closes as they leave the camera view....

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

To say the Four-Way Ladder Match was a hellacious battle was a drastic understatement. For 11:15, all four teams raged absolute, all out war on each other. Of course it was a combination of Ultra-Violence and Killer Elite Squad, kicking off the match as the first two teams to enter, before the Fallen and G.O.D even arrived. Ultra-Violence performed their usual, no-nonsense entrance as the second team to be announced and went right after K.E.S, instigating a brawl that spilled outside of the ring and immediately began including the use of ladders as weapons, as well as chairs, kendo sticks and whatever else anyone could get their hands on.

Upon the Guerillas of Destiny's arrival, Tanga Loa threw off his Firing Squad baseball style jersey and made a beeline for the nearest unoccupied ladder to go for the belts. Meanwhile, at the same time, Davey Boy Smith Jr had a ladder bridge setup between the ring and fan barrier while he and Doomsday traded shots on the apron. What unfolded from it, all happened at the same time as Doomsday staggered and hit the floor, and Tama Tonga hopped up onto the apron and ran up behind Smith, kicking off his involvement in the match by dragging him down through the ladder with a devastating Gun Stun.

REYNOLDS
"HOLY CRAP!!!! THAT MIGHT BE IT FOR SMITH, ALREADY!!!!"

HANSON
"That might be it for the match, Jim!! Doomsday's also down and we've got Archer and Belphegor brawling somewhere in the crowd. Tanga Loa's getting close to those tag title belts and the defending champs aren't even out here y---"

REYNOLDS
"Heads up, Nicky!! Don't speak so soon!!"

As Tanga Loa was nearly at the top of the ladder, reaching for the belts, the Fallen made their hasty entrance without their music or fanfare, simply booking it down to the ring as fast as they could and pushing the ladder over, sending Tanga crashing down to the mat.

REYNOLDS
"HOOOOOOLY CRAP, NICKY!!!! YA THINK VLAD BLACKHEART WOULD APPRECIATE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!?!"

HANSON
"THE MAN LOVED CRAZY MATCHES, JIM, AND YOU DON'T GET ANY CRAZIER THAN THIS!!!!"

For the rest of the match, all but one ladder ended up being severely dented beyond use or flat out broken in half, mostly due to a combination of Belphegor and Lance Archer using them to beat the hell out of anyone that wasn't their own tag team partner, including each other.

Sabastian Young was more or less taken out of the match about midway through when he retrieved a chair, only to turn around right into a Spear from Doomsday, sending him through a table in the corner.

Ryan Steele was given a Killer Bomb through the Spanish announce table.

Davey Boy Smith Jr was speared through the fan barricade by Belphegor.

Lance Archer was caught with a top rope Gun Stun by Tama Tonga that brought both men out of the ring, through a pair of tables setup side by side.

Finally, as Doomsday made the slow, agonizing climb up the one ladder that wasn't occupied, Belphegor delivered the Ninth Circle to Tanga Loa, off of the apron and through another ladder bridge.

CROWD
"HOLY SHIT!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!"

HANSON
"THE CROWD'S GOING INSANE, JIM!!!! AND DOOMSDAY'S AT THE TOP OF THE LADDER!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"NO WAY, NICKY!!!! THE DOMINION ALREADY CAPTURED THE MIXED TAG TEAM TITLES!!!! THEY'RE GONNA CAPTURE THESE TOO?!?!"

Just as Reynolds finished his hysterical statement, Doomsday grabbed hold of both belts and yanked the snaps apart, pulling them both down into his hands, prompting the referee to call for the bell.

HANSON
"OHHHHHH, MAN!!! YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT, JIM!!! MY GOD, WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!!!!"

ARDEN
"HERE ARE YOU WINNERS....AAAAAND NEEEEEWW...NFW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!! BELPHEGOR...DOOMSDAY...ULTRAAAAAA-VIOLEEEEEEEEENCE!!!!!!!!"

As Calavera Conspiracy's "Ultra-Violent" blasted throughout the arena, Doomsday climbed down from the ladder, handing one of the belts to Belphegor where the two, both in obvious pain themselves, raised their newly captured belts up high.

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

Following the Tag Team Championship match, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds are shown at the announce table. Reynolds is straightening up things on their table after a combination of all four tag teams harassing them before, during and after the match, while Hanson addresses the camera.

