Post by Steven Brody, CEO on Dec 24, 2018 20:08:59 GMT -8
The opening vignette fades in on a snow covered, residential neighborhood at night. Houses are decorated on the exterior in colorful lights. Some with nativity sets out in the front lawn. Along the sidewlks. The camera slowly begins to pan forward, taking us on a slow tour through the merry neighborhood. Faintly over the scene, we hear the sound of a children's choir performing "Silent Night." A moment later, a narrator whom is easily recognized as the voice of Steven Brody begins speaking. In fact, it doesn't take long before those who really know their Christmas history realize that Steven Brody is simply reciting Emily Dickinson's "Before The Ice Is In The Pools."
"Before the ice is in the pools....
Before the skaters go....
Or any check at nightfall....
Is tarnished by the snow...."
The camera sweeps down into the middle of the road in the neighborhood, taking us to ground level as he continues reciting.
"Before the fields have finished....
Before the Christmas tree....
Wonder upon wonder....
Will arrive to thee!"
As the poem reaches it's end, the camera closes in on the house at the end of the road where, outside on a porch under the overhang, we see the Brody family and the Hayes family all sitting together. Steven Brody and Savannah Hayes sit in the center as the two GMs of NFW while Brody's wife sits on the opposite side of him, smiling to the camera with everyone else. They're all bundled up for the winter cold. Steven Brody lifts a steaming mug of hot cocoa in a toast to the viewers.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Then, as one, Steven Brody, Savannah Hayes and both of their families all chime in with an energetic, "And Season's Beatings to all!!"
The NFW Season's Beatings logo suddenly explodes onto the screen and, starting at the 0:52 point, a metalized version of Silent Night picks up as the shot abruptly changes to recap clips of NFW's broadcasts this past year. Each shot alternates with a red and green overlay.
- Buzzsaw delivers brutal kicks to various opponents -
- Rick Dickulous runs over opponents with his sheer size, delivering the Misery Whip to several of them -
- Shelley Silver hits an array of Silver Bullets on opponents in the corner -
- Zack Sabre Jr locks opponents up in various submission holds -
- Nico Salvatore brawls and hits G.F.Y's on numerous individuals -
The reel continues, highlighting the likes of the Dominion of Pain, the Renegades, the Fallen, Clarence Fletcher Townsend, Alex Brody, The Iron Maidens, Suzuki-Gun, Matt Klazzic, The Great White North, Vincent Stone, The Rebel Rousers, The Guerrillas of Destiny etc. If they appeared in a match this year, they're seen doing damage to the terrifying, metal cover of the Christmas classic. Finally, the shot cuts to the inside of the arena where pyro goes off all around the stage. The camera sweeps across the electric crowd before focusing on the announce team of James Reynolds, Nick Hanson and Matt Klazzic. Notably, Matt Klazzic is wearing a Santa Clause hat on top of his mask.
HANSON
"GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE!! WELCOME TO NFW'S YEAR END SHOW, SEASON'S BEATINGS!!"
KLAZZIC
"IT'S GONNA BE A MERRY NIGHT OF WRESTLING ACTION, NICK HANSON!!"
REYNOLDS
"How did I know you were gonna throw out a Christmas pun?"
KLAZZIC
"That's not a pun, James Reynolds! That's just a reference! Don't worry, I've got a few lined up."
James Reynolds pulls off his sunglasses and facepalms.
REYNOLDS
"Aw, Christ...."
KLAZZIC
"...Mas."
REYNOLDS
"STOP IT!!"
Giving the camera a look, Nick Hanson shrugs and continues the welcome and introduction.
HANSON
"Always the Merry bunch, aren't they?"
REYNOLDS
"Nicky, I'm gonna---"
HANSON
(cutting him off with a sly grin)
"Well we thank you for joining us, folks, on Christmas Eve. We hope you've got your cocoa brewed and the kids are tucked away in bed. Though I don't think Santa'd mind them staying up for this, huh guys?"
KLAZZIC
"Oh of course not! This is the best way to spend Christmas Eve! See? I've even got cocoa, too! With marshmallows! Cheers all!"
Matt Klazzic raises a mug of cocoa and sips from it. Nick Hanson stirs his own with a spoon. Meanwhile, James Reynolds kicks back with his own mug and drinks.
REYNOLDS
"Enjoy the cocoa, boys. I've got my egg nog here."
HANSON
"Do I even wanna know what you put in that?"
REYNOLDS
"You probably don't. Cheers, bitches!"
HANSON
(Looking worried at the camera)
"Well, then.... Moving on from there, let's look at tonight's line up! We're kicking things off with the Tag Team Wars finals! Guerrillas of Destiny taking on the Rebel Rousers! Both teams have more than earned their way to this point and a victory tonight cements the winners into Wrestle War next month! Connor K will take on Shingo Takagi in a special singles match. He and AKI have been having some problems with Suzuki-Gun for quite some time. He's looking to put one of their most dangerous members away, here in London, tonight. We've got the Television Championship match with Buzzsaw defending against - another member of Suzuki-Gun - Havok. The latest pupil of Minoru Suzuki and boy is he dangerous."
REYNOLDS
"I hope he runs over Buzzsaw like a goddamn train."
HANSON
"Sure you do, Jim."
KLAZZIC
"Not very merry of you, James Reynolds!"
REYNOLDS
(warning in his tone)
"Matt...."
HANSON
(interjecting again)
"From there folks, we've got another first here in NFW. We'll be crowning our first ever Women's Tag Team Champions in a fatal fourway between The Renegades' Candi Broduer and Serena Frost, The Iron Maidens - Marissa and Morgan Payne, The Unwanted - Mia Hayashi and Angel Kusanagi, and The Dominion of Pain's LeeAnn Viskan and Lara Blackheart. It's a fatal fourway eliminaton match! Only two competitors in the ring at any time, but they can tag in anyone they choose! It's gonna be wild!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh, I love me some wild ladies, Nicky!"
HANSON
"I'm sure you do, Jim. After that folks, it's our Silver Mountain Championship match. Zack Sabre Jr earned this shot back in October at the Vlad Blackheart Memorial. He made it known last month that he does, indeed, want an opportunity at the championship belt. He'll be taking on the reigning and defending champion, Rick Dickulous in a lumberjack match. We've also got the Queen of the Ring finals, folks! Alex Brody versus Shelley Silver to decide who will go onto Wrestle War and take on Adrianna Salvatore for the NFW Women's Championship. Salvatore's taken on both of these athletes before. She's defeated both of them before. But that just means they've been working even harder to be ready next time they get the chance to meet her. I can't wait for this one!"
KLAZZIC
"Me neither! I have to admit, I'm a little torn though! I adore both competitors so much! They're so deserving of a shot at the title! I guess we'll just have to wait and see!"
HANSON
"That we will, Matt. That we will. And last but certainly not least, ladies and gentlemen, we've got our main event of the night after all of that. The NFW World Heavyweight Championship goes on the line. Max LeBrun will defend against Nico Salvatore. Are these two finally gonna be able to settle their differences and one of them put the other away? We'll find out! But we're not there yet. Let's jump back to the beginning of the card and take it backstage!"
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Following the opening, the camera switched back to the locker room area where Chase Evans was putting the final adjustment onto his knee brace. He was already in his full ring gear, topped off with a backwards woodland camo ballcap and a sleeveless Dirt Rock Empire t-shirt. "Teddy!" Chase called in the locker room, standing up off of the bench and rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "We're up in five man, let's roll!" Chase looked around, trying to get a lead on where his tag team partner was and what he was doing. "Teddy---" Chase was cut off as he looked off camera and gave a look that landed somewhere between confused and irritated. "What the hell are you wearing?"
The audience's laughter can be heard as Teddy Morse steps into frame, fully dressed in his ring gear. He also has his entire face painted up with the Confederate flag. The look on his face, is so serious and determined, it's downright funny. As Chase just stared at Teddy, the latter held up a small face paint kit to the bigger man. "Let's go, boy. Get you some!"
Chase took the kit from Teddy and examined it, before turning back to his tag team partner and raised his hands up in a confused shrug. "What in the hell are you doing?" He gestured a hand at Teddy's face. "What's all this shit?"
Teddy's eyes went wide with his own confusion and he shrugged his shoulders. "Ain't it obvious?" He said, adjusting his own trucker cap with the words "Southern Proud" on it atop his head. "Remember when we talked about beating our opponents at their own game? Well, I've been thinking about it and I said 'well shit! We got the Guerrillas of Destiny in the finals! Motherfuckin' B.C O.G's up in this bitch!" Teddy threw mocking 'too-sweets' to the air as he spoke. "They like to come out rocking makeup and shit. Well we can play that game, too! Go on man, paint up!" He motioned for Chase to hurry up and get his own face painted up.
Chase Evans' expression made it seem like each word that came out of Teddy Morse's mouth was slowly constricting tighter and tighter on his brain. He ran one hand down over his face in exasperation. "Teddy...I swear your mama must have dropped you on your head when you were a baby...."
"Hey! Don't talk about my mama!" Teddy said defensively, raising a finger and jabbing it at Chase. His hint of anger, still more funny than anything. Chase looked like he wanted to snap, raising an open hand with his fingers bent like claws over Teddy's head, ready to pluck his head right off of his shoulders. Teddy looked up at the hand, then back to his tag partner and inched in, bumping against his chest. "What? What, you wanna step, boy? Whassup? Whassup?!"
Teddy continued to bump into Chase, who just stood there for a few seconds before a knife hand shot up and pointed right in Teddy's face, causing the man to jump back like his bluff was called. "I'm not talking shit on your Mom, idiot! I am gonna talk shit on this idea, though. This ain't what I meant by beating someone at their own game! I'm talking about strategy! If they fight dirty, we fight dirtier! If they throw a closed fist, we throw back a two piece! It's all about fighting fire with fire!" Teddy started to look as if he was getting a new idea in his head before Chase stopped him as soon as he opened his mouth to speak. "No, I don't mean literally. We ain't throwing fireballs and shit." Taking a minute, Chase breathed deep to prevent himself from fully blowing up on Teddy and closed his eyes, raising a hand up to call for pause. "Look, man. It's the G.O.D. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. A couple o'Bullet Club boys. We know they like to win by any means necessary. What the two of us need to do is go out there, watch each other's backs and make sure we don't let none of their tricks give them the upper hand. Same shit we did with Suzuki and Havok. We good?"
Teddy nodded, understanding, it seemed. "Well, yeah. That's simple enough man." There was a brief silence as something seemed to be bothering Teddy, then. He looked up at Chase then down at the floor.
Chase caught on there was something wrong and rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Alright, what it is now?"
Teddy looked back up at his bigger tag partner. "Well now I'm gonna look like a gosh darn idiot out there with my face painted up and being the only one!" Teddy flail-punched the air and stomped one foot in a huff.
Chase groaned, shaking his head. "Jesus H. Christ...." He muttered, popping the makeup kit open and turned his back to the camera where he could look into the locker door mirror once he opened it and started to apply some of the face paint, quickly, to his face. "You're buying rounds at the bar tonight, for this. I ain't shitting you, either."
"Hey, no problem man!" Teddy responded, looking in higher spirits now that he had gotten his friend to join him in gimmicking it up for the night. "I'll buy fuckin' shots off the top shelf. Just so you know, though, they call it a pub here. We don't want these British to think we're a couple o'dumbass Americans."
"They probably already think you're a dumbass American." Chase responded, snapping the kit closed and wiping his hands off on a towel before he turned around revealing a quick but efficient job of painting his face up with black streaks, close to Arnold Schwarzeneggar from Commando. Fitting, somewhat, due to his own military background. "Satisfied?"
Teddy grinned big and gave a loud clap. "WHOO!!! There you go, boy!! Now we're talkin'!! HEEEEEEELLLLLL YEEEEEEEAAAAAH!!!!" He said in his trademark holler before turning back to Chase. "And hey, I ain't no dumbass American. Shit, these are the people who got their asses whupped by a bunch of civilians and it only took what, eight years?"
Chase opened his mouth to say something but just exhaled heavily and lowered his hand. "Not saying shit. Not--saying--shit. Let's just go." Chase said, slapping Teddy on the shoulder and making his way out of the locker room.
"What? I'm right, ain't I?" Teddy said, bringing his hands up in a shrug. "Chase? Chase! HEY!!" He hollered after the man as he moved out of frame, following the man out of the locker room before the shot cut back to ringside.
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In the opening match of the night, The Guerrillas of Destiny defeated the Rebel Rousers, by pinfall in 19:02, when Tanga Loa covered Teddy Morse after Tanga and Tama Tonga hit Guerrilla Warfare.
HANSON
"And that wraps up the Tag Team Wars tournament, guys! We have our new number one contenders for the Tag Team Championship! The Guerrillas of Destiny are going to Wrestle War!"
REYNOLDS
"Stick a fork in the Rousers, boys! They are DONE and Ultra-Violence have a force to reckon with headed their way!"
KLAZZIC
"G.O.D versus Ultra-Violence? Oh, man that's gonna be a wild one!"
REYNOLDS
"Yeah, I hope Ultra-Violence are ready for war. Fuckers."
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*The camera takes us to a locker room area where we see Shelton Benjamin in a track suit watching Connor K. tape his wrists.*
"Hey man, big night for you, bro. You got Shingo one-on-one, but this time it's on the big stage. I got your back so you don't need to worry about T-Hawk or anyone else from jumping in on this," Benjamin says.
"It's Season's Beatings, man. Final show of the year. Close this man out and close out this chapter. 2019's a big chance for you to move up in the World man. Don't get stuck with dead weight like Shingo and T-Hawk. Let's finish this and get you ready for bigger and better things. You feel me, man?" Benjamin asks.
"Yeah, man. I'm ready. Don't think I haven't forgotten how much you and the Mafia helped us this year," Connor says as he nods to himself as he gets himself focused.
"Once I get through Shingo, I tie-up one loose end with Suzuki-gun. And then I set my eyes on bigger and better things. Look at AKI. He's got a title shot next month in a four-way. I want to move on to shit like that. Hey AKI? You win that shit and your boy gets first shot right?" Connor says as he and Benjamin look further down to their right and the camera shifts over to AKI sitting with his back to the locker, looking straight ahead as if he's looking through Connor and Benjamin.
"AKI?" Benjamin calls out.
"AKI?" Connor follows before he and Benjamin look at each other, shake their heads and shrug before….
"AKI!!!" both yell in unison as AKI stands up and steps out through a door.
"One track mind, man. I like that," Benjamin says. "He's ready, I know it."
"Yeah, man gets a huge win over Crimson Sabre and he's locked in. We shouldn't bother him. Besides, I don’t think he'll need our help." Connor says.
"Yeah…wait. Isn't the exit the other way?" Shelton asks as we hear a toilet flush and the arena crowd laughs as we hear the sound of a faucet sink coming on and a rip of paper towels. A moment later, AKI walks by a confused Connor and Benjamin as he steps out of the locker room.
"Yeah, I'm glad we didn't offer to help. That would have been awkward," Connor says unaware as Benjamin looks at him as if he had a second head coming out of his shoulder as the camera fades to black.
