RAZOR Wrestling Episode #13

The sleek and stylish RAZOR Wrestling signature plays and we find ourselves inside an unfamiliar arena…in México. The final stop on RAZOR’s first excursion is here in Guadalajara! The fans inside Palacio Dorado are cheering, booing, doing all sorts of unhinged shit. The crane camera comes down to ringside with the voices of RAZOR Wrestling.

DICK DELAURIER: Welcome wrestling fans to Episode #13 of RAZOR Wrestling on GRBG! I am Dick Delaurier and I am here with my broadcast colleague, The Incorrigible Fiona Metz! Metz, we are set for our second show in México and–

Delaurier doesn’t get to finish his introduction because a glass bottle has smashed over his head! Shards of glass and a mist of liquid briefly cloud the air. Delaurier’s head drops onto the announce table and a pool of blood starts to color his notes. The perpetrator reaches over the barricade and drags Delaurier into the crowd! BRAVE Security isn't doing anything to stop this!

FIONA METZ: Woah, woah, WHAT THE FUCK!?

We get a better look at the attacker and it’s someone in a pure black luchador mask. The attacker plants Delaurier with a ddt onto the concrete! Fiona Metz rips off her headset and looks to vault over the barricade but she’s being held back!

FIONA METZ: Get the fuck OFF OF ME!

One of the burlier members of BRAVE Security has Fiona in a bear hug! The attacker in the crowd is setting Delaurier up for a piledriver on the concrete! Fiona acts quickly and throws her leg backward with every ounce of energy in her body. Ding! She kicks the security guard squarely in the bean bag, breaking his grip.

Fiona quickly steps off of her chair, onto the guard rail, and flies through the air into the crowd! She takes the attacker down before he can do any further damage. But it doesn’t end there. Fiona is frenzied. She starts hammering the attacker with rights and lefts. She is beating the absolute piss out of this person.

DICK DELAURIER: …Metz...

Fiona stops her onslaught and turns back to see her broadcast colleague, her friend, laying in a pool of his own blood. Delaurier isn’t moving and a circle of fans has surrounded him. Everyone is quiet.

FIONA METZ: No-no-no-no-no-no…

Fiona releases her grip on the attacker and goes to tend to Delaurier but BRAVE Security is over the railing. Three security guards subdue Metz as Dr. Kelly Costa and her medical team try to make their way through the audience to get to Delaurier as the attacker flees, lost in a sea of wrestling fans.

We hastily cut backstage and Brick Kind is staring at a monitor looking very concerned. He is startled by a voice in his ear. Kind puts his hand to the side of his head and listens intently.

BRICK KIND: Right. Sure.

Kind frantically starts looking around and he spots someone. Kind dashes out of frame and he quickly approaches CARNAGE Pro World Champion, “Gosuto Sutori” Reid Ashford.

BRICK KIND: I’m here with Contagion member Reid Ashford. Mr. Ashford, could we get a quick word?

REID ASHFORD: A quick word.

BRICK KIND: (under his breath) Of course, not like I’m trying to fill time or anything.

REID ASHFORD: What?

BRICK KIND: Two weeks ago in Manchester you received a note from someone who seems to be coming for your CARNAGE Pro World Championship. Any ideas on who it was from?

REID ASHFORD: Yeah I have a pretty good idea who it was from. And I welcome their challenge. But none of this cloak and dagger bullshit. If they want to challenge me then they can come to Las Vegas in two weeks and stand face to face with me.

BRICK KIND: Are you going to tell us who you think it is?

REID ASHFORD: And spoil the surprise? No. I’m all about surprises. People were surprised when I joined up with Jack McGrath. They shouldn’t have been. At Superunknown Jack reached the level of violence that I knew he was capable of. I have a knack for bringing that out of people. Now, Contagion is the dominant force in RAZOR Wrestling. Not The Consortium, not Los Rebeldes, it’s us. Three World Championships and counting.

BRICK KIND: Fair enough. Well thank you for the time, Mr. Ashford.

REID ASHFORD: Get used to chasing us down, Brick. Contagion are going to have a lot of mayhem to answer for. Gotta say.

Ashford walks out of frame and there is a stir in the audience. A small chant starts up but it quickly fizzles without being identified…

The commotion in the arena has subsided and we return to the announce desk. Kenny The Ring Boy is quickly sopping up the blood on the desk as our new commentary team is ready to take on the task of replacing Dick Delaurier and Fiona Metz.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Howdy ‘rasslin fans. I can’t really believe what we just seen here with our colleague Dick Delaurier. We’re told that he is receiving medical treatment and that an ambulance is on the way. But the show must go on, ain’t that right, Tozi?

TOZI CHAVIRA: When you live among warriors there are occasions when you are called to find the warrior within yourself.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Not entirely sure what that means but we both wish Dick Delaurier a quick recovery. He’s a tough old chunk of coal, I’m sure he’ll be back in no time.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Lacerations to the skull. A possible concussion. His road to recovery will be long and treacherous.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Thanks fer keepin’ it light, Tozi. Fans, we’ve got a barrel of incredible wrestlin’ action fer ya t’night so let’s get to it!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Commence battle.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: But first, I'm told that we're gonna head on backstage...

The scene opens as Harvey Francis and Bob Regan make their way down a long hallway in the back, having a nice chat about their match last week. Bruised and bandaged, our make-shift duo still managed to become the number one contenders to the tag team championships. Regan takes a sip of his morning coffee, while Harvey pours an absurd amount of sugar into his coffee. Bob stares at the sugar entering the mug, rubbing his head before taking the sugar from his tag team partner. The veteran of the team looks over to the older rookie - and tries snatching the sugar back out of his hand.

HARVEY FRANCIS: What gives, Bob!? I haven’t gotten to maximum sugar level yet!

BOB REGAN: Think of your heart, Harvey.

Harvey pauses for a moment, almost as if he’s genuinely asking his heart what it thinks about the ordeal.

HARVEY FRANCIS: I think my heart would want me to have more sugar, Bob.

Mister Regan shakes his head, tossing the bag of sugar into a nearby garbage container. Something inside Harvey dies as he watches the sugar sink into the gross abyss of the container.

HARVEY FRANCIS: WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, DUDE!? THAT COST ME TEN DOLLARS!!!

Bob turns his head back to the garbage container, then back to Harvey.

BOB REGAN: … you spent ten dollars on sugar?

Harvey nods, causing Regan to grow to a level of disappointment previously only believed to be achieved by white people's parents. The disappointment quickly fades as Regan pats Harvey on the back, now ushering him down the hallway.

BOB REGAN: Anyways, we are on the second leg of our well-earned vacation. Do you have any plans for after the show?

HARVEY FRANCIS: That bag of sugar and I had a lot of plans, actually. Now, I’ll probably cry in my hotel room eating Haagen Dazs while listening to an Adelle CD.

BOB REGAN: What is … Adelle?

Harvey now has the same white people’s parents disappointment look on his face as the question leaves the mouth of his tag team partner. He shakes his head, sighing deeply.

HARVEY FRANCIS: Augh - nevermind man. You wouldn’t know good music if it punched you in the fa-

Bob pulls Harvey away suddenly, to the younger man's confusion. Harvey begins to spout another "what the fuck" when Bob points to who he was about to collide with. It's hilarious that saying "you wouldn't know good music if it punched you in the face" manages to summon one of the faceless men on the roster. Specifically the one in the mask toting a shiny gold belt with TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP on it. Pedro Gonzales steps out from behind him, mixing some creamer into his own coffee. Fire Sale stare at him.

PEDRO GONZALES: What? I like Adelle.

He sips on his drink as he taps Harvey on the chest.

PEDRO GONZALES: But Señor Bob is right. You should watch that ticker. Don't want it to blow up mid-match. There's nothing sadder than fighting two men destined to get heart attacks before we can hand them out.

Harvey takes a step back, looking down at his cup of coffee, muttering something about knowing *someone* in RAZOR having taste, then looks back up at Pedro. Bob takes a step closer, peering at the two men in his way.

BOB REGAN: I appreciate the agreement on the matter of Harvey’s health - but I do not wish to have my opinion weighed alongside that of two pieces of garbage like yourselves.

HARVEY FRANCIS: Me personally? I don’t think the two of you even need to be worrying about my heart. Worry about your stupid faces, and how many times my fist’s gonna come crashing into ‘em when we take those stinkin’ belts from ya!

Harvey goes to jump on Pedro, but is swiftly snatched down by Bob Regan.

BOB REGAN: Harvey’s correct. The two of you need to worry more about what is going to happen to you in our championship encounter than what is going to happen to Harvey’s heart if he has that coffee. The two of us want the two of you at the top of your game - and to be truthful? The fact that you two have accepted the challenge of two competitors from outside of this promotion has soured my opinion of the two of you. I thought you were supposed to be fighting champions - yet you’re here in Mexico, while the two of us are also here in Mexico, and yet … we aren’t receiving our shot at the Tag Team Championships.

PEDRO GONZALES: And whose fault is that?

The champs look at each other as if trying to find this answer themselves. They shrug and return to lock eyes with the contenders.

PEDRO GONZALES: I don't know if you boys have noticed, but we have been defending these titles from the second we've gotten them. We haven't taken a single week off without a defense, whether it's on the main show or Shotgun. And we have made it painfully clear to everyone that it doesn't matter whether you're from this roster or not. If you really want to fight Los Rebeldes, we are not that hard to find. That is the definition of being fighting champions.

Pedro smirks.

PEDRO GONZALES: Then again, you two don't seem like the type to read the dictionary. Now if you're done making up shit excuses for not telling the Consortorium "hey, where's our title shot?" or not stepping up to the challenges we've been faced with…

He pauses to completely drain his cup before throwing it to the side.

PEDRO GONZALES: Then why wait? Let's do this now. You warmed up, hermano?

PNG chuckles in response and immediately drops his title, ready to see what they'll do.

Harvey goes to say something about how reading the dictionary is the most boring thing someone could do and connecting that to the possible reason Pedro Gonzales is celibate - but Bob Regan CRUSHES his coffee cup with his right hand before he reers back and hauls off with a WILD punch in the direction of PNG - causing Harvey to throw his cup into the wall and FINALLY finish jumping on Pedro Gonzales!

Pedro rips Harvey off of his back and throws a punch into his gut, causing Harvey to stagger back before throwing one of his own at Pedro! The two grab at one another and battle for position while PNG ROCKS Regan with an uppercut! Regan shakes off the cobwebs, and goes to tackle the larger man - just as FLG security swarms the area - gripping up all four men and pulling them apart as Harvey and Pedro yell obscenities at one another.


The RAZOR Tag Team Champions, Los Rebeldes del Bien are on their way to the ring. Their opponents, the rookie tag team of Lienzo Blanco and TRIV quietly appeared from backstage and are in the ring waiting for the champions. Pedro Gonzales and Persona Non Grata appear to be in quite the pissy mood, likely due to the fact that they are short one member, and that they have already been in one fight tonight.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I wouldn’t wanna be these greenhorns right now. Los Rebeldes are lookin’ mighty ornery after that brawl with Fire Sale.

TOZI CHAVIRA: These warriors relish battle. But losing a comrade on the field can be an emotionally taxing experience.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: He ain’t dead. He hit a cop in the nethers!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Loss can come in many forms.

Los Rebeldes toss their championship titles into the ring. Pedro Gonzales leaps up onto the apron and enters the ring. Gonzales beelines for referee Sean McCauley and grabs him by the shirt. Gonzales points at the titles and McCauley nods in acquiescence.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Looks like we’ve got us a match for the straps! Fire Sale ain't gonna like that!

TOZI CHAVIRA: This will be the young tag team’s undoing.

Lienzo Blanco looks terrified. “You might be asking yourself, how can you tell if he’s wearing a mask?” Well dear reader, emotion isn’t purely depicted via countenance. Blanco timidly takes his spot on the apron and lets his partner TRIV start the contest. TRIV is bouncing from one foot to the other – he is ready to go.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: We were already fixin’ to have three championship matches t’night and now we have a fourth! RAZOR Wrestling is giving these Méxican fans quite the show already!

