The AWF Presents: Prestige 62 LIVE from Minot, ND!

[ForeverKuroi]

The cold opening to AWF’s Prestige doesn’t begin with its typical opening package but more to a dark room with black fabric covering the walls backstage where Charles Akiyama is seen sitting in a chair, dressed finely for the upcoming interview he has prepared. Charles adjusts his suit and tie before he turns to face someone off-camera and begins to speak to them.

Charles Akiyama: He should be here soon, I don’t know what is keeping him.

Soon, a beam of light illuminates a portion of the room as the cameras pick up the sound of a door opening and closing before the figure of a man enters the frame of the shot, holding in his hands is the Destiny Wrestling Shooting Star Championship as he places it down onto a small table beside the recliner chair, and as the figure takes his seat in the chair, the face enters the shot and reveals it to be the man that caused controversy upon the end of the last Prestige episode had ended, Maverick. A smile was kept on the face of The King of Professional Wrestling as he looks to Akiyama with a gentle nod.

Charles Akiyama: Are you ready for the interview, Maverick?

Maverick crosses his legs, continuing to causally smile.

Maverick: Of course, Charles. I’ve been ready for this moment for a while now.

Charles Akiyama: Alright then…

Charles turns his head to face the cameraman as he nods before looking back to Maverick and looking directly into the blue piercing eyes of The King.

Charles Akiyama: Ladies and gentlemen of AWF, last week saw an impactful episode of Prestige which saw the end of Seth Dillinger’s third reign as AWF Prestige Champion at the hands of Bloodied Fox inside of a Steel Cage. But one man took the night by surprise at the very end in an AWF Exclusive clip that went up after the show on the air. That clip showing Seth Dillinger being assaulted backstage by an unknown assailant before being revealed to have been this man that sits right in front of me, making his sudden and grand return to AWF once again, Maverick.

Maverick gracefully nods to Charles.

Maverick: It’s good to be back here in AWF again.

Charles Akiyama: An absolute honor to have you here with me, Maverick. You’ve made quite the return two weeks ago after Prestige went off the air and your presence was made well-known in the building when the footage was shown of you attacking and assaulting Seth in the parking lot of the arena. Everyone is aware of your history with Seth but the question has to be asked… why did you do it?

Maverick would continue to keep his cocky smile as he lifts his head up high, holding it up with pride.

Maverick: I thought this would be simple logic considering what had happened the last time I was here but here I am mistaken as ever. The train of thought I've had since Fired Up has always remained on one man, one person, the only man I wanted to get payback on... That man being Seth. Let me take you back to the night of Fired Up. I worked with Seth Dillinger the whole night and got to the very end and when he had the chance to do it, he stabbed me in the back. He used Natasha - the same person that corrupted him to be who he is today - to gain an advantage and then what did he do?

Maverick blankly stares at Charles, waiting for an answer.

Maverick: Are you not going to tell me what he did, Charles?

Charles Akiyama: He... he won the match after everything he did.

Maverick rolls his eyes and scoffs.

Maverick: Oh no, Charles, oh no. Not just that. You see, Charles, he tried to do what many have easily failed to do. Put me out of action for good. He dropped me onto my head, with my own move, the same move that I used to defeat many with a clean one-fucking-hundred percent win rate. A move I designed to inflict a whole lot of damage, enough to injure or even permanently place people on the shelf if I really wanted to do that. You've known me for three... four years now, Charles?

Charles Akiyama: Around that or so, yes.

Maverick: You know how quick I can change on a dime to being some psychopath on a fucking murder spree. I've been on that path of war before, I know what it's like to feel that rush of getting one over on the guy who trusted you, Seth feels that and he knows he can't stay like that forever. So what do you do? Seth Dillinger was a man who was on top of the world, like Icarus he flew to the sun but unfortunately the sun was me and I melted his fucking wax wings until he crashed and burned to a hot pile of ash.

Maverick leaned forward, a tense look to his eyes.

Maverick: The records always showed that Seth got the one up against me but in every chance he's had, he's never pinned me or made me submit except for the one time he beat me for the State of Ohio Championship. In every chance he's had with me, he's put himself through physical pain and torture handed out by me and in every chance he's had. I've put him to the limits where shady rules were used to win against me. I know for a fucking fact that anyone else would laugh at that and call them excuses, but me? I call them the fucking facts and the fact of the matter is that Seth Dillinger can only peak with me, and he did that with me at the Fired Up finals.

Maverick lowered his head, shaking it and letting out a deep sigh.

Maverick: I became his peak so many times, I am the man that made Seth Dillinger, but for once, I will become the man that fucking ends him. The blood is on his hands, and the price will be paid for what he did.

Charles Akiyama: But... but what's next for you? What are you here for?

Maverick sighed.

Maverick: Seth did one thing he should not have done. He fucked around, and with that, he's going to find out that he is fucked. As I said, the blood is on his hands, but his blood will be on my hands when I have him all to myself.

Maverick stands up and picks up his championship, tucking it under his arm.

Maverick: Seth won't be walking away easily this time. Shit... he won't be walking away from this ever.

With those final words, Maverick walked out of the shot and headed out of the room. Charles watches on with a confused look to his face as he looks to out of the frame of the shot before we fade to the opening package.

---

Ascension Wrestling Federation Presents:



Live at the The MDU Dome in Minot, ND.
12/5/2020

Capacity: 10,000

In Attendance: 1,000

---

The show opens solemnly to AWF's CEO Felix Ziko in the middle of the ring.

Felix Ziko: How are we doing tonight, Ascension Wrestling Federation!?

The 1,000 socially distanced fans that are inside of the ring begin to cheer.

Felix Ziko: I just want to say that we have reached December and believe it or not, this is our final Prestige of 2020. After this, we will have our last show of the year, A Very AWF Christmas, and that will be it for 2020. You know... This year, we've been through a lot. Between COVID, we've lost a lot. We've lost memories. We've lost the ability to connect, with just about half hour shows not having a single fan within these walls. We've lost friends. We've lost families. So for all of us today who has been with us during these crazy and scary times, I have to say thank you. Thank you for still being here.

Felix Ziko forces himself not to shed a tear in front of the camera.

Felix Ziko: But even despite these difficult times, we've still had major changes and major growth. We've had the most contentious Fired Up to date. Clash of the Icons has been a major success... and now we also have a new AWF Prestige Champion, Bloodied Fox! Can we get a round of applause for him?

The fans begin to bring their hands together for Fox.

Felix Ziko: Not only is he now our AWF Prestige Champion, I think it's important to point out something not very many of us have realized. Bloodied Fox is actually our first AWF Triple Crown Champion!

The fans quite visibly lean forward with anticipation, listening in and even quieting to hear a bit more closely.

Felix Ziko: Bloodied Fox has been with us since June of last year and in such a short amount of time, he has accomplished so much. At Prestige 39, he won the XHF Phoenix Championship. At Beach Blast this year in July, he beat both Tommy Strychnine and End of Days Winner Dakota Jennings for the AWF United States Championship and two weeks ago, he has beaten our very own AWF Hall of Famer, Seth Dillinger, for the AWF Prestige Championship! This is the show where, with hard work and determination, you can truly rise through the ranks! Now let's give it up for our very own Bloodied Fox!

Everyone within the audience get loud and truly show their appreciation to Bloodied Fox.

Felix Ziko: And that's why we have our show the way that we do. Our matches tonight are number one contender matches. Why? Because wrestling is hard, and we want to thank everyone for their efforts. We want to give you all the chance to show what you have to offer, and we want you to prove to the entire world who you are and what you're made of. So ladies and gentlemen, I present to you all for the last time of 2020 - AWF PRESTIGE!

Taylor: We've done it, Cassius! We've finally made it to the end of this horrible year!
Romano: It hasn't been easy, but we have some amazing wrestling in store. That and we get to celebrate some firsts within this show, a little show that started almost four years ago in the middle of a packed and tiny VFW in Ohio. I'm excited!

---

(It's hours before Prestige #62 and Xiaolong is dressed as Santa Claus sitting on a throne their are parents and their children who are wearing masks and are social distancing.)

Xiaolong: "So who's next to meet Old Saint Nick."

