NFW Trauma #32! 02/16/2021!

Andrew Payne: Hello and welcome to the thirty second episode of Trauma, everyone! I’m Andrew Payne, joined by Miranda Augustino and we’ve got one hell of a show in store tonight!

Miranda Augustino: Hell yeah we do! We got Mami in action tonight and Papi’s in the house! Gonna find out who gets that ass whupped next!

Andrew Payne: What she means, fans, is we have our number one contender’s main event tonight to see who will challenge Anton Crowley for the Undisputed Championship at March Mayhem. We’ll also see the number one contender’s match to see who will challenge The Last of the Valkyrie for the Tag Team Championships. AND...and...we’ve got two qualifier matches. The first two out of five to see who will face off in the fiveway match for the new Perseverance Championship. One of New Frontier’s newest titles.

Miranda Augustino: Hey, are we gonna talk about Invasion?

Andrew Payne: We can. I’m not sure what else needs to be said. Both sides fought their asses off but let’s face it, if we’re looking at win ratio, Collision came out on top. Personally, I think both rosters did well and let’s put that bullshit behind us.

Miranda Augustino: Nah, esse, I wanna talk about your ass ghosting on commentary only to show up with the boots on, throwing down for Team Blue! That shit was awesome! So whassup, you stepping back in the ring?

Andrew Payne: No, I am not. I’d like to go back to enjoying retirement.

Miranda Augustino: I can respect that. Can’t have your new girlfriend worrying about you getting hurt or anything. Oh! Speaking of which!

Andrew Payne: Enjoy the show, everyone! Here’s a quick word from our Network team!

Miranda Augustino: Nah, I wanna talk about this shit! Whassup with you and Issy?! She why you had them damn marks on your ne--

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Voice: When the dust has settled at Invasion, and I looked down at the prone form of Morgan Payne, I should have been elated. I should have been ecstatic. I should have smelled of combat and victory, but instead, I felt compassion for the fallen warrior. I felt robbed of my chance to prove that I am the better athlete, the better champion. The ending to that contest was unsettling and unsatisfying. I have been told that there will be a rematch one day, and I look forward to meeting Morgan Payne when she is at one hundred percent. For the time being, I must be content moving forward with new challenges. New opportunities.

Anaquin Adams walks onto the scene. Her long green hair is flowing about her as she stands there in a Black Flag t-shirt and black jeans that tuck into her combat style boots. Over her shoulder, she carries the NFW United States Championship.

Anaquin Adams: What’s even more unsettling is that here I stand, the NFW United States Champion, the ruler of the free world, and not once have I heard my name mentioned from the mouths of the combatants on the Trauma roster. Look at my record since I have arrived in NFW. Undefeated. I am undefeated. I have never been pinned. I have never been submitted. I have never even lost a match due to countout or disqualification. The first number in my record doesn’t matter because it’s a never-ending cycle of opponents being thrown to the Universal Superstar. It’s the second number that matters—the zero. The zero represents the number of times I have lost. My unblemished record speaks for itself and yet not a single utterance of my name. No one is issuing a challenge to my United States Championship.

She removes the title from her shoulder and looks down at it. Then she sets it on a white table behind her.

Anaquin Adams: Is there not one of you who wish to hold this prestigious championship? Willing to step into the confines of the squared circle to combat with me over this prize? If no one is willing to step forward to issue me a challenge, then you leave me no choice but to go out there each week and issue the challenge for you. I will walk down to the ring. I will step inside and offer the first person to walk down that ramp to the ring a shot at the United States Championship. Not just one episode. Not just two episodes, but every Trauma episode for as long as I am the United States Champion. I do not care if you are a Trauma roster member. I do not care if you are a Collision roster member. I do not care if you come from any of the multiple federations that run around the world. My Intergalactic Open Challenge series is open to anyone, from anywhere. Who will be first? Who will give me the challenge I deserve. We will find out in two weeks.

Anaquin reaches for her championship, drapes it over her shoulder, and walks out of camera range. The camera focuses on one of those windows, and it almost looks like there are stars out there as the scene fades.
The view fades to rookie Trauma wrestler Faye Brown, who is sitting in front of a mirror, raising her glasses up to put her contacts in. She's already in her gear: a violet top with white trim, and matching one-legged tights. Faye is accompanied by her boyfriend, Logan Bailey, wearing a navy blue t-shirt with a Ford Model A on it, with the words "I'm A Ramblin' Wreck" above and "From Georgia Tech" below, and blue jeans. Bailey has a bowl of cheap ramen in front of him on the table as he watches his girlfriend prepare for her wrestling debut with a look of pride mixed with whimsy and comfort.

Faye Brown: "Backstage at a wrestling show... only other time I've done this was with Mevy at Rose City. I was a manager and a musical guest that night."

Logan Bailey: "But you're a big dick wrestler now. You've made it to the big dick--TIME! The... the big time."

Faye looks forward once both of her contacts are in, making sure they're set right, only to look to her right and give her boyfriend a mundane look.

Faye Brown: "...Logan, this isn't the bedroom. And we're not ready for that yet even if it were."

Logan Bailey: "I meant big time. You're a big time wrestler now and you've made it to said big time."

Faye Brown: "I know, but you said big dick... and I'm pretty sure everyone heard you."

There's a beat of silence. There's no tension, but the air is filled with awkwardness.

Faye Brown: "Aaaaanyway... do you think I can beat The Soz?"

Logan nods his head a bit, kind of shrugging in the process.

Logan Bailey: "If you can beat me and that Gates guy, you can beat a guy who looks like he DJs at a daycare before the cops pull up."

Faye Brown: "Ooh, that's a good one, I may steal that."

Logan Bailey: "Feel free!"

The camera shakes its view no.

Cameraman: "You know we can all hear you, right?"

Faye and Logan both look to the camera, which tells the man behind it all he needs to know. Logan simply goes back to his ramen as Faye gets up to her feet.

Faye Brown: "While you're here, Mr. Camera Man, just film me right quick. I've got something to say."

Cameraman: "Yes, ma'am."

Brown exhales quickly before readying herself to hopefully deliver something resembling a promo.

Faye Brown: "HELLOOOOOOOOOO New Frontier Wrestling! I'm Faye Brown, and some of you may know me from the music I've created. Some of you know me as Emevlas Stastias's first ex-wife and one-time manager. Hell, a couple of you may just know me as that stupid bitch who couldn't escape Syracuse, New York despite having the money to have done so. But eventually, I hope you all eventually know me as a championship-caliber wrestler, because that's exactly what I plan on becoming."

Logan Bailey: "You tell 'em, babe! Mmm... cheap tonkatsu..."

With her thumb, Faye points behind her to Logan, who now continues to eat his cheap ramen.

Faye Brown: "Oh, and that's my boyfriend Logan. I'm doing this for him, too. He's always loved wrestling, and despite him being in good enough shape to do this himself, I was the one with the training, so I figured I may as well finish that up and sign somewhere. He didn't have to be here, but I didn't want to be alone with my thoughts as I was getting ready. Anyway, I signed to NFW and to Trauma specifically because I have a friend or two here to begin with. Stacy Jones and Griffin Hawkins. So it's not like I'm entirely on my own aside from just this dweeb behind me, you know? I have a little bit of ground to start from."

Logan Bailey: "I've seen Stacy and Griffin wrestle before, they're really good at it too."

Faye Brown: "That they are. Of course, that's what years upon years of experience gets you. I don't have that, obviously since this is gonna be my first ever wrestling match. But you know what I do have?"

Logan Bailey: "An amazing look, a million-dollar smile, and skills of your own because experience doesn't dictate talent?"