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[MONDAY - DEC. 17th, 2018]
*A loading dock bustling with workers can be seen, NFW trailers being unloaded. A video overlay reads "Monday" at the top left of the screen briefly before fading away. As the camera pans to the right, William Mannheim and Pitt walk into the shot looking around*
"Jesus Christ this shit has come a long way, eh, dummy? We used to have to help tear the ring down and pack it up before driving hours in a cramped vehicle to the next stop...now were flying in sometimes a week early, and Brody has PEOPLE for the ring..."
"I wonder whether Rick's here yet...maybe we can ask one of these guys out here? Think they'd have any idea, Willy?"
*Mannheim and Pitt walk up to one of the workers. They both look down at the man, towering over him. Mannheim taps the man on the shoulder*
"Hey, buddy...you seen Rick Dickulous anywhere around here?"
*The worker turns around quickly*
"'Hey, how many times do I have to tell you...."
*His voice trails off as he slowly looks up to meet their gazes and gulps, a sheepish smile crosses his face*
"Uhhh, I mean, uhmm, how can I help you, sir?"
"Like I said, Rick Dickulous. You seen him?"
*The worker shakes his head no and shrugs*
"Nah, guy, I haven't seen him."
*Pitt slaps Mannheim on the arm*
"I think we can trust him, Willy...sounds to me like he might be a fan."
*The worker nods entusiastically*
"Hell yeah! Rick's always helping out back here. He said something about you having to do it, so he should too. He says it's paying his dues. If ya ask me, he signed a contract that doesn't include any of this shit, but I ain't gonna tell him no, know what I mean?"
*Mannheim nods*
"Alright, bud. If you see him, can you do me a favour and get him to call or text me? He's been pretty quiet this week...said something about extra training."
"Willy, you think he just wanted to get here early because his stash was running low?"
"I don't know, Pitt...maybe we should go look around the hotel. I figured he'd want to get his shit in here early so he had extra time in the gym. Something about needing to send a message...which I can only assume means to Doomsday."
"Let's go back to the hotel and wait. Somehow I have the belief we'll hear something soon, Willy."
*Mannheim nods and turns back to the dock worker*
"Hey, pass that message on, eh, bud? Thanks a bunch, come find me on Monday and I'll make sure you've got some merch to take home to the kids for Christmas."
*The dock worker nods and waves as Mannheim and Pitt turn and walk off screen, the shot fading to black*
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Connor K and Shingo Takagi battled it out inside and outside the ring for nearly fifteen minutes in a bout that saw Connor K really take it to Shingo with everything he had. Even despite Shingo's overwhelming power, Connor K pressed on with his speed and brutal King's Road offense, beginning to wear down Suzuki-Gun's monster of the juniors. Shingo was reeling outside of the ring while the ref counted towards twenty with Connor K waiting behind him to get back inside.
HANSON
"Shingo's not gonna have time to get back in!! Is Connor gonna take the countout?!"
KLAZZIC
"Oh, I couldn't imagine him doing that!"
Surely enough, at 17, Connor K shook his head, visibly mouthing "hell nah" and slipped out of the ring to the side so that the referee couldn't stop him, but would have to restart the 20 count.
HANSON
"There we go!! He wants to win this like a man!!"
KLAZZIC
"Go Connor!"
REYNOLDS
"I would have taken the countout win!"
HANSON
"I'm sure you would have."
KLAZZIC
"That just makes Connor more of a man than you, James Reynolds."
REYNOLDS
"Wait, WHAT?!"
KLAZZIC
"Hmm?"
REYNOLDS
"You son of a---"
HANSON
"Watch out guys, they're right in front of us now!"
As the referee restarted the count, Connor K began throwing shots at Shingo Takagi, knocking him back against the guard rail. The camera caught a clear shot of Shingo looking nearly out on his feet as the count neared twenty again. This time, Connor grabbed Shingo and began leading him over to throw him back in the ring, pushing him under the ropes.
KLAZZIC
"He could probably finish him off there if he just gets in and----"
Before Matt Klazzic could finish, the crowd began to erupt in a frenzy as a commotion came from their midst. To the shock of the announcers, T-Hawk, garbed in his Suzuki-Gun track suit came running from out of nowhere with a large plastic box and clobbered Connor with it, knocking him off of the apron as he was climbing back up.
HANSON
"HEY, WHAT THE HELL?!?!?"
REYNOLDS
"WHERE THE HELL DID T-HAWK COME FROM?!"
Continuing the assault with the box, T-Hawk proceeded to beat Connor K over and over as the referee called for the bell, signaling a disqualification. Seconds later, Shingo slid out of the ring and joined T-Hawk in the attack, both men beating and stomping away at Connor before throwing him back into the ring.
HANSON
"Aw, c'mon! And Connor's gonna win this by DQ! He didn't want it like this!"
KLAZZIC
"This is absurd! I'm getting tired of it!"
REYNOLDS
"Well, why don't you do something, then?!"
KLAZZIC
"Damn it, I will!"
As Matt Klazzic went for his headset, however, the crowd erupted again as Shelton Benjamin and AKI came sprinting down the ramp, into the ring and right at T-Hawk and Shingo.
HANSON
"Hold up Matt!! Cavalry's here!!!"
KLAZZIC
"I've still got half a mind to get in there! It's been awhile since I've gotten my hands dirty, Nick Hanson!"
HANSON
"Just sit down with us, for now. It looks like they've got it.
"Before the ice is in the pools....
Before the skaters go....
Or any check at nightfall....
Is tarnished by the snow...."
The camera sweeps down into the middle of the road in the neighborhood, taking us to ground level as he continues reciting.
"Before the fields have finished....
Before the Christmas tree....
Wonder upon wonder....
Will arrive to thee!"
As the poem reaches it's end, the camera closes in on the house at the end of the road where, outside on a porch under the overhang, we see the Brody family and the Hayes family all sitting together. Steven Brody and Savannah Hayes sit in the center as the two GMs of NFW while Brody's wife sits on the opposite side of him, smiling to the camera with everyone else. They're all bundled up for the winter cold. Steven Brody lifts a steaming mug of hot cocoa in a toast to the viewers.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Then, as one, Steven Brody, Savannah Hayes and both of their families all chime in with an energetic, "And Season's Beatings to all!!"
The NFW Season's Beatings logo suddenly explodes onto the screen and, starting at the 0:52 point, a metalized version of Silent Night picks up as the shot abruptly changes to recap clips of NFW's broadcasts this past year. Each shot alternates with a red and green overlay.
- Buzzsaw delivers brutal kicks to various opponents -
- Rick Dickulous runs over opponents with his sheer size, delivering the Misery Whip to several of them -
- Shelley Silver hits an array of Silver Bullets on opponents in the corner -
- Zack Sabre Jr locks opponents up in various submission holds -
- Nico Salvatore brawls and hits G.F.Y's on numerous individuals -
The reel continues, highlighting the likes of the Dominion of Pain, the Renegades, the Fallen, Clarence Fletcher Townsend, Alex Brody, The Iron Maidens, Suzuki-Gun, Matt Klazzic, The Great White North, Vincent Stone, The Rebel Rousers, The Guerrillas of Destiny etc. If they appeared in a match this year, they're seen doing damage to the terrifying, metal cover of the Christmas classic. Finally, the shot cuts to the inside of the arena where pyro goes off all around the stage. The camera sweeps across the electric crowd before focusing on the announce team of James Reynolds, Nick Hanson and Matt Klazzic. Notably, Matt Klazzic is wearing a Santa Clause hat on top of his mask.
HANSON
"GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE!! WELCOME TO NFW'S YEAR END SHOW, SEASON'S BEATINGS!!"
KLAZZIC
"IT'S GONNA BE A MERRY NIGHT OF WRESTLING ACTION, NICK HANSON!!"
REYNOLDS
"How did I know you were gonna throw out a Christmas pun?"
KLAZZIC
"That's not a pun, James Reynolds! That's just a reference! Don't worry, I've got a few lined up."
James Reynolds pulls off his sunglasses and facepalms.
REYNOLDS
"Aw, Christ...."
KLAZZIC
"...Mas."
REYNOLDS
"STOP IT!!"
Giving the camera a look, Nick Hanson shrugs and continues the welcome and introduction.
HANSON
"Always the Merry bunch, aren't they?"
REYNOLDS
"Nicky, I'm gonna---"
HANSON
(cutting him off with a sly grin)
"Well we thank you for joining us, folks, on Christmas Eve. We hope you've got your cocoa brewed and the kids are tucked away in bed. Though I don't think Santa'd mind them staying up for this, huh guys?"
KLAZZIC
"Oh of course not! This is the best way to spend Christmas Eve! See? I've even got cocoa, too! With marshmallows! Cheers all!"
Matt Klazzic raises a mug of cocoa and sips from it. Nick Hanson stirs his own with a spoon. Meanwhile, James Reynolds kicks back with his own mug and drinks.
REYNOLDS
"Enjoy the cocoa, boys. I've got my egg nog here."
HANSON
"Do I even wanna know what you put in that?"
REYNOLDS
"You probably don't. Cheers, bitches!"
HANSON
(Looking worried at the camera)
"Well, then.... Moving on from there, let's look at tonight's line up! We're kicking things off with the Tag Team Wars finals! Guerrillas of Destiny taking on the Rebel Rousers! Both teams have more than earned their way to this point and a victory tonight cements the winners into Wrestle War next month! Connor K will take on Shingo Takagi in a special singles match. He and AKI have been having some problems with Suzuki-Gun for quite some time. He's looking to put one of their most dangerous members away, here in London, tonight. We've got the Television Championship match with Buzzsaw defending against - another member of Suzuki-Gun - Havok. The latest pupil of Minoru Suzuki and boy is he dangerous."
REYNOLDS
"I hope he runs over Buzzsaw like a goddamn train."
HANSON
"Sure you do, Jim."
KLAZZIC
"Not very merry of you, James Reynolds!"
REYNOLDS
(warning in his tone)
"Matt...."
HANSON
(interjecting again)
"From there folks, we've got another first here in NFW. We'll be crowning our first ever Women's Tag Team Champions in a fatal fourway between The Renegades' Candi Broduer and Serena Frost, The Iron Maidens - Marissa and Morgan Payne, The Unwanted - Mia Hayashi and Angel Kusanagi, and The Dominion of Pain's LeeAnn Viskan and Lara Blackheart. It's a fatal fourway eliminaton match! Only two competitors in the ring at any time, but they can tag in anyone they choose! It's gonna be wild!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh, I love me some wild ladies, Nicky!"
HANSON
"I'm sure you do, Jim. After that folks, it's our Silver Mountain Championship match. Zack Sabre Jr earned this shot back in October at the Vlad Blackheart Memorial. He made it known last month that he does, indeed, want an opportunity at the championship belt. He'll be taking on the reigning and defending champion, Rick Dickulous in a lumberjack match. We've also got the Queen of the Ring finals, folks! Alex Brody versus Shelley Silver to decide who will go onto Wrestle War and take on Adrianna Salvatore for the NFW Women's Championship. Salvatore's taken on both of these athletes before. She's defeated both of them before. But that just means they've been working even harder to be ready next time they get the chance to meet her. I can't wait for this one!"
KLAZZIC
"Me neither! I have to admit, I'm a little torn though! I adore both competitors so much! They're so deserving of a shot at the title! I guess we'll just have to wait and see!"
HANSON
"That we will, Matt. That we will. And last but certainly not least, ladies and gentlemen, we've got our main event of the night after all of that. The NFW World Heavyweight Championship goes on the line. Max LeBrun will defend against Nico Salvatore. Are these two finally gonna be able to settle their differences and one of them put the other away? We'll find out! But we're not there yet. Let's jump back to the beginning of the card and take it backstage!"
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Following the opening, the camera switched back to the locker room area where Chase Evans was putting the final adjustment onto his knee brace. He was already in his full ring gear, topped off with a backwards woodland camo ballcap and a sleeveless Dirt Rock Empire t-shirt. "Teddy!" Chase called in the locker room, standing up off of the bench and rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "We're up in five man, let's roll!" Chase looked around, trying to get a lead on where his tag team partner was and what he was doing. "Teddy---" Chase was cut off as he looked off camera and gave a look that landed somewhere between confused and irritated. "What the hell are you wearing?"
The audience's laughter can be heard as Teddy Morse steps into frame, fully dressed in his ring gear. He also has his entire face painted up with the Confederate flag. The look on his face, is so serious and determined, it's downright funny. As Chase just stared at Teddy, the latter held up a small face paint kit to the bigger man. "Let's go, boy. Get you some!"
Chase took the kit from Teddy and examined it, before turning back to his tag team partner and raised his hands up in a confused shrug. "What in the hell are you doing?" He gestured a hand at Teddy's face. "What's all this shit?"
Teddy's eyes went wide with his own confusion and he shrugged his shoulders. "Ain't it obvious?" He said, adjusting his own trucker cap with the words "Southern Proud" on it atop his head. "Remember when we talked about beating our opponents at their own game? Well, I've been thinking about it and I said 'well shit! We got the Guerrillas of Destiny in the finals! Motherfuckin' B.C O.G's up in this bitch!" Teddy threw mocking 'too-sweets' to the air as he spoke. "They like to come out rocking makeup and shit. Well we can play that game, too! Go on man, paint up!" He motioned for Chase to hurry up and get his own face painted up.
Chase Evans' expression made it seem like each word that came out of Teddy Morse's mouth was slowly constricting tighter and tighter on his brain. He ran one hand down over his face in exasperation. "Teddy...I swear your mama must have dropped you on your head when you were a baby...."
"Hey! Don't talk about my mama!" Teddy said defensively, raising a finger and jabbing it at Chase. His hint of anger, still more funny than anything. Chase looked like he wanted to snap, raising an open hand with his fingers bent like claws over Teddy's head, ready to pluck his head right off of his shoulders. Teddy looked up at the hand, then back to his tag partner and inched in, bumping against his chest. "What? What, you wanna step, boy? Whassup? Whassup?!"
Teddy continued to bump into Chase, who just stood there for a few seconds before a knife hand shot up and pointed right in Teddy's face, causing the man to jump back like his bluff was called. "I'm not talking shit on your Mom, idiot! I am gonna talk shit on this idea, though. This ain't what I meant by beating someone at their own game! I'm talking about strategy! If they fight dirty, we fight dirtier! If they throw a closed fist, we throw back a two piece! It's all about fighting fire with fire!" Teddy started to look as if he was getting a new idea in his head before Chase stopped him as soon as he opened his mouth to speak. "No, I don't mean literally. We ain't throwing fireballs and shit." Taking a minute, Chase breathed deep to prevent himself from fully blowing up on Teddy and closed his eyes, raising a hand up to call for pause. "Look, man. It's the G.O.D. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. A couple o'Bullet Club boys. We know they like to win by any means necessary. What the two of us need to do is go out there, watch each other's backs and make sure we don't let none of their tricks give them the upper hand. Same shit we did with Suzuki and Havok. We good?"
Teddy nodded, understanding, it seemed. "Well, yeah. That's simple enough man." There was a brief silence as something seemed to be bothering Teddy, then. He looked up at Chase then down at the floor.
Chase caught on there was something wrong and rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Alright, what it is now?"
Teddy looked back up at his bigger tag partner. "Well now I'm gonna look like a gosh darn idiot out there with my face painted up and being the only one!" Teddy flail-punched the air and stomped one foot in a huff.
