Post by Steven Brody, CEO on Jan 7, 2019 11:24:34 GMT -8
The show comes to life with a countdown from 10. In between each number being counted by a crowd of voices, we see a New Year's Ball dropping.
10!
9!
8!
7!
6!
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
When the ball lands, the screen lights up with the NFW logo with a glowing sign:
2019
YOU AIN'T READY!
Immediately after, Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" kicks in as a new, up to date video rolls for the show's introduction. Various members of the roster are shown in quick flashes, posing in front of the camera and hitting their signature moves. For the finale of the video reel, the current title holders are shown:
- Buzzsaw as the Television Champion -
- Rick Dickulous as the Silver Mountain Champion -
- Ultra-Violence as the Tag Team Champions -
- LeeAnn Viskan and Crimson Sabre as the Mixed Tag Team Champions -
- Lara Blackheart and LeeAnn Viskan as the Women's Tag Team Champions -
- Adrianna Salvatore as the Women's Champion -
- Max LeBrun as the World Heavyweight Champion -
Finally, the NFW logo SLAMS onto the screen before the camera cuts to the inside of the arena. The pyro goes off around the stage as the text at the top of the screen tells us where we are:
[MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA]
At the end of the camera sweeping across the crowd, the shot cuts to the announce table where we see our trio of announcers. James Reynolds - as usual, in his casual pants, t-shirt, jacket and sunglasses, Nick Hanson - wearing a full grey suit with a black tie, and Matt Klazzic - wearing a casual white suit with a white t-shirt underneath to go with his black and silver mask.
HANSON
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen and a belated Happy New Year to you all! We are BACK, we are LIVE, we ARE New Frontier Wrestling and we are here at the U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Folks, the road to Wrestle War begins now. January 28th. Madison Square Garden. It's NFW's first big event of the year. You can call it our crown jewel. It's our most anticipated show ever. Six championships are going on the line. Tickets are already sold out for live attendance, but you can join us via our broadcasting network on our website, NFW TV dot com. You pay $8.99 and you get everything. Our pay-per-views, exclusive interviews, access to our video vault where you can watch classic matches dating back to the company's original inception. But! Let's talk about the now. As always, I'm Nick Hanson. You know my colleagues here with me: NFW superstar Matt Klazzic and the ever opinionated, James Reynolds."
KLAZZIC
"It's good to be back, folks!"
REYNOLDS
"Hello, motherfuckers!"
HANSON
"Well, I can see your New Year's Resolution wasn't to show more kindness."
REYNOLDS
"Resolutions are overrated, Nicky. Besides, my behavior hasn't gotten me fired yet. Why should I change things up now? Who's ready for some goddamn NFW wrestling?!"
James Reynolds throws his middle fingers up in the air which garners a pop from the group of fans sitting behind the announce table.
KLAZZIC
"Say, James Reynolds, how's your neck after Season's Beatings? Everything below that point working?"
REYNOLDS
"Ask your sister, Matt."
Matt Klazzic pauses, blinking his eyes in confusion.
KLAZZIC
"I don't have a sister."
REYNOLDS
"Well, I got it in with some chick wearing one of your dumb merch masks at a New Year's Eve party. Trust me, I'm no wrestler, but I can piledrive like the best of 'em!"
James Reynolds drums on the table with an obnoxious smile on his face [ba-dum-tss], snaps his fingers and points at the camera. Beside him, Nick Hanson sips from his water with an increasingly mortified look on his face. Meanwhile, Matt Klazzic rubs the bridge of his nose.
KLAZZIC
"That...is seriously disturbing, James Reynolds."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, you asked."
KLAZZIC
"I was talking about your motor skills! Arms, hands, fingers. Are they working okay after Judas Lasher crowned your sorry posterior with the Lucifer's Halo in London?"
James Reynolds wiggles his fingers.
REYNOLDS
"Again, ask ol' girl in your dumb mask. P.S: Fuck you Judas. Try that shit again."
HANSON
"Famous last words of James Marion Reynolds, ladies and gentlemen."
James Reynolds backhands Nick Hanson in the arm with a betrayed look on his face.
REYNOLDS
"Don't tell them my middle name, dude! The hell?!"
HANSON
"Why not? It's gonna be on your gravestone. Anyway folks, we've got one hell of a show for you tonight. The Television Championship is on the line, as well as a number one contender's match and--"
At the table, Matt Klazzic sits with his hand over his mouth, muffling laughter. Nick Hanson looks beside himself at Matt. James Reynolds leans forward to look at Matt as well.
HANSON
"Are you alright, Matt?"
REYNOLDS
"What the hell are you laughing at?"
Matt Klazzic slaps the table and looks at James Reynolds.
KLAZZIC
"James!!!! Your middle name!! Is MARION?!?!"
And starts HOWLING with laughter through his headset. Sitting back in his chair, dejected, James Reynolds pops the cap on his own water and takes a sip.
REYNOLDS
"See what you did now, Nicky? You gave fuckhead over there ammunition on me."
HANSON
"Well, you could do with a little humility, Jim."
Casually, but with annoyance, James Reynolds jerks his arm and flings water at Nick Hanson who jumps back in his seat and looks down at himself.
HANSON
"Hey! Watch it! What the hell, Jim?!"
REYNOLDS
"Fuck you, Nicky."
James Reynolds says, sipping from his bottle again. Another howl of laughter comes from Matt Klazzic, still losing it over Reynolds' middle name.
REYNOLDS
"Will you shut up over there?! Jesus, somebody start the damn show! Let's get the first match going. Take us backstage. Something! Anything!"
HANSON
"Well, we do have the camera crew backstage, trying to catch our new arrivals! Let's take it there, folks!"
We’re joined backstage as a young man and woman make their way toward the locker rooms side by side. Looking at them, you can tell that not only are they related, but judging by the card, this duo happens to be The Smalls Twins. There are a few scattered cheers heard from the crowd watching the Tron in the background from the few fans that recognize them. Either from Kimi’s time in EWC or happen to recognize Kyle’s face from Titans on the DC Universe streaming service.
Kimi looked over to her brother, an eyebrow raised, “are we sure that we’re ready to try this again?” By the time that the words got out of her mouth, she glanced over to her twin brother, who had already found a cute, young stagehand to start flirting with. She rolled her eyes, literally slapping her hand to her forehead. She cleared her throat, nudging Kyle, “trying to make Shelley jealous?”
Kyle’s eyes went wide as he spun around and faced his sister, “not funny. It’s bad enough that Sloane is constantly teasing us.”
Kimi just smirked with a shrug, “hey, it got your attention. We haven’t done this in a while, are you sure that you’re ready?”
“Right, right,” Kyle nodded. “I’m not about to let my little sister down.”
“You are only twenty-five minutes older than me,” Kimi rolled her eyes.
“Still surprised the birth giver was willing to wait that long and didn’t try commanding the doctors to just rip you out shortly after I was born,” Kyle sighed.
“Who are you kidding?” Kimi laughed, “she probably did.”
Kyle nodded, “you’re right. I’m sure she did. But this match… how easy are we going to have it?”
Kimi let out a cough, her eyes wide, “we’re going against Alex Brody and Chris Jericho.”
Kyle scratched his chin, “Alex is cute.”
“Don’t let Erin hear you say that,” Kimi groaned. “But you also gotta remember, Alex is the one that defeated Shelley for Queen of the Ring at Season’s Beatings.”
Kyle blinked, “she did?”
Kimi sighed, “seriously Kyle, I know you watched the show. How do you think that anyone is going to take you seriously around here if you can’t even take the women’s division seriously?”
“I’m trying!” Kyle gave his sister a pleading look. “It’s just…”
“We need to get you laid,” Kimi shook her head as she shook her head and pushed open the door to the women’s locker room before pointing to the other locker room door. “Get ready and don’t take forever. You know that I’m not afraid to go in there.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon returning from the commercial break, the camera sweeps over the crowd again as Nick Hanson, James Reynolds and Matt Klazzic take over again.
HANSON
"Welcome back, folks! We're just about ready to fully kick things off with our first match of the night!"
KLAZZIC
"I LOVE debut matches, Nick Hanson!"
HANSON
"I know you do, Matt. I think we all do! How about you Jim?"
KLAZZIC
"Yeah, Marion, don't you love debut matches?"
REYNOLDS
"I'm gonna kill you both in your sleep. Mark my goddamn words."
As the announcers finished welcoming the audience and viewers to the show, Ozzy's "Let Me Hear You Scream" was suddenly cut short and interrupted by Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" filling the arena.
10!
9!
8!
7!
6!
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
When the ball lands, the screen lights up with the NFW logo with a glowing sign:
2019
YOU AIN'T READY!
Immediately after, Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" kicks in as a new, up to date video rolls for the show's introduction. Various members of the roster are shown in quick flashes, posing in front of the camera and hitting their signature moves. For the finale of the video reel, the current title holders are shown:
- Buzzsaw as the Television Champion -
- Rick Dickulous as the Silver Mountain Champion -
- Ultra-Violence as the Tag Team Champions -
- LeeAnn Viskan and Crimson Sabre as the Mixed Tag Team Champions -
- Lara Blackheart and LeeAnn Viskan as the Women's Tag Team Champions -
- Adrianna Salvatore as the Women's Champion -
- Max LeBrun as the World Heavyweight Champion -
Finally, the NFW logo SLAMS onto the screen before the camera cuts to the inside of the arena. The pyro goes off around the stage as the text at the top of the screen tells us where we are:
[MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA]
At the end of the camera sweeping across the crowd, the shot cuts to the announce table where we see our trio of announcers. James Reynolds - as usual, in his casual pants, t-shirt, jacket and sunglasses, Nick Hanson - wearing a full grey suit with a black tie, and Matt Klazzic - wearing a casual white suit with a white t-shirt underneath to go with his black and silver mask.
HANSON
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen and a belated Happy New Year to you all! We are BACK, we are LIVE, we ARE New Frontier Wrestling and we are here at the U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Folks, the road to Wrestle War begins now. January 28th. Madison Square Garden. It's NFW's first big event of the year. You can call it our crown jewel. It's our most anticipated show ever. Six championships are going on the line. Tickets are already sold out for live attendance, but you can join us via our broadcasting network on our website, NFW TV dot com. You pay $8.99 and you get everything. Our pay-per-views, exclusive interviews, access to our video vault where you can watch classic matches dating back to the company's original inception. But! Let's talk about the now. As always, I'm Nick Hanson. You know my colleagues here with me: NFW superstar Matt Klazzic and the ever opinionated, James Reynolds."
KLAZZIC
"It's good to be back, folks!"
REYNOLDS
"Hello, motherfuckers!"
HANSON
"Well, I can see your New Year's Resolution wasn't to show more kindness."
REYNOLDS
"Resolutions are overrated, Nicky. Besides, my behavior hasn't gotten me fired yet. Why should I change things up now? Who's ready for some goddamn NFW wrestling?!"
James Reynolds throws his middle fingers up in the air which garners a pop from the group of fans sitting behind the announce table.
KLAZZIC
"Say, James Reynolds, how's your neck after Season's Beatings? Everything below that point working?"
REYNOLDS
"Ask your sister, Matt."
Matt Klazzic pauses, blinking his eyes in confusion.
KLAZZIC
"I don't have a sister."
REYNOLDS
"Well, I got it in with some chick wearing one of your dumb merch masks at a New Year's Eve party. Trust me, I'm no wrestler, but I can piledrive like the best of 'em!"
James Reynolds drums on the table with an obnoxious smile on his face [ba-dum-tss], snaps his fingers and points at the camera. Beside him, Nick Hanson sips from his water with an increasingly mortified look on his face. Meanwhile, Matt Klazzic rubs the bridge of his nose.
KLAZZIC
"That...is seriously disturbing, James Reynolds."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, you asked."
KLAZZIC
"I was talking about your motor skills! Arms, hands, fingers. Are they working okay after Judas Lasher crowned your sorry posterior with the Lucifer's Halo in London?"
James Reynolds wiggles his fingers.
REYNOLDS
"Again, ask ol' girl in your dumb mask. P.S: Fuck you Judas. Try that shit again."
HANSON
"Famous last words of James Marion Reynolds, ladies and gentlemen."
James Reynolds backhands Nick Hanson in the arm with a betrayed look on his face.
REYNOLDS
"Don't tell them my middle name, dude! The hell?!"
HANSON
"Why not? It's gonna be on your gravestone. Anyway folks, we've got one hell of a show for you tonight. The Television Championship is on the line, as well as a number one contender's match and--"
At the table, Matt Klazzic sits with his hand over his mouth, muffling laughter. Nick Hanson looks beside himself at Matt. James Reynolds leans forward to look at Matt as well.
HANSON
"Are you alright, Matt?"
REYNOLDS
"What the hell are you laughing at?"
Matt Klazzic slaps the table and looks at James Reynolds.
KLAZZIC
"James!!!! Your middle name!! Is MARION?!?!"
And starts HOWLING with laughter through his headset. Sitting back in his chair, dejected, James Reynolds pops the cap on his own water and takes a sip.
REYNOLDS
"See what you did now, Nicky? You gave fuckhead over there ammunition on me."
HANSON
"Well, you could do with a little humility, Jim."
Casually, but with annoyance, James Reynolds jerks his arm and flings water at Nick Hanson who jumps back in his seat and looks down at himself.
HANSON
"Hey! Watch it! What the hell, Jim?!"
REYNOLDS
"Fuck you, Nicky."
James Reynolds says, sipping from his bottle again. Another howl of laughter comes from Matt Klazzic, still losing it over Reynolds' middle name.
REYNOLDS
"Will you shut up over there?! Jesus, somebody start the damn show! Let's get the first match going. Take us backstage. Something! Anything!"
HANSON
"Well, we do have the camera crew backstage, trying to catch our new arrivals! Let's take it there, folks!"
We’re joined backstage as a young man and woman make their way toward the locker rooms side by side. Looking at them, you can tell that not only are they related, but judging by the card, this duo happens to be The Smalls Twins. There are a few scattered cheers heard from the crowd watching the Tron in the background from the few fans that recognize them. Either from Kimi’s time in EWC or happen to recognize Kyle’s face from Titans on the DC Universe streaming service.
