Post by Steven Brody, CEO on Feb 11, 2019 15:42:33 GMT -8
Prior to the usual opening of the show, Johnathan Young's "The Greatest Show" cover is heard, once again, as a highlight recap is shown of Wrestle War XV.
The camera sweeps over the electric, Madison Square Garden crowd. Another shot shows a gathering of fans outside, prior to the show, holding their signs up to the camera. The recap moves onto the matches in the order they unfolded. Once again, the chaotic Silver Rush Battle Royale is shown, showcasing all 20 entries in quick glimpses of each man and women hitting the ring. Several of the big eliminations are shown before an exhausted Shelley Silver and Carmine Moretti are shown turning to face each other as the final two. Shelley's three Silver Bullets she gave to Carmine are shown before the pinfall and the referee raising her arm.
Moving on, the recap for Matt Klazzic and Hirooki Goto is shown. Both men are seen entering the ring, facing off, and unleashing HELL on each other. Klazzic hits the Burning Hammer on Goto and scores the pinfall. A brief glimpse is even shown of commentators, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds cheering Matt Klazzic on in his defense of NFW's honor.
The recap moves right into the six-man tag match between New Japan's CHAOS and NFW's Great White North. Both teams enter the ring before they are seen colliding in the violent storm that took place before Pitt catches Will Ospreay out of the air and hits him with a running powerbomb for the cover.
A brief glimpse is shown of Chris Wolfe's talk with Amy Connors before the recap moves onto his entrance into the TV Championship match. Following the entrances of Kenny Omega and Buzzsaw, the hellacious Triple Threat match is recapped before the finish of Chris Wolfe seizing the opportunity and winning the match. Exhausted, he raises the belt into the air while the crowd goes nuts over the unexpected defeat of Buzzsaw.
Next comes the Iron Man match for the Silver Mountain Championship. We see the entrances of Kazuchika Okada and defending champion, Rick Dickulous. Their sixty minute war is highlighted into 30 seconds of pure insanity, showing all three pinfalls that took place before Rick Dickulous hoists the Silver Mountain title back over his head. Still champion.
Up next, we see the Women's Tag Team Championship match with Serena Frost and Candi Broduer versus LeeAnn Viskan and Lara Blackheart. After a highlight of the action and the deciding pinfall, Serena Frost is shown scowling in disappointment at Candi Broduer before walking out on her, up the ramp while the retaining champions celebrate in the ring.
The shortest match to recap, is that of what was the shortest match of the night as we see Ultra-Violence absolutely take it to the Guerrillas of Destiny in defending the Tag Team Championships. Belphegor and Doomsday are seen raising the belts at the end, roaring into the camera while Bad Luck Fale and Taiji Ishimori help a broken Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga away from the ring.
Next up, is Scott Leroux versus Shinsuke Nakamura in another Great White North vs CHAOS battle. We see glimpses of Shinsuke's arrogant, over the top entrance before he and Scott Leroux absolutely tore into each other, playing off their egos and experience. Finally, we see Nakamura tapping to the Ankle Lock only to have Leroux throw himself back and wrap his legs around his opponent's until the referee called for the decision switch via, DQ. Members of CHAOS pick Nakamura up while Leroux backs up the ramp, throwing them the middle finger, smiling with cold satisfaction through the sweat on his face.
The Jr. Heavyweight Championship crowning match is shown next. Each man is shown walking down the ramp with Vincent Stone's tribute entrance to Muta and KENTA coming last. We go right into the recap of the highflying, hard hitting spots before Tyler Grey hits the low blow on Adam Cole and locks him into the Judgement Day for the quick submission, earning him the victory. Grey is seen raising the belt and shoving the referee to the floor.
Next, we recap the Women's Championship match between Alex Brody and Adrianna Salvatore. Both women's entrances are shown before Adrianna stands intimidatingly over the bold and defiant Alex. From there, the recap cuts to the most intense parts of the match. The trading of elbows and forearms. Alex's defying high dives. Adrianna's stiff kicks and powerful snap grapples, easily tossing Alex around like a child. But finally, a bloodied Alex Brody is shown hitting that last, shocking Absolute Zero and getting the pinfall. A brief shot of the massive celebration is shown with everyone in the ring, including a humbled Adrianna Salvatore being the one to fasten the title around Alex's waist before pulling her in for an emotional hug.
To finalize the recap, we see the highlights of the Heavyweight Championship match. Two eleborate entrances for the two top stars of the promotion. Both from a different era. The elder Judas Lasher and new age Max LeBrun clashed in in a near twenty minute war. After the highlights of several finishers being delivered from both men, Judas Lasher delivers a final Lucifer's Halo out of a reversal of the Slapshot and covers Max LeBrun for the pinfall, earning his fourth NFW Heavyweight Title.
The recap doesn't end, however, until we see the shocking betrayal at the hands of The Renegades, brutally beating down on Max LeBrun and Candi Broduer. Chris Wolfe, Matt Klazzic and Rick Dickulous are shown, rushing in to help beat the Renegades back before the recap ends on a closeup of Max LeBrun SNEERING at his former stable, an unconcious Candi Broduer in his arms. The music stops and the shot lingers silently on this before....
We move right into the intro for the Monday broadcast and Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" plays over an updated highlight reel.
Amongst some repeated clips that showcase the top stars of the company: Rick Dickulous, The Army of Darkness, AKI, Scott Leroux, The Dominion of Pain, Max LeBrun, and so forth, the new champions are shown again in their crowning moments.
- Chris Wolfe slaps the TV Championship in front of the camera.
- Tyler Grey raises the Jr. Heavyweight Championship in one hand and a middle finger to the camera on the Wrestle War XV stage.
- Alex Brody, on the shoulders of Shelley Silver and Adrianna Salvatore, tearfully lifts the Women's Championship.
- Judas Lasher wears the Heavyweight Championship around his waist while posing on his knees with his arms out. A satisfied snarl on his face as Alessandra Augustino stands behind him.
The Renegades are NOT shown this time and, instead, we cut right to the inside of the TD Garden arena.
With the stage pyro going off and the camera sweeping over the crowd, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds welcome the viewers to the show.
HANSON
"WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO N! F! W! It's been one week since Wrestle War and I've still got goosebumps!"
REYNOLDS
"You ain't alone, Nicky! You ain't alone!"
HANSON
"Hello and welcome again folks, I'm Nick Hanson. As always, I'm joined by my broadcast partner James Reynolds. We're not joined by Matt Klazzic, this evening. He'll be competing in action again, tonight. We'll see him in six man tag action alongside TMDK taking on CHAOS' very own Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano."
REYNOLDS
"What, CHAOS didn't learn from Wrestle War? You don't come into our house and start shit! You're gonna make me get in the ring!"
HANSON
"Can you even wrestle, Jim?"
REYNOLDS
"I've got a 10th degree black belt in Cock Knock Fu."
HANSON
"Cock Kno---WHAT?!"
The camera cuts from the shot of the crowd to the announce table. As usual, Nick's in a suit and James looks like a street hustler in his telltale black jeans, boots, t-shirt and jacket. And sunglasses. Nobody even knows why James Reynolds wears sunglasses indoors. Nick Hanson sits with his hands shrugged up, looking at James Reynolds like he's an idiot.
REYNOLDS
"Want a demonstration?"
James Reynolds turns in his chair and Nick Hanson shrinks back, throwing his hands up.
HANSON
"No no. I'm good. Trust me."
Nick Hanson and James Reynolds both turn back towards the camera in front of them.
HANSON
"Anyway, folks. Again, thanks for tuning in tonight. As I said before, we're one week passed Wrestle War and man, was it crazy!"
REYNOLDS
"Fucking IN-SANE, NICKY!"
HANSON
"We've got three new champions. We have a fourth, newly crowned champion. Tyler Grey was victorious in the fatal fourway finals of Battle of the Juniors. He'll be the first to carry the banner for NFW's Junior Heavyweights. Chris Wolfe took a chance at the last minute. He went before Steven Brody and asked for his earned shot against Buzzsaw. We have ourselves a new TV Champion and he'll be defending it against the third man in that Wrestle War match, Kenny Omega."
REYNOLDS
"Let's talk about Alex. Talk about Alex, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Absolutely. Alex Brody. Alex Brody, ladies and gentlemen. She is your new NFW Women's Champion. What a match she had against Adrianna Salvatore. Not to take anything away from the former champion. If I'm not mistaken, she broke the record in a single title reign for that particular title. I'll check back on that and get back to you guys, but Alex Brody wrestled her heart out, she earned her opponent's respect as a fighter and she has a beautiful new championship belt to show for it. We'll be hearing from that young lady later tonight. And finally, our last title change from Wrestle War---"
REYNOLDS
"Ahhhhh, I don't wanna talk about that one, Nick."
HANSON
"Tough luck, you have to Nick. Or you have to at least listen to me talk about it. I'm talking about the Heavyweight Championship folks. Judas Lasher is, once again, the NFW Heavyweight Champion for the fourth time. He now has the most reigns over anyone who's held that belt. He's like the Ric Flair of NFW!"
REYNOLDS
"Don't you DARE compare that savage son of a bitch to the Nature Boy! I will slap the everloving shit out of you, Nicholas Hanson. Say, what's your middle name?"
HANSON
"Don't worry about it, Marion."
REYNOLDS
"You son of a---"
HANSON
"Anyway folks! Moving on!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey! I was about to call you a son of a--!"
HANSON
"We won't waste anymore time. We've got some amazing matches laid out on the card. It's time to see them meet expectations!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey! Stop cutting me off and let me call you a son of a--!"
Before James Reynolds can finish his words - again - Hollywood Undead's "Renegade" filled the arena, which could only mean one thing.
HANSON
"Oh, well here comes trouble, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"Good! Maybe we'll get some answers! You son of a bitch...."
HANSON
"You were that bent on calling me that?"
REYNOLDS
"NAILED IT!!!"
HANSON
"God help me...."
While the opening riff was still tearing through the speakers, the Renegades made their appearance one by one. First up was Tyson Law, dressed in all black; baggy cargo pants, Timberland boots and a wifebeater. A black 'gang flag' with the Renegades' "R" hung from his back pocket as he came strutting out, arrogantly, throwing a double bird to the Boston audience and started visibly mouthing the lyrics to the first part of the song.
"I am! The fury of a bomb! Agent Orange! Tiger Print! Vietnam! A thousand words in the crest of my palm! Just one dead sentence written in a fucking song!" Here, he stopped and gestured with his arms towards the curtain, almost demanding that the assholes in the crowd behold the arrival of the other members as they made their way out onto the stage.
As Julian Morrison and Tyler Grey entered behind Tyson, each with their own typical bombast, the eerily slinky form of Serena Frost quietly took up the rear, simply sliding in a snakelike fashion behind them. She wore tattered jeans shorts and a faded Mercyful Fate tee, her black-painted lips curled into a little sneer as she walked between Julian and Tyson before the five of them made their way to the ring.
"I know most people wait until spring to do their housecleaning... but clearly? We had some trash that needed to be taken out immediately."
With a separate mic in his hand, Tyson Law grimaced at the audience. “Fuck y’all looking at us like that for? Like you didn’t see that shit comin’!” He paced around the ring, singling out a guy in the front row with a sign that said:
YOU SCREWED MAX!
“Yeah, so what if we did? Fuck you gonna do about it, white boy? Poindexter, Revenge of the Nerds lookin’ ass.” He turned to the others and thumbed to the fan. “Yo, I bet the Sox winning the series is the only thing this fool has to be proud of in life.”
That did it. If boos could manifest as a storm, the Renegades would have been struck by lightning at that point. Nonetheless, Tyson continued.
“You ain’t shit, Max! You and your bitch, both ain’t shit! You came in here, hell you brought me in under your wing promising big things for all of us? But once you had that strap, it all stopped. You never gave a fuck about us! Neither of you! He did.” Tyson motioned to Julian Morrison. Then to Serena Frost. “They saw the big picture. The Renegades had to move forward. We couldn’t do that with you two holding us back. You mad? It’s the truth, Scarface.” The crowd jeered as Tyson lowered the mic and opened his arms out wide as if to say ‘what’s up now?’
"Max... Max old buddy..." Julian piped in, shaking his head as he took the mic from Tyson. "If you think I got any joy out of giving you and Candi the boot, you're wrong. But we made a promise to each other when we formed this group: always put the cause of the Renegades before any one piece of the team. And frankly... you two were becoming a cancer. And when cancer is killing something, you have to cut it out if you want at least a chance of survival. Now we're united. We're ONE. So if you know what's good for you, Max.... I suggest both of you stay the hell away from us and let us continue the mission."
REYNOLDS
"You know, I hate to say it? But he's kinda got a point now that I listen to him."
HANSON
"Are you for real, right now?"
Tyler Grey gave a hilarious look of 'what the fuck?' before literally SNATCHING the mic from Julian. "This bitch here might be being nice, but I ain't got time for that shit. LeBrun, you were damn lucky to even WIN that world title. It was exhausting just trying to keep the damn thing on you until WrestleWar. So yeah, we kicked you and your damaged goods right the fuck out the minute you lost to Old Man Lasher. You both suck, you pieces of shit."
HANSON
"Tyler Grey, ladies and gentlemen. Your Junior Heavyweight Champion."
REYNOLDS
"Eh, cut him a break Nicky."
HANSON
"Just who's side are you on here?"
Luckily, Serena calmly took the microphone from Tyler before he could take it any further. "This is a new beginning for the Renegades. Now, rather than a little boy with delusions of grandeur, they have a cool, confident woman leading the way. I will guide these men to true greatness, greatness without the shackles of mediocrity that you and Candi weighed them down with. Now.... it's US that will 'pull the pin'... and destroy you forever."
REYNOLDS
"I do love me a stong, independent woman. Especially one that looks good in denim and leather!"
HANSON
"So all that at Wrestle War. You showing concern for Max and Candi. What the hell was that, then?"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, some people act on emotion, Nick. We didn't exactly know what was going on yet. Now we do. And they're right. Max and Candi got a little self-centered and forgot about the main goal."
HANSON
"Self-centered? Max had a championship to defend! Against a veteran which is who the Renegades consider themselves at war with! The veterans! Not that I condone the whole thing but they're gonna turn their back on him for trying to keep his focus on making sure NFW's biggest prize stays within their grasp? And Candi? She busts her tail every time she sets foot in that ring! She went up against LeeAnn Viskan and Lara Blackheart last week!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, Serena was there, too!"
HANSON
"Oh, yeah, she sure was. Jumping in when the opportunity was there and the risk was low. She's a real fighter."
REYNOLDS
"Cut them a break, alright? They know what they're doing. Let's just see where they take the group."
Rather than the Renegade’s music resuming, it was the sound of Huntress’ “Destroy Your Life” coming on and causing the crowd to pop right out of their seats.
HANSON
"Uh-oh!! Speaking of!! I think a certain someone might have a little something to say to what the Renegades just put out on the table!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, maybe they can talk it out and let bygones be bygones!"
HANSON
"I highly doubt it."
As the Renegades turned towards the stage, they were met with the visage of...Candi Broduer? All by herself? Wearing her old Team Canada tights - red with white claw marks as an homage to her mentor, the late Chris Benoit, Serena’s former tag partner stood on the stage and watched the four with malice in her eyes.
REYNOLDS
"There's Candi Broduer but...where the hell is Max?"
HANSON
"Huh...I don't know."
REYNOLDS
"Maybe Judas Lasher left him on crutches after Wrestle War."
However, the crowd began to go nuts as, from behind the barricade, Max LeBrun hopped over onto ringside and passed the announce table, dressed in black jeans, boots and a vintage Wayne Gretsky jersey, and slid in under the bottom ropes.
HANSON
"HOLY CRAP, WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM?!"
As soon as he was on his feet, the Renegades seemed to get the feeling something was up. Tyson Law turned around and BOOM! SLAPSHOT!
REYNOLDS
"OHH-HOO MAN!! DID YOU HEAR THAT SHIT?!"
HANSON
"Sounded like steel toed boot right to the jaw!"
Immediately after, Max hit a shoot for Julian’s legs and brought him down to the mat, raining wild blows down onto him.
HANSON
"AND HERE WE GO!!! HE TOOK OUT TYSON LAW BUT THAT'S THE MAN HE CAME FOR!!"
REYNOLDS
"NOW WAIT A MINUTE!! THEY CAN TALK ABOUT THIS!!"
HANSON
"MAX DOESN'T WANNA TALK!! HE WANTS PAYBACK!!"
