FFW Future Shock - Episode 29

[Adam Grant]

Live from the Future Shock Arena in Boston, Massachusetts
October 31, 2017

A spotlight flashes over the FFW logo on the side of a building before we are taken outside the Future Shock Center in the middle of the night. A group of four men dressed in dark colors descend on the entrance, with one removing a skeleton key to unlock the main door. They all swarm in as an alarm sounds.

“Find the title and that Ring, hurry!”

One of them barks out the order as they all split up in different directions in the darkened Center with flashlights in hand. One heads towards the concession area, shining his light around before he hears a voice clearing. When he spins around, he sees Valerie McKinley lounging across a table. She gives a flip of her hair before she launches off with a clothesline. “Confident” by Demi Lovato begins to play.

It's time for me to take it
I'm the boss right now
Not gonna fake it
Not when you go down
'Cause this is my game
And you better come to play

When the lyrics begin, we are then shown clips as Gillie Barnes scampers across the ring to headbutt an opponent. Angel wraps piano wire around the neck of another opponent, followed by Rose Gardner doing her Sonic Spin attack in the corner. A flash back to the robbery finds two of the men breaking into the Arena itself, seeing the ring in place and the seats empty. As they are about to turn back and leave, a whistling noise is heard before they look up to see Andi Takata come off the rail with a plancha onto one of them. The other darts to go back outside door, and runs straight into a discus punch from Avantasia Bom, while Max cackles and Ji-Hu rolls her eyes.

I used to hold my freak back
Now I'm letting go
I make my own choice
Bitch, I run this show

A flash to more clips where we see Britt Kane and Kaya Crimson staring across the ring at their opponents. That’s followed by Lacey blowing a red mist into the camera, Christian glancing over with a grin towards Tara with her hands on her hips before the image splits in half to the next clip.. NHB are shown standing tall in London. Lydia is shown flexing her biceps, and looking over her shoulder at the camera. Mila draws a bow from a quiver on her back, and prepares to fire it. Sienna is shown retrieving a pack of toothpicks from her boot, while Linda has someone in her anaconda vice. Isis crushes a group picture of several Prospects in her hand.

It's time to get the chains out
Is your tongue tied up?
'Cause this is my ground
And I'm dangerous
And you can get out
But it's all about me tonight

It then cuts back to the robbery, where the fourth thief has broken into Adam’s office and sees the Future Shock Championship and Aspire Ring in cases by his desk. He raises his flashlight to shatter them when cockroaches seem to come from everywhere and swarm towards him as Bianca Reed taps him on the shoulder and hits him with a roundhouse kick to the face. The scene then cuts back to the door as a security guard shuts off the alarm, fist bumping Anna Giovanna as they pass one another with him whistling the Demi Lovato song before we go live inside the Future Shock Arena.

Pyro erupts throughout the Future Shock Arena as the fans in attendance make plenty of noise seeing themselves on television. The camera pans the crowd all around before it turns to Zack & Lyn in the booth. With it being Halloween, both the commentators are dressed in costumes. Zack is dressed in a zoot suit with a fedora, looking like an old school mobster. Lyn, however, is dressed in an oversized (and very colorful) dashiki with a giant afro wig and sunglasses.

Zack: Happy Halloween, everyone! And welcome to Future Shock! We are just coming off a historic night in Providence at Future Shock Resistance, where both a new Aspire Ring bearer was crowned as well as the first ever Future Shock Tag Team Champions! And we can’t forget that brutal and violent Last Woman Standing match between Bianca Salvador and Andi Takata.

Lyn: It was absolute brutality and both those women shall never be the same again. We’re wishing both wrestlers a speedy recovery.

Zack: Tonight though, it’s going to be a full night. You’ll see Tara Cortez in her latest in-ring performance against yet another hopeful found by her manager, Christian Kincaid. Cortez dispatched a tag team by herself, and apparently feels this match will be even more impressive when she only has to contend with one opponent.

Lyn: So she says at least. I’m still trying to understand what sort of misfire happened during that handicap match against those two hopefuls. Still let’s see what Christian’s newest client can do under a one-on-one situation.

Zack: It’ll be Halloween dodgeball over a pool of “blood” as Angel, Britt Kane, Lacey and newcomer Mara Werth look to avoid the big plunge. We also have a special guest handling the dodgeball throwing duties, Celeste. I know she’s been warming up earlier today, and has her throwing arm ready to leave some bruises if these girls don’t manage to dodge well.

Lyn: If any of these ladies aren’t careful it’ll be a remake of Carrie all over again. Another remake of Carrie.

Zack: We’re also going to have the final Future Shock Cup qualifier as Sienna Moore meets “Poison” Rose Gardner. One of these two women will go to Sydney in two weeks to challenge for the Cup against Valerie McKinley and Ji-Hu Myeong. Just added though at her request, Executive Assistant Brianna Singer will put on the stripes as the referee for the match.

Lyn: I’m not sure how well that bodes for any of the women in this match but let’s not count the chickens. First we have to find out who will be the final of the three competitors.

Zack: We’ll definitely be hearing from the brand new Future Shock Tag Team Champions, NHB, who captured their first tag title after ten years at Resistance. And they already have a couple familiar faces waiting for them, that we found out at Resistance.

Lyn: Once again a hearty congratulations to Angela and Jem but of course it’ll be the Ascension coming for them and looking to pay back for the happenings at the UK event. Also let’s not forget a new This Week In Wrestling from our walking library, Gillie Barnes.

Zack: All that, and a whole lot more including getting to meet Emma Haynes for the first time as she is here in the Future Shock Arena. Let’s get things started with this Cortez Challenge though!

On that, Gaby heads up the steps into the ring with her microphone in hand.






The “Wildcat” steps through the ropes, and stops right in the center before she begins to speak to the crowd.

Gaby: The opening contest of Future Shock is scheduled for one fall.

The ring announcer looks back to the girl already in the ring, a slim blonde wearing a singlet similar to a one piece swimsuit.

Gaby: Introducing first from Portland, Maine, this is…..WENDY FRANKLIN!!

Zack: Much like Tara’s last opponents, I was unable to find much of anything on Wendy Franklin. Christian supplied me with some notes though. Apparently she has been training since April 2015 and went to college on a wrestling scholarship. She began training professionally the day after her graduation from the University of Michigan.

Lyn: Well let’s see how she does after this. If she’s still looking into building herself up, I may send her Caroline’s way if she is interested after.

The otherwise quiet intro to Family Force 5's "Drama Queen" starts on the sound system, and lights start blinking in random colors as Tara Cortez struts onto the entrance ramp, with her manager Christian Kincaid right there with her. She stops right before the descent and pulls off a short dance move, crouching down only to get back up, running her hands over her slender body and then bringing them above her head, only to then open her arms and pose for the cheering audience. She then starts strutting down the entrance ramp, sharing a high-five with some few fans in attendance before she makes her way to the ring.

Gaby: And her opponent, escorted to the ring by Christian Kincaid... From Fort Worth, Texas... "10-STAR" TARA CORTEZ!

When Tara climbs into the ring, she makes her way to the ropes facing the hard camera, leaning onto them and posing for the audience, moving her arms much like in the same way she did earlier with her starting dance. She then blows a kiss to the audience and hops back down to the ring, making her way to her corner and sharing some last minute strategy with Christian.

Zack: I’m not quite sure yet what to make of Tara Cortez. We haven’t seen her face any of the Future Shock talent whatsoever, but she did come away victorious from her first outing in a handicap match. There’s just something though…

Lyn: As I said earlier in the show, I’m with you Zack. There’s just something about how that handicap match ended that has been bothering me.

Referee Melinda Davis checks both women before she calls for the bell. Tara and Wendy meet in the center, and Cortez offers her a handshake. Wendy returns the favor before they lock up in the center. With a slight height advantage, Tara manages to push Wendy back into the ropes. Davis doesn’t even finish asking for the break before Tara gives it, and steps back with her hands up. Wendy steps forward, but falls victim to a drop toe hold from Tara who immediately floats over into a side headlock on the blonde. She starts to grind in the hold, rolling her arm in a circle before Wendy starts back to her feet. She goes to fire Tara off into the ropes, but Cortez maintains her grip instead. Franklin tries to do it again after she fires a few shots into Tara’s back. This time, it works like a charm as Cortez hits the far side ropes. Wendy lowers her head and Tara rolls over her back and stands behind her. When the blonde stands up, Tara cinches a rear waistlock and launches her with a belly to back suplex to the mat. Cortez hops to her feet as Wendy starts to get up, only for Tara to ask her if she needs a moment to collect herself.

