NFW Trauma #23 - Chicago, Illinois! 07/21/2020!

CROWD
NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW! NFW!

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

Miranda Augustino: Tonight’s main event is huge! It's gonna determine the order of entry to our Sudden Death Main Event for the Undisputed Championship!

Andrew Payne: That's still two weeks away though, Miranda. We need to get through the action tonight first.

Miranda Augustino: And the action won't stop all night long, Andy!

Andrew Payne: Thea, take it away!
The Arena lights go out. A soothing melody and voice cut above the crowd.



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


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


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


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.


He raises a hand up and receives a mixed response from the crowd. Though there are more cheers than boos. He climbs down and gets a microphone from a ring crew member. As his music and the crowd die down his raises the mic.

Nathanael Morian: So it would seem that there are some who took offense to my words on Aftershock last week. That’s good. Means that my words hit a nerve. It also means that eyes on already on me.

Nathanael chuckles slightly.

Nathanael Morian: To clear the air a bit, I know this is a sport of violence. We are all paid to come out to this very ring to assault each other to achieve victory. But there is necessary violence and there is over the top pointless violence.

Nathanael looks seriously into the camera.

Nathanael Morian: It achieves nothing. If you feel the need to go that far for some sick and twisted form of pleasure or enjoyment, then maybe you should be locked up.

The crowd gives him a mixed reaction to his statement.

Nathanael Morian: I do not mean that with any form of maliciousness. I truly want you to get help. I’ve seen what unadulterated violence can do. It takes away people. People who were loved. Who were innocent and pure.

Nathanael pauses for a moment. He lowers the mic and looks down at the mat. His shoulders heave as he takes a deep breath and releases it.

Nathanael Morian: I cannot abide that level of violence. Do what you need to get the win, sure. But beyond that? Unacceptable. If that is an issue with you the...

Nathanael is cut off as "I Like It Heavy" by Halestorm starts up. He lowers the mic and along with the crowd turns his attention to the entranceway. Standing at the top of the ramp is none other than “The Underground Queen” Sela-Rica Lark. She grins as she starts to half walk, half skip down the ramp towards the ring. She climbs into the ring and stands in front of Nathanael. She grins at him almost innocently, her fingertip in her mouth.

Nathanael Morian: Well look who it is. Got something to say?

Sela just looks at Nathanael and giggles. The two stare at each other when, literally out of nowhere, Sela strikes. She catches Nathanael off guard with a vicious right hand. Nathanael drops the mic as he stumbles. She does not relent and takes Nathanael to the ground. She unloads with lefts and rights. She swings almost wildly, trying to strike him any and everywhere she can reach. Nathanael covers his face as best he can but still cannot mount any sort of offense of his own. Sela gets a few solid shots past his guard leaving him reeling. After her vicious attack, she delivers a quick No Saves, striking him in the temple and sending him to the ground. Sela watches him as he writhes a moment on the ground before picking up his mic and falling to the ground next to him. Rolling to her back, looking at him upside down, she finally brings the mic to her mouth.

Sela-Rica Lark: If what you really wanted was Playtime, all you had to really do was ask nicely. But since you made me come down here, we can't just do something regular.

She inches closer, her nose almost touching his cheek now.

Sela-Rica Lark: Three nights. Three matches. Best of three. If you want to play, we will play.

Sela drops the mic near Nathanael and stares at him a little longer. After a few tense seconds, when he turns to face her, she is still looking at him from her back. She grabs his face very suddenly and kisses his nose, but as she pulls away, she makes sure to scratch his cheeks. With a giggle, she sits back up and exits the ring making yer way up the ramp. He recovers a bit and grabs the mic.

Nathanael Morian: I accept! First match in two weeks at Sudden Death!

Sela just smiles and nods as she walks up the ramp backward, without a care in the world.
Thea Crawford: The following contest is a one one match, scheduled for one fall!

The lights in the arena go almost completely out as a blood red moon appears on the video screen. "Bad Moon Rising" - Mourning Ritual begins to play as the dim lights slowly turn red. The song continues for over a minute, then at the 1:04 mark drums kick in with a sudden BA-BA-BA-BOOM! BA-BA-BA-BOOM! with bright white lights flashing along to the beat. The lights return to their dim state, but now a single spotlight shines down at the top of the ramp, showing Carter Slade. Carter slowly walks down the ramp as the music continues, the bright lights flashing with each BA-BA-BA-BOOM! BA-BA-BA-BOOM! Carter slides into the ring after the third time the lights flash and moves to the center of the ring. He stays there on his knees until the next flash of lights then pops to his feet. He circles around the ring, almost like he's stalking prey as the song slowly fades out and the lights return to normal.

Thea Crawford: Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred and twenty two pounds, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada… CARTER SLADE!

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: His opponent, weighing at one hundred and nineteen pounds, from Oslo, Norway… DR. RUNA OLSEN!

Runa enters the ring and checks the refs pulse before removing her lab coat and stethoscope


~DING DING DING~

Carter comes flying out out of the corner as soon as the bell rings, blasting Runa with a massive left arm clothesline, sending her flying into the corner and bouncing back. He catches her with a double knee armbreaker, keeps a hold of her arm, kips up and drives her arm down into the met with a double stomp. As she writhes in pain, he looks to lock on the Winnipeg Blues, but Runa scrambles to the ropes. Carter breaks and back off almost all the way to the ropes, staring at her as he stomps his foot and runs his fingers through his hair, as the ref checks on her. As soon as she nods her head, he takes off for another clothesline, but she ducks it, hits the ropes and comes back with a running knee. He’s rocked and she quickly follows with a second rope missile dropkick and a bulldog with her good arm. She takes a few steps back, charges as he starts to get up and looks for the curbstomp. Slade pulls back just in time, grabs Runa and tosses her with a snap dragon suplex. Runa stumbles up to her feet and Carter grabs the back of her head and delivers a stiff forearm and another and another and the flurry is on as he hits six, then blasts her with the discus forearm. He quickly covers

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

He looks up in shock at the ref, slams his fist down on the mat and screams. He pulls at his hair, then rolls her over onto her stomach and grabs her wrist. He grabs her wrists, raises her up and pulls her in for the Blood Moon Rising, but she slides her head down, slides through and trips him up. She keeps hold of his wrist, rolls back and looks for a monkey flip, but he manages to shove her off as he gets up. Runa lands on her feet and quickly wraps him up for a school boy, but only manages a 2 count. Before he can get back to his feet, she catches him with a shining wizard that rocks him. He rolls to the outside, but she follows with a big suicide dive. He crashes back into the barricade and she throws him in. She hops up to the apron and as Carter gets to his feet, she leaps up and flies at him with a springboard missile dropkick. Runa rolls up to her feet as he’s slowly getting back up and she connects with a leaping flatliner. She takes a second to clutch at her damaged arm as she landed on it, then she rolled into the pin and used her good arm to hook his leg.

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

She took a breath, then waited a second for him to start getting to his feet, and she hit him with a step up enziguri that caught him right in the temple. She looked for the springboard stunner off of it, but he managed to stop her momentum with his power and turned it into a vicious Saito suplex. He takes a few seconds to shake the cobwebs, Runa recovering as well, but not in time to miss a European uppercut. He follows with a huge chop and a massive forearm before he hauls her up and hits a fireman’s carry gutbuster. He lifts her up, shoves her back into the ropes, then hits a vicious tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He hopped over the ropes, leaps up and comes flying down with Game Misconduct.. He goes right into the cover and hooks the leg

ONE…

TWO…

THR - KICK OUT!

He looked up at the ref in disbelief, then yanked her up and hit a hammerlock DDT, driving her right down on her shoulder. Slade looked to lock in Winnipeg Blues again, but she rolled him over as he went to grab her arm, rolled through and caught him with a kick that shook him. She got up and hit the House Call. Slade looks out, but Runa landed hard on her shoulder and clutches at it in pain. Both slowly start getting to their feet with Runa beating Carter slightly. She hits the ropes, but that stings her shoulder and she reaches up in pain. The gives Carter a quick second and he wrenches the arm. He yanks it back and drives a European uppercut into the damaged limb then hammerlocks her and transitions into the Russian leg sweep, keeping her arm trapped. He grabs her arm, but instead of looking for the submission, he grabs her other arm, pulls her forward and connects with the Blood Moon Rising. With her body completely limp, Slade hauls her to her feet and spikes her right into the mat with The Killing Blow. He covers and hooks both legs for added leverage

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: The winner of the match as a result of a Pin fall…CARTER SLADE!

Andrew Payne: Carter Slade with a big debut win and he’s definitely impressive. Runa Olsen gave him a hell of a fight and showed some fortitude for sure..

Miranda Augustino: Runa Olsen definitely seems to improve little by little each match she’s in. Tonight, that size and power advantage, combined with his impressive athleticism and aggression was just too much for her. Still, I expect big things from her in the future.

Andrew Payne: In the future for sure. In the now, I expect big things from the winner of this match. He’s a bit odd sometimes, but he’s got talent for sure.

