The show opens, not at the arena, but at the mansion from the announcement of New Horizon Wrestling. Davius Mortis is seen in his office, watching the video of The Abomination, Draven Hemlock locking Nevermore on Kathleen Milmore on loop. Davius has a proud smile on his face before the sound of a door opening is heard. Two women enter the room, two polar opposites.
The first is 5'3" and has black braided pigtails and completely black irises. She has black lipstick that is formed into a small Cheshire Smile. She has a slim body. She also has a black star with a white outline painted around her right eye. She is wearing skin tight black clothing, despite her lack of curves. She seems to be chewing on her tongue as she makes a tight lipped smile, shaking with restrained excitement. She is Miss Fortune, Delilah.
The other is 5'2" and has long platinum blonde hair hanging freely, along with sky blue eyes. She has fair skin. Her physique is hidden by white baggy clothes. Unlike Delilah, this woman seems meek and shy, fumbling with her thumbs as she walks slowly. She is The Butterfly, Inesa.
"Hello They." Both Delilah and Inesa speak at the same time, Delilah's voice sinister and plotting, while Inesa's is soft and innocent.
"Ladies." Davius smiles even more as he sees them. "Tonight is your debut. You will be taking on the Poison Lotus."
"Are you sure we are ready..?" Inesa nervously asks.
"Of course, my little butterfly. Tonight is the start of your destiny. You want to achieve that, right?" Davius inquires, getting a nod from Inesa, though it seems forced. "Now, I'm not expecting you to win. I just want you two to showcase your talents. Delilah, you are Inesa's guide until it is time for her to complete her destiny. I want you to protect her out there. I don't want anything happening to my butterfly." Davius stands up and pats Inesa's head like a child. Inesa keeps her eyes down.
"Of course, They. She'll be just fine." Delilah grins. Davius side eyes her for a minute before looking back at Inesa.
"Good luck, Inesa." Davius gives a surprisingly friendly smile.
"Thank you… Where's Cole?" Inesa inquires, asking about her friend.
"He went to see his little minx. Don't worry about him. He's not worth your worry." Davius disregards her concern.
"Oh…" Inesa hugs herself shyly before turning to leave with Delilah.
"And Delilah." Davius speaks up, causing Delilah to look back. "There are disqualifications, so don't get too excited." Davius warns, causing Delilah to just smile at him, causing even Davius to look a little unsettled.
The camera goes to the arena, revealing the small, but rowdy crowd of NHW. The camera pans around the crowd for a moment before landing on Izzy and Merle.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome back to New Horizon Wrestling!" Izzy grins from ear to ear. "We have quite the card tonight, ready to show you our style of wrestling!"
"What's more, I have a sitdown interview with a special guest tonight. That's right, Clarissa, I'm a big deal." Merle condescendingly says.
"Wait, doesn't Kathleen normally do interviews?" Izzy inquires.
"Mr. Mortis gave her the week off after her encounter with The Abomination, Draven Hemlock." Merle responds. "Mr. Hemlock, if you are watching, I love your friends and everything you do. Izzy was saying it was a cul-"
"Hey!" Izzy slaps him in the arm. As Merle rubs his arm, Izzy regains her composure. "To kick off tonight's show, we will see 'The Last Shot' Nate Ripton take on 'The Natural Born Thrilla' Brett Halloway in the final First Round match of the Television Tournament."
Murder Melody by Cult To Follow plays as a 6'0" man walks through the crowd. He has slick-back dark brown hair, with brown eyes, and a tattoo of a bullet on his right arm, symbolising himself as a hitman. He has a lean figure, not fat but no six-pack. He is wearing black trunks with a small red sniper on the right side of the front, alongside black knee-pads and black wrestling boots with small spikes on each side. He wears an elbow pad on his right arm and taped up fists, also in black. He sports a black leather jacket with no sleeves, alongside a pair of aviators. He is chewing gum as well. He is Nate Ripton.
For each fan who attempts to reach their hands out, Nate calmly slaps them away. He reaches the barricade and he leaps over, slowly walking around the ringside area. He walks around to the far ring steps, walking up them before he slowly walks on the ring apron. He slowly enters the ring through the ropes as he walks to his corner. He raises his left fist near his face, gently giving it a brief blow as he starts to click his fingers, ready for a fight as he spits his gum to the outside. He takes off his sleeveless leather jacket as he waits for Brett Halloway.
"Last week, we saw a hellacious match between Kevin Shamrock and Wade Walker as part of the same tournament as this match. Nate Ripton can be thrown into the same conversation as either man: He is a dangerous striker and he sure as hell can take them too." Izzy informs.
"I am a big fan of this man. With the precision of a sniper and the killer instinct of a hitman, Ripton is the perfect pick for the first Television Champion." Merle compliments Ripton.
Take What You Want by Post Malone ft. Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott plays as as a 6'4" man saunters onto the stage, smiling as he nods his head to his theme. He is a large, somewhat heavyset, African-American man with brown eyes and short black hair, along with a tattoo of a pitbull with Rex on his upper right arm. He is wearing white and black wrestling trunks with Halloweay on the back, white & black elbow, and knee pads. He has the same color scheme for his boots. He is also wearing a hooded vest with Natural Born Thrilla in gold on the back. He, obviously, is Brett Halloway.
He stares down at Nate Ripton with a restrained eagerness, possibly looking forward to this match. Halloway makes his way down the ramp, casually high fiving fans as he keeps his eyes on Ripton, who returns the stare. Halloway approaches the apron and grabs the middle rope, pulling himself up and stepping through the ropes. He removes his vest as he gets in his corner.
"Look at this fat bastard!" Merle yells.
"MERLE!" Izzy exclaims, shocked by his rudeness.
"What? He's a wrestler. Has he never heard of the gym?" Merle responds.