Lyn: There’s something very disarming about Cortez. She talks up this massive game but she’s nothing if not polite. Though I suppose one could take this as condescending.

Zack: It’s hard to pinpoint. It’s rare a newcomer has as much confidence in herself as Tara, but it doesn’t seem to come at the price of her work ethic.

Wendy seems more than a little taken aback by this as she gets to her feet, and shakes her head. She then immediately goes for a double leg takedown on Tara, grabbing her feet under her arms and falling backwards with a catapult into the corner. Cortez lands chest first against the turnbuckles before Franklin is back to her feet, and delivers an avalanche splash against her back. This time, Franklin secures the rear waistlock and launches Tara with a German suplex to the canvas. Unlike Tara, Wendy didn’t ask Tara if she needed a moment before she bounced off the far side ropes. When Tara was back to her feet, a running high knee to the jaw wobbled Tara before she was pulled down into a backslide for the pin!

Zack: Wendy caught Tara by surprise, and there’s a backslide!

ONE!!

T-NOPE!!

Cortez immediately kicked out as the two was coming down, and Wendy got back to her feet with a smile on her face. Tara sat up just as she was about to grab her, and even gave Franklin some applause. The brunette got to her feet, pointing towards her and applauding as she seemed to be trying to get the crowd to join her.

Zack: You ever seen someone applaud their opponent for trying to pin them? Yeah, me either, fans.

Lyn: Like I said, we’re looking at either a healthy of respect... Or mockery. She’s being so nice about it I don’t think it’s meant to be mockery. At least not directly?

Tara congratulated her for a job well done before they locked up again. A short knee from Cortez caught Franklin by surprise before she hooked her head, and dropped her to the mat with a gutwrench suplex. She bounced off the near side, rebounding with more speed before connecting with a senton back splash. Tara climbed back to her feet, pulling Wendy up with her before she fired her into the far corner. Wendy struck back first, and Tara followed her in with a corner clothesline. As Wendy stumbled out, Tara snagged her head into a single knee facebreaker before going for the cover.

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Zack: Tara has excellent speed, she snapped off that facebreaker in a flash even if it didn’t net the win for her.

Wendy got her shoulder up as Tara sat up on her knee, then asked the referee if she wanted to make sure Wendy was alright. Davis gave her a curious look, but did so anyway as Wendy started to get up again.

Lyn: Okay maybe I’ve completely got the wrong make of her. The sportsmanship is real for Cortez, she just happens to have a healthy dose of self-confidence to boot. This. This is new.

When Franklin made it back to her feet, Tara was already on the move and caught her with a running leg lariat to the chest! It put Wendy down on the canvas before Tara left her feet with a springboard into a leg drop to her chest. Cortez got back to her feet again, and took off for the far side. A baseball slide to the body sent Wendy rolling a short distance out of the ring and off the apron to the floor on the far side of the ring. Tara moved towards the ropes as Davis encouraged her to move back, which she did immediately with her hands up. Christian hopped up to the apron on the near side, as Tara moved towards him. Davis watched them for a second and then headed back to the other side. The camera peered down to see a cut on Wendy’s head as the blonde looked fairly dazed as she tried to sit up.

Lyn: ............What just happened? SHe... She baseball slid her in the chest. How did she get busted open on the forehead... By that?

Franklin looked more than confused as she used the apron to get to her feet. She pulled herself up onto the apron, and stumbled getting back into the ring. Davis looked bewildered as she looked back to see Tara still talking to her manager in the other corner. Kincaid hopped down as Tara looked concerned, asking the referee if she wanted to continue. Wendy nodded slowly before Tara caught her with a kick to the gut, and then with an impaler DDT.

Zack: How the hell did Wendy get cut open like that? It was just a baseball slide to the outside, but….she wants to continue!

Lyn: Even after a nasty DDT right there. That’s just gonna make the blood flow faster.

As Wendy started to stir, Tara used her slingshot corkscrew into an Arabian press to make the cover. She hooked the far leg as Davis dropped to count with a very confused expression.

Zack: She calls that the C-BOMB!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

The referee called for the bell as Tara sat up, a smile on her face as her manager entered the ring. Christian raised her hand before the referee did, though Davis was still confused as she glanced down to Wendy.

Lyn: This... Nothing about this makes sense at all.

Gaby: Here is your winner…….’10 STAR’ TARA CORTEZ!!!

Christian gave his client some applause, though the crowd was starting to turn on her a bit as the reaction was slightly mixed now. Davis knelt down to check on Wendy as Christian held the ropes open for his client. They both hopped down to the floor before Tara gave him a hug, and he raised her hand once again.

Zack: Tara Cortez picks up the win tonight, but I’d love to know how the hell Wendy Franklin got cut off a baseball slide to the outside! Kincaid and his prodigy there weren’t anywhere near her.

Lyn: No... No they weren’t. Can we get a camera to that side of the ring?

As Christian and Tara headed towards the back, Davis got out of the ring on the far side and noticed broken glass on the floor, which only made her even more confounded.

Lyn: This is some X-Files nonsense, I’m telling you.

As a trainer comes down to help Wendy with the cut on her head, Future Shock takes it’s first commercial break.



Opportunity Knocks

A quick clip from the last edition of Future Shock shows the highlights from Mila Martin’s match with Isis Morales, and how close she came despite coming up short in the end. When the clip concludes, we find her with Sara in the back. The reporter is dressed like Alice in Wonderland, while Mila is dressed as Lady Sif.

Sara: Mila, we just saw a clip from your recent match with Isis Morales. And I think it’s pretty much agreed that you did a fantastic job against her. You almost put her to sleep, which is quite the task in itself. How are you feeling now that you’ve had a few days to heal up?

Mila: Thanks, Sara. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck for almost a week after that, but I’m feeling fighting fit again now. I took it easy for a few days then gradually got myself back into my usual routine. I tell you what, she doesn’t half pack a punch!

Sara: Many can empathize with you, Mila. She’s one of the most dangerous women in the history of this show. And you stood your ground, and gave a very admirable performance. So you should be proud. I’ve also been informed that your performance earned you an opportunity as a result.

Mila: Oh, I do feel very proud of myself. It was only my second match, so to be able to last as long as I did against a former Future Shock Champion, and to almost put her to sleep, feels pretty good really. That was bonus enough… but I’ve never been one to look past an opportunity, so I’m intrigued now. Although, if you tell me it’s an opportunity to get beaten around by Isis again, I may cry… fair warning.

Sara: I had the chance to speak with Adam earlier before the show went on the air. He informed me that he was impressed enough with your performance that he is going to give you an opportunity to capture the Aspire Ring!

Mila looked more than a little shocked for a moment.

Mila: Oh wow.. I wasn’t expecting that at all. That is an amazing opportunity and one I’m going to work my behind off to make sure I’m ready for!

Sara: You’ll be meeting Bianca Reed as her first challenger. But while she is facing Elizabeth Lannister in Sydney, I’ve been informed you too will be part of that show.

Mila: Bianca is a tough cookie, so that is going to be a challenge for sure. I’m always happy to a part of any show, but to be a part of the one in Sydney is massive! Unless it’s being involved by helping in catering… I hate making sandwiches.

Sara: You’ll be meeting the other half of Ascension at Resistance when you go one on one with Valentina Lozano, who had a bit of assistance in helping revive Isis. I’m sure you recall that.

Mila: That match is a bit of a blur, it’s not easy to keep your head straight when you’ve got Isis pounding on you… but yeah, I remember that. I could start thinking Adam doesn’t like me very much with these opponents.. Or that he knows how much I welcome a challenge. I’m gonna go with the latter, I think.

Sara: That seems more likely to me. You’ll be in front of over twenty thousand people for the first time, way bigger than the Future Shock Arena. Do you think such a large crowd will have any effect on your performance?

Mila: It’s certainly going to be daunting. It’s a whole different level to performing in the Future Shock Arena, and I’m still trying to get used to that. I try to use the adrenaline to help me perform better though. So hopefully, if anything, it will have a positive effect.

Sara: Good luck, Mila. And we’ll see you in Sydney.

We cut away from Lady Sif and Alice in Wonderland (in costume), and then head elsewhere.



