DEFIANCE TV 178 Night 1

♫ “DEFY” by Of Mice & Men ♫

Philadelphia welcomes DEFIANCE as the Michael J. Hagan Arena of Saint Joseph's University is hyped for DEFtv 178! Pyro explodes from the top of the rampway. There's a giant FIST logo to walk out from and the DEFIatron above the entrance.

Signs and excitement, as always, are everywhere!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT MYSTERIOUS VOICE THAT SAID THINGS WOULD BE REVEALED IN DUE TIME?!
STRANGER FRUIT, BEANS ARE MUSICAL FRUIT, THE MORE YOU EAT, THE MORE YOU TOOT
HOW ABOUT NIGHT ONE, HUH?
I LIKE WRESTLING
HEELS SUCK. MY SIGN AFFIRMS THIS AS FACT.
I PREFER FLATS MYSELF
I CHALLENGE LINDSAY TROY TO A MATCH FOR THE FIST IN A CINEMATIC PLAYGROUND
THE FIST WILL BE SAFE WITH SGT. SAFETY
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE SCROW DESERVES A HAPPY ENDING AND - FOLLOW UP - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?
YO, THE LUCKY SEVENS CAN FUCK OFF

The scene switches to the announce team, Darren Keebler and Lance Warner.

DDK:
Hello everyone! We've got a great card for you tonight. Numerous titles on the line including the FIST of DEFIANCE in the main event.

Lance:
And tomorrow a battle royal to name the new number one contenders for the FIST and SOHER!

DDK:
Two packed shows indeed but now let's take you to something that happened earlier today...

EARLIER TODAY

In the late afternoon, a completely tacky-looking tour bus starts to pull up into the Wrestlers Area of the Michael J. Hagan Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Pockets of fans just outside the fence boo loudly at the arrival of the bus when it comes to a complete stop. Christie Zane is standing on the curb next to the bus. 

Christie Zane:
DEFIANCE Wrestling fans! I’m Christie Zane and I’m hoping that we can catch a word with the new Unified Tag Team Champions, the Lucky Sevens. They are expected to be departing their new bus shortly. I’m told from my sources that they spent the main event bonus from that match with Titanes Familia to pay off this bus. 

Christie continues to wait. The bus comes to a complete stop and the door swings open. 

“The Pensacola Playboy” Aaron King comes out first and steps off the bus. He notices Christie to his right immediately and holds out an empty glass. 

Christie Zane:
Aaron King! Can we get a word about the Lucky Sevens? Some are calling what happened last week a grave injustice! Will they be giving Titanes Familia a rematch? Will they … 

Aaron King:
Sorry, my girl, I heard nothing you just said. Can you top this off for me? I gotta get ready. 

Christie Zane:
No. I’m an interviewer, not your bartender. I… 

He puts it in her hand anyway. 

Aaron King:
Thanks … my guys! Let’s gooooooo!

Tom Morrow steps down next. He takes in the air in Philly … and then looks like he’s about to vomit. He steps off the bus. 

Tom Morrow:
Christie Zane! Thanks so much for coming! 

Christie Zane:
Well … thank you for giving me this chance to interview you. The fans of DEFIANCE Wrestling have burning questions about your next defense and where things stand with Titanes Familia and … 

Morrow puts his right hand up. 

Tom Morrow:
Nope, nope, nope, nope, nuh-uh, no way, no how, no ma’am. There must have been some communications breakdown … clearly all on your part. I didn’t invite you out here to answer your interview questions. 

Christie Zane checks her phone to look for the email. 

Christie Zane:
This email says that you were here to give an exclusive. 

Tom Morrow:
That’s right. I would give you an exclusive, not me answering your cookie-cutter first-year journalism questions. Now … your TWO TIME Unified Tag Team Champions! Doing something that SNS could never do! “The Big Money Monster” Mason Luck! “The Beast of the Bright Lights” Max Luck! THE!!! LUCKY!!! SEVVVVVVEENS!

Max Luck is out first in a dark green and yellow plaid-striped suit and green tinted sunglasses. Mason Luck is out next in a red and yellow plaid-striped designer suit of his own with red tinted sunglasses. Between the two men they are wearing the five-title collection of the Unified Tag Titles. 

Max Luck:
CHRISTIE CHRISTIE, CHRIS-TAYYYYYY!!! 

Mason Luck:
Christie. 

Christie Zane:
So what is it that you wanted to share with the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful, Tom?

Tom Morrow has a grin so big on his face that it can’t be wiped off. 

Tom Morrow:
All it took was one show to turn the luck of Better Future Talent Agency, Christie! Everyone’s trying to be a Vae Victis Dickrider but no one was talking about BFTA until it was too late! The Unified Tag Team titles are back where they belong! Alvaro de Vargas melted Deacon’s face like he looked directly at the Ark of the Covenant! Aaron King is raking in the wins himself! All good in this hood!

Mason and Max are proud of what they have done.

Tom Morrow:
We had that Instant Rematch Clause in our back pocket just in case this company tried to dick us over … and dick they did but at the end of the day, we were the ones that dicked them right back to get our belts back! Titanes Familia are too busy chasing Ned Reform around like lost puppies to worry about these titles and if they ever come back for them, then we’ll be ready. Christie … here is the great news! If you would direct your attention to the side of the Triple 7 Express! 

A banner pops open on the outside of the Triple 7 Express! 

THE LUCKY SEVENS LUCKY LOTTERY RETURNS!!!

Tom Morrow:
THAT’S RIGHT!!! THE LUCKY SEVENS LUCKY LOTTERY IS BACK AND IT STARTS TONIGHT!!!

Christie Zane:
Hey about that … I heard … 

Tom Morrow:
You heard about this? Excellent! News travels fast! Tonight, two lucky members of this DEFIANCE Wrestling roster will be drawn at random of course to earn a shot at the Unified Tag Team Titles! This isn’t some rinky dink Vae Victis operation where they defend against Sgt. Safety. 

Max Luck:
Yeah. We fight real competition. 

Christie Zane:
Um … you defended the titles in Las Vegas against Titaness and Sgt. Safety. 

Tom Morrow:
HIS NAME WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE IN THAT DRAWING!!! IT WAS FROM A PRIOR DRAWING, BUT HERE AT BETTER FUTURE TALENT AGENCY WE DON’T GO BACK ON OUR WORD!!!

Christie Zane doesn’t have enough time to pick at that thread so instead she starts going to her next question. 

Christie Zane:
But what about the Dangerous Mix and Pop Culture Phenoms?

Mason Luck:
What about ‘em?

Christie Zane:
Well to kick off the show later tonight it will be the Dangerous Mix facing Pop Culture Phenoms for a future Unified Tag Title match! 

The Lucky Sevens both look down at Tom Morrow as this appears to be news to them. 

Max Luck:
Tommy, what the hell is she talking about?

Mason Luck:
What title match?

Tom Morrow looks just as lost. 

Tom Morrow:
I … I didn’t sign off on that! It’s part of our Unified Tag Title contract with the Lucky Sevens! You either go through The Lucky Sevens Lucky Lottery or the champions decide who they defend against! I’ll sue this company! I’ll … I’ll … 

Mason bends down and he whispers something in his ear. Morrow then takes whatever message he just got and whispers to Max. All three come to some sort of silent consensus. 

Tom Morrow:
You know what? Forget I said anything, Christie. Let them have their little match. I hope it tears the house down and it gets so many stars that Tim Tillinghast has to become an astronomer just to keep up! My boys already beat The Dangerous Mix at UNCUT 125! They’ve beaten the Phenoms more times than there are stars in the sky! I hope they have a great one because we refuse to give them any more press from us. Let ‘em have it. The real champs will be defending the titles tonight regardless! 

Max Luck:
Yeah! The real Main Event Monsters are Making Main Event Money, Christie! 

Mason Luck:
That’s right. Let’s go. 

Mason, Max and Tom Morrow leave Christie Zane in the parking lot with the scene concluding there before the match is about to begin. 

♫ “Run Rabbit Junk” by Hideyuki Takahashi ♫

The house lights dim slightly, allowing those familiar red warning lights to settle in and set the mood as the curtain parts and the Dangerous Mix burst forth.

Darren Quimbey:
Ladies and gentlemen, the opening contest of DEFtv 178 Night One is scheduled for one fall, and it will determine the Number One Contenders for the DEFIANCE Unified World Tag Team Champions! Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of four hundred ninety-five pounds, David Fox! And the Kaiju, Mushigihara! They are, the DANGEROUS! MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIX!

The two fan favorites tag hands along the way, David in particular soaking in the crowd reaction as a somewhat local boy, while Mushi smiles at the audible chants of “OSU!”

DDK:
David Fox is actually not too far from the site of DEFtv this week, hailing from just across the Delaware River in a little South Jersey town called Blackwood; can he be the hometown hero and bring home a chance at championship gold?

Lance:
He and Mushigihara are going to have their work cut out for them against the Pop Culture Phenoms, and I think the Dangerous Mix knows that.

DDK:
Well, you definitely don’t become the most decorated tag team in DEFIANCE history if you’re pushovers, that’s for sure.

Fox is the first to hop into the ring, stepping up onto the corner while pointing down to his mammoth teammate, who stands facing the crowd at one side of the ring, waving them over to the guardrail and, with a count of three, leading them all in a massive shout of…

“OSU!”

With a smile, the Kaiju rolls into the ring, where Fox hops back onto the mat and gives his partner a supportive pat on the back.

♫ “Live For The Night” by Krewella ♫

The lights in the arena shift to purple and gold triggering a roar of approval (and probably a snowflake named Malak) from the Philly Faithful. Elise Ares leads the way with the very essence of swagger before The D roars out from behind her jumping up and down, getting the Faithful hyped. The Leading Lady of DEFIANCE’s LED sunglasses read “TAG” and “GOATS” as she drops her crop top purple leather jacket to the floor only to be caught by The D. The Netflix A-Lister wraps his arm around his partner, posing for the benefit of those with flash photography before the duo make their way towards the ring.

