Fight Night: The Final Four (Jan '23).

The bell rings and Chris Peacock stands in the centre of the ring, with his partners all on the apron behind him and he looks across at his opponents, who seem to have not yet decided who will be kicking things off for them. Devin Golden is the first to exit onto the ring apron and then more of his team follows, leaving Kayden Knox as the one to be the legal starting man in the ring with ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’. As soon as Knox turns around, he is immediately accosted by Peacock, who tags him with some body shots and then further strikes to the head.

Rod Sterling: “It has been a night of heavy emotions so far for both Chris Peacock and Kayden Knox, and it looks like Peacock could be using Knox’s face to get some of that pent up frustration out.”

Peacock lands a jab to Knox’s face and then follows up with a second and turns on the spot… and drops Knox down to the mat with a more powerful right hand! Knox scrambles on the mat and settles in the corner but Peacock charges in with a running forearm straight to the face! Peacock steps up onto the middle rope and starts raining down on Knox’s head with punches and the fans are behind Peacock as he gets off to a quick start to the match. The crowd counts along;

“ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!”

The counting stops before ten as Peacock takes a moment to glance over at Golden, who smirks back at him and it is this momentary distraction that allows Kayden Knox to grab Peacock by the waistband and drop him down onto the top turnbuckle! Knox quickly gets behind Peacock and applies a quick Full Nelson, and he elevates Peacock up into the air and then cracks him with a knee to the back of the head on his way down! This causes Peacock to slump against the turnbuckles and Knox follows up with a hard elbow strike to the back of the head. On the outside of the ring, Maxwell Lester seems to be enjoying his client’s handiwork, as shown by him nodding his head.

Daniella Kennedy: “Maxwell Lester is pleased with what he is seeing from Kayden Knox, his joker, and Knox seems to have moved past the events of earlier on tonight.”

Christian Quinn: “This Lester guy creeps me out, I’ll be honest. But with Mike Parr not allowed out here right now, Knox is able to do his thing and I’m enjoying watching him have his way with the dancing idiot.”

Knox grabs Peacock into a headlock and drags him towards his team’s corner where he offers a tag to anyone willing to take it from him and Lizzie Rose is the one who takes him up on it, much to the delight of the crowd. Instead of entering the ring through the ropes, Lizzie perches herself on the top turnbuckle and asks Knox to bring Peacock in and when he does, Lizzie grabs Peacock around the head and pushes off from the corner and plants Peacock on the top of his head with a Tornado DDT! Lizzie quickly floats over into a pin, hooking a leg;

ONE… TWO-NO!!

The pin is broken up by Kleio De Santos! It was a quick break from the corner from KDS and a well-placed boot to the side of Lizzie’s head was enough to break the count, although Peacock probably had it covered as he looked to be about to kick out. Lizzie is ushered back to her corner by the referee and she and Bellatrix Bordeaux seem to be getting into some sort of disagreement, with Trixie unhappy that Kleio attacked her new friend without provocation. Kleio gives her own partner a shove, and then Tommy Bedlam is forced to get in between them to stop Team Peacock imploding! Bedlam seems to be in disagreement with Kleio’s actions and he tells her as much, earning him an earful from the Ravenwood sisters behind him which he ignores.

Rod Sterling: “The Peacock camp could be falling apart at the seams right before our eyes! Kleio De Santos gets herself involved in the match to break up that pin and get a cheap shot in on her former rival Lizzie Rose. However, Bordeaux and Bedlam are not in approval!”

XYZ, however, seems more invested in what is happening in the ring, which is both Peacock and Rose getting to their feet at the same time and Peacock opting not to tag out and he charges in at Lizzie, only to get caught with a Drop Toehold, and he lands across the middle rope! Lizzie decides that it is time to go for another tag and she initially offers it to Devin Golden, but the FWA World Champion seems content for his team to do the work for him and this time it is Reagan Cole (who is also here) that takes the reins.

Upon entering the match, Cole looks to follow up on Peacock, but next to Peacock on the outside is Jeffry Mason, along with TYLER. Mason shakes his head and can be heard telling Cole to “Remember what we talked about.”. Reagan grits his teeth and appears reluctant to act, BUT THEN COLE SPINS ON HIS HEEL AND TURNS AROUND, WIPING BELLATRIX BORDEAUX FROM THE APRON!! The crowd are not happy with Cole’s actions, and this seems to annoy the former Gauntlet Champion and he seems remorseful as Trixie lays on the floor on the outside, with Tommy and XYZ dropping down from the apron to check on her.

Daniella Kennedy: “Oh! That was just uncalled for! That Jeffry Mason has Reagan Cole doing his bidding and Cole has just targeted the unsuspecting Bordeaux - that was a callous move!”

Even some of Cole’s teammates, Lizzie Rose and Joe Burr, seem upset by his actions. Cole moves on and turns his attention to the other legal man in the match in Chris Peacock, and Cole picks Peacock up from the ropes, but Peacock shoots his fist up and catches Cole flush on the nose with Fight Fever! Cole recoils holding his face and Peacock turns, standing up straight. Cole turns back to face Peacock and PEACOCK STRIKES WITH A PIMP SLAP TO REAGAN COLE! The crowd cheer loudly as Peacock looks to then get past his opponent towards his corner, but Cole catches him and elevates him up into the air and runs him back into the Team Golden corner.

The tag is made to Kayden Knox, who rejoins the match and Knox tags Peacock with some body blows in the corner and then brings him out further into the ring and hooks him up for a Suplex… which he delivers into the turnbuckles!! Peacock is bent and broken on the mat at the feet of Devin Golden who laughs at the misfortune that his number one contender finds himself in. Knox holds his hand out to his team and it is Joe Burr that takes up the mantle!

Rod Sterling: “Joe Burr comes in there now as Team Golden are doing a great job in isolating Peacock from his team, who are now all back on the apron.”

Christian Quinn: “Hopefully this clown won’t screw things up!”

Burr gets into the ring and instead of following up on Peacock, he flexes his muscles to the crowd to a mixed response. With Peacock up to his feet in the corner now, Burr charges in, but Peacock gets his boot up! Burr is knocked back and Peacock turns, swinging at Kayden Knox to knock him down onto the apron and he also goes for Golden, but ‘The Rotten Gold’ drops from the apron just in time to avoid the punch which angers Peacock. The worn out number one contender for the FWA World Championship turns around to see Joe Burr back to his feet and PEACOCK CHARGES THROUGH HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE! BOTH ARE DOWN!

The crowd find their voices as they will Peacock on to make a tag to his team, all of whom are reaching out for him… AND REAGAN COLE ONCE AGAIN LEAVES HIS POST AND SPRINTS ACROSS THE RING, KNOCKING BORDEAUX DOWN!! There are more boos for Cole as Trixie is down on the floor once more and Jeffry Mason is shown smiling in his own sick way. However this time, the rest of Peacock’s team are not going to let it stand! Cole’s eyes widen as Tommy Bedlam steps through the ropes and goes after him, and Bedlam and Cole start exchanging blows in the middle of the ring!

Rod Sterling: “There’s a lot of history here between these two!”

Cole does manage to get the better of the exchange, but Bedlam blocks a punch and connects with a Headbutt that knocks Cole into the ropes and Bedlam follows up with a Cactus Clothesline which takes both men out of the ring and down to the floor! They continue to brawl on the outside… UNTIL BOTH ARE WIPED OUT BY A DIVING CROSSBODY FROM KLEIO DE SANTOS!! Kleio gets back up and smirks at the men she knocked down, one of whom being her own partner and she receives applause from Blair and Celestia. What Kleio fails to notice though is KAYDEN KNOX RUNNING TOWARDS THE ROPES AND HE LEAPS ON THE TOP ONE AND THEN WIPES KDS OUT WITH A SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH!!

This time it is Knox getting the plaudits from Maxwell Lester, but he fails to notice XYZ taking up a position on the ring apron and XYZ TAKES FLIGHT WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!!! XYZ rises to his feet and stretches his cape out but already looming over him is Lizzie Rose standing on the top rope… LIZZIE LEAPS AND LANDS ON XYZ’S SHOULDERS… ROSECANRANA IN BLOOM!!!

Daniella Kennedy: “There’s a massive pile of bodies on the outside, guys! LOOK WHO IS WAITING FOR THEIR TURN!”

The fans watch on as Devin Golden has stepped through the ropes. He ignores the downed Chris Peacock and Joe Burr in the ring and sees the mass of humanity on the outside and despite still feeling the effects of Winter Wasteland, the FWA World Champion runs the ropes… GOLDEN TAKES OUT EVERYONE WITH A SUICIDE DIVE!!! The crowd are on their feet in applause as everyone on the outside is now down.