Chase groaned, shaking his head. "Jesus H. Christ...." He muttered, popping the makeup kit open and turned his back to the camera where he could look into the locker door mirror once he opened it and started to apply some of the face paint, quickly, to his face. "You're buying rounds at the bar tonight, for this. I ain't shitting you, either."
"Hey, no problem man!" Teddy responded, looking in higher spirits now that he had gotten his friend to join him in gimmicking it up for the night. "I'll buy fuckin' shots off the top shelf. Just so you know, though, they call it a pub here. We don't want these British to think we're a couple o'dumbass Americans."
"They probably already think you're a dumbass American." Chase responded, snapping the kit closed and wiping his hands off on a towel before he turned around revealing a quick but efficient job of painting his face up with black streaks, close to Arnold Schwarzeneggar from Commando. Fitting, somewhat, due to his own military background. "Satisfied?"
Teddy grinned big and gave a loud clap. "WHOO!!! There you go, boy!! Now we're talkin'!! HEEEEEEELLLLLL YEEEEEEEAAAAAH!!!!" He said in his trademark holler before turning back to Chase. "And hey, I ain't no dumbass American. Shit, these are the people who got their asses whupped by a bunch of civilians and it only took what, eight years?"
Chase opened his mouth to say something but just exhaled heavily and lowered his hand. "Not saying shit. Not--saying--shit. Let's just go." Chase said, slapping Teddy on the shoulder and making his way out of the locker room.
"What? I'm right, ain't I?" Teddy said, bringing his hands up in a shrug. "Chase? Chase! HEY!!" He hollered after the man as he moved out of frame, following the man out of the locker room before the shot cut back to ringside.
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In the opening match of the night, The Guerrillas of Destiny defeated the Rebel Rousers, by pinfall in 19:02, when Tanga Loa covered Teddy Morse after Tanga and Tama Tonga hit Guerrilla Warfare.
HANSON
"And that wraps up the Tag Team Wars tournament, guys! We have our new number one contenders for the Tag Team Championship! The Guerrillas of Destiny are going to Wrestle War!"
REYNOLDS
"Stick a fork in the Rousers, boys! They are DONE and Ultra-Violence have a force to reckon with headed their way!"
KLAZZIC
"G.O.D versus Ultra-Violence? Oh, man that's gonna be a wild one!"
REYNOLDS
"Yeah, I hope Ultra-Violence are ready for war. Fuckers."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The camera takes us to a locker room area where we see Shelton Benjamin in a track suit watching Connor K. tape his wrists.*
"Hey man, big night for you, bro. You got Shingo one-on-one, but this time it's on the big stage. I got your back so you don't need to worry about T-Hawk or anyone else from jumping in on this," Benjamin says.
"It's Season's Beatings, man. Final show of the year. Close this man out and close out this chapter. 2019's a big chance for you to move up in the World man. Don't get stuck with dead weight like Shingo and T-Hawk. Let's finish this and get you ready for bigger and better things. You feel me, man?" Benjamin asks.
"Yeah, man. I'm ready. Don't think I haven't forgotten how much you and the Mafia helped us this year," Connor says as he nods to himself as he gets himself focused.
"Once I get through Shingo, I tie-up one loose end with Suzuki-gun. And then I set my eyes on bigger and better things. Look at AKI. He's got a title shot next month in a four-way. I want to move on to shit like that. Hey AKI? You win that shit and your boy gets first shot right?" Connor says as he and Benjamin look further down to their right and the camera shifts over to AKI sitting with his back to the locker, looking straight ahead as if he's looking through Connor and Benjamin.
"AKI?" Benjamin calls out.
"AKI?" Connor follows before he and Benjamin look at each other, shake their heads and shrug before….
"AKI!!!" both yell in unison as AKI stands up and steps out through a door.
"One track mind, man. I like that," Benjamin says. "He's ready, I know it."
"Yeah, man gets a huge win over Crimson Sabre and he's locked in. We shouldn't bother him. Besides, I don’t think he'll need our help." Connor says.
"Yeah…wait. Isn't the exit the other way?" Shelton asks as we hear a toilet flush and the arena crowd laughs as we hear the sound of a faucet sink coming on and a rip of paper towels. A moment later, AKI walks by a confused Connor and Benjamin as he steps out of the locker room.
"Yeah, I'm glad we didn't offer to help. That would have been awkward," Connor says unaware as Benjamin looks at him as if he had a second head coming out of his shoulder as the camera fades to black.
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[MONDAY - DEC. 17th, 2018]
*A loading dock bustling with workers can be seen, NFW trailers being unloaded. A video overlay reads "Monday" at the top left of the screen briefly before fading away. As the camera pans to the right, William Mannheim and Pitt walk into the shot looking around*
"Jesus Christ this shit has come a long way, eh, dummy? We used to have to help tear the ring down and pack it up before driving hours in a cramped vehicle to the next stop...now were flying in sometimes a week early, and Brody has PEOPLE for the ring..."
"I wonder whether Rick's here yet...maybe we can ask one of these guys out here? Think they'd have any idea, Willy?"
*Mannheim and Pitt walk up to one of the workers. They both look down at the man, towering over him. Mannheim taps the man on the shoulder*
"Hey, buddy...you seen Rick Dickulous anywhere around here?"
*The worker turns around quickly*
"'Hey, how many times do I have to tell you...."
*His voice trails off as he slowly looks up to meet their gazes and gulps, a sheepish smile crosses his face*
"Uhhh, I mean, uhmm, how can I help you, sir?"
"Like I said, Rick Dickulous. You seen him?"
*The worker shakes his head no and shrugs*
"Nah, guy, I haven't seen him."
*Pitt slaps Mannheim on the arm*
"I think we can trust him, Willy...sounds to me like he might be a fan."
*The worker nods entusiastically*
"Hell yeah! Rick's always helping out back here. He said something about you having to do it, so he should too. He says it's paying his dues. If ya ask me, he signed a contract that doesn't include any of this shit, but I ain't gonna tell him no, know what I mean?"
*Mannheim nods*
"Alright, bud. If you see him, can you do me a favour and get him to call or text me? He's been pretty quiet this week...said something about extra training."
"Willy, you think he just wanted to get here early because his stash was running low?"
"I don't know, Pitt...maybe we should go look around the hotel. I figured he'd want to get his shit in here early so he had extra time in the gym. Something about needing to send a message...which I can only assume means to Doomsday."
"Let's go back to the hotel and wait. Somehow I have the belief we'll hear something soon, Willy."
*Mannheim nods and turns back to the dock worker*
"Hey, pass that message on, eh, bud? Thanks a bunch, come find me on Monday and I'll make sure you've got some merch to take home to the kids for Christmas."
*The dock worker nods and waves as Mannheim and Pitt turn and walk off screen, the shot fading to black*
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Connor K and Shingo Takagi battled it out inside and outside the ring for nearly fifteen minutes in a bout that saw Connor K really take it to Shingo with everything he had. Even despite Shingo's overwhelming power, Connor K pressed on with his speed and brutal King's Road offense, beginning to wear down Suzuki-Gun's monster of the juniors. Shingo was reeling outside of the ring while the ref counted towards twenty with Connor K waiting behind him to get back inside.
HANSON
"Shingo's not gonna have time to get back in!! Is Connor gonna take the countout?!"
KLAZZIC
"Oh, I couldn't imagine him doing that!"
Surely enough, at 17, Connor K shook his head, visibly mouthing "hell nah" and slipped out of the ring to the side so that the referee couldn't stop him, but would have to restart the 20 count.
HANSON
"There we go!! He wants to win this like a man!!"
KLAZZIC
"Go Connor!"
REYNOLDS
"I would have taken the countout win!"
HANSON
"I'm sure you would have."
KLAZZIC
"That just makes Connor more of a man than you, James Reynolds."
REYNOLDS
"Wait, WHAT?!"
KLAZZIC
"Hmm?"
REYNOLDS
"You son of a---"
HANSON
"Watch out guys, they're right in front of us now!"
As the referee restarted the count, Connor K began throwing shots at Shingo Takagi, knocking him back against the guard rail. The camera caught a clear shot of Shingo looking nearly out on his feet as the count neared twenty again. This time, Connor grabbed Shingo and began leading him over to throw him back in the ring, pushing him under the ropes.
KLAZZIC
"He could probably finish him off there if he just gets in and----"
Before Matt Klazzic could finish, the crowd began to erupt in a frenzy as a commotion came from their midst. To the shock of the announcers, T-Hawk, garbed in his Suzuki-Gun track suit came running from out of nowhere with a large plastic box and clobbered Connor with it, knocking him off of the apron as he was climbing back up.
HANSON
"HEY, WHAT THE HELL?!?!?"
REYNOLDS
"WHERE THE HELL DID T-HAWK COME FROM?!"
Continuing the assault with the box, T-Hawk proceeded to beat Connor K over and over as the referee called for the bell, signaling a disqualification. Seconds later, Shingo slid out of the ring and joined T-Hawk in the attack, both men beating and stomping away at Connor before throwing him back into the ring.
HANSON
"Aw, c'mon! And Connor's gonna win this by DQ! He didn't want it like this!"
KLAZZIC
"This is absurd! I'm getting tired of it!"
REYNOLDS
"Well, why don't you do something, then?!"
KLAZZIC
"Damn it, I will!"
As Matt Klazzic went for his headset, however, the crowd erupted again as Shelton Benjamin and AKI came sprinting down the ramp, into the ring and right at T-Hawk and Shingo.
HANSON
"Hold up Matt!! Cavalry's here!!!"
KLAZZIC
"I've still got half a mind to get in there! It's been awhile since I've gotten my hands dirty, Nick Hanson!"
HANSON
"Just sit down with us, for now. It looks like they've got it.
*The camera shifts back to the ref helping Connor to his feet amidst the post-match confusion as Benjamin fights both Shingo and T-Hawk to the back. As the ref helps Connor get his bearings against a ring corner we hear the opening to 'Kaze ni Nare' and an overly smug Paul Heyman leads Minoru Suzuki to the ring, with his towel over his head.*
KLAZZIC
"Umm....what?"
HANSON
"Whaaaaaaat the hell is Minoru Suzuki coming out here for?"
REYNOLDS
"Wait a minute....awwww shit. WAAAAAIT A MINUTE!!!"
HANSON
"What, Jim? What?!"
As the announcers frantically converse, the camera focuses on Heyman and Suzuki approaching the ring. El Desperado follows behind them black jeans and a Suzuki-Gun shirt. Beside him, Havok walks, garbed in his Suzuki-Gun track suit; jacket open, shirtless underneath.
REYNOLDS
"Do you remember what it was Paul Heyman said?"
HANSON
"What are you talking about?"
REYNOLDS
"Connor K wanted Suzuki...."
KLAZZIC
"Right?"
REYNOLDS
"It was decided that if Connor K defeated a member of Suzuki-gun in any match, he would get Suzuki. Which he did pin a member of Suzuki-gun."
HANSON
"And?"
REYNOLDS
"Under the condition that Suzuki would decide where and when Connor would get him. Any place. Any time."
There's a brief pause as the group of Suzuki-Gun members reach ringside. Suzuki starts his leisurely walk around the ring as El Desperado climbs up onto a turnbuckle, clapping his hands and calling for the crowd to do the same with the music.
HANSON
"Oh, you gotta be kidding me!! You mean he's gonna make Connor have his match NOW?!"
KLAZZIC
"That's absurd!"
Havok snatches a Great White North sign out of a fan's hands in the front row by the announcers and tears it in half before throwing the pieces to the floor. He looms over the fan before Matt Klazzic simply stands up from his chair, easily drawing Havok's attention. The masked maniac turns from the fan and gets in Matt's face.
HANSON
"Whoa whoa...easy, now. Matt? Matt, sit down."
We can hardly hear it but we can tell from Havok's body language that he's actually talking some trash to Matt Klazzic. The camera gets close enough to hear an audible, "Do something. C'mon! NOW!!" Muffled from the man's mask. Instead, Matt Klazzic sits down in a frustrated huff and Havok sweeps his arm across the announce table, clearing off their drinks.
Heyman steps through the ropes and talks with the ref, who's adamantly trying to shake his head, visibly unhappy over what Heyman is telling him. Suzuki removes the towel from his head and he has a visible scowl on his face. The ref goes over to Connor and explains what's going on, who's seems too tired and oblivious to what's going on. Ref takes both of Connor's arms and holds them up then lets them go to see Connor still having them up, forcing the ref to shake his head, then turn over to Suzuki then finally he turns to the timekeeper to ring the bell.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In what was an impromptu match for the event, Minoru Suzuki absolutely brutalized Connor K with every nasty trick in his book. To call it a match, wasn't really fair as it was more so a classic display of Pro Wrestling's King torturing an essentially rookie to the sport. For several, painfully long minutes, Suzuki would lock in one submission maneuver on Connor, tweaking the joint as much as possible without flat out breaking it. When it looked as if Connor was ready to tap...Suzuki let go. This went on for three different holds before Suzuki began smacking Connor across the back of the head and giving him light, shameful boots, taunting him in Japanese.
HANSON
"This is sick...."
KLAZZIC
"You said it. I can hardly even watch this."
Even James Reynolds had resorted to removing his sunglasses and sitting in his seat with a disgusted look on his face as Connor pulled himself up against Suzuki. Once he was standing up, Suzuki smiled wickedly at Connor and stuck his cheek out, slapping it. Very faintly, the camera picked up an "Oi de. Nagu tte" from Suzuki as he continued to goad Connor on.
KLAZZIC
"Suzuki's saying 'come on, boy! Hit me!'"
HANSON
"I don't think Connor has the energy!"
Connor did, somewhat, garnering support from the crowd as he reared back and hit Suzuki with everything he had which wasn't much. Just enough to cause an audible 'smack' as Suzuki wavered back on his feet...with a look of annoyance on his face.
"Nagu tte...." Suzuki slapped his cheek again...then slapped Connor K in the face.
Connor K mustered up more energy, pain all over his face and struck again with another 'smack.' Suzuki staggered back one step, looking around at the audience in disgust at their support for a man he saw as weak.
"NAGU TTE!!!!!!" Suzuki finally screamed in Connor's face, hitting him with several antagonizing slaps.
Finally, Connor blocked the last one with a hand and drove a third forearm into Suzuki's jaw. Suzuki staggered back one...two steps...and came right back, laughing mockingly in Connor's face before pie facing him. When Connor swung again, Suzuki simply leaned back and used Connor's own momentum to turn him around, right into the Sleeper Hold, long enough for Connor's arms to drop. Finally, to the relief of many fans in Connor's corner, Suzuki set him up and planted him with the Gotch Style Piledriver for the pinfall, ending the match at 7:34.
HANSON
"Thank god! Is it over now?! Can we get Connor out of there?!"
As the referee helped Connor to the side of the ring where he could be helped out, Minoru Suzuki stood victoriously with Paul Heyman and Havok on either side of him. In front, El Desperado spread out the Suzuki-gun flag, kneeling in front while Suzuki and Havok held up the ichiban finger.
KLAZZIC
"A despicable sight, to be sure."
REYNOLDS
"Something else we have to agree on, Matt.... That was just...man."
HANSON
"And we've still gotta see what kind of damage that man right there looks to cause, tonight."
As Nick Hanson spoke, Havok moved over to the corner, calling for a microphone which he snatched violently from the man's hand before turning to face the stage while Suzuki, Heyman and El Desperado looked at him.