HANSON
"Ladies and gentlemen, before the action continues, we wanna thank you for being here with us for this event. It certainly has been a memorable event and one that we hope will become another, annual NFW tradition. Before we continue, we'd like to take a moment to show you some final comments from a few of our B Block competitors following their last match of the tournament. Take it away!"

The camera flashes white to yet another previously recorded segment, showing:

[10/23/2018 - DAY 18 - B BLOCK]

With Lamb of God's "The Duke" blaring out in the arena, the victorious Punisher, Andrew Payne emerges through the curtain. Pulling his straps down around his waist, he gratefully accepts a bottle of water from his daughter and takes a moment to give her a long, warm, emotional hug before sipping from the bottle and looking to the reporters.

"So, that's it, I guess. My run through the Vlad Blackheart Memorial. Eight points isn't too bad. It means I got to beat the shit out of four motherfuckers and five others had to push themselves passed their limit to survive what this old bastard had to throw at them. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better final match than Daniels. Yeah, forget the whole Curry Man bit. He's probably over all of that, too. The thing is, whether it's Curry Man or the Fallen Angel, I wrestled my last block match against one of the baddest motherfuckers in this business. Someone else I consider a good friend in the long run. Will either of us be back, next year? Who knows. I can't speak for him but it wouldn't surprise me. He's still in great shape. He could easily win one of these. Me? I'm a little more broken down but..." He sips his water again, "...given what this tournament represents? Even if I 'retire' from full-time action...I'll keep on coming back so long as they medically clear my ass. And you can all bet yours that I'm gonna stay one nasty motherfucker." Raising the bottle, Andrew Payne hangs an arm around Morgan's shoulders, using her to lean on some as the father and daughter head off down the hallway....

**************************************************

The shot cuts to Kenny Omega stepping through the curtain. WASP's "Charisma" can be heard out in the arena as fans cheer his victorious opponent, Big Daddy Payne.

Stopping in front of the interview crew, Kenny douses more water over his head and sighs in frustration.

"You alright, Kenny?" A reporter asks from behind the camera.

"Yeah...." Kenny nods a little. "It's just frustrating, you know?" He looks up at them; a mix of a smile and disappointment on his face. "You come into a tournament like this and basically kick ass the whole way through. Yeah, you lose one, but then you come to the end and it's down to you and a guy you already beat. All you need is a tiebreaker ending and that spot in the finals is yours. But then you step up against that fourth legend you talked about beating...and he catches you in a fucking rollup. He didn't even hit me with the Bukakke Blast! I was almost expecting it. Taking a move like that. Ko-kun would have even given me shit for it! And he doesn't tease a lot. Not too much. But to slip out of my finisher and just fold my ass up like that...." He shakes his head. "It speaks to the guy's technique. You've got these guys in this company; what are they called -- the Renegades? They're walking around with their noses up, saying guys like that man out there are old and washed up. Pfft, fuck you! Fuck all of you. Have some goddamn respect for the ones who came before you and kept this sport interesting so young punks like you and me could follow in their footsteps and cement our own legacy. You know, I think the thing that pains me most about not making it to the finals is I don't get to go to WrestleWar and feed a shit load of knees to that asshole carrying that Heavyweight Championship around. Not even to take it from him. Just to beat some respect into his sorry...self-centered...spoiled ass. And the rest of his little group of jackasses. And you know what? I hope you hear this and it chaps your ass, because if you feel you've got something to prove in this business? Why don't you fucking come at a group in your own generation that thinks you're a stain on this business? Because the Golden ELITE have an answer to whatever you think you can throw. The Fallen? You wanna call yourself the baddest tag team in professional wrestling? How can you be the best when the Best Bout Machine -- yeah, I'm talking about me -- has never even *heard* of you? Nick and Matt will throw you boys a Superkick Party the likes of which you assholes have never fucking seen!"

Kenny pauses, sipping from his water. "Julian Morrison? I know a little about you. The guy who still might win this block gave you a foothold in this very company and now you're running with a crew who thinks he doesn't have what it takes anymore. I'm the best in the world, pal...and Judas Lasher gave me a run for my money that I will *never* forget. Now, someone in my own little group that's getting tired of your mouth, personally, is a friend of mine who you might know about. His name is Adam and he would very much like to feed you his fist."

