The cameras sweep across the breathtaking interior of the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, capturing over twenty thousand screaming AWS faithful packed into the futuristic arena. Crimson and gold lights dance across the crowd while giant LED displays wrap around the venue in every direction. Pyrotechnics erupt from the stage as "Asylum" by Disturbed blasts through the speakers. The atmosphere is electric. The stakes have never been higher.

The broadcast opens with Salmia "Mia" Russo, Ginnifer "Gidget" Stephenson, and Daniel Greene III standing at their commentary position overlooking the sea of humanity.

Mia Russo: "Welcome everyone to the biggest event of the summer! Welcome to Champions Carnival 2026!"

Daniel Greene III: "Look around, Mia! The Sphere has been transformed into the center of the professional wrestling universe tonight!"

Gidget Stephenson: "Five blockbuster matches. Championships on the line. Careers hanging in the balance. And by the end of the night, someone may walk out as the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Champion!"

The crowd erupts as the giant video wall flashes the event logo.

CHAMPIONS CARNIVAL 2026

NO SANCTUARY. NO MERCY. ONLY CHAMPIONS.

Daniel Greene III: "Tonight begins with absolute war! Team AWS finally collides with The Cohort inside the most dangerous structure in professional wrestling history—WARGAMES!"

The massive steel double-cage lowers from the rafters to a deafening reaction.

Mia Russo: "For months The Cohort has attacked competitors, officials, production staff, and even AWS Founder Charlie Feigel himself. Tonight there is nowhere left to run and nowhere left to hide."

Gidget Stephenson: "ONE and his followers have terrorized this company. Team AWS has promised to end it. The only question is who survives."

The video wall changes to highlight the Champions Carnival Battle Rumble.

Daniel Greene III: "And that's only the beginning! Later tonight, thirty men and women enter two rings side-by-side for the Champions Carnival Battle Rumble!"

Mia Russo: "Eliminations come over the top rope until only two competitors remain."

Gidget Stephenson: "Then the nightmare truly begins. Those final two survivors advance immediately into The Final Battle where they will challenge for the richest prize in this sport—the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship!"

Images flash across the screen of Adam Stryker, Vin Halsted, KD Feigel, Boone Carter, Astra Mortis, Ethan Murphy, AJ Flare, and dozens of other AWS stars.

Daniel Greene III: "Championships will be defended. Rivalries will explode. Legends will be made."

Mia Russo: "This is the event competitors dream about their entire careers."

Gidget Stephenson: "The road ends here. The carnival begins now."

The lights suddenly dim.

Red emergency lights begin flashing throughout the Sphere.

The giant screen displays a single image.

A black mask.

Then another.

Then dozens.

The familiar symbol of The Cohort appears.

The crowd instantly boos.

A distorted voice echoes throughout the arena.

"Tonight... the asylum falls."

The screen cuts to black.

A thunderous explosion of pyrotechnics erupts from the stage.

The WarGames cage finishes descending around the two rings.

Daniel Greene III: "We're wasting no time!"

Mia Russo: "It's happening right now!"

Gidget Stephenson: "Team AWS. The Cohort. WarGames!"

The crowd rises to its feet as the opening entrances begin.

CHAMPIONS CARNIVAL 2026 IS UNDERWAY.

The massive double-ring WarGames cage towers over the sold-out Sphere in Las Vegas as nearly 20,000 fans stand in anticipation.

Amy Marino stands inside one ring.

"Ladies and gentlemen... this contest is WARGAMES!"

The crowd erupts.

"Two rings... one steel cage... victory can only be obtained by pinfall or submission after all ten competitors have entered!"

The lights dim.

One by one, The Cohort emerges from the darkness—ONE leading the procession, followed silently by TWO, THREE, FOUR, and FIVE. Dressed in black tactical gear with expressionless masks, they march to the cage without acknowledging the crowd.

Daniel Greene III:
"They've terrorized AWS for months."

Mia Russo:
"Tonight, there are no escape routes."

Gidget Stephenson:
"Tonight... somebody finally answers for everything."

---

The opening entrant for Team AWS is Boone Carter.

The Parental Advisory Champion storms into the cage to an enormous ovation, carrying nothing but taped fists and a look of determination.

The opening entrant for The Cohort is THREE.

The bell rings.

Boone explodes forward before THREE can even prepare, unloading stiff punches and driving him into the cage wall. THREE answers with brutal knees before launching Boone shoulder-first into the steel.

For five minutes the two trade momentum until the countdown begins.

Entrant #3 — Mike Dimter

Mike flies into the cage and immediately evens the odds, dropping THREE with a missile dropkick before helping Boone regain control.

Five...

Four...

Three...

Two...

One...

Entrant #4 — FOUR

FOUR enters carrying a steel chair.

The advantage immediately shifts.

FOUR repeatedly wedges Boone and Mike into opposite corners before crushing them with running chair-assisted splashes.

The Cohort begins dissecting Team AWS.

---

The countdown continues.

Colt Blackstone.

The powerhouse storms into the cage like a freight train.

Big boots.

German suplexes.

Lariats.

Colt throws FOUR completely across one ring before clotheslining THREE over the ropes into the second ring.

The AWS fans erupt.

---

The advantage shifts again when TWO enters for The Cohort.

Numbers overwhelm Team AWS.

Boone is driven into the cage.

Mike is launched into the turnbuckles.

Colt absorbs punishment but refuses to fall.

---

Next...

Astra Mortis.

The AWS Goddess Champion storms into battle.

Running knees.

Spinning elbows.

A springboard cutter.

She fights with relentless precision, rescuing Boone before nearly forcing TWO to submit with a crossface.

---

The final staggered entries arrive.

FIVE joins The Cohort.

Then...

Vin Halsted.

The Sphere absolutely explodes.

Vin enters already bruised from earlier confrontations during Champions Carnival weekend, but he wastes no time.

Halsted Hangover on FOUR.

Running clothesline on FIVE.

A spinebuster to THREE.

The veteran rallies Team AWS as the crowd chants his name.

Only one competitor remains.

ONE.

The giant calmly steps through the cage door.

The atmosphere changes instantly.

At nearly seven feet tall, he towers over everyone.

ONE grabs Colt Blackstone by the throat.

He throws Mike Dimter halfway across the ring.

Astra's strikes barely stagger him.

Vin charges...

ONE catches him in midair.

Massive powerslam.

The Cohort completely takes over.

---

The siren sounds.

WarGames officially begins.

All ten competitors are now inside.

Victory can finally occur.

Chaos erupts.

Both rings become battlefields.

Weapons litter the canvas.

Steel chairs bend.

Trash cans fly.

The crowd alternates between cheering Team AWS and booing The Cohort with every exchange.

Boone Carter repeatedly refuses to stay down despite being visibly exhausted.

Mike Dimter and Colt Blackstone isolate FIVE, neutralizing him in the second ring.

Astra Mortis traps TWO in a devastating submission, forcing THREE to break it up.

Vin Halsted and ONE collide once more in the center of Ring One.

The two trade thunderous right hands.

Neither man gives an inch.

ONE finally overwhelms Vin and plants him with a devastating slam.

The Cohort begins surrounding the remaining members of Team AWS.

The end appears inevitable.

Suddenly...

The crowd explodes.

Charlie Feigel appears at ringside carrying a pair of industrial bolt cutters.

Security races behind him, but Charlie ignores them.

He reaches the chained cage door.

ONE notices.

FOUR points frantically toward the entrance.

Charlie positions the cutters.

SNAP!

The heavy chain falls away.

The crowd roars.

Charlie swings the cage door open and steps inside.

Daniel Greene III:
"Charlie Feigel just entered WarGames!"

Mia Russo:
"The Founder of AWS has seen enough!"

ONE charges toward Charlie—

—but Boone Carter dives onto ONE's back, slowing him just long enough.

Vin Halsted recovers.

Mike Dimter joins him.

Colt Blackstone steps beside them.

The three men exchange one determined look.

Together...

they somehow deadlift the monstrous ONE off his feet.

The crowd rises as one.

A flaming table has been positioned earlier in the match near the ropes.

