NPCW: Behind the Curtain – Episode 005: “Voices of the North”
The door to Johnny “The Mic” Michaels’ office is closed.
A whiteboard dominates one wall, divided into four columns:
POLAR POWER
DARK FABLE
NORTHERN BELLES
IRON RING: THE CRUCIBLE
Johnny (to himself):
“Belts change. Faces change.
Voices… voices define eras.”
He exhales—and begins.
POLAR POWER (Locked In)
Johnny barely glances at this column. It’s already circled in blue marker.
Play-by-Play: Johnny “The Mic” Michaels
Color: Eddie “The Expert of Elocution” Ellington
Backstage Interviewer: Smooth Samantha Satin (“Trip S”)
Ring Announcer: Celeste Orion (NEW)
Johnny flips open Celeste’s file.
Celeste Orion
Background: Former classical vocalist turned combat-sports announcer
Style: Regal, precise, ceremonial
Strength: Makes championships feel historic
Note: “Calm authority. Elevates stakes.”
Johnny:
“Polar Power needs warmth, clarity, tradition.
Celeste makes every match feel like it matters.”
He places the file into the APPROVED pile.
DARK FABLE (One Vacancy)
Johnny steps to the DARK FABLE board. One name is missing.
Confirmed:
Color: Brick Brody
Backstage Interviewer: Hana Nakamura
Ring Announcer: Louie Linville
Johnny:
“Brody doesn’t need a hype man.
He needs a pilot who won’t crash the plane.”
He pulls a thick stack labeled:
DARK FABLE – PLAY-BY-PLAY CANDIDATES (10)
Candidate Files – Play-by-Play
Marcus Vale
Former horror podcast host
Slow, deliberate cadence
Treats wrestling like myth
Concern: Too subdued at times
Theo Blackwood
Former UK indie commentator
Sharp wit, dry humor
Knows gothic storytelling
Concern: Can clash with strong personalities
Grant Holloway
MMA-first broadcaster
Calls action clean, no fluff
Grounds supernatural elements
Concern: Emotionally reserved
Elias Crowe
Theatre-trained narrator
Rich baritone voice
Sells atmosphere brilliantly
Concern: Sometimes overwrites moments
Caleb North
Former radio journalist
Neutral, authoritative
Excellent at big-fight pacing
Concern: Less flair
Victor Hale
Old-school territorial announcer
Gruff, gritty realism
Loves heels
Concern: Might overshadow Brody
Noah Pierce
Young, fast-talking
Social-media savvy
Concern: Too modern for Dark Fable
Damien Rook
Noir audiobook narrator
Cynical tone
Natural tension builder
Concern: Limited sports background
Sebastian Cross
Former esports shoutcaster
Big energy
Concern: Overhype risk
Julian Ward
Veteran PBP, calm and measured
Lets color commentators breathe
Strength: Chemistry builder
Johnny stares at two files longer than the rest.
Johnny:
“Dark Fable isn’t about shouting.
It’s about letting silence work.”
He places Theo Blackwood and Julian Ward side by side—then finally slides Julian Ward into APPROVED.
DARK FABLE – FINAL TEAM
Play-by-Play: Julian Ward
Color: Brick Brody
Backstage Interviewer: Hana Nakamura
Ring Announcer: Louie Linville
Johnny:
“Julian steers. Brody hunts.
That’s balance.”
NORTHERN BELLES (Stable & Strong)
Johnny smiles at this column.
Play-by-Play: KC Rogers
Color: Vera “Iron Maiden” Steele
Backstage Interviewer: Alexandra Jones
Ring Announcer: Celeste Orion
Johnny:
“This team already sings.
Don’t remix perfection.”
He checks the box.
IRON RING: THE CRUCIBLE (Two Decisions)
The newest board. Sparse. Purposeful.
Confirmed:
Color: Dave “The Brute” Kent
Backstage Interviewer: Veronica Vandal
Ring Announcer: None
Johnny:
“Kent doesn’t need a partner.
He needs a conscience.”
He opens the next stack.
IRON RING – PLAY-BY-PLAY CANDIDATES (10)
Sam Calder
Former college wrestling announcer
Technical and disciplined
Strength: Respects the craft
Ryan Ashcroft
British rules-based caller
Dry, precise
Concern: Too cold
Leo Martinez
Lucha libre commentator
Passionate, rhythmic
Concern: Style mismatch
Paul Redford
Investigative journalist background
Calm, probing questions
Strength: Matches Kent’s seriousness
Nathan Cole
Indie circuit staple
Knows everyone
Concern: Too buddy-buddy
Evan Price
Former referee turned announcer
Sees mechanics others miss
Strength: Insightful
Tom Willis
Sports documentary narrator
Clear, authoritative
Concern: Limited live experience
Jordan Pike
Young technical analyst
Concern: Overexplains
Michael Stern
Veteran broadcaster
Lets moments breathe
Strength: Restraint
Alex Keane
Hardcore rules expert
Sharp memory
Concern: Too combative
Johnny doesn’t hesitate.
Johnny:
“Kent needs someone who won’t flinch.”
He selects Paul Redford.
IRON RING: THE CRUCIBLE – FINAL TEAM
Play-by-Play: Paul Redford
Color: Dave “The Brute” Kent
Backstage Interviewer: Veronica Vandal
Ring Announcer: None
Johnny:
“No ceremony. No padding.
Just truth.”
PRINT & WEB – HOUSE SHOW RECAPPER
Johnny opens the final stack.
HOUSE SHOW RECAP CANDIDATES (5)
Liam Frost
Journalism student
Clean, factual writing
Concern: Lacks voice
Maya Sinclair
Wrestling blogger
Strong narrative instincts
Concern: Opinionated
Ethan Rowe
Stats-driven analyst
Excellent data breakdowns
Concern: Dry
Nick Calderon
Social-media reporter
Quick turnaround
Concern: Too surface-level
Oliver Grant
Former local sports beat writer
Balanced, hungry, detail-oriented
Strength: Professional growth potential
Johnny taps Oliver’s file.
Johnny:
“Give him reps.
Let him grow.”
HOUSE SHOW RECAPPER
Print & Web Recapper: Oliver Grant
SPECIAL INTERVIEW SEGMENTS
Johnny scribbles at the bottom of the board.
Slick Ricky Vega – Roaming Segment (Monthly)
Final Segment Names (Chosen):
“Ricky on the Ropes” ✅
Alt options considered:
“Vega’s Angle”
“The Slick Shot”
Johnny:
“Unpredictable. Flashy. Controlled chaos.”
Dave “The Brute” Kent – Monthly Interview
Segment: THE BUNKER
Airs on: Polar Power or Dark Fable (rotational)
Johnny:
“No music. No smiles.
Just accountability.”
FINAL BROADCAST TEAMS (Locked)
POLAR POWER
Johnny Michaels | Eddie Ellington | Samantha Satin | Celeste Orion
DARK FABLE
Julian Ward | Brick Brody | Hana Nakamura | Louie Linville
NORTHERN BELLES
KC Rogers | Vera Steele | Alexandra Jones | Celeste Orion
IRON RING: THE CRUCIBLE
Paul Redford | Dave Kent | Veronica Vandal
PRINT & WEB
Oliver Grant – House Show Recapper
Johnny leans back, surveying the board.
Johnny:
“Different voices.
Same standard.”
He clicks off the desk lamp.
FADE OUT.
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