Aired - September 6 , 2026
0. SHOW RUNDOWN 1. SHOW OPENING 2. CROWD SHOT AND WELCOMING 3. MATCH 1 4. WHEN THE COVEN CALLS 5. MATCH 2 6. MATCH 3 7. A MRS. CLAUS CHALLENGE 8. MATCH 4 9. MAIN EVENT 10. CLOSING
A soft, haunting musical swell begins—glassy chimes over low strings. Snow drifts across a spotlighted runway that fades into the Northern Belles ring. The Northern Lights shimmer overhead like silk being pulled across the sky.
Voice-over, confident and elegant, with steel underneath:
“In the North… beauty is not a weakness.”
“It is power.”
“It is discipline.”
“It is danger wrapped in grace.”
The NORTHERN BELLES logo forms in frost across the screen. For one perfect second, it glows with icy gold light.
Then the ice cracks.
Voice-over:
“Welcome… to the Northern Belles.”
SIGNATURE MONTAGE
Queen of the North Champion — Lilith
Lilith steps through crimson-tinged mist, the Queen of the North Championship resting with cold authority. She moves like temptation given form—calm, lethal, and impossibly composed. A snap-down impact. A cruel finish. The title rises in her hand as she stares forward, serene and terrifying.
Voice-over:
“The throne belongs to the one who makes fear kneel.”
Blonde Bombshells — Alice, Dorothy, and Rapunzel
Alice and Dorothy strike in perfect rhythm—quick tags, sharp movement, synchronized offense. Rapunzel appears beside them, radiant but watchful, the golden thread binding the team together. The North Star Tag Team Champions raise their titles as Rapunzel stands proudly behind them, smiling with family pride and quiet purpose.
Voice-over:
“Unity can shine brighter than gold.”
Crimson Viper, the Queen of Hearts
Crimson Viper turns beneath a blood-red spotlight, her expression royal, ruthless, and amused. Cards scatter across the canvas as she strikes with surgical precision. A sudden finish. A cold smile to the camera. The Queen of Hearts does not ask for loyalty. She expects it.
Voice-over:
“Some queens rule with crowns.”
“Others rule with consequences.”
Mrs. Claus
Mrs. Claus stands in the ring with warm composure and unmistakable command. Her elegance never softens her authority. She absorbs a challenge, answers with veteran precision, and turns momentum with one perfectly timed counter. The crowd rises as she stands tall, beloved and unshaken.
Voice-over:
“Grace is not gentle when it has something to protect.”
Lady Isolde Blackthorne and Prioress Malveil
Lady Isolde Blackthorne steps forward in noble darkness, poise sharpened into threat. Beside her, Prioress Malveil lowers her gaze like a judgment being passed. Their offense is cold and coordinated—faith and aristocracy twisted into punishment. They stand together beneath cathedral-like shadows, united by purpose and ambition.
Voice-over:
“In the shadows of honor, darker vows are made.”
Lady Guinevere
Lady Guinevere appears beneath silver-blue light, regal and composed. She does not rush. She does not flinch. Every movement carries the weight of courtly discipline and quiet courage. A clean counter. A graceful strike. A steady look into the camera, noble but not fragile.
Voice-over:
“True royalty is not protected by a crown.”
“It is proven under pressure.”
Sisters of the Hood — Crimson Vane, Scarlett Howl, and Ruby Howl
The forest darkens behind the ring as Crimson Vane, Scarlett Howl, and Ruby Howl emerge together. Crimson Vane brings explosive fire. Scarlett Howl moves with predatory instinct. Ruby Howl strikes with fearless momentum. They circle the ring like a pack, united by blood, fury, and survival.
Voice-over:
“When the hunt begins…”
“The North learns to run.”
FINAL BUILD
The music swells. Rapid cuts flash across the screen.
Lilith raising the Queen of the North Championship.
Alice and Dorothy standing with the North Star Tag Team Titles while Rapunzel smiles behind them.
Crimson Viper turning a card between her fingers.
Mrs. Claus standing tall as the crowd cheers.
Lady Isolde Blackthorne and Prioress Malveil framed in dark, noble light.
Lady Guinevere stepping forward with calm defiance.
The Sisters of the Hood standing together beneath a crimson moon.
A wide shot of the North Pole Arena fills the screen. Snowflake-like confetti drifts through icy gold light as the crowd roars.
Voice-over:
“Here, the cold does not crown you…”
“It tests you.”
“It exposes you.”
“And only the strongest…”
“Shine.”
The NORTHERN BELLES logo slams onto the screen in icy gold and steel.
Voice-over, final:
“This… is NORTHERN BELLES.”
The broadcast returns from the Northern Belles opening presentation to a sweeping overhead shot of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Silver-blue light washes across the ancient stone architecture while icy gold spotlights sweep over thousands of supporters packed into the building. The enormous illuminated Northern Belles emblem hangs above the entrance stage, framed by banners bearing the blue and gold of Camelot.
The camera descends slowly through the crowd.
Signs rise throughout the Coliseum.
GRIZELDA WANTS HER ANSWER
WHO LEADS THE COVEN?
WICKED WITCH — BOW OR WALK
MORRIGAN MUST CHOOSE
WILLOW — WHICH WITCH?
TWENTY ENTER — ONE SURVIVES
THE ROAD TO CONVERGENCE STARTS HERE
HELLFROST IS COMING
PATCHWORK REVENGE
URSA WANTS VALKA
PENNY HAS OTHER PLANS
COTTON CANDY CAN SHOCK THE WORLD
VALKA — FIRST AURORA FOREVER
MOONSHADOW EARNED HER SHOT
CRIMSON VANE NEVER LOST FAIR
LILITH — THREE TIMES QUEEN
VLAD CHANGED FALLOUT
WAR COUNCIL GOES TO AGE OF RUIN
BOMBSHELLS VS WAR COUNCIL
The final sign draws a particularly loud reaction.
The camera settles on a group of supporters holding replica North Star Tag Team Championships above their heads.
The enormous main screen changes.
A dark red and gold event graphic appears.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Then two teams appear on opposite sides.
The reigning North Star Tag Team Champions.
Alice and Dorothy.
The Blonde Bombshells.
Opposite them stand Athena and Bellona.
The War Council.
Between them rotate the North Star Tag Team Championships.
NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS VS WAR COUNCIL
The Coliseum responds loudly.
The camera descends toward the Northern Belles commentary position.
KC Rogers sits beneath the illuminated crest in a tailored midnight-blue suit. Beside her, Vera Steele already has her headset in place, watching the Age of Ruin graphic disappear from the enormous screen.
KC Rogers: Welcome to Northern Belles Episode 040. We are live from Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum, and after everything that happened in this building seven days ago, somehow the stakes have become even higher.
The crowd cheers.
KC Rogers: I am KC Rogers, alongside Vera Steele, and before we discuss the extraordinary night ahead of us, we received major news on Friday concerning Age of Ruin, Sunday, September twenty-seventh.
The North Star Tag Team Championship graphic returns.
KC Rogers: The Blonde Bombshells, Alice and Dorothy, will defend the North Star Tag Team Championships against Athena and Bellona of the War Council.
A strong reaction rolls through the building.
Vera Steele: And that match did not emerge without evidence behind it. One week ago, the War Council defeated Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula here on Northern Belles. They controlled the tag structure, isolated Patchwork Paige, and Athena secured the fall after the second Goddess Bomb. Now that momentum has translated into a championship opportunity at Age of Ruin.
Footage from last week appears.
Athena presses Patchwork Paige overhead.
Pallas Drop.
The replay advances.
Bellona drives through her with the Crimson Spear.
Then the final sequence.
Goddess Bomb.
One.
Two.
Three.
Athena and Bellona stand beside Zeus.
The replay freezes.
AGE OF RUIN — NORTH STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The image disappears.
KC Rogers: But before the War Council can turn its attention completely toward the champions, Northern Belles has an enormous night of its own.
The main screen goes black.
A narrow beam of silver light appears.
Metal begins rotating beneath it.
The newly announced Women’s Convergent Championship fills the screen.
The crowd immediately rises.
KC Rogers: Last week, Goldie Locks, Kristine Kringle, and Victoria Deschamps revealed the newest championship connecting NPCW and Heritage Championship Wrestling.
The graphic expands.
WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP
NPCW
HCW
ROAD TO CONVERGENCE
Vera Steele: And the process for determining the NPCW representative begins tonight.
Four silhouettes appear.
BATTLE ROYAL 1
BATTLE ROYAL 2
BATTLE ROYAL 3
BATTLE ROYAL 4
Then the first silhouette illuminates.
TONIGHT
BATTLE ROYAL 1
20 WOMEN
1 WINNER
KC Rogers: Twenty women will enter this ring tonight.
A beat.
KC Rogers: Only one advances.
The crowd roars.
Vera Steele: And a Battle Royal creates a completely different competitive problem from almost anything else these women regularly encounter. You can dominate one opponent and still be eliminated by another competitor you never saw approaching. You can survive nineteen minutes and lose your opportunity in one second because your positioning near the ropes was wrong.
The screen displays several anonymous silhouettes without revealing the field.
KC Rogers: We also learned last week that these qualifying Battle Royals are not restricted to the regular Northern Belles roster.
Vera Steele: Competitors can come from the extended NPCW roster, and management specifically told us to expect special guests. That means some of the women entering tonight may have prepared without knowing exactly who they are preparing for.
KC Rogers: Four Battle Royal winners will eventually move into two semifinal matches. Those semifinal winners meet to determine the official NPCW representative.
The bracket forms.
Four become two.
Two become one.
Then the HCW logo appears opposite the NPCW representative.
KC Rogers: And at Convergence, the NPCW representative meets the HCW representative in a two-out-of-three-falls match with no time limit and no disqualifications to crown the inaugural Women’s Convergent Champion.
Vera Steele: But none of that matters to tonight’s entrants unless they survive the first step.
The graphic simplifies.
20 WOMEN
1 WINNER
Vera Steele: That is the only calculation that matters tonight.
The crowd cheers as the graphic fades.
Black and red light replaces it.
Emberlyn Black appears on one side of the screen.
Velora Synn appears beside her.
HELLFROST
Across from them are Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula.
PATCHWORK DOLLS
The crowd reacts.
KC Rogers: We also have tag team competition tonight. Hellfrost, Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn, face the Patchwork Dolls.
Footage from Fallout appears.
Lilith lies near the Queen of the North Championship.
Emberlyn Black drives her down onto the championship.
Then Velora Synn takes the title.
Raises it.
Looks down at the newly crowned champion.
The footage changes to last week.
Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn stand backstage with Grinch Heyman, confronting Lilith and Count Vlad.
Vera Steele: There is no separating Hellfrost from the Queen of the North Championship conversation right now. They attacked Lilith after she became champion. Velora Synn raised the championship. And last week both women made their intentions unmistakable.
KC Rogers: But tonight they are not facing Lilith.
The Patchwork Dolls replace them on the screen.
KC Rogers: They are facing two women who themselves need a response after last week.
Footage shows Patchwork Paige absorbing sustained punishment from the War Council.
Vera Steele: Patchwork Paige showed toughness against Athena and Bellona, but toughness did not correct the central problem. She remained isolated and never completed the tag to Patchwork Paula. Against Hellfrost, that mistake becomes equally dangerous.
The graphic disappears.
A heavy roar echoes through the sound system.
Ursa Titania appears.
Across from her stands Penny Coppersnap.
URSA TITANIA VS PENNY COPPERSNAP
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania also returns to singles competition tonight against Penny Coppersnap.
The screen briefly shows the confrontation from August sixteenth.
The Aurora Championship rests against Valka.
Ursa Titania stands directly in front of her.
Neither woman retreats.
The remembered words appear beneath them.
I WANT IT.
AND I WILL TAKE IT.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania has already told the Aurora Champion exactly what she wants.
Vera Steele: Which makes every match between that declaration and an eventual championship opportunity important. Ursa Titania cannot simply announce that she wants Valka and then treat everyone else as irrelevant.
The image of Penny Coppersnap fills the screen.
Vera Steele: Penny Coppersnap has an opportunity tonight to punish exactly that kind of thinking.