In the ring though, both Chris Peacock and Joe Burr are back to a state of awareness and both look to their corners for a tag to one of their partners. There is a stunned look on Burr’s face as he sees that there is no one there for him to tag in, but for Peacock, Bellatrix Bordeaux is back on the apron. Trixie nervously holds her hand out, and Peacock leaps forwards, making the tag!

Christian Quinn: “What is the opposite of putting on a clinic, because that is the opposite of what we’re about to see.”

Trixie seems apprehensive to go in and fight Burr at first, but at Peacock’s command, Bordeaux comes in and she goes straight for Burr who comes out of his corner and she knocks him down with a Thesz Press! The crowd cheers Trixie on as she lands some strikes to Burr’s head in the mounted position. She rises to her feet and seems surprised with the fan response to her, but in doing so fails to notice that Burr has scurried away and he himself has tagged in his close ally, Lizzie Rose.

The arrival of Rose garners a smile from Bordeaux, who seems pleased to see her new friend, but her attempt at a hug backfires when Rose shows she is willing to put friendships aside and connects with a kick to the midsection! Bordeaux is down to a knee and Rose leaps over the top of her, and rolls through!

ONE… TWO… THR-NO!!!

The pin is once again broken up by Kleio De Santos! However, this time KDS does not stop at just breaking up the pin, she picks up Kleio and slams her to the mat with a judo throw! As Kleio returns to her corner, she is once again confronted by Tommy Bedlam who takes umbrage with her getting involved in such a way. Bordeaux looks to go for a tag out, but Lizzie does manage to grab her by the ankle and she pulls Trixie closer to the Team Golden corner where she reaches for a tag and gets one from Reagan Cole.

Rod Sterling: “Cole has been targeting Bordeaux at the behest of Jeffry Mason this entire match but now he has the chance to be in the ring with her legally!”

Cole enters the ring again and Trixie immediately tries to escape but he manages to catch her before she can make a tag to one of her partners. Lifting Bordeaux up for a Back Suplex, Cole is surprised when she carries on the momentum and lands on his feet behind him. Trixie attempts to crawl through his legs, but Reagan grabs her by the waist as she passes through and has her in position for a German Suplex, but again Trixie evades by locking her feet around Cole’s waist and with some difficulty, she eventually is able to roll through into a Victory Roll!

ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!

She almost got him! Reagan powers out using his legs and this propels Bordeaux forward and allows her to dive and make a tag! She looked for Tommy Bedlam, but Kleio De Santos put her hand in front of Tommy’s to accept the tag herself! KDS enters the ring to a negative reaction and her attempts to rub it in Tommy’s face backfires when Cole rushes her from behind and sends her into the turnbuckle. Cole looks for a roll through out of it but Kleio goes further and gets back to her feet.

KDS swings for Cole but he avoids it and gets behind her… INVENTED SUPLEX!! Cole looks for a tag from his team and it is Devin Golden that puts himself forward and enters the match legally for the first time. Immediately, Chris Peacock on the apron is demanding a tag from Kleio for a chance to get his hands on the FWA World Champion, but The Coven at ringside screams at him to stop telling Kleio what to do. Again, Tommy Bedlam is frustrated by this and he jumps down from the apron to confront the Ravenwood sisters and tell them to butt out of it. They seem to be on board with Tommy and back away, but as he turns around both Celestia and Blair shove him forward into the steel ring post!

Rod Sterling: “Those devious Ravenwood sisters! They’ve just attacked someone on the same team as their leader!”

Daniella Kennedy: “Things aren’t looking good for Team Peacock right now because Devin Golden has Kleio De Santos right where he wants her!”

Golden slowly brings KDS up to her feet and positions her in Suplex position… and he DROPS KDS ONTO THE MAT WITH THE ROTTEN TOUCH! Golden drops to the mat and looks to go for a cover but stops when he sees that Peacock is already through the ropes ready to break it up and he requests the referee makes Peacock back off, which he is forced to. Golden stands back up and motions that he will allow a tag to be made by KDS… but only to XYZ. This visibly frustrates Peacock, but nonetheless, XYZ reaches over the ropes and tags himself into the match.

There is a lot of mental instability in the ring right now with these two characters, but both Golden and XYZ seem to be approaching the match seriously and they lock up in the middle of the ring. Golden seems to get the upper hand on the exchange, but XYZ quickly sweeps the FWA World Champion’s leg to knock him down and then he drops an elbow across Golden’s chest. The crowd get behind XYZ and both he and Golden get up quickly and XYZ starts unloading on Golden’s legs with a barrage of kicks!

They seem to be taking the legs out from underneath ‘The Rotten Gold’ but Golden reads one correctly and jumps over it, meaning that XYZ’s momentum turns him a full rotation around and this allows Golden to grab XYZ around the waist and he takes him over with a German Suplex! Golden maintains his grip and then takes XYZ over for a second German Suplex! Again, Golden keeps his hands clasped, but XYZ plants himself to prevent the trifecta and then he runs Golden backwards into the Peacock corner and Peacock looks to tag himself in, but Kleio beats him to the draw!

Rod Sterling: “Kleio De Santos and the Coven are making things very difficult for their own team at the moment with the complete lack of teamwork and the attack on Tommy Bedlam.”

Kleio and Peacock exchange cross looks as she enters the ring through the ropes and she grabs Golden in a headlock and attempts a Headlock Takeover, but Golden shoves her away from him and into the ropes. Kleio runs the ropes and ducks the attempted Clothesline from Golden and turns it around into a Hip Toss! Golden lands hard and moves towards his corner where Kayden Knox tags himself back into the match. Knox hops over the top rope and he and Kleio begin to circle the ring before locking up. KDS uses her technical ability to get into a good position behind Kayden and she applies a Hammerlock, but Knox jumps into the air and rocks KDS with a Tilt-a-Whirl Stunner!

The impact does not take Kleio off of her feet and she staggers back into her own corner where she receives a VERY hard slap on the back from Tommy Bedlam! Bedlam is back from meeting the ring post and has a small laceration on his forehead to show for it. Kleio is annoyed as Bedlam enters the ring and he makes it clear that he is unimpressed with the actions of her and her stablemates. Tommy turns around and sees Kayden Knox standing in front of him and watches as Knox backs away… and slaps Joe Burr on the chest.

Rod Sterling: “Kayden Knox didn’t want any part of Tommy Bedlam it seems like…”

Daniella Kennedy: “Just look at how mad Tommy is, Rod! Do you really blame him?”

A confused Joe Burr enters the ring and faces Tommy Bedlam; another combination where there is a bit of history after both men fell through a table together a year ago. The confidence of Joe Burr is present as usual, as he seems to fancy himself against a much larger opponent. Tommy takes the challenge seriously and he catches Burr when the smaller man attempts to dive on him, but much to Tommy’s surprise, Burr shifts his weight and drills Tommy into the mat with a DDT!!

Everyone is taken by surprise and Burr starts to celebrate by dancing in the ring; the poor moves disgusting Chris Peacock. What Burr fails to notice though is the very angry Tommy Bedlam rising to his feet behind him and when Burr does turn around BEDLAM TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT WITH A DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! Burr does a full rotation in the air and Tommy, still in a fit of rage, plucks Burr from the mat and places his head in between his legs… AND TOMMY DRIVES BURR INTO THE MAT WITH A PILEDRIVER!!

Rod Sterling: “Things are not looking good for Joe Burr right now, and I think Peacock wants in to see this thing through!”

Christian Quinn: “What a gloryhog.”

As Tommy rises to his feet, he sees Peacock asking for the tag and obliges by smacking Chris’s hand, and Peacock comes in to pick up Burr from the mat and he plants him with a Famouser! Peacock flips Burr onto his back and then hooks both legs!

ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!

This time Reagan Cole breaks up the pin at the urging of Jeffry Mason! Cole stands in the ring once again and Mason tells him to repeat what he has done twice already and go after Bordeaux, but Trixie sees it coming this time and she reaches over the ropes and cracks Cole with a forearm as he gets closer to her… and she follows him into the ring as he turns around… SWEET DREAMS!! The Codebreaker sends the crowd into a wild frenzy as Trixie gets some revenge on Cole and Mason by extension. Cole rolls out under the bottom rope and is scalded by his ‘allies’ as he is out of it on the outside.

With Trixie savouring her moment of triumph, she fails to notice KAYDEN KNOX CHARGING IN AND KNOX DRIVES BORDEAUX INTO THE MAT WITH THE PEACE OF MIND!! Knox’s boots leave an almost-visible footprint on Bordeaux, but he himself doesn’t see KLEIO, WHO SPINS HIM AROUND… LETTERS TO KLEIO!! Knox is down now, and Maxwell Lester on the outside is beside himself.