This Page Is Mine

The next thing we see is what looks like a photo album titled “Future Shock Champions” on the front. A woman’s hand flips it open, and the first image we see is Casey Atherton holding the title before we hear Harley Shannon’s voice.

Harley: The first. Way back before she ever found this… calling? Of hers. Before she started talking about Higher Powers and becoming a saviour, surrounding herself with people skilled in fleecing people and extorting money from them. Casey fought tooth and nail while she held this title and certainly set the bar high for all those who followed behind her.

The hand flips a few pages, and next we see “The Firebird” Ignis. There are three pictures of her with the championship.

Harley: Love her or hate her, Ignis has held this title more than anyone in history. On three separate occasions she claimed the Future Shock Championship for herself. She indelibly inked her name in the history of this title and every single time she fought with this title on the line she proved exactly how much it meant to her; she proved that she was willing to sacrifice for it - that she was willing to battle her way through Hell for the honour and privilege of calling herself the Future Shock Champion. Each and every one of these...an argument made for her induction into the FFW Hall of Fame.

Another couple page flips, and there we see Future Shock’s ring announcer with two photos of her with the Future Shock Championship.

Harley: It’s no secret how much Gabrielle loves this brand. A season six finalist who was almost broken completely by one of the greatest, most hellacious ladder matches you could ever have the privilege to see. A woman who went on to become a mentor to so many young women going through this competition, always willing to offer up her advice and guidance. A Momma Bear that’ll protect it from any attack, that will defend it with the ferocity of an angry tiger.

She bit her lip as she mixed up her metaphors. The next set of page flips shows the “Titaness” Isis Morales in two large photos. She has the title clutched over her head in a dominant stance.

Harley: Phew…. Isis… I’m not certain what there is to say about her that hasn’t already been said about her. Dominant - sure. Aggressive - check. Ruthless - certainly. Always looked unbeatable in any match that she was in.

There was a moment of hesitation.

Harley: And smart. One of the most intelligent and tactically astute Future Shock Champion of all time. Sure she has a lot of physical advantages but she knows how to use them too; how to make the most of them and knew exactly how to force you to wrestle her match to her strengths.

A shot of Bianca Salvador is on the next page, looking with pride down at the championship as it rested in her hands.

Harley: I know, I know. A lot of people would call her a slithering snake in the grass because honestly, there’s an awful lot to hate about her - not least her attitude and venomous personality. Though for the girl who ‘Wins even when she loses’, she’ll probably take that as a compliment. Probably think that her cunning and artifice is being praised any time you compare her to a snake. As much as you boo her, you’ve got to at least admit that she is an opportunist and anytime any opening comes along, she grabs it with both hands and makes the most of it.

The last picture in the album after some page flips is the reigning champion herself, Anna Giovanna, from the night she captured the title.

Harley:  And Anna. Resilient and determined and stubborn. A fighter through and through in every sense you can imagine and possibly the last woman that you want to throw hands with. The self proclaimed Ace of Future Shock who simply won’t take no for an answer. Look at her story - coming through the season of Future Shock that has produced more decorated graduates than any other as its Champion. She’s not going to let that title go - not if she can help it. Because she can cling to the hope - to the knowledge that it only takes just that one single shot for her to knock anyone in the world out.

One last page flip shows us a blank page, the page right after Anna. The woman’s hand taps the page with her finger, tracing the outline where the picture is supposed to go.

Harley: And then the next page. A page waiting to have it’s story written. A blank slate just waiting for history to be added… for hopefully the FIRST ever Prospect to hold the Future Shock Championship. A page that’ll hopefully be filled in Sydney with a picture of me clinging hold of the gold. That’s easier said than done. I’ve got my work cut out for me when I reach Sydney, when I challenge Anna Giovanna for the Future Shock title. Throughout I’m going to have to be on my guard. But if I can learn from history… channel the best qualities of these great champions that have gone before me.

She nodded her head.

Harley: This page won’t stay blank for long. This page will be mine.

As she finishes, the book closes and we fade to a commercial for the upcoming Sydney supershow.





The music starts playing with a series of hazy looking technicolor clips that slowly meld into black and white clips of professional wrestling, both women and men of days long past...

Gillie: Welcome to Future Shock’s “This Week In Wrestling” With Gillie Barnes... Brought to you by Plunder Pack. Plunder Pack comes filled with all sorts of shirts, toys, and memorabilia from your favorite brands. With November here tomorrow, Turkey month’s theme is going to be... THOR! Yes that’s right, in honor of Thor: Ragnarok, all month you can look forward to a great number of memorabilia for the one and only Norse God of Thunder! Action figures, posters, graphic novel tradebacks and more! When you use TWIWTHUNDER in as a promo code to order your Plunder Pack you’ll get an official Thor: Ragnarok alternate movie poster where Thor battles Hulk! Plundering, its not just for pirates anymore! 

Fitting with this Halloween edition of Future Shock, Gillie Barnes seems to have either collaborated with Lyn Dallins for her costume or she might have just taken the idea of going ‘Old School’ a little farther than expected. Like Lyn she’s also wearing a giant afro with a golden neck chain. Instead of a dashiki as Lyn was wearing, she’s got an all white outfit going on... Long white unbuttoned shirt and long white pants with black shoes. She’s about to say something, standing in her usual studio with the line of framed photographs of wrestlers of the past and their legendary moments... When Lyn Dallins slides in from the side... With a brown slice of pie that looks similar to pumpkin. Yes, Lyn is still wearing his own afro and dashiki and sunglasses.

Lyn: Bean Pie my brother?

Gillie chuckles and points.

Gillie: I understood that reference. No thank you though.

Lyn nods and begins walking in the other direction with his bean pie. Why he has bean pie jus just another in a long line of questions but now probably isn’t the time. Gillie turns her attention to the camera with a small grin on her face.

Gillie: How’s it, Future Shockers? It’s been a while. You know with a special time like All Hallow’s Eve rolling in, everyone wearing their costumes and such... One can’t help but think of some of the scarier wrestlers we have and have had in FFW. Of course current Ultraviolence champion Emma Mac is plenty scary, and no one would bulk twice when Isis Morales held the Future Shock champion, there’s also been the likes of Sylvia Crowley and Destiny Campbell who had their own rather... Terrifying ways of doing things. Bianca Reed’s fun with roaches I think is unmistakably along those same lines. Whether giving off a certain presence or just being out and out creepy, there’s always been presences like that in wrestling. There had to be an originator of course? Well sit down... It’s time to tell a story.

Thunder crashes.

Lettering appears denoting the time: October 31, 1982

Thunder crashes.

More lettering: NPWA’s first edition of their televised pay-per-view Glory Days.

Thunder crashes.

A man with auburn mutton chops and a letterman’s jacket is shooting the shit with the referee in the ring. He’s leaning on the ropes with a lazy smirk on his face, his mustache attached to his chops and his hair on his head is a mountain of curls. What could also be said is he has a similar mountain of curls across his chest as he glances at his prized championship that has the Mid-Pacific states on the main plate, bordering in silver and shining gold. He pats it down and turns his attention to the entrance curtain, awaiting his opponent.

Gillie (Voiceover): NPWA’s Mid-Pacific Heavyweight Champion Jett Tully. Arguably the greatest Mid-Pacific Heavyweight Champion of the company’s history with its many territories that made it up. Smug to a fault but exceptionally talented, Jett Tully had never lost a match in his two years as champion. Little did he know that the man who he started his inaugural title defense with would be the man who would take his title away from him. At the very first edition of NPWA’s pay-per-view Glory Days, Jett Tully laid an open challenge to face anyone who would dare come for his title. He’d beaten the likes of Percy Wells, Anton Isanov, and “Deadeye” Mitch Mulligan to name a few. The first man who Jett Tully had beaten was a man by the name of Derek Mason... Derek was a man of an impressive figure, a former bodybuilder and taller than even Jett himself... But Jett easily outwrestled him, taking him down to the mat with a bow & arrow hold for a first successful defense.

We get Derek Mason in the present day, looking fairly decent for his age... White hair but an easy smile even through a haggard face. His fingers are crossed in his lap as he speaks.

