Fireworks go off in the arena as "BOOM" plays. It's clear these are second-half fireworks, not starting off fireworks.

Valerie Thomas: As we come back from commercial, we want to take this time again to thank P.O.D. for lending us their classic "BOOM" as our theme song.

Sherman Grace: And before we get into the exciting second half of our show, we have a huge bit of unexpected excitement to share with you!! As you all know, we are an independently run federation but we also have a bi-directional contract with MAWL that is held over from our time as the developmental league for Eastern Kaos. Leila has kept on her promise to let us do us while at the same time giving us medical insurance and giving some of our people a shot at a grander stage.

Valerie: Recently one of our former champions Bea Hotch debuted in a tag match there as Bea Attitude. She didn't win but she definitely showed moxie.

Sherman: MAWL is going to be having their show in Virginia Beach, and they were scheduled to have a show in between in Baltimore but it got postponed due to shingles outbreak or something, I'm not sure. Anyway, they took that time for some of their superstars to come visit, give some words of encouragement and training tips to our superstars, we'll show some of that a little later, but that's not all that's in store.

Valerie: We have some of their matches happening tonight! They chose four of their matches to really get us pumped.

Sherman: And these aren't throwaway matches. A lot of shows will give you non-canon matches with no meaning, but there's story and emotion behind everything you're seeing tonight. These stars are bringing attention to our indie fed and treating this like it's a Madness or one of their own PPVs.

Valerie: We haven't had a lot of chance to call these specific people, but luckily we'll have some help, we're joined here by a man who cut his teeth here - Christ, seven years ago - MAWL's own Dangerous Johnny Dagger!

Johnny: What's good, what's good? It's great to be back! 

Sherman: I think the first question we want to know is, you good? After Razlyn-

Johnny: It's not the first time I've been stabbed in the back and it probably won't be the last. Taylor and I still got a lot of work to do, and Raz's just not gonna be a part of it anymore. She made her choice, and I'm gonna make her regret it when we meet at Mayday.

Valerie: Let's talk about the MAWL Showcase matches here today. What can you tell us about this card?

Johnny: So let's run this down, right? We got four matches here for ya today, and I gotta tell you they sent some of the biggest talkers here so I hope you cordoned off some time for this. I got a lotta love and respect for Manta Ray...before a few weeks back I would have said there's no way he wins today, but after what he did with Joker and how close he came with Tragedeigh, I think it would be a mistake to underestimate him. Kid's more than his lineage, he's a riptide out there and he's been showin' up and showin' out since he set foot on our shores. Sombras got a fight coming to him.

Valerie: And that's not the only lucha fighting today from you guys.

Johnny: Right - Cerrador is...a different story. IMMENSELY talented, guy's a legend, right? But he's very by the book, I don't know that he's adjusted to the smash mouth that goes on here and doesn't seem to have an answer for the slimier tactics that can happen. Mo absolutely wrecked him in their first outing. I don't know what he thought he was doing challenging for that belt again, and I really don't know why he agreed to fight her tonight, with no reward of a title if he should win. I have no fear but I keep my eyes on all sides of my head when going anywhere NEAR the Currency Cartel. She seems chill but Mo's going to defend that belt with her life. 

Sherman: And then we have two Bloodstar matches which I've seen you guys do but I don't think we've ever had a chance to call up front. 

Johnny: Lately Gozu has been particularly destructive and on a win streak so in our first match, he's going to be the one to beat. 

Valerie: And then to follow those four matches, we have a 15-person battle royal of our own competitors where the winner I believe gets a spot in the Forest Gauntlet.

Johnny: Damn. For just five matches of a showcase, we sure got a huge explosion in front of us and I for one cannot wait to get started.

Valerie: And I am excited to see some world-class promos in action as well. In fact, you mentioned Gozu and this was recorded I believe just last night-

The scene opens in a crumbling chapel at night, its stained-glass windows shattered, moonlight cutting through the ruins. The camera pans slowly to the doors, where Gozu stands cloaked in shadow, a blood stained cloth draped over his shoulders like vestments.

His mask gleams in the fractured light. He carries a bell, which he rings once and waits as the echo fades.

Gozu: "Bloodstar..."

Gozu: "A match where one drop writes your end. Where skin is parchment... and blood is scripture."

He walks along the broken pews, carrying the bell with him. He drags the fingers of his free hand across the splintered wood.

Gozu: "JP Spears, the footballer. Built for bursts of speed, made to follow the whistle... but what happens when there’s no field, no flags, no rules? When the only sound is the snap of bone?"

He slowly tilts his head. His voice begins to swell with rhythm.

Gozu: "James D, the prodigy. You trained your whole life to be the best. Admirable. Beautiful, even. But all that training can’t teach you what to do when your skin splits and your dreams start leaking out of you."

He rings the bell again.

Gozu: "Daniel... the pit fighter. The animal. You’ve bled, yes. You’ve bitten, bruised, clawed. But cages? Cages have rules. Even pits have ropes. Here, there is no boundary. There is only offering."

He approaches the altar. A single candle flickers beside a blackened book. His tone begins to shift, reverent, feverish.

Gozu: "And Sarah Sharp."

Gozu laughs a deep hollow laugh.

Gozu: "In this place... there are no victories. Only survivors. Only martyrs. And We..."

He raises his arms as though in worship.

Gozu: "We are your reckoning. We are your judgment. We are the prayer whispered in bloodied teeth and shattered jaws."

His voice climbs, like a priest in the midst of a sermon now, wild, intense, furious.

Gozu: "You come seeking glory, but all you’ll find is communion in suffering. You want to leave your mark? We will leave stigmata. You want a title? We bring testament."

He slams his palm on the altar.

Gozu: "We write gospel in gore."

A slow step forward, each word deliberate.

Gozu: "We baptize in agony, anointing the flesh with the truths only pain can reveal."

Gozu's presence seems to enlarge, his shadow stretching farther than before.

Gozu: "Each scream a psalm, each wound a verse, sacred and eternal."

His voice grows steadier, rising like a preacher before a congregation of the damned.

Gozu: "And when the final bell tolls… only one shall remain. Not by grace. Not by mercy. But by endurance. By the will to crawl through carnage and come out not clean… but chosen."

He takes another step, the candlelight dancing off the worn metal of his mask. The hollow, unblinking eyes behind it glow with something unholy, lucid, wild, yet calm in a way that freezes the air. He spreads his arms slowly, drawing in a breath as if breathing in the devotion of unseen followers.

Gozu: "We…"

A long pause, the candle flickers and seems to almost grow more dim momentarily. Gozu roars out as he continues.

Gozu: "I AM THE PATRON. SAINT. OF PAIN!"

The walls themselves seem to tremble as his voice echoes through the crumbling chapel, not just noise, but revelation. The sound lingers like smoke clinging to the rafters. He holds the pose, arms outstretched, as if calling for thunder or judgment to fall from the heavens and prove him wrong.

A long silence follows, almost reverent.

Then slowly, methodically, Gozu lowers his arms. He walks to the altar and places the bloodstained cloth over it, a quiet offering. He leans in toward the camera, his tone now hushed, conspiratorial, as if telling you the secret at the heart of every scream.

Gozu: "And I will make believers of you all..."

He reaches out and rings the bell one final time. This time, it is not solemn, it is final. The sound crashes through the ruins like a funeral toll for hope itself, the candle flickers violently before going out, along with the scene cutting to black.

Johnny: People have been so caught up in Gozu's comedy stylings lately that sometimes they forget he really IS here to put a hurt on you, and believe me when I tell you he is damned effective at it.

Valerie: And he's going right from this to trying to bury 5 people at Mayday.

Johnny: One of the things I both love and hate about MAWL is our wild matches. They are an amazing spectacle but they hurt like a mother. 

Sherman: This makes me miss my hardcore days. Actually Johnny, I think you and I mixed it up in a barbed wire match right before you started doing that whole Jets thing.

Johnny: Oh snap! You're so clean cut now, I put some greasy hair on you and a goatee and see some of your tats and I can place it. Whatup, Vermin?

Sherman: Oh you know, the ol' injuries keep me on this side of the table now. Love this, love hanging with my gal pal Val, but some days I miss the chaos. 

Johnny: Word. 