Kimi looked over to her brother, an eyebrow raised, “are we sure that we’re ready to try this again?” By the time that the words got out of her mouth, she glanced over to her twin brother, who had already found a cute, young stagehand to start flirting with. She rolled her eyes, literally slapping her hand to her forehead. She cleared her throat, nudging Kyle, “trying to make Shelley jealous?”
Kyle’s eyes went wide as he spun around and faced his sister, “not funny. It’s bad enough that Sloane is constantly teasing us.”
Kimi just smirked with a shrug, “hey, it got your attention. We haven’t done this in a while, are you sure that you’re ready?”
“Right, right,” Kyle nodded. “I’m not about to let my little sister down.”
“You are only twenty-five minutes older than me,” Kimi rolled her eyes.
“Still surprised the birth giver was willing to wait that long and didn’t try commanding the doctors to just rip you out shortly after I was born,” Kyle sighed.
“Who are you kidding?” Kimi laughed, “she probably did.”
Kyle nodded, “you’re right. I’m sure she did. But this match… how easy are we going to have it?”
Kimi let out a cough, her eyes wide, “we’re going against Alex Brody and Chris Jericho.”
Kyle scratched his chin, “Alex is cute.”
“Don’t let Erin hear you say that,” Kimi groaned. “But you also gotta remember, Alex is the one that defeated Shelley for Queen of the Ring at Season’s Beatings.”
Kyle blinked, “she did?”
Kimi sighed, “seriously Kyle, I know you watched the show. How do you think that anyone is going to take you seriously around here if you can’t even take the women’s division seriously?”
“I’m trying!” Kyle gave his sister a pleading look. “It’s just…”
“We need to get you laid,” Kimi shook her head as she shook her head and pushed open the door to the women’s locker room before pointing to the other locker room door. “Get ready and don’t take forever. You know that I’m not afraid to go in there.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon returning from the commercial break, the camera sweeps over the crowd again as Nick Hanson, James Reynolds and Matt Klazzic take over again.
HANSON
"Welcome back, folks! We're just about ready to fully kick things off with our first match of the night!"
KLAZZIC
"I LOVE debut matches, Nick Hanson!"
HANSON
"I know you do, Matt. I think we all do! How about you Jim?"
KLAZZIC
"Yeah, Marion, don't you love debut matches?"
REYNOLDS
"I'm gonna kill you both in your sleep. Mark my goddamn words."
As the announcers finished welcoming the audience and viewers to the show, Ozzy's "Let Me Hear You Scream" was suddenly cut short and interrupted by Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" filling the arena.
As the video wall came to life, intercut between a stage performance of the song from the band and spots from each member's matches. One by one, each member of The Renegades stepped out onto the stage; among them, Tyson Law wearing khaki cargo pants, a pair of chucks and a black, sleevlesss hoodie with sunglasses over his eyes. Following Tyson were Renegade members Julian Morrison, Tyler Grey, Sabastian Riley Young and the tag team unit of Candi Broduer and Serena Frost.
The last of the group to emerge was Max LeBrun, dressed in all black from his jeans, t-shirt, boots and jacket. Around his waist was the Heavyweight Championship as he lead the rest of the Renegades down the ramp in an intimidating approach to the ring; like a miniature army people who didn't care for the rules set forth by the authority of the promotion.
Upon entering the ring, Max LeBrun moved immediately to one corner where he snatched a microphone from Roger Arden and thumbed the man out of the ring before coming to stand in the center as the group's music faded out.
HANSON
"He does not look happy."
KLAZZIC
"I have to wonder. I mean, he retained his championship at Season's Beatings; albeit under questionable circumstances."
REYNOLDS
"Oh shut up, Matt! He's a fighting champion! Besides it's not like Chris Wolfe didn't get involved on Nico Salvatore's behalf!"
KLAZZIC
"Only after the Renegades came to help their champion!"
REYNOLDS
"Our champion, Matt."
KLAZZIC
"He's no champion of mine, James Reynolds."
Before the bickering could continue on commentary, Max LeBrun raised the microphone up to his mouth. "So how about now?" He asked, taking the fold of his jacket in the other hand and opening it out to grant the audience a clear view of the championship around his waist. "Now...do I have...your attention?! DO I?!" The arena filled with a roar of boos from the audience as Max circled around the ring. The camera cut around the audience, showing the various looks of disapproval from the crowd. Signs being held up that varied in opinion on the champion.
HEAVYWEIGHT CHUMP
JUDAS IS GONNA KILL YOU
YOU SCREWED NICO
"Say what you want." Max said, coming back to the center of the ring. "I did exactly what I said I was gonna do after the Vlad Blackheart Memorial. I defended my title...not once...not twice...but THREE...fucking...times! And now, all that's left...is Wrestle War!" Pausing for a moment to let the fans have another moment to themselves, Max shook his head with a small smirk on his face. "But I guess that's not good enough, is it?" Max's grin grew wider. "None of you are gonna be happy until you see this belt taken off of me. Well, let me fill you in on a little secret: in three weeks...in Madison Square Garden...at Wrestle War...it ain't happening! I've stuck by my word each and every time and at Season's Beatings, after I pinned Nico Salvatore again, after I retained the NFW Heavyweight Championship again...I made a promise to the memory of Vlad Blackheart...." He paused with a twisted smirk on his face. "And I made a promise to Judas Lasher...that I was gonna beat him and walk out of Wrestle War XV STILL CHAMPION!! But again...you people sit there, doubting. You doubt me. You doubt us!" He motioned to the rest of the Renegades. "You doubt Tyler here...." He pointed to Tyler Grey. "...A man who's been held down despite his devotion and dedication to his career. You doubt his ability to go into Wrestle War and become the first ever Junior Heavyweight Champion." Adjusting his hand, he moved to point to Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "You doubt these two.... One of, if not, THE best women's wrestler in the world and the best up and comer that women's wrestling has ever seen. Mark my words, they're walking out of this arena tonight as the number one contenders and at Wrestle War, they're walking out as the NEW Women's Tag Team Champions!! And then, of course, you're still doubting me." He looked back towards the crowd, losing his smile for a look of disgust and disdain at the Minneapolis crowd. "You still don't think of me as a man of my word. As a man who's capable of doing what he says. And frankly?" Max shook his head, looking suddenly as if he didn't blame the audience. "I get it." He nodded. "I do. Really."
HANSON
(sarcastically)
"I'm sure he does."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, Max is an understanding guy!"
"Trust me; I completely understand..." As Max spoke, he turned slowly towards the rest of the Renegades, his eyes sweeping over them. More specifically, the men of the group. "...Why people are doubting us." He raised a finger, pointing to Julian Morrison, Tyler Grey, Tyson Law and Sabastian Riley Young. "Because you...keep giving these people a goddamn reason to."
REYNOLDS
"Uhh...what?!"
KLAZZIC
"Come again?!"
Max suddenly looked angry and disappointed at the men he called team mates. The men he called allies. "Because if you four...can't keep your noses out of my matches...then that obviously means that you doubt me, too. And if you doubt me...I mean...is that it?" Max lowered the microphone, shrugging his hands up. "I mean, help me out here. Because that's the only conclusion I can come to." Max offered the microphone out to one of the four men that his words were being directed at. The question was, who wanted to take the mic? Who wanted to offer up an explanation?
Sabastian steps forward and grabs a mic
"Honestly, i was dealing with other stuff like getting our tag titles back before Ryan got put on the shelf, and after countless times of doing so we came up empty handed, and after Ryan got his ass beat by that freak, i went for revenge and tried to take that title from him... now im trying to prove myself again... i just know what else to say to the group......" Sabastian puts the mic down in front of his feet and steps back in his spot he was before....
Tyler Grey stepped slightly to the side, slowly giving an irritated glance to Young before looking to Max in the ring. While definitely a junior, he still looked ready to explode out of the suit he wore, his physique that ripped. "I got no fucking idea what this stupid bag of dick-tips is talking about..." he jerked a thumb at Young as he said it, solidifying his title of "most miserable asshole on the roster", before glaring up at the leader of the group.
"You wanna talk about if we doubt you? Are you fuckin' KIDDING me? You got beat by Chris Wolfe TWICE. You would've lost a third time if it wasn't for us. Keeping that title in the group if more important that massaging your goddamn ego, man."
REYNOLDS
"Uh-oh.... What the...?"
HANSON
"Grey's never been the type to really shy away from words."
Back in the ring, Max, with a new mic in his hand so they didn't have to keep passing it around, stepped forward, putting him and Tyler nose to nose. "You're right...I did lose to Chris Wolfe. I'll own up to that. Don't forget I extended the offer for him to be one of us. Why? Because of his talent. His drive! He gave his answer. That's over and done with. But let me remind you, Tyler...I still beat Nico Salvatore two weeks ago; and that was after you almost got my ass disqualified. Let me also remind you: nobody asked you to be here. YOU came to US! We welcomed you! Has my record as champion been perfect? No. Flawless? Absolutely not. But I'm gonna say something right here and right now...." Max stepped closer, dangerously close to Tyler. "WE...are the Renegades. WE...are a brotherhood! There is no room for dissension among us. You wanna fight among team mates? I'm pretty sure the idiots over in the Bullet Club are hiring!!" Max thumbed aggressively towards the backstage. "Otherwise...we trust...that each member...knows what the hell they are doing."
Max stepped back as the crowd had fallen eerily silent, now, watching all of this unfold among the group. Max looked towards Tyson and Julian then, tentatively. "How about you two? Anything you wanna chime in with?"
REYNOLDS
"Guys? I don't like this."
After a tense moment, Tyson Law stepped over, tentatively taking the mic from Tyler Grey. "Max, man...look, bro. The big wigs here have been shitting on me since I set foot into this company. You and Jay?" He thumbed to Julian. "Y'all gave me the chance I needed and I'm grateful, fam. But as much as you've been telling everyone that we're not the ones to fuck with...it don't seem that way. We've been following you from the beginning but it seems like we're nothing more than a bunch of jokes to everyone else---"
"FUCK....everyone...else." Max interjected, raising his tone. "We formed this group because we were sick of everyone else's opinions of us. If you're so bent on being looked at differently, Tyson, then you have to fucking do something about it!! Am I wrong?" Max looked to Julian with a look on his face that said his feelings were mixed. Was his friend still with him on this? Or was he doubting him, as well?
Julian held his hands up as if to say "we're good". The look on his face said it all: this mild explosion was all a shock to him. "Max. Me and you started this whole damn thing. You know I got you. We all just need to cool down. Things haven't been great lately. That's obvious. But this is where we need to buckle down and do whatever is necessary to keep The Renegades relevant and unbreakable."
Max nodded slowly, clearly having second thoughts on his own lashing out at the group. A small commotion came from the crowd as he visibly sighed and reached out to clasp hands with Julian, dapping the man before doing the same with Tyson Law and, after a brief moment of tension, seeming to make up with Tyler Grey and Sabastian Young. "Now, see? This is what I'm talking about. This is us! We're family and we stick by one another. That's how we beat them!" He pointed towards the backstage again. "If we crumble? They win...and they're not gonna win." He turned to Tyler and shook his head. "Man...I said it before: you are the angriest motherfucker I have ever met. That attitude is gonna bring that Junior Heavyweight title under our banner, where it belongs." He fist bumped Tyler again before turning to the two ladies of the group: Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "Now speaking of sticking together. Being a family. You two. I don't know what's been going on lately, but I - we - need you girls on the same page. I know you've got this, tonight...and then at Wrestle War...you two are the new Women's Tag Team Champions."
"Yeah" Tyler told them, placing a hand on each lady's shoulder. "Candi? So you lost your mojo. I don't know if it's confidence, age, or what. If it's confidence? Get that shit back and fast. If it's age? Drink some goddamn metamucil, have some prunes, and get over it. Serena? You're acting like you're on the fucking rag 24/7 recently. Calm your fuckin; tits." Tyler Grey, everyone. Clearly a motivational speaker in the making.
"I'm... sorry." Candi said with a sigh, bowing her head. "I've made us lose a lot of matches lately. I have a lot of stuff going on up here..." she said, tapping on the side of her head. "But I've been letting it affect me in the ring. And that's on me."
"Bitch you're goddamn right it's o-" Serena started to say before Tyler clamped a hand over her mouth and glared at her. After a moment, he released her so she could try again. "Fine. Whatever. Team unity, rah rah rah... let's just win the tag titles, and worry about this later."
Max ran a hand down his face, visibly on the borderline of being embarrassed that this was all unfolding in the ring in front of the entire live audience. "Alright, both of you listen. Tyler's about as motivating as pancreatic cancer but he's right. Whatever it was between you two? Squash it. We've all got our shit we've gotta focus on." Pausing, Max turned back towards the crowd, looking serious and confident again. "Now...to end things on a strong note...I wanna address something that happened at Season's Beatings." He turned directly to the camera. "Judas...who the hell...does your new little bitch boy think he is? See, initially, this was between you and me. Challenger versus champion. But for some reason, your little grasshopper...pupil...protege...whatever you wanna call him...decided to stick his nose where it didn't belong. So here's my response, Aguares. That is what you like to call yourself, right? You wanna get involved in tag team matches? Then how does one sound next week? You...and your surrogate daddy...versus Julian..." He reached over, giving his friend a confident slap on the shoulder, "...and me!"
REYNOLDS
"Whoa!!!"
KLAZZIC
"Looks like the champ's actually showing a backbone and calling someone out!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, he does have a backbone! Unlike Ethan Skinner! Attacking poor Candi like he did!"
"The challenge has been made, guy. You wanna play with the big dogs?" Max said, stepping back from the camera, gesturing his other arm out towards the rest of the Renegades. "Here we are!" Dropping the mic, Max opened out both arms as Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" resumed over the speaker system. The shot focused on the Renegades in the ring, relishing in the hate from the crowd as the show faded out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the opening match of the night, Kimi and Kyle, The Smalls Twins, put on an impressive showing against Alex Brody and Jericho that lasted 12:37. While time and experience was on the side of Brody and Jericho, the young up and comers refused to be intimidated in any manner.