DDK:
After a win over the team of Conor Fuse and Malak Garland at ACTS of DEFIANCE, the Pop Culture Phenoms look poised to go back to where they feel they belong at the top of DEFIANCE’s Tag Team Division.

Lance:
Well after the Saturday Night Specials broke their record for longest tag title reign in history, the PCPs have had a fire lit under them. They didn’t seem content with what they’ve already done anymore, now they seem to be refocused on what is still ahead of them.

DDK:
They’re not the only team determined to get back to the top, ahead of them is Dangerous Mix looking for their first taste of tag team gold. Not to mention, they were both beat to the punch by the Lucky Sevens, a team that PCP has been completely unable to beat.

Lance:
I mean… size advantage and everything. Sheesh.

The D holds the ropes for Elise Ares, who enters the ring as suggestively as she possibly can, a highlight for male teenage wrestling fans around the world. Inside the ring the pair split to opposite turnbuckles, playing up the Faithful as The D drops his purple leather jacket to the ground and Elise launches her LED sunglasses into the seventh row, where they’re grabbed by an absolute chad next to a sobbing Malak Garland fan. After dismount they meet up in the middle of the ring and roshambo for ring start. Elise wins so she doesn’t. 

Dangerous Mix make their way back up to the apron and David Fox enters the ring to start the match. Fox and The D start circling around the other, looking to start the festivities. Waiting for the ring of the bell to start the matc-

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING

The attention of everyone in the match goes to the time keeper table. Tom Morrow has commandeered the bell hammer and keeps on beating on the bell. 

DDK:
Tom Morrow? What is he doing out here? 

Elise Ares screams at Tom Morrow to leave after an eyeroll to end all eyerolls. The D and David Fox want to know why he’s even there. The answer to the question comes up when the Lucky Sevens and “The Pensacola Playboy” Aaron King jump the barriers from opposite sides! 

Lance:
Look out! It’s Aaron King and the Unified Tag Champions! What the hell are the Lucky Sevens doing here?!

DDK:
That’ll teach us to believe him when Morrow says he isn’t concerned with this match! 

King goes after Elise and pulls her off the apron making her face plant onto the apron. He drops her with a spine buster on the floor! Fox tries to warn Mushigihara when The D slides out of the ring to help his own partner, but the God-Beast gets pulled off by both Max and Mason Luck and then gets launched at the steel stairs at ringside! 

THUD!!!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

DDK:
Better Future Talent Agency has no love lost for Pop Culture Phenoms after their very extensive history, but the Dangerous Mix now getting involved as well!

The D gets into a fight with Aaron King while David Fox rushes out to save Mushigihara from further harm! He hits Mason Luck with a baseball slide kick to the outside and then goes after the legs of Max, consequences be damned. He kicks at both of the giants! Max! Mason! Max! Mason!

Lance:
They’re trying to fight back! The D is gunning for Aaron King! 

The D attacks Aaron King with endless punches and tries to tackle him to the ground. Morrow gets involved and tries to pull The D off his client, but The D grabs him by the collar! He calls for a big right but before he can deck Morrow, King tackles him to the ground with a spear!

Fox tries to see what’s happening, but Mason catches one of those kicks with a leg! They both pick up Fox and then slam him … 

COIN TOSS!!!

Fox hits the padding on the mat after the release double suplex! 

Lance:
The Lucky Sevens had this in mind. Anyone that’s a threat to them or their gold, they strike first! 

DDK:
The Dangerous Mix almost walked away with the gold back at our UNCUT 125 special! The PCP have been cornerstones of the tag division for years! They’re definitely threats! 

The D continues to fight against King, but The Lucky Sevens both get involved. They each take one of The Ds arms and then they chuck him over the barrier and right into the audience! 

DDK:
OH MY GOD!!! 

The Lucky Sevens, Aaron King and Tom Morrow regroup into the ring with the camera showing the damage caused. Mushigihara is hurt, David Fox is hurt, Elise is out and The D was just thrown into the crowd! Tom Morrow taps a microphone in his hand. 

Tom Morrow:
DEFIANCE Wrestling! We defend these titles against anyone we want to defend against and we didn’t sanction this match! 

DDK:
What a crock! The Dangerous Mix are coming off one of the biggest wins against Conor Fuse and Malak Garland on our last show! PCP have been on a tear! They’re more than worthy to take those titles from you bullies! 

Tom Morrow yells over the booing coming down on them. 

Tom Morrow:
If you want to see the real champions in action!  You’ll have to wait until the return of the LUCKY SEVENS LUCKY LOTTERY!!! THANK YOU!!!

Morrow is done and the BFTA members all leave the ring in unison. Mason and Max each backflip using the ropes and land on their feet on the outside. King yells out “K-I-N-G! KING!!!” and then he leaves with them. The DEF medical staff head to ring side to check on all four of the men and women who were just attacked. 

DDK:
The Lucky Sevens in the span of two weeks have just turned the tag team division on its head again. They used their sham of an Instant Rematch clause to win back those titles and now attack two more of the top teams in the division!

Lance:
Disgusting! And what’s worse is we have to stomach one of those sham Lucky Lottery matches for the titles later tonight! 

The Golden Beasts stand on either side of Tom Morrow and let the jeers rain down on them. Aaron King puts an arm around Morrow’s shoulder and kisses him on the forehead as he likes to do and smirks.

Live on DEFonDemand, Wednesday, December 28 from the NEW Ballyhoo Brew & WrestlePlex, New Orleans, Louisiana

As we come back from the commercial break the crowd cheers in the background as they see Scrow walking in the backstage area. The Raven’s Eye looks like there is clearly something on his mind. He walks down a few hallways until he comes to the catering area backstage. Lots of food sit in numerous tin trays across a long table. A small bar near the food where a staff bartender stands making an order for Pat Cassidy.

There are a few Defiant stars eating and enjoying the conversations. Jack though seems to want to be left alone as Harmen munches on a sandwich while he leans against the wall. All the while Scrow’s stare scans over the potential tag team partners for Grey, and the possibility that one or more of these Defiants could also be on Crimson Lord’s bankroll. His eyes focus on Masked Violator 1 and Leyenda De Ocho two men that were recently a part of Tag Party. 

Scrow: [talking to himself]
Could LDO be a partner? After his falling out with Keyes, he might want to seek revenge. Vengeance is an enticing emotion for someone like Lord. He could be working for him, and if Scrow chose him only to find out he now has friends of his own to deal with Vae Victis and it would be all at the cost of Scrow.

He continues to talk to himself.

Scrow:
Then there is MV1. There is no way someone as good-hearted as he is would not have a skeleton in the closet. Why else would he hide behind a mask? They both can act like nothing is up but Scrow sees right through both of them. No mask is going to trick Scrow.

He scans the room a bit more until he comes to David and Mushighara enjoying the food they got from the buffet. Scrow once more goes into a discussion with himself but before he does, he grabs a cup and fills it with some carrot sticks.

Scrow:
Dangerous Mix…that is too easy. Someone with the power of Mushi and the technical prowess of David would fit perfectly in Lord’s House. Scrow can see it now. David reveals himself to be the partner of Grey, only to have Mushi want to get revenge on his partner for turning on him. Scrow drops his guard and takes Mushi for a partner, only for Mushi to also be on Lord’s payroll and Scrow is left broken and beaten in that ring at DEFRoad.

He crunches on a carrot stick, and minute by minute his paranoia continues to reach schizophrenic levels. Pat has grabbed his drink and is making his way to a table.

Scrow:
Then there is Pat Cassidy….[crunch] With everything going on with him, from his sister to losing his bar. Who is to say his short temper could make him make a decision to better his career? Lord has the money, and he could make him an offer he could not refuse. Then that would leave Scrow left for dead, while Cassidy, Lord, and Grey have a drink over his prone body.

Crunch
Crunch

Scans the room once more.

Scrow:
Dan Leo James and Minute. Yet another man who wears a mask. What is he hiding? Minute always was a suspect in his eyes. He never fit in with Uriel and now even Titaness. Or maybe he has been a mole in their group for Crimson. Having the Unified Tag Team Champions a part of his house would bolster his ranks. Minute would be the perfect double agent. Then there is Dan Leo James, how someone can be that energetic and so eager to please makes Scrow see nothing but red flags. Maybe they both are in league to take down Titaness and Uriel? 

Crunches again on another carrot stick before his eyes move to a table with JJ Dixon and Teri Melton.

Scrow:
Then there is Dixon and Melton. Who is to say Melton hasn’t already been working for Lord in the background only way to explain JJ acting the way he has. With the financial backing of Lord and the added muscle of Grey JJ’s career could soar, all at the expense of Scrow.

???:
Scrow…..

The voice continues to call his name but Scrow is so entranced with the catering area and all the possible “EVIL” men and women that are in this room. Oh and the guy eating a sandwich who could not possibly be a part of Lord’s grand plan. Or would he? Jack Harmen was a part of The Scourge at one time.

The voice continues until finally there is a tap on Scrow’s shoulder.

Scrow:
AYEEEEEE!!!!

The cup of carrot sticks flies up in the air as everyone looks at Scrow for a second he quickly turns around and sees Christy Zane, a carrot stick falls from the top of his head. 

Scrow:
Don’t do that!

Christy Zane:
I am sorry Scrow, you were talking just wasn’t sure who you were talking to. Why are you looking at me like that?

Scrow:
You know something Zane, you have always seemed to be the one that interviews Scrow since his arrival in DEFIANCE. 

He grabs her by the shoulders and shakes her.

Scrow:
You work for him! Don’t you?

The entire catering room looks over at Scrow once more.

Christy Zane:
I don't know what you are talking about.

Scrow quickly releases his grip on her shoulders and does his best Count Novick impression as he turns to everyone in catering.

Scrow:
You will not fool Scrow!