The camera opens up on an outdoor Miniature Golf course. Clearly, given the time of day, they are closed for business. However, oddly enough, the lights are all on, indicating someone’s there. It’s vacant of all patrons and employees but at the low angle of the camera, we see a pair of black, military boots walking along the path; the legs are dressed in black leather pants and as it pans up more, we see the rest of this shapely, feminine figure in a black, thigh length overcoat and a pair of black, fingerless gloves on the hands. Blonde, medium length hair hangs from under a black beret cap. One of those gloved hands holds a mini golf style putter club over the shoulder as the woman walks, oddly happily, with almost a skip to her step, along the stone path.

The golf course itself is themed “Around The World”. The black clad woman, skipping down the path, passes obstacles on the golf course themed after places like Paris with an Eiffel Tower structure in the center. Then there’s a Japan themed area with a torii - arc gates commonly found at Shinto Shrines. The woman, still obscured regarding her face, pauses to look at the Japanese section. She shakes her head and scoffs in disgust before continuing on.

Voice: Jikan ga chikadzuite...kimashita ne?

Oh dear. We know who it is now, don’t we? The sing song, almost unhinged tone, spoken in soft Japanese as the woman sways her shoulders back and forth, adding an exaggerated swag to her steps. The camera pans around to the side and yes, we are here with none other than Angel Kusanagi. The Japanese woman blows a pink bubble of gum before it pops and she pulls it back in with her teeth, continuing to chew. As usual, once she really begins to speak, we are given subtitles as she uses her native tongue.

Angel Kusanagi: Sudden Death is just around the corner and we must decide the order of sacrifice. Exciting! No?!

She says this as she turns towards the camera and backpedals along the path, stretching her arms overhead with the putter in hand. She gives it a little twirl, cracking her gum in her teeth before placing it back on her shoulder; her hand on the grip as she walks and turns to face ahead of her again.

Angel Kusanagi: It’s always exciting when such a grand prize is up for grabs. The Undisputed Championship. But first, we need to line up and see who is in the line of fire. Well...so to speak.

She pulls the putter off her shoulder and twists it in her hand as she frowns at the business end. She speaks of a line of fire and she almost seems disappointed that it’s not an actual rifle in her hand. Nonetheless, she finds that deranged little smile again as she finally comes up on the next obstacle on the course she’s been approaching. Coincidentally enough, it looks like a great pyramid display with a sphinx on top. Clearly, she’s reached the Egypt themed area. Stuck in the ground in front of it are seven little wooden pikes with fat head images of the seven competitors in both the Guardians of the Pyramid match but first and foremost, the Main Event Elimination Match taking place on tonight’s show. Yes, there’s even a post with her own face on it. Angel stops next to a bucket and stamps the putter to the ground beside her feet.

Angel Kusanagi: Ah! Well, here we are. Seven formidable competitors! That is what we are made to believe, however, yes?

Angel reaches down and plucks a golf ball from inside the bucket. She tosses it up in the air and catches it before setting it down and looks towards the pyramid obstacle. There’s a hole in the bottom where the ball is supposed to go but her putter’s being aimed directly at the post with Debby Haze’s picture.

Angel Kusanagi: So then...Debby Haze. Let’s begin with you, yes? There is not much I can say of you. Perhaps you are the sleeper who managed to dance her way into this battle. Hah! Get it?! Because you like to dance right? Disco Baby!

Angel cocks back with her putter and swings. She whacks the ball and sends it flying. It whizzes right over the Debby Haze image and off into the distance. We hear the faint sound of glass shattering in the distance. Angel brings the putter back up to hold by the base and frowns in disappointment.

Angel Kusanagi: Hmph. Did you see that? I missed...just like you will miss your opportunity to shine! Next up, who do we have? Aha!

She quickly dips down and snatches up another ball from the bucket, blowing off some imaginary dust and rubs it on her jacket sleeve as if to polish it up before she sets it down.

Angel Kusanagi: Anton Crowley-san! There are those who say you are a worshipper of the Western Oni Lord. Others might say you invoke his very power. You, yourself, will say that you are directly one of his children. One of his...lesser creatures. Yes, a lesser creature indeed! Because twice, you will see that in this Elimination Match and at Sudden Death, your Dark Lord has forsaken you!

Again, Angel draws back her putter and sends the second ball flying. It flies past the wicked smile of Anton Crowley’s image and goes smashing right through the wooden fence behind the obstacle itself. Angel brings the putter across her shoulders and frowns at the fact she missed another shot. Angel pops a bubble from her gum and shakes her head, lowering the club again as she plucks another ball up.

Angel Kusanagi: Griffin Hawkins-san! We have crossed paths before. You fought for honor. You fought for family. You fought for something...worthwhile. It is because of that, I feel, that you came out of our battle victorious. What is it you fight for this time? To regain your position at the top of the ladder. To turn six title reigns into seven so that you might find yourself in some Hall of Fame when you become too old and battered. When that rat’s nest of yellow hair turns stark white. Lucky for you, I have been preparing for our next quarrel! I will relieve you of such delusions of grandeur.

She promptly sets the ball down and swings away. This time she misses the shot and swings again. She nails the ball but sends it right over Griffin’s picture and it goes smashing right into the front of the pyramid. It busts the plastic shell and a bit of sparks fly. Angel looks back and forth between the camera and the pyramid, almost comically. Again, she looks miffed, almost annoyed. Huffing again, she pulls another ball from the bucket.

Angel Kusanagi: Let’s talk about you next...Trenton Page.

Angel stares at the ball in her hand, almost as if she’s looking at Page himself.

Angel Kusanagi: You see, I do extensive homework when I am set to face an opponent I have never shared a ring with. I am well aware of your story with Hikaru-san. A valiant warrior, fighting to rescue a distressed damsel from….the toxicity of society. I admire your heroics...however you are in my way of doing just as you did. I cannot let you even hope to prevent me from doing what must be done. Perhaps you would understand my situation better than anyone else. However...why waste breath on the ears of a man who will be left in a bloody heap after I am finished?

But once more, Angel wails the ball with her putter and it soars up and over, not only Trenton’s image, but high over the pyramid and off into the distance. Angel brings her club up like a rifle at port arms and grips it so tight we hear the squeak of her leather gloves. She exhales, with frustration, through her teeth. When she reaches down for the next ball in the bucket, fumbling this time before she manages to get her hand on it. This time, she sets it down at her feet and straightens up, holding the club in her hand with disdain on her face.

Angel Kusanagi: Super Tiger-san….

She scoffs, shaking her head in disgust.

Angel Kusanagi: I’m tired of hearing your name like you are some prodigy of the sport. A nineteen year old World Champion but who did you win it from? A fucking gaijin like Graham Baker while wrestling for your best friend’s charity.

Angel’s demeanor changes as she spits her wad of gum off into the bush like a bad taste in her mouth.

Angel Kusanagi: This time, however, you are not up against the likes of him. You have me, among the other scrubs, to deal with. Only this time, you find yourself in a peculiar position. You see, the last time we faced, it was in tag team action. You do not have your crutch...your tag team partner...to lean on. The little tiger cub who has sought all different sorts of trainers, as if you feel that variety is the spice of the business. Better to practice one technique a thousand times, than to cram a thousand techniques in that little head of yours. A head which will be kicked off, promptly. See, I am well aware of your new “trainers.” Na Fianna? A pack of feral dogs that the Genocidal Hate Brigade have left in bloody heaps more often than not. Almost as many times as we have decimated my brother-in-law’s beloved Filth Parade. You will be fortunate if I even allow this to remain a seven person match come Sudden Death, because tonight, the Demolition Angel is going to Skin. The Fucking. Cat!

Angel cocks back her club again. She holds it, pausing and waiting before she strikes the ball and sends the ball whipping right past Super Tiger’s smiling image and into the pyramid again. Angel finally brings up her hands, clenching her fists and lets out a guttural scream of rage. She whips her very putter, this time, at the posts, successfully taking out two of the posts in its path. Next, she grabs up the bucket and throws it angrily at the posts, taking out another. Angel finally storms up and proceeds to punt, kick and stomp at the remaining images in a blind fit of rage. By the time she’s finished, she’s destroyed the pyramid obstacle and all posts except for her own. At first, anyway. She hesitates a moment and kicks her own image down, picks up her putter and proceeds to take out more of her rage on the pyramid some more. Finally, she flings her club off into the distance and walks towards the camera again, panting and huffing like she’s about to boil over again.

Angel Kusanagi: There is one more, of course….

Angel raises her index finger up as indication and gives a shaky smile.

Angel Kusanagi: Emmie-san...Emelie Sanclemente. Despite what gaijin like Sela Rica-Lark will say...you have defied the low expectations of this company and have proven to be a formidable champion. I will give credit to you that you have succeeded where I have failed. You have defeated both her and Griffin Hawkins. This may give you the confidence that you can succeed in such a contest where the odds of finding a comfortable point of entry in a match leaves you very little chance of retaining your title. A title that will soon be mine...because I will fight like Hell to be the last to climb the pyramid...and pick up the pieces of what you and the others leave at my feet. The spoils of war go to the victor...and I have no fancy way of putting it other than...it will be me….

Angel steps aside out of frame, leaving the scene where the camera focuses on the pyramid structure that has now begun to burn down as the shot fades out….
Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

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…

The fans begin to boo loudly as "Superficial" by Heidi Montag hits over the public address system.