"First: You don't know why he is like that. It could be a medical condition. Second: Brett Halloway is one of the most athletic big men to ever grace the squared circle. He can move like he is a cruiserweight and it's absolutely incredible to watch!" Izzy scolds her broadcast partner, defending Brett Halloway.
Ding Ding!
The bell rings as Halloway and Ripton circle one another, with Ripton keeping his base low and Halloway keeping his sturdy. Ripton holds his hands up, trying to feel out Halloway's style, but this just leads to Halloway grabbing him and biel tossing him across the ring. Ripton is quick to his feet as he glares at the bigger man. Halloway shrugs before Ripton approaches again. Halloway tries to grab Ripton, but Ripton ducks under and hits a shoot kick to Halloway's right knee, causing Halloway to push Ripton away and to the ground. Ripton is once again quick to get up, seeing a bullseye on Halloway's right knee. Ripton goes for another shoot kick, but Halloway catches it and lifts Ripton into a one handed spinebuster. Ripton quickly rolls to the outside to strategize as Halloway watches, unfazed.
After a moment of thinking (One)(Two), Ripton returns to the ring, albeit slowly. Ripton steps through the ropes as Halloway calmly watches, not rushing the match. Ripton slowly approaches and they begin to circle once more. Ripton fakes out a shoot kick, hitting a knee to the side of Halloway's head when he tries to catch it. Halloway stumbles back. With Halloway facing away, Ripton hits a brutal running knee to the back of Halloway's right knee, managing to drop the big man. With Halloway down, Ripton quickly mounts him and starts delivering stiff strikes to the head. Slowly, Halloway rolls over, allowing Ripton to lock in a sleeper hold. Halloway begins to stand up, allowing Ripton to wrap his legs around Halloway's stomach.
Halloway reaches up and tries to pull Ripton off his back, but this only leads to Ripton hitting several elbow strikes to the back of Halloway's head. Halloway slowly drops down to one knee as Ripton returns to his feet. Ripton hits one more elbow strike before bouncing off the ropes. Halloway suddenly pops up and hits the West Coast Drive By (Pounce) on Ripton, catching him by surprise and sending Ripton to the outside. Halloway lets out a fiery scream as Ripton stumbles backwards into the barricade, leaning against it (One).
Halloway runs and bounces off the opposite ropes before attempting to take to the air, only for Ripton to leap onto the apron and hit a rope assisted enzuigiri just as Halloway leaps, sending Halloway crashing back to the canvas. Ripton drops off the apron and grabs Halloway's ankles, using all his strength to pull Halloway onto the apron. With that, Ripton slides back into the ring and waits. After a moment, Halloway begins to stand up on the apron. Ripton bounces off the opposite ropes and hits a running single leg dropkick to the jaw of Halloway. Ripton faces away from Halloway as he gets up, thinking Halloway fell to the outside. However, Halloway kept a hold of the ropes, instead falling onto the apron. As Ripton smirks into the camera, Halloway slowly rises up over Ripton's shoulder, angry. Ripton turns around just as Halloway slingshots over the top rope and hits a running lariat to Ripton. Ripton crawls into the corner, sitting against it.
Halloway, fired up, bounces off the opposite corner and hits a running cannonball senton, crushing Ripton. Halloway picks up Ripton and sets him onto the top rope before letting out another scream. Halloway grabs Ripton and goes for the Big Boi Buster (Muscle Buster), but Ripton slips out and pushes Halloway into the corner before making a mad sprint to the opposite corner. With startling speed, Ripton runs at Halloway as Halloway turns around to face him, right into the Facial Adjustment (Helluva Kick). Ripton quickly pushes Halloway to the ground and pins.
One!
Two!
Kickout!
Ripton slaps the mat once as Halloway raises his arm, pushing Ripton off him. Ripton slides backwards into the opposite corner once again, watching Halloway closely. Halloway slowly stands up with the help from the corner, setting himself up for another Facial Adjustment. Ripton sprints at him once again, only to run into a West Coast Drive By in the middle, sending Ripton backwards until he hits the turnbuckle hard, causing Ripton to crumple to the mat. Halloway grabs Ripton and pulls him away from the corner before climbing the turnbuckle.
"The big man goes up!" Izzy calls as Halloway steadies himself before hitting a Vader Bomb. Halloway covers.
One!
Two!
Th-Kickout!
Ripton manages to get his arm up just in time. Halloway looks at Ripton with a glare as he slowly stands up, watching Ripton. He picks up Ripton and sets him up on the turnbuckle once more. Halloway goes for the Big Boi Buster, but Ripton kicks him in the head before standing up on the top rope. Ripton waits for Halloway to turn back towards him before hitting a beautiful diving dropkick. This sends Halloway crawling to the corner to get up, setting him up for the Facial Adjustment from the freakishly quick Ripton. Halloway falls out of the corner and leans against the middle rope. Ripton pretends to aim a gun at Halloway before hitting the Lost Deck (Running Bicycle Knee Strike) on Halloway. Ripton prepares to pin, but shakes his head. Mustering all his strength, he drags Halloway to the center of the ring and sits him up once again. This time, Ripton bounces off the ropes behind Halloway and hits the Lost Deck to the back of Halloway's head. With that, Ripton covers.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings as Ripton stands up, allowing the ref to raise his hand.
"What a brutal match. Both men did a great job, but only one stands tall in the end." Izzy states before Halloway slowly sits up, only to get laid out with a third Lost Deck to massive boos. "Oh come on! You already won the match!"
"Killer. Instinct. Clarissa." Merle sternly says as Ripton stares down at the motionless Halloway. Ripton pretends to aim a gun at Halloway as the crowd boos. "Ripton is here to make a mark, not to shake hands and kiss babies."
"He already made a mark. This is overkill." Izzy shakes her head.