TOZI CHAVIRA: What is a champion if they do not have their prize contested? I say kudos to Los Rebeldes for never resting.

Sean McCauley holds up the Tag Team Championships, passes them off to Big Mouth Mindy, and then calls for the bell. TRIV darts across the ring at Pedro Gonzales and eats a STIFF bicycle knee for his tenacity. TRIV is rocked and can’t defend himself when Gonzales grabs him by the wrist and yanks him into a capture suplex!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Thanks fer comin’ out TRIV! At least you’ll get that title match bonus.

TOZI CHAVIRA: The true supplemental gift is that of feeling the enormous pressure of a championship contest. He will learn from this trial, he will grow.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: No doubt about that!

Lienzo Blanco’s eyes are wide in terror behind his mask as Pedro Gonzales tags in the imposing Persona Non Grata. El Pesado of Los Rebeldes enters the ring and the Guadalajara crowd cheers wildly. TRIV is up to his feet but is quickly put down with a lariat from PNG. Displeased with the lack of fight in his opponent, PNG hauls TRIV up and launches him towards the opposing corner.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Seems like PNG wants TRIV to make the tag.

TOZI CHAVIRA: He has tested TRIV. TRIV did not pass. Let us witness Lienzo Blanco’s attempt at ascension.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Yes! Let us!

TRIV looks up at his partner and makes a weak tag. This is Lienzo Blanco’s moment. Will he live in fear or will he rise to the occasion. Guadalajara cheers the rookie on and he morphs into a being of pure resolution. Persona Non Grata stomps towards the rookies’ corner and in that moment Blanco shoots into the air with a springboard and–

TOZI CHAVIRA: An ascension…grounded.

–eats a lariat out the sky! Lienzo Blanco flies backward and lands right on his face. Persona Non Grata gives the young luchador no time to rest as he stands him up and delivers a boot to his mid-section. Within seconds PNG has Blanco up for a powerbomb! PNG takes two steps and brings Blanco crashing down to the canvas.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Dang! Lienzo Blanco’s great grandaddy felt that one!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Our ancestors feel what we feel. They see our deeds and cast judgment.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Know that fer a fact do ya?

TOZI CHAVIRA: It is known.

TRIV is up in his corner and he reaches for a tag. What he instead receives is spinning backfist to the mush that drops him from the apron. Persona Non Grata takes a prone Lienzo Blanco by the wrist and drags him to the Los Rebeldes corner. A tag is made and before Blanco realizes that he will soon be dead – he is. Los Rebeldes hit the discus lariat/pop-up bridging German suplex. Mala Onda! Sean McCauley slides into the count.

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here are your winners and STILL RAZOR Wrestling Tag Team Champions, the team of Pedro Gonzales & Persona Non Grata, LOS REBELLLLLLLDES DEL BIENNNN!

"Legend Has It" by Run The Jewels starts to play and the champions are cheered, likely because they share a nationality with the crowd. Sean McCauley hands the titles to the champions but Pedro Gonzales doesn’t seem particularly interested with their victory. His eyes are fixed on TRIV, who is in the ring tending to his partner.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Pedro Gonzales is not yet finished with his evening.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: What else can they do to these poor saps?

TOZI CHAVIRA: Much.

Pedro whispers something to Persona Non Grata and it earns a nod from El Pesado. Suddenly PNG levels TRIV with a lariat! The kid is knocked out cold. Los Rebeldes proceed to leave the ring but PNG drags TRIV under the bottom rope, tosses the unconscious luchador over his shoulder, and they leave ringside for the curtain.

We cut backstage with the photogenic, smiling mug of Brick Kind, dressed to the nines with a bowtie to truly highlight his diminutive, “cute” vibe that he exudes so well.

BRICK KIND: RAZOR Wrestling continues from Guadalajara, and with me at this time is one of the newest faces around the locker room, the “Skid Row Angel”, Roxie Dixon.

The camera pans back to reveal that Roxie Dixon is indeed there, smiling widely as she smacks on some gum. Dressed in a pair of tight black jeans, a tucked-in white tee and a black leather jacket, a pair of black sunglasses covering her eyes. She looks extraordinarily relaxed, the epitome of rock and roll cool.

BRICK KIND: Roxie, how are you feeling having got some RAZOR Wrestling action under your belt?

Roxie chomps on her gum as she considers the question, leaving it hanging for several seconds before she finally answers.

ROXIE DIXON: Well in classic deflection style, Brick, I’m gonna answer a question with a question: can you feel it?

Brick blinks, seemingly thrown off by the question.

BRICK KIND: Can I...feel it?

Roxie simply nods her head.

ROXIE DIXON: Yeah, yeah, can you feel it? Or better yet, can you taste it?

Brick seems unsure how to respond, stammering as he takes back his microphone.

BRICK KIND: I don't think I understand.

Roxie looks a bit disappointed before she takes the microphone for herself.

ROXIE DIXON: Can you feel the fact that the world is relieved that the wait...is over. The world has been anxious, sweating, staying up at night, pacing back and forth and asking themselves the same question over and over and over again: when is she coming? When is the most rockin’, headbangin’, most ass kicking competitor in the history of RAZOR Wrestling was gonna break the scene? When is she gonna make her big splash? When is Roxie goddamn Dixon gonna turn this mother upside down, inside out, round and round and make it her bitch? Well don’t worry, Bricky, or all you other beautiful babies out there. Because Roxie? I'm here, sweethearts. And now? Now the real fun begins. Now the party can officially kick off. Because everything before your best gal Roxie showed up? That just was the opening act. But now the headliner, the life of the party is here. So you can all stop worrying, stop shaking with worry, stop wondering when oh when is she gonna shake things up. Because I’m here babies, and the Roxie Show is just getting started.

Brick is finally able to claim his microphone back, mostly holding back his amused grin before his next question.

BRICK KIND: I guess with an intro like that, there’s only one other question: do you have your eye on anyone in particular?

Roxie shrugs her shoulders, her confident smirk returning as she cants her head to one side.

ROXIE DIXON: How much time you got, Bricky? Because there ain’t no-one around here who don’t have a front row seat to the Roxie Show. Who about to have their minds blown and expanded. But since you asked, if you really want to know where my head is at? Why I came to RAZOR Wrestling tonight? Let’s just say that I have my eye on tonight’s inaugural Vanguard title match. Will be watching it…very closely. Because smoke on the street is, that’s the belt that designates excellence in the fine art of professional wrestling, the master of the mat, the true ring royalty. And so I’m here to see who walks away with that prize. Because whoever it is? I’m going to put my chips all on the table, right here, right now.

At this point Roxie whips off her sunglasses and stares directly down the barrel of the camera.

ROXIE DIXON: Bryant, Warren, let’s get one thing clear. The two of you tonight have the chance to make history, as the first ever to hold that beautiful chunk of hardware. An honor to be sure. But whichever of you absolute meatheads win, you have a very, very simple job that I think even the two of you can handle: keep that beauty nice and shined up for me. Because consider this your very first call out, your first challenge. Because no matter who walks away tonight? You have a single fate, and that’s forking that baby over to me in two weeks. So enjoy it while you can. Hit the town, go crazy. Hell I’ll pay the tab. But know that this ain’t your story. This ain’t your show. It’s the Roxie Show, and you best not forget it.
With that, Roxie storms out of frame, leaving just Brick to smile at the camera.

BRICK KIND: Roxie Dixon, challenging whoever walks out of tonight Vanguard Champion. Now let’s head back to more hard-hitting action after this commercial break!

In what looks like the parking garage of Palacio Dorado we see a horde of BRAVE Security standing around Fiona Metz, who is in handcuffs. She also looks like she has been roughed up quite a bit.

FIONA METZ: Y’know boys, if you wanted to put handcuffs on me you could have bought me dinner first.

A laugh can be heard off screen and then they appear; Horado Basa and Mauler Metz of The Consortium. Trailing behind them is RAZOR Wrestling General Manager Sophie Whimm.

HORADO BASA: Even now she can find humor in her situation. You have raised quite the firecracker, Mauler.

MAULER METZ: Aye. Isn’t she something.

Mauler approaches his daughter and takes her by the chin.

MAULER METZ: México can be a dangerous place, lass. You should know that better than anyone. You had a tough time when I sent you ‘ere on excursion.

FIONA METZ: What can I say, Dad? I discovered mezcal. Drinking does run in the family. How’s your jaw?

MAULER METZ: After all these years it’s still made of granite.

FIONA METZ: Didn’t look that way in Manchester.

MAULER METZ: A lucky punch. Doesn’t mean a thing.

HORADO BASA: Perhaps we can save the family squabbling for another time. I am trying to run a wrestling event here. And unfortunately, Ms. Metz, it is an event that you will have to miss. I cannot afford to have your…personalidad spoiling it. Take the night off.

FIONA METZ: Where is Dick?

HORADO BASA: Funny you should ask. Here he comes now.

The camera pans over to show Dick Delaurier being loaded into an awaiting ambulance. The camera closes in on his face and it’s…not good. There is dried blood all over his face and he appears to be unconscious.

HORADO BASA: We will ensure that he gets the best medical treatment that Guadalajara has to offer. Do not fret, Ms. Metz. But as for now, I must ask you to leave the premises. Have a wonderful evening.

MAULER METZ: Tata, girl.

Both Basa and Mauler walk out of frame leaving Sophie Whimm standing there wringing her hands together.

SOPHIE WHIMM: Gee, Fiona. I sure am sorry about all of this. Aw peanuts, you’ve gotta believe that I had no idea they were going to do that.

FIONA METZ: Come closer, Sophie

Trepidatious at first, Sophie leans in closer to Fiona.

FIONA METZ: (whisper) I’m going to fucking kill all of you.

Metz lunges forward and tries to bite the General Manager. Sophie darts backward and BRAVE Security starts dragging Fiona Metz towards the exit.

FIONA METZ: YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE DEAD!

Sophie Whimm watches as Metz is carried out of the building. The General Manager’s eyes are welling up with tears as we cut.

The second match of the night sees “Hell’s Heartthrob” Jacky Sweetwater take on Ladron de Almas. Both competitors are in the ring with referee Gina Stripes. Sweetwater refuses to take off his sunglasses when prompted and Almas appears to take this personally. The Soul Thief paces to the middle of the ring to stand face to face with Sweetwater.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I’m familiar with Ladron de Almas. This fella practices some ancient Aztec black magic and he has been known to cause some wild stuff to happen.

TOZI CHAVIRA: One that is skilled in the mystic arts is one that a warrior needs to be cautious in engaging.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ain’t that the truth!

Ladron de Almas slowly reaches up and delicately takes Jacky Sweetwater’s sunglasses with both of his hands. Almas removes them and stares into Sweetwater’s eyes. Sweetwater is confused at first but all becomes clear when Almas’ eyes roll back into his head leaving only milky white nothingness!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Do not be confused – this warrior is not of this realm.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: What realm do ya reckon he’s from?

TOZI CHAVIRA: The realm of shadows and endless night.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I think I worked that territory back in the 90s. It’s called Baltimore!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Make jest if you will, it comes for us all eventually.

Jacky Sweetwater is disgusted…but only for a moment. A sly grin creeps across Sweetwater’s face and then BANG he drills Ladron de Almas with an elbow strike. Almas responds with one of his own so Sweetwater answers back with a jab to the nose. Then a second. Then a third! Jacky winds up for a haymaker–

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: One in the chamber!

–Ladron de Almas blocks it! Almas takes Sweetwater over with an arm drag! Both men pop back up but Almas grabs Sweetwater by the throat. Sweetwater bats at Almas’ arm, trying to break his grip, but The Soul Thief is intent on…stealing his soul! Sweetwater hits a toe kick to Almas’ midsection and then delivers an inverted atomic drop! Almas is stunned long enough for Sweetwater to lift him up and PLANT him with a body slam!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I think that body slam cracked the Earth’s crust!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Hell would spill out.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I’m not saying literally.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Do not speak falsehoods in my presence.

Hell’s Heartthrob parades around the ring, “raising the roof” as a testament to his insane upper body strength. Or so he would have you believe. Jacky Sweetwater is plain shocked when Ladron de Almas sits right up. Spooky! Sweetwater is perplexed. He runs up and kicks Almas in the face, sending Almas back down to a prone position.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Sweetwater knows not of the darkness he flirts with. He will find himself consumed should he continue smirking in its face.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: You wanna go tell him that?

