NFW Collision #82 - Chicago, IL! 07/14/2020!

CROWD

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

Nick Hanson: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Nick Hanson and Matt Salvatore here; welcome to NFW Collision!

Matt Salvatore: Tonight's gonna be hot, Nick! We got the World Heavyweight Champion in action! Main event versus Darius Crowley!

Nick Hanson: Yes, your godson.

Matt Salvatore: Yeeeesssss, true. Totally objective, though! You can't deny that.

Nick Hanson: True.

Matt Salvatore: Right, so stop bringing it up. Jeez, Nick.

Nick Hanson: My apologies, partner! Well, we thank you for joining us ladies and gentlemen! We hope you enjoy the show tonight. We've also got two tag team matches. The winners of each will meet each other on Episode #83 to determine who will face the NFW Tag Team Champions at Cruel Summer on August 25th! We've got that and so much more!

Matt Salvatore: That we do! Let's get things underway, Nick!

We go to the parking garage where Minoru Tanahashi is sitting on the trunk of a black car, leaning back slightly against the back windshield. He’s already dressed for his match, complete with his ring jacket as he twirls his dark grey horned skull mask by the strap wrapped around his finger.

Minoru Tanahashi: Ooooooh, I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts, deedily deedily dee.

While he does, the camera slowly pans to the left to see a shiny blue 2018 Audi R8 Coupe sportscar make a sharp turn onto the scene! Peeling out for dramatic effect, smoke unintentionally flies into Minoru’s direction. He coughs a few times then waves the smoke off, and watches as Cass Baumer parks. He stops spinning his mask and smirks as he waits for her to get out of the car, just a few spaces away from him. Once she does in a pair of blue jeans and a SACTAP t-shirt available at NFW’s online shop, it’s evident by the look on her face that she hadn’t expected him to be out here.

Cass Baumer: You out here for a reason, cuz? I was about to shoot a promo on ya ‘til I saw you were out here too.

Minoru hops up off the car and sprints over towards her and leans in a bit.

Minoru Tanahashi: Cass Baumer. Hello. It’s Minoru Tanahashi with Tokyo Tabloid News.

Before Minoru finishes, Cass is already playfully rolling her eyes but smirks as she lets him finish.

Minoru Tanahashi: Is it true that you are incredibly nervous about your match with the one and only Black Lion, your mother’s favorite wrestler, the reason your girlfriend watches wrestling, Minoru Tanahashi?

He flashes her a smile, then steps back and straightens up.

Minoru Tanahashi: I’m just kidding… kind of. I mean I plan on going out there tonight, beating you, and making a statement after being gone for the last 2 shows and not having the best of outings in a few shows before I went over to Japan, but it’s nothing personal at all Baumer. You can still come to my cake and strippers for all post-show celebratory extravaganza.

His smile slightly fades, but he’s still in a relatively friendly mood. Cass shoves her hands into her pockets, then leans against her car and crosses her arms.

Cass Baumer: Sure, I’ll level with ya. You’ve got guts to come and ruin my promo shoot like this, but I better prepare for the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament press conference while I’ve got this chance, eh?

He gives a simple nod in agreement as he starts to twirl his mask around his finger again while smirking at his soon to be opponent.

Cass Baumer: You wanna know if I’m nervous? Yeah. I’d be dumb not to be nervous. That just means I give a shit, though. It doesn’t mean it’s gonna stop me.

Minoru gives a slight chuckle and gives another agreeing nod.

Minoru Tanahashi: I suppose it does, helps explain why my left hand won’t stop with this little bit of shaking.

He raises his hand, and it looks reasonably still as he holds it up. He shrugs at first as it stays steady, but then there’s a slight tremor, and he does his best to laugh it off. By the look of Cass’ blue eyes, she subtly takes note of what she sees with a smile.

Cass Baumer: At first glance, you’ve got much more to gain from this bout than I do, yeah? I’m the number one contender for the Silver Mountain Championship right now, after all. So a win over me would skyrocket that clout of yours to opportunities you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise and give you momentum headed into that tourney to boot. I ain’t letting that happen, though. You’re a good dude, talented too, but now that I’ve finally got a whiff of success in NFW, I’ll fight with all I’ve got to make sure I stay on top. You get me?

Minoru nods in agreement for the third time as he stops twirling his mask around his finger, instead clutching it in his hand as he looks down at her, still not aggressive, but not as jovial as he was when the conversation began.

Minoru Tanahashi: You’re right, I do have more to gain from this match. That also means I have a lot less to lose, and as cliché as it may be, the man with nothing to lose is a dangerous man. You’re the number one contender for a title, I’m a guy with three matches, and one of them was a joke. I win this, it does skyrocket me. It also sends a message to other people in the tournament. I’ll be going in with wins against at least one person in each block. I know it won’t be easy, and I’m probably not at one hundred percent, but I like my chances. Size, power, technical ability, intelligence, I mark those all down in favor of me. You have speed, momentum, and what was it you said I had earlier? Guts, yea, simple word used to convey such an interesting quality. As intent as you are at keeping that momentum, I plan on snatching it away, and I’ll do it by any means necessary. You got me?

The smirk returns as he returns her question back to her as he looks down at the intrepid young wrestler. Cass smiles back at all he’s said, unmoving as she continues to lean against her car with eyes studying her opponent’s every move, each word committed to memory.

Cass Baumer: You think size and strength can’t be overcome with a little creativity? That’s a mistake. You might be smart, but I’ve made a history of walking out with the win when I shouldn’t have on paper using the best weapon I’ve got in my arsenal.

Baumer uncrosses her arms and taps her temple with her index finger. He smirks and chuckles under his breath at that.

Cass Baumer: All that’s left to do is see who comes out the winner, eh?

With that, Cass walks past Minoru and enters through the double doors to the Collision Center itself.

Minoru Tanahashi: There you have it, folks, Cass Baumer terrified to face Minoru Tanahashi, but also very excited about his everyone gets cake and strippers post-show celebratory extravaganza.

He said it very loudly, knowing Cass would hear him even behind the doors. He then laughed, slipped his mask on and raised it to his forehead before he headed inside to finish preparing for the match.

The camera shifts into a hallway to find the Kingdom, minus one of their first and most prominent members walking as a unit down a hallway filled with people milling about minding their own business. Jasmine walked in the lead with Mary and Morgan behind her. Lluvia and Moe walked together discussing their match.

Nick Hanson: The Kingdom doesn’t look right without Lilith with them.

Matt Salvatore: Whatever is happening to that chick, it’s weird. Okay? That’s all I’m saying. It’s weird.

As the group rounded the corner all of them noticed immediately the way the lights in the hallway flickered on and off. Mary’s eyes, especially, began to scan the area for signs of the ones who cause it and found nothing.

Nick Hanson: Oh….this isn’t good...

Matt Salvatore: Why? According to reliable sources, they worked it all out.

Jasmine was the first through the door and found the figure they had expected standing in the center of the room. She wasn’t dressed to compete, but instead in a long dress that brushed along the floor and came up in two straps over her shoulders. The black and orange hair hanging down over her painted face.

Morgan shoved past Sativa only to have both Sativa and Lluvia grab the back of her top as Morgan screamed in rage.

Morgan: “GET THE FUCK OUT!”

Asmodeus: “Leash your mutt.”

Morgan: “KEEP TALKING BITCH!”