Backstage, a 5'2" woman is seen stretching. She has a peach skin tone, gray eyes, dark brown dyed hair with black highlights, and a petite but defined body type (like Io Shirai). She is 'San Diego's Sweetheart' Abby Torres. As she stretches, two people walk into frame- The Storm & Game Connection, Matt Lopez and Shay Sykes.
"Hey." Abby smiles as she sees Matt. The two hug as Shay's eyes go wide.
"I am such a big fan!" Shay squeals.
"Thanks, but there are better talents to be a fan of." Abby grins. "I just hope to prove that I am more than just Matt Lopez' girlfriend."
"You will, mi amor." Matt smiles.
"Hey, don't you normally have a whole posse with you?" Abby asks.
"Yeah… About that…" Shay says before a flashback starts.
Flashback
"Hey Niko! Vai! You guys wanna come see Abby with me and Matt?" Shay asks as she enters the living room of the Street Dreams Headquarters. Vai and Niko are sitting on the couch.
"Fuck no!" Niko yells.
"I'm good." Vai shakes his head.
"If you leaving, Imma get me a booty call." Niko chuckles as he pulls up his phone.
"Prostitution is illegal, Niko." Shay teases.
"Shut yo bitch ass up, bitchess (read like princess)." Niko throws a pillow at her.
Flashback Over
"Niko sounds...special." Abby says, not sure what to say.
"That's one way of putting it." Shay nods.
"What about María and Kitty?" Matt asks.
"Oh yeah…" Shay looks off at nothing as another flashback begins.
Flashback
Kitty Yim and María Barrera are seen sitting in a jail cell. "You just had to spit in the officer's face." Kitty says with a sigh.
"Mother fucker was groping me!" María defends herself.
"He was frisking you for weapons!" Kitty exclaims.
"Why would I have weapons on my TITS?!" María yells, angry.
"...That's actually a fair point." Kitty shrugs.
"EYYYYYY!" Niko and Vai Tuala enter the jail.
"Oh goddammit." María rubs her temples.
"Do you want out or not?" Niko antagonizes.
"If you don't shut the fuck up, you gonna be the reason I go to prison." María warns as Kitty and Vai share an awkward look.
"..." Niko's eyes go wide, scared of María. "Let's get you lovely women that I respect and support out of that terrible cell." Niko sucks up to them.
"That's better." María scoffs.
Flashback Over
"Wait, if you weren't there, how did you know it happened?" Matt asks as Abby looks confused.
"They sent me a text. Literally all of them sent me a text and Kitty was the most honest." Shay informs.
"Anyways…" Matt starts out. "You're fighting Liberty Belle, right?"
"Yeah. Should be a good match." Abby nods.
"Just...be careful." Matt says.
"Why the concern? You worried about lil ol' me?" Abby teases playfully.
"I'm worried that Liberty Belle might say some racist stuff and piss you off." Matt responds.
"I hear my name!" A 5'8" woman enters the scene. She is a white woman with blond hair, blue eyes, red lipstick, and a muscular build. She is 'America's Hero' Liberty Belle. She narrows her eyes at all three. "Are you three legal citizens of these United States?"
"Uhh… I was born in Michigan." Shay informs as Liberty looks at the other two.
"I was born in California." Abby states. Liberty looks at Matt.
"What about you, Senior Josie?" Liberty Belle narrows her eyes.
"I have my papers." Matt responds calmly.
"What papers?" Liberty narrows her eyes even further.
"I'm legal." Matt states bluntly.
"Yeah, legally required to get deported." Liberty pulls up her phone and calls the police.
"Let's go." Matt scoffs as him, Shay, and Abby walk away.
"I'm gonna beat her ass." Abby grumbles.
Outside the arena, The Serendipity Cirque tent is seen. People are leaving the tent happily as 'The Ringmaster' Edgar Noose bows. With the last of the customers gone, Edgar Noose heads to the dressing room, where 'The Serendipity Starlet' Belle Widow is seen brushing out her long hair. Beside the dressing room is a giant hole. Edgar place his hand on Belle's shoulder. The camera catches a brief look of pretentious disgust on Belle's face, before she hides it behind a smile as she turns to face Edgar.
"Oh, Mr. Noose! What an excellent show!" Belle cheerfully says.
"I'm glad you agree! You made the show just perfect!" Edgar grins eagerly at his starlet. "Now, what is it you were wanting to tell me?" He claps his hands together.
"Well, Edgar, I overheard something...annoying last week." Belle's smile fades to annoyance. "Blaire Hendrix and Tyson Burke of The Sinister Brigade plan on interfering with our show."
At the mention of Blaire Hendrix, Edgar's face twists with disgust. "What does that little whore want?" Edgar asks, his voice no longer chipper and higher pitched, replaced with a deep and rough voice laced with venom.
"They wish to take our little fire dancer away from us." Belle looks coldly down the hole. Inside the hole is a recently dug pit that goes down ten feet. At the bottom is a beaten and bloody Luna Lucifina. Very little light reaches her, but some of it shines on one of her eyes and some of the skin around it, revealing that she is not wearing her face paint but not revealing her face.
"First she is involved in ruining your spotlight, now she is trying to ruin our show?" Edgar grits his teeth before punching a wall. Belle does not flinch, but Luna does, cowering deeper into the darkness of the pit, desperate not to be seen. Edgar glares down into the pit. "This is all your fault, you attention seeking bitch…" Edgar growls as Luna cowers even more.
"Would you like me to get Igor?" Belle inquires and Edgar nods. Belle leaves the room.
"If you had just listened to me, you wouldn't be in this position." Edgar glares fiercely. "You deserve this. You are nothing." Edgar walks away as the door is heard opening, though the camera stays on the mostly concealed Luna. The little bit of light is blocked off by a giant figure.
The camera returns to the arena. "Welcome back to NHW!" Izzy greets.
