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💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“That definitely is the best strategy, I think,” Kendra nodded, “like you just said, if they double team you… it would not go your way.”

Kendra leaned forward in her seat, resting her palms on her knees, “But that’s just it, I don’t really see those two joining hands for even a minute. I actually looked back into their time at Crash Syndicate together and let me tell you… there is no love to be lost between the Queen of the Goths and the Desert Diva.

“My suggestion is to just… skirt the edges. Lurk. Let those two just tear into each other and wait for only the most opportune moments to take your shots at either of them. They’re the lionesses and you’re…”

Kendra thought for and then grinned at Fiona, “A hyena. Be a hyena this Friday!”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Kendra dragged a chair over and sat beside Fiona, crossing her legs as she settled in. For a few seconds Fiona’s partner remained silent, her lips slightly pursed as she considered what to say next.

“Look,” Kendra began, “you’ve never been in a steel cage match before. But this is just the first day of training - the first few hours, actually. And I’m not just trying to reassure you when I say I can already see improvement.”

Kendra knew her words might not sound particularly comforting, but she hoped Fiona could hear the practicality in them. Behind the casual cadence of her speech Kendra’s message was clear: she believed in Fiona’s potential. And while it was easy for Kendra to say all this while Fiona was the one being thrown around inside the cage, she knew it was true.

“Hey, try to remember something,” Kendra said, nudging Fiona in the arm. “You’ve faced some pretty heavy odds before. Don’t throw in the towel yet. I mean… have you forgotten Molly Mims? Raven Veyn may be tough, but she’s not Molly Mims.”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

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NO MERCY WRESTLING CORPORATE OFFICE,
NEW YORK CITY

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Kendra winced as Fiona sailed over the top rope, her body twisting midair before colliding with the steel mesh of the practice cage. The impact rang out with a sharp, hollow clang that echoed through the training room. Fiona’s momentum carried her downward, her limbs tangling awkwardly as she slid along the unforgiving metal until she ended up wedged between the ropes and the cage wall.

“Come on, Fiona,” barked Scott, one of the coaching staff, his tone sharp, “don’t let yourself get jammed up like that!”

Rick, the other of the two trainers, stepped up to the side of the ring and reached for the cage door, the hinges squeaking as he pulled it open. They had been at this for most of the morning and it was time for a breather. Gwen - the very brawny jobber who had just swung Fiona into the side of the cage - exhaled sharply and leaned over the ropes, extending a hand to Fiona. Her expression softened into an awkward smile, a smile that silently asked, “No hard feelings?”

As the door creaked wider, Kendra pushed off from the opposite side of the ring where she had been observing, arms folded. It was Tuesday, four days since Extreme Rules, and the atmosphere inside the NMW training facility carried a very familiar intensity. The kind where there was no time to bask in a previous victory, only to prepare for what was coming next. After taking the remainder of the weekend to recover from her match with Tanya, Fiona had hit the ground running. Kendra had booked an early Monday flight into New York City and got a hotel that afternoon. Monday had been about shaking off the “lazy” Sunday for Fiona. An hour of cardio followed by light weight lifting to get her back into the training flow.

Today, the intensity had shifted quite heavily as Fiona began actual practicing for the cage match. Three hours had already passed and while her improvement was noticeable there was still plenty of work to be done to prepare Fiona for Friday. Scott and Rick, two of the top coaches at NMW, had been pushing Fiona from the moment she stepped into the enclosure. And Fiona’s training partner for this week, Gwen, was pulling no punches. - Literally.

“You cannot let yourself get cornered like that,” Scott continued, pacing slowly along the outside of the cage. His eyes were locked on Fiona, analytical and unrelenting. “Raven Veyn uses cornering in cage matches for that very reason. So she can strike or grab her opponent and they have nowhere to go!”

That name alone seemed to hang in the air for a moment, adding weight to the lesson. Rick glanced over at the clock mounted high on the nearby wall. “Five after,” he muttered, before raising his voice slightly. “Let’s take an hour for a lunch break.” Scott nodded.

