NFW Wrestling #31 - Raleigh, NC! 03/04/2019!

Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream" plays over the introduction reel of NFW superstars posing before the camera. Wrapping the vignette up, are the current champions.

- Chris Wolfe slaps the TV Championship in front of the camera.

- Among the Renegades, Tyler Grey holds the Jr. Heavyweight Championship proudly on his shoulder with a scowl at the camera. Serena Frost seductively smooches the front plate of the Women's Television Championship. Julian Morrison sits to the side of Serena while Tyson Law stands beside Tyler in the back, flipping the middle finger but pointing it down as he sneers arrogantly at the camera.

- As the next flash shows the Great White North together with Scott Leroux sitting in a chair, kicked back like the cocky Tapout King, he is flanked on either side by William Mannheim and Pitt. Kennedy Campbell sits in Leroux's lap while El Piso Mojado throws up a 'C' with one hand. Next to Mannheim, Rick Dickulous 'shoots the gun' at the camera as he holds the Silver Mountain Championship on his shoulder.

- Alex Brody, holds the Women's Championship up by her head with an adorable but confident smile With an arm over her shoulders, Erin Mercer points to Alex and throws the metal horns.

- 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. Around him stand Doomsday and Belphegor - Ultra-Violence - displaying their Tag Team Championship belts as they scowl through their masks. Also with them are the rest of the Dominion of Pain, to include Crimson Sabre and LeeAnn Viskan displaying the Mixed Tag Team Championship belts. On LeeAnn's other shoulder is one half of the Women's Tag Team Championship while Lara Blackheart, looking darker in personality with a more arrogant smirk, displays her half of the Women's Tag titles. On either side of this gathering, Buzzsaw calmly flexes a fist and grips the wrist of that hand, scowling from under his mask. On the opposite side, looking ever so dark and enigmatic, Ethan Skinner smirks evilly at the camera with a hand out to the camera, beckoning viewers as....

The camera cuts to the outside of Raleigh, North Carolina's PNC Arena, sweeping in on the building before cutting to the inside where the camera sweeps across the electric audience as the pyro goes off on the stage, lighting up the NFW sign high above and brings the ring into view for the audience. Nick Hanson, James Reynolds and NFW Superstar Matt Klazzic greet the viewers as the camera jumps over to their table.

HANSON
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to New Frontier Wrestling! We're here, tonight, in beautiful North Carolina! Home of the Carolina Hurricanes and the NC State Wolfpack! We're inside the PNC Arena and things, this week, ought to be good!"

Nick Hanson looks beside him to see James Reynolds staring right at him like he's embarrassed to be sitting next to him. Reynolds shakes his head.

HANSON
"What?"

REYNOLDS
"Did you really search this town, hoping to get a cheap pop or something? The fans in the crowd can't even hear you, Nicky!"

HANSON
"I research everywhere we go, Jim. It lets any locals watching know that we appreciate being in their city!"

KLAZZIC
"That's a good mindset to have, Nick!"

REYNOLDS
"Shut up, Matt. Nobody asked you. Where the fuck were you, last week anyway?"

KLAZZIC
"I had some training to do. Took a flight to Japan. Glad to be back, though!"

HANSON
"Well, we certainly missed you, Matt!"

REYNOLDS
"We, my ass. And wait a second. You just go to Japan whenever you please?"

Matt Klazzic shrugs in his suit, blinking from under his mask.

KLAZZIC
"It's not like I was on the card or anything. And I do this voluntarily, Jim. Are you saying you did miss me?"

REYNOLDS
"Hell no! I just don't like half ass commentators! If you're gonna do this between matches, you show up every week! You don't go sightseeing in Tokyo!"

KLAZZIC
"Kyoto."

REYNOLDS
"What?"

KLAZZIC
"I didn't go to Tokyo. I went to Kyoto. To train. Not sightsee. I got friends in far places, Jim. You probably would, too, if you weren't such an ignoramous."

REYNOLDS
"The fuck did you just call---"

Nick Hanson cuts James Reynolds off as he starts getting into tonight's card.

HANSON
"Anyway, folks! Moving on!"

REYNOLDS
"Don't you interrupt---"

HANSON
"We are one week away from our March mini-pay per view. This is our go home show before March Misery, ladies and gentlemen! And what a night we have in store for you! We've got our newest acquisition in action! "The Ragman" Jag'hatai D'habi takes on SHO from CHAOS. Matt? You're in action tonight, as well! How are you feeling?"

KLAZZIC
"I feel great, Nicky! I'm set to go!"

REYNOLDS
"You're wearing a fucking suit, Matt. How set can you be?"

KLAZZIC
"It takes me five minutes to get changed, James Reynolds. Literally. It's a shame I'm gonna miss the opening match but it is what it is. At least I'm here for the opener!"

REYNOLDS

"I don't know whether to root for you or Belphegor. I hate the Dominion of Pain, but you annoy the goddamn shit out of me. You think you got what it takes to beat that big, scary son of a bitch?"

“Well, Belphegor and Doomsday have made it no secret the past few weeks they have a problem with myself and my buddy, Rick. Doomsday crossed a line last week sticking his nose in my buddy's business instead of being a man and confronting him one-on-one. Now, Belphegor, everyone knows you're big and you're bad. But I've held my own against bigger and better men than you. All I have are these two hands and the cheers of the fans and, gosh darnit, I'll lay it all out there and give it my all. Get ready, big man. Klazzic's coming for you!!!”

"You are fucking insane, Matt.... I love it! Beat that ass, boy!"

HANSON
"After Matt takes on Belphegor, folks, we've got tag team action. The Army of Darkness versus The Rebel Rousers."

REYNOLDS
"Yay! Canadian dumbasses taking on white redneck trash!"

HANSON
"Hush, Jim. After that, mixed tag team action. Kicks and Stones takes on The Smalls Twins. Kimi and Kyle. Now, both of these teams, technically are in line for a shot at the mixed tag team titles but here's the kicker. We have no mixed tag team champions! If you paid attention to Twitter, ladies and gentlemen, you know that Crimson Sabre has retired and that LeeAnn Viskan has stepped away from the Dominion of Pain. What that means for the mixed tag team titles AND the women's tag team titles? Who knows? Steven Brody and Savannah Hayes did say they had an announcement to make. We'll possibly find out later tonight. Following that match, folks: not one but two title matches. Both Television Championships are going on the line! Serena Frost defends her Women's TV Championship against Victoria Emmerson and Tyson Law, Serena's stablemate, issued a challenge last week to Men's TV Champion, Chris Wolfe. We'll see those matches back to back. After that, more tag team action. Nico Salvatore and AKI team up against Suzuki-gun's own, T-Hawk and Shingo Takagi. There's been some bad blood between Suzuki-gun and AKI along with Connor K for a long time now. Nico Salvatore sorta got pulled into it at Wrestle War during the Silver Rush Battle Royale. He feels like he's got unfinished business with Havok but Paul Heyman refuses to just give Nico what he wants. He says Nico has to earn the right to take on the protege of Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Sugiura. We'll see where tonight's match takes us."

KLAZZIC
"I gotta give the Gladiator props for wanting to take Suzuki-gun on by himself. I'm glad AKI and Connor K stepped in to give him a hand. Mostly AKI. I know Connor K's injured but he does what he can!"

REYNOLDS
"Nico Salvatore is the God of fucking War, Matt. The Urban fucking Gladiator! Nico fucking Suave can take on anyone at anytime! Don't doubt him!"

KLAZZIC
"Yeah, James, but it was gonna be one guy against what...eight?! The odds weren't in his favor."

REYNOLDS
"You ever see Hercules: The Legendary Journey, Matt?"

KLAZZIC
"Of course, I did! Fantastic show!"

REYNOLDS
"How many times did a half god like Hercules take on a dozen men and wipe the floor with them? This is a pure bred God of War, we're talking about in Nico Salvatore! He can hold his own against Suzuki-gun!"

KLAZZIC
"Why did AKI and Connor K need to come out and help him, then?"

REYNOLDS
"Who said he needed help?"

HANSON
"Suzuki-gun played the numbers game, last week. Nico was down for the count, Jim. Connor K and AKI, technically, saved him from having a loss on his record. He owes them big and I'd say he's paying them back by joining the fray."

REYNOLDS
"You don't think Nico could have handled it?"

KLAZZIC
"Well folks! I've got a match to get changed for! I'll see you shortly in that ring!"

REYNOLDS
"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

KLAZZIC
"Later, gents!"

Matt Klazzic slaps James Reynolds on the shoulder before removing his headset and getting up from the table to head towards the back.

REYNOLDS
"Hey! Sit the hell down!"

HANSON
"He's gotta get ready, Jim."

REYNOLDS
"Well, you answer me then!"

HANSON
"Better than that, why don't we turn it over to the cameras where Elizavetta Von Dutch is waiting with Jag'hatai D'habi!"

REYNOLDS
"Hey!"

James Reynolds shouts as the cameras cut away.

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Sitting down on the beautiful beaches at Carolina Beach, on Pleasure Island only 140 miles from Raleigh Lady Elizavetta Von Dutch is sunbathing. Opening her left eye a few moments after the cameras turn on, she smiles and warmly greets the N*FW universe “Heya guys”. Sitting up a bit and repositioning, she continues. “Jaghatai is off running the beach, getting in a small cardio workout, before we go poolside for the evening. Right now you guys, you guys are stuck with little ole me. I guess I should address the elephant in the room first, right?

Last week, my man stepped in the ring for his debut match. Last week, we faced off against El Desperado, from Suzuki-gun. Now we are no stranger to this group, but we had hoped we could face our opponent, not out of some manufactured and manipulated good guy, bad guy disagreement, with a level of respect. That is why my man offered his hand. He offered it not once, but twice. After he won his debut I might add. He was declined both times. We are no stranger to the idea of sportsmanship being something most can’t live up to. That is not the problem. What angered us, in the slightest was the attack after the bell, with a foreign object. That dog won’t hunt, as the saying goes. We truly don’t hold it against him though, because a real man doesn’t let people who don’t understand what this business should be about get to them. Water off a duck's back really. Enough about last week.”

Getting up and heading over to a tiki bar and ordering a pineapple mixed drink and walking back to her chair she resumes. “This week we face off against Sho, also from NJPW. Truthfully, between you and me if this is the calibre of athlete they breed overseas, this week shall have the same outcome, hopefully with a better beginning and ending this time. We will still offer our hand, before and after the match, because that ritual is more about us, than them. The rares ones who accept earn our respect, the ones who don’t, which is most of them, don’t. Respect is all you have in this business, and if the people you’re wrestling with don’t respect themselves enough to recognize a fellow warrior then quite frankly, they do the fans a disservice.

Prepare yourself Sho, Clotho’s whip is coming for you, your time is running out.

As she finishes Jag’hatai comes running into the shot, and bends over at the waist putting his hands on his knees and breathing heavily. As she turns to smile at him she says to the camera “Speak of him and he shall appear, byeeee girls and guys, pool time.” She throws him a towel and they walk off.

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In the opening contest of the show, "The Ragman" Jag'hatai D'habi defeated CHAOS' SHO, by pinfall in 9:01 after showing that he could easily outwrestle the man before delivering the Clotho's Whip. Again, D'habi failed to get a handshake as SHO left the ring, clutching his chest in a huff as he retreated with his tag partner, YOH and Rocky Romero.