It aint that easy, it aint that easy

it aint that easy, but it aint so hard

It aint that easy, it aint that easy

it aint that easy, but it aint so hard

As the lights dim and flash gold all over the arena, a lone spotlight forms at the entrance ramp. After a few moments, Steele Matthews walks out from behind the curtain with his Cheshire cat grin plastered across his face. As he applauds, within a few seconds in an arrogant and exaggerated fashion, Angel Kash herself, walks out as the fans boo loudly.

Hoppin' out the maserati

All I see is paparazzi

Snapping pictures for the

Front cover of a magazine

So I pose in everything I wear

Love to make the people stare

Always center of attention

Lookin' so bootylicious

Angel blows an arrogant kiss to the fans before doing a series of arrogant poses at the top of the ramp. She then says something to Steele as he first goes ahead, before the arrogant rich blonde bombshell does an arrogant supermodel like strut down to the ring, taunting the fans as she walks by them, before rudely sticking out her hand, and flipping her hair arrogantly as she brushes past the fans, not letting them even come close to touching her. She makes her way up the ring steps with Steele, holding her hand from the outside. Steele then hops up onto the apron Angel and holds the ropes open for her; she enters and poses in the center of the ring as the fans boo loudly. After that, she lays on the top turnbuckle nonchalantly taunting the fans as Steele hands her a mirror and she admires her beauty.

~DING DING DING~

The bell rings, and Angel Kash and Savannah Sunshine approach one another in the middle of the ring. Angel is mouthing off, as she is prone to do, and Savannah just stands there, arms crossed over her chest as the Trillion Dollar Princess continues to talk trash. Finally, Sunshine has enough of it, and when Kash puts her hand in the Candyland Queen’s face, Savannah slaps Angel’s hand aside, leaping and striking the blonde under the chin with a stiff knee strike. Kash stumbles backwards, hand on her face as Savannah grins, hyping up the crowd. The blonde woman gets a look of absolute fury on her face, and as Sunshine turns back to her, Angel absolutely rocks Savannah with a brutal backhanded slap! The two women stare one another down before all hell breaks loose, and they’re on one another, throwing brutal strikes with no regard for their own safety. Eventually Angel gets a boot into Savannah’s stomach before grabbing a handful of hair and launching her opponent across the ring. Sunshine hits hard, rolling under the bottom rope to catch her breath.

Angel pursues, grabbing Savannah by the hair yet again, dragging her back into the ring. Sunshine hits Kash with a stiff elbow to the chin, causing her to falter, which allows the Candy Queen to hook the Trillion Dollar Princess and deliver a BRUTAL uranage! Kash groans, arching her back and rolling toward the middle of the ring. Sunshine hits the ropes, and as Angel gets to her feet, Savannah nails her with a hard follow up spear! She covers Kash, hooking a leg, but somehow Angel kicks out at the last possible moment! Savannah has a look of disbelief on her face, but she pulls Angel to her feet, who is standing now on wobbly legs. As Sunshine moves in, Angel grabs the referee, pulling him in between her and her opponent. Savannah tries to get around the referee, who stumbles as both women try to move him, and that’s when Kash reaches into her top, taking out a small bottle and spraying the contents directly into the eyes of Sunshine! Savannah stumbles back, clawing at her face as the referee gets to his feet, and Angel saunters forward, blowing Savannah a kiss before hitting her with the KASH FLOW! Angel hooks Sunshine’s leg, and the referee, who didn’t see the foreign object, counts three, awarding the victory to the Trillion Dollar Princess!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner! ANGEL...KASH!!!

Andrew Payne: Not a happy debut for Savannah Sunshine but Angel Kash picks up the win!

Miranda Augustino: Damn shame.

Andrew Payne: Obectiveness, Mir.

Miranda Augustino: Fuck outta here.

An image of the backstage area of the arena came onto the titantron for everyone to see, catching the neverending hustle and bustle that is the backstage life. It seemed as if the lone camera was trying to find someone specific, quick views of various members of Trauma as well as staff members being passed over as the search went on. After a few moments, it seemed as if the camera guy found who was being searched for, and it settled on none other than Tahti Kuu. The Finnish beauty saw them coming towards her and smiled, waving them over to show that she was fine with it.

Tahti Kuu: Come on over...I was just watching Carter Slade’s match with Runa Olsen. Hell of a match and debut for him. While I don’t think he really needed the extra help from us meeting up yesterday, I’m always happy to help a co-worker in any way that I can. Now then, onto the actual reason that you were hunting me down...

The red haired woman turned to fully face the camera, her lower back leaning against one of the equipment crates that were placed throughout the building. She was already dressed in her red, black, and zebra themed gear that she had shown off on Twitter Sunday evening though her hair was up in just a simple ponytail rather than the elaborate updo from the pictures. Tahti rested the palm of her hands on the case behind her, a small grin on her face.

Tahti Kuu: Sela Rica-Lark...I have to say, I’m highly looking forward to meeting you one on one in the ring. A former US Champion with NFW and one Hell of a fierce competitor. I watched your matches way before I even thought of returning to the ring, let alone a ring with NFW. Usually I would stick with the show that I have friends on since they’re why I would even tune in, but after seeing the talent on Collision, watching Trauma was an easy choice.

Tahti blew a few loose strands of hair out of her face. She didn’t bother taking her hands off of the case to deal with the annoyance, knowing that it wouldn’t do any good since it was baby hairs that she had somehow managed to hang onto despite her age. The woman lightly licked her lips, careful to avoid overdoing it and messing up the gloss that she had applied before the show kicked off for the night.

Tahti Kuu: I’ve seen you wrestle Angel, our Undisputed Champion Emelie Sanclemente, and the US Champion Adrianna Salvatore. Of course with those names, the matches were brilliant and huge for you though you fell short in 2 of them. You beat Angel Kusanagi twice, which isn’t something that’s easy to do from what I’ve seen of her matches. But like your matches with Emelie and Adrianna, tonight won’t be any type of easy. Granted I’m not a title holder, yet, this will be another match that you’ll fail to pick up the win, where you fail to out wrestle yet another person. You see, tonight is the night where I end my averageness in a NFW ring...tonight is where I start my journey of soaring high on Trauma. Tonight I end the average record I have and pick up a win over someone that is a Hell of a talent in the ring.

Tahti glanced over towards the right, seeing people getting things set and ready to go for whatever was planned next on the show. She didn’t know if there was going to be an interview or what when she was done, but she knew that she didn’t want to take up a whole lot more time and cause delays to happen. While she had said her peace pertaining to Sela, Tahti felt the pull to address someone else on the roster, even if it was only briefly. Her deep green eyes returned to the camera, a look of determination shining brightly from them.

Tahti Kuu: You know, with talking about Sela and the loss she was handed by Adrianna Salvatore over the United States Championship, it made me remember that I have been a little quiet in the journey I started not long after signing the dotted line. Adrianna...you’re a damn good competitor and an even better champion. I called you out on Twitter a few times, but that was never anything official. You see...tonight, I’m issuing out a challenge for everyone to see and hear.

Tahti grinned a bit as she pushed herself from the equipment crate, the look on her face never wavering. She finally used her hand to brush away a few more random hair stragglers that had decided to invade her facial space though her focus never shifted.

Tahti Kuu: Adrianna...I don’t care if it’s for the United States Championship or not. I am officially calling you out for a match of your choosing, date as well. While I hope you are still the champion, I’m not like others...my focus isn’t on the gold. I want to meet the Queen of Anarchy one on one in her domain. It’s been a while since I’ve had a decent, untraditional match, and I can’t think of anyone better on Trauma to call out for exactly that other than you. I will be waiting for your decision.

Tahti finished with a half grin on her face, blowing a kiss into the camera before walking off. She had said everything she felt that she needed to, so with nothing more to say, the Finnish woman began making her way down the hall, towards catering to get a drink and a very light snack to enjoy.
The scene comes up backstage with Amy Connors standing by.

Amy: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, the Underground Queen, Sela-Rica Lark.

As Sela steps in front of the camera, she is shown to have a wide smile on her face, swaying her shoulders back and forth a bit, doing her best to look innocent.

Amy: Sela, tonight you will be facing Tahti Kuu, who seems to be looking to pick herself up as well.

Sela: Yes the fallen star I believe they call her? The thing about stars is when you lay wishes upon them, they will fall. They cannot support your wishes, even if you truly believed in Disney tales in the first place.

Sela gets another smirk on her face.

Sela: I can tell you something that stars can do. They can burn. And they burn so bright that eventually they burn out themselves. It can hurt to approach one, but sooner or later they simply fade, fizzle, some may even burst in a great shower, but they all die. The greatest celestial bodies our universe knows…

Sela giggles to herself as she bites at the tip of her finger.

Sela: ... and they are just as limited as any body you see around you. Tahti is flashy and bright, but when I go to that ring the only thing you see is red. The only thing Tahti will see is my head breaking her pretty face. How far will the fallen star fall? Because it's a long way down even in the Underground. Even in my domain.

Sela begins to laugh loudly now. Her laughs continue a few seconds until she snaps back quite suddenly, startling Amy as she growls.