TOZI CHAVIRA: My comfort is dependent on my remaining at your side.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Fair enough!

Jacky Sweetwater takes some more time to play to the crowd in Guadalajara but they don’t care for him in the least. Someone throws a cup of (what we hope is) beer in Sweetwater’s direction but he dodges it with minimal effort. Sweetwater flips off the crowd and turns back to face Almas…who is standing up straight behind him!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Goddamn I didn’t even see him stand up!

TOZI CHAVIRA: He is swift, like the frigid hand of death.

Ladron de Almas rolls his eyes into the back of his head and we can hear Jacky Sweetwater say, “What the fuck?” before Almas shoots him into the ropes! Sweetwater rebounds and Almas drops his head, set for a back body drop. Sweetwater stops short and applies a front face lock! Sweetwater pops his hips and Almas is on the mat with a snap suplex. Sweetwater hits the ropes and comes back with a leg drop before making a cover. Gina Strips slides in to make the count.

1..!

A huge pop from Guadalajara! Jacky Sweetwater barely gets a one count! Ladron de Almas gets back to his feet and Jacky throws a haymaker. It’s caught! Almas keeps hold of Sweetwater’s hand, slaps him in the chest, and then runs up the ropes! Almas walks, balancing on the top rope, and then leaps off with a hurricanranna! Guadalajara has come unglued as Sweetwater pops back up and stumbles into a corner.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Ladron de Almas is as comfortable in the heavens as he is on solid ground. This poses a great threat to his opponent.

Ladron de Almas holds out his hands and slowly has them rise to meet above his head as the crowd’s “Ohhhhhhs” grow in volume. Almas points both fists at Jacky Sweetwater in the corner. The Soul Thief charges in looking for a Stinger splash but Jacky slips through the ropes to the apron at the last second. HAYMAKER! Sweetwater cracks Almas in the side of the head from the apron! Almas is subdued in the corner as Sweetwater re-enters the ring.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: What a heavy shot from Hell’s Heartthrob!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Hell has no heart.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Do you?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I did…in another life.

Guadalajara has quieted some but Jacky Sweetwater tries to change that. He mocks Almas, raising his hands above his head slowly. When his hands meet, Jacky thrusts his pelvis in Almas’ direction and then charges in with a running body press! It connects! Almas drops to a seated position and Jacky starts strutting around the ring like he owns Palacio Dorado. The fans aren’t happy but Jacky gives ‘em the ol Sweetwater thrust and…well they don’t like that either.

TOZI CHAVIRA: The spectators are growing angry. This is not the course to travel.

Hell’s Heartthrob turns his attention back to Ladron de Almas, who is still seated in the corner. That haymaker knocked him dumb. Jacky calls out to México and they collectively respond by telling him to die in a fire. Jacky shrugs and charges towards the corner; he hits a cannonball senton on Almas! FIREBALL! Jacky drags Almas out of the corner and covers. Gina Stripes pounces on the canvas to make a count.

1..

2..!

KICKOUT! The Soul Thief is not quite dead. Jacky isn’t frustrated. He stands Ladron de Almas up and peppers him with a few rights and lefts. Jacky starts dancing around the groggy FLG roster member. Almas looks for a stinging right hand but Jacky blocks it and pulls him into the BRAIN BUCKET BREAKER! The ushigoroshi knocks Almas silly and Jacky has had enough. It’s time to end this tilt.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I don’t think ol’ Jacky’s soul is in jeopardy tonight…

TOZI CHAVIRA: There will be other nights for it to be at risk.

Ladron de Almas rolls onto his stomach and slowly gets up to all fours. Jacky Sweetwater has The Soul Thief in his sights. Almas starts to stand and Jacky takes off from across the ring. BANG! A running punt to the side of the head. Kickshift! Almas is down again and Sweetwater falls into the cover, nodding along with Gina Stripes’ count.

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here is your winner, “Hell’s Heartthrob” JAACKYYYYY SWEETWATERRRR!

"Immortal" by Clutch starts playing throughout Palacio Dorado. Gina Stripes raises Jacky Sweetwater’s hand in victory. Guadalajara starts peppering the ring with trash but Jacky just struts through the shower of garbage. He grabs the camera by the lens.

JACKY SWEETWATER: I’ve got some words. You tell Bricky Brick to come find me because he does NOT want to miss what I’ve gotta say!

A few fans try to hop the barricade and that’s Sweetwater’s cue to exit. Hell’s Heartthrob jogs up the ramp, laughing like a mad man in the face of certain death.

The scene begins in the Palacio Dorado wrestlers' car park, where we see from afar the arrival of the new United Wrestling Kingdom Heavyweight Champion as he steps out from his car carrying the trophy draped around his waist and sporting an official CØNTAGIØN member t-shirt. All cameramen are told to approach the scene as Brick Kind rushes over to Adam Garcia carrying a microphone in his hand.

Upon seeing the pathetic situation and Brick Kind's pathetic shape, Adam kindly does them the favour of approaching the scene himself. A now exhausted Brick Kind and Adam Garcia stand together only a few steps away from the private entrance to the arena.

BRICK KIND: Just...Huff...Gimme....huff...A second.

Adam struggles to contain a grin but is incapable at the stupidity of the situation.

Brick groans with a sigh although at heart he's used to Adam's shenanigans, he clears his throat and brings the mic closer to his mouth.

BRICK KIND: Two weeks ago you managed to defeat "The Cant" Tom Canterbury who had been unbeaten for 551 days, how does it feel to have taken down Mauler Metz's star, and more importantly, to hold the gold in your hands after so long?"

ADAM GARCÍA: Didn't we have this conversation already the other day?

BRICK KIND: One of the cameramen got so drunk that he accidentally erased everything that was recorded on tape that night.

Adam sighs and smiles.

ADAM GARCÍA: Look, everyone kept talking about my curse, weren't they? The curse is broken, and that's all that matters. My nerves definitely got the better of me, and the interferences weren't helping me much either, but this time I had people watching my back.

BRICK KIND: Which leads me to my next question, Why did you join CØNTAGIØN? You currently hold an impressive record while just fighting on your own, so why would you join a team now?

ADAM GARCÍA: Brick, I mean, how many people do you think have ever come to talk to me in this company other than you, no one, well...no one so far. For the first time ever I have people who are willing to stand up for me with nothing in return, who have been through the same things I have. Jack, Reid and Josh all stood up for me without even asking for something in exchange, I could have turned down their offer and the title would still be mine. I guess after all these years, it was time I had people I could trust, that I could call friends. Now, if you'll excuse me, they're waiting for me in my locker room.

Adam says goodbye and walks briskly into the arena.




It’s time for a grudge match of sorts. SHADOJIMA and Samhain attacked RYKO following the latter’s trios match two weeks ago and that led to RYKO being joined by Saya Onikawa for this contest. RYKO starts the match against Samhain. She immediately charges and hits him with a basement dropkick to the knee! Samhain is rocked! RYKO catches him with a round kick to the side of the head and then tags in Saya Onikawa!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ponytails came in with a game plan and they are workin’ it to perfection!

TOZI CHAVIRA: There are no certainties in this sport. Nothing is impossible. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: But if you fail to plan then you can’t plan to fail because you didn’t plan…

TOZI CHAVIRA: Do not strain your mind, Champion.

Ponytails take a very brief moment to set up and then SMASH Samhain with a double dropkick! Samhain is down but is quickly back to his feet. He looks around for his opponent but Onikawa hits a springboard and is already sailing through the air. She hits Samhain with a surprise flying backstabber! Samhain is down again and Onikawa immediately tags RYKO back in.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Quick tags. Classic tag team strategy.

RYKO slips through the ropes. Saya Onikawa calls out to her partner as Nana Tsukina applauds both of her clients.

SAYA ONIKAWA: ROCK

RYKO: ON!

Ponytails blast Samhain with a superkick and he falls into a corner. Saya Onikawa drops to all fours. Guadalajara cheers as RYKO charges and steps off of Onikawa’s back to hit Samhain with Poetry In Motion! Onikawa slips out of the ring at the behest of referee Zach Ebra.

TOZI CHAVIRA: I have respect for the Hairstyles. They are strategists.

RYKO is plotting her next move Samhain is right back up to his feet. RYKO rushes him and leaps up onto his shoulders. Samhain prepares for an electric chair drop but RYKO quickly switches her position and hits him with a Mysteriorana (Electric chair twisted into a hurricanrana)! Samhain is down again and RYKO makes the tag to Saya Onikawa.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Perhaps the loss to Carlos Hernandez two weeks ago has hurt the Kaiju more than we realize.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: They are gettin’ worked by Ponytails right now, no doubt about that!

Ponytails quickly strategize as Samhain is back up to his feet. The Nana Productions members attempt a double superkick again but Samhain explodes and takes them both out with a double clothesline! Both RYKO and Saya Onikawa are turned inside out! Samhain makes the tag to the incensed SHADOJIMA. Samhain gets RYKO up in a military press and dumps her over the top rope.

TOZI CHAVIRA: This was, perhaps, inevitable.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: On paper, this is a wild mismatch.

Saya Onikawa is left alone with the Kaiju. Samhain and SHADOJIMA lift Onikawa up to her feet. SHADOJIMA grabs Saya by the throat as Samhain drops to a knee. The crowd in Palacio Dorado goes silent as SHADOJIMA hoists Onikawa up and drops her with Kyojinslam (Chokeslam) over Samhain’s knee! Nana Tsukina gasps. RYKO is back up on the apron. Onikawa screams in pain.

TOZI CHAVIRA: That was…horrific. I enjoyed it.

SHADOJIMA watches as Saya Onikawa staggers back up to her feet. Immediately SHADOJIMA blasts her with a palm strike. She flies backward and does an involuntary backflip, landing on her face. SHADOJIMA grabs her by the back of the neck, lifts her up off of the mat, and destroys her with a clothesline. SHADOJIMA covers.

1..

2..

..!

Kickout! Saya Onikawa is still alive! SHADOJIMA lifts her up off the mat and Onikawa attempts a tornado DDT out of desperation but SHADOJIMA turns it into a powerslam. Onikawa is driven into the mat with extreme prejudice. SHADOJIMA roars in satisfaction and then tags in Samhain.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ponytails are in deep trouble here.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Monsters are real. Hairstyles are learning that right now and they will never forget this lesson.

The crowd goes silent again as Samhain climbs to the top rope. Guadalajara doesn’t want to see what is about to happen. SHADOJIMA lifts Onikawa up onto his shoulders. The Kaiju attempt a Doomsday Device but Onikawa throws her body back just as Samhain launches himself off of the turnbuckle! Samhain misses his thrust and eats canvas as SHADOJIMA is taken down with a poison rana by Onikawa!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: This is the opening that Ponytails needed!

Both SHADOJIMA and Samhain are down. Saya Onikawa crawls toward her corner. Guadalajara cheers her on. Just as she is about to reach RYKO, both Samhain and SHADOJIMA sit up! SHADOJIMA grabs Onikawa by the boot and Samhain charges across the ring like a rhino and knocks RYKO off of the apron.

TOZI CHAVIRA: As is often the case, defeating monsters in the initial encounter is rare. This is a learning experience for the Hairstyles.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: It ain’t over yet.

Samhain drops an elbow onto the small of Saya Onikawa’s back as SHADOJIMA gets back on the apron with Shinobu Tsutsumi directing traffic. Samhain drags Onikawa back towards the wrong corner and tags in SHADOJIMA.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: This is like watching a horror movie.

TOZI CHAVIRA: A tame one…at the moment.

RYKO gets back up on the apron just in time to see Saya Onikawa get planted with a double chokeslam by the Kaiju! SHADOJIMA covers and RYKO tries to make the save but Samhain grabs her by the throat as she enters the ring plants her with Hellbound (Sit Out Chokeslam)! Zach Ebra makes the count.

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here are your winners, the team of SAMHAAIN & SHADOJIMMMMMAAAAA!