Derek: Tully had fun with me the first time we tussled. Rubbed my head, mussed my hair and called me kid at least three times during that match. Of course when he laid out that open challenge at NPWA’s first uh... Glory Days show... Well I got a little inspired. I dunno what got into me. I was all set to face him so I trained a week earlier at my Pa’s farm. Moving hay I figured was about as good a workout I could ask for. I kinda tripped you see and got my flannel and overalls all mussed with hay. Next thing I know my Ma comes and sees me and shrieks. Says I gave her such a fright with my head tipped and all the hay everywhere... Then I got an idea... All I needed was a mask, my Pa’s old torch, and somewhere to rent a professionally trained bird or three.

We cut back to the footage of Tully now horrified only two minutes after waiting for his opponent, scrambling behind the ref and into the corner. Many of the fans in the crowd are likewise a little aghast as they see... This massive monster of a man in red flannel and stained up jean overalls with hay sticking out of his sleeves and his neck and out from under the hat. His mask looks like a melted Nixon mask, the nose looking half-burnt off. Whatever this creature is, creature of a man that is, he tilts his head slowly at Tully before looking down at the championship that had been forgotten. The ref pulls away from Tully who begins to get up, seemingly convincing himself that there’s nothing to worry about... It’s just some spook in a costume.

...

Until the walking scarecrow outstretches his arms and drops his head. A few gasps in the crowd are heard as some blackbirds fly from somewhere in the crowd to land on the masked man’s head, on his shoulder... On his outstretched arm. Tully looks as though he’s seen a ghost, asking the ref what the hell is going on. The ref doesn’t have an answer for the NPWA’s Mid-Pacific Heavyweight Champion, instead raising the championship and motioning the bell to ring.

Gillie (Voiceover): Derek Mason would find his revenge on Tully and boost his own burgeoning career as becoming Skarekrow. The Skarekrow originally before ‘the’ was dropped. You see Jett Tully was... Deathly afraid of birds, a little known fact. So of course facing off a human scarecrow who could seemingly summon birds any time he made a certain motion threw the technical wrestler for a loop. Before he knew what was coming to him...

We cut to Tully getting a heart punch. He staggers and runs to clothesline Skarekrow... Only to collapse three steps forward. The human scarecrow grabs Tully’s arms and spreads them out , pinning his shoulders by the biceps. The ref makes the three count. We cut back to Mason laughing himself silly.

Derek: If you can believe it, I wrestled for two decades under the Skarekrow mask before I handed it off to another young blood. In time they’ll probably hand it over to someone else but I’m proud to know I started a tradition... Of scaring the absolute bejesus out of somebody. Hahaha!

We cut back to Gillie Barnes, still in her costume as she holds up the framed photo of the debuting Skarekrow becoming Mid-Pacific Heavyweight champion, with a beaten Jett Tully foaming at the mouth. As she talks... An imposing shadow looms over her. She doesn’t seem to realize that a modern day version of the Skarekrow is looming over her... Hay sticking out of places, overalls... And a mask that looks as though it was sewn together half of Clinton, half of George Dubya and then.. Melted.

Gillie: For being the father of and original Skarecrow... Derek Mason... WE SALUTE YOU! My name is Gillie Barnes and this has been This Week In Wrestling! Until next time Fai-

Barnes finally sees she’s caught the attention of the new Skarekrow. Her eyes bug out and she trembles as he reaches to the side at a nearby lightswitch.

The lights go out.

A scream.

Happy Halloween.

[Adam Grant]

After Gillie’s segment concludes, we are taken into an indoor hotel pool….with blood red water underneath a walkway that extends from one end of the pool to the other. The camera pans to one side, where we see guest pitcher Celeste in her vampire costume warming up her arm.

Zack: It’s time for the dodgeball challenge, fans. This was recorded before we went on the air tonight. There you see Celeste in a fairly revealing vampire outfit, and of course, our blood pool. We want to thank the Revere Hotel here in Boston for allowing us usage of their pool.

Lyn: And not even questioning where we got all this red liquid!

Celeste seems ready to as the four Prospects head out. Each one heads up onto the walkway. Lacey is dressed as Poison Ivy, while Britt Kane is dressed as Ashe from Final Fantasy XII. Mara Werth heads up onto the platform dressed as Lily Munster, while Angel is dressed….as a Laker girl.

Lyn: ...For reasons I cannot disclose, I heartily appreciate Angel’s outfit choice. Everyone looks great but still.

Zack: The rules are simple, fans. If you fall in the water or hit by the ball, you’re eliminated. It’s very simple.

As the girls line up, a couple of them look down to see the red dyed pool water a couple feet underneath them. Celeste gets the nod from the official on hand,, scoops up an orange dodgeball painted like a pumpkin and starts throwing! The first show goes between Angel and Britt Kane, both stepping to either side to avoid it. Celeste lines up another shot, and fires it across at Mara. But the brunette ducks low, and it sails over her into the water. As Werth rises back to her feet, Celeste aims again. This time, she aims for Angel. But the Laker girl leaned to the left, and let it sail past her. Another shot was aimed for Lacey, but she tilted on one leg and extended the other as it sailed through her legs into the water.

Zack: Celeste has a good arm on her, but she’s learning that these girls are pretty flexible as well. She also seems like she’s not picking favorites, just firing where she sees an opening.

Lyn: Neutrality is always appreciated, especially for challenges like this.

Celeste takes another ball, adjusts her top a moment, and then starts throwing once again. This time, she barely misses Angel before we hear a faint buzzing sound. The vampire pitcher lines up another shot as we see three remote controlled airplanes buzzing. The camera whirls around to see members of Casey’s Choir with the controls in their hand, watching as the airplanes buzz around Britt’s head. She tries to smack them away before Celeste catches her with a shot to the chest. Angel surreptitiously extends her leg behind Britt’s, causing her to trip over backwards and fall into the red pool. As a none too amused Britt bobs up out of the water, she heads for the steps with a stare at the Choir before they take off out of the pool room.

Lyn: ...Zack, they have RC vehicles now. Why do they have RC vehicles?

Zack: It must be one hell of a church, NERF guns and now RC airplanes. Either way, Britt’s eliminated. And she may be looking for some holy rollers here shortly.

Celeste watches her go looking for them for a brief second before she starts firing shots again. The next shot is avoided by Mara, who dropped into a split on the platform to avoid it. As she got to her feet, another shot whizzed right at Lacey. The redhead avoided the contact by ducking her head, sending the ball into the water. Celeste cracked her knuckles, and launched two more in rapid succession. Lacey arches backward to avoid it, but grabs Angel by the arm to pull herself back up. The platinum haired wrestler jerked her hand away, glaring at Lacey before another ball caught her square in the numbers of her jersey. As she fell backwards, she tried to grab Lacey this time. But the redhead stepped out of her reach, and she fell into the red pool. Angel and Mara stared across at one another as Celeste seemed impressed with both women.

Zack: Looks like Celeste is having a good time, Angel not as much. Lacey had no interest in returning the favor from a moment ago, did she?

Lyn: Lacey is like a ribbed Trojan. ‘For her pleasure’ and her pleasure alone. We’re down to Mara and Lacey.

The balls from the pool are retrieved, and placed back into rotation as Celeste grabs another. Mara makes a point to stay out of Lacey’s reach as the next volley begins. She looks back just in time to duck another ball aimed at her head. Lacey moves closer to her after the next ball nearly clips her on the right. A third shot is aimed and fired before Mara avoids it with a side step closer to Lacey. Celeste grins, scooping up another ball and aiming at the very small space between both girls. They each step in opposite directions as it sails between them. As Celeste grabs another ball, Lacey produces something from her top. She calls Mara’s name, and then throws red powder at her face to blind her. Werth covers her face with her arm to avoid getting it in her eyes before a ball catches Lacey on the side of the head. It drops the redhead backwards into the pool with a splash before the whistle sounds.

Lyn: Looks like Mara won, for what it’s werth... God that pun will never get old.

Zack: Give it time, Lyn. But you’re right, Mara Werth gets the win...and Lacey doesn’t look amused at all.

Lacey emerges from the water, looking at her drenched costume as she wades to the edge to pull herself out. Mara grins widely as she realizes she won the challenge, while Lacey climbs out of the pool and glares daggers at Celeste. The vampire brunette smiled at her as Lacey shoved her backwards. Celeste got right back in her face, and returned the favor before security began to escort Lacey out.

Zack: Lacey couldn’t remember Celeste’s name during her promo, but I bet she knows it now. She’s a guest here, and Lacey isn’t going to be allowed to bully her.