Scrow runs off into the hallways, crashing into boxes and garbage cans not even paying attention to where he is running to or whatever is in front of him.

DDK:
Ladies and gentlemen, up next we have the Favored Saints Title on the line in a four-way match!

Coming back off the break, High Flyer IV enters the ring to join two other challengers, “Wingman” Titus Campbell and Victor Vacio.

DDK:
On September 8th of this year, Tyler Fuse “inadvertently” broke High Flyer’s arm with an armbar submission. I say inadvertently because HFIV didn’t tap and even though Tyler is a violent wrestler, he had no real reason to actually break the arm.

Lance:
…Or so we believe. But then again, Tyler interrupted Jack Harmen two week’s earlier and had a lot of negative things to say about HFIV’s father.

DDK:
Regardless, here we are ten weeks later and High Flyer is back in action. He asked to be placed in this match and the Favored Saints allowed it. HFIV’s broken arm wasn’t as bad as initially thought, so it was a six week recovery followed by four more weeks to get into ring shape. We’ll see if this was too soon for the kid.

Once HFIV’s theme song comes to a close, it’s replaced by the champion’s.

♫ “Machinehead” by Bush ♫

Darren Quimbey:
And their opponents… from Toronto, Ontario, Canada… weighing two-hundred-eight pounds… he is the current Favored Saints Champion… TYLER FUSE!

The OG Player emerges from behind the FIST logo wearing black trunks, boots and the title around his waist. As always, the complete polar opposite of his younger brother Conor, there’s little else Tyler does than make his way to ringside, eyes locked on his opponents.

Lance:
This will be Tyler’s second FS defense. I’m also told he will be a part of the FIST and SOHER battle royal next week so there’s a chance he could end up challenging for both the FIST and SOHER titles.

DDK:
Or maybe the SOHER twice? Would that even work out?

Lance:
I suppose if Tyler lost one of the challenges to the SOHER, yes, he would have another shot waiting.

Fuse rolls into the ring and hands referee Brian Slater the belt.

DING DING

Slater calls for the bell after handing the title to the time keeper and the match is off! Campbell goes right after Tyler Fuse while Victor Vacio attacks High Flyer IV. Clearly HFIV wanted a shot at the champion but Vacio got there beforehand. VV whips High Flyer into the ropes and then leaps onto his shoulders with a hurricanrana, sending HF down and hammering numerous right hands into the kid’s neck and face.

On the other side of the ring, the large Titus Campbell whips Tyler into the ropes and then crushes the champion with a sidewalk slam. Campbell scoops Fuse up and places him on his shoulders… he’s looking for a powerslam when Tyler breaks free, turns Campbell around and drills the giant square in the nose with a forearm shot. Fuse jumps onto the second turnbuckle pad and flies off…

He’s caught.

A powerslam follows!

The crowd cheers Titus Campbell as he slings Fuse into a corner of the ring, coming in with a head full of steam and a big splash. Fuse wobbles out, still on both feet but looking to be put out of his misery. Titus bounces off the ropes and levels Fuse with a big boot.

Victor Vacio comes flying from the top rope and lands directly on Campbell’s shoulders with a splash that The Wingman catches.

Powerslam to Vacio!

Campbell has the crowd going, when suddenly High Flyer IV connects with not one… not two… but three superkicks under Titus’ jaw, stunning the giant. HFIV follows with a spinning back elbow smash but Campbell isn’t knocked down yet so Flyer leaps into the air and grabs Campbell by the head in a tilt-a-whirl DDT.

The crowd cheers as Campbell hits the mat and HFIV pops to his feet-

Only to be taken right out of them by Tyler Fuse.

Fuse spears HFIV to the canvas and proceeds to pummel The Legend’s Son with many closed fists, to the point Brian Slater tells Tyler to stop. Fuse finally does, as he Irish whips Flyer into a corner. Upon meeting the buckle, HFIV flips up, stands on the top rope and springboards off it with a flying cross body that connects.

DDK:
Very nicely done!

Flyer hooks a leg.

ONE.

TWO.

But before any kickout could even be made, Victor Vacio is there to pull Flyer off Fuse. Vacio connects with a roundhouse kick, followed by a corkscrew dropkick, followed by a spinning release suplex into a pin on HFIV!

ONE.

TWO.

Tyler pulls Vacio off Flyer.

Tension builds in the crowd as Victor Vacio is standing face-to-face with Tyler Fuse.

DDK:
We have ex-Kabal members in the middle of the ring…

Instead of anything further taking place between them, Vacio turns to Titus Campbell who is getting to his feet and Tyler Fuse does the same. The two of men suplex Campbell to the center of the ring, followed by Tyler dropping a knee across Campbell’s neck and Victor Vacio going to the top rope.

Vacio flies through the air with ease, looking to connect with a senton bomb but-

WHACK!

Tyler Fuse levels Vacio SQUARE in the face with a dropkick, right before Victor hits Titus Campbell with the move!

DDK:
So much for teamwork.

Lance:
You can’t blame Tyler there. Although I never thought Vacio and Fuse liked each other…

DDK:
I’m not sure Tyler likes anyone.

Fuse snatches Vacio by his tights and violently ejects his former teammate from the ring. Tyler turns around and walks right into a springboard cutter by HFIV!

Flyer kips to his feet and begins to shake with intensity. He bounces off the ropes and hits Fuse with a springboard 450 Lou Thesz press followed by a fury of quick, lightning-strike punches. Tyler’s trying to cover up but he can’t do much until HFIV jumps onto his feet and claps his hands together, igniting the crowd.

Flyer slings himself into the ropes again as Tyler crawls to all fours. IV goes for an explosion dropkick but Tyler moves out of the way at the last possible second. The OG Player drags Flyer off the canvas and hits a devastating pendulum backbreaker.

Fuse discards Flyer onto the mat. He spits at Harmen’s kid before leaning down to inflict more punishment… however, Titus Campbell is up and standing behind Tyler Fuse.

Campbell takes Tyler by the waist and throws the FS Champion into the air before executing a release belly-to-belly suplex, sending the former Bro. into a corner of the ring. Campbell fires himself up before charging forward when Tyler drops down and takes the top turnbuckle pad along with him.

THUMP.

Campbell’s chest meets the exposed steel. He immediately clutches his chest as Tyler jumps into the air, grabs Titus’ head and connects with his finisher, the running bulldog, pushing off the turnbuckle pads as he does.

Fuse hooks the leg…

ONE.

HFIV comes sailing from the top rope and hits Tyler Fuse with his finisher, the Moonshot Special!

The Philly Faithful stand, realizing they are going to witness an upset!

DDK:
FLYER HOOKS THE LEG!

ONE.

TWO.

BROKEN UP BY VICTOR VACIO!

But the air isn’t taken out of the arena just yet! Instead, as Vacio Irish whips High Flyer into the ropes, IV jumps onto the top rope and comes off it with a springboard shooting star senton!

The crowd continues to cheer as High Flyer points to the top again and up he goes.

DDK:
Here we go!

Another Moonshot Special, this time to Victor Vacio!

Flyer hooks the leg…

And Tyler Fuse snatches HFIV by the tights, throwing him out of the ring.

Tyler takes the cover on Vacio.

ONE.

TWO.

THREE!

DING DING DING

The crowd boos as Slater calls for the bell.

DDK:
Robbery! That was High Flyer’s victory!

Lance:
It is a four-way match, Keebs.

DDK:
I know, I know. But Tyler didn’t hit the last move to win…

Darren Quimbey:
The winner of this match AND STILL Favored Saints Champion… TYLER FUSE!

High Flyer is resting on a knee outside the ring as he watches referee Brian Slater hand the FS Title back to the current champion. Eventually, Flyer shouts into the ring that he had Tyler on the ropes and he also had the right to the final pinfall.

As Fuse’s theme plays, he merely looks at Flyer with a stoic face before dropping to his knees and exiting the ring.

Tyler walks right past High Flyer as he heads up the rampway, paying no attention to the kid.

DDK:
A tough loss to take for High Flyer. Another victory for Tyler, who’s now two defenses away from a SOHER match.

DEFtv goes elsewhere as the scene closes in on a frustrated HFIV.

THE RETURN...

To the arena. 

♫ Relaxing Jazz Music ♫

The DEFIANCE ring has been re-done: there is a beige carpet down covering the canvas, in the center is a dark gray couch with tan pillows, in one of the corners is a tall, black bookshelf filled with various books, and next to the couch is a tall black stool. 

DDK:
Oh, oh no.

Lance:
This is why you’ve got to check the format ahead of time.

Ned Reform, dressed in a dress jacket and bowtie, sits on the stool. He looks into the camera, nodding and smiling as we’re all in on the same big joke. Sitting on the couch, lounging like he doesn't have a care in the world, is TA Cole who is dressed in his wrestling attire with a black t-shirt hiding the upper portion of his singlet. Reform has a mic, and he speaks among the jeers from the Philly Faithful.

Ned Reform:
Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to Office Hours… with Doctor Ned Reform.

The screen fills with a snazzy slightly early 90s looking graphic:

OFFICE HOURS W/DR NED REFORM

STAR WIPE back to Ned!

Ned Reform:
Now, children tonight I…

He has to stop as a chant has begun to pick up steam. The Good Doctor tries his damndest to act nonchalant, but it’s clear that this chant gets to him.

DOC - TOR - DICK - HEAD! (clap, clap, clapclapclap)
DOC - TOR - DICK - HEAD! (clap, clap, clapclapclap)
DOC - TOR - DICK - HEAD! (clap, clap, clapclapclap)

Reform’s smile wavers for a moment.

Ned Reform:
Now, now, now children. That’s no way to speak to Mr. Cole here.

TA Cole’s eyes go wide. Wait… they were talking to him!? He sits up, ready to fight the entire arena.

