Shu

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Gordon smiled, leaning forward and interlacing his hands together across his desk. “Well, I will start by saying that you two are definitely on the list for tag team matchups.”

Kendra grinned next to Fiona, not that this was a total surprise, of course. Fiona and Kendra were among the original twenty or so talent that had signed on to NMW and were already a known duo. Still, it was just nice to have that confirmation.

“I have already been talking with Diana about some interesting matchups for Defiant Dream,” Gordon continued, “particularly against our newer signings.”

“Like who?” Kendra asked.

“Leather and Velvet, The Midnight Society, and the Psych Ward come to mind.”

Of the three teams that Gordon just named, the Psych Ward was the only one that Fiona and Kendra had some level of familiarity with. NMWW’s The Doctor was in fact the leader of that three person team, but she had changed her name since being brought to NMW by Mark Trenton. Kendra really hoped they would not be facing a group of freaks for their very first tag team match under the new brand.

“Though, Fiona, regarding your comment about being at the ‘forefront’,” Gordon followed up in a careful tone, “that’s not… exactly going to happen.”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

The assistant producer returned the greeting as he slowed his pace, reaching his office door and unlocking it with the short jingle of a key. Holding the door open, he motioned for both women to come inside without any unnecessary ceremony. Fiona stepped in first while Kendra followed a pace behind her. The office bared the expected mixture of paperwork, production schedules, and framed memorabilia along the walls with any extra space occupied by filing cabinets. Gordon’s office was spacious and well-organized but not quite as “flamboyant” as Kendra had expected. The fanciest piece of decorum in the room was a well-crafted metal statuette of two wrestlers sitting next to a wooden cigar box on a nearby ornamental shelf. Gordon crossed behind his white oak desk only briefly before gesturing toward the pair of leather armchairs across from him. He offered each of the women a seat with a courteous nod and a smile despite the fact that they obviously had just come from training.

Once his two guests were comfortable Gordon took his own seat. The atmosphere carried the familiar tension that always seemed to surround meetings. Even so everything remained outwardly calm and businesslike. Without wasting any time, the heavyset NMW executive shifted into the polished routine he had clearly delivered countless times befire when meeting talent to discuss upcoming bookings or other events. His expression settled into that plastic carefully rehearsed smile that never quite reached his eyes. He offered Fiona a round of congratulations for her recent accomplishments within the company. Every word came across with the smooth precision of something memorized an hour before.

Kendra remained silent beside her partner, listening without interruption. Her attention never wandered from the producer as he continued through the practiced remarks though her shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly as the congratulations concluded. A flicker of irritation crossed her features before she managed to stop it.

“Now then,” Gordon said, scratching at his right cheek with four meaty fingers, “we are here to discuss what’s next for you. Both of you.”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

---

NO MERCY WRESTLING CORPORATE OFFICE,
NEW YORK CITY

---

It had been almost a week since the end of The Rubicon Gauntlet in Las Vegas, and the ripple effects could still be felt in every corner of the No Mercy Wrestling world. Fans flooded social media with highlight clips, debates, and predictions, dissecting every elimination, upset, and victory from the event. The newly crowned men's and women's champions had instantly become the center of attention and their faces were plastered across websites, newspapers, and posters. But they weren't the only stories keeping everyone talking. Rumors continued to swirl that official tag team championships were finally on the horizon, while the simmering backstage tension between the former NMWW and CSW talent - and staff - showed no signs of cooling. If anything, the tension had been further aggravated by the outcome of the tournament.

For Fiona and Kendra, however, dwelling on what could have been was not worth the time wasted. Fiona missing out on a chance at the women's title had stung but disappointment was not something either half of Defiant Dream planned on carrying for long. Over the past several days, instead of taking a week off like some would, the duo had been training, refining their chemistry and looking less like two singles competitors working together and more like a genuine team. If No Mercy Wrestling was truly preparing to introduce tag team championships they intended to be impossible to ignore when those titles finally arrived.