Lyn: It’s nice to see that Lacey’s making friends wherever she goes, Zack. Lydia. Celeste. She’s a regular social butterfly... With poison wings.

The official raised Mara’s hand in victory as Celeste shook her head. She glanced back to make sure Lacey wasn’t around, then congratulated her fellow brunette.

Zack: Looks like Celeste was impressed as well. Mara Werth made her Future Shock debut, and picks up a challenge win straight out of the gate. I look forward to seeing her in the ring soon.

Lyn: She’s going to make quite an impact, of that I am sure.

Zack: When we come back, folks, we’re gonna hear from Celeste right after this commercial break. We’ll be right back.

Future Shock heads to commercial.






The Pitching Vampire

As Future Shock returns from the break, we find Sara at poolside after the Prospects have cleared out, and she’s joined by the dodgeball hurler slash vampire (at least for tonight) Celeste.

Sara: Sara here with Celeste, our special guest tonight who did a great job firing those dodgeballs. Some of the Prospects might not have appreciated it a whole lot, but not many would...especially getting dropped into this red pool. Kinda looks like the biggest container of Kool-Aid I’ve ever seen actually. Anyway, Celeste, did you have fun?

Celeste: Oh I had a blast Sara! So much fun!

Celeste grins and brushes away part of her cape. There are streaks of blood criss crossing her exposed mid-riff and some running down from the corners of her mouth. All make up and effects to make her costume scarier.

Sara: Tell our viewers a bit about yourself, other than you throw a mean dodgeball and you dress up like a vampire, I mean.

Celeste: Sure thing. Well, I'm in my first professional year of wrestling and so far I've done a TON of different events. I am part of Subversion’s roster in HKW and have been there since the middle of the summer. I also work for Spirit and Pride wrestling which is concentrated in the northeast of the U.S. All of my training was done in ECWF. I have yet to win a major championship, but was a mid-card champion in ECWFs developmental territory. I'm hoping I can capture a major title before the year ends, but we'll see.

Sara: I’m sure that you will achieve that goal, and that--

Sara was cut off by the approach of Christian Kincaid. He walked into the shot, carrying a cup of red liquid.

Christian: Here, I thought you might be thirsty. So I brought you a tall cold glass of blo…..Hawaiian Punch.

He handed it off to Celeste with a smile.

Christian: You should have let me conduct this thing, Sara. I know Celeste well. I know her Teletubby name, I’ve given her training advice before involving big tires, and no one has had longer conversations with her on Twitter than me!

Celeste smirks while Christian talks. She takes a sip of the red Hawaiian punch and wipes her mouth with her sleeve.

Celeste: There is no Teletubby name.

She says with a slight narrowing of her eyes.  Of course the cleavage revealed by her vampire costume does not help the situation. Christian maintains the same smile on his face.

Christian: Seriously though, it’s cool to finally meet you. We’ve been tweeting at each other for what feels like forever, and now finally I get to say hello in person. And….you’re dressed as a vampire for it. But I won’t hold that against you, it’s great to finally meet you.

He held out his hand for a handshake, while Sara seemed a little put out that her interview had been interrupted. She was the only one bothered by it though.

Celeste: Nice to meet you in person too, Christian.

Celeste shakes his hand with a smile on her face. He attention is no longer on Sara either.

Christian: See, Sara, I have been giving Celeste here a lot of free managerial type advice on Twitter for a while now. Why else would she have spent a day rolling around a big truck tire?

Sara: Well that’s nice…

Christian: Tonight, I learned she throws a mean dodgeball, which makes me glad I just got to watch. Because she probably would have went for blood if I was up there.

He gave her a wink at that.

Celeste: I spent a whole week with that freaking tire.

Celeste rolls her eyes and laughs.

Christian: It’s not often a girl spends a week with aa tire as big as she is. That’s dedication right there. I can tell I’m annoying Sara though.

Indeed he was, as Sara had her arms crossed over her chest now.

Christian: So I’ll let you guys finish up. Sorry for the intrusion.

Celeste: Well, actually...I need to talk to you...in private. I'm sure I'll speak with Sara again sometime.

Celeste heads off camera after giving Sara a smile. The camera watches them head in one direction, and back to a very annoyed Sara, who goes in the other direction. From there, we cut elsewhere.




Emma’s Clean Slate

The next thing we see is the doorway leading into the office of Adam Grant. As he steps out, he almost runs into a woman dressed like a maid. It startles him for a second till he realizes who it is: Emma Haynes.

Adam: Hello there, Emma. Welcome to your first Future Shock show…..not counting the video at Resistance.

Emma smiles as she extends her hand to Adam and looks at him.

Emma: Pleasure to meet you in person, bossman.

Adam returns her handshake, and takes a moment to admire her costume.

Adam: Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to clean up anything. I am glad I ran into you, had a couple things to share with you. One, I want you to know you have a clean slate here. I know, in the past, there have been rumors spread about you. But that’s in the past. You can start fresh here in Future Shock, and I think you’ll enjoy yourself for the most part.

Emma lets out a sigh of relief at that statement by Adam.

Emma: Good. Those rumors were childish and stupid, but those people would do anything to try and get to me. But now, most people here still don't even know me, so it's a good chance for me to show them the real me.

Adam ducked back into the office, and came back out with an envelope which he gave to her.

Adam: This is your ticket to Sydney in two weeks. I don’t know if you’ve been to Australia, but now you get to go. It’s already paid for and everything, just don’t miss your flight.

Emma takes the envelope from Adam and looks at it for a moment.

Emma: Can't say that I've ever been to Australia, but I'm looking forward to going there. I wouldn't miss a chance like this for anything.

Adam: Glad to hear it, you can get a look at some of our talent and see what you’ll be up against very soon. Oh, I also remember you saying you were looking for someone to help guide your career a bit. We have some good managers around here, and some not so great. Has anyone in particular caught your attention? I know them all, so I can probably give you some information on whoever it is.

Emma: Oh, there's one in particular that I have my eyes on. I've been checking them out for quite some time. Before I decided to sign here even.

Emma grins and gives Adam a wink. That causes a curious expression from the Director before he nods his head.

Adam: I’ll take your word for it. Sounds like you got it under control. I’ll see you in Sydney then, and once again….welcome to Future Shock.

Emma: Thanks, bossman. I'm looking forward to what's in store for me here. And until the day comes where I finally step into the ring, I'll be training hard.

The camera focuses fully on Emma in her maid uniform before we cut elsewhere.



10 Long Years

Future Shock returns from the commercial break to find Sara Wilson in the ring, dressed as Alice in Wonderland. She looks out over the crowd a moment before she begins.

Sara: Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to join me in welcoming the FIRST EVER…..Future Shock Tag Team Champions…..NO HOLDING BACK!!

The crowd begins buzzing until they start making a tremendous amount of noise upon hearing the name.  As the announcement was made a figure sauntered into shot wearing a poncho and a sombrero a bandolier of bullets slung over one shoulder crossed over by one of the Future Shock Tag Team Championships. As the figure turned it was revealed to be Jem Michaels.

Jem: ‘Ey… Gringos…

As the red head paused, her partner strutted into view wearing a silver sequin dress and a very large wig. Angela’s half of the Tag Team Championships is fastened snugly around her waist.

Angela: And she has no idea how to finish that sentence. In fact, that and ‘Adios’ are pretty much the only words she knows in any foreign language… Unless you count Burrito and Enchilada and Empanada...and Tequila -

Jem: Never again.

Jem muttered by way of interruption, cradling her cheek in one hand.

Jem: Still have no idea what I was doing in New Mexico with a Canadian twenty…

Sara: Maybe save that for the DVD one day. First and foremost though, ladies, congratulations on capturing the Future Shock Tag Team Championship and going down in history as the first women to ever hold it, which is a honor by itself.

Angela: OH YEAH!!! NO-ONE can take that away from us. That’s carved in stone, cut from solid stainless steel, all ours achievement.

Jem: You wouldn’t believe how long we dreamt of something like this - no...more than dreamt about it. I mean dreamed just about being a Tag Team Champion. Any number Tag Team Champion… fiftieth, hundredth…. Whatever, whenever. Just getting to go on THAT ride with my super bestest friend; Mi Amigo...Amiga… Amigess? My pretty much sister. To be the first ever? It’s like that times a million.

Angela nodded her head.