Valerie: Let's throw it over to Reggie McDonagh, who's ready to introduce this chaos.

Reggie: The following contest is a Bloodstar Match! The only way to win is to make your four opponents bleed!

Skylar Grey "Straight Shooter" blasts through the arena as Sarah Sharp comes out holding her book on "Social Success" and pointing to herself. 

Reggie: First! Representing Zora Luthor International, the Dean of the Sarah Sharp School of Social Success, Doctor Debutante, SARAH SHARP!

Sarah tosses her hair and enters the ring laughing at the boos.

Johnny: I remember Sarah when she was Sarah Tonin. It was just at the beginning of this year. She took the darkness very quickly, and tried to pair off very quickly with two other guys before going under the umbrella of Zora Luthor. I hate to say that the darkness worked for her, but she was our top champ before Balor.

Valerie: Balor's held the belt a little while now, I'd kinda forgotten who was the predecessor. But yeah, Sarah Sharp who won it at Heart Condition and is going to be going for her second championship at Mayday. This would give her a head of momentum. 

As his theme music plays over the PA system, James holds back until the song kicks in and then makes his way out from behind the curtain. 

Reggie: And her opponents! First, from New York City, weighing in at 190 pounds, The Most Interesting Man in the Woooooorld! JAMES! D!

As he moves into the sight of the fans, he's met with boos but this just brings a smile to his face. The boos continue to rain down towards James but it doesn't phase him as he makes his way down the ramp.

Johnny: This was the latter of the two guys I was talking about. Sarah tried to make herself connected to James D for all of a week and he wouldn't take her calls. Anyway, it's no great loss. James D is a fantastic competitor but if you have to call yourself "The Most" anything, you're trying to convince someone of something. 

 James rolls into the ring and then stands in the corner as he awaits his opponent's entrance.

Hand Clapper starts playing and the crowd starts to clap along.
JP runs out as the tron starts to play his reel and he plays to the crowd, clapping to either side.

Reggie: And! From Charlotte, North Carolina, weighing in at 215 pounds, J. P. Spears!

Johnny: (laughing) This is awkward. Sarah actually WAS paired off with JP for a bit. They even have a video game cover together. But after she lost her belt she blamed him and walked away. 

JP Spears jogs to the ring.

Valerie: What's the "Redemption Tour" about?

Johnny: He realized he was being kind of a dick while he was with Sarah and is trying to re-endear himself to the locker room and to the fans. As a fellow North Carolinian who'd gone through something similar, JP I got your back. 

Sherman: Is that why the Jets blew up?

Johnny: Ha! Phrasing, dude. But yes, I did my time as a dick as well and powerbombed Jimmy off the wing of an F-15. It was grounded, still a ways down. 

JP slides under the bottom rope and takes off his cut-off T-shirt and throws it into the crowd.

Sherman: I hope he's okay.

Johnny: I mean, he's still here, that's Glen Leven. Now that we're back on the same side of the proverbial fence, I'd have his back again. I owe him that. Don't put me in any 1920's clothes though. But the fans seem to be loving JP Spears and his redemption I think so far is a successful one. Would probably help him to take out Sharp.

JP Spears and Sarah Sharp stare daggers at each other as they await the last two opponents. 

Loud-repeating booms fills the arena with big letter ‘D’ showing up in the titantron before it changes to ‘Daniel’ as the soundtrack Waiting - Not Forgotten played ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3HP8bog39Q ) through the PA.

Reggie: From Moultrie County, weighing in at 284 pounds, DAAAANIEL!

Johnny: Daniel. Oh man. This dude's being chased by a mask. He's scary enough as it is when he's not a complete monster. 

Valerie: Think the mask will show up here? 

Johnny: Month ago I would've said not on your life but it was tossed into the damn Hudson River and found its way back to him so man, I don't know anymore. 

Sherman: I don't know if I'm excited to see it or hope it doesn't come.

Johnny: How many different announcers' tables you got?

Valerie: I think it's just us, Spanish, and French?

Johnny: Yeah I would hope it doesn't show. 

Daniel walks slowly in his long coat through the ramp down to the ring. His eyes are fixed and focused, locking on to his opponent. He climbs the steel stair and enters the ring through the 2nd rope. Finally he’s posing his Destroyer’s Roar with loud big banged pyros from the turnbuckle behind him.

Valerie: One more entrant to come and that can only mean -

The lights in the arena go black as the sound of wind whipping through can be faintly heard.  Abruptly a guitar chord kicks from the opening of Archenemy - Handshake with Hell in as dim red light fills every corner of the the arena. 

Thick fog billows out from the entryway as the music swell, fire erupting at the edges of the stage.  Gozu strides out through the fog, his figure silhouetted by lighting from behind him. 

Chants of "Gozu's gonna kill you" fill parts of the arena. 

Reggie: And Finally! From Parts Unknown, weighing in at 320 pounds, the Patron Saint of Pain, GOOOOOOOZU!

Gozu takes his time stalking toward the ring one pace at a time, and upon reaching the ring walks up the steps and up onto the apron.  Fog seeping out from under the ring as he reaches it.  Gozu push down the top rope and steps over it to enter and takes a few measured paces before sprinting to the far ring corner.

Johnny: There's a fear and a reverence for that man right there. A Lunch Meal Combo of Brutalizing Braun and Bafflingly Brilliant Brains, Gozu truly is the whole package.

Gozu grabs the turnbuckle as the music reaches a fever pitch and slams his head down into the turnbuckle cover several times.  Each impact sending a pillar of pyro firing out of the ring posts.  Gozu turns and drops into a crouching position in the same corner as the music fades out and the venue lights come back up.

The bell rings. The five circle each other as the "Gozu's gonna kill you" chants grow in number slightly. The collective breath of the rest of the audience and the two non-Johnny announcers is sucked in in anticipation creating a sound vacuum that only serves to amplify the chants.

Valerie: We prepare for destruction and Gozu immediately with a headbutt to James D! Daniel whips Sarah off the ropes - DANIEL AND JP WITH A DOUBLE FLAPJACK WITH SOME CONSIDERABLE HEIGHT! Sarah takes a flat landing!

Sherman: Sarah has a choice to make, JP or Daniel and she goes for Daniel with a dropkick which James D echoes on Daniel's other side! 

Johnny: James D wants that mask from Daniel, especially after the thrashing Daniel gave him last week. He may have to wait til Mayday. And JP Spears sees the opening, a HIT STICK TO GOZU! No Fears Spears is on the hunt!

Sherman: Both of them to their feet and just in time to eat a Double Clothesline by Daniel. And Sharp slaps James. Sarah gets James up! JP GETS DANIEL UP! STEREO STALLING SUPLEXES!

Johnny: Just like old times! And a brief moment of recognition-ulp, Sarah ruined it by flipping JP off. 

Valerie: Doesn't she call herself "Doctor Debutante"? That doesn't seem very Deb.

Johnny: Lotta people call themselves lotta things they don't deserve. Riled up JP though he comes running for a clothesline and Sarah ducks! JP whaps Gozu with the clothesline! 

Sherman: That looks like it was a bad idea. 

Valerie: And bulldog from James D to Daniel. James up, another running bulldog this time to Sarah! Gozu goes for the running headbutt, JP ROLLS AWAY AND GOZU GETS DANIEL INSTEAD! 

Sherman: JP Spears going for a springboard splash to Sarah - SARAH CATCHES HIM! THE DIRTY DANCING BIG MOVE AND I DON'T THINK JP PLANNED FOR OR IS TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND SHE LAUNCHES HIM AT EVERYONE ELSE! Sarah is the only one standing in this ring! 

Some of the crowd starts singing "I've had the time of my liiiife"

Johnny: I don't know about Debutante, but Sarah Sharp does in fact have her PhD and you can see her intelligence working in her favor in a big way here. That was incredible. 

Valerie: JP Spears up to his feet first and going in with some stomps on Gozu, Sarah conducting the sing along very proud of herself TURN AROUND SARAH AND DANIEL FLIPS HER WITH THAT BIG BANG LARIAT! SHE'S LIKE A KID GOING OVER THE SWINGS BAR BACKWARDS! SHE FACEPLANTS ON THE MAT!

Sherman: She's getting up, and yep, she left a blood mark. Sarah Sharp is out of this match! But boy did she make an impact before she went.