The locker room could feel the shift coming. Conversations that once centered around individual championships had slowly begun turning toward alliances, partnerships, and who could be trusted when the inevitable tag divisions materialized. The slew of recent sign-ons only fueled the uncertainty around team building and added an undercurrent of paranoia among the wrestlers. Fiona and Kendra welcomed the change. Defiant Dream were not interested in simply filling out a new division - they wanted to shape it. While everyone else remained distracted by championship celebrations and the escalating NMWW-CSW drama, the two women prepared to make sure that when the first tag team titles were finally unveiled, their names would be the first that anyone thought of. The long road to becoming relevant as a tag team started now, and it started with a conversation with Gordon McKinney.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Kendra’s frustration with being sidelined for the last two months ran deeper than she knew she let on. Watching the tournament unfold from the outside had only reinforced how badly she wanted to be back in the mix. Weeks had passed, and despite all the work she'd put in she had not been given a chance to shine. One forgettable match against an opponent nobody cared about wasn't enough. She knew how much stronger she was now compared to the past. She felt it every time she trained, every time she stepped between the ropes. The hardest part wasn't the work - it was waiting for someone else to finally acknowledge that she was ready for No Mercy Wrestling.

Still, when she thought about the future, her mind always drifted toward the same thing: Defiant Dream. The duo had existed in preparation longer than it had in practice. They had spent so much time training together, developing chemistry, building trust, and sharpening their identity, yet nobody in NMW had really seen what they were capable of as a unit. The prospect of finally getting that opportunity was more exciting to Kendra than any singles match could ever be. She had complete faith in what they could accomplish together. Whenever management finally stopped dragging its feet and gave them that chance she intended to make every second count.

There was also the growing sense that the landscape around them was beginning to change. Rumors had a way of spreading through locker rooms and lately there seemed to be plenty of talk about new arrivals on the horizon. Kendra found herself wondering who they might be. Established names looking for a fresh start? Unknown prospects hoping to make a name for themselves? Whatever the answer new talent meant new opportunities and new challenges. For someone tired of standing still that was an exciting thought. The roster was growing, the competition was evolving, and sooner or later NMW would have no choice but to make room for Defiant Dream.

“So, let me ask you,” Kendra looked at Fiona, “who do you think some of the new talent will be? We all know that management have been working to expand the roster over time. And I think we’ll see… a big jump forward in signings after tonight. I wonder how many of our old headaches from the NMWW days are right on our heels…”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“This is definitely going to be an interesting few weeks ahead.” Kendra said as she propped her feet up on Fiona’s coffee table.

“I mean… think about it,” she quickly followed up, “on the one hand, Raven Veyn captured the women’s title which we all know that Mister Deguara wanted. But then on the other hand, Jay Wyatt beat Mihailo Vasić and is now the face of the company. And we all know that the Deguara’s did not want that.” Kendra finished with a grin.

The outcome of the Rubicon Gauntlet had definitely been a “stalemate” in the feud - or whatever it was - between the elements of NMWW and CSW. Raven Veyn and Jay Wyatt had tipped the scales in their own way. Some would even argue that Jay Wyatt had done this more so due to the men’s division in most wrestling promotions always being front and center for the company. Neither “side” could honestly say they had come out of the Rubicon Gauntlet empty-handed. Raven and Jay had each secured a prize that shifted the landscape of the company. How long the balance remained intact, however, was another matter entirely. Anyone who knew Antonio Deguara Senior and his daughter Diana knew they were unaccepting of less than flawless outcomes. Even as Raven Veyn undoubtedly was being showered in champagne by the executives Mihailo Vasić was most likely getting a tongue lashing in the infirmary.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

In contrast to Raven Veyn’s villainous rampage through the women’s side of the Rubicon Gauntlet, Jay Wyatt’s hard push through the men’s bracket was called a “heroes’ journey” - defined by grit and an unshakable sense of dedication. Over the weeks Wyatt had carried himself through the tournament like a man chasing something more than victory alone. Every opponent he faced seemed to only sharpen him, as if the gauntlet itself was chiseling and remolding what had been broken before when Mihailo Vasić had put him out of commission. The Astro Kid was not only back but had evolved into someone greater. By the time Wyatt reached the final ascent - the “top of the mountain” - at Caesar’s Palace the air around him felt different.