Kenny sips from the water again and smirks at the camera then. "Let's see, then we've got Tyson Law. You don't say much, I've noticed. Not lately. You know who else likes to speak with his actions? Ko-kun. He lives for not running his mouth and just lays motherfuckers out. A Kamigoye or two might straighten you out some. And back to Max. You know, there's a small part of me...if Judas Lasher wins this block, I'm gonna be rooting for him to win this whole thing. Because I am half tempted...to challenge him for that contract, just so that I can V-Trigger your teeth out of your mouth and plant your head right into the fucking mat. And after that...unlike these veterans and pioneers that you consistently piss all over? You will be nothing...but a memory. Goodbye...." He smooches his finger, "...and goodnight. Bang..." He shoots his gun finger at the camera before turning his hand around and flipping the bird at the camera. "Pull the sticks out of your asses while you're popping those grenade pins...." With that, a suddenly more sincere Kenny Omega throws his water aside and walks off down the hallway....

**************************************************

*As "Ave Satanas" plays throughout the arena, and the crowd roars in appreciation, William Mannheim collapses through the curtain. Backstage staff rush in to help as he pushes himself back up to his knees and waves them off. Mannheim pulls himself up by the metal frame and leans his head against the cold steel, eyes closed, drawing in deep breaths. Finally he moves, slowly making his way towards the tournament backdrop and a waiting Amy Connors*

"Mr. Mannheim? Are you ok? Do we need a doctor?"

"Amy, I'm fine...beat to hell, probably sitting with a few broken ribs, maybe a bit of a concussion, but nothing I wouldn't expect from any match involving Judas and I - look back in the archives, Amy...ask some of the fans. They knew damn well what to expect, and they damned well got what they wanted."

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Mannheim?"

*Mannheim winces and holds up a hand*

"Amy, just call me Willy, it's faster and it sounds a lot less like I'm in a jail cell."

"Uhh, very well, W-Willy? What did you mean by 'they damned well got what they wanted'?"

"Those people out there, and all the people watching at home? They just saw William Mannheim and Judas Lasher tear this entire arena apart, Amy. They just saw a rivalry that's bathed in blood, hell, I'd go so far as to say a rivalry of mythical proportions...and it's coming full circle."

*Amy looks puzzled*

"Every NFW fan knows about your longstanding rivalry with Judas Lasher, but what do you mean when you say its coming full circle?"

*Mannheim chuckles*

"Oh, Amy...you have no idea how many levels Judas and I work on. What you just saw? That, out there? That was just the beginning of the end...and every single fan, every single Superstar backstage? They're all going to watch the pieces fall around them. I'm not being all dark and spooky, here, Amy...I'm just telling it like it is..."

"So...Willy...what are your plans after this loss?"

*Mannheim begins laughing deeply, coughing and holding his ribs*

"Amy, this wasn't a loss at all. This was a win, whether the stats say so or not. What you don't know is that while Judas may have won this match? I won something much more valuable. I lit a fire in Judas, the fire he's been missing since he came back to the NFW...and that fire's building. Slowly burning...eroding this facade he's put up."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Judas and I? When you get right down to it? We're one and the same...the difference is all in application, Amy. Judas can play the long game, he knows I can just as well. Judas can fight..."

*Mannheim points to the curtain*

"So can I."

"Everyone definitely witnessed that, but this begs the question: what are you trying to accomplish? What does all of this mean?"

*Mannheim cracks a smile*

"Simple, Amy. It means what everyone remembers about William Mannheim and Judas Lasher will pale in comparison to what's coming. Judas knows it. I know it."

"One last question: on Twitter you made a bold statement, congratulating Kenny Omega as the block winner before the block was complete, and then promising a match resembling your past rivalry with Judas Lasher. What happened? We saw Big Daddy Payne beat Kenny Omega..."

*Mannheim closes his eyes and nods*

"How did I know this one was coming?"

*He snaps his eyes open and looks down at Amy Connors*

"Look, Amy, I don't have time to go too deep into this. Sometimes things happen in unexpected ways. Did I expect Payne to beat Kenny? No offense, Payne, but I didn't, I'm not gonna lie. Fuck, I'm glad you did, really...even though had you not, you and I both know that last match would've went exactly how I predicted. The truth is, when BDP beat Kenny I knew Judas had a chance to win. I had this realization that I could effectively determine the outcome of this entire tournament in twenty minutes alone in that ring with him by breaking both of us like we used to. Even if he won, he'd be a snack for Chris Wolfe after we were finished...but then I thought of the one thing Vlad did to try to bring Judas and I together...I don't know, trying to make the dressing room a little less hostile...he went on this long ass talk about sportsmanship, and how we didn't have to like each other, we just had to work with each other. You wanna know why that match didn't end in crimson showers, Amy? Because this tournament isn't about William Mannheim and Judas Lasher - it's about Vlad Blackheart."