This is usually where the victors’ music plays but SHADOJIMA and Samhain have not stopped their assault! Shinobu Tsutsumi slides two steel chairs into the ring before Nana Tsukina can stop her! The two managers start arguing as the Kaiju collect the weapons.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ponytails’ night just went from bad to nightmare.

SHADOJIMA and Samhain both lift up their chairs and smash RYKO and Saya Onikawa in the back respectively. Onikawa was hit so hard that she spits up some blood! The Kaiju give Ponytails some time to stand as they ready their final assault.

TOZI CHAVIRA: While I admire the heart of the Hairstyles, they should have escaped at the first opportunity.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: That isn’t their style.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Perhaps it should be.

RYKO and Saya Onikawa help one another to their feet. Onikawa’s chin is streaked with blood. The Kaiju stomp across the ring and look to bring down the steel chairs but Ponytails unload double superkicks that send the chairs into the faces of their rivals! Both SHADOJIMA and Samhain drop and roll out of the ring at Shinobu Tsutsumi’s call.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this!

SHADOJIMA clearly wants to get back in there but Tsutsumi won’t allow it. Nana Tsukina enters the ring to stand with her team. There are some words exchanged between the two trios but no more will come of it…tonight…maybe.


CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Helluva lot of action backstage tonight, I’m bein’ told that Brogan Duffy and Jack McGrath are havin’ words!

The shot cuts to the employee cafeteria of the Palacio Dorado. “Patient Zero” and Brogan Duffy are nose to nose, seething with rage. It doesn’t take much to get these two going. Duffy has his back against the wall, while McGrath has all of CØNTAGIØN behind him. Garcia, Ashford and Mac are all foaming at the mouth.

JACK MCGRATH: Why the fuck are you on my show again? You don’t even have a fucking match.

“The Bastard” Brogan continues to stare into the one good eye of Jack McGrath. Not backing down a single inch.

JACK MCGRATH: If you came all the way to Mexico to demand another title shot… it isn’t happening. Or did you just come here for the tacos?

Jack grabs a handful of tortillas and shakes them wildly in front of Duffy. Brogan understands the predicament that he is in, and holds his ground. The wolves behind McGrath are daring Brogan to make a move.

JACK MCGRATH: I find it hard to believe that you’ve got nothing to say…

BROGAN DUFFY: Oh, you’re right, I’ve plenty to say to the likes of you and your pack of bitches. You’ve done quite a job for yourselves, haven’t you? A new member of the whiny bitch brigade and a new belt to go with it. Though, we all know that just like my piece of tin here-

Duffy flashes the Wrestle Italia Championship in their faces before continuing.

BROGAN DUFFY: It’s not worth much compared to yours, Jacky boy. Then again, you haven’t even defended that title yet against a real competitor. But don’t worry, I’m waiting in the wings to give you everything you damn well deserve for screwing me over. In the meantime, I’ve got a title, I might as well defend it, and show these people who the REAL World Champion in this company is! And to sweeten the deal, I’m choosing one of your fellow shitheads.

Brogan’s eyes shift away from McGrath and scan the faces of the rest of CONTAGION.

BROGAN DUFFY: Adam, it’s not going to be you because we already know how that’s going to go down; another cleanup on Aisle Jackass.

Garcia tries to rush forward at “The Bastard” but Josh Mac holds him at bay with whatever strength he can muster.

BROGAN DUFFY: Reid, I don’t want you falling back on an excuse regarding your hand when I beat the shit out of you. And Jack’s too much of a pussy to get in the ring with me, that’s been made loud and clear. So that just leaves you…

He points at Josh Mac, gaining the young rookie’s attention. Accepting the challenge, Mac steps forward and McGrath steps aside, a look on his face that says “You better be ready.” Within seconds, the two Irish combatants are nose to nose.

BROGAN DUFFY: Let me level with you, countryman. To see you running with these pieces of shit breaks my little bastard heart. You have some talent, I’ve seen it, but you chose to get to the top by hanging onto McGrath’s balls rather than on your own laurels. That decision is going to cost you because now I’m going to prove to everyone, including your bitch brigade, that you can’t hang with the big lads.

JOSH MAC: I’m going to make you regret those words, Duffy. You’re no countryman of mine. Now get out of here before we rip you limb from limb…

Duffy smirks, accomplishing exactly what he set out to do. He pushes through CØNTAGIØN as the scene cuts to a commercial.


You ever see those travel Tik-Toks where Americans are in Mexico buying enormous barrels full of Margarita at these huge outdoor stall/bar things? We’re at one of those. Several of the RAZOR Enhancement talent have gathered here to unwind and get trashed to nurse the abuse they have been put through, including Kid Kahuna who is immediately handed a full cup. There’s loud music and everyone seems to be having a good time.

KID KAHUNA: On the house?

MIGUEL ROJAS: Yeah, the….guy by the stereo is paying for basically everything. I’m choosing not to ask questions about how that works because the drinks are free.

Kid Kahuna looks over to the source of the music and is confused when he doesn’t see anybody….and then a closer look causes him to realize there is a loose raccoon munching on an unattended bag of Chicharrones de harina by the stereo.

And then he feels the hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, Uce!”

He almost wants to cry.

OLLIE MAVERICK: I’m here on business and someone said they saw you nearby and I just had to come say ‘Hola!’. In fact I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.

Ollie clinks a bottle of Tamarind soda to Kid Kahuna’s mug-o-rita before putting the bottle to what we can assume are his lips since we can’t see his face.

OLLIE MAVERICK: I’m actually out here on business. I have that bull match coming up so I’m meeting a guy here to buy the biggest, nastiest bull he’s got.

KID KAHUNA: Uh… you’re in a Bull ROPE match. There’s no actual bulls in a bullrope match.

A pause. Followed by a nervous chuckle.

OLLIE MAVERICK: Ha! I knew that. I definitely totally knew that for real.

Ollie takes out his phone and begins frantically constructing a text message,

OLLIE MAVERICK: The REAL reason I am here is because I have something for you.

KID KAHUNA: It had better be an apology.

Ollie sighs.

OLLIE MAVERICK: It is… look, I want to offer a sincere apology for not showing up on Shotgun for a little but so we can do all that fun wacky stuff we do. That’s not fair to our friendship and I really really want to make that up to you.

Ollie takes off his backpack and removes from it a gift-wrapped package. Understandably, Kid Kahuna eyes this with great suspicion until he opens it and finds… really well made new ring gear in the popular ‘Aloha shirt’ pattern of red with white hibiscus flowers. Kid Kahuna actually looks touched by this gesture.

OLLIE MAVERICK: I get all my gear made here and had a special order put in for you. I hope that’s cool.

KID KAHUNA: I uh… it’s incredible, Ollie. Thank you.

OLLIE MAVERICK: Least I could do, bud. See you at the next Shotgun!

Ollie takes a few steps way.

KID KAHUNA: Hey, Ollie?

Ollie stops and turns.

KID KAHUNA: …Mahalo.

We can’t see how wide Ollie smiles but it’s pretty wide. He continues to walk away as his phone begins to buzz and he stops to answer it. In the background we see Kid Kahuna admiring his new gear, especially the fancy cape with a completely red lining.

OLLIE MAVERICK” Hello? No no no….it turns out I don’t need a bull so we can call the whole thing off.

A pause as Kid Kahuna excitedly waves his new cape around.

OLLIE MAVERICK: Ah beans…uh… NO NECESITO UN TORO.

Another pause.

OLLIE MAVERICK: ….’Estoy aqui?’ What do you mean you’re already he-

And then suddenly the crowd screams as Kid Kahuna absolutely has his shit destroyed by a charging bull.

OLLIE MAVERICK: I’ll uh… I’ll call you back. HEY FERDINAND! You’re about to be Carne Asada if you don’t back off my friend!

And unfortunately the camera cuts out before we see what happens between Ollie and a live bull. Here’s hoping he isn’t dead.



This is a first for RAZOR Wrestling, an eight person tag team match, known in México as a Lucha Atómica. The faction with three world champions, Contagion is in the ring staring across at the contingent from FLG; Javier Castillo, Halcón, Sombra Mortal, and Lucia Navarro. Each member of Team FLG is a former FLG Campeón Supremo. Vivian Rosser is on the call.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Not only is this the first eight person tag team match in RAZOR history but it’s the first time Contagion has been active as a unit.

TOZI CHAVIRA: I feel for Team FLG. They are using sticks and stones to face AK-47s.

UWK Heavyweight Champion, “Mad Bull” Adam Garcia starts the contest for Contagion against five time FLG Campeón Supremo, Javier Castillo. Garcia is feeling pretty confident as he marches to the middle of the ring but Castilla starches him with a right hand. Castillo hits some more heavy blows to Garcia’s mid-section and sends him into the ropes. Garcia returns with a sling blade! Castillo is down and Garcia makes the tag to Reid Ashford.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Here comes the CARNAGE Pro World Champion. His first match since gettin’ his fingers cut off. You can only say summat like that in a company like this.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Such is the will of a warrior.

“Gosuto Sutori” Reid Ashford enters the ring, fully recovered from having his fingers chopped off a few months ago. Ashford and Garcia send Javier Castillo into the ropes and take him down with a legsweep/King Kong Lariat combination! Josh Mac cheers from the Contagion corner as Jack McGrath watches with stoic judgment.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Ever since Superunknown Jack McGrath has reached another level of combat. He went from aimless soldier to seasoned general in a short period of time.

Javier Castillo rolls out of the ring and Halcón comes in with a springboard because this is lucha rules! Halcón flies toward Reid Ashford but the CARNAGE Pro World Champion is ready! Ashford catches Halcón out of the air with the Railgun (Spinning Backfist)! Halcón lands in a heap on the mat and rolls under the bottom rope to the outside. Undeterred, Sombra Mortal comes in for her team.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Team FLG needs to get out of the barn here.

TOZI CHAVIRA: The white flag would be a choice for most but Team FLG are too proud. It will cost them.

Reid Ashford backs into his corner with a smile. He holds his hand behind him, while keeping his eyes on Sombra Mortal. Josh Mac accepts the tag. Mac enters the ring and Mortal rushes Mac and Ashford. The Contagion duo catch Mortal with a double flapjack, dropping her neck first on the top rope! Mac immediately climbs to the top rope and comes off with the Brain Rot (450 Splash) onto Mortal! Mac looks shocked that he hit it! He covers and Vivian Rosser makes the count.

1..

2..!

Lucia Navarro enters the ring and breaks up the pin! Navarro mounts Josh Mac and starts hammering away at him. Navarro hauls Mac up to his feet and drops him with a brainbuster! Guadalajara pops. Navarro calls out to her adoring public but during that time Mac rolls out to the floor. This gives RAZOR World Champion “Patient Zero” Jack McGrath the opportunity to enter the ring.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Here comes Patient Zero…perhaps the most dangerous competitor in all of RAZOR Wrestling.

TOZI CHAVIRA: He has ascended to a higher plane of combat. This is obvious.

Lucia Navarro squares up with Jack McGrath but the RAZOR World Champion is immediate. He absolutely trucks Navarro with a lariat. She rolls out of the ring to safety. Javier Castillo comes back into the ring and stand face to face with Patient Zero. McGrath gestures for Castillo to “bring it” and the two start exchanging blows. It goes back and forth a half dozen times until McGrath ducks under a shot from Castillo and plants him with Fatal Dose (Hangman's neckbreaker)! McGrath covers but the rest of Team FLG enters the fray!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: It’s a stampede!

The other three members of Contagion all enter the ring and pair off with Halcón, Sombra Mortal, and Lucia Navarro. The three defending members of Team FLG are all sent over the top rope in short order. Javier Castillo is left all alone with Contagion at full strength.

TOZI CHAVIRA: This is your moment, Javier. Fight until you cannot.