Moe: “Show some respect!”

Lluvia nodded in agreement and Mary crossed her arms over her chest staring at the painted woman. Maiko just smiled and threw her head back letting out a deep unhinged giggle.

Asmodeus: “Respect? You dare speak to Us, of respect?”

Sativa: “What do you want?”[/color]

Asmodeus: “An arrangement was made.”

Morgan: “Fuck your arrangement. We don’t fucking need you.”

Jasmine finally turned and looked behind her at the group of women.

Jasmine: “Enough! It’s already done.”

The group fell silent and Asmodeus looked at each of them in turn.

Asmodeus: “It’s really fairly simple. My reasons are my own. None of you can handle what has happened. None of you know anyone who can. This is where The Children of Nephilim excel. So, We are here to fix what is broken inside your Faerie.”

Morgan: “What YOU broke!”

Asmodeus just smirked a bit beneath that wealth of face paint but never even looked at Morgan. As if she wasn’t worth the trouble.

Asmodeus: “Rule number one. You stay out of it. Out of Our way, especially your dog. We have been taught how to do what needs to be done and it requires precision. Exact, measured, precision. Flying off the handle is of no use to Us.”

Jasmine: “And number two?”

Asmodeus: “There is only one rule. Stay out of Our way. Things will get worse before they get better.”

Jasmine: “Whatever it takes.”

Jasmine said, much to the surprise of some of the women behind her.

Jasmine: “Fix it.”

Asmodeus just smirked a second time and the lights of the room flickered a few times before going out completely. When they came back the painted woman was simply gone. Lluvia looked over at Moe and then forward at Jasmine.

Lluvia: “You sure about that?”

Morgan: “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND?!”

Jasmine just nodded to Lluvia and locked eyes with Morgan.

Jasmine: “I won’t let pride hurt someone I love. Not mine. Not yours. Not anyone’s. No price to pay is too high for any of you.”

The red-haired woman cupped Sativa’s cheek with one hand and pressed her lips into the other before weaving through the women and exiting the locker room to be alone. None of them looked happy, but Morgan looked downright pissed. But she had no choice. None of them did.

It was in Asmodeus’s hands now.

Match #1 - Singles Match

Kamila Rose v. Teresa Duke

Roger Arden: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

The arena goes black, as a music box is heard playing as the screen begins to flicker. A pair of heels are heard clicking along the ground, as the screen turns on and a music box is shown on the screen. The music box keeps playing as a woman approaches it, looking down at it tilting her head to the left, then to the right. She immediately grabs the lid and slams it, as it fades back into the arena, and a woman shouts over the PA System.

“Shatter Me!”

Just then "Lollipop" by Rage of Light kicks in and from behind the curtain emerges none other than Kamila Rose.

Roger Arden: "Entering the arena right now...from London Ontario Canada...weighing in at 120 Pounds...Kamila Rose!!"

She has a serious yet stern look on her face as she walks down to ringside. Some fans are cheering her, but the overwhelming boos seem to be drowning them out. She gives one fan a cold glare before looking on to the ring as she makes her way down the aisle.



She marches up the ring steps and steps between the ropes. She gets up on the second rope spreading her arms apart, not caring for the negative fan reaction.

She gets off the ropes, taking off her ring jacket and paces around the ring ready for the match to begin.

Roger Arden: Her opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia! Weighing in at 168lbs! TERESA...DUKE!

Crown by Kelly Rowland gears up and Teresa emerges from behind the curtain after she poses in the entranceway. She makes her way down the ramps fluffing her big curly hair. She slaps hands with the fans before she finally get inside the ring. Making her to the closest corner and standing on top. Pointing to the fans with a big smile on her face. She gets down and goes to the middle of the ring fluffing her hair. Before she goes to the corner and waits for the official to start the match.

~DING DING DING~

Kamila and Teresa circle the ring before locking up. Teresa gets the clear advantage as she forces Kamila into the ropes. The ref calls for a break and Teresa gives it cleanly before grabbing Kamila by the wrist and sending her into the ropes. Kamila comes off the ropes and runs right into a spinning backfist by Teresa. Teresa picks Kamila up to her feet and this time hooks both arms and delivers a double underhook suplex. Teresa hooks the leg, but Kamila kicks out at one. Teresa once again picks Kamila up to her feet and this time, she sends the woman into the corner. Kamila hits the turnbuckles as Teresa comes charging in and goes for a corner splash, but Kamila is able to get out of the way and Teresa hits the top turnbuckle face first. Kamila takes Teresa out of the corner and delivers an impressive German suplex. Kamila then climbs up to the top rope and as Teresa gets up and turns around, Kamila launches herself and delivers a flying crossbody and goes for a cover, but Teresa is able to kick out at just a one count.

Kamila drags Teresa over to the ropes and drapes the woman’s head on the bottom rope before standing on the back of Teresa’s neck and begins to choke her. The ref makes their count and Kamila breaks it at four before she can get disqualified. Kamila continues her offense though as she takes Teresa and picks her up and delivers The Black Rose. She has Teresa locked in the crossface in the center of the ring. Kamila wrenches back on the hold as the ref asks Teresa if she wants to give up, but the woman refuses. Teresa struggles to try and find a way out before she finally finds a way to shift her body a little bit and get up to her feet with Kamila still on her back. Teresa reaches back and grabs a handful of Kamila’s hair and just flips her over her shoulder and onto the mat. Teresa then grabs Kamila and pulls her up to her feet before delivering the Atlanta Slammer. Teresa doesn’t stop there though as she picks Kamila up once again and this time, she hits Candy Wrapper and now she hooks the leg and gets the three count.

Roger Arden: Here is your winner, Teresa Duke!

As Teresa is celebrating in the ring, a woman with a hood over her head slides in under the bottom rope and she blasts Teresa with a crowbar to the back of the head. Teresa drops to the mat as the woman takes the hood off of her head and it’s revealed to be none other than Heidi! Heidi looks down at Teresa before she picks the woman up and delivers Banishment! The crowd begins to boo Heidi loudly as she just looks down at Teresa, proud of her handiwork before delivering a few quick stomps to Teresa and kicking her out of the ring where she now stands tall.

Nick Hanson: Teresa may have won tonight, but Heidi ruined her moment to celebrate.

Matt Salvatore: Heidi decided to come out and make a statement tonight, it’s as simple as that.

Result: Pinfall

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

The scene comes up backstage with Dylan and Torian, the Brothers Drake, two of NFW's newest signings.

Torian: What is up everyone? I am NoTorian, I am Torian Drake. This here's my big brother. This is Double D, Dylan Drake. We're here to make our debut on NFW Collision in a big way.

Dylan smiles and flexes a bit while Torian paces in front of him.

Torian: We're coming here to make a big impact. Everyone says that of course, so what sets us apart? What makes us any different from every other team that's coming in to this company? Well off the top of my head, the only thing we've got is our family bond.

Torian steps aside and Dylan steps forward.

Dylan: We recognize we are the new faces here. We get we're the underdogs in experience and that it can make all the difference in the world. That is not going to limit us. Every shortcoming can be overcome with patience and perseverance.

Torian nods as Dylan continues.

Dylan: Torian and I recognize that we are facing two very experienced competitors known as the Queen's Guard here. Lluvia and I actually have something in common. We're single parents of twins. And we both want them to be proud of everything we do. So you can understand Lluvia when I say I have no intention of letting down my children in their father and uncle's debut match.