Bodies are beginning to littler the ring and the outside as people are being taken out, and Kleio looks over to Golden’s team, expecting to be ambushed, but it doesn’t come. What she does not expect though is to be spun around by TOMMY BEDLAM! There is a moment of confusion but TOMMY DRILLS KLEIO WITH THE BUCKSHOT!!! Tommy took out his own partner in a showing of revenge!

Daniella Kennedy: “Turnabout is fair play for Kleio De Santos and The Coven!”

Tommy ignores the shrieks of the Ravenwood sisters on the outside of the ring as Kleio rolls out and lands at their feet. From in the ring, Tommy looks down, pleased with his actions even though it could be detrimental to his team’s chances of winning the match. However what he does not appreciate is that being so close to the corner and looking the other way puts him in perfect position for SLICED LIZ FROM LIZZIE ROSE!!! Rose plants Tommy on the mat and stands back up, but she herself does not see the INCOMING XYZ WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!!

XYZ though does not get much chance to follow up as he’s plucked from the mat by Devin Golden… ROTTEN TOUCH!! And just like that, the FWA World Champion is the only man standing in the ring and he holds his arms out and lets out a loud “HAAA-AAAAAAHHHH!”.

The noise level from the crowd rises though as someone rises behind Golden, and it is the man who he will face at Back in Town. Chris Peacock has a crazed look in his eye, chomping at the bit. Golden does not realise it until it is too late… he turns around AND PEACOCK TACKLES HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLE… AND PEACOCK DRIVES GOLDEN INTO THE MAT WITH THE ROLLER DISCO!!

Rod Sterling: “If we see that at Back in Town we could have a new FWA World Champion! Peacock gets his man tonight at least! Golden is not the legal man, though!”

In a moment of pure emotion, Peacock proudly stands over Golden and has some words for him, but he fails to notice someone sneaking up behind him…

JOE BURR WITH THE ROLL UP!!!

ONE!

…

…

TWO!!

…

…

…

THREE!!?

…

…

…

…

…

NO!!!

PEACOCK KICKS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!!!

The infamous roll up that has caught out many in the past does not get Peacock and Joe Burr realises the position that he is in when an infuriated Peacock rises back to his feet and stands over him… AND PEACOCK RUNS THROUGH BURR WITH THE STRUT!! Everyone else is down, and Peacock drops and makes the pin on the other legal man in the match!

ONE… TWO… THREE!!!



The fans cheer as Peacock gets up to his knees and is helped up by the referee and has his arm raised. A smile forms on his face in victory but this drops when he sets eyes on Devin Golden on the outside of the ring. Golden holds the back of his head and has his championship handed to him which he rests on his chest. Despite the loss tonight, the FWA World Champion grins at his number one contender.

Kurt Harrington: "Here are your winners… XYZ, Tommy Bedlam, Bellatrix Bordeaux, Kleio De Santos and CHRIS PEACOCK!!"

Daniella Kennedy: “What a match! That was ten FWA stars of the past, present and future putting it all out there and in the end, Chris Peacock has led his team to victory tonight and what a statement that is going into Back in Town where he will face Devin Golden for the FWA World Championship!”

Christian Quinn: “Good for Peacock, I guess? Look at Golden, he knows that tonight doesn’t matter. Even now, after everything Devin said to him earlier on, he still thinks he has achieved anything and that he’s got one over Golden. That isn’t what a champion does. Let him have this tonight, it is all he will be able to celebrate.”

Rod Sterling: “Christian, I may have to agree. Unless Peacock can get it done when it really matters, what is all of this for?”

With Peacock in the ring still reflecting on the match that was, we see some of the others around ringside; The Coven and Tommy Bedlam are squabbling about their multiple meetings of minds during the match, whilst both Reagan Cole and Kayden Knox are being admonished by Jeffry Mason and Maxwell Lester, respectively.

Rod Sterling: “Whilst the headline for this match is Peacock picking up some momentum going into Back in Town, there seem to have been a lot more issues that have developed as a result of this match! We’ll need to find out whether there are any ramifications that come from those, but there is just one match left tonight and it will be our second Semi Final of the F1 Climaxxx; Cyrus Truth and Alyster Black in tonight’s main event! But, wait, we’re being told that there is something happening backstage right now and we’ve got Katie Baxter trying her best to get on the scene!”



The feed cuts to what appears to be a frantic scene backstage, with Katie Baxter shown jogging down a corridor with the cameraman struggling to keep up. She turns around to the camera as she runs, dangerously not looking where she is going.

Katie Baxter: “We heard that there was a commotion of some sort taking place inside the office of Jon Russnow, and we’re just trying… to find out who is involved and what is happening…”

Katie turns a corner and narrowly avoids one of her coworkers, but the cameraman bumps into the man, who was carrying a cup of coffee and it spills all over his chest. The shot pans up to see a furious Derek Hunter, who reaches out to grab the cameraman as he escapes. Baxter calls from further down the corridor.

Katie Baxter: “COME ON! HURRY UP!”

The cameraman manages to catch up with Katie and she stops in the middle of the corridor and fixes her hair quickly, brushing it back. The sound of raised voices and arguing can be heard from further down the corridor. She motions for the camera to follow her as she walks closer towards it.

Katie Baxter: “Jon Russnow’s office is just a bit further down here and as I am sure you can hear, there is definitely some sort of disagreement happening.”

Baxter puts her hand on the doorknob and takes a breath before opening the door, revealing who is in the office with the FWA Brand Coordinator.

Katie Baxter: “Oh.”

The disappointment on the face and in the voice of Katie Baxter is evident as the camera moves on from her and the first thing shown is the semi-bare ass of Ratin Mikichin, who is in Russnow’s office along with Steve the Techno Vampire. Steve and Ratin are both shouting indecipherably at Russnow, who has his head in his hands. FWA referee Joey Ortiz stands behind Russnow with his arms folded, a scowl on his face.

Jon Russnow: “That’s enough. ENOUGH! SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!”

Russnow’s outburst has the desired effect, and the incessant squabbling thankfully stops.

Jon Russnow: “I’ve done everything in my power to make sure that you two get consistent opportunities in this company and what I do not need is you coming in here and causing all this trouble in my office! Now, I want ONE OF YOU to tell me what exactly it is that you want.”

Steve and Ratin look at each other, a silent disagreement occurs over who will be the one that gets to address Russnow. Steve shakes his head and rolls his eyes and motions for Ratin to go ahead.

Ratin Mikichin: “The referee screwed Ratin! Ratin was going to win the match and then he attacked us… we want justice!”

Steve the Techno Vampire: “Ve vant you to make this right, Russnow. Ve are villing to put our differences aside if you vill give us a match together against Joey Ortiz.”

From behind Russnow, Ortiz shakes his head and rubs his hand across his forehead, a mix of both amused and bemused. Russnow looks from Ratin to Steve and then back again.

Jon Russnow: “That’s what you want? That’s it? A Handicap match with the two of you against Joey Ortiz?”

Steve and Ratin nod in unison.

Jon Russnow: “Let me think about that for a second… NO! NOW GET THE HELL OUT HERE!”

There is quiet bewilderment on the faces of Ratin and Steve as both turn around, hanging their heads in dismay. They brush past Katie and the camera and we get another shot of Russnow and Ortiz.

Jon Russnow: “You’ve really got to pull yourself together, Joey.”

The smugness drops from Ortiz’s face due to the stern warning given to him by his boss. Ortiz bows his head down and exits the office too as Russnow shuffles some papers around.



Finding our way in a grand looking living room, the walls have a dark purple colour with wooden beams holding up a high ceiling. A glass chandelier with flower designs in it hangs from above. Below, a fireplace against the wall with a dark stone finish.The flame in it burns a light blue, creating something unworldly. The windows nearby show a dark void with small twinkles of light as if it was the night sky. Hanging above the fireplace is a picture frame with a blank white canvas.Two young ladies stand in front of it. The first has her feet hovering slightly off the ground, a rather cold expression. Keres. The daughter of Demise. Her hair is tied in two pigtails as she wears something resembling a school uniform with a skirt and tie, all black. Standing by her side is Princess Nova, someone who is slightly more familiar to the FWA fans. She has her usual attire of a luxurious dress, this one black with trims of purple flowers, hugging her curves. Her gloves on her hands are long black. Tiara, as usual, is on her head. Patiently standing, she folds her hands together as both her and Keres look at the empty picture frame.