(A kid comes into the ring and sits on his lap.)

Xiaolong:  "So who are you."

Ken:  "Ken."

Xiaolong:"So who do you like."

Ken:  "I like Dakota Jennings."

Xiaolong: "Really you must love her wrestling ability."

Ken:  "Man she's cool."

(Xiaolong is given a gift from an elf.)

Xiaolong:  "Well you just got lucky because here's a Dakota Jennings action figure complete with ring and whatever else you can dream up."

Ken:  "Thanks Santa."

(Ken leaves and the Elf taps him on his shoulder.)

Elf:  "Oh I just remembered Santa that was for someone else."

Xiaolong:  "Get another one quickly."

Elf:  "I don't have money."

(Xiaolong slaps some money into his hand.)

Xiaolong: "Don't spend it in one place."

(The Elf leaves and another takes his place.)

Xiaolong:  "So Ho!  Ho!  Who's next to meet Santa."

(A girl enters the ring.)

Xiaolong:  "So who are you little girl."

Suzie:  "Suzie."

Xiaolong:  "So Suzie who's your favorite competitor."

Suzie:  "Adam Sanders."

Xiaolong:  "Oh yes the dishonorable underdog."

Suzie:  "He's not dishonorable."

Xiaolong:  "Did I say dishonorable. I said he's honorable."

Suzie:  "You said....."

Xiaolong:  "Whoa Ho! Ho!  Never contradict Saint Nick."

(An Elf hands him a gift.)

Xiaolong:  "Well we got the gift for you little lady.  Santa has a Adam Sanders action figure complete with Rocky Balboa trunks and a separate outfit with Underdog's superhero tights."

(Suzie beams at him and hugs him before leaving.)

Xiaolong:  "Another satisfied child.  So who's next inline to meet Santa."

(A Kid with a Revenant's shirt enters the ring to Xiaolong's disdain but he hides the look.)

Xiaolong:  "Hello there what's your name."

Keith:  "My name's Keith."

Xiaolong:  "Oh what a coincidence.  So who's your favorite wrestler as if I can guess."

Keith: "I love Keith Williams. He's so cool and the greatest champion in both AWF and SWAT."

Xiaolong:  "I'm sure he is.....Well I got you the gift of a lifetime.  Here's a Keith Williams action figure complete with slime and other accessories and the best part of all is it comes with the rest of the Revenants."

Keith:  "Oh you're the best Santa."

Xiaolong: "So who's next to meet Old Saint Nick."

(A Geeky Kid with a Bob the Builder cap enters the ring.)

Xiaolong:  "So who are you son."

Bob:  "Bob sir."

Xiaolong:  "Oh I like the way you address me.  So who's your favorite wrestler Bob."

Bob:  "Bob the Builder."

Xiaolong: "Not bad.  I bet you like to build things with your hands.

Bob:  "Do I. I love building volcanos, and scale models...…"

Xiaolong:  "Whoa such enthusiasm which should be rewarded with equal enthusiasm."

(The Elf hands him a gift to give to Bob.)

Xiaolong:  "Well here's something you'll be using forever.  It's a Bob the Builder action figure complete with tools, a build it yourself ring and also you'll receive the Bob the Builder official erector set."

(Bob beams and happily hugs Santa.)

Bob:  "Oh thank you.....Thank you.......Thank you......!"

(Bob runs to his mother and continues thanking Santa as he leaves the ring.)

Xiaolong:  "So who's next to meet old Santa."

(A Kid wearing a Xiaolong T-shirt enters the ring and sits on his lap.)

Xiaolong:  "Oh I love this kid. So who are you and what is your wish."

Jake:  "My name's Jake and I'm a big fan of Xiaolong and I have all his action figures."

Xiaolong:  "I'm sure you do have all my....I mean all his action figures in your collection as well as the accessories."

Jake:  "Well I don't have the one where he is leaps into the ring."

Xiaolong:  "Well maybe he can grant you your wish."

(The Elf hands him a gift as the other Elf returns.)

Xiaolong:  "Well Jake Santa has something for you.  It's an authentic signed action figure of Xiaolong complete with the springboard to launch him into the ring or over it to the other side."

Jake:  "Thanks Santa."

Xiaolong:  "You're my....I mean his top fan so it's only appropriate you should get a token of his appreciation since he appreciates you."

Jake:  "I hope he wins that shot at the championship."

Xiaolong:  "I hope so too.....I mean I'm hoping he wins since he's well deserving of a championship shot."

(Jake leaves with his mother and The Elf taps him on his shoulder.)

Elf:  "Santa it's time to go since the card is going to begin in an hour."

Xiaolong:  "I paid them a hundred grand for this time."

Elf:  "For a hundred minutes and it's almost a hundred minutes."

Xiaolong:  "I have to start preparing for my match anyway."

(He looks at the rest of the children.)

Xiaolong:  "We have to go since time's up and Prestige #62 is going to begin but don't worry Santa's going to still spread good cheer to the rest of you. Ho! Ho! Ho!"

(Xiaolong gets up and he and the Elves leave the ring and start giving out gifts to the rest of the children in line as the scene slowly fades to black.)

---

Turn To Stone by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spotlight illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other. The HCW Diamond title is draped over his shoulder. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.

Jessie Love: "Coming to the ring, sttanding at six foot one and one inch, and weighing in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York. and the self-proclaimed 'Box Office Smash of AWF'..... , 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!"

Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over-exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, stepping over to the far corner to await the beginning of the match.

Taylor: Our first match of the last Prestige of 2020 is starting, kicking off with big news!
Romano: That's right. We have Cross Recoba, currently undefeated in the AWF. Will he win? Perhaps. I mean, his opponent is...

NOTORIOUS, SO NOTORIOUS...
SO NOTORIOUS...

Jordan Cassidy walks down to the ring, slapping the odd hand and looking for fans to pose with holding signs for him (there won't be any, but he can always hope!)

Taylor: Jordan Cassidy! He's a good lad!
Romano: He is, absolutely. But I mean... Well, he's got a great attitude.

---

Singles Match
Cross Recoba vs Jordan Cassidy

---

DING DING DING!

The two men circle each other around the ring, with the smaller, wiry Cassidy making Recoba look like a beast. Cassidy musters up all the enthusiasm of a Summer Camp counselor and charges at Cross Recoba, attempting to grab the neck for a neckbreaker! But very easily, Recoba steps aside, leading Jordan Cassidy to eat the canvas.

Taylor: You can't fault the heart in Jordan Cassidy!
Romano:He shows up every time he's booked and dammit, he's trying.

Recoba readies up and Jordan Cassidy quickly gets back up himself, only his pride a bit wounded. He dusts himself off and squares up with Recoba again, and Cross grants him the collar-and-elbow lock up. Quickly, Recoba gains the upper hand and maneuvers himself around the side of Jordan Cassidy, wrapping him up and sending him flying with a Saito suplex. Cassidy hits the mat and Cross is back up to his feet motioning him to get back up.

Recoba: Come on. Again.

Cassidy shakes out the cobwebs and nods at Cassidy, slowly getting back to his feet.

Taylor: If I didn't know any better, it looks like Cross Recoba is trying to almost... train Jordan Cassidy?
Romano:Either that, or he's just toying with him. Who can say?

Cassidy circles the ring around Recoba and waits for his moment. He spots an opportunity and rushes forward, managing to just barely get a toe kick on Recoba's ribs! Cross instinctively keels over and Cassidy grabs the head, almost too excited to know what to do as he signals for the CassiDDT... but Recoba throws an elbow and softens up Cassidy, followed by a quick run to the ropes. Recoba bounces off and comes back at Cassidy quickly, hitting a running swinging neckbreaker to take the man down! Recoba gets up to his knees and shakes his head.

Romano:You know, Cross Recoba has an undefeated record here in AWF, and I do think this matchup is just out of Cassidy's league.
Taylor: Some might say the only reason Recoba has that record is because of the underhanded ways he has won matchups with the help of Chris Card!
Romano:Speak of the devil...