Sela: And out there tonight, it is my playground once more! I didn't come here to gaze romantically at stars! I came to tear them from the night sky and stamp them under my boot! How far has Tahti fallen? She's now entered the realm of the Underground Queen and I will reign supreme again!

Sela snaps one more time before walking off, leaving a near terrified Amy behind as the scene fades out.
Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

“I did it all just for her

I did it all just for her

And love's heart is death

For me and my poison girl.”

The stage begins to fill with smoke as "Poison Girl" by HIM opens. The opening lines go through and as the song crescendos, Tahti Kuu emerges from the fog, confident and dressed in her gear and goggles. Tahti makes a quick sweep of the audience before heading down the ramp.

“A prey she was for the cruelty of love

While its serpent inside crawled straight towards her heart

The coldest kiss love ceased to exist

While we grew apart like never before.”

Thea Crawford: Introducing first, from Helsinki, Finland, weighing in at 118 pounds, “Finland's Fallen Star” TAHTIIIIIIIII KUUUUUUUUU!

Tahti pauses at ringside to fire up the crowd before she slides into the ring and poses for the crowd.

Andrew Payne: And to say the least, Tahti has a mountain to climb here tonight.

Miranda Augustino: Or a tunnel to dig. She is going to be facing the Underground Queen.

Andrew Payne: Good point there. Look at Tahti though. She certainly has no fear of it.

“I did it all just for her

I did it all just for her

And love wants us dead

Just me and my poison girl

I did it all just for her

I did it all just for her

And love's heart is death

For me and my poison girl.”

Tahti bounces off the ropes and turns to speak to the ref for a moment. The ref nods at Tahti and sends her to her corner. Tahti eagerly waits there.

Miranda Augustino: Let's just hope she isn't digging her grave...

The opening chords of Halestorm’s “I Like It Heavy” play on the speakers. The lights fade out until only the stage is lit. Sela steps out from behind the curtains.

“Some like beautiful, perfect and pretty

I see the good in the bad and the ugly

I need the volume one louder than ten

I put the pedal to the metal, needle into the red

If the windows ain't shaking making my heart race

If I can't feel it in my chest I'm in the wrong damn place!”

Sela poses at the top of the ramp to the crowd’s reaction. When the tempo picks up she slams her fist to the ground as the lights come back up alternating in light blues and reds.

Thea Crawford: And her opponent, from Tuscon, Arizona, weighing in at 147 pounds, she is the “Underground Queen”, SELA-RICA LAAAAAAARRRRRRK!

“I got a demon in my soul and a voice in my head

It's saying go, go, go! I can sleep when I'm dead

There's a sonic revelation bringing me to my knees

And there's a man down below who needs my sympathy

I got a ringing in my ears getting ready to burst

Screaming ‘hallelujah, motherfucker, take me to church’”

Sela walks down the ramp, a sadistic smile on her face as she looks towards the ring. She takes her time at ringside, teasing a ringpost with her fingers as she walks to one side of the ring and climbs on the apron near the corner. When the chorus kicks in she climbs up the turnbuckle and poses again.

Miranda Augustino: You remember her entrance back at Manifest Destiny?

Andrew Payne: Oh God, don't remind me. My skin is literally still crawling.

Miranda Augustino: Creepy just seems to follow that girl around everywhere.

“I like it louder than the boom of a big bass drum

I need it harder than the sound of a guitar grunge

I love to crank it up, make it thump and evil to the core

Headbanging in the pit and throwing my horns

And just like old school Sabbath, Zeppelin and Lemmy

I need to drop it down low and make it heavy

I like it heavy, oh ohh

I like it heavy, oh ohh.”

Sela hops down inside the ring and poses once more inside the ring. She slaps at her chest several times screaming out to the audience before going to her corner. Her music fades as she warms up for her match.

~DING  DING DING~

Andrew Payne: And the match is now underway.

Sela and Tahti approach each other. Sela smiles and sways a little at Tahti, but the taller, leaner woman is unimpressed by Sela's whimsical. Sela turns ever so slightly and rears back. Despite being very quick, the high-flying Finn is much faster than the Queen. Tahti sidesteps and begins to launch a series of vicious quick strikes that put Sela on her knees quickly and force Sela to tumble away. Sela smirks and waves a finger at Tahti. Tahti opens her arms in a bring it fashion. Sela runs in looking for a clothesline, but Tahti easily takes her down getting a one count pin cover.

The action is mostly Tahti hitting various quick strikes on Sela for the first couple minutes of the match, but never getting beyond a one count. Finally, as Sela is recovering from one pin attempt, Tahti runs in looking to connect with her boot to Sela's face, but Sela catches her this time. With shear brutality, Sela forces Tahti into the corner and rushes in with a body splash followed by a deep arm drag into an armbar. Sela cranks at the left arm but Tahti is able to get to a vertical base after many excruciating seconds. The damage is clearly done to Tahti's arm, but Sela doesn't let go. Instead she pulls Tahti in close, slipping behind ger and delivering P4P, but only manages a two count.

The action becomes a real back and forth with Sela making a target out of Tahti's hurt left arm, but neither woman gets any truly meaningful offense in after that. Tahti manages to take control of the match once more when, after Sela misses with a chop block attempt, Tahti is behind her and tries to wrap Sela in Blazing Bridges. Attempting to lock with one arm hurt makes it difficult and Sela doesn't get the full effect. Still it takes effort for Sela to break the hold and Sela is forced into a retreat to recover a bit. Tahti doesn't intend to allow that. She pursues Sela and drags her back looking for Eclipse, but as she twists, Sela shoves her off causing Tahti to lose balance and fall on her left arm. The collision causes Tahti to flop in pain. Sela watches in absolute glee as she drops to the mat and watches intently as Tahti recovers. Slipping behind Tahti again, Sela uses her strength to lift Tahti into Playtime Over. Tahti struggles valiantly, but her left arm is being cranked viciously, Sela laughing loudly and psychotically as she swings Tahti freely. Tahti is left with little choice but to tap.

~DING DING DING~

Sela tosses Tahti off unceremoniously into the corner where Tahti collapses. As Sela walks up to her fallen opponent who's still trying to nurse her arm, the ref raises Sela's arm.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, the “Underground Queen”, SELA-RICA LAAAAAAARRRRRRK!

Sela makes a point of placing her boot against Tahti's face and laughing as Tahti tries to swat it away. The ref pulls Sela back and Sela falls back on the mat again, spread out and shifting in a giggling fit.

Andrew Payne: A clearly dominant win for Sela tonight and she just keeps adding to the pain.

Miranda Augustino: It's biblical kinda in its own way: woe be to anyone who earns the ire of the Underground Queen.

The camera focuses in on Sela's laughing face as she rolls to her belly, pressing herself up and down slightly against the mat as she looks around, licking her lips before the scene fades out.

Amy Connors: Thank you for that introduction Andrew and Miranda! Joining me at this time, she is a former NFW Tag Team champion, the current ICW World Heavyweight Champion, and a huge fan favorite. She is Super Tiger! Welcome Risa! How are you doing today?

The luchadora is seated in a chair across from Amy, wearing a simple blouse and skirt, and her eponymous Tiger Mask. She’s all smiles as she crosses her legs and waves into the camera.

Super Tiger: Hi hi Amy-San! Thank you for having me!

The diminutive dynamo reaches across and shakes Amy’s hand with both of hers, and a slight bow of her head.

Amy Connors: So. Tonight, you are in a match that will determine your entry into the Guardians of the Pyramid match at SUDDEN DEATH. Your opponents, of course, are Debby Haze, Trenton Page, Angel Kusanagi, Griffin Hawkins, Anton Crowley, and the World Undisputed Champion, Emelie Sanclemente. Pretty diverse field, isn’t it?

Super Tiger: Hai, a very diverse field for sure. Some of these people I’ve never faced before. Some of them I really look up to. And then there are others… well, one, to be specific, that for whatever reason, can’t seem to stand me at all.

The masked superstar giggles and shrugs.

Super Tiger: Don’t get me wrong. I have all the respect in the world for everyone in this field. From those who are new to NFW, to the veterans, to the former and current champions in the match. We may not have the same viewpoints, we may not be friends, but I do respect everyone involved.

Amy Connors: Of course. So, tell me, of all the competitors in this field, does anyone in particular worry you? Someone you aren’t totally confident you can surpass to win?

The infinite ball of enthusiasm and energy that is Risa Saito Jackson giggles, shaking her head.

Super Tiger: No offense to anyone in the match, but no. You have to understand the way I work in this business, Amy-San. No mountain to high, no river to wide, hai? I can beat anyone with enough hard work and dedication. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I know what I am capable of. However.

Super Tiger taps her forefinger to her chin, a sign she’s deep in thought. She’s quiet for a moment before she begins to speak again.

Super Tiger: If I had to choose one person, other than Emmy, of course, I’d have to say Griffin Hawkins! Griffin and I have spoken with each other many times, both in person and on Twitter, but we’ve never faced one another in an NFW ring! It’s one thing to watch someone’s matches. It’s another thing to stare across the ring at them and come to blows once the bell signals the beginning of the match. Griff is, after all, a former champion, and will be fighting harder than anyone else in this match to take back his title! Well… almost anyone.