"BUZZSAW!!!" Havok roared into the microphone, raising the ichiban finger again. "Now...." He turned the finger, pointing at the stage. "...Your turn.... Come out...and play...." Havok threw the mic down and removed his track jacket and pants, revealing he was already dressed in his ring gear underneath. Tossing the garments to El Desperado, Havok fist bumped him, Heyman and Suzuki before hopping energetically on the balls of his feet as he prepared for his Television Championship shot which just happened to be next on the schedule.
HANSON
"And this young man is READY!"
KLAZZIC
"I would say it's nice to see him coming out of his shell if he wasn't so violent!"
The shot focused on Havok waiting in the ring, fading out as fans awaited Buzzsaw's arrival.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shot fades in slowly to a gaming stream of Fallout 76. Through first person perspective, we see the player character being moved through the Appalachia Wasteland. In the background, somewhere (not from the game itself) we hear Neil Diamond's "Sleigh Bells Ringing" playing as a little jingle.
Suddenly, in the top left corner of the screen, a webcam feed comes to life. Katrina Cage of the Skillz Vendorz appears to be sitting at the computer, controlling what we see on the Fallout 76 display. We can see she's wearing a red Christmas sweater with a Santa hat on her head. Her hair is even dyed with temporary red and green streaks. As cute as she looks, her face is one of frustration.
"Ugggghhhh!!! Why does Bethesda always make aluminum so hard to find?!" She groans loudly.
Suddenly, the screen splits down the middle and we see a second perspective in the same game. Same area and all. We even see the back of Katrina's character who has been made to resemble her in real life. Long purple hair, dressed in top level gear. In the upper right hand corner of this second screen, another webcam feed appears, revealing Sammi Belmont with reindeer antlers and bells on her head. Aside from their holiday head gear, they both have top of the line gaming headsets on, as well.
"And bloody adhesive!" Sammi complains as she appears to be following Katrina's character through a rural neighborhood, wrought by apocalyptic destruction. "I need to repair my rifle!!"
"Just use your pistol. Don't you have a 10mm?" Katrina asks as her character perspective ducks into a Red Rocket Station and begins checking for loot.
"I'm out of ammo!" Sammi responds as her character's perspective takes her around the back of the station where she starts grabbing flowers.
"We need to find a vendor, or something." Says Katrina.
"We haven't come across Grahm in awhile. I wanted to grab that Powder Rifle he had." Sammi responds.
"Hey, so...we should probably talk NFW, huh?" Katrina suggests. "Fans are probably gonna be watching this."
Sammi's eyes go adorably wide in horror. "Are you serious?! Well, it's a good thing we're only using webcams because I'm not wearing pants."
"Are you serious?!" Katrina gives a shocked response. "How? I'm sitting here all bundled up!"
"Course I am! I'm sitting here in my knickers and a tee." Sammi replies cutely. "Need to stay comfy."
"Sam, it's 50 degrees outside!"
"Kat, you do remember it gets down to the single digits in England, yeah?"
"I don't know how you lived there." Katrina says. Her character perspective moves around the Red Rocket Station, grabbing up literally every piece of junk that's not bolted down to the floor.
Outside, through her own perspective, Sammi continues picking flowers near a stream. "Ooh, there's water down here!" She says, starting to collect water in-game.
"So who do we wanna face in our debut?" Katrina asks.
Sammi frowns. "I don't know, really. Do we have a choice? Or do you wanna like...call someone out?"
"Well, I don't want people to think we're a couple of bitches." Katrina's perspective exits the Red Rocket Station and finds Sammi's character who -- like her own -- is made to resemble the player behind the toon.
Sammi's perspective turns towards Katrina's character and in each player's screen, we see their perspectives looking at one another. "It's not us being bitches." Sammi assures her older friend. "It can be like wanting to prove ourselves. Show everyone that we can hang, yeah?"
"Weeeeeelll, truuuuuue." Katrina says, looking quizzical on her webcam before an idea comes to her. "Ooh! How about The Unwanted?! They'd be good!"
"The Unwanted...you mean Mia Hayashi and the bloody Women's Champion? Are you mad?" Sammi's face on the webcam looks adorably shocked.
Katrina shakes her head. "Doesn't have to be Adrianna Salvatore. It can be Angel Kusanagi."
Sammi frowns. "Hmmmmmm. Isn't she a little crazy for our first match in the big league?"
Katrina thinks and shrugs in agreement. "Eh, true. Ooh! Iron Maidens?"
Sammi frowns on the webcam. "Well, I don't wanna get my bloody face kicked in on day one. Ooh! How about Team Merlex?!"
Katrina's eyes go wide with surprise. "Oooooh! Yeah! That'd be awesome! They're almost a perfect match! They like to have fun and they aren't psychotic and blood thirsty!"
"Right! So it's settled then!" Sammi and Katrina both look to their webcams, addressing their challenged opponents directly as Sammi speaks. "Erin Mercer? Alex Brody? For our debut, we the Skillz Vendorz challenge you to a tag team contest!" Both girls smile cutely and throw up anime peace signs.
"Wait, we've still got a few weeks to go, don't we?" Katrina says, realizing the fact.
"Yeah, but it's cool. We'll all have time to study and prepare. It'll be great!" Sammi says before her in-game perspective turns to notice a male player character running right up on them. "Oi, oi, oi! Another player!"
"Ooh! Let's see if he wants to trade stuff! He might have what we need!" Katrina says excitedly.
"Right! Hello, mate!" Sammi greets the male character. "Do you wanna trade? We're looking for aluminum and adhesive."
"Bobs and vagene?" Says the male character, who's player voice comes through in a thick Indian accent.
Sammi and Katrina frown in sudden confusion on their webcams. "Eh?" Sammi says, perplexed.
"Bobs and vagene!" The male player's voice repeats.
"Oi, look mate." Sammi responds. "Do you wanna trade or not? We're both loade with caps and I've got a ton of .45 ammo rounds here."
"Bobs and vagene! Bobs and vagene! BOBS AND VAGEEEEEEENE!!!"
"Alright then, piss off, mate." Sammi says, turning her perspective to Katrina's character.
Katrina's perspective turns to Sammi. "What the hell is that guy's problem?"
"I don't know---AGH!!" Sammi yelps in surprise as an in-game gunshot goes off and her character takes damage. Both perspectives turn towards the male character who stands there, popping off rounds into Sammi's character.
"Oi, mate! Stop that! I just repaired this armor!" Sammi snaps. The guy keeps shooting. "I said stop that!"
"Dude! Stop being a jerk!" Katrina says into her microphone to no avail.
"Alright, piss off yeah?" Sammi responds, beginning to shoot back at the character with her rifle. Almost immediately, Katrina joins in with her shotgun. Both girls combined completely blow the male player away. His body crumples and a paper bag spawns on the ground with his junk gear in it. Sammi immediately begins looting it.
"Seriously, you're robbing him?" Katrina asks.
"Serves him right." Sammi responds. "Oi, look! He's loaded with what we need!"
"Sweet!" Katrina exclaims. "Pass me some aluminum!"
Their advertisement appears on the screen then as the shot fades to black.
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[TUESDAY - DEC. 18th, 2018]
*"Tuesday" is shown at the top right of the screen, the screen still black. British punk plays on the radio quietly. Suddenly the opening of "Tom Sawyer" by Rush can be heard playing, along with the familiar voice of Pitt*
"There he is, Willy...I told ya..."
*As the shot fades in, Mannheim and Pitt are driving down a two lane country road, the camera situated in the backseat looking out the windshield, Mannheim behind the wheel, Pitt in the passenger seat. Mannheim pushes a button on the steering wheel*
"Hello? Rick? Where the fuck are you? We've been here a day already..."
*Rick's voice fills the passenger cabin through the car speakers*
"Hey, guy! I'm just out at a buddy's place in Brighton. He's got a little farm down by the coast, I've been out here getting myself all ready for that little hemorrhoid Zack Sabre Jr, eh? You should come visit! It's only like an hour and a half drive, buddy!"
"Listen, you little shit! Text me the address and we'll swing out there. We've got a couple stops to make around London, we can be there after dinner. We're just taking in some of the scenery."
"Ok, guy! I'll text you in a--hold on a sec.."
*Rick's end of the call becomes muffled, though his booming voice can be heard clearly*
"...What, guy? Oh, you've got more? Ok, no worries! Lemme finish this call and I'm on it! Gotta train, eh?"
*Rick's end of the phone becomes more clear, banging, and sawing can be heard in the background*
"Look, I gotta let you go, guy! Got a little more work to do over here. Come by for dinner! Fish and chips!"
*A ding can be heard, Pitt reaches for his phone and turns on the screen, checking a message*
"Got it, Willy!"
"Ok, Rick....we'll see you in a bit. Don't overwork yourself, you've got a big match coming up. It's not gonna be easy."
"Relax, guy! It's right up my alley! Keep yer stick on the ice, buddy!"
*The line goes silent, and the radio comes back on, old British punk filling the passenger cabin again. The two ride in silence for a minute until Pitt turns to Mannheim*
"Willy...you're not thinking what I'm thinking, are you?"
*Mannheim looks flatly at Pitt and closes his eyes slowly, shaking his head. He looks back at the road after a moment*
"Pitt...just shut up..."
"What? What did I say?"
"This is gonna be the longest hour and a half drive I've ever made, dummy..."
*Slowly the shot fades to black, neither man saying another word*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Television Championship match, Buzzsaw defeated HAVOK, by submission in 5:41, after having to deliver three roundhouse kicks to the face before locking in the DNR as tight as he could until the big man stopped thrashing, refusing to physically tap out, causing the ref to stop the match and let Buzzsaw know his opponent was unconscious.
The moment Havok the bell rang, Buzzsaw hopped to his feet, roaring in victory before grabbing the mic from the ring announcer.
"Another week... another pretender. I am the premier athlete in NFW. I am the alpha. I am the unstoppable beast. And it's high time the WORLD knew it."
He held the title aloft with one hand, looking up at it before continuing.
"I want the world to know I'm the best. To know that the NFW Television Champion is THE man to beat in this sport. And there's only one way to do it. WrestleWar is supposed to be the best of the best, taking each other to the limit. So maybe it's time this hellhound...." He lowered the belt then, sneering beneath his mask, "makes a challenge of his own. KENNY OMEGA!!! At WrestleWar XV... I invite you to try taking this title from me. Show me just how good you are, Omega. Show me you're more than a bunch of hype. Show me... that you can survive."
HANSON
"WOOOOOOW!!!!"
KLAZZIC
"ARE YOU SERIOUS, RIGHT NOW!?"
REYNOLDS
"NO WAY!!!! DID WE HEAR THAT RIGHT?!"
KLAZZIC
"I THINK SO, JAMES REYNOLDS!!!"
HANSON
"BUZZSAW...IS CHALLENGING...KENNY OMEGA TO A TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...AT WRESTLE WAR!!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The crowd gave an audible pop from the arena as the camera shot cut to the backstage locker room area, immediately finding Pittsburgh's own Iron Maidens getting ready for the fatal fourway tag match. While the camera focused on Marissa Payne in the foreground, Morgan Payne could be seen in the background, standing with her back to the mirror and looking over her shoulder in a comical way that said she was trying to look at her butt with her own eyes, rather than watch it in the mirror itself. She was already dressed in her ring gear which gave a good idea of the impressive shape of her...posterior, to put it one way. Her jacket visibly hung over a chair to the side.
"Ey, Mari!!" Morgan called across the locker room as she tried to turn more. "My ass lookin' a little fatter than usual to you?"
As usual, Marissa had that look on her face that clearly said, 'I love this girl like a sister, but she is a pain in the ass'. Sitting on the bench strapping her kickpads to her boots, the redhead just gave a little sigh and rolled her eyes. "Morgan. You work out constantly. You have muscles in places most people don't even have PLACES. I don't you could conceivably call ANY part of your body fat."
"For realsies?" Morgan asked, walking over from the mirror finally. "Cuz this dude in the gym was scopin' mah shit this morning and he dude said - I shit you not - 'oi love! Lemme see that there biscuit!'" Morgan said in her best (albeit over emphasized) British accent."Like he's sayin' I got a biscuit butt or somethin'!" Again, Morgan looked over her shoulder, turning her butt towards Marissa and the camera. "Like on the real, what's wrong with mah shit? Ya right, I do squats an' shit. Unless he meant thick...." Here, Morgan paused, putting a finger to her chin, in adorable, completely dim witted thought. "Yeeeaaaaah, he totally meant thick!" She grinned with a sense of self accomplishment and gave herself a slap on the butt before plopping down beside Marissa and - of course - brandishing a beer can. To the shock of the viewers, however, it appeared to be a non-alcoholic brand. One of which Morgan looked at with a grimace as if it were radioactive before tentatively sipping.
"....you are literally every fucking stereotype that exists about people from The Burgh." Marissa said, trying to sound annoyed before bursting into a fit of giggles. "Honesty, Mor. Your bod is great. No need to get self-conscious about it. If you ever start looking bad? I promise I'll be the first to let you know. Deal?"
The instant that Marissa finished speaking, Morgan sent a shower of liquid spewing from her mouth and over the camera before tossing the can aside with a clatter of tin on concrete off screen. "And that ginger beer tastes like straight ass!! Not that I would know what ass tastes like, or anything." Morgan added quickly and defensively. Seeing Marissa in one of her rare moment of outward happiness, however, Morgan grinned and playfully nudged the girl with an elbow. "I knew I could count on you." It was true. Her 'sister from another mister' likely would be the one to tell her if she was slacking on her fitness regime and not sugar coat it. It was one of the things Morgan admired about the girl. "I think that's the first time I've seen you smile since you had to wrestle yer Ma. And that was a few weeks ago!"
Here, Morgan shifted her jacket over into her lap and looked at Marissa. "Speakin o'which, yins talked about that at all or just...?" She didn't say it, but motioned with her hand as if to indicate letting any mention of Marissa and LeeAnn's tournament match drift off into the past. Morgan had to wonder, though, how did her friend's mother think she did? Was she ready to take up the mantle of the House of Payne's new leader when the time rolled around?
"You know my Ma." Marissa said with a resigned sigh. "She's like two completely separate people in one body: the doting mom and the sadistic warrior. It's the only way her and Dad have been able to make things work. So... nah. Shit was cool the moment we got back to the locker room. I just.... had to let it go, and tell myself that at least we kept it civil."
"Cvil ain't what I'd call it, but a'ight." Morgan shrugged, dipping forward into her bag and coming back up with her fingerless gloves, sliding them onto her hands. "I mean, I would say don't worry about squarin' off wit'er tonight, cuz ya got me. But the idea o'lockin' up wit'er scares the shit outta me." She punched one hand into the other palm once both gloves were on. "Even Lara's been lookin' a little scary in the ring, lately. I know this is still a tough time o'year for her an' all but last year in the indies, she didn't try t'Ray Rice a bitch."
"Lara's our friend, but... let's face it: when she joined The Dominion we knew she'd be different. We KNEW it." Marissa sighed and shook her head. "And the combination of that, how she gets at Christmas, and whatever the fuck's going on with her and Silver...yeah. Our girl ain't in a good place at all right now."