The crowd roared with approval as Tyler and Serena began to descend onto the former Heavyweight Champion. While they had initially turned around, however, Candi Broduer took off down the ramp and yanked Serena Frost out under the bottom rope and began laying into her.
HANSON
"AND CANDI BRODUER'S GONNA GET HER SOME, TOO!! GOING RIGHT FOR SERENA FROST!!"
REYNOLDS
"NOW C'MON, GUYS!! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! THEY HAD THEIR REASONS!!"
HANSON
"OH, SHUT UP, JIM!! THEY HAD THIS COMING!!"
When Tyler Grey pulled Max LeBrun up, the Renegade’s former mouthpiece popped up and began laying into him, backing the Junior Heavyweight Champion into the corner. However, this gave Julian Morrison the window to jump on Max from behind and it turned the brawl around in the Renegades favor until....
CHRIS WOLFE came from backstage and booked it down the ramp, looking like he had been in the middle of changing for his match.
HANSON
"AND HERE COMES CHRIS WOLFE!!! CHRIS WOLFE, THE NEW TV CHAMPION IS COMING TO HELP MAX LEBRUN AGAIN!!"
REYNOLDS
"I THOUGHT HE HATED MAX?! WHAT THE HELL!!"
HANSON
"YEAH, HE HATES TYLER GREY, MORE!!"
The new Television Champion hit the ring in his jeans and sneakers and went right for Tyler Grey as he and Julian were starting to boot the boots to the Max. Julian turned to begin helping Tyler get Chris off of him but Max LeBrun was back on his feet and went right back to laying into Julian until Max and Chris’ combined efforts caused a retreat with Julian and Tyler pulling a groggy Tyson Law out of the ring, and were soon joined by Serena Frost who finally found a way to get away from Candi Broduer. The latter of the two women finally joined Max LeBrun and Chris Wolfe in the ring as the two stared back at each other tentatively then looked back at the four backing up the ramp.
HANSON
"MAX LEBRUN AND CANDI BRODUER HAVE COME FOR THE RENEGADES AND THEY HAVE A BIG BAD WOLFE TO BACK THEM UP!!"
Inside the ring, Max LeBrun stood up with one foot on the bottom rope and the other on the middle as he shouted audibly at his and Candi Broduer's former friends. "BRING YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!! C'MON, JULIAN!! YOU CHICKEN SHIT!!!"
“HEY HEY HEY HEY!” A voice filled the arena through a microphone. A voice that was recognized as none other than NFW Commissioner, Steven Brody.
HANSON
"Uh-oh! Big boss man!"
REYNOLDS
"He passed away, Nicky. That's' Steven Brody."
HANSON
(exasperated)
"Ohhh, you are an idiot."
The man walked out onto the stage with a mic in hand, holding a hand out to stop everything. “Stop it, right now! We’re one week passed Wrestle War and you all are acting like goddamn animals! You want at each other?” He paused as the camera cut between the Renegades and the three inside the ring. The crowd began to buzz. “You can get at each other next week. In a tag team match! We’ll make it....” He paused, like he was considering his options before pointing at each individual. “Julian Morrison...and Tyler Grey! Versus Max LeBrun...and Chris Wolfe!” The crowd roared with approval before Brody continued. “Now, not to the sound like a dad playing favortism, but the new NFW Women’s Champion is due to speak to the fans after the opening match. So if you all would kindly act like human beings and let the show get under way, I’d very much appreciate it!"
HANSON
"Whooaaaaa! There we go!!! We're gonna have ourselves a tag team match next week!"
REYNOLDS
"Wait a minute, Max and Chris are tagging now?! What sense does that make?!"
HANSON
"Hey, in instances like these, sometimes you can put differences aside. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
REYNOLDS
"Unless you're Wesley Snipes and Luke Goss."
HANSON
"What...?"
REYNOLDS
"Ain't you ever seen Blade 2?"
HANSON
"Ohhhh yeah. Nice joke there, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"Thanks, Nicky."
HANSON
"Well folks, we're gonna have to take a commercial break but when we come back, we'll be getting into the action! Don't go away!"
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The camera opens up on a building out in a countryside setting that looks like some kind of old brewery. Immediately, the familiar sound of Ryan Upchurch's "Cheatham County" starts to play. Seconds later, Teddy Morse of the Rebel Rousers comes hopping into the frame in jeans, a Rebel Rousers t-shirt and a woodland camo cap with the Rebel flag on the front.
"Well, hey there! How y'all this morning?! Afternoon, evening, whenever the hell y'all are watching this!" He shrugs his shoulders up with his goofy smile. "Y'all know what I love the most about being from the South?"
"What's that, Teddy?" From the other side, Teddy's tag team partner, Chase Evans, comes walking into frame from the other side, wearing a matching t-shirt and a Rebel Rousers beanie over his head.
"Drinking!" Teddy says confidently, bobbing his head over enthusiastically as he does so.
Frowning in confusion, Chase looks at the man. "That's not all we do in the South, Teddy. What the hell, man?"
"Nope, but we sure as shit know how to!" Teddy says, swinging his head back to look at the camera.
"That's true!" Says Chase, looking back to the camera. "And you know what we love just as much? Home brewed spirits! That's why we made this!" Chase holds up a large bottle full of a clear liquid. On the label is the Rebel flag with a skull and crossbones over it. The skull has a worn and tattered cowboy hat on it. Beneath it are the words "Rebel Spirits. Tennessee Shine."
Teddy Morse's eyes go wide at the sight of the bottle. "Whoowee!! Lookit that!! Tennessee Moonshine! Nothin' better!"
"Not just any Tennessee brew, though." Says Chase as he brings the bottle back to him but keeps it up for the camera to see. "This is our own personal recipe. Developed and trademarked by Teddy and myself. Don't worry, it's perfectly legal!"
"Yeah, us rednecks got licenses and shit!" Teddy adds.
"If you're looking for a moonshine that goes down smoother than the rest but still carries with it everything there is to love about it, try a bottle of Rebel Spirits! It comes in all the best flavors! Key Lime, Sweet Tea, Peach Cobbler, Peppermint."
"And you know we got that Apple Pie, y'all. Yessir, yes ma'am!" Teddy leans in, winking at the camera.
"We've got Raspberry, Watermelon Lime, Lemon Drop." Chase lists off more flavors, keeping a smile as he does so.
"Hell, we've even got Pumpkin Spice for all you basic white bitches that wanna get white girl wasted!" Teddy chimes in, throwing his hand up like a phone next to his ear. "Call me!"
"Whoa!" Chase turns to his partner. "Teddy, you can't go and call potential customers bitches like that!"
"The hell I can't!" Teddy says, adjusting his hat. "This is goddamn 'Murica, y'all! Freedom of speech and freedom to get fucked up on some good ol'shit like Rebel Spirits Moonshine!! GET YOU SOME, Y'ALL!!! HEEEEEELLLLLL YEEEEAAAAH!!!"
The shot cuts to a wooden table out in front of a cornfield as a hand slams a bottle of product onto it as the final shot of the commercial.
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Cutting from the commercial, the camera pans high over the audience.
REYNOLDS
"You ever try that stuff, Nicky?"
HANSON
"I'm not much of a drinker. I like my scotch, on occasion."
REYNOLDS
"You need to live a little. The peppermint flavor's not bad."
HANSON
"So you drink moonshine?"
REYNOLDS
"Haven't before but that's because I always heard the basic brew tasted like straight ass from a backwoods working girl."
HANSON
"...A lovely analogy. I'm gonna go puke, now."
REYNOLDS
"And I'm gonna hide under the table. Here comes a nightmare on two legs."
As we hear James Reynolds literally scrambling to hide under the table, the curtain parts with El Desperado of Suzuki-gun coming out with the flag in his hands. He crouches down, spreading it out for the crowd to see as Paul Heyman leads the way, behind him, for Zack Sabre Jr (joined by TAKA Michinoku as usual) and Minoru Suzuki with his towel shrouding his features.
HANSON
"I don't wanna make things worse for you, Jim, but Suzuki and Zack aren't the only ones out here."
REYNOLDS
"You serious?!"
James Reynolds voice sounds slightly muffled due to him being contained in an enclosed space under the table.
HANSON
"Nope. We've got Heyman, TAKA and El Desperado joining the troops."
REYNOLDS
"Christ!! Is Havok out there? What about Sugiura? KES?"
HANSON
"Thankfully, no. You can probably come out when the match starts."
REYNOLDS
"Will do!"
After Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr entered the ring, with Suzuki removing his towel, the arena came to life with cheers as "Double Barrel" filled the arena.
HANSON
"Well we haven't seen these guys in NFW for awhile but they've sure been missed, obviously!"
The crowd seemed excited enough as Nick and Matt Jackson came strutting out on stage, playing to the ovation they were given before making their way to the ring, high fiving as many as they could.
HANSON
"You know, with the Guerillas of Destiny out of the way, Jim, you have to wonder, could we see one of these teams be the next to step up to the Tag Team Champions?"
REYNOLDS
"Maybe! I wouldn't mind seeing the Bucks knock those big bastards off their pedestal!"
Reynolds no longer sounds like he's under the table. However, then we hear....
"Oi! Reynoruds-san!"
REYNOLDS
"Aw Christ, I came out too soon!!"
As James Reynolds whines helplessly, the camera cuts to the announce table where we see El Desperado moseying his way over.
REYNOLDS
"Look, Despy. Buddy. Just be cool, alright? We're doing out job?"
"Na ze kakure teruno?" El Desperado can faintly be heard over their mics from how close he is to the table. "Kowai noka?" He points to himself then gestures to the other Suzuki-gun members. "Eh?" Reynolds and Hanson don't answer immediately and El Desperado faints a lunge at Reynolds, causing the man to flail and almost fall over Hanson. El Desperado laughs and backs away from the table, holding his hands out to point at Reynolds. "Itoshiteru, yo!" He says mockingly before the shot focuses back in the ring for the beginning of the match.
HANSON
"What did you do to piss him off, today?"
REYNOLDS
"I didn't do shit! I haven't even seen them!"
HANSON
"You've got them targeting me, too, now!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, we got off easy. If Archer were out here, we'd be soaked."
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Suzuki-gun defeated the Young Bucks in 17:29, by submission, when Minoru Suzuki made Nick Jackson tap out to a Dragon Sleeper. After the bell, clearly just to add insult to injury, he planted him with the Gotch Style Piledriver while El Desperado and TAKA hit a sneak attack on Matt to keep him from interfering.
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Arriving in Boston, and stepping off the bus with his traditional suit and tie Ethan Skinner can be seen as multiple camera men come running up to him. He smirks at all of them and places a hand on one of their shoulders “ Six, how are you and the missus?”
Camera man #6: “Oh we’re alright, and thank you for the gift for our baby daughter Zoey. The “You Just Kevin Kelley’d Me” shirt in her size with Josh’s face on it was priceless.”
Ethan Skinner: “ Glad you liked it. I have the camera man I need, the rest of you maggots can leave”.
With some grumbling and groaning the multiple camera angles widdle down to one. Ethan continues talking to his “best friend” undaunted. “You’re my eyes and ears, Six. Anything new here?”
Six: “Some really weird gargoyle acting dude got up on Mr Brody’s desk and he didn’t even tell him to get down. The whole thing was strange. I was… unnerved”
Ethan Skinner: “ Don’t worry six, you are I are friends, I won’t let the strange man made from rock hurt you. If that is all that is new and.. strange then I guess my work is cut out for me this week. Been called creepy, strange, gothic, a loser, all in my past. Ya know what is strange though?”
The camera moves up and down as if the camera man he called Six shrugged. ”No Clue Mr. Skinner."
"Strange is the Renegades, well the rest of those losers anyway, are still here in the NFW. Max and Candi, you guys got out and took Chris with you. That is good for you, because that means you’re no longer on my radar. Out of respect of my boss, I will let you three be, for now. This message is for the four losers still trying to take on the best in the business stop before I really show what I am really made of. If that isn’t clear enough, let me talk at you all by name.”
He stops walking towards his locker room, not even scheduled to be in Boston but with the Dominion of Pain in a tag team match, it is likely they are all here. Grabbing the camera to make sure he has their attention “Pay close attention, I did this in poem style, everyone knows us gothic vampire freaks love us our poetry.” He clears his throat and continues “Tyler Grey, the no talent hack who should been neutered and spayed. You are the shittiest Renegade. Serena Frost, You prepaid man-made Mermaid who should be sold into the slave trade. You are the shittiest Renegade. Tyson Law, I surveyed your accolades and I am dismayed with the downgrade you displayed You’re going to need foreign aid from these grenades I am throwing at your barricade. You are the shittiest Renegade. Lastly, Julian Morrison, John’s shade the bridesmaid you portrayed on the promenade, and the message you conveyed on your crusade decayed when you betrayed Max, all because you are afraid of being the shittiest Renegade. Fear not wearer of nightshade eyeshade, you are also the shittiest Renegade. In short you all suck, and if you think differently, my little Retrogrades, stop the masquerade and prove me wrong.” He clear his throat again and grimaces, pulling out a djarum black and lighting it and holding it in his left hand while the clove cigarette burns. “ The ending needs work. Sue me. Let’s go six. We have some Left for Dead 2 to play”
Six: “ Sure thing, Et - Mr. Skinner”
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*The scene shifts to the backstage area where we see Josh Davidson standing alone in the interview area.*
"Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming at this time, Connor K. and AKI," Davidson says as the camera pans out as AKI and Connor walk in the interview area. AKI is dressed in his ring attire, looking down in concentration as Connor flanks him with his arm still in a sling.
"Now, before we begin, Connor, it's great seeing you back last week. How is the healing progressing on your arm?" Davidson asks.
"Thanks, Josh," Connor replies. "You know rehab can be a slow and tedious process and while I'm itching to get back in there, I can't push myself and rush things too quickly or else I risk a more serious injury that will keep me out longer. But that's another story for another time. I just want to say that I think I speak for myself and for everyone watching out there how proud I am of AKI's showing these past few weeks. And I'm not just talking about his match last week at the PPV, either. These past few weeks, AKI's really opened everyone's eyes as to the calibur of his athleticism and in-ring ability. Sure, he didn't win the title last week, but he didn't lose it either. That was you, Cole. AKI still has wants that title, and he'll go through friend and foe to get it. That road tonight starts with you. You've gotten a taste of what AKI can do in the ring, but that was in a multi-man situation. I feel sorry for you, man. Tonight, you get AKI one-on-one. He has no one else in that ring to focus his attention on which means he is keyed in on you. Get ready, because he knows he has to go through you and he doesn't care how he'll do it." Connor says as AKI psyches himself up and let's out a yell as the two leave the interview area.
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"Ladies and gentlemen.... the *new* NFW Women's World Champion, "Lionheart"... Alex... Brody!"
As "Absolute Zero" by Stone Sour began to play, Alex walked out onto the stage, a bright smile on her (still bruised and stitched) face as she held the NFW Women's Title over her head for everyone to see, before beginning her walk down the aisle.
Dressed in form-fitting light-blue jeans and a leather jacket over an RWBY tee, the new champ took her time getting to the ring, stopping now and again to shake hands with fans, or let them touch the title belt she now had draped over her shoulder.
Finally making it to the ring, the dark-haired beauty stepped under the middle rope, waving to the crowd as she took the microphone and stood in center-ring.
"Thank you, everyone. I mean that. From the bottom of my heart.... thank you."
She had to stop there, for a few moments, as the crowd had begun chanting ("AL-EX! AL-EX! AL-EX!") so loudly that they were almost drowning her out.
"WrestleWar XV was, without a doubt, both the best and worst night of my life. Best becuse, well...." She grinned and held the title belt up one more time... "Worst because in my entire life, I've never been beaten, battered, or torn apart like I was in that match. I ended up needing ten stitches in my forehead, pulled a muscle in my left shoulder, and had one of my back teeth broken. I still can't believe I even made it through that match, let alone won it."
"They wanted me to come out here and give a victory speech. About how this is some new era, or how I'm the face of the division now, or whatever. But that's not me, and you all know it. I'm not smug. I'm not arrogant. I'm a hard-working girl who shows appreciation not only for her fans and friends, but for the people that helped her get where she is. And that's why I want to talk for a moment... about Adrianna Salvatore."
"Adrianna and I have.... been through a lot together. From being Kid Cthulhu and Apocalypta to just being plain of Alex Brody and Adrianna Salvatore - we've never been far from the other's radar. And these last few weeks especially have been very tense between us."