Princess Nova: “Sister, why are we here, again?”

Keres: “It is time for preparation, Nova.”

Keres’ voice is somewhat monotone as she practically floats in place.

Keres: “Before we go into FWA, we need to understand what we are against.”

The hand of Keres motions towards the picture frame.

Keres: “Through this frame, we will peer into the hearts of the members of the FWA. We need to understand their potential and what art we can create together. I have much to learn about FWA. That is where you come in.”

Still standing in place, Keres turns towards Nova, her feet not even touching the ground.

Keres: “You had a brief exposure to FWA several weeks ago. Mother and father tasked you with surveying the land before we could make our decision. I am also not used to competing inside of a wrestling. Teach me. Teach me about what we have to worry about."

Politely, Princess Nova nods, appearing rather docile and giggly.

Princess Nova: “Understood, I will lend you my knowledge, hehe.”

Princess Nova takes a step forward towards the picture frame, she gazes up.

Princess Nova: “It is tradition in wrestling to aim for championships. Often represented in the form of a golden belt, they give you prominence. A crown for commoners, hehe.”

She points to her crown and smiles.

Princess Nova: “Often you have positions of greater importance on the show, but usually it is a sign of being the best. The individuals who rise above others. A symbol of strength. In fact, there is a championship designed for teams of two. As well as, in FWA, for championships for singles competitors.”

Keres: “Show me them.”

Keres orders her “sister” and she obliges. The picture frame, in front of their eyes, changes to an oil painting featuring the FWA Tag Team Champions, Michelle Von Horrowitz and Gerald Grayson, of the Nephews, they are The Connection. It is a recreation of them standing in the ring with the tag team titles in their grasp.

Princess Nova: “The FWA Tag Team Champions. The Gerald Grayson and Michelle Von Horowitz. The Connection representing a group called Cthulhu's Nephews. Michelle. She’s especially infamous.”

Keres: “Carry on.”

Keres says calmly, her face unflinching.

Princess Nova: “Decorated woman with world championships and main events under her belt, she calls herself “The Dreamer.” She is somewhat vain and ruthless in the ring, and unlike her partner, Gerald, is more than willing to get her hands dirty for a win. Defeating her, to some, is a rare occurrence.”

Keres hums, keeping her expressionless face.

Keres: “It is a wonder why she is so concerned in the tag team ranks? Surely if she is so strong she can take any championship she desires on a whim. Suppose she needs to “dream” such a thing? As the Heir of Fantasy, one day, you need to show her the true power of your imagination, Nova. But, of course, it will be a team effort and I will gladly be of assistance. What about her partner?”

Princess Nova: “By comparison, Gerald Grayson is an upstanding individual. He refuses to go to her lengths and instead aims for victory through speed, agility, and heart. Something I suppose I could understand in a past life. One I no longer need. Despite obvious talent, he appears to be slightly behind in the shadow of his partner.”

The head Keres has a slight tilt as she moves closer to the frame.

Keres: “Two people so different… as a strong team? Their bond is nothing compared to ours, not unless there is something that ties them together.”

Princess Nova: “Someone does.”

The frame's image changes in front of their eyes as soon, the other members of the infamous Cthulu’s Nephews appear around the champions.

Princess Nova: “Him, Uncle J.J. Jay and his Nephews. A team that exists for anarchy and has a world which in all that is TORN is obscure and empty. The traits of these individuals that they share are few and far in between, and yet somehow they exist as a team. These, for a lack of a better term, minions, have often become a difference maker in matches. Dare I say it appears that beyond being a tool for Miss Von Horrowitz to get ahead, they have grown far beyond its shelf life to some.”

Keres: “Disappointing that some hold onto deadweight. Instead of letting nature take its course so that they may return to the Earth and fertilize the future. It is a weakness I trust you do not have.”

Shaking her head, Princess Nova has a wide grin on her face.

Princess Nova: “Not at all!”

Keres: “I do wonder how much of the strength of the champions comes from their association with their Cephalopod loving friends? I think this should provide a good beginning for the future-”

Keres turns to Princess Nova. She floats closer to her right hand and gently places her hand on her shoulder.

Keres: “But we will not rush, nor should we limit ourselves to one domain. Their time will come. I have seen your potential on your own. I would love to succeed where my parents have failed and bring you to where you were destined to be. Who else finds themselves with gold?’

Giggling, Princess Nova responds giddily.

Princess Nova: “Gold you say? Teehee”

The painting warps and distorts to a familiar sight from the end of Fallout. An oil painting recreation of Devin Golden winning perhaps the final title win of his career, face bloodied on the triple cage, holding the FWA Television Championship with his hands taped up in glass.

Princess Nova: “Then I suppose it would be only fitting to go to the very top then, sister. Truly, this man is a foundational piece of FWA on what appears to be a potential swan song for his career. Devin Golden, despite being only 34 is battered and bruised and on his final legs. Though his golden touch remained, beating Black just last week for the world championship, it is a true question of how long he has left. We might not even get to him before he is gone.”

Princess Nova giggles.

Princess Nova: “Though how many truly stay gone? Hehe”

Keres: “This man has destroyed himself at such a young age? What a pittance? Going off in the sunset so soon. The truth is that his career will be long in the dirt by the time we may have a chance to face him. That is unless he gets drawn into his lust for gold once again. He nearly killed himself to get one more championship reign, what is to say he won’t do it again?”

With a coldness in her voice.

Keres: “Perhaps that time he’ll finally die for it?”

The picture frame moves to his opponent from the previous week, the man who has remained a constant for his title scene, X Champion Alyster Black. The signature mask of Alyster Black is seen in a head-shot.

Princess Nova: “Of course, this man here was the one Golden defeated, though he is not empty handed. Despite holding a championship held together by tape, Alyster Black has raised a championship with a focus on hardcore wrestling into a championship with near world title status, cemented when he won the vacant championship. Truthfully, I believe in my crown over one held together by tape, but he has given something shoddy, spilling his blood and that of his challengers for it, purpose.”

Keres floats back and forth around the painting, taking a long look at the former world champion. She hums.

Keres: “Maybe we can admire the black heart of a champion? Though his time on top was short. He rushed to the top quickly and fell just as fast and now he is back with his familiar, the X Championship. It will be a fun challenge to see what he can do? I believe there is a certain creation from mother which can always be revived for a man like him?”

She turns towards Nova.

Keres: “Fond memories for you, wasn’t it?”

Princess Nova giggles like a mischievous child. She places her hands behind her back.

Princess Nova: “Maybe, hehe. I think one Reagan Cole can attest to it being a life changing experience. Though we do have some connections to others in FWA, some looser than others. Such as a friend of an old friend”

The painting shifts from one masked wrestler to another. A scene of Vampyra during her entrance is painted with her FWA Television Championship over her shoulder. Princess Nova pouts.

Princess Nova: “Aww, it is so disappointing I can’t get to play with her friend again! She’s so cute!!!”

Princess Nova blushes and Keres says firmly.

Keres: “Focus, sister. Tell me about this masked woman.”

The TORN Angel shakes her head to refocus and she skips around.

Princess Nova: “Well, Vampyra is a young woman from Japan. Her experience in FWA is very limited but in a short time rose to the ranks of a champion. Though her sudden inclusion in a tournament called the F1 was surprising, and she lost three matches, she showed some potential. Though this should not be a surprise, despite being 21, she has wrestled since high school, primarily with a group called “MAYHEM” in Japan.”

Keres: “And yet the true MAYHEM lies within her mask.”

Keres floats in front of the painting and gets a long look at the FWA Television Champion’s portrait.

Keres: “Something tells me that there is a deeper meaning to her mask than she lets on. She picks a creature of the night and fiction, blood-thirsty. If only we can get a peer beyond her mask? That story will be one to tell.”

Turning to her sister, Keres floats next to her and asks.

Keres: “Any other champions?”

Nova raises her hand and the picture changes again. Continuing on, we have the FWA North American Champion, Bryan Baxter with his championship on his shoulder and the oil painting shows him in the ring with his estranged best friend, Jeremy Best. Seeing the tension between them, Keres asks.

Keres: “I sense tension. What is the matter between them?”

Princess Nova: “A reminder of the dangers of greed, Keres.”

Princess Nova takes a step forward, she turns to Keres to make sure she is paying attention as she points to the painting.

Princess Nova: “In the team of the Buddy System, Bryan Baxter was long an auxiliary player to his friend, Jeremy Best, but upon receiving a championship match and winning he slowly changed. The fires of the dark flame in his heart grew, stoked by Bill Scorpane. A rift has grown between them and his attitude has made his buddy grow closer to others.”