After several back and forth exchanges between all four competitors, Kyle hot tagged Kimi back into the match before Jericho came running off of the ropes for a lariat. Ducking under at the last second, Kimi surprised even herself by connecting with a Superkick, sending Jericho stumbling back into her brother who reached back and hooked a hand around his jaw.
REYNOLDS
"HOLY SHIT, DID YOU HEAR THAT KICK?!"
KLAZZIC
"I think I felt that one from here, Marion!!"
REYNOLDS
"Will you stop with that?!"
HANSON
"Hold on, what do these two have planned now?!"
As Kyle leaped off of his feet, snapping Jericho down with a violent reverse cutter he had dubbed The Smalls Drop, Kimi ran off the ropes, finishing the combo off with a vicious basement drop kick as soon as her brother completed his role in the maneuver.
KLAZZIC
"BOMBS AWAY!!!! JERICHO'S DOWN!!! KIMI SMALLS HAS THE COVER!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
KLAZZIC
"SMALLS TWINS WIN!!!! SMALLS TWINS WIN!!!"
HANSON
"WHO-HO-HOOOOAAAA!!! WELCOME TO NFW KYLE AND KIMI SMALLS!!"
As DMX's "Party Up" filled the arena, the twins celebrated their debut victory excitedly, jumping around and hugging one another. After Chris Jericho pulled himself to his feet, he stood back for a moment as Alex Brody rushed to congratulate their opponents. After what looked to be a tense moment unfolding, Jericho slowly nodded and shook hands with the twins, visibly commending their performance despite the music drowning his words out from the crowd. Whatever he said, it seemed hearing it from a legend of the business put Kimi and Kyle on cloud nine as they reacted ecstatically. The two continued their celebration, amping up the crowd and dancing away to their music as Alex and Chris gave them the entire ring.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walking into the stadium in Minneapolis Minnesota Ethan Skinner, known to the Dominion of Pain as Aguares, is practically cornered by a cameraman who rushes at him, sticking the camera in his face, while Ethan reaches out and places a hand over the lens, fingers spread, and talks to the man behind the camera.
Ethan: What the hell are you doing, I just got in from London, yes I know that was almost a month ago, but I had some Hellfyre clubs to go visit. Oh what, you didn’t think they believed in bucking morality over there, you must not read then. What do you want?
(off camera) Camera Guy # 6: (weakly) “I - I just do what I am told Mr Skinner si-sir. Don’t hurt me.”
Ethan: “Hurt you, boy I don’t hurt the hired help, all of the time. Today is your lucky day, though. I guess while I have you here, I address my up and coming match.
He stops and pulls out a manilla file folder from the backpack he just sat down on a lighting box, after taking a drink of his Starbucks. “Opps, wrong file, that one is on Candi”. Putting back the file, as a growing smile spreads across his face and pulling out another one “Yep, right file this time. So, lets see.” He begins to read in a obviously snooty british accent “ Gimmick: Andrew takes inspiration from Marvel Comics' character, The Punisher for his gimmick. He emulates the character's cold, stoic personality on screen, even when in the presence of his real life daughter, Morgan Payne. He carries out the character, Frank Castle's execution of punishment against superstars who draw his ire. I.e: anyone who needlessly causes trouble around the promotion such as bullying other superstars. One example in recent past would be when he targeted Tama Tonga for delivering a Gun Stun on his daughter. In actuality, he would have come after Tama Tonga even if the female superstar hadn't been his child.”
He stops, looks directly at the camera stifles a laugh, tries to stifle it some more, then doubles over in a fit of hysterics. Looking at the camera again, then back at the camera guy “ Are they serious? They can’t be serious. They are serious aren’t they?!” Before the guy has a chance to respond, Ethan continues “I guess dragging Candi into the pit of Hell really shook up management, gave her a ”adopts the snooty British accent again “spot of bother as they would say. Ya know what bothers me the most though, in plane stations, on plances, in pubs, no matter where I go I am starting to hear the chants of (mockingly) Why Ethan Why? Why, you maggots don’t deserve that answer, I can tell you someone who knows though. She knows, ask her.”
He puts the manilla folder down next to his Starbucks, and picks up his drink and sips, just looking at the camera, apparently expecting the interview to be over. “Are you still here? Well ok, Andrew Payne, you jumped into the business in 2005 when your crew was feuding with us, yeah I did my homework. Maybe, you don’t know anything about me yet, but you know Judas, you know what we are capable of, and last month, you saw what we do to people we feud with. I know you think you’re getting retribution for her, but advice from me to you, don’t stick your nose in my business, I just might tear it off. Camera guy, if you excuse me, I have things I must attend to.”
The camera turns to follow him into his dressing room as he walks away down the hall. The shot fades out to a commercial break.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following Ethan Skinner's entrance to the ring, after the commercial break, the camera shifts backstage to the Gorilla position where Amy Connors waits anxiously for an interview. As Ethan's music continues to play out in the arena, something off screen catches Amy's attention and her eyes light up with hope. "Oh, oh! Andrew! Andy, wait!"
She's just barely able to stop the massive frame of Andrew Payne as he starts to walk passed the camera. Dressed in in his usual ring gear with a sleeveless t-shirt designed to look like the Venom symbiote encompassing the Punisher skull, Andrew towers over the 5'2" tall woman at 6'4". He says nothing, but stops and looks down at her, silently waiting, chewing idly on a piece of gum as he waits.
"Sorry to stop you so suddenly." Amy Connors says, a little nervously. The Punisher of professional wrestling was never really rude to backstage staff but damned if his physical presence wasn't imposing as all hell. "I just wanted to see if I could get a quick word. We heard from Ethan Skinner just a few moments ago. It seems he's obviously ready your match, tonight. Do you have anything to say back to him?" She nods towards the camera, indicating that the feed is, in fact, being shown on the video wall for the fans in the arena, as well as for Ethan and the announcers to see.
Andrew Payne chews slowly on his gum, looking at the camera, a piercing stare going through the lense and to his opponent. After a moment, he turns back to Amy Connors. "I don't know what the kid wants me to say. Do I put boot to ass on pieces of shit who walk around causing trouble for no reason?" He gives a small nod, cracking his gum. "Sure, I do. But did I call him out because of his little parlor trick on Candi Broduer?" He shakes his head, half heartedly. "I couldn't care less at this point. The Renegades made their bed with the Dominion of Pain. They can fucking lie in it. What I do concern myself with, though...is that it doesn't escape me...that what happened to Candi Broduer could have just as easily happened to my brother's daughter...or to my daughter." Andrew turns his head to the side and spits his gum to the floor before turning a spine chilling glare towards the camera. "So with that being said...Judas...I don't know what kind of freak show you're running these days. Frankly, I don't give a flying fuck. You can call this a preventive measure...."
As Andrew finishes speaking, the opening chords of Lamb of God's "The Duke" fill the arena out around the ring as he turns from the camera and continues making his way through the curtain towards the entrance stage. Amy Connors watches the man go, silently, before looking back at the camera with a nervous look on her face.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the better part of 14:41, "The Punisher" Andrew Payne hammered everything he had into Ethan Skinner like a human tank. Skinner's judo background was more than enough to keep an aging brawler like The Punisher on his toes, however. Combined with his own stiff strikes, the veteran was having anything but an easy time with a young opponent that he hadn't given enough credit to. Still, Payne continued to remind viewers that age had done very little to kill his drive and he continued firing back with his own stiff offense, keeping Aguares rocked on his feet.
REYNOLDS
"I don't care if this is being done for Candi or not. Seeing a Dominion member get their shit wrecked like this is fucking orgasmic."
HANSON
"JIM, LOOK OUT, IT'S JUDAS!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"AAAGH!!!! I'M SORRY MR. LASHER!!!"
Nick Hanson can be heard dying of laughter.
REYNOLDS
"Wait a minute...you tricked me, you son of a bitch!"
KLAZZIC
"That was fantastic, Nick!"
Back in the ring, Andrew Payne finally signaled for the finish after he and Aguares had exchanged back and forth forearms to each other. Andrew's last one rocked Skinner to hard, it sent him pivoting around with his back to the man. Andrew Payne grabbed hold of him and lifted him up for the 11th Hour.
REYNOLDS
"HERE IT COMES!!! 11th HOU---"
Out of nowhere, however, Ethan Skinner somehow managed to counter with a forward roll, pulling Andrew Payne forward with him into a School Boy roll up.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
REYNOLDS
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
HANSON
"WOW!!!"
KLAZZIC
"ETHAN SKINNER WINS WITH THE SNEAKINESS!!!!!"
As Iced Earth's "Burning Times" tore through the arena, Ethan Skinner slid out of the ring, grinning wickedly towards the confused looking Andrew Payne.
HANSON
"Well, the man needed to land a victory and he certainly did. Andrew Payne looks like he can't believe it himself."
REYNOLDS
"Nice going, Punisher. You let me down, asshole!"
HANSON
"Say it so he can hear ya, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"Uhh, yeah no."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera angle cut immediately to a backstage with a backdrop baring The Unwanted's logo. New Year's Day's "Anthem of the Unwanted" can be heard playing faintly from somewhere. The segment is very similar to one of Adam Cole's solo pieces. However, this time, rather than just Cole being present, viewers are given the entire gathering of The Unwanted. Adam Cole stands, ready in his ring gear with the group's new t-shirt. Beside him, Women's Champion, Adrianna Salvatore leans against a chainlink fence post in casual street clothes. Tattooed arms exposed from her black tanktop and trademark, hooded, denim vest with various patches. The title rests over her shoulder as she poses, relaxed, not watching the camera just yet. Seated at the feet of the group, looking ominous as ever, Angel Kusanagi is also seen in her ring gear; head down with the hood of her robe up over her head as she idly flexes a taped fist.
"So, here - we - are." Adam Cole begins, rubbing his hands together with his usual, arrogant smirk plastered across his face. "Three weeks out from the New Frontier's biggest show of the year! How does that work?" He looks around him at the rest of the group. "I mean, it's the first pay per view of the year. How do they know it's gonna be the biggest? Fuck it!" He shrugs and looks back at the camera. "What you people are looking at before you, here, is a collection of the most dangerous performers in professional wrestling to date. And by the time this month is over, this group's gonna be shining. We're gonna be glimmering. Why?" Cole smirks again. "Because we're all bringing home the gold. Championships is what this business is all about. If you're not after one? Pfft. Then what the hell are you in this business for? We've already got one." He thumbs over to Adrianna. "Look at that thing." He reaches over, pretending to polish off the plate of the Women's Title. "And there'll be more where that came from. But first, we've got other matters to attend to. These mean ass bitches here--" he points down to Angel and claps his other hand onto Mia's shoulder, "--have a lot of heads to kick in tonight." Looking at Mia, he nods towards the camera. "Get 'em."
Mia nodded, oddly quiet for someone as typically arrogant and loud-mouthed as her. Currently dressed as Marvel character X-23, the scowl on Mia's face said it all: whatever was bothering her? It did not bode well for her opponents tonight. "I want those tag titles. That's for sure." She told Cole, thin fingers curling into fists. "But what I want even more right now? If the chance to beat someone's ass. There's gonna be blood tonight, Adam. I promise you that."
Despite Mia's odd, somber mood, Adam Cole looked up from her to the camera with an amused smile. "She is scary when she's mad!!" He laughed, clasping both hands onto Mia's shoulders and giving her a playful warmup squeeze. "I like the enthusiasm though!"
"Dude. Chill." Beside him, Adrianna Salvatore spoke up, prompting Adam to raise his hands in submission. Meanwhile, Adrianna continued. "The road to war starts here." She said, adjusting the title on her shoulder and turning towards the camera. "It's time for the outcasts of society to step up and be heard. I have nothing negative to say about Alex Brody...but Alex, you better be ready...because I'm gonna be waiting...."
Adam Cole looked from Adrianna, down to Mia then back up at the camera. "Man, these girls are gorgeous but they sure are broody! How about you, little bit?" He looked down at Angel Kusanagi, giving her a playful little pat on her head. "Anything you wanna say to lighten the mood a little?"
"Shinpai shina ide...." Angel said in her surprisingly soft, almost childlike, soothing tone. A voice that contrasted her overall appearance as she slowly lifted her head, revealing the black painted on her face to look like tears streaming down her pale face. Or perhaps it was meant to be black blood as her black lips were also painted to show the same dripping effect. Soreha...su gu ni su be te...owaru deshou...." Through the hood and her streaks of hair, Angel could be seen slowly beginning to give a deranged smile.
Comically, Adam Cole looked from Angel to Mia. "The hell does that mean?"
Mia looked to Angel, shaking her head with wide eyes. "Let's just say that maybe we shouldn't let this girl watch any more "Saw" movies, and leave it at that." Oddly, Mia's humor, while typically natural and infectious... felt forced. Like she was trying way too hard to be herself. "We have WrestleWar coming up soon. Ideally? I want us coming out of it with titles on all of us."
"And that we shall, my gloomy little friend!" Adam said, raising a finger, matter-of-factly. "That we shall!" He counted on his fingers."Women's title...Women's Tag titles...Junior Heavyweight ti--speaking of which, Tyler Grey? I hope you're paying attention to this. Let's face it; I know you don't wanna have to tag with me. Frankly? I didn't wanna tag with your gloomy, caveman ass either! But if there's one thing in common you and I have, it's that we wanna win. And whether it's you scoring the pin or me -- probably will be me -- but either way, I ain't losing tonight. Seeya out there!" He clapped his hands together then, looking around him at the girls. "Go team, right?! Should we do a cheer?"
"I'm not doing a cheer." Adrianna said, promptly taking that as their cue to wrap up their screen time and gave Mia a nudge before stepping off camera. Close behind Mia and Adrianna, Angel rose and followed the other two off, leaving Adam Cole by himself, more confused than anything.
"What's wrong with a cheer? C'mon!" He called, hurrying after the girls, still being heard off camera. "1-2-3! Fuck the Renegades! No? Aw, c'mon, you girls suck! And not in the good way!"