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We cut to backstage where we see The Smalls Twins, Kimi and Kyle, stretching out and getting ready for their match. Kimi exhaled, looking over to her brother with a grin, "you ready for this one?"

Kyle nodded, "totally. We've done nothing but kick ass since we got here. I don't see that stopping any time soon."

"Especially now that Crimson Sabre is retiring and LeeAnn Viskan is stepping down from The Dominion of Pain," Shelley Silver walked up behind Kyle, throwing an arm around his shoulders, spitting out the name of Lara's stable bitterly.

Kimi blinked, "and you wonder why we assume there's something going on between the two of you. But also... does this mean it's time for us to step up?"

Kyle gave his sister a dirty look, "so it's a crime to be close to someone? You know why we are."

Shelley rolled her eyes, letting go of Kyle and took a few steps over to Kimi and kissed her on the cheek, giving her a side-hug. "I love you, too, Kimi-bear. But yes, step up. If Steve Brody and Savannah Hayes don't say anything by the end of your match, track them down. Those mixed tag titles will be as good as yours." Shelley smiled at the young twins, "now if you don't mind, I'm going to find a place to avoid certain people for the night. I may not have a match, but I have a feeling that I don't have the night off."

Kyle raised an eyebrow as they watched Shelley walk away, "I really hope she's going to be OK." He waited for a moment before catching the camera on them with a grin, "but first things first. Tonight we're going up against Kicks and Stones."

Kimi looked up, "individually, the two of you are outstanding competitors, but together?"

"You'll never have the experience of working together that we do," Kyle gave the camera a smug look.

"Because as twins, we've been doing this since before we were even born," Kimi stepped up behind her brother, resting her chin on his shoulder. "So Erin... Vin... good luck out there."

Kyle let out a small chuckle, "you're gonna need it."

The twins turn away as we go back to...

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"Ya know, Pitt..."

*William Mannheim's voice can be heard as the shot fades in from commercial. He and Pitt are walking through the back hallways of the PNC Arena*

"...there's so much history here. I mean, the Carolina Hurricanes brought the Stanley Cup here--"

*The local crowd pops at the mention of the Hurricanes, the shot switches to inside the arena detailing a few fans cheering, decked out in Carolina Hurricanes gear, then back to the two wrestlers*

"You mean the Hartford Whalers, Willy?"

*A mix of cheers and boos fills the arena*

"Listen, dummy...they don't wanna hear anything about Connecticut - it was the Hurricanes who won. Besides that, when the fuck did you start paying attention to hockey? I thought you were still all about tiddly winks and pogs!"

*Pitt shrugs*

"Hey, my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles slammer has won me a shit ton of...."

*Willy and Pitt both look around, confused*

"Wait....Pitt....say that one more time?"

"I said, my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles slammer won me a....shit ton of matches."

*Mannheim looks around, then back at Pitt. He looks around again, and snaps back to Pitt again*

"You've been fucking with everyone this whole time, haven't you? No more beeps? What the fuck?"

"I think maybe the people upstairs read my Twitter post. Remember?"

*Mannheim laughs*

"Who can forget that? 'You can't fucking censor me here!'"

"Well? They can't! I mean, I guess Twitter can...they did a good job with Tyson Law..."

"Yeah, well, maybe it's for his own good. Little peckerwood wasn't far off of a 'pep talk,' if ya know what I mean?"

*Mannheim cracks his knuckles, accentuating his point*

"What the hell? When am I ever the voice of reason, Willy? Relax. Let it go. He's a little shit disturber who didn't get enough spankings as a kid. Besides, we've got the Rednecks tonight - you can take it out on them."

"Teddy and Chase don't deserve that kind of hurt - I said it before, and I'll say it again - those two kids have something. I'm not gonna end it before it begins. Tyson Law, on the other hand? No guarantees."

*Pitt stops Mannheim*

"Why? Because of a Twitter comment? Come on, Willy...you're better than that. You've been told worse by better - for fuck sakes, you and Lasher said worse to each other..."

"There's a difference there, Pitt. One of those motherfuckers, as much as I hate every ounce of his smug, pompous ass...has earned the right to threaten my life. The other? He needs to remember that in a young man's game, ALWAYS fear and respect an old man who's still playing. Come on, dummy...we've got work to do..."

*With that, Mannheim and Pitt walk off down the hallway, the cameraman remaining in place as the shot slowly fades to black*

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Matt Klazzic put up one hell of a performance against the much larger Belphegor, but the young monster from the Dominion of Pain used his size and power to overcome the King's Road practitioner, defeating him by pinfall in 8:39 after hitting the Ninth Circle.

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The Army of Darkness defeated The Rebel Rousers, by pinfall in 14:26, after Pitt pinned Teddy Morse, following the delivery of a Trip To Hell by himself and William Mannheim.

Following the match, Teddy Morse and Chase Evans retreated up the back ramp, looking frustrated and distraught as they talked among themselves, wondering where they went wrong this time.

HANSON
"Well, Teddy and Chase certainly look like they're taking this loss pretty hard."

REYNOLDS
"I guess the Army of Darkness were the smarter idiots, tonight."

HANSON
"Oh, c'mon Jim. Why don't you---well hey, Matt! Welcome back!"

REYNOLDS
"Did you even shower after your match, nasty ass?"

The camera jumps to the commentary table just as Matt Klazzic is returning to his seat, putting his headset back on. The microphone, comically picks up that he's out of breath. Probably from a combination of his match and running to get back to the announce table.

KLAZZIC
(panting)
"Of course, I did, Jim.... Good...hygeine...is important! Whew boy! I'm gonna be sore in the morning!"

REYNOLDS
"That's what she said. Belphegor whupped your fucking ass, Matt! I'm surprised you're still alive!"

KLAZZIC
"I got my licks in, Jim. You see that backdrop I hit?"

REYNOLDS
"Yeah, looked like you threw your back out."

KLAZZIC
"He's a big boy!"

HANSON
"Win or loss, you did great Matt. Given the physical odds."

KLAZZIC
"Thanks, Nick! Looks like the Rousers didn't do so well, either, huh?"

HANSON
"No, no. Unfortunately, they didn't."

KLAZZIC
"Ah, they'll come around. They always do! Maybe they just need to sharpen their skills!"

HANSON
"Maybe."

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Glimpses of NFW superstars are seen under a green undertone while Dropkick Murphy's "Warrior's Code" serves as the background music. The vignette focuses mainly on specific faces, namely those booked for March 11th's March Misery.

- We get a flashback glimpse of Judas and Kenny Omega staring each other down, face to face at 2018's Vlad Blackheart Memorial.

- A short recap plays of last week's triple threat House of Fun, showcasing CFT winning his way into the Silver Mountain Championship match.

- A quick run through of the women involved in the Money In The Bank match are shown. Erin Mercer winking over her shoulder during her entrance. Kennedy Campbell yelling from the turnbuckle. Kimi Smalls is seen performing her singles dance on the entrance stage. Candi Broduer stands in the ring, drawing her thumb across her throat near the end of a match. Mia Hayashi adjusts her hair into a messy bun and gives an adorable sneer as she flips off the camera. Lara Blackheart smirks at the camera, blowing a kiss.

- The next clip shows the men of The Renegades glaring into the camera, standing as a unit. The screen flashes to show Ethan Skinner, grinning darkly at the camera.

- In between flashes of broken glass and a burning wicker man, we see glimpses of Serena Frost, holding the Women's TV Championship as she sneers at the camera. A quick flash shows Angel Kusanagi, grinning wickedly through her wet, platinum blonde hair.

Finally, the March Misery logo SLAMS onto the screen!



Monday, March 11th! Don't Miss It!

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As the camera returned to ringside, all was silent with the exception of the chatting audience until....



~Belial...Behemoth...Beelzebub~

REYNOLDS
"Aw no, what now?!"

~Asmodeus...Satanas...Lucifer~

As the opening keyboard and guitar duo of Ghost's "Year Zero" shattered the silence and the lights dimmed, causing an eerie, dark appearance with dull shades of green, the loyal fans among the audience could faintly be seen pumping the horns in the air.

REYNOLDS
"Nicky, you gonna answer me?"

HANSON
"I'm not saying a word, Jim. Unlike you, I know to keep my mouth shut around these guys."

KLAZZIC
"Words if wisdom, Nick Hanson! Words. Of. Wisdom!"

REYNOLDS
"Matt, will you go jump off a fucking pier?"

As the lyrics to the song began, the curtain parted with members of the Dominion of Pain slowly but surely filing out onto the stage. Not just a couple or a few. Every. Single. One. This, alone, made the audience rise into a combined mix of cheers and jeers. It seemed rare that all of them were seen at once. What was going on? Among them, on the stage, Doomsday, who seemed to always be in his ring gear - this time with the addition of an Amon Amarth t-shirt under his hooded coat - stood menacingly, slowly casting his shrouded gaze across the audience. Nobody needed to see his eyes to see the perpetual rage that burned within them. From there, Doomsday stood unmoving like a statue while the rest of the Dominion joined him.

HANSON
"You know something, Jim?"

KLAZZIC
"What's that, Nick?"

HANSON
"It's almost...a little odd. Not seeing LeeAnn Viskan or the Crimson Sabre up there among them."

REYNOLDS
"Nah, it's great, Nicky! It means their numbers are dwindling!"

Giving his old friend Doomsday a pat on the shoulder as he walked by, Judas Lasher took the microphone from the ring announcer, his other hand holding the NFW World Title. Taking a look at each of his remaining Dominion members, he gave each an appreciative nod before turning to the camera.

"As some of you by now know... The Dominion has lost two of it's members." He paused, giving the crowd a chance to react. "The Crimson Sabre has decided to retire, given the degenerative state of his knees. And LeeAnn Viskan, one of my oldest, dearest friends, has decided that before she calls it a career... there is still one thing she needs to do. And unfortunately, The Dominion cannot be a part of that. Both of them will always be a part of us, and will always be appreciated. As such, the Mixed Tag Team Titles, AND the Women's Tag Team Titles are being immediately declared vacant. However... as I said on social media.... we are like the hydra: when one head is cut off, two more grow in it's place. So, as we have lost two... we shall gain four. The Dominion grows, and as it does, it only becomes deadlier."

With a proud, knowing smirk, he turned to young Lara Blackheart, all 5'1" of her, and handed her the microphone. The diminutive blonde stood on her tiptoes to give him a little smooch on the cheek, before walking forward to lean against the ropes.

"J-Man here is absolutely right. We are growing. And we're changing. Every change that's being made, is happening at MY call. Judas is grooming me to lead this group, and it starts now. I have a very important meeting later with an old friend, so right now? I'm not gonna say much. One thing I'll leave you with, though... as I tweeted over the weekend.... it's definitely time for a little more sex and violence around here."

HANSON
"What the hell is she talking about?"

REYNOLDS
"I don't know but if she's gonna be running this thing soon, I could get behind a little sex and violence! Maybe not their idea of violence but definitely the sex!"

KLAZZIC
"Classy as always, James Reynolds."

Matt Klazzic said with distaste in his voice as Doomsday, towering over little Lara stepped up to take the microphone. Even his hand almost engulfed hers as the microphone was handed over and the giant weapon of mass destruction lifted his head, sneering from under his mask at the audience. The microphone came up, slowly, and Doomsday's trademark deep, guttural voice rippled throughout the arena....

