NFW Trauma #22 - Chicago, Illinois! 07/07/2020!

CROWD

NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW!

Andrew Payne: Hello everybody and welcome to episode Twenty-two of Trauma!

Miranda Augustino: Tonight’s tag team main event is going to be epic. I can’t wait to see Maiko and Angel Kusanagi take on our loveable Kawaii Trash Pandas Go!

Andrew Payne: We will also be seeing the return of Graham Baker as he steps into the ring for the first time in nearly a month here on Trauma

Miranda Augustino: Tonight is chalk full of action and I don’t want to wait another minute!

Andrew Payne: Thea, take it away!

Opening Match - Singles Match

Savannah Sunshine v. Runa Olson

Thea Crawford: The following contest is a one one match, scheduled for one fall!

My Favorite Game by The Cardigans plays as Runa Olsen comes from the back wearing a white lab coat and a stethoscope over her ring gear. She heads down the ramp waving at fans. Runa enters the ring and checks the refs pulse before removing her lab coat and stethoscope

Thea Crawford: Introducing first, weighing at one hundred and nineteen pounds, from Oslo, Norway… DR. RUNA OLSEN!

The first few moments of her music blasts through the arena before Savannah comes running out onto the ramp. She hypes the crowd up, running from the left and then to the right. Hands waving around and feet jumping around as she gets pumped up. She finally makes her way towards the ring with a look of pure determination. Though her music is instrumental, the chorus comes around as she hops up onto the ring apron. “Oh, I just can’t wait to be King!” She sings along with the crowd, stomping one foot in tune to the music just after. Stepping over the middle rope, she soon steps into the ring. Doing a quick pose in the ring, lollipop still hanging from plush lips. She hypes the fans up one last time and prepares for her challenge.

Thea Crawford: And her opponent, weighing in at 125 lbs. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… SAVANNAH SUNSHINE!

~DING DING DING~

Runa charges in with a running knee, but Savannah sidesteps her. Runa turns right back around for a clothesline, but this one is ducked. Runa comes in fast again, and this time she’s taken over with a hip toss. Savannah does a cartwheel in front of her and Runa covers for the dropkick, but instead the sweet queen offers her hand to the rookie and helps her up. They shake hands, circle and lock up. They jockey back and forth for a bit as neither can get a real advantage. Runa tries to use the very slight height difference to push Savannah back, but that allows the sugary sensation to turn slightly and wrench the arm. Savannah wrenches the arm again and pulls Runa into a jumping eye knee, rocking the doctor and allowing Sunshine to hit a uranage which she follows up with a middle rope leg drop and a quick cover, but only gets a 2 count. Savannah drives Runa back down to the mat with a massive spear. Sunshine doesn’t cover, instead going up to the top rope. As Runa slowly gets to her feet, Savannah leaps off with GERONIMOOOO!, but Runa rolls through the crossbody attempt, tosses Savannah up and connects with the House Call. Runa quickly scrambles into the cover and hooks the leg

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

Runa looks at the ref in shock and insists that it was three. He assures her it wasn’t as Savannah starts to recover. Runa notices this and pulls her up for a snap suplex. Runa floats over, but instead of going for the cover, she brings Savannah to her feet, but it’s fairly slow going. Runa slips behind for a German suplex, but Savannah catches her with a few elbows and gets her in position for a fisherman suplex, but Runa punches the back of Savannah’s knee with her free arm amd manages to break out. Runa charges the ropes, springboards up to the middle and comes back with a stunner. Runa makes the cover, but only manages a 2 count. Runa hits the ropes and looks for the curbstomp, but Savannah manages to roll out of the way. Runa rolls through and turns around into a spear that nearly breaks Runa in half. Savannah follows it up with STARBURST and Runa is rocked, leading to Savannah delivering the CANDY CRUSH! Savannah rolls Runa into a cover

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: The winner of the match as a result of a Pin fall… SAVANNAH SUNSHINE!

Andrew Payne: Savannah Sunshine picks up the win tonight as she shows off impressive resilience, striking and instincts. She knew she has Runa rocked and hit a second big move to be damn sure she put her away.

Miranda Augustino: I liked that, I also liked Runa Olsen just punching Savannah in the back of the knee to get out of that suplex. She is definitely learning and getting better, but tonight Savannah Sunshine, the chick obsessed with candy and kicks, picks up the win.

Savannah looks down at Runa as she has her hand raised and gives her a quick nod before she hops out of the wing and runs around giving all the fans an elbow bump to celebrate her win.

Result: Via Pin fall

==============================================

Graham Baker leans back against the brick wall of NFW’s backstage area, lighting a cigarette between his lips as he glances into the eye of the camera. He lets it hang for a moment as he contemplates his words carefully, before he speaks.

Graham Baker: I promised last week I was gonna call my shot, and I did. I didn’t know who was walking out of that main event with the United States Championship, but honestly? It didn’t matter. Maki and Salvatore are both high caliber competitors, brutal warriors, willing to go to whatever lengths they could to win-or retain-that championship in that main event. Was I surprised to see Salvatore walk out as champ? Of course not. Salvatore’s a monster, and I’m excited to see how I can square up to her.

Baker takes another pull off his cigarette, and glances down at it.