"But I'm out here right now, because as much as you all want to celebrate the beginning of my reign... I think we all owe it to Adrianna to celebrate the entirety of hers first. She was only one month away from having held the title for an entire year. She was without a doubt the most dominant champion in NFW. And despite some bad choices in the beginning... she was the kind of champion you should all be proud to have had. And Adrianna? I want to thank you. For the amazing match, for the opportunity to hold this title right now... and for showing the respect you did post-match."
As the crowd applauded the new champion's honorable words, their applause was drowned out by the sudden sound of Disturbed's "The Vengeful One". The camera immediately jumped to the stage as Alex Brody's opponent from Wrestle War XV walked...albeit gingerly...very gingerly, out onto the stage. Dressed in her usual "bad girl" style street clothes of ripped jeans, boots, a sport's bra and her favorite, cherished vest, Adrianna also wore sunglasses over her eyes. Notably, her shoulder was wrapped. The one that Alex Brody has spent a good several minutes working over, trying to weaken her enough so that she wouldn't have been able to hit the Ground Zero's that she delivered throughout the match. While that hadn't worked, it had prevented Adrianna from locking in the rear naked choke and even The Constrictor.
There was tension in the air as Adrianna walked down to the ring and up the steps before getting into the ring with Alex. She didn't climb the turnbuckle but she did open her arms out to the crowd. As her music died down, the crowd had a new chant going.
"THAT-WAS-WRESTLING!"
*Clap-clap-clapclapclap*
"THAT-WAS-WRESTLING!"
Taking another mic into her hand, Adrianna turned towards Alex then and slowly reached up to remove the sunglasses with a genuine smile. Alex wasn't the only one with bruising all over her face. Adrianna smiled at the girl through a black eye, bruised cheek and half of a purple lip as she raised the microphone up. "I just wanted to come out here and say that you're welcome...and also to thank you... Before Wrestle War, I wasn't exactly..." She stopped to think of how to word what was on her mind. It was evidently tough. "I said some shit that maybe I shouldn't have said. Unfortunately, at the moment I said it, I had an ego going on and I did mean every word of it. Before you I'd taken on some of the toughest women in this business and left them broken in this ring." She pointed down at the mat. "Women that were bigger than you. Meaner than you. More experienced than you. But at Wrestle War, last week? You proved me wrong. And you made me realize that what's in here..." She stuck out a finger, lightly poking Alex in the chest over her heart. "Is a lot more damn meaningful than how many months or years someone spends between these ropes, preparing for that one match. As my least experienced opponent, Alex, you gave me - the fight - of my LIFE!! And if someone was gonna knock me off of that high black horse I was riding on? I'm glad it ended up being someone like you." The crowd roared with approval as Adrianna lowered the microphone and lead the audience in another round of applause for the Women's Champion.
There was tension in the air as Adrianna walked down to the ring and up the steps before getting into the ring with Alex. She didn't climb the turnbuckle but she did open her arms out to the crowd. As her music died down, the crowd had a new chant going.
"THAT-WAS-WRESTLING!"
*Clap-clap-clapclapclap*
"THAT-WAS-WRESTLING!"
Taking another mic into her hand, Adrianna turned towards Alex then and slowly reached up to remove the sunglasses with a genuine smile. Alex wasn't the only one with bruising all over her face. Adrianna smiled at the girl through a black eye, bruised cheek and half of a purple lip as she raised the microphone up. "I just wanted to come out here and say that you're welcome...and also to thank you... Before Wrestle War, I wasn't exactly..." She stopped to think of how to word what was on her mind. It was evidently tough. "I said some shit that maybe I shouldn't have said. Unfortunately, at the moment I said it, I had an ego going on and I did mean every word of it. Before you I'd taken on some of the toughest women in this business and left them broken in this ring." She pointed down at the mat. "Women that were bigger than you. Meaner than you. More experienced than you. But at Wrestle War, last week? You proved me wrong. And you made me realize that what's in here..." She stuck out a finger, lightly poking Alex in the chest over her heart. "Is a lot more damn meaningful than how many months or years someone spends between these ropes, preparing for that one match. As my least experienced opponent, Alex, you gave me - the fight - of my LIFE!! And if someone was gonna knock me off of that high black horse I was riding on? I'm glad it ended up being someone like you." The crowd roared with approval as Adrianna lowered the microphone and lead the audience in another round of applause for the Women's Champion.
Alex smiled, adorably enough with tears in her eyes and she mouthed "thank you" to the former champion. Calling for the microphone again, she wiped her eyes before speaking again.
"I don't know what the rematch policy is right now... but I'm telling you this: as soon as we're both healed up? I will happily give you the rematch you so obviously deserve. And as for the things you said... you weren't alone. I wasn't exactly acting like myself leading up to WrestleWar either. We may always be rivals... but I'd be honored to still call you friend as well." She lowered the mic, holding her hand out.
"I don't know what the rematch policy is right now... but I'm telling you this: as soon as we're both healed up? I will happily give you the rematch you so obviously deserve. And as for the things you said... you weren't alone. I wasn't exactly acting like myself leading up to WrestleWar either. We may always be rivals... but I'd be honored to still call you friend as well." She lowered the mic, holding her hand out.
Adrianna looked at the hand Alex held out and rolled her eyes, raising the microphone up. "I thought you learned this lesson last week." She said with a hint of annoyance in her tone but took Alex's hand, drawing her in for another hug (albeit this one more gentle and careful than at Wrestle War, given that they were actually feeling their beatings.) After the hug, Adrainna raised Alex's arm carefully and called for the crowd to give their respects again before she raised her mic one last time. "As far as that rematch goes, you know I'm down for it, babe. But by the time it comes, mark my words...everyone...mark my words. There'll be two champions in that rematch. I may have lost the Women's Title to this bad little bitch right here." She pointed to Alex. "I may be hurting. I may be sore. My shoulder's killing me. But there's a women's gauntlet tonight, and I'm still the Queen of Anarchy and the Daughter of the Apocalypse and Armageddon is coming hard and fast for whoever's in that ring by the time I arrive. Now, hit this girl's music because this is still her parade." She nodded her head sideways to Alex and dropped the mic. Stone Sour's "Absolute Zero" filled the arena again as Adrianna hung an arm around Alex's shoulders and the two made their way back up towards the backstage together.
HANSON
"Now that's what I like to see, Jim!!"
REYNOLDS
"That sucked, Nicky!"
HANSON
"What do you mean?"
REYNOLDS
"Some 'Queen of Anarchy' she is! She should have cold clocked her!"
HANSON
"She very well could have, Jim. Maybe so. But she didn't. Her moniker doesn't mean she can't respect her opponent! There's a friendship there!"
REYNOLDS
"Meh...."
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The camera angle switched to backstage and the crowd buzzed with cheers as Erin Mercer could be seen at the refreshments table, mixing a cup of coffee together. She wore tight, low rise jeans and a white AC/DC "Girl's Got Rhythm" baby tee with the collar manually cut out to make it a little lower. Giving the boys a little peek never hurt anything, right? Picking her coffee up, Erin turned to leave the table when she was greeted by Amy Connors.
"Coffee before you get ready for your match?" The woman teased playfully.
Erin giggled. "Hi, Amy! What's up? I see the mic and the camera man."
"H-hi, Erin." The camera man said like a nervous school boy in the presence of his crush. Erin smiled sweetly and waved back as Amy got right down to business.
"Sorry to jump out at you out of nowhere like this." Amy began. "I just wanted to see about getting a quick question or two about your match tonight."
"Hey, at least it wasn't an RKO out of nowhere through the cookies." Erin thumbed to the table, causing Amy to give a ditzy little blink.
"What? Why would I---?"
Erin shook her head, waving it off. "Forget I said that. Ask away."
Nodding, Amy lifted the mic more and turned to the camera. "Well, Erin, let's start off with your condition. You're still relatively fresh off of the injured list and you haven't had much action since. We all know you opted not to compete in the Silver Rush Battle Royale but here you are, a week later; you and Vincent Stone are getting your long anticipated rematch for the Mixed Tag Team Championship. How are you feeling on a scale from 0 to 100?"
"Percent wise?" Erin said, confidently looking at the camera. "110%. I'm ready to get back into the ring full time. I've been gone too long, even if it's only been for a month or so. I haven't been slouching though." She stopped to sip her coffee. "Vin's been keeping me on my toes. Alex has been keeping my awareness sharp in the ring. I'm more than ready and anxious to get back at it. Winning back the Mixed Tag Titles tonight, which trust me, Vin and I definitely intend to; it's gonna be the perfect real come back."
Amy smiled, nodding as she turned to the camera. "You hear that everyone? The Red Queen is ready to take back her throne!" She turned back to Erin, then. "Now, speaking of your opponents, Erin. I'd like to ask---"
"Sup, Connors?" Oh, no. That dry, spiteful voice could only belong to Junior Heavyweight Champion Tyler Grey, who suddenly walked onto the interview set. Wearing jeans, army boots, and a Friday the 13th tee, he completely disregarded Erin's presence, and gave Amy a disdainful, almost sour look. "How about doing this interview somewhere else? You got dick on your breath and it's making it hard for anyone to fucking eat back here."
Poor Amy Connors. She was such a sweet and genuinely kind person to everyone she was tasked with going to interview. The look on her face, from the moment she heard Tyler Grey's voice was not unlike the little kid in school who heard the most feared bully honing in on them. She almost looked like she was about to cry again. What did one even say to a quip like that? "U-umm...." But Amy wasn't by herself, this time. She had convenient backup there, in the form of a spunky little redhead who's temper could be just as hot as well...as the rest of her. Before Amy was forced to come up with a response, Erin put a hand on her arm and nudged her back behind her.
"Dude, what the hell is your problem?" She looked up at the essential hulk of the Junior Heavyweight division with disdain on her face. "You're pissed at Max LeBrun from earlier tonight so you have to come take it out on Amy who's just doing their job? What the hell did anyone ever do to you?"
Tyler looked at Erin for a moment, slightly impressed that she stood up to him... but mostly just disgusted with her like he was with 99% of the human race. Slowly, he turned to Amy again. "Fuck outta here. And go put some long pants on, you're makin' it smell like the seafood department at Stop N Shop."
He turned back to Erin, arms crossed over his chest. "I suggest you turn the fuck around right now, and go back to playing groupie, you little rat."
You could cut the tension with a knife as Erin Mercer just stood and stared up at the monster in comparison with so much pent up rage, he looked like he was about to explode. She sipped her coffee again. Behind her, Amy cupped a hand over her mouth and let out a whimper before scurrying off. Erin watched her go and tilted her head to Tyler. "You know what? I get it, Grey. I probably look like some chick in high school that turned you down for prom. And for that? I feel sorry, for ya man. You're expecting me, more than likely to get offended and start crying because you think I sleep around with every guy backstage just because of how I dress...." She gave a small tug on her shirt. "Or because I like tattoos." She extended one of her completely inked arms. "Yeah, so trashy right? Sticks and stones, big guy. Sticks and stones. But Amy? I can't speak for her. She's obviously a more sensitive person. So for her?"
SMACK!!
The slap heard around backstage rung out as Erin's hand that was thumbing back in the direction Amy Connors retreated, snapped right back and struck Tyler Grey across the face with the fullest force that she could muster before it held up a finger to him. "You say another goddamn word to her outside of 'Hi Amy, you look gorgeous tonight' and the next time I hit you, it'll be with my fucking elbow! You got that, bitch?!"
Tyler stood there, still as a stone golem, for a good ten seconds, as if processing 'this bitch really hit me'. When he finally moved, he moved in to look her in the eyes. "That was damn brave, girl." He said, for a moment actually sounding as though he might respect her after that. "Stupid, but brave." As he said it, he lifted his leg quickly, to kick her right in the jaw. As she dropped like a sack of hammers, Tyler pounced on her, wrapping her into Judgement Day, his face looking almost psychotic as he snarled.
Erin let out a sharp cry as Tyler's boot met jawbone. As much as she grunted and struggled -- realizing what he was trying to do -- it was fruitless in the end. All of the ground wrestling and mat work that friends like Vin and Shelley couldn't have prepared her for Tyler Grey's immense, physical power in comparison to her. In no time, she was wrapped up and her frustrated grunts turned into uncomfortable cries of pain as the camera angle got down on their level. It wasn't until Tyler gave a sudden jerk in his motions, obviously applying more torque that Erin's uncomfortable cries turned into blood curdling shrieks of pure, utter agony.
"Tyler?! Tyler!!" The voice of Amy Connors came again as the woman rushed onto the screen, looking unsure of what to even do herself. "Let her go!! Tyler!! Somebody help!! Somebody!!" Amy began to panic while Erin thrashed as much as she was physically able to, given the position she was in. It seemed like longer than just a brief minute had passed before NFW staff rushed into the frame. Voices clambering for Tyler Grey to release his victim as multiple hands pulled and pried to the best of their ability to try and get him off of her.
Savannah Hayes ran in after the officials, a panicked shout coming from her lips. "TYLER! You let her go this instant or I swear to god I will have you fired before you can even get back to the goddamn locker room!"
Hearing that on top of seeing security making their way in, Grey finally let her go, letting her face slam to the floor. As he hopped to his feet, he laughed with a sick grin, spitting at Savannah and giving security the middle finger before stomping off.
The second she was free, Erin put a hand to her face as she nearly ate concrete. Afterwards, both hands came up in a feeble error to try and nurse both of her shoulders at the same time. All the while, Erin was sobbing. She was sobbing in pain. "Erin? ERIN!!" The voice of her friend and mixed tag partner was heard before Vincent Stone came rushing onto the scene. Two officials were practically knocked out of the way as Stone knelt over the crying young woman. "What happened?" He looked up with a fire in his eyes at the staff. "Someone tell me what the fuck happened!!"
"Tyler! It was Tyler!"
"What?!" Stone's attention snapped to the man who spoke.
"Tyler Grey."
Vincent Stone stood up from where he had knelt and looked at Savannah Hayes for a second. He turned his attention down to Erin Mercer again before finally looking up and staring off down the hallway. A look of pure rage forming on his face. The shot slowly faded out to a commercial with the only sound to be heard being that of Erin Mercer still sobbing in pain at his feet.
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Adam Cole defeated AKI, by pinfall in 13:01, after hitting the Panama Sunrise for the cover.
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*The scene shifts to the backstage locker room area where we see an opened black and gold gym bag on the floor. The camera pans and the crowd roars as we see Matt Klazzic tying the back of his mask as we hear the doors open off-camera.*
"Hey Matt? You in here?" says a voice off-camera.
"Hey!!! Shane! Mikey! How are you guys doing?!?" Matt exclaims as Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls come in dressed in their ring gear and shake Matt's hand as they walk in.
“We're good, Matt. We just wanted to come in and congratulate you on your big win last week with Hirooki Goto," Shane says. "We're just happy you requested us to be your partners tonight against Goto, Ishii, and Yano. It's an honor to be your partners.”
"Well, you guys have always been good guys and I've been big fans of your work. Mikey? How's the baby? Congrats on fatherhood," Matt says as he pats Mikey on his shoulder.
"Listen, I know you guys are always busy, especially you Mikey, but I wanted to thank you two for accepting my offer to be tag partners tonight. I know after this you guys are heading out on a long excursion, and in your case, Mikey, back to Australia to be with the family. So I wanted to have the honor of at least teaming up with my favorite team from Down Under this one time. So let's get out there and send these guys from Chaos packing. Take them down Thunder Road and let's show them what King's Road is really like," Klazzic says as he speaks sternly to both Shane and Mikey, who nod in agreement.
"Alright guys, I need to head for a moment to talk to my buddy Rick. I'll see you two out there! Let's show those nice people out there what we can do with them cheering us on!" Matt says as he shakes their hands once more and the scene fades to black.
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As soon as the shot returned to ringside, the opening siren to I Prevail's "Come And Get It" filled the arena.
HANSON
"Welcome back folks and I hope you're ready for this one!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh god, we have more Suzuki-gun on the way don't we?"
HANSON
"Yes, we do, but first Jim, it's time to welcome the Urban Gladiator to the arena! Or as he'll call it, HIS arena!"
~DING DING DING~
Roger Arden, on the microphone, announced with the usual force behind his voice. "The following contest is scheduled for one fall!! Making his way to the ring, from Brooklyn, New York! Weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds! He is -- THE URBAN GLADIATOR -- NIIIIICOOOOOO SALVATOOOOOOREEEEEEE!!"
As Nico Salvatore made his way to the ring, he opened his arms and got right up in the camera. "Who's it gonna be Suzuki? Your boy Havok got any balls? Huh? He got any balls?! I got balls, that's why I'm out here!" He grabbed his crotch with one hand and threw a middle finger at the camera as he backed towards the camera. "Tell your boy to come get this ass whuppin'!"