Keres: “Not everyone can handle that power unless they make sacrifices. It is a shame that his friend does not understand his change. This will either tear them apart or build them to be stronger if one opens their eyes to the possibilities.”

The painting has water like ripples in it and… the third party in this conflict, Lizzie Rose, appears between them. Keres tilts her head.

Princess Nova: “That is Lizzie Rose. The former champion who is innocently trying to be friends with Best whilst trying to get her championship back in her possession.”

Keres examines the picture of Lizzie Rose more. She looks long at her, trying to peer into the former champion.

Keres: “There is something familiar… with her. Not appearance...”

Looking back and forth between her “sister” and the painting, Keres tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Finally, she has a very light… smirk on her face, a rare show of expression, and she floats back to her sister.

Keres: “I believe it would be foolish for us to chase championship glory immediately. The time will come. I have different ideas.”

Princess Nova politely curtsies.

Princess Nova: “Understood, dear sister. What do you have in mind?”

Reaching forward, Keres gently touches Nova’s cheek.

Keres: “We will continue to discuss in the coming days. But we should focus our efforts on the roots of FWA before we bear the fruits of our labour. FWA will be thankful they found us as there are many who may find themselves in need of our guidance.”

Nodding, the Heir of Fantasy smiles.

Princess Nova: “Sounds fun. It seems like you are carrying on from Slate and Eden.”

Keres: “Not quite.”

Keres floats down and looks Nova directly in the eyes.

Keres: “I do not wish to make the same mistakes as Mother and Father. We will have a slightly different approach. I will show you more soon. Your personal journey is also far from over. I see a lot of my parents in you and that is a good thing. But I know we are going to be a force greater than they imagined. You have much to show me, and I believe I can iron out your… imperfections.”

The hand of Keres lightly touches Nova’s shoulder. Keres has a slight tilt of her head.

Keres: “It will be a long process and in the end, I need your unquestioned loyalty.”

Without any hesitation, Princess Nova nods.

Princess Nova: “I am forever at your side. I was told to take care of you. I took that position knowing what was required. I’m happy to help my sister.”

She does another curtsy to her “sister” and gives her a tight embrace. Keres lightly returns it.

Keres: “That is what I thought. Mother made the right choice in choosing you. Let us go. We have much to prepare.”

Raising her fingers Keres snaps and her, Nova, the painting, the entire room disappears left with black.



As Fight Night continues the entire arena goes dark. All that there is in the way of any light is a dull, blue light illuminating the opening of the entranceway. “The Sinking Night” by AFI begins to play.



Rod Sterling: ”What the hell, I knew Greece had issues with money, but a complete blackout right now is ridiculous.”

Daniella Kennedy: “I'm not sure that this is a blackout, Rod. I've heard rumors that someone might be returning to the halls of FWA.”

As the song makes its way a little after the one-minute mark the singer speaks the words, “I can feel it” and that’s when the crescendo of the song hits as the volume of the singer's voice raises up and the drums come in harder. Logan Darwin steps into the light of the entranceway. The song continues as Logan looks around into the darkness of the crowd. He raises his arm up, holding a fist in the air, and white pyro flies up in the air around him.

As the crowd roars for Logan, he then begins to walk from the entrance way and “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” begins to play, and the lights in the arena return to being on.



Logan makes his way to the ring and walks up the steps. The fans can now see that he’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a denim jacket that has leather sleeves. The back of his jacket has the phrase, “The Reaper Never Dies”. He enters the ring and climbs the closest turnbuckle and raises his right arm in the air with a fist, which is met with a mixed reaction from the crowd.

With a very stoic look on Logan’s face, he climbs down from the turnbuckle and grabs a microphone from the back pocket of his jeans. Walking to the center of the ring he looks into the camera and begins to speak.

Logan Darwin: “It has been 265 days since Logan Darwin has stepped his foot in an FWA ring, and add many more days before that onto the last time he has wrestled in one. I realize that, for the most part, you fans have all the right to hate my guts as the last time I did step in this ring it was to align myself with my son, Johnny “The Legend” Johnson.”

The mere mention of The Legend’s name throws the crowd into a frenzy of boos.

Logan Darwin: ”For that, I am sorry. I’m sure I don’t have to tell anyone in this crowd that family is complicated. This is not me saying that I need you to forgive me or forget that Johnny is my son. But know this, I’m not that person anymore. I’m not a person that is willing to take every shortcut there is to get ahead. I’m not that person that is willing to stab anyone who puts their trust in me, including family. I’m not that person who would step on everyone that I could in order to become a success here at FWA. Those were all antics of my son. At the time when he asked for my help I agreed because I thought it would mend fences between the two of us. Fences that I smashed down when I was a much younger man, one that had no earthly idea what the hell he was doing in this world outside of this wrestling ring. He reached out to me for help, and I did it because I wanted him to not make the mistakes I did when I was his age and I thought I could change him.”

Logan pauses for a second to think about what he is about to say next.

Logan Darwin: ”And I could not…”

Logan looks out into the crowd just to try to get a read on them and their reaction to what he is saying at the moment. He isn’t seeing much though in the way of sympathy.

Logan Darwin: ”The next question that needs to be answered would be, why have I returned now? If the last time was merely to help my wayward son out, why am I here now? Johnny is long gone, on the other side of the world from here. Living in a combine in Tahiti. So, why has Logan Darwin come back to FWA, now?

”That answer isn’t so easy. There is no reason for me to lie about it. I’m not exactly a young man. My body has been beaten down on more days than some guys in this locker room have been alive. I wouldn’t blame anyone for calling me a broken-down old man. Hell, I sometimes look in the mirror and think the same damn thing. I think that the only physical activity I should be doing is playing cribbage down at the local old folk's home, with people my age.

“The fact is though, when I first came around to FWA I wasn’t that young either. At that point in my life, I wanted one last ride being at the top of this business. I wanted one last ride as a champion with the strongest wrestling company there is, in the way of competition. That is FWA. Those goals have not changed. Those goals were the only fuel I had the past year and a half since I last stepped in an FWA to even get out of bed.

”I might be just a little older. I might be just a little slower than I was since the last time I wrestled in this ring. But the fact remains, this time around anyone that faces “The Reaper” will have to be ready to put me down for good. Because frankly this time around, “The Reaper” is going to get that run at the top or he’s going to die trying.”

With those last words Logan drops the mic and the mixture of emotions from the crowd has now tipped slightly to cheers mixed over a still strong reaction of boos. As Logan hops back out of the ring Fight Night continues on and fades into the next segment.



Backstage once again, and Alyster Black is shown walking down a corridor just before the main event of tonight’s show. ‘Black Jesus’ is doing everything he can to hide any adverse effects from the Winter Wasteland match which took place on Fallout 025 a couple of weeks ago.

As he walks past a group of people, one of them punches him on the arm and he turns around, ready to throw hands after this person broke his focus ahead of his match. The mood softens when he sees that it was Chris Peacock, speaking to some of the producers after his own match. Peacock drinks from a water bottle and hops off the crate that he was sitting on.

Alyster Black: “I almost sparked you out there, idiot. Good win, by the way.”

They share a laugh and bump fists.

Chris Peacock: “Thanks, at least tonight wasn’t a total bust for me after he handed me my ass earlier on. Doesn’t matter right now, though. Fuck him up, alright?”

Alyster Black: “What do you think I’m planning on doing?”

Another laugh. Another fist bump. Peacock moves out of the way to allow Black to pass as he heads towards the ring…





Cyrus Truth slowly walks out from the back as the crowd greets him with a standing ovation. Truth cracks his knuckles as he takes a moment to stand on the stage, the focus evident on his face.

Kurt Harrington: "Ladies and gentlemen… the following contest is scheduled for one-fall with a sixty minute time limit and is our MAIN EVENT of the evening! Introducing first, from The Long & Winding Road and weighing in at two hundred twenty-seven pounds… he is The Exile… CYRUS TTTTTTTRRRRRRRRUUUUTH”"

Christian Quinn: "What a moment this is for Cyrus Truth. Here he is with a second chance of life in the F1 Climaxxx and you can tell that he's not going to take this second chance for granted."

Rod Sterling: "That's absolutely right, Christian. Thanks to Chris Peacock's decision to cash in his Golden Opportunity at Back in Town, Cyrus Truth goes from thinking he was out to getting thrust back in with another crack at this thing. And if we know anything about The Exile... he is going to give it everything he's got to leave Athens tonight with a ticket to Back in Town."

Daniella Kennedy: "There's just one little problem, guys... he's got to get past the now former FWA World Champion to get there!"