The segment ends with The Unwanted logo slamming across the screen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 11:38, El Piso Mojado pulled off a surprising upset victory by defeating El Desperado after hitting him with the Guitarra de Angel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera focus shifts backstage where Vincent Stone is seen moving with a purpose down the hallway. Geared up and ready for his match, he continues down the hallway until stopping abruptly at a locker room door with 'AKI' on the front of it. Without a moment of hesitation, he knocks his taped knuckles against the door. "Hey, AKI! You in there? It's Vincent Stone! You know, your tag partner for the night?" Stone waits at the door, looking around aimlessly before knocking again. "AKI? Shelton?"
*The door opens up and Shelton Benjamin pokes his head out.*
"Hey man, what's up?" Benjamin asks.
"Nothing much, just wanted to be go over some strategy with AKI before our tag match tonight," Stone adds.
*Benjamin looks behind him and shakes his head.*
"It's cool. If you can get anything out of him, you're a better person than me or Connor. But something's different with him, though. He's more quiet than usual, which is saying a lot because I've never heard him speak," Benjamin says.
"Huh?" Stone replies.
“Look, AKI's a cool dude but a quiet dude. You can't get a read out of him normally, but after what happened to Connor last week, he's almost...," Benjamin pauses while looking behind him, "well, see for yourself.”
*Benjamin opens the door allowing both Stone and the cameraman in. Benjamin points to his left and the camera pans to a semi-lit part of the locker room where we see AKI in his ring attire, sitting in a lotus position against the wall in the far end of the locker room. Benjamin and Stone walk over and the camera gets a close-up of AKI and we see an intense stare in his eyes under his mask, looking past both Stone and Benjamin with an angry stare.*
"AKI?" Benjamin says.
"AKI?" Stone follows.
They both look at each other for a moment and Benjamin nods before turning back to AKI and as both men start to call out AKI's name a third time...
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Stone says as Benjamin stops and nearly stumbles a bit.
"Let me say something to him," Stone says calmly.
Raising his hands to show AKI he comes in peace, Stone continues. "Look AKI. We don't know each other that well. We've never even been in the ring together. You seem like a guy with his head on his shoulders, though, so that's all that matters as far as tonight. Three weeks from now, it's every man for himself at Wrestle War. I get that. But tonight, it's you and me against two of the biggest blowhards in this industry." Stone looks to Shelton with a sense of realization on his face. "And Tyler Grey's only barely gotten started." Looking back to AKI, Stone continues. "Anyway, look man. We're partners tonight. Opponents at Wrestle War. As it stands, however, I've got no reason to hold a personal beef with you. Let's just do what we have to do. I've got your back if you've got mine. And if you need another man to deal with Suzuki-gun, I'm never far. Hell, do this for your boy. You know Connor's watching from wherever they've got him, right now. Cool?"
*AKI's glare suddenly shifts to Stone, causing Stone and Benjamin to back up a sec. AKI walks up to Stone and calmly gives both he and Benjamin a fist bump as the camera pans to AKI heading out of the locker room, letting out a gutteral yell as he walks out, before panning back to a confused Benjamin and Stone.*
"You're a better man than Connor or me," Benjamin says.
Stone shakes his head. "You hang out with some strange people." He says, before slapping Shelton on the back and following AKI out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tag team match between the four Junior Heavyweight opponents for Wrestle War seemed to be going well, at first. Vincent Stone and AKI, predictably had better natural tag team chemistry than Adam Cole and Tyler Grey of which whom initially disputed over who would start the match before Adam Cole ended up being the one to start things off against AKI.
With quick tags to one another, AKI and Stone kept their opponents on their toes, spending the first few minutes, putting Cole through a proverbial ringer. One instance saw both men in the ring at the same time. In a quick, jaw dropping sequence the crowd watched Adam Cole whip AKI into a turnbuckle. Leaning back against the opposite corner, Cole thrusted his pelvis towards AKI while throwing him the double middle finger before charging across the ring for a running splash.
REYNOLDS
"Watch out, here comes Cole!!!"
AKI dove out of the way, causing Cole to slam against the turnbuckle.
HANSON
"OUCH!! AND HE MISSES!!"
KLAZZIC
"WHOA, WHOA!!! STONE, INCOMING!!!"
In the time it took the Panama City Playboy to turn around, Vincent Stone was in the ring and rushing forward to hit a brutal dropkick. When Stone landed back on the mat, he quickly rolled onto all fours and signaled to AKI, who sprinted back across the ring, using Stone as a stepping stool and threw himself into Cole for a loud, popping, flying European Uppercut.
HANSON
"MY GOD, LOOK AT THESE TWO!!"
Adam Cole stumbled forward from the Uppercut as Vincent Stone got to his feet, immediately running off the ropes and bounded over him to hit a Throwback. As this was unfolding, AKI was already running off the ropes again, ready to hit a Shooting Star Press onto Adam Cole.
KLAZZIC
"THESE TWO ARE ON FIRE!!! I LOVE IT!!!"
Finally, AKI moved quickly to hop off of Adam Cole as Vincent Stone came off the ropes a final time, running and delivering a Flashing Elbow, before popping up on one knee and throwing a double 'NWO' gesture out into the air. Needless to say, this entire sequence got the Minneapolis crowd on their feet.
HANSON
"AND STONE WITH SHADES OF ONE OF HIS MENTORS, KEIJI MUTOH!!!!"
Things finally took a turn when Adam Cole tagged Tyler Grey into the match. True to his reputation and style, Tyler Grey entered the match like a madman possessed, clearly overpowering both of his team's opponents. A combination of AKI's speed and Vincent Stone's stiff strikes did well to keep them alive, however. After the two pulled off a second sequence of attacks to Tyler Grey, the man crawled over towards Adam Cole who held his hand out in anticipation to be tagged in again.
However, juuuuuust as Tyler Grey was reaching out to touch Adam Cole's hand...the male member of The Unwanted suddenly hopped down off of the apron with a cheeky smile and threw Tyler Grey the double bird.
REYNOLDSp
"What the hell is Adam Cole doing?!"
HANSON
"I...I don't know, Jim.... It looks like...."
KLAZZIC
"Is he LEAVING?!"
Sure enough, Adam Cole began making his way up the ramp, laughing to the crowd as he thumbe over his shoulder towards the ring, mocking Tyler Grey. The infuriated Renegade pulled himself to his feet, yelling after his temporary tag team partner just long enough for AKI to climb the ropes and tag Vincent Stone as he waited. After Tyler Grey finally flipped the bird back to Adam Cole, yelling an audible "FUCK YOU" to the man, he backed towards the center of the ring and turned around just in time for AKI to hit the RYUSSEI (modified as it's normally done to a seated opponent.)
As Tyler Grey went crashing down, Vincent Stone ran forward as the legal man and scooped Tyler up onto his feet, signaling to the crowd with a quick thumb across his throat.
CROWD & KLAZZIC
"FINISH HIM!!!!"
Even AKI threw a fist up into the air with the chant and pointed to his partner as Stone hoisted Grey up, driving him down with the FATALITY, at 8:12.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
KLAZZIC
"And that just goes to show, it pays to be on the same page as your tag partner!"
As Trust Company's "Downfall" played, Vincent Stone and AKI exchanged a handshake before raising one another's arm and played to the crowd to celebrate their victory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Mannheim, Pitt, and Rick Dickulous sit around a table strewn with beer cans, the remnants of a dish of peanuts, poker chips, and cards. They each have large stacks of poker chips in front of them and smiles on their faces*
"Jesus it's fun when we can get to know the backstage crew better. Too bad they aren't any good at Texas Hold'em...I mean, it's the easiest game in the world for cryin' out loud..."
"Willy, we only played three hands...and the other three said they've never played poker."
*Mannheim looks at Pitt flatly*
"Well, now they have. And now we get to wait to go kick the sake out of Suzuki-Gun. Seriuosly, what is their problem?"
*Rick looks at the other two*
"I dunno, guy, I figured they'd learned their lesson with how I treated Zack and his little buddy TAKA, eh? Seems to me they're like little cockroaches - you think you've dealt with them, and then BAM! They're everywhere again. Like snow in December, bud..."
"Well, listen, it's us and Scotty, and we all know what to do, hell, this ain't our first rodeo, boys. It's high time people stop thinking of us as "just them polite Canadians," and start worrying when they see their name next to one of ours on the card. Tonight is where we start that legacy."
"Know what legacy I wanna start, guy? The milk and cookies revolution! Fuck yeah, bud! Everyone loves milk and cookies - unless they're lactose intolerant, eh?"
"RICK!! Focus...."
*Rick looks at Mannheim quizzically*
"Do you mean pay attention, or Fuck Off Cause Ur Stupid?"
*Mannheim facepalms*
"Yes, Rick....just...yes."
Hard cut to black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last of the group to emerge was Max LeBrun, dressed in all black from his jeans, t-shirt, boots and jacket. Around his waist was the Heavyweight Championship as he lead the rest of the Renegades down the ramp in an intimidating approach to the ring; like a miniature army people who didn't care for the rules set forth by the authority of the promotion.
Upon entering the ring, Max LeBrun moved immediately to one corner where he snatched a microphone from Roger Arden and thumbed the man out of the ring before coming to stand in the center as the group's music faded out.
HANSON
"He does not look happy."
KLAZZIC
"I have to wonder. I mean, he retained his championship at Season's Beatings; albeit under questionable circumstances."
REYNOLDS
"Oh shut up, Matt! He's a fighting champion! Besides it's not like Chris Wolfe didn't get involved on Nico Salvatore's behalf!"
KLAZZIC
"Only after the Renegades came to help their champion!"
REYNOLDS
"Our champion, Matt."
KLAZZIC
"He's no champion of mine, James Reynolds."
Before the bickering could continue on commentary, Max LeBrun raised the microphone up to his mouth. "So how about now?" He asked, taking the fold of his jacket in the other hand and opening it out to grant the audience a clear view of the championship around his waist. "Now...do I have...your attention?! DO I?!" The arena filled with a roar of boos from the audience as Max circled around the ring. The camera cut around the audience, showing the various looks of disapproval from the crowd. Signs being held up that varied in opinion on the champion.
HEAVYWEIGHT CHUMP
JUDAS IS GONNA KILL YOU
YOU SCREWED NICO
"Say what you want." Max said, coming back to the center of the ring. "I did exactly what I said I was gonna do after the Vlad Blackheart Memorial. I defended my title...not once...not twice...but THREE...fucking...times! And now, all that's left...is Wrestle War!" Pausing for a moment to let the fans have another moment to themselves, Max shook his head with a small smirk on his face. "But I guess that's not good enough, is it?" Max's grin grew wider. "None of you are gonna be happy until you see this belt taken off of me. Well, let me fill you in on a little secret: in three weeks...in Madison Square Garden...at Wrestle War...it ain't happening! I've stuck by my word each and every time and at Season's Beatings, after I pinned Nico Salvatore again, after I retained the NFW Heavyweight Championship again...I made a promise to the memory of Vlad Blackheart...." He paused with a twisted smirk on his face. "And I made a promise to Judas Lasher...that I was gonna beat him and walk out of Wrestle War XV STILL CHAMPION!! But again...you people sit there, doubting. You doubt me. You doubt us!" He motioned to the rest of the Renegades. "You doubt Tyler here...." He pointed to Tyler Grey. "...A man who's been held down despite his devotion and dedication to his career. You doubt his ability to go into Wrestle War and become the first ever Junior Heavyweight Champion." Adjusting his hand, he moved to point to Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "You doubt these two.... One of, if not, THE best women's wrestler in the world and the best up and comer that women's wrestling has ever seen. Mark my words, they're walking out of this arena tonight as the number one contenders and at Wrestle War, they're walking out as the NEW Women's Tag Team Champions!! And then, of course, you're still doubting me." He looked back towards the crowd, losing his smile for a look of disgust and disdain at the Minneapolis crowd. "You still don't think of me as a man of my word. As a man who's capable of doing what he says. And frankly?" Max shook his head, looking suddenly as if he didn't blame the audience. "I get it." He nodded. "I do. Really."
HANSON
(sarcastically)
"I'm sure he does."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, Max is an understanding guy!"
"Trust me; I completely understand..." As Max spoke, he turned slowly towards the rest of the Renegades, his eyes sweeping over them. More specifically, the men of the group. "...Why people are doubting us." He raised a finger, pointing to Julian Morrison, Tyler Grey, Tyson Law and Sabastian Riley Young. "Because you...keep giving these people a goddamn reason to."
REYNOLDS
"Uhh...what?!"
KLAZZIC
"Come again?!"
Max suddenly looked angry and disappointed at the men he called team mates. The men he called allies. "Because if you four...can't keep your noses out of my matches...then that obviously means that you doubt me, too. And if you doubt me...I mean...is that it?" Max lowered the microphone, shrugging his hands up. "I mean, help me out here. Because that's the only conclusion I can come to." Max offered the microphone out to one of the four men that his words were being directed at. The question was, who wanted to take the mic? Who wanted to offer up an explanation?
Sabastian steps forward and grabs a mic
"Honestly, i was dealing with other stuff like getting our tag titles back before Ryan got put on the shelf, and after countless times of doing so we came up empty handed, and after Ryan got his ass beat by that freak, i went for revenge and tried to take that title from him... now im trying to prove myself again... i just know what else to say to the group......" Sabastian puts the mic down in front of his feet and steps back in his spot he was before....
Tyler Grey stepped slightly to the side, slowly giving an irritated glance to Young before looking to Max in the ring. While definitely a junior, he still looked ready to explode out of the suit he wore, his physique that ripped. "I got no fucking idea what this stupid bag of dick-tips is talking about..." he jerked a thumb at Young as he said it, solidifying his title of "most miserable asshole on the roster", before glaring up at the leader of the group.
"You wanna talk about if we doubt you? Are you fuckin' KIDDING me? You got beat by Chris Wolfe TWICE. You would've lost a third time if it wasn't for us. Keeping that title in the group if more important that massaging your goddamn ego, man."