Morgan nodded deeply, having to agree. "That's putting it mildly. This whole thing's causing collateral damage all over the place. I mean, look at Mercer. Cool chick an' all. She ain't the type t'earn Lara's ire. And then on top o'that ya got...." Morgan trailed off before waving a hand dismissively. They didn't need to be worrying about anything but their match right now and she knew Marissa probably didn't care to hear her bring up about Marissa's 'secret admirer' trying to wage a one man war on the Dominion of Pain that was probably going to get him killed. "Fuck it. Listen t'me runnin' my damn mouth on shit that don't matter." She said, finally standing and pulling on her jacket. "Here's you an' me at the point we been waitin' for. Iron Maidens...Pittsburgh Queens...goin' for the fuckin' straps!" She stuck a hand up high. "Now slap that like a guy should slap his girl's ass and let's fuckin' GET IT!!!"
Marissa couldn't help but laugh as she high-fived her life-long best friend, pulling her in to gently bump foreheads. "Hell yes. We might win, we might lose.... but either way those bitches are leaving that ring tonight knowing EXACTLY who they were fuckin' with."
"Shit yeah!! Because...cause...." Morgan paused before dropping her hand and shaking her head. "Fuck it, let's just go." She said, following Marissa off screen and out of the locker room. Faintly, her voice could be heard saying, "Yo, how come we never came up with a fuckin' tagline for shit like this?" Before the shot cut back to ringside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[TUESDAY EVENING - Dec. 17th, 2018]
*The words "Tuesday Evening" appear in the top right corner of the screen. Again in the car, camera situated in the back seat just as earlier in the day, Mannheim driving, Pitt in the passenger seat. Night has fallen, and the headlights shine brightly, illuminating the thickly tree-lined road, the rutted dirt making the vehicle shudder and shake with every bump. They turn left off the roadway onto a driveway that's little more than two tire tracks leading into a heavily wooded area, the foliage making the driveway seem rather ominous*
"Can this be any more like a bad horror movie, Willy? Like, am I the only one a little bit afraid right now?"
"You're sure this is the right place? Google Maps didn't shit the bed?"
*Pitt looks at his phone*
"This is it...and look at that right there....I was *beep*ing right!"
*The camera pans to the right, showing a hand painted sign reading "Smith Bros. Dendrological Excavations." Mannheim stares in amazement as he slowly guides the vehicle up the driveway, parking in front of a small bungalow. As Mannheim shuts the engine off, the light from the windows illuminates the yard. Mannheim and Pitt step out of the vehicle while the cameraman steps out of the rear, following the men as they step up to the door. Mannheim turns to Pitt before he knocks on the door*
"I really want to believe this isn't what it looks like. I guess we'll find out in a second or two..."
*Mannheim knocks on the door, and they wait. Several moments pass, before the door swings open. Inside the door stands a middle aged man dressed in a pair of tan, thick overalls and a blue plaid button down shirt. He smiles at Mannheim and Pitt and waves them in*
"Right then you two, in ye come! 'Ang yer coats on up an' come inna the kitchen fer a spot o' tea, yeah guv?"
*As they step inside, the familiar voice of Rick Dickulous chimes in*
"Hey, guys! You made it! Charles just put the kettle on, eh?"
*The man toddles off into the house as they take their coats off and hang them on empty hooks. Mannheim and Pitt walk in to the kitchen, the camera following behind them. Sitting at the table is Rick, a huge smile across his face. He wears identical coveralls to Charles, and a red plaid shirt*
"Rick, what the hell are you doing? Just...just level with me. I'm doing my best to keep it together here, but I'm about to lose my shit."
"Guy, relax. Charles needed some help getting set up and he knew I was gonna be in London around Christmas, so he asked me to come give a hand settng up his camp...."
"Camp? This is a house in the woods for christ's sakes! It's a *Mannheim makes air quotes* "Dendrological Excavation" company...which is fancy talk for...."
*Rick shoots Mannheim a huge grin*
"A logging camp, guy! Charles wanted to set up a little logging camp to supply a bit of lumber to a few places. I figured what better way to get myself in the right headspace, eh?"
*Pitt facepalms*
"Willy, I was right...."
"PITT, SHUT THE FUCK UP! Rick...what the hell do you mean? How is this getting you in the right headspace?"
"Guy...it's a lumberjack match..."
*Pitt pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolds it, clearing his throat before reading aloud*
"The Lumberjacks for the Silver Mountain Championship match will be:
-The McKeesport Mafia (BDP/Punisher/Moretti/Benjamin)
-The Dominion of Pain (Crimson Sabre/Ethan Skinner/Belphegor)
-The Renegades (Julian Morrison/Tyson Law/Tyler Grey)
-The Golden ELITE (The Young Bucks/Kota Ibushi/Kenny Omega/Adam Page/Chase Owens)
-Bullet Club OGs (Bad Luck Fale/Taiji Ishimori/Robbie Eagles)
-Adam Cole, AKI, Vincent Stone, Chris Wolfe, Colt Shields, Satoru Shade III"
*Pitt folds the paper back up and slides it into his pocket as Rick processes the list. A few seconds after Pitt slides the list back into his pocket, Rick speaks*
"Guy...not a SINGLE ONE of those guys is a fucking lumberjack, eh? Like, I've been working on my cross cuts, my underhand chops, shit, even axe throwing....I had this shit in the bag, guy!"
*The kettle starts to whistle, Charles reaches over, flicks off the burner*
"Kettle's done! What do ye take in yer tea, gents?"
*Rick turns and looks at Charles*
"Look, Chuck-guy...I think I gotta get goin'..."
*Mannheim facepalms and shakes his head, Pitt pats the list in his pocket with a grin*
"Want me to drive back to the hotel, Willy? Something tells me you need a nap..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fatal Fourway Tag Team Match was one hell of a war to say the least. All four teams had no reservations about colliding with anybody. Even when LeeAnn Viskan and Marissa Payne ended up as the two legal women in the ring, the two went after each other after a moment of what appeared to be Marissa considering on whether she should blind tag someone else in only for her to basically catch her mother off guard with a Bitch Killa out of nowhere that scored her a near pinfall. As LeeAnn kicked out, though, she couldn't help but smile at her daughter, nodding almost in approval.
As the match progressed, the camera occasionally split to show backstage where associates of the competitors were seen watching the match with anticipation. In different shots were Big Daddy Payne and Andrew Payne of the McKeesport Mafia, Judas Lasher and Ultra-Violence of the Dominion of Pain, the men of the Renegades, and Adrianna Salvatore sitting by herself with her chin resting on her folded hands while her hood concealed her face.
The first elimination came at the 13:19 mark when Lara Blackheart hit a springboard back into the ring after elbowing Angel Kusanagi back from the ropes. She came off the ropes, down over Angel and instantly turned it into a jaw dropping---
HANSON
"SPRINGBOARD BLACKHEART BLITZ!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?"
KLAZZIC
"AMAZING!!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
HANSON
"AND SAY GOODNIGHT TO THE UNWANTED IN THIS MATCH!!"
REYNOLDS
"GET OUTTA HERE, NOBODY WANTS YA!!!"
HANSON
"I didn't mean it like that, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"I don't care how you meant it, Nicky."
Backstage, the camera cut to show Judas Lasher and Ultra-Violence. Judas nodded in approval while Doomsday, in a rare moment of 'humanity' punched a fist into his hand, with a booming "HELL YEAH!!" before fist bumping Belphegor and slapping Judas on the back.
Cutting quickly to show Adrianna Salvatore, the Women's Champion slumped back in her chair, with a mixture of disappointment at her team's loss but eventually lifted her hands, clapping softly for her friend Lara and her mentor LeeAnn.
As the match continued, the fans saw Marissa and Lara square off in the ring with a tentative fist bump and some inaudible words of kindness from Marissa to Lara. As if the two were assuring their friendship even in such dire times. The two friends had an impressive exchange in the ring before several tags ended up drawing a roar from the crowd as Morgan Payne and Serena Frost became the legal competitors.
KLAZZIC
"HO-HO-HOOOOOOOOO, NICK HANSON AND JAMES REYNOLDS!!!! CHRISTMAS IS COMING A DAY EARLY FOR FANS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A FIGHT!!"
And it was a fight they got as Serena and Morgan, pressing foreheads together while talking trash broke out into a heated brawl. A deadly clash of Serena's MMA strikes and Morgan's mixture of boxing and straight up street fighting. Things were looking to be in Morgan's favor until she hit Serena with a psuedo spear tackle and tossed her back into her own corner where Candi Broduer tagged herself in as Serena slid down to the mat. Squaring up with Morgan, Candi's experience and technical style came into play as she began wearing down Morgan's limbs, finally focusing on one arm as she managed to slip out of an attempt at Dahntahn After Dahk and dragged Morgan Payne down to the mat, dead center, and locked in the Crossface.
KLAZZIC
"LOOK OUT! CROSSFACE!! CROSSFACE!!"
HANSON
"SHADES OF HER MENTOR!! BRODUER'S GOT THAT LOCKED IN TIGHT!!"
REYNOLDS
"PAYNE'S GOT NOWHERE TO GO!"
As Morgan reached desperately across the ring for Marissa, Serena recovered, charging across the ring just as Marissa looked ready to enter the ring and break up the pin. Serena crashed into Marissa, sending her down to the floor before sliding back out. Seconds later, Morgan finally gave in, slapping at the mat in submission at 18:58.
REYNOLDS
"SHE'S TAPPING!! THAT'S IT, SHE'S TAPPING!!"
Cutting backstage, the camera caught the Renegades all yelling in celebration for their women's tag unit. A quick but to BDP and The Punisher showed the two fathers looking bummed and sympathetic. Nonetheless, Andrew Payne nodded at the screen. "They did good, though, still. Good job, girls."
The continuation of the match saw LeeAnn Viskan enter the ring to lock up with Candi Broduer. A contest consisting of sheer grappling and technical wrestling as each woman vied for a submission opening. To say it kept fans on the edge of their seats was an understatement. LeeAnn Viskan's years of experience seemed enough to keep Candi Broduer on her toes, however, as she seemed able to get into Candi's head and cause the woman to back off and make some distance. This allowed an irritated Serena Frost to blind-tag herself in and inaudibly, yet clearly angrily assure Candi that she would handle it as she motioned for Candi to get on the apron. Candi, looking frustrated, stepped forward, seemingly about to give Serena a piece of her mind when....
~BELIAL...BEHEMOTH...BEELZEBUB....~
The arena darkened with red lights flickering around the ring.
HANSON
"What the hell?"
KLAZZIC
"Ummm...guys?"
~ASMODEUS...SATANAS...LUCIFER...~
REYNOLDS
"What the hell is going on now?! Why is the Dominion of Pain's music---"
KLAZZIC
"GUYS!! GUYS!!! THE RING!!! LOOK IN THE RING!!!"
HANSON
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
Inside the ring -- more specifically -- in The Renegade's corner, the canvas split with a pair of gloved hands ripping a hole into the bottom before a head and torso appeared from under the ring which was instantly recognizable.
REYNOLDS
"WHAAAAAT THE FUUUUUUCK?!?!"
HANSON
"ETHAN SKINNER?! WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!"
KLAZZIC
"HE'S NOT EVEN BOOKED HERE!!!"
As Serena Frost turned around, she staggered back as Ethan Skinner grabbed at her feet with a maniacal smile on his face. He failed to get ahold of her, however, which brought him to turn around where he stood, finding Candi Broduer basically cornered between him and the turnbuckle. As Candi Broduer made a sudden dash to get out of the ring, Ethan Skinner moved quicker than she did, grabbing ahold of her feet and beginning to pull her into the hole he had caused. Candi Broduer screamed and clawed at the canvas as Ethan Skinner pulled her by her boots and ring gear, further into the hole before grabbing a handful of her hair and pulled her, screaming, out of sight, under the ring, as he laughed maniacally. A couple of seconds went by after Candi disappeared before a shower of red liquid erupted from inside the hole like a small volcano. The crowd reacted with horror.
HANSON
"WHAT IN THE WORLD?!"
REYNOLDS
"SOME FUCKING NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET SHIT, RIGHT THERE!!!! WHAT DID HE DO TO CANDI?!"
KLAZZIC
"SHOULD...SHOULD WE CALL THE POLICE?!"
HANSON
"I DON'T KNOW!!!"
Cutting backstage, the camera caught the Renegades reacting in panic. Max LeBrun especially as he brought his hands up onto his head with a stunned, lost expression on his face. Meanwhile, as the camera cut to the Dominion of Pain's locker room. There, Judas Lasher stood with a look of surprise on his own face. Behind him, among the Ultra-Violence, Doomsday stood with his arms folded, head tilted, slowly nodding in approval as he and Judas' gazes met. A slow smile crept across Judas' face then before the camera cut back to ringside.
There, Serena Frost was on her hands and knees, slowly crawling towards the hole Candi Broduer was dragged into. A look of bewilderment on her face as she slowly crawled over the hole. Behind her, after shaking off her own confusion, LeeAnn Viskan exchanged a shrug with Lara Blackheart before the older of the Dominion women grabbed Serena by the legs and dragged her to the center of the ring, quickly locking on the Chemical Wedding.
REYNOLDS
"HEY WAIT A MINUTE!!!"
HANSON
"CHEMICAL WEDDING!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"THIS ISN'T RIGHT!!!! THAT WAS A RUSE!!!"
KLAZZIC
"Shouldn't there be a disqualification?!"
HANSON
"I...I don't know!! I really don't!!"
As the announcers went back and forth, LeeAnn Viskan wrenched in the torque on Serena Frost's legs and back, finally causing the woman to tap out at 26:47.
HANSON
"THAT'S IT!!! THE MATCH IS OVER!!"
REYNOLDS
"NO WAY!"
KLAZZIC
"WE HAVE OUR FIRST WOMEN'S TAG CHAMPIONS!"
REYNOLDS
"BULLSHIT!!!! BULL-FUCKING-SHIT!!"
As Marilyn Manson's "Cry Little Sister" rose up throughout the arena, LeeAnn and Lara were presented with the new title belts, which they celebrated their win with. The two hugging before raising the belts over their heads with dark satisfaction on their faces.
ROGER ARDEN
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE ARE YOU WINNERS...AAAAAAAND NEEEEEEW...NFW WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...LEEANN VISKAN...AND LARA BLACKHEART!! THE DOMINION...OF..PAAAAAAAIN!!"
HANSON
"Well, what a way to end the year off for those two, huh?! They score another championship for the Dominion of Pain!"
KLAZZIC
"That gives them three! THREE!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh, come on!"
HANSON
"And LeeAnn Viskan has another big mark on her resume! Half of the first NFW Women's Tag Team Champions!"
KLAZZIC
"And you have to believe that young lady right there - Lara Blackheart - her father is smiling down on her! She just won her first championship in the big leagues!"
As Matt Klazzic spoke, the camera focused in close on Lara's face. Tears running down her cheeks as she raised the title and pointed up above.
REYNOLDS
"So forget about the elephant in the room, then?"
HANSON
"What do you mean?"
REYNOLDS
"The ONLY reason those two are the champions right now is because that goddamn snake, Ethan Skinner, interfered! This match should be thrown out!"
HANSON
"Well now, look. He may have, yes, but you saw the look on LeeAnn and Lara's faces. They were just as shocked as we were."
KLAZZIC
"Right!"
REYNOLDS
"Yeah, they're a couple of damn good actresses! Nice fake surprise, ladies! What kinda gig is Savannah Hayes running here? Is she gonna let this slide? Is Steven Brody gonna let it slide?"