Torian steps up again.

Torian: And the other half of that team is Moe Renhuan. I spent some time in Japan when I turned 18. I learned a lot and in their own local fitness world, that's where I earned my nickname, Akumyo Ryu, Infamous Dragon. But this isn't a culture competition. This is combat sports.

Dylan nods behind Torian and folds his arms across his chest.

Torian: Now we consider ourselves to be very chivalrous in a day where chauvinism seems to be the call of the day. Let's make one thing clear: we don't underestimate what the Queen's Guard can do. But we are going to move forward in this tournament no matter what it takes. And we'll continue on to do whatever we have to to cement our legacy here. We are the Brothers Drake.

The Brothers put their fists together above them.

Torian: Fight as one mind.

Dylan: Win as one heart.

The camera zooms in on the joined fists before the scene fades out.
The camera comes on to show Lluvia Cane and Moe Renhuan, known collectively as the Queen’s Guard, preparing for their upcoming match against the Brothers Drake. Moe finishes tying the back of Lluvia’s top, giving the Cherokee Rose a slap on the butt to signify she was done.

Moe Renhuan: So, babe, I’ve got a question for you.

Moe sits down on a bench, pulling on her boots, and beginning to lace them.

Moe Renhuan: Have you seen these absolute neanderthals that Calloway has us booked against? I’ve never met them, and, if I’m being honest, I’m not exactly interested in doing so at all.

Lluvia Cane: I’ve seen what little bit of them that I’ve been able to find...which hasn’t really been too much. I don’t think Calloway is real big on anyone within The Kingdom, but he can’t ignore talent and drive.

Lluvia sat down on one of the benches, tossing her heeled boots off to the side in order to get her ring boots on. As she laced her boots up, the Cherokee woman looked up at Moe, giving her a slightly cheeky grin when she caught the other woman’s eyes. The room was quiet for a few moments as Lluvia finished with her boots before she pushed herself off of the bench.

Lluvia Cane: I haven’t even heard much from them though, so I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised at night hearing much about them in the process of it all. But going back to not being able to ignore skill, it’s no shock that we have what it takes, and then some, in the tag team division. We drew the short straw before, but that’s not going to happen again.

Moe grins, winking at Lluvia as she rises to her feet and turns her back to the camera, peeling off her tank top and leggings in front of her fellow Collective member before reaching into her gym bag and taking out the rest of her gear.

Moe Renhuan: All I gotta say is this. Most big guys like them? They’re gonna see us and think they got some kind of advantage because they’re bigger and stronger than us. Ha. Typical muscle bound machismo. Tie me up?

Renhuan had gotten her top and bottoms on, and turned her back to Lluvia, holding her hair out of the way.

Moe Renhuan: I may be the newest member of the Kingdom, and our tag team may still be new, but we had our bumpy first match. Got it out of the way. We’ve been training. We’ve been watching film and learning each other for weeks. There’s no WAY we are letting these two meatheads beat us this early.

Lluvia tied the straps to Moe’s top, giving the back of her neck a little kiss when she finished. The petite woman, while not as in your face, had no issues showing her love and affection towards the women she loved, even if on camera. Lluv came around from being behind Moe and grabbed the long jacket that she had started wearing as part of her ensemble.

Lluvia Cane: They remind me of the type that would be uncomfortable fighting women for one reason or another. No matter what their reason may be, it would be a grievous mistake on their part to think we’re weak in any way, shape, or form compared to them or others they’ve faced.

Lluvia fastened the clasps on her sleeveless jacket, deciding to forego the crown with roses that she wore from time to time. While she had decided to save it for special occasions, this was a night that could go without it. Lluvia gave Moe a smile then a small nod, letting one of her loves know that she was ready whenever the other woman was. Moe smirked, nodding and winking at the Cherokee woman before loosely lacing her fingers with her partner.

Moe Renhuan: They can be uncomfortable fighting women all they want. But they aren’t just facing any women. I am the Kingdom’s Neon Samurai. You are the Kingdom’s Cherokee Rose. Our Queen would not trust us to carry her name if she did not think us capable of bringing to their knees those who stand before us, or our family.

Moe reached into her locker with her free hand, throwing the sheath for her LED katana over her shoulders, the blade hanging between her shoulder blades. She lowered her head, whispering something unheard by the camera before raising her head.

Moe Renhuan: We are the Queen’s Guard. We represent the Kingdom. Brother’s Drake? You may not know us. We do not know you. But one thing is absolutely certain. By the end of tonight, after the Queen’s Guard has laid the two of you to rest, you will, always and forever…

Queen’s Guard (together) : Behold. The. Kingdom.

The camera fades to black as the two women clasp each other's hands and leave the locker room as their entrance music begins to play through the arena.

Match #2 - Tag Team Tournament Round

The Brother’s Drake v. The Queen’s Guard

Roger Arden: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall!

The lights in the arena dim as the opening of Eve to Adam's "Immortal" begins. The camera focuses on the tron where shots of the brothers working out and sweating play.

"I am immortal
I'll never fade away
I'm a legacy that lives beyond,
Far beyond the grave
I am immortal
I'll never rest in peace
And you're never gonna be
Never gonna be never be ME!"

The camera is back on the stage as the opening crescendos where Dylan and Torian Drake pose together on the stage. Dylan holds two water bottles and flexes while Torian gets to his feet and spins a little to show off his physique before both head down the ramp.

"Don't pretend that you don't know me now
They're six feet down, I m still around
Carved into your memory
You're never gonna forget me
You had your day,
But time washed you away
You're dead
You're gone
But I'm still going strong"

Torian high fives the audience and both brothers work to get them fired up as they continue down toward the ring. At ringside they embrace before they head to opposite sides of the ring. Torian swings off the ropes on one side, while Dylan flexes on the apron on the other.

"I am immortal
I'll never fade away
I'm a legacy that lives beyond,
Far beyond the grave
I am immortal
I'll never rest in peace
And you're never gonna be
Never gonna be never be
Never gonna be never gonna be never be ME!"

Both brothers get in the ring and pose together once more. This time, Dylan crushes the water bottles over them both, showering them both as they fire up the crowd once more.. Finally, the music fades and they go to their corner to prep for the match.

Roger Arden: Their opponents….

The lights dim in the arena as two blue spotlights shine down on the stage. As “Flesh and Bone” begins, Lluvia Cane and Moe Renhuan step out onto the stage and into the spots on the stage, blue lights pulsing down the sides of the ramp and flashing throughout the arena. Both hold their hands up over their heads, rotating their hips as they spin in opposite directions.

Roger Arden: “Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 270 pounds, representing the KINGDOM….”

Moe and Lluvia fist bump one another before they strut down to the ring, laser focused as they walk past the members of the audience on their way to the ring.

Roger Arden: “The team of Lluvia Cane and Moe Renhuan…”

Lluvia climbs onto the apron as Moe climbs the steps behind her. Lluvia turns to the crowd with a smirk before skinning the cat over the top rope as Moe steps up onto the bottom rope and points down to Alexa, Tommy, and the Little Royals with a grin and a wink.

Roger Arden: “They are THE QUEEN’S GUARD!!!”

Moe and Lluvia nod to each other, slapping hands twice before fist bumping one another and turn, ready to start the match.