Javier Castillo stands, surrounded by a pack of Wolves. Reid Ashford is the first to strike as he hits Castillo with a knee to the stomach. All four members of Contagion beat Castillo down. They are rabid. They are vicious. They are a unit. Ashford collects Castillo and plants him with Arma Mortis (Tiger Driver '91)! Adam Garcia gets Castillo up immediately after impact and plants him with Grand Finale (Blade Runner)! Josh Mac climbs to the top rope and without hesitation he hits Pure Passion (High Angle Frog Splash)! Castillo is done. Jack McGrath finishes him off with Things Fall Apart (Vertical Drop Brainbuster)! McGrath points to the floor while keeping his eyes on the hard camera. Ashford, Garcia, and Mac all dive to the outside on separate sides of the ring, taking the remaining members of Team FLG down. McGrath covers Castillo.

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here are your winners, the team of Josh Mac, the CARNAGE Pro World Champion Reid Ashford, the UWK Heavyweight Champion Adam Garcia, and the RAZOR Wrestling World Champion Jack McGrath, CØNTAGIØNNNNNNNNNN!

"Juggernaut" by Cave In cues up and CØNTAGIØN reconvene in the ring with their respective championships (except for Josh Mac). The quartet stand with their arms raised as we head to a commercial break.



In the parking lot of Palacio Dorado four figures step onto the scene. It’s the Four Of Eight, or 4O8 (if you will); Hope Freya, Ax Rockwell, Zilpah Okelo, and Masaru Shinja. As the quartet approach the service entrance they are confronted by FLG security and Horado Basa.

HOPE FREYA: We are not here to cause any issues Señor Basa. We only wish to establish a dialogue.

HORADO BASA: Is that right, Ms. Freya? Well unfortunately that is not a possibility tonight. You see, The Consortium has a great deal of business tonight. Speaking with Molly Bones’ afterthoughts is not an immediate concern. We tried to send a message to the “Originals” and you four did not seem to get it.

AX ROCKWELL: We got no interest in betraying Bones. This is her company.

HORADO BASA: And of course you would be loyal to her, she is your step mother. But the other three, I do not understand. One of your compatriots has seen the light, you should do the same.

The 4O8 all show varying degrees of confusion until another figure steps forward. It’s RAZOR Original “Maître Artiste” Pascal Gaudin.

PASCAL GAUDIN: Sorry mes amis but your crusade is not something that I have any interest in. I will not have my career stifled by standing for a woman who hated me.

ZILPAH OKELO: Motherfucker, you are garbage.

PASCAL GAUDIN: Perhaps. But I am ordures with a very nice contract, thanks to my friends in The Consortium. I do not think that Craneo has any interest in helping you either, seeing as she is an FLG talent. PJ Lemon has fallen off of the face of the Earth and poor Sergei is still laying in a hospital in Las Vegas. You simply do not have the numbers.

HORADO BASA: He speaks the truth. The four of you are the last remnants of RAZOR’s infancy. The company has grown into something better without you. But I am not as cold hearted as you should believe. I will give you an opportunity to show The Consortium what you can do. Ms. Freya, come to Las Vegas in two weeks and you will have a match. Should you win, then perhaps we can deal. Until then, please leave my arena. Rápidamente.

Basa and Gaudin leave the scene and security advances on The 4O8. Rockwell, Shinja, and Okelo are ready to fight but Freya stops them.

HOPE FREYA: Tonight is not the time. I will achieve victory in Las Vegas and we will get to speak our peace. Let us retire.

Freya’s friends reluctantly agree and the quartet walk out of frame.

We find ourselves backstage with Peregrina Loca. The confusing thing here is that Mama is in her street clothes. Her protege Araña Oscura enters the frame in full ring gear, ready to accompany Pera to the ring for the latter’s FLG Campeonato Supremo Match.

ARAÑA OSCURA: Mi amiga! You must get ready! Your title match is but moments away!

PEREGRINA LOCA: It is not my title match, mi hija. It’s yours. I spoke with The Consortium and I have acquiesced my opportunity to you.

ARAÑA OSCURA: Why would you do this? I am not ready!

PEREGRINA LOCA: You are more than ready. You are ready to show your sisters the strength that you have had within you all along. I will be there with you, but this is your fight to win.

Oscura considers the drastic change to her evening. She steels her nerves and puts on her best determined expression.

ARAÑA OSCURA: This is my fight to win.

PEREGRINA LOCA: Then let’s go win it.

Both competitors are in the ring with Wes Eastman on the call. But this one isn’t just about the competitors in the ring but also their seconds at ringside. Eastman holds up the FLG Campeónato Supremo but neither competitor is looking at it. Craneo is staring across the ring at her protege and Araña Oscura is staring right back at her.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Craneo is a RAZOR Original. She brought her protege into RAZOR and they had a tough go. Ever since Araña started teamin’ with Peregrina Loca, things have started to click.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. Oscura has blossomed like a flower of combat under the tutelage of Peregrina Loca.

The bell rings and Craneo saunters to the center of the ring. Araña Oscura is there to meet her and just as Craneo starts talking shit Oscura blasts her with a forearm to the face! Craneo is stunned but Oscura doesn’t wait for a response. She takes Craneo down with a drop toehold and when Craneo gets up on her knees and has no time to recover because Oscura blasts her with a shotgun dropkick to the back of the head!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Battle without honor or humanity.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: You working for the affiliates?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I serve one master. Combat.

Peregrina Loca applauds her partner from ringside. Craneo flashes a scowl at Mama and then turns back to Araña Oscura with a countenance that would make a normal person shit themselves. Oscura isn’t intimidated, she tells Craneo to bring it on. Craneo obliges and she darts forward with a massive forearm smash. Oscura is stunned and Craneo goes for a dropkick to the side of the head but Oscura evades it and rolls Craneo up!

1..

2..

..!

Craneo kicks out! The Campeón Supremo is shocked. Araña Oscura doesn’t get cocky, she keeps the pressure on with a running dropkick to Craneo’s left knee! Craneo stumbles and falls, finding herself draped across the middle rope facing the crowd. Oscura wastes no time, she charges in and blasts Craneo with a tiger feint kick! Craneo staggers back to the middle of the ring in a daze. From the apron, Oscura looks to leap up for a springboard but Calavera grabs her leg. Referee Wes Eastman didn’t see it!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Calavera just tried to fuck over her blood sister!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Such is the nature of civil war.

Araña Oscura turns to confront her blood sister, Calavera. Calavara walks backward like she didn’t do anything. Oscura wants to go after her but Peregrina Loca is on the scene. Pera instructs Oscura to get into the ring and Oscura does just that. Mama starts after Calavera as Oscura turns to face Craneo in the ring. Wes Eastman warns Pera and Calavera that he will eject them if they get physical. With Eastman distracted Craneo claws at Oscura’s eyes and then rolls her up! Eastman turns around and quickly drops to count the fall.

1..

2..

..!

Araña Oscura is able to kick out but Craneo flips her over, mounts her, and starts beating the absolute piss out of her with the ground and pound! Oscura can’t stop the onslaught! Craneo hits one devastating blow and Oscura is knocked loopy. Craneo peels her former student off of the mat, lifts her up, and drives her into the canvas with Poderosa Bomba (Sit-out Powerbomb)! Craneo covers!

1..

2..

..!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Fighting spirit.

NOT JUST YET! Araña Oscura is able to kick out! Craneo immediately transitions from the failed pin attempt into La Garra (Modified Indian Deathlock)! Craneo has Oscura trapped in the middle of the ring but Craneo’s body is very close to the ropes. Calavera has moved away from Peregrina Loca on the outside. Calavera calls to referee Wes Eastman that Mama is coming after her. Eastman scolds Pera and Calavera reaches through the ropes, grabs Craneo’s arms, and pulls backward to give her more leverage!

TOZI CHAVIRA: There is no honor in this. Honor does not matter against victory.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Still a shitty thing to do!

TOZI CHAVIRA: All is fair.

Wes Eastman sees Calavera helping but Peregrina Loca comes out of nowhere and blasts Calavera with a kick to the side of the head! Craneo breaks her hold to try to go after Mama but Eastman stops her from leaving the ring. Calavera goes after Pera but Pera sends her teeth first into the ring steps! Several of Calavera’s teeth shatter on the corner of a steel stop and we see them lying on the floor accompanied by a puddle of pooling blood. Eastman is through the ropes to check on her as Pera backs away with her hands up.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Call Dr. Tim Watley! We need a dentist!

Calavera is helped up by Wes Eastman as Dr. Kelly Costa and her medical team come down the ramp. In the ring Craneo was surprised by Araña Oscura with Oscura's Web (Octopus Hold)! But Craneo taught Oscura that hold so she is able to reverse it into El Estigma (Crucifix Armbar)! Oscura is tapping out but Eastman is busy on the outside with Calavera! Peregrina Loca gets in the ring undetected and blasts Craneo with the FLG Campeonato Supremo! The hold is broken!

TOZI CHAVIRA: It seems that Peregrina Loca feels the same way that I do about honor.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Why would she do that? Doesn’t that go against everything she was teaching Oscura?

TOZI CHAVIRA: She was teaching Oscura to win.

Araña Oscura didn’t see Peregrina Loca get involved. Craneo tries to rally back with a round kick but Oscura catches it, rolls through, and rolls Craneo up! Craneo can’t move and Wes Eastman is there to make the count.

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: ¡Aquí está su ganador y NUEVO Campeón Supremo de FLG, ARAÑAAAAA OSCURRRRRRA!

Guadalajara EXPLODES with cheers! Araña Oscura can’t believe it! Peregrina Loca enters the ring and hands the FLG Campeónato Supremo to Oscura. Oscura doesn’t question why Mama has the title. Oscura cradles the title as Craneo rolls out of the ring, knowing that now is not the time for retribution.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: She did it! From student to master! Araña Oscura, the baby of Destructoras is out of diapers! But is this victory tainted?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I am aware that it is your first night on commentary but that is a terrible image to conjure. A victory is a victory.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Araña Oscura has returned to the promotion that spawned her and has become champion! But is it a victory she can be proud of?

TOZI CHAVIRA: She is a victor. That is all that is relevant.

Araña Oscura and Peregrina Loca embrace in the middle of the ring as Craneo backs up the ramp. When it comes to describing the look of abject hatred in Craneo’s eyes…words fail me. This issue is far from over.



The cameras cut backstage, where RAZOR Wrestling interviewer, Brick Kind, stands awaiting his cue. He is dressed to impress - a nice suit and tie that would make Justin Timberlake jealous. Behind his smile are the eyes of a man who wishes he was still in the ring as a wrestler. At this point he’ll take what he can get.

BRICK KIND: Ladies and gentlemen, fresh off his win against Ladrón de Almas, please help me welcome Jacky Sweetwater.

“Hell’s Heartthrob”, the six-foot-two, two-hundred-and seventeen-pound delight walks into view. Sweetwater has a towel over his neck, his chest glistening in the spotlight with sweat and pure sexiness.

BRICK KIND: Congratulations on your win tonight, Jacky.

JACKY SWEETWATER: Thank you kindly, Mr. Kind! I gotta say, I think I looked pretty damn good, myself!

BRICK KIND: What’s next for Hell’s Heartthrob?

Jacky takes a beat to think about his answer.

JACKY SWEETWATER: Well, now that you mention it, Brick. I do have a BONE to pick with someone on the roster. Y’see, ol’ Jacky Sweetwater knows his way around RATS. Hell, tonight, I’m gonna have my pickings once I walk out that door! All the ladies wanna piece of some sweet, sweet loving from Sweetwater! But that’s later tonight. What I’m talking about is one of these rats on the roster… ROCKY TRASHINGTON I’M TALKING TO YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH!

BRICK KIND: Jacky… Rocky is a–

JACKY SWEETWATER: Rocky! You come out here acting all high and mighty like your stupid little rat shit don’t stink! I’ve been in this business for eleven years! Eleven! That’s probably longer than you’ve been alive! You have a life expectancy rate of five! Google it! But you and I, you and I have something in common, my friend. You and I see that GRBG Title and we see an opportunity. We see fame and fortune! We see all the rats in the world, flocking to our gold!

BRICK KIND: He’s a raccoon.

JACKY SWEETWATER: DON’T BE RACIST, BRICK! All Rodents Matter! I’m an equal-opportunity ass-kicker with movie-star good looks and a rock-star personality! Don’t you ever forget that! As far as Ollie Maverick goes, just let him know that I got my eyes set on his stupid ugly censored face! You and your silly little rat! One thing for sure is that Jacky Sweetwater will always find his way to a nut!