Ned Reform:
After all, I don’t feel the same about all of you. I can not tell you how excited I was to learn that DEFIANCE was traveling to a city with such rich history related to our great nation! The cradle of liberty! The literal birthplace of freedom! I was beside myself with joy...

The smirk returns.

Ned Reform:
…so you can imagine my disappointment when I discovered we were NOT traveling to Boston, but instead to the land of the overweight, greasy, cheese steak munching hillbilly.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Reform gets off the stool and begins to walk around the ring, looking directly at the people and really enjoying getting them going.

Ned Reform:
Oh, did I hit a nerve? Well, I sincerely apologize, children. I promise you this: if you close your mouths, open your ears, and pay attention to tonight’s edition of Office Hours… you all might someday be able to scratch and crawl your way up to being more than just a second-rate New York City.

Hoo-boy. As the jeers intensity, Reform sidesteps a bottle thrown in his direction. His eyes nearly bug out of the sockets and he points into the Faithful.

Ned Reform:
SECURITY! SECURITY! That man tried to assault me with a deadly weapon! Yes! Right there! In the Flyers Cap! Yes, that’s the one! Remove him AT ONCE! I say REMOVE HIM! He cannot cross that line!

Reform is leaning over the top rope, nearly falling out of the ring to point. Cole is behind him, scowling and making threatening gestures. Although the camera never focuses on the person in question, we can track Reform’s eyes as he watches the scene unfold. When a smile breaks out and the people start to boo, we can pretty much infer that Ned got his wish. He returns to the center of the ring, smiling smugly and re-adjusting his bowtie.

Ned Reform:
Now, I…

And then he’s hit right in the head with a plastic soda bottle. He stops. His face goes stoic and a vein on his bald head appears. Cole leaps out of the ring to the front row and begins to yell at whoever was responsible for that. Reform cracks his neck.

Ned Reform:
…are we not going to be able to do this today?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ned Reform:
Very well. Perhaps you are, for the first time ever, truly unworthy of my performance. Let’s go, Levi.

The Sage on the Stage turns as if he’s going to exit… and then he freezes. Smiles. Turns his body back toward the hardcam. 

Ned Reform:
And that’s what you cretins and Neanderthals want, is it not? Well, Dr. Ned Reform is not here to please you. Dr. Ned Reform is here to educate you. And so we shall… as Philadelphia, despite your status as literal pieces of human garbage, you are all present for history… as tonight is the SECOND EVER edition of Office Hours!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ned Reform:
Now, two weeks ago you saw as I began to change the life of young Teresa Ames. Her treatment is on-going, children, and while we have much work to do… I’m happy to report that Ms. Ames is making immense progress. We’ve recently had a breakthrough, you know. But… but tonight is not about Ms. Ames. No, after what we witnessed on this very program last week, I have decided that there is someone else who desperately needs my assistance. No… make that a pair of people. I must confess, I do not make it a habit of clinically working with married couples…

Reform turns to a side camera in a brief aside as his tone changes.

Ned Reform:
…because quite honestly, who wants to listen to how two people have decided to slowly destroy their lives?

Back to the hardcam, back to the professional tone.

Ned Reform:
…but tonight, I will make an exception. For you see, there are two people in the back who believe that their facade is working. That they have pulled the wool over all our eyes. They would like us to believe that their union is some magical Shangri-La - a perfect relationship between two soul mates that the rest of us would only be so fortunate to partake in. 

Reform makes a disgusted face.

DDK:
Does he… does he mean who I think he means?

Ned Reform:
But it’s a sham, my fat Philly friends. An act. For you see, this relationship is on the rocks. In serious trouble. They’re trying to hide their strife, but they cannot conceal the truth from me. But fear not: Dr. Ned Reform is here to help, and when I am done with tonight’s interview, this pair will be once again on the road to reconciliation. So, in that spirit…

Reform gestures to the entrance.

Ned Reform:
Please offer a warm welcome to tonight’s guests… URIEL CORTEZ AND TITANESS!!

DDK:
Is Ned insane!? Two weeks ago, he cost Uriel and Titaness the Unified Tag Team Championship by throwing coffee in Titaness’ face… and he’s really going to willingly invite them out here?!

Lance:
Ned is no fool, although sometimes I think he wants us to believe that he is… I have a feeling there might be a plan at work here.

There’s no music tonight. No fireworks. No “RISE”. It’s Uriel Cortez in his ring gear, ready for a fight with Titaness not far behind him. The now-former Unified Tag Team Champions start heading to the ring with a purpose. Ned Reform shoots them his plastered-on smile… but when he realizes they ain’t smiling back…

Ned Reform:
Now, uh… hold on just a minute… let’s not be rash… 

DDK:
This is the first time we’ve seen or heard from Titanes Famiila since The Lucky Sevens stole the title back with that suspect Instant Rematch clause in their contract! Cortez had one chance to tag out to Titaness to possibly fight back… but it was Ned Reform who, like we said earlier, threw coffee in Titaness’ face! 

Cortez steps onto the ring apron, but TA Cole quickly rushes at the big man and goes on the attack! Cortez shoves him back and then steps into the ring. Titaness tries to slide into the ring behind her husband… 
But she gets her leg grabbed!

Lance:
Hey! That’s Teresa Ames! 

Ames CRACKS Titaness over the back with a steel chair! Cortez turns to see what’s happening as Titaness kneels over in pain, but that allows Ned Reform to clip the giant leg of the titanic Titanes Familia leader! He and Cole jump all over Cortez and attack him with boots and fists to keep the giant down! 

DDK:
This was a blatant set-up! We know Ned was up to something when he heated things up, but this was arson by calling them out!

Teresa Ames has a chair in hand and swings again… but before she can, a blue and gold blur zips down the ramp and flies right at her! 

Teresa Ames:
Shit, guy, shit! 

The Cute N Qwerty Girl goes tumbling on the ringside floor as Minute kips up on the outside to loud cheers from the crowd! 

Lance:
IT’S MINUTE! CORTEZ AND TITANESS WALKED RIGHT INTO THE TRAP, BUT MINUTE OUT HERE TO EVEN THE ODDS!

The luchador nods at Titaness, who slides into the ring! Reform tries to stop Titaness, only to get SPEARED to the ground and pummeled with right hands! 

DDK:
Titaness all over The Good Doctor! And now Cole THROWN out of the ring by Cortez! 

Cortez BLISTERS Cole with a huge clothesline and then knocks him over the top rope! Reform is able to shove Titaness off of him long enough to get out of the ring before The Titan of Industry can pull him down! 

Lance:
Great plan by Reform, but they didn’t count on Minute being here tonight for backup! 

Reform growls under his breath while TA Cole tries to help both he and Teresa Ames back up a bit. Reform is forced to watch as The Titan of Industry and The Show of Force kick over the set! Titaness pump kicks the bookshelf right over, sending The Good Doctor into a frenzy while Cortez grabs the couch… AND THROWS IT HALFWAY UP THE RAMP! 

Ned Reform: [faintly because he’s off mic]
THIS IS A PLACE OF HEALING YOU NEANDERTHAL! 

DDK:
Today, Ned Reform picked the wrong time to antagonize Titanes Familia! 

Lance:
He sure did! Now Titanes Familia are totaling the set! 

Cortez then upends the carpet and chucks it outside the ring. The set has been reduced to proverbial rubble as Uriel demands a microphone. He snatches one and turns his attention to Reform and company. 

Uriel Cortez:
Get me a referee and get me a body… NOW. 

The Philly Faithful erupt! Reform, Cole and Ames watch on while Cortez paces.  Minute and Titaness watch the big man move. 

Uriel Cortez:
Clock’s ticking… I get someone in this ring NOW… or we take this fight OUTSIDE the ring and you all go to the hospital. We’re not fucking playing, Doc. 

DDK:
Is he going to do it? 

The Good Doctor seems to have regained his original mic. 

Ned Reform:
You, my knuckle dragging friend, have made a terrible mistake - and a powerful enemy - today! I was going to SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE, YOU FOOL! But instead… fisticuffs! Very well! You’ll rue the day you stepped in the ring with…

Ned steps forward… then behind TA Cole. 

Ned Reform:
LEVI COLE! Mr. Cole, give this man a thrashing that he won’t soon forget!

Cole looks a little unsure of this, especially how foul a mood Titanes Familia appear to be in. Teresa Ames also watches behind The Good Doctor as they carefully follow the big man to the ring. None other than DEFIANCE’s largest referee, Brian Slater, comes down to officiate things letting the crowd know a match is happening! 

Lance:
Looks like this is happening! We’ve got an impromptu match between Uriel Cortez and TA Cole coming up… RIGHT NOW!

Cortez and Titaness share some off-mic words and a kiss while Minute watches from his corner. Ned Reform and Teresa Ames both also watch on from their corner with Reform feeding words of encouragement to TA Cole, talking him up against the big man. Brian Slater gets ready and checks on both men to make sure they’re ready…

DING DING

The All-American charges forward and tries to go on the attack quickly… 

But in a rare spot for TA Cole, Cortez picks him up off the ground with ease and muscles him right into the nearby corner! 

DDK:
This one starting out fast! Two of the bigger men in the locker room!

Lance:
Cortez isn’t playing around! After how they were screwed out of the Unified Tag Team Titles and Reform’s part in that, none of Titanes Familia are in a good mood.

With The Faithful behind him, a fired-up Cortez goes right to the midsection with a big pair of knee strikes, then grabs Cole by the neck…

THWACK!

A STIFF chop comes down across the chest of Cole! He tries to slink away from Cortez and holds his chest in pain, but Cortez is right behind him. He muscles Cole into a corner overlooking Ned Reform and Teresa Ames. Ames watches the giant while Reform watches his heavy get attacked… 

THWACK!

A second chop brings Cole to a knee! Reform winces in pain and holds his own chest while he watches The Titan of Industry control the match. He picks up Cole off the mat and pushes him to another corner. Cole tries to fight his way out, but Uriel grabs him by the throat and then pushes him back… 

THWACK!