Boone Carter, barely conscious, crawls toward the corner while Astra Mortis keeps the remaining members of The Cohort occupied with chairs and forearms.

Vin hooks ONE's upper body.

Mike secures the waist.

Colt lifts from underneath.

With one final surge...

SUDDEN DEATH DROP!

ONE crashes through the flaming table in an explosion of sparks and splintered wood.

The Sphere erupts into one of the loudest ovations in AWS history.

Everyone is down.

Charlie Feigel immediately slides across the canvas.

Boone Carter is barely moving after the punishment he has endured.

Charlie grabs Boone by the arm and drapes him across the fallen ONE.

The referee dives into position.

ONE!

The crowd counts.

TWO!

The Sphere shakes.

THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

Amy Marino raises her microphone.

"Here are your winners of WARGAMES..."

TEAM AWS!

Fireworks erupt across the Sphere.

Vin Halsted collapses against the ropes.

Mike Dimter and Colt Blackstone help Astra Mortis to her feet.

Boone Carter slowly rises with assistance, exhausted but victorious.

Charlie Feigel stands in the center of the cage alongside Team AWS, staring down at the wreckage of The Cohort.

Daniel Greene III:
"After months of chaos... Team AWS finally stood tall!"

Mia Russo:
"It took everything they had... and maybe a little more."

Gidget Stephenson:
"But The Cohort has finally been beaten... and Champions Carnival has only just begun."

As Team AWS celebrates atop both rings, the camera lingers on ONE, motionless amid the shattered remains of the table.

His mask is still on.

His fists slowly clench.

Fade to black.

Champions Carnival Battle Rumble
30 Competitors • Two Rings • Over-the-Top-Rope Elimination

The WarGames cage has long since been dismantled, but the atmosphere inside the Sphere somehow becomes even louder as ring announcer Amy Marino explains the rules of the Champions Carnival Battle Rumble. Thirty competitors—men and women—will enter at random intervals. Eliminations: occur only when a competitor is thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor. When only two competitors remain, the match ends and both immediately advance to the night's main event to challenge reigning AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Adam Stryker.

---

Entrant 1

Vin Halsted

The crowd erupts.

Having already competed earlier in the evening, Vin Halsted limps onto the stage heavily taped and bruised. His ribs are wrapped, one eye swollen, and exhaustion is already setting in before the bell even rings.

Daniel Greene III:
"The absolute madman started this night in battle... and now he's starting this one."

Mia Russo:
"Nobody can ever question Vin Halsted's heart."

---

Random Entrants

2. Dirty Dragon

The two immediately exchange lightning-fast offense.

---

3. Madison Knox

---

4. Titus Manu

Titus begins tossing bodies everywhere.

---

5. JohnZo Scary

JohnZo immediately targets Halsted.

---

6. AJ Flare

The former champion flies into the match with dropkicks everywhere.

---

Entrant 7

AWS Goddess Champion Astra Mortis

The crowd explodes.

Astra dominates immediately, eliminating Madison Knox with a thunderous boot before staring down Titus Manu.

---

8. Ethan Murphy

---

9. Mila Yaruda

---

10. AWS C4 Division Champion Mike Dimter

The crowd gives a mixed reaction.

---

Eliminations:

• Madison Knox by Astra Mortis
• Dirty Dragon by Titus Manu
• Mike Dimter by AJ Flare

---

11. Xander Croft

---

12. Dragonlistico

Immediately starts dazzling the audience.

---

Entrant 13

Jeremiah Vastrix

A huge ovation.

Jeremiah cleans house immediately.

---

14. Mason Hurst

---

15. Lindsey Flare

---

Entrant 16

AWS Parental Advisory Champion Boone Carter

The crowd comes alive.

Boone walks onto the stage carrying a thick bull rope with a massive steel cowbell tied to one end.

Daniel Greene III:
"Oh no..."

He begins Western-style clotheslining everyone in sight.

Cowbell shots.

Bull rope lariats.

Chaos erupts.

---

Boone's Eliminations

• Titus Manu
• Dragonlistico
• Mason Hurst
• Xander Croft

---

17. Mixie

Immediately flattened by Boone.

---

18. Nico Valentino

---

19. Sol Azteca

---

20. Buck Rawlins

Buck and Boone engage in an old-fashioned cowboy brawl.

---

Eliminations:

• Mixie by Boone Carter
• Buck Rawlins by Boone Carter
• Ethan Murphy by Jeremiah Vastrix
• AJ Flare by Astra Mortis

---

21. Amanda MacLeod

---

22. Wade Mercer

---

23. Blight

---

24. Vinzenz "The Virus" Krüger

Krüger enters like a machine, suplexing everyone.

---

25. Agent Carter

---

Eliminations:

• Amanda MacLeod by Blight
• Agent Carter by Krüger
• Wade Mercer by Jeremiah
• Nico Valentino by Boone Carter

---

26. Gloria's Requiem

The giant dominates immediately.

---

27. Mallory Hale

---

28. Silas Havok

---

29. KD Feigel

The Sphere explodes.

A very injured KD storms the ring and unloads on everyone.

He and Vin Halsted briefly stand back-to-back before the match resumes.

KD eliminates Gloria's Requiem after an incredible struggle.

Seconds later...

JohnZo Scary sneaks behind KD.

JohnZo and Blight send KD crashing over the top rope.

The audience gasps.

---

Entrant 30

The countdown reaches zero.

Nothing happens.

The lights suddenly go out.

Complete darkness.

An eerie choir echoes throughout the Sphere.

Purple flames begin appearing around ringside.

When the lights return...

A woman dressed entirely in black already stands inside the ring.

The audience is stunned.

Amy Marino:
"Ladies and gentlemen... introducing the final entrant... NECRA OCTAVIAN KANE!!"

The Sphere erupts.

Necra immediately levels multiple competitors with devastating strikes.

---

Final Eliminations: Before the Final Five

Mallory Hale is eliminated by Astra Mortis.

JohnZo Scary is eliminated by Jeremiah Vastrix.

Blight is eliminated by Boone Carter.

Mixie's earlier elimination is replayed on the big screen to a laugh from the crowd.

Krüger is eliminated by Vin Halsted.

Gloria's Requiem had already been eliminated by KD.

Sol Azteca is eliminated by Astra Mortis.

Lindsey Flare is eliminated by Necra.

Mike Dimter's elimination replay confirms AJ earlier.

---

The Final Five:

• Vin Halsted (#1)
• Astra Mortis (#7)
• Jeremiah Vastrix (#13)
• Boone Carter (#16)
• Necra Octavian Kane (#30)

The crowd rises.

Every elimination now feels monumental.

---

Fifth Place:

Necra Octavian Kane dominates all four competitors until Vin Halsted and Jeremiah Vastrix briefly unite.

Boone Carter wraps the bull rope around Necra's neck while Jeremiah delivers a running knee.

Vin finally musters enough strength to clothesline Necra over the top rope.

Necra smiles while falling.

She disappears into darkness beneath the apron.

No one sees her leave.

---

Fourth Place:

Boone catches Astra Mortis with the bull rope.

Jeremiah hits a spinning kick.

Vin attempts one final clothesline.

Boone sends Astra crashing over the top rope.

The AWS Goddess Champion receives a standing ovation.

---

Third Place:

Vin Halsted can barely stand.

Nearly seventy minutes after entering first...

Boone swings the cowbell.

Vin ducks.

Jeremiah catches him with a devastating running knee.

Boone follows with one final bull rope clothesline.

Vin tumbles over the top rope.

The Sphere gives him an emotional standing ovation.

Mia Russo, visibly emotional:

"No matter what happens tonight... remember this performance. Starting at Number One... lasting longer than anyone in Champions Carnival history... thank you, Vin Halsted."

The crowd chants:

"THANK YOU VIN!"

---

The Survivors:

• Jeremiah Vastrix
• Boone Carter

The bell rings.

Fireworks explode.

Both men collapse from exhaustion.

Adam Stryker slowly walks onto the entrance stage holding the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder.

He simply smiles.

The Triple Jeopardy Main Event is officially set.