"Live on YouTube." Merle grumbles, still salty about no television deal.
"Up next, we will see the final First Round match in the Tag Team Tournament, as Poison Lotus take on Love & War." Izzy informs, ignoring Merle.
Goodnight by Dreamcatcher plays as the crowd boos, recognizing Poison Lotus from BLOW. The first one is the 5'8" Kyoko Suzuki, who is a pale skinned Japanese woman with black hair in a ponytail and a bang on her left side, long eyelashes, black eyeliner, blood red lipstick, and a toned body. She is wearing Hikaru Shida's gear but mostly black with a little red, black leather boots, red gloves.
The other is the 5'9" Hiroku Yamada, who is a japanese woman with a little tanned skin, long dark brown hair hanging down, black eyeliner, a strong jawline, and a toned body. She is wearing a red and black top, tight black leather pants, black boots, and red gloves. She is also wearing a cloak made of grizzly bear fur, with the head as a hood. The cloak covers the majority of her body.
Kyoko and Hiroku walk onto the stage with Hiroku jumping and screaming on the left side and Kyoko standing on the right gracefully, holding a japanese antique umbrella. They walk to the ring and enter the ring. Kyoko closes her umbrella before both women pose.
"One of the brightest young teams in professional wrestling, these two are known for their remorseless onslaught and their 'take no prisoners' mentality." Izzy informs.
"Not only are they incredibly talented, but they are incredibly beautiful!" Merle simps. "Clarissa, how much do you think it would cost to replace you with either one of them?" Izzy does not respond.
Concrete by Poppy plays as Inesa and Delilah walk onto the stage, with Delilah rushing forward and looking at the crowd eagerly while Inesa is reserved and polite. Delilah is now wearing a black crop top with a crooked white star on the front, as well as a black, red, and white skirt. She is also wearing silver glitter knee pads, gray armbands that connect to black gloves with gray fingers, and black, red, and white boots. She is also wearing a white jacket with black stars covering it.
Inesa meanwhile is wearing white leggings with a blue skirt, as well as a blue shirt with white hearts all over it and white boots. She is also wearing a tan sunhat. Unlike her outfit earlier, this one reveals her petite physique.
Delilah rushes down to the ring and slides in, crawling to the nearest bottom rope and biting on it while Inesa gently walks up the steps and steps through the bottom rope. Inesa takes off her sunhat as Delilah removes her jacket, and Hiroku removes her cloak.
"These two are projects of Mr. Mortis, much like Cole Monroe and The Hemlock Siblings. They seem to have very different personalities, as shown by the Love & War name." Izzy informs.
"I really don't like the look in Delilah's eyes… It's…" Merle starts out.
"Unsettling?" Izzy suggests.
"Yeah." Merle mutters.
Ding Ding!
Delilah and Kyoko start off the match, circling one another. Delilah lunges for Kyoko, only to get caught with a monkey flip. With Delilah grounded for a brief moment, Kyoko hits a cartwheel into an elbow drop. Kyoko tries to stand up, but Delilah grabs her arm and locks in a rough armbar, before biting down on Kyoko's fingers. Kyoko tries to pull her arm free, but she isn't able to until Delilah has drawn blood. As Kyoko returns to her corner, Delilah sits up, grinning with a mouth full of blood. Kyoko tags in Hiroku as Delilah rushes towards them. Kyoko and Hiroku drop Delilah with a double clothesline. They both grab one of Delilah's hands each and, gripping her fingers, snaps both hands. Delilah lets out a cry of pain before laughing as she falls to the mat.
Hiroku stalks Delilah and, when Delilah gets on her hands and knees, hits a running knee to her head. Hiroku quickly sits Delilah up and bounces off the ropes, hitting a stiff shining wizard. With that, Delilah rolls to the outside, giggling to herself.
"What the fuck is wrong with this woman?" Merle asks, bewildered.
Delilah looks around the audience before lifting the apron, causing the crowd to cheer (One). "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Delilah screams.
"We want tables!" The fans chant, not caring about the rules. Delilah nods excitedly and pulls a table out (Two). Delilah begins to set it up on the outside, only for Inesa to rush over (Three).
"No! That's bad!" Inesa makes an x with her forearms, causing Delilah to groan (Four). Suddenly, Poison Lotus attack Love & War from behind. Kyoko throws Inesa into the ringpost while Hiroku smashes Delilah's head on the apron before rolling her into the ring. Hiroku follows suit and goes to grab Delilah, only for Delilah to attempt to reverse it into the Star Splitter (Victory Roll into a Double Stomp). Instead, this sets up Delilah for Hiroku to reverse into a beautifully vicious German Suplex, spiking Delilah on her neck. Hiroku bridges perfectly!
One!
Two!
Kickout!
Delilah kicks out while giggling again. Hiroku ignores this, delivering a running knee to Delilah's head again. Hiroku looks around the crowd as Inesa climbs the apron once again. Hiroku, overconfident, allows Delilah to tag in Inesa. Inesa quickly gets into the ring and runs straight into a vicious spear from Hiroku, taking the air out of Inesa's lungs. Hiroku tags in Kyoko and the two stalk Inesa, who slowly stands up while holding her ribs. Inesa turns right into the Lethal Injection 2.0 (Kyoko superkicks her opponent which puts them in position for a Lethal Injection from Hiroku). Kyoko covers.
One! (Delilah enters the ring)
Two! (Hiroku spears Delilah before she can break the cover)
Three!
The bell rings as the crowd boos Poison Lotus.
"Beautiful! Simply stunning! I want their phone numbers!" Merle applauds.
"What was that last part?" Izzy does a double take.
"Simply stunning!" Merle repeats.