Faye blushes a little at Logan's kind words, but keeps her eyes locked with the camera. This clearly isn't her first time behind the lens, as she can keep a fairly cool head.

Faye Brown: "Logan... well, you're actually technically right about experience not dictating talent, not that any of the names I've brought up lack that, but I was more alluding to having an eye on that new Perseverance title, and making history in this company."

Logan quizzically looks to his girlfriend, tilting his head a little and squinting his eyes.

Logan Bailey: "A--Are you sure about that, though? That title's only going to be defended in multi-opponent matches, I think."

Faye Brown: "I've fought and clawed for everything else I've had save for you, Logan. I think I know what I want, and honestly? Matches like that sound amazing. Matches like that sound as though I can cut loose. I'd also say "I'll give my all" but I'm already gonna be doing that anyway. Not doing that, regardless of the level of competition, would be insulting to you, me, everyone in the locker room, and everyone watching here and at home. I know that much from the concerts I was in."

A look of quizzicality turns into a look of confusion at the second half of that statement.

Logan Bailey: "Sooo, you're going to give your all against someone who hasn't learned a move since 2005?"

Faye simply shrugs this off, quickly and curiously raising her eyebrows towards Logan.

Faye Brown: "Well, what do you suppose I give? I have to impress the right people enough to where they decide to put me in the running for the title I want. Besides, I gave my all with you when you told me to not hold back yesterday afternoon, and you said I nearly popped your shoulder out of place."

There's another beat of silence before Logan perks up a bit.

Logan Bailey: "You know... words hurt, Faye."

Faye can't help but laugh as Logan does.

Faye Brown: "That's exactly what you said, too! Uhh, Faye, you're gonna pop my shoulder out of socket! Ya wimp!"

Brown shakes her head with a cheeky grin, now finally ready to end her debut disaster of a promo.

Faye Brown: "And it's not like Logan's much smaller than The Soz, so if I can get that wimp over there to cry uncle, I can do that very same thing to Sozzy. Therefore, this match is gon' be a fuckin' cinch. Let's rock."

With that, out walks Faye with fierce determination as her boyfriend watches on. He waits until the camera is fully on him to look into it a little.

Logan Bailey: "I love that woman."

And the view fades to in the ring...

Match #1/Singles Match

Faye Brown v. The Soz

The Soz shows some surprising initiative with a clothesline out of the corner when the bell rings, but Faye ducks it, hits the ropes, and comes back with a big spear, taking the larger opponent off his feet. Faye covers and Soz kicks out at 2. Soz is back up and immediately he eats a few forearms before getting caught with a step-up enziguri that rocks him. Faye wrenches the arm and looks for a Pele kick, but Soz somehow ducks it. Soz runs to the ropes and comes back with a clothesline, connecting this time. Another clothesline when Faye gets to her feet and then a huge scoop slam. The Soz looks out at the people, feeding off their energy. Soz hits the ropes comes back and leaps up for the big leg drop, but the pool is empty. The Soz is writhing in agony, and he sounds like he says something about a hole, but Faye puts an end to any more cries of pain with a picture-perfect shining wizard. Faye quickly makes the cover

TWO…

THRE- KICK OUT!

Faye, the fans, and even the ref are a bit surprised by the kick out from The Soz, but the hard rocker shakes it off, brings Soz up to his feet, rattles him with three big bell claps. With his equilibrium completely shot, Faye has an easy time setting The Soz up and planting him with the Riot Maker. Faye makes the cover and hooks both legs for a little extra leverage.

TWO…

THREE!

~DING DING DING~

Thea Crawford: Your winner as a result of a pin fall… FAYE BROWN!

Andrew Payne: A fairly quick one sided match, although The Soz did show that he’s got some toughness.

Miranda Augustino: Too bad he doesn’t have any fucking talent, brains, deodorant or a good tattoo artist. Faye Brown makes quick work of that sleazy bastard and hopefully, it will be a long time until we see him again.

Result: Via Pinfall

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

We open up inside of the SBS locker room where we see Masami, Yuka, and Kyako all huddled around a television monitor with Kaede standing behind them. A few moments later, the door to the locker room opens up and the four of them all turn around and as the door shuts, there we see Jenn Drew, not looking particularly happy to once again be in a dress, this one still on the darker side in a shade of purple and her hair cascading down past her shoulders.

Jenn Drew: I was summoned?

Kaede Tanabe: Oh! How nice of you to join us!

Kaede’s hand comes up in that sassy point as she looks Jenn over with approval. Jenn may not like her new wardrobe but her manager loves it. She designed it, after all.

Kaede Tanabe: Wanted to make sure you were---

Kayako Kazama: JENN-CHAN!!! KON’NICHIWA! GENKI!!

Out of nowhere, Kayako comes bouncing up beside Jenn and gives the girl a big hug from the side. Like an excited child getting to see their new friend. The sound of Kaede clearing her throat gets Kayako’s attention. The manager points to her own eyes, points to the TV, then to Kayako and mouths something in Japanese. Kayako lets go of Jenn and bows apologetically to Kaede, waves to Jenn and bounces back over to the TV.

Kaede Tanabe: Ahem. Anyway! Yes. Wanted to make sure you were ready for tonight and clear on everything. You remember what we talked about, yes?

She watches Jenn sternly, waiting for a response.

Jenn can’t help but at least crack a smile at Kayako. If anything, she was at least cute and sweet on the outside and made things a little less dull. She then turned her attention to Kaede and her expression quickly changed once again as she rolled her eyes.

Jenn Drew: Yes, I remember, I’m just out there for moral support to Kayako and Masami. I’m not supposed to do anything during the match but cheer them on.

She said in the most monotone voice ever as she just stood there, arms crossed over her chest before she leaned back against the wall.

Kaede Tanabe: Yes. Precisely. Simple enough, right?

Kaede steps forward now, the camera zooming in to close in as her and Jenn’s faces get just inches apart. Kaede stares coldly right into Jenn’s eyes.

Kaede Tanabe: Do. Not. Fuck this up. I mean it. The Trios Cup was a freebie. I like to think I’ve been pretty fair up to this point but fairness goes both ways, you know. Everything goes right tonight, we all come out looking like a million dollars, but we’re a team here. One fails? We all fail.

Kaede’s head tilts to the other side with a smug little smile on her face at Jenn. Jenn just stands there, stoic as she rolls her eyes once again and takes a step back away from Kaede before looking her up and down for a moment.

Jenn Drew: Yeah, I get it. And didn’t you know yet? I’m not much of a team player to begin with. I do my thing and as long as people stay out of my way, I don’t have a reason to get into their business. Besides, this little chess game going on right now, I kind of like it. It’s a challenge for me and it makes me have to work just a little bit harder when the insufferable person is actually kind of smart. It makes the game all the more worth it at the end.

Jenn laughs as she reaches out, patting Kaede on the top of the head and winking really quick. Kaede’s smile turns from forced to smug. That type of ‘oh, you wanna keep playing games’ type of smile.

Kaede Tanabe: Oh, trust me, sweetheart. Watashi wa kore de purodesu. You ain’t as hot shit at this as you think you are.

It’s Kaede’s turn for little gestures as she gives Jenn a ‘boop’ on the nose before abruptly turning back to SBS - subsequently her blonde hair flies across Jenn’s face. Not harmful, of course, but who doesn’t get annoyed by that shit? Jenn stood there, still as can be, but the annoyance on her face says it all right now as she clenches her fists by her side.

Kaede Tanabe: Redīsu! Are we ready?