HANSON
"Well, now, I don't---"
Before Nick Hanson could finish, the lights in the arena went out, shrouding everyone in darkness.
KLAZZIC
"Whoa, hey. What's happening now?"
REYNOLDS
"You gotta be kidding me. No more of this shit! God I hate the Dominion!"
HANSON
"We're experiencing another power outage here, it looks like. I don't think---"
Again, Nick Hanson stopped short as the lights came back on and the crowd reacted in horror. While LeeAnn Viskan and Lara Blackheart were stopped halfway up the ramp, Candi Broduer appeared back in the center of the ring, COMPLETELY covered in CRIMSON. Recovering in the corner still, Serena Frost took notice and looked at her tag team partner, shaking her head in disbelief. Certainly not happy.
HANSON
"Oh my god!!! What has happened to Candi Broduer?!"
REYNOLDS
"What is that?! Is she...is that...?"
KLAZZIC
"I hope that's not what I think it is...."
As Candi Broduer finally came to, in the middle of the ring, she slowly sat up, looking down at herself. When she saw that she was soaked in a thick, red substance, she began to panic, looking over at Serena before realizing she was near the hole in the canvas and frantically scrambled away from it as referees and the ring doctor rushed the ring to check on her. Security checked underneath the ring for Ethan Skinner but their body language showed that he was no longer there. Meanwhile, an initial examination from the ring doctor showed that Candi Broduer had no injuries but she was, nonetheless, escorted up the ramp with Serena Frost following behind with a cold, disconnected look on her face.
REYNOLDS
"Serena Frost does NOT look happy!"
HANSON
"Well, that's understandable but...are we sure she's angry at the right person?"
KLAZZIC
"What do you mean, Nick?"
HANSON
"I can't say for sure but seems a little miffed at her own partner. She's not exactly showing any concern."
REYNOLDS
"She's probably mortified at what happened, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Does that look like the face of someone who's terrified to you?"
The camera focused on Serena Frost as she slowly ascended the ramp, behind Candi Broduer and the referees with the shot cutting away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelley had just finished stretching against one of the equipment boxes and started her way back toward the locker room in search of her gloves, pads, and maybe even her opponent for the night. The month had gone heavily in her favor so far, and she was hoping for that to continue into her next match. This match was different than her last, though. She taught her last opponent a lesson. Where she just hoped to have a show stopping match with Alex that night.
She found her way to the locker room and pushed the door open, heading inside. She started to make her way toward her bag when her eyes landed on the other lady of the hour. She smiled, tilting her head. "Hey there, beautiful," she walked over to Alex, plopping down beside her on the bench.
Mostly ready for the match at this point, Alex had on her black tights with neon blue trim, her boots and pads, and a Chris Jericho "Alpha Club" tee over her top. Having been caught in the middle of chugging from a bottle of water, she practically 'eeep'ed into the water, before swallowing and giving a little wave far too cute to be coming from someone who's ass she'd be trying to kick later. "Hey Shelley... what's up?"
Shelley giggled, nudging the younger girl gently. "Did you know that it's actually quite rare that I go up against someone that not only I respect, but that I actually care for? It doesn't exactly happen every week, you know." She offered a smile.
"I know... this is gonna be really rough." Alex sighed, brow creasing as she spoke. "Last week.... having to hurt Erin took so much outta me. I hate the idea of even accidentally hurting you too." She paused, wincing cutely. "Ok, I also don't like the thought of the things you're more than capable of doing to ME."
A warm smile spread across Shelley's face as she brought a hand to Alex's cheek. "Trust me, I get it. You don't have to be scared, though. It's nice to not have to dig into my angry place for a match, like I had for my EWC pay-per-view match." She dropped her hand, blushing a little, "and don't be afraid that you are going to hurt me. Just go out there and put everything you've got into the match. Don't hold back. You got me?"
Alex nodded, sighing. "I may not WANT to do this... but at the end of the day, I've worked too hard to get here not to give it 100%." She said, giving a half-smile. "Kinda hard to believe that you were the first friend I made in this business, back when I was still wearing a mask."
"We all wear masks, sweetheart," Shelley nodded. "Some are just more obvious than others. We're going to go out there and put on the most amazing show ever. Just blow everyone else on the card out of the water. All eyes on us."
"Let's do this." Alex told her, grinning (and for the first time, starting to truly look confident). "Let's tear the roof off this b-... this place."
Shelley chuckled, nodding. "Damn right, girl!" She stood up, starting back over to her bag to get the rest of her gear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Returning to ringside, the camera focused on the entryway. As the pay-per-view's theme played again, the assigned lumberjacks made their way down towards the ring en masse.
HANSON
"And here we go, folks! It's time for the Lumberjack Match for the Silver Mountain Championship!"
KLAZZIC
"This oughta be good!"
REYNOLDS
"Can you believe that idiot of a champion didn't know what a Lumberjack Match was?"
HANSON
"Oh, c'mon. Give him a break! It was kinda funny."
REYNOLDS
"He thought he and Zack Sabre Jr were gonna be chopping wood!"
KLAZZIC
"That was kinda funny! Like Ron Killings and the Royal Rumble!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh jeez. Now you're mixing up two different promotions, idiot!"
HANSON
"Same guy, though!"
REYNOLDS
"Don't encourage him, Nicky!"
As the announcers continue to bicker, humorously, Silent Night fades out, only to be replaced with Real Bone Master as Roger Arden announces the next match and Zack Sabre Jr makes his way to the ring with TAKA Michinoku.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*TAKA takes the mic from the ring announcer as he and ZSJ stand in the center of the ring,*
"Welcome to, Zack Sabre time," TAKA starts as ZSJ looks down at his wrist.
"NFW…Seasons Beatings…Rick Dickulous…Silver Mountain Championship…Dare ga katsu to omoimasu ka? Daredesu ka?" TAKA asks as he takes in the crowd response.
"Daredesu ka???" He asks again to a bigger response.
"Shōsha wa watashi no tonari ni iru kono otoko ni narimasu. He is Wrestling machine HE IS submission master HE IS…ZACK SAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBRRREE….JUUUUUUUNNNNIOOOORRRR!!!" TAKA yells into the mic as ZSJ steps forward and flips the collar on his coat to the crowd.
"RICK Dicukulous…NFW Silver Mountain Champion…COME ON….OVAAAAAAAAAAH HEEEEEEEERRREEEE!!!!" TAKA says as both he and ZSJ point at the space in front of them before tossing the mic back to the ring announcer.
*A chainsaw roars to life over the stadium speakers as the lights throughout the arena flicker red and white. The crowd erupts with the opening chords to Jackyl's "The Lumberjack" blasting from the speakers as Rick Dickulous emerges at the top of the entrance ramp, Silver Mountain Championship slung over his shoulder, microphone in his hand. As he gives a double thumbs up to the audience, Rick's smile beams down at the ring, his eyes locking on to Zack Sabre Jr's. Slowly his smile fades and he motions for the crowd to quiet as he raises the microphone to his mouth and the music fades*
"What's up, Zack-guy? I've heard you out here week after week since you attacked me from behind like a cowardly little twat chirpin' about how tonight you're gonna beat my ass, eh?"
*Boos and various unsavoury comments about Zack Sabre Jr. can be heard from fans*
"See, I got in some hot water because I don't back down, Zack-guy. I had a Kaiju to deal with, and shit went south. I ended up suspended..."
*The crowd boos again*
"...so I was quiet. I did what I had to do, what I was forced to do....stay quiet. God knows all I wanted to do was give it right back to you, eh? After a match, just slide in and Misery Whip your ass into next fucking week. Maybe tear your little weasel head off and shove it further up your fucking ass than it already is, eh?"
*The crowd cheers loudly. A chant starts: "TEAR HIS HEAD OFF! *clap, clap, clapclapclap* TEAR HIS HEAD OFF! *clap, clap, clapclapclap*" As the chant dies, Rick continues*
"But now tonight? Tonight you have to do this face to face, guy. Seems to me, not only do you have to do this face to face, but you're also not gonna hide out at ringside trying to get away from me."
*Rick points at Zack*
"You saw what I did to your little buddy TAKA...now, Zack-guy? Now it's your turn...and so help me, I hope Doomsday's in the back watching, because this is just a preview of what's coming his way. So, with that being said!! Alex Brody, guy? Matt Klazzic, guy? My two biggest fans, eh? This one's for you!!"
*The crowd joins in as Rick belts out his catchphrase*
"SORRY, NOT SORRY, GUY!"
*Rick drops the mic and sprints towards the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope as the crowd goes absolutely insane*
HANSON
"And here we go!!! Rick's not gonna wait for the bell!"
KLAZZIC
"Like the Red Sea, the lumberjacks part!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zack Sabre Jr definitely proved that he was ready for a big man like Rick Dickulous. While it was difficult to take him down, initially, with submission holds, it also proved tough to work Rick's arms as the man simply powered out of most of Zack's beginning attempts and manhandled him around the ring.
Therefore, ZSJ began to wisely take to striking at Rick's knees with stiff kicks and chop blocks. Rick, meanwhile, answered back with his own combination of Krav Maga and Judo background, hammering ZSJ from all angles. A couple of instances saw Zack use Rick's attempt at charging him to his own advantage and yank the rope down so Rick went tumbling out of the ring and to the floor. As he stood to his feet, he was immediately flanked by lumberjack superstars, urging him to get back into the ring. At first it was the likes of the McKeesport Mafia, AKI and Vincent Stone with simple orders to have Rick get back in.
"C'mon, Rick. Back in the ring." Stone would urge for example, giving the bigger man who had essentially become a friend, a pat on the back. "Get back in there. You got him!"
On the other hand, an instance where ZSJ caused Rick to end up out of the ring among members of the Dominion of Pain saw the group mercilessly pull the man to his feet and violently shove him back into the ring, not giving him a chance to catch a breather.
This situation worked to Rick's advantage as well, however, as more than once the match had him literally toss ZSJ out of the ring on the side of the babyfaces. People he knew that ZSJ was more likely get in the face of when ordered to get back in the ring. This lead, eventually to the babyfaces, especially the likes of AKI, not giving ZSJ his own time to breathe and throwing him right back in after a violent shove fest that clearly had Zack outnumbered.
REYNOLDS
"Hey, aren't they supposed to get him back in the ring?! Stop manhandling him!"
KLAZZIC
"Karma's a female dog, looking to make puppies, James Reynolds!"
REYNOLDS
"You fucking idiot...."
As the match progressed, ZSJ and Rick Dickulous remained, apparently on even ground despite the size difference. While it appeared that the two had decided to remain inside the ring for the remainder of the match, the lumberjacks looked on vigilantly, waiting for an instance where they would need to intervene again. The crowd was roaring so loud from the excitement of the match, it was difficult -- almost impossible -- for the lumberjacks to tell when part of the crowd's volume began to rise and cause a commotion.
REYNOLDS
"These fans are going nuts for this match, Nicky!! Listen to them!!"
KLAZZIC
"Guys! GUYS!! ON THE RAMP WATCH OUT!!"
HANSON
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
From the ramp, in their track suits, came Shingo Takagi, T-Hawk, Taichi and El Desperado in his previously seen attire. The four men charged down the ramp, going straight for the lumberjacks and initiating a third party brawl. Despite the numbers advantage the lumberjacks had, Taichi was armed with his microphone stand, throwing shots with it all around.
HANSON
"SUZUKI-GUN!!! WHAT ARE THEY DOING OUT HERE?!!"
KLAZZIC
"WHAT DO YOU THINK?! WHOA, WATCH OUT!!!"
Matt Klazzic and Nick Hanson were nearly knocked out of their chairs as more members of Suzuki-Gun - the bigger guys - came bounding over the barricade and rushing the rest of the lumberjacks.
REYNOLDS
"THEY'RE ALL OVER THE DAMN PLACE!!!"
HANSON
"KILLER ELITE SQUAD!! SMITH AND ARCHER!!! AND THERE'S HAVOK!!"
Before long, certain rivalries began to take their tolls on the interference. Among the brawling, AKI and Shelton Benjamin paired off against Shingo and T-Hawk, Killer Elite Squad clashed with Big Daddy Payne and Andrew Payne.The Bullet Club O.Gs broke off into a massive brawl with the Golden ELITE. Infighting amongst the lumberjacks started to show as the aggression in the air started causing unnecessary brawls to break out.
HANSON
"THIS IS CHAOS, GUYS!!! WE NEED TO GET CONTROL HERE!!"
KLAZZIC
"WATCH OUT, NICK HANSON! HERE COMES THE CAVALRY AGAIN!!"
The boos and jeers turned into a pop as the entire rest of Great White North, sans Kennedy Campbell came running down the ramp to join the fray. Each man immediately going for a member of Suzuki-Gun. Inside the ring, the referee stood trying to call for some sense of order. Among during the chaos, while the referee had his back turned, Killer Elite Squad slipped into the ring with Zack while Mannheim and Pitt managed to slip in next to Rick with the three facing off. For a moment the six men stood across the ring, looking from their team members to the opposing side. As the referee noticed and tried to intervene, his feet were grabbed by Havok which saw him yank the man out of the ring.
HANSON
"AW, C'MON!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
This sent the three members of Suzuki-Gun and three from Great White North in the ring all rushing each other. Zack and Rick paired off while Mannheim and Pitt paired off with Smith and Archer. It wasn't too long before the AoD and KES ended up right back out of the ring. Meanwhile, inside, Rick and ZSJ were right back to square one until Rick delivered a buckle bomb to ZSJ, leaving him crumpled in the corner.
REYNOLDS
"I MAY TALK SHIT ON THE GUY BUT THAT WAS BRUTAL!!"
HANSON
"Rick could go for the pin but there's no ref!! THERE'S NO DAMN REF BECAUSE OF SUZUKI-GUN!!"
KLAZZIC
"HEY, WATCH OUT!! RICK!!!"
At this point, Matt Klazzic moved to trying to shout directly out to Rick Dickulous as DOOMSDAY, slid into the ring from behind and poised for the attack.
REYNOLDS
"WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM?!"
As soon as Rick turned around, Doomsday was on the move, charging across the ring for a vicious Spear that took the big Canadian down.
HANSON
"NO!!!! SPEAR FROM DOOMSDAY!!! GODDAMN IT!!!"
KLAZZIC
"Oh no...."
Seeing that his tag team partner had made an appearance down to the ring, Belphegor broke away from the brawling and entered the ring slowly and carefully like a massive predator on the prowl. Pairing up, the two monsters that made up Ultra-Violence loomed over Rick Dickulous.
HANSON
"Oh, now who didn't see this coming?"
Nick Hanson said in disgust as the camera caught a shot of Matt Klazzic standing up in a huff and throwing off his Santa hat before beginning to remove his jacket.
HANSON
"Whoa, Matt. What are you doing?"
KLAZZIC
"Something that nobody else has the integrity to do, apparently, Nick Hanson! Nor the BALLS!"
REYNOLDS
"Whoa, calm down, Matt!"
KLAZZIC
"NO, JIM!! I'M NOT SITTING BY ANYMORE!!"