Graham Baker: Salvatore, you’ve held that title for a decent bit of time now. You’ve defended it against any and all challengers, and, well...I have to respect that, don’t I? Problem is, if you consider me the same as everyone else on your kill list, you’re gonna walk headfirst into a wall of muscle and flesh. You’ve fought a lot of people in a lot of circumstances-but you’ve still never faced someone like me.

Another pull off the cigarette, and Baker crushes it between two of his fingers and drops the ashes to the ground.

Graham Baker: Undefeated in NFW, despite a short break, I’ve still been globe-trotting around the fucking planet putting on clinics and barnburners and everything in-between. No one in this industry works as hard as I do, travels as far as I do, puts as much into the blood of this sport as I do. Accolades and gold come natural, but I’m not gonna pretend that means anything against you, because I said I was working my way up from the bottom and I damn well intend to continue doing just that. My caliber of competition-save for Dokueki-hasn’t been the highest, but it has been competitive. The same can be said for Debby Haze, who, in my mind, is one of the highest caliber performers on this-or any-roster, just waiting on a breakout.

Baker snaps his fingers for a moment, as if remembering, and turns his attention elsewhere.

Graham Baker: But, Debby, don’t think that just because you are not my focus that you’ll get little attention from me, or you’ll be able to sneak out a win like a thief in the night because my eyes are fixated dead ahead on Salvatore. I’m hoping you get a good performance-honestly, I could use some cardio, and someone with your speed and skill’s gonna bring it to me, I know. I often say I’m not a meal ticket for those on the come up, but you, Debby? You’re an exception. Give me your best, and I’ll gun for you harder than I’ve gunned for anyone in this company. I wish you luck...but don’t think that means I’ll take it easy.

Baker considers his next words carefully, and speaks as he seems to come to a conclusive thought.

Graham Baker: I haven’t walked through these hallowed halls for a few weeks now, but now that I’m back, I’m here to stay. NFW’s bargained off their date with the Guillotine for long enough, but, finally, we’re here. The stands are filled, and it’s time for the blade to drop and start lopping the heads off of every poor motherfucker who wants to stand in the path of war I’m carving through the wrestling world. I have no doubt Debby Haze can stack up, just like I have no doubt Adrianna Salvatore can, but at the end of the day, the blade still falls, and the heads will still roll.

Baker cracks his knuckles as he walks off from the camera’s view, leaving a silent void for a moment as his words hang, before cutting to black.

Singles Match

Graham Baker v. Debby Haze

Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

A disco ball lowers over the ring, as Born to Be Alive starts to play. While the globe shaped object starts to rotate, Debby Haze skates out onto the stage. Before making her way to the ring, Deb starts to roller disco.

Thea Crawford: Introducing first! From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 136lbs!

Once the dance is over, debby puts on a display of skating prowess. Spinning, and playing to the crowd, as she inches her way to the ring.

Thea Crawford: She is the Disco Queen! DEBBY HAZE!!!

Once Debby reaches ringside, she removes her strap on skates, and pushes them under the ring. After a few more seconds with the fans, Deb rolls under the bottom rope, and into the ring.

Thea Crawford: Her opponent! Weighing in at 245lbs! From London, England! The Guillotine! GRAHAM BAKER!!!

As the opening bars of 'Holy Calamafuck' ring out through the arena, Graham Baker emerges from backstage with a sleeveless denim jacket on and a bandana pulled up over his mouth and nose with aviator-style glasses on. Baker bops his head at the opening bars of the song until the first verse begins, at which point he slowly approaches the ring, throwing his bandana down and his glasses into the crowd. He slaps hands with fans who are supportive to him and taunts the others, before approaching the apron. He brushes his boots off on the apron, before sliding in under the middle rope as we get to the mid-point beat drop of the song, at which point he points a finger-gun to his head and 'fires' it before rolling into the center of the ring and waiting for his opponent.

~DING DING DING~

Graham and Debby circle each other in the ring before it looks like they’re going to lock up, but Debby uses her quickness to get behind Graham and put him into a waist lock. She then sweeps his legs out and causes Graham to hit the mat face first. She gets up and hits the ropes and as she comes off, she delivers a basement dropkick right to the side of Graham’s face. Debby then gets up and helps Graham to his feet before sending him into the corner. Debby charges in and delivers a back handspring elbow before sweeping out the legs of Graham. Debby then backs up and gets a running start before delivering a cannonball senton to Graham in the corner. She then pulls him out and climbs to the top rope before delivering a splash from the top rope and hooking the leg only to get a two count. Debby picks Graham back up to his feet and sends him into the ropes. Graham comes off the ropes only to be met with a spinning heel kick that drops him right back down. Debby then picks Graham back up to his feet and she takes him and hits Disco Twist. She hooks the leg and Graham once again kicks out at two. Debby then climbs up to the top rope and waits for Graham. Graham finally gets up to his feet and when he turns around, Debby looks to deliver Saturday Night Fever, but Graham gets out of the way and Debby crashes down onto the mat.