The three of SBS turn from the TV they’re watching. We get a glimpse of what looks like a highlight reel of other matches. Kayako and Masami are already in full gear, complete with Masami’s symbolic tiger mask covering her face. Yuka, not competing, stands in her track suit with the sleeves tugged up her forearms and the jacket open, with an SBS merch line t-shirt underneath.

Kayako Kazama: Hai! Iku junbi ga dekimashita!

She throws a peace sign beside her face with that deceptive, beaming smile. Then, in her thick accent and slow pronunciation:

Kayako Kazama: Jenn-chan! Are you ready?!

Kayako smiles at her. Kaede looks to Jenn, almost expectantly. Yuka cranes her head, coldly watching the woman. Masami...well...who knows what expression is under that mask but we can guess it’s probably not too friendly. Jenn looks at the women and just nods her head, the expression on her face unchanging at this point.

Jenn Drew: Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.

Jenn turns on her heels, grabbing the handle of the door and opening it up, motioning for the other four girls to lead the way out and towards the ring. In what’s probably another little jab just to make her hold the door a couple seconds longer, Kaede sticks her hand out between the three SBS members. One by one they fall in line with it, placing their hands over hers.

Kaede Tanabe: Redīsu! Who are we?!

S.B.S.: Essu! Bee! Essu! Ichi! Nii! San! SÃ! IKIMASHOU!

Their hands pop up with their team chant before Yuka leads the way out for Kayako and Masami. Kaede steps up to the door and smiles at Jenn again.

Kaede Tanabe: Oh! Arigatou gozaimashiteru!

She says, and struts on out of the locker room. As the four of them walk out of the locker room, Jenn turns back towards the camera for just a second, a devious smile came across her face as she tapped her wrist, like a “time’s up” sort of motion and she walks out of the locker room and the door shuts behind her.
The camera comes to life in the locker room of the one and only Super Tiger, and the fans cheer when they see the back of that familiar Tiger mask. But when the little luchadora turns around, the cheers quickly fall off, as it’s very apparent the young Asian woman hasn’t slept well in weeks. She’s got bags under her eyes, and the chinstrap for her mask isn’t buckled. She still puts on a weary smile, giving the camera a “peace” sign.

Super Tiger: Hello NFW Universe!

The crowd pops, cheering loudly. This seems to perk up the little joshi, if only a little bit.

Super Tiger: Tonight, I face Minoru Tanahashi and Griffin Hawkins for a chance to become the Number One Contender to Anton Crowley’s Undisputed Championship!

The crowd begins a chant of “LET’S GO TIGER!”, and Tiggy nods her head along before holding her hands up and motioning for them to simmer.

Super Tiger: Both of the men I’ll be facing tonight are former singles champions in their own rights here in NFW. Minoru held the Silver Mountain Title on Collision. Griffin is a former World Champion. They’ve both managed to do something in their time here that has continued to elude me ever since I joined the company at the end of 2019. I’ve never held a singles title here, but that, Panditos, is going to change very soon!

At the mention of her former tag team nickname for their fans, a “KTPG” chant gets kicked up, but she doesn’t let it go for long.

Super Tiger: Honestly, there’s not much I can say about Minoru or Griffin that any of you don’t already know. So I’ll say this. We’re going to go out there, and blow the roof off the Collision Center in this Main Event!

Risa clenches both fists, looking straight into the camera.

Super Tiger: Always Growing! Ever Changing! Constantly Evolving! SUPER TIGER RESU GO!!!

She smiles to the cameraman as she begins to tape her wrists, but suddenly the door to her locker room swings open, and in walks the Undisputed Champion. Anton looks at Super Tiger impassively for a moment. He then grins and pats her on the shoulder.

Anton Crowley: Good Luck out there tonight, Super Tiger.

Without waiting for a response, he leaves, and the camera fades to black framing a look of terrified bewilderment from Super Tiger.

Match #2/Tag Team Match

Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Four Corners

Cornbread Mafia v. The Brothers Drake v. SBS v. Tim & Kirios Hunt

Shawn Worley kicks things off against Kayako Kazama, using his greater size to rampage all over the SBS member. Kayako doesn’t take it lying down, though, and belts Shawn a with a couple wicked kicks before tagging in Masami. They double-team for a few moments before hitting a double-suplex. Masami takes over on Worley, sending him into the buckles only for Kirios Hunt to tag herself in. A hard throat thrust puts the brakes on Masami’s attack and Kirios takes a moment to taunt the SBS member That only draws in Kayako again, however, which pulls Timothy into the match, starting a four-way melee. The Hunts stand up well against SBS for a few moments, but the Japanese stars start to take over on the offense, much to Jenn Drew’s chagrin outside the ring. This brings the Cornbreads back in, along with a very impatient Brothers Drake, leading the match to turn into a chaotic melee until the referee finally restores order. All sides are warned about being thrown out of the match, but as things start to settle, Kayako blindsides Kirios, attacking her with stiff shots before sending her into the buckles. She streaks along the ropes, leaping and delivering a hesitation dropkick to the seated Kirios, but is tagged by Dylan Drake, much to her irritation.

Dylan immediately puts his size and power to use, tossing Kirios around with great ease. One such attack has her hurled right into her team’s corner, and Timothy wastes no time tagging in and taking the fight to Dylan. His size and power do not mean as much against the protege of the Irish Dragon, and Tim brings Drake to the mat with an armbar takedown following an inverted atomic drop, wrenching on the right wing of Dylan. Torian looks to bust in and help out, but Cam Worley is having none of that, blindsiding the smaller half of the Brothers Drake. This draws the ire of Tim Hunt, who feels that the distraction kept him from getting the pin on Dylan. He attacks Cam from behind, sending him through the ropes and to the floor, then lays out Shawn with a clothesline when he barges in. Dylan is blind-tagged by Masami, who heads to the top rope and sails off with a dropkick to the back of Timothy Hunt. She immediately goes for a pin but it only gets to two before Kirios breaks things up. Kayako busts in but Kirios elevates her over the top rope to the apron. Landing on her feet, Kayako strikes from behind, knocking Kirios forward.

SBS focuses their efforts on the legal Tim Hunt while the Cornbreads and the Drakes keep slugging it out on the outside. The match seems all but forgotten by the Worleys in lieu of a good scrap, the younger Drakes giving as good as they get but giving ground due to the experience of the Cornbreads. Their fight spills back into the ring while Kirios and Kayako battle it out, Tim tangled up with Masami. Kayako manages to send Kirios crashing into Tim, knocking them into the buckles, whereupon a charging Masami delivers a double-knee to the Hunts, smashing them together and against the padded steel. Dragging Kirios away from the buckles, Masami prepares Kirios for Catching Blossoms when, seemingly inadvertently, Jenn trips Kayako from the outside, causing her to whirl on Drew and yell angrily at her! Kirios breaks away from Masami, sending her into Tim, who hoists the smaller woman up over his head and chucks her over the ropes and onto the still-brawling Drakes and Worleys! With the path clear, Kirios hits a shining wizard on Kayako and follows with the Queen’s Ruling for the win!

Thea Crawford: Your winners and number one contenders to the Tag Team Championship! The King and Queen of Controversy! TIM...AND KIRIOS...HUNT!!!!

Andrew Payne: Well congratulations to the Hunts on the victory but...wow, I gotta say, I’m a little skeptical on how that turned out!

Miranda Augustino: I ain’t gonna deny that, Andy! I think uhh...I don’t think Jenn Drew is fully on board with her new management, so to speak.

This seemed to be exactly the case as Kaede Tanabe was up in Jenn Drew’s face, yelling and demanding an explanation. Jenn Drew tried to hide a smile on her face as she spread her arms and swore it was another accident. Surprisingly, Kaede put her hands up as Masami, Kayako and Yuka finally came around to their side and kept the three from apparently wanting to converge on Jenn. The camera got close enough just in time to catch Kaede telling Jenn….