"For the longest of times...the Dominion of Pain has been a family to me...." He turned to look at the remaining members. "Old and new...." He began walking among the members, naming them as he passed them. "Judas...a man who has been like a brother to me during the darkest...lowest point of my existence...and in addition to my son...and daughter...helped me see reason to keep going...." He moved down the line to... "Buzzsaw...the deadliest striker this business has ever seen.... Ethan Skinner...." He clapped a hand down the man's shoulder who stood quietly, listening. "A young man so focused...yet twisted...he earned the right as the first student to graduate Judas' school of pain...." He moved over, coming to.... "Belphegor." Doomsday lifted his head and looked UP into the face of the only man that ever made it necessary for him to do so. "....A misguided soul who saw light in true darkness. When I hang up my boots...it will be his that trample the unfortunate souls that dare to cross the Dominion. The new generation's war machine." Doomsday gave the man a clap on the shoulder, nodding in approval before moving back to the other side of Judas where he came to... "And Lara...." If it hadn't been what seemed like such a sentimental moment, it might have been funny to see how Doomsday towered over her. 6'10" standing over an adorable little 5'1". He placed an enormous hand on her shoulder, then. "The daughter of a genius in this business. A man that changed the industry. A man that helped me see my true potential and brought me from the darkness of the underground...into the light...so that I could black it out...." Doomsday said coldly, releasing Lara's shoulder before turning to the audience. "But there was another man...whose hand played a roll in me setting foot into this company...." A stir began to rise from the crowd as some knew who he was talking about. Doomsday almost looked to be laughing. "Another...lord of darkness...who took me in. Helped me harness my immense rage...and aim it at everyone and anyone...anything that needed to be destroyed. He was like my brother...and then he turned his back on me.... He mistook my caution in a matter against a greater darkness...as weakness. He tried to erase me from this plain...." Doomsday lowered his head but kept his eyes on the camera. "...And I destroyed him." Yeah. The audience knew who he was speaking of now, definitely. They were buzzing.

Doomsday continued. "But...I did not completely decimate him the way I so badly wanted to. Because if not for him and her father..." He pointed to Lara Blackheart. "I would not be the unstoppable force that stands before you. So I spared him...in exchange for a debt. A debt that would be paid...when *I* called upon him. Well, hear me now. I have called upon him to repay his debt." The crowd began to roar with anticipation. Was he really doing this? "As Judas said...where one head is severed...two will grow. We lost two...and so shall we gain four!" Doomsday paused, turning towards the ramp. "Therefore! I introduce to you...the one known as "filius damnati!!" The son of the damned!! THE SON...OF MORGOTH!!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"WHAT?!"

Doomsday's thunderous voice practically shook the speakers as he pointed at the stage. "DARIUS!!!!! CROWLEY!!!!!" The lights slowly dim as the opening to BEHEMOTH's "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" began.



The entire arena is shrouded in darkness as the video wall flashes with depictions of heretical symbols. Not just the typical ones like inverted crosses or pentagrams. Ancient pagan symbols hinting at black magic and dark rituals from before the time of Christ, himself. On the screen, a wave of smoke rises from the bottom as the stage alone illuminates with a single light, revealing that the stage, too, has been coated in a thick layer of mist. On the screen, the wave of digital smoke passes, revealing the words FILIUS DAMNATI in old English. The letters warp into ancient pagan symbols before shifting back into readable letters again. This time they say, DARIUS CROWLEY. Fans of the independent circuit who also were loyal fans to the Dominion of Pain roared from the audience.

At the 1:20 mark in the song, a man stepped from the darkness and into the light shining on the stage. Dressed in a crisp, dark grey armani suit, black shirt and circular sunglasses over his eyes with long hair atop his head tied back into a neat ponytail - the sides and back cleanly shaved - the man known as Darius Crowley slowly made his way down towards the ramp at an eerily calm pace. Behind him on the wall, heretical symbols continued to flash upon the screen as he slowly ascended the steps and entered the ring smoothly. With movements that remained still smooth and methodical, Darius stepped forward, embracing Doomsday like a brother or perhaps a role model before turning to greet Judas Lasher in a similar fashion. He took a moment to exchange greetings with the rest of the members. A hand clasp with Buzzsaw. An old forearm shake with Ethan Skinner that even Darius seemed to be ready to give rather than a normal handshake. And to Lara, Darius bowed his head almost in obedience before taking her hand and placing a gentleman's kiss on the back of it. Only then did he take the microphone from Doomsday. Slowly, Darius Crowley removed his sunglasses and folded them over, tucking them into his jacket and raised the microphone up.

"It would seem that a small number of you have been anticipating my arrival into the New Frontier." Darius spoke calm and coolly. Eerily enough, he almost seemed like a normal, every day guy once he started speaking, albeit he spoke with a sense of elegance and grace that seemed unbecoming of most others in his age range of mid twenties. "Yes, it is true. I have come to the place that men like legends such as Vlad Blackheart and my father, the one you know as Morgoth, made their names known. But make no mistake...." He paused, looking around at the mixture of pleased and disgusted fans. "I am not here because Commissioner Steven Brody approached me and offered a lucrative contract or a hefty sum of money. I care nothing for such a thing. I am here...because this man...." He gestured to Doomsday, "...demanded it, and rightfully so. I am here...because this woman..." He averted his gesture to Lara, "...that so many have underestimated and treated as their lesser...requires loyal soldiers in the bloody war that is to come." He turned back to the crowd. "I am here, to answer...the call...."

REYNOLDS
"Hey! He had that on his social media, Nicky! Matt!! That's what he meant?!"

HANSON
"I guess so!!"

"You see..." Darius continued, calmly pacing as he spoke. "Several weeks ago, my father received a call at home. It was an old friend of his." Again, he turned to motion to Doomsday. "He said to him, 'old friend...it is time to pay.'" Darius didn't smile. He was eerily stoic in his facial expression but there was feeling to his words, oddly enough. "And he is well, mind you. My father." He could see it on the faces of the audience who hadn't heard of hide nor hair of Morgoth ever since he briefly appeared to assist Doomsday in his 2007 war with Julian Morrison. "He wanted to answer the call himself. He wanted to walk down this ramp and repay the debt he owed, but I asked him...I practically begged him...I said 'father...please...let me. Let me be your hand in this. I will do you proud. I will not fail you. And mark my words...all of you...I will not fail. I will not fail him. I will not fail him..." He pointed to Doomsday. "I will not fail her..." He pointed again to Lara. "I will not fail The Dominion of Pain. Because I am Darius Crowley. I am the one they call Filius Damnati. I am the Son of the Damned." Here, he turned towards the camera directly and stared coldly and intently into it. "And I do not understand...the meaning...of mercy." Here, Darius turned back to the rest of the Dominion and offered the microphone out to Judas or Lara. Whomever chose to take it from him before stepping back to stand among them.

Judas smiled, a cold, dark grin that could send chills down one's spine, and took the microphone from Darius.

"The Dominion must continually evolve, if it is to survive. Members may grow old, wither away... but new members will always be there to take our place. Ours is a legacy far greater than any one member, myself included. Darius, Ethan, and Lara are but the first part of The Dominion's evolution. An evolution that will only result in a group faster, stronger, and more dangerous than ever before. And our crown jewel.... is yet to come. Beware, NFW - your day of reckoning... is here. Ave Satanas."

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The camera opened close on a pair of feminine hands applying white tape to a man's hand with the fingers extended and spread out. The tattoos of A Nightmare Before Christmas on one of the woman's forearms told us exactly who we were with, now. The audience watching from the arena popped even before the camera panned out to reveal Erin Mercer, wrapping the hand of her tag team partner for the mixed tag division, Vincent Stone. His other hand was already wrapped. Erin wore her Kicks & Stones themed gear - essentially just a black and white version of her usual attire. Vincent Stone, too, was already in his gear with a Kicks & Stones t-shirt on.

"So, Kimi and Kyle seem like a couple of cool peeps." Erin said casually as she wrapped her friend's hand.

"Yeah, they do." Stone said with a small nod. "You can see that tight brother and sister bond, they have."

"Right?" Erin agreed with a smile. "I bet we'll have a good match!"

"Probably." Stone said, nodding again. It was clear that his mind wasn't really there, at the moment. In fact, he didn't seem his usual chipper self. Something was off.

And Erin Mercer knew when her friend was upset. She finished wrapping his hand, tearing off the tape and setting it aside before setting her hands in her lap and giving a stern look up at him with her head tilting slightly to the side. "Vin, what's wrong? You've been acting bummed out all week. I wasn't gonna say anything, because I know it bugs you, but..." She shrugged her hands up and dropped them down with a soft slap on her legs. "...I can't keep quiet anymore. Talk to me."

Stone shook his head and checked his tape, opening and closing his fists. "It's nothing, E. Don't worry about it." Before he could get up, however, Erin Mercer stuck out a hand and planted it right in the middle of his chest, making him stay right where he was.

"Hey. Are you still bummed out about Marissa?" She asked, lowering her hand once she was sure he wasn't going to move.

Stone looked at her like she was way off. "What? No! Course not! She said she had fun on our date but just isn't ready for anything long term. I understand, completely. It's cool."

"Vin." Erin said plain and simple. It was almost funny how she looked at the man like she could read his thoughts. It was that 'I know you better than that. Don't lie to me' look. And it worked. Vincent Stone caved like a crumbling cavern and slumped his shoulders, rolling his eyes in defeat. "Look, yeah, I'm bummed out, okay? I mean." He shrugged his shoulders. "I like her, is all. A lot. I respect her decision and all. It just...I dunno. It kinda sucks."

"Oh, Vin, c'mere." Erin rose up onto her knees and hugged him around the shoulders. He hugged her back but the look on his face said she was pitying him when she didn't need to. "What? I'm not completely broken up about it. Besides, do we really need to have this conversation here? We've got a match in like ten minutes." He said, letting go of Erin as she leaned back in time to see Stone thumbing towards the camera. "Besides. I don't really want certain shit aired out to the world, Erin."

The redhead adorably went wide eyed with her jaw dropping into an 'O' as she looked at the camera. "Ohhhhhhh my god! So sorry!" She said, looking back at him. "We'll talk later after we're done here. So!" She clapped her hands together loudly. "Usual strategy?" She added, sticking out a fist. Stone bumped it and stood up from the bench. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He said. Erin stood up and grabbed her leather jacket and slipped it on as the camera lifted up to stay on them. Stone turned directly to it and pulled his beanie over his head. "Kimi and Kyle. We've actually been looking forward to this. We don't have a lot of dedicated mixed tag teams in this company, yet. Truthfully, there's just you two and us." He thumbed to Erin as she finished adjusting her jacket and smiled sweetly, waving to the twins through the camera. Stone continued. "So, you could call this a friendly battle between two teams who have no ill will towards the other. You wouldn't be wrong. But you could also call this a battle to see who the top mixed tag team in the company is. Shelley's told us good things about you two. We wanna see it out there. Mixed tag wrestling has a certain stigma about it. I'd say we need to break that."

"And we tooootally need to hang out after the show!" Erin added, raising her hands up together and moving them out in excitement. "Like, don't hold back against us. I'm not saying you will, but afterward---"

"Erin." Stone turned, looking at her in confusion as to what she was even getting at.