Adam Stryker vs. Jeremiah Vastrix vs. Boone Carter

As the crowd continues cheering, Daniel Greene III removes his headset.

He turns toward his longtime broadcast partner.

Mia Russo is wiping away tears.

Daniel embraces her.

The audience notices and begins another chant.

"THANK YOU MIA!"

Gidget Stephenson joins the embrace as the entire Sphere rises to its feet.

Mia Russo removes her headset one final time.

"For over two decades... you've welcomed me into your homes every week... and into your hearts. Thank you for letting me tell your stories... thank you for making Asylum Wrestling Society my family... and thank you... for one last ride."

The arena erupts into one final standing ovation as confetti gently falls from the rafters.

For the final time...

"This has been Salmia 'Mia' Russo... and I'll see you... somewhere down the road."

The broadcast fades to black as Mia receives flowers, hugs from the commentary team, and a thunderous, unforgettable farewell from the AWS faithful.

Tequila Rose © vs. Centre of Attention vs. Hard Mode

The camera returns to ringside, where the AWS Goddess Tag Team Championships sit on display at the timekeeper’s table.

The titles catch the lights above the Sphere as the crowd buzzes, waiting for the next championship match of the night.

Mia Russo:
“This next match has everything. Champions trying to survive, former champions trying to reclaim their place, and a team that believes preparation can beat experience.”

Danny Greene Jr.:
“And in Triple Jeopardy, survival is the word. Tequila Rose do not have to be pinned to lose those championships.”

Joey Black:
“That is what makes this dangerous. You can have the match under control, blink once, and somebody else walks out with your gold.”

Gidget Stevenson:
“Centre of Attention want their cabinet filled again. Hard Mode want to prove they belong at this level. Tequila Rose want to leave Champions Carnival the same way they entered it.”

The camera cuts to the ring.

Stephany Mullins stands in the center, microphone raised.

Stephany Mullins:
“The following contest is a Triple Jeopardy Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall… and it is for the AWS Goddess Tag Team Championships!”

The crowd roars as the three teams take their corners.

Triple Jeopardy Tag Team Match

AWS Goddess Tag Team Championships

Tequila Rose ©

Sarah Lee Jackson & Avery McCullen

vs.

Centre of Attention

Desiree Forte & Olympia Waybright

vs.

Hard Mode

Riley Rune & Mia Nygma

Sarah Lee Jackson stands in the champion’s corner, rolling her shoulders, looking ready to hurt somebody.

Avery McCullen stays calmer beside her, eyes moving from opponent to opponent.

Across the ring, Desiree Forte and Olympia Waybright stand in front of the empty space they want filled again. Their attention keeps drifting toward the championships at ringside.

In the third corner, Riley Rune and Mia Nygma say nothing.

Riley leans toward Mia.

Mia nods once.

The referee raises the titles.

The bell rings.

Opening Exchange

Nobody moves right away.

Three teams.

Six women.

One mistake waiting to happen.

Sarah steps out first.

Olympia meets her.

Mia Russo:
“Sarah and Olympia starting this one off, and that is a lot of power in the ring right away.”

Sarah offers the lock-up.

Olympia takes it.

They collide in the center of the ring, both trying to force the other backward. Olympia gets half a step. Sarah plants her boots and shoves back.

Neither breaks clean.

Sarah throws the first forearm.

Olympia answers.

Sarah fires another.

Olympia gives it back.

Danny Greene Jr.:
“This is not about technique yet. This is about who gives ground first.”

Sarah catches Olympia with a knee and sends her to the ropes.

Olympia rebounds.

Sarah swings for a clothesline.

Olympia ducks.

As she passes the Hard Mode corner, Mia Nygma tags herself in off Olympia’s shoulder.

The referee calls it.

Olympia turns, annoyed.

Mia is already in motion.

Springboard dropkick to Sarah’s knee.

Sarah drops to one leg.

Mia hits the ropes again.

Basement dropkick to the side of Sarah’s head.

Cover.

1—

Sarah powers out hard.

Mia rolls through and backs toward her corner.

Joey Black:
“Mia is not trying to win a strength contest. She is taking pieces away.”

Sarah gets up fast, irritated.

Mia tags Riley.

Riley enters and immediately grabs Sarah’s arm, twisting into a hammerlock and pulling her away from Avery.

Sarah tries to power out.

Riley shifts her weight and drags Sarah down to one knee.

Avery reaches for the tag.

Sarah lunges.

Riley pulls her back.

Then Desiree Forte tags herself in off Riley’s shoulder.

Riley turns.

Desiree smiles.

Desiree Forte:
“Merci.”

Then she blasts Riley with a forearm.

Desiree whips Riley to the ropes.

Riley rebounds.

Desiree leapfrogs.

Riley keeps running—

Olympia drives a knee into Riley’s back from the apron.

Riley staggers forward.

Desiree plants her with a snap DDT.

Cover.

1…

2—

Mia breaks it up with a stomp.

Gidget Stevenson:
“That is Triple Jeopardy. Every cover belongs to everybody.”

Centre of Attention Take Control

Desiree drags Riley to the Centre of Attention corner.

Tag to Olympia.

Olympia steps in and lifts Riley into a delayed vertical suplex.

She holds her.

One second.

Two.

Three.

Then drops her flat.

Olympia covers.

1…

2—

Avery breaks it up with a sliding kick.

Olympia gets up and shoves Avery.

Avery shoves back.

Sarah comes in behind Avery.

Desiree comes in behind Olympia.

The referee tries to get between them, but the match is already starting to loosen at the seams.

Mia Russo:
“This is what happens when three teams all think they see the opening at the same time.”

Sarah swings at Olympia.

Olympia ducks and drives her back.

Avery and Desiree trade strikes near the ropes.

Mia reaches from the apron, trying to pull Riley back toward Hard Mode’s corner.

Desiree notices.

She grabs Mia by the hair.

Mia snaps Desiree’s arm across the top rope.

Desiree stumbles backward.

Avery catches her.

German suplex.

The crowd reacts as Desiree rolls toward the corner.

Olympia turns to help her.

Sarah catches Olympia around the waist.

Military-style spinebuster.

The champions stand tall for the first time.

Sarah drags Riley up.

Avery climbs to the middle rope.

Sarah lifts Riley onto one shoulder.

Avery jumps—

Flying knee into a Sarah-assisted slam.

Cover.

1…

2…

Mia dives in and breaks it up.

Danny Greene Jr.:
“That was almost it. Tequila Rose nearly turned back both teams right there.”

Sarah sits up and stares at Mia.

Mia backs away slowly.

Sarah rises.

The size difference is obvious.

Mia’s eyes drop to Sarah’s leg.

Sarah charges.

Mia ducks low.

Sarah hits the ropes chest-first.

Mia rolls behind her and tags Riley without Sarah seeing it.

Sarah turns toward Mia.

Riley chop blocks Sarah from behind.

Sarah collapses.

Mia follows with a running knee to the side of the head.

Riley covers.

1…

2—

Avery breaks it.

Avery grabs Riley’s leg and tries to turn her over.

Riley fights.

Avery keeps hold.

Mia tries to help.

Desiree returns and cuts Mia off with a running clothesline.

Tequila Rose Trap Riley

Avery finally turns Riley over.

Single-leg crab.

Riley reaches for the ropes, but she is too far away.

Sarah, back on the apron and favoring her leg, shouts for Avery to sit down on the hold.

Avery does.

Riley claws at the mat.

Mia starts crawling toward her.

Olympia steps through the ropes.

Sarah catches her with a forearm.

Desiree tries to enter from the other side.

Sarah catches her too.

For one moment, Tequila Rose have the match exactly where they want it.

Riley’s hand rises.

Mia gets closer.

Avery pulls back harder.

Riley refuses to tap, but her hand is shaking.

Mia dives.

Not at Avery.

At Sarah.

Mia clips Sarah’s bad leg again, knocking her off the apron and breaking the champions’ control.

That half-second is enough.

Riley twists her hips, rolls through, and sends Avery shoulder-first into the middle turnbuckle.

Both women are down.

Joey Black:
“That is what Hard Mode does. They do not need the whole match. They need one piece of it.”