As if on cue, Chris Card begins to saunter down the ramp. Recoba sees his partner in crime coming and starts shouting at him to leave. Recoba motions to the referee to escort Card out of here, but the referee has seen one too many High Finance matches and knows how this goes. He refuses to let Recoba out of his sight. Card jumps up onto the apron and begins to protest. The referee takes a step back to keep both members of High Finance in his field of view as Cross Recoba gets more and more frustrated.

Taylor: Cross wants nothing to do with whatever Chris Card is doing here!
Romano:Looks like he wants to finish this on his own!

Cassidy starts to stand back up and Recoba is tired of arguing with Card and the referee. He turns and sees red, a flare of anger welling up. He scoops up Jordan Cassidy and flips him upside down, stepping over his arms and wrenching back on Cassidy's legs, locking him into a standing Boston Crab.

Taylor: Garibaldi's Guillotine! Guess playtime is over for Jordan Cassidy!

It doesn't take very long at all for Jordan Cassidy to slam his palm on the mat repeatedly, signalling a tap out.

DING DING DING!

Jessie Love: Here is your winner... CROSSSSSS RECOBAAAAAA!

Chris Card feigns the look of someone who is impressed and backs up the ramp slowly, Recoba staring him down in the ring. Card begins to slow clap, clearly sarcastically, all the way back up the ramp, wearing a smug grin on his face. Recoba's face boils with rage as we cut away from the ring.

---

Taylor: I’m told we have an Around the Clock update!
Romano: Like we need an update for Subject #42 probably eating someone who got in their way.

The catering area in the MDU Dome is suddenly occupied by the arrival of a 7’0, 325-pound Around the Clock champion. Subject #42 arrives with the championship wrapped around theirs neck, and with their beloved feline companion Tiny Fur riding on its massive shoulders as usual. The looks that Subject #42 draws are very similar to that of a lone gunslinger wandering into a new saloon, with multiple men and women eyeing up the champion.

#42 waves hello.

Subject: Ragh!

It’s a friendly-seeming set of waves from the People’s Monster. Subject… is not really waving to be friendly, though. They’re taking the time to wave at everyone as a way of acknowledging that everyone in the room is gunning for their gold.

They move to the catering table, grabbing a plate and the proper utensils. #42 looks out over the meal, helping themselves to some meat and potatoes, with catering clearly doing a late Thanksgiving theme. #42 bends over for leverage and---

CRACK!

Subject: Ragh!

Subject grimaces in pain as they’ve been struck right between the shoulder blades with a steel chair from an ambitious trainee wrestler from a dark match before the show, with a referee also accompanying them. Incredibly, the monster doesn’t go down. Instead, it takes a deep breath and turns around.

Subject: Ragh?

The trainee clearly knows he just made a huge mistake.

Trainee: Oh sh-oh nn-n-n-n-n-no...

He trembles in the sight of the champion, who has put a massive finger up towards the man’s mouth to quiet him.

Subject: Ragh…

Subject grabs the trainee’s shoulders and turns him around with a forceful 180, picking him off the ground with relative ease. Once back on the ground, Subject gives them them a pat on the shoulder, knowing there’s no real reason to decimate this poor idiot.

Subject: Ragh ragh.

Subject gives a very clear shooing motion. The trainee wrestler looks back for only a few split seconds.

Trainee: Thank you!

The trainee then bolts down the hall. The referee decides to hang around, much to Subject’s chagrin.

Subject: Ragh!

Referee: Sorry, it’s the rules.

#42 rolls their eyes and plants themselves down at a table, pulling the table closer and sitting with its back against the wall. For being such a predator in the ring, Subject is used to being hunted, and is well aware of their surroundings. They scan the group one more time, sending the message that the next fool won’t be so lucky. There is no sign of Armageddon, who is rumored to be trying to chase down Subject tonight. #42 cuts the first piece of meat not for themselves, but instead for the little kitty.

Tiny Fur: Mew!

Tiny Fur reaches out and bites more than the piece of meat, accidentally also biting Subject, who was too focused on the others in the room to pay Tiny their full attention.

Subject: Ragh!

Subject shakes out their hand and looks down at the kitty. It’s hard to discipline something so small, so Subject doesn’t do much.

Subject: ...ragh…

Subject #42 shakes its finger at Tiny Fur. Besides a battle of the titans with Tarrasque later in the evening, it’s the only piece of Subject anyone else will be getting for the evening.

Taylor: Subject sending a message to the rest of the AWF locker room, sparing a relative unknown tonight!
Romano: I’m just surprised they didn’t eat that idiot for smacking them in the back with the chair.

---

Drake's "Enemies" plays as Frankie Webb heads out into the arena. He shoots a quick glance to the fans in the arena and hops a few time. He has sleeveless hood over his head as he slowly makes himself to the ring. He walks toward the ring, displaying a fake err of confidence. As he approaches the ring, he takes the hood and tosses it out of the ring. He hops up and down, waiting for the match to begin.

Taylor: What we got here is the beginning of a new era. We got two new wrestlers, their firsts within the AWF.
Romano: And not only are they new, they're young! I believe Frankie Webb is actually the youngest wrestler in AWF history. Let's see what he's got.

As the opening notes begin, the lights go out, save for a single spotlight on the top of the stage. Betsy comes out, but she’s only a silhouette at this point. Just as the drum strikes it’s second note, Betsy dabs and the lights come back. The song starts from the refrain as Betsy starts dancing down the ramp.

“Sin City’s cold and empty
No one’s around to judge me
I can’t see clearly when your gone-one-one”

Arms out, Betsy begins twirling around wildly, blonde ponytail whipping about with her, as she slaps hands with fans on both sides of the ramp. The chorus hits just as Betsy baseball slides into the ring.

“And I said ooooh, I’m blinded by the lights
I can’t sleep until I feel your touch
And I said ooooh, I’m drowning in the night
Oh, when I’m like this, you’re the one I trust”

As the chorus chimes on, Betsy bounces up and hops up onto every ring corner, pumping her fist in time with the song, getting the fans amped up for the upcoming bout. When she finishes this display, she starts bouncing in place, preparing mentally for the bout.

Taylor: And now we got Betsy Granger, a good friend of Adam Sanders!
Romano: Maybe so, but friendships don't mean as much as some may hope when it comes to wrestling. Sooner or later, you'll have to rely on your own skills.

---

Number One Contendership for the XHF Phoenix Championship
Frankie Webb vs. Betsy Granger

---

The bell rings and Betsy Granger and Frankie Webb walk towards each other. Frankie extends a hand and Betsy gives him a firm shake to show a little respect before the action starts. The pair lock up, Frankie attempting to use his height advantage to power down his smaller opponent but Il Viadante quickly breaks Frankie's loose lock on her left hand and steps through to wrench Webb's right arm out. Betsy wrings out Webb's arm, exerting as much pressure as she can manage but young Frankie rills through against the hold to relieve the strain a little. Bets steps in looking to force an Irish whip but Frankie puts a leg in front of Betsy's and hits an O Soto Gari to take both to the mat. Betsy rolls away to her feet and gives Frankie a half smile.

Taylor: Frankie Webb may not have experience but he has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Romano: I don't think Betsy is taking the challenge lightly. She's smart enough to know that even against a rookie like Frankie Webb, she needs to use all her technical mastery.

The pair move into close range again, Frankie throwing a couple of really loose jabs which Betsy dodges with the easiest of sways. Granger lights up Webb's thigh with a stinging low roundhouse kick and pounces into a like a cat, grabbing Webb in a standing waistlock. Webb struggles to get out, throwing wild back elbows to fight loose but Betsy floats round to a back waistlock with ease. Il Viadante goes for an arm, looking for a takedown into an armbar but Webb ducks and uses Granger's body weight to take her over with an Uchi Mata shoulder throw. Betsy rolls out of the throw to her feet and turns back to face Webb again.

Taylor: Frankie Webb is a whole different kind of mixing martial arts with pro wrestling to what we're used to.
Romano: The thing is, judo allows you to control position but you have to follow up stronger.

Frankie Webb closes in quickly, looking to capitalise on what seems to be a grappling advantage. Webb throws a couple of street punches, making Granger cover up then goes for a double leg takedown, trying to take Betsy off her feet. Granger sprawls, spreading her legs wide to stay standing and traps Frankie's head for a second, before driving her knee into Webb's face causing him to stumble backwards. Il Viadente hits a flash right roundhouse kick to left leg, then switches legs and hits a left footed kick to the right leg. Webb is on wobbly legs and Betsy spins into an outside hook kick and now facing away from her opponent, performs a beautiful backflip into a kick.