"It seems the NFW Universe is in for a wild ride yet again! This is Amy Connors, sending you back to ringside!"

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

Cutting back to the announce table, Hanson and Reynolds both address the camera now.

HANSON
"So, there you have it folks. Those were the final comments from some of the B Block competitors."

REYNOLDS
"Did Kenny Omega just call out The Renegades on behalf of the Bullet Club ELITE?"

HANSON
"It certainly sounds like it, Jim. Can you imagine those two groups clashing?"

REYNOLDS
"Oh-ho-ho-ho man, Nicky. That would be sick!"

HANSON
"It certainly would, Jim. Right now, though, it's time to get back to the action. Our last championship match of the evening, ladies and gentlemen! Let's take it backstage where Amy Connors awaits with the NFW Women's Champion!"

Cutting backstage, the camera finds Amy Connors again, this time with the pair of Adrianna Salvatore and Mia Hayashi (now changed out of her Small But Mighty gear and into something more befitting of acting as a second for her friend in her upcoming match). Meanwhile, Adrianna is seen with her usual ring gear on -- her vest's hood up over her head and nearly shrouding the upper half of her face.

"Thank you, Nick!" Amy Connors says into the camera before turning to the duo known as The Unwanted. "I'm here with Adrianna Salvatore, the NFW Women's Champion. We are moments away from what will be her fifth title defense. Adrianna, I'll do my best to make this short and quick. You've defended your title against your opponent tonight, before. However, she went under a different moniker then and wrestled a different style. Now, though, she's been training harder and fighting harder. Do you feel like you may used the same strategy you used to beat her before or do you think you may need to switch things up a little?"

Adrianna cracks her neck to the side, speaking into the mic. "The last time I faced Alex Brody one on one, I underestimated her ability. All I saw was a stupid little girl in a monster mask who could hit a few high flying moves. Moves that I figured I could counter by just plucking her out of the air. And yeah, there were a few times that I caught her, but one thing she showed me that night was that she belongs here in this company. She belongs in this division with the best women of wrestling in the world. Now she's learning more from the likes of Chris Jericho and Erin Mercer. But not to disrespect that at all? I beat Erin Mercer...."

"You did, indeed, in your last title defense." Amy Connors remarks. "Now, last week you had some words for Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. You said that they were not on Alex Brody's level."

Adrianna's shoulders shake briefly, indicating a silent chuckle. "Let me just put it this way: Alex Brody pinned me in the ring. Candi Broduer's gotten choked out...twice."

Amy Connors gave a slow nod, looking uneasy around Adrianna's cold demeanor. "And...Serena Frost?"

"...What about her?" Adrianna said, looking at Amy for a long moment before turning to Mia and motioned with her head for them to leave before leading the way off camera.

Watching them go, Amy Connors looked with uncertainty at the camera. "Uhhh...back to you, Nick and Jim."

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

Following the entrances of both champion and challenger, Roger Arden stood in the center of the ring while the referee called for Alex Brody and Adrianna Salvatore to come meet in the middle.

ARDEN
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor on behalf of New Frontier Wrestling to welcome you here and to thank you for joining us tonight. And now, IIIIIIIIIIIIT'S TIIIIIIIIME!!!!!!"

The crowd roared with anticipation as the energetic ring announcer began the official introductions.

ARDEN
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall...."

CROWD
"ONE FALL!!"

ARDEN
"...And is for the NFW Women's Championship!!"

Alex Brody stared with nervousness yet also determination back at Adrianna Salvatore who stared back with the intense gaze of a fierce fighter.

ARDEN
"Introducing first -- Fighting out of the blue corner!! The challenger...LIONHEEEEEAAAAAAART...ALEEEEEX BROOOOODYYYYYYY!!!!"

CROWD
"LET'S GO ALEX!!" -- "LIONHEART!!" -- "LET'S GO ALEX!" -- "LIONHEART!!"