KC Rogers: And there is another element that makes this particularly interesting.
The screen divides.
On the left, Ursa Titania.
On the right, the Aurora Champion Valka.
KC Rogers: Because both women will compete tonight.
The crowd responds.
The Aurora Championship begins glowing across the screen.
Valka appears with the title.
Across from her is Cotton Candy.
AURORA CHAMPION VALKA
VS
COTTON CANDY
NON-TITLE MATCH
KC Rogers: The inaugural Aurora Champion Valka faces Cotton Candy in a non-title match.
Vera Steele: And this is where championship discipline becomes important. Valka knows Ursa Titania is pursuing her. She may even have an opportunity to watch Ursa compete before her own match.
A beat.
Vera Steele: None of that makes Cotton Candy less dangerous.
Footage shows Valka raising the Aurora Championship.
Vera Steele: Champions often create problems for themselves when they begin wrestling the next challenger mentally before finishing with the opponent physically standing in front of them.
KC Rogers: And if Cotton Candy defeats the Aurora Champion tonight, the championship may not change hands, but the entire conversation around it changes immediately.
The graphic fades.
The arena lighting becomes darker.
Green fire appears.
Then purple-black smoke.
The crowd grows louder before a single name appears.
GRIZELDA
Footage from last week begins.
Grizelda escapes the Gutwrench Powerbomb attempt.
Witch’s Spike Kick.
Wicked Witch falls.
One.
Two.
Three.
The screen freezes.
GRIZELDA DEFEATS WICKED WITCH
The replay continues.
Grizelda stands with the microphone.
Morrigan and Wicked Willow watch from the entrance.
Grizelda: I claim leadership of the Coven.
The crowd reacts again to the replay.
KC Rogers: And then there is the matter that has been waiting exactly seven days for an answer.
The footage continues.
Grizelda: You have one week.
Morrigan watches.
Wicked Willow remains still.
The image changes to Wicked Witch.
Grizelda: Declare me your leader...
A pause.
Grizelda: ...or become Covenless.
The replay freezes on Wicked Witch standing alone after Grizelda leaves beside La Bruja Muerte.
KC Rogers: Last week, Grizelda did what she said she intended to do. She defeated Wicked Witch in the center of this ring.
Vera Steele: And then she attempted to convert that victory into authority over the entire Coven.
KC Rogers: She gave Morrigan, Wicked Willow, and Wicked Witch seven days.
The screen goes black.
Three names appear.
MORRIGAN
WICKED WILLOW
WICKED WITCH
Then beneath them:
THE DEADLINE IS TONIGHT
The Coliseum erupts.
KC Rogers: Seven days have passed.
Vera Steele: Which means Grizelda expects three answers.
KC Rogers: Does Morrigan recognize her?
KC Rogers: Does Wicked Willow recognize her?
A pause.
KC Rogers: And perhaps most importantly of all, will the woman who has called herself the Alpha Witch stand before Grizelda and surrender that authority?
The image of Wicked Witch fills the screen.
Then Grizelda.
Between them appears a fractured Coven symbol.
Vera Steele: Last week’s victory gave Grizelda leverage. It did not automatically give her obedience. Tonight we discover whether anyone inside the Coven accepts her claim.
The graphic fractures completely.
Then the building goes dark.
A heartbeat begins.
The Queen of the North Championship appears.
The reaction becomes enormous.
First comes the champion.
LILITH
The championship rests over her shoulder.
Then the number one contender.
MOONSHADOW
Finally the former champion.
CRIMSON VANE
The three images move together.
The Queen of the North Championship rises above them.
QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
LILITH
VS
MOONSHADOW
VS
CRIMSON VANE
The Coliseum erupts.
KC Rogers: And tonight, the Queen of the North Championship will be defended.
The crowd gets louder.
KC Rogers: Three-time champion Lilith.
Her image fills the screen.
KC Rogers: The woman who made history at Fallout, but whose third reign began beneath controversy because of the involvement of Count Vlad.
Footage flashes.
The Transylvania Spike.
Crimson Vane falling.
Later, the ladder.
Another Transylvania Spike.
Lilith climbing.
The championship coming down.
The footage disappears.
Vera Steele: The official record recognizes Lilith as champion. That is not in dispute.
A beat.
Vera Steele: But neither is the fact that Count Vlad directly altered the two falls that gave her the championship.
The screen changes.
Crimson Vane attacks Lilith backstage last week.
Security floods the area.
Crimson Vane points directly toward Count Vlad.
THE HUNTERS ENCLAVE IS NOT DONE WITH YOU.
AND WE ARE NOT DONE WITH THE INFERNAL LEGION.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane made it very clear last week that losing the championship did not end anything for her.
Vera Steele: And tonight she has something she did not have last week.
The Queen of the North Championship appears again.
Vera Steele: A direct opportunity to take it back.
Then moonlight spreads across the screen.
Moonshadow appears.
NUMBER ONE CONTENDER
KC Rogers: But Crimson Vane is not the only challenger.
Footage plays from the Number One Contender Fatal Four-Way.
Moonshadow covers Morgana LeFaye.
One.
Two.
Three.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow earned her position.
Vera Steele: And that distinction is important. She did not attack the champion to create relevance. She did not demand inclusion. She won the match that established the next challenger.
The screen displays another fact.
MOONSHADOW
TWO-TIME QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
Then:
BOTH REIGNS ENDED BY LILITH
The crowd reacts.
KC Rogers: There is also history here. Moonshadow has held the Queen of the North Championship twice.
Vera Steele: And both reigns ended against Lilith.
The champion and challenger appear face-to-face.
Vera Steele: That creates a very specific psychological test for Moonshadow. She has already proven twice that she can become champion. She has also twice experienced Lilith being the woman who takes that championship away.
The image expands to include Crimson Vane.
KC Rogers: But tonight there is no conventional champion-versus-challenger structure.
Vera Steele: Which completely changes the strategy.
The three competitors rotate across the screen.
Vera Steele: Lilith does not have to be pinned to lose her championship.
The crowd reacts.
Vera Steele: Moonshadow can defeat Crimson Vane.
Vera Steele: Crimson Vane can defeat Moonshadow.
Vera Steele: Either result creates a new Queen of the North Champion without Lilith ever being involved in the fall.
KC Rogers: And if Lilith wants complete control over the outcome, she has to manage two challengers who enter tonight for entirely different reasons.
The complete card begins forming across the screen.
WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
20-WOMAN BATTLE ROYAL 1
HELLFROST VS PATCHWORK DOLLS
URSA TITANIA VS PENNY COPPERSNAP
VALKA VS COTTON CANDY
QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP
LILITH VS MOONSHADOW VS CRIMSON VANE
Then one final line appears beneath everything.
GRIZELDA EXPECTS THE COVEN’S ANSWER
The crowd rises again.
KC Rogers: Twenty women begin the road toward Convergence.
The Battle Royal graphic illuminates.
KC Rogers: Hellfrost enters tag team competition while the Queen of the North Championship remains firmly in its sights.
Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn appear.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania continues pursuing the Aurora Champion, while Valka has to deal with Cotton Candy before she can worry about anybody waiting beyond tonight.
The Aurora Championship appears.
KC Rogers: Grizelda’s deadline expires.
The fractured Coven symbol returns.
Then the Queen of the North Championship fills the entire screen.
KC Rogers: And three women fight for the most established championship in this division.
The camera returns to the commentary desk.
Vera Steele: There are nights where one result changes a division.
She looks toward the ring.
Vera Steele: Tonight has several opportunities to do it.
KC Rogers: And we begin with twenty women, one ring, and only one place in the semifinals of the Women’s Convergent Championship qualification process.
The first match graphic appears.
WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
BATTLE ROYAL 1
20 WOMEN
1 WINNER
The crowd erupts.
KC Rogers: The road to Convergence starts now.
Vera Steele: And nineteen women are about to discover how quickly that road can end.
The arena lights begin to change.
KC Rogers: Battle Royal Number One is next.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The ring is already surrounded by additional officials positioned at all four sides of the floor. The ropes have been checked twice. At ringside, several camera operators have moved farther back than usual, leaving a clear landing area around the entire ring.
The Women’s Convergent Championship rotates across the enormous screen above the entrance.
BATTLE ROYAL #1
20 WOMEN
1 WINNER
The crowd rises.
At the commentary position tonight are KC Rogers and Vera Steele, brought in specifically to call the opening qualifying Battle Royal.
KC Rogers: Four qualifying Battle Royals. Four winners. Four women who eventually move into the semifinal stage. The first of those places will be claimed right now.
Vera Steele: And forget everything you know about preparing for a normal wrestling match. Twenty women means nineteen threats. You can be better than the woman standing directly in front of you and still get thrown out by somebody coming from behind.
The entrance procession begins.
Lark of Sherwood emerges first beneath the colors of the Mythic Division, moving quickly toward the ring with her attention already shifting between the competitors still to come.
Santelina follows representing the Iron Ring Academy, receiving an enthusiastic response as she heads down the aisle and enters through the ropes.
The atmosphere changes when Prioress Malveil appears. The Black Chapel competitor walks slowly toward the ring, expression severe, wasting no attention on the crowd.
Sayaka Mizuhana follows from the Mythic Division, focused and composed, stepping into the increasingly crowded ring before immediately moving to an open corner.
The first representative of the False Light Forge appears next.
Clara Cobweb walks onto the stage and briefly surveys the nineteen-woman environment waiting ahead of her before continuing toward the ring.
She is followed by Hydra Veyne, whose presence receives an immediate reaction as another member of the dangerous Veyne contingent enters the field.
Then comes the second False Light Forge representative.
Anika Stahl.
The powerful Forge prospect steps through the curtain with controlled intensity. She rolls her shoulders once, looks toward the packed ring, and begins walking.
KC Rogers: There is considerable interest surrounding Anika Stahl tonight. False Light Forge competitors have been receiving opportunities to test themselves outside the Forge environment, and there is no more unforgiving test than this.
Vera Steele: She has the body to throw people out. What I want to see is whether she has the instinct for it.
Athena enters next.
The War Council member receives a strong reaction after Friday’s announcement that she and Bellona will challenge the Blonde Bombshells for the North Star Tag Team Championships at Age of Ruin.
KC Rogers: And there is Athena, who learned only two days ago that the War Council is heading to Age of Ruin for a championship opportunity.
Vera Steele: Which makes tonight dangerous in a different way. She already has September twenty-seventh waiting for her. You do not want to leave this ring injured three weeks before a title match.
The procession continues.
Rosalyn, Queen of Thorns enters with regal confidence.
Gretel follows from the Mythic Division.
Then the lighting darkens.
A playing-card motif fills the screen.
Dark Duchess, Queen of Spades walks toward the ring with cold composure, climbing through the ropes and immediately choosing a position away from the center.
Morgana Le Faye enters next.
The crowd responds strongly after her twenty-five-minute battle with Sayaka Mizuhana last week. Morgana walks with noticeably less patience tonight, her eyes finding Sayaka almost immediately after entering.
Medussa Nemesis follows.
Then Lady Isolde Blackthorne, carrying herself with the same controlled severity she showed during the Black Chapel victory one week ago.
Serpenta Veyne joins her relative Hydra Veyne inside the ring, although the two women do not stand together. Both understand that only one competitor can advance.
Malice enters.
Mother Earth follows, immediately changing the physical scale of the women gathered inside the ring.
Maid Marion receives a loud response from the Camelot crowd.
Then comes Lenore Valmont, the second representative of the Iron Ring Academy, walking toward the ring with complete confidence despite being surrounded by far more experienced competitors.
KC Rogers: There is another important opportunity. Lenore Valmont has spent this quarter competing inside the Iron Ring Academy. Tonight she is standing across from champions, tournament veterans, and established Mythic Division names.
Vera Steele: And nobody in there cares where she trains. If she wants respect, throw somebody out.
The penultimate entrance belongs to Malice’s fellow Mythic competitors already waiting inside.
Then the Coliseum darkens.
Red light spreads across the stage.
A heart-shaped playing card rotates across the screen.
The Queen of Hearts.
Crimson Viper appears.