Sarah Sharp is eliminated by Daniel!

Sherman: James D runs up and blasts Daniel with the D Stroyer Knee! Daniel stumbles back but it seems like he's keeping his footing. JP and Gozu exchanging some punches during this. I give JP credit for going right for the Big Man and BLASTED WITH KYOUKI DRIVER! JP SPEARS IS BUSTED OPEN!

JP Spears is eliminated by Gozu!

Johnny: This is so often how these things go. These matches are a lot like popcorn in that it's a lot of build up and damage and then the kernels start poppin'.

Valerie: James D hits Daniel with a floatover DDT! DANIEL cracks open!

Johnny: See what I mean?

Daniel is eliminated by James D!

Sherman: It's just dawning on James D that he's alone with Gozu. James with a quick punch to Gozu and right outside the ring he runs. Gozu picks up his folding chair and launches it at James! James is stunned! Gozu gets James up by the back of the neck!!!

Valerie: SKY HIGH REVERSE CHOKESLAM ON THE STEPS! 

Sherman: Gozu picks James up and A SECOND TIME!

Johnny: There will be blood! And HE'S FINISHED!

James D is eliminated by Gozu, making Gozu the winner!

Reggie: Here is your winner...GOZU!!

Sherman: Gozu lives up to the hype, and the bodies lie in his wake.

Valerie: And now we turn attention to a situation from earlier...

Manta Ray stands before a full-length mirror, rolling his shoulders and bouncing lightly on his feet. His blue and silver mask shines under the bright overhead lights, the sleek fin-like extensions on the sides fluttering slightly with each movement.

He’s focused, his body moving with a disciplined rhythm—light jabs, a quick snap of a hook, a feint, another jab. His hands are fast, but precise. His breathing is steady, his gaze sharp.

Manta Ray: (to himself, in a steady rhythm) Breathe. Light. Fast. Precision. Every strike counts. No wasted motion.

The shadow, nearly invisible now, drifts across the ceiling like a faint mist. But as it moves above him, Manta Ray’s instincts flare—his eyes dart upward, but he sees nothing. He shakes his head, dismissing it as nerves.

Manta Ray: (muttering) Focus, Ray. Focus. They mock you because they’re afraid. They talk because they can’t fight. But you… you just keep swimming.

He throws another combination—jab, jab, cross—each strike cutting the air like a whip. He moves with the calm of a seasoned warrior, a man whose resolve is forged in the fires of struggle.

But the shadow lingers, a faint ripple on the ceiling, watching. The whispers are quiet now, almost silent, but they slither across the room like a faint, ghostly breeze.

"They do not know… they do not see… the reckoning comes…”

But Manta Ray keeps his focus, oblivious to the lurking darkness above.

 Manta Ray spots something dark leaving his room out of the corner of his mask.

Manta Ray storms down the cold, concrete hallway of the MAWL arena, his blue and silver mask practically shimmering beneath the flickering overhead lights. His fists are clenched, his breathing heavy, and his eyes are sharp with anger. He can still feel that cold touch, that creeping darkness—whatever it was that tried to get in his head.

Manta Ray: (muttering to himself) Sombras… It has to be him. He’s always lurking, always hiding in the shadows. I’ve had enough.

His steps echo through the corridor, each one harder and faster than the last until he rounds the corner—straight into the open door of La Sangre Maldita’s locker room.

CUT – LA SANGRE MALDITA LOCKER ROOM

Sombras is sitting on the bench, a towel around his neck, his mask half-lifted as he sips from a water bottle. Next to him, Tragedeigh is scrolling through her phone, and Davy Boy is leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, that same smug grin on his face.

The moment Manta Ray bursts in, all three of them snap to attention, but it’s Sombras who narrows his eyes.

Sombras: (voice sharp) Manta Ray. Lost your way, fish boy?

Manta Ray: (pointing, voice sharp) Cut the jokes, Sombras! I know it was you. I know you were trying to mess with me—creeping in the shadows, whispering like some twisted ghost. But I don’t scare easy. I want you to face me like a man.

Sombras’s mask hides most of his expression, but the sudden tension in his shoulders is clear. Tragedeigh’s phone drops to her lap, and Davy Boy’s smirk vanishes.

Sombras: (coldly) I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Manta Ray: (stepping forward, fists still clenched) Liar. Always lurking in the dark, always trying to get in my head. I won’t let you. I won’t be your next victim.

Sombras: (rises, eyes locked on Manta Ray) I don’t lurk. I don’t whisper. And I don’t need tricks to deal with you.

Manta Ray: (scoffs) Oh please, La Sangre Maldita—The Cursed Bloodline—always scheming, always hiding behind masks. Always thinking you’re untouchable.

The moment the English name leaves Manta Ray’s lips, the tension snaps like a whip. Tragedeigh’s eyes widen, her fingers clenching. Davy Boy steps forward, his grin replaced with a glare.

Davy Boy: (mocking laugh) Wow. You really do have a death wish, Ray. Say that again. Say it in English one more time.

Tragedeigh: (leaning forward, voice a cold whisper) Go ahead, hero. Show us how brave you are when you’re disrespecting an entire legacy.

Manta Ray: (leaning closer, undaunted) I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it loud. La Sangre Maldita. The Cursed Bloodline. Your name means nothing to me.

Sombras’s fist lashes out—Manta Ray ducks it, his own hand snapping up to shove Sombras back. The room erupts in chaos—Tragedeigh lunges, and Manta Ray shoves her away. Davy Boy’s hand grabs Manta’s shoulder, but Manta spins, slamming an elbow into Davy’s ribs.

But even as they swarm him, Manta Ray’s instincts kick in—ducking, weaving, his speed keeping them at bay. His voice rises above the chaos.

Manta Ray: (yelling) This isn’t a fight! This is me telling you I’m not afraid of you! I never have been!

Sombras’s voice is a low, seething growl.

Sombras: Then you’re a fool. We don’t need tricks to break you, Manta Ray. We just need time.

With a sudden shove, Sombras sends Manta crashing against the wall. The others close in, but a loud BANG at the door cuts through the chaos.

MAWL security rushes in, dragging them apart. Manta Ray is breathing hard, his mask slightly torn, but he’s still defiant. Sombras’s gaze is venomous, his masked face twisted with rage.

Manta Ray: (pulled back by security) I’ll fight all of you. Anytime. Anywhere.

Sombras: You’ve already lost, fish boy. Because you don’t even know who your real enemy is.

As Manta Ray is pulled back into the hallway, his breath is heavy, but his eyes are still blazing with defiance.

CUT to – The screen is a crackling mess of static and distorted colors. A faint, warbling hum echoes like a broken music box, twisting and bending with each flicker of the screen. The darkness swirls, then solidifies—twisting into the grinning, shadowed face of Vernon Gravewater.

Gravewater: (his voice a rich, syrupy drawl, twisted with static) Hehehe… Oh, bless their lil’ hearts… scratchin’, fightin’, rippin’ at each other like wild dogs in a box… but they can’t see the storm a’brewin’ above their heads.

The screen blurs, flashing images in rapid, chaotic sequence:

Manta Ray, fists flying, his voice echoing—"I’m not afraid of you!"

Sombras, rage twisting his masked face—"You’re a fool!"

Tragedeigh and Davy Boy, closing in like wolves.

The shadow, twisting above them, whispering, curling, almost laughing.

Manta Ray, driven back by security, his mask torn, but his spirit unbroken.

Gravewater’s voice rises, a thick, wet chuckle crawling beneath the static.

Gravewater: (distorted, each word crawling like a centipede) The good… the brave… the righteous… they all think they know who their enemies are. They all think they know the shadows from the light… but they ain’t never seen a darkness like me. Hehehehe…

The screen shudders, static gnawing at the edges, the image warping as Gravewater’s face looms closer, his grinning teeth twisted and sharp.

Gravewater: The Cursed Bloodline… cursed by their pride, blind to the shadows. And that lil’ fish boy… bless his heart… runnin’ straight into the wolf’s den, all flappin’ and flailin’… thinkin’ he’s a hero. Thinkin’ he’s got light to share.

The static swirls, the screen cracking like glass, Gravewater’s laughter distorting, twisting.