HANSON
"Well, he's such a swell gentlemen, isn't he?"
Nick Hanson said; his voice threaded with sarcasm.
REYNOLDS
"He tells it like it is, Nicky. Can't deny that."
HANSON
"I'll give him that much. He definitely lacks tact, though."
REYNOLDS
"He's got tact, he just doesn't care to sugar coat anything."
HANSON
"Probably doesn't use sugar in his coffee."
REYNOLDS
"I bet he adds a shot of jack, instead."
HANSON
"Right?"
As Nico entered the ring, he knocked out some dynamic stretches with his shoulders, pulling on the ropes and rolling his arms. Finally, as his music faded out, he called for Roger Arden to hand him the microphone before staring up the ramp at the stage.
"Yo, Havok! You wanna be all ominous and hide behind Sugiura and that fat little ball of shit, Paul Heyman. If you have any nuts, still between those tree stumps you call legs, cut the bullshit and get your ass out here. You like a good fight, don't you? I got something for your ass. You're gonna need that mask when I get done feeding you these hooks and knees, bitch!" Nico threw the microphone to the outside floor and Roger Arden picked it up as Nico hunched down and rocked from side to side on his legs, watching the ramp, waiting to hear that brutal metal guitar riff and see the Suzuki-gun flag on the video wall.
Instead, what he got was, the Suzuki-gun flag and....
The slow, melodic, orchestral intro of "Pageant" as the lights dimmed, leaving only the stage and ramp illuminated. Nico Salvatore's expression went from cold and focused to a squint of confusion as he rose up out of his ready posture. He could be seen mouthing "what the fuck...?" Before the camera cut to the stage and Miho Abe gracefully made her way out onto the stage, peering down at the ring behind a handheld ball mask.
HANSON
"Are you serious?"
REYNOLDS
"Hush, Nicky."
HANSON
"I'm sorry but are you serious, right now?!"
REYNOLDS
"Shut up, Nicky! Miho's out here! Just enjoy the view!"
HANSON
"Yeah, Miho's out here. She's gorgeous. I get it. But you know who this means for Nico's opponent."
Right on cue, as Miho folded her hands and turned to the side, after over a minute of build up, Suzuki-gun's Taichi Ishikari sauntered through the curtains, microphone in hand 'singing' along to his own entrance theme.
REYNOLDS
"I love every time this guy comes out. Comes with great scenary every time!"
HANSON
"Of course you do, Jim. Meanwhile, would you take a look at the face of Nico Salvatore? He does not look happy!"
The camera briefly switched to the ring on a closeup of Nico's expression.
While the fans were none too pleased, Miho Abe was -- as expected -- absolutely enthralled with the man. All the way down to the ring, where Taichi held the ropes for his stunning valet before coming to stand at the center of the mat. Miho Abe stood beside him, staring lovingly at her man....
REYNOLDS
"WHOA!! LOOK OUT!!"
Before her reaction turned to one of sudden panic and she let out a terrified shriek as Nico Salvatore came rushing into the frame, blindsiding Taichi with a forearm and began unloading on him. As Miho scurried from the ring, Nico backed Taichi into a corner with the Phantom-esque dressed wrestler returning the shots as best he could. The bell rang to officially start the match as Nico 'helped' Taichi remove his entrance gear by snatching it off of him and throwing it from the ring.
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As the match continued, Taichi finally began to mount some counter-offense, giving Nico a decent fight in return but the angry Gladiator still held the upper hand for most of the match. He only briefly took a break from beating on Taichi when he caught Miho calling for the man to get up to his feet. Here, Nico slid out of the ring and turned his attention on her, instead. As Miho backed up, fearfully Nico couldn't help but grin as he flexed an arm at her and pointed. "You like that? Huh?" He could be heard saying before gesturing to his abs. "How 'bout this, huh? Why don't you come be with a real man, sweetheart?"
HANSON
"Nico Salvatore, now antagonizing Miho Abe. I don't know who's worse of a human being. Him or Taichi."
REYNOLDS
"He just wants to show her some Nico Suave, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Well I think, Taichi has something to say about that! Here he comes!"
While Nico was distracted with Miho, Taichi slipped out of the ring and seized the opening from behind, hitting Nico in the back, continuing their match outside of the ring, close to the twenty count before throwing him back in. Sliding back in behind him, Taichi turned his attention to Miho and the crowd before reaching down and yanking at his pull away pants to reveal the trunks underneath. The crowd boo'ed. Miho swooned. Jaw dropping with a smile as she 'fanned' herself.
REYNOLDS
"I think that's the reaction Nico was hoping for."
HANSON
"Well, he didn't get that but if Taichi doesn't pay attention to the match, Nico's gonna get--OH!!"
Surely enough, Nico had made it back to his feet and as soon as Taichi turned around -- POP!! Nico popped up with his signature bicycle knee strike right into Taichi's jaw. As Taichi staggered, Nico scooped him up over his shoulders and delivered the GFY before covering for the pinfall at 15:21.
HANSON
"And that's gonna be it for Taichi!!"
REYNOLDS
"That match went longer than I expected, Nicky! I didn't think Taichi would be able to hold his own that well again Nico!"
HANSON
"Taichi's no slouch, Jim. He's a former IWGP NEVER Openweight Champion over in his home territory of New Japan."
REYNOLDS
"Yeah but Nico's the Urban Gladiator. Self proclaimed God of War! He might not have a title to his name yet, but he just hasn't really set his eyes on one yet!"
As Nico celebrated in the ring, his music was suddenly interrupted by the drums of Suzuki-gun's stable theme.
HANSON
"Uh-oh. Look out, Jim! Here come the reinforcements!"
As Nico turned towards the ramp, the crowd boo'ed upon the appearance of Paul Heyman who came, swaggering out onto the stage, mockingly applauding Nico. Behind him, Takashi Sugiura and Havok appeared, both wearing their track suits.
REYNOLDS
"Is Havok coming for that fight now? After Nico just had a match?"
On the stage, Havok stepped forward, popping his pecs and stared right down the ramp at Nico. Down in the ring, Nico stood motioning for him to bring it on, pointing down at the mat in front of him and beckoning him into the ring.
REYNOLDS
"Hah! Look at Nico! He wants it! Screw the fact that he just wrestled a match! He wants Havok!"
As the staredown took place, the crowd began to roar with disdain as motion came from the ground level. Before too long it became apparent as to what was going on as a figure came jumping over the barricade.
HANSON
"HEY WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!!! THERE'S SHINGO!!!"
From behind, Shingo Takagi, also in his track suit, slid into the ring and hit Nico from behind with a lariat, knocking him to the mat.
REYNOLDS
"THEY SET HIM UP, NICKY!!"
HANSON
"YEAH, NO KIDDING!!"
While Nico began getting back to his feet, Shingo poised himself, looking at the man with a fiery look in his eyes, motioning with one hand for him to get up. When he was in the right position, Shingo came off the ropes again and hit a PUMPING BOMBER!!
HANSON
"AND DOWN GOES NICO, AGAIN!!!"
This time, Shingo pulled Nico to his feet himself and promptly followed up his attack with the Last Falconry, drilling Nico right onto his head and neck! Shingo stood up and flexed to the crowd, roaring defiantly over Nico Salvatore. Up on the stage, Paul Heyman laughed, Sugiura grinned with a cigar clenched in his mouth and Havok shook his head at Nico's gullibleness. As "ICHIBAN" resumed, Shingo stepped over Nico, kicking an arm out of the way as he exited the ring and went up to join his team mates in leaving the broken man in the ring.
REYNOLDS
"I don't think Suzuki-gun's done with Nico, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Ya think?! He may have bitten off more than he can chew!"
Nico sat up in the ring, holding a hand behind his neck and grimacing as he sneered up at the stage after Suzuki-gun had taken their leave.
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*The scene shifts to the backstage area, where we see Matt Klazzic walking through the hallways. He stops to ask one of the backstage agents a quick question and he's given a set of directions. A moment later, Matt comes to a door and he knocks.*
"Hey Rick, you there good buddy?" Matt asks through the door.
"Fuck yeah, guy! Come on in!"
*Some clattering can be heard from behind the door*
"Just be careful on your way in, bud! There's a whole shit ton of Pitt's promotional crap all over in here!"
*Matt takes a few moments but finally manages to barely open the door with all the clutter in the locker room.*
"Hey buddy, got a minute?" Klazzic asks as he finally squeezes through the door and into the room.
*Through the clouded haze in the dressing room, Rick Dickulous can be seen unfolding a chair and placing it in front of the table in the centre of the room. Piles of boxes stacked randomly throughout the room give the viewer the claustrophobic vibe through the television*
"Come on in and have a seat, guy! How were those brownies?"
*Matt takes the chair and sits at the table and shakes his head.*
"Oh man, those brownies were unbelievable! That was a nice touch with the parsley, or was it basil, in there. Must be an Italian thing...," Matt says as he starts to trail off thinking about what he ate last week as the camera zooms in on the faraway look he's giving as he looks to the side.
"But anyway, what was I here for again?" Matt starts.
"Oh yeah. So, looks like you got yourself quite a challenger for that Silver Mountain Heavyweight title, eh? I don't know how you're going to approach this. How are you going to approach this?" Matt asks as he looks around.
"And what happened to your incense?"
*Rick nods at Matt*
"Yeah, Shelley's definitely one hell of a number one contender, guy...I mean, shit, bud, we hang with the same people for Christ's sakes!"
*Rick reaches behind him and produces a bong, seemingly from thin air. He picks a lighter up from the table, sparks it, and begins smoking. As he removes the bowl and clears the chamber, the distinct bubbling sound fills the space. Rick speaks as he exhales*
"You wanna know how I approach this, guy? Just like any other match - my opponent just has bewbs and a pooter instead of a weiner, eh?"
*Matt let's out a somewhat audible gasp*
"RICK?!? Where did you get that?!? Do you know what that is?!?" Matt exclaims.
"Uhh, yeah, guy....it's Skywalker OG. Some primo bud...bud! This shit would give an elephant a serious case of the peanut munchies, but it just makes me peckish."
*Rick offers the bong across the table*
"Want a hit, guy?!"
*Matt shakes his head.*
"No thanks. That's d...," Matt stammers.
"That's (whispers) drugs. And that's something I just don't do. Nancy said 'Just say no' and I'd like to do her proud. Do you do this before every match?" Matt asks.
*Rick takes another haul*
"Before...after...hell, guy, if I could I'd do it during. This shit's legal in Canada, eh? I'm just partaking of my rights as a Canadian citizen...."
*Rick points at Matt with a smile*
"But you liked those brownies, eh? You and Nick sure were enjoying that plate...and the pizza....and all the other various munchies..."
"Hmm, I'll have to ask Nancy about that," Matt replies.
"Note to self, call mom about drugs," Matt says to himself while he types something on his phone.
"And for the record, winning gives me a huge appetite," Matt says proudly.
"But anyway, what am I here for again?"
"You know, if smoking marijuana affects short term memory...what does smoking marijana do?"
*Rick laughs comically*
"Look, I'm gonna level with ya. Those brownies? Remember how I said they were for after your match? I made them myself? You liked the parsley?"
"Ok, if you do have another plate of those brownies, feel free to bring them to my locker room. Me and the TMDK guys will probably be hungry after we knock CHAOS down another notch. But anyway, Chris Wolfe is champion, right?"
"Whoawhoawhoa, Matt-guy! Slow down, bud. I'm tryin' to have a....broment here with you..."
*Rick nods to himself*
"Broment. I like that..."
"Yes, Rick. We can talk about those Brotherhood Brownies another time, but I have been looking some of the rules and by-laws here in NFW and I think I stumbled on to something," Matt says completely oblivious.
*Rick reaches across the table and gently turns Matt's face towards his*
"Bro...listen, your match last week was with Goto...and that guy hits like a fucking truck. Those brownies had my own strain of bud in them....that's what the parsley was!"
*Rick pats Matt's shoulder and sits back down*
"Look, I realized after the fact that a) you were probably gonna hurt and tylenol ain't curing that body ache, guy, and b) my version of celebration might not be the same as everyone else's."
*Matt pauses and takes a moment to soak it all in. Then looks up and comes to a realization.*
"You put Bud in those brownies? Now that's a different story," Matt says.
"I think that's the first time I've ever heard of someone putting beer in brownies."
*Rick sighs and shakes his head*
"So, what's that you were saying about The Big Bad Wolfe, Matt-guy? And what's this you stumbled across?"
"Maybe use Molson...I dunno," Matt mumbles to himself.
"But anyway, you remember how I beat Wolfe a few months ago during that Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament? And since he's champion, that means one thing...," Matt says as he slowly strokes his chin.
*Rick shrugs*
"He gets to wear a shiny belt?"
"Well, yeah. But it means I need to talk to Mr. Brody. Opportunity just presented itself," Matt says proudly.
*Rick finger guns across the table at Matt*
"Oh, I knew what you meant, guy...I've got that same clause for the Silver Mountain Championship."
"Y'know, bud, that'd be like the cheese in your poutine. Everyone loves poutine...you ever had poutine, Matt?"
"Mmmn, gravy...," Matt muses to himself before snapping back to attention.
"Oh, uhmm, yeah!! I know that's what the kids call it nowadays. But yeah, I've 'done it' before," Matt says as we hear a collective groan from the arena crowd.
"I wouldn't want people to think I wasn't hip or 'down with it' if you know what I mean, eh?" Matt says while trying to play it cool.
"So, you've done the poutine? Awesome bud! How'd ya do it? Smoke it? Was it the chemical form on some blotter paper? Did you snort it?"
*Comically Rick gasps*
"Or did you shoot it directly into your veins, guy?!"
"I thought we were talking about fries and gravy with cheese curds on top," Matt says puzzled.
*Rick laughs*
"I was...but seemed to me, guy, you were talking about it like it was the nudie magazine hidden under your mattress when you were 13! That or some kind of weird Canadian drug, eh?"
"I thought you were talking about that stuff The Rock used to say in Smackdown..."
"You mean POONTANG pie? Trust me, guy...I definitely love that flavour."
*Matt nods* "Ok ok, good good. Listen, I need to go see Mr. Brody and go over some things with the announce guys, but can me and the guys count on you in case CHAOS tries some sort of dastardly trick?"
*Rick extends a fist across the table*
"Absolutely, guy...and don't worry, I'll try to whip up another batch of brownies for after your match - extra parsley...."
*Matt gives Rick the fist bump* "I knew I can count on you. And god bless the Italians for their advanced baking skills."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated El Piso Mojado, by pinfall in 10:44, after savagely throwing everything he had at the man, obviously torturing and punishing him as much as he could before finishing him off with the Boma Ye.
After the bell, as Shinsuke's music played, he set up in the corner and ran in to hit Piso with a second Boma Ye!!
HANSON
"Oh, c'mon!!! What was that for?! The match is over!!"
Nonetheless, Shinsuke picked Piso up and snapped him overhead with his Exploder Suplex right onto his neck. As the crowd boo'ed and the referee called for Shinsuke to back off, Shinsuke dismissively kicked at Piso with his foot, taunting him. Pressing a foot down over his head as he called for a microphone. As Roger Arden cautiously handed one to him, Shinsuke SNATCHED it up, taking a moment to 'prep' for his speech as he did his usual, flamboyant twitching before finally raising the mic and began pacing in an impatient circle inside the ring.
"Lerooouuuuuux-chaaaaaaaaan.... Lerooouuuuuuuux-chaaaaaaaaan!" He taunted into the mic, walking in a circle around Piso, not bothering to step over him but stepped on and booted him if he happened to be in his way during a lap. Finally, Shinsuke stopped and crouched beside Piso, looking down at the ramp. Head tilted. Hair in his face. He looked absolutely wild.
"OI!! LEROUX-CHAN!!!" He finally shouted.
REYNOLDS
"I think Shinsuke's snapped, Nicky."
HANSON
"He's become obsessed with Scott Leroux, Jim. He technically has the win over him at Wrestle War but it's not the way he wanted."
"Tsui watsu ta to shi tsu ta?" Shinsuke continued, tilting his head to the other side and shifting his hair over as he stared wide eyed and crazed towards the backstage. "Eh?!" He leaned forward, bracing a hand on Piso's chest as he sneered up the ramp. "I...not...finished....with YOU, YET!!!!" He pushed himself up to his feet with an eerie grace that he was known for. "You...." He pointed at the stage, "And I...." He pointed back to himself. "We are...NOT...OVER!!!!" Pacing around in a circle again, he looked down at his opponent and leaned over him. "Oi...Piso-chan. Ki ki teruno ka?" He reached down, slapping Piso in the face and snapped his fingers. "You bring message to Scott. You tell him...." Shinsuke straightened up and 'convulsed' around in a circle again before striking his center-ring pose.