Graham gets his bearings straight before he walks over to Debby and brings her up to her feet. He then grabs her and delivers a snap suplex before floating over and delivering a second and then taking Debby and lifting her up and delivering a delayed vertical suplex before floating over for a cover, but Debby kicks out at just one. Graham though doesn’t let up as he picks Debby up and sends her into the ropes. Debby comes off the ropes and Graham connects with a standing dropkick before hitting the ropes himself and delivering a leg drop before going for another cover and Debby kicks out at two.Graham then picks Debby up and delivers a buckle bomb before taking Debby and delivering a double underhook powerbomb and completing Double Down. Graham though doesn’t stop there as he picks Debby up and this time, he delivers Second Harvest before hooking the leg and getting the three count.

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, Graham Baker!

Andrew Payne: And Graham picks up a win in his first match back!

Miranda Augustino: Debby gave him one hell of a fight though.

Result: Pinfall

==============================================

==============================================

Singles Match

Tahti Kuu v. Nathanael Morian

Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Helsinki, Finland! Weighing in at 138lbs! She is Finland’s Fallen Star! TAHTI KUU!!!!

H.I.M’s “Poison Girl” hits on the speakers as Tahti Kuu comes running out onstage through smoke shooting up in front of the entrance curtain. She throws her hair back and raises both arms, throwing the horns to the audience before making her way down towards the ring. Tahti slaps hands with the audience as she moves down the ramp. She slides into the ring and stands on the ropes, pumping the horns to the song’s guitar riff. As she removes her entrance gear, she backs into her corner.

Thea Crawford: And her opponent….

The Arena lights go out. A soothing melody and voice cut above the crowd.

I'm hella mixed up, yes, I know
A lot of good and bad stuff as I grow
So now that I gotta live life when I'm both all I can saaayyyy...

A spotlight hits the entranceway illuminating someone standing in a hooded coat amidst fog...

What's my name? EBAH!

The words are followed by a prolonged yell. The figure then slowly starts to walk to the ring. He shadowboxes slightly as they walk.

EBAH! (Come on)
Evil brain, angel heart
Evil brain, angel heart
Evil brain, angel heart
Evil brain, angel heart!

He gets to the ring and climbs the steps. He steps through the ropes and paces around the ring.

Fucking right, I'm a maniac and I'm loving it
Call me anything but my motherfucking government
I can love a bit, no, a big my love'll get
But in my brain, I stay insane and I'm always on some other shit!

He comes to the center of the ring and stands there for a moment. He then throws the hood of their coat back to reveal Nathanael Morian. He looks sternly into the camera before moving to a turnbuckle and climbing it.

Thea Crawford: From Fort Wayne, Indiana, weighing in at 191lbs! NATHANAEL MORIAN!!

Really wanna fuck a bitch, E.B. can't get enough of this
See me take what I stuck her with then I gotta run and give it to another chick
Gutter trick, suck a dick! State the texture of a brick
Making them Magnum rubbers split, what a prick, the brother's sick!

He raises a hand up and receives a mixed response from the crowd. Though there are more cheers than boos. He climbs down and removes his coat and hands it to a member of the ring crew. He pulls out a mouthpiece and puts it in as he waits for the match to start.

~DING DING DING~

Nathaniel and Tahtti start by circling the ring. They lock up and Nathaniel gets the early advantage as he goes behind on Tahtti and puts her into a waist lock. He picks the woman up and slams her face first into the mat before picking her up and sending her into the ropes. Tahtii comes off the ropes and as she does, Nathaniel takes her over with a Tsuri goshi. He then hits the ropes himself and delivers a basement dropkick before hooking the leg and only getting a one count out of it. Nathaniel picks Tahtti up again and this time, he sends her into the corner. Nathaniel charges in and goes for a corner splash, but Tahtti rolls out of the way and Nathaniel crashes into the turnbuckles and Tahtti grabs Nathaniel and rolls him up, only to get a one count before he gets out. Both of them get back up to their feet and this time, Tahtii makes the first move and takes Nathaniel down with a standing dropkick. She then hits the ropes and delivers a somersault leg drop. Tahtii picks Nathaniel up and delivers an Exploder Suplex before floating over and going for a cover and only getting a two count.

Tahtti then picks Nathaniel back up to his feet and she sends him into the corner. Tahtti charges in and delivers a shoulder tack in the corner before grabbing Nathaniel and delivering a running bulldog. She then climbs up to the top rope and delivers a 450 splash before picking Nathaniel up and looking to deliver the Eclipse, but Nathaniel pushes her off of him and delivers an Exploder suplex. He then picks Tahtti up and and delivers Ultio. He hooks the leg and Tahtii kicks out at two. Nathaniel keeps pressing though as he picks Tahtti up and then hits Killshot and hooks the leg on Tahtii and gets the three count.

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, Nathaniel Morian!

Andrew Payne: And Nathaniel picks up a huge debut win here tonight.

Miranda Augustino: Man, that match was a hard hitting one. These two brought it tonight.

Result: Pinfall

==============================================

===============================================

Tag Team Match

Dark Army Chan v. Kukki Kaiju

Thea Crawford: The following contest is a tag match scheduled for one fall!

The alternative cover of “Army of Me” by Beanbag begins to play as the lights dim in the arena. The “Dark Army Chan” logo appears on the screen as a spotlight lights up the stage. In single column file, three women march out in succession onto the stage, one after the other and as they get to the ramp they pause. Behind them comes Kan Tai, as she follows them with a sign that simply says, “Dark Army Chan”. As the lyrics start, they begin to march in specific fashion.