Mia pulls Riley toward the corner.

Hard Mode almost get the tag.

Olympia grabs Mia from the floor and yanks her out of the ring.

Mia lands hard.

Olympia pulls her up and throws her into the barricade.

Inside the ring, Desiree tags herself in off Avery.

Riley is still legal.

Desiree pulls Riley up.

Olympia slides back in.

Centre of Attention set Riley between them.

Desiree hooks the head.

Olympia grabs the waist.

They lift.

Double elevated facebuster.

Desiree covers.

1…

2…

Riley kicks out.

Desiree looks surprised.

Olympia points down at Riley.

Stay on her.

Centre of Attention’s Opening

Desiree tags Olympia in.

Olympia enters with purpose.

She drives Riley into the corner with a shoulder.

Then another.

Then another.

Riley slumps.

Desiree climbs.

Mia is down outside.

Avery is recovering near the ropes.

Sarah is limping on the floor.

Centre of Attention have Riley isolated.

Danny Greene Jr.:
“This is the window. This is where Centre of Attention become champions again.”

Olympia lifts Riley into position.

Desiree launches.

Assisted blockbuster.

Riley is planted.

Olympia covers.

1…

2…

Avery breaks it up.

Desiree immediately attacks Avery, hammering her down with forearms.

Olympia joins her.

Centre of Attention beat Avery into the corner.

Sarah slides back in.

Bad leg and all.

She grabs Desiree from behind and throws her across the ring.

Olympia turns.

Sarah charges.

Olympia sidesteps.

Sarah crashes into the buckles.

Olympia rolls her up from behind.

1…

2…

Sarah kicks out.

Olympia rises.

Avery grabs her from behind.

Dragon sleeper.

Olympia is caught.

Desiree crawls back toward the ring.

Mia appears on the apron.

Tag.

She slaps Avery’s shoulder.

The referee sees it.

Mia is legal.

Avery does not realize it right away.

She keeps the hold on Olympia.

Riley grabs Desiree’s ankle from the floor, stopping her from entering.

Mia climbs.

Top rope.

Avery finally sees her.

Too late.

Mia jumps.

Double stomp to Olympia’s exposed midsection while Avery still has the sleeper trapped.

Olympia folds.

Avery rolls away.

Mia covers Olympia.

1…

2…

Desiree breaks it up.

Barely.

The crowd comes alive.

Mia rolls to the side, breathing hard.

Desiree grabs her and pulls her up.

Desiree gets right in her face.

Desiree Forte:
“Bienvenue au grand moment.”

Welcome to the big moment.

She slaps Mia.

Mia drops to one knee.

Desiree grabs her again.

Mia catches the wrist.

Small package.

1…

2…

Desiree kicks out.

Both scramble up.

Desiree swings.

Mia ducks.

Riley tags in blind.

Desiree catches Mia with a knee.

Mia drops.

Desiree turns.

Riley springboards in.

Flying forearm.

Desiree goes down.

The Cohort Arrives

Riley gets to her feet.

Then the lights flicker.

Once.

Twice.

Not all the way out.

Just enough to make the building feel wrong.

A low tone hums through the speakers.

The crowd noise shifts from excitement to confusion.

Mia Russo:
“Wait… what is this?”

The hard camera pulls wide.

Ten figures step out from different points around ringside.

Not from the entrance.

From the crowd.

From behind the barricade.

From the corners of the floor.

Black clothing.

Plain masks.

Numbers marked across their chests in white.

ONE.

TWO.

THREE.

FOUR.

FIVE.

And behind them, more.

Six through Ten.

They move at the same time.

Slow at first.

Then faster.

Danny Greene Jr.:
“That’s The Cohort.”

Joey Black:
“No. No, this is bad.”

The referee turns toward One climbing onto the apron.

Before he can say anything, Two slides into the ring from the opposite side.

Riley sees Two first and swings.

Two ducks.

Three grabs Riley from behind.

Mia jumps onto the apron to help.

Four yanks her down by the ankle.

Mia hits the floor hard.

The bell has not rung yet.

The referee is shouting.

Sarah turns on the floor—

Five drives her into the barricade.

Avery starts toward her partner.

One cuts her off with a straight kick to the ribs.

Desiree gets up and swings at Two.

Two absorbs it.

Three grabs Desiree.

Together, Two and Three throw her shoulder-first into the ring post.

Olympia rises, furious, and charges across the ring.

She knocks Four off the apron with a forearm.

Then turns—

One catches her.

Two joins.

Olympia fights both of them for a moment, throwing elbows, refusing to go down.

Then Five enters.

A shot from behind drops her to one knee.

The crowd is booing loudly now.

Mia Russo:
“This is not a match anymore! There are too many of them!”

Gidget Stevenson:
“They’re attacking everybody!”

The referee finally calls for the bell.

Bell rings.

Result — No Contest

Stephany Mullins:
“Ladies and gentlemen… due to outside interference… this match has been ruled a NO CONTEST!”

The announcement barely cuts through the noise.

The Cohort do not stop.

Six and Seven lift Mia on the floor and drive her spine-first into the barricade.

Riley tries to crawl toward her.

Three stomps her down.

Inside the ring, Avery catches One with a forearm and backs them into the corner.

For a second, she has an opening.

Then Two and Four swarm her.

They beat her down against the ropes.

Sarah pulls herself up outside, limping badly, and grabs Five by the mask.

She rips them backward and throws a right hand.

Five staggers.

Sarah hits another.

Then Six blindsides Sarah with a shot from behind.

Sarah drops near the steps.

Desiree rolls back into the ring and tackles Three.

She throws punches from the mount.

Olympia joins her.

Centre of Attention finally start clearing space.

Desiree knocks Three through the ropes.

Olympia throws Four over the top.

The crowd comes alive for a brief second.

Danny Greene Jr.:
“Centre of Attention are fighting back!”

But there are too many.

Seven and Eight enter.

Nine and Ten follow.

The numbers swallow the ring.

Olympia is dragged down first.

Desiree fights until One catches her from the side.

Hard Mode try to regroup.

Mia slides back into the ring with a chair.

She cracks Seven across the back.

Then Eight.

Riley grabs the chair from Mia and swings at Nine.

The Cohort scatter for one second.

Only one.

Then Ten clips Riley’s knee.

One grabs Mia by the throat and throws her into the corner.

Two and Three stomp her down.

Joey Black:
“This is organized. This is not random. They picked their spots. They knew exactly when to hit.”

Avery crawls toward the titles at ringside, trying to pull herself up using the table.

Five sees her.

Five grabs one of the Goddess Tag Team Championship belts.

The crowd boos louder.

Five looks down at it.

Then throws it into the ring.

Not stealing it.

Not holding it up.

Just discarding it.

The title lands near the center of the mat.

Mia Russo:
“That is not about winning championships. That is a message.”

Inside the ring, One stands over the fallen belt.

Around them, the rest of The Cohort keep the six women down.

Sarah.

Avery.

Desiree.

Olympia.

Riley.

Mia.

All scattered.

All attacked.

The referee is outside the ring now, calling for help.

Security pours down the ramp.

The Cohort finally begin to retreat.

Not running.

Walking.

One backs up last.

They look down at the AWS Goddess Tag Team Championship on the mat.

Then at the bodies around it.

Then they step through the ropes and leave with the others.

Aftermath

Security fills ringside, but The Cohort have already slipped back through the crowd.

The damage remains.

Sarah Lee Jackson is helped up near the steps, furious and trying to push people away.

Avery McCullen sits against the barricade, clutching her ribs and looking toward the discarded championship in the ring.

Desiree Forte crawls to Olympia Waybright, checking on her partner first before looking up the aisle.

Olympia is angry before she is even fully standing.

Hard Mode regroup in the corner, Riley holding her knee, Mia holding the back of her head.

No one is celebrating.

No one is satisfied.

Mia Russo:
“The Goddess Tag Team Championship match never got a finish. The Cohort just ruined what could have been one of the best title matches of the night.”

Danny Greene Jr.:
“And every team has a right to be furious. Tequila Rose were defending champions. Centre of Attention had Riley beaten earlier. Hard Mode were still in the fight.”