Gravewater: But the light won’t save ‘em… no, sir. The light is a lie… a flickerin’ candle ‘bout to snuff out. The dark’s been here long before ‘em, and it’ll be here long after. And I’m jus’ gettin’ started… Hehehehe…

His face fades, but the screen lingers on a warped image of Manta Ray’s determined, defiant face, frozen in a snarl. The darkness around it pulses, curling, reaching…

Gravewater (whispering, final words distorted): Swim, lil’ fish… swim fast… but the tide’s comin’… and it’s hungry.

The screen collapses into a sea of static, then fades to black.

CUT – MAWL BACKSTAGE – LA SANGRE MALDITA LOCKER ROOM

The room is silent, the air thick with tension. Sombras, Tragedeigh, and Davy Boy stand shoulder to shoulder, staring at the flickering monitor on the wall. Gravewater’s twisted, grinning face distorts, his laughter crawling out of the speakers like a swarm of insects.

Gravewater (on the screen): Swim, lil’ fish… swim fast… but the tide’s comin’… and it’s hungry.

The static fades, leaving only a twisted, distorted image of Manta Ray’s defiant face, frozen in a snarl as darkness curls around it. Silence hangs like a heavy curtain. Sombras’s fist clenches, his jaw tightening.

Sombras: (cold, sharp) That was… not Manta Ray.

Tragedeigh: (crosses her arms, biting her lip) Then who? Who just hijacks the feed to play some swamp horror flick on a loop?

Davy Boy: (smirking, but with a hint of nervousness) I’ll tell you who. Our very own headcase, Fish Boy. He thinks he’s tough, so he’s got some goons playing mind games. Maybe it’s RADE… maybe it’s just some other loser trying to scare us.

Sombras: (snarls, turning to Davy) Use your head for once. That was not Manta Ray. That was something… else. Something that’s not afraid of showing its face.

Tragedeigh’s eyes narrow, her voice low and uneasy.

Tragedeigh: It knows us. It knows him. It’s like it’s… watching.

The room falls into uneasy silence, the static on the monitor still flickering faintly.

CUT – MAWL HALLWAY – MANTA RAY]

Manta Ray stands frozen, his eyes locked on the monitor in the hallway. He watches the same glitching promo—Gravewater’s laughing face, the whispered threats, his own defiant face twisted into a grim, frozen mask.

Manta Ray: (whispers) That.. What was that… but it knows me. It’s mocking me.

He clenches his fists, his breathing steadying. But for the first time, doubt seeps into his voice.

Manta Ray: (quietly) What is this… who is this…

Security walks past, not even acknowledging him, as the faint whispers echo in his ears.

Sherman: He said anytime, anyplace. 

Valerie: And it looks like that place is going to be right here, right now.

Johnny: Both of them have title matches coming up in a week, this will be a great way to get that momentum going.

Reggie: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! 

When Sombras makes his entrance, the arena plunges into near darkness, lit only by flickering red and black lights. A faint, ghostly chant resonates through the speakers, accompanied by the soft sound of wind and whispers. Sombras appears suddenly, materializing as though from the shadows, moving with a silent, predatory grace. His movements are fluid and deliberate, creating the illusion of a phantom stalking its prey.

Reggie: First! Representing La Sangre Maldita, from the Ancient Bloodline of Forgotten Kings, weighing 195 pounds, ONE HALF OF THE MAWL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, The Phantom of Shadows, SOMBRAS!

As he approaches the ring, crimson mist begins to pool around him, intensifying his spectral presence. He enters the ring in eerie silence, crouching low in his corner as he fixes his piercing gaze on his opponents. When the bell rings, the shadows seem to envelop him, and the match begins in an atmosphere of dread.

Valerie: What's the best way to beat Sombras?

Johnny: SPIT.

Sherman: I'm afraid to ask.

Johnny: Speed, Precision, Intelligence, Timing.

Valerie: You could have also said TIPS. 

Johnny: Why would I have done that? That's just silly.

Valerie: I...just...okay.

The Arena is bathed in blue light. Manta Ray comes charging in. 

Reggie: And his opponent! From Profundidas del Mar, weighing in at 185 pounds, MANTA RAY!

Manta Ray jumps in and pounces on Sombras. The bell rings.

Johnny: This is the most intense I've ever seen Manta.

Sherman: He's just unloading on Sombras fist after fist after...is he punching the...mat?

Johnny: This is the danger of Sombras, gone without a trace and dropkick to Manta from the top turnbuckle! Sombras off the ropes and drives him to the ground with a Blockbuster! Manta to his feet and just in time to eat a Sling Blade from Sombras! Sombras for a pin-

1!

Valerie: Manta keeps himself alive, Manta off the ropes and he's going for a spin kick but Sombras is nowhere to be seen, Manta boffs the landing a little bit but able to keep on his feet, Sombras coming back around from behind and the leg lariat - NO! Manta ducks and Salida del Sol!

Johnny: That's what I mean by timing. He's hitting a pair of jumping elbow drops! Going for a stomp - Sombras isn't there but this time Manta keeps his foot up, Sombras off the turnbuckle for a double axe handle and Manta senses him! Superkick! And that is what I mean by intelligence. Being able to prevent the stomp coming down on nothing, and pivoting in a moment.

Sherman: Manta with a huge springboard moonsault! Going to the ropes for the Riptide Ropewalk and-

The titantron starts fizzing on and off, and a creepy laugh trickles into the arena.

Valerie: Manta distracted by the sound, Sombras pulls the ropes! Manta low blowed by the ropes! Sombras off the ropes into a Springboard...PHANTOM'S EMBRACE!!

1!

2!

3!

Sombras wins by Pinfall!

Reggie: Here is your winner! SOMBRAS!

Sherman: A rather disappointing loss for Manta Ray and-

Valerie: Superstar and Tragedeigh are here! And they're dragging Manta out of the ring and beating the living hell out of him! And-Dagger's ripped his headphones off and is going to bat for Manta! Wait-

Valerie: EL CERRADOR IS OUT! EL CERRADOR IS HERE! And he's got a bat!

Sherman: Oh this is a bad idea, he's got a match, getting himself hurt before it won't help. 

La Sangre Maldita laugh this off. The titantron begins to play the creepy laugh again and immediately La Sangre Maldita stop laughing and run to the back.

Johnny Dagger returns to the booth, while El Cerrador stays in the ring.

Johnny: Sangre Maldita, I got my eyes on you.

Valerie: Meanwhile, earlier SlowMo Tapout had this to say about this next match - 

The arena, hours before showtime, is a cavern of echoing silence, a stark contrast to the impending chaos. In the center, bathed in the dim, ghostly glow of the work lights, stands SlowMo.

The ring is a skeleton of what it will be, a bare platform, the steel posts jutting upwards. There are no ropes to confine her, no colorful turnbuckle pads, no vibrant ring skirt proclaiming the MAWL brand. It's a raw, deconstructed symbol of the promotion she's systematically dismantling. Surrounding this skeletal stage, strategically placed, are the ever present Cartel fans. Their faces are a mixture of smug confidence and predatory anticipation. These aren't just any fans, they are the seeds of dissent, the loyalists planted at every event to sway the local sentiment, to poison the well of support for homegrown heroes and slowly, turn the tide towards the Currency Cartel.

SlowMo: Tonight… tonight, there will be no carefully crafted, pre-recorded Keyser address. No, tonight, I felt it was essential, almost poetic, that I address you directly, El Cerrador. Let’s cut through the noise, shall we? Let’s talk about that first encounter, that pivotal moment where you were heralded as the shining hope of this… pathetic… company. What did you do, El Cerrador, when the weight of MAWL was squarely on your shoulders? You buckled. You choked. You failed to get the job done! You failed to halt the unstoppable juggernaut that is the Currency Cartel. Make no mistake, Cerrador, your fingerprints are all over this current state of affairs. It’s your fault we are where we are now. Your failure was the crack in the dam, and the flood was inevitable.

SlowMo paces slowly, deliberately, her boots echoing on the unpadded wood. She surveys the Cartel faithful, a smirk on her lips as they offer subtle nods and quiet affirmations.

SlowMo: Look around you. Look what has transpired, what has festered and grown since that last, fateful meeting. The Currency Cartel hasn’t just wormed its way into the underbelly of MAWL like some timid parasite. No. We’ve kicked down the doors, El Cerrador. We’ve marched into the main halls, asserted our dominance, and now… now we control a significant piece of it. We’ve taken root, and those roots run deep.