The two trainers turned and made their way toward the training room door, their conversation immediately shifting to adjustments for the next session as they seemingly forgot all about the three women in the room. Behind them, Gwen slipped between the ropes with practiced ease before ducking through the cage exit. She landed lightly on the outside floor, rolling her shoulders, the intensity finally easing from her posture. As the door into the training area slammed shut moments later, Fiona was left alone with Kendra.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“How is tonight’s main event looking, Mister McKinney?” Kendra asked Gordon.

“Well…” Gordon began, holding up his iPhone and furrowing one bushy brow as he looked over the NMW Live app. The right side of his mouth twisted up, one meaty thumb hovering over the screen. Fiona and Kendra waited in silence. After about a minute he lowered the phone to his side, his eyes moving to Fiona.

“Raven Veyn holds the advantage currently, but Isabella was dominating for most of the opening.”

“Who seems to be the fan favorite?” Kendra asked with a touch of caution.

“It’s a close one,” Gordon said with a smirk. “Isabella Cadiz was the face of No Mercy Women’s Wrestling, and she had a following before then. Raven Veyn was the undefeated champion back at Crash Syndicate Wrestling, but… between you two and me, Isabella Cadiz is probably the toughest opponent that Raven has ever faced. Well… except for one other…”

Kendra started to ask who the “other” was, but Gordon’s phone pinged with a text. He glanced at it then quickly excused himself.

“Fiona, I’ll call you tomorrow with details about next week,” Gordon said as he stepped through the doorway, not looking back. “Go on back to the hotel and get some rest. You’ve earned it!”

Kendra smiled and crossed her arms, turning to Fiona.

“So, who would you rather face between those two?”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“Well…” Kendra smirked, stepping back. “We already know that—”

“There she is!”

Kendra flinched at the sudden outburst and turned toward the doorway. Gordon McKinney stood just inside the infirmary, his face set in that familiar, practiced grin. Unlike most of the senior staff, the assistant producer had not embraced the tournament’s flashier theme, remaining in his usual charcoal-gray suit with a button-up underneath. He stepped forward, arms spreading slightly as he leaned to look past Kendra. She quickly moved aside, Gordon giving her a brief nod of acknowledgment before shifting his full attention to Fiona.

“I’d be lying,” he began, closing the distance between them, “if I said I expected you to win tonight.”

He folded his arms across his chest, a look of approval on his face. “But I’m not lying when I say I’m glad you did, Fiona.”

“Fiona’s been on the grind all week, Mr. McKinney,” Kendra added. “She came in tonight with a plan.”

Gordon nodded. “And that’s the difference versus Tanya who came in with a head full of steam. As she always does. You?” He gestured lightly toward Fiona. “Frankly… you’re a lot easier to work with. So again, I’m glad you got the win.”

He paused, letting the moment settle before continuing. “Now you move on to the next round; a triple-threat cage match. A shot at a title match. The first in this brand’s short history!” His grin sharpened as he looked Fiona up and down. “How are ya’ feeling?”

“I mean about what I just said as well as… how’s the head?”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

INFIRMARY

“That was awesome!”

As the doctor exited the infirmary, Kendra rushed in, eyes sparkling with excitement. Fiona had emerged from the extreme rules match without major injuries, but the medical staff had still wanted to check her over and apply ice and bandages as needed. After confirming there were no signs of concussion, fractures, or severe bruising, the doctor gave Fiona the “all-clear”. Kendra had been waiting outside since shortly after the match, eager to congratulate Fiona on such an important win. Fiona was still seated on the examination table wearing her sweat-soaked wrestling gear which bore small tears from the table splinters.

“Girl,” Kendra exclaimed, stepping closer. She considered hugging Fiona but quickly decided against it, mindful of her partner’s battered state. For now, Kendra stuck to flattery.

“That match was a real ‘seat-leaner,’ as my grandpa used to say.” Kendra handed Fiona a bottle of ice-cold water she had bought from a machine out in the hall.