Joey Black:
“That’s the problem. Nobody got beat. Nobody got closure. The Cohort made sure the whole division has to live with a question mark.”

Gidget Stevenson:
“And they left the titles in the middle of the ring like they meant nothing.”

The camera focuses on the AWS Goddess Tag Team Championships.

One belt still at ringside.

One belt lying in the ring where Five threw it.

Avery slowly pulls herself into the ring and grabs the discarded title.

Sarah joins her, limping but standing.

The referee retrieves the second championship and hands it over.

Tequila Rose are still champions.

But they do not look like winners.

On the floor, Desiree points toward the ring and shouts that Centre of Attention had the match.

Olympia backs her up, yelling toward the referee, toward Tequila Rose, toward anyone who will listen.

Hard Mode stand nearby, battered and furious, Mia’s eyes fixed on the crowd where The Cohort disappeared.

Mia Russo:
“Tequila Rose retain because of the no contest, but I do not think anybody is going to accept that as the end of this.”

Danny Greene Jr.:
“Centre of Attention will want their rematch. Hard Mode will want answers. And Tequila Rose just had their title defense stolen from them.”

Joey Black:
“And The Cohort got exactly what they wanted. They made the champions look vulnerable, they denied the challengers their moment, and they left everybody fighting over what comes next.”

The final shot lingers on the ring.

Tequila Rose holding the championships.

Centre of Attention arguing from the floor.

Hard Mode standing bruised but unbroken.

And the crowd still looking toward the exits.

Because The Cohort are gone.

But the message is still sitting there.

No winner.

No closure.

No one safe.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
AWS CHAMPIONS CARNIVAL
THE SPHERE • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

VACANT AWS UNDISPUTED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
TABLES • LADDERS • CHAIRS
FATAL FOUR-WAY TAG TEAM MATCH
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

The cameras return from commercial to a breathtaking panoramic shot of the packed Sphere. Thousands of fans are already standing as lights dance across the massive interior display wrapped around the arena. The camera slowly circles the ring where tables are stacked against the barricades, steel chairs rest beside the timekeeper's area, and several ladders stand waiting around ringside.

Suspended twenty feet above the ring...

The vacant AWS Undisputed Tag Team Championships slowly rotate beneath a single spotlight.

The crowd erupts.

Danny Greene III:
"There they are."

"The richest prize in tag team wrestling... and tonight, somebody finally takes them home."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"This isn't just another championship match."

"This is about defining an entire division."

"Four outstanding teams. Four completely different philosophies."

"Only one walks out champions."

Gidget Stephenson:
"And because apparently everyone in AWS enjoys making terrible life choices..."

"...they're doing it in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match!"

The audience cheers loudly.

Danny Greene III:
"No pinfalls."

"No submissions."

"No count-outs."

"No disqualifications."

"You climb the ladder."

"You unhook both championships."

"And you survive."

The camera cuts to the championship belts once more.

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"The danger isn't just the ladders."

"It's the furniture."

"Every table."

"Every chair."

"Every piece of steel around this ring is completely legal."

Danny Greene III:
"We've seen careers shortened in TLC matches."

"We've seen rivalries end."

"We've seen bodies broken."

Gidget Stephenson:
"...and somehow every wrestler still thinks they'll be the one walking out smiling."

The lights dim.

Song Teng walks confidently to the center of the ring dressed elegantly in black, microphone already raised.

She pauses.

Lets the anticipation build.

Song Teng:
"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"...prepare yourselves..."

"...the next battle is about to begin!"

Thunderous applause.

Song Teng:
"This contest is a FATAL FOUR-WAY TAG TEAM TABLES..."

"...LADDERS..."

"...AND CHAIRS MATCH!"

Another roar.

Song Teng:
"The winners of this contest will become the NEW..."

She points high above the ring.

"...AWS UNDISPUTED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!"

═══════════════════════════════════════
WORLD ELITE
═══════════════════════════════════════

"Legs" by ZZ Top blasts throughout the Sphere.

Golden lighting floods the entranceway as AJ Flare and Kofi Von Erich confidently step through the curtain.

Following closely behind are Lindsey Flare, Amanda MacLeod and Agent Carter.

The women tease a fan at ringside before laughing and walking away, leaving him embarrassed as AJ and Kofi soak in the boos.

Danny Greene III:
"They don't care whether the fans love them."

"They just assume everyone wishes they were them."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They've backed up that confidence for years."

"World Elite know exactly how to win high-pressure matches."

Gidget Stephenson:
"They're insufferable."

"...really talented..."

"...but absolutely insufferable."

AJ climbs the nearest turnbuckle while Kofi casually spreads his arms, welcoming the hostile reaction.

Song Teng:
"Introducing first..."

"...accompanied by Lindsey Flare..."

"Amanda MacLeod..."

"...and Agent Carter..."

"...representing..."

"WORLD ELITE!"

"KOFI VON ERICH!"

"...and..."

"AJ FLARE!"

═══════════════════════════════════════
THE TONGAN TERROR SQUAD
═══════════════════════════════════════

The lights suddenly dim.

Deep drums echo throughout the arena.

"Guerrillas of Destiny" begins to play.

Apollo Latu and Malachi Latu emerge beside Sione Latu to a huge ovation.

No theatrics.

No posing.

Only purpose.

The brothers walk shoulder to shoulder toward the ring.

Danny Greene III:
"You want intimidating?"

"There they are."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They're probably the strongest team in this entire match."

"If they get control..."

"...moving them becomes almost impossible."

Gidget Stephenson:
"They don't need fancy entrances."

"They ARE the entrance."

Song Teng:
"And their opponents..."

"...accompanied by Sione Latu..."

"From Orlando, Florida..."

"With a combined weight of four hundred and ninety-four pounds..."

"APOLLO LATU!"

"MALACHI LATU!"

"THE TONGAN..."

"...TERROR..."

"...SQUAD!"

═══════════════════════════════════════
BAYOU BLAZE
═══════════════════════════════════════

The opening beat of "Inferno" hits.

Nothing happens.

The crowd begins clapping.

Twenty seconds later...

BOOM!

Columns of flame erupt across the stage.

Orange.

Gold.

Black.

Antoine and Gabriel LeClair dance confidently through the smoke before making their way down the ramp, slapping hands with every fan they can reach.

At ringside they flash the signature LC hand sign before sliding into the ring together.

Danny Greene III:
"Fast."

"Fearless."

"And impossible to keep grounded."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They've got youth."

"They've got chemistry."

"They've got absolutely no fear."

Gidget Stephenson:
"I don't think they know the meaning of self-preservation."

Song Teng:
"From New Orleans, Louisiana..."

"With a combined weight of four hundred and five pounds..."

"ANTOINE LECLAIR!"

"GABRIEL LECLAIR!"

"BAYOU BLAZE!"

═══════════════════════════════════════
WEST TEXAS HANGMEN
═══════════════════════════════════════

A truck engine rumbles through the arena.

The massive screen fills with dusty highways...

Weathered barns...

Barbed wire fences...

Abandoned Texas wrestling buildings.

"Hell Yeah" by Rev Theory begins.

Buck Rawlins walks onto the stage first.

Cowboy hat pulled low.

Hands relaxed at his sides.

Expression unreadable.

Beside him, Wade Mercer stalks forward like a man looking for a fight.

He points at fans.

Laughs at signs.

Mocks anyone close enough to hear him.

Buck never acknowledges the audience.

He simply keeps walking.

Danny Greene III:
"They don't care about championships."

"They care about making statements."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"The Hangmen believe modern wrestling has lost its identity."

"So they punish anyone they believe represents it."

Gidget Stephenson:
"They're basically two angry men yelling at the future."

Buck steps into the ring.

Removes his cowboy hat.

Folds it carefully.

Places it in the corner.

Then turns toward the other three teams.

Song Teng:
"And finally..."

"From Amarillo, Texas..."

"BUCK RAWLINS!"

"WADE MERCER!"

"THE..."

"WEST TEXAS..."

"HANGMEN!"

All four teams stand in opposite corners.