ARDEN
"Her opponent -- Fighting out of the red corner!! She is the REIGNING and DEFENDING NFW Women's Champion!! THE QUEEN OF ANARCHY...ADRIAAAANAAAAAAAAAA SALVATOOOOOOOREEEEEEE!!!!!!!"

CROWD
"ANARCHY!! ANARCHY!! ANARCHY!! ANARCHY!!"

When the bell rang to start the match, neither of the two women went in guns blazing. Instead, as might have been expected, the two circled around in the center, looking for the perfect lockup. Adrianna Salvatore quickly established dominance, reminding the audience that she was the physically stronger of the two. Alex Brody, however, demonstrated that she was still the faster and slightly more agile one. For many of Adrianna's grappling attempts, Alex had an answer to, at first -- able to use her smaller frame to slip out of and keep the champion from really getting a grip on her. It was only when Adrianna started moving onto her stiff striking that Alex looked to be in trouble and that's when Adrianna began to dish out the powerful slams and drivers.

Alex proved that she had been passed down the moniker of Lionheart for a reason as she refused to stay down and kept on fighting back against her stronger opponent. At one point, Adrianna went for her signature rear naked choke out of an armbar counter.

REYNOLDS
"Watch out, Nicky! She's going for that chokeh---WAIT, NO!!!"

Just as her training segment with Erin Mercer demonstrated, Alex reversed the attempt into a snap arm drag, throwing Adrianna to the mat and putting some painful looking torque on her shoulder. Immediately, Alex ran off the ropes. Rather than go for a simple kick, however, she shocked the audience -- as well as both Erin Mercer and Mia Hayashi at ringside -- and connected with....

HANSON
"ABSOLUTE ZERO!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"THAT COULD BE IT!!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

HANSON
"NO!! SALVATORE KICKS OUT!!"

REYNOLDS
"I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT, NICKY!!!"

HANSON
"I THINK WE ALL DID, JIM!!"

The two women got back to their feet, continuing their war. After Adrianna rushed to intercept Alex during a setup for a springboard maneuver, Alex managed to beat her back from the ropes, causing her to stagger back and put just enough distance. Alex popped up and off of the top rope--

REYNOLDS
"Watch out, Nicky!! Springboard elbow!!"

But Adrianna countered with a kick to Alex's midsection as she came down and immediately grabbed her in a suplex hold.

HANSON
"NO, THE CHAMP COUNTERED!!!"

Without wasting time, Adrianna Salvatore lifted Alex up vertically before releasing her and catching her into a powerbomb clutch, slamming her down violently to the mat!!

HANSON & REYNOLDS
"GROUND ZERO!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"THAT IS IT, NICKY!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR--

ALEX BRODY KICKED OUT!!

REYNOLDS
"HOOOOLY CRAP!!!"

HANSON
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!"

At ringside, Erin Mercer POUNDED on the mat, screaming for Alex to get up and capitalize. Across, on the other side, Mia Hayashi did the same, calling for Adrianna to keep dishing out the offense.

Moments later, after another exchange that looked like Adrianna had the upper hand, Alex countered a lariat attempt with a fireman's carry slam, planting her on her back. To the pop of the crowd, Alex ran for the ropes and springboard flipped back off of the middle one.

HANSON
"LIONSAULT, JIM-- WAIT, NO!!"

Adrianna got her knees up BUT Alex caught the counter and landed on her feet, changing things up and hit a shocking, standing Shooting Star Press on Adrianna above where her knees couldn't guard.

REYNOLDS
"UN--BE--LIEVABLE!!!!"

HANSON
"THERE'S THE COVER!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR--

REYNOLDS
"NO, THE CHAMP KICKS OUT AGAIN!!"

"Come on, Alex!! Stay on her!!" Erin yelled.

"A, get up!!! GET UP!!!!" Mia screamed.

Alex Brody picked Adrianna up onto one knee, beginning to dish out strikes of her own. Knees and forearms. Chops and kicks. Adrianna staggered and Alex went for an Irish Whip. Adrianna countered, whipping Alex across the mat. Alex tucked forwarded and bounced off the ropes in a springboard handstand, coming back towards Adrianna for what looked like an attempt at a cutter but Adrianna caught her as she flew into her, throwing her arms around Alex's neck and immediately bringing her down to the mat.

REYNOLDS
"THERE IT IS, NICKY!!!!"

HANSON
"MY GOD!! A COUNTER INTO THE REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! AND SHE'S GOT IT LOCKED IN TIGHT!!"