~DING DING DING~

The bell rings, and the match begins, with Lluvia Cane and Dylan Drake starting things out for their teams. Lluv looks to work her speed early against the much larger Dylan, running past him to come back off a rope rebound and look for a diving crossbody. The larger of the Drake brothers, however, catches Cane relatively easily out of the air, and spins her down and around into a powerslam and a cover. Lluvia doesn’t stay down, kicking out quickly. The Cherokee woman gets to her feet, and the former bodybuilder gets his hands on her, looking to execute a German suplex, but as he does, Cane lands on her feet, slapping hands with her tag partner Moe Renhuan. By the time Dylan is back on his feet, so are both members of the Queen’s Guard, who leap and hit the bigger man with synchronized dropkicks! Dylan stumbles back, and Moe immediately sprints past him, coming off the ropes to nail her kneeling opponent with a stiff Shining Wizard! The AnimeZing One rolls to her feet, bowing to the crowd, but her taunting allows Dylan to get to his team’s corner to tag in his younger brother Torian.

Moe Renhuan and Torian Drake now, both wrestlers circling, looking for an opening. Drake makes the first move, stepping in at Moe, but Renhuan shows off her athleticism, leaping onto Torian’s shoulders and executing a headscissors into her teams corner. Lluvia Cane tags in on instinct, allowing the Queen’s Guard to lift Torian and execute a Double Vertical suplex. Lluvia goes for the cover, but Dylan is right there, effortlessly lifting Cane and tossing her across the ring! He smirks, turning toward his brother just in time for Renhuan to come flying off the top rope and out of nowhere to hit a sudden diving cutter! Dylan rolls out of the ring as Moe gets to her feet, and retreats to her teams corner. Lluvia and Torian begin to stir, circling one another as Dylan climbs up onto the apron in his teams corner. Torian hooks Lluvia, dragging her over to the ropes to perform “Bye Bye Buddy”! Lluvia is down! Drake steps back as Cane starts to stir. He comes in as she gets to a knee, looking for a submission, but Lluvia grins, rolling him up as he comes in! Dylan is in the ring now but he wasn’t watching as Renhuan springboards off the top rope and nails a modified “Tailed Beast Bomb” and the referee awards the three count to the Queen’s Guard!

~DING DING DING~

Roger Arden: Here are your winners, The Queen’s Guard!!

Nick Hanson: Lluvia Cane and Moe Renhuan advance to the next round of this contest to determine Collision’s next number one contenders to the NFW Tag Team Titles! They’ll be facing either SACTAP or their own team mates, The Regulators!

Matt Salvatore: Can you imagine if it comes down to The Queen’s Guard and The Regulators? In-fighting within The Kingdom is something that doesn’t happen often!

Nick Hanson: Not within a ring, anyway.

Matt Salvatore: Well now, let’s not talk about that.

Result: Pinfall

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

The feed smash cuts to elsewhere in the Collision Center building. Cass Baumer sits on an equipment box with her slender legs hanging off the edge and her palms clutched together. With her eyes closed, The Headliner prays silently while a small Catholic heart pendant with angel wings attached to a necklace dangles. Opening her eyes, she still has on her red SACTAP t-shirt. On it, there’s a large white graphic at the center. Keiji and Lash pose obnoxiously in their superhero gear, the bright silhouettes easily defined. Overtop though, a crisp white blazer obscures the sides of the monochromatic image emblazoned on her chest. Finally, she separates her hands and crosses her legs.

Cass Baumer: So I did the research. And you know what I discovered?

She grabs her notebook and opens it wide to her bookmarked page to read out her findings. With her white jacket, she almost looks like a long-haired dirty blonde doctor, but it’s only momentary.

Cass Baumer: At Collision #81, Minoru had the bullshit claim in his pre-recorded video that he couldn’t compete that night ‘cause he was in the National Oriental Wrestling Cup at the time (otherwise known as the #NOWCup2020 for short). And see, that’s an alright excuse if you don’t think about it for more than five minutes, mate.

The fast-talking Kiwi lets the words hang as she studies her own scribbles in the notebook resting on her lap, not wanting to drop all her exposition at once

Cass Baumer: Night two was on June 29th in Japan. Night three didn’t happen ‘til July 2nd. Now you do some simple timezone math and do the flight research as any globe-trotting wrestler worth their salt should be doing pretty regularly. The only thing miraculous about Minoru is how he had the time— an overabundance, in fact— to take the nonstop flight to Chicago when the NOW show was over and be at the Collision Center in Chicago with plenty of hours to spare!

She laughs, uncoiling her legs from one another as she shows her notes like a Kindergarten teacher on the ‘magic carpet’ designated for reading to the class. In her near-illegible sloppy handwriting, it does indeed show her work. Needless to say, the conclusion at the bottom circled in blue highlighter said that Minoru would have had approximately ten hours give or take before the start of Collision #81.

Cass Baumer: He had enough time to take a nap. He had enough time to eat, too. He had enough time to entertain the NFW fans and enough time to hit his opponent with that spectacular Black Lion Bomb moms across the world swoon for, but he couldn’t be buggered. Instead, he asked not to be booked. And while he’s a friend of mine, I’ve gotta hold feet to the fire, eh?

Popping off the equipment box and landing on her feet, the number one contender for the Silver Mountain Championship walks towards the camera.

Cass Baumer: I’ve been hurt. I’ve been stabbed with glass shards. I’ve been thrown into horrible structures, and I’ve spent nights in the ER. Through it all, I still showed up to every NFW show I was booked.

Then she steps into position again, inches from the lens as she stares down anyone watching with big, expressive blue eyes rimmed in pale green. She slows down her speech too and lowers her tone.

Cass Baumer: Even when I stepped out of the spotlight for a few months, I realized just how much I missed being in front of that audience despite everything I went through. I realized I missed the busy days and the constant travel to locations I would have never gone to in my wildest dreams otherwise. I missed the nights where I left in the locker room right after a match just to head to the next town when the sun came up. And most of all, I realized I couldn’t be satisfied with all the people I disappointed in the process. Whether that be the anonymous sources who cheer for me around the world, co-workers, or anyone else. I was overcome with a newfound appreciation for all this sport entails, and I haven’t come down from that high yet. It feels like I’ve got this responsibility to at least do the best I can. Even when my body aches and I feel like I should quit, I refuse to entertain the thought further. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and it wouldn’t be like that if I didn’t go through absolute hell to get here.

She takes a deep breath.

Cass Baumer: Minoru didn’t feel like trying to compete in NFW or OATH at the beginning of July when he could have. Instead, all he managed to do was send in a couple of pre-recorded apology videos about how come he didn’t bother to show up ending in a commercial for #NOWCup2020. I think that speaks volumes to the difference between us, eh?

Cass steps forward and pulls the camera in for an uncomfortable extreme closeup with a playful smile.

Cass Baumer: So whether it’s Minoru Tanahashi, Tren Descarrilado, Silver Mountain Champ Jasmine Matthews, or anyone else who wants to step up to me in NFW, I’ll be ready! I won’t make excuses! I won’t ask not to be on the card unless it’s an absolute emergency! I’ll compete if I’m medically cleared ‘cause that’s the kind of competitor this promotion deserves! That’s the kind of competitor the fans want! That’s the kind of competitor my brother would have been, and that’s the kind of competitor I want to be even if it takes everything I’ve got!!