Taylor: PELÉ KICK! OH MEU DEUS!
Romano: A fitting tribute to the Polyglot Princess there, Taylor.

Stumbling backwards with the moemntum of being kicked in the head, Frankie Webb finds himself resting in the corner. Betsy checks the distance as she stands and then performs a perfect forwards roll into a Koppo Kick in the corner. Webb falls out of the corner and Betsy flips him over, hooking a leg...

ONE!


TWO!


TH.. Webb kicks out.

Taylor: Webb still has a lot of fight in him.
Romano: But let's not overlook Betsy's striking game. It's a beautiful watch, Taylor.

Working from mat level, Betsy grabs for an arm. She floats round, flipping Frankie's body over and looking to hyperextend this arm. Webb resists, looking to lock his hands together to try and stop himself being arm barred. Thinking one step ahead, Betsy guesses that he's trying to block that submission and grabs for the reaching arm. With his left arm in her right hand's grasp and his right in her left, Il Viadante sits back, leans back and wraps Webb's arms over his own throat!

Taylor: THE JAPANESE STRANGLEHOLD! THE GOKU RAKU GATAME!
Romano: It's a totally legal choke because you aren't using your own limbs to block the windpipe.

With his face turning beet red, Webb struggles within Granger's control. He tries desperately to fight for an escape and for air. he wriggles his legs, attempting to change his position and Betsy leans back, pulling hard on the arms. Gabe Valentine checks to see if the teenage wonder wants to give up, seeing as he can't physically tap. A violent shake of the head gives away his intentions. Garden grits her teeth and pulls back harder than ever.

Taylor: Frankie Webb still has fight left in him!
Romano: It's that attitude to push through the pain that will endear you to the fans. And your doctor will hate it.

Stressing and straining, Frankie Webb tries with all his might to muscle out of the hold. he releases a little of the pressure off his neck through sheer muscular force and sucks in a huge gasp of air. Wriggling, he manages to inch his body a little closer to the ropes but with a steely expression, Betsy Granger adjusts her hold and locks the arms tight down against the flesh again, leaving Frankie denied of oxygen, trapped once more in the dreaded hold.

Taylor: Do you think Webb is going to quit?
Romano: I think he should. I don't think he will.

Danger Granger has her opponent at her mercy but it's not leading towards a victory. Yet. Again Gabe Valentine checks on Frankie Webb and this time the shake of the head is a little less defined, a little less vigorous. Granger attempts to shuffle forwards a little so she can add some extra pressure to the hold by cranking Webb's neck back at a sickening looking angle. Betsy is all business, looking scarily composed for someone who is strangling the life out of someone but the hold itself looks lethal. Knowing that she needs all the pressure she can muster, Betsy leans back as far as she can... but she has to let a little pressure off holding Frankie down to add that extra wrench backwards... FRANKIE WEBB USES THE LITTLE FREEDOM HE HAS TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE AND SQUIRMS ROUND TO AN ANGLE WHERE HE CAN JUUUUUUST GET A FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! GABE VALENTINE CALLS FOR THE BREAK!

Taylor: WEBB GOT TO THE ROPES!
Romano: You can call it technique, you can call it base survival instinct but all that matter is that Frankie Webb forced the break.

Frankie hauls himself off the canvas, gasping heavily as the air returns to his lungs. Il Viadante backs off and gives a quirky little smile to the hard camera. Betsy senses the end is near and DABS! This puts her arm in the perfect position to wind up a HUGE European Uppercut...

Taylor: DAB AND BOP!

BUT WEBB PULLS HIS BODY BACK TO THE ROPES AND THE FOREARM MISSES! WEBB THROWS AN UGLY CROOKED ARM CLOTHESLINE AND HE DROPS BETSY TO THE MAT! Betsy stands nearly instantly and WEBB DROPS HER WITH ANOTHER ONE! Betsy stand again and covers her face to block a third clothesline.. AND WEBB DUCKS UNDERNEATH AND HOISTS BETSY UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS INTO A FIREMAN'S CARRY! Still panting and gasping, Webb turns so his back is pointing right to the middle of the ring and FALLS BACKWARDS, DRIVING BETSY'S BODY TO THE MAT!

Taylor: WEBB DROP! WEBB DROP!

Webb stays in position to cover...


ONE!


TWO!


TH.. NO! Betsy slides out of the pinning predicament.

Romano: You need to hook a leg. A back press on its own isn't enough.
Taylor: That was so close though.
Romano: Very close, Taylor.

Webb is quickly back to his feet and with a sense of urgency he beckons Betsy to stand. Quickly moving in he positions his leg across Granger's and with a swift movement he SWEEPS BETSY TO THE GROUND WITH ANOTHER JUDO THROW!

Taylor: HARAI GOSHI!
Romano: I saw that on his scouting tape!

WEBB FLOATS ROUND INTO THE MOUNT! PUNCH FROM THE MOUNT! A SECOND PUNCH FROM THE MOUNT! GABE VALENTINE CHECK TO SEE IF GRANGER IS KNOCKED OUT! A THIRD TOWERING PUNCH COMES DOWN... AND BETSY SNAGS THE ARM! BETSY SWEEPS WEBB'S LEG AND CRADLES HIM OVER WITH THE BARRED ARM!

Taylor: LA MAGISTRAL!

ONE!


TWO!


THR.. WEBB KICKS OUT!

Betsy rolls away and stands, Webb still on the mat. She throws a series of sharp kicks to Webb's guts, driving his already shortened oxygen supply out of his body again. Betsy turns grabs Webb's legs... crosses them over themselves, bridges back and feels for an arm and TURNS THE WHOLE PILE OVER INTO A PINNING POSITION!

Taylor: TUEZ LES ÉTOILES!

ONE!


TWO!


THREE!

The bell rings and Betsy offers Webb a hand up. As Jessie Love announces the decision, the combatants shake hands once more, respect being shown for a tough fight.

Jessie Love: The winner of this match by pinfall, BEEEEEEEEEEEETSY "IL VIADAAAAAAAAAANTE" GRAAAAAAAAANGEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRR!

---

We fade up backstage on Subject 42 and Tiny Fur. The hulking Around The Clock champion is warming up for their upcoming match by doing curls with an equipment crate, as his kitten watches curled up on the title belt. The audience is doubled as the Prestige champion Bloodied Fox enters the shot, looking impressed at Subject's workout. Subject spots him in their peripheral vision and drops the crate with a crash, staring at Fox, who merely responds with a raised eyebrow.

Fox: Easy there, Longshanks. Not here for a fight. Just here to watch the show and figured I'd get in the Christmas spirit with a gift to to AWF's biggest star.

Subject stops, and draws themselves up straight at the apparent compliment...

Fox: Here you go.

...only to deflate somewhat as Fox fishes a small bundle of wrapping from his jacket pocket and places it in front of Tiny Fur. He notices Subject's reaction and shrugs.

Fox: Dude, he's more over than either of us and you know it.

Subject gives a resigned "Ragh", as the kitten sniffs at the gift, and then eagerly tears into it with itty bitty claws, revealing a baggy of catnip.

Fox: The dealer told me it was the good stuff.

Fox winks, then looks at the Around The Clock belt that Tiny Fur is currently getting off his ickle whiskers on; the one AWF title he's never held. He looks back up to see Subject looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Fox: Don't worry, I don't intend to go for the AWF grand slam any time soon. Triple Crown is enough. Plus, I've got this to worry about...

He pats the Prestige title that is strapped around his waist.

Fox: Still, one day... Keep it warm for me, will you?

Subject wastes no time in pointing back at Fox's gold.

Subject: Ragh ragh.

Fox: Fair.

Fox chuckles and heads off, Subject looking after him as we cut away.

---

Seth Dillinger is roaming the backstage area with a kendo stick in hand.

Dillinger: WHERE IS HE?

He turns a corner and finds his way out into the parking lot.

Dillinger: MAVERICK? GET BACK HERE.