The double-handled Chop of Ages knocks Cole down to the canvas in one big shot, echoing throughout the arena! 

DDK:
The Chop of Ages! TA Cole is already down! 

Lance:
In singles matches, Cortez can pace himself but he doesn’t look like he’s interested in putting on a “banger” so much as banging Cole’s head from pillar to post! 

Lance’s read of the situation appears to be the correct one! Cortez signals for the 218 Powerbomb and he gets ready to set things up. Teresa Ames sees Titaness and starts rushing her way. 

Teresa Ames:
We could have been great together, you giant hussy! Shit guy, shit, we could have ruled the world!

Titaness isn’t interested in hearing any of her babble and chases her down. Slater yells at the two to break it up… but it allows Ned Reform to grab the leg of Uriel to stop the powerbomb attempt! 

DDK:
No! Come on, Slater, look! 

Minute chases off Ned Reform from the corner, but the distraction bears fruit when Cole goes low and picks the leg of Cortez! Cortez falls to a knee and TA Cole sees his chance to strike.

Lance:
TA Cole going low on Cortez! If he can get him on the mat, he can stop him! 

Cole tries to grab Cortez when he’s hobbling on a leg, but Uriel blocks with a back elbow. Cortez shakes the pain out in his leg, but before he can do anything… Cole grabs him! RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX ON THE TITAN OF INDUSTRY OFF THE ROPES! 

DDK:
OH, MY GOD! WE FORGET HOW STRONG COLE REALLY IS! HE JUST SUPLEXED URIEL CORTEZ! 

Minute and Titaness are both stunned! The Philly Faithful don’t believe it either and even Cole for a second, until Ned Reform tells him to focus on the attack! TA Cole nods and as Cortez is trying to stand, Cole goes to the second rope. He takes flight with a diving bulldog off the middle rope and faceplants the Titanes Familia leader! 

DDK:
The Release German and now the diving bulldog! Can Cole score the upset?

Cole has to wrangle Cortez on his back, but he eventually does so and right into a lateral press!

ONE…

TWO… NO!

The Titan of Industry powers out! Cole stays on him and clubs away at him with a number of elbows to the chest before switching over to the leg he clipped earlier. Uriel tries to fight out, but Cole kicks away at the leg! 

DDK:
Like you said earlier! Hold Cortez in place on the mat and Cole can do the most damage!

The former college wrestling standout continues to work the leg and tries a leg lock, but Uriel uses his free leg to push him to the ropes! Cole catches himself, but before Cortez is able to fully rise, another chop block from Reform’s loyal heavy catches him! Cortez comes down again! Reform and Ames watch the action and The Good Doctor looks mighty proud while Titaness and Minute show genuine concern. 

Lance:
Cortez tried to get out, but that leg being worked on! 

Cole grabs the leg and kicks away again, but Cortez isn’t making it easy. He tries to fight, but Cole stomps him in the chest multiple times to wear down the giant. When he tries to get up still, Cole picks him up again. An uppercut or two find their mark on Cortez’s jaw before Cole grabs him by the side… BELLY-TO-BELLY SIDE SUPLEX! 

DDK:
GOOD GRIEF! HE DOES IT AGAIN! I DIDN’T SEE THE MATCH GOING THIS WAY AT ALL! 

Lance:
That distraction by Reform and Ames earlier in the match turned the tide! It’s been almost all Cole since then! 

Cole doesn’t make the cover, but instead goes after the grounded giant’s ankle into an unrefined, but effective ankle lock! 

DDK:
And to the ankle! If Cortez can’t stand, he’ll be a giant target for Cole! 

The Titan of Industry is in clear pain, but The Philly Faithful are loud in their support of Titanes Familia! 

LET’S GO, CORTEZ! Clap Clap clap-clap-clap. LET’S GO, CORTEZ! Clap Clap clap-clap-clap.LET’S GO, CORTEZ! Clap Clap clap-clap-clap.

Minute and Titaness both play to the crowd to keep going while Cortez lunges up and uses his other leg to keep Cole away! Cole scoots back, but quickly is on his feet. He charges Cortez, only to get caught from the side, then THROWN across the ring with a massive atomic throw! Cole hits the mat and arches his back in pain while Uriel takes a knee and tries to fight through the pain from Cole’s recent attacks. 

DDK:
Cortez didn’t expect this kind of resistance from TA Cole, but now he’s back in the game. He’s gotta turn things around! 

Lance:
I still don’t know why Reform thought this was a good idea! 

Cortez is the first to get up, but TA Cole still feels the suplex. He isn’t far behind Cortez, but when he does get up, he’s greeted by a big clothesline! Cole is dazed, but tries to stand only to walk into another huge clothesline. When Cole tries to pop up a third time, Cortez whips him into the corner. He tries to run, but the leg slows him down and allows TA Cole to move out of the way. Cortez hits nothing in the corner, but when Cole charges, Uriel catches him in his arms, turns, and then throws Cole with a massive fallaway slam! 

DDK:
The Titan of Industry back in the driver’s seat! It looks like he’s calling for the 218 Powerbomb again! 

When Cole tries to get to his knees, Uriel grabs him by the singlet straps and right into the 218 Powerbomb again. Ned tries to get on the ring apron, but Titaness has has enough and SNATCHES him by the leg to pull him off the apron! 

DDK:
No more interference by Reform! 

Uriel tries his luck for the 218 Powerbomb… but before he can, Cole goes right back to the leg again with another kick. He tries another suplex on the shoulder, but before he is able to hit it, Cortez kneels down and strikes Cole with a surprise big man headbutt! 

Lance:
Headbutt by Cortez!

He drives a boot to Cole’s gut and turns to face Ned Reform. Reform has a look of worry on his face when Cortez has Cole up… 

DDK:
218! THIS ONE IS OVER!

Cortez PLANTS TA Cole into the canvas with the modified one-shoulder powerbomb and hooks a leg in case Cole tries to give him more trouble. 

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!

DING DING DING

♫ “RISE (remix)” by Glitch Mob, Mako, The Word Alive and BOBBY ♫

Darren Quimbey:
Here is your winner… URIEL CORTEZ!

Uriel Cortez starts to stand up after getting the pin and lets Slater raise his hand. Titaness and Minute both join him in the ring as they look out to Ned Reform. He motions for Teresa to follow him. Cole rolls out of the ring with a disappointed Reform trying to get the hell away. 

DDK:
Uriel Cortez with a measure of revenge tonight, but this won’t stop until they get him into a ring! 

Lance:
Reform looked like he was trying to stir up the hornet’s nest, only to turn around and try to set up this trap! Thanks to Minute for being here to help his friends!

DDK:
This isn’t over. Not by a long shot! They… 

Suddenly, the jazz music from the beginning of the Office Hours segment fires up and out of nowhere comes a fast talking narrator.

Narrator: [talking very quickly]
This has been Office Hours w/Dr. Ned Reform. This program was not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any current or future illness. Consult your local physician with any concerns. Office Hours and Dr. Ned Reform are registered trademarks. If you or a loved one are suffering and are interested in making a future appearance on Office Hours, please call the number below. Local rates apply - children, ask your parents permission before dialing.

On the bottom of the screen, the following number appears in white font: (203) 741-8126. Below is a signature - Office Hours w/Dr. Ned Reform © 

The scene switches to backstage where Conor Fuse sits with Malak Garland in The Comments Section locker room. The fans cheer, likely because of Conor but then the camera pans over to reveal they have a special guest with them.

Sgt. Safety.

Even though DEFtv is in hard nosed Philadelphia, every member of The Faithful clearly supports the underdog and typical fan favourite in the Sergeant.

It seems like the three men are in mid-conversation about how to handle Safety’s upcoming FIST match versus Lindsay Troy in the main event later tonight.

Malak Garland:
Yes, so you should cheat whenever possible. Always cheat. The easy way is the good way is the important way, okay? Remember what I did to you so many moons ago? I’ll do that to you again but like, multiply that by five if you decide not to cheat.

Safety has his safety notebook out and nods along, jotting down points from Malak’s speech. Conor Fuse, however, shakes his head no. He gives Malak a disappointed look.

Conor Fuse:
Dude, cheating? I thought we’ve been through this. No cheating! The FIST of DEFIANCE is on the line! Yes, it’s important… it’s extremely vital. It is THE achievement in wrestling, I get that. But you can’t cheat or you’ll forever look at your trophy case as something that is tainted.

Safety starts making lines through his notes and implementing the ideas Conor’s talking about.

All while Malak looks at Fuse with an expressionless face as if nothing the gamer said registered.

Malak Garland:
So?

The Character Formerly Known as Player Two rolls his eyes as Garland turns his attention back to Safety.

Malak Garland:
Lindsay Troy is a soccer mom sour patch princess so you’ll need to think outside the safe space box. There is no low a soccer mom won’t go. Like soccer moms literally live vicariously through their children. And right now that former fWo hackjob nimrod is living through the FIST of DEFIANCE, rediscovering the yOuTh she doesn’t have and the old lady bags under her eyes she does.

Conor can’t help but give his head a shake.

Conor Fuse:
Resentful much?

Doesn’t matter, Malak can’t hear him.

Malak Garland:
Plus she’s got her annoying, needy, dependants.

Safety keeps scribbling notes down at an intense rate.

Malak Garland:
Anyway, definitely leave a weapon or two under the apron. Easy access, easy use, easy victory.

Conor isn’t buying it.

Conor Fuse:
And how is the Sergeant going to get to the ring before his match and place weapons underneath there?

Garland stops to think about this…

…Then carries on with other ideas.

Malak Garland:
Low blows work.

Fuse face palms.

Conor Fuse:
Low blows?

Malak Garland:
Yes.

Conor Fuse:
With Lindsay Troy.

Malak Garland:
Yes.

Conor Fuse:
With LINDSAY TROY.

Looooong Malak Garland pause.