She playfully pushes the camera operator back and walks to the equipment box with a swagger in her walk. Climbing on top to sit where she was at the beginning of the video, she sweetly kisses the pendant attached to her necklace for good luck like the cameras weren’t watching. The intimate moment properly hangs for a short moment until she slowly looks back at the lens again to finish off.

Cass Baumer: I’ll be keeping an eye out for a special NFW edition of that brilliant Minoru’s Match Musings column you write to see you examine where it all went tits up for ya, mate. We just gotta make sure it deserves a six-star rating in the meantime, yeah? I know you’re capable.

With that, the broadcast shifts to somewhere else in the building as Baumer examines the tiny blue crystalized heart with angel wings in her grasp with devoted reverence.

Match #3 - Singles Match

Layla Aishe v. The Dark Faerie

Roger Arden: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

The opening tunes of "The Mummers Dance (Remix)" by Lorena McKennet starts to play on the speakers. A few seconds into the song Layla steps out from behind the curtain in a long dress on which hangs several jeweled tassels alongside her many necklaces. Layla smiles to the cheers and adulation of the audience as she goes to several fans on the way down to give blessings to them. When she reaches ringside, she climbs the stairs and steps under the second rope to enter the ring where she poses for the audience once more. As her song fades out she removes, the necklaces and her dress to reveal her ring gear underneath. She hands her removed items to an attendant at ringside and prepares for her match.

Roger Arden: Introducing first...LAYLA...AISHE!!!

The dark and eerie sound of “Reign of the Dark” begins to play as the arena goes dark. The music continues as fog trails out down the ramp and a dark purple light shines through it before a spotlight appears on the top of the ramp and Lilith Meadows stands there, staring straight forward. She has on her black ring jacket and covering half of her face, there’s a dark purple lace, masquerade mask. The music continues as Lilith slowly makes her way down the ramp.

Roger Arden: Her opponent. From the Land of the Fae, Arianrhod!

She continues to walk down the ramp as the spotlight follows her and the fog billows up and begins to surround her. As she approaches the ring, the lights suddenly go out. A few moments go by as the music continues to play and as the music cuts, the lights come back on and Lilith is hanging upside down on the ropes, a wicked smile on her face and her mask in her hand and between her lips. She flips off the ropes and onto her knees before spider walking over to her corner and bridging up before tossing her mask to the outside and removing her jacket.

~DING DING DING~

As soon as the bell rings, Arianrhod stands there, looking right at Layla with a wicked smirk on her face before she begins laughing and pointing at the woman. She continues to laugh as she motions for Layla to come at her. Layla obliges and when she does, Arianrhod just rocks her with a stiff forearm shot. It doesn’t end there though as Arianrhod grabs Layla by the hair and pulls her in, She then grabs the woman and delivers a couple of headbutts before taking her and delivering a double underhook suplex. Arianrhod continues as she hits the ropes and delivers a running senton onto Layla before picking her up and sending her into the corner. Arianrhod gets a running start and delivers a corner splash before taking Layla and placing her into the tree of woe. She then gets a running start from the opposite corner and delivers a running boot right to the face. Arianrhod then grabs Layla and brings her up to her shoulders before delivering Bedlam! Lilith goes for a cover, but Layla kicks out at two. Arianrhod just laughs as she looks down at Layla who is struggling to breathe right now. She takes Layla and pulls her up to her feet before putting on an abdominal stretch right in the middle of the ring. She digs her elbow into the ribs of Layla who screams in pain, but the woman just laughs and puts more pressure on the hold and ultimately releases it.

Arianrhod takes Layla and sends her into the ropes, as Layla comes off the ropes, Arianrhod goes for a discus forearm, but Layla is able to duck it and deliver a chop to the chest of Arianrhod who just grins and urges Layla for more. Layla delivers another chop, and another, Arianrhod seemingly being unaffected by it. Layla then lays in a few forearm shots, but Arianrhod shrugs those off too before delivering a forearm of her own before hitting the ropes behind Layla and delivering a chop block. Layla goes down to one knee as Arianrhod hits the ropes again and this time delivers a shining wizard. Arianrhod laughs as she looks down at Layla and simply grabs her by the legs and delivers Dragon’s Ire! Arianrhod goes for the cover, but pulls Layla up before the ref can count the three. The ref admonishes Arianrhod who just wags her finger before taking Layla and delivering a second Dragon’s Ire. She then grabs Layla and locks in Dark Ending. Weakly, Layla begins to tap out, almost immediately.

Roger Arden: Here is your winner, Arianrhod!

As the bell sounds, Arianrhod still has the submission locked in on Layla who is screaming in pain. Arianrhod is just there laughing as the ref tries to force her off of Layla. Arianrhod finally releases the hold and stands up, standing over Layla who is almost motionless on the mat.

Nick Hanson: Whatever has happened to Lilith Meadows, this is a side that is extremely dangerous.

Matt Salvatore: Lilith just dominated this match and what she did at the end wasn’t even necessary. The woman has snapped after she was attacked by Asmodeus.

Result: Submission

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

We cut backstage where Minoru Tanahashi is talking to a crew member, casually leaning back against the wall as he twirls his mask around on his finger.

Minoru Tanahashi: And sometimes man, that little spray of water hits just right and it’s like, hey now what’s going on with Mister happy?

The crew member looks a bit unsure of the conversation but nods his head anyway.

Minoru Tanahashi: I mean that’s not what it’s about, that just happens to be a little ancillary benefit. You will never feel more clean or refreshed in your life. Plus, have I ever steered you wrong before Kyle?

The crew member raises a finger and looks ready to say something, but Minoru pushes his hand down and shakes his head.

Minoru Tanahashi: Forgetting about that one misunderstanding in the club. I thought he was your type, but now I know better. You come to my post show celebration tonight and I will take care of you buddy. I have a stripper just for you, and you are gonna love her.

Kyle again goes to say something, but before he can, Minoru turns to see that Josh Davidson and a cameraman have been standing there for a decent amount of time. He’s a bit startled and takes a step back.

Minoru Tanahashi: Oh Jesus, need to put a bell around your neck or something. How long were you standing there? Did you hear about my Everyone gets cake and strippers post show celebratory bash? Because it seems the word is out, and I definitely do not have enough strippers for everyone to get one. I’m not even sure if there’s going to be enough cake.

Minoru gives a slight shrug as Josh shakes his head, takes a deep breath, and smirks.

Josh Davidson: Actually Minoru, I was hoping to get an interview with you. You’ve been gone for two shows, back from a grueling tournament and no doubt looking to work your way into a title scene, so what’s the plan tonight?.

Minoru looks at Josh and now he’s the one shaking his head. He turns away from Josh and starts walking away, then stops and turns back around?

Minoru Tanahashi: Well are you coming or not? I’ll answer your questions, but I have somewhere to be, so we’re going to walk and talk. So come along now, don’t doddle.

He waves for them and they catch up to him as Josh turns the mic towards him.

Minoru Tanahashi: You’re right, I am back from a grueling tournament and I do plan on working my way into the title picture. As for my plans, why in the hell would I tell you?

Minoru is again spinning his mask on his finger as they walk down the hallway.

Minoru Tanahashi: Look I get it, people have this image of me as the fun loving, flashy dressing, lady pleasing, merch selling, amazing match having, super athlete, that could probably be better if he took things more seriously, right?

Josh Davidson: I would say that’s a pretty fair assessment of how a lot of fans view you, maybe some of the staff and other wrestlers and possibly management. At least the part about you needing to take things more seriously.