"What?" Erin dropped her hands, looking at him with a shrug of her shoulders. "I'm just saying. We kick each other's asses and then go chill at a bar and grill or something. No?"

Stone looked at the camera, shaking his head with a smirk and thumbed to his tag partner. "And she calls me a dork." He said, before turning and heading out of the locker room, leaving Erin to, hilariously, look shocked and offended. "Did you just call me a dork, Vin?!" She ran off after him as the shot began to fade out. "Hey!"

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Following the entrances of both Kicks & Stones and The Smalls Twins, the referee was in the middle of performing the usual check for any foreign objects hidden away, when suddenly....



The sound of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" filled the arena. A buzz moved through the crowd as they turned to the stage to see NFW Commissioner, Steven Brody appear on stage, through the curtain. Dressed in his usual casual suit, the man gave a short wave to the audience before making his way to the ring. Notably, he carried a black, velvet bag in his other hand that looked like it had some weight to it.

REYNOLDS
"The hell's boss man doing out here?"

HANSON
"I don't know but...he's not coming empty handed."

REYNOLDS
"That's a big bag. I hope that's not a goddamn snake like Jake Roberts used to bring!"

MATT
"That'd be neat. Odd, but neat."

REYNOLDS
"I hate snakes, Matt!"

Steven Brody casually makes his way up the steps and enters the ring, waving to the crowd again before politely asking Roger Arden for the microphone as his music cuts off. He takes a moment, looking between the two confused tag teams as they stand back in their corners before raising the microphone up.

"Ladies and gentlmen, please excuse the interruption." He begins. "Erin, Vin, Kimi, Kyle. I know you've got a match. Trust me, this won't take long. In fact! I think what I'm about to say will make this match even a little more interesting. See...." He pauses, looking between the two mixed tag teams. Something about them puts a proud smile on his face. "Both of you teams have this natural fire in your eyes. I love that. That's why I had a discussion with Savannah Hayes, over the week and we came to a decision. See...both of you teams have more than proven yourselves in this division. The Smalls Twins? You're technically undefeated since your arrival in NFW, and in only your second match, you defeated the Mixed Tag Team Champions in a non-title match."

KLAZZIC
"That's true, they did!"

Steven Brody turns from The Smalls Twins to Kicks & Stones. "Vin, Erin. What can I say? You've been Kicks & Stones since before you even signed with NFW. You've got a decorated history. Part of that record is being our first Mixed Tag Team Champions. Both of you, I'd say, have the right to challenge the defending champions for those titles." He looks down at the bag in his hand and shakes his head. "Buuuut...as it stands ?" He looks up at the audience. "We don't have Mixed Tag Team Champions, at the moment." Uh-oh. What was he doing? The crowd began to buzz with excitement.

REYNOLDS
"What's he getting at?"

HANSON
"Ohhhhh-hoooooo, wait a minute."

"We don't have champions, right now, because LeeAnn Viskan had some business she needed to attend to and the Crimson Sabre just retired this past week. Therefore, as you heard from Judas Lasher earlier, both the Mixed Tag Team Titles and the Women's Tag Team Titles are now vacant. Rest assured, the solution to the Women's Tag Team Titles will be resolved in time. In the meantime, Mr. Greer, would you open this bag, please?" Steven Brody hands the velvet sack to referee James Greer who takes it from him and loosens the draw string. Steven Brody motions for him to bring out what's inside. James Greer reveals...the Mixed Tag Team Championship belts, drawing a pop from the crowd. Steven Brody looks up to the audience again. "What do you say we raise the stakes on this match, huh, folks? The winner of this upcoming contest, will be crowned NFW's new Mixed Tag Team Champions! Have a good match and good luck to you both!" Steven Brody says to both teams before handing the microphone back to Roger Arden.

HANSON
"WOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!"

KLAZZIC
"TALK ABOUT A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT!!"

REYNOLDS
"I GOTTA SAY, EVEN I'M EXCITED!!"

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In 17:33, Kicks & Stones and The Smalls Twins absolutely tore the house down. Good sportsmanship was shown from both teams, as expected from the fans, during initial confrontations between team members. After that, it was game on from there as the two teams went all out on each other. Kimi and Kyle's energetic and deceptive highflying versus Erin Mercer's technical combinations and Vincent Stone's stiff Strong Style strikes and own high spots.

While it was, essentially, a back and forth match, the end came when Kimi Smalls went for a a hurricanrana on Erin Mercer but Erin managed to brace herself and counter the follow through. Lifting Kimi back up, Erin turned, using the ropes to 'ricochet' Kimi forward to help get her all the way up into a powerbomb position. That wasn't what she was aiming for, however, as she popped Kimi up over her head and managed to catch her by the arms on the way down, stunning the audience before turning it into the Red Death.

Kyle hopped up onto the turnbuckle, prepared to intervene. As he was climbing, however, Stone slid back into the ring from the outside and hit a springboard enzugiri, knocking him down to the mat as Erin made the cover.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

HANSON
"NEW CHAMPIONS!! WE'VE GOT NEW CHAMPIONS!!"

REYNOLDS
"WE WERE GONNA HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS ANYWAY, NICKY!! THE BELTS WERE VACANT!!"

KLAZZIC
"YEAH, BUT WE NOW HAVE MIXED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS AGAIN!! AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT TWO TIME CHAMPIONS, IN KICKS & STONES!!"

As P.O.Ds "Southtown" ripped through the arena, referee James Greer presented Erin Mercer and Vincent Stone with the titles. Erin took hers tearfully, humbly hugging it to her chest as she got up and offered a hand to help Kimi to her feet. Meanwhile, with his own belt in hand, Stoned stepped up to Kyle, managing a grin through despite an already bruised jaw. Not a smug one, but a satisfied one that said he enjoyed the fight as he clasped Kyle's hand in respect and nodded, inaudibly complimenting him.

Stone then turned just in time to have Erin jump into him with an excited hug. He hugged her back before the two raised the titles triumphantly but pointed to the Smalls Twins, obviously telling the crowd to give it up for them, just as well.

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I'mma smoke where I want to smoke (FUCK THAT)
I'mma choke who I want to choke (FUCK THAT)
I'mma ride where I want to ride (FUCK THAT)
Cause I'mma nigga for life, so I'mma nigga til I diz-ie.
I'mma smoke where I want to smoke (FUCK THAT)
I'mma choke who I want to choke (FUCK THAT)
I'mma ride where I want to ride (FUCK THAT)
Cause I'mma nigga 4 life, so I'mma motherfucking nigga til I diz-ie.

N.W.A's "Chin Check" came from the background music app as the camera cut to a pair of hands holding onto an iPhone X. The camera slowly began to pan back, revealing the person with the phone was wearing a sleeveless Renegade's t-shirt. Whatever they were looking at on the actual display screen had a frustrated huff coming from them. "Come ON, MAN!!" The familiar voice of Tyson Law said before the camera panned back enough to bring the rest of him into the frame, already in his ring gear for his match that night.

"I made one fuckin' comment and I been suspended for three fuckin' days?!" Tyson complained, obviously talking about his Twitter suspension. "'Eengh, you can't say you're gonna kill someone on social media!' Kiss my fuckin' ass, Jack Dorsey. Dumbo eared lookin' ass. S'what the fuck we do in this business! Talk shit before we beat that ass!" Tyson tapped out of the app and set the phone in his lap, just letting the music play as he began wrapping his hands with black wrapping.

"Poor Tyson." Serena Frost snickered, shaking her head as she walked into the room. Far from matching Law's sense of style (or music), she wore ripped jeans, black combat boots, and a spiked leather jacket over a Napalm Death tee. "Doing hard time in Twitter Jail... I heard that changes a man."

Despite being annoyed at his account being suspended, Tyson looked up at Serena with a grin. "Shut up." He chuckled. "S'just annoying is all. Maybe one of those bitches reported me 'cause they couldn't take the heat. I got they ass just by talkin' shit. And after tonight? I'mma take that TV title offa the Big Bad Mutt. Three for three on title shots, yo!"

"Honey, no." Serena sighed, laughing out loud now. "We're teammates. And I have your back. But they burned you like a Salem witch." It seemed, regardless who she was talking to, Serena never gave a single solitary shit about anyone's feelings, hm?

Tyson rolled his eyes, finishing up one hand and starting on the other. "Thanks, Serena. I appreciate ya, really. Not like you and Tyler were there to have my back. Instead I got Willy Mannheim's ass and his fuckin' Frankenstein reject, Pitt, talkin' about 'oh look, we gonna make gay jokes on Tyson Law. Hur dur, him Chinese, Willy! That mean he got a small dick!'" Tyson snorted directly at the camera, then. "Y'all wanna find out? Send Kennedy's ass over here as a messenger. Punk asses." He relaxed some, then looked up at Serena again. "Where the hell's Tyler, anyway? Trynna Ike Turner, Erin Mercer again?"

"I sent Tyler to get me some water." Serena said, before stopping to shake her head. "Mostly just to get him some fresh air and hopefully calm himself down. He almost attacked one of the guys in catering because he didn't think the food was hot enough."

"Yeah, that's not totally insane or anything..." Julian Morrison added, walking in as he finished taping his wrists. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's on our side, but the guy's a lawsuit waiting to happen."

"Motherfucker already got fined. He pay that shit, yet?" Tyson finished with his handwraps and shut his music off, tucking his phone away into his bag before Tyler Grey came in and broke it into a dozen pieces again. Tyson Law stood up, cracking his knuckles outward with his hands locked together and his arms stretching out in front of him. "Maybe we should let him go first next week at March Misery. But I want another crack at Ethan Skinner's bitch ass before you two stomp a hole in his ass. Or Tyler breaks his fuckin' arm. Speakin' of breakin' shit." He turned to Serena Frost specifically. "You gonna break Vicky--s'cuse me. Victoria Emmerson's face, right? Tired of listening to her and fuckin' CFT go on about 'oh we're so rich and classy. We drive imported cars and wear $5,000 threads! Bitch, I got me a fuckin' Skyline chillin' at my crib three blocks from here, ready to smoke yo ass on the street! Fuck outta here with that Richie Rich shit." Tyson punched a fist into his hand. "See? Just thinkin' about it, got me like Tyler, ready to kick a puppy and shit."

"Tyler will be fine. We need to reign him in a little. Help focus that rage." Serena pointed out, clearly adapting well to being the leader of the group. "Tyson, you and Julian need to make sure he's protected, as well. I get his strategy in angering Stone, but you can only piss a guy off so much before he snaps. And if Stone snaps? I need you guys to keep him in check while Tyler snuffs him out."

Tyson rolled his eyes. "I hear you, girl. But we gotta make sure Tyler's on the same page. For all we know, his ass wants Stone to snap. Then again, what's that bitch gonna do if he does, anyway? Last time he 'snapped', he painted his face piss yellow and started writing third grade poetry about his opponents an' shit. Probably be like 'Oh Tyler Grey. It doth rhyme with gay. I'm going to ruin thou fucking day!'" Tyson laughed at his own joke, turning to Julian. "I should write my own shit. That line was kinda clean, right?"

As the camera pulls back, Tyler Grey can be seen standing directly behind Tyson, literally TREMBLING with rage Hands curled into tight fists, he looked ready to cripple poor Tyson. "....the FUCK did you just say, bitch?"

