FRESH START UNIFICATION MATCH
AWS ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP
Daron Smythe © ~versus~ Vin Halsted ©

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The lights of the Hammerstein Ballroom still glowed behind him as Daron Smythe made his way up the entrance ramp, the newly won AWS Asylum Heavyweight Championship gleaming under the overhead spotlights. Moments ago, the legendary New York City crowd roared in approval (and perhaps a little shock) as he pinned “The Sphinx” Drake Nygma to seal his fate—and the gold—in a triple threat that also included Ethan Murphy. Every ounce of adrenaline still coursed through his veins, each frantic heartbeat a reminder of the high-stakes battle he’d just survived.

Applause and catcalls echoed from the raucous fans still filing out of their seats, craning their necks to catch a final glimpse of the new champion. The wide grin on Daron’s face was as bright as the shining plating of the title belt he now clutched tight against his chest. The belt felt heavier than he expected—as though every challenge and every sacrifice leading up to this moment now weighed upon him in solid form.

Stepping through the black curtain, he left behind the roar of the crowd for the tight, twisting corridors of the backstage area. A wave of production staff, stagehands, and wrestlers greeted him with congratulatory nods, handshakes, even a few pats on the back—though some wore the neutral expressions of polite courtesy rather than genuine warmth. Championship victories often stir up equal parts respect and envy in the locker room. Daron acknowledged them all with a gracious smile.

Music still thumped beyond the curtain, rattling the old bones of the Hammerstein Ballroom. He caught a glimpse of the ring crew beginning to disassemble parts of the stage, loading cables and dismantling lighting rigs. The backstage of a wrestling show never truly slept, and that comforting sense of constant motion reminded Daron he was exactly where he wanted to be—on top of the mountain, for the moment.

But he needed a moment to collect himself. The pulsating energy from the ring area could be overwhelming, especially having just stepped off the biggest victory of his AWS career. His heart hammered in his chest like a drum. Clutching the Asylum Heavyweight Championship a little tighter, he slipped down a side hallway toward a quieter spot.

He found an unoccupied corner near a stack of folded chairs and crates, a place bathed in the soft glow of a single overhead lamp. The faint hum of the building’s ancient heating system provided a subtle background noise, a lullaby compared to the roaring arena. Slowly, Daron lowered himself onto a sturdy equipment trunk. His ring gear was still damp with sweat, and his breathing finally began to slow.

For the first time, he allowed himself to truly stare at the belt now resting across his lap. Every etched detail of the faceplate, the stylized letters reading “Asylum Heavyweight Champion,” felt surreal beneath his fingertips. He could hardly believe that this moment—once a daydream—was now his reality. The swirl of emotions inside him was almost too much to contain, so he simply inhaled, exhaled, and let the gravity of the occasion sink in.

He shut his eyes briefly, letting the memory of the final bell ring in his mind, hearing the crowd’s erupting cheers, seeing the referee raise his hand in victory. He pictured Drake Nygma on the mat, Ethan Murphy slumped in the corner, and the shock in their eyes as the realization sank in that Daron Smythe had pulled off the upset. A small laugh escaped him, half of disbelief, half of pride.

The sound of hushed footsteps on concrete made him open his eyes. Standing a few feet away was Laura Andersen, the AWS Backstage Interviewer. Her smile was kind but edged with excitement, and the microphone she held bore the distinctive AWS logo.

LAURA: Daron! she greeted, stepping forward with a reserved enthusiasm Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

He gave a slight nod, still catching his breath.

DARON: Sure, Laura, he replied, voice thick with fatigue but also buoyed by adrenaline Fire away.

Laura eased closer, mindful of the belt resting across his lap, its reflective surface catching the overhead light.

LAURA: First of all, congratulations on becoming the new AWS Asylum Heavyweight Champion! her voice carried a genuine delight You went through a war out there tonight, overcoming not just one but two top contenders in Drake Nygma and Ethan Murphy. Tell me… how are you feeling in this moment, now that the dust has settled?

Daron let out another long breath, running a hand through his damp hair.

DARON: I’ll be honest, I’m just… on top of the world. he admitted, eyes still flicking back to the belt I’ve put so much into this—sacrificing time, enduring injuries, pushing through doubt. To have my hand raised in the middle of the Hammerstein Ballroom, a place with so much wrestling history… it’s incredible. It’s one of the biggest moments of my career, bar none.

Laura nodded, clearly appreciative of the sincerity in his voice.