The little luchadora giggles, and holds her arms out wide.

Super Tiger: No one can deny the amount of work I put in to be who I am today, Amy-San. I’ve been training almost non-stop with Effy at her gym. Hi Effy!

Super Tiger waves to the camera.

Super Tiger: I train six days a week. Multiple hours a day. Sometimes even through the night. I may not be on the healthiest of diets, but I know what I can and cannot eat that will still allow me to perform at my highest level. I’ve faced some of the biggest, meanest, baddest people this business has to offer. Either on my own, or with my tag team partners of Arley Kirk or Zoe Jane, I’ve managed to have one of the most successful careers of any 19 year old I can think of!

Super Tiger laughs, a cute sound in the otherwise quiet room.

Amy Connors: You do have quite the resume for having only been wrestling professionally in the United States since October of last year. Heavyweight Champion. Tag Team Champion. Luchacore Champion. It’s a rather impressive list. So why the World Undisputed Championship, if I may ask?
The Asian superstar cocks her head to the side, a confused look on her face.

Super Tiger: I… guess I don’t understand the question?

Amy Connors: Well you’re already currently a World Champion and a Tag Team Champion. So why the drive to capture the World Undisputed Championship? What’s so important about Trauma’s World Title, specifically to you.

Super Tiger: You… you’re kidding, right?

Amy shakes her head, and Super Tiger begins to laugh, covering her mouth with one hand. She shakes her head as it dies down.

Super Tiger: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Back to your question. Why the World Undisputed Championship? It’s… it’s pretty simple Amy-San. You see…

Super Tiger jumps to her feet, standing in the chair, one hand pointed to the ceiling, the other on her cocked hip as she stares into the camera.

Super Tiger:... NFW is one of, if not THE premiere wrestling companies not only in North America, but in the whole wide world! Why wouldn’t I want to be the face of the Trauma brand? The champion whom the other talent looks up to and sees the way I conduct myself, and hopefully models themselves after my own hard work and dedication!

The diminutive dynamo lowers herself back into her seat, leaning forward as she continues.

Super Tiger: Many people say that being a wrestler is not so much about the titles you’ve held, but about the moments you make…

ST casts a knowing wink back at the camera.

Super Tiger: ... and that’s the truth! But this business… not just NFW, but Wrestling as a whole, the world over, seems to think that everything is doom and gloom and must be 100% serious no matter what! Their champions are all sour faced and arms crossed, chests puffed out, macho men and ladies! Well…

Super Tiger flexes her arms, giggling, before shrugging and sitting back in her chair.

Super Tiger: I’m not that kind of person! What I want to bring to NFW? What I want to bring to all of Wrestling as a whole? I want to be the face of this company, and show the rest of those businesses out there that it’s okay to have fun! To stand in the sun and spin in circles and smile and hug your fans and do autographs and…

She cuts herself off, giggling a bit as she shakes her head, crossing her legs again and regaining her posture.

Super Tiger: That’s why I want the World Undisputed Championship. I want to be a bright spot for NFW in a sea of other federations who care more about their gritty and hard and dark images. Show people out there WHY NFW is one of the places that Super Tiger calls home.

Amy smiles and nods.

Amy Connors: One last question, if I may?

Super Tiger: Of course!

Amy Connors: It’s a bit of a selfish question.

Super Tiger: That’s okay, as long as it’s professional!

Amy and Super Tiger both laugh now.

Amy Connors: The inevitable “Dream Match” question. If you could face off against anyone on this roster in any kind of match, who would it be, and why?

The little luchadora taps her chin with her forefinger again, lost in thought for a few moments.

Super Tiger: There are a lot of people on this roster that I’d love to wrestle against someday. Folks over on Collision, for instance, that I don’t normally get to wrestle against. It took a special event just for me to get into the ring with one of my best friends, Morgan Payne!

Tiggy waves to the camera again before continuing.

Super Tiger: However. If I had to choose anyone? Hmmmm. I would choose… Darth Ganja. Marilyn Matthews. That’s who I’d face in an NFW dream match if given the opportunity.

Amy Connors: Surprising choice! May I ask why?

Super Tiger: Ganja is obviously one of the best this company, if not this business, has to offer. She held the NFW World Heavyweight Championship for over a YEAR, beating every challenger until Danni Anderson finally found the formula needed to defeat her. I wanna be the very, very best Amy. Wrestling against people like Marilyn Matthews is how I achieve that goal.

Amy smiles and nods, rising out of her chair. Super Tiger follows suit.

Amy Connors: Ladies and gentleman, my name is Amy Connors, and this has been my exclusive interview with the one and only Super Tiger! Good luck out there tonight!

Super Tiger: Thank you so much for having me Amy-San!

Risa bows to Connors, who mirrors the gesture before turning back to the camera.

Amy Connors: Andrew? Miranda? Back to you!

The camera fades to black as Super Tiger and Amy continue to talk back and forth.
The scene comes up backstage on Cali-Kate on a stool with the Wildcard briefcase in her lap.

Cali-Kate: Ladies and gentlemen of the NFW universe, I am the "Geekette Extraordinaire" Cali-Kate and I'm here to deliver one simple message tonight: I'm ready to start turning things around.

Kate takes in a deep breath as she continues.

Cali-Kate: I don't know how many times I've said it at this point, but I have been looking at my defeats recently as some goddamn despawning points forcing me back to a fucking graveyard and hope that somehow I can make up the ground I lost on the way. You see, this business is like a dungeon run, but the thing is there are others running this dungeon too and as much as this is a PVE experience, there's also a PVP element to it as well. The bosses we fight are the champs, but in the meantime we act as our own fucking mobs in the dungeon.

She sighs as she looks at the briefcase.

Cali-Kate: Winning this briefcase has meant so much to me, but I have fuck all to show for it. Every big match I've walked into since has been those defeats where I get sent back and have to play it all fucking out all over again. I'm not really wanting to go through that again. That's where Arley comes in. I kinda like KTPG. Hai grrrl! That really shouldn't come as a surprise overall. Arlet and Tiger, they are possibly two of the most fucking awesome people I have ever known. Seriously, get a chance to hang out with them and they're the realest fucking real.

Kate shakes her hair from her face giving the camera an intense stare.

Cali-Kate: But now Arley and I have run into each other in this dungeon. Do you know how much bullshit that kinda feels like? But one of us has to come out the winner in this. I wish we could just turn this into a Halo match. Or Smash. Or MK. Or just about anything else. But that's not gonna happen is it? We're going to fight and we're going to put on the most fucking epic show ever!

Kate sets the briefcase on the ground.

Cali-Kate: Forget about the briefcase. Forget about what we've done up to this point. Now maybe it's Arley with her hand raised or maybe it's me, but the one thing I do know for certain is that for once I am focused solely on the match. Because I know Arley will be. I can't let her down, not if I want to be the fly in the ointment, the monkey in the wrench...

Audience: THE PAIN IN THE ASS!

Cali-Kate: ... and still be considered any kind of worthy of holding the respect that the NFW universe has granted me. For that I'm forever grateful and I promise Arley and I are gonna take it to the limit. So Arley, it's Game Start, yuh grrrl!

Cali-Kate shoots a wink at the camera before the scene fades out.
Thea Crawford: The following contest is a tag match scheduled for one fall!

"Milkshake" hits the system and there is a loud POP as Arley Kirk appears atop the Tron, black fuzzy LED angel wings on her back. Arley rips open a juice box and skolls it before slamming the empty carton on her forehead several times and getting another POP as she slides down to the ramp and makes her way down it, stopping for quick hugs and high fives and photos.

"From Lake Fenton, MI. Weighing in at one hundred and ten pounds, she is one half of Kawaii Trash Pandas GO...this is "The Suicide Blonde", Arley Kirk!"

Arley opens a juice box at ringside and gets a good laugh as a small child opens his mouth and she pours Apple juice into it and also gets a warm reaction from giving her angel wings to a girl around the same age. Arley finally jumps up onto the apron and launches over the top rope before she gets one final POP by running and leaping to the top rope, showing off her superb balance as she stands dead center and motions for the fans to get louder. Arley Kirk backflips down to the ring and strikes a determined fighting pose as her music fades.

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!”

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 bell rings, and both women make their way to the middle of the ring. Arley offers out her fist, nodding her head.

Arley Kirk: Yuh Kate!

The crowd laughs, everyone cheering for the two women in the ring, and a chant begins, beckoning Kate to return the gesture! Kate laughs, nodding her head with the rhythm of the chant before she turns to Arley, and bumps her fist against the blondes.

Cali-Kate: Yuh Arley!

The crowd goes nuts as both women back up a couple steps before beginning to circle one another. Arley and Kate both turn, rebounding off the ropes. The Suicide Blonde leaps up, hitting a headscissors whip on the Geekette Extraordinaire, who lands on her feet, hitting the ropes and coming back to execute a headscissors of her own on Kirk, who lands on HER feet. They both hit the ropes, coming back and executing dropkicks, dropping to the mat and kipping up to their feet. Arley hits an armdrag, but Kate pops up to her feet, hitting Kirk with an armdrag of her own! Both women look across the center of the ring at one another as the crowd goes absolutely crazy following that athletic exchange! Arley and Kate are both grinning, nodding their heads, before stepping in and locking up with one another. Kate gets the go behind, arms around Arley’s waist. Kirk drops down out of Kate’s grip, turning and throwing an infamously brutal Kirk Style European Uppercut! Cali stumbles back before stepping forward, leaping and nailing Kirk with a stiff dropkick! Arley hits the mat, and Kate lays there a moment, catching her breath.