"YEAOH!!!!!"
As "Subconcious" resumed throughout the arena, Shinsuke dropped the microphone right onto El Piso Mojado and swung down out of the ring in his usual manner by using the middle rope as a handlebar and began making his way up the ramp.
HANSON
"I don't think you need to understand Japanese, Jim, because Shinsuke just said it as plain and clear as was needed. He is not satisfied with beating Scott Leroux by disqualification! He wants the Tapout King again!"
REYNOLDS
"And if I know Scott, I think he's gonna get him, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Is somebody gonna help Piso out of the ring? C'mon. The guy just put up one hell of a fight against the King of Strong Style and ate a post-match assault!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera shifts from the previous scene to the inside of an office. The first thing we see is a framed picture on the wall of Alex Brody at Wrestle War XV, tearfully raising her arms while sitting on the shoulders of Erin Mercer and Shelley Silver; the NFW Women’s Championship around her waist. Slowly, the camera pans to the side and comes across another photo of Alex backstage with her father, Steven Brody. The image looks like it was taken backstage on the same night. Father and daughter stand together with the belt over Alex’s shoulder while Steven Brody holds an arm around her and points to the belt with the look of a proud dad on his face.
As the camera pans over other photographs of historical NFW moments, we hear the voice of Steven Brody speaking over the phone.
“So we’re good for the 11th, then? Seating, lodging, the whole nine yards?” Pause. The camera pans, finally over to the desk where Steven Brody sits with the phone to his ear. “Outstanding. Thank you so much!” Pause. He nods. “Have yourself a good evening.” He hangs the phone up and turns to his computer, typing at his keyboard until a knock on his door makes him look up. Before he says anything, he checks the clock on his monitor and realizes he’s been expecting someone. “Yes, come on in!” He stands from his chair, ready to greet the visitor.
A female comes walking in first, twirling an umbrella that has spikes on the ends of the frame, and holes in the canvas, quickly followed by a man in a long flowing jacket, license plate on the left shoulder, set of looping chains on the right. The female shakes Steven’s hand as does the hooded man. “Evening Sir, may we sit?”
“Yes, please do. Absolutely
Sitting down and pulling out a cigar while the hooded man jumps up on the desk and sits on his haunches like a modern day gargoyle “ May I?” she asks. Getting no response, she puts her cigar down and gets straight to business. “You may know our names, assuming you don’t, I am “The Lady” Elizavetta Von Dutch and I am the handler for “The Ragman” Jag’hatai D’habi. Pound for pound the best true wrestler you have in your roster. You see, as a studier of many forms of actual wrestling, your entertainers can not match him, let alone touch him professionally. We wanted to thank you for letting us compete here. It is an honour.”
As Elizavetta speaks, Brody occasionally looks over at Jag’hatai with a look of humorous confusion. Mainly based on the way he’s sitting up on his desk. Or rather...perched.
When she finishes, Brody doesn’t even bother asking the man to get down. At least, not yet. Instead, he simply nods at the man’s manager’s statement and directs his attention back to her. “Well, that’s certainly a bold statement to be sure. However, seeing as I’ve watched some of Mr. D’habi’s work on the independent circuit, I can agree that he definitely has something to bring to the table. We’ll just have to see how ready he is when he makes his debut, next week. I’m sure I can speak for a large number of viewers when I say that NFW is looking forward to having him.”
Finally, Brody turns directly to Jag’hatai D’habi and looks him over. “You ready for next week?”
The man justs nods as she continues to speak “ As far as his debut goes, let’s make this interesting. Jag’hatai versus a mystery opponent. How does that sound Mr. Brody?
Brody looks briefly between Elizavetta and Jag’hatai; an intrigued look crossing his face. “Mystery opponent?” He rubs his chin and nods. “I think that’s something I can accommodate, Miss Von Dutch. I’ll get it booked immediately. You just make sure this gentlemen is ready to knock the NFW universe off of their feet.” He shakes both of their hands again. “Pleasure meeting the both of you and as the Commissioner, allow me to officially welcome you to the New Frontier.”
“We will take the New Frontier by storm, trust us” she says as the gargoyle of a man gets down off the desk and opens the door for her. “The Cigar is yours, I have more where that came from” she responds over her shoulder as the door closes.
Steven Brody picks up the cigar and looks at it. Behind the camera speaks. The audience watching laughs as they recognize it as none other as the ever so bold Camera Man #6. “Umm...Mr. Brody?”
“Yes?” Brody looks up at the camera, holding the cigar.
“Where the HELL did you find that guy?”
Brody smirks with amusement on his face. “Don’t ask. Because I don’t even know.” He walks to sit down behind his desk. Camera Man #6’s perspective moves like he’s heading out of the office. “Wait’ll Mr. Skinner hears about this fucking guy!” The audience laughs as the shot fades out.
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As the show came back from commercial, the lights in the arena suddenly dropped.... and after a long, uncomfortable moment of total silence, a familiar low growl was heard.
"AVE... SATANAS"
The crowd erupted as Judas Lasher walked out onto the stage, black and red spotlights thumping on and off to the beat of his Venom, Inc entrance theme. Wearing a black suit with silver pinstripes, a red tie, and dark sunglasses, with his long hair tied back behind him, and the NFW World Heavyweight Title over his shoulder, he turned his head to give a glance to Alessandra standing beside him, wearing another of what was becoming her signature long black dresses. When he turned to look at her, she smiled up at him like he was the only person in the room.
Draping a possessive arm around the woman's waist, he led them to the ring, almost (ALMOST!) cracking a smile as the crowd, which had spent so many years hating him, now chanted his name.
"It's been a long year." He said simply, pausing then to let the crowd quiet down. "When I came back to NFW, it was at the request of this woman's young daughter." He said, motioning to Alessandra. "Her late father, my best friend, had been disrespected in a most vile manner. The Dominion is for life. Once you are part of us... you may leave, but you will always be a part of us. And it took only that one phone call for LeeAnn and myself to bring The Dominion out of mothballs, and rain terror upon NFW once more. But once that ended... once my friend's name and honor were avenged... rather than depart once more, I decided to enter the tournament created in his name. It was the most physically grueling, taxing thing I've done in twenty years... but I won. And in winning, I showed myself that even at 46 years old, I can still do this. And last week at WrestleWar? I proved it to everyone."
It's amazing how seeing someone's more human side will change people's minds. Now they've gotten to see Judas fighting for the honor of a fallen friend AND fall for someone. It was something to root for.
"And I bet you'll keep on proving that to any remaining doubters," Allessandra said, staring up at him for a beat before turning her attention back to the audience. As she spoke, she reached up one of her hands, resting it on Judas's chest. "So maybe it's time for people to start being more careful about what they say, because as you've all gotten to see, unlike a lot of wrestlers, Judas isn't just talk."
"I have already had several people express surprise about the fact that Alessandra escorts me to the ring now." Judas added, smirking in amusement. "They say that I never had valets or 'arm-candy' before... so why now? What people don't realize is... while this woman has worn many hats in her career - comedic sidekick, doting wife, loving mother - one thing she has constantly been is a damn intelligent woman with a sharp mind for this sport. There's a reason that anyone connected to her has been successful, and it's not 'chance'. While she has indeed won my heart... surprising since most thought I was lacking one to begin with... she has also proven to me that my career will only be better having her at my side in the ring as well as out of it."
"I may be The King of Pain... but this woman has truly earned her place as my Queen."
"Shows just how smart people are if they think you were lacking a heart," she said, smiling at him for a moment. She knew better. "Some people find it frustrating to be underestimated. I never have. I've always just found it funny. It also just gives me great pleasure to prove them wrong time and time again."
She looked directly toward one of the cameras and grinned. "It's time to get ready for royalty, folks."
"One last thing." Lasher said, stopping as he had begun to leave the ring. "Max LeBrun. Unfortunately... you learned one of this business's hardest lessons last week: Be careful who you trust. Do not let that break you. Learn from it. Become tougher from it. And in the end... rise from it like the phoenix we both know you are. If the flames of hell couldn't stop you, son... I don't think a Dominion cast-off and his cast of idiots is going to give you much trouble."
He grabbed Alessandra by the waist again, pulling her close as he flung his sunglasses into the crowd.
"Ave... Satanas."
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TMDK and Matt Klazzic defeated CHAOS, by pinfall in 16:28 when Matt Klazzic planted Toru Yano with the Northern Lights Bomb.
HANSON
"Chalk up another win for Matt Klazzic, ladies and gentlemen!"
REYNOLDS
"THAT'S MY BOY, RIGHT THERE!!! YOU SHOW THOSE ASSHOLES WHO RUNS THIS SHIT!!!"
HANSON
"Will you calm down? When did you become such a Matt fan?"
REYNOLDS
"Ever since CHAOS thought they could come in and talk shit on NFW! Bunch of assholes!"
The shot faded to another commercial break as TMDK and Matt Klazzic celebrated their victory in the ring.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She looked directly toward one of the cameras and grinned. "It's time to get ready for royalty, folks."
"One last thing." Lasher said, stopping as he had begun to leave the ring. "Max LeBrun. Unfortunately... you learned one of this business's hardest lessons last week: Be careful who you trust. Do not let that break you. Learn from it. Become tougher from it. And in the end... rise from it like the phoenix we both know you are. If the flames of hell couldn't stop you, son... I don't think a Dominion cast-off and his cast of idiots is going to give you much trouble."
He grabbed Alessandra by the waist again, pulling her close as he flung his sunglasses into the crowd.
"Ave... Satanas."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TMDK and Matt Klazzic defeated CHAOS, by pinfall in 16:28 when Matt Klazzic planted Toru Yano with the Northern Lights Bomb.
HANSON
"Chalk up another win for Matt Klazzic, ladies and gentlemen!"
REYNOLDS
"THAT'S MY BOY, RIGHT THERE!!! YOU SHOW THOSE ASSHOLES WHO RUNS THIS SHIT!!!"
HANSON
"Will you calm down? When did you become such a Matt fan?"
REYNOLDS
"Ever since CHAOS thought they could come in and talk shit on NFW! Bunch of assholes!"
The shot faded to another commercial break as TMDK and Matt Klazzic celebrated their victory in the ring.
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We come back from commercial break and we see the camera spanning the arena as we hear the thousands in attendance voicing thier opinions of thier favorite superstars when all of a sudden "Storm" by Antonio Vivaldi fills the arena. The crowd erupts in boos and cheers as its shown to be none other than Clerance Fletcher Townsend.
Roger Arden, from the ring mic, announces his arrival.
"Please Welcome back to NFW, Clerance Townsend!!"
As the ring announcer finishes talking, CFT angrily speaks into a microphone.
"Cut the music"
As he is talking he is pointing directly at Roger Arden.
"Now you are gonna do that again, because you low life ingrates always get my name wrong. I guess that's what happens when I'm the only one with class," says an arrogant CFT.
After he says that we hear the arena erupt with valiant boos all over.
"Now Mr Arden, you're gonna say my name again, and you're gonna say it right. Because unlike you and the rest of these low lifes, I'm high in sophistication and class. Now this is your last chance, sir..."
As Roger Arden slowly humbles into his groove again after looking like a child thats been scolded after doing a bad things at home, he begins again:
"Ladies And Gentlemen " Arden seems much more confident as he continues "Please Welcome Back ....Clerance Fletcher Townsend!!! "
"Hello you filthy low life ingrates" Says a very confident CFT, " Now I see that you ingrates haven't changed at all, You people are not giving me the respect i deserve...Not even the competitors in the back can rightfully give me the respect i deserve even though i can buy their whole life and still have enough to buy a Lamborghini. Even the fact that i have my lovely Victoria Emmerson right by my side, you people should be ashamed of yourselves. You came to see me in this ring, because you live boring lives. You work boring 9-5 jobs and you hate your bosses. Your life is basically in the toilet, and you live every day to keep it afloat."
"Your efforts are meaningless but you sheep are too blind to see that by the end of the day..."
Now CFT starts to look at the camera in the ring as he continues.
"I'm kinda glad I was able to be off.. because you people didn't deserve my services. You people didnt appreciate my talents! Not even Mr. Brody appreciated my talent, because he wasn't using my services properly."
"Now I wanna say I would have been more important if I would have won the Silver Mountain tournament. I was the easy pick to win - but nooo, a certain low life gutter dweller had to be jealous of my millions and win my Million Dollar Challenge. So I'm calling out this low life! Shelley Silver?! Get your disgusting carcass out here and face me, NOW!!!!!!"
As he finishes CFT and Victoria turn thier attention to the entrance ramp where they patiently wait the arrival of Ms. SIlver.
As if on cue, "I Am the Fire" by Halestorm began to play and a very cool, calm, and collected Shelley Silver walked out onto the ramp, microphone in hand. She smiled as the crowd gave a huge pop as she made her way down to the ring, greeting fans as she made her way down. She went as slow as possible, knowing that she was pissing off an already infuriated lesser being with every passing moment that she wasn't at his beck and call, bowing at his feet. She finally made her way up the steps and wiped off her feet before climbing in between the ropes. She circled around CFT before looking Victoria Emmerson over, licking her lips.
"First of all..." she stopped right in front of CFT, "thank you for allowing me to finish my Sega Dreamcast collection. I really don't like to spend the money that I make for my normal appearances on such things. Because second of all?" Shelley slowly tilted her head smirking, "if you bothered simply Googleing me and looking past my classy nude photos," she paused for another pop from the crowd, "you'd see that my net worth is actually much larger than Commissioner Steve Brody, himself. Just because I don't flaunt my money, that doesn't mean that I don't have any. Entering a worldwide martial arts tournament isn't free, and neither is winning it. And I've won probably ten times the amount of those as you can probably fathom existing. That doesn't even begin to cover how much I've made on the movies that I've been in and the stunt work that I've done over the years. I'm not just some lucky little girl that caught you with your pants down and laughed at your silly little micro-pecker while slamming you from ring post to ring post. I'm a fighter, Mister Townsend, and it's past time that you and the rest of the world recognize that. Because when I get into that ring, I don't see someone for what's between their legs... or what they wish was... I just see someone that is either at my level or never will be. I can count on one hand how many times I've wrestled against someone above my level and still have fingers left over."
She took a few steps back and leaned against the ropes with a shrug, waiting for CFT to fire back, knowing damn well that he didn't take in a word that she had just said.
CFT just looked at Shelley like she was a homeless person off the streets.
"You know Shelley, my belongings cost more than your entire life, so dont come out here saying you have money..."
He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a 1000 dollar bill that looks like it has gotten dirty at some point. CFT looks at Shelley who looks at the bill and clearly in disgust that CFT would hand her a dirty bill.
"You see Shelley.. this is a $1000 Dollar bill that I used as toilet paper. Why you ask? Because I can. No one is above me, period. I'm letting you have this bill, because you are exactly like it: meaningless, and should be flushed down the toilet with the rest of the crap! Low life heathens like you who try to make thier life seem like it means something to society, are in reality nothing but empty wastes of space. So unless you have something to say, I suggest you get out of my ring. This is my time - you had your 15 minutes of fame. So go, be with society. Be the nothing that you are..." as CFT sits the mic down in front of him Victoria stands right next to him and holds his arm.....
Shelley just stood back, rolling her eyes, as she raised a hand to mimic lips flapping in annoyance. "You see... I know your type. I know that you didn't listen to a single word that I said. Not everyone that has money flaunts it like you do. That in no way means that you don't have it. Because I do. I live in a fuckin' mansion for pity's sake. I have a staff. I barely go home because I can afford to fly myself from place to place to place and stay in the most luxurious of hotels all over the world and I fight for fun because I can. You are not above me, Clarence. You just tell yourself, as well as the millions willing to listen to your drivel because it makes you feel better about yourself. She's not any better," Shelley motioned to Victoria. "Yeah, she's fucking hot, and I'd make her scream in ways that you couldn't even imagine, but that's not what we're here for. didn't come out here because that million dollars meant something to me. I've already got plenty of those. Just because I don't act like you, that doesn't mean that I don't got what you got." She paused, pursing her lips. "I do have one thing that you don't... and that's brains. Which is exactly how I beat you. I was tempted to leave that ugly briefcase in Chicago or wherever the fuck we were that night. Because that's how much I really don't need such money." She grinned, "because I could have just sat back, rolling my eyes, like all of the guys did. Because those men and women in the back? They know something that you don't. And that is... money doesn't equal talent. That's something else that I have and you don't." She pushed herself off of the ropes, walking up to CFT once more, "that's the real reason why no one else took your little challenge. Because it wasn't actually a challenge. I showed everyone just how talentless and pathetic you were. And that doesn't even begin to cover her," she motioned to Victoria. "My manager isn't even trained in anything other than taking fuckin' bumps. So now... please... explain yourself out of this. I beg you."