Malak Garland: [deadpan, clearly not getting it]
Yes.

Sgt. Safety continues to write until Conor walks by and places his hand overtop of the notepad, stopping him.

Conor Fuse:
You don’t have to get all this…

Safety raises his head to look at the gamer and then crinkles his face with confusion.

Sgt. Safety:
I don’t?

Fuse takes a deep breath.

Conor Fuse:
No, dude.

Sgt. Safety:
But I want to win.

Conor pats Safety on the back and then takes a seat beside him.

Conor Fuse:
Look, I know you do. I want you to win, too. Even Malak wants you to win… which is really weird because PAUSE, elephant in the room, this snowflake over there broke your nose last year and made you sip outta a straw for six months, plus he pulled the life support power cord on you in the ICU and nearly made you die but [trying to move on quickly] ANYWAY REGARDLESS WHATEVER, we’re gonna back you, up until the point you make it out to ringside because then, apparently, everyone else is banned. …Or so I’ve been told.

Fuse takes a moment to glance back at Malak and then over to Safety.

Conor Fuse:
Just do the best you can. Do it honestly. Who knows, you could surprise yourself. You could surprise everyone!

Sgt. Safety scans his notes. Then he closes the notepad and gives himself a fist pump.

Sgt. Safety:
Okay, thanks guys! I’m going to get ready but I appreciate all the help!

Garland gives a weak, almost sarcastic thumbs up, likely not enjoying the whole heart-to-heart talk Safety had with Conor. In return, Fuse gives a genuine smile and Safety exits their locker room.

Conor brings his attention back to Malak.

Conor Fuse:
Dude, you gotta chill with the cheating stuff. I’m telling ya, none of us have to cheat to beat Vae Victis, The Specials, The Dangerous Mix… PCP… fucking fans Wrestling organization (fWo) for all I care.

Garland’s shook.

Malak Garland:
Why bring fWo back up!?

The Ultimate Gamer slowly runs his hands through his face in frustration before replying.

Conor Fuse:
I was kidding, I know you hate that shit. Listen, Mal, you and I are in the FIST/SOHER tournament tomorrow. I got your back and I know you’ll have mine. I also know we can easily be the last two standing and from there… I’d be honoured if you beat me and go for the FIST of DEFIANCE.

Malak raises an eyebrow. He’s definitely caught off guard by this comment.

Malak Garland:
Really?

Conor nods.

Conor Fuse:
Yeah dude, really. I know you can’t stand Lindsay. I’m indifferent with her, we used to be friends elsewhere. But no cheating, Malak! We give it an honest effort inside the battle royal tomorrow and I promise you we can go far.

Fuse picks up his backpack before making an exit from the locker room.

Conor Fuse:
Further than you think we can.

Conor exits as the camera zooms in on a contemplating Malak Garland. DEFtv goes elsewhere.

The camera is now on the stage. The Lucky Lottery Girl is standing next to a rebuilt and reinforced version of the Lucky Lottery Tumbler! She smiles and waves with a few cat calls from the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful coming her way. All that is done the second that Tom Morrow steps on the stage. 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

DDK:
Tom Morrow has some nerve showing his face1 He told us during an interview that the Dangerous Mix and PCP could have their match to crowd a future contender for the Unified Tag Titles, only to turn right around and have the Lucky Sevens and Aaron King attack all four of them! 

Lance:
And now he’s just throwing more gasoline on the fire by coming out here again and having this farce of a title match just to fill up the bank accounts of his clients for more “successful defenses” and I’m saying that with sarcastic quotes. 

Tom Morrow is greeted with booing but he smiles back . 

Tom Morrow:
We love you, too, Philadelphia. You may smell, you may be lazy, dim-witted and the Eagles have only won one Super Bowl while the Lucky Sevens have five titles right now but that’s okay! We still love you!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Tom Morrow:
But Philadelphia is one of the wrestling meccas of these United States and it is for that reason that you get to witness … the return of … 

A drum roll plays as the banner appears on the DEFIA-Tron!

Tom Morrow:
THE LUCKY SEVENS LUCKY LOTTERY!!! WHO WILL BE THE LUCKY MAN THAT IS DRAWN TO PLAY FOR THESE TITLES? STEP ON DOWN AND FIND OUT … AFTER I INTRODUCE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Morrow waves his hands! 

Tom Morrow:
They have a combined fighting weight of six-hundred twenty-five pounds! They stand at an astounding combined fourteen feet tall! They are the TWO TIME Unified Tag Champions! Something those idiots, Brock Newbludd and Pat Cassidy can never be because they hold the gold! And unlike the New York Giants, my giants could beat the hell out of your entire Eagles starting line-up! They are your Unified Tag Team Champions! They are “Big Money Monster” Mason Luck! “The Beast of the Bright Lights” Max Luck! They! Are! THE LLLLLUUUCCCKKKYYYY SSSEEEVVVEEENNNSSS!!!!

7 7 7

♫ “Money” by Of Mice and Men ♫

In brand new sparkling green capes, both Mason and Max hold them wide open to reveal all five titles between them! Three for Max two for Mason tonight! The crowd is booing them out of the building as pyro goes off from all directions on the stage! 

BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!

And on either side of the new champions, pinwheel pyro begins to spin, spiraling more pyro in each direction! Tom Morrow stands between the twin terrors and claps like a seal! Mason focuses on the ring and Max winks at the Lucky Lottery Girl who smiles back. It’s down to business now with the two men heading to the ring. The two most decorated wrestlers in DEFIANCE Wrestling take turns stepping inside. Morrow stays on the ramp to call his first opponent. 

Tom Morrow:
We told DEFIANCE Wrestling that tonight’s Lottery has a theme! We will defend only against a former champion and a rising star! So Lucky Lottery Girl! Draw those names and give us a drum roll! 

A drum roll plays when she spins the tumbler. Out comes the first Lucky Lottery Ball and Morrow opens it up. 

Tom Morrow:
The former champion … THIS GUY!!!

“Turn the Page” by Metallica ♫

The crowd groans … BRAZEN’s oldest active star, Paul Dunson. 

DDK:
Oh give me a damn break! Yes, Paul Dunson is a holder of BRAZEN’s Onslaught title once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away … but come on! 

Dunson doesn’t seem to be aware he’s in on a joke but he looks ready to make a play for main roster gold regardless. The Lucky Lottery Girl rolls the tumbler again with another drum roll playing. 

Tom Morrow:
And a real rising star that’s turning heads week by week! He’s been in action a few times already and he has captivated young minds, defining a generation. Welcome … the next man. He is … A BRIGHT YOUNG STAR!!!

♫ “The Time Is Now” by Atreyu ♫

Another groan for the youngest member of BRAZEN’s roster. The winless Wes Ingram. He looks ready to fight and Paul Dunson does not look happy with his choice of tag partner. 

Lance:
With all due respect to BRAZEN … what a crock!! The Lucky Sevens are just padding their win columns by defending these titles against tomato cans so they can get bigger bonuses when they win! Come on, Darren! 

DDK:
I hate this, too. I really do … but these are the terms of their new DEFIANCE Wrestling contract! We don’t have to like it. 

Mason and Max Luck don’t appear to be sweating. Wes Ingram tries to go in first which Paul Dunson is happy to let him do. The 18 year old Ingram looks up at Mason Luck and to the surprise of Mason he doesn’t look scared. The official rings the bell. 

DING DING

Wes Ingram comes at Mason Luck with a forearm shot on the chest but Mason does not move a muscle. He looks amused by the kid’s moxie as Wes keeps swinging with forearms to the chest that have no effect. Mason backs him up into a corner while Wes is still swinging. 

DDK:
This isn’t going to end well, is it?

Lance:
I’m guessing not! 

Wes stands on the middle buckle to try and make himself bigger against Mason Luck. Mason replies by grabbing his face with the Winning Claw! He holds the iron claw on for the count of four in corner and then he throws Wes off the middle rope at four and a half! 

DDK:
Mason isn’t done! 

Mason tags Max. Max steps into action for the first time and Wes Ingram is limping into a corner. Max charges with a full head of steam and he crushes Ingram in the corner with a splash. Max palms the back of his head and shoots him off to the opposite end of the ring. Another splash gets him. Ingram falls but Max Luck is … rooting him on?

Max Luck:
Here’s your chance kiddo! Shoot for the stars! 

Max picks him up for a suplex and holds Ingram in the air. He walks over calmly to his corner and tags Mason. Mason steps in and Max hands off Ingram right to Mason! Neither man let go of the hold! 

DDK:
This is surreal strength from the Lucky Sevens! They are a true force to be reckoned with between the ropes! 

Lance:
They sure are. Love them or hate them. 

Mason is still holding Ingram and he walks around the ring with him. Mason finally decides after fifteen full seconds to just let him drop! Ingram is hurt and Mason offers Paul Dunson a chance to make a tag. 

Mason Luck:
Tag in, Dunson. 

Paul decides that as much as he wants to be one half of the Unified Tag Team titles, a true main event calibur tag title, and decides instead it isn’t worth the hurt. He shakes his head. He starts to leave … but Tom Morrow stands in his way. 

Tom Morrow:
Look behind you, dumb ass. 

Dunson turns around right into an ugly running clothesline from Max Luck! Max hops in place after the clothesline and smiles at a camera with the Winning Hand gesture up! 

Max Luck:
WINNING HAND BAY-BEE!!!

DDK:
This is a massacre. 

Max Luck grabs Paul Dunson off of the ground with an iron claw and shakes him around. The Winning Hand Slam comes next on the floor!

Lance:
Oh, my God! They did this to Titaness just two weeks ago! That Winning Hand Slam is what crippled Thomas Keeling! Morrow’s own father! 

In the ring, Mason is watching a beaten and battered Wes Ingram use his pant leg to pull himself up. Mason grabs his hair and then puts him on the shoulder for the Deck Cutter! 

DDK:
The Deck Cutter drops Wes Ingram! 