She stops at the entrance and slowly looks over the ring.
Nineteen women.
One opening.
She walks.
KC Rogers: Crimson Viper, the Queen of Hearts. She has been through championship tournaments, high-pressure matches, and some of the most demanding environments in the Mythic Division.
Vera Steele: And she looks happier than anybody else out here.
KC Rogers: Happy?
Vera Steele: Look at her. Everyone else sees nineteen problems. She sees nineteen pieces on a board.
Crimson Viper enters last and moves into an open corner.
Every available space inside the ring is occupied.
Twenty women.
The crowd rises.
Celeste Orion steps carefully into the center with microphone in hand as the competitors spread around her.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is the FIRST QUALIFYING BATTLE ROYAL for the Women’s Convergent Championship!
The crowd erupts.
Celeste Orion: Twenty competitors will begin this match. A competitor is eliminated when she is thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor.
She pauses.
Celeste Orion: The final woman remaining will advance to the Women’s Convergent Championship semifinals!
Another enormous reaction.
Celeste Orion: Representing the Mythic Division — Athena!
Athena raises one arm.
Celeste Orion: Crimson Viper, the Queen of Hearts!
A loud reaction.
Celeste Orion: Dark Duchess, the Queen of Spades!
Dark Duchess lifts her chin.
Celeste Orion: Gretel!
Celeste Orion: Hydra Veyne!
Celeste Orion: Lady Isolde Blackthorne!
Celeste Orion: Lark of Sherwood!
Celeste Orion: Maid Marion!
The Camelot crowd cheers loudly.
Celeste Orion: Malice!
Celeste Orion: Medussa Nemesis!
Celeste Orion: Morgana Le Faye!
Celeste Orion: Mother Earth!
Celeste Orion: Prioress Malveil!
Celeste Orion: Rosalyn, Queen of Thorns!
Celeste Orion: Sayaka Mizuhana!
Celeste Orion: And Serpenta Veyne!
She turns.
Celeste Orion: Representing the Iron Ring Academy — Lenore Valmont!
Lenore Valmont gives the surrounding competitors a dismissive glance.
Celeste Orion: And Santelina!
The crowd cheers.
Celeste Orion: And representing the False Light Forge — Clara Cobweb!
Clara Cobweb braces herself near the ropes.
Celeste Orion: And Anika Stahl!
A reaction rises for the Forge powerhouse.
Celeste Orion: Twenty women.
She raises one finger.
Celeste Orion: One semifinalist.
She exits through the ropes.
The officials around ringside spread out.
Inside, nobody moves.
For several seconds there is an extraordinary stillness.
Crimson Viper stands with her back near one corner.
Morgana Le Faye watches Sayaka Mizuhana.
Hydra Veyne and Serpenta Veyne are separated by almost the entire ring.
Athena looks toward Anika Stahl.
Santelina crouches slightly.
Then the bell rings.
The ring explodes.
Twenty women collide almost simultaneously.
Mother Earth drives through two opponents near one corner.
Prioress Malveil immediately grabs Sayaka Mizuhana around the head.
Morgana Le Faye and Medussa Nemesis exchange strikes.
Crimson Viper steps backward instead of forward, letting two other competitors crash together in front of her.
Across the ring, Lark of Sherwood charges Santelina.
Santelina catches her.
She turns the momentum.
Argentine Front Slam.
Lark of Sherwood crashes against the canvas.
Santelina does not attempt a cover.
There are no covers.
She grabs Lark by the arm and shoulder, pulls her upright and drives her toward the ropes.
Lark catches the top strand.
Santelina keeps pushing.
Lark tries to hook one leg around the middle rope.
Santelina changes position, gets beneath her hips and lifts.
Lark goes over the top.
Both feet hit the floor.
The first elimination is official.
KC Rogers: Lark of Sherwood is gone! Santelina produces our first elimination!
Vera Steele: And that is the adjustment everybody has to make. The Front Slam did not eliminate her. It created the condition for the elimination. Hurt somebody first, then get her over the rope.
Inside the ring, the field continues moving violently.
Prioress Malveil attempts to control Sayaka Mizuhana with the head and neck.
Sayaka changes levels.
She gets behind.
Prioress tries to widen her stance.
Sayaka lifts.
Bridging Dragon Suplex.
Malveil crashes across the shoulders.
Sayaka releases immediately.
She drags Prioress Malveil toward the ropes before the Black Chapel competitor can completely recover.
Malveil grabs the top rope.
Sayaka strikes her hands loose.
One final shove sends Prioress Malveil over the top rope.
She lands on the floor.
KC Rogers: Prioress Malveil eliminated by Sayaka Mizuhana!
Vera Steele: That is a significant name out early.
Nearby, Clara Cobweb has become entangled with Hydra Veyne.
Clara tries to slip around behind her.
Hydra catches the arm.
She twists Clara down.
Arm Trap Crossface.
Clara is trapped against the canvas, unable to use the free arm effectively.
Hydra applies pressure long enough to weaken her.
Then releases.
She grabs Clara Cobweb around the waist, pulls her up and marches her toward the ropes.
Clara hooks the top strand.
Hydra peels one hand away.
Then the second.
A final lift.
Clara Cobweb goes over.
Both feet land.
KC Rogers: And the first False Light Forge entrant is out. Hydra Veyne eliminates Clara Cobweb.
At another side of the ring, Athena and Anika Stahl have finally collided.
Anika matches Athena physically at first.
The crowd responds as both women lock shoulders.
Athena drives.
Anika stops her.
Athena changes angle.
Anika stops her again.
For a moment the Forge powerhouse appears to have an opportunity to surge forward.
She does not.
Instead she resets her hands and gives Athena enough space to reposition.
Vera Steele: What was that?
KC Rogers: Anika Stahl had leverage.
Vera Steele: She had more than leverage. She had Athena moving backward and she let her reset.
Anika attacks again, but the movement is measured.
Almost restrained.
Athena recognizes the hesitation.
She catches both arms.
Wisdom’s Wrath.
The Pedigree drives Anika Stahl face-first into the canvas.
Athena immediately gets back to her feet.
She hauls Anika upward.
Anika offers resistance, but again there is no explosive counter.
Athena turns her toward the ropes.
A hard drive sends Anika chest-first against the top strand.
Athena lifts from behind.
Anika Stahl goes over the top.
She lands on the floor.
The crowd reacts with surprise.
KC Rogers: Athena eliminates Anika Stahl.
Vera Steele: I do not understand that one.
KC Rogers: What are you seeing?
Vera Steele: Stahl looked like she was holding something back. Twice. Maybe nerves. Maybe she was trying not to burn herself out. Whatever it was, you cannot be cautious around Athena.
KC Rogers: Whatever the reason, the False Light Forge is now out of this first Battle Royal.
Inside the ring, Sayaka Mizuhana has found Rosalyn, Queen of Thorns.
Rosalyn tries to control her against the ropes.
Sayaka rotates out.
She jumps.
Fubuki Poison Rana.
Rosalyn is driven down across the head and shoulders.
Sayaka immediately moves.
She pulls Rosalyn to her feet.
Rosalyn is still disoriented.
Sayaka gets both hands beneath her center of gravity and sends the Queen of Thorns over the top.
Rosalyn falls to the floor.
KC Rogers: Two eliminations for Sayaka Mizuhana!
Vera Steele: And this is exactly what you want. No wasted motion. Hurt them. Lift them. Gone.
The ring is beginning to open.
Fifteen remain.
Gretel attempts to capitalize on Dark Duchess being pressed near the ropes.
The Queen of Spades reacts quickly.
She catches Gretel’s arm.
Drops.
Spade’s Edge Crossface.
Gretel struggles against the submission even though tapping would mean nothing.
Dark Duchess pulls harder.
Gretel’s resistance slows.
Dark Duchess releases.
She pulls Gretel upright by the arm and shoulder.
Gretel attempts one desperate reversal.
Dark Duchess turns through it.
She drives Gretel toward the ropes and sends her over.
Gretel hits the floor.
KC Rogers: Dark Duchess eliminates Gretel.
Vera Steele: Duchess understands this perfectly. A submission still matters in a Battle Royal if it leaves somebody too weak to protect the ropes.
Across the ring, Santelina is still trying to build momentum after eliminating Lark of Sherwood.
She catches Morgana Le Faye approaching and fires a forearm.
Morgana absorbs it.
Santelina strikes again.
Morgana changes levels.
She pulls Santelina down.
Ground Dragon Sleeper.
Santelina’s head and neck are trapped.
She fights violently.
Morgana refuses to release.
Other bodies move around them as the submission remains cinched.
Eventually Santelina’s resistance slows enough for Morgana to abandon the hold.
Morgana drags her upright.
Santelina throws one wild strike.
Morgana ducks.
She gets underneath.
Santelina goes over the top rope.
The Iron Ring Academy competitor reaches desperately for the strand.
Misses.
Both feet hit.
KC Rogers: Morgana Le Faye eliminates Santelina!
Vera Steele: And now the Academy is down to Lenore Valmont.
Morgana barely turns before Medussa Nemesis attacks.
A forearm lands.
Then another.
Medussa attempts to force Morgana backward.
Morgana abruptly changes direction.
She drives forward.
Shining Wizard.
The knee catches Medussa Nemesis across the head.
Medussa falls.
Morgana grabs her immediately.
No pause.
No celebration.
She drags Medussa toward the ropes and forces her upward.
Medussa gets one arm around the top strand.
Morgana attacks the grip.
Another hard shove.
Medussa Nemesis falls over the top rope and lands outside.
KC Rogers: Back-to-back eliminations for Morgana Le Faye!
Vera Steele: This is the Morgana we expected after last week. She was furious about losing by count-out to Sayaka. Tonight she is not giving anybody time to breathe.
Thirteen remain.
One of them is Dark Duchess.
Another is Lenore Valmont.
The Queen of Spades approaches the Iron Ring Academy competitor with clear contempt.
Lenore backs toward the ropes.
Dark Duchess advances.
It looks dangerous.
Then Lenore jumps.
Flying Dropkick.
Both feet slam into the chest of Dark Duchess.
The Queen of Spades is driven backward into the ropes.
Lenore gets up immediately.
A second Flying Dropkick.
Dark Duchess bends over the top strand.
Lenore does not stop.
She charges again.
A third Dropkick catches the Queen of Spades while she is already precariously balanced.
Dark Duchess flips over the top rope.
She lands outside.
The Coliseum erupts.
KC Rogers: LENORE VALMONT JUST ELIMINATED DARK DUCHESS!
Lenore gets to her feet and stares down at the former competitor through the ropes.
Vera Steele: There you go! That is how you introduce yourself to this roster!
KC Rogers: One of the biggest eliminations of the match belongs to the Iron Ring Academy’s Lenore Valmont!
There is no time for her to enjoy it.
The battle continues behind her.
Lady Isolde Blackthorne has engaged Serpenta Veyne near another corner.
Isolde attempts to control the head.
Serpenta catches the shoulder.
Serpent Bite.
The Shoulder Claw digs in.
Lady Isolde Blackthorne tries to pull away.
Serpenta increases the pressure.
Isolde drops toward one knee.
Serpenta finally releases, grabs her from behind and drives her against the ropes.
Isolde tries to turn.
Serpenta lifts.
The Black Chapel representative spills over the top rope.
Both feet hit the floor.
KC Rogers: Serpenta Veyne eliminates Lady Isolde Blackthorne!
The field drops again.
Athena is now fighting Morgana Le Faye.
Athena attempts to impose her strength.
Morgana refuses to meet her directly.
She catches the arm.
Side Russian Legsweep.
Athena crashes down.
Morgana stays attached.
She twists immediately into an Octopus Hold as Athena tries to stand.
Athena fights against the contortion.
She powers partially upright.
Morgana keeps the pressure across the shoulder and neck.
Athena finally breaks loose.
But her balance is compromised.
Morgana attacks before she can reset.
She drives Athena toward the ropes.
Athena grabs the top strand.
Morgana attacks the arm.
Athena keeps one hand attached.
Morgana moves behind her.
A final heave.
Athena goes over.
Both feet strike the floor.
A stunned reaction moves through the Coliseum.