With that, Jacky storms off the scene. Brick, confused as hell, reflects back on his life choices as we cut elsewhere in the arena!

Ripper kicks open a door to his little promo studio, two Monster Energy cans in either hand as their contents pour down the big man’s throat. A large burp is heard, then the sound of a can being spiked into the ground follows before Ripper’s big stomps fill the silence. He finally finds himself in front of the camera, and he is PISSED.

CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ: LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, RIPPERS! I DON’T KNOW WHO IN THE BLUE HELL HORACIO BASEBALL IS - BUT THAT SUMBITCH HAS MY FULL RESPECT AFTER THE OPPORTUNITY HE’S PUT IN FRONT OF ME! AFTER ME AND THE RIPPERMANIACS PUT DOWN THAT BIGASS DINO BOY FOR THE TEN COUNT LAST SHOW - I GOT MYSELF A SHOT AT THE GRBG CHAMPIONSHIP … WHAT DOES GRBG STAND FOR ANYWAYS, BROTHER!?

Ripper stands there for a second, pulling up a piece of paper. He stares down at the paper, but doesn’t seem to be able to actually read anything on it. A second later, he equips a pair of glasses, and then … it hits him.

CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ: THEY NAMED THEIR NETWORK ‘GARBAGE’!? LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING - DUDE! THERE’S NOTHING - N O T H I N G - GARBAGE ABOUT THIS CHAMPIONSHIP!!! THERE’S NOTHING GARBAGE ABOUT THIS CHALLENGER!!! THERE’S NOTHING GARBAGE ABOUT THIS CHAMP-

The Ripper’s eyes fall on who his opponent is. As an avid fan of RAZOR and a good roster member - Ripper knows exactly who the man on the other side of the matchcard is. Ripper’s palm and face connect, and the big man has to sit down.

CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ: Okay, brother - maybe there’s SOMETHING garbage about the champion - BUT I HAVE THE ADVANTAGE IN THIS ONE, OLIVER! I SEEN THE TRASH LAND INVITATIONALS - REAL GOOD STUFF! I SEEN HOW YOU PLAY, SON - AND THAT’S NOT GONNA WORK AGAINST THE RIPPER, DADDIO!!! THE FIRST WRESTLING MATCH THE LITTLE RIPPER EVER SAW WAS THE THUNDER STEED TAKING ON THAT GIANT SUMBITCH SUPER BOOMER - GOD REST THEIR SOULS - IN A TEXAS BULLROPE MATCH - AND HOW GOSH DARN APPLEPRO IS IT THAT IT’S A BULLROPE MATCH THE RIPPER FINDS HIMSELF AGAINST THE KING OF TRASH LAND, DUDE!? I GOT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LEGENDS, SON - AND WE ARE *NOT* IN THE TRASH LAND THIS WEEK! WE AREN’T IN THE RIPPER’S HOME EITHER - BUT WE ARE IN THE RIPPER’S KINGDOM - BECAUSE SON, YOU’RE FIGHTING ME IN A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING RING - AND THERE IS NO MAN, WOMAN, OR OTHER BEING THAT CAN CALL THEIR SHOT ON THE CROWN OF KING OF THE RING THAT IS NOT NAMED CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ!!!

Ripper slams a fist down on the table, causing the entire room to shake.

CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ: I AM IN FOR A BATTLE ON A LEVEL I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE - I KNOW THAT FOR SURE - BUT WHAT I ALSO KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT THE RIPPER DOES NOT QUIT! YOU CAN USE EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK, OLLIE MAVERICK - BUT THAT AIN’T STOPPING ME FROM HITTING YOU WITH A HEATSEAKER GIMMICK - MAYBE TWO OF EM - AND DUMPING YOU ON THAT STACK OF DIMES YOU CALL A NECK BEFORE SPINNING YOU AROUND THE BLOCK ONE - TWO - THREE - MAYBE EVEN FOUR TIMES AND DUMPING YOU OUT FOR THE VICTORY!!! AND WHEN I’M DONE WITH THAT, DUDE - I’M STEALING YOUR DAMN RACCOON!!!

CARLOS “RIPPER” HERNANDEZ: DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, BROTHER. NO ONE FACES THE RIPPER WITHOUT GETTING RIPPED. TO. SHREDS!!!

Ripper yoinks three more Monster Energies off of the table and marches back out of the studio, humming “Low Rider” as he does.

The lights go out in Palacio Dorado and "2econd 2ight 2eer” by Will Wood cues up. Carlos “Ripper” Hernandez is already in the ring, pacing back and forth like a mad man. A red curtain stands in front of the regular black curtain. The red curtain is yanked skyward and there is Ollie Maverick, the GRBG Championship in one hand, Rocky Trashington in his cage in the other. But it doesn’t end there…Ollie is seated atop Ferdinand the Bull!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Well I’ll be goddamned! We’re getting an eight second ride!

TOZI CHAVIRA: The steer looks somewhat docile.

Ferdinand charges to the ring with Ollie bouncing along. Guadalajara loves it! Ollie whistles and Ferdinand slows his charge. Ferdinand trots around the ring and comes to a stop at the side of the announce table. Ollie dismounts and sets Rocky down atop the announce table. The GRBG Champion slides into the ring and gets a warm reception from Palacio Dorado.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Only Ollie Maverick could ride a bull to the ring.

TOZI CHAVIRA: I could do such a thing.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Alright well Ollie and YOU.

Kate McHale approaches Ollie Maverick with one end of the Bull Rope. We can see that hanging dead center in the middle of the rope is a cowbell. Maverick eyes it and strokes his chin. McHale attaches the end of the rope to Maverick’s wrist and then moves to the other end and tries to fix it to Carlos “Ripper” Hernandez’s wrist. But she’s having trouble because Ripper won’t stop moving. She finally manages to get it on him and then she takes the GRBG Championship from Maverick. McHale holds the title high in the air and then passes it off to Big Mouth Mindy.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I’ve been real excited about this one, Tozi. A Bull Rope Match speaks to my heart!

TOZI CHAVIRA: There is no escape. There is no retreat. I too enjoy this concept.

The bell sounds and Ollie Maverick immediately approaches the fired up Carlos Hernandez. The two actually shake hands but Maverick immediately starts laying into Ripper with some thigh kicks. Ripper swings wildly but Maverick ducks under it and hits some more kicks to Ripper’s thigh. Ripper drops to a knee and Maverick hits a big round kick to the side of his head.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ollie knows that he has to stick and move against a hoss like Ripper.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Is Carlos capable of ripping a man in half?

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I wouldn’t doubt it.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Excellent.

Ollie Maverick, not one to usually do this, starts playing to the crowd. Guadalajara responds with cheers. Maverick moves back toward Ripper and continues to pepper him with kicks. Ripper keeps trying to get Maverick in his clutches but the champion is far too quick. Maverick drops Ripper to one knee again but Ripper lunges at him. Maverick drops and rolls backward, wagging his finger in Ripper’s direction.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Be cautious of who you taunt, Oliver.

A clearly coked up fan in the front row, wearing a Ripper Hernandez t-shirt, screams “USE THE ROPE, BROTHER!” and a lightbulb illuminates above Ripper’s head. He grabs the rope with his free hand and yanks Ollie Maverick toward him with so much force that Maverick can’t defend himself from a shoulder block that sends him to the shadow realm.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Carlos is a medieval creature. Oliver should not be playing with him.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: No doubt about that. Ripper is the only man with a win over SHADOJIMA!

Ollie Maverick has been knocked loopy. Carlos Hernandez starts reeling in the rope, dragging Maverick’s body towards him. Ripper stands Maverick up and then puts him back down with authority via a bodyslam! Ripper doubles up the rope and starts lashing a prone Maverick across the back with it. The welts appear instantly as Maverick lets out in pain.

TOZI CHAVIRA: A weapon in a skilled competitor’s hands is dangerous. A weapon in the hand of a true mad man is something else entirely.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Ollie is in deep water here.

TOZI CHAVIRA: And his aquatic endurance is waning.

Carlos Hernandez lets out a primal scream, happy with the carnage that he has created. Ollie Maverick slowly gets to his feet and throws a half hearted kick but Ripper dodges it and then blasts Ollie with a clothesline that sends the champion over the top rope. Ollie bounces off of the floor and crashes into the bottom of the announce table. Luckily the bull rope is a shower, not a grower.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Now is not the time for a visit, Oliver.

As Ripper figures out how to get out of the ring without getting tied up by the rope, Ollie Maverick gets to his feet and confers with Ferdinand and Rocky Trashington on a new strategy. The trio huddle up (as best they can) and after a few moments Ollie exclaims “Of course!” Ripper has figured out how to get out of the ring and he is on the floor. He charges toward Ollie and at the last second Ollie grabs the cowbell that is hanging in the middle of the rope and BASHES Ripper in the head with it!

TOZI CHAVIRA: A true warrior finds the means to achieve victory.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: He just cracked him in the fuckin’ head! Rang Ripper’s bell, if you will.

TOZI CHAVIRA: He certainly did.

The fans in Palacio Dorado cheer when they see that Carlos Hernandez is bleeding. Nothing against Ripper, they just like blood. Ripper touches his forehead and sees his own blood and it does something to him. Meanwhile, Ollie Maverick has commandeered the bell hammer from timekeeper Chuck Lock and he is tapping away on the cowbell like a young Gene Frenkle!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Do you want to do the honors?

TOZI CHAVIRA: …proceed.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I got a fever and the only cure is MORE COWBELL!

Carlos Hernandez is mad. He stomps toward the jamming champion but Ollie cracks him in the head with the cowbell again! It does not have the same effect. Ripper eats the shot and grabs Maverick. Ripper lifts Maverick up with a military press and then slams him through the timekeeper's table!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Tozi?

TOZI CHAVIRA: Speak.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Time’s up.

Ripper has Ollie Maverick back into the ring now and immediately starts whipping him with the rope again. This time, Ripper is relentless. Maverick has to get up to his feet or he would risk being whipped to death! Ripper drops the rope when Maverick turns to face him. Ripper lets out another primal scream and then amazingly he busts out a hurricanrana! Maverick is down and Ripper covers!

1..

2..!

Ollie Maverick kicks out! Ripper is not deterred at all, he moves to the closest corner and holds the top rope on either side of the turnbuckle, lunging forward, ready to be unleashed. Maverick gets to his feet and Ripper explodes out of the corner with the Heatseaker (Spear)! Maverick is turned inside out and he rolls out of the ring in agony.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Good goddamn! Ollie Maverick is undefeated and has the longest singles undefeated streak in RAZOR’s short history. He’s 7-0.

TOZI CHAVIRA: The fall is inevitable.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: But is it going to come tonight?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I have seen the future but it is unprofessional for me to reveal the outcome.

Ollie Maverick stands to recover but is yanked back toward the ring. If we could see Ollie’s face I imagine that he would look surprised. Maverick tries to stand firm but Ripper is way too powerful! Ripper is towing him into the ring. But the fans get distracted as someone is making their way through the crowd. It’s Jacky Sweetwater! Sweetwater hops over the barricade near the announce table and cautiously passes by Ferdinand the bull. Once he feels that he’s safe, Sweetwater starts trash talking (no pun intended) Rocky Trashington! Rocky leaps up in his cage and grasps the wall. He’s screeching at Sweetwater! Ollie is fighting for his life, trying not to be dragged back into the ring. He sees Sweetwater jawing with Rocky and wants to help his friend!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Get outta here, Sweetwater! We got a barn burner going on in the ring!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Remove yourself, interloper.

Jacky Sweetwater continues to argue with Rocky Trashington as Ollie Maverick is dragged into the ring under the bottom rope. Ripper sees Sweetwater and yells “LEAVE THE DOG ALONE, BROTHER!”. Maverick pops up and hits a kick on Ripper but Ripper just eats it and kicks Maverick in the midsection. Ripper lifts Maverick up and plants him with a powerbomb. Ripper holds on, deadlifts Maverick, and plants him with a second powerbomb! Maverick is rocked! Ripper isn’t finished! Ripper lifts Ollie up again and plants him with a third powerbomb. As Ripper covers Ollie musters the strength to whistle.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Oh damn…

1..