Stand up
You've got to manage
I won't sympathize
Anymore

With the beat of the sound of a sledge hammer that is placed in the music, they each take one step, then another, then stop. The woman in the front with the owl mask, tilts her head to one side. The second woman, wearing a fox mask, tilts her head in the other direction, the third one with the rabbit mask looks upward and Kan Tai raises the sign up. All this happens at the same time on that third beat. The fourth beat sees them return back to their original position and continue to march themselves down to the ring as the chorus hits.

And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me

Thea Crawford: Introducing first! Accompanied to the ring by Seo-hyung Kwon!From Japan! At a combined weight of 340lbs! The Rabbit...The Fox...and The Owl! DARK...ARMY...CHAN!

As they make their way around the ring, Kan Tai stops on one side of the ring as the other three continue. At each side, the last member in the procession stops, until the final member is on the fourth and final side. They each climb up onto the apron and the three members of Dark Army Chan slingshot flip into the ring, landing in the center facing each other as Seo-hyung Kwon slips between the ropes and joins them.

Thea Crawford: Their opponents!

Neon strobes of light in different shades of purple and green begin circling around the arena, the remaining lights dimming. A few seconds later, the sounds of “Lover. Fighter.” by SVRCINA begin to be heard on the sound system. As the instrumental intro cuts directly to the chorus we see the entrance way illuminate, showing the Kukkī Kaijū on the stage, donning purple and green entrance sweatpants and tees, posing with their signature megaphones. They yell out to their adoring fans in it before linking arms and heading down towards the ring together. Once they reach the bottom of the rampway, they yell out once more before placing their megaphones on the apron and sliding into the ring at the same time. Grabbing hold of the megaphones, the tandem pose with them, the crowd cheering them on. Handing the megaphones to the ring attendant, the duo take off their sweatpants and t-shirts, putting full focus to the match ahead, as their music fades to silence.

Thea Crawford: At a combined weight of 244lbs! From Japan! Miyumi Iroha...Misaki Watanabe...

Mei gives a wave to the fans before heading to the nearest turnbuckle. Climbing up to the second rope, Mei smiles, raising her arm in victory, pointing up high and then jumping down. She makes her way to the center of the ring where she gives another victory pose before dropping to her knees and kneeling herself down, bowing to the cheering masses. Mei then rises to her feet once more before shifting her focus to the task at hand, her music fading to silence soon after.

~DING DING DING~

Owl and Mei start things off for their teams as they circle the ring. They finally lock up and Mei goes behind on Owl and picks her up, holding her in the air for a moment before planting her face first into the mat. Mei flexes for a moment to the delight of the crowd before picking Owl up and sending her into the ropes. Owl comes off the ropes and when she does, she’s met by Mei who delivers a T-Bone suplex and hooks the leg, but Owl kicks out at one. Mei grabs Owl by the ankle and drags her over to the corner where she tags Kyami into the match. Kyami comes in and the two women pick Owl up and send her into the ropes. Owl comes off the ropes and when she does, the two women deliver a double flapjack to her. Mei gets out of the ring and Kyami takes over as she picks Owl up and puts her into a sleeper hold and she wrenches on it for a moment before setting her hips and taking Owl overhead with a suplex. She holds onto the head and neck of Owl as she sits up and fidgets for a moment before locking in a guillotine choke. She applies pressure to Owl who tries to fight out of it. As she fights though, Fox comes in and delivers a kick to the small of the back of Kyami, forcing her to break the hold. Fox looks at Kyami and taunts her a little bit. Kyami charges after Fox who grabs onto the top rope and low bridges Kyami and causes her to spill out to the floor. The referee starts to tell Fox to get out of the ring and as he’s busy with her, Rabbit springs into action and delivers a sit out facebuster to Kyami out on the floor. As Fox gets out of the ring, Rabbit backs away and Owl rolls out of the ring and rolls Kyami back inside. She then gets back in and tags Fox into the match.

Fox comes in and picks Kyami up and sends her into the ropes. Kyami comes off the ropes and her and Owl deliver a double flapjack of their own before Fox takes Kyami and picks her up to deliver a Michinoku Driver onto her. Fox picks Kyami back up and this time tags Owl back into the match. Owl climbs up to the top rope and Fox picks Kyami up onto her shoulders and turns around. Owl leaps from the top rope and delivers a bulldog to Kyami off the shoulders of Fox before going for a cover and only getting a two count. Owl once again tags Fox back into the match and she comes in and the two of them grab Kyami and deliver a double suplex. Fox then grabs Kyami and brings her up to her feet. She takes Kyami and delivers a DDT that spikes the woman on the top of her head. Fox then tags Owl back into the match. Owl climbs to the top rope and as Kyami gets to her feet, she delivers a Skytwister Press before tagging Fox back in who springboards in and delivers a splash. Owl goes over and knocks Mei off the apron as Fox hooks the leg and gets the three count.

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here are your winners, Dark Army Chan!

Andrew Payne: Dark Army Chan have been unstoppable here on Trauma in the tag division.

Miranda Augustino: You’ve got to think they’ll be in line for a shot at the tag titles sooner rather than later.