KC Rogers: Athena is eliminated! Morgana Le Faye has three!
Vera Steele: And that North Star Tag Team Championship match is not helping her now. Athena came in with momentum and Morgana just threw her out.
Athena stands on the floor looking back into the ring, furious but unable to dispute the elimination.
Inside, Malice attacks Lenore Valmont before Lenore can fully turn.
Malice drives her toward a corner.
Lenore absorbs the pressure.
Then slips sideways.
She catches Malice.
Snapmare.
Malice lands seated.
Lenore immediately follows with Noble Disdain.
A sharp kick cracks directly into Malice’s back.
Malice arches from the impact.
Lenore pulls her upright.
She drives her toward the ropes.
Malice tries to stop herself.
Lenore stays behind her and keeps pushing.
One last forceful lift sends Malice over the top.
The Academy competitor watches her land.
KC Rogers: Two eliminations now for Lenore Valmont!
Vera Steele: Dark Duchess and Malice. She is not surviving. She is contributing.
Eight women remain.
Crimson Viper.
Hydra Veyne.
Lenore Valmont.
Maid Marion.
Morgana Le Faye.
Mother Earth.
Sayaka Mizuhana.
Serpenta Veyne.
And the remaining competitors begin looking around the increasingly empty ring.
KC Rogers: Now the match changes.
Vera Steele: Absolutely. With twenty women, you survive chaos. With nine, everybody can see everybody.
Mother Earth attempts to take advantage of her strength.
She catches Maid Marion near the center and tries to drive her backward.
Maid Marion disappears underneath the arms.
She catches Mother Earth unexpectedly.
Surprise Small Package.
There is no pinfall count, but the sudden roll disorients the larger competitor.
Maid Marion releases immediately.
Mother Earth tries to stand.
Maid Marion gets behind her.
She drives.
Mother Earth hits the ropes.
Maid Marion uses every bit of momentum she can generate.
Mother Earth rises over the top strand.
For a moment she balances there.
Then falls.
Both feet touch the floor.
The crowd erupts.
KC Rogers: Maid Marion eliminates Mother Earth!
Vera Steele: That is an enormous elimination in every sense.
Maid Marion turns.
Sayaka Mizuhana attacks immediately.
Sayaka tries to catch the waist.
Maid Marion turns.
Kiss Goodnight Roundhouse Kick.
The strike lands flush against Sayaka’s head.
Sayaka falls.
Maid Marion races over.
She pulls Sayaka upward before she can recover.
Sayaka tries to catch the ropes.
Maid Marion knocks the hands away and launches her over.
Sayaka Mizuhana lands outside.
KC Rogers: Sayaka Mizuhana is gone! Maid Marion has eliminated two straight competitors!
Vera Steele: And Sayaka had been one of the strongest women in the first half of this match.
Serpenta Veyne attacks Maid Marion immediately.
Serpenta grabs the shoulder.
Maid Marion twists out before Serpent Bite can fully settle.
Serpenta reaches again.
Maid Marion turns.
Kiss Goodnight Roundhouse Kick.
Serpenta’s head snaps sideways.
She collapses against the ropes.
Maid Marion sees the opening.
She charges and lifts.
Serpenta Veyne goes over the top.
She hits the floor beside Sayaka.
The crowd grows louder.
KC Rogers: THREE! Maid Marion has eliminated Mother Earth, Sayaka Mizuhana, and now Serpenta Veyne!
Vera Steele: She has taken over this match!
Six remain.
Maid Marion turns toward the ring.
That is where Hydra Veyne is waiting.
Hydra attacks from behind.
She catches the waist.
Maid Marion reaches desperately toward the ropes.
Hydra lifts.
Release German Suplex.
Maid Marion is launched across the canvas.
She lands hard.
Hydra wastes no time.
She pulls Maid Marion back to her feet and drives her toward the ropes.
Maid Marion attempts to reverse.
Hydra maintains control.
She lifts.
Maid Marion falls over the top rope.
Both feet hit.
The Camelot crowd groans.
KC Rogers: And just like that, Maid Marion’s run is over! Hydra Veyne eliminates her!
Vera Steele: That is why Battle Royals are cruel. Marion eliminates three women in succession and receives nothing for it except a trip to the floor thirty seconds later.
Four remain.
Hydra Veyne.
Lenore Valmont.
Morgana Le Faye.
Crimson Viper.
And the remaining field draws apart.
For the first time, Crimson Viper steps away from the ropes and into the center.
She smiles.
KC Rogers: There she is.
Vera Steele: I told you. She has been waiting.
Hydra sees her.
The two women meet.
Hydra attacks first.
Crimson Viper slips underneath.
Hydra turns.
Off With Their Heads.
The Flying Clothesline crushes into Hydra across the upper chest and neck.
Hydra flips backward.
Crimson Viper rises immediately.
She gets behind Hydra before the Veyne competitor can recover.
Hydra grabs the ropes.
Crimson Viper attacks the grip.
Hydra hangs on.
Crimson Viper steps back.
Then charges.
Hydra is sent over the top.
She lands outside.
KC Rogers: Crimson Viper eliminates Hydra Veyne!
Vera Steele: And the Queen of Hearts just entered the elimination column at exactly the right time.
Three remain.
Crimson Viper.
Lenore Valmont.
Morgana Le Faye.
The crowd rises.
Lenore looks toward Morgana.
Then Crimson.
Both established Mythic Division competitors look back at the Iron Ring Academy representative.
Lenore does not retreat.
She attacks Crimson Viper first.
Flying Dropkick.
Crimson Viper staggers.
Lenore gets up.
Another Dropkick.
Crimson hits the ropes but does not go over.
Lenore charges for a third.
Crimson Viper moves.
Lenore lands awkwardly and turns.
Crimson catches her around the waist.
Release German Suplex.
Lenore is launched backward.
She lands hard across the shoulders.
Crimson Viper moves immediately.
She pulls Lenore upright.
Lenore attempts one final strike.
Crimson catches the wrist.
Turns her.
Drives her toward the ropes.
Lenore hooks the top rope.
Crimson Viper keeps lifting.
Lenore kicks desperately.
Morgana watches from several feet away.
One of Lenore’s hands slips.
Then the second.
Lenore Valmont falls over the top rope.
Both feet hit the floor.
The Coliseum gives the Academy competitor an appreciative response.
KC Rogers: Lenore Valmont is eliminated by Crimson Viper, but what a showing from the Iron Ring Academy competitor.
Vera Steele: She eliminated Dark Duchess. She eliminated Malice. And she reached the final three. Nobody can call that a wasted opportunity.
Lenore looks back toward the ring.
Two women remain.
The crowd rises completely.
Crimson Viper, Queen of Hearts.
Morgana Le Faye.
They stand at opposite sides of the ring.
No one else remains.
Nineteen eliminations have become one final confrontation.
The match has stretched deep into its twenty-fourth minute.
KC Rogers: This is it.
Vera Steele: Morgana has three eliminations. Crimson Viper has two. None of that matters now.
They step toward the center.
Morgana attacks first.
Forearm.
Crimson Viper answers.
Morgana strikes again.
Crimson gives ground.
Morgana catches the head.
Crimson Viper twists free.
Morgana turns.
Crimson attacks the body and begins a Snap Suplex.
Morgana is thrown.
Crimson stays close.
Morgana forces herself upright.
Second Snap Suplex.
The impact drives her down again.
The crowd begins rising louder.
Crimson Viper does not stop.
She pulls Morgana Le Faye up.
Morgana attempts to block the grip.
Crimson shifts her hips.
Third successive Snap Suplex.
Morgana crashes against the canvas.
KC Rogers: Three successive Snap Suplexes!
Vera Steele: Morgana is hurt.
Crimson Viper stands.
She looks toward the ropes.
Then toward Morgana.
The Queen of Hearts smiles.
She pulls Morgana upright.
Morgana fires a desperate forearm.
Crimson absorbs it.
Another.
Crimson catches the arm.
She turns Morgana toward the ropes.
Morgana realizes what is happening and drops her weight.
Crimson continues pushing.
Morgana hooks one arm around the top rope.
The crowd rises.
Crimson Viper attacks the grip.
Morgana refuses to release.
Crimson pulls her backward.
Then drives forward again.
Morgana rises onto the top strand.
One leg goes over.
She fights desperately to bring it back.
Crimson Viper gets underneath the second leg.
Morgana throws another forearm downward.
Crimson Viper takes it.
And lifts.
Morgana Le Faye goes over the top rope.
She reaches backward.
Her fingers scrape the rope.
Miss.
Both feet hit the floor.
The bell rings.
The Coliseum erupts.
KC Rogers: CRIMSON VIPER WINS IT!
Inside the ring, Crimson Viper turns slowly toward the center.
Nineteen other women are gone.
She remains.
The Queen of Hearts raises both arms.
At ringside, Morgana Le Faye sits against the barricade, exhausted and furious after surviving almost the entire match before becoming the final elimination.
Celeste Orion enters the ring.
The Women’s Convergent Championship graphic fills the enormous screen.
BATTLE ROYAL #1
WINNER
CRIMSON VIPER
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, after twenty-four minutes of competition, the winner of the first Women’s Convergent Championship Qualifying Battle Royal...
She raises one arm toward the winner.
Celeste Orion: CRIMSON VIPER, THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!
The crowd responds loudly.
CRIMSON VIPER, QUEEN OF HEARTS WINS WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING BATTLE ROYAL #1 BY LAST ELIMINATING MORGANA LE FAYE AT 24:00.
KC Rogers: Twenty women started. Crimson Viper waited, managed her positioning, conserved herself through the most chaotic stages of the match, and then became considerably more aggressive once the field narrowed.
Vera Steele: That is why she won. Maid Marion got hot and eliminated three women. Morgana eliminated three. Sayaka eliminated two. Lenore eliminated two. Crimson Viper did not care about winning the first ten minutes.
The camera shows the Queen of Hearts standing beneath the Women’s Convergent Championship graphic.
Vera Steele: She cared about being there when nineteen other women were gone.
KC Rogers: And when the field reached five, she eliminated Hydra Veyne.
The replay shows it.
KC Rogers: When it reached three, she eliminated Lenore Valmont.
Another replay.
KC Rogers: And when only two remained, she eliminated Morgana Le Faye.
The final elimination plays again.
Vera Steele: Three eliminations at exactly the stage where eliminations matter most.
Inside the ring, Crimson Viper looks upward.
The tournament pathway appears.
BATTLE ROYAL 1 — CRIMSON VIPER
BATTLE ROYAL 2 — TBD
BATTLE ROYAL 3 — TBD
BATTLE ROYAL 4 — TBD
The first silhouette becomes the Queen of Hearts.
KC Rogers: Crimson Viper becomes the first woman to qualify for the semifinal stage.
Vera Steele: Three Battle Royals remain. Everybody entering those matches now knows exactly whose name is already waiting in the bracket.
Crimson Viper slowly raises one hand.
The Queen of Hearts graphic forms behind her.
The road to the Women’s Convergent Championship has its first survivor.
Crimson Viper.
The broadcast cuts backstage.
The usual blue-white Northern Belles interview area is nowhere in sight.
Instead, the camera finds a chamber deep beneath Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The stone walls are old.
Older than the banners hanging through the public corridors above.
Only a handful of candles illuminate the room, their flames burning with an unnatural violet hue.
At the center stands an enormous iron cauldron.
Thick green-black vapor rolls across its rim.
Something beneath the surface bubbles slowly.
Then violently.
Then becomes still again.
Standing over it is Grizelda.
She wears a satisfied smile as she moves a long wooden staff through whatever is brewing inside.
Each rotation sends another curl of colored smoke upward.
Several feet behind her stands La Bruja Muerte.
Silent.
Motionless.
Watching.
The camera moves closer.
Grizelda stops stirring.
She lifts the staff from the cauldron.
Dark liquid drips from its end and disappears into the vapor below.
Grizelda: Seven days.
She smiles.
Grizelda: I gave them seven days.
She places the staff against the side of the cauldron.
Grizelda: Seven days to think.
A bubbling sound answers her.
Grizelda: Seven days to decide whether pride matters more than survival.