Kaede Tanabe: No, this ain’t gonna happen the way you think. I got you. You wanna play?! I got you!

Jenn Drew just grinned and spread her arms as if telling Kaede to take her best shot before following after the angry trio and their manager as Kirios and Tim Hunt celebrated their victory in the ring.

Andrew Payne: Well, however you cut it, there’s your next #1 Contenders to the Tag Team Championships, everybody. The King and Queen of Controversy! They’ll be facing the Last of the Valkyries at March Mayhem on March 30th!

Miranda Augustino: Yeah, the King has a bit of uhh...history with The Kingdom, doesn’t he?

Andrew Payne: Ohhh….you are correct, Miranda. You are correct. This’ll be an interesting one.

Result: Pinfall

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

We go backstage to Amy Connors.

Amy Connors: Ladies and Gentlemen...my guest...Griffin Hawkins!

Griffin steps into the shot, looking down at Amy.

Amy Connors: Griffin, you said after this Brand War was over, you were going to refocus on getting back the Undisputed Title..and now you have a chance to be the number one contender as you compete against Minoru Tanashi and Super Tiger in a Triple Threat Match. How do you feel about this?

Griffin Hawkins: How do I feel? I feel great! This is the kind of thing I've been waiting for. I get the chance to regain the title I should have never lost in the first place. Course I realize that I got a HUGE mountain to climb...I'm not overlooking my opponents. Minoru Tanashi..that is one bad dude Amy. They don't call him the Black Lion just because it's a cool name to put on a T-Shirt, he's earned that Name. This is a cat who is one of the most dangerous athletes in the sport today and he wants so bad to become Undisputed Champion, he'll step over his own Grandma just to get it..that's what makes this a challenge. He's got something to prove..so does Super Tiger. Me and her actually became cool in the past year, I think she's awesome and has a lot of heart...and I know she wants the gold. I respect both of these two as athletes and comrades, but I gotta do what I gotta do to get the gold back.

Amy Connors: Let's say you are successful tonight...do you think you can defeat Anton Crowley for the Undisputed Title?

Griffin Hawkins: Can I defeat Anton Crowley? Without sounding cocky..yes I can. Mr.Crowley...big scary dude, relies on a lot fear and intimidation. But he can be beaten as we've seen. I've been itching to get in the ring with him and release his strangle hold on the title...but to do that, I gotta get through tonight's Triple Threat. I got nothing against Minoru and Tiger..but business is business...and somebody's gonna get rocked.

He leaves the area as we go elsewhere.

The footage is, at best, amateur. Grainy and unsteady, no doubt a discount camera in the hands of someone who is still learning the buttons. But that is not what draws the most attention. It is the noise. Voices, and a lot of them, yelling and whooping in Spanish and perhaps a couple other languages, too. Some words sound as though they are in English. A few more are on the incomprehensible side. Regardless, they all scream excitement. And as the camera is carried further down this brick-bordered alley over cracked concrete and past overflowing dumpsters and other refuse, we start to see light to go with the noise. Then the odd rattle of metal. Add in some wet, heavy thumps. Once in a while, the clang of a heavy object against a hard surface, perhaps a little breaking glass thrown in.

What, exactly, are we being led into?

The question is answered in living color, though not much of it. The orange, yellow and gold of fire, many of them, burning in rusted barrels around the small, building-ensconced lot. The blacks and greys of shadows, some longer than other, some moving and some sedentary. The green of money passing through so many hands, chiefly held by a fellow with too-stylish shades and a fedora, his off-the-rack Hawaiian shirt short-sleeved and showing off muscular arms beneath. And let us not forget the red. Blood. There is plenty to be seen within the cage, pouring from the bodies of two men with taped fists and bare torsos, beating the absolute dog out of one another to a backdrop of screaming bangers and wannabe pimps.

Back alley cage fighting. The element of the desperate. The coliseum of the runts and the mongrels, fighting for their supper. Sometimes their lives, too.

Mano Derecha: Take a good, long look.

The voice of Mano Derecha, the bodyguard and confidant of Trauma’s newest and most volatile talent, La Silencia, speaks up before the camera can even turn her way. The old-school military-style beret sits neatly atop her head, her dark hair completely in braids, hanging down her back. Camo jacket with torn sleeves and simple black attire beneath all the way down the torn jeans to the combat boots, the woman looks like she, herself, is ready to enter that cage. In fact, her fingers tighten into fists a few times as she watches. A small smile tugs at her unpainted lips as she side-eyes the camera.

Mano Derecha: This, Trauma, is the length to which I must go to make sure that the denial of the Street Empress does not cause… problems. You’re welcome.

She addresses Trauma broadly; the wrestlers, the office, the fans… everything having to do with that brand of NFW’s. And especially Isabella Santiago, one must believe. She steps forward, the camera remaining where it is. Something within the cage has the ‘fans’ shaking the wire mesh and shouting even louder. Through the throngs we can see one of the men is down and not moving, the other putting a boot on his chest and roaring with his fists raised.

Mano Derecha: This, Trauma, will ensure that when Silencia shows up to the arena again, that she will not be in an aggressive state. Well… no more than usual. You see, all of this?

The woman gestures broadly with a muscular arm.

Mano Derecha: People of questionable character, doing anything for money, fighting daily to survive and having not one whit of compassion for who they must step over or hurt in order to live another day? This is the sort of environment that birthed the woman known as La Silencia...

Trailing off slightly, Mano’s jaw sets angrily and she strides slowly, inexorably, toward the cage. She takes up a position with a clear view of the goings-on and, as the camera fully turns her way again, several of the Huesos Rojos gather alongside her. She snaps off at them in Spanish which, thankfully, is accompanied by subtitles.

Mano Derecha: <Get those two out of the cage. Now. It’s time for what we came for. Humberto!>

The fellow in the fedora comes tromping over, stopping short when he sees the pack of Huesos Rojos standing there. But Mano Derecha catches his eye and jerks her head in such a way as to summon him closer, which he only accomplishes with considerable trepidation.

Mano Derecha: <Tell your dogs to bring in that sonofabitch and stick his ass in the cage.>

Humberto: <You are sure about this, Leticia?>

Mano Derecha: <Is there a reason I shouldn’t be? Stop stalling. Unless… you DIDN’T find him? Because if not, I have a mind to put YOU in there instead!>

The thick-set man quails a bit, looking around at the suddenly-intense Huesos Rojos.

Humberto: <I did, but… the queen? Won’t this, you know, cause problems with her new, um… business venture?>

The Huesos Rojos chuckle at this, gesturing and making snide remarks about Humberto’s questioning comments. Mano Derecha quiets them with a gesture and a stare. Then she locks in on Humberto again. In the background, two of the other Huesos Rojos have dragged the loser out of the cage while the winner takes his exit. And we can see, then, the masked La Silencia stepping in herself. Black sports top, well-worn jeans and black boots, hands wrapped in tape and a bandana covering her lower face, her dark hair spilling free past her shoulders. For a moment, Derecha looks past the feather in Humberto’s hat and at her charge with an unreadable expression. Still staring, she replies shortly.

Mano Derecha: <It’s either this or means that are no less effective and a lot more violent.>

Having no recourse, Humberto gestures to someone near the cage, a brute-looking fellow manning the only way in and out. The same two Huesos Rojos that cleared the cage are dragging a man by the arms toward it before hurling him in. Clearly he’s afraid for his life, more so when they lock the cage behind him… and thrice as much when he looks over his shoulder and sees Silencia.