Ripping off his headset, Matt Klazzic rushed through the mob of brawling lumberjacks and into the ring to the roar of the crowd. Immediately, he ran up on Belphegor and pulled the man around to face him, beginning to throw stiff forearms and chops at him while Doomsday picked Rick up to his feet. The distraction from Matt Klazzic gave Rick Dickulous the opening to start fighting back against Doomsday. For a brief moment, Rick and Matt squared off against Ultra-Violence, before sending them both toppling out of the ring and to the floor. Backing up to the center, the two bumped into each other and immediately turned around, ready to fight until they realized who it was they bumped into. After a moment, the two looked around at the roaring audience.
HANSON
"LISTEN TO THIS CROWD, JIM!!"
REYNOLDS
"I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF THINK, NICKY!!"
After a moment, Rick Dickulous gave his big, pearly grin and raised his hand towards Matt Klazzic in a thumbs up. Matt Klazzic returned the gesture before pointing and saying something inaudibly to Rick before opening his hand. Grinning big, Rick clasped Matt's hand before letting the masked man go. The first thing Matt Klazzic did do was exit the ring and began beating back all heels that happened to be brawling around the referee before picking the man up and helping him back into the ring. As the referee began to recover, ZSJ recovered and moved in on Rick to go for an armbar but Rick slipped out and hit him with another forearm to the jaw before hoisting him up.
HANSON
"I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE!!!! IT'S LIKE A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!"
REYNOLDS
"IN THIS CASE? I'LL TAKE IT!!! NOW RICK'S GOT ZACK UP!!!"
To the roar of the crowd, Rick Dickulous drove Zack Sabre Junior down with a brutal, triple powerbomb, leaning over him as the referee crawled over and made the count at 20:30.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
HANSON
"AND THAT'S IT!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"WOW!!! HOOOOLY CRAP!!!!"
ARDEN
"HERE IS YOUR WINNER.....AAAAND STIIIILL.....NFW SILVER MOUNTAIN CHAMPION....RIIIIIIICK DICKULOOOOUUUUUUUUSSSSS!!!!!!!!"
Limping to the center of the ring, clutching the Silver Mountain title, Rick Dickulous held the championship high over head as the referee raised his other arm as Jackyl's "The Lumberjack" played. Finally, security managed to begin restoring order between the other superstars as Matt Klazzic slid back into the ring and joined in helping Rick celebrate. The masked man gave the retaining champion a firm handshake before leaving the ring and heading back towards the announcers table.
HANSON
"Wow!! Matt!! I have to say, I'm impressed!"
Matt Klazzic placed the headset back on over his head and reclaimed his seat.
KLAZZIC
"Thank you, Nick. I apologize for running off like that but it had to be done!"
REYNOLDS
"You can be a damn idiot, sometimes, but I have to commend you for that! Way to take it to the Dominion!"
HANSON
"Well folks! We just had one hell of a Silver Mountain Championship match! Rick Dickulous is still your champion! A hell of a performance from Zack Sabre Jr but not quite enough to bring it home!
KLAZZIC
"What a night we've had and we're not even finished yet!!"
HANSON
"Absolutely, Matt! We've still got two more matches left!"
The camera angle focused high on the crowd as the ring was cleared for the next, upcoming contest. After a brief recap of the Queen of the Ring tournament up until this point, the video wall came to life with the versus screen for Shelley Silver and Alex Brody.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a match that waged longer than the Silver Mountain Title match, even, Alex Brody and Shelley Silver wrestled a 23:59 long match that saw Shelley Silver punish Alex Brody with everything she had, short of legitimately trying to hurt her since she wasn't exactly on her list of people that earned her ire.
For nearly the second half of the match, Silver and Brody began exchanging signature moves with near falls. Silver Sunsets. Lionsaults. Sundowns. Absolute Zeroes. Finally, after Alex Brody had kicked out of two Silver Bullets, Shelley Silver lifted the younger girl onto the turnbuckle, climbing up to ready her for a Superplex. Alex Brody wasn't ready to go down yet, however, as she began fighting back with strikes to Shelley's ribs and stomach.
HANSON
"She's fighting back so hard!! C'mon, Alex!!!"
KLAZZIC
"How can you root for just one?!"
REYNOLDS
"I'm rooting for Shelley and those hot ass tats! Get it girl!"
HANSON
"They both deserve it so much! But you hate that one of them has to go home with an L!"
KLAZZIC
"Well, whatever Shelley's planning, it doesn't look like it's gonna be pretty!!"
Still on the turnbuckle, Shelley Silver attempted to lift Alex Brody off of the turnbuckle. Alex kept herself grounded with a leg under the ropes, continuing to fight back against Shelley Silver until she was able to start striking her across the head.
HANSON
"And Alex Brody's fighting back!!!! She's not ready to quit yet!! Can she dig deep and do something from here, though?!"
REYNOLDS
"I think we're about to find out, Nicky!"
KLAZZIC
"What is she-- WHAT THE HELL?!"
As Matt Klazzic exclaimed, the crowd popped as Alex Brody managed to stand up on the top of the turnbuckle, over Shelley Silver's head between her legs and suddenly leaped forward, yanking Silver down into a top rope Destroyer piledriver with a thunderous slam onto the mat.
HANSON
"DESTROYER FROM THE TOP ROPE!!!!! HOW DID SHE MUSTER THAT?!"
KLAZZIC
"IS IT ENOUGH, THOUGH?!?!"
REYNOLDS
"LET'S SEE!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
At the three count, Alex Brody immediately unhooked Shelley Silver's leg and threw herself off, collapsing in a heap beside her friend and psuedo-mentor as Stone Sour's "Absolute Zero" tore through the arena.
ARDEN
"HERE IS YOUR WINNER....AND NUMBER ONE CONTENDOR FOR THE NFW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP...LIONHEART...ALEX...BROOOOODYYYYYYY!!!!"
HANSON
"BOTH OF THESE ATHLETES DESERVE A STANDING OVATION!!!!! GIVE IT UP FOR THEM!!!"
The camera swept over the audience, showing a standing ovation indeed as Brody and Silver recovered in the ring. Alex stood long enough for the ref to raise her arm before she moved to hug Shelley, sobbing with happiness as the older woman hugged back tight and gave inaudible words of support.
Cutting backstage, briefly, the camera captured a side shot of Adrianna Salvatore as she watched from a monitor in the Unwanted's locker room. A slow nod of approval as she held the NFW Women's Championship over her shoulder. "Atta girl.... Atta girl." From here, the shot cut away to recap the history between Max LeBrun and Nico Salvatore.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Returning to ringside, for the main event, the camera panned slowly across the audience as the three announcers prepared to call the final contest. The camera falls upon the table as Nick Hanson, James Reynolds and Matt Klazzic get situated again.
HANSON
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're just about ready for our main event for the NFW Heavyweight Championship. Now, this has been a match that some would say has been in the making for several weeks. Over two months, really. Tonight's challenger, Nico Salvatore, earned his right to challenge champion Max LeBrun when he scored a victory over him at the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament."
KLAZZIC
"What a match that was! I was watching from the back!"
REYNOLDS
"We know, Matt. We know."
Reynolds grumbles in annoyance, shaking his head, laughing to himself as he sips from a bottle of water. Completely chilled out in his chair.
KLAZZIC
"Something funny, Jim?"
REYNOLDS
"I'm still laughing my ass off over you jumping into the ring during the Silver Mountain Title match when shit hit the fan. You've gotta have some kind of a death wish."
KLAZZIC
"Hey! Doomsday had no reason to get involved!"
REYNOLDS
"You're not gonna hear me argue against that, but you willingly got in that animal's face because you couldn't stand seeing him bowling up to big, dumb Rick. And if I know anything about that guy's clique, they're not gonna just let shit slide. You better watch what the hell you do if you decide to keep calling matches with us! If the goddamn Dominion of Pain starts fucking with us like Suzuki-Gun and Bullet Club, we're gonna have words!"
James Reynolds is up and pointing angrily at the man now as he leans over Nick Hanson who pushes him back onto his side and sticks a hand out to keep Matt Klazzic in his chair.
HANSON
"Will both of you chill the hell out and worry about this next match?! I'm starting to feel like an overpaid babysitter here. Anyway folks, as I was saying, things have gotten -- for lack of a better term -- personal between Nico Salvatore and Max LeBrun. Even before the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, these two competitors had a bit of a heated exch---"
~AVE...SATANAS....~
As the demonic voice growled through the arena speakers, all three announcers stopped, frozen in time for a second. Matt Klazzic and James Reynolds looked around, confused as Nick Hanson straightened more in his chair.
REYNOLDS
"What the hell...?"
After going through his usual entrance, Judas Lasher (wearing a suit and tie with his hair tied back) looked directly at the ringside commentators... and walked over them, addressing Nick Hanson. "Mr. Hanson. I will be joining your... 'esteemed' commentary team for this match." And of course, as he put a sarcastic emphasis on 'esteemed', he glared right at James Reynolds.
The look on James Reynolds' face was priceless in that he looked absolutely horrified as the only open seat at the table ended up placing Judas Lasher right beside him. Meanwhile, however, Nick Hanson and Matt Klazzic were as welcoming as they were to any other guest.
HANSON
"Well, absolutely, Judas! Have a seat and welcome!"
KLAZZIC
"The more the merrier, I suppose!"
REYNOLDS
"I...am effectively going to fucking die, aren't I?"
As James Reynolds cast his terrified gaze at Judas Lasher as the man got himself situated, Roger Arden from ringside, raised his microphone, drowning out the crowd for a moment as his voice boomed throughout the arena.
ARDEN
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is our main event and is for...the NFW -- HEAVYWEIGHT -- CHAMPIONSHIP!!"
HANSON
"Here we go, gentlemen!!"
REYNOLDS
"So...Judas.... May I say that's a mighty fine suit you're wearing? Excellent taste in wardrobe! Who's your tailor?"
Clearly trying to suck up, Reynolds swalloed nervously as the opening siren and riff to I Prevail's "Come And Get It" arose from the sound system, signaling the arrival of the challenger, Nico Salvatore.
LASHER
"Calm down, Mr. Reynolds. I'm not here to attack you. I'm here to see firsthand who I'll be facing at WrestleWar. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to see young Nico come away with this one."
Looking over to Klazzic, Judas held a frankly surprising amount of respect in his tone when addressing the masked man.
LASHER
"Matt, what are your thoughts on the overall ability of each of these competitors?"
As "Come And Get It" played on, the camera focused on Nico Salvatore make his usual entrance towards the ring. A look of intense ferocity in his eyes as he entered the ring and boasted on the turnbuckle before hopping down and throwing punches to the air.
KLAZZIC
"In terms of overall ability? Both men are among the best of the new generation, Judas! Nico's young and confident. He's got his aspirations. Max LeBrun's somewhat of a veteran himself to the business but he's still in his prime. Long career ahead of him. But that's all about I've got to say about either in terms of positive aspects. As human beings, both men...well...they make me sick to my stomach, what can I say? I despise their attitudes!"
As soon as Matt finished is words, the brief pause in the ambience was interrupted by the guitar riff to Huntress' "Destroy Your Life." As the entirety of the Renegades appeared on stage as they did for any of their member's singles match, Nick Hanson spoke up.
HANSON
"So, Judas, you're openly admitting that you'd rather face Nico instead of Max? Any particular reason? In all due respect, you don't strike me as the type of man who really fears an opponent in any way, shape or form.
REYNOLDS
"I don't need to tell you who *I'm* rooting for."
James Reynolds cut in.
KLAZZIC
"Yes, we know, James Reynolds. Here comes your boy and that evil little vixen of his."
As Matt Klazzic said this, the Renegades had finished giving Max their final 'go get 'em' before he began making his way down the ramp.
HANSON
"Jim, you wanna let Judas answer my question?"
REYNOLDS
"Oh. Sorry, sure. Go ahead, Jude!"
LASHER
"Call me anything other than 'Judas' or 'Mr. Lasher' again, and I promise you will be showing up for work next week in a neckbrace."
He looked back to Nick, and shook his head.
LASHER
"I fear no man. I would merely like to see the closest thing I've ever had to a son reach the top of his profession. It would be an honor to face him next month."
HANSON
"Now, see, that I can get behind."
KLAZZIC
"That's actually pretty admirable! It'd just be nice to see the man you call a son have a little more respect for his opponents. Not that I don't get where he's coming from against his opponent tonight. By all means, sometimes you need to settle a score with your hands."
The match kicked off with both men getting nose to nose and immediately moving to trash talk. As things escalated, it gradually got physical. Max shoved Nico. Nico answered with a demeaning slap across the face to Max. This escalated things into the first lock up of the match that instantly became a contest of who could dish out the most damage in the opening moments.
HANSON
"AND THEY'RE NOT WASTING ANY TIME!!"
REYNOLDS
"HERE...WE...GO!!"
As Max and Nico continued to go back and forth, beating each other relentlessly with everything they had, their technical sides began to show as they grappled for position. In the end of the exchange, Nico caught Max with an arm wrench. Max, however, garnered a surprised reaction from the crowd as he threw himself back, popping Nico in the face with his boot.
HANSON
"OUCH! AND THERE'S A PELE KICK FROM LEBRUN!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!"
KLAZZIC
"That looked nasty Nick!"
As the two writhed on the mat, the camera caught a close up of Nico as crimson began to trickle lightly down his forehead. The crowd reacted Some with excitement, others with shock as he and Max crawled apart from each other and made for the ropes.
HANSON
"Max's foot must have caught Nico just right!"
REYNOLDS
"Yeah, he split him open like a coconut! Say, speaking of that; Judas, maybe you can clarify something. Actually, I'm sure you can. What's the deal with everything going on between your crew and Vincent Stone? He called you out and you're just going with the flow. Do you even know why? Because a lot of us don't seem to, even."
HANSON
"Not true, Jim. We know exactly why Vincent Stone is upset. Somehow, he blames you - Judas - for what happened to Erin Mercer at the quarterfinals."
REYNOLDS
"Well, yeah. A lot of people are wondering about that. Lara Blackheart showed a side of herself that none of us thought existed. How did you do that? Is that some sort of brainwashing, Charles Manson trick you do or something?"
He asked, looking intently at Judas Lasher.
KLAZZIC & HANSON
"JIM!"
REYNOLDS
"No, really! I wanna know. It's an honest question."
LASHER
"Your ignorance only makes you more pathetic, James. For the rest of this match, you are advised to keep my goddaughter's name out of your mouth." He turned, looking back to the action. "Look at LeBrun. This man is a true warrior. Only his bitterness and ego truly hold him back from achieving true greatness."
As Judas Lasher spoke, the camera focused inside the ring, Max LeBrun and Nico Salvatore had begun exchanging stiff shots back and forth. Chops from Nico. Forearms from Max. Each hit sounded like a small caliber shot being fired.
REYNOLDS
"That's why he's the champ! I think his bitterness is what drives him."
HANSON
"What sense does that make?"
REYNOLDS
"Well, you look at his issues he brings up that he has. That all of the Renegades have. Why weren't they contacted when we kick started things with NFW again? It took him and Julian Morrison - mind you, another former associate of our guest at the table here - literally forcing their way in. Damn near invading the company before our Commissioner gave them an opportunity. I think he did it out of fear for what they might do otherwise. Not out of respect for their talent. Max is right, none of his boys nor gals get the respect they deserve. He and Julian, most of all. They put their bodies on the line. You see the gear Julian wears now? Go back and watch his 2007 match against that man -- Nico Salvatore -- against his father! You'll see why Julian wears gear that covers his chest and back. Judas, you had a part in that historic night too, if I remember correctly."