Angela: Twenty years of fantasising about it. Ten years of blood, sweat and toil going down a long hard road and I wouldn’t swap a single second of that. The feeling when that announcement was made at Future Shock Resistance made all of the last decade seem like a trifling pittance. Now we’ve got to hold on to them. We will hold on to them. We’ve gone celebrated winning them, now it’s time to really buckle down, work harder than ever before and make sure we’re holding onto these for a good long time.

Jem: Yeah. Make sure that the first reign these beautiful, gorgeous, shiny, sexy tag team titles get right out of the gate is something to write about. That this reign is something a little bit… special. Historic. Legendary.

Sara: No question about it, ladies. Not long after your victory, Max Sato went on Twitter demanding people boycott FFW and Future Shock because of the decision. Would you both like to respond to that? It could be argued he had some input into the victory, as well as Avantasia.

Jem: Well… yeah, you could argue that. I mean he got up on the apron and got a little reckless. One thing led to another and BOOM. We’ve made history. You think that maybe he might learn something from that, something that he can take forward into future matches and that might make him a little bit of a better manager.

The red head shrugged her shoulders.

Jem: Or you know he can keep his head buried in…

She smiled as she paused for a moment to let everyone else fill in the blank.

Jem: And continue to do his best Freya Kane impression, demanding a boycott of the very thing that gives his clients a paycheck.

Angela: No-one said he was the brightest lightbulb in the fitting. Or the sharpest knife in the knife block. But this isn’t about him. Like we said before the match Avantasia is a bring strong woman - she’s arguably got game changing power. Ji-Hu is an incredibly talented and competitive wrestler. We respect them. The four of us put on one Hell of a tag team match, that I’m sure the people of Providence and those watching around the world will remember and talk about for a long time. But we matched our opponents step for step all the way through the match and we were the team that getting better and better; stronger and stronger as the match went on. We know that we could have kept on going and I’m absolutely one hundred percent certain that we would have beaten them in the end regardless.

Sara: The same night you both made history, your first challengers were decided as well. Valentina and Isis became #1 contenders, and they happen to be your first round opponents in this tournament. You faced them in London, and they maintain poor officiating by Lizzy Taylor and a conspiracy kept them from the finals. How do you respond?

Angela: Bring. It. On.  We’ve got nothing to fear from them.

Jem: Breaking Point showed how tough Valentina is - we even heard Kyle sing her praises. We know that she’s a former Femme For All finalist. We know that she’s a great wrestler, capable of picking up big wins because we’re fans and we’ve watched her do exactly just look all of you have. And we can’t deny Isis abilities or her achievements. Everyone knows how competitive Future Shock is and there’s no denying the talent that has graduated from it and Isis stood at the very summit for virtually an entire calendar year. That’s kinda scary… when you really think about it…

Angela: But we know that we’re better; that when everything is clicking and on our day… we can beat anyone. We know that we are the best Tag Team in Future Shock at the moment and we’ll prove that every opportunity that we get. We’re not going to back down from anyone. No matter how big, how tall, how fast or how technically gifted we’ll stand toe to toe with them and we will rise to the challenge.

Sara: Congratulations again to you both. Ladies & gentlemen, your Future Shock Tag Team Champions…..NO HOLDING BACK!!

As the crowd gives them a very loud reception, we head to a video.



The Sky Is Falling

The show cuts to what looks like amateur footage at a college football game during halftime. The sounds of the fans can be heard as the cheerleaders head onto the field to entertain during the break. The person filming seems to be sitting in the bleachers as the girls begin their routine to music.

As the routine continues, they look to make a human pyramid as the girls stand atop one another as part of the big finale. The crowd clearly appreciates it. When the music begins to fade, they start helping everyone get back on their feet. The girl who was at the top of the pyramid seems really energized…..

At least until another cheerleader comes off the bench, and chop blocks her in the back of her knee to take her down. The blonde attacker begins wailing away on her before the coaches and the rest of the team pull her off. She jerks away from them, shoving a few of them backwards before heading into the tunnel in a huff.

“What the hell was that?!”

The voice of the person holding the camera can be heard as the crowd seems quite surprised at what they just saw. As the girl disappears into the tunnel, the video cuts out and we are left with the words that follow:

THE SKY IS FALLING…..

COMING SOON TO FUTURE SHOCK.

Fade to commercial.




Nothing But Time

We now focus on the announce table for a while, as our ringside commentators stand by.