She turns toward the darkness beyond the candles.
Grizelda: And seven days to remember what happened when their precious Alpha Witch stood across from me.
Her smile widens.
Grizelda: She lost.
The crowd inside the Coliseum can be heard reacting beneath the broadcast.
Grizelda spreads both arms.
Grizelda: So come.
Nothing happens.
Grizelda: Morrigan.
The candle flames flicker.
Grizelda: Wicked Willow.
The smoke above the cauldron begins rotating.
Grizelda: Wicked Witch.
Her voice hardens.
Grizelda: Your new Alpha Witch is calling.
A pause.
Grizelda: Present yourselves.
Silence.
For several seconds, only the bubbling cauldron can be heard.
Then one of the violet flames suddenly dies.
A shadow moves across the rear wall.
Morrigan steps from the darkness.
She says nothing.
Her eyes remain fixed upon Grizelda as she approaches the cauldron.
She stops on the opposite side.
No bow.
No acknowledgment.
Only presence.
Grizelda looks pleased anyway.
Grizelda: Ah.
She gives a slow nod.
Grizelda: One understands when she is summoned.
Morrigan does not react.
Another candle goes out.
Then another.
A strange whisper passes through the chamber.
The air beside Morrigan ripples.
Wicked Willow appears.
She steps forward quietly and takes her place beside Morrigan.
Her expression is unreadable.
Grizelda looks from one woman to the other.
Her smile becomes broader.
Grizelda: Better.
She turns her eyes toward the remaining darkness.
Grizelda: Two.
A beat.
Grizelda: And now we wait for the difficult one.
Nothing happens.
Grizelda gives an exaggerated sigh.
Grizelda: Must everything with her be theatrical?
The cauldron erupts.
Green flame shoots several feet into the air.
The candles extinguish simultaneously.
Darkness consumes the chamber.
Then a deep emerald light appears behind Morrigan and Wicked Willow.
A silhouette forms inside it.
Tall.
Still.
Familiar.
Wicked Witch steps forward.
The emerald light disappears behind her.
She walks between the remaining shadows until she reaches the cauldron.
She takes her place beside Morrigan and Wicked Willow.
Three witches stand together.
Across from them stands Grizelda.
At her side remains La Bruja Muerte.
For several seconds nobody speaks.
Grizelda looks at the three women before her.
Satisfaction fills her expression.
Grizelda: There.
She gestures toward them.
Grizelda: The Coven answers when its Alpha calls.
Wicked Witch gives the faintest laugh.
Grizelda ignores it.
She walks slowly around the cauldron.
Grizelda: Last week I gave you a choice.
She looks toward Morrigan.
Grizelda: Recognize what happened.
Then Wicked Willow.
Grizelda: Accept what changed.
Finally Wicked Witch.
Grizelda: And acknowledge the woman who defeated the old Alpha Witch.
The crowd reacts.
Grizelda stops.
Grizelda: Me.
She spreads her arms.
Grizelda: So now we finish this.
A beat.
Grizelda: Morrigan.
Grizelda: Wicked Willow.
Grizelda: Wicked Witch.
Her smile disappears.
Grizelda: Will you bow before me as the new leader of the Coven?
Silence.
La Bruja Muerte watches from behind Grizelda.
The liquid inside the cauldron bubbles.
Once.
Twice.
Then becomes completely still.
Morrigan looks toward Wicked Witch.
Wicked Willow does the same.
Wicked Witch slowly steps forward.
Grizelda’s smile returns.
Wicked Witch: You poor, delusional girl.
The crowd inside the Coliseum erupts.
Grizelda’s expression immediately changes.
Wicked Witch: You truly believed that was what tonight would be?
She looks around the chamber.
Wicked Witch: You imagined the three of us appearing because you called.
A contemptuous smile forms.
Wicked Witch: You imagined us standing here because you suddenly possessed authority.
She steps closer to the cauldron.
Wicked Witch: And now you expected us to kneel.
She laughs quietly.
Wicked Witch: How embarrassing.
Grizelda: Careful.
Wicked Witch: No.
The word cuts through the room.
Wicked Witch: You be careful.
She points toward Grizelda.
Wicked Witch: You defeated me in one wrestling match.
A pause.
Wicked Witch: One.
She raises a finger.
Wicked Witch: And somehow that small victory has infected your mind with the idea that you have become something greater than you were before the bell rang.
Grizelda stares at her.
Wicked Witch: Beating me does not make you the Alpha Witch.
Her voice becomes colder.
Wicked Witch: It makes you the woman who defeated the Alpha Witch once.
The crowd reacts.
Wicked Witch: Nothing more.
She steps around the edge of the cauldron.
Wicked Witch: You want to speak about power?
The emerald glow around her begins strengthening.
Wicked Witch: Then understand the difference between victory and power.
She points toward herself.
Wicked Witch: I am one of the most powerful wielders of dark magic in all the realms.
The flames around the chamber suddenly burn green.
Wicked Witch: I made Oz tremble.
A reaction rises from the arena.
Wicked Witch: I defeated Dorothy.
She takes another step.
Wicked Witch: I defeated Mrs. Claus.
Her expression hardens.
Wicked Witch: I sent both of them to the hospital.
The crowd responds loudly.
Wicked Witch: Entire kingdoms know what happens when my attention turns toward them.
She gestures toward Grizelda.
Wicked Witch: And you believe one pinfall erased that?
Grizelda: I believe—
Wicked Witch: I was not finished.
The room becomes completely still.
Wicked Witch: When Dracula required someone capable of helping remove the Vale of Shadows bindings, he did not seek you.
A beat.
Wicked Witch: He contacted me.
The expression on Grizelda’s face tightens.
Wicked Witch: Because men and monsters who understand true darkness understand exactly where real power resides.
She gestures toward Morrigan and Wicked Willow.
Wicked Witch: They understand it too.
Morrigan looks at Grizelda.
Then gives a slow nod.
Wicked Willow follows.
Another deliberate nod.
The message is unmistakable.
Wicked Witch looks back toward Grizelda.
Wicked Witch: You won a match.
She gives a dismissive shrug.
Wicked Witch: Congratulations.
A small smile.
Wicked Witch: But you did not inherit my history.
Wicked Witch: You did not inherit my magic.
Wicked Witch: You did not inherit my authority.
She leans slightly across the cauldron.
Wicked Witch: And you most certainly did not become my Alpha.
The crowd erupts.
For several seconds, Grizelda says nothing.
Her eyes move toward Morrigan.
Then Wicked Willow.
Finally back to Wicked Witch.
The anger slowly disappears from her face.
A smile replaces it.
That reaction seems to bother Wicked Witch more.
Grizelda: Very well.
She turns toward the cauldron.
She takes the wooden staff and begins stirring again.
Grizelda: Then we will do this the hard way.
Wicked Witch: There is no hard way for you.
Grizelda: Oh, there is.
She stops stirring.
The cauldron suddenly begins glowing from beneath.
Deep orange.
Then red.
Then black.
Grizelda looks across it.
Grizelda: All Hallows Eve.
The crowd reacts immediately.
Grizelda: October thirty-first.
Her smile widens.
Grizelda: You and me.
Wicked Witch does not move.
Grizelda: But not another ordinary wrestling match.
The vapor above the cauldron forms two shadowy figures facing one another.
Grizelda: No.
A whispered laugh escapes her.
Grizelda: If you insist that this argument is about magic...
She spreads her arms.
Grizelda: ...then magic will settle it.
The shadow figures above the cauldron begin circling.
Grizelda: I challenge you to a Witch’s Nightmare Hex Match.
The reaction from the Coliseum surges.
For the first time, Morrigan’s expression changes.
Wicked Willow slowly turns toward Wicked Witch.
Even La Bruja Muerte lifts her head slightly.
Grizelda: A match created for exactly this question.
She points toward Wicked Witch.
Grizelda: Who deserves the mantle of Alpha Witch?
Then toward herself.
Grizelda: You?
A pause.
Grizelda: Or me?
The figures above the cauldron collide.
Green and purple flame explodes through the smoke.
Grizelda: The winner will have the mantle of Alpha Witch bestowed upon her.
The crowd reacts.
Grizelda: Not claimed.
Grizelda: Not argued.
Grizelda: Bestowed.
She lets that settle.
Then her expression becomes vicious.
Grizelda: And the loser...
The flames inside the cauldron suddenly die.
Darkness.
Grizelda: ...will be stripped of all magical powers.
The Coliseum erupts.
Morrigan looks sharply toward Grizelda.
Wicked Willow’s eyes narrow.
Wicked Witch remains completely still.
Grizelda: Everything.
She walks slowly toward Wicked Witch.
Grizelda: Every spell.
Grizelda: Every curse.
Grizelda: Every dark gift you have accumulated across all those wonderful stories you just told me.
She stops directly in front of her.
Grizelda: Gone.
A beat.
Grizelda: Forever.
The two women stare at one another.
Grizelda: Unless, of course...
Her smile becomes cruel.
Grizelda: ...the great and powerful Wicked Witch is afraid.
The emerald light around Wicked Witch suddenly explodes outward.
The entire room shakes.
The cauldron rattles against the stone beneath it.
Wicked Witch: You are demented.
Her voice is almost quiet.
Wicked Witch: Completely.
She steps toward Grizelda.
Neither woman retreats.
Wicked Witch: If you truly believe you can defeat me in a Witch’s Nightmare Hex Match...
A smile slowly forms.
Wicked Witch: ...then perhaps you deserve what happens to you.
The crowd builds.
Wicked Witch: I accept.
The Coliseum erupts.
Grizelda smiles.
Wicked Witch: Enjoy the next eight weeks.
She glances toward the cauldron.
Then toward La Bruja Muerte.
Wicked Witch: Stir your little pot.
The crowd reacts.
Wicked Witch: Whisper your little spells.
She looks directly into Grizelda’s eyes.
Wicked Witch: Convince yourself that you are preparing for me.
A pause.
Wicked Witch: Because on All Hallows Eve...
The emerald light around her deepens.
Wicked Witch: ...you will learn why realms fear my name.
She steps backward.
Morrigan moves beside her.
Wicked Willow follows.
The three women stand together.
For the first time tonight, the old Coven formation has reassembled completely.
Grizelda watches them.
Still smiling.
Wicked Witch raises one hand.
Green smoke erupts around all three women.
The chamber disappears behind it.
A violent gust extinguishes every remaining candle.
When the smoke clears...
Wicked Witch is gone.
Morrigan is gone.
Wicked Willow is gone.
Only Grizelda and La Bruja Muerte remain.
Silence returns.
La Bruja Muerte looks toward the place where the Coven had been standing.
Then toward Grizelda.
Grizelda slowly turns back toward the cauldron.
She picks up the staff.
Begins stirring.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Something deep beneath the liquid begins glowing.
Grizelda looks down into it.
Her smile becomes almost serene.
Grizelda: A lot can happen between now and October thirty-first, my dear Wicked One...
The cauldron suddenly flashes crimson.
Grizelda laughs softly.
La Bruja Muerte remains beside her as the camera slowly pulls away.
The final image is the two women standing over the bubbling cauldron while the chamber disappears into darkness.
The Northern Belles logo sweeps across the screen.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The ring has been reset following the opening Battle Royal. Honest Abe stands inside, checking both corners and speaking briefly with the timekeeper.
At ringside, KC Rogers and Vera Steele turn toward the entrance stage.
Before either can speak, the arena lighting turns crimson.
The Queen of the North Championship appears across the enormous main screen.
The crowd immediately rises.
Lilith steps through the curtain.
The Queen of the North Championship rests prominently over her shoulder.
There is no Count Vlad accompanying her.
Lilith walks alone.
She looks toward the ring only briefly before turning her attention directly toward the commentary position.
KC Rogers: It appears we are gaining a guest for this match.
Vera Steele: And considering who is about to compete, I doubt the timing is accidental.
Lilith reaches ringside.
A member of the production crew moves a third chair into position.
Lilith sits beside Vera Steele, removes the championship from her shoulder and places it carefully across the desk where anyone approaching from the ring can see it.
She puts on the headset.
KC Rogers: Queen of the North Champion Lilith, welcome to the broadcast.