As Reynolds left the floor open for Judas to respond, Max answered a chop from Nico with a sharp kick to the ribs that had the man reeling in pain. Not hesitating, he kicked him again...and again. Finally, Max ran off the ropes, possibly going for--- nobody knew because Nico caught him in the middle, popping off of his feet and driving a knee into Max's face with a sickening smack.
KLAZZIC
"HOLY COW!!"
HANSON
"THERE'S THE KNEE!!!! MAX IS OUT ON HIS FEET!!"
Nico grabbed Max and hoisted him over his shoulders.
HANSON
"LEBRUN'S UP!!!"
Hoisting him off, over his head, Nico's knee collided with Max's face again as he came down. The crowd practically exploded with noise.
KLAZZIC
"HE HIT IT!!!!!!"
HANSON
"G.F.Y!!!!!!! AAAAND COVER!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THR---
JUST before the referee's hand came down for the third time, Max's shoulder shot up. Nico, too, shot up next to the man, visibly frustrated. The camera angle that focused on Max's face, as his eyes showed he wasn't 100% there as he moved to sit up.
REYNOLDS
"Talk about a close one, eh Judas?"
LASHER
"I am both shocked and amazed that this company actually pays you a salary, James." He said with a dry, emotionless tone. "These two are giving it everything they have. Whoever wins this... it's going to be a true honor to defeat them at WrestleWar."
As the match progressed forward another several minutes, things began to look to be on an even playing field as Nico and Max continued their war. Again, Nico set Max up for the GFY only for Max to wriggle free of his grasp and land on his feet behind him.
HANSON
"NICO'S GONNA GO FOR THE GFY AGA-- NO, LEBRUN SLIPPED OUT!!"
As Nico Salvatore turned around, Max LeBrun poised, again, for a superkick, lunging forward only to have Nico catch him by the foot.
KLAZZIC
"LEBRUN WITH THE SLAPSH--NO!!!"
Shoving Max's foot back down to the mat, Nico launched himself forward in a full turn going for a rolling forearm. Max ducked in the nick of time and Nico's forearm landed with a resounding *SMACK* against the face of referee James Greer, sending the senior official to the mat in a heap.
HANSON
"OUCH!!!!! NICO NAILED THE REFEREE!!!"
REYNOLDS
"NICE GOING, IDIOT!!! See what I mean?!"
KLAZZIC
"Now that was clearly an accident, Jim!"
It wasn't long before the referee being downed attracted more company to the ring in the form of the rest of the Renegades. Julian Morrison, Tyson Law, Tyler Grey and Sabastian Young.
HANSON
"Of course the sharks would come when they smelled blood!!"
Nico Salvatore appeared to be ready, somewhat, however as he readied himself for the numbers' attack. As Tyson Law climbed up onto the apron, there went Nico, charging and hitting the man with his leaping knee again right to the head with a 'SMACK' sending him crashing to ringside.
KLAZZIC
"OHHH!! DOWN GOES TYSON LAW!!!!!"
From there, Nico met Sabastian Young on the apron and hit him with a forearm to send him down. While this was happening, Julian Morrison and Tyler Grey made it to the ring and began a two on one beat down.
HANSON
"DAMN IT!! AND NICO WASN'T ABLE TO FEND ALL OF THEM OFF!! THIS IS THE LOWEST GODDAMN---"
Despite what was going on in the ring, the crowd suddenly began to roar with excitement as suddenly CHRIS WOLFE came sprinting down the ramp in street clothes.
REYNOLDS
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!?!"
HANSON
"I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS!! I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE HIM!!!"
KLAZZIC
"I SECOND THAT, NICK HANSON!!"
Chris Wolfe hit the ring, sliding in under the bottom rope and went right for the Renegades. More specifically, he went right for Tyler Grey, whipping the man back around and throwing stiff shots across his jaw before irish whipping him into the ropes. As Tyler came back, Chris Wolfe kicked him in the midriff and lifted him up, driving him back down with the---
HANSON
"DIREWOLFE!!!!! DIREWOLFE ON TYLER GREY!!!!"
Following that, Julian Morrison stepped away from Nico Salvatore and attacked Chris Wolfe and set him up for the Downward Spiral. Before he could follow through with the move, Nico Salvatore whipped Julian around and hit the man with....
HANSON
"WHAT THE HELL?!?!!?!?"
KLAZZIC
"LUCIFER'S HALO!!!!!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"THAT'S YOUR FUCKING MOVE, JUDAS!!!"
The camera captured Judas Lasher in his seat, looking at the ring with a dark, twisted, smile of amusement on his face.
HANSON
"A LUCIFER'S HALO ON JULIAN MORRISON FROM NICO SALVATORE!!!! WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?!?!"
As Julian rolled out of the ring, Nico Salvatore and Chris Wolfe faced off with Chris looking over to Max Lebrun as he pulled himself to his feet. Looking back at Nico, then, Chris clasped the man's hand and could be seen mouthing 'get his ass!' Before rolling quickly out of the ring before the referee could see any third parties involved.
Over in the corner of the ring, Max LeBrun was finishing in getting to his feet as Nico Salvatore poised himself back in the corner. After a second of contemplation, the man reached down and pushed his right kneepad down around his ankle, exposing his bare kneecap. The crowd gave an ominous rumble as he waited for Max to be in the right position.
HANSON
"LOOK AT THIS NOW!!!!"
KLAZZIC
"THAT EXPOSED KNEECAP!!! THIS CAN DO SOME DAMAGE!!!"
REYNOLDS
"HE CAN'T DO THIS!!!!"
Over by the corner Max was in, a recovering Tyson Law pulled himself to his feet and shouted to Max, in desperation. "MAX!! MAX, LOOKOUT!!"
KLAZZIC
"HE CAN AND HE'S GOING TO, JAMES REYNOLDS!!!"
As Nico Salvatore came charging at Max LeBrun out of the corner, LeBrun sprung out of the corner he was in and snapped his leg up in a wild shot that connected with Nico Salvatore's jaw with an audible *SMACK!!*
HANSON
"SLAPSHOT!!!!"
KLAZZIC
"MY GOD!!!!"
Nico Salvatore staggered back, crumpling to the mat but Max LeBrun rushed forward, almost desperately and picked him up, following up his last attack with an---
REYNOLDS
"Aaaaand THERE IT IS!!!!"
KLAZZIC
"THERE'S THE ANEURYSM!!"
REYNOLDS
"PIN THAT ASS, MAX!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
REYNOLDS
"YES!!!!! YES!!! FUCK YES!!!!!"
ARDEN
"HERE IS YOUR WINNER.....AAAAAAAND STIIIIIILL.....NFW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!!! THE TORONTO DAREDEVIL...MAAAAAAAX LEBRUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!"
Snatching the title belt from the referee, Max hoisted it up in the air while security angrily ushered the rest of the Renegades towards the back. Meanwhile, Nico Salvatore took the walk up the back ramp towards the locker rooms as Max LeBrun called for a microphone. Standing in the center of the ring, Max lifted the mic up as he caught his breath as the crowd booed and jeered him.
"Say what you fuckers want...but I busted my ass out here tonight. And you know what?" Max paused, turning to find Nico on the back ramp where he pointed a finger while the championship rested around his waist. "So did that guy! Nico!!! NICO!!! HEY!!!" Max shouted until Nico turned, with a 'the fuck do you want' movement coming from his mouth. Back inside the ring, Max stared out at him before slowly nodding. "Yeah...you. You've got something man. Something in here...." He tapped his chest. "I'm not gonna sit here and offer you a place in the Renegades. I know you're that'd be a waste of breath and time. But you said you weren't a slouch...and you weren't kidding. So for what it's worth...probably not much...but kudos to ya, pal...." Some of the crowd cheered in approval of Max's outward respect to his opponent.
HANSON
"Wow, talk about a shocker."
KLAZZIC
"Right?!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, coming from him? I can dig it!"
"Now!!" Max said into the microphone, turning away from the back ramp and towards the crowd. "Onto the next order of business!!" He patted the front plate of the championship around his waist. "This is still mine." The boos resumed then. "It will always be mine!! Until I'm ready to hang these boots up!! Longest...reigning...heavyweight...champion...ever!! Bruno Sammartino? Mad respect to you in the afterlife, pal. But I'm passing you up. Yeah, I'm stating that now. Thirty years old? I've got about fifteen years before I'm done with this shit. Which brings me, finally...." Max paused, before suddenly turning towards the announce table and pointing a finger at Judas Lasher, "...to you!!" Again, Max was showered with boos as he walked up to the ropes closest to the announce table. "Your career is passed it's closing point...just like a handful of others in this company. In this business alone. But now...here you sit...number one contender...to my Heavyweight Championship. And you know what? I hear you earned it." Max crouched down to get more on Judas' level as he reached out and held onto the middle rope and took a knee. "I heard everyone in B Block from the Vlad Blackheart Memorial say that you are still one badass motherfucker. Ryan Steele. My boy that's laid up because of your boy, Buzzsaw? He faced you in your comeback match. Said you are one BAD son of a bitch!! That's what I wanna see. I want that at Wrestle War XV. Make my second ever Wrestle War a fucking memorable one!! Good luck, too...because the first one? Yeah...." He let go of the rope and touched his scarred face. "Pretty goddamn memorable...."
He brought his hand away from his face again and rested it on the rope. "And you know what? Please...don't take any of what I'm saying as a sign of disrespect. Because believe it or not? I respect you.... I do...."
HANSON
"What?"
REYNOLDS
"Max LeBrun respects you?!"
James Reynolds said to Judas Lasher as the camera briefly showed the man before cutting back to Max in the ring.
"I'll tell you a little story, Judas. Agh, excuse me." Max said, shifting so he could sit down against the inner ring post and turned his head to keep Judas in his sights. Snake that the man was. "See...when I first started in this company...I was young. I was a punk kid. Seventeen years old. One year after working the indies to hone my craft. I didn't think I was ready, but Scott? Chris? Voodoo? Remember her? I do. They said 'nah, you're good to go kid. We've got you set. You're getting called up!' I didn't know if I was ready. But I came here...in 2006. And I busted my ass EVERY TIME I stepped into this ring...."
Max LeBrun sighed, pushing his hair out of his face and reached back to unclasp his title so he could rest it in his lap and make sitting more comfortable. "After about eight months in...a coworker comes to me. You know him. Hell, everyone knew this guy. He was the one who told Scott and Chris, 'fuck, lemme see what the kid can do! When's his next indie show?' He comes to me...right before this...." Again, Max touches his face where the scarring is. "He says to me, 'hey kid. If you don't mind. I got my family here tonight to watch my match. My kid'd love to meet you. You mind?' I said 'yes, sir. Absolutely!' So he brings me to his locker room and there's his family. Beautiful wife...and his kid? Adorable. Cute as a damn button. About six...seven years old. Wearing one of my old school t-shirts. Well, not old school back then but now, yeah." He gives an exhausted laugh. "And this little girl's eyes just light up!" He opens his free hand in front of his face to accentuate the visage of widening eyes. "Here I was a rookie in the business...and I was meeting a little kid. She said 'Mister Max. I love my daddy bunches and bunches but you're my favorite! You're so cool the way you fly around the ring! You're gonna win tonight, right?!'" Max pauses, laughing as he looks down at the title in his lap. The smile on his face grows almost sad. "I said 'you bet sweetie. In fact, I'll do it just for you!' I dedicated a victory to a little girl named Jennifer Prescott. And you know what? I failed. I failed that little girl because I left the arena, that night, on my way to the hospital because of one of your guys! A man that I beat the SHIT OUT OF, two months ago at the Vlad Blackheart Memorial!"
Max finally pulls himself up on the ropes and hangs the championship over his shoulder as he leans on the ropes, watching Judas. "You see...this match at Wrestle War...it's all about one last go for you? This entire run...is all about redemption...for me! So when we meet next month at Wrestle War XV...I'm gonna take the next step in my redemption...I...am going to beat your ass...and be the golden mark on your historic resume. My name will be listed as the greatest opponent you ever stepped into a ring with!! And you better hear me now. I will not fail where I failed before. I'm beating you at Wrestle War...I'm keeping this title...and I'm dedicating that victory...to the father of little Jennifer. A girl everyone here refers to...as Lara." A commotion stirred up in the crowd. "I am dedicating my victory over YOU at Wrestle War...for the World Heavyweight Championship...to the memory...of EASY V....VLAD...BLACKHEART!!!!!" The crowd erupted!!
HANSON
"Who-ho-hooooaaaaaa!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"YES!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"
"And just in case you wanna write me off as some egotistical ass who doesn't know half the shit he's spewing?" Max LeBrun pushed back from the ropes and took the championship into his hands. "Just remember one thing, Judas...." He paused, grinning wickedly. "You may worship the devil...but you'd do well to remember my name...I AM...THE DEVIL!!!!" Dropping the microphone, Max raised the championship over his head, extending his other hand towards Judas Lasher and 'popping the pin' as Huntress' "Destroy Your Life" rocked the arena.
HANSON
"Wow...just....wow."
KLAZZIC
"I can't help but feel like he's doing that as a mockery, Nick Hanson!!"
HANSON
"Do you think so, Matt?"
KLAZZIC
"This is an atrocity to professional wrestling!"
Matt Klazzic said, slapping the announce table as Max LeBrun clutched the NFW Heavyweight Championship and stepped back to the center of the ring, raising the title belt high over his head.
REYNOLDS
"Atrocity?! This is fantastic!!! I think the right guy won!! Take a good look, Judas!!"
James Reynolds pointed towards the ring.
REYNOLDS
"That's your man next month!! January 28th!! Wrestle War!! You're up against the face of wrestling's new generation!! What do you say to THAT?!"
It was impossible to miss the snark and taunting in James Reynolds' voice as he grew so excited during his rant, that he had stood up out of his chair, leaning over towards Judas Lasher.
HANSON
"Jim, will you sit down and shut your mouth?!"
LASHER
"Mr. Reynolds... you are lucky I do not consider myself a rash man. Or you would be in a great deal of pain right now."
Judas stood, and began walking away.
KLAZZIC
"I cannot believe the audacity of Max LeBrun!"
HANSON
"What do you mean?"
KLAZZIC
"C'mon, Nick! There's no way he's acually sincere about his dedication!"
HANSON
"Well, he did seem genuine in his respect for his opponent tonight after his ma----"
Suddenly, Judas darted back over to the table, giving Reynolds a Lucifer's Halo right through the table they were all at.
KLAZZIC
"WATCH OUT!!!!"
HANSON
"HOLY SHIT!!!!"
Looking down at the now very unconscious commentator, Lasher just smirked. "On second thought.... perhaps I can be rash at times." He could be heard saying in James Reynolds' headset mic before standing and resuming his departure.
HANSON
"Jim, are you okay?! Jim!!"
KLAZZIC
"Good god!!!"
HANSON
"Jesus, we may need medical attention out here!! Folks, we thank you for joining us! We'll see you back next month! January 7th! Hopefully, we won't be a man short on commentary!"
KLAZZIC
"Merry Christmas to all, folks!!"
HANSON
"Jim!! Answer me!!"
The shot faded out with the last text appearing on the screen:
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!