LAURA: It was certainly an unforgettable match, and the fans here ate it up. But I hate to pull you from this celebration so quickly—there’s already a big announcement swirling around about your immediate future. I’m sure you’ve heard rumors, but let me make it official. She glanced down at her notes, then locked eyes with the new champion On January 1st, at Day Zero 2025, you’re scheduled to face the AWS Global Champion, Vin Halsted, at The Crow’s Nest in Las Vegas. The two of you will unify your championships into the brand new AWS Elite Championship. This means that in just a few weeks, you’ll be putting the Asylum Heavyweight Championship on the line in quite possibly the biggest match of your entire career. Any thoughts on this momentous challenge?

At that, Daron’s smile faded slightly as he absorbed the enormity of what she’d said. He’d known rumblings of the unification match existed—whispers in the halls, subtle online posts, maybe even some insider remarks from management. But hearing it confirmed out loud was something else entirely.

DARON: That’s… huge after taking a moment to reflect, he finally answered, eyes flicking from Laura to the belt Vin Halsted is… well, he’s a living legend in AWS. The man’s got an aura about him, a legacy that spans countless battles. To unify these titles means we’re stepping into a new era of AWS. And for me to be a part of that—fresh off winning this championship—it’s both thrilling and daunting. But look, I didn’t become the Asylum Heavyweight Champion by hiding from challenges. I know exactly what kind of fight Halsted will bring to the table, and I’m preparing myself for a war. Vin just stopped the hottest wrestler in the game in TJ Alexander right in his tracks to win that Global Championship. If I have to step up to unify these belts, I’ll bring everything I’ve got.

Laura leaned in closer, intrigued by the earnest confidence in Daron’s tone.

LAURA: You might not have a lot of time to recuperate or celebrate. After Day Zero, in Las Vegas, you’ll have just a few days before you’re booked to appear on the very first Monday Night Ward of the new year—January 6th—where you’ll be defending or competing again, this time against TJ Alexander. That’s basically five days between matches, and you’ll be heading into battle again, presumably as a champion of some sort. How do you plan to deal with that quick turnaround?

He exhaled slowly, pressing his lips together as he contemplated.

DARON: It’s a gauntlet, that’s for sure, he said, letting out a slight chuckle Most wrestlers get the chance to exhale after a momentous match. But if I unify the titles at Day Zero—if I become the first-ever AWS Elite Champion—that puts a massive target on my back. And TJ Alexander, well, he’s no slouch in that ring. I’m not looking past him one bit.

Holding the belt a little tighter, he continued…

I’ll say this: My body’s going to be beaten up, my mind’s going to be spinning, but opportunities like these don’t come every day. This is what I fought for when I first laced up my boots—to have people talk about my matches, my championships, my legacy. So I’ll handle it the way I always have: keep my head down, train harder than everyone else, and do everything I can to prove I’m worthy of this gold—and the next gold. Being a champion in AWS isn’t about coasting. It’s about forging ahead, even when you’re exhausted, even when the odds are stacked. That’s the champion I intend to be.

Laura regarded him with genuine admiration, her brow arching in approval.

LAURA: Well said. This is without question a pivotal moment in your career. Do you have any closing thoughts for the AWS universe watching at home, or for Vin Halsted and TJ Alexander, who I’m sure will be reviewing your performance tonight?

Daron thought on it for a moment, letting the hush of the backstage area settle around them.

DARON: Vin, if you’re watching, I respect everything you’ve accomplished. But as of tonight, I’m on your radar—I’m not just some new kid you can dismiss. Come January 1st, I plan on unifying these titles and holding that brand-new AWS Elite Championship high. So I hope you’re training. I hope you’re ready. Because this belt right here”—he patted the faceplate—“didn’t fall into my lap. I earned it. And at Day Zero, I’m ready to earn my place in history yet again.”

He turned his focus to the camera…

And TJ, you’re one hell of a competitor. I know you’re itching for a shot at gold, and you might just be walking into Monday Night Ward to challenge the brand-new Elite Champion. Win or lose, I won’t duck you. I’ll bring the fight to you like I always do. So get ready, because I’m not slowing down for anybody.

Laura smiled, lowering her microphone, clearly moved by his passionate declaration.

LAURA: Thank you, Daron, and congratulations once again on your victory tonight. I’m sure the AWS fans can’t wait to see how these next few weeks unfold.

She offered him a respectful nod, then quietly made her exit, leaving Daron alone once again in the dim backstage corridor. For a moment, he simply listened to the faint rumblings of the ongoing cleanup in the arena. Still feeling the adrenaline pumping in his veins, he ran a finger along the raised lettering of the belt, thinking of what lay ahead: the unification match in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day, the looming challenge of TJ Alexander only days later.