Rod Sterling: "No one said it would be easy, Daniella! But what a match this should be... it's amazing to think that through all these years THIS is the first time these two are going to be meeting one on one... and what huge stakes!"

Truth makes his way down the aisle before climbing into the ring and discarding his grey hoodie before leaning against the ring ropes and awaiting the arrival of his opponent.



The fans in Athen give another standing ovation for the former FWA World Champion and current X Champion as he walks out from the stage, the X Championship proudly around his waist as he stops to stare down Cyrus Truth from the stage.

Kurt Harrington: "And introducing his opponent… currently residing in San Dimas, California… weighing in at two-hundred twenty-pounds.. he is the current FWA X Champion... "BLACK JESUS"... AAALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYSTER BBBLLLAAAAACK!"

Christian Quinn: "Just two weeks ago, Alyster Black literally went through Hell with Devin Golden and the fact that he's able to walk out here tonight is impressive enough!"

Daniella Kennedy: "If Alyster Black is breathing, he was gonna be here for this!"

Rod Sterling: "No doubt about that, Daniella. As bad as Cyrus doesn't want to waste his second chance... this F1 Climaxxx is a bit of a second chance for Alyster Black as well. We all know he is going to want to get the World Championship back... and he'll get himself that shot by winning this tournament."

Christian Quinn: "And he's been so impressive during this tournament run... he is coming into this semifinal match with an unblemished record in the F1."

Daniella Kennedy: "That didn't help Bryan Baxter earlier tonight, now did it?"

Rod Sterling: "Records don't mean anything at this point of the tournament. It's win or go home for both of these guys and neither one want to lose. This could be a war!"

Alyster Black climbs into the ring and shares a stare across the ring with Truth. The pair share a brief nod of respect for one another as the match is about to get underway…

But…



After the positive reactions we experienced for both Alyster Black and Cyrus Truth, the audience sounds hostile in comparison when Michelle von Horrowitz walks out into the arena for the second time this evening. She has her FWA World Tag Team Championship upon her shoulder and is, for once, alone. She strides down the ramp and towards the ring as both of the men inside of it eye her up watchfully.

Rod Sterling: ”And here comes that woman we were just talking about… the one that will meet either Alyster Black or Cyrus Truth in the final of the F1 Climaxx at Back in Town...”

Daniella Kennedy: “I guess Michelle von Horrowitz has more interest in the outcome of this match than the rest of us, despite the high levels of anticipation here in Athens - and no doubt around the world - for the first time match-up that’s about to unfold.”

Christian Quinn: ”Here to take a closer look, no doubt – and it appears Dreamer is on her way to join us here at the commentary booth…”

We hear the sound of a headset being picked up, the camera cutting to the booth where MvH gets herself set up. We look over her shoulder at the ring, where both men have now re-focussed their attention on the match to come.

Rod Sterling: “Michelle von Horrowitz, a dubious welcome to the commentary booth… though I guess we must be thankful you’ve at least come alone.”

Christian Quinn: ”Small graces, Rod…”

MvH: ”Wonderful to be here, wrestling fans! Rod, Christian, good to see you back and with four working limbs. Daniella, say hello to your brother for me.”

In the ring, the official conducts his final checks before signalling to the timekeeper’s area…

Cyrus Truth and Alyster Black circle the ring as the bell rings to start the match. Each man eyeing the other as they slowly make their way closer to the center of the ring, the crowd waiting with bated breath to see these two veterans clash. While only seconds have passed, it feels like minutes due to the anticipation but finally they meet in the center of the ring with a collar and elbow tie up. After some jockeying for position, it’s Cyrus pushing Black into the corner forcing a break up. But as he’s pulling away, Cyrus drives an elbow into the side of Black’s head!

Truth backs up and away from the corner at the behest of referee Richard Davis, giving a slight smirk as he motions for Alyster Black to bring it on from out of the corner. Black has no problems doing just that as he comes back out of the corner and heads in for another lock up. This time Truth comes out of the tie up with an arm wrench to Black, but Black reverses it and instead it's Black now applying pressure with an arm wrench into a wristlock. It’s only brief as Truth rolls to the mat out of the hold and then pops back up to his feet with an elbow to the side of Black’s head!

Christian Quinn: “Impressive hold and counter-hold, not to mention the strikes, from both men here. Michelle, how is it seeing your old rival Cyrus Truth take Black by surprise like that?”

MvH: “I’ve seen it all before, half a hundred times. We all have. Surprised Alyster’s being fooled. Though it’s possible he’s throwing him a bone, like his new buddy Disco Baby did…”

Black is staggered but comes right back at Truth, who takes Alyster down to the mat with an armdrag! Black quickly rolls back to his feet only to be taken down by a second armdrag from Truth, this time Truth holding on to his arm and wrapping his legs around Alyster’s head for a headscissors armbar submission!

While Richard Davis is there to check on Black, he definitely isn’t submitting her and he begins to roll on the mat, beginning to try and get to his feet while still in the submission, perhaps looking to lift up Truth off the mat, but Truth realises that Black is recovering and releases the hold and pops back up to his feet to drive an elbow into the chest of Black. But ALyster absorbs the blow! He stands firm and dares Truth to get him again! Truth is happy to oblige, this time coming at Black with a knife-edge chop to the chest. Black shakes his head and fires back at Truth with a knife-edge chop of his own! The stiffness of the chop filled the arena as Truth yelled out and fired back with a chop of his own!

Chop! Chop! Chop! Back and forth these two trade knife-edge chops in the centre of the ring, neither man giving an inch and the crowd eats it up, each chop getting a louder and louder pop from the crowd. After trading chops back and forth, it’s Black who finally breaks the exchange by surprising Truth with a headbutt instead of a chop! This staggers Truth back but Truth comes right back towards Black only to get caught with a swift kick to the midsection which Aly follows up by snapmaring him down to the mat. Truth lands seated on the mat as Black runs in with a dropkick to the back of his head! Holding the back of his head, Truth rolls across the mat and under the bottom ropes to ringside.

Daniella Kennedy: “Truth looking for a bit of a breather here after taking that dropkick right to the back of the head.”

MvH: “The old man needs to take five. Stamina not what it used to be. Age comes with its price for us all, though I have my excuses. It seems self-righteousness is useless in the face of the passage of time. But he’s stumbling right into the dragon’s den…”

Christian Quinn: “I agree, Michelle: could be a mistake! Outside of the ring is where Alyster thrives.”

Rod Sterling: “That’s a fair point but Truth is no slouch out there either!”

As Truth tries to shake off the cobwebs, Black Jesus doesn’t give him much time to recover because he dives out through the ropes with an elbow suicida that connects and sends Truth crashing into the safety rails! The fans at ringside get up close and personal as Alyster leans The Exile up against the railing and its a VIOLENCE PARTY up against the railing as the crowd goes wild. Aly unleashes some rapid fire chops and elbow combinations before grabbing Cyrus by the head and repeatedly slams his head into the railing before finishing him off with a big jumping kick to the head that sends Cyrus OVER the railing and into the front row!

Alyster Black takes a moment to walk back to the ring and roll in and out to break up the count of Richard Davis. He heads back over to Truth, who is struggling to get back to his feet on the other side of the railing. Black grabs him by the head and looks to suplex him back over the railing, but Truth battles back with a pair of elbows..and Truth reverses it and lifts Black up in the air! The fans clear out and it’s a vertical suplex from Truth INTO THE FIRST AND SECOND ROW OF CHAIRS!

Daniella Kennedy: “These fans are getting more than they bargained for in this one!”

MvH: “Pandering. Slightly pathetic, and perhaps even unbecoming of two former world champions. This referee is losing control…”

Christian Quinn: “I think the fans want more! They’re loving every minute of these two beating the living tar out of one another!”

Aly clutches his back in pain as Truth slowly gets up and grabs him by the mask to pull him back up to his feet. Truth tosses Black into the rail and this time it’s The Exile hitting some knife-edge chop combinations to Black’s chest before grabbing Aly’s right arm, lifting it up in the air, and driving it down across the railing not once but twice before backing up, clearing away the fans once again as he charged in with a CLOTHESLINE sending both men back over the railing to ringside!

Richard Davis very slowly continues his count, clearly giving these guys some leeway with such high stakes as Truth picks up Black and rolls him back into the ring before rolling back in himself. Black begins to get up to his knees… but Truth charges in…

WANDER’S WRATH! Truth makes the cover on Black! One - Two - Kickout!

Not deterred by the nearfall, Truth goes right back on the attack - driving his knee down into the right arm of Alyster Black twice before taking him by the mask to pull him back up to his feet.