SlowMo raises her arm, and the gleam of gold catches the dim light. The Aries Championship, a symbol of individual excellence within MAWL, now looks like a spoil of war in her grasp.

SlowMo: And behold! El Cerrador, this is your redemption arc. Oh, MAWL, in its infinite wisdom, or perhaps its desperation, has decided to grant you a second crack at the Queen of Queen Street West. A second chance to stop me, to try and stem the bleeding, to halt us. You're about to step into this very ring and battle the champ champ...Your champion, MAWL. The woman who holds not only this prestigious Aries title but the keys to your promotion's future. And what, pray tell, is the valiant El Cerrador going to do this time around? I’ll tell you precisely what. Absolutely… nothing!

SlowMo's voice drips with contempt, each word a calculated blow.

SlowMo: When we first fought, you had every advantage, didn’t you? You were on your home turf, surrounded by a sea of adoring faces, a crowd of people baying for my blood, their hopes and dreams pinned on you, their supposed savior. They believed you could save this crumbling promotion. But even with all that behind you, even with their deafening cheers, my momentum, our momentum, proved too much. It carried. El Cerrador couldn't stop me then. The legendary Chantarelle, with all her fire and fight, she couldn't stop me either. And now, destiny, or perhaps MAWL's foolishness, brings us back here. El Cerrador gets his second, and likely final, crack at stopping the inevitable.

SlowMo plants her foot firmly on the ring canvas, a gesture of ownership.

SlowMo: But oh, how the tables have turned, my friend. This time, MAWL is MY home turf. These fans, the ones whose voices will echo in your ears tonight? They are MY fans. This ring, this very structure we stand upon? I own the f*cking ring! Every board, every bolt, every fiber of its being answers to the Cartel now. The only question that truly remains, the only variable in this equation is this. When I win, and make no mistake, I will win again. What more will MAWL lose? What further piece of its soul, what other shred of its dignity will be stripped away, all thanks to El Cerrador's monumental, repeated failure?

SlowMo leans forward, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper, though it carries through the empty arena to her devotees.

SlowMo: No pressure, buddy. It’s just another significant piece of MAWL’s future, another pillar of its legacy, teetering on the brink, resting squarely on your increasingly inadequate shoulders. The weight of their expectations, their fading hopes… feel it, Cerrador? Let it crush you.

She straightens up, a triumphant, almost messianic look on her face as she addresses the Cartel fans, who now begin to stir, their hushed murmurs growing into a low, appreciative chant of "Hail, hail, hail!"

SlowMo: I'll see you soon, El Cerrador. And MAWL… prepare for the next stage of your decline. HAIL THE CURRENCY CARTEL!

Scott Razor stalks backstage in preparation for this match, bat in hand.

Suddenly he gets jumped by a masked man.

The masked man starts getting punches in on Scott, but Scott is able to powerbomb him and beat the hell out of him until-

A second masked goon enters the fray. For a moment, the two goons get the upper hand on Scott but upon realizing that the other is there, they begin to argue with each other. Scott takes this opportunity to run his bat into the stomach of each in turn, then crack the bat over the head of the first one. The officials escort Scott out before he can get another hit on the second or find out who is behind the mask.

Johnny (VO): And Scott and SlowMo have also been going at it in a manner of speaking these past few weeks, Scott I imagine was here to mess with SlowMo as I don't think he's in any of these set matches but now he's gonna have to wait.

Johnny: Apparently, the rest of the Cartel was told not to worry about this one.

Sherman: Feels a bit like someone coming to bat and everyone moves infield. 

Valerie: And both competitors are in the ring now, so we're about to get this underway! 

The bell rings.

Johnny: Cerrador going for a clothesline, Slow ducks! Wraps in the Fangs of Jeleva Delain aaaaand Cerrador is tapping out. Yep.

SlowMo Tapout wins by Submission!

Reggie: Here is your winner, SlowMo Tapout!

Johnny: I know that Cerrador won his title shot against Slow at Mayday but if I were him after these two absolute squashes, I'd call in sick and give someone else the opportunity.

Sherman: On giving opportunities, our trainees had an opportunity to meet with some of MAWL's stars today.

Johnny (VO): Yeah I was just waking up when we took this picture (laughs) but it was real cool getting to talk to some of the up and comers. Cerrador and Tyler gave em some submission techniques, Kira and Imogen helped them practice face and heel promos, Balor, JCM, and Wonderwolf answered questions about championships and title fights then JCM gave em some power techniques training, Steve and I taught em some cool high flying shit, Capybara acted as a mascot of sorts and gave em all a laugh or two. And then Tyler got em all drunk. Dinah gave em some really solid workout techniques and helped them with the striking moves. And then she got caught on video in this exchange with Imogen during some of the downtime-

Dinah Soar is dealing with increasing frustration following the consistent losses, and trying to get her anger out on the speed bag. It isn't working. Imogen enters the gym wearing a "Heartbreaker Was Right" Cat Shirt (On Sale Now!) and starts at the speed bag next to Dinah. At first she thinks of ragging on her but sees something in her eyes that reminds her of her early days

Imogen: This was me once.

Dinah: Good for you?

Imogen: I used to think that do the right thing and you'll come out right. Do the noble thing and you'll come out right. Good guys get good results. But I learned very quickly the same thing that SM learned, that doesn't do MEOW.

Dinah: SM is trying to get in my head. Steve is trying to get in my head. And now you're trying to get in my head. It's starting to become very crowded.

Imogen: Look. I'm just saying. The rules haven't worked out for you. You're not a bad fighter but you pull your punches. You don't go for the kill. You sell yourself as a T-Rex but you seem to be more of a Brontosaurus.

Dinah: If you don't leave me alone soon, you're going to have a pronto sore ass.

Imogen: Cute. SM is treating you like his Eliza Doolittle. WildFire thinks you're a vanilla ice cream. You're not taken seriously around here. I get it. I used to think I'd get far being the Disney Princess but it failed me and I had to pivot. SM may be weird and paternalistic but he is right about you being too pure and too character driven, and as a result you're being passed over, kept in the comedy spot.

Dinah: That's not...oh.

Imogen: Kid Kross is going to headline Fallout. Nero has barely won a match and he's got a champ going through hoops to fight him. Didn't they both start here after you? Where's Dinah's shot?

Dinah: Why do you care? You Luthors always have an angle. Trying to recruit me?

Imogen: Because I was you, and it makes me sad to look at you as you are. Anyway, a little birdy told me that one of Nero's people have been talking to the higher ups and to people of influence and got you booked in a match with some high profile people.

Dinah: Oh, so now Nero's got interest in me too?

Imogen: Let's be clear, hon. No one really has interest in you. No, they wanted SM Heartbreaker. They knew that WildFire had interest in SM Heartbreaker. And they knew that Kid Kross with his name guaranteed in lights would be irresistible to both WildFire and SM. You're in there to lure SM, and then to throw him off his game. You're nothing more than bait for Heartbreaker.

Dinah starts to get truly peeved.

Dinah: Wait, how exactly do you know all this? Or are you just trying to rile me up for some sick mean girl shit?

Imogen: I've got ears in places you don't even know. But like I said, I have been you, so maybe you have sparked my interest a little. So maybe it's time for you to be me.

Dinah: I could just win this match clean.

Imogen: It's a Bloodstar match. You're gonna have to get brutal if you want any chance of winning. Because I see you in me, I also see your potential. I know you can prove to everyone that you're not Heartbreaker's toy poodle. I know you can show the big tough man Nero that you're every bit of deserving of that title shot as he is. I know you can make WildFire see you as a threat, maybe even earn his respect as much as possible. Go out there and show them all. Stop playing nice and be a real T. Rex.

Dinah: Yeah.

Imogen: Go out there and mess them up!

Dinah: Yeah!

Imogen: Tell them!

Dinah: All of you out here in MAWL land have mistaken my kindness for weakness. That...was a big mistake. There are four of you that are going to have to see that I can be both a lover and a fighter. I'm going to show you why I deserve to replace you when people have the Mount Rushmore Conversation. And when it's done, I'll still be Dinah and you'll all be Sore.