Dillinger's shouts are carried away on the wind. He scowls as he scans the parking lot, then remember what happened last show. He senses someone behind him and turns and...

WHAM!

He nails someone in the gut with a kendo stick. They keel over to the floor groaning. Seth pulls their hooded sweatshirt back to reveal...

Taylor: Copycat!?

Terry Bradshaw runs up with his cell phone rolling.

Bradshaw: Aha! I got it on video! Hate crime! Hate crime! The gay kid just did a hate crime!

Seth squints at Bradshaw, then down at Copycat, then back up at Bradshaw.

Bradshaw: I've got it all on film!

Seth points a kendo stick at the camera man filming them.

Dillinger: We're live, dumbass.

Seth shakes his head and turns back to head inside and find Maverick, leaving Copycat doubled over.

Bradshaw: We're gonna sue for so much money, Copycat.

Copycat: Wouldn't we... be suing you?

Bradshaw slaps him.

Bradshaw: Don't question me!

The cameras move on to follow Seth. Then, the camera begins accelerating, running after Seth at a rapid pace. Eventually the camera catches up. Seth hears the rapid footsteps of the cameraman behind him as we get a first-person view of the camera lens crashing into Seth's face and shattering!

Romano: What on EARTH? Seth's getting attacked by the camera guy!

The camera drops to the concrete and shatters a bit more. Through the distorted glass lens, we can see the cameraman slugging kick after kick into a downed Seth Dillinger before running off. But before he does, we hear a familiar voice.

Maverick: I'm everywhere, Seth. You can't escape me.

Dillinger groans on the ground as Maverick makes his escape, his disguise having worked to get him close.

---

"In the Hall of the Mountain King" plays as the fans pop for the Freak. Subject #42 emerges at the top of the ramp, swings up its arms, and lets out a giant ragh for the crowd:

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

They join the beast. Subject continues its walk down the ramp stepping over the ropes and into the ring. May God have mercy on their opponent.

Taylor: God may have mercy on Neo James Carner, one of these two wrestlers will be facing him for the AWF united States Championship!
Romano: And Subject 42 has a great chance. After all, he's already the Around The Clock Champion. But he's got a big enemy on his hands.

“All Animal” by Through Fire begins playing as Tarrasque and Marcus Anderson come out from the back to the cheering of the crowd. Tarrasque is eating what appears to be a beef tenderloin. The pair make their way down to the ring before Tarrasque throws what remains of the meat into the crowd. He steps over the ropes and into the crowd, roaring to the crowd.

Taylor: We got Tarrasque here! Tarrasque is uncaged!
Romano: We've got a big match on our hands. You should feel uncomfortable now.

---

Number One Contendership for the AWF United States Championship
Subject #42 vs. Tarrasque

---

The bell rings. The two opponents are eye to eye, with Tarrasque actually tilting his head up to reach Subject, who towers over him by a couple of inches. The ring gets really quiet in anticipation. In a match that would normally have everyone roaring over each other, there's actually a level of anticipation as we have a Goliath v Goliath match about to occur. Suddenly out of nowhere, fists start flying with such explosion and passion, it's hard to exactly tell who threw the first blow. The two, however, have different styles. Tarrasque is going all out with an offensive, Subject seems to be switching between offense and defense, only striking when he feels he has a good opening and gritting the pain when taking the blows in stride. However, two fists seem to be greater than one as Subject 42 is backed into the ropes.

Taylor: Size isn't everything! Sometimes power gets to you! Subject 42 is the bigger man but it seems that the monster Tarrasque uses his aggression to get the early head start!
Romano: Well I'm not sure at this point if size is even relevant considering how close they are in size and how big they are compared to the average man. Between the two, there is almost 14 feet in the ring and 700 pounds in the ring.

Subject 42 is continually protecting himself. He's at the point where his fists are constantly in front of him. Tarrasque doesn't let up. He keeps punching and between blows, it's actually easy to see the bruises beginning to form as the welts slightly discolor on his arms. Tarrasque lets up and allows himself a moment to take a deep breath. Bad move. This was the reason that Subject was biding his time. With a swift right hook, he sends Tarrasque immediately off of his two feet and slamming against the floor with such velocity and ferocity that Subject was nearly caught off guard by the earthquake-like vibrations that emanated from beneath himself. The brief distraction allows Tarrasque to raise his guard enough to recover as he starts to rise back up. Subject allows to get back up but not without some emotional damage. He gets nose to nose and unleashed a loud "RAGH!" Tarrasque's eyes widen and hastily retreats back. He begins to try to regroup.

Taylor: That roar was so loud, I feel like I have to change my underwear!
Romano: ...That's among the list of facts I didn't need to know.

Now Subject 42 did indeed allow Tarrasque to get to his feet, but now long enough to allow him to recompose and feel comfortable. Nope. As soon as his torso above his waistline, Tarrasque finds himself on the defensive end as Subject goes for the offensive end. He goes for punches and Tarrasque tries to block them, but Subject ends up grabbing both arms and then WHAM - Subject 42 must be a Pokemon because he used skull bash and it was SUPER EFFECTIVE! Tarrasque falls back but hits the ropes. When he bounces back, he must be acting on pure instinct alone as he lays a punch back at Subject! Subject stumbles and falls! Then there's Tarrasque! He stands up, begins to laugh... and then the concussive bash from Subject starts to kick in. After a delayed effect, Tarrasque falls down himself! The crowd starts to gets loud as they're both on the ground. Anything can happen!

Taylor: The two of them are on the ground. Anything can happen!
Romano: Oh come on, Tommy. That's lazy commentary!
Taylor: Why?
Romano: *sigh* Oh, never mind...

Subject 42 takes advantage of Tarrasque hitting the ground. He climbs to a crouched position while still near the ground and comes at him directly. He puts his arms around his throat and just BEGINS TO SQUEEZE! As he does this, Subject 42 lets out a very loud RAGH! He goes mad as he makes it very clear he's not taking this lightly. Tarrasque thrashes violently around him as this becomes vicious.

Taylor: This is The Predicate! Oh, it must not be good to be Tarrasque right now!
Romano: With a move like this, either Tarrasque gets out or he gets knocked out!

Tarrasque begins to grow red. His bulging muscles shoot out veins as he looks to pry Subject's hands off of his throat, finger by finger. However, he finds this process to be quite fruitless as Subject doesn't have this signature for no reason. He's quite adept at this. Tarrasque also eyes his position using the corner of his eyes but to his dismay, he finds himself to be in the dead center of the ring. Then he does it! Tarrasque goes limp! Subject looks down. He begins to smile. He lets out a celebratory roar. RAAAAAAGGGGGGHHH- BOOM! Tarrasque grabs Subject's head by the side and SLAMS it to the mat next to him! Immediately, Subject 42 lets go and Tarrasque finds a way out!

Taylor: WHAT!? HE FAKED HIM! HE FAKED HIM!
Romano: Did Subject 42 really get tricked by Tarrasque of all people?

Tarrasque kicks out the big log from on top of him. Just for good measure, he wraps his huge hand around the back of the bald head of Subject 42. AND HE SLAMS IT AGAINST THE MAT! He lifts it up... AND SLAM AGAIN! AND A THIRD TIME! At the end of this triple head slam, he lifts the head up to show Subject 42's face to be bloodied. It looks like his nose is what got red! Tarrasque gets up and lets out a loud ROOOOOAAAAARRRR to the audience, who goes ballistic! They're showing sympathy for Subject 42! He waits for Subject 42 to try to get up, even though he gets up not in the best frame of mind. That's when Tarrasque grabs Subject 42 by the downstairs area!

Taylor: Not those!
Romano: Oh... This... It's called The Rise of the Feminine Side and if you're not a soprano singer, you will be after Tarrasque lifts you up there!

TARRASQUE LIFTS! OH GOD! SUBJECT 42 IS ACTUALLY OFF THE GROUND! SUBJECT 42 THEN LETS OUT THE HIGHEST-PITCHED RAGH EVER! Tarrasque gets close and speaks in toward Subject 42's ear.

Tarrasque: I beat you. Then I find Tiny Mew. ...Then I eat Tiny Mew.