Both women get to their feet, and speed kicks in as Arley hits the ropes, sprinting forward. She ducks a leg lariat attempt from Kate before springboarding off the ropes, nailing Cali as she rises to her feet with a huge crossbody! Arley hooks a leg, but Cali-Kate kicks out quickly before getting to her feet, Arley already on the move. Kirk hits the ropes again, but this time Kate is ready, turning and blasting the Suicide Blonde with a devastating spinning heel kick! Kate goes for the cover now, but Arley is out at one. Both women back on their feet again, and they’re both on the move. Kate drops to her belly as Arley leaps over, getting back to her feet. She turns and leap frogs Kirk as the blonde comes back, throwing another heel kick, but Arley ducks, rebounding off the rope and leaping into the air to hit a tornado DDT on the Geekette Extraordinaire! Immediately Arley is on her feet, and she sprints for the corner, climbing up to the top rope and turning to face the ring, signaling for the SUICYCLONE! There’s a gasp of surprise from the crowd as a hooded figure leaps the barricade, and jumps up onto the apron. The hood is thrown back to reveal the Poison Dragon Dokueki who grins wickedly as Kirk turns to face her. Arley looks ready to say something before Dokueki spews DRAGON’S BREATH directly into the eyes of the Suicide Blonde! Arley screams, falling forward and to the mat. The referee, who’d been checking on Kate, doesn’t see this happen as Dokueki drops back to the floor. Kate hadn’t seen it either, but she grabs Arley, pulling her to her feet and nailing her blinded opponent with STARSTRUCK! The referee drops down, and executes the three count, awarding the victory to Cali-Kate.

~DING DING DING~

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

Miranda Augustino: YEEEAH KATIE BABY!!!

Andrew Payne: Miss Wildcard picks up another victory but mainly thanks to Dokueki's interference!

Miranda Augustino: Well, yeah, that was shady.

Andrew Payne: But you're still happy she won....

Miranda Augustino: Of course I am!

In what appears to be a previously recorded segment, we see the neon lights of a bar, filled with patrons who appear to be milling about. Text on the menu and around the bar appears to tell us that the bar is, in fact, Japanese, and pictures lining the walls of wrestling greats and championship replicas tell us all we need to know about the theme of this bar. A bartender serves out drinks, and our camera travels behind the bar, pulling into a private room. We see replicas of championships lining the walls-the ALPHA Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, the ICW World Heavyweight Championship, and various other belts scattered around. Leather jackets with words like 'AVIATOR' and 'SAVIOR' emblazoned on the back line the walls, and at the head of it all, a large image of The Guillotine, Graham Baker, holding the Strong Style Wrestling Heritage Championship in his hands as he dethroned Noah Reigner to take the Corsairs for himself.

Graham Baker: King of the world, I was.

We rotate and see Baker standing at a private bar, pouring himself bourbon into a glass over a spherical ice cube. Baker swirls the glass around in his left hand and takes a long sip from it, before placing the glass down. He runs his finger along the rim, the glass making a soft hum-hum sound as he does so.

Graham Baker: King of Japan, holding the championship high, holding that company high. Offing Reigner gave me all the money I'd need to start a new life here, to end my conquest of the Americas and begin anew in Japan. I bought this fine establishment, stocked it full of my things, of merchandise to draw the locals in, and gave myself a hide-away for my Corsair brethren to duck their heads when things got too heated, to whet their tongues upon fancy liquor without needing to hide amongst the commoners. I come here when I need to meditate, when I need to refocus. When I have a grim fate ahead., a challenge like no other. The challenge I've returned for now?

Baker clicks a button on the remote next to the bar, and we see a screen behind him light up with a clip of Adrianna Salvatore's victory over Maki in a United States Championship contest, falls count anywhere. We see Salvatore stand tall with the belt in her hand. Baker taps the bar with two knuckles as we hear his music play, but the scene cuts off.

Graham Baker: Adrianna, it's no secret that the two of us are merely waiting for the opportunity to rip one another's throats out of the confines of our body. It's no mistake that I'm salivating at the thought of being locked into that cage. When I first saw your stipulation, your decision to hold our match inside that structure, I thought that escape would be too easy. One of us would always have the excuse that the other never pinned them, never submitted them. It's a perfect set up, isn't it? Victory for one without defeat for the other? I was perplexed, until I really thought about it.

Baker eyes the glass over.

Graham Baker: Men and women cut from the cloth the two of us are, Adrianna, we don't go down easily. If our prey try to escape, we cut them down, drive knives into their legs and reave the heads from their bodies like creatures of violent wrath. You, Queen of Anarchy, of the United States according to NFW, reigning infinitely over all comers-over Angel Kash, over Maki, and that's just the two most recent challengers. You've filled your guts with the blood of so many, in so many different violent contests, collecting the scalps of so many prey, daring the world to tell you that your reign is not infinite, that you are not strong enough so you can cut its belly open and feast on the contents therein. You are a regent, Adrianna, and I'd be a fool to not acknowledge that-a walking nightmare taller than most men and ready to take on whatever contender comes your way. You and I are not so different, tools of war, but I am carved from cloth of a different purpose.

Baker glances to the camera.

Graham Baker: Historically, The Guillotine is a tool of revolution. The French employed it to remove the heads of those who'd bastardized and stolen from them for so long that it could no longer be ignored. The tool was humanitarian, in the sense that you would die before long once the blade dropped upon you, but it was vicious. It was brutal. A flash of steel and a spray of blood, and things were over. When I christened myself with this name, I did so in an effort to start revolutions of my own. To strike out against the status quo of men and women at the top of this industry composing themselves like fools. I dropped the blade upon Zakk Night, ten time world champion, when I claimed his ICW World Heavyweight Title. I dropped the blade upon Aaron Arkham, ALPHA Legend, when I claimed his ALPHA World Title. I dropped the blade upon Noah Reigner, Corsair Captain, when I took his place. And now, Adrianna? The blade comes for you.

He runs his hand along the side of the bar as he continues.

Graham Baker: There's no discreditation to you, Adrianna. You've been a grand champion, and I'm sure you're a great person too, but at the end of the day, there is a change coming. Revolution is violent, it is bloody, to some it's frightening, but to me? It's inevitable. I started the warpath toward you last week when I disposed of Debbie Haze, and this week? I take your previous challenger and her wife when she inevitably shows up, and I drop the hammer on both of them, end of story, end of game. There are stepping stones in my way, and they're just the next two, Adrianna, building my bridge toward you. You consider that I've been avoiding you? That I haven't spoken about you? I've been deep in meditation, thinking about the way to best stop you from moving long enough to climb out of that Asylum. I've been thinking of the best strategy to break you into pieces so that I can stand on my own accord. And I think, finally, I've got it.

Baker smiles. It's a grim look.

Graham Baker: Much like Maki, the credit to whom I can't simply deny for having the gumption to come close to putting you in the dirt, I'll drop you on your head 'til your neck's nice and ripe for the blade, and then I'll drop that motherfucker like I've dropped you. With a spray of blood, a flash of metal...your title reign ends, and the Guillotine's era begins..

Baker takes a long sip from his glass, and we slowly fade out of the private room before fading to black...
A crunch as a fist slams into the wall of the locker room. We zoom into the female hand with bruised and bloodied knuckles before we zoom out and Maki turns around, in her full warrior makeup and ring attire. She stares for an infinite about of time at her hands. A smile creeps along her face, sick and twisted as she is, she loves blood in any form.

Maki: I have not had much of a chance to talk about what has happened in the last month. I am by no means happy about it. I have had to deal with the consequences of some paper champion needing someone else’s help to defeat me. Yes, you Adrianna. We are not done. Not by a long shot. I am taking that United States championship from you by hook or by crook. You are not an anarchist and you are not as tough as you make out. You are not a worthy champion. I could easily beat you one on one with no interference but can you say the same? I doubt it. You needed the so called Undisputed champion Emilie to help you. What I do like is the killer instinct you showed by doing that but when my time comes I will be draping that United States championship over my shoulder and we both know it!

She tied up the laces on her left boot and stared to the floor for a few seconds. She had a lot to get off her mind.

Maki: I wanted to do this in the ring but hey I wasn’t allowed to, mainly because you cannot call out the all conquering Emilie. Bullshit! You claim to be this amazing champion, on the right side of life but when it comes down to it you are just as gutless as Adrianna. Oh do not think I haven’t heard what you've been saying about Angel. She was being a good spouse, checking on me so do not use that as an excuse. The way I see it this can only be settled by a match. I was going to leave you alone. I was going to bide my time and give you some much needed confidence boosting wins before I challenged you but now you have pissed me off. Be it non title or title I do not care. I am coming for you and Adrianna so you better watch your back, sunshine!