REYNOLDS
"Uh-oh.... What the...?"
HANSON
"Grey's never been the type to really shy away from words."
Back in the ring, Max, with a new mic in his hand so they didn't have to keep passing it around, stepped forward, putting him and Tyler nose to nose. "You're right...I did lose to Chris Wolfe. I'll own up to that. Don't forget I extended the offer for him to be one of us. Why? Because of his talent. His drive! He gave his answer. That's over and done with. But let me remind you, Tyler...I still beat Nico Salvatore two weeks ago; and that was after you almost got my ass disqualified. Let me also remind you: nobody asked you to be here. YOU came to US! We welcomed you! Has my record as champion been perfect? No. Flawless? Absolutely not. But I'm gonna say something right here and right now...." Max stepped closer, dangerously close to Tyler. "WE...are the Renegades. WE...are a brotherhood! There is no room for dissension among us. You wanna fight among team mates? I'm pretty sure the idiots over in the Bullet Club are hiring!!" Max thumbed aggressively towards the backstage. "Otherwise...we trust...that each member...knows what the hell they are doing."
Max stepped back as the crowd had fallen eerily silent, now, watching all of this unfold among the group. Max looked towards Tyson and Julian then, tentatively. "How about you two? Anything you wanna chime in with?"
REYNOLDS
"Guys? I don't like this."
After a tense moment, Tyson Law stepped over, tentatively taking the mic from Tyler Grey. "Max, man...look, bro. The big wigs here have been shitting on me since I set foot into this company. You and Jay?" He thumbed to Julian. "Y'all gave me the chance I needed and I'm grateful, fam. But as much as you've been telling everyone that we're not the ones to fuck with...it don't seem that way. We've been following you from the beginning but it seems like we're nothing more than a bunch of jokes to everyone else---"
"FUCK....everyone...else." Max interjected, raising his tone. "We formed this group because we were sick of everyone else's opinions of us. If you're so bent on being looked at differently, Tyson, then you have to fucking do something about it!! Am I wrong?" Max looked to Julian with a look on his face that said his feelings were mixed. Was his friend still with him on this? Or was he doubting him, as well?
Julian held his hands up as if to say "we're good". The look on his face said it all: this mild explosion was all a shock to him. "Max. Me and you started this whole damn thing. You know I got you. We all just need to cool down. Things haven't been great lately. That's obvious. But this is where we need to buckle down and do whatever is necessary to keep The Renegades relevant and unbreakable."
Max nodded slowly, clearly having second thoughts on his own lashing out at the group. A small commotion came from the crowd as he visibly sighed and reached out to clasp hands with Julian, dapping the man before doing the same with Tyson Law and, after a brief moment of tension, seeming to make up with Tyler Grey and Sabastian Young. "Now, see? This is what I'm talking about. This is us! We're family and we stick by one another. That's how we beat them!" He pointed towards the backstage again. "If we crumble? They win...and they're not gonna win." He turned to Tyler and shook his head. "Man...I said it before: you are the angriest motherfucker I have ever met. That attitude is gonna bring that Junior Heavyweight title under our banner, where it belongs." He fist bumped Tyler again before turning to the two ladies of the group: Candi Broduer and Serena Frost. "Now speaking of sticking together. Being a family. You two. I don't know what's been going on lately, but I - we - need you girls on the same page. I know you've got this, tonight...and then at Wrestle War...you two are the new Women's Tag Team Champions."
"Yeah" Tyler told them, placing a hand on each lady's shoulder. "Candi? So you lost your mojo. I don't know if it's confidence, age, or what. If it's confidence? Get that shit back and fast. If it's age? Drink some goddamn metamucil, have some prunes, and get over it. Serena? You're acting like you're on the fucking rag 24/7 recently. Calm your fuckin; tits." Tyler Grey, everyone. Clearly a motivational speaker in the making.
"I'm... sorry." Candi said with a sigh, bowing her head. "I've made us lose a lot of matches lately. I have a lot of stuff going on up here..." she said, tapping on the side of her head. "But I've been letting it affect me in the ring. And that's on me."
"Bitch you're goddamn right it's o-" Serena started to say before Tyler clamped a hand over her mouth and glared at her. After a moment, he released her so she could try again. "Fine. Whatever. Team unity, rah rah rah... let's just win the tag titles, and worry about this later."
Max ran a hand down his face, visibly on the borderline of being embarrassed that this was all unfolding in the ring in front of the entire live audience. "Alright, both of you listen. Tyler's about as motivating as pancreatic cancer but he's right. Whatever it was between you two? Squash it. We've all got our shit we've gotta focus on." Pausing, Max turned back towards the crowd, looking serious and confident again. "Now...to end things on a strong note...I wanna address something that happened at Season's Beatings." He turned directly to the camera. "Judas...who the hell...does your new little bitch boy think he is? See, initially, this was between you and me. Challenger versus champion. But for some reason, your little grasshopper...pupil...protege...whatever you wanna call him...decided to stick his nose where it didn't belong. So here's my response, Aguares. That is what you like to call yourself, right? You wanna get involved in tag team matches? Then how does one sound next week? You...and your surrogate daddy...versus Julian..." He reached over, giving his friend a confident slap on the shoulder, "...and me!"
REYNOLDS
"Whoa!!!"
KLAZZIC
"Looks like the champ's actually showing a backbone and calling someone out!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, he does have a backbone! Unlike Ethan Skinner! Attacking poor Candi like he did!"
"The challenge has been made, guy. You wanna play with the big dogs?" Max said, stepping back from the camera, gesturing his other arm out towards the rest of the Renegades. "Here we are!" Dropping the mic, Max opened out both arms as Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" resumed over the speaker system. The shot focused on the Renegades in the ring, relishing in the hate from the crowd as the show faded out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the opening match of the night, Kimi and Kyle, The Smalls Twins, put on an impressive showing against Alex Brody and Jericho that lasted 12:37. While time and experience was on the side of Brody and Jericho, the young up and comers refused to be intimidated in any manner.
After several back and forth exchanges between all four competitors, Kyle hot tagged Kimi back into the match before Jericho came running off of the ropes for a lariat. Ducking under at the last second, Kimi surprised even herself by connecting with a Superkick, sending Jericho stumbling back into her brother who reached back and hooked a hand around his jaw.
REYNOLDS
"HOLY SHIT, DID YOU HEAR THAT KICK?!"
KLAZZIC
"I think I felt that one from here, Marion!!"
REYNOLDS
"Will you stop with that?!"
HANSON
"Hold on, what do these two have planned now?!"
As Kyle leaped off of his feet, snapping Jericho down with a violent reverse cutter he had dubbed The Smalls Drop, Kimi ran off the ropes, finishing the combo off with a vicious basement drop kick as soon as her brother completed his role in the maneuver.
KLAZZIC
"BOMBS AWAY!!!! JERICHO'S DOWN!!! KIMI SMALLS HAS THE COVER!!!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
KLAZZIC
"SMALLS TWINS WIN!!!! SMALLS TWINS WIN!!!"
HANSON
"WHO-HO-HOOOOAAAA!!! WELCOME TO NFW KYLE AND KIMI SMALLS!!"
As DMX's "Party Up" filled the arena, the twins celebrated their debut victory excitedly, jumping around and hugging one another. After Chris Jericho pulled himself to his feet, he stood back for a moment as Alex Brody rushed to congratulate their opponents. After what looked to be a tense moment unfolding, Jericho slowly nodded and shook hands with the twins, visibly commending their performance despite the music drowning his words out from the crowd. Whatever he said, it seemed hearing it from a legend of the business put Kimi and Kyle on cloud nine as they reacted ecstatically. The two continued their celebration, amping up the crowd and dancing away to their music as Alex and Chris gave them the entire ring.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walking into the stadium in Minneapolis Minnesota Ethan Skinner, known to the Dominion of Pain as Aguares, is practically cornered by a cameraman who rushes at him, sticking the camera in his face, while Ethan reaches out and places a hand over the lens, fingers spread, and talks to the man behind the camera.
Ethan: What the hell are you doing, I just got in from London, yes I know that was almost a month ago, but I had some Hellfyre clubs to go visit. Oh what, you didn’t think they believed in bucking morality over there, you must not read then. What do you want?
(off camera) Camera Guy # 6: (weakly) “I - I just do what I am told Mr Skinner si-sir. Don’t hurt me.”
Ethan: “Hurt you, boy I don’t hurt the hired help, all of the time. Today is your lucky day, though. I guess while I have you here, I address my up and coming match.
He stops and pulls out a manilla file folder from the backpack he just sat down on a lighting box, after taking a drink of his Starbucks. “Opps, wrong file, that one is on Candi”. Putting back the file, as a growing smile spreads across his face and pulling out another one “Yep, right file this time. So, lets see.” He begins to read in a obviously snooty british accent “ Gimmick: Andrew takes inspiration from Marvel Comics' character, The Punisher for his gimmick. He emulates the character's cold, stoic personality on screen, even when in the presence of his real life daughter, Morgan Payne. He carries out the character, Frank Castle's execution of punishment against superstars who draw his ire. I.e: anyone who needlessly causes trouble around the promotion such as bullying other superstars. One example in recent past would be when he targeted Tama Tonga for delivering a Gun Stun on his daughter. In actuality, he would have come after Tama Tonga even if the female superstar hadn't been his child.”
He stops, looks directly at the camera stifles a laugh, tries to stifle it some more, then doubles over in a fit of hysterics. Looking at the camera again, then back at the camera guy “ Are they serious? They can’t be serious. They are serious aren’t they?!” Before the guy has a chance to respond, Ethan continues “I guess dragging Candi into the pit of Hell really shook up management, gave her a ”adopts the snooty British accent again “spot of bother as they would say. Ya know what bothers me the most though, in plane stations, on plances, in pubs, no matter where I go I am starting to hear the chants of (mockingly) Why Ethan Why? Why, you maggots don’t deserve that answer, I can tell you someone who knows though. She knows, ask her.”
He puts the manilla folder down next to his Starbucks, and picks up his drink and sips, just looking at the camera, apparently expecting the interview to be over. “Are you still here? Well ok, Andrew Payne, you jumped into the business in 2005 when your crew was feuding with us, yeah I did my homework. Maybe, you don’t know anything about me yet, but you know Judas, you know what we are capable of, and last month, you saw what we do to people we feud with. I know you think you’re getting retribution for her, but advice from me to you, don’t stick your nose in my business, I just might tear it off. Camera guy, if you excuse me, I have things I must attend to.”
The camera turns to follow him into his dressing room as he walks away down the hall. The shot fades out to a commercial break.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following Ethan Skinner's entrance to the ring, after the commercial break, the camera shifts backstage to the Gorilla position where Amy Connors waits anxiously for an interview. As Ethan's music continues to play out in the arena, something off screen catches Amy's attention and her eyes light up with hope. "Oh, oh! Andrew! Andy, wait!"
She's just barely able to stop the massive frame of Andrew Payne as he starts to walk passed the camera. Dressed in in his usual ring gear with a sleeveless t-shirt designed to look like the Venom symbiote encompassing the Punisher skull, Andrew towers over the 5'2" tall woman at 6'4". He says nothing, but stops and looks down at her, silently waiting, chewing idly on a piece of gum as he waits.
"Sorry to stop you so suddenly." Amy Connors says, a little nervously. The Punisher of professional wrestling was never really rude to backstage staff but damned if his physical presence wasn't imposing as all hell. "I just wanted to see if I could get a quick word. We heard from Ethan Skinner just a few moments ago. It seems he's obviously ready your match, tonight. Do you have anything to say back to him?" She nods towards the camera, indicating that the feed is, in fact, being shown on the video wall for the fans in the arena, as well as for Ethan and the announcers to see.
Andrew Payne chews slowly on his gum, looking at the camera, a piercing stare going through the lense and to his opponent. After a moment, he turns back to Amy Connors. "I don't know what the kid wants me to say. Do I put boot to ass on pieces of shit who walk around causing trouble for no reason?" He gives a small nod, cracking his gum. "Sure, I do. But did I call him out because of his little parlor trick on Candi Broduer?" He shakes his head, half heartedly. "I couldn't care less at this point. The Renegades made their bed with the Dominion of Pain. They can fucking lie in it. What I do concern myself with, though...is that it doesn't escape me...that what happened to Candi Broduer could have just as easily happened to my brother's daughter...or to my daughter." Andrew turns his head to the side and spits his gum to the floor before turning a spine chilling glare towards the camera. "So with that being said...Judas...I don't know what kind of freak show you're running these days. Frankly, I don't give a flying fuck. You can call this a preventive measure...."
As Andrew finishes speaking, the opening chords of Lamb of God's "The Duke" fill the arena out around the ring as he turns from the camera and continues making his way through the curtain towards the entrance stage. Amy Connors watches the man go, silently, before looking back at the camera with a nervous look on her face.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the better part of 14:41, "The Punisher" Andrew Payne hammered everything he had into Ethan Skinner like a human tank. Skinner's judo background was more than enough to keep an aging brawler like The Punisher on his toes, however. Combined with his own stiff strikes, the veteran was having anything but an easy time with a young opponent that he hadn't given enough credit to. Still, Payne continued to remind viewers that age had done very little to kill his drive and he continued firing back with his own stiff offense, keeping Aguares rocked on his feet.
REYNOLDS
"I don't care if this is being done for Candi or not. Seeing a Dominion member get their shit wrecked like this is fucking orgasmic."
HANSON
"JIM, LOOK OUT, IT'S JUDAS!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"AAAGH!!!! I'M SORRY MR. LASHER!!!"
Nick Hanson can be heard dying of laughter.
REYNOLDS
"Wait a minute...you tricked me, you son of a bitch!"
KLAZZIC
"That was fantastic, Nick!"
Back in the ring, Andrew Payne finally signaled for the finish after he and Aguares had exchanged back and forth forearms to each other. Andrew's last one rocked Skinner to hard, it sent him pivoting around with his back to the man. Andrew Payne grabbed hold of him and lifted him up for the 11th Hour.