The referee slowly turns, making eye contact with every competitor before pointing toward the championships suspended overhead.

Danny Greene III:
"This is what they've all sacrificed for."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"No alliances."

"No friends."

"No second chances."

"Just eight competitors chasing the same prize."

The referee raises one hand.

*DING! DING!*

Nobody waits.

Apollo Latu charges directly into Kofi Von Erich with a thunderous clothesline.

AJ Flare blindsides Malachi from behind.

Across the ring Buck Rawlins drills Gabriel LeClair with a stiff forearm while Wade Mercer runs straight through Antoine with a shoulder tackle that nearly flips him inside out.

Within seconds all eight competitors are fighting.

Danny Greene III:
"And here we go!"

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"There goes any strategy!"

The ring erupts into complete chaos.

Apollo and Malachi muscle World Elite into opposite corners, unloading heavy right hands before whipping both men toward the center—

DOUBLE BACK BODY DROP!

AJ and Kofi crash hard onto the canvas.

The crowd cheers.

Outside the ring Buck immediately changes the complexion of the match.

Rather than continue throwing punches...

He reaches beneath the apron.

A steel chair.

The audience buzzes.

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"Already?"

Buck tosses the chair to Wade.

Gabriel springs off the ropes—

CRACK!

The chair catches him flush across the ribs.

He crumples to the mat.

Wade doesn't admire his work.

He swings again.

CRACK!

Across Gabriel's back.

Danny Greene III:
"The Hangmen wasted absolutely no time introducing steel."

Antoine dives toward Wade—

SUPERKICK!

The chair flies free.

Antoine ducks another swing before connecting with a spinning enzuigiri that finally sends Wade staggering into the ropes.

Gabriel forces himself back upright.

The brothers exchange a look.

They hit opposite ropes.

DOUBLE DROPKICK!

Wade tumbles over the top rope to the floor.

Buck charges—

Antoine ducks—

Gabriel leapfrogs—

DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Buck falls through the ropes beside his partner.

The Sphere explodes.

Danny Greene III:
"Bayou Blaze are flying!"

Antoine wastes no time.

He sprints toward the ropes.

Gabriel follows.

Without hesitation...

Both brothers launch themselves over opposite sides of the ring.

STEREO TOPE CON HILOS!

They wipe out the Hangmen on the floor as the crowd leaps to its feet.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

Inside the ring, Apollo Latu hoists AJ Flare onto his shoulders.

Malachi charges.

DOUBLE CHOKESLAM!

AJ bounces violently off the canvas.

Kofi rushes in with a steel chair.

Apollo catches the chair before it lands.

The brothers grin.

Malachi kicks Kofi square in the stomach.

Apollo rips the chair away...

...and bends it across his knee.

The crowd roars in appreciation.

Gidget Stephenson:
"I think Kofi just lost custody of his own chair!"

Apollo points toward a ladder at ringside.

Malachi nods.

For the first time in the match...

Someone looks toward the championships.

The race has officially begun.

Malachi slides the first ladder into the ring.

Apollo immediately follows, standing it upright beneath the hanging championships.

Danny Greene III:
"The Tongan Terror Squad are wasting absolutely no time!"

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"That's smart. In a TLC Match you don't have to beat everyone—you just have to create enough space."

Apollo begins climbing.

One rung.

Two.

Three.

Before he can reach halfway...

AJ Flare springboards onto the ropes.

MISSILE DROPKICK!

The ladder explodes backward.

Apollo crashes awkwardly across the ropes before tumbling to the canvas with the ladder landing on top of him.

The crowd groans.

Kofi doesn't hesitate.

He folds the ladder closed...

then drives it downward across Apollo's back.

CLANG!

Again.

CLANG!

Again.

CLANG!

Danny Greene III:
"World Elite have completely changed the momentum!"

AJ grabs the ladder.

Instead of climbing...

he wedges it horizontally between the middle rope and the turnbuckles.

Apollo slowly gets to his knees.

Kofi grabs him.

Irish whip.

Apollo is launched chest-first into the steel ladder.

The impact rattles the entire ring.

Apollo drops immediately to all fours.

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"Everything hurts more when steel doesn't move."

Outside the ring, Buck Rawlins calmly begins unfolding a table.

Wade Mercer drags Gabriel LeClair toward him by the ankle.

Buck doesn't rush.

He carefully positions the table.

Checks that the legs are locked.

Then simply nods.

Danny Greene III:
"They're methodical."

"They don't just hurt people..."

"They make sure everyone watches."

Wade lifts Gabriel into a powerbomb position.

Antoine sees it.

He sprints.

Slides beneath the bottom rope.

Runs across the apron.

SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY!

He wipes Wade out before the powerbomb can happen.

The crowd erupts.

Buck immediately boots Antoine in the jaw.

No wasted motion.

No emotion.

Just violence.

Buck grabs Antoine by the hair.

Throws him onto the table.

Climbs onto the apron.

Danny Greene III:
"Oh no..."

Buck steps onto the second rope.

Driving elbow...

NO!

Gabriel shoves the table away at the last possible second.

Buck crashes shoulder-first onto the apron before spilling to the floor.

The audience explodes.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

Back inside...

Malachi has recovered.

AJ never sees him coming.

DOUBLE BOOT!

AJ flips inside out.

Kofi charges.

Apollo catches him.

Malachi joins him.

DOUBLE SUPLEX!

Kofi lands hard.

Apollo pounds his chest.

The crowd responds.

Danny Greene III:
"The Tongans are back!"

Malachi sets the ladder once again.

Apollo climbs.

Halfway.

Three quarters.

His fingers stretch toward the championships...

CRACK!

A steel chair slams into Apollo's spine.

Buck Rawlins.

The ladder shakes.

Apollo hangs on.

Buck swings again.

CRACK!

Apollo finally falls backward—

Straight into Wade's waiting arms.

WORLD'S STRONGEST SLAM!

Apollo bounces violently.

Buck turns.

Malachi swings wildly.

Buck ducks.

WADE—

RUNNING BIG BOOT!

Malachi collapses beside his brother.

The Hangmen stand tall.

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They don't care who builds momentum."

"They're determined to steal it."

Buck gestures toward World Elite.

"Finish 'em."

Wade smiles.

AJ slowly crawls toward the ropes.

Wade grabs him.

POWERBOMB—

NO!

AJ counters into a hurricanrana.

Wade stumbles directly into Kofi.

Kofi spins.

SUPERKICK TO WADE.

AJ springboards.

PHENOMENAL FOREARM!

Buck tries to intervene—

Kofi explodes with a leaping clothesline.

All three Hangmen opponents hit the mat.

Danny Greene III:
"World Elite have weathered the storm!"

AJ unfolds the tallest ladder yet.

He begins climbing.

Kofi stands guard beneath him.

Gabriel dives in.

Kofi intercepts him with a spinebuster.

Antoine charges.

Kofi catches him.

BELLY-TO-BELLY OVERHEAD!

Antoine sails into the corner.

AJ reaches the very top.

His fingertips brush championship gold—

Apollo grabs one side of the ladder.

Malachi grabs the other.

Together...

They tip it sideways.

AJ crashes completely over the top rope...

through the table Buck had set up earlier.

BOOOOOOOM!

The Sphere erupts.

Danny Greene III:
"AJ JUST WENT THROUGH THE TABLE!"

Pieces of wood scatter across the floor.

Kofi stares in disbelief.

Gabriel suddenly springs from nowhere.

SUPERKICK!

Kofi staggers.

Antoine leaps onto the ropes.

FIREBALL!

The breathtaking 630 Senton crashes directly onto Kofi.

The crowd rises as one.

Gidget Stephenson:
"How in the world did Antoine still have enough left to do THAT?!"

Bayou Blaze exchange one exhausted glance.

Gabriel points upward.

Antoine nods.

The brothers begin climbing opposite sides of the ladder together.

The crowd senses history.

Danny Greene III:
"This could be it!"

Halfway up...

Buck Rawlins reaches inside the ring.

Grabs the bottom rung.

Wade joins him.

Together...

They yank.

The ladder slides several feet across the ring.