2..

..!

TOZI CHAVIRA: …the steer…it heard him.

Kickout! Ollie Maverick stays alive. But that is not the story at the moment. The whistle that Maverick was able to fire off has caught Ferdinand the bull’s ear. Ferdinand snorts and walks the length of the ring. Jacky Sweetwater grabs Rocky Trashington’s cage and doesn’t see that Ferdinand has turned and is scraping the ground with his hoof. Sweetwater stops what he is doing, does the big gulp of fear, turns and sees Ferdinand ready to charge. Sweetwater begs off but bulls don’t understand such gestures. Ferdinand charges and Sweetwater is over the barricade like he stole something!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: AW HELL LOOK OUT!

Ferdinand charges right through the barricade! The steel and padding is obliterated! Jacky Sweetwater is running for his life as Ferdinand chases him through the crowd, ignoring the fans. The bull and Sweetwater disappear amid the sea of fans. In the ring, Ripper has Ollie Maverick set up for the Ripper-Line (Burning Lariat)! Ripper uncorks it but Maverick ducks under it at the last second and hits Planes, Trains, and Plantains (Leapfrog Cutter)! He covers! Kate McHale makes the count.

1..

2..

..!

NO! Ripper just barely kicks out. Now that Rocky is safe, Maverick is back to the task at hand. The champion puts the rope around Ripper’s wide neck and starts choking him out! Ripper, bleeding profusely from the top of the head, tries to fight out but Maverick is relentless! Ripper fades after some struggle but Maverick knows that he won’t be down for long. Maverick releases the rope, darts forward, and comes back with the Face Eraser (Springboard Sitout Facebuster)! He drives Rippers face directly onto the cowbell! Maverick covers.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: GOOD GODDAMN!

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here is your winner and STILL RAZOR Wrestling GRBG Champion, “The Manic Marvel” OLLLIIIEEEE MAVERICCCK!

"2econd 2ight 2eer” by Will Wood hits and Kate McHale frees both men from the Bull Rope. McHale hands Ollie Maverick the GRBG Championship and he slings it over his shoulder. He’s pretty fucked up but it doesn’t matter, he won. Ripper is up, confused about what happened.

OLLIE MAVERICK: I know you’re scared, big man, but any time you want to do that again…find someone else okay? That was terrible for me.

Ollie Maverick extends his hand. Ripper is still confused but ultimately he accepts the gesture of sportsmanship. Ripper then pulls Maverick in close and because of how loud this man is, we can clearly hear what he says.

CARLOS HERNANDEZ: KEEP THE DOG SAFE, BROTHER!

Maverick nods and Ripper raises his hand. Guadalajara cheers wildly as we head to a commercial for some GRBG bullshit or an affiliate or whatever.


The next image we see is the joint RAZOR/Nana Productions backdrop. It sags a little in the center, the sad state of affairs due to the fact it's hanging from some equipment storage boxes. Various muffled sounds can be heard from up and down the corridor, but nothing too close. Until suddenly some wicked laughter abruptly erupts. Moments later RYKO staggers into the frame, her laugh cutting off only when she winces in pain Nana Tsukina supports her weight after the evening's events. Saya Onikawa is a couple steps behind and joins them soon afterwards. She stares down at the floor as her thoughts catch up to her.

SAYA ONIKAWA: How do we even describe tonight? How to say it? Can I do it in Japanese?

She sighs heavily, then grimaces as some pain or other flares up. When she looks up into the camera, it's clear the tag match took a toll on her.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <We came out here to fight a couple of monsters.>

RYKO giggles next to her, wide eyed and lips turned up into an unnerving grin.

RYKO: <Sloppy, SLOPPY Kaiju!>

The Shining Hero shoots a look at her partner then continues.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <They proved how monstrous they are tonight. The two of us, we have a lot of matches between us. We're not strangers to fighting, but I don't think we realized how powerful these two guys are. Are they guys? Are they even human?>

RYKO bites her lip as excitement fills her expression.

RYKO: <Human? Monster? Demon? So much pain.. so much power! My whole body's lighting up with the pain!>

SAYA ONIKAWA: <It'd be enough if they were just monsters with power we couldn't match tonight. But the rampage they've gone on the last two shows is too much. And tonight they went a step too far. That vicious attack after the match shows what kind of kaiju we're facing.>

RYKO: <Sloppy Kaiju who can't finish the job! They act like they're so tough by continuing to attack people after the match is over. We showed them what happens when you push Ponytails too far. They're so strong, but we're strong too. This turf war isn't over.>

Saya nods at her partner's determined tone.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <They're not going to have their way in the tag team division anymore. Tonight we showed the world that they can be beaten back!>

RYKO's smile grows wider and she tilts her head at an odd angle.

RYKO: <The dinosaur dude started this, he and the Halloween Man punched us in the mouth tonight. But the thing about a turf war is that it's not over just cause someone's bleeding and hurt. It's only over when one side puts the other down so hard there's no doubt who's in charge. They didn't do that. They left us alive enough to keep fighting. What we did after the match is just a taste of what's coming to them. Ponytails are going to ride out, cross the line into their turf and take the Kaiju down. I'm going to prove even a kaiju can bleed.>

She licks her lips as she savors thoughts of another fight with the giants. Saya smiles a bit despite herself.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <I may have gotten on the wrong bus from the airport, gotten lost in the Palacio Dorado and lost my fourth phone charger this month, but I know we can beat them.>

Nana nods sagely.

NANA TSUTSUMI: <And how do we defeat Kaiju?>

Saya's eyes drift towards the ceiling as she ponders the question.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <Wait until their new rubber suit fills up with sweat and they overheat too much to fight back?>

RYKO's eyes dance with a thousand unspoken violent thoughts. Nana meanwhile shifts her posture so she can face Saya directly.

NANA TSUTSUMI: <Really?>

Saya shrugs.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <What? So I like kaiju movies.>

The two stare at each other for a long moment before the Shining Hero corrects herself.

SAYA ONIKAWA: <In this case, just like in the movies, it's going to take creative tactics to bring them down. And no one's as creative or resourceful as us. Next time we will defeat the Kaiju decisively! Please believe in Ponytails!>

RYKO: <What’s coming? Sparkles. Blood. Suffering. An eruption of pain, blood, love songs and cuteness. Does Tsutsumi-san even get how dangerous it is for her pets to tangle with us? Maybe not. We’ll show her, we’ll show everyone, what happens when you pick a fight with Ponytails. The only thing pretty about it will be our blood drenched faces, smiling at the destruction we’ve caused. But until then..>

She suddenly holds a fist up to the camera and Says does the same. The idol wrestlers look to each other and both flash proud grins.

SAYA & RYKO: Ponytails rock, rock on!

They pump their fists as Nana pats them on the back.

“Cut - somenaan Remix” by Sweet Pill begins to blast throughout the arena and the crowd gives off some polite but also surprisingly loud cheers as “The Martyr” Joey Bryant walks out through the curtain onto the stage ready for the main event for the Vanguard Championship. He has a microphone in hand, and begins to tap on it as the microphone feed cuts in and the music fades out. He walks slowly down the ramp as he speaks.

JOEY BRYANT: ¡Hola! The Martyr es aquí!

The crowd cheers again at Joey’s poor attempt at introducing himself in spanish. Joey’s big smile begins to fade as he raises the mic up to his face again.

JOEY BRYANT: I’ve sacrificed so much to get to this point. My peace, my body, my time and 100% of my effort. I would never give this company and you people anything less. What more could I possibly sacrifice, what could I possibly wager to make this match even more of a “must win” for me than it already is…?

He pauses as he approaches the ring and rolls under the ropes and stands up and stands in the middle of the ring.

JOEY BRYANT: Mi casa. My home. Kash, if you are to defeat me tonight, I give you the keys to my gym back home. It is where I started my career as a prodigy, although not THE Prodigy, it is where it all began. It is where I’ve been sleeping for the last several years. It is where I have been training, it is where I have sweat the most, cried the most, and it is everything to me. For as beat up and rusty as it is, it is a crucial piece of me, and a piece that you will own if you can take me down.

He pauses once again and looks down, almost as he regrets the decision, but snaps out of it in a couple seconds.

JOEY BRYANT: Maybe it can mean something to you too, but I won’t let you take my home. That place is all I have, and without it, well…you’d be the only thing left. That championship becomes the only thing left. And when that bell rings, as far as I’m concerned, that championship is already the only thing left. It is a crucial piece of me.

He drops the mic and backs into his corner, awaiting his opponent while the crowd cheers in anticipation. The camera transitions to show the stage, as the lights dim, “DOA” by I Prevail begins to blast throughout the arena and the crowd boos loudly. The ovation nearly drowns out the music. As Kash Warren enters the arena, he looks out at the crowd and holds out his hand. Angela DiAmante hands him a microphone and the music fades. Kash heads towards the ring as he talks trash, gesturing wildly, addressing his opponent in the ring.

KASH WARREN: Cut it, cut it, cut it…I have entered to that god forsaken reaction with that song for too long, now, I know, it’s hard to believe that all of you are getting the chance to see THE Kash Warren in person…but don’t you clean your glasses or dump out your drink, it is in fact happening. But, it’ll be even harder to believe when you witness HISTORY as Kash Warren becomes the first ever Vanguard Champion… but, like every good trip to the casino, there has to be stakes involved!

Kash walks up the steps to a slew of boos, he enters the ring and attempts to get face-to-face with Bryant, only to be backed up by the referee.

KASH WARREN: Joey, you’re out here betting your gym, the place you started this “ascent” that you claim to have had…that’s what you’re putting on the line here, well, I’m not going to bet my hair, a mask, or any physical entity, because that’s not what matters to me. Hair grows back, I don’t wear a mask, and I don’t have a gym to bet…but what I have is my career trajectory. So, what I’m going to bet is this…IF I lose, and that’s a gigantic IF, I will be unable to challenge for that or ANY championship until I achieve 5 victories with a partner of your choosing. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kenny the Ring Boy, Red Kroovy, that fat chick in the front row, your plumber named Terry, or even you…I have to team with WHOEVER you choose and until I achieve FIVE… CINCO wins, I cannot challenge for any championship. This is MY crossroads, this is MY moment… and this will be my chance to prove to the world that Kash Warren isn’t the future… HE’S THE RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Kash backs into the corner and awaits the ring announcement.

The main event is here. “The Martyr” Joey Bryant, with ownership of his gym (and home) on the line against Kash Warren, with the trajectory of his career on the line. Only one of them will walk away as the FIRST RAZOR Wrestling Vanguard Champion. Referee Diego Leach shows the championship to both men and then holds it high in the air for Palacio Dorado to see. Leach hands it off to Big Mouth Mindy and calls for the opening bell.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Here it is Tozi, we got the finals of the Vanguard Series. Joey Bryant’s Gym vs. Kash Warren’s career path.

TOZI CHAVIRA: I expect the highest quality of combat and should we get anything less, my blade is sharp and it thirsts for the taste of spinal fluid.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Let’s hope it don’t come to that!

Big Mouth Mindy places the Vanguard Championship on the blue velvet pedestal. Joey Bryant and Kash Warren move to the middle of the ring. Warren is already talking trash but it doesn't seem to affect Bryant. Not getting under his opponent’s skin, Warren tries another tactic. SLAP is what the five fingers say to the face.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Thems fighting words where I come from!

TOZI CHAVIRA: That was an action, not words. I implore you to use your monitors, Champion.

Classic collar and elbow tie up. Joey Bryant is the heavier and taller of the two so he is able to force Kash Warren down into a side headlock as Angela DiAmante watches on helplessly. Warren plants his feet and shoves Bryant into the ropes. Bryant doesn’t expect Warren to charge in after him, looking for a knee to the stomach! But Bryant is quick enough to catch Warren’s leg. Bryant sweeps Warren’s planted leg which puts Warren prone on his back. Bryant goes for a quick elbow drop but Warren rolls out of the way. Bryant is quickly back up to his feet and the two competitors lock up again.

TOZI CHAVIRA: These competitors are evenly matched. No doubt one will have to alter their strategy in order to claim victory.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I was just thinkin’ that.