CFT Looks at Shelley once again and puts his arm around Victori. He raises the other hand up and glances at Victoria who gives a slight nod. Suddenly CFT violently slaps Shelley taking her back quite a few steps.
"How dare you take that tone with me!! Don't you know who I am? You're a peasant! A meaningless breath of life who doesnt do anything for society! Don't you know I own most of California, including some of the local Sheriff's departments there as well? You're just a tiny piece of dirt on the bottom of my shoe!"
As Clerance finishes his statement Victoria grabs Shelley and delivers a wicked clothesline that flattens her. As she lays on the mat, Clerance and Victoria stand over her.
Shelley began laughing, as she shook her head. She didn't have anything else to say as she slowly got up. Instead of losing her shit and going after both of them, knowing full well that she could take them on without breaking a sweat, she just continued laughing as she picked herself up. She knew that they could both keep saying that they were better than her in every way possible, but she knew the real truth. That was all that really mattered to her. Shelley knew that these two pathetic waste of space didn't really know the first thing about her, nor were they ever really going to try to find out. Just because Shelley chose to not run in their circle, they would always assume that she was nothing. She was OK with that.
*As Shelley stood laughing across the ring, the familiar sound of a chainsaw roaring to life filled the arena, the crowd roaring as Rick Dickulous stepped out onto the entrance ramp, microphone in hand. The Silver Mountain Championship gleamed around his waist as he played the crowd, shooting finger guns and his trademark smile before raising the mic to his mouth*
"Whoa, whoa, whoa there, guy! Clearance? Is it Clearance? Or Clarence? Whatever...bud, you can't be coming out here like you own the place, eh?"
*Rick slowly begins walking towards the ring*
"What I'm hearing right now is a whole lot of whining, like when you gotta use dollar store maple syrup on your flapjacks. See, Shelley here beat 19 other competitors in a Battle Royale, guy...and all you've done so far that's memorable is lose....sorry, not sorry....it's just truth."
*Rick climbs onto the apron and steps over the ropes, nodding at Shelley as he entered*
"Seems to me you want a shot at my title, Clearance-guy...and you're barking up the wrong damned tree going after Shelley. Sure, maybe she beat your ass, and sure, maybe she sidelined you..."
*Rick stands directly in front of Townsend, bending down to put his face on the same level*
"..but it seems to me, buddy, that you don't learn from your mistakes!"
"Mistakes you say?" Victoria asks in a demeaning way. "Need I remind you that my man has been sidelined for awhile now , and even if he wasn't, my Clerance doesnt know the word mistake! We were just born better, and it looks like you and your little girlfriend here are jealous! Jealous that we can ride across the country in a limo and not worry about the cost, or how We can buy a Ferrari because we want to. We enjoy the finer things in life."
As she finishes her statement CFT takes the mic from her.
"That means that we dont enjoy you at all. Because you are just a thing thats been put out on the curb for the weekly pick up. Now I'm tired of being underestimated, underutilized, and having my well being scrutinized! The whole reason I did the Million Dollar Challenge was to show you low life scumbags my natural ability in this ring. Now you idiots dont know this but I was trained by a legend that also had "Millions," and another legend that was a multi time champion, so I want in this match! I want in this division!! I deserve it because I demand it! What are you gonna say to that??"
Before anyone in the ring could get another word out, the speakers came to life with ZZ Top's Sharp Dressed Man, causing a pop from the crowd.
REYNOLDS
"Uh-oh, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Uh-oh's right. Here comes the boss, folks!"
Stepping out onto the stage, Commissioner Brody greeted the Boston crowd with a tiny smirk on his face. Carrying a mic down at his side, the Commissioner sported a black suit, white shirt without a tie. For once, he looked more relaxed and in charge.
REYNOLDS
"This could be good or bad. For who? Can't say."
As Brody came to a stop on the stage, his music faded out which only made it so that the crowd could be heard more clearer.
"BRO-DY!"
"BRO-DY!"
"BRO-DY!"
"BRO-DY!"
As Steven Brody gave a small nod of thanks to the crowd's ovation, their attention and chant shifted to the ring....
"YOU FUCKED UP!"
"YOU FUCKED UP!"
"YOU FUCKED UP!"
"YOU FUCKED UP!"
Smirking a little more, Brody extended the microphone in his hand to help pick up the audio before bringing it to his mouth. "That's one thing I love about Boston. You guys never mince for words. Now!" He paused for a moment as the crowd roared with approval. The Commissioner grinned slightly before turning to look down the ramp at the three athletes inside. "Now...first off, as Mr. Townsend made note of when he first came out here, yes; he was very generous with a donation in NFW's name. He donated a hefty sum of two million dollars St. Jude in support of ending children's cancer."
HANSON
"Wow!"
REYNOLDS
"Ha-ha! That's my boy, right there!"
For once, the audience actually seemed to be responding favorably to CFT and Victoria as Steven Brody lead them in applause before raising the microphone again. "I also wanna thank Ms. Silver. She donated a very generous ten million over the internet before she walked out into Madison Square Garden and stomped the living hell out of nineteen other people. Let's hear it for your number one contender to the Silver Mountain Championship!"
The crowd...went...NUTS!!
REYNOLDS
"WAIT, WHAAAAAAAAT?!"
HANSON
"TEN MILLION DOLLARS?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
"THANK YOU SHELLEY!"
*Clap-clap-clapclapclap*
"THANK YOU SHELLEY!"
*Clap-clap-clapclapclap*
When the crowd calmed down, Steven Brody lifted the microphone again. "Now, onto why I mainly came out here. Clarence? There's no doubt that you have the talent that we look for here in NFW. However...." He lost his smile and narrowed his eyes down at the ring, raising an eyebrow. "Would one of you down there like to clarify, to me, just what the hell I think I heard back in my office? Clarence, you demand a shot at the Silver Mountain Championship because you deserve it? Just what the hell have you done that you deserve a shot at that title?"
As CFT looks at all the people in the ring and thinks to himself that hes better than everyone in it, he suddenly starts to smirk at them; almost an evil, sadistic grin. He then looks at his beautiful girlfriend Victoria, and he realizes that he's in the top 1% of society, and the people in the ring are barely known just for their existance.
"You wanna know why I deserve this? How about the fact that I'm just better? I was born better, I was bred as a human better, and you parasites think that I don't deserve to be here. How about the fact that I haven't had the chance to prove it all in an actual match? You give me that, hell I'll do you one better. How about a triple threat? Or are you confused because my vocabulary is just that much better than yours??
As he finishes his statement we see Victoria Emmerson smiling like kid in a candy store...CFT looks at the people in the ring waiting for a response.....
HANSON
"Wow. This guy's just digging himself into a deeper hole. What kinda guy talks to their boss the way CFT does?"
REYNOLDS
"CFT speaks the truth, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Oh, gimme a break."
"So you want a chance to prove yourself, is that it?" Brody said into the mic, watching CFT and Victoria. "Alright, fine by me. I don't see what vocabulary has to do with any of this. Maybe Ms. Silver there dropped you on your head a little too hard in your match in November, but alright. Here's what we're gonna do." Steven Brody paced slowly back and forth on the stage as he spoke. "See, it just so happens, I was back in my office and I had a few moments to kill so I picked up the phone and called an old friend of mine. He loves wrestling as much as I do. He used to be an actual competitor back in his prime. He said 'Steve, man, how's it going? How's the promotion coming along?' I said 'it's going great, Scott. We're killing it in ratings, we just had a pay-per-view.' He's like 'oh yeah, I know. I watch you guys. That Silver Rush match was awesome. But how are things backstage?'"
REYNOLDS
"Scott? Scott Steiner? Big Bad Booty Daddy?"
HANSON
"I can't even picture Steven Brody and Scott Steiner sitting down over a beer."
Brody shook his head, looking down at the ring. "I told him 'to be honest? They could be better. You see, Scott, for the most part I have a bunch of respectful men and women that come to work, they jump into their gear, they walk down to the ring and they kick ass while busting theirs. If they have a question they come to me and ask. If they have a request, if they want a particular match, they ask me for it. But then I have a few bad apples in the bunch. They like to come barging into my office, making demands like I'm the guy who works for them.' Don't get me wrong, I am there for all of you. But some of you, and you know who I'm talking about there in the back. Clarence you and Miss Emmerson there are among them. Some of you seem to think you deserve things simply because you're a professional wrestler and you know how to administer a headlock. Well the Silver Mountain Championship isn't about headlocks. It's not about armbars, and kimuras, or figure four leglocks. It's not about moonsaults or shooting star presses, Clarence. It's about...endurance. It's about adaptation. How are those words for your vocabulary? So, back to my phone call. I asked my friend, 'Scott. I'm new to the whole actually running a business. I've refereed, I've worked in the production truck, but this is the first time I've ever actually been in complete control over a company. How do I take care of these bad apples?'"
Steven Brody ran a hand casually through his hair and smiled a little down at the ring. "You know what he said? Excuse my language here folks. He said, 'Steve Stevie? You need to not take any of their shit. Whether you give into their demands is up to you, bud. But if you wanna show them that you still run things, you do it on your terms. Your rules.' And you know what? He's right. So I said to my friend, 'Scott, you're a genius. An absolute genius. I know what to do now. Thank you so much.' And this is perfect, see, because...next week? We're gonna be holding our show in Scott's hometown. Philidelphia, Pennsylvania."
REYNOLDS
"Wait. Scott Steiner's not from Philly. Nicky?"
HANSON
"Oh....oh my."
REYNOLDS
"What?"
Brody continued, coming to stand center stage, facing the ring head on. "That's right, we're gonna be in Philly and I'm to understand that he'll be attending, right in the front row. So you know what? I wanna kinda take advantage of my position just this once. I wanna do something in this situation, Clarence, because I bet my pal would enjoy it. You like to brag about the big names who trained you all the time, so that's what I'm gonna do, here. See, this Scott that I know; his name...is Scott Levy."
Fans among the audience who really knew their wrestling history from the 90s began to buzz with excitement as a pop arose from the crowd. Brody continued over the microphone. "You might have heard of him, Clarence. I know Rick has, I see that grin on his face." He said, pointing at Rick. "Shelley, you look like you know your stuff, too. Clarence, I guess maybe you're in the dark, so let me fill you in. Does the name 'Raven' ring any bells to you?"
Now, the rest of the crowd was going berserk, cheering out of respect for the mention of a legend ad Brody went on. "I hope it does. See, you don't look like much of a hardcore style guy but if you want a shot at that belt, you're gonna have to be, because here's what we're gonna do! Next week! Philidelphia, Pennsylvania! Main event! You're gonna get your triple threat match, Clarence. Victoria, you might wanna stay away from this one. Wouldn't wanna ruin your $50,000 dress or however much it costs."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, she wears beautiful dresses!"
"Here's the deal, Clarence. You win this match? The Silver Mountain Championship match becomes a triple threat next month. Next week's match, Clarence, is gonna be you...versus Shelley Silver...versus Rick Dickulous....." Brody paused and looked around the audience, anticipating their reaction of what was to come, before yelling into the mic, staring right down at CFT directly. "In a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match!!"
CFT Looks at Brody and nods.
"You've got yourself a deal Brody, Let me just say you will not be disappointed."
As CFT and Victoria Walk down the ramp back up to the stage they both turn around with CFT holding a mic, laughing smugly.
"You know you peasants are so determined to make me look like an ass, but in reality, there's a price to be paid. But hey, no worries everyone's got a price, and in that match I'm gonna expose you as the worthless ingrates you are."
As CFT finishes his statement Victoria grabs the mic "You know Brody, holding us down is only gonna make you look like an ass. Now is that a price your willing to pay??"
*Rick raises his microphone and points up the ramp at CFT and Victoria*
"I can tell ya this, guy, when that bell rings next Monday night, you'll be paying alright. When all three of us go out fer a rip, I can guarantee two things, Clearance."
*Rick holds up one finger*
"Number one, you'll learn what it takes to work for once in your life, guy. No, really...this is a working man's belt, and you look like you've never lifted a finger in your life, eh?"
*Rick holds up a second finger, and then points to the Silver Mountain Championship around his waist*
"And number two, Clearance....is that bugging you yet, bud? Clearance? I mean, I think it's fucking hilarious, guy!"
*Rick laughs, looking around at the crowd*
"Number two, this title right here?"
*Rick turns and looks towards Shelley*
"Is staying right where it is...no disrespect, Shell-guy - you know how it is. We hang with the same people...this isn't about friendships though, this is business. You know it, and so do I, bud. At the end of the day, if I held back against you, what the hell kind of champion would I be?"
*As Rick finishes, the crowd roars in approval*
Shelley gave a firm nod to Rick as she raised her microphone once again. "I couldn't agree more, Rick. When that bell rings, there is no such thing as friendships, let alone any other type of relationship. So long as you promise not to hold back, I will do the same. Though... we both know damn well that we would both have to to get into..." she waved her hand dismissively before pointing toward Clarence and Victoria, "their level."
The crowd 'OHHHHHHHH'ed' in response as Shelley let the mic fall to the mat. "I Am The Fire" resumed as she and Rick Dickulous stood in the ring, watching CFT and Victoria Emmerson take their leave up the ramp.
HANSON
"Well there ya have it, ladies and gentlemen! We've got our main event for next week!"
REYNOLDS
"A House of Fun match, Nicky?! Do you know what that is?!"
HANSON
"I know exactly what that is, Jim. Tuck the kids away in bed early, next week, mom and dad. This one could get messy!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the Television Championship match took place, Kenny Omega was making his solo entrance to the ring when Matt Jackson came running from backstage and apologetically stopped the man with a concerned look on his face. The camera quickly panned in on the two men standing on the ramp, picking up part of their conversation.
"--can't find him, anywhere. I've looked all over!" Matt Jackson said, wearing a look of genuine concern on his face. "You know Nick doesn't just disappear like this!"
Under his music, Kenny looked torn between heading towards the ring or running backstage to help look for an allegedly missing Nick Jackson. "Well, we've gotta find him then. I'll talk to Chris Wolfe and---"
Matt stopped him, obviously appreciating the sentiment but he knew how bad Kenny wanted this. He shook his head and held his hands up. "No, man. Look, you've got this match. I'm gonna keep looking. Just come find me when you're done. I'm gonna go find Kota and we're gonna check the rest of the arena."
Kenny nodded, giving Matt daps before continuing towards the ring and psyching himself back up.
REYNOLDS
"What was that all about?"
HANSON
"I--I don't know. Something about Nick Jackson, I think. Matt's brother. He's missing?"
REYNOLDS
"How the hell did he lose his own brother?"
HANSON
"I don't know, Jim!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After an insane 43:59 long contest for the Television Championship, Chris Wolfe was successful in his first defense, defeating Kenny Omega when Omega hit a V-Trigger to Chris Wolfe, sending him out of the ring, through the ropes.
HANSON
"OH MAN!!!! CHRIS LANDED HARD!!!"
REYNOLDS
"YOU SAID IT, NICKY!!"
As the referee exited the ring to administer a check on Chris Wolfe before deciding to start the count, something had the crowd stirred up.
REYNOLDS
"Nicky, what's going---WAIT A MINUTE!!!! WHAT?!?!"
To the shock of all watching, NFW witnessed the second appearance of "SWITCHBLADE" JAY WHITE as he slid into the ring from the crowd, ran up on Kenny Omega and hit him with the BLADERUNNER!!
HANSON
"SON OF A BITCH!! WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?!?!"
REYNOLDS
"IS THIS ANOTHER STAGE IN THE NEW JAPAN INVASION?!"
HANSON
"Oh god, it could be!!! Kenny is contracted with NFW after his departure from New Japan!!"
As the referee ensured that Chris Wolfe wasn't gravely injured, Jay White slid backwards out of the ring with a wicked smile on his face and raised the middle finger to Kenny Omega before ducking under the apron just as the referee got back into the ring and began the count. Chris Wolfe made it back into the ring at "15" and picked Kenny Omega up, unaware of what had just happened before delviering the Direwolfe to the three count!
HANSON
"WHAT IN THE HELL IS JAY WHITE DOING?!?! WHY IS HE COMING AFTER KENNY OMEGA AGAIN?!"