Lilith: You make that sound as though I require permission to sit here.
KC pauses.
KC Rogers: I was attempting to be polite.
Lilith smiles faintly.
Lilith: Then by all means, continue.
Vera looks toward the entrance.
Vera Steele: I assume you are here because of Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn.
Lilith looks at the championship.
Lilith: I am here because two women have spent several weeks talking about me, attacking me, touching things that belong to me and convincing themselves that any of that makes them important.
A beat.
Lilith: I thought I would watch them wrestle.
The lighting changes.
Black smoke rolls across the stage.
Deep red illumination pulses through it.
The words appear.
HELLFROST
Grinch Heyman steps through the curtain first.
He stops at the center of the stage, adjusts the front of his expensive dark suit and looks toward the commentary desk.
His expression immediately changes when he sees Lilith.
Then Emberlyn Black emerges.
She stops beside him.
Velora Synn appears moments later.
Velora immediately notices the Queen of the North Championship resting in front of Lilith.
Her eyes remain on it.
Lilith notices.
She slowly places one hand across the center plate.
The crowd reacts.
KC Rogers: There is already tension here before Hellfrost has reached the ring.
Vera Steele: And this is exactly what Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn cannot allow tonight. Whatever they want from Lilith, their opponents are the Patchwork Dolls.
Lilith: How reassuring. Vera believes they are capable of remembering that.
Grinch Heyman says something to Velora.
She finally pulls her attention away from the championship.
Hellfrost begins down the aisle.
KC Rogers: At Fallout, Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn attacked Lilith immediately after she became Queen of the North Champion.
Vera Steele: Then last week they confronted her directly and made no attempt to disguise their interest in the championship.
Lilith leans slightly toward the microphone.
Lilith: Interest is not qualification.
Hellfrost reaches ringside.
Velora stops.
She looks directly at Lilith.
Lilith smiles.
Then taps the Queen of the North Championship once.
Grinch Heyman immediately motions for Velora to continue.
Emberlyn climbs onto the apron first.
Velora follows.
Both enter.
The lighting changes completely.
Uneven purple and amber illumination spreads throughout the Coliseum.
Marionette strings descend across the enormous screen.
A crooked wooden puppet theatre appears.
Its curtain opens.
The Puppetmaster steps through the real entrance.
Behind him come Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula.
Their steps are almost synchronized.
Almost.
Each woman moves a fraction behind the other, creating the familiar unsettling rhythm of two people being controlled by different strings.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls were defeated by the War Council last week, and the central problem was isolation. Patchwork Paige spent almost that entire match trapped as the legal competitor.
Vera Steele: That has to change tonight. Against Hellfrost, Paige and Paula need rotation. Emberlyn and Velora are both dangerous enough individually. Allowing them extended two-on-one sequences makes the problem much worse.
Lilith: You are both giving Hellfrost considerably more credit than I would.
KC Rogers: You do not consider them dangerous?
Lilith looks toward Emberlyn and Velora.
Lilith: Dangerous?
A slight shrug.
Lilith: Certainly.
She looks down at the championship.
Lilith: Champion quality?
A smile.
Lilith: No.
The crowd reacts as Hellfrost hears the comment.
Velora steps toward the ropes.
Grinch Heyman immediately tells her to remain focused.
The Puppetmaster leads the Patchwork Dolls to ringside.
Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula climb onto the apron together.
They enter.
The Puppetmaster remains outside.
Honest Abe calls all four women toward the center.
He gives his instructions.
Then points toward Grinch Heyman.
Then the Puppetmaster.
Both managers are ordered to remain outside the ring.
Grinch smiles innocently.
The Puppetmaster says nothing.
Celeste Orion steps into the center with microphone in hand.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall!
The crowd responds.
Celeste Orion: Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Grinch Heyman, the team of Emberlyn Black and Velora Synn... HELLFROST!
Emberlyn raises one arm.
Velora turns toward the commentary desk.
Her eyes settle on Lilith again.
Lilith applauds slowly.
Mockingly.
Celeste Orion: Their opponents, accompanied to the ring by the Puppetmaster... Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula... the PATCHWORK DOLLS!
Paige steps forward.
Paula tilts her head.
Behind them, the Puppetmaster raises both hands.
Celeste exits.
Velora moves onto the apron for Hellfrost.
Patchwork Paula takes the opposite apron.
That leaves Emberlyn Black and Patchwork Paige as the legal competitors.
Honest Abe checks both women.
He signals.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Emberlyn Black immediately closes the distance.
Patchwork Paige attempts to circle away.
Emberlyn catches her by the hair.
Honest Abe immediately warns her.
Emberlyn uses the referee’s count before releasing and snaps Paige forward with the Whip Hair Mare.
Patchwork Paige rolls through the landing and gets back to her knees.
Velora Synn reaches over the top rope.
Emberlyn makes the tag.
Instead of leaving immediately, Emberlyn stays inside during the legal five-count.
Velora catches Paige before she can escape.
She hooks both arms.
Pedigree.
Patchwork Paige is driven face-first into the canvas.
Emberlyn finally moves toward the apron.
Paige forces herself upright and unexpectedly catches Velora around the body.
Bearhug.
Velora’s ribs are compressed as Paige tries to regain control.
Emberlyn reaches through the ropes and grabs Paige’s shoulder.
The distraction gives Velora enough room to pull free.
KC Rogers: Hellfrost immediately tried to establish two-on-one pressure, but Patchwork Paige answered with that Bearhug before they could completely overwhelm her.
Vera Steele: The concern is that Paige is already being forced to process two opponents. Emberlyn used the entire tag window. Velora entered with the Pedigree. Hellfrost wants the referee constantly counting one of them out of the ring rather than allowing Paige to establish rhythm.
Lilith watches Velora.
Lilith: She does enjoy that Pedigree.
A beat.
Lilith: Apparently repetition creates the illusion of originality.
Minute 2
Velora maintains control before Paige can reach her corner.
She pulls Patchwork Paige upright.
Paige throws a forearm toward the body.
Velora absorbs it.
Emberlyn reaches over the top rope.
Another quick tag.
Velora does not immediately leave.
Emberlyn enters and positions Paige between them.
Velora catches both arms again.
Pedigree.
Patchwork Paige is driven down for the second consecutive minute.
Honest Abe begins counting Velora toward the apron.
Paige rolls away before Emberlyn can capitalize.
Emberlyn follows.
Paige suddenly turns beneath her.
She gets Emberlyn across her body.
Scoop Powerslam.
Emberlyn crashes hard into the canvas.
Velora finally exits as the double-team sequence breaks down.
KC Rogers: Another Pedigree from Velora Synn, but Patchwork Paige answers Emberlyn with the Scoop Powerslam.
Vera Steele: That was important. Hellfrost controlled the opening two minutes through rapid tags and extended transitions. Paige finally interrupted the sequence before Emberlyn could maintain the isolation.
Lilith: Two Pedigrees and they still cannot control one Patchwork Doll.
She looks toward Velora.
Lilith: Fascinating.
Velora hears her.
Her expression tightens.
Minute 3
Patchwork Paige reaches her corner.
Patchwork Paula takes the tag.
Paige remains inside during the legal transition.
Emberlyn charges before Paula can establish herself.
Paige lowers her center of gravity.
Back Body Drop.
Emberlyn is launched completely over the ropes and crashes onto the ringside floor.
The crowd reacts.
Paula immediately follows her out visually but remains inside the ring.
As Emberlyn climbs back onto the apron, Paula catches her leg between the ropes.
She twists.
Spinning Toe Hold.
Emberlyn grabs the ropes immediately.
Paige attempts to step in and extend the double-team attack.
Emberlyn kicks herself free and shoves both Dolls backward before Abe can complete his count.
Paige retreats to the apron.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls finally produce their own coordinated sequence. Paige sends Emberlyn to the floor, and Paula attacks the leg as she tries to return.
Vera Steele: But Emberlyn neutralized the second part before it became sustained control. That is the difference from last week. Paige made the tag this time. The Patchwork Dolls are at least forcing Hellfrost to adjust.
Lilith: Perhaps Emberlyn should spend less time planning attacks on champions and more time learning how to survive a Spinning Toe Hold.
Minute 4
Emberlyn gets fully back inside.
Patchwork Paula moves forward.
Paige reaches over the rope.
Another tag.
Paula remains beside her partner.
As Emberlyn approaches, Paula suddenly produces a can of hairspray.
She sprays.
Emberlyn turns her face away at the last moment.
The mist misses her eyes.
Honest Abe immediately moves toward Paula.
Paula hides the can behind her back.
That hesitation destroys the Patchwork Dolls’ positioning.
Emberlyn attacks.
She catches Patchwork Paige by the hair.
Whip Hair Mare.
Paige is thrown hard across the canvas.
Paula attempts to re-enter.
Honest Abe intercepts her and orders her back onto the apron.
KC Rogers: Patchwork Paula tried the hairspray and missed. Emberlyn immediately turned the failed shortcut into offense.
Vera Steele: That is the danger of introducing an illegal object. If it works, you gain an advantage. If it fails, you have compromised your own position while the referee is already looking directly at you.
Lilith gives a faint laugh.
Lilith: They almost blinded Emberlyn with hairspray.
KC Rogers: You sound disappointed that they missed.
Lilith: I would never say that.
A beat.
Lilith: Out loud.
Minute 5
Patchwork Paige recovers from the Hair Mare.
Emberlyn advances.
Paige catches her around the head.
She turns sharply.
Reverse Neckbreaker.
Emberlyn crashes down.
Paige attempts to follow.
From ringside, Grinch Heyman moves closer.
He begins shouting toward Paige.
Mocking the dolls.
Mocking the Puppetmaster.
Telling Paige that even her own partner is waiting for her to fail again.
Paige looks toward him.
The Puppetmaster steps toward Grinch.
Honest Abe immediately warns both managers.
The distraction gives Emberlyn time to roll away and reach her corner.
The extended Patchwork Dolls sequence ends.
KC Rogers: Reverse Neckbreaker from Patchwork Paige, but Grinch Heyman steals the recovery window.
Vera Steele: Paige made the same mistake competitors often make with managers. She won the exchange inside the ring and then allowed someone outside it to determine where her eyes went.
Lilith: Grinch does enjoy hearing himself speak.
She looks toward him.
Lilith: I imagine silence must be terrifying for him.
Grinch Heyman looks toward the desk.
Lilith smiles pleasantly.
Minute 6
Emberlyn remains legal.
Patchwork Paula takes the tag.
Before Paula can enter fully, Grinch Heyman signals toward Emberlyn.
Two fingers.
Then a motion toward the corner.
Emberlyn understands.
She deliberately retreats and invites Paula forward.
Paula steps through.
Emberlyn tries to funnel her toward Hellfrost’s corner, striking with short forearms and shoulder pressure.
Paula absorbs the punishment but refuses to follow the angle Emberlyn is creating.
She plants her feet.
Emberlyn tries to turn her.
Paula keeps herself square to the ring.
The plan never fully develops.
KC Rogers: Grinch Heyman clearly communicated something to Emberlyn Black there.
Vera Steele: He wanted Paula brought toward Hellfrost’s corner. Paula recognized the positioning and refused to travel with the pressure. She absorbed several strikes, but she did not give Emberlyn the geography she wanted.
Lilith: Perhaps Grinch should draw them pictures next time.
Minute 7
Emberlyn attempts to increase the pace.
She charges Patchwork Paula.
Paula catches the forward movement.
X Factor Facebuster.
Emberlyn is driven face-first into the canvas.
The crowd reacts.
Paula immediately looks toward her corner.
Paige calls for the tag.
Emberlyn crawls in the opposite direction.
She reaches Velora first.
The tag is made.
Velora Synn enters quickly.
KC Rogers: X Factor Facebuster from Patchwork Paula, and Emberlyn Black immediately gets out of the match.
Vera Steele: Correct decision. Emberlyn was compromised. She did not spend another thirty seconds trying to prove she could recover. She used the separation and tagged Velora.
Lilith watches Velora enter.
Lilith: Ah.
She leans back.
Lilith: Now perhaps this becomes entertaining.