The audience watching could be heard practically DYING with laughter as Tyson JUMPED at the sound of Tyler Grey's voice. His eyes going as wide as saucers as he stared back at the human embodiment of pure hate. "SHIT!!! Whattup, Ty? N-nothin' man! I wasn't clownin' on you. Just sayin' if Stone were to snap, that's probably all he'd do. Write some bullshit on you or somethin'. Nah, we're cool, bro. You know I got you." He stuck a hand up to slap Tyler's. "Hey, dawg, you, me and Jules, next week. We gon' fuck Skinner up, ain't we? Yessir!"

"I'll break that little emo bitch's shoulders." Tyler sneered, looking over to Serena. "You make sure you sign whatever needs signed, so we ain't held responsible for what I do to him next week. Because we're gonna tear him apart, then go back and end LeBrun and Wolfe's career's too."

"Assuming Wolfe's ass even makes it to next week. Now if y'all will excuse me, I got a fuckin' TV title to go win." He fist bumped Tyler Grey, hugged Serena Frost and dapped with Julian Morrison before looking at the oldest of the group and pointed to him. "You need a belt too, Jay. Go get that Silver Mountain strap after next week. Or bring us that big one! How fuckin' poetic would that be?" He looked at the camera. "Whattup, DoP?" He threw up a middle finger before pointing at the lens. "And Wolfe, I'm comin' for yo ass. Right fuckin' now!" He dipped out of frame where he could be hear hitting the door open where we hear the startled yelp of someone almost getting run into by Tyson. "Fuck outta my way, 'Six'! You in my town, boy! You tell Skinner it's his fuckin' ass next week!" Tyson's voice quickly faded, indicating he was yelling while walking down the hallway as the camera remained focused on the other three Renegades.

Tyler watched him walk away, before looking at Serena and Julian, and asking in a deadpan voice: "Wolfe's gonna whoop his ass, ain't he?"

"Yeah, for sure." Julian said with a nod, as Serena just watched him go, seemingly already trying to figure out how to improve and focus the impetuous young man.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scene opens as we see the sunny city of Los Angeles as the camera that pans throughout it scopes to one local neighborhood where the houses are very expensive looking. The camera zooms in on a house where a lawn care company is trimming the bushes and cutting the grass. As we see the hustle and bustle of the employees trying to earn their dollar, the camera pans inside this home to one Victoria Emmerson where we see her looking in a makeup mirror putting the finishing touches on her face.

"Honey... Where are you?" A male voice asks.

"I'm in my makeup room sweetheart." Victoria responds, as the camera picks up the male voice to be none other than Clerance Fletcher Townsend. "Victoria, are you sure you wanna go by yourself? I mean...what if someone hurts you by attacking you? It could happen..." Says a concerned Clerance.

"I'll be fine Clerance. I'ts just a Women's Television Title match. I can take of myself you know. I think you have forgotten who trained me for in-ring competition. I wanna make them proud; especially when I pull out my finishing move." Says Victoria.

"I know Vicky, but I just don't want this to be your first and your last match all in the same moment." Clerance responds.

"Don't you think that if Jacqueline and Ivory thought that if I wasn't ready, they wouldn't have said I was?" Victoria tells Clerance very confidently. "So are you at least having a driver take you?" Asks Clerance.

" Yes, dear. We are going in the Rolls Royce." Says Victoria.

"The one I had shipped from Britain?" Asks Clerance as Victoria is seen putting her makeup bag in her luggage. Clerance walks by her side to the front with the driver waiting by the car. A quick pan of the Townsend's Mansion is seen throughout before quickly panning back to the front yard where we see Victoria with the back door of the car open as Clerance is seen talking to her with the camera not picking up any sound. But as the camera gets closer:

"Take care of yourself and this car. Good luck babe." Clerance tells Victoria. "You know Victoria, I always thought you would be a Champion in my heart, but I didn't think you'd be an actual Champion. I know deep in my heart, that you will win your match and you will win every night...because...." As Clerance finishes his statement, we see Victoria fixing her dress as she seats herself in the back of the Rolls Royce before getting ready to shut the door. We see Clerance get on one knee on the concrete ground of the driveway. "Victoria Maye Emmerson. Will you marry me?" As he holds her shaking hand as the camera picks up the shocking look in Ms. Emmerson's eyes. "Clerance...." As she talks to Clerance she is seen wiping away her tears from absolute happiness. "Clerance, I can't believe this...."

"Yes, Clerance I will marry you. You have the worst timing but you are also the sweetest man I have ever met. We will plan everything out when I get back with the title. Ok?" Asks Victoria as she is seen wiping away more tears in this happy time. "Ok baby. You go win your match. I'm gonna go train for my match at March Misery." They both shake their heads as Clerance is seen closing the door to the car.

As the car drives off, Clerance is seen walking through the front door. As the camera catches up with him, he is seen moving the weights to a weight bench around. "You know, everything is coming together. Victoria and I are gonna spend the rest of our lives together. Nothing can stop me now...." As he finishes talking, Clerance sits down on the bench. "Rick, Shelley...this is nothing personal...you two are just in my way. You two remind me of the road obstruction I had a week ago. It had to be moved or you go around it. Well you see, I had it moved...just like im gonna move you to the back of the line for my Silver Mountain Championship...."

"I still think the both of you believe I'm some young kid that doesn't know anything, but I also think that you think that my victory in our match was a fluke. Well I'm here to say the both of you are flukes to this company and I'm gonna rid the company of both of you. I'm gonna class up NFW. We aren't gonna go dumpster diving or sewer jumping just because we think its fun. I'm no joke and I am gonna prove it at March Misery. I will do whatever it takes to win. As you see, my lifestyle speaks for itself." As he finishes his statement, we see Clerance opening his arms as the camera pans around the house. "Come March Misery, I am gonna prove that what you two are too blind to see is that I'm a star that shines brighter than the both of you combined. I know you guys should be ready for a war. Because that Desert Storm war that happened in the early 90s... isn't gonna be anything like what I'm gonna do to the both of you." The scene closes as we see Clerance in his weight room doing various workouts. The camera pans back out of the house and we see the lawn care company employees packing up. The screen goes black...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris Wolfe defeated Tyson Law, by pinfall in 10:41 to retain the Television Championship after countering a Lawbreaker when Tyson seemed to taunt just a little too long. Chris Wolfe responded with a sharp kick to the midsection and quickly followed up with the DireWolfe and the cover.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The scene shifts to the backstage area where we see Connor K and AKI entering the arena. The two enter and slightly shake themselves in an attempt to shake off the cold they were travelling in. AKI has a grey baklava covering his head and Connor has his coat draped over his injured arm and shoulder instead of through the sleeve. Connor looks over to AKI and mutters something incoherently to him and gets a nod from AKI in response.*


"Well played, gentlemen. Well played," says a familiar voice as the two stop and look to their left. The camera pans over and we see Paul Heyman standing there with Takashi Sugiura flanking him.


"I guess you two think you're pretty slick for what you did last week. Shingo Takagi had Nico Salvatore down and done for the three-count and you stuck your nose back where it didn't belong. Haven't you two learned from what happened before? AKI, you're better served focusing on the title picture and you take it upon yourself to lower yourself and get back in bed with Suzukigun. Connor, you didn't stay home and listen to your mommy's advice and instead decided to get back in Suzukigun's business, this time replacing the likes of the McKeesport Mafia with...Nico Salvatore? I thought you were smarter than this. Well, you two can have your little victories here and there from last week, but mark my words, you stick your nose where it doesn't belong, and I, on behalf of Suzukigun, will have to make it a point to speak with Commissioner Brody and come up with a resolution for all...this. In the meantime, Mr. Sugiura here, would like to send a message on behalf of himself and Havok. Mr. Sugiura, if you will...," Heyman says as he steps aside and Sugiura steps forward before the two stop and the camera pans over and we see Nico Salvatore standing with Connor and AKI.


"Is there a problem here? If we're all about sending messages, I have a message for you to send to your bitch, Havok, if you want a response," Nico interjects before refs and road agents step in to separate the two and lead Heyman and Sugiura away and down the hallway.


*Nico stands for a moment to look over both AKI and Connor, before giving AKI a quick nod, which AKI responds with in kind, before tilting his head to the side pointing them in another direction as the three leave the area and head towards the locker rooms and the scene fades to black.*

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As the lights dimmed down, darkening the arena just slightly, WagakkiBand's "Senbonzakura" came on over the speakers, prompting a wave of boos to erupt from the Raleigh audience. As the rave lights started flashing, NFW's newest arrivals under the stable name of, simply, Super Bitch Squad, made their way out onto the stage. The boos escalated from the crowd as Kayako Kazama came bouncing out onto the stage in a black, gothic "summer" style dress, Chuck Taylor sneakers on her feet and an assortment of spiked and beaded bracelets on her wrist, excitedly waving to the audience.

Behind her, Masami Nishikiyama and Yuka Hirata followed at a more casual pace. Masami wore a simple pair of jeans, tennis shoes and a white baby tee with a stencil of a womanly figure flexing her arms that looked to be shaped after her. The words "QUEEN OF" bent downward at the top while "BRAWN STYLE" bent upwards underneath in a bubbly pink font. Unlike the previous week, when she wore a full suit for their formal introduction, more detail of Masami's figure was hinted at through the tightness of her jeans and her bare arms. She wasn't just a pretty face with a fit body. She was, indeed, fit. Muscle definition nearly on par with a professional powerlifter. She still managed to look elegant and beautiful, all the same with an ironically sweet smile, despite the crowd's reactions due to their actions last week.

The only one who wasn't smiling was Yuka Hirata, who walked out onto the stage with a cold scowl on her, otherwise, pretty face. Wearing a simple black tanktop with black jeans tucked into a pair of buckle boots, Yuka lead her friends in putting their hands into a circle. The camera was just close enough to pick up their voices as they chanted.

"Ess-Bee--Ess!"

"Ichii!"

"Nii!"

"San!"

"YOSH!!"

On 'Yosh' they threw their hands up into the air, giving a sassy snap of their fingers before holding up their fists. The three then made their way down to the ring with Yuka leading the charge and Kayako skipping along in the back without a care in the world. Entering the ring, each in their usual manner, the girls came to stand in the center, pausing for a moment to survey the disdained audience. Masami then walked over to the far corner and accepted a microphone from Roger Arden, blowing him a kiss and a sassy smile as she sauntered back over to Yuka and Kayako while the music died down and the lights returned to normal.

"HELLO!! RALEIGH!!" Masami greeted loudly, carefully and cheerfully, making sure to pronounce her English properly as she killed the boos thrown at them with a smile before she continued. "It sound like...you remember us. Yes?" She nodded with raised eyebrows and a hopeful smile. The crowd responded with more boos. "It sound like...you know who...SBS are. Yeah?" Masami moved her head, tossing her hair out of her face and her smile grew just a little less friendly and more...cocky. "We said...last week...that En...Eff...Douberyu...." Tried paused to laugh a little at herself and her mispronunciation, "...would know...who we are. "We said...that you...would not forget. We said...we would change...women division. Last week was...first...step!" She raised up an index finger before turning and opening out her hand to Yuka and Kayako. Yuka reached up, high fiving Masami before Kayako followed suit, doing so by jumping up off of her feet and striking a pose with her fist up, opposite leg bent with the foot off the floor and tilted her head to the side with a squinty smile.