REYNOLDS
"Do ya think it has something to do with what happened at Wrestle War?!"
HANSON
"Hey, you may be right!!!"
REYNOLDS
"But calling him a fraud?! For what?!"
As Chris Wolfe celebrated in the ring and Kenny Omega recovered from a double finisher, essentially, Jay White was seen retreating backstage, beside the ramp. The camera stayed with him long enough to catch him opening his arms to the viewers and leaning in.
"Did you miss me? Eh? Eh?!" He laughed, leaning into the lens, grabbing the camera with one hand as he ran a thumb across his throat. "It's time...NFW...to breeeaaaaathe...with the Switchblade!" As Jay White walked backstage, leaving the viewers and announcers absolutely perplexed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The show returns from the commercial break with a high angled shot inside the arena. The crowd buzzes with excitement for the next match. Fans can be seen returning to their seats with fresh snacks and refills. As everyone reclaims their seats, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds speak up.
HANSON
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. We're just moments away from our semi-main event. This will be our second of three championship matches, of the evening. Quite an interesting story, here."
REYNOLDS
"Unfortunately, it means I have to sit and bare witness to more of the Dominion of Pain."
HANSON
"Do you have some sort of death wish?"
REYNOLDS
"What do you mean?"
HANSON
"You keep up this trash talking. The last time you talked trash on the Dominion, Judas Lasher laid you out in front of London, England. Now here it is, LeeAnn Viskan is about to make her way down to the ring - the Queen of the Dominion - and you're still running your mouth."
REYNOLDS
"Queen, my ass, Nicky. Alessandra Augustino's the Queen of the Dominion. You know?"
HANSON
"No, Jim. She's just Judas Lasher's girlfriend. No offense to Mr. Lasher or Ms. Augustino, by the way."
REYNOLDS
"That sounds weird, hearing out loud. 'Judas Lasher's girlfriend.'"
HANSON
"It does roll off the tongue a little bumpy. Do you think maybe they prefer different terminology? Partners? Lovers?"
REYNOLDS
"No, it's weird just admitting out loud that someone's willingly in a romantic relationship with such a vile man."
Cutting to the announce table, Nick Hanson facepalms in sheer horror and embarrassment.
HANSON
"Oh Jesus, you never learn do you?"
James Reynolds says nothing. The man just shrugs and reaches for his bottle of water as Nick Hanson looks, pleadingly at the camera for Judas Lasher - if he's watching - not to make him a casualty with his broadcast partner.
HANSON
"Anyhow, folks, before get things rolling with our next match, let's take it backstage where Amy Connors is standing by with Kicks And Stones. Now remember, Erin Mercer was the victim of a savage attack at the hands of Tyler Grey."
REYNOLDS
"Absolutely disgusting."
HANSON
"Indeed, Jim."
REYNOLDS
"Let me give you a rub down, Erin. Daddy'll make you feel g---"
HANSON
"Oh, for Christ's sake, Jim! Amy, you're on!"
As James Reynolds and Nick Hanson begin to bicker, the camera shot switches backstage to an NFW backdrop where Amy Connors stands with Kicks And Stones. Both tag team members are dressed in their gear. Erin Mercer shakes her head in disgust at James Reynolds' remarks while tenderly holding a hand to one of her shoulders. A bruise is already beginning to form on her jaw where Tyler Grey delivered his savage big boot. Beside her, Vincent Stone has a look of absolute murder in his eyes as he shifts around, anxiously. He's wearing his black and white gear again with his hair slicked back and a black "Come Get Your Kicks" t-shirt to fit the occasion of Kicks And Stones tagging together again.
Looking obviously concerned, Amy Connors cautiously puts a hand out on Erin Mercer's other shoulder. "Thank you, Nick and Jim. Now, Kicks And Stones, you two have your rematch for the NFW Mixed Tag Team Championship, literally just moments from now against the very team who took the belts from you. That being Crimson Sabre and LeeAnn Viskan. However, Erin, I have to ask, given what happened earlier tonight: are you okay? Are you sure you're good to compete in tonight's match?"
Erin shook her head, shrugging up one hand while the other held her shoulder. "What choice do I have, Amy? The match is booked. Vin and I have been dying to get our rematch. But I had the Queen of the Ring. He had the Battle of the Juniors. I got injured from my last two matches in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Vin made it to the finals and wrestled for the Junior Heavyweight Championship at WrestleWar. Which I'm very proud of him for, by the way. He did so well, even if he didn't come out with the title. Vin, I know Mutoh-san and Kobayashi-san are proud of you."
Vincent Stone shook his head. That wasn't even on his mind right now. Erin Mercer turned back to Amy Connors as Amy spoke up. "I understand how bad you two have been wanting this but you know, Erin, you two can talk to Mr. Brody and Ms. Hayes. You can get this match rescheduled." Erin gave a smile through the pain. "That's what Vin wanted us to do but I'm gonna tell you the same thing that I told him. We fight through the pain every match we have. The fans see us out there smiling, high fiving and everything, sure. But you don't recover from being kicked and slammed and twisted around like a pretzel in just twenty four hours before your next match. One of my favorite matches of last year was Kenny Omega versus Kota Ibushi at the G1 Climax. Little known fact: Kenny Omega wrestled that entire tournament with a fractured heel. He taped up his foot and did his thing. I've iced my shoulder. The doctor looked at it. Nothing's broken. Nothing's torn." She couldn't help but smile and laugh a little nervously. "I know LeeAnn Viskan is gonna smell blood in the water and she's gonna wrap my little ass up in a Fujiwara Armbar or something. But I would expect nothing else from the most dangerous woman in professional wrestling. She's defending her title in her hometown. You can hear them out there!" She nodded towards the curtain where the Boston crowd roared to life at the mention of their hometown girl! "I'm not gonna let a little pain hold me back. I get to stand in the ring with someone that made me wanna do this when I was just a little girl. Pain or no pain, she's gonna get everything I've got. Vin?" She said, finally, looking to her tag team partner, another mentor and her friend.
"Vincent Stone." Amy Connors echoed Erin Mercer. "Do you have anything you'd like to say in regards to your match tonight, or...what happened earlier?"
Vincent Stone sighed, huffing angrily as he rubbed his taped hands together and looked up at the ceiling as if asking for some deity to give him strength before turning to Amy Connors and reached for the microphone. "Let me see that." Amy handed him the microphone and he turned to stare into the camera. "Camera man. C'mere. C'mere! Right here!" He curled his finger inward and pointed down right in front of him. The camera inched forward until Stone was almost right up in the lens. "Tyler Grey." He said with an uncharacteristic coldness in his voice. "I hope you're listening. You'd better be listening! See, at Wrestle War, Judas Lasher came to me. He spoke with me. Now, I'd been a little bit of a pain in the Dominion of Pain's ass up until that point. I took what happened between Lara and Erin out of context. I said somethings to LeeAnn Viskan on social media that I shouldn't have said. Ma'am, you have my utmost apologies. I acted on emotion and didn't give you the respect you deserve. Now, see, Judas Lasher? He made it into my dressing room without me even hearing him. He could have taken me out--" Vincent Stone snapped his fingers, "--just like that. Ended my career quicker than he did Abaddon's. Too soon? Moving on. He spoke with me. Made me see that what happened between Lara and Erin, it wasn't exactly intentional. But YOU, you hot headed, son of a bitch. What you did, I know was intentional! I don't know what your problem is, Tyler. Maybe your parents didn't hug you enough. Maybe you got scorned by your highschool sweetheart so you hate women, for some reason. Maybe Serena won't let you in on Julian and Tyson taking it to her from both ends."
CROWD
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!"
"The fact of the matter is, that you're out of control. A few weeks back, Max LeBrun said something about you guys being like a pack of wild dogs. The thing with you, Tyler, is you're rabid. You are a rabid, fucking animal. And the only thing to be done with a creature like that, is to take them around back to the shed, cock the gun and put a bullet of mercy right in the middle of their head. You? You've been running around here, barking and biting at people just because maybe they happened to be in the area where you were walking. Well, tonight, you bit the wrong person. It's time somebody put you down." He raised up a wrapped fist. "And I've got the gun right here. Cocked and loaded. Tonight's firing practice. After that? I've got a rabid dog to hunt." With the crowd buzzing with anticipation, Stone turned to Erin. "You sure you're good?"
Erin Mercer nodded tentatively, almost humorously nervous around her fired up friend. "Uhh...yeah! Yeah, I'm good, sure."
"Alright, let's go. I'll take the lead...."
Their new tag entrance theme, "Southtown" by P.O.D can be heard beginning to play out in the arena as Vincent Stone lead the way, handing the microphone back to Amy Connors before moving off camera. Erin Mercer followed behind him, giving a look to Amy before she, too disappeared off screen before the shot cut back to the arena.
HANSON
"Wow...."
REYNOLDS
"Oh boy, Nicky. This is serious."
HANSON
"No kidding, Jim."
As the 0:34 mark in the song hit, Vincent Stone exploded from behind the curtain, a little more into his entrance despite his mood. The crowd gave an appreciative pop as Erin Mercer, fighting through the pain, came running out behind him, using her 'good arm' to pump her fist to the music. While he wasn't full of positive energy like normal, Stone made his way down the ramp, slapping hands with the fans on one ramp while Erin Mercer greeted fans on the other side. Continuing their entrance into the ring, Stone got his face into the camera and had another message.
"Watch this shit, Tyler! It's what you've got coming your way, you son of a bitch!"
Stone climbed up onto the apron and slingshotted himself into the ring while Erin still managed to slide into the ring in her sultry manner, managing her flirty smile and wink to the audience before joining Stone in their corner. Again, however, she winced in removing her jacket while Stone pulled his t-shirt off and flung it into the crowd. Instead of Ghost's "Year Zero" filling the arena, however, they were met with the sound of Marilyn Manson's "Cry Little Sister." This had Erin Mercer looking slightly confused on the apron as Vincent Stone relaxed out of his ready stance and watched the ramp. Their opponents usually came out to the sound of their stable theme, so what was going on?
Still in her street clothes (plaid skirt, fishnets, army boots, and a Red Sox tee), the deceptively cute, lanky redhead walked out onto the stage, shaking her head in disappointment."Sorry to do this to ya, babe.... but this match ain't happening. I don't care if it gets cancelled, or if they give it to you guys by forfeit. When and if this match happens? I wanna know that I beat your ass because I'm better than you, not because you're only at about 30%. So take your hot little ass home and recover. And Stone? As a woman who just watched another woman get brutalized by a sorry excuse for a man? I have only one thing to say to you. Beat that motherfucker's ass."
HANSON
"No tag title match, it seems. Honorable decision by LeeAnn."
REYNOLDS
"That means forfeit, right?! Hand them over, Dominion!"
As LeeAnn turned to make her exit, Vincent Stone's voice came on over the speaker and the camera jumped back to the ring to show him with a mic in his hand. "LeeAnn? For what it's worth. You have my absolute--fucking--word that Tyler Grey is a dead man." The crowd cheered loudly before he held a hand up, asking for silence. "I know these fans here are bummed they can't see their hometown girl in action tonight, but I will show her the respect she's due. As far as those belts go. You and Crimson Sabre hold onto them. Because me and Erin?" He thumbed between himself and Erin Mercer who had now entered the ring to stand beside him and shook his head. "We fight for our belts. We don't accept them by forfeit. We look forward to having this match in the future." Dropping the mic, the crowd roared to life as Vincent Stone held the ropes for Erin Mercer and the two made their exit.
HANSON
"How about that, huh?!"
REYNOLDS
"They keep the belts?!"
HANSON
"They keep the belts, Jimmy!"
REYNOLDS
"Goddamn it!"
HANSON
"Hey, I like it!"
"No tag title match, it seems. Honorable decision by LeeAnn."
REYNOLDS
"That means forfeit, right?! Hand them over, Dominion!"
As LeeAnn turned to make her exit, Vincent Stone's voice came on over the speaker and the camera jumped back to the ring to show him with a mic in his hand. "LeeAnn? For what it's worth. You have my absolute--fucking--word that Tyler Grey is a dead man." The crowd cheered loudly before he held a hand up, asking for silence. "I know these fans here are bummed they can't see their hometown girl in action tonight, but I will show her the respect she's due. As far as those belts go. You and Crimson Sabre hold onto them. Because me and Erin?" He thumbed between himself and Erin Mercer who had now entered the ring to stand beside him and shook his head. "We fight for our belts. We don't accept them by forfeit. We look forward to having this match in the future." Dropping the mic, the crowd roared to life as Vincent Stone held the ropes for Erin Mercer and the two made their exit.
HANSON
"How about that, huh?!"
REYNOLDS
"They keep the belts?!"
HANSON
"They keep the belts, Jimmy!"
REYNOLDS
"Goddamn it!"
HANSON
"Hey, I like it!"
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Returning from the final commercial break, Nick Hanson and James Reynolds were seen at the table as usual, preparing to call the main event of the evening.
HANSON
"Jim, you ready for a women's gauntlet?"
REYNOLDS
"Let's have us a women's gauntlet, Nicky!
HANSON
"Damn right, bud. Let's crown us a Women's TV Champion! Let's take it to Roger Arden!"
~DING DING DING~
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a gauntlet match and is your MAIN!! EVENT!!" Roger Arden boomed into the microphone as the audience cheered. "The rules of the match are as followed: two competitors will begin the match and wrestle until a pinfall or submission. Afterwards, the next competitor will enter the ring and will take on the winner of the previous round. This process will continue until the last competitor has entered the match. The competitor who earns the last pinfall or submission will be named the winner of the gauntlet AND will be crowned as the FIRST NFW WOMEN'S TELEVISION CHAMPION!!" He lowered the mic, smiling slightly to the crowd as they cheered in excitement.
~CROWD POP~
REYNOLDS
"HEEEY! Look who's first up, Nicky!!"
HANSON
"The Small But Mighty trashtalker!"
REYNOLDS
"Well you have to be a little more specific than that, Nicky. They're both trash talkers."
James Reynolds and Nick Hanson both laugh.
HANSON
"You've got me there, but I think the music says enough. Here comes Mia Hayashi, folks!"
"Introducing first, representing the Unwanted!! MIA!!! HAAAAAAAAAYASHIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!"
As New Year's Day's "Defame Me" blasted throughout the arena, Mia Hayashi of The Unwanted came arrogantly skipping down the ramp like a school girl from hell, in one of her sexified comic book cosplay attires as she slid into the ring.
"And introducing, gauntlet entry number two...."
The crowd went silent, more confused than anything.
HANSON
"What the hell?"
REYNOLDS
"Fuck is this, Nicky?"
Their questions were answered when a name appeared up on the video wall.
~VICTORIA EMMERSON~
A wave of boos ERUPTED from the audience!!
HANSON
"Ummm WHAT?!"
REYNOLDS
"She WRESTLES?!"
Evidently so as Clarence Fletcher Townsend's valet, Victoria Emmerson came strutting sensually out onto the stage in suitable wrestling attire which matched the color of her dress she had been seen in earlier. Ignoring the boos being thrown at her, Victoria approached the ring with more swag to her strut than usual. Easy to do as she was wearing wrestling boots and not pricy high heel shoes. She still walked with her nose proverbially turned up at the crowd, waving dismissively at the fans who just didn't appreciate what they were witnessing before them.
"From Beverly Hills, California...." Roger Arden continued. "VICTORIAAAAAAAAAA EMMERSOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"Nicky, I'm....I'm a little taken aback!"
HANSON
"Me, too!"
REYNOLDS
"She actually looks ready to go!"
HANSON
"She does!! Let's see what she can do!!"
After Victoria Emmerson finished entering the ring, which was about as arrogantly long as Clarence Fletcher Townsend's usually was, she was ready to go.
She waited back in one corner, refusing to let the referee actually touch her during the mandatory check for hidden objects while Mia Hayashi leaned back in the corner and sized the woman up. The look on her face was a mix between confused and a "are you fucking serious?" Finally, the bell rang and the referee called for the two to begin the match.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria Emmerson certainly showed prowess for someone who had to be in the beginning stages of wrestling training. Still, she managed to really put the hurt on Mia Hayashi before Mia ducked under a clothesline and hit an O'Connor Rolling German Suplex before rolling her right up into SUPREME THUNDER for the pinfall. First round end: 6:27.
REYNOLDS
"Welp! Mia knocked Victoria off but holy shit, California girl knew what she was doing, Nicky! We might have a future competitor!
HANSON
"I'll say! Clarence Townsend's been teaching her well, I'd assume!"
REYNOLDS
"It's Clarence FLETCHER Townsend, Nicky. Get the man's name right before he comes out here and shoves that $1,000 bill in your mouth."