Zack: Now, folks, we'll take a short break from our Halloween festivities here for something special. Last Saturday on Breaking Point we saw our own ring announcer Gabrielle Crimson attempt to interview Bianca Salvador... Didn't go well. But she also had an interview with the other half of Resistance's main event. So, as promised, here's the Wildcat's interview with one half of the Burning Star Express and former Future Shock Champion, Andi Takata.

~~~~~

From Future Shock: Resistance 2017

Andi leaned against the LED wall as Bianca aimed for her head, and went to drive the top of the ladder into it. But Takata sidestepped her, and Bianca crunched the LED lights in the wall instead. She dropped the ladder to the stage, and lunged towards Andi who was now stumbling on the far side. Salvador lunged towards her as Andi used a back body drop to send Bianca up and over into one of the massive spotlights on that side as Bianca flew right into it! Sparks shot out of it as the camera saw her laying in the metal casing.

With a time jump, we now see Andi and Bianca atop a 10ft ladder, trading right hands high above the stage. Andi surprised Bianca with a headbutt to the face before pulling her to the top. She hooked her head, and looked down at the stage below. Andi went for the Space Crusher off the ladder, but Bianca shoved her off! Takata plummeted into AND through the stage! The “Typhoon” doubled over on top of the ladder, physically spent.

Gabrielle (Voice-Over): These scenes won't get less brutal the more you watch them. That match was raw, feral, ridden with hate. And after that war, both Andi Takata and Bianca Salvador have left not as winners or losers... But survivors.

...

Cut to a recording of Gabrielle Crimson inside Andi Takata's hospital room. There with her, the Space Princess herself, along with Anthony Cheshire and Kaoru Asaka. Much unlike the scene with Bianca Salvador (as well as Kyle Kilmeade and Chase Culbreth), the conversation seemed to be lively and laidback, in spite of the setting. Andi, curiously enough, had her mask on, as well as... a starry hospital gown, covered in rainbows. Because Andi.

Gabrielle (Voice-Over): And that's what I'm still here in Providence, Rhode Island to do: get a word from the survivors. And I'm positive our very own Space Princess has plenty to talk about. So let's give her the floor.

And so starts the recorded interview.

Andi: It's nice to see you again.

Gaby: Well, thank you for allowing some time for this interview.

Andi: Time is unfortunately something I seem to have too much of the past few days. I'm more than happy to give some to you.

Gaby: Both you and your Resistance opponent, Bianca Salvador, who, I believe, is in a worse physical condition than you are. She refused to share a single word with me during my brief time with her, which seems... Weird. How have the doctors been describing your health since that Last Woman Standing match?

Andi: I couldn't tell you about who's in better or worse shape. I've seen what pretty much everyone else has seen though. You'd think this would be one of those times where she'd love to throw in everyone's face how she took from me yet again... but uh... yeah, the doctors... there were some real concerns. Not so much the cuts... those heal. Blood loss? I mean, they were nice enough to give me some, and my body will make up the difference over time... even the bruising... that will heal...

As Andi speaks, we see the massive bruising on Andi's body, which are shown in still pictures.

Andi: In time, it'll all heal. There's one area of real concern though... and...

Andi takes a deep breath, reliving the moment in her head.

Andi: You know, when I fell... got shoved off that ladder... and went through the stage like I did... you'd think that'd be pretty bad and... it is. It sucked, truly. but the worst part is something nobody even saw. Under that stage, there's storage, right? All those road cases and stuff so that wne  the show is done, the crew can get to work and get done really quick.

Gaby: Yeah. And we were expecting you to, say, have hit a crate or something. And it's already bad enough when you hope that the loose floor boards on the stage damppened your fall, but regardless... That was a pretty tough sight.

Andi: I don't even remember hitting it. I've been told, later on, what happened, was the back of my head hit one of those cases on the way down, and it... it must've knocked me out or something. the next thing I knew there were doctors around me, so... yeah. Apparently they only knew that because of how they keep the cases under there, as that one was way out of position after, obviously... So now the doctors have been throwing around that C-word nobody wants to hear. I mean concussion, not one of those other C words. I don't really like talking about it... mostly because I know how serious that it can be. I almost lost my career to one once. And now...

Gaby's expression scrunches up with the thought.

Gaby: Still, you seem pretty lively and conscious, which is a good thing. Any ETA on when we can expect you to come back to an FFW ring? I don't even mean in a wrestling capacity; just as a member of the team, standing on your two feet and facing the Faithful?

A pregnant pause follows from Andi.

Andi: As of right now... there isn't one. It's one thing to sit in a room like this with the lights just so, and the sound just so... but as much as I'd love too come right back to the spotlight, and hear those fans making every arena loud.... I just can't right now. Usually with something like this, the symptoms hang around for a few weeks, so I'm trying to be really careful about not triggering anything that would make it worse... and hopefully those symptoms all go away over the next few weeks. That's the best case scenario right now. I'll do everything I can to recover, but as I've been told, and as FFW has said already, it will be at the very least one month. So, maybe I can pull off a holiday miracle or something... But again, that's.... the best case.

Gaby: And... Hate to have to ask, but... What would be the worst case scenario?

Andi sighs.

Andi: Well.... it would have to come down to.... I'd have to give it all up. Retire and be done. Like I said, I've had to face that once before.... I don't want to think that this time I can't come back. This.... this isn't the way it should end. I guess it could've been worse than that though... I was told by one of the doctors if when I hit that case under the stage, if I would've hit it just a little different.... then maybe I'm not able to sit here and talk to you. I could have had a broken neck... maybe done some real long term damage to my spine... or....
AHEM. You know, let's not talk about this. Let's try and stay... positive. Hope for the best and a good recovery.

Gaby nods.

Gaby: That's what we're all hoping for. I'm sure the Starlights would like nothing more than to see you fully recovered, no matter how much time it takes. Now, unlike Bianca, you're not part of this year's Global Wars Series. And after your match, Team Brazil has been reduced to Mel Avilo alone. Do you at all think this, along with the recent change in Team Canada, will shake up the series? And how do you see your Team Japan's chances to catch up with Team England?

Andi: It's tough for Mel, I guess. I'm not really all that sympathetic to her cause though.  But if she'd like to prove that she can hold up her end of the team on her own, this would probably be a good time to do it. Shaw on Team Canada?  It's like Shaw anywhere. WHY?! All that talent in the nation of Canada, and that's the best we can do? I almost feel bad for Valentina. Almost. But even to get me feeling a little bit that way is saying something. I don't see it helping them too much. Besides, they're all going to lose to Team Japan. I know very well, better than anyone else, there's nothing Kaoru can't do. If OE can be a decent partner and not a hot mess, then they have a very good chance of winning it all.  I'm just a little bit biased though.

Gaby: You have every reason to. And just so we can wrap it up, so you can rest a bit more.... Any special message to the people cheering for your recovery?

Andi: YES.

And finally, Andi smiles brightly.

Andi: Yes. I'm always a little taken aback by the support that seems to rally around me when something happens.... but these people are the reason I'm here today still. I don't want them to lose hope. I want to fight my way back from this, and I'm going to do everything in my power... what's left of it... to make sure I can come back to stand in front of all the Starlights again.  I thank you all for the support, the cards, the drawing people send, especially the kids... It warms my heart, and I think it's something I may have been missing for the last few weeks... that love. So love one another, and love Kaoru, and keep an eye on the skies, because one day the Mothership is going to beam me back to all of you.

And it's on Andi's million-dollar smile that this interview comes to a close.

[Adam Grant]

Future Shock returns from the commercial break, and we head down to ringside one more time as Gaby awaits with her microphone.

Gaby: The following contest is your main event, and it is for the final spot in the Future Shock Cup match in two weeks in Sydney, Australia!

Zack: I’d say the first Future Shock Halloween show was a success, and we’re about to see one of two women make her way to Sydney to compete for the Cup. But what may be the difference maker is that woman right there, Brianna Singer.

Brianna is shown standing in the corner with a smile on her face as she props up against the turnbuckles.

Gaby: Introducing the special guest referee for this match, the Executive Assistant to the Director of Future Shock……….BRIANNA SINGER!!

Lyn: Brianna Singer helping make the most important decision on the road to this year’s Future Shock Cup. Still not sure how I feel about this.

Zack: It did seem to come out of the blue. I don’t know what reason Brianna has for doing this. The last time she was a referee, it didn’t exactly go well.

As the guitar riff, clicked finger intro of Gin Wigmore’s “Kill of the Night” kicks in the arena gets plunged into darkness only for flames to start to rear up from the stage.

The street's a liar
I'm gonna lure you into the dark
My cold desire
To hear the boom, boom, boom of your heart

As the first verse gets played Sienna Moore is raised up from underneath the stage to appear in the middle of the fire. There’s an evil smirk on her face as she holds a toothpick between her teeth. The flames shoot higher on each of the boom’s before dying down at which point she’s joined by Cory Kincaid; prompting her to throw away the toothpick and press a very passionate kiss to his lips.

The danger is I'm dangerous
And I might just tear you apart
Oh, ah, oh

As she breaks the kiss the woman moves confidently and quickly down to the ring, pulling her boyfriend along behind her. Smirking and laughing at the crowd, happy at the reaction that she is inducing in them.

I'm gonna catch ya
I'm gonna get ya, get ya
Oh, ah, oh
I wanna taste the way that you bleed, oh
You're my kill of the night

Now you're mine
But what do I do with you, boy
I'll take your heart
To kick around as a toy

Reaching the ring she pulls herself up onto the apron, leaning back against the ropes as the songs chorus hits on more time, singing along with it as she waits for Cory to climb the ring stairs and hold the ropes open for her to enter the ring.

The danger is I'm dangerous
And I might just tear you apart

The girl pulls her man into another kiss before retreating back to her corner, leaning against it and waiting with a confident looking smirk on her face for the match to begin.

Gaby: Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, weighing 131 1/4lbs and accompanied to the ring by Cory Kincaid...SIENNA MOORE!!!

Zack: This woman right here could be the next graduate of Future Shock, and she could also be competing for the Cup in two weeks time. Sienna Moore is as dangerous of a woman as we’ve seen in Future Shock since the relaunch, Lyn. And there’s Cory as always.