Almost ready for her match, she looked in the mirror and adjusted her hair into pigtails. She started to claw at her arms until blood formed, then licked it off her skin, just to get the look perfect.

Maki: Now Super Tiger and Arley. I have to congratulate you on a wonderful tag victory and the fact you were able to pin Angel is amazing. I have said it to your faces and I have said it on record that I like the both of you and think you’re unique and you bring some fun to the dance but you can also kick arse. Now I was majorly concerned that Daniela came out and Risa was attacked which stopped me from being able to break up the pin on Angel. So, I watched the match again. Yes, Daniela came out and viciously assaulted Super Tiger. Yet, surely my eyes were deceiving me as the very next day you were able to do seven hours of training, larking around as if nothing happened. This led me to believe it was all down to Daniela making me believe she had hurt you but I have seen it with my own eyes so how could that be the case? Either way you are due a shot at her and I will release her so you can fight if you want to. I am your friend and I do not want to see you get hurt because of the demon inside me. The matter still at hand, is of course, did it even happen? I may need to investigate with the VT team.

Her arms were beginning to bleed as she wished and she rubbed her face on them so the blood would appear on her warrior makeup and smudge to make the perfect effect she was looking for.

Maki: Now for the matter at hand. Mr Graham Baker. I am about to go out to face you and I must admit to some trepidation. After all I have lost my last singles match and on the losing team at the last Trauma. Now I have to face one of the toughest son of a bitch on this brand. If you don’t really get what he brings to the table then you really do not know wrestling. This could be one of the toughest matches of my career or I could beat him quickly and it is all moot but it will not take away what you are, Baker. I aim to win like always and I shall win as I need to rack up victories to get my shot at Adrianna again. I am sorry, Baker, I know how good you are and how you want and need to win but right now in my state of mind that goes out of the window. Lights out. Starbright. You will go to sleep. Tonight!

There was a knock at the door. She was ready. She stared once more into the mirror and it started to crack, her eyes started to go black, she concentrated on the mirror and her eyes changed back. Time to go to war, she thought as she headed out.
Thea Crawford: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from London, England. Weighing in at 245lbs. 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.

Thea Crawford: And his opponent….

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 I individual hits. The light hits Maki with her back to the audience. She is on her hands and knees, she slowly crawls her way to the ring.

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.

Thea Crawford: From Brighton, England...weighing in at 155lbs. MAKI!!!!!!!!

She slowly crawls to the ring, with her hair down to her shoulders, her white face paint, with scribbles on her body of "Help".

'Cause I'm a sick individual.

She crawls to the ring and slides under the bottom rope.

'Cause I'm a sick individual.

She sits in the ring with her head bent back, laughing maniacally, and then flips herself to her feet.

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

Her tongue is sticking out as she whispers Korean to herself.

~DING DING DING~

Graham comes out of the gate strong, hitting an unprepared Maki with a series of elbows. This backs her into the near corner and Graham keeps firing away until the ref reaches four on the count. Graham steps away to yell a taunt to the crowd before running back in and eats a big boot to the face by Maki. She comes out of the corner, laying into his thighs and knees with kicks. Each one pops and slaps loudly, drawing empathy from the crowd. Maki finally kicks Baker right in the knee and drops him down, coming off the ropes for a Flying Thrust Kick. This hits its mark and Maki follows up with a jumping elbow drop and a cover. Baker throws her off at two and starts getting to his feet. Maki hits the ropes again and charges in but Baker catches her and sends her over with an Exploder Suplex, dropping her right on her neck and shoulders. Maki grabs her neck and starts working on getting up but once she makes it to all fours, Baker grabs her around the waist and powers her up onto his shoulders. Deadlift Powerbomb drills the Demoness Vessel against the mat with a violent snap. He goes for his own cover but Maki throws her shoulder up, keeping the match alive.

As Baker got back to his feet, reaching down to pull Maki up, she reached up and dug at his eyes before catching his arm and dragged him down into an armbar, wrenching back and rocking her weight to add more tension until he was finally able to get his foot on the rope. She still held onto until almost five before she let go. Maki promptly grabbed onto the top rope and used it to hold onto as she started laying the kicks and stomps to the man’s arm, finally forcing him out of the ring and to the floor. Baker barely had time to get his bearings as Maki climbed the top turnbuckle and dove off with a high flying crossbody block. Graham used his superior size and strength to catch Maki right out of the air! He rammed her into the ring post couple of times, working over her back. Before promptly dropping her on the ring steps back first, then stepping on her torso as he scrambled himself back into the ring at the count of five. Maki managed to grip onto the bottom rope and use it to lever herself into the ring at the eight. As Maki rolled in, Graham was ready, dropping a couple of sharp knees right onto her back. Stopping Maki in her tracks! Graham levered up, using the ring ropes to lift himself higher, to drop yet another knee strike on the downed Maki, when Maki suddenly kicked out with both her legs, catching Graham right in the knee of the only leg he had to stand on! Maki rolled out of the way as Grahan came crashing down and got himself hung up in the ring ropes. Maki bounced up, ran to the other set of ropes and used the speed she gained as momentum for a Flying Thrust Kick! Her foot thudded off the back of Graham’s trapped head with a sickening sound!

Here it was, that Maki finally called for the end, waiting for Graham to get to his feet. Baker pulled himself up, groggily, pushing off the ropes and turning around as Maki pivoted around on one foot. MAKIHOUSE KI--NO!! Baker caught her by the foot, a little amazed at himself that he was even aware enough to do so. He pushed Maki’s foot down but she fired up again as he lunged, going for a Superkick that hit lower than she wanted and nailed him in the chest. The force sent him back into the ropes and bounced right back at her as she went for the Makihouse Kick again but this time, Baker ducked under her leg, hit the ropes on the other side and came charging back in at her. CLEAN THE BLADE sent Maki flipping inside out from the sheer impact of the lariat and Baker wasted no time in throwing himself over Maki, hooking the leg for the three count victory.

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner! GRAHAM...BAKER!!!

Andrew Payne: Big victory for Graham Baker on the eve episode before Sudden Death! You gotta believe the United States Champion is watching!

Miranda Augustino: Ohh, I think we got our answer, Andy! Here she comes!!

As “Holy Calamafuck” by Run The Jewels filled the arena, it was suddenly cut off by Porcelain And The Tramp’s “King Of The World” and the already loud audience popped even louder as United States Champion, Adrianna Salvatore stepped out from the curtain, title in hand in her street gear. There was a tense moment before she finally came down the ramp with a purpose in her step, slid into the ring and the 5’9” woman got right up in the 6’0” man’s face. The referee immediately got to work trying to separate them as Adrianna lifted the title, shoving it in Baker’s face and started jawjacking at him under her music. Baker just threw the trash talk right back at her, pointing to her title and then to himself. Adrianna held the belt up, beckoning him with her other hand to come get some until the referee was finally able to coax her out of the ring. The shot faded to commercial with the final focus being Graham Baker’s wicked, hungry grin under his mouthguard as he watched his opponent for Sudden Death walk back up the ramp.

Andrew Payne: They’ll face each other in two weeks at Sudden Death! August 4th! Anarchy Asylum!

Miranda Augustino: It’s gonna be SIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK, BITCHES!!!

We open on the dilapidated doors of an old church. Flickering light leaks through the open as the doors hang ajar. The windows, some of which were busted out, looked like glowing, soulless eyes. We move towards the doors and through them into the interior of the church. Much like the outside, the inside is in a state of decayed disarray. Cobwebs hang from the lofty ceiling, the once vibrant religious paintings faded and many graffitied over. A majority of the pews were broken heaps of decaying wood. Only a few rows near the pulpit were still intact.

They were also sturdy enough to function as four people can be seen sitting in them. Each pew holds only a single figure, showing that they are just barely functioning. As we draw closer to the pulpit the figures become more than just black silhouettes. It is noticeable that they are the members of House Crowley. Farthest back from the front sit Iscariot XIII and Leviathan. In front of them were Xaphan and Tia Santos. The men were dressed as they normally are, but TIa was in full Dia de Los Muertos mourning attire and sugar skull makeup.

Behind the pulpit, the crucifix is in a sad state. What remains of the Jesus statue has been defiled and defaced. Part of his limbs are destroyed or even fully missing. It has come loose of some of its moorings and hangs upside down. A pentagram, done in black paint, surrounds it. Everything is lit by dozens of candles. Some standing free, wax dripping, on flat surfaces, others sitting in candelabras.

From a doorway off to the side strides a robed figure. It makes it’s way to the pulpit and stands before the small group. The hood of the robe is pulled back to reveal Anton Crowley, the head of House Crowley. He removes the rest of the robe and lets it fall to the filthy floor at his feet. He is dressed like a priest, but instead of white, his frock is a deep blood red. He places his hands on the pulpit and looks to each member of House Crowley in turn.

Anton Crowley: The road to success is often rough. Missteps can happen and send you down a longer path.

Anton lifts a hand and pantomimes a rough and rocky path.

Anton Crowley: Wars have been fought and upstarts put back down on my detour. But through all of that my path, my goal, is still the same. To move from the Demon Prince of NFW to its Demon King. A goal that is so near at hand again. Some have scoffed at the idea. Others have stood loyally beside me.