Minoru Tanahashi: Well that is where you, the fans, the staff, other wrestlers and management, are very ill informed. When the bell rings, I take things very seriously. When that bell rings, every single thing I do is in service of securing myself a victory. Even the things that some might see as being silly or playful, it’s done to get in the head of my opponents. Outside the ring, yes I love to have fun. I enjoy a good drink, a nice meal, beautiful women and having a fun time. I also hit the gym five days a week for two hours at a time and study at least two hours of footage on my opponents every night. I bet you didn’t know about that, did you?

Josh Davidson: I did not, and I think it will surprise a lot of people when they hear that. Now you’re entered into the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, and I’m wondering if we might see that more serious side to you during that. The press conference before, multiple matches. Will you be a little more… subdued going in to such an important tournament?

Minoru stops right there and begins laughing a bit, then tosses his mask in the air, catches it on his finger by the strap, and resumes twirling it around.

Minoru Tanahashi: Not at all Joshy boy. I will continue to be exactly who I am. To not go into that press conference in my finest would be disrespectful. To not continue to be ridiculously confident in my abilities and skill would be stupid. Tonight, I fully believe I am going to win, I have told people that and while I can deal with being called many things, a liar is not one of them.? When I told the milf that lived next door to me back in Japan that I was going to give her the best fifty two minutes of her life, I did it and made sure it was exactly fifty two minutes. So when I say I am going to go out there and take the victory tonight, you can trust that I am going to do anything and everything I can to make that statement come true. Now I am sure you want to ask me ten, twenty, maybe fifty more questions because I am an absolutely fascinating individual, but I have somewhere very important to be, and actually, I am going to borrow this guy.

Minoru reaches his other hand out and pulls the cameraman towards him, and now they’re walking, leaving Josh behind.

Josh Davidson: You know you’re headed towards the parking garage, right?

Minoru Tanahashi: Yep, very important business to attend to.

As he pushes his way out the doors, he looks around for a bit, then walks over to the car. He pushes down on the trunk, and when no alarm goes off, he nods and hops up on to the trunk, sitting there as he spins his mask on his finger.

Minoru Tanahashi: You still recording Kevin? Good, keep at it. I don’t think we’ll be out here for too long.

Minoru sits there and waits, spinning his mask on his finger as he starts to sing.

Minoru Tanahashi: I hear the drums echoing tonight, But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation. She's coming in 12: 30 flight.

As Minoru sings to himself with a surprisingly good voice, he twirls his mask on his finger and leans back a bit while we cut away.

Match #4. Singles Match

Minoru Tanahashi v. Cass Baumer

Roger Arden: The following contest is a one one match, scheduled for one fall!

The lights slowly dim as Heat Seeker begins to play. As the beat begins, red and blue lights start flashing along to the beat. The song continues playing along as a large black lion appears on the screen, charging forward. As it leaps, the lights go black

I've been searching all night
Light the fuse and let me take flight
I’m a

Green and pink lights flood the entrance ramp, shining off of Minoru Tanahashi’s mask.

Heat seeker I just wanna find the truth
Heat seeker and I'm shooting at the moon
Heat seeker yeah I'm looking for the way
I'd rather be lost than to stay the same

The lights flash along to the music as Minrou strolls down to the ring. As the second chorus begins he slides into the ring, going all the way to the other side, he hangs his head over the bottom rope and raises his mask. “Watch this, it’s going to be really cool.” He pushes back from the rope, rolls through, pops up to his feet, tosses his mask in the air. He spins as he lands, turning his back towards the camera as he catches his mask with the face towards the camera.

Roger Arden: Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds, from Tokyo, Japan… MINORU TANAHASHI!



As the vocals of Queens Of The Stone Age burst through the crackling arena speakers, the crowd stand to their feet in anticipation! A thin wisp of smoke swirls and mingles with the vibrant silver-blue spotlight beaming down at the entryway. The shot slowly descends, gradually revealing a self-assured Cass Baumer with a small lighter in the path of the hairspray valve at an upward angle. The Kiwi's confident smile glints against the glow of her oscillating aerosol flamethrower. The boisterous audience pours down appreciation at the gaudy display. Once she's finished with the theatrics, The Headliner defiantly struts down the aisle in a dark silver-blue leather vest, weapons still in hand. As she nears the center of the clearing, she spins and steps backward, unashamedly showing off the glossy "Silver Mountain Climber" emblem at the back of her distressed jacket.



"Smooth Sailing" continues while Baumer's lips form a triumphant smirk, her head turned to the side 'til she leisurely twirls back with her arms extended when she nears the apron. She stops at the steel steps to set down the hairspray, then slides into the ring. The palpable cheers grow in intensity as she bounces back to her feet and mounts the ropes, raising the ignited lighter with pride as she answers the visceral reaction of the crowd with a guttural shout of her own!

Roger Arden: His opponent, weighing in at one hundred and forty one pounds, hailing from Ueno, Tokyo, Japan by way of Karori, Wellington, New Zealand… CASS BAUMER!

~DING DING DING~

As the bell rings, they circle and Cass goes in for a lock up, but Minoru side steps her and tries to trip her, but she sees it coming. They go to lock up again, and this time he does, but he quickly shoves her back onto her ass, utilizing his near 100 pound weight advantage. They lock up again and he uses his size to grab the left wrist of Cass. He gets control and twist a bit as he raises her up up onto his shoulder. He looks at her, winks, and then releases. Cass is getting a bit frustrated and runs at him, but he just levels her with a shoulder tackle. She pops back to her feet as he flexes his left bicep. She delivers a palm strike to his surgically repaired bicep and his arm drops down. She follows with a flurry of forearms and chops that rock the Black Lion. She follows up with an enziguri that spins him around, then hits a huge German suplex, dropping him on his head. She looks to bring him into position for the Bleeding Edge, but instead he rolls out, shakes the cobwebs, looks up at her and nods. He hops back on to the apron, steps inside and they lock up again. He is able to take her wrist once more, but this time he has a tight grip on it. He goes back into a hammerlock and pins her wrist to her back as he looks for a Russian leg sweep, but she fires off a few elbows into his face, then wrenches his left arm and delivers a kick to the bicep then follows with an arm wrench driving him down to the ground. She gets him into a seated position and connects with the Bleeding Edge. She quickly covers

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

Cass is a bit surprised when Minoru kicks out, but she brings him up and looks for the kick a second time, but now he catches her leg, gets up and hits a dragon screw leg whip. Cass gets up and he follows with a big chop and a European uppercut. He delivers a few more chops that back her into the corner, then rocks her with an enziguri that allows him to run to the opposite corner and charge back at her with a massive running European uppercut. Before she can stumble out of the corner, he hits a rope assisted DDT and spikes her into the mat. He hops over the top rope and starts his climb, then looks out at the crowd and yells Sake bakudan bitchi! He gets to the top and dives off with the Osake Bomb, but Cass manages to get her knees up and he crashes down hard. He rolls out onto the apron, but Cass stays on the attack with the Fly By Night, driving his back into the barricade. She grabs him and pulls him back towards the ring, then tosses him inside. He rolls to the other side as she gets in, gets up and sets for Miramira. As he gets to his feet, she charges in, but as she gets close, he plants his foot and turns, catching her with the Akihabara Dreams.


ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

Minoru drops his head as she kicks out, then takes a few deep breaths before he brings Cass to her feet. He looks for another European uppercut, but she grabs the arm, spins him, then hits an enziguri to his injured bicep. She wrenches the arm, goes into the hammerlock and steals Minoru’s strategy, hitting a Russian leg sweep with the arm trapped behind his back. She grabs his arm, brings him up, wrenches the arm once more, goes back into the hammerlock, but this time she twists him into a short arm lariat that rocks him. She follows up with a jumping DDT, now spiking him into the mat. She goes up top and flies off with a diving leg drop to the back of the neck. She covers, but he manages to kick out at 2. Cass goes up top again and decides to add a little flare, as she goes for a flipping leg drop, but Minoru is up and catches her in position for a powerbomb. She manages to slip off, and spins around, looking for the Fact Check. Minoru just manages to block it and spins her back around, then powers her up with a snap suplex. Minoru is groggy as he gets to his feet about the same time as Cass. Cass charges at him and hits a European uppercut into the corner as he had backed up into it. She hits the ropes again and looks for the Fact Check one more time, but Minoru shoves her off and connects with the Kabukicho Nights, then quickly follows it up with the Black Lion Bomb, hooking his feet over her arms as he goes right into the pin

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Roger Arden: The winner of the match as a result of a Pin fall…MINORU TANAHASHI!

Nick Hanson: Wow, Minoru Tanahashi with a big win here tonight as he returns to competition on Collision. Cass Baumer had a great game plan and it looks like she had it a few times, but once Minoru started taking this thing serious, he was not going to be denied the win.

Matt Salvatore: That’s been his problem for a long time, but he got his crap together and I’m very happy about that because now it means the everyone gets cake and strippers post show bash he’s doing is also going to be a celebration for a win. It’s a pretty exclusive list of invitees, but I’ll see what I can do for you Nick.

Minoru has his hand raised, hits the ropes and raises his hand, then gets tossed a strong zero from the time keeper. He cracks it open and goes to take a sip, but stops as he sees Baumer getting up to her feet. He hops down and offers her his hand. She accepts, gives him a nod and goes to head out, but he stops her and raises his drink to her, then takes a sip and gives her hand a raise as well, then lets her go as he celebrates his win a bit more.

Result: Via Pin fall

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

The camera shifts from the ringside area to the backstage again to find the red haired queen of the Kingdom sitting on a stack of boxes near the gorilla position. The Silver Mountain Championship was shining where it laid on the box beside her.

Nick Hanson: “Girl looks so alone.”

Matt Salvatore: “Comes with being a Queen. So I’m told.”

Nick Hanson: “You’re aware that she isn’t really a queen right?”

Matt Salvatore: “It’s all relative, my man. It’s all relative.”

Jasmine: “You know…”

Jasmine began without even looking up at the camera. She instead reaches over and grabs the Silver Mountain Championship by the strap and pulls it across her knees.

Jasmine: “...To many here this championship means prestige. It means respect and adoration. A spot to be climbed to and defended with everything they have. But to me? It’s just Tuesday.”

The red haired woman smirked a bit and looked back down at the camera.

Jasmine: “You have to understand who we are. My family I mean. Put simply? We’re better than you. We’re better than your partners. We’re better than your daddies and better than your heroes. Being the apex of wrestling greatness has been in this family's bloodline across generations for more than two decades.

Unlike everyone else who may say this, I’m not speaking down to you. I’m simply stating a fact. We’re better than you and we know it. This….”

Jasmine tilts the title up, the shine catching the camera.

Jasmine: “Is our handshake. Our half hearted greeting. This is simply part of who we are.”

Jasmine let the title flop back down and chuckled.

Jasmine: “Cassandra Baumer will never understand that. She’s a failed person, masquerading as a wrestler who is really a failed reporter. And all of that puts her on my level….because? Now, I’m not saying that Cass Baumer isn’t talented, she is. While she may be masquerading as a wrestler, she does so fairly well. But she’s not on my level.

It’s like the Raiders and the Chiefs. The Raiders are still a pro team worthy of respect...but no one in their right mind is gonna take them over the Chiefs.”

Jasmine makes the “Seriously” face as the camera catches movement behind her. A tiny blonde figure in a black mask approaching from behind the stack of boxes. The red head doesn’t even see her as she keeps her attention laser focused on the camera.

Jasmine: “I can hear you all already. You must be afraid of her, you have her blocked on that ridiculous social media app that everyone seems to think is….for talking shit for some reason...but the fact is Cass Baumer was removed for doing what Cass Baumer does. Sticking her nose into things that don’t concern her.

And when she finally steps into the ring with me it isn’t gonna be personal. It isn’t gonna be to send a message or any other such nonsense. It’s really very simple….she wants to take something that doesn’t belong to her. That makes her a thief, and I’m gonna beat her fucking ass like the thief she is.”

As Jasmine spoke the words a blonde head came over the top of the great directly above her staring down at her. A steel baton in her right hand was raised for a strike. As she tensed to strike the lights flickered and went out, but only for a split second. When they came back on Maiko Adachi, also known as Asmodeus was crouched on the crates and caught the baton in one hand.

Asmodeus: “We see you.”

Arianrhod: Little demon on the wall, it will be so much fun when you fall. Once your gone, it will be the start of a new dawn. Soon the Queen will be mine, and on her flesh, I will dine.

Asmodeus: “You are not ready yet. We’re watching.”

The painted woman grinned as The Dark Faerie watched her and then the lights flickered again and when they returned to normal Lilith was on the crate alone as the camera shifts back to the ringside area

Match #5. Tag Team Tournament Round

SACTAP v. The Regulators

Roger Arden: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall!

"Neon Knights" blasts forth from the speakers while the arena darkens apart from red and green siren lights running the length of the ramp. The fans POP huge as there is a loud blast of green and red pyro on the stage as Keiji and Lash spring forth from the curtains with a dual stuntman style flip, tucking into synchronised military roll and back up to a knee, achieving another huge POP as they appeal to the fans, spring to their feet and try to slap as many of the hands reaching out as they can.

Roger Arden: From THE FOUNTAIN OF JUSTICE, weighing in at a combined weight of 375 POUNDS, they are the team of KEIJI SUGIWARA..

Keiji bolted down the ramp, launched up onto the apron and barrel rolled between the top and second rope cleanly before leaping to the top rope, commanding a rousing ovation from the crowd in attendance..

Roger Arden: And LASH DONOHUE..

Lash casually sprung up onto the barricade wall, frog leapt from the wall to the apron then skinned the cat, however he stopped in mid air and cut some quick handstand style push ups in the middle of the top rope before hopping down into the ring..

Roger Arden: THEY ARE SUPER AWESOME CRIME TACKLING ACTION PATROL!

The fans joined in with the announcer as Keiji and Lash initiated their ridiculous "secret handshake" before running the ropes in a criss cross pattern a few times before hitting a mid air cartwheel past one another as red and green pyro sparks shot out of every ring post. SACTAP bowed to each other while their music faded and they awaited the beginning of the match.

Roger Arden: Their opponents....

The arena lights go out as the intro to “Regulate” by Warren G ft. Nate Dogg starts up.


Two spotlights find Sativa Nevaeh and Morgan Payne standing at the top of the entrance ramp. The bassline to the song kicks in as the crowd boos loudly. The pair just smirk and slowly stroll to the ring. They take their time, as if they don’t have a care in the world or any place important to be.