REYNOLDS
"HERE IT COMES!!! 11th HOU---"
Out of nowhere, however, Ethan Skinner somehow managed to counter with a forward roll, pulling Andrew Payne forward with him into a School Boy roll up.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
REYNOLDS
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
HANSON
"WOW!!!"
KLAZZIC
"ETHAN SKINNER WINS WITH THE SNEAKINESS!!!!!"
As Iced Earth's "Burning Times" tore through the arena, Ethan Skinner slid out of the ring, grinning wickedly towards the confused looking Andrew Payne.
HANSON
"Well, the man needed to land a victory and he certainly did. Andrew Payne looks like he can't believe it himself."
REYNOLDS
"Nice going, Punisher. You let me down, asshole!"
HANSON
"Say it so he can hear ya, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"Uhh, yeah no."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera angle cut immediately to a backstage with a backdrop baring The Unwanted's logo. New Year's Day's "Anthem of the Unwanted" can be heard playing faintly from somewhere. The segment is very similar to one of Adam Cole's solo pieces. However, this time, rather than just Cole being present, viewers are given the entire gathering of The Unwanted. Adam Cole stands, ready in his ring gear with the group's new t-shirt. Beside him, Women's Champion, Adrianna Salvatore leans against a chainlink fence post in casual street clothes. Tattooed arms exposed from her black tanktop and trademark, hooded, denim vest with various patches. The title rests over her shoulder as she poses, relaxed, not watching the camera just yet. Seated at the feet of the group, looking ominous as ever, Angel Kusanagi is also seen in her ring gear; head down with the hood of her robe up over her head as she idly flexes a taped fist.
"So, here - we - are." Adam Cole begins, rubbing his hands together with his usual, arrogant smirk plastered across his face. "Three weeks out from the New Frontier's biggest show of the year! How does that work?" He looks around him at the rest of the group. "I mean, it's the first pay per view of the year. How do they know it's gonna be the biggest? Fuck it!" He shrugs and looks back at the camera. "What you people are looking at before you, here, is a collection of the most dangerous performers in professional wrestling to date. And by the time this month is over, this group's gonna be shining. We're gonna be glimmering. Why?" Cole smirks again. "Because we're all bringing home the gold. Championships is what this business is all about. If you're not after one? Pfft. Then what the hell are you in this business for? We've already got one." He thumbs over to Adrianna. "Look at that thing." He reaches over, pretending to polish off the plate of the Women's Title. "And there'll be more where that came from. But first, we've got other matters to attend to. These mean ass bitches here--" he points down to Angel and claps his other hand onto Mia's shoulder, "--have a lot of heads to kick in tonight." Looking at Mia, he nods towards the camera. "Get 'em."
Mia nodded, oddly quiet for someone as typically arrogant and loud-mouthed as her. Currently dressed as Marvel character X-23, the scowl on Mia's face said it all: whatever was bothering her? It did not bode well for her opponents tonight. "I want those tag titles. That's for sure." She told Cole, thin fingers curling into fists. "But what I want even more right now? If the chance to beat someone's ass. There's gonna be blood tonight, Adam. I promise you that."
Despite Mia's odd, somber mood, Adam Cole looked up from her to the camera with an amused smile. "She is scary when she's mad!!" He laughed, clasping both hands onto Mia's shoulders and giving her a playful warmup squeeze. "I like the enthusiasm though!"
"Dude. Chill." Beside him, Adrianna Salvatore spoke up, prompting Adam to raise his hands in submission. Meanwhile, Adrianna continued. "The road to war starts here." She said, adjusting the title on her shoulder and turning towards the camera. "It's time for the outcasts of society to step up and be heard. I have nothing negative to say about Alex Brody...but Alex, you better be ready...because I'm gonna be waiting...."
Adam Cole looked from Adrianna, down to Mia then back up at the camera. "Man, these girls are gorgeous but they sure are broody! How about you, little bit?" He looked down at Angel Kusanagi, giving her a playful little pat on her head. "Anything you wanna say to lighten the mood a little?"
"Shinpai shina ide...." Angel said in her surprisingly soft, almost childlike, soothing tone. A voice that contrasted her overall appearance as she slowly lifted her head, revealing the black painted on her face to look like tears streaming down her pale face. Or perhaps it was meant to be black blood as her black lips were also painted to show the same dripping effect. Soreha...su gu ni su be te...owaru deshou...." Through the hood and her streaks of hair, Angel could be seen slowly beginning to give a deranged smile.
Comically, Adam Cole looked from Angel to Mia. "The hell does that mean?"
Mia looked to Angel, shaking her head with wide eyes. "Let's just say that maybe we shouldn't let this girl watch any more "Saw" movies, and leave it at that." Oddly, Mia's humor, while typically natural and infectious... felt forced. Like she was trying way too hard to be herself. "We have WrestleWar coming up soon. Ideally? I want us coming out of it with titles on all of us."
"And that we shall, my gloomy little friend!" Adam said, raising a finger, matter-of-factly. "That we shall!" He counted on his fingers."Women's title...Women's Tag titles...Junior Heavyweight ti--speaking of which, Tyler Grey? I hope you're paying attention to this. Let's face it; I know you don't wanna have to tag with me. Frankly? I didn't wanna tag with your gloomy, caveman ass either! But if there's one thing in common you and I have, it's that we wanna win. And whether it's you scoring the pin or me -- probably will be me -- but either way, I ain't losing tonight. Seeya out there!" He clapped his hands together then, looking around him at the girls. "Go team, right?! Should we do a cheer?"
"I'm not doing a cheer." Adrianna said, promptly taking that as their cue to wrap up their screen time and gave Mia a nudge before stepping off camera. Close behind Mia and Adrianna, Angel rose and followed the other two off, leaving Adam Cole by himself, more confused than anything.
"What's wrong with a cheer? C'mon!" He called, hurrying after the girls, still being heard off camera. "1-2-3! Fuck the Renegades! No? Aw, c'mon, you girls suck! And not in the good way!"
The segment ends with The Unwanted logo slamming across the screen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 11:38, El Piso Mojado pulled off a surprising upset victory by defeating El Desperado after hitting him with the Guitarra de Angel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera focus shifts backstage where Vincent Stone is seen moving with a purpose down the hallway. Geared up and ready for his match, he continues down the hallway until stopping abruptly at a locker room door with 'AKI' on the front of it. Without a moment of hesitation, he knocks his taped knuckles against the door. "Hey, AKI! You in there? It's Vincent Stone! You know, your tag partner for the night?" Stone waits at the door, looking around aimlessly before knocking again. "AKI? Shelton?"
*The door opens up and Shelton Benjamin pokes his head out.*
"Hey man, what's up?" Benjamin asks.
"Nothing much, just wanted to be go over some strategy with AKI before our tag match tonight," Stone adds.
*Benjamin looks behind him and shakes his head.*
"It's cool. If you can get anything out of him, you're a better person than me or Connor. But something's different with him, though. He's more quiet than usual, which is saying a lot because I've never heard him speak," Benjamin says.
"Huh?" Stone replies.
“Look, AKI's a cool dude but a quiet dude. You can't get a read out of him normally, but after what happened to Connor last week, he's almost...," Benjamin pauses while looking behind him, "well, see for yourself.”
*Benjamin opens the door allowing both Stone and the cameraman in. Benjamin points to his left and the camera pans to a semi-lit part of the locker room where we see AKI in his ring attire, sitting in a lotus position against the wall in the far end of the locker room. Benjamin and Stone walk over and the camera gets a close-up of AKI and we see an intense stare in his eyes under his mask, looking past both Stone and Benjamin with an angry stare.*
"AKI?" Benjamin says.
"AKI?" Stone follows.
They both look at each other for a moment and Benjamin nods before turning back to AKI and as both men start to call out AKI's name a third time...
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Stone says as Benjamin stops and nearly stumbles a bit.
"Let me say something to him," Stone says calmly.
Raising his hands to show AKI he comes in peace, Stone continues. "Look AKI. We don't know each other that well. We've never even been in the ring together. You seem like a guy with his head on his shoulders, though, so that's all that matters as far as tonight. Three weeks from now, it's every man for himself at Wrestle War. I get that. But tonight, it's you and me against two of the biggest blowhards in this industry." Stone looks to Shelton with a sense of realization on his face. "And Tyler Grey's only barely gotten started." Looking back to AKI, Stone continues. "Anyway, look man. We're partners tonight. Opponents at Wrestle War. As it stands, however, I've got no reason to hold a personal beef with you. Let's just do what we have to do. I've got your back if you've got mine. And if you need another man to deal with Suzuki-gun, I'm never far. Hell, do this for your boy. You know Connor's watching from wherever they've got him, right now. Cool?"
*AKI's glare suddenly shifts to Stone, causing Stone and Benjamin to back up a sec. AKI walks up to Stone and calmly gives both he and Benjamin a fist bump as the camera pans to AKI heading out of the locker room, letting out a gutteral yell as he walks out, before panning back to a confused Benjamin and Stone.*
"You're a better man than Connor or me," Benjamin says.
Stone shakes his head. "You hang out with some strange people." He says, before slapping Shelton on the back and following AKI out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tag team match between the four Junior Heavyweight opponents for Wrestle War seemed to be going well, at first. Vincent Stone and AKI, predictably had better natural tag team chemistry than Adam Cole and Tyler Grey of which whom initially disputed over who would start the match before Adam Cole ended up being the one to start things off against AKI.
With quick tags to one another, AKI and Stone kept their opponents on their toes, spending the first few minutes, putting Cole through a proverbial ringer. One instance saw both men in the ring at the same time. In a quick, jaw dropping sequence the crowd watched Adam Cole whip AKI into a turnbuckle. Leaning back against the opposite corner, Cole thrusted his pelvis towards AKI while throwing him the double middle finger before charging across the ring for a running splash.
REYNOLDS
"Watch out, here comes Cole!!!"
AKI dove out of the way, causing Cole to slam against the turnbuckle.
HANSON
"OUCH!! AND HE MISSES!!"
KLAZZIC
"WHOA, WHOA!!! STONE, INCOMING!!!"
In the time it took the Panama City Playboy to turn around, Vincent Stone was in the ring and rushing forward to hit a brutal dropkick. When Stone landed back on the mat, he quickly rolled onto all fours and signaled to AKI, who sprinted back across the ring, using Stone as a stepping stool and threw himself into Cole for a loud, popping, flying European Uppercut.
HANSON
"MY GOD, LOOK AT THESE TWO!!"
Adam Cole stumbled forward from the Uppercut as Vincent Stone got to his feet, immediately running off the ropes and bounded over him to hit a Throwback. As this was unfolding, AKI was already running off the ropes again, ready to hit a Shooting Star Press onto Adam Cole.
KLAZZIC
"THESE TWO ARE ON FIRE!!! I LOVE IT!!!"
Finally, AKI moved quickly to hop off of Adam Cole as Vincent Stone came off the ropes a final time, running and delivering a Flashing Elbow, before popping up on one knee and throwing a double 'NWO' gesture out into the air. Needless to say, this entire sequence got the Minneapolis crowd on their feet.
HANSON
"AND STONE WITH SHADES OF ONE OF HIS MENTORS, KEIJI MUTOH!!!!"
Things finally took a turn when Adam Cole tagged Tyler Grey into the match. True to his reputation and style, Tyler Grey entered the match like a madman possessed, clearly overpowering both of his team's opponents. A combination of AKI's speed and Vincent Stone's stiff strikes did well to keep them alive, however. After the two pulled off a second sequence of attacks to Tyler Grey, the man crawled over towards Adam Cole who held his hand out in anticipation to be tagged in again.
However, juuuuuust as Tyler Grey was reaching out to touch Adam Cole's hand...the male member of The Unwanted suddenly hopped down off of the apron with a cheeky smile and threw Tyler Grey the double bird.
REYNOLDSp
"What the hell is Adam Cole doing?!"
HANSON
"I...I don't know, Jim.... It looks like...."
KLAZZIC
"Is he LEAVING?!"
Sure enough, Adam Cole began making his way up the ramp, laughing to the crowd as he thumbe over his shoulder towards the ring, mocking Tyler Grey. The infuriated Renegade pulled himself to his feet, yelling after his temporary tag team partner just long enough for AKI to climb the ropes and tag Vincent Stone as he waited. After Tyler Grey finally flipped the bird back to Adam Cole, yelling an audible "FUCK YOU" to the man, he backed towards the center of the ring and turned around just in time for AKI to hit the RYUSSEI (modified as it's normally done to a seated opponent.)
As Tyler Grey went crashing down, Vincent Stone ran forward as the legal man and scooped Tyler up onto his feet, signaling to the crowd with a quick thumb across his throat.
CROWD & KLAZZIC
"FINISH HIM!!!!"
Even AKI threw a fist up into the air with the chant and pointed to his partner as Stone hoisted Grey up, driving him down with the FATALITY, at 8:12.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
KLAZZIC
"And that just goes to show, it pays to be on the same page as your tag partner!"
As Trust Company's "Downfall" played, Vincent Stone and AKI exchanged a handshake before raising one another's arm and played to the crowd to celebrate their victory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Mannheim, Pitt, and Rick Dickulous sit around a table strewn with beer cans, the remnants of a dish of peanuts, poker chips, and cards. They each have large stacks of poker chips in front of them and smiles on their faces*
"Jesus it's fun when we can get to know the backstage crew better. Too bad they aren't any good at Texas Hold'em...I mean, it's the easiest game in the world for cryin' out loud..."
"Willy, we only played three hands...and the other three said they've never played poker."
*Mannheim looks at Pitt flatly*
"Well, now they have. And now we get to wait to go kick the sake out of Suzuki-Gun. Seriuosly, what is their problem?"
*Rick looks at the other two*
"I dunno, guy, I figured they'd learned their lesson with how I treated Zack and his little buddy TAKA, eh? Seems to me they're like little cockroaches - you think you've dealt with them, and then BAM! They're everywhere again. Like snow in December, bud..."
"Well, listen, it's us and Scotty, and we all know what to do, hell, this ain't our first rodeo, boys. It's high time people stop thinking of us as "just them polite Canadians," and start worrying when they see their name next to one of ours on the card. Tonight is where we start that legacy."