Result: Pinfall

===============================================

The scene comes up backstage with Amy Connors standing by.

Amy: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Ms. Wildcard, the Geekette Extraordinaire, Cali-Kate.

Kate walks up trying to put on a smile.

Amy: Kate I know you had hoped to be in the Pyramid match at this point. So what the NFW universe is dying to know is will you instead use your briefcase to make your moment?

Cali-Kate: Spoilers Amy. For shame. But I do hope that everyone in that Pyramid match has put on everything they need because I'm going to be waiting for my fucking chance to shine. The light in this darkness that's been trying to eat at me lately.

Amy: And that is all in the future but tonight you are once again against Mai Blackman. Do you have any thoughts?

Kate shakes her head flatly.

Cali-Kate: Honestly, no. Not one goddamn thought for that bitch.

Kate is just about to walk away, but stops and turns around.

Cali-Kate: You know what, I will say this, Mai and I have gone the rounds since she got here. She has her victories and I have mine. Tonight though, no matter what, it ends. I will end it. If I need to I will end her. Because I'm not the fucking punchline of the joke in this business, I'm the goddamn Geekette Extraordinaire. I have elevated companies and titles because I push everyone to the next level, including myself. But now, not if my career depends on it. Now, when you hear about the fly in the ointment, the monkey in the wrench...

Audience: THE PAIN IN THE ASS!

Cali-Kate: ... it won't be some fun tag line. It'll be the deathknell to someone's round in this game. And you know what Mai, Game Start, bitch!

Cali-Kate turns sharply this time and walks off leaving Amy behind almost worried as the scene fades out.

Singles Match

Cali-Kate v. Mai Blackman

Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first….

With the sudden riff and opening shriek of Killswitch Engage’s “The Signal Fire” ripping through the PA system of the arena, the lights on the stage flicker violently, matching the tempo of the guitar and drums. The curtain parts and out steps Mai Blackman onto the stage with a look around at the audience. She has that cold, calculated demeanor on her face as she walks to the center and takes a moment to do a fighter’s bounce on her toes, loosening up. She throws a few air punches before yanking the towel off from around her neck and lets out a battle cry that exposes the black mouth guard over her upper teeth as she starts down the ramp, towards the ring.

No more following this endless maze
Separation will define the new way
What's broken is what leads us all astray
The chosen are renewed in amnesty
Broken, hopeless, the state of all our fates
Revolted, woken, lead us from this place

Thea Crawford: Weighing in at 135 pounds, from Chicago, Illinois! MAI...BLACKMAN!!!

Mai approaches the ring with a sense of purpose and urgency. Her body language says she’s amped up but relaxed. Eager but focused. As she reaches the ring, she turns and makes her way right up the steps and gets in between the top and middle ropes.

Nowhere to hide, strength realigned
The signal fire's alight
Given to fight, there's hope just in sight
The signal fire's alight

Once she’s in the ring, Mai comes to the center, spreading her arms out as an open invitation to whatever the fans might have for her. Praise. Hate. Props. Insults. Whatever. Without so much as a hint of a change in her expression, she throws her towel into her designated corner and moves to it, turning back to the center of the ring as she hops on her toes, rolling her shoulders and getting ready.

Thea Crawford: And her opponent….

The lights in the arena go dark as the opening chords of “Heist” hit the speakers. The crowd goes up in cheers as a big

“Player 1 Ready…”

comes up on the screen. In the break between the opening chords and the main tune the screen flashes

“Game Start!”

Thea Crawford: Weighing in at 136lbs, from Laguna Beach, California! The Geekette Extraordinaire! CALI-KATE!!

The main tune hits and the lights come back up showing Kate on the stage in a hooded jacket with a huge smile on her face, dancing to her music. Kate flips the hood down and skips down the ramp trading high fives and hugs with various members of the crowd. She even stops a few times to pose for some selfies with the crowd members. Kate reaches ringside and continues skipping one full round around the ring only trading high fives with audience members. When she gets to the corner, the audience goes wild as Kate blows out a kiss to everyone. Kate slides into the ring and jumps to one of the corners and poses once for pictures. As her music fades, she hops off the ropes and goes to her corner, removing her jacket and warming up for her match.

~DING DING DING~

The instant the two go to lock up, Mai Blackman shoots in for the waist, scooping Cali-Kate up for a waistlock takedown and slamming her down. Kate fights to get out from under Blackman but the ex-Marine gets into a full mount and goes right for the forearms and elbows. Kate manages to hit a monkey flip and reverse the top control on Blackman. It puts her into the cover position but she tries to dismount instead of attempting an early pin. Blackman pushes her hips up, however, and reverses the position into an armbar. Kate writhes and kicks while in the hold and manages to get her foot on the ropes, forcing the break. Blackman breaks it and rolls back up to her feet, grinning menacingly with her black mouth guard showing. Kate rolls out of the ring to get a breather and Blackman just motions for her to bring her ass back inside the ring. Kate obliges after a second and Blackman actually lets her up to her feet before circling the mat with her. Blackman starts dishing out the strikes, stiff kicks to the legs and sharp jabs and elbows. Kate answers back with her own until she goes for a middle kick that Blackman catches and suddenly yanks her leg into an Outside Dragon Screw Legwhip. For the next few minutes, Blackman starts going to work on that leg, laying the boots to Kate’s leg and torquing it with an Indian Leglock until Kate’s resiliency frustrates her and the Geekette Extraordinaire makes it to the ropes, causing a break in the hold.

