Team Work chapter 254
October 9th, 2020
Stephanie hums as she adjusts the trio of pumpkins in the office, trying to make it all look just right while not being in her way. Once content, she eases forward and grabs her laptop, curling up with it as she's warmed by the glow of her decorations as she begins to book for the evening ahead.
To start the night off, Big Swole defeats Taya Valkyrie. The team of Cody Deaner, Buddy Murphy and Jay Lethal win against Cousin Jake, Seth Rollins, and Jake Hager. Cody meticulously picks Cash Wheeler apart before beating him. Dax Harwood is successful against Ashante Thee Adonis. Dana Brooke, Ember Moon, and Nia Jax defeat Rosemary, Jordynne Grace and Mandy Rose.
Killian Dain stands, stoic, in the ring, leaning against the turnbuckle, absolutely nonchalant. He doesn't shift or react much at all as Dexter Lumis makes his entrance, almost looks bored as he waits for the man to slide into the ring on his stomach. Their eyes lock and Lumis stares at him, wild eyed and silent, and Dain huffs, pushing off of the turnbuckle and barely waiting for the bell to ring before he goes after him. Lumis is shifty, and avoids some of Dain's offense, making it look strangely easy as he lands a few strikes, but Dain is determined, and fast for his size, and before too long, he gets his hands on Lumis, slinging him into the corner and barreling into him, somewhat appeased by the faint sound of Lumis' breath leaving him.
He doesn't make a vocal sound even when Dain hoists him up and slams him down onto the mat, nor when Dain splashes him from the top and pins him. Remains eerily silent in the face of defeat, simply staring at Dain for long, tense seconds before turning and leaving as quietly as he'd come. Dain shrugs, raising his hand when the referee rejoins him.
Shelton Benjamin partners with Dezmond Xavier to defeat Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Shotzi Blackheart wins against Shayna Baszler, and Rhea Ripley beats Asuka. Alex Shelley and Brian Cage get the win over Randy Orton and Bobby Lashley. Robert Roode wins over Matt Riddle. Jonathan Gresham partners with Chris Jericho successfully over Big E and Zachary Wentz. Jeff Hardy wins in a triple threat match against Dolph Ziggler and Austin Theory.
The main event sees Chris Sabin standing in the ring, an almost anxious undertone to his expression. Ridge Holland and Drake Maverick are already there, not talking, just waiting. The tension in the ring is explained when everything gets tinged red, and the Firefly FunHouse music begins echoing through the empty arena. The Fiend makes his way, slowly, to the ring, swinging his demented looking lantern, not reacting to anything or anyone until he's in the ring. Sabin tries, briefly, to speak to him, before slinking away, a horrible twisting fear deep in his guts from one glance into The Fiend's dark, dead gaze.
It's a relief when the match begins and Sabin and Drake both leave the ring, leaning in their corners, gripping the tag ropes, both hoping desperately to avoid tagging in for awhile, neither wanting to deal with The Fiend. Not that it matters- Fiend seems unaware of how to tag out, simply taking every bit of offense Holland dishes out and barely flinching at any of it. Holland quickly loses his temper, starts beating Fiend down, clipped shouts interspersed between each blow. Drake sees, suddenly, the position Holland has put himself in, and tries to yell, waves his arms wildly, attempts to warn him- but it's too late, Fiend snaps forward, digs his fingers deep into Holland's mouth and digs.
The Mandible Claw is rough in general, it presses on pressure points in the mouth that sends pain tearing through your whole body until you all but collapse, paralyzed and struggling just to breathe through the flood of agony. Not to mention the nausea and difficulty swallowing as more saliva is produced from the intrusion. So yeah, all in all, Drake is amazed Holland fights the hold as long as he does, arching his body, trying to land a punch, an elbow, a kick, something, anything to free him from this, but Fiend remains unflinchable, and eventually the fight drains from Holland and he collapses while Drake is frozen in their corner, jaw working desperately as he tries to convince himself to move, do something, help somehow. But as brave as he is, something keeps him back, leaves him forced just to watch.
And then Holland is limp and the referee is calling it, the victory going to The Fiend. Fiend leans over Holland's prone body, laughing maniacally, staring blankly forward, and before the referee could admonish him, or do anything else, the lights darken, Drake holds his breath, and- when they come back on, The Fiend has disappeared.
Sabin shakes his head, disoriented and confused, before slipping into the ring to check on Holland, Drake not far behind once the horrors of Fiend's presence have subsided a little bit and he can move again.