"Is...very simple. See...." Masami continued. "We...SBS...show...women division...who we are. What we do. That make us...number one! That make US...ichiiban!!!" She raised her finger up over head again before offering out the microphone to one of the other girls. This time, it was Kayako who excitedly took the microphone. She held it up to her mouth with both hands and beamed happily at the audience.

"Aaaahhhhhhhh!! KONBANWA MINASAAAAAAAAAN!!" She squealed, in a ironically convincing innocent voice as she looked around at the hateful audience. "Shi hako ko nii ru no ga tote mou re shii desuuuuuuu!!!" Kayako raised two fingers up by her face and beamed again. Before she said anything else, she caught sight of Yuka and Masami getting her attention. As she looked over, confused, Yuka whispered something in her ear. Kayako's eyes widened and she put a hand to her lips with an embarrassed giggle. "Oh! Gomen nasai! So sorry! Anataha nihongo o wa sanai! You do not un-derru-stand?" She shook her head to confirm that the audience didn't understand a word she was saying. Her accent was a lot thicker and heavier than Masami's. "I wirru try...speak Engerrish more, yes?" She smiled, nodding to the audience as if to ask 'will that help?'

Kayako continued. "So! Essu-Bee-Essu...we wirru be...numberru one...because we arru ESSU-BEE-ESSU!! WE-THE-BEST!!" She giggled and turned to the stage then. "So...that mean...Iron...Maidens...Mah-ree-sa Pay-noo...Morri-gan Pay-noo... We must beat...tough team.... We must...beat...you!" She leaned back, extending her arm out and pointing at the stage. Here, Yuka stepped up and reached for the microphone. Kayako gladly handed it over, bowing as she stepped back.

For a moment, the girl silently paced back and forth, scowling at the stage before lifting the microphone. "So...Iron Maidens...." She began, and thumbed back to Kayako. "You heard baby girl just now." She turned and pointed to Masami, then. "And like...Masami-chan said...last week? Nothing personal. Still...we calling you OUT!!" The audience began to resonate with a growing pop. "You think you bad bitches? COME ON!!"

KLAZZIC
"Ohhhhh, I don't know if they wanna be doing this, guys."

REYNOLDS
"Seriously, Matt? You may not have been at the table, but you saw what happened last week."

KLAZZIC
"I did."

REYNOLDS
"So you saw SBS mop the ring with the Iron Maidens!"

KLAZZIC
"Yeah, but Marissa and Morgan Payne weren't...they weren't...agh. They weren't pissed off!! Excuse my language, ladies and gentlemen! I apologize!"

HANSON
"Well, no matter what their mood is, guys. There's three members of SBS and only two---"

Nick Hanson stopped short as the lights suddenly began flickering with a golden yellow hue and "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden broke the silence, along with the pop from the crowd.

KLAZZIC
"OHHHH, HERE THEY COME!!"

REYNOLDS
"This oughta be good."

The curtain on the stage was flung aside and out came the blood sisters known as the Iron Maidens, Marissa Payne and her best friend who went under the same surname, Morgan. Unlike Super Bitch Squad, both of the Maidens carried their own microphone. Morgan Payne's eyes were immediately locked on the ring with an 'are you kidding me?' look in them. Questioning the nerve of NFW's newest signees. She wore her usual backwards Steelers cap, fingerless gloves, a black Steelers bondu over her chest, under her black leather jacket and a pair of black cargo shorts with her custom Steelers Timbaland Boots.

"EY, CUT THE FUCKIN' MUSIC!!" Morgan shouted over the chorus to the song, swiping a hand across her neck. The audience's cheering was more audible now.

"IRON MAIDENS!!"

Clap-clap-clapclapclap

"IRON MAIDENS!!"

Clap-clap-clapclapclap

Morgan looked around at the audience, briefly, acknowledging the love she and Marissa were being showered with. "Ey, what's good, Raleigh? Me an' Mari were just chillin' in the back until we heard THESE BITCHES---" She jabbed a finger in the direction of the ring, drawing a pop from the crowd, "OUT HERE...RUNNIN' THEY FUCKIN' MOUTH!!"

HANSON
"Do ya think they're mad?"

REYNOLDS
"Morgan? Yeah. Marissa? She always looks mad."

KLAZZIC
"Oh, stop."

Morgan continued. "So my homegirl here an' myself. We were just wonderin'..." Morgan paused, rotating a finger around beside her head as if she was thinking. This was clearly an act as she suddenly snapped right back to looking down at the ring. "...WHO THE FUCK DO YINZ THINK YOU ARE, HUH?!"

HANSON
"HO-HOOOOOOOOO MAN!!!"

KLAZZIC
"She's cute but she's got fangs, folks!"

The crowd popped again, loving the telltale tempers of the Pittsburgh girls who's fathers were renowned for being two of the meanest sons of bitches in the business. Inside the ring, Masami sauntered up beside Yuka on one side. Kayako on the other. All three girls leaned in to speak into the mic. "We! Are---"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!! IT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION, BITCH!" Morgan snapped, causing all three members of SBS to react in their own manner of surprise. Kayako's jaw dropped and she looked at her team mates as if she were more heartbroken than anything. Masami looked up the ramp with a 'how dare you' look. Yuka just cocked her bottom jaw to the side with a flat expression as she tilted her chin up. Here, Morgan lowered the microphone, evidently done for the moment and letting Marissa speak.

"Mor. Honey. Cool down." Marissa said with an obviously held-back laugh, shaking her head. Looking back to the SBS, the now-blonde Maiden crossed her arms for a moment, shaking her head in apparent dismay, before bringing the mic to her lips again. "Damn. You morons really fucked up this time. If you'd have just come in, politely laid down a challenge to us... maybe we could've made this a 2-on-2. Or went and found a suitable partner and had a good old-fashioned 3-on-3 match. But nooooo... you had to go and be a bunch of cowardly jackasses about it, trying to make an immediate name for yourself. You're gonna make a name for yourself, alright... because history is gonna show that you dumb shits were the catalyst to one of the biggest homecomings of all time. You want a war? You got a fucking war."

As she stopped, she lowered the mic as suddenly, the opening to Queensryche's "Queen of the Reich" began to blare out, Geoff Tate's high-note striking JUST as the name LEEANN VISKAN appeared on the video wall in black and yellow lettering, as the woman herself walked out onto the stage, in her old House of Payne attire of black leather pants and boots, yellow kickpads, and HoP t-shirt tied off at the waist.

Walking with a confident stride down the aisle, she stopped when finally standing between the two younger girls, draping her arms over each of their shoulders.

KLAZZIC
"NOOOOO WAAAAAYY!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!"

HANSON
"MAMA HAS COME HOME!!! LEEANN VISKAN, FOLKS, IS BACK WITH THE HOUSE OF PAYNE!!"

Inside the ring, Kayako was looking quickly back and forth between the Payne women and the other two SBS members. What did this mean? Meanwhile, Masami looked to be in a mix of surprised and a little on edge, now. Yuka put her hands on her hips, nodding slowly as she watched LeeAnn make her way down. A look on her face as if she'd just been caught with 'check' in a game of chess.

Outside the ring, Morgan Payne put an arm around the waist of LeeAnn, giving a side hug to the woman she considered an Aunt, more than anything. It was here then that she exchanged a look with LeeAnn and Marissa...before the Iron Maidens and the matron of the Payne family suddenly burst towards the ring and slid in after SBS. The crowd went absolutely nuts as SBS rushed, trying to gain an upper hand before their attackers could get their footing. It worked at first as SBS and the Iron Maidens paired off. Yuka with Marissa, Masami with Morgan and Kayko with LeeAnn.

KLAZZIC
"IT'S ON!! HERE WE GO!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"CHICK FIGHT, MOTHERFUCKER!!! HELL YEAH!!!"

HANSON
"PAYBACK IS A BITCH AND IT'S NAME IS LEEANN VISKAN, FOLKS!!"

REYNOLDS
"Whooooaaaaaa, did you just call LeeAnn Viskan a bitch, Nicky?"

HANSON
"In a good way, Jim. Not how you probably would."

REYNOLDS
"Hey, I dislike the Dominion of Pain but I'm not stupid."

KLAZZIC
"I'd beg to differ that but check out this scrap, guys!!"

Things quickly took a turn, however, as the House of Payne flipped the tables around. First came LeeAnn countering Kayako before she began laying chops to the teenage girl in the corner. Meanwhile, Marissa put a distance between herself and Yuka to begin striking with stiff kicks to the girl's thighs. Masami lifted Morgan up across her shoulders for something, it seemed, that didn't follow through -- because Morgan slipped down onto her feet and grabbed the powerhouse of SBS before hitting her with a release German Suplex that sent Masami rolling out of the ring. Yuka, playing it smart, slipped out behind her as soon as she saw a window of escape between kicks from Marissa. The only one left inside the ring was Kayako, who flailed on the mat, in a screaming panic as LeeAnn looked to be setting her up for the Chemical Wedding. Before she could get it fully locked in, however, Masami and Yuka ran over and pulled their terrified little friend out of the ring by her hands, getting her free of LeeAnn's grasp. Together, SBS moved around to the ramp with Kayako cowering behind the two obvious meaner and tougher ones of their trio.

Back inside the ring, Morgan Payne stood up on the ropes, yelling inaudibly at the three as the crowd started chanting "HOUSE-OF-PAYNE!! HOUSE-OF-PAYNE!! HOUSE-OF-PAYNE!!" Morgan backed off of the ropes, coming to stand with Marissa and LeeAnn as she threw up two middle fingers to SBS and started thrusting her hips in their direction with her tongue out and a taunting smile on her face.

LeeAnn grabbed the microphone, her smile beaming like a star as she soaked in the moment. "You three wanted the toughest challenge you could get? Congrats, idiots. You got it. I already talked to Savannah Hayes and got it all worked out - next week? It's you three against The Iron Maidens.... AND ME."

The crowd popped with a deafening roar as the camera swept over to show everyone on their feet at the news.

"H-O-P!"

"H-O-P!"

"H-O-P!"

REYNOLDS
"WAIT, WHAT?!?!"

KLAZZIC
"YOU HEARD HER, JAMES REYNOLDS!! LEEANN VISKAN IS TAGGING WITH HER FAMILY, NEXT WEEK AT MARCH MISERY!!!"

HANSON
"WE'RE GONNA FINALLY SEE WHAT SBS IS REALLY MADE OF!!!"

Among SBS, Yuka slowly nodded, mustering up a sense of courage as she stepped forward, yelling back in Japanese while opening her arms out, begging them to come get it. Masami stepped up, gently easing the girl back before nodding up at LeeAnn, Marissa and Morgan. "Okay! Okay!! We see you next week!!" Masami yelled up, jabbing a finger towards them before leading the retreat with Yuka backing up, still taunting in their home tongue. Kayako hung back for a second as if trying to process what just happened. Were they really going to debut at a mini-ppv?! Despite the beating she and her friends had just taken...the girl squealed and jumped up and down, clapping her hands. "YATTAAAAAA!!!" She pumped a fist and bowed to their opponents for next week. "Arigatou gozaimasu!!" Before turning to run and catch up with Masami and Yuka as "Queen of the Reich" kicked on over the speakers again and the camera focused on the ring where Marissa and Morgan both hugged LeeAnn before the veteran of the women's division posed confidently in the center of the ring while her daughter and niece took to the turnbuckles on one side, all three women playing to the crowd until the scene faded out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serena Frost defeated Victoria Emmerson, by pinfall in 6:51, after going low for a kick to the knee and drilling her down with the Frostbite to retain the Women's Television Championship.