Minute 8
Velora enters aggressively.
Patchwork Paula backs toward the ropes.
Velora reaches for her.
Paula slips sideways.
Velora turns.
Paula produces a small hand mirror.
She swings.
The edge of the mirror catches Velora across the side of the head.
The crowd reacts sharply.
Honest Abe had been checking Emberlyn’s position on the apron and does not see the contact.
Paula immediately hides the mirror against her body and drops it toward the floor.
Velora staggers.
Paula drives her backward with both hands.
KC Rogers: Patchwork Paula just used a mirror!
Vera Steele: Honest Abe did not see it. Velora absorbed the entire impact, and Paula disposed of the evidence before he turned back.
Lilith looks toward Velora.
Lilith: Perhaps she can raise that mirror over her head next.
A beat.
Lilith: She does enjoy holding things that do not belong to her.
Velora turns toward the commentary desk.
Lilith taps the championship.
Minute 9
Velora’s attention snaps back toward Paula.
She closes the distance violently.
Paula attempts another strike.
Velora catches both arms.
Pedigree.
Patchwork Paula is driven face-first into the canvas.
Velora rolls her over but does not cover.
Instead, she looks directly toward Lilith.
Lilith gives her a small wave.
Velora’s jaw tightens.
She turns toward her corner and tags Emberlyn Black.
KC Rogers: Pedigree from Velora Synn, and she had an opportunity to continue the attack but chose to look over here.
Vera Steele: That is exactly the mistake Hellfrost cannot afford. Lilith is not in the match.
Lilith: Do not blame me because Velora has difficulty concentrating.
Vera Steele: I did not.
Lilith: Good.
Minute 10
Emberlyn enters.
Patchwork Paula is still recovering.
The Puppetmaster moves closer to the apron.
As Emberlyn approaches Paula, the Puppetmaster reaches beneath the bottom rope and attempts to catch Emberlyn’s ankle.
Emberlyn sees the movement.
She jerks her foot away and stomps toward the reaching hand.
The Puppetmaster withdraws immediately.
Honest Abe turns.
The manager is already standing several feet away.
Emberlyn spins back toward Paula.
Black Cinder Kick.
The Spinning Heel Kick flies toward Paula’s head.
Paula ducks underneath.
Emberlyn lands and turns.
Paula catches her.
One-Hand Bulldog.
Emberlyn is driven face-first into the mat.
Paula sits upright beside her.
Emberlyn immediately rolls toward the corner.
Velora reaches down.
The tag is made.
KC Rogers: Everything happened in that exchange. Puppetmaster attempted to interfere, Emberlyn avoided it, then Paula countered the Black Cinder Kick and landed the One-Hand Bulldog.
Vera Steele: And Emberlyn again makes the correct recovery decision. Once the Bulldog landed, she did not remain legal unnecessarily. Velora comes back in.
Lilith looks toward Grinch Heyman.
Lilith: His expression is becoming less smug.
KC Rogers: You appear to be enjoying that.
Lilith: Immensely.
Minute 11
Velora steps through the ropes.
Patchwork Paula rises near the center.
Velora attacks before she can fully square her stance.
Pump Kick.
The boot crashes into Paula’s upper chest and jaw.
Paula falls backward.
Velora remains standing above her.
Paige reaches desperately from the opposite corner.
Velora sees the hand.
She grabs Paula by the ankle and drags her farther away.
KC Rogers: Pump Kick from Velora Synn, and that immediately changes the ring position.
Vera Steele: That is excellent awareness. Velora did not simply land the strike. She recognized where Paula had fallen and moved her away from Patchwork Paige before the tag could happen.
Lilith watches silently for several seconds.
Lilith: Better.
KC turns slightly toward her.
KC Rogers: Was that praise?
Lilith: Do not become accustomed to it.
Minute 12
Velora maintains control.
Emberlyn reaches over the ropes.
The tag is made.
Velora remains inside.
She catches Patchwork Paula around the head and arm.
Triangle Choke.
Paula is pulled downward.
Before the hold can settle completely, Emberlyn moves.
She runs toward the ropes.
Ash Veil.
The Diving Headscissors Takedown whips Paula away from Velora and across the canvas.
Honest Abe begins counting Velora out.
Emberlyn gets back to her feet.
Paula somehow recovers quickly enough to catch her.
X Factor Facebuster.
Emberlyn is driven down.
Velora has to step through the ropes as Abe reaches four.
KC Rogers: Hellfrost created a strong double-team sequence with the Triangle Choke and Ash Veil, but Patchwork Paula still answered Emberlyn with the X Factor.
Vera Steele: Paula is absorbing considerable punishment, but she continues attacking during recovery windows. Hellfrost has not been able to turn one successful sequence into sustained control.
Lilith looks toward Emberlyn on the canvas.
Lilith: Champion quality.
Her voice is dry.
Minute 13
Velora becomes the legal competitor again during the exchange.
Patchwork Paula forces herself upright.
Velora catches both arms.
Pedigree.
Paula is driven face-first into the canvas.
Velora reaches for her.
Paula suddenly stomps down hard across Velora’s foot.
Velora recoils.
Paula uses the opening to crawl toward her corner.
Velora grabs her ankle before she gets there.
Paula kicks backward repeatedly until the grip breaks.
KC Rogers: Another Pedigree from Velora, but Paula creates just enough separation with the Stomp.
Vera Steele: Velora has been winning the larger exchanges, but she is not closing them. Paula keeps finding one smaller attack that prevents the next move from developing.
Lilith: That is because Velora is always searching for the moment where everyone notices her.
A pause.
Lilith: Winning apparently comes second.
Minute 14
Patchwork Paula finally reaches her corner.
Patchwork Paige takes the tag.
Paula remains inside.
The Patchwork Dolls immediately surround Velora.
Paula catches the leg.
Spinning Toe Hold.
Velora tries to pull herself free.
Paige moves in from the opposite side.
Scoop Powerslam.
Velora is driven hard into the canvas.
Paula releases the leg and moves toward the apron before Honest Abe can complete his count.
Paige keeps Velora between herself and the Patchwork corner.
KC Rogers: This is much better tag-team wrestling from the Patchwork Dolls than we saw last week.
Vera Steele: Absolutely. They are rotating. They are creating legal double-team windows. They are preventing prolonged isolation of one partner.
Lilith looks toward Velora.
Lilith: She seems less interested in my championship at the moment.
KC Rogers: Being caught in a Spinning Toe Hold usually has that effect.
Lilith glances toward KC.
Then gives the faintest smile.
Minute 15
Patchwork Paige keeps Velora trapped near the Patchwork corner.
Paula tags back in.
Both Dolls remain inside during the five-count.
Paula snaps Velora over.
Snapmare.
She immediately settles behind her and applies the Chinlock.
Velora fights upward.
Paige approaches.
Velora suddenly drives backward and breaks the control.
She catches Paula around the waist.
German Suplex.
Patchwork Paula is thrown across the ring.
Paige charges.
Velora lowers her body.
Paige attempts to counter.
The movement reverses.
Patchwork Paige gets underneath Velora.
Back Body Drop.
Velora is launched over the top rope.
She crashes onto the ringside floor directly in front of the commentary position.
The crowd rises.
KC Rogers: Velora Synn has been sent to the floor!
Vera Steele: She is legal. The count can begin if she does not return.
Velora pushes herself onto one knee.
She looks up.
The first thing she sees is Lilith.
Lilith slowly removes her headset.
She picks up the Queen of the North Championship.
Velora gets to her feet.
Lilith holds the championship across her shoulder.
Lilith: There you are.
Velora steps toward the desk.
Inside the ring, Honest Abe looks over the ropes.
He begins counting.
One!
KC Rogers: Velora needs to get back into the ring.
Lilith smiles.
Lilith: You remember this, do you not?
She taps the championship.
Two!
Velora moves closer.
Velora Synn: Keep talking.
Lilith: I intend to.
Three!
Grinch Heyman begins shouting from the opposite side.
He points desperately toward the ring.
Grinch Heyman: VELORA!
Lilith barely looks at him.
Four!
Lilith: You looked very impressive holding this at Fallout.
Velora’s face hardens.
Five!
Emberlyn Black drops from the apron.
She moves toward Velora and Lilith.
Vera Steele: Emberlyn is leaving the apron now. This is becoming a serious problem for Hellfrost.
Six!
Emberlyn gets into Lilith’s face beside Velora.
Emberlyn Black: You think this is funny?
Lilith looks from Emberlyn to Velora.
Lilith: Increasingly.
Seven!
The crowd grows louder.
Grinch Heyman is nearly frantic.
He points toward Honest Abe.
Eight!
Velora finally looks toward the ring.
She realizes how far the count has progressed.
Patchwork Paula stands inside watching.
Patchwork Paige remains on the apron.
Nine!
Velora turns.
She takes one step toward the ring.
Lilith speaks behind her.
Lilith: Run, Velora.
Velora stops.
She turns back toward Lilith.
Ten!
Honest Abe calls for the bell.
The Coliseum erupts.
Velora freezes.
Her expression changes from anger to disbelief.
Inside the ring, Patchwork Paula throws both arms into the air.
Patchwork Paige enters and embraces her.
The Puppetmaster raises his hands triumphantly from ringside.
Grinch Heyman puts both hands against the sides of his head.
KC Rogers: SHE HAS BEEN COUNTED OUT!
Vera Steele: Velora Synn had ten seconds. She spent almost all of them confronting Lilith instead of returning to the ring.
Emberlyn turns toward the ring.
Then toward Lilith.
Lilith calmly puts her headset back on.
Velora steps closer to her.
Lilith does not move.
She simply raises the Queen of the North Championship between them.
Security begins approaching from the aisle.
Inside the ring, Celeste Orion receives the official decision.
She raises the microphone.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, Velora Synn has failed to return to the ring before the referee’s count of ten.
The crowd cheers.
Celeste Orion: Therefore, your winners by COUNT-OUT... PATCHWORK PAIGE and PATCHWORK PAULA... the PATCHWORK DOLLS!
Honest Abe raises both women’s arms.
PATCHWORK DOLLS DEFEAT HELLFROST VIA COUNT-OUT AT 15:00 MINUTE MARK.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls earn the victory, and after last week’s loss to the War Council, this was a much better performance from Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula.
Vera Steele: Their tag structure was dramatically improved. They rotated much more effectively, created legal two-on-one windows and did not allow either woman to remain isolated for the entire match.
KC looks toward Lilith.
KC Rogers: But we cannot discuss the finish without discussing you.
Lilith looks almost surprised.
Lilith: Why?
KC Rogers: Because Velora Synn was counted out while confronting you.
Lilith: Was I wrestling?
KC Rogers: No.
Lilith: Did I prevent her from entering the ring?
KC Rogers: No.
Lilith: Did I touch her?
KC Rogers: No.
Lilith spreads one hand.
Lilith: Then it appears Velora Synn was counted out because Velora Synn lacks discipline.
Vera nods slightly.
Vera Steele: Technically, that is correct.
Velora hears it.
Her eyes narrow.
Vera Steele: Lilith deliberately provoked her. That is also obvious. But Velora knew the count had begun. Grinch Heyman warned her repeatedly. She chose to remain here.
Lilith looks toward Velora.
Lilith: Thank you, Vera.
Vera Steele: That was not an endorsement.
Lilith: I will take it anyway.
At ringside, Emberlyn places one hand on Velora’s shoulder.
Velora immediately pulls away.
She continues staring at Lilith.
Lilith rises.
She removes the headset.
Then lifts the Queen of the North Championship onto her shoulder.
The two women stare at one another across the commentary desk.
KC Rogers: Hellfrost has lost this match because Velora Synn allowed the Queen of the North Champion to become more important than the legal contest.
Vera Steele: And that should concern Grinch Heyman. Their championship ambitions are now directly interfering with their ability to win matches that have nothing to do with the championship.
Inside the ring, Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula stand beside the Puppetmaster with their arms raised.
Lilith steps away from the commentary desk.
Before leaving, she looks back toward Velora.
Lilith: Fifteen minutes.
A pause.
Lilith: And somehow I still beat you.
The crowd erupts.