HANSON
"Ugh. Gross. Well, anyway. Mia wins the first round. She'll take on entry number three Which is...."
HANSON & REYNOLDS
"OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The crowd popped as, inside the ring, Mia Hayashi gave a mixed reaction between approval and "well fuck me" as her one and only former tag team partner, Lara Blackheart came running out onto the stage before bouncing down the ramp, full of energy. Smiling, she tilted her head and gave Mia a little wave.
The ring caught Mia in the ring, leaning over and catching her breath as she gave a wave back, mouthing an affectionate "Sup bitch?"
After Lara entered the ring, the bell sounded, she and Mia gave each other a double fist bump and locked up to begin Round 2 of the gauntlet.
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12:47 into the gauntlet match, Lara Blackheart eliminated Mia Hayashi when Mia went for a top rope double axe handle but Lara countered by literally catching her with an arm across the neck and shoulders. The crowd popped out of their seats as Lara promptly delivered a ROCK BOTTOM and hooked the leg for the pinfall.
HANSON
"And there goes Mia, Jim!"
REYNOLDS
"Shame! But at least I get to look at Lara. God-DAMN! Look at those legs!"
HANSON
"Whoooa-hooooaaaa!!! You wanna talk about legs, Jim? Here comes entry number 4 with a set that can knock your head off!!"
REYNOLDS
"Uhh, I believe you mean: Kick Your Face Off, Nicky!!"
Sure enough, to the shredding riffs of Lamb of God, Marissa Payne was next up in the gauntlet. Sans her usual entrance jacket and beanie, she made a beeline down the ramp, passed the departing Mia and slid right into the ring. After a brief face off, her hardened gaze softened and she gave her long time pal a fist bump and a hug, visibly telling her "Let's fucking do this!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a round that was mostly comprised of good sportsmanship between both women, Marissa Payne picked up the win of Round 3 over Lara Blackheart by coming back out of nowhere after another display of what was lately a more vicious Lara. Visibly rocked from Lara's increasingly violent offense, Marissa came out of the corner during a charge from Lara to hit a Bitch Killa out of nowhere!!
Lara went down and Marissa scrambled up to her feet, setting up for and hitting a second Bitch Killa to make sure her opponent was down before hooking the leg for the cover. Round 3 end: 19:04. Immediately after, Marissa helped Lara to her feet with a hug. Lara slapped hands with Marissa, nodding before taking her leave from the ring as the Payne daughter turned her attention to the ramp.
REYNOLDS
"That round was fucking sick, Nicky. I wanna see these two in a full out one on one!"
HANSON
"Don't even finish that thought or the wrath of Judas won't be the only thing you have to worry about."
REYNOLDS
"What'd I say? I mean it!"
HANSON
"And I mean it when I say here comes trouble...again!"
REYNOLDS
"Marissa surely isn't gonna go easy on this one!"
HANSON
"Marissa never goes easy on anyone, Jim."
This was being said as the Renegade's logo flashed across the screen and Serena Frost made her way down to the ring. There was no love lost between the current two women in the ring as Serena slid into the ring and went right for Marissa Payne before the bell even sounded for the next round.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25:58 into the gauntlet, Serena Frost eliminated Marissa Payne, by pinfall when she hit her with the Ice Age after thumbing her in the eye and screaming for the referee to count the pin.
HANSON
"Now that was dirty!"
REYNOLDS
"You gotta do what you gotta do to win, Nicky! I applaud Serena for realizing that!"
As Marissa Payne made her exit, the crowd eagerly awaited entry number six.
And the Great White North's Kennedy Campbell came running out to the stage to the cheers of the crowd and made her way to the ring.
HANSON
"Well, she came up short in the Silver Rush Battle Royale at Wrestle War but Kennedy Campbell has another chance at a big win tonight! It's not for a number one contendership, this time! It's for a direct championship!"
REYNOLDS
"We'll see what she can do against the new leader of the Renegades, Nic---OHH!!! WAIT!!!"
The second Kennedy Campbell slid into the ring and was about to get up onto her feet, Serena Frost came running up and delivered a vicious CURB STOMP, driving her head into the mat!!
HANSON
"WAIT A SECOND!! SHE WASN'T READY, DAMN IT!!"
The crowd boo'ed loudly as Serena pulled Kennedy up to her feet, hit her with the Ice Age and covered her for the pinfall. Round 5 end: 26:47.
REYNOLDS
"That was awesome!!! Straight to business, baby!!! That's what I'm talking about!!"
HANSON
"That was dirty and underhanded!! Just like Serena Frost!!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey now! Whoa whoa, where do you get off calling her dirty?"
HANSON
"I meant underhanded, Jim!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh, okay. Well still! She is not!"
HANSON
"However, now that you point out the dirty accuastion...."
REYNOLDS
"Hey, Nicky! Fu---"
~CROWD POP~
HANSON
"Sorry to cut you off, Jim! But I don't think Serena'll be eliminating this one as easy as she just did Kennedy Campbell!!"
REYNOLDS
"Oh god, where is she? Where is she?! We know she's coming from the crowd!"
HANSON
"She always does! You see Serena looking for her!!"
While Serena Frost anxiously turned in circles, watching the crowd, she focused on one side of the arena while the crowd began to pop loudly, signaling Morgan Payne's arrival. However, Morgan came from the opposite side, hopping the barrier in just her ring gear and slid right in behind Serena, snatching her up with a snap German Suplex and popping up with a yell.
HANSON
"AND THERE SHE IS!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"THAT WAS DIRTY AND UNDERHANDED!!"
HANSON
"Oh shut up, Jim!!"
"Whassup bitch?! WHASSUP?!" Morgan Payne yelled across the ring as she bowled up towards Serena. It was no secret that these two did not like one another.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite Morgan Payne's advantage of a surprise attack on Serena Frost, Serena continued to use underhanded tactics to stay afloat in the gauntlet. Against Morgan, it was focusing on one of her legs until Serena had the opportunity to sneakily remove a turnbuckle cover without the referee seeing. When Morgan got back to her feet and came at Serena again, the Renegade's new leader shot out of the way, causing Morgan to land chest first on the exposed turnbuckle. As she stumbled back, Serena caught her from behind and hit the Ice Age once again for the pinfall. Round 6 end: 37:42.
REYNOLDS
"Look at her go!"
HANSON
"Yeah, I saw her cheat again but the referee didn't!"
REYNOLDS
"Serves her for not paying attention!"
HANSON
"I hope Serena gets what's coming to her, right here. Even if it is at the hands of someone as violent as she is!"
REYNOLDS
"Violent?! This bitch is insane!!"
Under purple, red and black flashing lights, the Unwanted's Angel Kusanagi came from behind the curtain, heading right down the ramp with that crazed look in her eyes.
REYNOLDS
"Just think, Nicky. If Mia Hayashi was still active in this match and here comes one of her team mates -- her tag team partner -- what do you think would happen?"
HANSON
"Well, it's every woman for herself, Jim. I'd imagine they'd wrestle out the round."
REYNOLDS
"This crazy little bitch would tear her own friend's face off just to win a title!!"
HANSON
"Oh come on now. You're not giving Angel enough credit. Mia and Adrianna took her in when she was cast aside by Eido Tanaka!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remaining alive in the gauntlet, Serena Frost managed to eliminate Angel Kusanagi at the 41:38 mark when the referee was beginning to count to twenty for Serena and Angel to get back into the ring. Serena slipped back in immediately and looked to be moving to head right back out but the referee began arguing with her to stay in the ring. With the ref's back turned, a fan in the front row threw a steaming cup of coffee in Angel Kusanagi's face!!
HANSON
"OH MY GOD!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?!"
REYNOLDS
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
As Angel grabbed at her face in reaction, Serena dodged passed the referee and slid out of the ring, whipping Angel into the steel steps before picking her up and hitting an Ice Age OUTSIDE of the ring. She then slid the dazed woman back into the ring and covered her for the three count.
HANSON
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FAN THINKING?!"
REYNOLDS
"I DON'T KN---AAAAAAAAGH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!"
James Reynolds stopped and began cackling at the top of his lungs as the camera switched over to the fan backing up towards the backstage area. He pulled the hood of his hoodie back and removed a purple LA Laker's mask to reveal...JULIAN MORRISON!!
HANSON
"OH COME ON!!!! WHAT?!"
REYNOLDS
"GENIUS!!!! PURE GENIUS!!!!"
HANSON
"Again!! The ref didn't see it!!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey here comes the next contender!"
HANSON
"Aww, no. Kimi, please be careful! I hope she's been watching this all backstage!"
The crowd cheered as Kimi Smalls of the Smalls Twins came slowly dancing her way out onto the stage, mouthing along to the lyrics of the song, aiming the line "I won't...back...down!" directly at Serena Frost...before sprinting to the ring right after her!!
HANSON
"HERE SHE COMES!! THE BROOKLYN NATIVE!!! KIMI SMALLS!!! COMING RIGHT FOR SERENA FROST!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fatigue began to show in Serena Frost as Kimi Smalls hit the ring and brought the fight right to her. Kimi definitely had the speed and agility to keep Serena on her toes. As Kimi had Serena locked in the Sweet Release, going for the submission, however, Serena managed to roll herself over and over Kimi for the cover. What the refereee didn't see, as she was counting, however, was Serena Frost's feet on the ropes!!! Serena scored, yet another questionable elimination, at 47:26.
The next entry to come out, sans any music or fanfare was....
TRINA TANAKA!!
The crowd was mostly unsure of how to respond. They hadn't seen Trina in literal months outside of unaired house shows.
James Reynolds and Nick Hanson weren't even sure what to say as they watched the wayward wrestler hurry down to the ring, ready to take the fight to Serena Frost, only to have Frost greet her with a SUPERKICK to the face, followed by the Ice Age and the cover! Round end: 48:15.
REYNOLDS
"Well...hello and goodbye, Trina."
HANSON
"No kidding.... Next?"
~CROWD POP~
HANSON
"HO-HOOOOOOOOOO BOY, JIMMY!!! STOP THE PRESS!!!"
Like the rest of the competitors, the next competitor opted to approach the ring sans her entrance gear and ADRIANNA SALVATORE, still limping and aching from last week's war with Alex Brody, came out onto the stage to the approving roar of the crowd. Still bearing the muscle wraps to help mend her Wrestle War injuries, she strode confidently towards the ring, beckoning to Serena to bring it.
As anyone would have expected her to, Serena Frost was right on top of the former Women's Champion as soon as she began getting into the ring. Adrianna Salvatore wasn't too beaten up and broken, however, that she wasn't gonna fight back. She bandaged up woman still had the strength in her body to SHOVE Serena across the ring and follow up with the HELL'S BELLS!! The moment she went for the Ground Zero, however, she got Serena Frost maybe two feet up off of the ground before setting her right back down and grabbing at her wrapped shoulder. One which Alex Brody had made it a point to work on heavily during their match. It was the very same shoulder that Shelley Silver had damn near tore out of the socket during their very first meeting in the ring.
As Adrianna grabbed for her shoulder, Serena Frost capitalized and hit her in the knee from behind with a CHOP BLOCK!! She then went right for that tender arm and locked Adrianna up into a Kimura. Try as she did, Adrianna was unable to withstand and reach the ropes before the pain became too much....and began slapping at the mat!!
REYNOLDS
"SHE TAPPED!!!! SHE TAPPED!!!! SERENA JUST TAPPED OUT THE FORMER WOMEN'S CHAMPION!!!"
HANSON
"Like it was any challenge, Jim! She damn near had it ripped off last week!"
REYNOLDS
"SO?!"
HANSON
"SO!! As tough as she is, if she's hurt, I doubt she's gonna let someone tear her arm off and risk being injured for who knows how long?!"
Adrianna Salvatore wasted no time in rolling out of the ring, looking frustrated and angry as she clutched her arm, walking up the ramp after being eliminated at 55:59. As she headed towards the backstage, it was time for the final entry....
The crowd nearly lost their mind for the moment in the gauntlet they were hoping to see from the moment Serena stepped through the curtain.
HANSON
"OHHHHHH HERE WE GO, JIM!!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"LOOK OUT, SERENA!!!!"
Stepping through the curtain, still in the same tights as before, Candi Broduer glared RIGHT at Serena Frost as she pulled her Leaf's t-shirt off revealing a sports bra top that matched her pants as she flung her shirt aside and hit the ring running!! It. Was. ON!!!!
Candi Broduer, rather than slide under the ropes and leave herself open, popped up onto the apron and slingshotted herself over the top rope, going right for Serena and the two woman began trading blows back and forth. It was an obvious uphill battle for the disliked Serena Frost. She was nearing exhaustion. Candi Broduer was fresh into the match. And she was pissed! After the initial burst of offense back and forth, which mostly included Candi Broduer laying into Serena Frost for a good few minutes, Candi ducked under a forearm from Serena and hit a German Suplex!!
HANSON
"SNAP GERMAN!!!"
Candi wasn't finished, however. She held on tight to Serena and pulled her back up to her feet for a SECOND German Suplex!!
HANSON
"AND ANOTHER!!!!"
REYNOLDS
"NOOOO!!! GET OUT OF THERE SERENA!!"
Still, Candi held onto Serena's waist and hit her with a THIRD German Suplex before jumping up with a yell to the crowd and giving a very familiar motion with her thumb drawing across her throat before pointing to the sky with tears in her eyes.
HANSON
"OH HE'S WATCHING, SWEETHEART!!! HE'S WATCHING!!"
As Serena Frost laid out on the mat, dazed from the triple suplexes, Candi Broduer pointed to the corner and climbed the turnbuckle.
REYNOLDS
"No! NO!! GET DOWN!!! GET HER DOWN!!"
HANSON
"OHHHHHH NO, JIM!! YOU GO FOR IT, CANDI!!!! GET YOUR PAYBACK!!!"
Up on the turnbuckle, Candi Broduer did everything just like her mentor used to do. Another throat cut taunt and a feral scream as she prepared to end it. As she prepared to jump, however, TYSON LAW came from the crowd and climbed up on the apron, pointing and taunting her from across the ring!!
REYNOLDS
"Thank god!!! Get her down Tyson!!"
HANSON
"WHAT THE HELL IS-- NO!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING OUT HERE?! GET HIM OUT OF HERE REF!!!"
As the referee approached Tyson and began arguing with him to get off the apron, TYLER GREY came from the audience on the other side, BEHIND Candi Broduer and SHOVED her down off of the turnbuckle, causing her to go crashing down to the mat!!
HANSON
"OH, C'MON!!! NO!!!! NO!!!! GODDAMN IT, NO!!!"
As Tyler Grey disappeared back into the crowd, Tyson Law finally relented, putting up his hands and jumped down from the apron, backing up in submission as Serena Frost pulled herself to her feet and picked Candi up for yet another ICE AGE!!!!
REYNOLDS
"THERE IT IS, NICKY!!!"
HANSON
"EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE, FOLKS BUT THIS IS BULLSHIT!! ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT!!! I'M GONNA SAY IT!!!"
REYNOLDS
"How 'bout you count with me, Nicky?!"
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!
REYNOLDS
"HAHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW WOMEN'S TV CHAMPION!!!!"
After an overall length of 1:07:18, Static X's "Cold" filled the arena again as the referee presented Serena Frost with the NFW Women's TV Championship. Exhausted and sweaty...but smiling deviously. Serena held up her prize to the crowd before bringing it back down beside her twisted, smiling features. Meanwhile, Tyler Grey, Tyson Law and Julian Morrison - coming from the back - joined her in the ring to help her celebrate. Tyler and Tyson lifted Serena up onto their shoulders as she looked right at the camera and ran her tongue, seductively over the front plate of the title.
HANSON
"Oh nice work. Defile the title before you even have it for five minutes!!"
REYNOLDS
"Hey, people kiss the title all the time, Nicky!"
HANSON
"THAT'S NOT KISSING IT, JIM!! THAT'S JUST CRUDE!!"
REYNOLDS
"She's french kissing it!! You french kiss what you love, Nicky!"
HANSON
"Where the hell do you come up with this crap?!"
Inside the ring, with Serena up on Tyson and Tyler's shoulders still, the four Renegade members extended their hands 'popping' the pin as the credits appeared on the bottom of the screen.
HANSON
"Well I can't watch anymore of this, folks. I'm sorry. Luckily for me and probably most of you, that's all the time we have for tonight! We'll see you in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania next week! So long folks!"
REYNOLDS
"Damn she looks good with that belt!!"
HANSON
"Oh shut the hell up, Jim!"
Fade out to black....