Roger Arden: Representing The Kingdom! Morgan Payne...Sativa Nevaeh...they are...THE REGULATORS!!!

They circle the ring in opposite directions. When they meet at the far side of the ring they give each other a quick slap on the ass before continuing to opposite ring steps. They climb their respective steps and get into the ring. Sativa runs to a corner and climbs it with one foot on the top turnbuckle. Morgan stands in the middle of the ring and both pose as the crowd increases the hate for them. Sativa giving her arms out, welcome the doves, pose and Morgan stares intensely out into the camera. They make their way to their corner where Sativa sits on the top turnbuckle with Morgan standing in front of her as they wait for the match to start.

~DING DING DING~

The starting bell kicked things off with Sativa Nevaeh and Lash Donohue circling up in the ring. The two locked up, collar & elbow and Sativa immediately went for an arm wringer, driving forearms into Lash’s elbow until he flipped and rolled out of it and countered into an arm drag. Sativa popped up in time to avoid a dropkick and went for a standing moonsault but Lash moved out of the way with Sativa landing safely on her feet. As Lash came up, Sativa went for a running enziguri to which he caught her by the foot and went for an ankle lock. Sativa was able to get up onto her other foot and land a Mule Kick, knocking Lash back as she rolled forward towards her corner. Lash came running in for a cannonball senton to sandwich Sativa into the corner but, as everyone expected, she moved out of the way and Lash ended up missing his mark, sitting up on the top turnbuckle. Problem was, he was in The Regulators corner so here came Morgan Payne on the apron with a rope assisted, high enziguri, kicking Lash in the face and knocking him back into the Tree of Woe. It was here that Sativa hopped up onto the top turnbuckle as Lash started trying to pull himself up again.

Matt Salvatore: The hell is she doing?

Sativa Nevaeh: I AM A LEAF ON THE WIND!!

Nick Hanson: NO!!!

Crowd: WATCH HOW I SOAR!!!

Matt Salvatore: HAHA! YOU’RE CRAZY WOMAN!!!!!

It was a tight rotation but Sativa came with with LEAF ON THE WIND on Lash Donohue, forcing him out of the Tree of Woe and just barely making the move without hitting the turnbuckle herself as she came down. The crowd started a “You So Crazy” chant as Sativa got up and tagged Morgan Payne into the match. Morgan immediately got in and grabbed Lash by the legs and lifted him up into a Wheelbarrow position, leaving him open for Sativa to deliver a quick GOT ‘EM, completing the tandem tag maneuver. It only scored them a two count, however, so Morgan pulled Lash up by the dreads and right into a Clinch against the ropes and started feeding him knees to the ribs and elbows to the head until the referee started counting towards five. Morgan whipped Lash to the mat at four, hit the ropes and hit a Rear Running Neckbreaker. Payne pulled Donohue up again but Lash countered with a drop down jawbreaker, staggering her back. Now it was his turn to his the ropes as he sprung off for a dropkick, taking both her and himself down to the mat. Morgan nursed her jaw while Lash made the slow desperate crawl to Keii Sugiwara in SACTAP’s corner. Morgan made it up to her feet and grabbed his foot but he was able to make the hot tag and here came Keiji, flying over the ropes for a hurricanrana.

Morgan rolled up to her feet while Lash finally made it up and came in for a double clothesline on SACTAP but the two ducked under her arms and when she spun around, coming off the ropes, they hit a set of Stereo Dropkicks! Lash then retreated to the apron as Keiji went for a running Shooting Star Press and right into a cover which Morgan kicked right out of at two and threw him off of her. As she got up to her feet, Keiji hit the ropes and came in fast but Morgan juked underneath his arm, hit the ropes and came back in with a sudden Sok Tong!!! Keiji hit the mat, clutching his head and Morgan dashed to SACTAP’s corner, hitting a Khao Loi out of nowhere to Lash, sending him off the apron and into the guard rail. From that corner, she positioned herself for the Faugh A Ballagh when the lights in the arena suddenly went out and the video wall flickered to life with static.

Nick Hanson: What in the world?

Matt Salvatore: The fuck is this?!

The audience talked among themselves in confusion as the silhouette of Morgan standing against the video wall could be seen and the screen finally began to show something. The video wall changed from static to what looked like home camera footage. The shaky camera slowly moved through the inside of a locker room. Names on locker doors and memorabilia gave away that the camera was inside the locker room of The Kingdom. Somewhere in the background noise of the video, a shower can be heard running. The POV of the camera turns towards a threshold that leads into the shower room. The camera slowly creeps forward, moving into the shower room itself. Steam surrounds the camera as it moves through the tiled room.

Nick Hanson: What the…? Who…?

Matt Salvatore: This is kinda….

Inside the ring, Morgan Payne watches the video wall with a narrowed, focused gaze.

The video wall footage showed the camera come to stand in front of the one shower stall that’s running. The curtain is drawn and we can make out the faint silhouette of a body behind the cloudy plastic material. It’s when the person inside speaks that the audience starts to get a bad feeling in their stomachs.

Morgan Payne: Babe! Dat you aht there? Can I get a towel?

Morgan’s tattooed arm slips out from behind the curtain, hand open and waiting. The camera POV holds position on Morgan’s hand as she waits, wiggling her fingers a little impatiently.

Morgan Payne: C’mahn! I gotta get ready for our match! Stop jaggin arahnd!

She even giggles a little behind the curtain as a man’s arm and hand - clearly the one controlling the camera - reaches into frame with a towel and strategically places it in Morgan’s hand without letting her feel the hand itself. Morgan takes the towel and pulls it into the shower stall as the water turns off.

Morgan Payne: Thaaaaaaank ya, baby!

At that, the video abruptly cuts off and the video wall shows static again. When the lights come back on, Morgan Payne, still in the ring, is staring up at the video wall with a wide eyed look of pure, utter shock and horror on her face.

Nick Hanson: Oh my god!! Matt!! What the…?!

Matt Salvatore: What the fuck was that?!

Nick Hanson: Hey watch out!

As Morgan finally turned around, Keiji Sugiwara was not only back on his feet but on the apron, springing back into the ring to deliver SAISHU FOMU!!! Keiji connected it, nailing Morgan full on with the flying elbow strike and went right for the cover. Lash Donohue pulled Sativa Nevaeh down off the apron and held her back as she tried to get in and break up the pin but she wasn’t able to stop the 3 count.

~DING DING DING~

Roger Arden: Here are your winners!!! Lash Donohue...and...Keiji Sugiwara! SACTAP!!!

Nick Hanson: Well that’s a victory for SACTAP and they move onto next week to face the Queen’s Guard! But Matt! What the hell was that on the tron?!

Matt Salvatore: I have no idea, Nick, but Morgan looks shook!

Morgan Payne didn’t even seem to care about losing the match as she rolled out of the ring and rejoined Sativa Nevaeh. The woman was a mix of angry, frantic and terrified as she asked Sativa what was going on, almost demanding an answer from her before she stormed up the ramp in a hurry with a just as confused Sativa going after her.

Result: Pinfall

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===MAIN EVENT===

Singles Match

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Winners
Match #1. Teresa Duke
Match #2. The Queen's Guard
Match #3. The Dark Faerie
Match #4. Minoru Tanahashi
Match #5. SACTAP
Match #6. Danni Anderson