Antoine and Gabriel desperately cling to the sides.

Buck shouts.

"NOW!"

Wade drives his shoulder into the ladder.

It topples.

The brothers crash onto the top rope before spilling to the floor together.

The audience gasps.

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"I don't know how much more punishment Bayou Blaze can take."

Buck looks around the ring.

Apollo is crawling.

Malachi is clutching his ribs.

AJ is still buried in broken table pieces.

Kofi barely reaches the apron.

Gabriel hasn't moved.

Antoine is using the barricade just to stand.

Buck slowly smiles.

For the first time all match.

He turns toward Wade.

No words.

Just a nod.

Wade understands immediately.

The two men begin dismantling whatever resistance remains.

Apollo struggles upright—

Branding Iron.

Buck's lariat nearly decapitates him as Wade's boot catches him from the opposite direction.

Apollo crumbles.

Malachi swings wildly.

Buck ducks.

Wade plants him with a thunderous spinebuster onto an unfolded steel chair.

AJ stumbles into the ring holding his lower back.

West Texas Justice.

Buck powerbombs him.

As AJ falls...

Wade's running clothesline drives into the back of his head.

The audience collectively winces.

Kofi tries one final desperate charge.

The Hanging Tree.

Buck's running lariat.

Wade's massive boot.

Kofi folds in half before collapsing motionless.

Silence.

Not because the crowd has gone quiet.

Because they're stunned.

Bodies are everywhere.

Broken tables.

Bent chairs.

Ladders lying twisted across the canvas.

Only two men remain standing.

Buck Rawlins.

Wade Mercer.

Danny Greene III:
"...My God."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"I think they've done it."

"They've beaten everyone."

Buck slowly looks upward.

The championships sway gently above them.

He points.

Not at the titles.

At Wade.

One command.

One opportunity.

One climb.

Wade nods.

Then begins making his way toward the ladder as twenty thousand fans rise to their feet, sensing the end is only moments away...

The Sphere rises to its feet.

Broken tables litter the ringside floor.

Steel chairs lie twisted and bent.

A ladder stands alone beneath the championships.

Bodies are scattered everywhere.

Buck Rawlins slowly nods toward the ladder.

Wade Mercer takes a deep breath before beginning the climb.

Danny Greene III:
"This is exactly what the Hangmen wanted."

"They isolated every team."

"They broke every team."

"And now Wade Mercer is climbing toward the AWS Undisputed Tag Team Championships."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They've fought the perfect match."

"They slowed the pace."

"They dictated the violence."

"They've earned this opportunity."

One rung.

Two.

Three.

Buck circles beneath the ladder, keeping one eye on every fallen competitor.

Apollo Latu claws at the apron, unable to pull himself inside.

Malachi Latu leans against the barricade, barely able to stand.

AJ Flare is still tangled in shattered table pieces.

Kofi Von Erich rolls onto one knee, clutching his jaw.

Outside the ring...

Gabriel LeClair's fingers twitch.

Antoine LeClair drags himself toward the apron one painful inch at a time.

Neither brother is standing.

Neither brother has quit.

Wade reaches the halfway point.

The crowd grows louder.

Danny Greene III:
"They're getting closer!"

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"Nobody is moving fast enough!"

Suddenly...

A calm voice cuts through the noise.

"Still blaming everyone else?"

Buck freezes.

The crowd begins murmuring.

Danny Greene III:
"...Wait."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"Who's that?"

The camera pans toward ringside.

Standing beyond the barricade entrance...

Astra Mortis.

Dressed in black.

Hands resting calmly at her sides.

She never steps onto the apron.

Never enters the ring.

Never touches a ladder.

Never approaches Buck.

She simply watches.

Buck slowly turns.

Recognition immediately crosses his face.

Wade continues climbing.

Danny Greene III:
"The Hangmen know exactly who that is."

Astra's expression never changes.

"You had everyone beaten."

"You were seconds away."

"And yet..."

"...you're still angry."

Buck takes a slow step toward the ropes.

"You picked the wrong night."

Astra doesn't react.

"No."

"I picked the night that proved exactly who you are."

Wade climbs another rung.

Danny Greene III:
"Wade's almost there!"

Buck barely glances upward.

Astra continues.

"You don't hate modern wrestling."

"You hate that the world learned how to move on."

Buck shakes his head.

"You don't know a damn thing."

"I know enough."

"You've spent twenty years trying to punish strangers for choices they never made."

"You call yourselves judges."

"But you've never once judged yourselves."

The crowd applauds.

Buck's jaw tightens.

"You should've stayed out of this."

"I am out of it."

Astra slowly raises both empty hands.

"I haven't touched anyone."

"I never will."

"You've done all of this to yourselves."

Buck takes another step toward the ropes.

For just a moment...

He forgets the ladder.

He forgets the championships.

He forgets Wade.

Danny Greene III:
"BUCK!"

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"Turn around!"

Astra quietly says one final sentence.

"The past only wins if you keep carrying it."

Buck finally snaps out of it.

He spins toward the ring.

"Wade!"

"Finish it!"

The crowd erupts.

Wade reaches for the championships—

At that exact moment...

Gabriel LeClair slides into the ring beneath the bottom rope.

Barely able to stand.

Barely able to breathe.

But still fighting.

Buck lunges.

Gabriel dives between Buck's legs.

His shoulder slams into the ladder.

The ladder shifts just enough.

Wade desperately clings to the top.

Danny Greene III:
"The ladder moved!"

Buck reaches for it—

Too late.

Antoine LeClair explodes onto the apron.

Springboard.

MISSILE DROPKICK!

The ladder rocks violently.

Wade loses his balance.

He hangs on for one desperate second...

...before crashing all the way to the canvas.

The Sphere explodes.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

"HOLY SHIT!"

Gabriel grabs the ladder before it can fall.

Antoine is already climbing.

One side.

Gabriel takes the other.

The brothers race upward together.

Buck scrambles to his feet.

He reaches—

He misses.

Danny Greene III:
"BAYOU BLAZE ARE CLIMBING!"

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"They never stopped fighting!"

Kofi tries to crawl toward the ladder.

Apollo reaches from ringside but can't get there in time.

Malachi pounds the mat in frustration.

AJ can only watch.

The LeClair brothers reach the top together.

They exchange one exhausted glance.

Then...

Antoine unhooks one championship.

Gabriel unhooks the other.

CLANG!

CLANG!

DING! DING! DING!

The Sphere erupts.

Confetti cannons fire.

Flames burst from the stage.

Song Teng steps into the center of the ring.

Song Teng:
"Here are your winners..."

"...AND THE NEW..."

"...AWS UNDISPUTED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS..."

"ANTOINE LECLAIR!"

"GABRIEL LECLAIR!"

"BAYOU BLAZE!"

The brothers collapse into each other, clutching the championships against their chests as twenty thousand fans roar their approval.

Apollo and Malachi enter the ring, battered but smiling, offering respectful nods to the new champions.

World Elite sit against opposite barricades, furious that the opportunity slipped away.

Buck slowly rises.

His eyes lock onto Astra.

She is exactly where she has been the entire time.

Outside the ring.

Hands at her sides.

She never entered the match.

Never touched Buck.

Never touched Wade.

Never touched the ladder.

She simply met Buck's gaze.

For a long moment, neither says a word.

Buck understands.

The Hangmen had the match won.

No one took it from them.

Their own obsession cost them everything.

Astra gives a small, disappointed shake of her head before quietly turning and disappearing into the crowd.

The camera returns to the ring.

Antoine climbs one turnbuckle.

Gabriel climbs the opposite.

Both raise the AWS Undisputed Tag Team Championships high above their heads.

The Sphere responds with a standing ovation.

Danny Greene III:
"What heart."

"What resilience."

"They refused to stay down."

Mia Russo-Cutler:
"The Hangmen's anger created the opening..."

"...but Bayou Blaze still had to seize it."

"They earned every second of this victory."

Gidget Stephenson:
"They never stopped believing."

"And tonight..."

"...belief became championship gold."

The final image lingers on Bayou Blaze standing tall beneath the lights of the Sphere, the newly won championships held high as pyro rains down around them.