For nearly two minutes, Alex Brody put up a struggle in an attempt to break the hold any way that she could. When she couldn't break out of it the way Erin had been showing her, she began making her way towards the ropes, surprisingly dragging Adrianna across the mat until Adrianna rolled them both back to the center. Finally, before she completely faded, the barely conscious Alex tapped out on Adrianna's forearm, prompting the champion to immediately break the hold on the referee's command, ending the match at 24:39.

ARDEN
"Your winner, by submission...aaaaaaaand STILL...NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPION!!!! ADRIANNA SALVATORE!!"

HANSON
"My GOD, what a match, Jim!!"

REYNOLDS
"You said it, Nicky!! Nobody can say that little girl isn't a fighter!!"

While Disturbed's "The Vengeful One" played over the speakers. Ringside attendents, along with Erin Mercer and Mia Hayashi, rushed into the ring to assist both women. Erin immediately went to patting Alex's cheek to make her come to. Mia knelt above Adrianna's head, carefully holding her head in both hands as the victorious champion stared up at the ceiling with glazed eyes, seemingly barely aware of where she was at first. Right near each other, Alex was helped up onto her knees where Erin pulled her in for a hug, praising and encouraging her for her effort while Adrianna sat up, only to lean back against Mia while the normally energetic, sarcastic half of their duo poured water over her face while holding an ice pack to the shoulder that Alex wisely worked on throughout the match.

HANSON
"Well, Adrianna Salvatore publicly stated that Alex Brody was well deserving of this match and damned if she wasn't right!!"

After the referee handed Adrianna the championship, she pulled herself to her feet, immediately walking over as Erin Mercer helped Alex Brody up and pulled her opponent in for a gentle hug. Afterwards, of which, she held a hand to the back of Alex's neck and inaudibly giving her own compliments to her before hugging her again. After that, the four shared a group celebration in the ring before the members of Merlex left to let Adrianna, with Mia, to celebrate her victory.

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

After another recap of the eighteen days of Vlad Blackheart Memorial matches, the camera returns to ringside where Nick Hanson and James Reynolds are seen at their table.

HANSON
"Well, Jim, it's been a long, wild ride from the beginning of this tournament to now."

REYNOLDS
"We started this tournament back in late September. Here we are just passed one month to the day and we're here for the finals in the largest arena of the United States."

HANSON
"Not to mention the hometown of the man which we hold this tournament for. We saw twenty men come together. Ten men to a block. They wrestled incredible matches and now here we are, about to witness the climax of this tournament as the winners of each block compete in the finals match. The prize: the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Trophy and a contract for a shot at the NFW Heavyweight Championship at WrestleWar in January."

REYNOLDS
"You know, I talk shit on the Dominion of Pain -- on Judas Lasher -- but I will admit, I understand how important this tournament is to him. This is honoring the memory of a man he knew personally. A man he saw as a brother. And on the flip side, this is honoring the memory of a man who paved the way for guys like Chris Wolfe to make their dreams as wrestlers come true."

HANSON
"Absolutely right, Jim. With that said, let's take it to ringside where Lara Chastain -- wife of the late Vlad Blackheart -- and their daughter Lara Blackheart, will reveal the trophy and welcome the competitors in the finals match."

As "Dance Macabre" by Ghost blared out through the arena, the lights dimmed and a single spotlight shined down upon the aisle as Lara Blackheart and her mother, Lara Chastain, began to walk to the ring. Behind them, a man wheeled a small cart upon which sat the beautiful golden trophy that the tournament winner would recieve.

Those who knew her simply as the goofy party girl would be shocked at the appearance of the younger girl. A proud but sad smile on her face, she wore a long white dress, slit down the leg and baring just enough cleavage to not look trampy, she looked at her mother with a nod.

When they reached the middle of the ring, Lara Sr. reached out and held her daughter's hand. Smiling, she looked out at the audience as she took a moment to hold her emotions in check before speaking. "Thank you everyone for coming tonight." When the audience cheered, she waited a second for them to calm down before speaking again. "If Vlad could see all of you out here right now, I know...I know he'd be absolutely thrilled."

Lara Jr. hugged her mother, before motioning to the trophy that now sat in the middle of the ring. "We can honestly say, right now, that regardless of my group affiliation, we BOTH wish nothing but luck to both competitors tonight. To both Judas Lasher and Chris Wolfe... thank you for the drive and determination that got you both here."