Subject 42's eyes goes big. He grits his teeth in between the pained ragh. While being lifted and having his two boys in horrible pain, he uses his hands and grabs the bruised neck of his opponent. Tarrasque lets go, but with every ounce of strength in his being, he lifts Tarrasque in the area and slams him down. CHOKE BOMB! CHOKE BOMB! CHOKE BOMB! He goes for the pin count:


...One!


...Two!


...THREE!

Jessie Love: Here is your winner of this match - SUBJEEEEECT 42!

Taylor: Subject 42 won! It's the safety of Tiny Mew who kept him in this! Subject 42 may not be able to have kids, but he won!
Romano: ...What would Subject 42 even call his kids?
Taylor: Ragh?
Romano: ...All of them?
Taylor: Yes.
Romano: ...Let's. Let's just move--

The tron lights up unexpectedly cutting off the announcers.

Aiden: Hey ... hey beastie. SO sad for your loss here tonight. Looked painful. I know you can hear me Tarrasque. So listen real closely. I want you to know that in my hand is the button that will burn that little gift I left ya. I know you remember. In that box is something I know ya be wanting pretty badly! So listen here ya daft bloke. I aims ta take yer head. And you're gonna give me the thrill I want before I do. A little challenge. On A Very AWF Christmas ... you and I will have a little game. Middle of the show we will have a match ... maybe. During the before match time however I am going to hunt you, and track you, and try to take you down. I'm giving you all my best so if you beat me? You can say you did something epic and I'll letcha have what's in the box. If you make it to the ring we'll fight. And if I win ... I want a trophy. You better have something amazing for my wall or I WILL take your head. I'm pretty sure you ain't human legally Tarrasque. You don't really have a choice in the matter since if there's no match I'll just hunt you like the animal you are and you'll never know what's in the box ... or what was in that room ... you get me? Good. Happy fucking Christmas.

The tron flickers off as we see Aiden leaving the arena on it

---

The cameras open up backstage where Seth Dillinger has stormed into Jackson Steele's office and is raising hell. We cut in mid-argument.

Dillinger: GIVE ME THE MATCH. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

Steele holds up his hands.

Steele: I am not going to do that, Seth. You both are out of your minds.

Dillinger slams his fists down on Steele's desk.

Dillinger: You've let a lunatic through these doors with the sole purpose of hunting me down. He almost broke my fucking neck in that parking lot last week.

Both men stare each other down.

Steele: You and Maverick together in a ring is nothing but a liability. I've seen what he's done to you, I've seen what you're capable of, and to top it off, Maverick isn't even an AWF employee anymore. Not going to happen.

Seth shakes his head, bewildered, and begins to chuckle. He snaps back and looks at Steele.

Dillinger: Alright, Jackson. You let me know if you change your mind.

He lets the word hang menacingly in the air for just a moment before turning and storming out of Steele's office, leaving Steele looking... concerned.

---

As the word 'Firecracker' appears on the large screen, red and green laser lights spin around the arena as Lzzy Hale begins to sing the opening to the song. Then the word fades and is replaced by the name 'Dakota' as the redhead makes her way out to the stage area, the fans becoming thunderous in their applause for her. She raises a single arm up before making her way down the aisle.

”Making her way down the aisle, she hails from Syracuse, New York, by way of Scottsdale, Arizona.....She is the Firecracker, The Chairwoman of the XHF, DAKOOOTTTAAA JJEEENNNIINNGGSSSS!!!”

Reaching the ring, she confidently strides up the steps before stepping under the second rope before climbing up one of the turnbuckles, raising a defiant middle finger toward her opponent as the fans cheer her relentlessly.

Taylor: The End of Days Champion, everyone - DAKOTA JENNINGS!
Romano: I'd normally yell at you for doing Jessie's job, but Dakota is so great, and she has so much to offer.



The arena is plunged into darkness as "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin echoes out of the speakers, triggering the attention of those in attendance to the stage where dark blue lights have started to flash in rhythm to the music.

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay

As the tempo of the song picks up, it can barely be seen that someone has made their way out in the pitch black, planting themselves in the middle of the stage. The lights return and we're shown the back of Keith Williams as he's pointing at what's on his clothing. He's noticeably wearing a black denim vest with patches of bands on the front, the words "Paragon of Sleaze" printed on the back in a death metal/black metal stylized font, and directly below this is a giant mustache graphic.

Williams spins around, stroking his mustache and gleefully taking a look out at the crowd. He slowly saunters his way down the rampway to ringside, taking his time to taunt fans on either side of him. As he reaches the ring, Keith goes to enter by rolling under the bottom rope, but hesitates for a moment to thrust against it to the beat of the song, eventually getting to his feet and treating everyone with another round of mustache strokes for good measure. He mounts the turnbuckle nearest to him, hopping up to the middle rope and posing with his arms spread wide. As the music dies down, KW abandons his post and tosses his vest to a company stooge on the outside, taking to practicing his elbows in the corner before the match begins.

Taylor: Keith Williams is so disgusting but he's got something to him.
Romano: And one thing's for sure... What he has, it isn't a mask.

bob comes out with his smaller construction equipment as he rides to the ring on Dizzy, he waves Maxwell around, making Maxwell quiet sick. Maxwell starts throwing up as he's waved around and Bob gets into the ring.

Taylor: Bob The Builder! Can he do it, yes he can!
Romano: He's certainly done a lot, and it's usually violent. Hopefully he doesn't get himself disqualified.



The drum fill followed by the opening guitar riff for the title track off the fourth studio album by Canadian punk band Sum 41 begins to blare on the Ascension PA system. The fans begin to cheer as the lights go dark and a single spotlight appears on the ramp.

One, two, three, four

The rest of the band joins the guitar as Adam Sanders emerges behind the curtain. The fans give the Awkward One loud cheers as the spotlight follows his trek towards the ring.

Jessie Love: From Grand Rapids, Michigan, weighing in at two hundred forty pounds, he is the Awkward One… ADAM SANDERS!!

Well, I won’t be caught living in a dead end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it’s us against them, we’re here to represent
And spit right in the face of the establishment!

Sanders walks up the stairs, walks down the apron a bit and puts both arms in the air. The fans continue to give loud cheers for the WCG competitor as he steps between the top and middle rope to enter the ring. He steps on the opposite turnbuckle, the chorus of the song becomes the backdrop for him to hop back into the ring.

Well because we're doing fine, and we don't need to be told
That we're doing fine, 'cause we won't give you control.
And we don't need anything from you,
'Cause we'll be just fine, and we won't be bought and sold, just like you

Taylor: Adam Sanders is so fantastic. He may be awkward, but that doesn't make him unlikeable.
Romano: He's loved around here. His skills are great. He's an AWF Prestige Champion of tomorrow. I just know it.

"Kung Fu Fighting" plays as Xialong runs to the ring, ready to begin the match.

Taylor: And now with Xialong, we got our final challenger of the evening!
Romano: Ladies and gentlemen, one of these five challengers will walk out standing toe to toe to headline A Very AWF Christmas. They'll be the last show of 2020. They will potential walk out as the champion! Let's go!

---

Number One Contendership for the AWF Prestige Championship
Dakota Jennings vs. Keith Williams vs. Bob the Builder vs. Adam Sanders vs. Xiaolong

---

DING DING DING!

The match starts off as two pairs begin to form. Xiaolong and Adam Sanders start fighting at one portion of the ring with Dakota Jennings and Keith Williams do the same elsewhere. Xiaolong begins to hit some strong kicks on Sanders that pushes him to the corner, Xiaolong shouting about the “dishonorable” comments Adam said earlier in the week.

Taylor: Xiaolong did take exception to what Adam said about honor, referencing the All That Glitters match against Niko.
Romano: Xiaolong doesn’t like being lumped in with Keith in that category and is taking it out on Adam.
Taylor: Well, Niko did make a lot of use of the ring steps and tried to win by count out. It’s not like Adam is wrong when he said he’s hesitant to trust anyone in the Dark Stars after that match. And Xiaolong isn’t helping his case to be trusted by his response.

While that’s going on with Sanders and Xiaolong, Keith Williams lands a European Uppercut on Jennings before pushing her into a corner. He licks his lips before approaching the cornered Firecracker.

