NFW Aftershock #20 - 02/20/2021!

Tahti Kuu v. Nattie K

The bell rings, and Tahti sprints across the ring at Nattie, looking to hit the powerful woman with a dropkick right out of the gate. Koslov sidesteps, dropping an elbow immediately as Kuu hits the mat, but the fiery Finn rolls out of the way and gets to her feet. What follows is a classic matchup between strength and speed as Tahti tries to get through the concrete like durability of Koslov’s defenses. As Kuu hits the ropes, springboarding back for a crossbody, Nattie catches her, shakes her head as the Finn struggles, before executing a brutal powerslam in the middle of the ring. She goes for the pinfall, but Tahti kicks out at two.

From here, Koslov imposes her will on the Finn, hitting her with everything but the kitchen sink. The Nuclear Disaster hits the Finnish Beauty with a devastating Fallout, crumpling the redhead. She looks as if she’s going to go for the pin, but she gets a wicked grin on her face, shaking her head. She lifts Tahti to her feet, and looks to the top turnbuckle. After hitting Tahti with Nuclear Winter, the powerhouse climbs to the top rope, where she crouches and waits for Kuu to get to her feet. As soon as Tahti is vertical, albeit on wobbly legs, Koslov leaps, looking for the Chernobyl Disaster, but Kuu evades on instinct. Nattie lands on her feet, wincing as she does, and Tahti takes advantage, booting the Ukrainian in the stomach before delivering the Eclipse with authority! She drags the blonde upright before hitting a second Eclipse before going for the pin, barely earning the pinfall as Koslov kicks out just after the three. Tahti rolls out of the ring and backs onto the ramp as Nat rages in the ring, screaming at the referee.

Result: Pinfall

The scene opens backstage in the catering area. Among a small handful of other roster members, Kaede Tanabe stands, holding a steaming hot paper cup with the string of a tea bag hanging out of it. She doesn’t look exactly amused with her beverage but what else is there? She tosses the spent bag into the trash and drops a sugar cube in, starting to mix it with the coffee stirrer when the double doors leading from deeper into the arena FLY open and a pissed off Jenn Drew comes storming in. All eyes fall on the English woman, including Kaede who turns around with a victorious smile on her face.

Kaede Tanabe: Ah! Hello, Jenn! I was wondering where you were!

She doesn’t miss the look on her client’s face though as she brings up her cup of tea to her lips to sip.

Kaede Tanabe: Problem?

Jenn doesn’t say a word, not yet. She stands there in front of Kaede and slaps the cup of tea out of the woman’s hand, sending it flying. She takes a deep breath, just staring daggers into the eyes of Kaede, the anger, definitely clear in her expression right now.

Jenn Drew: Seriously, you bitch?! Taking my opportunity to bring gold into your camp away from me?!

Jenn crosses her arms in her chest and she just continues to stare at Kaede, but also keeping an eye on her surroundings, making sure she doesn’t get caught off guard. Kaede stands with her empty hand still in place. Jaw half dropped. Wide eyed. There’s a hint of intimidation in her eyes but it’s leaning more towards surprise at Jenn’s audacity. Everyone else in the room freezes and stares at the scene unfolding. Kaede’s cup hand closes into a fist as she sticks a finger in Jenn’s face.

Kaede Tanabe: Seriously?! Yeah, seriously! I told you, bitch. I. Told. You that I wasn’t playing your game. You’re playing mine! I tried being easy going with you. I let the Trios Cup slide but you seem to have it in your head that you’re still the one moving the pieces on the board. No, bitch. I am. I mean, don’t let this fool you--

Kaede literally takes a pinch of her bleach blonde hair in her fingers as reference.

Kaede Tanabe: That whole dumb blonde gig? That ain’t me honey. You thought you were two moves ahead and I just checkmated your ass. Now, the pieces are reset and we’re back to square one. You know what I’m capable of. However you wanna play it? Your call, sweetheart.

Kaede stands there, sassy posture and all and watches Jenn, carefully. Jenn stands there, motionless, expression unwavering. It’s clear in the posture of each of them, that neither one is going to budge, at least not without a fight.

Jenn Drew: You’re right, this round does go to you. Good job, you managed to outsmart me, something people rarely do. This game of ours is fun though, and I do enjoy it, but…

Jenn stops for a second and winks at Kaede, a sly smirk coming across her face.