Once the hold was broken, Blackman tried to go right back for that leg but instead Cali-Kate used the ropes as a springboard and introduced Mai to said knee, face first! Kate springs up again, as Mai stumbles back and throws her across the ring with a head scissors takedown! Cali-Kate pops up and jumps up and down for the fans, who give her a huge cheer! Mai rares up, drawing herself back to gain some speed and came charging at Kate! Kate ducked what would have been a huge lariat just in time! Kate then threw herself back into the ropes and came off with a drop kick that rocked Blackman right out of her boots! Kate goes for a cover and got a two! With Blackman kicking out, Kate dragged her up and whipped her into the corner, quickly following it up with That Bass - Bronco Buster! Cali-Kate backs off and Mai goes fish flopping onto the mat! Mai drags herself to her feet, and the pair once again trade stiff shots. Kate keeping up with the whole making sure Mai goes falling down a flight of kicks thing, just hammering her shin and thighs. Though the effort Kate puts out takes it out of the leg Mai worked over, and the Geekette slows. Mai lashes out with a hard elbow strike that catches Kate on the side of the head and it almost looks like lights for Cali-Kate! Mai sets up, looking to lock in another Indian Leglock, but the Geekette rallies out of nowhere! Nailing Mai with a boot to the chin! Mai staggers back and Cali launches herself up, getting a grip around Blackman’s neck to bring her down with a DDT!

Cali-Kate starts calling for the Geek Chic Kick as Mai starts getting to her feet but Mai catches the foot and yanks it down, causing Kate to stumble right into the Chicago Kiss!! Kate gets rocked and Mai goes to pull her back in again, this time for The System but Kate manages to gain her bearings and juke under the dangerous blow. She hits the ropes, comes back and jumps for it! EXPANSION PACK TO BLACKMAN!!!! Blackman flops on the mat as Kate pulls herself to her feet. As she moves in for the cover, however, Blackman reaches up and catches her! BLACKMAN’S BOUNTY LOCKED IN!! Kate writhes, pulls and struggles in the triangle chokehold. It’s clear she can’t pry herself free from it. Blackman’s just too strong. What Kate does manage to do is press forward, pushing Mai back onto her shoulders and presses all of her weight down forcefully as she starts to fade. Mai’s got the submission lock on but her shoulders are down and the ref counts it! 1! 2! 3!

~DING DING DING~

Mai Blackman realizes what’s happened and throws Kate loose, sitting up with wide eyes at the ref as a half conscious Cali-Kate rolls away from her and safely out of the ring as “Heist” by Lindsey Stirling plays again.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner! CALI-KATE!!

Mai Blackman is FURIOUS as she slaps the turnbuckle and kicks the ropes while Cali-Kate retrieves her briefcase up the victory ramp.

Andrew Payne: Cali-Kate picks up a big win over the Bounty Hunter!

Miranda Augustino: Yay, Katie baby!

Andrew Payne: She sure had to dig deep but she pulled it off!

Miranda Augustino: Well hey, don’t sell Blackman short, either!

Result: Pinfall

==============================================

The broadcast cuts to a snippet from the KTPG home video collection and the Collision Center fans are suddenly so loud that they're almost deafening as they look up and watch the big screen. The NFW fans can see AK running speed drills in the ring at #SCRAP Palace when the music that she is playing over the system stops abruptly. Arley jumps a little as the familiar iPhone notification tone cuts cruelly through the mix and we hear the music for a second before there's another notification tone.

Arley Kirk: Gotdangit I really need to set that thing to do not disturb when there's an auxiliary cable and a loud ass system involved!

Arley leaps cleanly out to the floor between the top and second rope before she scurries over to her phone. Arley removes the aux cable with a buzz, causing her to cringe slightly before opening up "the Twitters."

Arley Kirk: Oh really? Is that right, Makaroni?

As Arley's deep brown eyes scan the timeline, her face darkens underneath that mask. Arley shakes her head and even "tsks" once or twice.

Arley Kirk: Nuhh grrrl.

While Arley responds as fairly as she can to what is a fair remark, she remembers to exact a bit of caution. This is Maki after all!

Arley Kirk: Argh. No! No. No no no!!

The two seemed to understand each other before "FUCKMOTHER BITCH" jumped into the fray. Arley raised an eyebrow as she got a text from Risa in Japanese saying something along the lines of "This bitch!! Wait for it.."

Arley Kirk: Piss off, Kusanagi!! Geez!!

Now, Arley was insulted. Yet, she had nothing on her red hot tag partner! Tiger must have been disturbed by the rapid fire notifications. Tigger-San laid it out how it is, and really ripped into Angel about having some 'fucking respect'. Arley couldn't be prouder of her. Both Angel and Maki seemed to back it down a gear after all was said and done.

Arley Kirk: If I could telepathically coyote fistbump the tiger, I am doing it so hard right now. In fact..

AK made it official by doing so on Twitter. Seconds later, Arley laughed loudly as ST returned the sentiment.