MvH: “Credit where it’s due: Cyrus Truth is a tough old tree, and he knows how to control a match. God knows how I only won three out of five of our previous encounters - there’s a resilience and a drive about the Exile that can’t really be explained.”

Christian Quinn: “And Truth is finding himself in the driver’s seat right now and he especially seems to be focusing his attention on that right arm of Black Jesus.”

Rod Sterling: “This is not by happenstance. This is a calculated attack by Truth to take away one of Black’s biggest weapons, that One Shot Kill!”

Daniella Kennedy: “Taking notes, Michelle?”

MvH: “Uncle has an A.I. that does that, Daniella.”

After a couple elbow strikes to continue to wear down Black, Truth lifts the X Champion up into the air, driving his right shoulder down across his knee for a Shoulderbreaker! He goes for the pin again!

One! Two! Kickout again by Black Jesus!

Truth once again wastes no time going back on the attack as he drops a knee down onto Black and then grabs that right arm and locks in a Fujiwara armbar submission! Richard Davis slides down into position to check on Black, who can be heard expressing the pain but shakes off Davis. Truth continues to apply the pressure as he wrenches back on Black’s arm and shoulder, extending that 90-degree angle back as far as he can. Davis continues to check in on Black while the crowd is on their feet, cheering on Black.

Alystery begins to twist his legs, trying to roll and break the hold, but finally moves his legs over enough to get to the ropes and break up the submission. Richard Davis gives Truth a pat on the shoulder to indicate the rope break and Cryus releases the hold. He backs off as Black begins to pull himself up, clutching his right arm. Truth moved back in on the attack with a boot to the midsection before Irish Whipping Black into the corner!

Cyrus charges in with a clothesline to the cornered Black before he begins to unleash a flurry of stomps to Black’s midsection, working Aly down to the corner… Truth licks his lips as he looks out to the crowd…

FIRST FIVE STEPS! The crowd counts along as Truth stomps Black’s head into the turnbuckle! One! Two! Three! Four! Five!

Christian Quinn: “Stirring any memories?”

MvH: “A lot of this is, with both men. Those stomps are not a fun time, although even a dolt could surmise that by just watching them.”

Christian Quinn: “Can one surmise that you’d rather face Black in the final? Alyster has been on the receiving end of much of the Exile’s offence so far in this one, and may come into Denver weakened up by this onslaught.”

MvH: “Either of them will do, Christian. Cyrus is a man I know well, and though I tired of his words, I grew fond of our dances. And he hasn’t been able to leave my name out of his mouth ever since. A chance to silence him would be enjoyable. But I have a score to settle with the X Champion. Twice he’s beaten me, and now he debases himself with the company he keeps…”

The Former FWA Champion and reigning X Champion looks to be out of it as Truth pulls him back up out of the corner and brings him back towards the center of the ring. Fisherman Suplex into a bridge!

One! Two! Thre…Kickout!

Cyrus rolls back to his feet, stomping on Black’s back as he tries to get back up before lifting him up himself. He lifts Black up onto his shoulders in an Argentina Backbreaker looking for EXILE’S EDGE, but Black begins to struggle in his clutches. He delivers some elbows to the side of Truth’s head and manages to escape down the back! Truth turns around and is met with a HEADBUTT from Black!

Truth staggers back and Black strikes again with a leaping enziguri to take The Exile down to the mat!

Rod Sterling: “Alyster Black just swung that door back open and it looks like this could be his chance to battle back!”

Black holds onto his right arm as he delivers some stiff kicks to the back of Truth as he is trying to get up to his feet. Truth makes his way to the ropes and finishes getting back up to his feet but Black is right there on the attack as he scoops Truth up and bodyslams him to the mat before delivering a double foot stomp to the chest for good measure!

Black drops down for the pin. One! Two! Kickout!

Black Jesus goes back on the attack as Truth rolls up to his feet, sending Cyrus into the ropes but following him in with a rolling elbow strike! Truth falls backs into the ropes, but Black is slowed by the pain in his right arm. He shakes it off and sends Truth into the ropes once again, but Truth reverses it and Truth strikes with a discus punch! Black staggers backwards but mostly absorbs the blow! HEADBUTT from Alyster again! Truth falls into the ropes… and Black whips him into the ropes once again, and this time catching Truth off the ropes tossing him up onto his shoulders - POP UP Death Valley Driver!

Instead of going for the pin, Black steps over Truth, standing above him now before grabbing both of Truth’s arms and pulling back on them… he places his boot across the back of Truth’s head… CURBSTOMP! And the crowd loves it!

Black rolls Truth over and now goes for the pin!

ONE! TWO! THREEE-NO! Truth gets his shoulder up!

Alyster Black slowly pulls himself up off the mat. With Truth still down and slow to recover, Aly begins to climb to the top turnbuckle, perhaps thinking about a Diving Moonsault…

But Truth gets back to his feet while Black is ascending the turnbuckles… Truth hits the ropes with a SPRINGBOARD DROPKICK to the side of Black as he’s getting to the top turnbuckle… AND BLACK GOES SAILING OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE DOWN TO THE FLOOR at ringside!

Truth takes a moment to regain his composure before sliding out to ringside, looking to go back on the attack while Black is using the ring apron to pull himself up. Truth delivers a couple forearms to Black’s back before attempting to toss him into the ringpost… but BLACK REVERSES it and sends Truth HEAD FIRST into the ring post!

Truth hits the floor as blood now begins to roll down the forehead of The Exile. Black notices that as he reaches over and grabs a handful of Truth’s hair.

Christian Quinn: “Uh oh! Alyster Black smells blood in the water! This doesn’t bode well for The Exile!”

MvH: “Shouldn’t the Kennedy be the one doing shark metaphors?”

Rod Sterling: “I may be mistaken but it seems Dreamer feels less confident the deeper we go into this match, and the more she sees of her potential opponents…”

MvH: “...”

Sitting Truth up on the floor, Black stands behind him, holding his head up with a handful of hair… AND BEGINS TO DRIVE REPEATED ELBOWS down into the wound on Truth’s head! More blood begins to gush down Truth’s face as Black pulls him back up to his feet, clutching his head in a front facelock before DROPPING HIM WITH A DDT ONTO THE FLOOR!

Black picks up Truth’s motionless body, struggling briefly to get him up onto the apron and then pushes him under the ropes back into the ring. Black slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE! TWO! THREE!

No! Truth gets his foot on the ropes!

Black shakes his head as he reaches over and grabs the far leg off the rope and this time hooks the leg and makes the pin again!

ONE! TWO! THRE- KICKOUT!

Black pulls himself up as Truth begins to use the ropes to pull himself up as well but Black is there with a chop to the back and sends him back down to the mat with a BACK SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES, Truth’s head bouncing off the middle turnbuckle before he collapses down into a seated position. With Truth cornered, Black rushes in with a running facewash to the bloodied face of Truth.

Christian Quinn: “I’m not sure how much more of this Truth can take! His face is now a bloody mess as Black is not letting up!”

Black grabs Truth by the boot and pulls him to the middle of the ring before pulling him up by his hair. After helping Cyrus up to his feet, Black lets go of him and lets him stagger in the middle of the ring. Out on his feet, Truth looks to be in a world of trouble as Black measures him up… he runs to the ropes…

ONE SHOT KILL!

CYRUS DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY! A surprised Black gets hit by Truth with a stomp to the back of the knee - WANDER’S WRATH!

But Truth is unable to capitalise as he drops to a knee after laying Black back out. Black begins to slowly lift up on his arms on the mat, but Truth staggers over and knees him in the side of the head before lifting him up… into a Fireman’s Carry!

Rod Sterling: “This could be it! The Journey’s End could finish off Alyster Black here!”

MvH: “It will. Beyond a doubt.”

But Black begins to battle back on the shoulders of Truth, causing Cyrus to stumble towards the ropes and drop Black down across the ropes onto the apron! From the apron, Black delivers a forearm, but it's BLOCKED by Cyrus and Cyrus grabs that right arm and DROPS IT DOWN ACROSS the top rope! Black clutches his arm as Truth grabs him and runs with him from in the ring, Black running the apron and Truth drives Black head first into the top turnbuckle!

Black is left leaning up against the turnbuckles on the apron as Truth now begins to climb the turnbuckles from inside the ring… He tugs on Black’s mask and Black begins to climb up the turnbuckles from the apron…

The crowd is on their feet as now both men are standing on the turnbuckles… EXCHANGING BLOWS… Both men teetering with each blow…

But it’s Black who gets the upperhand… AND HE LIFTS TRUTH UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! AVALANCHE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!


Rod Sterling: “Alyster Black Does The Right Thing and Rides The Bomb To Hell!”