Jurassic Park Theme plays, Dinah walks out with a microphone and a determined look on her face.

Dinah: Now, it's been brought to my attention that I'm only in this match for two reasons. One, to lure out SM Heartbreaker and two, as a filler who's meant to lose. Now, I've been going back and forth these past few weeks on who I want to be and whose path I want to follow. You all think that I'm just SM's little toy project. But I'm here to tell you that I have surpassed SM Heartbreaker once, and I can do it again. In fact, I'm so confident that I can beat the other four that if I win, I want a title match. I know I can't ask that of any of you as you're not champs and you probably won't be a month from now either, so that's more to the person who okayed me being in this crazy nonsense. And if I don't win, I'll relegate myself to special referee between SM Heartbreaker and Steve Thunder.

Dinah: Let's look at this realistically. Kid Kross is big...in Canada. Like the girlfriends that don't really exist. Props for winning a match to get your ass handed to you by whoever's the champ at Fallout.

Johnny: Where's this attitude coming from?

Dinah: Nero. You're so busy desperately trying to hold your own group together that you've forgotten how to win a match.

Valerie: Isn't she also on a losing streak?

Dinah: WildFire. Every time I look at you, I'm reminded that you're not the singer from AWOLNATION, and that makes me a little sad. That guy, he has talent. He doesn't need to tell anyone how many stars he is.

Sherman: Jesus Christ kid you're signing your death warrant.

Dinah: And of course, SM Heartbreaker. You wanted me to be different. You wanted me to evolve. So let's evolve, baby. I can show you my growth and you can show me your stagnation.

Voice Over: Wrestling has only one HeartBreaker.

BOOOOMania runs wild in the arena tonight as the MAWL fans know exactly who is coming out to the ring.

Say his name and he appears, I can't believe he still works here

Enter SM HeartBreaker Armed with a microphone and carrying his Taxiderby briefcase to the ring.

SM HeartBreaker appears in front of the crowd wearing a "Sting Ray Steve sucks eggs" T-Shirt.

SM HeartBreaker begins to slowly....

Really

Really

Slowly...

Walk down to the ring. Aura farming to the Booing MAWL fans as he shows off his future championship shot.

SM HeartBreaker shows off his Taxiderby briefcase to the people to his left.

SM HeartBreaker shows off his Taxiderby briefcase to the people to his right.

SM heartBreaker even walks around the ring to show off his taxiderby briefcase to the people in the expensive seats.

SM HeartBreaker jumps over the barricade and walks up the stairs into the crowd to show off his taxiderby briefcase to the people in the cheap seats.

SM HeartBreaker changes his mind and returns to the ringside area after a wave of drinks are thrown towards SM HeartBreaker's direct.

SM HeartBreaker rolls into the ring and shows Dinah Soar his Taxiderby Briefcase before sitting on a nearby turnbuckle...with his Taxiderby Briefcase.

"I wanna Rock " By Twisted Sister plays on the 'tron as WildFire walks down to the ring.

He rolls into the ring ignoring the others and kneels down arm spread wide as fireworks explode from the four ring posts.

WildFire : '"Blah, blah , blah stuff and thing... what fun you both are."

WildFire: "One" (pointing in Sm's general direction) "An old Glory Hound trying to hang on to his top spot."

WildFire: (pointing in Dinah's general direction) And the other, a white bread vanilla girl, who may have a World of Potential but has no ... hmm how do We say it "EYE OF THE TIGER"... no KILLER INSTINCT!"

Steam is starting to emanate from Dinah.

WildFire: "And ya Whatever.... " Looks around "I don't see no Nero here or Kid Kross, so I guess you two get the honour and the privledge.. do you two know whar a BLOODSTAR match is? Because when I read the match card I had no idea ... so I asked."

Reggie: The following contest is a BloodStar Match! Already in the ring: SM Heartbreaker, Dinah Soar, and WildFire!

MAROON FOG BELLOWS FROM THE STAGE AREA, AND PURPLE FOG FALLS FROM THE RAFTERS AS 'DESTROY EVERYTHING' BY HATEBREED BLASTS.

A SIGIL OF THE PSYCHO SUPREMACY FLOATS ON THE TITAN-TRON SCREEN. IMAGES OF BLOOD FILLED RIVERS, AND BURNING TREES FLASH ON THE SCREEN ALSO. 'A NEW LIFE BEGINS!' THE BASS GUITAR AND DRUMS RAGE LOUD OVER THE ARENA SPEAKERS. THE RED SPOT LIGHTS BEGINS TO STROBE IN SYNC WITH THE MUSIC.

'ARGGGGGGGGGHHH'

Reggie: From the Tree of Woe, weighing in at 300 pounds, the leader of the Psycho Supremacy! NEEEEEERO!

NERO SLOWLY STEPS THROUGH THE FOG WEARING HIS TATTERED BLOOD-STAINED CLOAK AND SPIKED SHOULDER ARMOR.

HE STANDS STILL AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP, HEAD LOWERED.

'DESTROY EVERYTHING!'

NERO SNAPS HIS HEAD UP, ONE EYE GLOWING PURPLE, THE OTHER SOULLESS AND BLACKENED. HE EXTENDS BOTH ARMS UP AND OUT TO THE SIDES AS IF COMMANDING CHAOS.

HE LETS OUT A GUTTURAL ROAR AS THE FOG DISSIPATES, AND RED PYRO EXPLODE LIKE A WAR-ZONE.

THE TITAN-TRON GLITCHES WITH A HALF HUMAN HALF DEMONIC FACE, AND IMAGES OF WAR, BURNING EMPIRES, CRUMBLING BUILDINGS, AND AN EMPTY CRACKED STONE THRONE SHOW ON SCREEN.

NERO MAKES HIS WAY TO THE RING, WALKING WITH MILITANT CONTROL. FANS REACH OUT, BUT HE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGES THEM. HIS EYES ARE LOCKED ON THE RING OR HIS PREY INSIDE. THE CAMERA OCCASIONAL CUTS BEHIND HIM WHERE A FAINT PURPLE FOG WAFTS FOLLOWING LIKE DEATH AND ETHER.

AS HE REACHES RINGSIDE, HE ASCENDS THE STEPS AND STANDS ON THE APRON, THEN THROWS BACK THE HOOD BEFORE ENTERING.

NERO WALKS TO THE CENTER OF THE RING, KNEELS ON ONE KNEE, AND POUNDS THE CANVAS. THE RINGS SHAKES. HE THEN RISES. AND MOVES TO THE CORNER LOOKING COMMANDING.

The lights suddenly cut out for a brief moment and explode and strobe to the heavy riff of Soundgarden’s Outshined. The crowd is on their feet in support of the Kid they identify with. The Hometown Hero and the Kross town Rival. Twisted Kid Kross.

Reggie: "Ladies and gentlemen, from the depths of despair and depravity of Sunnyvale Trailer Park, in Sunnyvale Nova Scotia Canada, weighing in at 230 pounds, your hometown hero and their cross town rival, Twisted Kiiiiiddddd Kross!!" 

Kid Kross saunters down to the ring with his flashy blue and green vest with a facial depiction of “the green bastard”, a local Sunnyvale wrestler. He has his aviators on carrying a hockey stick over his shoulder. His long hair flowing behind him.

Kid Kross kneels down In the ring with his arms out to the side as the music hits the chorus “ Show me the power child I’d like to say, that I’m down on my knees today”. He pops back up when the lyrics say “it gives the butterflies, gives me away until I’m up on my feet again”.

He climbs to the second rope and raises his stick in unison with “OUTSHINED, OUTSHINED, OUTSHINED, OUTSHINED!”  

Announcer: "Kid Kross!, the one we’ve all been waiting for! He’s here to take  professional wrestling by storm!"

The bell rings.

Valerie: Here we go AND KROSS WASTING NO TIME GOING FOR THE KROSS OVER ON WILDFIRE! And Dinah wasting no time with a trio of chops to SM and a throat punch!

Johnny: (flatly) Oh noooo don't take out SM's voicebox.

Sherman: Kross and Wild looking at each other, looking back at SM, looking at each other again and they each run an opposite direction - HUGE SYNCHRONIZED STEREO KICKS TO SM'S HEAD! AND Dinah rolls out of the ring - she's not messing around - SHE GOES FOR THE SPIKED BRASS KNUCKLES! 