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

For the finals match, Chris Wolfe made his entrance to a new theme song in the form of Eminem's "Survival."

ROGER ARDEN
"Introducing first: from Brooklyn, New York...weighing in at 222lbs...he is the winner of A Block...CHRIS...WOLFE!!!!"

As Chris Wolfe warmed up in his corner of the ring, the lights suddenly dimmed down and the familiar, haunting demonic voice of Venom Inc. filled the arena.

~AVE...SATANAS...~

As "Ave Satanas" kicked on with the brutal guitar intro, the familiar, robed figure of Judas Lasher appeared on the stage with two of the Dominion of Pain members accompanying him.

ROGER ARDEN
"His opponent: being accompanied to the ring by LeeAnn Viskan and Doomsday...from Chicago, Illinois!!!"

Arden even paused for a brief moment to let the hometown audience roar their approval.

ROGER ARDEN
"...weighing in at 251lbs...he is the winner of B Block...the King Of Pain...JUDAS...LASHER!!!!!"

As Judas performed his usual entrance of "blessing" members of the audience in the front row, with ashes carried by LeeAnn, Doomsday loomed close behind, silently walking behind the two like an intimidating guardian (not like it was needed.) Now, however, he had changed out of his ring gear and into a variation of street clothes, which for him was a pair of black pants tucked into a pair of boots and a sleeveless vintage "Vlad The Impaler" t-shirt from Vlad Blackheart's Dominion period. Even with this outfit and his hair pulled back into a ponytail, the man concealed his face underneath his mask as he stepped up onto the apron and easily pulled the ropes apart to allow Judas and LeeAnn entry into the ring before casually stepping over the top rope himself and being the one to take Judas' goat skull helmet and robe from him as he prepared for the match to start.

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

The Finals match for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament was a contest for the ages!! Judas Lasher obviously had years of experience and brutality on his side but Chris Wolfe certainly showed that he could hang with NFW's darkest and most savage man on the roster. Literally, just barely after the five minute mark in the match, a series of elbows and forearms from Judas Lasher left Chris Wolfe's face literally painted in his own blood. That of which Judas grinned maliciously as he swiped his palm across Wolfe's face and brushed the man's blood across his own chest.

HANSON
"Oh, that is sick! Wearing his opponent's blood like a badge of honor!"

REYNOLDS
"You see why I call this guy crazy, Nicky?!"

Nonetheless, Chris Wolfe began to mount his own offense and refused to go down easily against the King of Pain, returning with some of his own stiff strikes that left Judas unsteady on his face and later slow to get back up.

REYNOLDS
"I don't think Lasher was expecting Wolfe to put up this much of a fight, Nicky!! Even after his showing in A Block!!"

HANSON
"Who can say, Jim!! But it's clear that Big Bad Wolfe wants this as bad as the King of Pain!!"

To the pop of his side of the crowd, Chris Wolfe slipped out of a powerbomb attempt and hit Judas Lasher square in the face with a forearm before running off the ropes and coming right back at the dazed man. It turned out to be Judas just half-playing possum, however, as he suddenly popped up and caught Chris around the head, coming back down hard to the mat with....

REYNOLDS
"OHHHH!!! LUCIFER'S HALO!!! THAT'S IT, NICKY!!!!"

HANSON
"IT'S GOTTA BE!! COVER!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

HANSON
"HE KICKED OUT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!"

Both competitors looked to be in disbelief, as well, before Judas continued his assault on Chris. Further on, into the match, Lasher had Wolfe reeling again and began taunting for Lucifer's Halo a second time. This time, he sprang up but was shoved into the ropes where he rebounded back and was scooped up across Chris Wolfe's shoulders.

REYNOLDS
"LUCIFER'S HAL---NO!!!"

HANSON
"NOT QUITE, JIM!!!"

As Chris Wolfe wasted no time following through with his own finisher, known as the---

HANSON & REYNOLDS
"DIREWOLFE!!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"CHRIS WOLFE HITS THE DIREWOLFE!!"

HANSON
"WE'RE GONNA HAVE OUR WINNER RIGHT HERE!!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR--

REYNOLDS
"NO, JUDAS LASHER KICKED OUT!!"

Wiping more blood from his face, in disbelief, Chris Wolfe shook his head and quickly made his way out of the ring, waiting at the ropes for Judas Lasher to get back to his feet.