The cameraman, perhaps thinking better of recording what’s about to happen, turns the device in Derecha’s direction. She is already looking toward it.

Mano Derecha: Before any of you stupidly pontificate about how this is just a ploy to harden the image of La Silencia by trying to make her look like a “badass”? I want you to understand two things, the first of which being that image is the last thing Silencia cares about. What you think of her is inconsequential. The second is that this has nothing to do with professional wrestling. This is a fight. It is… personal. What happens in an NFW ring between Silencia and anyone signed to face her? That isn’t personal.

Unless one of you in that locker room MAKES it personal.

There’s a warning, or perhaps a threat, in that last statement. As though the camera itself is afraid to look at the scene in the distance, the turning of the lens toward the cage is slow. In desperation, the man shoved into that cage with Silencia lunges at her with intent to attack. Immediately she strikes low, driving a knee hard into the midsection and doubling him over. When he swipes at her again, she catches his hand, grabs hold of two fingers in each hand and… well… yeah.

He wails in pain before she grabs him by the hair, slams his face into her knee, then shoves him down to the concrete. At this point, we cannot see what she’s doing, but it is likely better that way if the noises and yells of pain and suffering are any indicator.

Mano Derecha: The only parallel between this and Trauma, is that this is business. This could have been delegated. In fact, I was prepared to take care of it personally. But because Trauma management continues to sit on their hands, our Queen needed an outlet. A place to put the rage.

Soon the fanfare has lessened. Silence has settled within the cage. Silencia, rising with bloodied hands, some drops on her half-masked face, leaves the cage without a word and disappears into the adjoining alley. Derecha sighs and shakes her head.

Mano Derecha: Stop making her wait. Match or not, Silencia WILL be in attendance at the next Trauma. And if there is not an opponent for her, she will make one.

Dragging the side of her hand across her throat, Derecha signals for the feed to be cut out, ending the recording.

Match #3/Singles Match

Perseverance Championship Qualifier

Solomon Graham v. Jenn Drew

Soloman Graham was in the ring, waiting for Jenn to make her entrance, but her music never played, instead, Thea stood there for a moment and Jimmy Bones makes his way down to the ring.

Thea Crawford: I have just been informed that Jenn Drew has been replaced in this match by Jimmy Bones!

Andrew Payne: This has to be the work of Kaede after earlier tonight, Mir.

Miranda Augustino: This is what happens when you mess with your boss, Andy! Maybe Jenn will realize that now.

Right away, Jimmy springboards in and delivers a forearm smash to Soloman and the match is underway. The offense from Jimmy didn’t last long though as Soloman caught Jimmy with right jab and he was warned about using closed fists. Soloman didn’t care though as he took over in the match. He shot Jimmy off into the corner and delivered a running chop and then a rapid series of chops to Jimmy before bringing him out of the corner and delivering a Flatliner with a head cradle DDT. He goes for the cover, but Jimmy manages to get a shoulder up at two. Solomon though continues his offense as he picks Jimmy up and delivers a series of kicks to the chest before following it up with a roundhouse kick to the head. Solomon finishes up as he picks Jimmy up and delivers The Skull Cracker and hooks the leg and picks up the win.

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner, Soloman Graham!

Andrew Payne: And Solomon moves on, but this isn’t right, Mir.

Miranda Augustino: Jenn Drew brought this on herself, Andy. And now Solomon gets to reap the rewards.

Result: Pinfall

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

The arena goes black and a million small lights like fireflies illuminate the arena. Eavan Maloney walks out wearing her two-toned hair in pigtails, and full Harley Quinn get-up and makeup, twirling a baseball bat.

Andrew Payne: Looks like your favorite is coming out here.

Miranda Augustino: Mami Quinn in da house! Somebody’s getting a tongue-lashing and not the best kind.

Eavan steps through the ropes and is handed a microphone, and paces around the ring with the bat resting on her shoulder.

Eavan Maloney: Ladies and jerks! There’s been a slight change in tonight’s show. Insteada Santiago robbin’ you for somethin’ like a thousand bucks a seat, I’m here to save da day! Believe me folks, we’ve seen it already. I’m doin’ ya a big favor and ya know it!

Eavan shrugs and tosses the bat to the ringside area and takes off the frilly jacket and tosses it in the corner. She fusses with her hair and pulls the pigtails out and runs her fingers through it to try to manage the grey and black rat’s nest on her head.

Eavan Maloney: Alright, alright, let’s put the Birds of Prey shit behind us, just like my opponent tonight, I think? Maybe? Not sure? Do I ever really pay attention to anyone outside of my circle? Probably not. Where was I going with this, honestly it doesn’t matter. I can bring up the past and bury you verbally like I do anybody and everybody, but I’m not going to do that tonight. And the only reason why I’m not is simply because… I don’t have to.

Eavan looks around and shakes her head.

Eavan Maloney: That's so cute, you think you’re scary. Well, Marshall, I’ve seen scary and you don’t have my smile. Thing is, in a few short minutes, I’ll be… dragon your ass all over this ring and making you my bitch like… nope, nope, I said I wasn’t going to do that tonight. I’m just going to do what I’ve been doing since I came back. Spitting fire and giving out Ls because THAT is what I do. I’ve made myself abundantly clear that I’m here for one reason and one reason alone and that is to take the NFW Undisputed Championship. And whether I have to go through Crowley, Griff, Tiger, I don’t care. All that matters is that title.

Eavan walks over and leans her face right into the camera.

Eavan Maloney: Look at what I’ve done in this ring, and in my career as a whole, and tell me I won’t go to any lengths to get what I want, and there aren’t many, if any, who can do what I do, or would do so willingly. I may be twisted but at least I make it interesting.

The arena goes black again as Eavan walks up the ramp.
We come to find Anton Crowley, Cali-Kate, and Tia Santos together in a darkened room. Anton is seated on a large, ornate throne with Kate sitting on his lap. Standing to his right is Tia Santos and in front of her, resting on a pillow on a small pillar is the NFW Undisputed Title. The three seem to be in quiet conversation when there is a knock on the door.

Anton Crowley: Enter...

Anton calls out as he and Kate exchange a look. He glances to Tia who shrugs and shakes her head. The door opens and a man enters closing it behind him. He is on the smaller side of average but dressed immaculately. His slicked-back black hair matching sharply with his well-trimmed beard. His neck and hands are covered with tattoos. He walks up to the trio and bows politely.

Voice: Hello your Lordship.

Anton raises a brow as he looks at the man.

Anton Crowley: And who are you to come unannounced to the King?

The man bows again.

Voice: Allow me to introduce myself, your Royal Highness. My name is Faust and I have been assigned as your new Manager.

Anton looks at Kate and Tia again. They all exchange confused looks.

Anton Crowley: And who has the authority to assign me anything?

A smile crawls across Faust’s face. He opens his mouth to speak as the scene cuts to black.

Match #4/Singles Match

Eavan Maloney v. Qiyanna Marshall

The bell rings, and both women meet in the center of the ring and immediately lock up. Qiyanna uses her height and strength advantage, forcing Eavan to bend over backwards. Maloney isn’t one to back down quickly however, and she uses her opponents overextension to her advantage, dropping to her back and pulling Marshal down with her. The Serpent of Chaos is first to her feet, and she fires off a Sorsh Shot with all the intent of knocking out the Blackhawk in the opening moments of this match, but Qiyanna sidesteps the attack, using her own momentum to attempt her signature Arise roundhouse kick! Eavan matrix evades the kick, leaping up to attempt the NOLA Makeover, but Qiyanna catches the smaller superstar, lifting her into a modified powerbomb before bringing Maloney down with authority!