Arley Kirk: Yanno. Despite what anyone says. KTPG is gon' be otay!!

This scene instantly fades via a shot of tv static, and when the image quality returns, the Chicago fans see Super Tiger and Arley Kirk in their locker room all suited up for the contest ahead, and they go CRAZY for their KTPG!

Super Tiger: Konnichiwa Collision Center!

Tiger leans forward, energetically waving at the camera!

Super Tiger: So I said some… bad words on Twitter lately, and to my younger fans, I apologize for my swearing!

Super Tiger bows repeatedly in an animated fashion before standing up straight, and pulling Arley over to throw an arm over her sister's shoulder. A comical sight, to be sure, considering the Suicide Blonde is nearly half a foot taller than the diminutive dynamo!

Super Tiger: I was very very upset! Maki is my friend, and I did not, at first, understand why she would say such things! But after cooling off and thinking about it, I figured it out Arley-San!

ST nods enthusiastically!

Super Tiger: Maki knows we perform at our absolute limit when we go into a fight thinking we are the underdogs!

Arley twigs a little when ST says this..

Arley Kirk: Wait. Wait. What? But why would you want to say stuff like that if you want to face a team who isn't confident they're gonna rip you to shreds on sight?

It doesn't seem to make as much sense to AK as it does to Tiger..

Super Tiger: Because Maki is like US! She is the number one contender for the title for a reason! She wants to fight at her strongest, against opponents who are at THEIR strongest!

Super Tiger begins to pace back and forth.

Super Tiger: Anyboobs…

Arley Kirk: You dirty thief!

The little Asian grins, glancing at Arley.

Super Tiger: Tonight, Maki will find out why you don't poke a hungry tiger and a coyote with a stick!

Arley Kirk: We're not gonna keep embellishing on this. Sure, Maki seems like a smart woman. Why oh why is she taking after her wildly ignorant partner for THIS match of all things?!

Both AK and ST playfully facepalm in unison and then chuckle.

Arley Kirk: It's come, it's been, and it's done. There ain't much we can do about it now. Mistakes were made. "Racoon bitches" merely capitalized!

Arley's grin turned slightly lopsided behind her mask.

Arley Kirk: Just like Kusanagi and her attempts to learn workable english. We're all but done here. Just like Maki and her thinly veiled attempt to stand over us? It's over..

Arley pauses to take in breath, letting her shoulders fall one last time.

Arley Kirk: Just like it's a given that no matter how successful we may become, our opponents will look down on us? It's a given that KTPG will headbutt them in the fakkin' nose for their troubles! BAM!

Arley shuffles forward, stopping short of delivering a rock hard headbutt to the lens of the camera and then waving and smiling sweetly to whoever may be watching!

Super Tiger: Hai grrrl!!!

They both grin and lock fists..

Arley Kirk: Yuh grrrl!!!

Both Tiger and AK make the world's silliest explosion noises as they withdraw their hands and then chuckle as this segment fades out and we return to commentary.

===Main Event===

Tag Team Match

Maki & Angel Kusanagi v. Kawaii Trash Pandas Go!

There is a MASSIVE response from the fans as "Karate" hits the system and on either side of the Tron, Risa and Arley are seen sliding down the rigging poles down to the ramp.

Thea Crawford: From Lake Fenton, Michigan. Weighing in at a combined weight of two hundred and twenty pounds...

Risa enthusiastically makes her way down the ramp, high fiving the fans and pressing her face against theirs while Arley skolled a juice box then got a laugh while she slammed the empty container against her forehead a few times. Arley quickly ran down the ramp, also high fiving fans as she passed.

Thea Crawford: The team of SAITO RISA and ARLEY KIRK...

While Risa leapt up onto the apron and through the top and middle rope, Arley sprung from the barricade to the apron and cartwheels over the top rope, landing in a roll, Risa rolling in the opposite direction and both leaping to opposing corners to roar enthusiastically at a popping crowd..

Thea Crawford: They are KAWAII TRASH PANDAS GO!!!!!

Risa executes a perfect moonsault to her feet while Arley executes a twisting somersault to her feet. The Trash Pandas meet in the middle and bump both of their fists together several times, the crowd joining in with their trademark phrases while their music starts to fade..

Saito Risa: "HAI GRRRL!!!!!"

Arley Kirk: "YUH GRRRL!!!!!"

One final POP arises from the NFW fans as they fist bump once more and "Karate" fades out while Risa and Arley play "Paper, scissors, rock".

Thea Crawford: And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of 180 pounds...the team of Angel Kusanagi and Maki!!!

The lights go out, a loud sound like a giant heartbeat sounds every second, the lights flash around the arena, then a red spotlight hits the entrance way as Halestorms's Sick Individual hits. The light hits Maki and Angel with their backs to the audience, Maki is on her hands and knees, she slowly crawls her way to the ring with Angel staring straight ahead.

“Well you think that you know what I am but you don't.
'Cause I say what you can't and I do what you won't.
I like it loud, wear it proud, like a crown upon my head
I'll always be this way 'till the day that I'm dead

'Cause I'm a sick individual
And I'm doing this thing called whatever the fuck I want, want, want
I'm unusual”

She slowly crawls to the ring, with her hair down to her shoulders, her white face paint, with scribbles on her body of "Help" as Angel stares daggers into Kirk and Risa.