His body ached, and the exhaustion from the triple threat match was settling in, but a current of excitement ran beneath it all. He’d finally reached the summit of one mountain, only to find another, taller peak in the distance. That was the nature of wrestling, and he relished it. Taking one more look at the Asylum Heavyweight Championship—his championship—he summoned a quiet, determined smile.

DARON: Alright, he murmured under his breath, standing up from the equipment trunk All that talk about destiny…the time for talk is over. The time for action is now…

With that, he pulled the belt onto his shoulder and walked down the hall, the faint cheers from the Hammerstein Ballroom crowd still echoing in his ears. On the horizon loomed Las Vegas, Day Zero, a shot at unifying the gold into a single, shining prize… and then five days after, another battle, another test. The AWS universe was about to see if Daron Smythe could stand the heat in the spotlight he had worked so hard to claim—and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 4 - A Reflection of New Year’s Light

::Scene opens in the Signature Room at the 95th located atop the former John Hancock Center at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The room has been reserved for a small party to watch the fireworks display over Lake Michigan while reigning in the new year. The small group of people who are dressed in their best Ballroom attire walks into the room and they each marvel at the sights of the city. Caden peaks behind his father, Joey Cranston as he seems a little nervous to be so high up. The ladies of Halsted Manor stick together as they peer through the windows while Mr. Han and Vin Halsted smile and look on. A few minutes later the maitre d walks into the dining room to gather everyone at the main table in the center of the Signature Room.::

Maitre D: Welcome everyone to the Signature Room. Thank you for choosing to dine with us on such a special occasion. We have an exclusive menu for each of our special guests.

Caden: Even me?

Maitre D: Even for you, young sir.

::Caden turns to Joey and mouths “wow”. Joey nods approvingly.::

Scarlett: Alright, everyone gather around for a toast. Vin, the floor is yours.

Halsted: Thank you, Scarlett, and thank you to all of you for being here. I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for all of you. Now, I’m standing on top of the world as the AWS Global Heavyweight Champion. 

::Everyone gives a soft clap. Halsted nods to everyone and continues.::

Halsted: That’s only part of our celebration because Mr. Han informed me that everyone in the Halsted Manor has been able to experience what the Book of Light has to offer. I’m proud of all you and so happy that all of you have taken this step with me. I think this is the greatest thing to happen to the Halsted Manor and to our family of misfits. 

::The small group turns and nods to each other.::

Halsted: With the readings of the Book of Light and the Mystical Hot Tub, we have all been able to experience years of pain fade away and have old injuries repaired. It’s as if we had 20 years of life restored to us.

Margot: Maybe 20 for you, Vin. Some of us are younger than you.

::The group chuckle amongst themselves.:: 

Mr. Han: Well, Miss Margot, I certainly had more than 20 years given back to me because of the Light.

::Mr. Han takes a slow twirl to show off his new younger form to the group.::

Mr. Han: Look… no more grey hair!!

::Halsted smirks and nods to his butler.::

Halsted: Indeed the Light is astoundingly miraculous, my friend. I may have to ask you to step in as my sparring partner once in a while.

::Mr. Han chuckles and waives off Halsted.::

Mr. Han: Oh… I dunno about that, Master Halsted, but you never know. Don't underestimate my sneakiness.

::Mr. Han slowly backs into an unlit part of the dining hall and vanishes.::

Halsted: Absolutely not, Mr. Han.

::Mr. Han reappears behind Halsted and slips a sleeper hold onto him. Halsted begins to struggle for a couple of seconds, then flips Mr. Han onto his back in front of the small group. Mr. Han leaps to his feet and brushes himself off. Everyone claps enthusiastically for Mr. Han. Mr. Han bows to everyone and smiles with pride of his sneakiness, then points back to Halsted.::

Mr. Han: Sneaky… sneaky.

Halsted: I’ll give you that one, old man. Anyway, I know we all feel a lot stronger, faster, and…

Mr. Han: Sneakier!!

Halsted: Absolutely, but we also feel as though weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. The Light came to us in different ways to help us settle the pains we carried from our past. We don’t have any more burdens because the Light took all of that away and cleared the path for us to move forward.

::Everyone claps and nods.::

Halsted: I have gathered all of you here as a way to symbolize our climb that we have taken together this year. I know that some of you had concerns when some idiot mid-carder thought he could destroy our home but rest assured, Mr. Han, Joey, and myself took proper precautions before we laid the plans out to build Halsted Manor due to our experiences in HHW. While that cretin never made it anywhere close to our home, he did destroy one of our decoy homes that were built all over the Chicagoland Area. our home will always be safe, please know that and remember that I will protect each and every one of you who live in or frequent the Halsted Manor.

Caden: Even me, Uncle Vin?

Halsted: Yes, even you, Caden. If any of you ever need help with anything, I will back you up and take care of whatever is giving you grief.