"Know what legacy I wanna start, guy? The milk and cookies revolution! Fuck yeah, bud! Everyone loves milk and cookies - unless they're lactose intolerant, eh?"
"RICK!! Focus...."
*Rick looks at Mannheim quizzically*
"Do you mean pay attention, or Fuck Off Cause Ur Stupid?"
*Mannheim facepalms*
"Yes, Rick....just...yes."
Hard cut to black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Suddenly, 'Real Bone Master' starts playing throughout the arena as TAKA Michinoku and Zack Sabre Jr. stand at the entrance way, surveying the crowd response. The two look down at the Rev Pro title around ZSJ's waist and give a small fist bump before making their way to the ring.*
KLAZZIC
"What in the bejeezus is this, now?"
HANSON
"Ummm...."
We hear the rustling of papers.
HANSON
"...I don't know. I don't see Zack Sabre Junior's name on the card anywhere...."
REYNOLDS
"Eh, he's Suzuki-gun. They do whatever they want. I'm not gonna be the one to stop him."
KLAZZIC
"I think we're about to find out what time it is."
*Once both men take the ring, TAKA takes the mic from the confused ring announcer and shoos him out of the ring 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 and says, "it's my time now, sunshine.".
"NFW…Buzzsaw…NFW Television Champion…Open challenge...Dare ga katsu to omoimasu ka? Daredesu ka?" TAKA asks as he takes in the crowd response.
HANSON
"WHOOOOAAAAA!!"
KLAZZIC
"WAAAAAIT A MINUTE!!!!"
"Daredesu ka?!?" TAKA 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...Z.S.J. HE Iiiiiiiiiissss…ZACK SAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBRRREE….JUUUUUUUNNNNIOOOORRRR!!!" TAKA yells into the mic as ZSJ steps forward and flips the collar on his coat to the crowd.
"Buzzsaw…NFW Television 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.
HANSON
"HO-HOOOOOO!!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!! We know about Buzzsaw's open challenge each week!! It seems it's just been answered!!"
REYNOLDS
"I'm actually excited for this one, Nicky!!"
KLAZZIC
"Ladies and gentlemen!!! We've got a Television Championship match coming up!! That is if Buzzsaw acc---"
Before Matt Klazzic finished his sentence, Nothingface's "Make Your Own Bones" exploded through the arena speakers. Within seconds, the Television Champion, Buzzsaw came emerging through the curtain, staring down the ramp through his mask with a slow, approving nod of his head.
HANSON
"Well he wasted no time getting out here!!"
REYNOLDS
"No shit! It's like he hauled ass out of the locker room as soon as TAKA said that first 'Buzz'!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Television Championship Match was exciting while it lasted as fans got to see Buzzsaw's brutal mixed martial arts style square up against Zack Sabre Jr's technical submission art. Suzukigun's Submission Master seemed to be the match that Buzzsaw had been asking for in a match as he caught several of the man's strike attempts and turned it into a submission hold.
It was about five minutes into the match that the crowd began to stir as a figure came rushing down the ramp and sliding into the ring.
KLAZZIC
"Hey, wait a sec!! What the heck?!"
HANSON
"Tomohiro Ishii!! What the hell is he doing here?!"
KLAZZIC
"We haven't seen him in months! Since October!"
REYNOLDS
"What the hell is he---WHOA!!"
Before James Reynolds could finish, Ishii ran across the ring, colliding right into Zack Sabre Jr, prompting the referee to ring the bell.
HANSON
"This match is gonna end in a disqualification!! Why is Ishii out here?!"
REYNOLDS
"Well, we know both he and Zack Sabre Junior primarily work for New Japan! They just had a match at Wrestle Kingdom 13! That's where Zack got that Rev Pro Championship he brought to the ring!"
HANSON
"Well save that business for New Japan!! He just ruined an NFW Title Match!! C'mon, now!"
As the time keeper frantically rang the bell, Ishii and ZSJ's confrontation broke out into a full on brawl outside the ring. TAKA Michinoku's attempt to intervene resulted in Ishii turning and headbutting the man to the outside floor but gave ZSJ the opportunity to start dishing out his own counter attack until security managed to pull the two apart. As Ishii backed away (granted he had about four guys urging him to do so), he grabbed the Rev Pro Championship and held it up at ZSJ in defiance before throwing it his way and cursing him in Japanese. Pausing then, Ishii noticed the NFW Television Championship on the announce table. The crowd began to stir as the man slowly picked the belt up and examined it. Ishii looked up in the ring at Buzzsaw who spread out his arms, seemingly more than willing for what looked to be a tease at another challenge. The crowd booed in disappointment, as Ishii dropped the title back on the table and walked away, dismissively.
HANSON
"Well, I think this crowd was expecting Tomohiro Ishii to issue a challenge to Buzzsaw, maybe in spite of Zack Sabre Junior, but I don't think he's interested!"
REYNOLDS
"Believe me, I'd be afraid of Buzzsaw, too."
KLAZZIC
"Trust me, James Reynolds. THAT man, isn't afraid of anybody!"
As Matt Klazzic said this, the camera focused on Tomohiro Ishii taking his leave up the ramp as "Stone Pitbull" played over the speakers. Back near the ring, security was still holding back ZSJ as he yelled up the ramp, beckoning to his Wrestle Kingdom 13 opponent, "you want it, mate?! Come on back! Come on!"
REYNOLDS
"Zack is pissed and rightfully so."
The camera focused back on Tomohiro Ishii simply moving up the ramp, not even bothering with a glance over his shoulder before he disappeared through the curtain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scene opens and the camera pans throughout the locker room. It stops on a open door , and we see a guy sitting in a chair with a hoodie on.. as his arms cover his face we hear him say..." NFW Universe.. My name is Sabastian Riley Young and i am the Dangerous One, they dont call me that for nothing, i am going back to my roots.. thats right.. im goung to be nothing but a all-out ruthless son of a bitch who doesnt care what i do to my opponents.. which is why im issueing an open challenge to anyone who thinks they can step to me . Im gonna simply call this the "Dangerous Challenge" so if you think you got the balls to go one on one with the Dangerous One.. here's your chance......" Sabastian puts his hood down and stares in the camera as the scene closes out to a commercial.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the show returned from a commercial break, Sabastian Riley Young was seen getting ready in the ring as Chevelle's "Prove To You" played over the speakers and Roger Arden was finishing announcing his arrival.
HANSON
"Well folks, before we went to a commercial, we saw Sabastian Riley Young issue his own open challenge. He wants to prove himself. He wants to show the NFW universe that he's as dangerous as he says he is. He's been on a tear for vengeance and respect ever since his tag team partner, Ryan Steele, was injured at the hands of Buzzsaw. Now mind you, Steele and Young are a tag team. Steele's expected to be out until around March with a fractured orbital bone. Until then, Young is on his own, somewhat. As a member of the Renegades, he's looking to step things up and make a name for himself."
REYNOLDS
"He's sick of being doubted and laughed at. All the Renegades are! I'm all for this open challenge gig! Surely a lot more interesting than Buzzsaw trying to impress everyone by putting his title on the line week after week."
KLAZZIC
"Hey, love him or hate him, Buzzsaw's a fighting champion. He's proved that much."
REYNOLDS
"That's why he had Ishii run out here a few minutes ago and save his sorry ass from Zack Sabre Junior?"
HANSON
"...Wow, Jim. That's low, even for you."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, sue me. I call it like it is. Buzzsaw and everyone else in the Dominion of Pain wish they were on the level of greatness that the Renegades are. They're nothing but a bunch of pansy ass---"
~AVE...SATANAS~
James Reynolds is cut off by the guttural voice of Venom Inc's "Ave Satanas" which can only mean one thing. Shrieking like a terrified girl, James Reynolds can be heard scrambling frantically as the guitar intro kicks in.
HANSON
"Aaaaaand there he goes."
KLAZZIC
"There goes James Reynolds, and here comes Judas Lasher, Nick, but what's he...."
The long time fans who didn't care about whether a wrestler was a heel or a babyface popped as Judas Lasher appeared on the stage, dressed to compete and began making his usual entrance with LeeAnn Viskan carrying the pot of ashes as he 'blessed' loyal Dominion of Pain fans with inverted crosses on their foreheads. After finishing his entrance and reaching the ring, Judas Lasher removed his goat skull helm to reveal a wicked smirk of amusement aimed right at Sabastian Riley Young. Without a word, he removed his entrance robe and moved to the center of the ring, casually, with his hands out to the side, welcoming whatever Young seemingly had in store for him.
At the sound of the bell, Young opened up on Lasher with a vicious array of right hands, backing Lasher into the corner.
HANSON
"Whoa, look out! Here we go! Young said he wanted a fight and he's ready!"
KLAZZIC
"This is almost a shame that Jim's missing this!"
No sooner than those words leaving Matt Klazzic's mouth did Judas Lasher start firing back with his own offense. From there, it became evident that Sabastian Riley Young had his hands full with the King of Pain. The rest of the match saw Judas Lasher pick Young apart until the 6:10 mark where, after refusing to stay down from everything thrown at him, Young finally succumbed to the Lucifer's Halo with Judas Lasher making the cover.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
HANSON
"And this impromptu match is over almost as soon as it began!"
KLAZZIC
"Wow!"
After the match, Judas grabbed the mic and smirked into the camera. "Max... dear boy, you have <i>got</i> to surround yourself with more capable acolytes. What you just saw right here is EXACTLY what is going to happen at WrestleWar. Complete domination. By myself, and by the rest of The Dominion. We cannot, and WILL not, be stopped."
He grabbed Young, as he was finally beginning to stir, and heaved him out of the ring.
"I sincerely hope you're prepared, Mr. LeBrun. Because if you aren't... you may never full recover from the pain I am going to inflict upon you. The pain I am going to ENJOY inflicting upon you. Think about that, boy. And sleep well. Ave... Satanas."
Venom Inc. filled the arena again as Judas Lasher and LeeAnn Viskan left the ring.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yo, I swear...." The camera cut backstage to what looked like a locker room where Morgan Payne sat up into frame, twisting side to side with her fists up beside her head. Her voice straining before she dipped backwards, out of frame again. The odd thing was, she seemed to be...upside down?
"That..." She said again, sitting back up into frame and leaned back out of it a second time. What the hell was she doing?
"Was some fucked up shit...." Again, she disappeared from the frame, only to dip back in a second later. "In London, yo!" Finally, the camera panned out, revealing that the reason behind Morgan's odd motions came from the fact that the girl was dangling upside down with her legs bent over a pull up bar rigged up in the doorway between the dressing area of their locker room and the bathroom, doing curls. Comically, she paused in her routine and let herself dangle in her wrestling shorts and a simple black sports bra with the Batman symbol on it. A Steeler's beanie cap kept her hair from going everywhere during her workout. It was still hilarious to see her hanging like a makeshift bat.
"Like I know Candi and the Renegades are a bunch o'twats an'shit, but on da real. You think that coulda been one of us?"
"I know it could've." Marissa told her, sitting spread-eagle on the locker room floor, doing her pre-match stretches. "You gotta believe me, Mor: The Dominion is ruthless. 'J-Man'? 'Auntie LeeAnn'? Hell... even our little buddy Lara? That's not who they are once they get in that headspace. I mean look what Lara did to Mercer. Look at how bad my own mom tried to bend me in half when we had a match. You can't assume they won't fuck with us just because my mom is with them. When they get in game-mode? The ONLY thing they care about is winning, and The Dominion itself."
"They wanna win, that's cool and all." Morgan pulled herself up so she could free her legs and dropped down to her bare feet and moved over beside Marissa before falling forward like she was about to face plant but caught herself on her hands at the last second and went right into a set of pushups. They weren't even walking down the ramp yet and she was already breaking a sweat from her match prep. "And I ain't lyin'. Ya Ma hit me like she was my pimp and I was three weeks late on my dues. I get it. But Uncle J's new dude playin' Drag Me To Hell with Candi and makin' her look like Priscilla Kelly's used tampon? That shit ain't right." Morgan paused to push silently for a moment. "I'm jus' sayin'. We knock tonight out and go to Wrestle War? I'm hirin' an exterminator to spray underneath the ring with some Goth Be Gone. Shit, I'll even blow 'im if I have to." She pushed silently for a second. "The exterminator. Not goth dude." She said, never pausing in her pushups at this point.
"I couldn't get much outta Ma about that... just that apparently Skinner did that all on his own." Marissa said, raising an eyebrow. "I think he wanted to impress Judas. And if I know him like I think I do? It worked. Besides... I'm not saying I think they'd go that far with us. Just that.... they aren't above dirty tactics. Even against us."
Morgan finished her pushups, popping herself up to her feet and rolling her shoulders before grabbing her cut-off Lady Punisher t-shirt and sliding it on over her sports bra. "Y'know, that means we can't be afraid t'fight a little dirty ourselves. Now, I'm not sayin' I wanna crack Lara's head with a chair but if Aunt Lee wants to throw a closed fist, she may or may not get a little bit of ungh--" As Morgan made this sound, she jabbed her thumb in the air at the level that a person's eye would be. "Y'know? Southie girl might be tough and Chicago may be rough but Steel City bitch don't take no shit, am I right? ARRRGGFF!!!!" Coming off as more over the top and funny than anything, Morgan let out a loud, obnoxious bark that echoed off the walls.
"No, no. You're exactly right. When we're in this ring? We can't focus on who they are outside of it. Don't worry though." Marissa sighed, eyes narrowing into a bit of a glare. "Because I have plans for WrestleWar. I'm gonna take care of part of this shit for good, one way or the other."
"That's what the fuck I'm talkin' 'bout, Mari! Slap it!!" Morgan stuck out her hand, with her and Marissa exchanging a triple hand slap before knocking forearms together - Morgan letting out an enthusiastic "ungh!" with each slap and finishing with "BAM!!" when their forearms touched. "Let's fuckin' get this shit." The more brash of the two said, grabbing her jacket and beginning to slide it on as she followed Marissa out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tornado Triple Threat Tag Team Match ran for an exciting, fast paced 18:12. Candi Broduer and Serena Frost seemed to have found themselves on the same page, finally, which appeared to be enough to pull off a victory as Candi Broduer dragged Mia Hayashi down to the mat into the Crossface in order to prevent her from interrupting Serena Frost as she delivered the Ice Age to Morgan Payne and promptly covered her.