Anton grins wickedly as he looks at the members of House Crowley.

Anton Crowley: Still my goal has persevered through all missteps and setbacks. A covenant was made. My end has been kept up. I have delivered souls to my Lord as he requested. Now is the time for my reward. He shall pull the strings, set forth the proper machinations, and lead me to glory.

Anton’s grin takes a sinister turn.

Anton Crowley: The first step is securing the perfect entrance into the Guardians of the Pyramid match. All of the competitors are set to vie for their entrance order into the gauntlet style match. They all want that coveted last spot. To come in fresh, at the end, and have the best opportunity to win. It is something I plan to deny my six victims. I am the only one deserving of such a spot. Such a reward. One I will gladly and graciously accept.

Anton starts to pace back and forth behind the pulpit.

Anton Crowley: The field of victims laid out before me is varied and vast. Some I have faced before some I have not. One who is lucky to still be wrestling and of course, the champion. All have their merits, allegedly. Some have been steadily climbing. Others seem to have gotten that lucky turn of events. It doesn’t matter who they are, or what they have done. This is my time. They are just background players in this story.

Anton looks up at the inverted cross and chuckles.

Anton Crowley: The beliefs and ideals of the victims are varied and vast. Some might align and coincide. Though I can rest assured none come close to mine. The closest of the bunch would be the psycho who is with the supposed demon. Even then I doubt she would compare to me. But it matters not. I have the Dark One’s blessing. I am his chosen one. He answered my dark prayers and delivered unto me my House. I summoned my followers to me from His realm and He granted me with their presence. They helped me get close to the Universal title once. Now I am poised to take it once again.

Anton returns to the pulpit. He rests his hands on it and looks out at the members of House Crowley once again.

Anton Crowley: Some have remained silent, from fear or preparation I do not know. Some have been making their rounds on Social Media. They pander to those who would cheer and back them. They think that the support of the masses matters. But little do they know that those so-called fans will turn their backs on them at the first falter and misstep. I have been in preparation. I have been going through my routine, my ritual, along with the Lady of House Crowley. We have been preparing to take on the world together.

Anton moves around in front of the pulpit. He is silhouetted by the majority of the candlelight. Only a pair cast the faintest illumination on his face. The candlelight reflecting in his eyes, making them almost glow.

Anton Crowley: I will outlast all the others to claim the final entrance into the Guardians of the Pyramid match. Then, at Sudden Death, after House Crowley captures the Tag Team titles I shall walk in at the end of the Main Event and claim the title that is rightfully and deservingly mine. Sudden Death is a fitting name. For it shall be the death of NFW as it is known. And from the remains of the old, shall the new Demonic Empire rise.

Anton holds his arms outstretched at his sides. The members of House Crowley applaud and offer their praises. Anton drops his arms and as they fall all the candles extinguish, driving the scene into darkness. From the void comes Anton’s sinister laughter.
Thea Crawford: The following contest is an Elimination Match to determine the entry order for Sudden Death’s Guardians Of The Pyramid Match! The earlier a competitor is eliminated tonight, the earlier they will enter the Main Event match on August 4th! The winner of tonight will be the LAST Guardian of the Pyramid!

One by one, each to their own music and theatrics, the competitors made their way to the ring. When the match was ready to start, each competitor took up their place either in a corner or on one side of the ropes, keeping apart from each other by a few feet until the bell rang.

~DING DING DING~

All seven people are in the ring and they all stare at each other for a moment, trying to formulate and figure out just where to go first. Finally, Trenton and Anton square off followed by Super Tiger and Angel trading shots. Emelie and Griffin look at each other before they go after Debby, but she’s quick to grab the top rope and low bridge the two of them and send them out to the floor. Debby somehow finds a way to hit the ropes and fly over the top rope with a tope con hilo that takes out both Griffin and Emelie on the outside. Debby gets up to her feet and nods her head with a smile as she slides back into the ring, but as she does, she’s met by Angel who takes Debby down with a spinning heel kick before following it up with a running senton. Angel then grabs Debby and pulls her up to her feet and delivers a brainbuster before she picks Debby up one more time and this time, she hits the Boseki Driver and hooks the leg and gets the three count.

Thea Crawford: Debby Haze has been eliminated!

As Angel delivers a few kicks to Debby as she rolls out of the ring, Super Tiger grabs her and delivers a snap Tiger Suplex. Angel rolls out of the ring and Super Tiger gets up and hits the ropes, diving out to the outside and delivering a tornado DDT to Angel right onto the floor! Super Tiger stands up and she looks pumped up as the crowd in the Collision Center cheers her on. Inside the ring however, Trent has Anton in the corner. He charges in and delivers a Yakuza kick right to the head of Anton before grabbing him and delivering a running bulldog. Trenton hooks the leg on Anton, but Anton manages to kick out at two. Trenton picks him up and sends Anton into the corner. He picks Anton up and looks to deliver a single underhook DDT, but Anton is able to counter out of it and he delivers Lingchi that stuns and staggers Trenton. Anton then hits the ropes and delivers a clothesline from hell on Trenton. Anton then waits for Trenton and once he’s up to one knee, charges in and delivers ad stellam matutinam right to the back of the head and then hooks the leg and gets the three count.

Thea Crawford: Trenton Page has been eliminated!

As Anton gets up to his feet, he turns around and he’s met with a spear by Griffin Hawkins. Griffin then picks Anton up and delivers a swinging neckbreaker before climbing up to the top rope. He steadies himself up top before launching himself and delivering a Stage Dive right onto Anton before hooking the leg, only for Anton to kick out at two. Griffin goes to pick Anton up, but before he can, Emelie comes in with a springboard missile dropkick that drops Griffin. Emelie gets up to her feet and picks Griffin up and goes to send him into the corner, but Griffin reverses it. Griffin comes charging in, but Emelie gets her boots up and Griffin staggers back. Emelie gets up to the middle turnbuckle and grabs Griffin by the head before delivering a tornado DDT. Emelie hooks the leg, only to get a two count. Emelie gets up to her feet and delivers a standing shooting star press before grabbing Griffin and dragging him into position. Emelie then looks at him before delivering her split-legged corkscrew moonsault and hooking the leg and getting the pin.

Thea Crawford: Griffin Hawkins has been eliminated!

Before Emelie can even register what had just happened, Super Tiger rolls into the ring and gets to her feet as she grabs Emelie and pulls her up before hitting Starlight Express and bridging up to get the three count.

Thea Crawford: Emelie Sanclemente has been eliminated!

Super Tiger rolls out of the ring and picks Angel up before delivering a Blue Thunder Bomb on Angel right onto the floor. Angel writhes in pain as Super Tiger gets up and notices Anton standing in the middle of the ring. Super Tiger hops up to the apron and as Anton comes charging in, she drops to the floor just as quickly before grabbing the ankles of Anton and pulling him down and out of the ring. Anton goes to try and grab Super Tiger, but she ducks out of the way and rolls into the ring before hitting the ropes and then delivering a suicide springboard moonsault right onto Anton and driving him down to the floor! Super Tiger gets back up to her feet and the crowd is chanting for her. She grabs Anton and rolls him back into the ring. Super Tiger grabs Anton and pulls him to his feet before she looks to deliver Starlight Express, but as she grabs Anton, Angel is in the ring and from behind, nails Super Tiger with a lead pipe on the back of the head. Angel delivers a spinning heel kick to Anton before she picks Super Tiger up with her foot before delivering the Steel Feather and hooking the leg and getting the pin.

Thea Crawford: Super Tiger has been eliminated!

Angel shoves Super Tiger out of the ring and laughs as she motions for the woman to shoo and get to the back. Angel walks around the ring a little bit, confident, if not a little bit arrogant as the crowd in the Collision Center tell her just what they think of her right now. Angel just looks around, wearing that massive grin on her face. As she turns around however, Anton is there and he takes Angel down with a massive spear that looks like it cut her in half. Anton gets up to his feet, a cocky grin on his face now as he stalks Angel for a moment. He then picks her up and delivers a Blue Thunder Driver. He hooks the leg for a pin, but Angel manages to kick out at two. Anton doesn’t stop there though. He then picks Angel up and this time, he delivers The Fall and once again hooks the leg, but Angel again manages to kick out, this time right before the ref’s hand hits the mat for a third time. Anton now has a slight look of frustration on his face and he backs up, begging for Angel to get up. Angel begins to slowly move, getting up to a knee. Anton charges in, looking to deliver ad stellam matutinam for a third time in this match, but Angel is able to avoid the knee and deliver a dragon screw leg whip to Anton. Anton staggers back up to his feet and as he does, Angel delivers The Steel Feather to Anton and hooks the leg and she gets the three count.

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, and entering last into the Guardians of the Pyramid match, Angel Kusanagi!

Andrew Payne: What a huge win here for Angel tonight! She has the decided advantage over everyone else in the field in two weeks at Sudden Death!

Miranda Augustino: After tonight, Angel has to be looked at as the odds on favorite to walk out of Sudden Death with the Undisputed Championship.

Andrew Payne: I can’t argue with you there, Miranda. That’s it for tonight though folks, join us in two weeks as Trauma presents Sudden Death!