Eavan writhes in pain as Qiyanna begins to put the boots to her downed opponent. She’s aiming specifically for the head of the Serpent, looking to wear her down for her finish, but Maloney rolls out of the way, getting to her feet before launching herself forward, drop kicking Qiyanna’s knees out from underneath her! Marshal hits the mat face first with a cry of pain as Eavan takes control of the match. Maloney drags her opponent to her feet by a fistful of hair, mocking the referee who is telling her to let go before she throws Qiyanna into the corner. The diminutive superstar doesn’t let up there, setting her opponent up before delivering a series of chops to the chest of the Blackhawk, the crowd keeping count up to six before Q blocks, transitioning Eavan into the corner with a counter.

Qiyanna uses her advantageous position to begin delivering knees to Eavan’s midsection, doubling the smaller woman over with a coughing fit. The Blackhawk gets up on the second rope, grabbing Maloney by the hair to pull her upright before raining down her own fists, the crowd counting along with this barrage as well. She gets to eight before Maloney swings one arm wide, knocking Qiyanna’s foot off the rope and to the outside. Marshall falls, landing awkwardly as Eavan escapes the corner. Qiyanna gets to her feet, but she’s favoring her knee as she turns to throw a lariat at Eavan, but Maloney uses her ring positioning to deliver The Last Word!

Two!!

The-- NO!

Qiyanna has the ring awareness to get a foot onto the ropes, and Eavan yells in frustration, slapping the mat before dragging her opponent to her feet. She puts Marshal in a headlock before running into the corner to deliver Family Tradition, but Qiyanna shoves her off at the last second, causing the Serpent of Chaos to run face first into the top turnbuckle. She’s dazed as she stumbles out of the corner, only to catch Marshal’s second attempted Arise full force on the chin! Eavan crumples, but Qiyanna stumbles as well, the rotation on the tweaked knee causing her to grimace before going in for the cover.

Two!!

KICKOUT!

The hesitation with the tweaked knee was what Maloney needed to stay alive in this match, but it was clear she kicked out on instinct alone. Marshal drags the wounded Serpent to her feet, walking her to the center of the ring before getting her into the double underhook position to deliver the Black Hawk, but Maloney slips out, running for the ropes, Qiyanna turns to follow, and immediately gets caught with The Last Word again! Eavan rolls her opponent away from the ropes before hooking both legs.

Two!!

THREE!!!

The referee calls for the bell, and Eavan gets to her feet, a smirk on her face as she stumbles a bit toward the stairs. Qiyanna stirs as the referee checks on her, and upon realizing she lost this one, slaps the mat in frustration as Maloney backs up the ramp toward the stage.

Andrew Payne: Qiyanna Marshal a little frustrated, understandably.

Miranda Augustino: Yeah but Mami whupped that ass! She’s on a roll and that’s all that matters!

Result: Pinfall

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

We cut backstage to find Amy Connors standing by with a microphone in hand and a smile on her face.

Amy Connors: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, “Unbreakable” Stacy Jones.

The camera pans out a little to reveal Stacy Jones standing beside the interviewer dressed ready for her match later on.

Amy Connors: Stacy, you’ve had quite the impressive start to your career here in NFW… first having a great showing against Eavan Maloney and you eliminated Kamila Rose during the Armageddon Tag Match during your Pay-Per-View debut at Invasion.

Jones nods.

Amy Connors: And tonight you’re going up against Azurine Vebbins in a qualifier match to crown the first ever Perseverance Champion. What are your thoughts ahead of this match?

Stacy Jones: Well for starters, Amy… it’s going to be an honor and a privilege to step into the ring against Azurine Vebbins. She’s someone who I look up to and have a lot of admiration for… Hell, I even consider her a friend… but the moment we step into the ring against one another, that friendship will be left outside of the ropes and I’ll be giving her everything I’ve got!

The Unbreakable One crosses her arms across her stomach.

Stacy Jones: And you know, the word perseverance is interesting to me because my Unbreakable nickname, it isn’t just a nickname to me… Hell, I wasn’t even given said nickname, it was given to me by an old friend. She gave me that nickname because no matter what I went through… whether it was from a professional standpoint or a personal standpoint… no matter what I went through… it never broke me! I have always been determined… tenacious… persistent! I have always persevered through everything that’s been put in front of me!

Jones turns her attention to the camera.

Stacy Jones: And that also goes for tonight, Azzy! I’ll be showing you exactly who Stacy Jones is and why I am called Unbreakable! And much like I have done many times throughout my career… I’ll be adding another first to my list of accomplishments when I become the first ever NFW Perseverance Champion!

The Unbreakable One then swiftly disappears off camera, leaving Connors on her own as we cut elsewhere.

Match #5/Singles Match

Perseverance Championship Qualifier

Stacy Jones v. Azurine Vebbins

At the sound of the bell, Jones and Vebbins came out of their corners. They circled up, paused for a handshake and circled up again. The two locked up and jarred for position. From there, they started an exchange of holds trying to gain more control. Vebbins administered a wristlock. Jones reversed out of it into a rear waistlock but couldn’t get Vebbins up for a German Suplex as Vebbins blocked with her foot. She maneuvered enough to catch Jones in a side headlock and started wrenching on her neck. Jones managed to push Vebbins off and into the ropes. Da Adorkable Angel caught herself with her arms over the rope and caught Jones as she ran in with a foot to the face. Jones stumbled back and Vebbins went for the opening, coming in for a Running DDT but Jones scouted and widened her stance. She countered with a Northern Lights Suplex and a bridge for a cover but Vebbins kicked out. Vebbins popped up and came in for a Open Palm Strike but Jones caught her with a European Uppercut, sending her into the ropes, followed by a Standing Dropkick that sent her over and out onto the floor. Vebbins moved around to the walkway side of the ring but this proved only to leave her wide open for Jones’ lucha libre arsenal and The Unbreakable One came out onto the apron on the side she’d initially thrown Vebbins. She ran along the apron, cutting the corner of the ring around the ring post and sent herself right at Da Adorkable Angel where she caught her with a Hurricanrana that brought them both to the floor and Chicago to their feet.

As the two brawled outside the ring, mostly with Stacy laying into Azurine with chops, the ref started counting, prompting Jones to push Vebbins back into the ring. She took a moment to pose for the fans on the apron before turning back to her opponent. It was all Vebbins needed, however. As Jones went to slingshot herself back into the ring under the top rope for a Spear, Vebbins scouted it with a simple kick right up into the face, crumpling Jones to the mat. Jones was slowed enough as she got to her feet for Vebbins to recover a second more and plant the Unbreakable One with a Scoop Slam. She hit a springboard moonsault and went for a cover but Jones kicked out so Vebbins picked her up and setup for a Bulldog. Jones shoved her into the ropes to get free but Vebbins used the momentum to come back with a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors. Vebbins had Jones slowed down to her pace now and was determined to keep it that way, picking her up and delivering a Snap Suplex that she transitioned right into a Release German Suplex. Stacy got to her feet and was able to goad Azurine into a strike off, throwing Forearm Shivers and Stiff Kicks. It seemed like a strategy from Stacy as she appeared to have the striking game just a little more down pat. She finally staggered Azurine with a stiff kick to the right side, then one to the left side, followed by a spinning back kick to her gut. Vebbins dropped to her knees but when Stacy went for that final Buzzsaw Kick of her combination, Azurine dipped forward, causing the kick to soar over her head. Vebbins took the opportunity here, catching Stacy with a Half Nelson Suplex! Cover and a two count by the ref as Jones kicks out!