While Poison Lotus are celebrating, Inesa stands up and politely offers her hand. Hiroku goes to shake her hand, only for Kyoko to blind Inesa with green poison mist! With that, Hiroku hits a discus clothesline on Inesa, dropping her. Delilah tries to defend her counterpart, but Poison Lotus nail her with Lethal Injection 2.0 as well. After that, they spot the set up table on the outside. They both nod before picking up Delilah. Poison Lotus lift her onto their shoulders and double powerbomb Delilah from the ring and to the outside, through the table. The crowd boos as Poison Lotus stand tall.
"Absolutely horrible." Izzy shakes her head. "Where is the good sportsmanship tonight?"
"Where it should be. Gone." Merle growls as Poison Lotus smirk into the camera, Kyoko twirling her umbrella once again.
In the middle of a parking lot, Cole Monroe is seen leaning against his car, an old gray 1965 mustang with a few parts in a different color, clearly having seen it's fair share of accidents. Cole Monroe has an old headset on, listening to music.
(Death Bed by Powfu ft. beabadoobee)
Don't stay awake for too long.
Don't go to bed.
I'll make a cup of coffee for your head.
I'll get you up and going out of bed.
Cole nods his head to the beat before noticing a Starbucks cup being held out to him. He pulls down his headset before taking the coffee and looking up.
Holding another coffee is a fair skinned girl with curly chestnut brown hair that goes down to her shoulders and is parted down the center. She is wearing a black jean skirt with a black t-shirt tucked into it. She is also wearing a blue jean jacket, black and white converses, and black lace socks.
"Thanks, Rose." Cole smiles before going around the car and opening the passenger door for her.
"What a gentleman." Rose teases in a soft, alto voice.
"Only for you." Cole gives a little smile as he shuts the door. He goes around to his side and gets in the driver's seat. He takes a sip of his coffee before putting it in the cup holder. With that, he begins driving down the road.
"So, NHW?" Rose inquires.
"Eh. I'd rather spend time with you." Cole smiles at her.
"Aren't you sweet." Rose scoffs with a grin. Then, she shoots Cole a concerned look. "How are you holding up? You took a rough beating against James Black."
"I'm fine. They holds the pain back." Cole casually says. Rose's eyes narrow at the mention of They.
"You said you were gonna try to break free." Rose puts her hand on Cole's.
"It's hard, Rose." Cole sighs. "You don't understand."
"I know I don't understand, but I understand what it's like to watch someone I love be controlled and used." Rose responds quickly, knowing what Cole was gonna say. Cole sighs again before reaching into the breast pocket of his flannel and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He opens it and pulls the lighter out, along with a cigarette. He lights it and takes a puff.
"It's my entire life, Rose. I don't know one without They. It sucks, but it's life." Cole takes a puff as he pulls into a clearing and parks so him and Rose can just talk.
"Can you at least say Davius' name?" Rose pleads with him.
"I…" Cole tries before letting out a painful groan as he rubs his temples. "Fuck."
"So that's a no." Rose sighs before Cole takes another drag from his cigarette. "I love you."
"I love you too." Cole responds as he looks out at the clearing.
"But you are fucking stupid sometimes." Rose states, getting a surprising laugh from Cole. "I saw how many cigarettes you had missing. You are gonna kill yourself with that crap."
"Yeah, probably. Probably my only way out." Cole sighs as he flicks the ash off.
"Don't say that. I hate it when you talk like that." Rose's face becomes concerned again.
"Eh, it's inevitable. Can't hate it." Cole states before his phone buzzes.
La Reynoso: Yo. Where you at?
"Who's that?" Rose asks.
"La Reynoso. She's pretty cool." Cole informs.
"Cooler than me?" Rose raises an amused eyebrow.
"Probably, but I like you more." Cole teases. Rose leans over and rests her head on his shoulder.
"Good." Rose smiles.
Don't stay awake for too long.
Don't go to bed.
I'll make a cup of coffee for your head.
I'll get you up and going out of bed.
The Dark Carnival are seen backstage in a blood covered room.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" The final clown screams at Shelia Psycho, Frenzy, and Billy Haha. Standing at 5'11" and wearing evil clown makeup, along with shaved head on both sides with black hair on top (parts it to the left), blue-gray eyes, scars on his arms, chest, and back, and a semi muscular build, this is the leader of The Dark Carnival, 'The Killer Next Door' Sicko Kidd. "You failed to beat the bitch that sucks off the worst member of The Legends Of New School!" Sicko points at Shelia with a knife as she watches, "And you two lost to two little kids who don't even know how to fight?!" Sicko points it at Billy and Frenzy. "Explain it to me! Maybe I'm fucking stupid!"
"I ate teeth before the match." Frenzy informs.
"Shut up!" Sicko screams. "Tonight, I will right your wrongs. You misstepped. I won't. Asher King will suffer like no man has in all of NHW. This is my carnival. The NHW Championship will be my crowning achievement." Sicko then approaches all three. "And when I finish with Asher… You may have whatever is left. Feed, my clowns…so that the people watching can follow the screams!" With that final line, Sicko Kidd lets out a sickening and bone chilling laughter.
The camera returns to the arena. "Up next, in the final First Round match of the World Championship Tournament, we will see 'The Wolf King' Asher King vs 'The Killer Next Door' Sicko Kidd!" Izzy informs.
Savor The Kill by Darkest Hour plays to some cheers from those who recognize Asher King from ICW and the Supernova Cup. The 6'0" Asher King has dark blue eyes, messy black hair with silver streaks in it, a semi muscular build, and a few scars on his arms and back. He is wearing black wrestling tights with a red moon on the right and a wolf on the left and 'Bloody Wolf' on the back in blood letters, black boots, black taped wrists, and blood face paint stylized like a wolf that had made a kill.
Asher walks out with red smoke amidst the red lighting with a hungry look in his eyes for his prey. He then runs to slide in the ring where he heads to the bottom right turnbuckle and gives a huge howl.