“'Cause I'm a sick individual”

She crawls to the ring and slides under the bottom rope as Angel climbs through them.

“'Cause I'm a sick individual”

Maki sits in the ring with her head bent back, laughing maniacally, and then flips herself to her feet as Angel watches.

“And I'm doing this thing called whatever the fuck I want”

Maki’s tongue is sticking out as she whispers Korean to herself and then shocked as Angel kisses her.

~DING DING DING~

Maki chooses to start as does Super Tiger. They shake hands as Super Tiger gets Maki in a waist lock but friendship is out of the window as Maki snaps her head back with a vicious elbow strike and a cutter out of nowhere. Angel cheers her on as Arley is pacing the apron. She proceeds to kick the downed Super Tiger all over her torso, whips her to the rope and hits a spinning heel kick. She lifts her up for a death valley driver but she wriggles out and hits a reverse hurricanrana on Maki. She runs to the ropes and springboard moonsault connects and Maki audibly screams in pain. She drags Maki to their corner and tags in Arley. She hits Maki with a European uppercut that staggers her and then a perfect chick kick. She goads Angel who is seething on the apron. Maki slowly gets to her knees as Arley runs to the ropes and springboard cross body but Maki held on to Arley and hit a spinning side slam. Super Tiger and Angel were calling for the tag and Maki was about to reach her but Arley had enough in her still to roll her up for a 2 count.

Maki was furious and levelled Arley with a clothesline and then whipped her into her corner and hit her with a mule kick and tagged in Angel. Maki looked for a second like she wanted to attack Arley but then exited to the apron holding her face. Super Tiger on the apron was cheerleading for Arley as she was hit with a barrage of offence by Angel. A variety of uppercuts, elbows, kicks and punches and she followed it up with a stinging headbutt and slammed Arley’s head against the turnbuckle. She then hit a running soccer kick and ran in again for a cannonball. Arley was struggling now but even so she tried to fight back with fists but Angel returned them as they slugged it out. Angel got the upperhand and nailed her with a standing brainbuster. Super tigger ran in but Maki flung herself at her with a flying forearm and then started laying boots to her as Angel smiled at her. Maki bealed Super Tiger over the top rope and then went back to her corner but Arley was coming to slowly but then Angel hit her with a sliding elbow smash for a 2 count.

Angel was more than annoyed and screamed in japanese. Maki called for the tag but Angel shook her head. Super Tiger was back on the apron calling for a tag as well but Arley got to her feet and in Angel’s face who proceeded to slug it out again. Arley pushed Angel hard into the ropes right where Maki was and she went flying into the crowd barrier, hit her head hard and slumped to the mat, her eyes rolling in the back of her head. Angel was in shock at what happened to her wife and Arley used this to hit a leg lariat followed by a 720 Tornado DDT. Angel tried to roll out of the ring but Arley grabbed her and hit an atomic drop and a bulldog. Super Tiger and Arley nodded as Risa hit a sliding knee to Angel and as the latter got to her feet Arley nailed her with a Superkick. Angel was down as both climbed to the top rope and double top rope legdrop. Angel was all but out here. Suddenly, Maki appeared in the ring. Her eyes were black, blood pouring from her eyes. It was Daniela the Demoness who grabbed Super Tiger by her Mask and flung her to the outside. She laughed and hit Arley with DRAG ME TO HELL before jumping over the top rope and after Super Tiger. Angel dropped down for the pin but only got a 2.5 as her leg was on the rope.

On the outside Daniela/Maki hit Super Tiger with a package piledriver onto the steel steps. She slid under the ring and found a barbwire baseball bat and began pummeling Super Tiger with it and trying to take off her mask with the barbwire. Arley tried to help her friend but Angel stopped her with a spiked DDT and then draped her over the middle rope and went to the apron, watching the heinous attack by the demoness and then hit a big boot and Arley fell back into the ring. She stalked her as Arley was slowly coming to her feet. Angel got her in a hammerlock but Arley reversed it into a backdrop driver. Suddenly Dokeuki came down to the ringside area, watched as the demoness powerbombed Super Tiger against the apron and then Super Tiger started to fight the demon as Dokeuki shrugged. Arley watched her and motioned for her to fight but a small package from Angel got only a 2.8 count. So close. Angel ran off the ropes but AK-25 out of nowhere for the three count.

~DING DING DING~

Dokeuki and Arley exchanged words but hit a discuss lariat on Super Tiger and Daniela/Maki. Then Daniela got up and Dokeuki spit her green mist and Maki laughed and hit her with her black mist. Arley leaped over the ropes as Maki aka Daniela and Dokeuki slowly backed away.

Thea Crawford: Here are your winners...SAITO RISA and ARLEY KIRK...KAWAII TRASH PANDAS GO!

Andrew Payne: Arley and Super Tiger get back on the winning track as a team here tonight, but what was up with Dokueki showing up?

Miranda Augustino: I’m not sure, but I’m sure we’ll find out.

Andrew Payne: Well, that’s another edition of Trauma in the books folks, for Miranda Augustino, I’m Andrew Payne, and we’ll see you in two weeks for episode twenty-three!

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