Azurine picked Stacy up to her feet, clinching her to setup for the Sweetheart Sock Hop but Stacy caught her around the leg during the first knee strike, trying to move around and get her off balance. As she managed to get her head free from Azurine’s hands, Stacy rocked her back with a European Uppercut and let her leg go. Vebbins stumbled back and Stacy took the opening, jumping into the air, twisting and nailing the Bat-Hammer kick! Vebbins hit the mat and Jones climbed the top turnbuckle, waiting for her opponent to get up before she came soaring through the air for RWYA!! The rebound from the move rocked Vebbins off her feet, almost propelling her in the air for a second before she landed across the mat and Jones desperately crawled over and hooked the leg for the cover. 1...2...3! Stacy Jones wins this one, qualifying for the Perseverance Championship Match at March Mayhem!

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner! Stacy Jones!

Andrew Payne: The Unbreakable One has done it again!

Miranda Augustino: Yeah, but don’t take away from the Angel though! She made Stacy Jones work for it!

Result: Pinfall

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

To the back now where Amy Connors is standing with Minoru Tanahashi, although the usual flash and smile is not there. He’s clad in fairly simple black pants, a black lion bomb t-shirt, and a plain black leather jacket, his black skull mask held in his left hand.

Amy Connors: Hello NFW fans, Amy Connors here with Minoru Tanahashi who has a huge match in just a few minutes, but let’s address the elephant in the room as it were. This is not a look or an attitude we have seen from you before.

Minoru simply nods and then steps up towards the mic.

Minoru Tanahashi: Tonight’s match is huge. It’s huge for my opponents Griffin Hawkins and Super Tiger. Two people that I respect. Two people that I like. Two people that I would call friends. Hell one of them is my tag team partner in this other place. Tonight though that does not matter. Tonight is my night to prove that I belong in the title picture here on Trauma. Tonight is my chance to earn a shot at becoming the top guy in this brand. Griff, he has been champion, and I know he’s hungry to be champion agai . Tiggy, she had her shot, and I know she is hungry for another one so she can become champion. Me though, I am fucking starving. I have never had a shot at being a World champion. Can you believe that Amy? In all my time, through all my travels, not once did I have the chance to become a World champion.

Amy Connors: That is a bit surprising, but is changing everything up a smart move?

Minoru slightly smirks and chuckles as he shakes his head.

Minoru Tanahashi: No it would not be a smart move at all. I didn’t change everything up though. I will still wrestle exactly how I always have. I am simply stripping away all the extras. The bells, the whistles, the pomp and circumstance takes a back seat tonight. I apologize to the fans in advance, but tonight entertaining you is not my top priority. I have not had a singles match victory in nearly three months time. Invasion got me back in the win column, but that was a team effort. Tonight it is me and only me, so that’s what you get. No fancy jacket, no colorful gear, just the absolutely ravenous starving lion. I said that my goal, my dream, my purpose in NFW was to be either the champion or the challenger at Wrestlewar inside the Tokyo Dome. A win tonight moves me one step closer to being able to make that dream a reality. Griffin, Risa, both are wonderful competitors and friends, but tonight they are in my way.

Minoru stares straight ahead at the camera for a few seconds, then turns and walks off, heading straight towards the ring as we fade to black.
The crowd was anxiously waiting for the major main event to start. They were about to see who would be the next to challenge NFW Undisputed Champion, and self-proclaimed Demon King, Anton Crowley. The lights went out and a voice filled the space.


“Head Like A Hole” by Nine Inch Nails kicks up as a red spotlight shines onto the entranceway. Standing in the light is the NFW Undisputed Champion, The Demon King Anton Crowley. He is dressed in a suit along with a pair of gloves. Standing next to him, with his arm around her, stands Cali-Kate. Next to Kate stands Tia Santos carrying the NFW Undisputed Championship for Anton. On Anton’s other side stands a man also in a suit. The crowd showing their disapproval as the group makes their way towards the ring.


The group makes it to the ring and climbs the steps. Tia and the unfamiliar man hold the ropes open for Kate and then Anton. They then enter the ring. The man grabs a microphone from the ring crew and hands it to Anton. The lights raise as Anton stands there smirking.

Anton Crowley: Despite the shortcomings at Invasion I am still your Champion and King. My own personal Achilles failed me. I will let her decide if that is for better or worse. On one hand, she failed her King. On the other, had she won and gotten the WildCard shot, I wouldn’t have hesitated to do to her what I did to her brother.

Again the crowd’s volume rises as they show the champion hate for his past actions.

Anton Crowley: Do not fret. No matter the outcome of Invasion Trauma will continue to prosper. I will continue to lead us in the direction that is best for all. We will all prosper so long as you all obey your King. I am benevolent but wrathful. Follow me and I will take us to paradise. But Hell awaits any who disobey.

The audience boos Anton quickly and loudly, but Kate is up on the mic next. She brings her mic to her lips, but when the audience gets louder she lowers it and presses her lips together with a big sigh. After another couple moments of the relentless jeers, Kate quickly snaps the mic back up.

Cali-Kate: You can keep it up. We have all fucking night! The longer you keep this up, the longer you all have to look at our faces. So the only reason to fucking boo us at this point is because you want us to stay. You need us to stay in the ring and listen to what we have to say! So what's it gonna be?

The audience continues to boo, although it does die out a little bit. Kate's lips curl in a smirk.

Cali-Kate: And like the peasants you are, your tiny pathetic shitty brains can only comprehend two things: what you don't like and what you want to disobey. Just like the rest of the goddamned parasites in the locker room, especially the four who proved why they needed a real leader in WarGames, you make a lot of noise, but never can you actually follow up in any sense. That is why you need a King.

Tia and the man clap a bit for Anton who smiles at the audience holding up his title.

Cali-Kate: And what Trauma needs is for House Crowley to show them the way back to the top. We may have fallen short a couple weeks ago, but that shit's never gonna happen again. Because whether or not I'm in the Perseverance title tournament, I'm still the only one with the ear of the champ. I'm the only one you have to prove yourself against. And none of you, not even the great Captain Adrianna Salvatore, can accomplish that.

Anton laughs before raising his mic back to his lips.

Anton Crowley: That brings us to tonight’s Main Event. A triple threat match to find the next contender for my Title. We have the former champion, the man stuck in the eighties, The mangy lion, forever stuck in the muck, and then my previous challenger, Super Tiger.

A smirk creeps onto Anton’s face as he chuckles.

Anton Crowley: At least there is one worthy contender in the mix. Though I do admit I’d like to face the wannabe rockstar again. Keep him from the title. Return the favor. On the other hand, I would enjoy nothing more than to deny the toothless lion his dream. Then there is Super Tiger. It has the potential to be fun to deny her the title once again. Prove once again how her win over me in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament Finals was a fluke. Remind her where she belongs. Who her King is.

The smirk remains on Anton’s face. The man at his side leans over and whispers something into Anton’s ear.

Anton Crowley: Thank you Faust. It does not matter who comes out the victor here tonight. They shall fall before me. They shall learn their place. They shall kneel before their King. And tonight I shall watch from ringside. Tonight your king shall grace you all with his commentary. All hail the King...

Kate, Faust, and Tia all cry out “Hail!” The group then exits the ring as “Head Like a Hole” starts up again. Anton makes his way over to the announcer table and takes the open seat. Kate sits on Anton’s lap. Tia and Faust take up places behind Anton and Kate.