"Literally the worst member of the worst stable." Merle states.
"That's not fair to Asher. While Chris and Matt were established prior to the group, Asher joined the WFA under the banner. He was doomed from the start. Luckily, this is his opportunity to renew his career." Izzy defends Asher.
"We'll see." Merle scoffs.
Freak by Tetrarch plays as Sicko Kidd storms onto the stage, wearing a white suit with a blood stain design. He storms down to the ring and slides into the ring before he begins to aggressively rip off his suit, revealing tattered dark pants with stitches, macabre pictures on the legs, 'Dying To Kill Ya' on the right leg, 'Laugh Till Ya Die' on the left leg, Killer Next Door on the back, dirty taped hands with blood, and dirty black boots.
"A monster. That's the best way to describe this heartless psychopath." Izzy states.
"The leader of The Dark Carnival, Sicko Kidd plans on succeeding where his team failed." Merle adds.
Ding Ding!
The bell rings as Sicko sprints towards Asher and spears him into the corner. Sicko nails several shoulder blocks before climbing the middle rope and nailing Asher with several downward elbows. After seven elbows to the head, Asher overpowers Sicko and pushes him over the top rope and to the outside. Sicko's back hit hard against the apron as he falls. Sicko rests his head on the steel steps as he struggles with the pain in his back. Asher capitalizes on this with a slingshot diving stomp, stomping Sicko's head into the steps. Asher falls forward due to the unsteady landing while Sicko falls backwards, bleeding from his forehead...but laughing (One).
Asher stands up as Sicko crawls away, still laughing (Two). Sicko gets to the opposite barricade and uses it to help him stand up while Asher stalks his prey (Three). Asher runs towards Sicko, who catches him with a flapjack, dropping Asher neck first onto the barricade (Four). Asher gasps for air as Sicko rolls into and out of the ring to break the count.
Sicko grabs Asher by his hair and forces his mouth against the ringpost before hitting a big boot, busting Asher's mouth and gums open (One). Sicko laughs as the camera shows Asher bleeding from his mouth, staining his teeth red (Two). Despite this, Asher looks more motivated then before. Sicko walks over and hits a leaping stomp to Asher's mouth (Three). Sicko picks up Asher, who hits Sicko in the gut with his elbow until the clown let's go (Four). Asher locks in a headlock before running and hitting a bulldog onto the barricade, causing Asher to sit on top of it (Five). Sicko stumbles away and rolls into the ring as Asher high fives some fans (Six) before climbing back over and climbing the apron.
When Sicko stands up, Asher goes for a slingshot savate kick, only for Sicko to catch it and, with Asher still midair, deliver a vicious dragon screw, causing Asher to crash hard. Sicko covers.
One!
Tw-Kickout!
Sicko locks in a side headlock and starts to punch Asher viciously before rubbing the blood on his forehead. Sicko stares at his own blood for a moment before he begins cackling again, rubbing it across his chest. Sicko grabs Asher by the hair and forces him up. Sicko goes for the Sick Kick (Buzzsaw Kick), but Asher ducks and hits the Blood Frenzy(Phenomenal Blitz with a STO as the finish)! Asher covers.
One!
Tw-Kickout!
Asher lets out a deep, frustrated breath before slinking away from Sicko, watching the clown carefully. When Sicko stands up near the corner, Asher hits a running savate kick. Sicko turns away and leans forward against the corner. Asher wraps his arms around Sicko's waist and looks backwards before going for the Chaos Theory. However, after the back somersault, Asher does a second one instead of the german. With the second one, Asher is right in front of the opposite turnbuckle, which he german suplexes Sicko into, causing Sicko to crumble down. Asher pins.
One!
Two!
T-Kickout!
Asher quickly gets up and begins stomping on Sicko mercilessly, showing that Sicko isn't the only dangerous one. After a couple stomps, however, he stops as he notices something: Sicko Kidd is laughing. Asher is confused as Sicko begins to stand up. Suddenly, Sicko head butts Asher. Before Asher can fall, Sicko nearly decapitates him with the Sick Kick! Sicko covers, grinning from ear to ear.
One!
Two!
Th-Kickout!
Sicko's smile quickly disappears and is replaced with uncontrollable rage. Sicko grabs Asher by the hair and smashes the back of his head against the mat several times before dragging him over to the bottom rope and putting it in Asher's mouth. Sicko then leaps up and stomps on Asher's head, cutting Asher's mouth open even more. As Asher holds his jaw, Sicko climbs to the top rope. Before Asher even realizes what is going on, Sicko Kidd hits Falling Into Madness (Shooting Star Press). He covers.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rings as Sicko Kidd cackles, laughing as he takes some of Asher's blood and smears it onto chest, soaking in the blood of his victim.
"What is wrong with this man…" Izzy shakes her head, stunned.
"Like you said- Sicko Kidd is a monster." Merle says.
Sicko Kidd grins down at Asher King as he stands tall.
At the local mall, Sai Russo is seen in Spencers. Ava Knight approaches. "Sai… You know this isn't Hot Topic, right?" Ava asks.
Sai is quiet for a minute as he looks around. "Thanks Ava." Sai gives a thumbs up. "I thought this place looked somewhat different, but overall appealing to the alternative crowd born from the 70's and 80's counterculture."
"What are you talking about?" Ava scrunches up her face. Sai shrugs before Ava pulls up her phone. "You have a match next week."
"Cool." Sai responds stoically, clearly not caring.
"Sai." Ava narrows her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to compete?" Ava says in a non-asking way.
"Of course." Sai nods. "As soon as I remember where I put the car."
"Excuse me?" Ava gives him a wide eyed pissed expression.
The camera cuts to the mall parking lot, where hundreds of cars are seen. Ava lets out a loud sigh as Sai looks around. "Ava?" Sai starts out.