“When Tanya landed that falcon arrow,” Kendra paused for a second, eyes wide, “I thought it was over. But then she went for the table, you recovered, and turned the whole thing around on her! I mean… that move on the ropes…”

Kendra stopped to catch her breath, her grin widening to reveal pearly whites usually hidden by her humble demeanor. The glowing pearlescent-white room smelled strongly of latex and disinfectant and the overhead light was bright enough to cause a headache, but Kendra barely noticed. She tilted her head, studying Fiona’s expression before giving a slow, approving nod. How proud she was for her friend’s success tonight was written all over her face.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Tanya’s left arm and shoulder weakly raised up.

”Three!…”

But it was too late. The bell dinged and Fiona Chevalier’s fans instantaneously unleashed a tsunami of praise as Tanya’s were left stunned silent or loudly lamenting amongst themselves.

“Fiona is the winner!” A bug-eyed Dan Rich shouted, his fists clenched against his sides. Beside him Rhonda smiled jubilantly and began applauding along with Fiona’s fans. Fiona had made the cover and won by pinfall, the match now over as Tanya was eliminated and her opponent set to progress on in the tournament. The air in the TD Garden at first felt surreal and then, as the reality of the moment set in, overwhelmingly electric. Thick with both the rising sensation of victory over the odds and the feeling of stinging defeat. - Depending on which wrestler one was rooting for.

“Tanya Redd almost broke the pin count but she was a fraction of a second too slow and was beat by the bell. Fiona Chevalier has won and will be moving on in the Rubicon Gauntlet!”

“This… was a close one,” Brent said, visibly taken aback, “the momentum of this match was back and forth and while Fiona took the most punishment she seemed to do the most damage at the same time. Tanya Redd just… could not stay with her tonight.”

“Here is your winner… Fiona… Chevalier!”
The referee helped Fiona up to a careful stand as her name was drawled out and her theme music began playing, the ring announcer needing to strain their voice to be heard over the crowd.

“Both women were at their limit,” Dan Rich stated as the three commentators slowly sat back down, “and it was Fiona Chevalier that had that little bit of extra ‘umph’ that pushed her along to reach for the finish line.”

“Fiona also had something to prove tonight, and she got it done,” Rhonda added, “not to mention she has paid Tanya Redd back for the past when Tanya beat her both times they faced off.”

“This was not just a necessary win, Rhonda,” Dan Rich nodded, “but it was a personal one as well. And it comes with a nice cherry on top!”

“And I am looking forward to seeing her next week in the next round. What about you Brent?” Rhonda asked smugly.

“Hey,” Brent held up one hand, “Fiona won and I recognize that. Even if it was by the skin of her teeth.”

Rhonda rolled her eyes and shook her head as Dan Rich smirked and said, “Well, we’ll see if Fiona pulls through next week when she is in a triple threat cage match against two other opponents. For now, let her have her well-earned moment!”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“And here we go,” Rhonda said. “Fiona is stepping outside of her usual wheelhouse and setting Tanya up for a suplex off the turnbuckle right through the table!”

Fiona secured her hold on Tanya with no resistance. The energy in the arena crackled like a live wire as thousands of fans screamed in anticipation of the high-risk move. Chants broke out in waves, urging Fiona to take the leap and seize her spot in the next round of the tournament in spectacular fashion. Cameras flashed ringside as reporters scurried about to get the best shots of the pivotal moment. Posters and banners waved overhead. Every eye was locked on the pair atop the turnbuckle.

“This is it!” Rhonda said, raising both arms high.

“Wait - look!” Dan Rich yelled, pointing furiously as Tanya suddenly stirred. Her free arm whipped around, grabbing the back of Fiona’s top. At first Tanya twisted and jerked from side to side, trying to break free, then suddenly stopped. - Having clearly decided on a better course of action. With a savage bellow, Tanya pitched her whole body forward, throwing Fiona off balance and sending both women tumbling down onto the table. “Oh, my God!” Dan Rich and Rhonda shouted in unison, jumping up from their seats along with Brent. The impact was like the crack of a gun, the table splintering beneath Fiona and Tanya as shards of wood burst and metal pieces flew in every direction like shrapnel. Most of the fans leapt to their feet, many clutching their heads in disbelief. Fiona and Tanya now lay side by side amid the wreckage, the remains of the table scattered all around them. Tanya was near motionless, her face drawled up in pain, and Fiona looked little better.