Johnny: See you may not understand how big a deal this is... SM's been offering her knucks for over a month now and she's refused. Dinah is turning a whole new corner here, and she's charging Wild with a superman punch - NO! Wild ducks and she gets Nero! Nero stumbles backwards and feels his face - looks like his fingers are coming up clean.

Valerie: SM sees Dinah with knucks and a nod of semi-sorta-respect-ish... he gets his own, they lock eyes and with a nod, STEREO SUPERMAN PUNCHES TO WILDFIRE! WildFire tastes blood. 

WildFire is eliminated by SM Heartbreaker and Dinah Soar. 

WildFire: Blah blah whatever. 

WildFire exits the ring.

Valerie: And now they turn their attentions to Nero! Despite their harsh words to each other these two are forming a little alliance. Nero ducks from what he assumes will be the punch, double kick to the dick and double powerbomb!

Sherman: Kross back into it with a running elbow shot at Soar, SM continues the assault on Nero with a huge spinning neckbreaker! Dinah heading back the way of Nero and looks like she's gonna continue her little alliance... NO! Jumps off the back of Nero to drive SM to the ground with a Shining Wizard! Kross runs up to hit Nero with a knee while he's still hunched. 

Johnny: And SM is bleeding!!

SM Heartbreaker is eliminated by Dinah Soar!

SM begins to leave the ring. 

Dinah: Hey SM! Just cause I feel bad for you, the Next Evolution of Heartbreak will still officiate your little match. 

Johnny: (flatly) How magnanimous. 

Dinah: Oh also you forgot this.

Dinah whips the briefcase at SM's head, stumbling him a bit.

Sherman: And Nero snap suplexing Kross into the turnbuckle! Nero noticing that Dinah's still mocking SM as he walks away, TURN AROUND DINAH OH IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE AND DINAH GETS NEUROLYZED!

Johnny: Nero could really use this win to prove to everyone he's still got it. Nero starts to lift Dinah up and elbow to her neck! Dinah rolls out of the ring again, she...she's got a second pair of spiked knuckles! 

Sherman: She's about to double fist this!

Valerie: Dude. No. 

Johnny: DIVING DOUBLE PUNCH TO THE FACE OF KROSS! Kross is a bleedin' mess!

Kid Kross is eliminated by Dinah Soar!

Valerie: We're down to Nero and Dinah! NERO WITH A RUNNING SHOULDER BLOCK COMPLETELY UPENDS DINAH! He's got her up with one hand easy - PSYCHO PRESS! Getting her up again, tossing her almost like a Pizza - PSYCHO PRESS TWO! And a double axe handle! Nero is calling for- what- what-?

Sherman: BOWEN AND DONNA MATRIX ARE OUT HERE AND THEY'RE BEATING THE HELL OUT OF NERO! BOWEN WITH A ROLLICKING POWERSLAM! DONNA LOCKS IN THE NO SAFEWORD!

Valerie: Dinah in the ring now, facing down the Venom Cartel...is she going to fend them off or NO! SHE GRABS THE WHIP FROM DONNA! SHE IS WHIPPING NERO IN THE FACE WITH IT! GOING ABSOLUTELY HAM ON NERO!! Those lashes are surely going to draw blood! 

Johnny: And they do! Dinah is your winner!

Nero is eliminated by Dinah Soar, making Dinah Soar your winner!

Reggie: Here is your winner, Di-

Dinah: Give me that.

Dinah pushes Reggie and takes the mic from him.

Dinah: Well, well, well. SM. I gotta hand it to you. You were, in fact, right. And the Dino is dead. My name, my real name, is Diana Dresden, and if I wasn't clear before, you can refer to me as the Next Evolution of Heartbreak. Because, SM, I am going to take your little lesson plan, and I am going to improve on it in every conceivable way. Because I am better than you. I have now eliminated you twice from matches, once as the widdwe good giwl, and now as a full formed woman no longer interested in what anyone, even my mother, thinks. You are the biggest fool and the least funny joker in this entire damn place. 

Diana takes in the boos.

Diana: Even my boos, I think, are louder than yours. I said if I won that I want a title shot, and now I am proud to reveal my intention. I want the trios belts. I will be in the Next Level Match. 

We.

Are.

VENOM.

The newly christened Diana Dresden sneers with a half-smile as the crowd boos and she has her hands raised by Bowen and Donna.

Johnny: So this is just raising a whole host of questions. Is she going to call the match fairly, is she going to screw SM? Is she going to try to recruit Steve? His finisher is the Venom Spike. Was she the third that was part of Bowen's attack a few weeks back, was she playing us this whole time? As a fan I'm excited and as a potential foe, I'm...not scared, but vigilant I guess. 

Valerie: So many questions lying in wait for MAWL down the line. But, before that even happens, we've got one more match tonight related to the MAWL corner of it all.

Sherman: Right, 15 of our top stars about to enter into a mini-Rumble for a spot at MAWL's New Blood.

Reggie: The following is a 15-Person Mini Rumble! The match starts with the individuals who drew Numbers 1 and 2! Every two minutes, a new individual will enter. The only way to be eliminated is to be thrown over the top rope and removed from the match. The winner is the last person standing after all have entered and will gain a spot in the New Blood Forest Gauntlet at Mayday!

The lights flash Green and Red as the crowd stomps along to the song. Out runs Chikondi Moyo with a backflip on the stage that sets off fireworks around her.

Reggie: The individual who drew #1! From Dedza, Malawi, CHIKONDO MOYO!! 

Sherman: Here comes that Moyo Mojo!

Chikondi high fives everyone as she walks down, then leaps into the ring. 

The arena turns red, as plumes of smoke and red sparklers go off by the arena. Out comes Vesuvius, throwing his hands up causing plumes of fire.

Reggie: And the individual who drew Number 2! From Naples, Italy weighing 358 pounds, one half of the Fire Pit, VESUUUUUVIUS!

Vesuvius storms down to the arena at a high clip, images of lava following him through the ramp. He steps over the top rope.

The bell rings.

Valerie: Vesuvius kicks things off with a big boot, Moyo back up and hits him with a sharp elbow. Vesuvius with an Irish Whip and coming back around, Moyo ducks the lariat and hits a solid dropkick! Vesuvius stuttering back and Moyo coming back off the ropes VESUVIUS WITH A TILT A WHIRL SIDE SLAM! Moyo struggling to her feet and Vesuvius guides her up, throwing her into the air for a pop up OH DANG she comes down with a neckbreaker!! That's considerable height and a long way down!

Sherman: She gets the headlock in, this is a risk with someone this much bigger than you but Moyo loves risk, some height and a jumping bulldog!! Moyo comes around and basement knee strikes. Moyo coming back off the ropes and Vesuvius up in time, back body drop and Moyo is outta here! 

Chikondo Moyo is eliminated by Vesuvius!

Johnny: And now we play the waiting game. 

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Oriana Burkhardt enters at #3.

Sherman: The Grenada Grenade is out and ready to go, but a quick jab by Vesuvius throws her off her game and discus clothesline. Oriana quickly back to her feet, solid knee shots. Unloads a forearm on Vesuvius. 

Johnny: Vesuvius attempts to hammer throw Oriana out - she lands with a thump on the apron but holds on! I respect a good rope grab in a rumble. 

Valerie: She attempts to huracanrana him out, can't get him over and settles for a guillotine. He stutters back a bit but charges forward with a big boot to push her off the apron-she goes down BUT OH LANDS ON ONE FOOT AND BACK UP!

Johnny: Remember, both feet gotta touch. She attempts to springboard in AND VESUVIUS CATCHES HER!

Sherman: High Angle Spinning Powerbomb! It's an Eruption!!

Valerie: Oriana looks to be in some degree of duress, but managing back to her feet, rebounding from the rope and a huge running cannonball! GRENADE LAUNCHER TUMBLES VESUVIUS BACK AND HE IS OUTTA HERE!

Vesuvius is eliminated by Oriana Burkhardt! 

Johnny: Brutal fight but Oriana just manages it, and now she awaits the next competitor.

Sherman: She gets the crowd clapping along to "Let's Go Gung Ho!"

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

La Bosqua enters at #4.