Waiting for him at the main event was Mihailo Vasić, the Croatian giant whose presence alone seemed to eclipse everything around him. The stakes could not have been higher: vengeance for the injuries Vasić had inflicted on Wyatt and the coveted No Mercy Wrestling Championship suspended in the balance. The ringside atmosphere was clouded up even further when Katerina Vasić had taken her seat in the VIP section, her expression unreadable but her attendance impossible to ignore. The crowd had buzzed with tension as the two men stood across from one another after making their entrances. A large number of overseas fans had even made the trip to see the match with no shortage of Croatian flags to be seen waving about in the stands.

Then came an unexpected twist that sent the Caesar’s Palace audience into a frenzy before the fight even began. Earlier that week, Mark Trenton had announced that the match would be officiated by a special guest referee. And it was none other than wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page himself. Page’z arrival added an unpredictable edge to the already volatile event as both competitors briefly acknowledged him before locking eyes once more. When the match finally began it became clear this would not be a one-sided affair - it was a clash of style, willpower, and survival instinct. The outcome of the night clearly hinged on which man wanted that belt more.

The contest unfolded like a war of attrition. Vasić used his near seven-foot frame to dominate the early exchanges, rag-dolling Wyatt several times with raw strength, crushing him into corners, and pounding him into the canvas with vicious slams. Yet Jay Wyatt refused to stay grounded for long, slipping out of crushing holds and answering the brute force with sharp technical counters and explosive high-flying offense. Every time the Croatian beast seemed moments away from ending it The Astro Kid found another gear, wearing the giant down piece by piece as both men’s fans encouraged screamed for them to keep fighting.

In the final moments, pushing through the exhaustion, Wyatt had found one last opening. After stunning Vasić with a jawbreaker The Astro Kid launched himself from the top rope and landed a perfectly timed springboard shining wizard across Vasić’s head. The finalizing shot to the dome sent the towering Vasić falling backward with a thunderous crash that nearly collapsed the ring. With what little strength remained, Wyatt crawled over to his fallen opponent and draped an arm across his chest for the three-count. As the bell rang and the crowd went wild, DDP helped the battered, victorious Astro Kid to his feet before handing him the NMW championship belt. Dan Rich called the showing “storybook” and “inspirational” as Jay Wyatt hobbled around the ringside and up the ramp, holding his hard-won championship high and dishing out plenty of high fives. Brent Christi said it reminded him of Rocky IV, “Just replace the Russian with a Croatian” he had joked. All three commentators lauded Jay Wyatt for his efforts and performance, calling his conquering rise from the ashes of defeat one for the record books.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY…

Fiona and Kendra sat side by side on the couch in Fiona’s apartment, neither saying anything as the highlights of the Las Vegas Show at Caesar’s Palace rolled across the television screen. The event had ended not even a half hour ago, the roaring crowd and flashing arena lights seemingly on a whole other world far from the quiet stillness of the apartment. The two women watched in silence, their attention fixed on every replay and camera angle. They already knew how the night had ended but seeing it unfold again made the outcome feel even more real somehow. The excitement of the crowd contrasted sharply with the somber mood hanging over the room.

The current footage focused on the opening event of the evening, the championship clash between Raven Veyn and Elina Zamora. It had been a grueling battle from beginning to end, with neither competitor willing to give an inch. Elina had fought with determination and resilience, refusing to stay down despite the punishment she absorbed throughout the match. The luchadora pulled every trick old and new from her bag to try and seize victory, but Raven's infamous aggression and veteran mindset swung the momentum in her favor. The replay showed the pivotal moment when Raven trapped Elina in a hammerlock before stunning her with a DDT. Even through the television screen, Fiona and Kendra could see the exact instant the match slipped irreversibly from Elina’s grasp.

The highlights then moved to the final sequence, the moment everyone would be talking about for weeks to come. Raven stood over her exhausted opponent, her expression cold and unwavering as the crowd rose to its feet in anticipation. With ruthless precision Raven hauled Elina up, dragged her to a nearby corner, and performed an avalanche Taken To Hell finisher off the turnbuckle - practically driving Elina through the canvas. The audience erupted as Raven hooked her opponent’s right leg and the referee counted the pinfall. One. Two. Three. The bell rang and with it came the realization that the tournament was over. Raven Veyn’s promise of dominating under the new brand had been fulfilled in the most emphatic way possible.