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
HANSON
"AND THAT'S IT!!! NEW NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS!!"
REYNOLDS
"THEY DID IT!!!! THE GIRLS DID IT!!!! THEY'RE GOING TO WRESTLE WAR FIFTEEN!!!"
As Static X's "Cold" played, Serena Frost shoved Morgan Payne out of the ring with her boot while Candi Broduer did the same to Mia Hayashi; both women respectively booting each woman towards their tag team partners outside of the ring before turning to each other and exchanging silent looks. For once, Serena actually seemed to approve as she fist bumped Candi and both women took a turnbuckle to arrogantly play to the booing crowd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*In the back of the arena, we see Paul Heyman confidently leading Minoru Suzuki, K.E.S., and Havok to the ring. Suzuki has his trademark towel covering his head. All five are walking with purpose when they run into Josh Davidson.*
"Excuse me, Paul Heyman? I'm glad we caught you. Tonight, we will see Suzukigun in an eight-man tag match against the Great White North. How do you prepare for your opponents tonight since this will be the first time you've encountered them in the ring?" Davidson asks, trying to stay unaware of the sneer Suzuki is giving him
"Josh, Josh, Josh. For all the credit I gave you the last time we spoke, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take that back for asking such an asinine question. Yes, Josh, this will be Suzukigun's first time in the ring with the GWN, tonight. But the door swings both ways. This will be the first time they will be in the ring with these men, as well. Now, before we get to the minutiae of this match tonight, consider everyone in the ring and all the accomplishments they have," Heyman says and pauses to look at Havok with a confident smirk as Smith and Archer each pat Havok on his shoulders and back, with the masked man rolling his neck and popping his pec muscles, "and will accomplish. Let's size up the two teams tonight, shall we? Each feature a multi-time tag team that dominated the world and back in KES and the Army of Darkness. Each side features a young up and comer breaking into this great industry with potentials so high, they may set the bar TOO high for future talents to follow in Rick Dickulous and Havok. Which leads to Scott Leroux and Minoru Suzuki. Both men are submission experts, both men have demonstrated a high threshold for pain. But has Scott Leroux ever had the training pedigree of Minoru Suzuki? No. Has Leroux ever been looked at by the legendary Karl Gotch as a prized student? No. Has Scott Leroux travelled outside of his current company and carried multiple titles the world over like this man here? No," Heyman says pointing at Minoru Suzuki who is looking in the direction of Davidson who is feeling uncomfortable at the gaze he's feeling from Suzuki.
"Now, Scott Leroux is going to be an all-time great in this sport. Game respects game, as they say. But while Leroux's path to all-time greatness is still paved with uncertainty, this man, Minoru Suzuki, is already there. And it is showing not only in his accomplishments in the ring, but with the talent he has taken under his wing. Now Josh, you've been around the arena earlier in the day before the show starts and as you see the young talent taking their turns in the ring training after setting the ring up. Do you know what you see when Minoru Suzuki makes his way to train? The ring parts like the red sea and the only ones in the ring will be Minoru Suzuki and whoever member of Suzukigun is lucky enough to go 45 minutes in a catch as catch can wrestling clinic that those smart internet wrestling fans can only DREAM of seeing. You've seen Suzuki in the ring with El Desperado, Davy Boy Smith Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi, and Lance Archer. But you notice that the last month or so, he's been in the ring with this man, Havok. You can ask any of these fine gentlemen what it means to have such an honor bestowed upon them as it shows the potential Mr. Suzuki sees in them. That potential, when untapped, leads to championship glory. Now for Havok, this is a multi-step process. Step 1, challenging for his first title. And note that he did NOT tap out where a lesser man would have easily given up. Tonight is Step 2, surrounding him with greatness both in his corner and in the opponents' corner. Consider this a true baptism under fire. As for the next step, well, let's just say Step 3 is around the corner for this man. So for tonight, Great White North, this is nothing personal, this is only business. You are nothing but obstacles in this man's ascension to greatness. Get ready for war, because tonight, these men will bring that and a whole lot more. And thank you, Josh. As always, it's been YOUR pleasure," Heyman finishes with a smirk as he adjusts the collar on Davidson's jacket as Suzuki and Havok glare at him, Smith smiles and readjusts Davidson's sport coat before giving him a playful slap on the cheek, and Archer feints at Davidson causing him to jump back as the camera zooms in on Davidson taking a deep breath in relief before receiving a blast of water from Lance Archer who laughs and yells, "EVERYBODY DIES!!!" off-camera as Davidson shakes his head and the scene fades to black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the main event, The Great White North defeated Suzukigun when Rick Dickulous delivered The Misery Whip to Lance Archer for the pinfall at 20:33. As Jackyl's "The Lumberjack" played and Nick Hanson began to close the show out, a commotion immediately began to rise throughout the audience.
HANSON
"Well, there you have it! Our first show of the year, folks! A victory for the Great White North in our main event! We have new number one contenders for the Women's Tag Championship earlier tonight. We also saw a couple of upsets. All in all, I think we're kicking 2019 for NFW off on a high n---wait, what's going on?"
REYNOLDS
"I have no idea, Nicky. The way these fans are acting, you'd think we weren't finished."
KLAZZIC
"Hey, watch out!! It's Ishii again!!"
Appearing for the second time in the evening, Tomohiro Ishii came running from the crowd, hopping over the security barrier. This time, however, he wasn't alone as another big name from New Japan was right there with him.
REYNOLDS
"What the hell?! That's Goto!!"
HANSON
"HIROOKI GOTO!!"
As the crowd went wild, Goto and Ishii immediately hit the ring and went after the four members of the Great White North, breaking out into a two on four brawl.
KLAZZIC
"What are they doing?!"
REYNOLDS
"Two guys attacking four? Are they out of their---"
HANSON
"Hold on, Jim! Matt! Look out!! Here comes Yano!!"
REYNOLDS
"What the hell is Yano doing here?!"
Again, from out of the crowd, Toru Yano from New Japan came out of the crowd and slid into the ring, carrying his trademark red chair with him. As soon as he got to his feet, the swinging started. First with a vicious shot across the back of Rick Dickulous. The crowd continued to lose their minds as, perhaps to their horror, more familiar faces came running through the aisles and towards the ring.
KLAZZIC
"Hold on, guys! Here comes Roppongi 3K!! Sho! Yoh! Rocky Romero!"
HANSON
"Look out, over there!! Chuckie T and Trent Beretta!! Will Ospreay!!"
REYNOLDS
"What the hell's going on?! This is like a gang attack!"
The aforementioned wrestlers all flooded into the ring, joining the earlier NJPW members in an outnumbering attack on the four Great White North members. As all of this unfolded, notably, the four members of Suzukigun from the match made their way up the ramp. Each man only half-curious as to what exactly was going on. At the most, Minoru himself showed a slight smirk of intrigue. Archer and Smith seemed to find the irony in it all more funny than anything while Havok simply looked on, emotionlessly through the eye holes in his mask. Beside Suzuki, Paul Heyman looked on like a curious spectator.
KLAZZIC
"Pardon the pun, gentlemen but we've got chaos!! It's chaos here!!"
HANSON
"It IS CHAOS!! Look at all of these men!! They're...they're from New Japan's CHAOS group!!"
REYNOLDS
"Here comes Piso!!"
Sprinting down the ramp, El Piso Mojado hit the ring in an attempt to help the Great White North. Just as he reached the ring, however, he was blindsided by another attacker from the crowd, cracking him in the ribs with a red staff.
KLAZZIC
"THE HEADHUNTER!!! YOSHI-HASHI!!!!"
YOSHI-HASHI cocked his staff back over his shoulder and brought it down across El Piso Mojado's back before grabbing the man and throwing him into the ring to catch a beatdown with his stable mates. From here, after the initial beatdown seemed to subside, the present members of CHAOS spread out around the ring and began directing traffic to each other.
Ishii pulled William Mannheim into a sitting position, positioning him to take a stiff kick to the sternum from Hirooki Goto. The crowd winced from the sound of the impact. Ishii mounted Rick Dickulous and began raining down forearms. Chuckie T, Trent Beretta, SHO and YOH all took turns hitting their signature diving moves onto Mannheim and Pitt while being directed by Rocky Romero.
YOSHI-HASHI and Will Ospreay pulled El Piso Mojado up to his feet before feeding him to Toru Yano who hoisted him up and delivered the Oni Koroshi with a devastating impact. Adding insult to injury, Will Ospreay pointed to Piso on the mat before running off the ropes and hitting a Shooting Star Press onto the downed luchadore. Ospreay then rose up onto one knee and proceeded to slap Piso across the face.
HANSON
"Guys, I don't know how to describe this. We've got chaos figuratively and literally, out here. They're attacking the Great White North. They have completely ignored Suzukigun! They're just watching this from the ramp!"
With the sound of a coin being tossed, "Rainmaker" suddenly sounded over the audio system. As expected with the music, came the appearance of Kazuchika Okada. Dressed in one of his expensive suits with a pair of sunglasses over his eyes, the Rainmaker walked out coolly onto the stage and stared down the ramp at the ring.
KLAZZIC
"Hooooooly...."
REYNOLDS
"What the hell is Kazuchika Okada doing here?"
HANSON
"Well, he is the leader of CHAOS, gentlemen! You have to imagine all of this is his doing, but why?!"
After making his way down to the ring, Okada stepped in through the ropes while Yano and YOSHI-HASHI sat on the middle one for him. Once he had stepped in, the leader of CHAOS surveyed the damage to the Great White North before he focused intently on Scott Leroux. Motioning to Ishii and Goto, Okada called for the Tapout King to be picked up while he calmly removed his suit jacket, folded it and handed it to Rocky Romero. Next, he removed his sunglasses and laid them on top of his jacket before stepping forward and beckoning Scott Leroux forward. As Scott was shoved towards him, Okada quickly positioned the man's back towards him and clutched his wrist, delivering a devastating RAINMAKER!!!!!
HANSON
"My GOD!!!! That can take a man's head off!!"
Finally, Okada called for a microphone, taking a moment to roll his sleeves partway up before accepting the mic from Yano. Okada smiled at the booing crowd, raising the mic up.
"One question." Okada said, raising one finger up into the air.
KLAZZIC
"Yeah, I've got one question: Why?! Why, Okada?! Why?!"
Smirking arrogantly, Okada looked around at the Minneapolis crowd. "NFW. You miss me?" The crowd roared with boos of disappointment at what was a sudden change in character for not just Okada but the entirety of the CHAOS stable. Okada continued. "Did you miss the RAAAINMAKEEEEEER?!! Did you miss CHAOS?!" The crowd booed even louder. Okada let them have a moment until they quieted down so he could continue again. "New Frontier Wrestling...New Japan Pro Wrestling...together...we are supposed to change the world. We are supposed to change...professional wrestling." Okada lost his smile and looked around at the audience. "New Japan...doesn't need...New Frontier. CHAOS...doesn't need...New Frontier. CHAOS is better. Mata mata...CHAOS...is...superior. Superior over...New Frontier. Superior...over...Great White North." As he said this, he motioned to the downed members of the GWN in the ring. "We will show you...true greatness. I will make it RAIN greatness...on New Frontier Wrestling." Pausing, Okada grinned, turning to the GWN again. "Please excuse me. I want to be clear. You think I want...him." Okada said, pointing down to Scott Leroux and shook his head, wagging his finger. "No, no. I don't want Tapout King again. I want...." Okada turned slowly, coming to stand over Rick Dickulous, "...the mountain...."
Here, Okada turned, holding out his hand. "Oi oi oi...." He said, beckoning in Japanese as Toru Yano had already gone out of the ring to snatch away the Silver Mountain Championship. Yano handed the title over to Okada who leaned over Rick Dickulous' prone body and held the belt over him. "I...issue a challenge, Rick...." The crowd suddenly popped in anticipation.
KLAZZIC
"WOW!!!!!"
HANSON
"OKADA'S CHALLENGING RICK DICKULOUS?!"
"You are...future of New Frontier Wrestling...." Okada said, still standing over Rick Dickulous. "I am...true face of New Japan Pro Wrestling. I issue a challenge. Rick Dickulous...Rainmaker...Silver Mountain Championship...." Okada straightened his posture, looking up and over at the advertisement sign, hanging from above. "WRESTLE...WAR!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"OHHHHHHH MAN!!!!"
KLAZZIC
"Well, I won't deny it's a dream match!!"
Okada laid the Silver Mountain Championship out across Rick's chest then, as he stepped over him and looked down at Scott Leroux. "Tapout King...I promise...you are not forgotten. At Wrestle War...you will know...true CHAOS, as well...." With the chime of a coin, "Rainmaker" started playing again as Okada dropped the microphone and casually struck his victory pose among the broken Great White North, surrounded by the rest of his own group.
HANSON
"Scott Leroux will know true CHAOS? What the hell does that mean?!"
KLAZZIC
"I wish I could tell you, Nick Hanson! I don't know! I'm still shocked at what we witnessed!"
REYNOLDS
"You're telling me! CHAOS comes out here and attacks the Great White North and for what? They think they're better?!"
HANSON
"Okada said they, CHAOS, are better than all of NFW. He's challenging Rick Dickulous for his Silver Mountain Championship at Wrestle War! He said Rick Dickulous is the future of New Frontier Wrestling and, as such, he will be the example!"
REYNOLDS
"I don't know about Rick Dickulous being the future of the company but it's clear that Kazuchika Okada and CHAOS mean war on NFW!! This is all insane!"
HANSON
"It is, indeed, but that's all we have time for tonight, folks! We'll see where this all leads to next week! Will Rick Dickulous accept Okada's challenge? What does Okada mean when he says Scott Leroux will know true CHAOS? So long everyone!"