Lyn: I want to believe that Rose is going to keep her attention, all eyes on Sienna and how she... Will be making use of Cory.

The dance beats of DJ Cutman's "I"m The Boss" blare through the sound system as lights blink in white, baby blue and purple. Skipping to the beat, Rose Gardner comes out from the back, with her arms open in an airplane-like stance before she stops right at the top of the ramp, staring into the crowd. She then makes her way down the ramp, highfiving as many fans as possible in the way. As the chorus of the music approaches, she darts to the ring and hops onto the second rope, showing off for the crowd, pointing to herself with her two thumbs as the lyrics say...

I'm the boss!
I'm the boss!
I'm very, very sorry for your loss!
I'm the boss!
I'm the boss!
And just in case I didn't get the point across
I'M THE BOSS!

Gaby: And her opponent, from World 8-8, standing at 5'4"... POISON!!!

Poison then removes her sunglasses and throws it into the audience for some fan before hopping down to the ring and bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Zack: The cosplay queen herself, Rose Gardner, has been on a roll in recent weeks, Lyn. She’s been picking up plenty of wins, and now she has what I think is her biggest challenge to date.

Lyn: Man I love that song. Anyway, I wholeheartedly agree with you but if Rose can pull this off... Well she’s going to be in between a bigger challenge with Ji-Hu and Valerie.

Referee Brianna Singer checks both women briefly before she calls for the bell. The crowd immediately starts to support Rose. “Poison” grins at the support as Sienna tries to catch her unaware with a bolt towards her. But Rose sidesteps her, and shoves her into the turnbuckle instead. She barely has time to turn around before Gardner grabs her head, and starts ramming it into the turnbuckle repeatedly. The crowd counts all the way to 9 before Rose catches her with a headbutt for the 10th shot that rocks her back into the corner. Gardner fires her across to the far side, sending her into that corner before barreling in after her with a corner clothesline. She takes a step back, and kicks each leg out like a sumo wrestler before imitating E. Honda’s Thousand Hand Slap to her face and body, following up with a back body drop to send Sienna down to the mat.

Lyn: HOI! HOI! HOI! HOI! Fun fact, Zack. Did you know E. Honda is bottom tier in Street Fighter 4? Obviously Rose don’t have time for our stinkin’ tiers.

Zack: The only thing she’s missing is a blue towel around her waist, but that would get us taken off ESPN, I think. Either way, those slaps are furious!

As Moore tries to get to her feet, Rose rebounds off the near side with a one handed bulldog to drive her down to the mat. She quickly hops to her feet, and takes off for the ropes into a rolling senton back splash. The cosplayer hooked the outside leg for the cover as Singer dropped to count.

ONE!!

TWOOOOOOOOO!!!

Zack: Rose is getting that offense uncorked like nobody’s business, but Sienna is nowhere near ready for this to be over. I know she’s having fun, but Rose better be careful.

Sienna kicked out as the two struck the canvas, and Rose immediately got back to her feet. She leaned down to grab Sienna, only for Moore to pull her down and bite into her face. Rose shouted in pain as Sienna finally let go, allowing Gardner to stumble away clutching her nose which was trickling blood as well as part of her cheek.

Lyn: Sienna has a certain survival instinct doesn’t she? Scruff takes a bite out of crime. Sienna takes a bite out of flora.

Zack: Sienna goes into another zone in matches, and she can become downright ruthless and brutal at those times.

Sienna got to her feet while Rose held her face. Moore spun her around into an elbow smash across the jaw. She pulled her head down, and drove a series of knees into her face. A hook of both arms saw Rose get planted with a butterfly suplex. Cory watched on as his girlfriend mounted Rose’s back, and pulled her head up to tear at both sides of her face. She even managed to get her fingernails into the cuts she had made from biting her, and tried to open them up more. Singer gave her a four count before she finally let her go, and delivered a knee drop into the back of Rose’s head as she tried to get up.

Zack: We’ve talked about it in the past, Lyn. Sienna Moore is, at times, like a wild animal in the ring. You just saw her trying to tear Rose’s face apart literally!

Lyn: She’s like Dr. Jekyll and Mistress Hyde, I swear. Now she’s pulling Rose up...!

She jerked Rose up to her feet before grabbing her head under one arm. She barreled into the corner, driving the top of Rose’s head into the middle turnbuckle. Moore held on though, walking up the corner and flipping over into an inverted facebuster to drive the back of Rose’s head into the mat. She reached forward to grab a leg for the cover before Singer dropped to count.

Zack: Sienna is showing us some outstanding agility, and she may be about to get her boarding pass to Sydney!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

T-NOPE!!

Rose kicked out before the three, causing Sienna to cradle her head and start driving right hands into it repeatedly like a drum. She finally got back to her feet as Rose was slow moving at this point. When Gardner finally made it to a vertical base, Sienna swooped in behind her and locked in a crossface chickenwing!

Lyn: A crossface chickenwing, Zack! ...Wow that’s... Incredibly efficient.

Rose immediately began trying to fight out of the hold, waving her free arm and trying to reach the ropes. Sienna continuously tried to step on the back of her leg to bring her down though, while Rose feverishly tried to grab anything. She managed to grab Brianna Singer’s top, which the redhead immediately jerked her hand away. The more she fought, the more the hold took effect. Sienna managed to bring her down to the mat. Rose’s movements began to slow a bit as Sienna’s face looked tense as she held the submission in place. The Boston crowd, including someone dressed like Knuckles the Echidna in the front row chanted Rose’s name.

Zack: The longer this stays applied, the dimmer the hopes of Rose Gardner to make her way to Sydney in two weeks. I think Moore’s almost got her!

Lyn: ...Why is Knuckles The Echidna here?

Rose’s movements finally slowed a crawl as Singer raised her arm. She let it drop before raising it again. The same reaction followed as Singer raised it a third time. It collapsed to the mat. But as Brianna was about to call for the bell, Rose’s hand grabbed her ankle. The crowd came to life as the redhead’s face grew somewhat irritated as she tried to yank her leg free. Rose began to use her hands to drag herself nearer to the ropes, and kick her foot across the bottom. Singer called for the break, which Sienna held till four and three quarters before finally releasing it.

Lyn: Sienna taking her sweet, sweet time on releasing that hold but Rose will still hang on for all she’s worth.

Zack: Moore’s taking every bit of that four count, but she finally let go. I’ll have to give Brianna credit, she has been right down the middle since the bell.

Moore got to her feet, putting the boots to Rose before she took off towards the far side. Gardner used the ropes to help get to her feet. And when she turned back around, Sienna caught her with a running high knee to the head that sent Gardner through to the floor. Sienna looked out at the crowd, none of whom seemed to be supporting her but Cory. They grew louder though as they saw Rose sliding underneath the apron. Sienna was about to go get her before Singer stopped her, shaking her head with a smile.

Zack: Uh oh, we know what happens here! We’ve seen it many times, and this Boston crowd is waiting to find out what form Rose Gardner is about to take!

Lyn: Huh. Bianna is actually stopping Sienna from following. Maybe Brianna realizes this is good for business?

Rose seemed to be taking a little longer than normal before she finally emerged out of the side she crawled under a moment ago. And she was dressed as….herself? Rose crawled out with a confused look on her face, still in her ring gear. She looked around to see an amused Brianna Singer, and stared up at her until Sienna caught her with a baseball slide to the chest that sent her backwards into the barricade.

Lyn: Can... Is Rose cosplaying as herself? ...No. No she looks like she’s not even sure what happened.

Moore rolled out after her, dragging her to her feet and introducing her head into the ring post. She threw her back inside, and slid in after her. Brianna still seemed highly amused at herself as Moore began to measure her opponent. Rose started back to her feet with the help of the ropes, only for Sienna to bolt past her and try to grab her head for a running neckbreaker. But “Poison” held onto the ropes, and Sienna ended up landing on the mat instead. Moore headed towards the corner to help her get to her feet. When she was vertical, Rose darted towards her with a running handspring into an enzuigiri that sent Sienna face down on the mat. Rose rolled her over for the cover as Singer moved to count.

Zack: There’s the SONIC SPIN!! Rose is going to Sydney!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE!!!

Sienna’s foot landed across the bottom rope, causing Singer to wave off the count and point it out to Rose. Gardner noticed Brianna still amused by something as she got back to her feet. Rose began to ask her if she knew something about her costume under the ring.

Lyn: Rose is not entirely sure what happened to her costume for the evening but Brianna is... I don’t like that smile on her face, Zack.

This gave Sienna a chance to collect herself and get back to her feet as well. As Rose questioning the amused Brianna, Sienna immediately lunged forward into a jumping reverse bulldog that smacked Rose’s head off the canvas. She immediately went for the cover as Singer dropped to count it.

Zack: Rose was interrogating Brianna, and Sienna’s gonna steal this!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO!!

Rose kicks out in time as Sienna looks to Brianna, who gives her two fingers instead of three. Moore climbs back to her feet, and heads towards the corner. She screamed at Rose to get to her feet.

Lyn: Oh boy... Sienna has her target... She’s just waiting... Begging for Rose to get up.

As Rose began to stir, she finally made it back to her feet. Immediately upon doing so, Sienna bolted out of the corner and caught her with her reverse tornado DDT! It stood Rose on top of her head for a second before Sienna made the cover!

Lyn: MOORE’S LAW! GOD WHAT A LANDING!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Brianna called for the bell to a chorus of boos from the Boston crowd. Sienna sat up with a wild glare in her eyes, and a smile on her face. Singer raised her hand, but immediately exited out of the ring when Moore stared up at her.

Zack: Sienna Moore is going to challenge for the Future Shock Cup in two weeks, and no one’s happy about it but her and Cory!

Gaby: Here is your winner and advancing to the Cup match in Sydney………...SIENNA MOORE!!

Cory rolled into the ring, and Sienna embraced him before giving him a searing kiss almost as though she were trying to eat his face in the process. When it broke, he raised her hand in victory much like Singer had.

Lyn: That’s... A celebration.

Brianna headed to the timekeeper’s table, pulling out what looked like a wardrobe box from underneath it. She tucked it under her arm with a little smile, and headed towards the back as Rose looked to see her leaving.

Lyn: It was Bri who took Rose’s costume, Zack! Brianna, With The Box, At The Timekeeper’s Table!

Zack: In two weeks, Future Shock goes down under for a massive event in Sydney! You don’t want to miss it! We’ll see you there, good night from Boston!

Brianna looked over her shoulder at Rose with the wardrobe box under her arm, while Sienna celebrated in the ring with her boyfriend. Future Shock faded off the air.