Valerie: The spirit of the forest is strong with this one.

Johnny: They've kept a pretty good pattern of only 2 in the ring, keeps it manageable. 

Valerie: Bosqua with a series of quick kicks. Burkhardt traps the leg and spins her around - leg trapped back suplex!

Johnny: People don't talk a lot about trapped moves but having an opponent's full weight land on a limb can really move a match in your favor. La Bosqua attempting to respond with an arm whip out-Burkhardt just hits the ropes and bounces back with a forearm shot. 

Sherman: BURKHARDT LIFTS BOSQUA UP AND GETS HER UP OVER HER HEAD - SPINNING MILITARY! SHE CALLS THAT THE ORIGIN! AND IT TAKES BOSQUA OUT OF THIS MATCH!

La Bosqua is eliminated by Oriana Burkhardt!

Valerie: She's still got a minute to kill in there!

Sherman: Oriana comes from Morne Jaloux Ridge in Grenada and she is one of the kindest people I've ever met, but she is also a sheer force in the ring. The audience loves her though.

Oriana leads the crowd in a call and response of "Gung" "HOOOO" for a bit, until the countdown clock picks back up. 

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Countess enters at #5.

Valerie: And Countess could fight, but she is choosing to stare into the eyes of Oriana and Oriana is moving closer to her and Countess goes for a shoulder claw and very intense! Oriana struggling and down to her knees.

Countess: Eliminate yourself.

Oriana: Yes, Countess.

Johnny: And Oriana gets on the turnbuckle and throws herself out? 

Oriana eliminates herself.

Countess: Stay ringside.

Oriana: Yes Countess.

10! 9! 8! 7!  6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Fuji enters at #6.

Johnny: Fuji running in with a forearm blast. Countess with a hard slap across the face. Countess snaps her fingers and Oriana grabs Fuji! Fuji fights out but takes a boot to the gut from Countess. Oriana grabs Fuji again and continues to try to pull him out - and this time Countess lifts his feet a little and Fuji is out!

Fuji is eliminated by Oriana Burkhardt and Countess!

Valerie: Fuji DDT to Oriana! And she seems to be out of whatever she was.

Johnny: Doesn't make Fuji any less eliminated.

Sherman: And we're still stuck with Countess.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Mary O'Nette enters at #7.

Sherman: Someone who can match Countess. Mary with a discus elbow. Countess responds with an Iron Claw to her face and she is trying to avoid her gaze. 

Valerie: Mary going for the stomach punches, getting Countess off her, and One Ripcord Lariat, Two Ripcord Lariat, Ripcord Chokeslam! String Theory!! 

Johnny: Mary picking Countess and trying to dump her over the edge - Countess reversing into a headscissors and trying to remove Mary from the match - Mary is out! Countess continuing her domination.

Mary O'Nette is eliminated by Countess!

Sherman: This is feeling more like a gauntlet. 

Valerie: Can anyone dethrone the Countess?

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! 

Hiro Kahashi enters at #8.

Sherman: The fans are popping for the Surprising Sun! He jumps over the ropes and Countess attempts to push him right back down! Hitting the apron but able to protect himself. 

Valerie: He tries to get back at the apron and she boots him out! Come on now!

Johnny: This woman is unstoppable!

Hiro Kahashi is eliminated by Countess!

Valerie: Countess just relaxing now, barely impacted by this match.

Sherman: I've not seen dominance like this in a dog's age. She's just eating through each member of this. 

Johnny: She fans herself as she watches the clock tick down.

Sherman: I am just flabbergasted by this performance.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Dirk enters at #9.

Valerie: One half of Order Up is here. I don't see this happening for him.

Sherman: He may surprise! Running in with a Discus Lariat and Countess is off her feet, a rare sight for this mini rumble so far! Countess to her feet and European Uppercut to Dirk. 

Johnny: Dirk able to pivot on his foot and drive her down with a Uranage! We might be getting somewhere! He follows up with a pair of stomps, to the legs and a big swing! Okay Dirk! 

Valerie: OH! I MAY HAVE SPOKEN TOO SOON! He's preparing for the Running Tackle...Countess to the Ropes and DIRK WITH CHECK PLEASE! COUNTESS IS OUT!!!

Countess is eliminated by Dirk!

The crowd pops LOUD!

Sherman: Dirk is celebrating! The crowd is into it!

Johnny: Dude you still got six more people to go!

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Winta Nigisti enters at #10.

Valerie: She calls herself the Empress of Eritrea, and she is one of the most arrogant pricks I have ever met. You can tell she's disgusted to even set foot in the ring with a line cook.

Johnny: If she wins and goes to the New Blood Gauntlet I can see Zora Luthor getting in her ear real quick.

Sherman: Well, that's not going to be a problem, Dirk lining up the Check Please and drives the Empress back to the mat!

Winta Nigisti is eliminated by Dirk!

Valerie: And Dirk steps outside through the middle ropes and he's handing out coupons to a local restaurant! Well that's pretty cool. 

Sherman: A reminder that he's only eliminated if he goes out over the top. So this was smart play. He also takes some time to dig under the ring for a chair! Throws a chair in the ring, and of course, a frying pan.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Jerry Knox enters at #11.

Sherman: Silver Fox is in the building, just grooving and snapping his way down here. 

Valerie: This guy skeeves me out. 

Johnny: Knox with a two-jab-one-hook combo to start this off. Dirk grabs the arm and spins him around for a backbreaker! Knox to his feet and gut punches to Dirk, he locks him up for the Fisherman's Suplex...going for a Spin, and a Fisherman Suplex right to the outside! 

Sherman: He calls that move the Silverfish, and Dirk calls it a night.

Dirk is eliminated by Jerry Knox!

Valerie: It's getting less and less likely that this won't essentially be a gauntlet. Ugh, did Jerry Knox just wink at me?

Sherman: Grade A Creep. 

Johnny: And Knox takes the chair that was in the ring, just sets it up and pulls out a Newspaper while he waits for the next competitor!

The crowd boos as they await the Countdown Clock.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Dottie enters at #12. 

Valerie: The other half of Order Up has entered the chat. 

Sherman: Jerry Knox greets her with a running forearm shot that gets her stuttered to the ropes and boots her right back out! Good lord, man!

Dottie is eliminated by Jerry Knox!

Johnny: And back to reading his paper.

The crowd boos intensify as Knox flips contentedly through the paper.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Zugaikotsu enters at #13.

Valerie: Zugai's music has everyone dancing and cheering. He's a great ball of energy with some intense stares and hardcore flares. Let's see if the man can bring the heat in the ring this time.

Sherman: The accolades speak for themselves. 2x Gung Ho Champion in his short tenure here. One of those won from Silver Fox. Extreme Champion. And you can see why as he kicks the chair out from Silver Fox, tosses it over, and Shining Wizards the Chair right into Silver Fox's face! And that'll take the Silver Fox out of the running!

Jerry Knox is eliminated by Zugaikotsu!

Sherman: Zugaikotsu is calling for the music to come back on! It's a Ska Dance Party!

Zugaikotsu dances and skanks in the middle of the ring as audience members get up and dance along. Even the announcers get into it until the countdown clock comes on.

10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Queen Platinum enters at #14.

Valerie: Queen Platinum enters and immediately eats a spinning wheel kick! Zug with a jumping knee to keep pressure on, prepares in the corner for Platinum to get up and the run into a Tilt-A-Whirl Poison Rana!! He calls that Zugaikotsu no kaiten mokuba, which translates to Carousel of Skulls! 

Johnny: Smart move by Platinum, falling towards the center to prevent an easy elimination. Zug with a quick kick and he's going for a springboard moonsault, NO SHE GETS THE KNEES UP! AND HITS A JUMPING KNEE TO THE HEAD OF ZUG! She takes another run at Zug and misses!! Zug to the corner and runs and a SECOND Carousel!! This time he catches her on the bounce for a dropkick and that's all she wrote!

Queen Platinum is eliminated by Zugaikotsu!

Sherman: Zugai is one man away from the New Blood Gauntlet!! All that remains is - 

Neopolitan enters last.

Valerie: Zogai's getting the crowd pumped HERE COMES NEOPOLITAN AND HE DUMPS ZOGAI TO THE OUTSIDE!

Neopolitan wins!