Mason Luck could make a cover but he reaches out for a tag to Max Luck instead. Mason picks up Ingram in a power bomb. Max applies the Winning Hand … 

DDK:
SEVEN STARS!!!

Max’s Winning Hand is still applied with the cover. 

One …
Two … 

Three!!!

DING DING DING

Mason Luck and Max Luck are being booed out of the building but tonight they have the gold. Tom Morrow retrieves the titles and then gives them over to The Lucky Sevens!

Darren Quimbey:
Your winners and still the Unified Tag Team champions … THE LUCKY SEEEVVVVVEENNNSS!!!

DDK:
This is a joke! Another joke and it’s on us and DEFIANCE Wrestling! 

The Lucky Sevens want to leave but Tom Morrow decides he has something else to say. When their music cuts out Tom Morrow speaks to the DEFIANCE Wrestling Faithful. 

Tom Morrow:
After that grueling title defense … 

Max wipes a fake bead of sweat off his forehead. He wipes Mason’s forehead too just to make sure he’s okay and Mason then offers him a water bottle. 

Tom Morrow:
We’re moving forward! Dangerous Mix! PCP! You probably want revenge, right? You probably have payback on your minds after my guys kicked your collective asses … I’m here to offer you a one time opportunity! 

Morrow points at the Lucky Sevens Lucky Lottery. 

Tom Morrow:
On DEF TV 179 in two weeks … I’m in such a good mood that we will give you a one time deal! If you want a shot at the titles … you can BOTH have it … 

Lance:
What?!?!

Tom Morrow:
One name from PCP. One name from Dangerous Mix will be drawn in two weeks! And if you’re lucky enough … maybe it will be your lucky day! Back to the bus, guys, good night Philly! 

♫ “Money” by Of Mice and Men ♫

The Lucky Sevens both backflip on opposite sides of the ring to leave. Tom Morrow is behind them and they all start to leave. 

DDK:
Morrow’s a snake! He knows the PCP and Dangerous Mix want a shot at the Unified Tag Titles and he’s dangling a carrot between them to make that happen so both teams pit against one another! 

Lance:
And how will they respond? Will they take Tom Morrow up on his offer for the next Lucky Sevens Lucky Lottery?

LIVE FROM MSG January 25 & 26!

 

 

“You know what really puts me in a foul mood?”

Backstage. DEFIANCE Backdrop. YOUR FIST of DEFIANCE, dressed for battle. Beside her, The Kraken, an equally sour look upon his face.

Lindsay Troy:
All this prattle about how this FIST of DEFIANCE defense is a joke. As if anything I’ve done in the last year has been something to laugh at. It’s very disappointing to hear respected pundits and journalists … and even DEFIANCE’s own announce crew … paint this as some kind of “cupcake defense.”

The Queen scrunches her nose in disgust.

Lindsay Troy:
That says more about you and what you think Sgt. Safety’s chances are than it does me.

The Kraken’s visible eye closes as he chuckles.

Henry Keyes:
You don’t just BECOME a Sergeant, Miss Troy - you work really hard for a little while, and then you stop. You recognize the Peter Principle that will happen if you grow any further, and you just…exist. You know your cap, and you Sarge yourself.

Keyes puts a hand on Troy’s shoulder.

Henry Keyes:
You and I, we’ve taken. We’ve taken the most important titles DEFIANCE has on offer, and Vae Victis is far from done with the warpath whether these idiots know it or not. In fact…now is the PERFECT time to show our lambs just what slaughter awaits them.

Lindsay Troy:
There will be no gentle hand to guide you back to safety. No warmth and comfort await you. We are the most dangerous predators walking these halls, and we have no mercy to give. 

The Queen leans closer towards the camera lens.

Lindsay Troy:
Only suffering.

Keyes turns to his Bestie and his tone lightens.

Henry Keyes:
Was that sinister enough? I felt like it was pretty sinister. I had a bad itch under the eyepatch, so I tried to channel that.

The Queen pfft’s.

Lindsay Troy:
Listen, Henry…even blind eyes get itchy.

Henry Keyes:
…you dick!

The Besties continue to laugh and bicker as they walk out of frame.

DDK:
Well, it’s main event time here on DEFtv 178 and we’ve got a FIST of DEFIANCE “defense” on the books.

Lance:
On our last show, Lindsay Troy said she’d be a fighting champion, and will be making good on her promise by putting the belt on the line against Sgt. Safety.

DDK:
While normally, Lance and I would be over the moon to see our young talent get an opportunity like this, we both know that Lindsay Troy isn’t doing this out of the goodness of her heart, or because she actually believes the Sergeant deserves a shot. 

Lance:
Which is really too bad, as lots of people are really fond of the Sarge. In any case, let’s turn it over to DQ for the intros.

Cut-to: DQ, ready for the call.

Darren Quimbey:
The following match is scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit, and is for the FIST of DEFIANCE! Introducing first…

♫ “Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats ♫

RAAAAAHHHHHH!

Darren Quimbey:
…from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 223 pounds… he is DEFIANCE’s one and only Safety Inspector…SGT. SAFETY!

The Faithful pop hard as the Prince of Proper Procedures walks out onto the stage with his decibel meter. The cheers get louder as he points it to different sections of the Michael J. Hagan Arena to see who can make the most noise. After he does, he walks down the ramp and steps into the ring, then holds it out one more time for each side of the arena before handing it off to a ring attendant.

Lance:
This is the biggest match of Safety’s career, and if he wants to have any chance at all, he’s going to need to come out of the gate like a house on fire.

The lights in the arena cut out and a white spotlight shines down on the stage. Sonny Silver stands in the glow, rubbing his hands together. He lifts his left hand into the air and his OLD SKOOL MIC~! is lowered into it.

Sonny Silver:
Ladies and fuckwits, prepare to be amazed. Watch this clash of the non-Titanes Familia titans here tonight! The Queen versus The Sarge! Match of the goddamn century! Uncle Timmy’s head is going to EXPLODE cause he can’t count how many stars this is going to get! 

BOOOOOOOOOO!

DDK:
Great. More of Vae Victis being disingenuous. Ugh. 

Sonny turns his head in the direction of the Commentation Station nearby. 

Sonny Silver:
I can practically feel those painful sighs over here, Darren. Who the fuck are you to doubt the talent of that man in the ring? He’s on a two-match win streak on UNCUT! New finisher and everything. How many matches have YOU won? 

Commentary remains silent. 

Sonny Silver:
That’s what I thought. That man busted his ass off from Private Safety and made it all the way to Sarge. Unless it’s one of your gross-ass cheesesteaks, none of you know shit from apple butter about putting in the work! 

More jeering, but Sonny talks through it because of course he does. 

Sonny Silver:
Enough talk! Introducing, the reigning, defending, DOMINATING FIST of DEFIANCE! True to her word, defending her title for the first time since relieving that crispy critter, Deacon, of the title! She is Your Lady of the Hour! Your High Queen DEFIANT! YOUR Queen of the Ring and most importantly, YOUR FIST of DEFIANCE! LINDSAY! TROY!

♫ ”Stranger Fruit” by Zeal & Ardor ♫

Two words occupy the super-sized DEFIATron:

https://youtu.be/9FQHrSmJ1vo

♫ Stranger fruit, how it grows and grows,
We all saw the shoot, but we tend to the rose… ♫

Lindsay Troy strides slowly, confidently, through the curtain, her newly reclaimed FIST title belt around her waist. She bumps fists with Sonny then they both walk down the ramp, eyeing Sgt. Safety like a cat who’s just cornered a mouse.

The Ace climbs into the ring, shrugs out of her coat, and unfastens the title belt. She holds it up in front of Sgt. Safety, who looks from Troy to the belt then back again. 

The title is turned over to Mark Shields, who lazily tosses it to a crew member outside the ring. Troy turns her attention to the referee and looks like she’s about to break his neck for his lackadaisical handling of her belt. Before that happens, the timekeeper rings the bell.

DING DING

The Queen brings her focus back to Sgt. Safety and invites him in for a collar and elbow tie-up. The Sarge takes a deep breath and, looking determined, moves in…

…but Troy side-steps him.

BOOOOOOOOOO!

LT puts her hands up and says, “Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t ready.” She loosens up her neck and sets herself, waiting on the Sultan of Safe to engage.

He does…and this time, she backs off, holding her hands up.

BOOOOOOOOOO!

Lance:
Is she going to take this seriously or what?

DDK:
My money’s on “or what.”

Lance:
Mark Shields isn’t even bothering to reprimand her either, although I shouldn’t be surprised at that.

Sgt. Safety, having had enough of the FIST’s games, charges in, but Troy pushes him against the ropes. She tries for a clothesline, but Safety ducks underneath and runs to the opposite side of the ring. Troy immediately dashes after him and cracks him in the face with a running knee as he rebounds, and the Safest Man in DEFIANCE falls to the outside.

Troy hops to the floor and puts the boots to the Sarge, then hauls him up and tosses him against the apron. She grabs his head in a clinch and drives knee after knee into his face. When she lets him go, he falls to the mats, clearly on dream street.

Shields has finally bothered to start a count, but he’s only up to three before the Queen shoves Sgt. Safety under the bottom rope and back into the ring. After a few well-placed boots to his back, she hauls the ISO Investigator up to his feet and rocks him with stiff forearm shot after forearm shot, backing him into a corner. She rips his white button-down open and levels him with skin-searing knife-edge chops, which Safety isn’t able to block, and he slumps down into a seated position.

DDK:
Sgt. Safety needs to find a way to rally back here; it’s been all Lindsay Troy so far.

Lance:
Which was exactly the point, and you can’t tell me otherwise.

The ACE of DEFIANCE stalks around the ring with her arms extended, clearly proud of her handiwork. Sonny claps cockily. The Faithful keep booing. However, as she’s preening, the Officer of OSHA gets his bearings and pulls himself to his feet. As Troy turns around, he darts forward and throws a forearm shot of his own!

RAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Troy is rocked backwards, and Safety follows it up with another forearm! The Queen staggers and the Sarge leaps into the air, connecting with a dropkick. Troy hits the canvas and Safety drops an elbow.

DDK:
There we go, now he’s cooking!

Following the elbow drop, Safety makes the cover!

ONE!

KICKOUT…WITH AUTHORITY.

Both DEFIANTS get to their feet and Safety sprints toward Troy. He grabs her hair, looking for a running bulldog, but Troy shoves him off into the ropes…

CRACK!

On the rebound, the Sarge is drilled with a high-speed roundhouse kick. He crumples in a heap as Troy sneers down at him.

Lance:
Good Lord, Lindsay Troy got all of that.

DDK:
I think Sgt. Safety is out, Lance.

The FIST looks over at Sonny, who is grinning sadistically, and gives him a wink. Rather than cover, she yanks Sarge off the mat, hoists him up, and drills him back down with Thy Kingdom Come!

Now, a cover, and it’s academic…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING DING DING!

BOOOOOOOOOO!

Sonny Silver:
The winner of this match…without even breaking a sweat…and STILL the FIST of DEFIANCE…LINDSAY TROY!

BOOOOOOOOOO!

Sonny hits the ring and hip-checks Mark Shields out of the way. He hands the FIST title to her and is about to lift her arm into the air when…

♫ “King DeDeDe Remix Theme” from Kirby’s Dream Land ♫

The Philly Faithful cheer as Conor Fuse marches out from the FIST logo, looking none too happy. The gamer holds a mic in hand.

Conor Fuse:
Some fighting champion, alright. Real good battle there, Lindsay.

Troy motions for the microphone, which Sonny gladly hands over. 

Lindsay Troy:
Thanks, Poindexter, I thought so.

Conor simply shakes his head.

Conor Fuse:
Look, you made your way through the tournament and you defeated Deacon for the FIST. I’m not saying you aren’t a worthy champion…

He pauses and points towards Sgt. Safety who’s still out cold on the canvas mat.

Conor Fuse:
But this? C’mon sis, you’re better than this.

Sonny Silver starts shouting at Conor, telling him to get backstage so the champ can start to celebrate.

Conor Fuse:
I expected MOAR.

Lindsay Troy:
Oh, you did, did you?

Sonny takes a step back to reveal that Safety hasn’t moved. Troy looks down at him, then up at Conor, then back down at the Sergeant and grins.

Lindsay Troy:
Well, I wouldn’t be much of a FIST if I didn’t give the people what they want. Would I?

Troy props Safety to his knees and smacks him across the chest. With a clever look on her face, the FIST of DEFIANCE hands the title belt over to Sonny Silver. Silver proceeds to hold the title overtop of Safety’s face, with the gold plate facing towards the fallen challenger. Lindsay Troy hits the ropes, leaps off and-

STOMP.

Head Stomps Sgt. Safety, knocking the gold plate into his forehead!

BOOOOOOOOOO!

DDK:
Oh this is absolutely vile.

Lance:
We need to get Iris Davine out here right now!

Safety starts convulsing on the canvas as Conor Fuse’s eyes go wide and he sprints down the rampway, sliding into the ring. Sonny leans down and begins screaming into Sgt. Safety’s unconscious face as Conor attends to his friend.

Sonny Silver:
That’s the closest you’re EVER going to get with the FIST!

Conor is fuming. He stands up and shoves Sonny to a big reaction from the fans. Otherwise, The Faithful were taken out of this thanks to the horrific move from the High Queen DEFIANT.

By now, Iris and EMTs are at ringside to look at Sgt. Safety while Conor marches over to Lindsay in an attempt to have an off-mic conversation.

Conor Fuse:
Dude, WTF.

Lindsay Troy:
You called down the thunder, Conor. Now you get to reap the whirlwind.

Fuse pushes Lindsay as hard as possible, pointing back at Safety.

Conor Fuse:
That’s pathetic and you KNOW IT.

Troy looks like she’s going to take a swing back at Conor but doesn’t do it yet.

…The reality is she’s just waiting for Sonny Silver to recover and chop block Conor from behind, which he does!

DDK:
Oh, great!

The two begin stomping Conor Fuse as the crowd boos. Lindsay lifts the microphone to her lips once more.

Lindsay Troy:
Y’know what? I feel like I’ve got enough left in the tank to put the FIST on the line again. You and me, cOnOr, for the belt, right now.

Lance:
Oh, sure. After beating him half to death.

Troy tells Silver to drag Conor to his feet. She takes a couple of steps back and then measures Fuse, dropping The Power-Up King with the same high speed roundhouse kick that ended Sgt. Safety’s chances. Troy walks over to where Mark Shields is standing outside of the ring and tells him to get his ass back in. Shields was just about to light a dart but gives a shrug, having no fucking clue what’s going on anyway. Once inside the squared circle, Lindsay gives the referee the FIST and informs him to ring the bell.

Suddenly, she takes the belt back and tells Shields to hold on a second.

The Queen of the Ring tosses the 20 pounds of gold to Sonny Silver, asking Sonny to hold it in front of Conor Fuse’s face, just like he did to Sgt. Safety.

Troy grins, maliciously. She props Conor onto his feet and whacks him across the chest.

Lindsay Troy:
Weapon Get, right?

Troy goes into the ropes and looks for a Head Stomp but Conor Fuse rolls out of the way to a big cheer. By now, the ring has been cleared and Sgt. Safety is taken up the rampway. Fuse hits the ropes and spears Sonny out of his boots to a big pop. However, Troy rebounds and levels Conor with a roaring elbow before the gamer can do anything else.

Lindsay screams at Mark Shields to ring the bell.

DING DING

DDK:
I guess we have an impromptu FIST match on our hands!

Lance:
Some “FIST” match…

Troy hammers away at Conor’s temple with closed punches before dragging Fuse to his feet and connecting with a running release suplex. Fuse goes FLYING across the ring and smashes into the turnbuckle padding. Troy dusts her hands off and looks down at the “challenger.”

Lindsay Troy:
Fighting Champ. Right here, baybeeeeee!

She leans down with the intention of ending Conor with one of her finishing moves…

When Fuse rolls her up!

ONE.

 

TWO.

 

THREE-

NOOOOOOOOOO SO CLOSE!!

Troy kicks out at the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND but everyone in the arena bought it. Both wrestlers get to their feet and then suddenly Lindsay’s hit with a superkick, followed by a tilt-a-whirl DDT…

Followed by Conor Fuse LEAPING QUICKLY onto the top rope!

DDK:
OH MY GOD!!!

Fuse is about to hit the 450 Super Splash when Henry Keyes comes BOOMING down the rampway! He slides into the ring and stands in front of Lindsay Troy.

Lance:
Of course Mark Shields is useless, he’s not going to do anything here!

Fuse shows a fire in his eyes as he stares at his former friend.

Conor Fuse:
WTF, guy!? I thought we were cool, Henry. What the hell did I ever do to you?

Keyes doesn’t say a word. Instead, he stares at Conor while the two of them look at each other.

Then Keyes bounces into the ropes and Conor crotches himself! The Lady of the Hour has recovered… and she meets Conor on the top rope.

SUPERPLEX.

A frustrated and now seemingly angry FIST of DEFIANCE stands and dusts her hands off louder this time. Keyes has already exited the ring and is checking on Sonny Silver.

Troy drags Fuse to his feet and waves “bye bye” to the gamer as she tosses him into the ropes when Conor LEAPS into the air and looks for a Head Stomp out of nowhere!

SWOOOOOOSH!

LT side-steps as Conor bounces off the next set of ropes-

WHAM!

DDK:
DAMMIT! Henry Keyes just knocked Conor out with the FIST to the back of the head!

Mark Shields didn’t see it because, as Lance so astutely pointed out, he’s useless at his job.

Troy slowly paces over to the fallen Conor Fuse. She flips him onto his back and then smacks him on the chest again.

Lindsay Troy:
Weapon Get?

DDK:
Oh, c’mon…

Troy positions Conor into a scissored armbar.

Lance:
This, folks… this is Conor Fuse’s submission hold. He hasn’t used it in DEFIANCE to my knowledge but he’s used it in High Octane Wrestling, where he and Lindsay better know each other. 

DDK:
This is disgusting. Conor’s already knocked out!

Troy has the scissored armbar locked in, AKA the Elden Rings of Saturn. Lindsay screams at Mark Shields to check on the gamer and eventually the referee does.

Conor’s out.

DING DING DING

The Faithful are livid.

Darren Quimbey:
The winner of this match by submission AND STILL FIST of DEFIANCE… Lindsay Troy!

“Stranger Fruit” by Zeal and Ardor plays as Henry Keyes slides back into the ring. Finally, Lindsay Troy releases the hold. Keyes takes Fuse by his white wrestling tights and ejects him out of the ring as he, Troy and the still recovering Sonny Silver celebrate inside the ring. Lip readers catch Henry Keyes finally breaking his silence with a sinister smirk as he throws his arm around Troy's shoulders.

Henry Keyes:
Good work, Bestie.

DDK:
What an awful definition of “fighting champion.”

Lance:
I don’t think any of us saw this version of Lindsay Troy when she made her return to DEFIANCE two years ago. I never thought I’d see the day.

The DEFtv signature appears in the bottom right hand corner of the broadcast as VV celebrates inside the ring. Meanwhile, out of the corner of the FIST logo, at the entrance way, is what looks to be the head of Malak Garland. It seems like he’s showing concern for Conor Fuse but no one is sure how long Malak’s been there, or even if it really was Malak because the silver hair and anxiety riddled face disappears quickly when the camera is on the entrance. Nevertheless, DEFtv ends with a passed out Conor Fuse outside the ring and Lindsay Troy, inside the squared circle, victorious.

THIS.

IS.

DEFIANCE.