Romano: Keith Williams is a man who gets what he wants.
Taylor: He looks extremely creepy right now as he approaches Jennings.
Romano: That’s because he’s going to get what he wants.

Williams smirks before landing a corner lariat on Jennings, staying up close to Dakota after the move and speaking inaudibly to her. He thrusts his knee into her midsection before another person enters the fray.

Taylor: And here comes Bob the Builder!
Romano: I don’t think he can use that!

Bob taps Keith on the shoulder before trying to strike him with Maxwell, but Keith dodges, causing Bob to strike Dakota with the Silver Hammer. As Bob reacts to hitting the wrong target, Keith Williams drops him on his head with an impressive German Suplex when you consider Bob’s size. Maxwell flings to the outside, turning a bit green from all the movement until some of the other tools comfort him.

Taylor: Good news is that Bob got his hammer strike on someone, the bad news is...
Romano: … it wasn’t who he wanted to hit and now the intended recipient of that strike just dropped him on his head.

On the other end of the ring, Xiaolong goes for a bicycle kick on Adam Sanders, who moves out of the way and sends Xiaolong into the corner he was just trapped in.

Taylor: We got opposite corners of the ring with action in them.
Romano: And it looks like Adam is about to make good of his corner usage here.

Sanders places the smaller Xiaolong on the top rope before climbing up top himself. The limited capacity fans begin to stand on their feet to see what’s about to happen as Adam hooks Xiaolong’s arm over his his neck and flings him over…

Taylor: Adam Sanders with a superplex!!
Romano: Oh my… that’s one way to send a message.

Adam Sanders pulls himself back up and leans over to Xiaolong to talk about how he won’t be intimidated. Adam hooks the leg.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...Keith breaks it up?!

Taylor: This is an elimination match. Why is Keith breaking up a pinfall?
Romano: He wants to send a message to everyone that this is his match. He wants to make sure he’s not sharing any glory with Sanders on these eliminations.
Taylor: Sounds counterintuitive to winning the match.
Romano: Ohh, I have the utmost faith Keith will win. He’s the one willing to do what it takes to win.

Keith Williams tosses Adam to the outside of the ring before following him. Xiaolong is still laid out inside the ring. Bob the Builder starts to get himself back to his feet when he realizes he isn’t the only one standing up in the ring…

Romano: Bob, you might not wanna turn around.
Taylor: DKO Mk I!!!

Dakota’s foot connects with Bob’s jaw as a measure of revenge for the hammer strike earlier. Dakota hooks the leg to eliminate Bob the Builder.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

Jessie Love: Bob the Builder has been eliminated!

Meanwhile Keith Williams lifts Adam Sanders on the outside and hits the airplane spin, making sure that the final spin has Adam being struck by the corner post. The Paragon of Sleaze chuckles before rolling back into the ring but swiftly has to dodge a DKO Mk I of his own.

Taylor: And Keith Williams nearly has his head taken off!
Romano: He does NOT look happy.
Taylor: Dakota might want to watch out as she corrects her balance and…

Keith Williams quickly grabs Dakota and lifts her in the air before dropping her on her head with a brainbuster. He hooks the leg to eliminate the End of Days winner…

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Dakota Jennings kicks out before the count of three. Keith Williams makes a comment about the “fight” she still has in her before guiding her back up. He lifts her up with the intent to hit the K-DRIVER before she wiggles free behind him. Xiaolong starts to get back up behind the action. Keith goes for a clothesline on Dakota but Dakota ducks and it half-hits Xiaolong. Dakota then attempts something very ambitious, leaping with both Xiaolong and Keith’s heads in her arms and trying to hit the DKO Mk II on both, but the two men hold their stance, keeping Dakota in the air and twisting it into a double powerbomb. Keith gets the cover on Dakota.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Taylor: Another failed pin attempt on Dakota Jennings.
Romano: Keith Williams is going for the elimination on Dakota smartly though. He likely sees her as the biggest threat.
Taylor: I think he also sees Dakota as someone who could turn the tide if she and Adam start working together, the most likely pairing in this match to work together. He wants to rid her before that happens.

Xiaolong shoves Keith before trying to get a cover of his own but Keith isn’t a fan of that as he quickly pulls Xiaolong back up and knocks Xiaolong backwards with a big knee to the midsection. He lifts him in the air and drops him with his signature, From Japan With Hate, to which Xiaolong quickly rolls out of the ring to avoid being eliminated as a result. Keith starts to showboat a little bit until someone stops him…

Taylor: And here comes Adam Sanders!!
Romano: That’s not fair! Keith wasn’t ready for him!
Taylor: Gotta pay attention!

Sanders caught Williams with a reverse DDT. He follows it up with a quick leg drop on Keith before hooking the leg himself.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Williams kicks out before the count of three. Williams hits a European uppercut on Sanders on the way back up. Before he could try to hit the gourdbuster to keep the Sleazy Threesome going on Sanders, he is struck from behind with a spinning heel kick from Dakota Jennings.

Romano: Uh oh...
Taylor: What were you saying about Dakota and Adam earlier?

Keith’s fears became a reality as both Jennings and Sanders gave each other a nod before both lifting Keith Williams to his feet and driving him into the mat with a double DDT. Jennings climbs the top rope as Sanders drives Keith into the mat with a spinebuster. After the spinebuster, Dakota leaps off the top rope with a moonsault on Keith.

Taylor: Dakota and Adam are effective working together!
Romano: That’s scary. Come on, Keith! Or even Xiaolong, do something!
Taylor: Cover by Dakota!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Keith kicks out. And before any more tag team moves can come into play, Xiaolong hits the Passe de Muerte to the back of Adam’s head. Dakota notices Xiaolong going after her next and quickly side steps a kick and leaps.

Taylor: DKO MK II
Romano: Well, there’s two of them in this match now!
Taylor: This could be two eliminations for Dakota! Cover!!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

DING DING DING

Jessie Love: Xiaolong has been eliminated!

Taylor: Xiaolong and Bob the Builder have now been eliminated.
Romano: And both of them have been eliminated by the End of Days winner, Dakota Jennings. She has really shown up for this match, as much as it pains me to admit.
Taylor: Now we are down to three: Dakota, Keith Williams, and Adam Sanders.
Romano: Jennings may have looked hot in this match so far, but so has Keith Williams.

Keith Williams is back up to his feet and looks over at Dakota and starts to… congratulate her?

Taylor: What is he trying to pull?
Romano: Well, he’s telling her good job on getting the two eliminations, obviously!
Taylor: I think he’s up to something.
Romano: He’s always up to something.

Williams makes a kissy face then points at his cheek.

Romano: See? He just wants a little peck on the cheek. Is that so bad?
Taylor: I mean, a little?

Dakota looks over at Keith then the crowd then back at him. Dakota walks closer to Keith before telling him to turn his head for it.

Romano: Oh wow, she’s actually going to do it?
Taylor: And there it is!

Dakota gives him a quick one on the cheek, to which causes Keith to blush a little bit. But his face would turn red for another reason after she blasts him with a kick right between the legs, prompting some cheers from the fans in the building. Keith Williams is down on the mat, holding his Keiths and rolling around on the mat.

Romano: That was cheap.
Taylor: Didn’t you make a comment about no one else being as willing to do what it takes to win. Dakota is simply proving you wrong.
Romano: But she used her attractiveness like a weapon. Poor Keith just wanted love from her, and she just had to go and do that to him.

Keith rolls out of the ring and Dakota smiles at her handiwork. Adam Sanders is now pulling himself up and sees just him and Dakota in the ring.

Romano: Adam is asking where Keith Williams went.
Taylor: I love the fact Dakota is pantomiming what she did to him.
Romano: I love how Adam is holding his Awkward Ones after hearing that.

At this point, both competitors peer over the ropes to locate Keith, who is nowhere to be seen.

Taylor: Wait, where did Keith go?
Romano: Oh, he’s around, I’m sure. Don’t you worry.

Dakota and Adam turn back to each other and give each other a nod. They start to circle one another in the center of the ring, looking to measure each other as opponents.