“God’s Gift” Jeremiah Vastrix is in his dressing room and sitting in front of the vanity to prepare himself for the matches to come tonight. He looks into the mirror and makes tough faces.

Jeremiah Vastrix - Who’s the champion? You’re the champion. 

There is a knock at the door and Jeremiah frowns at whom it could be. 

Jeremiah Vastrix - Come in! 

AWS Interviewer, Laura Andersen, walks into the room with microphone in hand. She looks at the cameraman that follows her with a beaming smile. 

Laura Andersen - Laura Andersen here with “God’s Gift to Wrestling” Jeremiah Vastrix. Eremiah? How are you feeling about your chances tonight in the Champions Carnival? Think you can be one of the last two remaining to go on to the Final Battle?

Jeremiah licks his lips, giving Laura the once over with his eyes before answering. 

Jeremiah Vastrix - Honey, I’m not God’s Gift to Wrestling. I’m a good wrestler, but I don’t think that I’m that good. 

Laura Andersen - Then what does it stand for?

Jeremiah Vastrix - Doll, I’m God’s Gift to Women. 

Laura Andersen - Oh. Well, about that match. You’ve volunteered to be first to get into the ring. You think that you could go from first to finishing the match?

Jeremiah Vastrix - You want to honest to god truth?

Laura Andersen - That would be nice. 

Jeremiah places his hands on either side of his face with his eyes open wide. 

Jeremiah Vastrix - I don’t know what I was thinking! First to head down to the ring and there’s how many people coming down with the aim to throw out the CWF co-owner? It’s insane! I mean I’m a good wrestler, but I’ve only wrestled a couple of matches over the past couple of years. Yes, they were against Armand von Krauss, but damn. 

Laura places a hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder and it helps calm him down and he lowers his hands to his sides. 

Laura Andersen - If you did well against Armand, I’m sure you’ll do well against the crapton of people gunning for you. 

Jeremiah chuckles. 

Jeremiah Vastrix - You put it so aptly. Crapton of people…

Laura Andersen - Well, I think they are calling you to come down to the staging area. Good luck out there tonight, God’s Gift. 

Jeremiah Vastrix - Thanks. 

 

Main Event

AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship

Adam Stryker (c) vs. Jeremiah Vastrix vs. Boone Carter

The Sphere has never been louder.

More than twenty thousand fans stand shoulder-to-shoulder as Amy Marino makes one final championship introduction.

"Ladies and gentlemen... this contest is a Triple Threat Match for the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship!"

The lights dim.

---

Boone Carter

Country music blares through the arena.

Boone Carter walks onto the stage carrying his battered bull rope, the steel cowbell still stained from the Battle Rumble earlier in the evening.

He's exhausted.

He's bruised.

He's smiling.

He twirls the rope before climbing into the ring.

---

Jeremiah Vastrix

The lights turn violet.

Smoke fills the entranceway.

Jeremiah slowly walks through the fog as thousands sing along with his entrance theme.

The underdog.

The man nobody expected to survive the Battle Rumble.

He simply stares at the championship.

---

Champion

The arena suddenly erupts.

Gold pyro explodes from every corner of the Sphere.

Adam Stryker steps onto the stage with the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship resting over his shoulder.

The longest reigning champion in recent company history, stopped at 83 days.

Nearly unbeatable.

Confident.

Calm.

The title glistens under the lights as he raises it high.

Daniel Greene III:

"There stands the measuring stick of professional wrestling."

The referee presents the championship.

The bell rings.

---

Opening Minutes

Boone immediately swings the bull rope.

Jeremiah ducks.

Stryker catches Boone with a devastating European Uppercut.

The champion begins dissecting both challengers with flawless precision.

Every movement is calculated.

Every strike lands.

He suplexes Boone.

German Suplexes Jeremiah.

Then plants Boone with a picture-perfect Spinebuster.

Cover.

ONE!

TWO!

Kickout.

---

Boone's Wild West

Boone finally creates space.

He begins swinging the bull rope wildly.

COWBELL!

Right to Jeremiah.

Another!

Stryker ducks.

The cowbell accidentally nails the referee.

The official stumbles but remains standing.

Boone clotheslines both men simultaneously with the rope.

The crowd erupts.

Daniel Greene III:

"That man wrestles like he's settling scores in a saloon!"

---

Champion Takes Control

Adam Stryker reminds everyone why he's champion.

He counters Boone's rope attack into a devastating powerbomb.

Jeremiah charges.

Stryker catches him.

Rolling Fireman's Carry.

Standing Moonsault.

Deadlift German.

The audience applauds.

Stryker looks nearly unbeatable.

---

Near Falls

Jeremiah lands a jumping knee.

One...

Two...

Stryker escapes.

Boone plants Jeremiah with a Western Slam.

One...

Two...

Jeremiah survives.

Stryker delivers his devastating championship finisher.

Boone somehow kicks out.

The audience cannot believe it.

---

Chaos

All three men are down.

The crowd begins chanting.

"THIS IS AWESOME!"

Boone retrieves the bull rope.

He wraps it around Stryker's neck.

Jeremiah superkicks Boone.

The rope comes loose.

Stryker collapses into the corner.

Boone answers with another cowbell shot.

Jeremiah nails Boone with a running knee.

All three collapse once again.

---

Final Minutes

The audience is standing.

Nobody sits.

Nobody breathes.

Boone attempts one last Bull Rope Lariat.

Jeremiah ducks.

Stryker catches Boone with a thunderous clothesline that sends Boone crashing over the top rope to the floor.

Not an elimination.

But Boone is effectively removed from the match.

Stryker turns.

Jeremiah is waiting.

They exchange forearms.

Punches.

Kicks.

Neither man gives an inch.

Stryker attempts his championship finisher one last time.

Jeremiah slips behind him.

The audience roars.

Jeremiah suddenly pauses.

Looks toward the hard camera.

A grin slowly spreads across his face.

He begins...

The Shimmy.

The entire Sphere explodes.

Daniel Greene III:

"NO WAY!"

Jeremiah hooks Stryker's head.

Swings him around—

DOWN LOW!!

(The swinging neckbreaker with the signature shimmy.)

Stryker crashes violently to the canvas.

The crowd loses its collective mind.

Jeremiah collapses on top of the champion.

The referee slides into position.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!

DING! DING! DING!

Silence.

Then...

Absolute pandemonium.

---

Amy Marino can barely contain herself.

"Here is your winner... and NEEEEEEWWWWWW... AWS UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... JEREMIAH VASTRIX!!"

The Sphere explodes.

Gold and crimson fireworks fill the arena.

Confetti rains from the ceiling.

Fans are jumping from their seats.

Some are crying.

Others simply stare in disbelief.

Daniel Greene III shouts over the deafening noise.

"HE DID IT! HE ACTUALLY DID IT! THE ERA OF ADAM STRYKER IS OVER!"

Boone Carter slowly rises outside the ring.

He looks toward Jeremiah.

For a tense moment, it appears another fight may break out.

Instead...

Boone nods.

He tips his cowboy hat.

Then walks to the back, receiving a standing ovation for surviving two grueling matches in one night.

Inside the ring, Adam Stryker slowly regains consciousness.

Still seated on the mat, he looks at Jeremiah holding the championship.

The defeated champion shakes his head.

Then, without saying a word...

He stands.

Walks toward Jeremiah.

Extends his hand.

The audience erupts again.

Jeremiah hesitates.

Then accepts.

A show of respect from one champion to another.

Adam raises Jeremiah's arm before leaving the ring to a thunderous ovation, his legendary reign ending with dignity.

Jeremiah climbs the turnbuckle, raising the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship high above his head as thousands chant his name.

"JER-E-MIAH!"

"JER-E-MIAH!"

"JER-E-MIAH!"

The final image of Champions Carnival 2026 is unforgettable.

Fireworks explode throughout the Sphere.

Confetti continues to fall.

Jeremiah Vastrix stands atop the turnbuckles with the richest prize in Asylum Wrestling Society held triumphantly overhead.

Against all odds...

A new era has begun.