Jenn Drew: That doesn’t mean our little game is over yet. Not yet anyway, I’m having fun with you. You have my word though, I’ll play nice for now, knowing the lengths you’ll go to in order to try and keep me on a leash, but just know this, Kaede, I’m always plotting, always looking, always observing and you never know what might happen, but for now, like I said, I’ll play the good girl.

Jenn holds her hand out, extending what looks like a possible olive branch?

Kaede Tanabe: Oh, game on, honey. Game. On. You haven’t even seen the full extent I’ll go to in order to prove my point, but you’ll see this. You play along nicely? You reap rewards. So, from one conniving bitch to another….

She takes Jenn’s hand and shakes it.

Kaede Tanabe: Truce, for now.

Before she can let go of Jenn’s hand, Kaede glimpses down at her fingers and her shoulders slump. She goes from cold and scheming to almost concerned and sympathetic.

Kaede Tanabe: Oh, honey. Look at these!

Kaede takes Jenn’s hand in both hands and closely examines her fingers, before looking up at her face again.

Kaede Tanabe: Who does your fucking nails?

Jenn sighs, and just shakes her head as she feels her nails being looked over by Kaede.

Jenn Drew: No point in having my nails done when I’m in the ring fighting and stuff. I don’t have anyone do them.

Kaede rolls her eyes tilts her head, giving Jenn a “really, bitch” look.

Kaede Tanabe: Well you can at least shape them and fix these cuticles. You can beat bitches and still look fly as hell doing it. So! If you’re done fussing over tonight’s incident, and if we’re starting fresh, c’mon!

Still holding onto Jenn’s hand with both of hers, Kaede guides Jenn off to the hallway leading to the locker rooms. She stops for a second and motions to the puddle of tea on the floor.

Kaede Tanabe: One of you might wanna let the cleanup crew know there’s a spill. Someone could slip. Wouldn’t want that!

Jenn laughs as she looks back, grinning as she’s then pulled off by Kaede out of the room and the two of them disappear around the corner.

G1itch v. Cali-Kate

Koda Kumi’s “W Face” played Cali-Kate to the ring for the next match and, after her usual fanfare and sensual walk to the ring, Kate waited in her corner as Glitch’s music started to play but nobody came out. Obviously remembering the newcomer’s video package from earlier in the week, Kate rolled her eyes dismissively and shook her head. A backstage attendant came running down to the ring and had an exchange with the referee, telling him something. After a moment of hesitation, he looked to Cali-Kate who stood by, waiting impatiently. A moment passes by as everyone waits for Glitch’s appearance but, still, nothing.

When Glitch still fails to appear, Kate has had enough. She calls for a mic while the ref tries to assess the situation.

Kate: Glitch, if you're trying to play some kind of fucking mind game right now. I'm just gonna tell you, you're a shitty noob at it. So if you're done failing while doing your best, get the fuck out here now.

Glitch's music hits again, but even after almost a minute, there's still no appearance. Kate leans on the ropes facing the ramp.

Kate: Look, everyone fucking saw you got a goddamn beef with not appearing in a match on Trauma yet. You know what that's a real sad story. I'll be sure to shed a few tears over my vodka tonight. Why don't you try captaining a winning, yes a fucking winning WarGames team…only to be a fucking wheel spinner at the next supershow and not even booked the one after that and then you can talk to someone about not making appearances. Now get your ass out here!

Once again, Glitch's music hits with a no show. Kate is pacing the ring, bristling with irritation.

Kate: Bitch, I'm gonna make this real simple: either you come out here and get your ass kicking now, or I come back there and find you and drag you out here for your ass kicking. And I fucking swear, if I don't find you tonight, I am going to find you on Trauma and I am going to drag you to the ring and still give you an ass kicking, only much worse because you kept me waiting. So you better make a smart choice and quick because you're about to timeout.

For one more time Glitch's music plays. Yet there is still no appearance. The ref has no choice but to call the match. Kate is visibly livid, but keeps it under wraps with just smacking her lips. Kate smiles and scoffs.