As Static X's "Cold" played throughout the arena during Serena's celebration, the crowd began to buzz as Angel Kusanagi - more forward this time - walked out onto the ramp in her usual all black street attire. This time, a cut off Unwanted t-shirt and yoga pants with her buckled boots.

REYNOLDS
"Oh no, look who's here, guys."

KLAZZIC
"That's her next challenger, gentlemen! She'll meet her next week in Knoxville!! March Misery! Tai Pei Wicker Man Death Match!"

Serena Frost immediately noticed Angel Kusanagi on the ramp and laid the Women's TV title out on the mat in front of her and beckoned for her March Misery opponent to bring her ass on in. Angel Kusanagi brushed her thumb over her bottom lip, running her tongue over the nail as she slowly grinned with a seductive anticipation at Serena Frost...before turning and disappearing back through the curtain.

REYNOLDS
"That bitch creeps me the fuck out."

HANSON
"I thought you liked bad girls?"

REYNOLDS
"I like bad girls, Nicky. I don't like goddamn nutjobs!! That woman belongs in an insane asylum! She's the one that pressured Serena into the Tai Pei Wicker Man Death Match next week!"

HANSON
"Serena could have declined."

REYNOLDS
"And forefeit her title. Yeah, I see where your mind is, Nicky. You'd rather see that hot little vixen in the ring, there, get mangled and brutalized. Well, it ain't gonna happen! Serena's gonna beat the living shit out of her and burn her alive!"

KLAZZIC
"I can't say I'm too partial to the stipulation, either. I trust the medical team will be on standby in case anything goes wrong."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sitting down in the DoP locker room, waiting for the Boss man to arrive to talk about the plans for the up and coming tag match against the Golden Lovers, “The Maori Warrior” Ethan Skinner waits patiently with a cd in his hand. Like always he has a plan, and one he is sure his surrogate father will support. Nodding his head, to music only he can hear is already dressed in his tear away tuxedo. As footsteps approach, Ethan stands a moment, transfers the cd to the left hand and kneels on his left knee, head down, left hand behind his back. Waiting patiently until Judas Lasher addresses him, he kneels calmly.

"Ethan." Judas called to him, his voice that typical, maddening calm, as he entered the room. "Rise, son." He waited, until the younger man was on his feet, before trying (and failing) to suppress a laugh. "I was... quite entertained by your social media antics this past week. While normally I would advise against picking one too many fights at once, clearly Mr. Law decided to outdo you on that front. That said... I'm proud of you. The way you jumped to Lara's aid no matter what she said or what anyone said about HER. You are truly Dominion, body and blood.”

“Permission to play something for you sir?” He asks curiously, standing and waiting till he is given the go ahead.

“Absolutely. What is it?” Judas asked, sitting down with a curious look in his eyes.

Walking over to the cd player and putting the cd he has hand picked with a twinkle in his eye. Nodding as the lyrics spread throughout the locker room

“Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.”

He pauses the cd and turns around, hoping to have earned even further reward by the only man who has ever deserved to be called Father.

“...Bob Dylan? Interesting choice, son.” Judas said, nodding in appreciation. “It’s good to see you able to appreciate various generations of music. For a truly good song is far larger than the genre or performer it comes from.”

“I am glad you rescued me from my … situation, when I was younger. I have been in touch with who I am truly am and who I am to become and further gladdened you have put your trust in me to be a leader of the DoP when you finally retire. I shall sit at Lara’s left hand, and be her enforcer when the situation is truly dire.” Ethan replies.

"When the time comes for me to retire... I trust completely in yourself and in Darius to help Lara take The Dominion into the next era." Judas explained, sighing to himself. "If things had been different... I would already BE retired. And Vlad would be leading the Dominion right now. But all I can do is carry on the way he would have wanted. Which is why I'm grooming his only child to do what he could not.”

As far as Tyson the Lawless One goes and his retrogrades, I will have my gauntlet match against them, and one of them, if not all of them will leave this business for good. You don’t attack my family and not put yours on the chopping block. That is why I broke into Brody’s office. Which brings me to next week, we have the Golden Lovers. I know they are formidable but can they, truly can anyone, stand against what we bring to the table?

“We… shall discuss our opponents in a moment.” Judas told him, taking a moment to think about his next words before replying. “First… I need to explain something to you. Another lesson, as it were.” Judas felt that any time he corrected Ethan on something, he was indeed strengthening him for the future. “What you did… breaking into Brody’s office… challenging the entire Renegades group… it was brave. And admirable. But ultimately? Stupid.”

He leaned forward, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he paused.

“Ethan… the group is counting on you. And you have to make wise decisions. The more rash the decision, the more dire the consequences. Imagine that, in trying to make your point, you were arrested? Or perhaps injured in the gauntlet match? That would leave a gaping hole in the group, and make myself or Lara far easier to target from the outside. When attacking your enemies, Ethan… ALWAYS think of the welfare of the group first and foremost.”

Kneeling while he was being rebuked, head down, immediately like a trained soldier.
“Permission to speak freely?”

Nodding, Judas reached for a bottle of water, taking a sip before speaking. “By all means.”

Ethan stands and turns again to the cd player behind him, and lets a few more lyrics play while he composes himself. It always stings when Judas reminds him of his own father, but knowing this man has his own best interests at heart, he turns around after the lyrics, fully composed.


“Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.”

“Ultimately, it is our reputation that matters.” Ethan responds ” Not me, not you, not Lara, not even Darius, but our reputation. Ever wonder why the name Four Horseman, still strikes a fear in wrestlers, because the men who were in that group were willing to sacrifice everything for one goal. To be the stable to rule them all. For years and years they did just that. That was then and this is now. We are the new benchmark when it comes to cohesive groups, no one can touch us, and that is because, the soldiers of the storm, the warriors who stand ready to bring on the apocalypse and laugh while doing so is what you formed us into. I have a feeling we disagree here, but I was thinking of all of us when I did what I did.

Judas listened to every word his apprentice said. Unlike others, who might have bristled at basically having a rookie tell them they're wrong... Judas was clearly taking in each word and listening.

"Ethan... you have convinced me that I am wrong... to a degree. Just as I feel you are right. To a degree. The truth lies comfortably between two polar opposite opinions. And Lara... thinks a lot like myself, strategy-wise. Which is why you will be perfect at her side. Between the two of you, you will come up with strategy so perfect that it will put anything Drane Sky or myself ever did to shame."

“Speaking of strategy, I am sure we have one for tonight. That said, house clearing out of the way. We do have to address our opponents. I am thinking a Lucifer’s Halo and a Black Arrow will make quick work of our opponents. I mean, it is just Omega and Ibushi. Omega has his own problems of late with Jay White anyway. So his head won’t be in the game, that leaves Ibushi, which effectively turns this into a two on one. Imagine what havok we unleash when the King of Pain and the Maori Warrior work in tandem.”

Ethan sits a down and takes a sip of water himself and listens.

"The worst thing we could do here is treat these two like anything other than extremely dangerous." Lasher said, thinking. "Technically, the two have nearly no weaknesses. Ibushi in particular is far more lethal and vicious than one would suspect. But as you said... Omega has many distractions right now. And he's rash enough to have that be a major flaw. Take out Ibushi's knees early. I'll go after Omega, and if we can take Ibushi's knee-strikes out of the equation, we should be able to obliterate them."

“I have just the thing, that move you taught me, the Total Knockout Punch, should be more than enough to confuse the brain from sending signals to the rest of the body. Without the signals from the command centre, the machine can’t function and those knee strikes become like dust in the wind. At the end of the day it is just another W in a long line of W’s to come. I am not discounting them, I am having faith in us. The last line of the song I was playing is the most important I think. “

Standing up, Ethan plays the last lyrics and looks at the camera directly.
“The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.”

“Golden Lovers” he continues ” you drew the short straw, the line has been drawn for you, the curse cast, and you have to meet your fate next week, see you tonight.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nico Salvatore and AKI defeated Suzuki-gun, by pinfall in 15:11 when Shingo Takagi and T-Hawk were in the middle of a teamup against Nico in the ring. Shingo went for the Pumping Bomber but Connor K, acting as Nico and AKI's cornerman, pulled down the top rope, sending Shingo tumbling over and out onto the floor.

REYNOLDS
"Hey! Connor's not supposed to be in this match!!!"

KLAZZIC
"You know what? For the first time, I don't think I saw anything, Jim!"

REYNOLDS
"WHAT?!"

HANSON
"Me neither!"

As Shingo got to his feet, AKI hopped up onto the turnbuckle and came off with a jaw dropping body press down onto Shingo Takagi. As T-Hawk stood, protesting Connor K's interference, Nico spun him around and clipped him in the jaw with a forearm before hoisting him onto his shoulders and hitting the GFY!!!!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

KLAZZIC
"And justice for all, gentlemen!! That's a win for the good guys!"

REYNOLDS
"The good guys, Matt?"

KLAZZIC
"Yeah, the good guys! Suzuki-gun are a bunch of bullies!"

REYNOLDS
"Hah! My boy Nico ain't exactly a saint, but I guess I'll give you that. At least he's got balls to take on Suzuki-gun."

As Connor K and AKI high fived outside the ring, Nico Salvatore stood inside, taunting T-Hawk and Shingo as they backed up towards the curtain. He definitely was no saint, as it took Connor K shouting to get his attention before he managed to coax Nico out of the ring but not before the Italian bad boy flicked his hand under his chin at Suzuki-gun, followed by throwing them the middle finger.

HANSON
"Huh. Calling them out in two languages, I see."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the main event tag team match, The Dominion of Pain defeated the Golden Lovers, by pinfall in 37:32, after Judas Lasher and Ethan Skinner executed the precise strategy they talked about. Working on Kota Ibushi's legs to weaken the power of his knees and kicks, Kenny Omega had to bring it more than he initially thought but still put up a valiant fight. After taking a TKP from Ethan Skinner, however, Kenny Omega was knocked back towards his corner and Kota Ibushi, despite his sore legs, blind tagged himself back in to prevent Skinner from capitalizing.

Skinner, meanwhile, tagged in Judas Lasher and he tangled with Ibushi for a few more minutes before The Golden Star began to power through the pain and dish out stiff kicks to Lasher, anyway. After hitting a snap German Suplex on Lasher, Kota Ibushi called for the Kamigoye but turned towards the Dominion's corner just as Ethan Skinner rushed into the ring and passed the referee to deliver a SUPERKICK!! Kota stumbled back, and Judas Lasher popped up to hit the LUCIFER'S HALO before making the cover!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

HANSON
"And there's a pinfall victory for the Dominion of Pain! At the hands of the Heavyweight Champion, no less!"

REYNOLDS
"Yeah but he pinned Ibushi, Nicky! He didn't pin Omega! This victory means shit and Judas shouldn't gloat! He's got the Best Bout Machine in a one on one at March Misery and you know what?! He's never beaten Kenny Omega! But you know what else? Kenny Omega's beaten him! I say we have a new champion at March Misery and it's the man right there!"