MvH: “Kubrick references are passé as hell.”

Christian Quinn: “These guys both want this so bad! They’re throwing everything at one another! And now they’re both down once again!”

Slowly… very slowly… Black rolls over and drapes his body across Cyrus.

ONE! TWO! THREE!

NO! SHOULDER UP by Cyrus at the last possible second!

Christian Quinn: “That was about as close as you can get to a three! I can’t believe Cyrus found the power to kick out of that!”

Both wrestlers are slow to recover, but as they are getting up, Black reaches over and grabs Truth, taking him down to the mat with the Saka Otoshi into the Bulldog Choke submission! Once again Richard Davis gets down into position to check on Truth, who for now is shaking his head, refusing to give up. Truth musters up the strength to lift himself up on his arms… slowly making the crawl towards the ropes while Black pulls back, putting as much weight across the back of Truth’s neck, pushing up on his feet…

But Truth continues the crawl and makes it to the ropes to break it up! Black goes on to release the hold. Truth grabs the ropes and begins struggling to his feet, blood still rolling down from his forehead as Black charges in with a big shoulder block that sends Truth through the ropes to ringside once again! Back in the ring, Black waits as Truth begins to get back to his feet at ringside before he charges to the far ropes… he runs and LEAPS over the top rope… FOSBURY FLOP connects to Truth to another big pop from the crowd!

Black gets back up to his feet first on the outside, grabbing Truth by the head and attempts to toss him head first into the ring post again, but Truth blocks it with his foot! Truth battles back with a pair of elbows to Alyster’s head before he shoves Black right arm and shoulder first into the steel ring post!

Alyster leans against the post, struggling and holding that arm in pain… as Truth runs in with a running BOOT TO THE ARM UP AGAINST THE RING POST!

Black slumps down to the floor, now leaning his body up against the ringsteps as Truth stalks over him. Truth notices Black’s position, cornered between the ring steps and the apron… and he stands over him…

FIRST FIVE STEPS - Truth STOMPS into Black’s face up against the ring steps as once again the fans count along! ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Truth pulls Black back up and rolls him into the ring and slides back in and goes for the pin.

ONE! TWO! THREE…BLACK gets his shoulder up!

Daniella Kennedy: “Just two?! I thought for sure that was it!”

Christian Quinn: “You have to wonder how much more punishment Alyster Black can take?!”

Rod Sterling: “With all Hell he went through against Devin Golden and this battle with Cyrus tonight… the fact that Black is still able to kick out is a testament to this man’s will to win!”

MvH: “It’s just a shame the other guy wants to win, too, and is just getting finished caving his head in with his boot. A will to win will only get you so far, tulips…”

Truth looks over to Richard Davis who confirms it was just a two count before he begins to get back up. He reaches up and wipes the blood away from his eyes and grabs Black. Cyrus lifts Black up into a Fireman’s carry… looking for the Journey’s End…

BUT BLACK ESCAPES DOWN THE BACK!

Truth turns around…

ONE SHOT KILL!

It connected!

“FUCK!”

That is the sound of Alystery Black dropping to a knee and clutching his arm in pain as Truth hits the mat as well. Black manages to crawl over and get the pin!

ONE! TWO! THREE!

NO! Truth with the last second shoulder up again!

Daniella Kennedy: “Cyrus kicked out of the One Shot Kill!”

Rod Sterling: “I don’t think he got all of that with that damaged arm though! That along with not being able to make the immediate pin factors in to this match still going on!”

MvH: “When he’s in the ring, Cyrus Truth is a thinker. A real ring comandante. That strategy paid off and saved the match-up for him right there. It is only a shame his intellect doesn’t extend to those frequent occasions when he finds a microphone in his hand and a spare forty minutes to monologue.”

An exasperated and exhausted Alyster Black sits up on his knees as Truth rolls away out onto the apron, trying to recover while Black begins to get up. Black makes his way over to the ropes and grabs Truth by the hair before attempting to suplex him back into the ring, but Truth battles back and lifts Black up over the ropes, but Black comes back down and lands on the apron alongside Truth! The two begin to exchange blows on the apron, Truth lighting up Black with knife-edge chops while Black strikes with his left hand! Chop! Chop! Chop! Black gets the upper hand and brings a knee up to Truth’s midsection before grabbing him and hitting a Russian Legsweep OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR!

Both men are down once again as Richard Davis begins to slowly count them out outside the ring. They both begin to show signs of life… stirring as they get up onto all four limbs and Black grabs ahold of Truth’s head first and drives a knee into his bloodied forehead before locking him in a front face lock and setting him up for Satan’s Spike on the outside!

He lifts him up…

But Truth battles it off! A combination of elbows to Black’s midsection creates some distance…

And instead it’s Truth lifting Black up onto his shoulders…

JOURNEY’S END TO THE FLOOR!

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!” the crowd echos as once again both men are down!

Daniella Kennedy: “I echo that sentiment…”

MvH: “Terrible chant. Terrible crowd.”

Christian Quinn: “That could have done Alyster in… but it looks like Truth is barely able to move either after the move! We could get a double countout here!”

Rod Sterling: “No one wants that and I don’t even think FWA official Richard Davis does either… he’s been very lenient with out his count tonight because we all want to see a definitive winner here!”

MvH: “Rules are rules, Sterling. Count them both out and be done with it.”

Truth finally is able to get to his feet, grabbing Black by the mask to pull him up and onto the apron, sliding him back into the ring with Truth following in to finally break the count. But Truth doesn’t go for the pin!

Christian Quinn: “What’s he doing? Shouldn’t he be going for the pin here??”

Instead… he pulls Black back up to his feet… he pulls him up onto his shoulders once again and walks to the center of the ring…

Rod Sterling: “THAT’S what he’s doing, Quinn! He wants to make sure Alyster is down for good this time!”

MvH: “...”

ANOTHER JOURNEY’S END!

Truth hooks the leg!

ONE! TWO! THREE!



A bloodied Cyrus Truth stumbles to his feet and is greeted by Richard Davis who lifts up his arm in victory. The crowd gives Truth a standing ovation for his win and his efforts.

Kurt Harrington: "Here is your winner… Cyrus Truth!!"

Christian Quinn: "What a match and what a finish! Cyrus Truth has done it!”

MvH: “Just barely…”

Rod Sterling: "These two absolutely gave each other all they could take… but it is in fact Cyrus Truth who is going to Back in Town to face off against Michelle von Horrowitz, the woman sitting immediately to my left, in the Finals! Two opponents who are certainly no strangers to one another!”

Daniella Kennedy: "I don’t think anyone will argue with another chapter in that rivalry! Michelle?”

MvH: “Excuse me, tulips. I want to offer my congratulations.”

We hear the sound of a headset being set down as Alyster Black rolls out of the ring to give Cyrus Truth the run of the stage. Truth spends a moment climbing up to the second rope, where he doesn't pose, but instead stares out over the arena. His ribcage expands and falls with heavy breathing following his exertions in the main event.

Rod Sterling: "The Exile goes for over thirty minutes here in the main event against the FWA X Champion… but there's no rest for the wicked! MvH rolls into the ring behind him…"

Daniella Kennedy: "Is Truth going to have to fend her off, too? Wouldn't surprise me, but I'd have hoped for better from one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions."

Truth hops down from the second rope and turns around, realising now that his old rival has left the commentary booth, entered the ring, and now stands before him. She is smiling, but there's a sinister and almost condescending edge to it. She's also giving him a short clap, joining the audience in their applause as his music blares out of the arena's speakers.

Truth takes a couple of steps towards her. He has no words for Dreamer. Not right now. All he offers her is a glare.

And, in return, Michelle von Horrowitz offers him a handshake…

Daniella Kennedy: "A show of respect?"

Rod Sterling: "Unlikely, Daniella. More mind games, I'd wager…"

Truth looks down at Michelle's outstretched hand, and then up into her eyes. He holds the glare for a few moments, his facial expression unchanging, before he turns away. The handshake remains unreciprocated as he climbs out of the ring.

Christian Quinn: "The Wayward Warrior wants nothing to do with it. He's been burned before by Dreamer, and so he heads to the back."

Daniella Kennedy: "Seems like the animosity between these two is still very real."

Rod Sterling: "And the latest chapter of this rivalry is now only three weeks away! Thank you for joining us for this very special edition of Fight Night, ladies and gentlemen – it's been an absolute honour. For myself, Christian Quinn, and Daniella Kennedy, it's good night, and we'll see you in Denver!"

The show ends with a shot from over Michelle's shoulder as Cyrus walks up the ramp, not once turning back to face the woman he'll go to war with again at Back in Town...