REYNOLDS
"Ohhhh, what's he gonna do, Nicky?"

HANSON
"I don't know, but I know damn well he's looking to finish it off here!!"

REYNOLDS
"Lasher's on his feet but he's unsteady!!"

HANSON
"Here comes the Big Bad Wolfe!!"

As Chris Wolfe springboarded off of the ropes and back into the ring for a flying forearm, Judas Lasher jumped up and met him midair, catching him in another--

HANSON
"WAIT, NO!!!! LUCIFER'S HALO!!!! LUCIFER'S HALO!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"THAT'S THE SECOND ONE, NICKY!!!"

Rather than immediately going for the pin, an enraged Judas Lasher quickly pulled Chris Wolfe back up to his feet and delivered---

HANSON
"A *THIRD* Lucifer's Halo!!!! My GOD!!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"Lasher makes the cover!!!"

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

The crowd erupted into a deafening pop as Venom Inc.'s "Ave Satanas" simultaneously resumed over the speakers, after the match ended at 43:23.

REYNOLDS
"WOW!!! JUST...FUCKING...WOW, NICKY!!!!"

HANSON
"YOU SAID IT, JIM!! THERE'S YOUR WINNER FOLKS!! JUDAS LASHER IS HEADED TO WRESTLEWAR!!"

ARDEN
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE IS YOUR WINNER...OF THE VLAD BLACKHEART MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT...JUDAS...LASHEEEEEEERR!!!!"

Slowly struggling to his feet, exhausted and pushed to the very limit, the victorious Judas Lasher helped Chris Wolfe to his feet, and embraced his bloodied, defeated opponent, before Wolfe wearily left the ring.

REYNOLDS
"I'm a little shocked, Nicky. Judas actually helped the kid up!"

HANSON
"That 'kid', Jim, just went toe to toe with the King of Pain for over forty minutes. I'd say that merits a little respect, Jim."

Lara Blackheart walked up to her godfather, standing on her tiptoes as he bent down slightly so she could give him a little kiss on the cheek, as she waited for her mother to present the trophy.

Lara Chastain walked up behind her daughter, smiling up at Judas as she held the trophy. Once her daughter moved, she stepped up and presented Judas with the trophy. "Judas, I'd say you earned the hell out of this," she said simply.

Taking the trophy, Lasher took a moment to compose himself, before taking the microphone and speaking. "At 48 years old... I can say I have never worked harder for anything in my life as I have to get to this very moment. I promised that I would honor the name and the legacy of my best friend. My brother. The man who would be standing here leading the Dominion in my stead were he not taken from us far too soon."

He looked around the crowd, catching his breath. "My dear friends... LeeAnn, Matteo, my dear Jennifer..." He said, referring to young Lara by her birth name, "They have all been here for me, supporting me and pushing me to keep going. But in the end... there was one person who kept me at my strongest, even when my body wanted to give up. And that would be this woman right here. My beautiful Allesandra. Tragedy brought you into my life... but nothing shall take you from it." He turned to the older woman, grabbing her and planting a long, passionate kiss on her lips.

Lara jumped slightly in surprise when Judas kissed her, obviously not expecting it. However, it looked like she quickly got caught up in the moment, kissing him back as she gently rested a hand on his chest. This wasn't exactly how she thought the night would end up being, but she wasn't exactly going to argue with it!

With the trophy at one arm, and the woman he'd finally realized his feelings for at the other, Judas looked truly like the triumphant warrior he was.

"And now... the road to WrestleWar begins. No matter who holds the World Championship by then... it will be leaving that night once more around the waist of The King... Of... Pain. To the victor the spoils, and victory will always come to The Dominion. Ave... Satanas."

As "Ave Satanas" resumed again, the group inside the ring was joined by Steven Brody, there to do his own part in congratulating Judas Lasher with a handshake before Brody, Lasher, and the two Laras posed for a commemorative photo with the trophy.

HANSON
"What an incredible journey this entire thing has been, and what an amazing match we just saw to bring it all to a close!"

REYNOLDS
"If that doesn't go into the hat for match of the year, I don't know what will!!"

HANSON
"Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you again for being here with us for this special event. The first of many, I assure you! However, for now, it's time to say goodbye. We'll see you again on November 5th when New Frontier Wrestling returns to it's regular, weekly schedule. So long everyone!!"