Kate: You probably think it's funny don't you? Using your shitastic little vendetta as an excuse to embarrass me tonight. Let me tell you something Glitch: when I find you, and I am going to find you, the only V you'll be working on is Vanish, because that's what your chances of ever appearing on Trauma will be. Think I'm joking? Watch me. Game start, bitch!

Kate drops the mic and leaves the ring without further ceremony before the scene fades out.

Result: Forfeit by decision

Jason Hardwick: Alright folks, great action on the show tonight and I have a special interview with the new number one contender to the Undisputed Championship, that we got just after Collision came to a close.

We go to the back as Minoru Tanahashi comes through the curtain. He gets a few high fives from the crew and some of the extra talent that came looking for an opportunity. He gets handed a Strong Zero double peach, cracks it, and takes a sip as he places an ice pack on his neck and wipes away some of the sweat from the match as Jason Hardwick comes in with his microphone.

Jason Hardwick: Minoru, first off, congratulations on the win. That was a great match and you earned it.

Minoru simply nods and then steps up towards the mic.

Minoru Tanahashi: Thanks Jason, it was definitely not an easy win. Griffin, Tiggy, they are the real damn deal.

Jason Hardwick: Speaking of Super Tiger, a bit of a tense moment between the two of you at the end there. She smacked your hand away when you tried to help her to her feet and again when you extended it to her in sportsmanship.

Minoru takes a deep and rubs his neck as he takes a sip of his drink.

Minoru Tanahashi: That was definitely unexpected, but sometimes people just get frustrated. I think a lot of people forget that Risa, the Super Tiger, the amazing competitor who wrestles in seventeen different companies, maybe more, just turned twenty years old. When I was that age, I would have done what she did. Luckily, she has better sense than I ever did, will think it over and we’ll talk it out. There are no issues there.

Jason Hardwick: We’ll see, but congratulations again. Now, you have to try and do what very few have been able to do, including yourself in the Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament, beat Anton Crowley.

Minoru smirks and laughs a little before he takes another sip of his drink, then grabs the ice pack and tosses it to a crew member that passes by.

Minoru Tanahashi: Trust me, I know what I have to do next. Some people might look at him and think he’s a methed up weirdo who never made it out of his awkward teenage goth phase. I know better than that. Inside that ring, he is vicious and dangerous. But when I look at what he’s done recently… I can’t help but feel like he’s not quite as dangerous as he used to be. I think Anton is much better suited to being the hunter rather than the hunted. I look at him now, sitting on his throne with that title wrapped around his waist, and it looks like he’s getting fat and happy and complacent. Me though, well I told Amy that I was starving for an opportunity. Guess what Jason. I am still very damn hungry, and the only thing that will satisfy me is winning, defending, and keeping that title all the way up to Wrestlewar and the FUCKING Tokyo Dome.

Minoru is staring straight into the camera now. He raises his drink and steps back.

Minoru Tanahashi: For now though, there is sushi, sake, and strippers waiting for me back at the hotel. I am going to enjoy this night and this win.

Minoru down the rest of his drink crushes the can and sinks a perfect shot into the recycling bin before he heads off and the video fades out.

Silencia v. RIver Chance

As the bell sounds, River looks to engage in a collar and elbow, Silencia has other ideas, and fakes the engagement, only to whip around behind River, and throw a quick kick to the back of her knee. The shot puts River on one knee, at which point The Queen of the Streets rushes toward the ropes. Just as she's nearing the opposite side of the ring, Silencia leaves her feet, lands on the middle rope, and uses the momentum to propel herself back towards River, twisting her body in the air. The larger River catches Silencia mid air, and hoists her overhead, before simply dropping her to the ground. Not wanting to lose the advantage, Riv bends down, and grabs hold of Silencia, as she's pulling her up, she gets a thumb to the eye that the ref is unable to see. With her opponent blind, and stumbling, Silencia shoots to her feet, leaps into the air, and sends the crown of her head, smashing down onto her opponents. River recoils from the shot, but fires back with a quick lariat, sending both women crashing to the mat. The ref starts his standing ten, but as the tension is almost at its apex, Silencia manages to stand, River is almost to her feet as well, but Silencia pounces, sweeping her legs out from under her. With her opponent down, mid ring, Silencia sits in her back, and locks in Agarre de la Reina. River fights, but with nowhere left to go, is left with no choice but to tap out.

Result: Submission