Main Event/Triple Threat Match

#1 Contender Match To The Undisputed Title

Griffin Hawkins v. Minoru Tanahashi v. Super Tiger

As the bell sounds, all three competitors show a bit of sportsmanship with a handshake. We flash over to the commentary desk where we see Anton just sitting there, silent and Faust leans down and whispers something into his ear. We flash back to the ring now as we see Super Tiger and Minoru deciding to take the fight to Griffin, showing their teamwork off. They deliver a double dropkick that sends Griffin out of the ring. Tiger takes this opportunity to hit the ropes and deliver a tope con hilo to Griffin down on the floor. Tiger gets up and slides back into the ring where she’s met with a stiff forearm shot Tiger fires back with one of her own. The two of them stand in the middle of the ring and they just exchange strikes with each other. Tiger’s using her Strong Style strikes but so is Minoru and his larger size gives more power behind him. Tiger’s strikes are welting and reddening his chest but Minoru finally nails her with a Knife Edge Chop that flattens the little lucha joshi. Just as he turns, however, he’s brought down by Griffin Hawkins who comes back in with a Missile Dropkick. Minoru hits the mat hard. Griffin pops up and takes Tiger right back down with a DDT. He goes for the cover but she kicks out. Griffin picks Tiger up and backs her into the corner with right hands until Minoru runs up behind him and hits a Dragon Suplex. The Black Lion takes over and whips Tiger into the opposite corner, charging in for a corner splash but Tiger slingshots herself over the top rope. Minoru slams sternum first into the corner and stumbles back just as Griffin’s getting up and the Jukebox Hero tries to snap him back into a German Suplex. Minoru’s fighting it, however, until he manages to reverse it and get a Rear Waistlock on Hawkins. Super Tiger comes diving off the top turnbuckle with her own Missile Dropkick and “assists” Minoru in throwing Griffin back into a Bridging German Suplex but when the ref starts to count, she quickly yanks Minoru’s foot out from under him, causing the bridge to drop and thus, breaking the pin.

Minoru gets up, starting to argue with Tiger who argues back, asking him what he expected her to do. Things get a little heated and Minoru pats Tiger on the shoulders to calm her down but the little joshi shoves him back. Minoru steps back up in her face, starting to throw his arms out when Tiger SLAPS him across the face with an Open Palm. Minoru spins, sees Griffin and quickly - and narrowly - evades a SHOT IN THE DARK!!! Tiger goes down!! Griffin goes for the cover but Minoru breaks it up and now the two men start throwing bombs at each other, spilling out onto the floor. It stays pretty even between the two between them bouncing each other’s heads off of the barricades and apron, laying in with the chops and forearms. Minoru finally gets Griffin up but Hawkins rocks Tanahashi with a European Uppercut and goes for a pop up hurricanrana. Minoru keeps his footing, muscles Griffin back up and decimates him with an apron powerbomb! Griffin lands in an ugly manner but Minoru picks him back up to his feet. Before he can get him back in the ring, however, Super Tiger’s back up and she’s got her second wind. She runs from the center of the ring, up onto the turnbuckle and comes flying off, crashing onto the two with a moonsault that almost seems like she freezes in the air for a second. Beautiful execution! All three go down but Super Tiger gets up first, yelling to the crowd. Minoru starts getting up first but as he makes it up to one knee, Tiger measures up. Buzzsaw kick takes the Black Lion down! She turns and sees Griffin fighting back to his feet. Tiger rushes him and Shotgun Dropkicks him back into the apron and the Jukebox Hero goes down again! She pops up again, slapping the apron with both hands, just absolutely fired up and Chicago is roaring in her corner!

Super Tiger grabs Minoru Tanahashi as he makes it back to his feet and throws him into the ring. She climbs to the top turnbuckle and soars off! Flight of the Tiger MK I! Cover but Minoru kicks out! Tiger starts climbing to the top rope again, probably intending to go for MK II of her Flight of the Tiger but as she comes rotating through the air, Minoru gets his knees up and she eats all of that with her ribs. Minoru gets up to his feet and backs into the corner, waiting for Tiger to get up but he sees Griffin Hawkins making it back up to the apron as well. Minoru runs along the ropes and nails him with Akihabara Dreams but no! Griffin catches him by the leg and hits an inverted Dragonscrew Legwhip. It sends him off the apron but it also torques Minoru’s knee at an odd angle and he goes down. Super Tiger sees the opportunity and hits the top turnbuckle again. She goes up and comes down! FLIGHT OF THE TIGER MARK II!!!!! Cover on Minoru but NO!!! Griffin Hawkins yanks her out by the foot and to the outside of the ring. Tiger stumbles and Griffin goes for Number One Stunner right on the ringside floor but Tiger catches his foot, spins him around and leaves the ground, dropping Griffin with a Gamengiri!!!! It only drops him to his knee but Super Tiger quickly follows with a Penalty Kick! She slides back into the ring where Minoru’s made it back to his feet and goes to set her right up for the Black Lion Bomb. Tiger reverses it and catches him with a DDT! She takes to the top turnbuckle again but Griffin Hawkins is back up and makes it into the ring. He runs up the turnbuckle and takes Tiger down with a Frankensteiner!

Now Griffin makes it up to the top turnbuckle and he nails HOLY DIVER!! He goes for the cover on Super Tiger but Minoru Tanahashi yanks him right off. Griffin rolls onto his back and tries to kick Minoru back but after a bit of scrambling and struggling, Minoru tangles Griffin’s limbs up with Keimusho Saifu! Griffin can’t move! He’s yelling at Minoru to get him out of it but Minoru just pats him on the back and tells him to wait a minute. He waits for Super Tiger to start getting up and goes for Akihabara Dreams again! Tiger ducks! She goes to set Minoru up for Spicy Dragon Roll but Minoru spins out of it and it’s KABUKICHO NIGHTS!! Tiger hits the mat inside out and Minoru wastes no time picking her up and nails the Black Lion Bomb, holding it for the cover! 1! 2! 3! That’s it!

Thea Crawford: Here is your winner and Number One Contender to the NFW Undisputed Championship! MINORU...TANAHASHI!!!

Andrew Payne: And there we have it! The next challenger to Anton Crowley’s Undisputed Championship at March Mayhem!

Miranda Augustino: Hell of a match, Andy, but I don’t think even the Black Lion can slay the Demon King! Nobody can!

Andrew Payne: Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we?

Minoru slaps the mat with excitement, throwing his fists up in triumph. Comically, Griffin is still tied up in Keimucho Saifu but Minoru finally goes over and unwinds him. The Jukebox Hero stands up and, despite looking dejected, shakes Minoru’s hand before leaving him the ring to celebrate. Minoru goes back to Super Tiger, seeing her sitting up with a distraught expression under her mask. He extends a hand down to help her up but, to the shock of the audience, Tiger slaps his hands away and gets to her feet herself. Minoru, a little taken aback by this, extends a hand to her for a handshake but a clearly upset Super Tiger swats his hand away again, waves him off and leaves the ring, storming up the walkway with her hands on her hips.

Andrew Payne: Whoa now. What’s this about? C’mon, Tiger.

Miranda Augustino: Not happy with how close she seemed to come but still coming up short.

Andrew Payne: She’s seemed pretty on edge lately, for sure. Anyway, we hope you enjoyed tonight’s show. For Miranda Augustino, I’m Andrew Payne wne we’ll see you next time!

The show starts going off the air as we see Minoru Tanahashi having words with Anton Crowley at ringside from inside the ring. Pointing and making the title motion around his waist. Anton holds the title on his shoulder and smirks. For a moment, he looks past Minoru to watch Super Tiger go up the ramp with an amused expression. Minoru briefly follows his gaze and looks back to the Undisputed Champion, curious as to what his interest with his friend is but he eventually goes back to celebrating his win.

Result: Pinfall

© New Frontier Wrestling 2018