TOZI CHAVIRA: Of course you were. You have the heart of a competitor.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Thanks.

TOZI CHAVIRA: However you do not possess the body nor the mind. You would fall quickly on the field.

This time it’s Joey Bryant that gets the upper hand after a knee to Kash Warren’s midsection. Bryant hoists Warren up for a suplex but Warren shifts his weight, turns, and is able to land behind his opponent. Impressive! Warren applies a waist lock and tries for a German suplex but Bryant has hooked his leg on Warren’s! The second that Warren stops trying to take Bryant over Bryant drops to a knee and puts Warren on his back with a snapmare! Bryant tries to transition into a chin lock but Warren scampers out, picks Bryant’s leg, and puts him on the canvas face down! Warren looks to apply a bulldog choke but Bryant slips out and we are at a stalemate again!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Dang! Neither of these two boys can seem to get anything goin’.

TOZI CHAVIRA: It must be thrilling for them to meet their equal in competition.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Or they are pissed off.

TOZI CHAVIRA: That is also a possibility.

The Martyr smiles and calls for a third tie up. The Prodigy agrees to it. Just as they are about to touch, Warren kicks Bryant in the cut. Before Bryant has a chance to fire back Warren blasts him with an uppercut! Bryant falls back into the ropes and Warren goes to engage but Bryant fires back with a few quick jabs to the ribs. Warren is doubled over and Bryant puts him on the canvas with a snap suplex. Bryant covers and Diego Leach is there to make the first count of the contest.

1!

Not gonna be that easy! Kash Warren kicks out and rolls onto the apron to safety. Joey Bryant is not yet frustrated. Warren invites Bryant to come after him on the apron. Bryant advances and looks for a strike but Warren is quicker. He meets Bryant with a shot to the face! The crowd boos for whatever reason. Warren pulls Bryant into a front face lock over the top rope. The Prodigy tries to suplex Bryant to the outside! Warren gets Bryant a few inches off of the canvas but – nope! Bryant kicks his legs wildly and comes back down to solid ground. Bryant plants his feet and suplexes Warren back into the ring! Warren rolls onto his stomach to avoid a pinfall attempt. Smart!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Which would you rather see happen? Kash Warren get a gym or have to compete in tag matches until he gets five victories?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I am torn. Possessing your own private facility in which to weaponize your body has clear advantages. But being forced on a path that you would rather not walk would build character and harvest experience.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Which would you want for yourself?

TOZI CHAVIRA: I require neither. I become the ultimate weapon centuries ago.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: …centuries?

TOZI CHAVIRA: Keep your attention on the match, Champion.

Joey Bryant immediately takes Kash Warren’s back on the canvas and starts hitting him with rights and lefts to the kidneys! These are big shots and Warren lets out in pain with each successive impact. Not one to lay there and get punched to death, Warren fights out and smashes Bryant with a headbutt to Bryant’s nose! Bryant stumbles backward and Warren surprises him with a pump kick! Bryant falls back into the ropes and rebounds right into a high flipping dropkick from Warren! Warren covers.

1..!

Kickout at 1! Not gonna be that easy for you either, kid. Kash Warren keeps up the momentum and hits some Garvin stomps on a prone Joey Bryant. Bryant rolls onto his stomach, taking a page out of his opponent’s book. Perhaps that’s what Warren wanted because when Bryant is face down, Warren’s eyes light up. He pounces and this time is able to apply the bulldog choke on The Martyr! Bryant reaches out for the ropes but he’s too far!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Tough spot for Joey Bryant! Kash Warren has that locked in tight.

TOZI CHAVIRA: A choke is as effective as any weapon. Watching the light fade from your enemy’s eyes is…transformative.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I don’t wanna know how ya know that.

TOZI CHAVIRA: It is a tale that would render your body hair colorless.

With no other option, Joey Bryant uses his upper body strength to push himself up off of the canvas. Bryant starts to stand with Warren on his back! Guadalajara is in awe of this show of strength! Both men are standing now but Warren releases his grip, smashes Bryant in the back of the neck with a forearm, and quickly transitions into a high angle German suplex. Bryant hard on the back of his neck!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: I say GODDAMN!
The gym that is a home to him is on the line and Joey Bryant is in deep trouble. He slowly gets to his feet but Kash Warren has taken off for the ropes. Warren comes bounding back and hits a running discus forearm to the back of Bryant’s neck! Bryant is knocked loopy! He falls forward into the ropes, stumbles backwards right into a half and half suplex! He lands on the back of his neck yet again! Warren covers.

1..

2..!

To the shock of many, Joey Bryant is able to kick out. Angela DiAmante starts pounding on the apron, trying to encourage Kash Warren to finish off The Martyr. Warren knows what to do. He starts stomping on the back of Bryant’s neck! Each stomp earns a gasp from the audience in Guadalajara but they are behind Bryant! He fights up to his feet but Warren goes for an Irish whip. Bryant reverses it! Warren comes charging back across the ring only to see Bryant charging toward him. Big Boot! Warren is turned inside out. Bryant clearly wants to go for the cover but his neck is on fire and he drops to a knee.

TOZI CHAVIRA: This is why the neck should always be the paramount target. Joseph cannot capitalize on his opponent’s weakened state.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: He’s gotta fight through it!

TOZI CHAVIRA: If he can.

Kash Warren is back up but he is in a daze. Joey Bryant gathers all of his intestinal fortitude and engages but Warren hits him with an uppercut to the gut! All of the air is driven out of Bryant’s lungs and this is Warren’s opportunity to deal another heavy blow. Warren sets Bryant up for Tour of Jersey (Fisherman Swinging Neckbreaker) but Bryant swings out of it! In sudden fashion, Bryant drops Warren with VBurg (Hammerlock DDT)! Bryant covers and Diego Leach is there to make the count.

1..

2..

..!

Kash Warren kicks out! Guadalajara is exasperated but Joey Bryant is feeling it now. Favoring his neck, Bryant lines Warren up for another big boot! Warren gets to his feet and Bryant charges in! The boot is up and it connects! But not with Warren! The Prodigy pulls Diego Leach into the way! BANG! Leach is down! Bryant’s hands are on his head, not believing what had just happened. In this moment Warren surprises Bryant with the Snapshot (Snapmare Driver)! Warren covers but Leach is down…because of him.

TOZI CHAVIRA: The double ended sword. The meat shield saved him…and also cursed him. Such is life.

Frustrated, Kash Warren turns to Angela DiAmante. Joey Bryant is starting to stir as DiAmante hands something to her client. It’s a pair of brass knuckles! Bryant is up to his feet and the entirety of the audience is trying to warn him! Turn around Joey! BANG! It’s too late, Warren smashes Bryant with a brass knuckle shot to the back of the neck! Bryant is down! Warren tries to revive referee Diego Leach! It works! Warren covers!

1..

2..

..

NO! Joey Bryant gets his foot on the bottom rope! Guadalajara rejoices! Kash Warren can’t believe it! Not looking to waste his opportunity, Warren sets Bryant up for Cash Flow (Ura GTS [Argentine Rack dropped into GTS to the back of the head]). Warren lifts Bryant up but as soon as he goes for the knee strike Bryant lands behind him! Bryant with a forearm to the back of the head! Warren is in trouble! First Aid Kit (Straight Jacket Submission)! Bryant has Warren trapped in the middle of the ring!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Expertly applied. This hold is deadly and Kashmere is learning that in the most difficult fashion.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Kashmere?

TOZI CHAVIRA: Is that not his full name?

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: If you say it is I ain’t inclined to argue with ya.

Guadalajara is chanting “TAP!” and Kash Warren looks ready to do just that. Diego Leach is right there to get the verbal confirmation. Knowing that everything is slipping away, Angela DiAmante gets up on the apron right in Leach’s eyeline! Leach admonishes her. Warren starts tapping! Bryant sees DiAmante on the apron and he decides breaks the hold. Bryant goes to engage her but before he can get close enough – LOW BLOW from Warren! Bryant drops to the canvas and DiAmante casually steps down from the apron using the steel steps. Guadalajara is booing her mercilessly!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Why are these people jeering? One must do what one must do in order to dance with lady victory.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: It’s a yella bellied thing to do, that’s why!

TOZI CHAVIRA: Victors are remembered. Failures, forgotten. It does not matter what road you travel as long as you attain satisfaction.

The Prodigy is seconds away from glory. He sets Joey Bryant up and hits the Kash Flow (Ura GTS)! Bryant takes all of it but has enough energy to roll out to the apron and then the floor. Kash Warren tries to dive to stop him but is a second too late. Warren doesn’t take time to get pissy, he rolls out of the ring! Warren gathers Bryant up and tries to send him into the ring post! But Bryant reverses it! Warren’s head collides with the steel!

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: That sound! Kash Warren just got his bell rung!

TOZI CHAVIRA: I believe that was the sound of the support post.

CHAMP MARLBOROUGH: Either way…goddamn!

Angela DiAmante is beside herself as Joey Bryant rolls Kash Warren back into the ring. Warren is bleeding from the forehead and Bryant is grasping at his neck in serious pain. Bryant finds that second gear and stands Warren up. He applies the front face lock and then calls out to the crowd. Guadalajara wants it! Martyrdom (Spinning Brainbuster) from Joey Bryant! He covers!

1..

2..

..3!

BIG MOUTH MINDY: Here is your winner of the 2023 Vanguard Series and the NEW RAZOR Wrestling Vanguard Champion, “The Martyr” JOOOOOEEEEYYYY BRYYYYYANT!

"Cut - somenaan Remix" by Sweet Pill/somenaan starts playing! Diego Leach hands the title to Joey Bryant. Bryant celebrates for a moment as Angela DiAmante enters the ring to comfort Kash Warren. Bryant sees this and asks Big Mouth Mindy for the microphone. The music fades.

JOEY BRYANT: That was one hell of a match, Kash. You gave me as much as I could handle. But your journey doesn’t end here my friend, oh no. You and your new tag team partner are going to rise quickly and you will be in title contention again soon. You know how I know?

Warren, bloodied, is incredulous as he asks “How do you know?” in a pissy tone.

JOEY BRYANT: Because your new tag team partner is…me! The RAZOR Wrestling Vanguard Champion!

The words are like acid in Kash Warren’s ears. Angela DiAmante screeches. Warren is beyond pissed. Joey Bryant has never had a bigger smile on his face. He extends a hand to his new partner but Warren refuses. Bryant shrugs and starts showing off his championship for the raucous crowd.


Outside of Palacio Dorado we see the city streets of Guadalajara. Fiona Metz is walking down the side of the road. To where? Who can be sure? She saunters along, taking regular swigs of a bottle of mezcal when she is blinded by the lights of a passing car. It speeds by her close enough that she loses her balance and falls in the dirt, the bottle of mezcal smashing into pieces around her.

FIONA METZ: Fuck sakes. I should have just taken a Müver back to the hotel…

Another car approaches the downed commentator and she puts her hands up to protect her eyes. But it doesn’t zoom by, it pulls to a stop in front of her. It’s a black Lincoln Navigator. Metz gets to her feet but can’t see who is driving. She cautiously walks to the side of the car and the passenger window rolls down. We can’t see who is inside but whoever it is, Metz is shocked to see them.

FIONA METZ: Should I be glad to see you?

The back passenger door opens. Metz shrugs.

FIONA METZ: Fuck it. I’m out of booze anyway.

Metz gets into the SUV. It pulls back onto the road, kicking up enough dust that we still can’t see who is inside. The mystery. The intrigue! See you next time, in Las Vegas!

• Roxie Dixon def. Tormenta
• Los Rebeldes del Bien def. Lienzo Blanco & TRIV; Still Tag Team Champions
• Jacky Sweetwater def. Ladron de Almas
• Samhain & SHADOJIMA def. Ponytails
• CØNTAGIØN def. Javier Castillo, Halcón, Sombra Mortal, & Lucia Navarro
• Araña Oscura def. Craneo; New FLG Campeónato Supremo
• Ollie Maverick def. Carlos Hernandez in a Bull Rope Match; Still GRBG Champion
• Joey Bryant def. Kash Warren; New Vanguard Champion