"What? What, Sai?" Ava rubs her temples.
"I forgot what the car looks like." Sai informs. The camera cuts to a bird's eye view just in time for…
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Ava screams angrily.
In the trainer's room, Asher King is seen getting his mouth checked up.
"You look like shit." Matt Lopez states as he walks into frame.
"Thanks Matt. I appreciate it." Asher growls.
"Hey hermano, I'm not Chris. Don't get that attitude with me." Matt warns. Asher sighs.
"Sorry. It's just… No one takes me seriously and this sure as hell didn't help." Asher shakes his head.
"Trust me, I understand. I've had those times." Matt places his hand on his shoulder. "Look, I don't know how long this Storm & Game Connection thing is gonna last. However, when it ends...I'd like to ride with a man I consider a brother to me. Can I count on that?" Matt smiles.
Asher stares at him for a moment. "Of course. I've got your back, Matt." Asher smiles back.
"Alright. Rest easy, hermano. See you around." Matt pats him on the back before leaving.
The camera returns to the arena. "Finally, it is now time for our main event. In the final First Round match of the Women's Tournament, we will see 'America's Hero' Liberty Belle vs 'San Diego's Sweetheart' Abby Torres!" Izzy informs.
America! Fuck Yeah! by Team America plays to loud boos from the BLOW fans. Liberty Belle walks out, holding a big American flag and waves it into the air as red, white, and blue pyro goes off. She is wearing a white leotard that has red and blue stars on it, a red headband, and blue boots. She walks down the ramp while waving the flag oblivious to the crowd booing her. Once she gets into the ring, she holds the flag and stands it straight up and salutes the crowd.
"Well...she certainly loves her country…" Izzy says in wide eyed confusion.
"Why do you say it like that? I personally am proud to be represented by such a patriot like this young woman! She reminds me of Hulk Hogan!" Merle proudly says.
"You know Hulk Hogan said… Never mind, I can't convince you." Izzy sighs.
"AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!" Merle chants along to Liberty's theme.
High Hopes by Yours Truly plays to the exact opposite reaction of Liberty Belle. Abby Torres walks out to cheers, smiling. She is wearing a white wrestling top with gold outlines, white tight with black claw marks (Alexa Bliss style) with the word "Angel" on the left side of her gear, gold knee pads, white high wrestling boots, and white wrist tape on both arms.
Abby smiles at the crowd as she moves her weight to one leg and bounces slightly, nodding her head to her theme. She walks down the ramp, high fiving fans before sliding into the ring. Meanwhile, Liberty Belle thinks the fans are cheering for her. Abby climbs the turnbuckle and looks out at the crowd. She climbs down and prepares for the match.
Ding Ding!
As the bell rings, Liberty Belle goes for a running trip, only for Abby Torres to leap over with a front somersault. Abby gets up quickly and hits a hurricanrana, sending Liberty to the outside. Abby gets up and bounces off the ropes, hitting a suicide dive through the bottom rope, sending Liberty up the ramp. Abby quickly grabs Liberty and rolls her back into the ring before climbing the apron.
"Abby Torres is on fire already!" Izzy calls out as Abby beckons for Liberty to get up before hitting a springboard frankensteiner with a pin.
One!
T-Kickout!
Abby practically leaps to her feet and, as soon as Liberty sits up, Abby hits a roundhouse kick, followed by Angels Can Fly (Standing Moonsault). Abby lets out a passionate scream as Liberty rolls back to the outside, infuriated by the much quicker Abby. Liberty kicks the ring steps as Abby watches, a smile on her face. Liberty slowly climbs the apron and steps back into the ring, only to climb back into the ropes when Abby comes close. The ref gets in between and tries to keep the two separate, giving Liberty a brief moment to rake Abby's eyes. Liberty quickly enters the ring and picks Abby up for an Alabama Slam, followed smoothly by a Boston Crab. Abby squirms under the larger Liberty, who is able to keep Abby in the center of the ring, no matter how hard Abby struggles.
Liberty holds the submission in for half a minute before she realizes that Abby isn't gonna tap. In response, Liberty releases the hold and drags Abby to the corner, sitting her against it. Then, Liberty hits a corner handspring Bronco Buster, getting a few whistles from the pervs, but boos from everyone else. At the four count of the ref, Liberty lets go and rolls away, only to approach and go for it again. This time, however, Abby slides under the bottom rope at the last second. Abby quickly stands up as Liberty now sits on the bottom rope. Abby does a rope assisted front handspring back into the ring, followed by a superkick to the back of Liberty's head. Abby doesn't let Liberty fall, however, lifting Liberty to her feet before hitting a reverse frankensteiner, spiking Liberty's head.
Abby covers.
One!
Two!
Kickout!
Abby nods as she begins to regain her momentum. She climbs the turnbuckle and stands high on the top rope. She takes a deep breath before going for the Divine Ascension (Diving Moonsault). Liberty Belle rolls out of the way, but Abby lands on her feet. Liberty quickly school boys Abby.
One!
Two! (LIBERTY PUTS HER FEET ON THE MIDDLE ROPE)
Thre-KICKOUT!
Liberty freaks out as Abby quickly gets up. Liberty crawls backwards, trying to put distance between her and Abby. Liberty hits the corner and her eyes go wide. Nowhere to go. Abby approaches and Liberty, desperately, grabs Abby by the top and smashes her head into the middle buckle. Abby slumps against it, hugging the middle buckle.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone with the power and size advantage scared of someone smaller than them. Then again, Abby is one of the most underrated wrestlers in the world." Izzy states.
"Liberty is even more underrated, as you can see by her defense in this match." Merle is quick to Liberty Belle's defense.