::Everyone nods and smiles to each other as Halsted continues.::

Halsted: The Light came to me in three sessions as it did for all of you. It showed me my past including having to witness my father being gunned down in his pharmacy to watching Mr. Han assisted my mother move past her grief so that she could raise me and my brothers on her own. She did the best she could and I thank you, Mr. Han for being there every step of the way. However, I was forced to revisit every one of my cruel misdeeds to anyone who stood in my way when I joined the world of professional wrestling. I know, now, that I did some terrible things and said some very cruel things to each locker room I worked out of, but the Light is giving me a second chance to fix those mistakes. The next session showed me my present direction had I stayed in the darkness and not accepted the Light. It showed me that over time, I would have lost each of you one way or another and I just couldn’t bear the thought of that. Finally, the Light showed my future and the future of AWS had I completed the mission of the Darkness. It was bleak and there was nothing left to stand above. Everything was destroyed and there was just pain and misery left. After seeing all of this, I decided that I needed to change. I had to welcome the Light into my heart and start anew. 

::Everyone at the table cheers.::

Halsted: My work will never be done and I will spread the Word of Light to any and all who are seeking it as I have become the Enlightened King. You are all of my disciples in the Light. You all have experienced something similar to me and understand all that the Light can provide. I am so proud to call all of you my family and to reign in the new year with you!

::Everyone claps and cheers.::

Halsted: A toast to the Halsted Family and the Year of 2025!!

::Halsted reaches down and lifts the glass of champagne to everyone around the table. Everyone lifts their glasses, while Caden lifts his sparkling cider.::

Halsted Family: CHEERS!!!

Halsted: Now that that’s done. I have to focus on the next order of business. I want to thank all of you for keeping me focused on crushing Tiny TJ. A kid who thought he was ready for the big time, but couldn’t step up to the plate. It took six decisive victories and me taking a title he never should have put his hands on to finally send him back to Midcard Hell where he belonged, but now, I have to teach another breacher of Midcard Hell that same lesson. 

::Joey nods in approval.::

Cranston: Send them all back, Vin!!

Halsted: You’re damn right, Joe. If they don’t want to accept the Light, then I will send them back to the Hell they came from. Daron Smyth is no different than Tiny TJ. Daron Darko can sit in the dark stills of any arena he wants while desperately clutching to the AWS Heavyweight Championship. He is just a placeholder, much like Tiny TJ was, These fools don’t understand the levity of what that they have been cast into. I am the one to lead AWS into Zero Day as the brand new AWS Elite Champion. Tiny TJ was the first stepping stone and Donnie Darko will be the second as I climb the biggest mountain of my career. No one will stand on my way to attaining this new peak of my storied career.

Halsted Family: From Darkness to Light, so it has been written, so let it be done!!

Halsted: The Light has brought me back and I have climbed every mountain top that has ever been put in my journey. Donnie Darko said that this was the highest climb of his career so I am going to demand Charlie Feigel to make this match a Ladder Match. It can be any type of Ladder Match that AWS desires but I want Chuckles to put my Global Championship and the coveted AWS Heavyweight Championship high above that hellacious ring until one of us is capable of pulling them down and unifying them into the AWS Elite Championship.

::The entire Halsted family and waitstaff gasp at the idea of an AWS Ladder Match.::

Cranston: Are you sure that’s what you want to do, Vin?

Halsted: Absolutely, I’m going to put my entire body on the line to sacrifice everything to be the first AWS Elite Champion. This is what the Light has demanded of me and this is what I will do to preserve and spread the Light throughout AWS and the world!! So, let Donnie Darko  cut a stupid ass backstage interview promo on me again so that he can see that he has nothing to offer AWS besides the lack of originality. He can keep his little nod to me and stick it up his ass for all I care. He wants to praise me like a chump, then move on to Tiny TJ, the insignificant cockroach I stomped on. Well, go ahead then, he’s making this way too easy for me. I just hope the rest of the AWS Universe takes note and prepares better than these  last two because I’ll be the Elite Champion for as long as I hold dear. And Chuckles… I already have a nice spot in The Hall of Halsted to hang the retired AWS Global Championship and the AWS Heavyweight Championship when Zero Day comes to an end. I am your Enlightened King, AWS Universe, now and forever!! All Hail!!

Halsted Family: ALL HAIL THE ENLIGHTENED KING OF AWS, KING VIN HALSTED, NOW AND FOREVER!! HAIL!! HAIL!! HAIL!!

::The New Year’s Eve ball drops in the center of Chicago as the fireworks explode around the Signature Room while the Halsted Family continues to cheer and celebrate. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::