Taylor: This will be the first time these two use any moves on each other. This will be exciting, even with Keith nowhere to be found.
Romano: Dakota vs. Adam! Let’s see what they got!

Adam goes for a grab, but Dakota is too quick and sidesteps it, grabbing Adam’s arm and twists it into a hammerlock. She uses that positioning to land a quick bulldog on Sanders. Sanders pops back up immediately and tries to grab Dakota again, but again, she is too fast for him.

Taylor: Dakota Jennings using her quickness to her advantage.
Romano: Adam Sanders is struggling to counter it.

Dakota bounces off the ropes and while Adam’s idea of getting a spinebuster off the rebound was a solid idea, Jennings turns it into a leaping tornado DDT. Cover by Jennings!

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Adam kicks out at the count of two. Dakota goes for a standing moonsault on Adam, but now he is the one to get out of the way. Dakota pops back up, clearly hurting from the missed move but Adam was waiting for her and drops her with a twisting neckbreaker.

Taylor: Momentum has changed to Adam’s favor.
Romano: And now it’s Adam on the top rope. He’s gonna fly!!

Adam waits for Dakota to get up and gets impressive height on the Flight of the Dragonite. He scrambles to his feet to get the cover.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THR...NO!!

Dakota kicks out once more. Adam sits up, asking the referee for clarification if it was two or three. Dakota leverages that to her advantage to land a quick kick to the back of Adam’s head before she got back up. This staggers Adam and gives Dakota the window she was looking for to try to hit the Cross-Dimensional Travel on Adam. The moment she leaps off the middle rope, however, Adam makes his move to catch her on his shoulders…

Taylor: Uh oh, that is not a good position for Dakota to be in!
Romano: That’s Dream Breaker positioning right there!

Adam drives Dakota Jennings headfirst into the mat to some cheers from the crowd that he hit his finisher on the End of Days winner and former United States Champion. It takes a second for the winded Adam to get the cover.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

Taylor: Adam did it! He beat Dakota Jennings!
Romano: Calm down, Keith is still in the match.

Jessie Love: Dakota Jennings has been eliminated!

Sanders is quick to make sure he starts looking all over. Keith Williams is somewhere and he doesn’t want to be caught off guard. Dakota gives a respectful nod to Adam before rolling out of the ring and leaving the match.

Taylor: Where is he? The ref may just have to disqualify him.
Romano: He’s playing this smart.

Steve Tyrell looks over one side of the ring to look for Keith while Adam looks over the opposite. Tyrell shrugs when they both turn back and look at one another. And that’s when Keith Williams rolls from underneath the ring and sneaks back into the ring right behind Adam.

Taylor: Oh no, don’t let it be like this!
Romano: Get him, Keith!!

Keith Williams quickly schoolboys Adam Sanders and yells “COUNT IT” and Tyrell. As soon as Tyrell is out of the angle to see it, Keith grabs a fistful of Adam’s ring tights to make sure Adam won’t kick out.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

DING DING DING!!

Taylor: Oh this is just awful! He cheated!!
Romano: Like I said, he did what it took to win the match. Cheating is nothing more than a gray area.

Jessie Love: Adam Sanders has been eliminated. Here is your winner and the new number one contender to the AWF Prestige Championship… KEITH WILLIAMS!!

Taylor: Well, as much as I hate the way he got it, Keith Williams has now punched his ticket for a showdown with Bloodied Fox.
Romano: And that’s what matters. Getting to the match. The method is not important.
Taylor: Adam had that win stolen from him, let’s be frank. Here comes Bloodied Fox now.

Fox makes his way down the ramp with the Prestige Title on his shoulder before climbing the steps and looking over at his A Very AWF Christmas opponent. He stays on the apron and holds his championship over his head while Keith Williams glares at Fox and the belt. He doesn't stay long before walking back down the steps.

---

He's halfway up the ramp when...

'Aw, fuck your headphones!'

The crowd erupts into jeers as Seth Dillinger storms out onto the ramp, still sporting the cuts and bruises from his encounters with Maverick.

Dillinger: Cut the music. Everybody just HOLD YOUR HORSES!

The music abruptly cuts out as Seth holds up a hand. Fox turns around and is glaring at Seth, thinking this man was behind him.

Dillinger: If I'm not mistaken, as the immediate previous champion, I am due my rematch. So why the hell does this bag of shit get to cut to the front of the line?

Seth shakes his head.

Dillinger: Keith, you and your fuckbuddies in The ReVenants did me dirty by not helping me against Fox last Prestige. And now... now you just get to... ignore all that? Avoid the consequences? I don't think so.

Seth takes a few steps towards Fox, who readies up and looks ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

Dillinger: So how about instead, at A Very AWF Christmas, we have Bloodied Fox... versus Keith Williams... versus The Greatest To Ever Do It... The Longest Reigning Champion in History... The Two-Time X*Crown Champ... The One... The Only...

Seth is cut short when a steel chair connects with the back of his skull. The audience lights up as Maverick has hopped the barrier near the stage and unleashed a brutal chair shot on Dillinger. Seth tumbles forward and hits the stage, reaching back to cover his head as Maverick drills down another chair shot. Seth tucks and covers as another, and another, and another chair shot rain down upon Dillinger, much to the crowd's delight.

Romano: Maverick is just laying into Dillinger here! Someone, do something!
Taylor: I'm not sure anyone is left in the back that would want to help Seth...

Maverick grabs Seth by the back of his head and drags him down the ramp. They pass Bloodied Fox, who simply gives Maverick a knowing nod of approval. Maverick grabs Seth's head and lifts him up on his shoulders, lawn darting him into the steel corner post! Seth connects with it and holds his forehead, slumping down against the apron. Maverick follows up by stomping mudholes into Seth, hanging onto the ring ropes as leverage.

Romano: This isn't just an attack... this might be attempted murder!

Maverick snatches Seth back up and lifts him onto his shoulders again for another lawn dart... but Seth somehow manages to slip down the back and shove Maverick into the steel steps! Maverick flips over the steps and lands on his back. At that very moment, a flood of AWF personnel come running from the back. Referees, security, and others try to fill in the space between the two of them. That doesn't stop them, though, as both Maverick and Seth begin to tear through the staff in their way, clawing to get back to each other to continue the fight. Finally, after enough nameless guards have fallen prey to wild strikes, a voice rings out over the PA system.

Steele: ENOUGH!

Seth and Maverick both pause from their swinging and look up at the ramp, where Jackson Steele has emerged with a microphone.

Steele: I've had enough of this. For almost three years, you two have been at each other's throats. At some point, it's enough.

Steele shakes his head.

Steele: First off, Seth, you will NOT be getting that rematch. At A Very AWF Christmas, it will be Bloodied Fox defending his title against Keith Williams. Period. The end.

Seth glares up at Steele through the swarm of people around him.

Steele: But... I'm in the giving mood. So, as long as you two sign a waiver, we'll allow you two to face off in the match you both so desperately want. Seth Dillinger. Maverick. Round Five. In an Unsanctioned Match. Because AWF legally wants nothing to do with this.

Both men smirk and nod.

Steele: Oh and Maverick? If you don't beat him this time... you're permanently barred from entering another AWF ring.

Seth starts to laugh wildly, but Maverick doesn't look bothered at all.

Steele: Now, everyone... get out of the ring.

Security begin to escort Dillinger and Maverick out of the ringside area, back up past Bloodied Fox, who is generally amused by the whole situation. He turns back to the ring to find Keith Williams leaning against the ring apron, not breaking his gaze from that title on Fox's shoulders.

Taylor: What a night! We've got an explosive card for you all at A Very AWF Christmas!
Romano: Newcomer Betsy Granger gets a chance to take Rob Garcia's Phoenix Title!
Taylor: Subject #42 won the right to challenge Neo James Carner!
Romano: Keith Williams defied the odds to challenge Bloodied Fox for the Prestige Title!
Taylor: And... we may see Seth Dillinger and Maverick face off in their most dangerous match to date.
Romano: I'm sure there are a few twists and turns left in store for us, Taylor.
Taylor: That's all the time we have for tonight but... be sure to tune in for A Very AWF Christmas! It'll be a December to Remember!

Romano groans as the broadcast fades out.

[Seth Dillinger]

Show's up.