As James Reynolds said this, the camera focused on Kenny Omega as he helped Kota Ibushi roll out of the ring and placed an ice pack against his friend's neck, letting the man lean on him as they made their retreat. Judas Lasher smiled devilishly at Kenny Omega as Ghost's "Year Zero" played. Kenny Omega...funny enough...smiled back, shaking a finger at Judas and his apprentice, Ethan Skinner. "Point to you guys! Next one's mine! Goodbye! Muah!" He kissed the same finger and pointed it at Judas Lasher from the back ramp, "...And goodnight!"

"Folks, we're gonna take our last commercial break. Then, as I understand it, Lara Blackheart has something she'd like to come out and say in front of the NFW fans. We'll be right back, folks! Don't go away!"

"Sweet! Anytime with Lara out here's a fine time!"

"Get a grip on yourself, will you?"

The shot faded out to a commercial....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the shows comes back from commercial, we open up with Lara Blackheart, already standing in the ring. No fancy entrance, no flashy attire, no music.... just the girl herself, standing in center ring, dressed in jeans and a vintage NFW "Dream Warriors" tee.

Taking a second to collect herself, she ran a hand through her long blonde hair and raised the microphone to her lips.

"So... I'm not really sure what to say right now. This weekend, I kinda went off the deep end a little online. I got angry, said some thing that I probably shouldn't have said... and really upset a lot of people. And while I'll make sure each of those people know where we stand in time... right now there's ONE person in particular I need to get things squared away with. Mia, honey? Please. Come on out."

To the tune of "Defame Me" by New Year's Day, Mia Hayashi walked out onto the stage, still in her street clothes as well: Tight black jeans, army boots, and a Death Note tee.

The hurt in her eyes from the comments Lara had made on Twitter over the weekend was still evident, and she looked at Lara for a good fifteen seconds before finally making her way down the aisle. Entering the ring under the middle rope, Mia went immediately for the microphone, but Lara pulled it away.

"Mia, no. Please. Let me talk, ok? I need to." She sighed, reaching over to place a hand on Mia's shoulder. "You and me... we've been through a lot together. We've been best friends since your parents moved to Chicago when we were both ten years old. And for a while there.... we were a lot more than friends, too."

Mia nodded, tears already forming in her eyes as she mouthed the words 'I miss that'

Lara continued, gazing into the other girl's eyes. "My dad trained us together. It was his idea for us to start out as a tag team, so we could make up for each other's weak points until we got more experience. It was because of him that Small But Mighty was born." The crowd popped loudly at the mention of Lara and Mia's tag team, "And even then, you were kind of a showoff, you know? Always feeling like you had to one-up me. And you know what? I got it. Even then. You had to work extra hard just to get the accolades I was getting because of my lineage. In retrospect, I can't even get mad at that. It was survival instinct, and honestly... it was the right thing to do."

Mia began to respond, but Lara placed a finger to her lips.

"Not yet, honey. Please. Just let me finish." Lara took one of Mia's hands in her own, and let out a deep breath. "But when you and Adrianna decided to harass me... mock my father's name and legacy... it was too far. And it woke up deep-seeded anger I didn't even know was IN me. And when you guys apologized.... I truly DID forgive you. I think the problem was that I never got the chance to really let go of everything. And that came rushing out of me this past weekend."

Mia hugged Lara tightly, taking the microphone from her. "Lara, sweetie... I really AM sorry. If I could take back everyth-"

Lara took the mic back one more time. "Sweetie. Please. Anyway... I shouldn't have blown up on you all like that. It's just... on top of everything else, I felt so unloved recently, it's ridiculous. But then I realized.... you're still in love with me, aren't you? That's why you end up trying so hard to get my attention in any way you can think of."

This time, she held the mic to Mia, who paused.... before nodding, as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "Yes. Yes, Lara. I'm still in love with you. I always have been."

The crowd cheered loudly, at the apparent permanent reunion of Small But Mighty. Lara took the mic back again, this time resting her forehead lazily against Mia's as she spoke.

"Oh, honey.... it's ok. Because through all of that crap... when we briefly feuded, when you stood there while Abaddon struck my mother... all the way through to you and Adrianna wisening up and leaving that guy... one thought has kept me going. You know what that thought was?"

Mia nuzzled Lara's forehead, a soft smile brightening her features as she asked, "What's that?"

Lara's voice suddenly turned cold, vicious, as she sneered: "Payback's a bitch, motherfucker."

Suddenly, she headbutted Mia violently, as a pale, beautiful brunette slid into the ring from the other side, walking up to Lara as Mia began trying to get to her feet, obviously stunned.

With a nod, Lara grabbed Mia and hurled her out to the floor before jumping out herself, the other woman following behind her. The two began to savagely beat Mia, raining fists, kneedrops, and elbow shots into her face.

REYNOLDS
"WHOA!!! WHAT THE HELL?!"

KLAZZIC
"WAIT A MINUTE!!

HANSON
"THAT'S PENELOPE CASSIDY, GUYS!! HER AND LARA KNOW EACH OTHER OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA!!"

KLAZZIC
"WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING HERE?!"

REYNOLDS
"I DON'T KNOW BUT DOES SHE LOOK GOOD!"

HANSON
"OH NICE, JIM!! REAL NICE!! I SEE WHERE YOUR HEAD'S AT!! WHY THE HELL ARE THEY DOING THIS TO MIA?!"

KLAZZIC
"WHERE THE HELL ARE THE UNWANTED?! THEY'VE GOTTA HAVE A REASON FOR NOT---"

Matt Klazzic stopped on commentary as the beating on Mia Hayashi at the hands of Lara Blackheart and Penelope Cassidy continued.

KLAZZIC
"Wait, WHAT?!"

HANSON
"Talk to us, Matt!! What's going on?!"

REYNOLDS
"I don't want him to talk to me. I'm busy."

The camera cut to the commentary table where James Reynolds was staring in the direction of Lara and Penelope attacking Mia with a starstruck look on his face. Meanwhile, Nick Hanson sat, watching Matt Klazzic intently as the masked wrestler and frequent guest commentator held a hand to his headset, looking down. Focused.

KLAZZIC
"Are you kidding me?!"

HANSON
"What, Matt? What?!"

KLAZZIC
"Cut to the back if you can!! I'm being told there's something going on backstage!! CUT BACK, NOW!!"

Just after Matt Klazzic said this, the cameras switched to the backstage area to the locker room area. Just in time as a forklift was being shut off, having been parked in front of a door. The space in the open cab gave viewers a clear view of the name plate on the door - THE UNWANTED (Ladies). The door itself rattled slightly as someone on the other side was beating VIOLENTLY on it. Getting out of the forklift was another woman. A stunning, black haired beauty built like an Amazon that hopped out with a cold smirk on her face as she spun the keys on her finger. She immediately took off in a jog down the hallway.

HANSON
"What the hell?! Guys, that....that was TyAnna Jupiter!! One of the hottest free agents in the business!"

REYNOLDS
"Oh, she's hot, alright!"

HANSON
"Not what I meant, Jim!!"

KLAZZIC
"Where's she going?!"

A pair of muffled voices, meanwhile, could be heard on the other side of the door. One, unmistakingly, that of Angel Kusanagi, cursing in Japanese. The other, heartbreakingly, was recognized as a frantic Adrianna Salvatore.

"OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR!!" Something on the other side SLAMMED against the door!! "MIA!!!!!!!! MIAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!" Adrianna's voice cracked, breaking down from the frantic rage to helpless sobbing as she realized the door wasn't moving.

Immediately then, the cameras cut over to another door where a second forklift was being shut off in front of it. This one also bore The Unwanted name plate with the words "Cole/White" underneath. Again, the door shook as if someone on the other side was trying to get it open. "WHY WON'T THIS FUCKING DOOR OPEN?!" The familiar voice of Adam Cole could be heard before that of Jay White chimed in behind him, "MOVE, ADAM!!" Whatever Jay was doing on the other side caused a metallic banging, causing the door knob to shake on the outside before it fell off.

Here, the camera panned back to catch a view of a THIRD woman. Latina American. With a cold sneer on her face as Miss Jupiter, apparently caught up with her from down the hall. The Latin American woman looked at her before the two turned and headed, together, off camera.

HANSON
"THAT WAS FUTURA SOLI, GUYS!!!! LARA'S BEEN TALKING WITH THESE THREE OVER THE PAST WEEK!!"

KLAZZIC
"ALL OVER TWITTER!"

HANSON
"IS THIS WHAT SHE WAS PLANNING?!"

The camera cut back to ringside where Lara Blackheart and Penelope Cassidy finally backed off.... just long enough for Mia to rise to one knee, her face already beginning to look beaten and bruised. Lara grabbed a handful of the Asian beauty's hair, spitting in the girl's face and yelling "Go to hell, Hayashi!" before pulling her into position for the Coma White, her father's old finisher.... and hitting it right there on the concrete floor!

HANSON
"OH!!! MY!!!!! GOD!!!!!"

REYNOLDS
"BRUTAL!!!"

KLAZZIC
"MORE LIKE DISGUSTING!!!!"

Lara and her friend grabbed the now-bloody Mia, throwing her into the aisle before jumping back into the ring.

Grabbing the brunette that had been helping her, Lara pulled her in for a deep, passionate kiss before again taking the microphone.

"You see that?" She asked, pointing to Mia's motionless body with a cold laugh. "That...is what happens when you fuck with me or with my father's legacy. I don't give a rat's ass if you assholes in the crowd cheer or boom, and I could give two shits if anyone in that locker room likes or respects me. The Dominion is the only thing that matters. That piece of shit out on the floor has now paid the price, and her friends will follow one by one."

As she spoke, the two women who'd been driving the forklifts walked down the aisle, each sliding into the ring to stand with Lara.

"I have people that I can trust now. People that have my back no matter what. Remember when Judas said earlier about the hydra growing four new heads? Here's the other three. TyAnna Jupiter and Futura Soli... and my sexy little sweetheart, Penelope Cassidy. Together... we are SEX... AND... VIOLENCE! And together, we're gonna bring more gold and glory to the Dominion of Pain than even Judas would've thought possible. Hayashi already paid the price... as far as the rest of you go.... you can't be first, but you can sure as fuck be next. Because THE DOCTOR... IS... IN."

The last shot the camera caught was that of a commotion on the stage as Motley Crue's "Dr. Feelgood" filled the arena. A mass of security was fighting to hold someone back from getting to the ring while EMTs rushed down to get Mia Hayashi. The one security was holding back, obviously for her own safety...was Shelley Silver.

HANSON
"Oh my god, guys. Here's Shelley. You've gotta wonder what's going through her mind, right now...."

The camera focused in on Shelley Silver as security kept her back. Her face wracked with grief as she held a hand over her mouth with muffled sobs escaping her as tears streaked down her face...before the credits appeared on the bottom of the screen and the show faded out to black....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jag'hatai D'habi v. SHO

Matt Klazzic v. Belphegor

The Army of Darkness v. The Rebel Rousers

The Smalls Twins v. Kicks & Stones (New Mixed Tag Team Champions!)

Victoria Emmerson v. Serena Frost (c)

Tyson Law v. Chris Wolfe (c)

Nico Salvatore/AKI v. Suzuki-gun (Shingo Takagi/T-Hawk)

The Golden Lovers v. Dominion of Pain (Judas Lasher/Ethan Skinner)