“And this time it was Fiona who took the backfire in the face!” Dan Rich yelled as the official trotted across the ring. “Tanya threw her off-kilter at the last second, and both were driven straight through the table!”

“Yeah, but that didn’t do Tanya any good either. Now the official has to start the ten count until someone moves,” Brent observed. “We may actually need paramedics in here, because that shook the whole damn ring.”

“And the count is on!” Rhonda shouted, her voice trembling with adrenaline as the referee’s hands went up for the first time.

“One!…”

The capacity crowd in TD Garden was in a frenzy. The fans on both sides of the matchup were , screaming themselves hoarse for their favorite to get up. The arena vibrated under the duel of chants, each side desperate to will their fighter back to her feet before the count reached ten.

“Two!…”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Agh!” Tanya’s hoarse cry of pain rose above the crowd.

“Look at this!” Dan Rich pointed. “Tanya’s now trapped beneath the table and—”

“Fiona has Tanya’s leg wedged against the underside of the table and is using her own body weight to apply added pressure!” Rhonda finished, her eyes wide.

“Well, this is perfectly legal,” Brent acknowledged. “Fiona could actually make Tanya tap here!”

Tanya’s shrill moans came in short bursts as she twisted beneath the table trapping her. Fiona’s fans yelled at her to not let up and force Tanya to submit, Tanya’s fans meanwhile shouted for her to escape and take the fight back to Fiona. Eyes full of determination and desperation, Tanya clawed with her left arm toward the ropes to her left. The table - and, of course, Fiona - rocking on top of her only added to the sapping pain and discomfort.

“Tanya is fighting to reach the bottom rope, but this is an extreme rules match.” Dan Rich shook his head. “Grabbing the ropes will not force a break.”

“I think she’s just reaching for some leverage to help her get free of this submission attempt,” Rhonda replied.

“Every second Tanya spends in this punishing position the match is slipping further away - it may already be too late,” Brent said.

After several failed grabs Tanya finally caught a hold of the bottom rope. With a secure grip, she used every ounce of strength she had to drag herself along against the mat - fighting against the pain. Every muscle in Tanya’s arm strained under the effort. With a final laborious pull, Tanya freed her leg from Fiona’s grasp, her boot slipping under the table, a loud gasp of relief tearing from between Tanya’s lips despite herself.

“And Tanya got her leg free, she escaped a forced tapout!”

“Yeah, but I think that may be it for Tanya,” Rhonda commented.

“You know her leg is throbbing right now after enduring that. I doubt she can even stand.”

Tanya flopped to her side in a heap, her body draped awkwardly with her lower half still caught beneath the table. Her expression was contorted in unmistakable agony, her jaw clenched tight and her face soaked in sweat. Anyone could see that Fiona may have just secured this match with her table trick. Tanya’s attempt at a match-ending show of brutality had backfired on her horribly.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

There was a loud, menacing scrape followed by an uproar of realization from the crowd as Tanya rose and stepped back from the apron - dragging a heavy wooden folding table out from under the ring.

“And here it is,” Brent said in a striking tone, “the finishing touch on what is about to be Tanya Redd’s win.”

Tanya hefted the table sideways, then turned and shoved it with ease under the bottom rope across the mat. Sliding in next to it Tanya rose to her feet, radiating pure confidence as she reached down and lifted the table once more.

“If there was a time for Fiona to come back and turn the tide it’s now,” Brent added, “but I think it may be a done deal.”

“Fiona still looks wobbly,” Dan Rich admitted. “She may have mere seconds left to salvage this match.”

Tanya carried the table to the southwest corner, turning it so the underside faced the ring - the sharp edges of the folded legs and bracers exposed. She leaned the table upright against the turnbuckle, taking a moment to make sure it was secure, then turned and strode toward Fiona. Teeth gritted, Tanya pounded her right fist against her chest three times as she approached her downed opponent, taking in the cheers from her fans.

“The table is in the corner now. What are we about to see?”