Liberty climbs the middle rope and grabs Abby by the hair, pulling her through the middle rope and pulling back her head, revealing the neck. Liberty forms a closed fist as she grins at Abby's exposed neck. The crowd boos as Liberty charges up her punch. Liberty goes for the throat punch, but Abby slides out and grabs Liberty by the head, tucking it against the top buckle. With a brief taunt to the crowd, Abby hits the Azucar Overdose (Cheeky Nandos Kick), causing Liberty to collapse out of the ropes and to the mat. Abby nods as she climbs to the top rope, setting up for the Divine Ascension once more. She hits it! Abby covers.
One!
Two! (Liberty grabs the ref!)
Thr-LIBERTY PULLS THE REF INTO THE PIN!
The crowd boos as the ref and Abby hit heads. Abby falls off the pin, holding her head, as the ref does the same. Liberty takes several angry deep breaths, glaring at Abby. Liberty then picks up Abby and goes for USA! (Angle Slam), but Abby backflips. Before Abby can go for anything, Liberty elbows her straight in the mouth, causing Abby to stumble back. The ref gets up now and screams at Liberty for her cheating.
"YOU CAN'T LAY YOUR HANDS ON AN OFFICIAL!" The ref screams.
"WHY AREN'T YOU ON MY SIDE?! ARE YOU A COMMIE?!" Liberty screams back. Abby goes for a spinning wheel kick, but Liberty, through pure luck, steps out of the way just in time and Abby takes out the ref. Abby's eyes go wide as do Liberty's, but Liberty's soon turns into a smirk as she leaves the ring. With Abby distracted and the ref down, Liberty grabs a red, white, and blue steel chair. Liberty reenters the ring and hits the chair on the mat, calling for Abby to stand up. Abby does so, but dodges the swing. Liberty instead hits the top rope and the chair recoils, hitting Liberty in the head. Liberty drops the chair and stumbles into the Apex's Catch (Chicken Wing over the shoulder crossface; adopted from Matt Lopez) from Abby! Liberty struggles before tapping to much fanfare, but the ref is down!
Abby lets go to check on the ref once more. As the ref begins to stir, Liberty grabs the chair once again and weakly gets up, glaring fiercely at Abby. As the ref stands up, Abby steps to the side as Liberty swings, stopping just before she can hit the ref with a deer in the headlights look.
"NO WEAPONS!" The ref screams.
"WAIT! I WAS FRAMED!" Liberty pleads as the ref takes the chair from her. "HER BOYFRIEND IS MEXICAN, JUST LIKE EDWARD GUERRERO!"
"It's Eddie Guerrero." Izzy sighs.
"NO WEAPONS!" The ref throws the chair to the outside. Abby grabs Liberty and once again locks in the Apex's Catch! Liberty immediately taps!
"LIBERTY BELLE TAPS!" Izzy yells happily.
The bell rings as Abby Torres lets out an exhausted groan.
"I'm glad you are so happy America lost." Merle grumbles.
"Abby is American too!" Izzy responds.
Abby stands up and the ref raises her hand in victory.
"Earlier I said that Abby is one of the most underrated wrestlers on the planet. I think, after this match, she won't be underrated anymore. Soak it in, Abby. You've shown everyone what you can do." Izzy smiles.
"Look, I may not support Abby, but she did put on quite the performance. Still wish Liberty won so America could too." Merle sighs.
Matt Lopez comes out to the ring and hugs and kisses his girlfriend to even more cheers. Matt raises Abby's hand as she smiles widely.
The camera goes backstage, where it falls on one of the entrances. After a moment, Seth Sullivan enters, looking tired and broken down. His eyes have bags under them, his hair is greasy and messy, and he looks like he hasn't shaved recently. Honestly, it looks like he hasn't had a good night's sleep since he was last seen. He storms through the arena.
"HEMLOCK!" Seth screams, looking more like a psych ward patient than the former King Cobra. As he storms through the halls, he comes face to face with not Draven Hemlock, but Judith Hemlock. She walks away from Seth and he gives chase.
"HEMLOCK!" Seth screams again as Judith enters a room. Seth enters after her, seeing the lights off. He turns it on to see…
The room is filled to the brim with Sheep Mask Wearing Cultists. Seth freezes as they all stare at him. Judith has disappeared and Draven is not seen. Seth slowly steps backwards, turning the lights off before running away from the room. "Fuck no… No. no no no…" Seth mumbles as he begins to hyperventilate.
Merle Garnet is seen in Kathleen Milmore's interview station.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am joined now by my pick to win the NHW Championship: James Black." Merle informs as the camera pans over, revealing James Black in an expensive suit. "James how-"
"I didn't come here to chit chat." James raises a hand. "I came here to clear something up." James looks directly into the camera. "I'm not here for any of you. I'm not here to appear weekly and talk for you. I do my talking in the ring. You want to see me every week? Pray to whatever god you believe in that I win the tournament. Oh, but don't worry, I don't need it. I know I will be winning the tournament. Do you know why?" James loosens his tie. "I am the best damn thing in this business because I care about this business more than all your heroes. I'm here to be the face of professional wrestling, not the face of your fucking talk show. I'm not here to cut twenty minute long promos, I'm here to put on twenty minute long bouts. Is there anyone in the tournament who can give me that?" James looks at Merle. "Hell no. None of them can reach my level of talent. I'm the best at what I do and what I do isn't talking, though I am really really good at that too. No, what I do the best is wrestle. So, next week, watch me do what I do better than anyone else in the entire company, hell, better than anyone else in this entire Alliance." Black stands up. "Are we done?" Black asks. Before Merle can respond, Black leaves.
Next Week-
Kailene Starr vs Blaire Hendrix (Women's Tournament Round Two)
Angelo Santos vs Sai Russo (Television Tournament Round Two)
James Black vs Ironheart (World Tournament Round Two)
Storm & Game Connection vs Knowledge & Peace (Tag Team Tournament Round Two)