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[center][h2]BACKSTAGE[/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/4n9mGT0s/IMG-2635.jpg[/img][/center]

“There she is!” Gordon McKinney’s voice carried down the tunnel, hoarse and shrill at the same time. The NMW assistant producer tottered toward Fiona, his thin-lipped mouth arched in a smile. Even from a distance in the hazily lit backstage area the pit stains around Gordon’s charcoal blazer were visible and his round face shined like a glazed bear claw on a bakery counter. Two women followed close behind him, one being Kendra dressed casual in a gray sweater and black dress pants and the other - of all people - was Keysha Wayne who was in her silvery ring gear. Gordon brushed past a crew member, narrowly avoiding falling into a set of sawhorses as he rushed to meet Fiona.

“That was a solid opening match!” he beamed as he, Kendra, and Keysha stopped in front of the leader of Defiant Dream.

“You held your own, Fiona.” Kendra smiled encouragingly as she handed her partner a blueberry Gatorade and a fresh ice pack. “Against a seasoned wrestler that has held a championship twice now. But… I doubt you want to hear that.”

“You did really good.” Keysha added with a smile herself, arms crossed as she made eye contact with her NMWW rival. 

“I… uh… imagine this comes as a… surprise to you.” Kendra stammered with a sideways nod at Keysha who chuckled in response.

“Kendra, Keysha, and myself were just having a little chat before you departed the arena.” Gordon said.

“Well, we had also been talking before the show even started.” Keysha admitted in a low tone.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Gordon held out both hands to assure Fiona, “I think you’ll approve of what we were on about.”