As the celebration replayed on the screen, Fiona and Kendra watched quietly while Raven marched around the ring with the NMW Women’s Championship raised high above her head. The grinning silver skull on the front of the belt reflected the dark lights above as she basked in the deafening reaction from the crowd. After completing a full circle around the ring, Raven climbed onto the southeast turnbuckle and lifted the championship even higher with both hands, presenting it to every corner of the arena as her theme blared and purple and black lighting enveloped everything. It was a powerful image, one that perfectly captured the story of her rise. She had pummeled her way through every obstacle placed before her, survived the chaos and brutality of the Rubicon Gauntlet, and emerged victorious at the end of it all. Now she stood alone at the top as the first-ever Women's Champion of the No Mercy Wrestling brand, exactly as she had vowed she would from the very beginning.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“And that’s it.” Brent Christi’s tone was flat and matter-of-fact as Raven Veyn crawled over the top bar. Even after the brutal match, Raven refused to show weakness, maintaining her composure and not stopping for a second as she exited the cage. Fans chanted her name louder with every step as she descended. At this point victory was just a formality. Fiona was down and out and Raven had already made it over the top side. Now all that remained was reaching the floor below. Raven released her grip and dropped hard onto the thinly padded ringside floor, her knees buckling and forcing her to a crouched position as the bell rang and the crowd exploded. After a few seconds Raven Veyn lifted her head toward the amassed thousands with her signature smirk, soaking in the deafening reaction as though the entire building belonged to her alone. And most would say it did, in a manner.

“Raven Veyn has escaped the steel cage along with Elina Zamora!” Dan Rich yelled at the top of his lungs. “Raven Veyn and Elina Zamora have made it to the end of this long tunnel together, and next week they will face off one to determine the first No Mercy Women’s Champion!”

“Oh, look at this…” Rhonda nodded

As Raven stood slowly and steadied herself, eyes fixed on the roaring crowd, Elina Zamora emerged from around the northwest corner - her movements deliberate and measured. Raven caught sight of Elina in her peripheral vision and spun around. Fans of both women pointed and shouted, many hoping to see a ringside brawl break out as a prelude to next week. Elina’s chest heaved as adrenaline surged through her body, her muscles coiled like springs ready to explode. Raven’s gaze was icy and unflinching, daring Elina to try it. With every passing second the tension grew thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Oh boy,” Dan said. “Are we about to see some… after-match action between these two?”

“No,” Brent immediately replied. “Just look at them.”

Raven Veyn and Elina Zamora stood frozen in place, their sweaty, blood-streaked faces displayed across the arena screens. Raven smirking at Elina while Elina’s expression remained stoic and unreadable. There was an unspoken understanding between them. Beneath the urge to tear each other apart right now both women knew this was neither the time nor the place. After a few more seconds of eye contact with her old rival, Elina Zamora turned and slowly walked away - rounding the nearby ring post and heading toward the stage ramp. Many expected Raven to try and blindside the luchadora but she did not, the former champion staying where she was, still sneering away as her eyes followed Elina all the way up to the arena entrance.

“They’ll settle this next week in Las Vegas,” Brent said. “At Caesar’s Palace.”

“And Fiona Chevalier,” Rhonda added, “did everything she could tonight, but it just wasn’t enough.”

“I’ll give credit where it’s due,” Brent admitted as he watched Raven Veyn slowly make for the exit next. “Fiona stepped into a steel cage with two former champions tonight, and she held her own. I won’t deny that. But she’s still got a ways to go.”

“There’s no doubt Fiona gave it everything she had,” Dan said with a nod, “but tonight, Raven and Elina were the ones who split the pie. Next week we’ll see which one takes the cake.”

Brent snorted at Dan’s analogy.

“But Fiona doesn’t need to leave here discouraged,” Rhonda said. “This was a learning experience for her — another notch in her belt — and that’s how she needs to see it when she walks out of this building tonight.”

“Making it to the final three in a championship tournament is an accomplishment in itself, especially for someone as young as Fiona,” Dan nodded in agreement. “She needs to pick herself up, wipe away the sweat and blood, and apply the hard lessons she learned in this match.”

“Well, it’s been a hell of a match,” Brent shrugged, “and now we have our two female competitors for next week. And up next…”

“Oh, yes, Brent, the night is not yet over! Up next after a few messages from our sponsors we have the men's triple threat cage match, featuring “The Astro Kid” Jay Wyatt, “the Mojave Scorpion” Uberto Cafrune, and the beast of Croatia, Mihailo Vasić. Folks we hope you are enjoying the show at home because we are having some fun here in Chicago! I’m Dan Rich and with me as always is Rhonda Pierce and Brent Christi. Don’t go away because we’ll be right back!”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Raven felt Fiona trying to drop with the DDT and reacted just in time, wrenching free from Fiona before she could hit the mat. Fiona stumbled from the sudden loss of balance, Raven immediately grabbing hold of her left wrist and shoulder. Raven hurled her opponent toward the east side ropes, Fiona hitting the wrapped cables hard enough to make them quiver before they launched her back toward the center of the ring. The instant Fiona came within reach Raven surged forward and wrapped both arms tightly around her waist. Working with the momentum, Raven lifted her opponent up and spun to the side, driving her into the canvas in a spinebuster.

“And a spinebuster off the ropes on Fiona!”

Raven stayed down on one knee beside Fiona for a few seconds, chest heaving. Sweat and blood were mixed across Raven’s face as she tilted her head back and sucked in several deep breaths, steadying herself before the final blow. Slowly, she stood and reached down, grabbing Fiona by both forearms, dragging her up to her feet despite Fiona’s weak resistance. Raven muscled her upward and across her shoulders into a fireman’s carry. Everyone knew exactly what was coming as Raven adjusted her grip and stepped toward the center of the ring. Raven grinned maniacally as she tightened her hold on Fiona’s body, setting her in perfect position for Taken To Hell.

“Oh, this is it, it’s over,” Brent said, “we know what’s coming!”

“She doesn’t belong here! She doesn’t belong here!” Raven yelled twice, much to the approval of nearly all those ringside that heard her.

In one sudden burst of motion, Raven spun Fiona across her shoulder then sprang upward and shifted her grip mid-spin. The moment Raven dropped she snapped Fiona down into the devastating Taken To Hell, converting the spin into a brutal stunner that drove all of Raven’s falling weight, Fiona’s momentum, and pure gravity straight through Fiona’s jaw. Fiona’s head and chest smashed into the mat with a sickening thud, the impact so explosive that her body bounced upward and flipped over onto her back.

“Taken To Hell!” Brent deepened his voice as he grumbled into his headset, the crowd practically blowing the roof off the arena on seeing Raven’s match-winning finisher.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Elina balanced herself carefully, the steel rattling beneath her form as she slowly turned her body outward, every movement carrying the weight of the brutal match. Thousands of fans screamed as she began climbing down the outside wall of the steel cage, one determined step at a time - her dark hair wrapped around her bloodstained face. Raven Veyn watched from inside the cage, expressionless as her eyes followed Elina all the way down to where her rival finally released her grip on the chain link and let herself tumble to the padded floor.

“Elina made it!” Dan Rich yelled, his voice drowned out by the sound of thousands of elated fans. “Elina Zamora has made it through to the end and escaped the steel cage! She is going to Las Vegas! She is going to Vegas!”

“It was looking like it was her and Fiona but Raven Veyn came in last minute and yanked Fiona down from Cloud Nine.” Rhonda said with a shake of her head.

“And now it’s down to the final two here still in the cage; former CSW women’s champion Raven Veyn and hopeful up-and-comer Fiona Chevalier…” Brent concluded.

Elina Zamora lay on her side in a heap in the ringside alley, too battered at the moment to even get up and celebrate. Fans nearby were clapping and cheering, one throwing a handful of confetti down onto her which stuck to her hair and bodysuit. For a moment time seemed to slow as all eyes were on the screens high up or down at Elina in person, including those of Raven Veyn and Fiona Chevalier.

“Elina Zamora has made it out of the steel cage and has secured one of the two spots in next week’s women’s championship match. And now it is a final clawing fight for survival between Raven Veyn and Fiona Chevalier, which one will be in that other corner at Caesar’s Palace next week?”