Velora surges forward.
Emberlyn catches her.
Grinch Heyman rushes between them.
Lilith turns away.
The Queen of the North Champion walks calmly toward the aisle while Hellfrost argues behind her.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls have the victory.
Vera Steele: And Hellfrost has a problem that appears to be getting worse.
The camera follows Lilith briefly as she walks away with the Queen of the North Championship over her shoulder.
Then it returns to the victorious Patchwork Dolls inside the ring.
The Northern Belles logo sweeps across the screen.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The camera sweeps across the lower bowl before settling on the ring, where Honest Abe checks the turnbuckles and exchanges a brief word with the timekeeper.
At the commentary position, KC Rogers looks toward the entrance stage.
KC Rogers: We move now to singles competition, and this match carries considerable importance around the developing Aurora Championship picture. Ursa Titania has already made her intentions toward Valka unmistakable. Tonight, however, she has to deal with Penny Coppersnap.
Vera Steele: And that distinction matters. Declaring that you want a championship creates attention. It does not remove the opponents standing between you and the champion. Penny Coppersnap has the opportunity tonight to make herself the reason everyone stops talking about Ursa Titania and starts talking about her.
A deep animalistic roar rolls through the Coliseum.
The lights dim.
Amber and dark green illumination spreads across the stage.
The enormous main screen fills with the image of a vast wilderness beneath a storm-darkened sky.
Heavy footsteps sound through the arena.
Marcus the Beastmaster steps through the curtain.
He stops at the center of the stage and looks toward the ring.
Then he raises one arm.
Ursa Titania emerges behind him.
Her presence immediately changes the scale of the entrance.
Broad-shouldered and physically imposing, she stands beside Marcus for several seconds before fixing her eyes on the ring.
There is no elaborate acknowledgment of the crowd.
No smile.
Only purpose.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania confronted Valka several weeks ago and said the words plainly. She wants the Aurora Championship.
Vera Steele: And she presents a physical problem unlike almost anyone Valka encountered during the tournament that crowned the inaugural champion. Size. Power. Impact. But before we reach that discussion, Ursa has to demonstrate that those advantages work against Penny Coppersnap.
Marcus the Beastmaster leads the way down the aisle.
Ursa Titania follows.
At ringside, Marcus moves toward the corner while Ursa climbs onto the apron.
She steps over the middle rope and moves toward the center.
The lighting changes.
The wilderness disappears.
Bright gold and copper light begins flashing across the stage.
Coins tumble across the enormous screen.
A rapid, mischievous musical theme begins.
Penny Coppersnap bursts through the curtain.
She stops beneath the entrance arch and looks toward Ursa Titania.
For a moment, she appears almost amused by the size difference.
Then she raises one hand toward the crowd and starts toward the ring.
KC Rogers: And there is no hesitation from Penny Coppersnap.
Vera Steele: There cannot be. If Penny spends this match reacting emotionally to Ursa’s size, she has already lost part of the battle. Her advantage is movement. Sudden angles. Rotational offense. She has to make Ursa adjust repeatedly.
Penny reaches ringside.
She looks briefly toward Marcus the Beastmaster.
Marcus stares back.
Penny wisely continues.
She climbs onto the apron and steps through the ropes.
Ursa moves toward her.
Penny does not retreat.
Honest Abe steps between them and gives his instructions.
Then he turns toward ringside.
He points directly toward Marcus the Beastmaster and makes clear that Marcus is expected to remain outside the ring.
Marcus gives no verbal response.
He simply takes one step backward.
Celeste Orion moves into the center with microphone in hand.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the following singles contest is scheduled for one fall!
The crowd responds.
Celeste Orion: Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Marcus the Beastmaster... URSA TITANIA!
Ursa steps forward.
She raises one arm and stares directly across the ring.
Marcus watches from the floor.
Celeste turns.
Celeste Orion: Her opponent... PENNY COPPERSNAP!
Penny raises both arms as the crowd reacts.
She immediately returns her attention to Ursa.
Celeste exits.
Honest Abe checks both competitors one final time.
He signals toward the timekeeper.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Ursa Titania moves directly toward the center.
Penny Coppersnap attempts to circle.
Ursa cuts off the movement.
She catches Penny around the throat.
Penny immediately grabs Ursa’s wrist with both hands and attempts to break the grip.
Ursa lifts her completely from the canvas.
Choke Slam.
Penny crashes hard onto her back.
Ursa remains standing over her.
Penny rolls toward one side before Ursa can follow.
She gets underneath the larger competitor as Ursa reaches for her again.
Penny hooks the body.
Ursa attempts to widen her base.
Penny uses the forward momentum to complete the lift.
Greed Goblin Slam.
The Michinoku Driver plants Ursa Titania into the canvas.
The crowd reacts sharply to Penny moving the larger opponent.
Both women separate.
KC Rogers: Tremendous opening exchange. Ursa Titania establishes the power immediately with the Choke Slam, but Penny Coppersnap answers with the Greed Goblin Slam.
Vera Steele: Penny did not attempt to lift Ursa from a dead stop. She used Ursa’s forward movement to help create the rotation. That is exactly how a smaller competitor has to approach this matchup.
Minute 2
Ursa rises first.
Penny attempts to attack before she can completely reset.
Ursa catches her around the waist.
She lifts.
Cursebreak.
The Sitout Powerbomb drives Penny into the canvas.
Ursa releases.
Penny rolls through the landing and forces herself upright before Ursa expects it.
She catches one arm.
Turns her hips.
Glimmerbomb Toss.
The Exploder Suplex sends Ursa across the ring.
Ursa lands hard across the shoulders and rolls onto one knee.
Penny backs away, measuring the larger woman.
KC Rogers: Cursebreak from Ursa Titania, answered by the Glimmerbomb Toss from Penny Coppersnap.
Vera Steele: Penny is refusing to allow Ursa to own the second exchange. That matters. Every time Ursa lands a power move, Penny is immediately searching for the transitional opening afterward.
Minute 3
Both women close again.
Ursa catches Penny.
She begins lifting for another Cursebreak.
Penny drives repeated forearms into the side of Ursa’s head.
The Powerbomb position becomes unstable.
Penny slips down the back.
She runs toward the ropes.
Ursa turns.
Penny rebounds and attempts Gobflip Gleam.
She launches into the Standing Moonsault.
Ursa moves.
Penny lands on her feet but stumbles forward.
Ursa attempts to catch her again for Cursebreak.
Penny twists away before the lift can stabilize.
Both women separate without completing the larger attack.
KC Rogers: Neither woman completes the move she wanted there.
Vera Steele: But the exchange tells us something. Penny has already seen the Cursebreak twice. She recognized the lift earlier. Ursa also anticipated the Standing Moonsault. Familiarity is beginning to affect the setups very quickly.
Minute 4
Penny moves toward the center.
Ursa attacks before she can establish distance.
She catches Penny around the waist.
Penny attempts to hook one leg around Ursa’s ankle.
Ursa powers through.
Cursebreak.
The Sitout Powerbomb lands cleanly.
Penny folds against the canvas.
This time there is no immediate counter.
Ursa stays close.
She pulls Penny away from the ropes and forces her back toward the center.
KC Rogers: Third Cursebreak attempt of the match, and this one lands without resistance.
Vera Steele: That is the danger for Penny. She can counter the setup several times, but Ursa only needs one clean elevation. Penny cannot afford prolonged contact around the waist.
Minute 5
Penny gets upright slowly.
Ursa charges.
Big Boot.
The boot drives directly into Penny’s upper chest and sends her backward.
Penny bounces off the ropes.
Ursa advances.
Penny ducks beneath another attempted strike.
She gets beside Ursa.
Hooks the body.
Glimmerbomb Toss.
A second Exploder Suplex sends Ursa across the mat.
Penny remains on one knee after the effort.
KC Rogers: Big Boot from Ursa Titania, but Penny answers with another Glimmerbomb Toss.
Vera Steele: That second Exploder required more effort. You can see Penny staying down afterward. She can move Ursa, but moving Ursa repeatedly is costing significant energy.
Minute 6
Ursa rises near the ropes.
Penny advances.
At ringside, Marcus the Beastmaster moves toward the apron.
He calls sharply toward Honest Abe.
The referee turns.
Marcus points toward the opposite side, insisting something has come loose near the turnbuckle.
Honest Abe moves toward the corner to inspect it.
Penny sees the referee turn.
She looks toward Marcus.
Marcus immediately slides beneath the bottom rope.
Penny turns.
Marcus catches her.
Sidewalk Slam.
He drives Penny hard into the canvas.
The crowd erupts in boos.
Marcus rolls immediately back beneath the bottom rope.
By the time Honest Abe turns around, Marcus is standing innocently on the floor.
KC Rogers: Oh, come on! Marcus the Beastmaster just entered the ring!
Vera Steele: Honest Abe did not see it. Marcus deliberately created the distraction, entered, delivered the Sidewalk Slam and exited before the referee turned back.
Ursa approaches Penny.
Penny forces herself up despite the illegal attack.
Ursa reaches for her.
Penny catches the head.
Head Hex Driver.
The DDT drives Ursa into the mat.
The crowd cheers.
Penny rolls away, clutching her back after the Sidewalk Slam.
KC Rogers: And somehow Penny Coppersnap still answers with the Head Hex Driver.
Vera Steele: But the damage from Marcus remains. The DDT does not erase the Sidewalk Slam. Penny is now wrestling Ursa while carrying punishment she never should have absorbed.
Minute 7
Penny rises slowly.
Ursa sees the compromised posture.
She drives forward.
Knee Lift.
The knee catches Penny beneath the jaw.
Penny snaps backward and falls against the canvas.
Ursa remains between Penny and the ropes.
Penny attempts to crawl away.
Ursa catches her by the wrist and drags her back toward the center.
KC Rogers: Knee Lift from Ursa Titania, and the pace has changed considerably since that interference.
Vera Steele: Because Penny’s recovery has slowed. Before the sixth minute she was answering almost every major attack. Now she is spending more time simply getting back to her feet.
Minute 8
Ursa approaches again.
Another Knee Lift.
Penny raises both forearms but still absorbs much of the impact.
She staggers backward.
Ursa follows.
Penny suddenly jumps.
Pixie Kick Pop.
The Dropkick catches Ursa squarely in the chest.
The larger woman takes two steps backward.
Penny gets up quickly and delivers another Dropkick.
Ursa reaches the ropes but remains standing.
Penny does not recklessly charge a third time.
She backs toward the center and resets.
KC Rogers: Penny finally creates some separation with the Pixie Kick Pop.
Vera Steele: And she made the correct decision afterward. Ursa did not fall. A third immediate Dropkick would have brought Penny directly into grabbing distance. She took the space instead.
Minute 9
Penny advances cautiously.
She begins throwing the Market Pounders.
The first Polish Hammer swings toward Ursa’s chest.
Ursa catches the arm.
Penny attempts the second strike with the opposite side.
Ursa blocks that as well.
She forces both arms apart and shoves Penny backward.
Penny rolls through before Ursa can capitalize.
KC Rogers: Ursa neutralizes the Market Pounders.
Vera Steele: Penny telegraphed the sequence. Once Ursa caught the first arm, attempting the second strike without changing angle made it easier to defend.
Minute 10
Ursa catches Penny before she can fully reset.
One hand closes around the throat.
Penny tries to kick the leg.
Ursa lifts anyway.
Choke Slam.
Penny is driven down.
Ursa steps back.
Penny rolls toward one side.
As Ursa approaches again, Penny springs upward.
Gobflip Gleam.
The Standing Moonsault rotates toward Ursa.
Ursa brings her knees upward.
Penny changes the landing at the final moment and avoids taking the knees directly, but the Moonsault never connects cleanly.
Both women scramble apart.
KC Rogers: Choke Slam from Ursa, and Penny tried to answer with Gobflip Gleam but could not establish the landing.
Vera Steele: Penny is still attempting to answer immediately. The difference is that her precision is deteriorating. That is often the first sign that accumulated punishment is affecting a high-movement competitor.
Minute 11
Penny forces herself upright first.
Ursa advances.
Penny steps forward rather than retreating.
Market Pounders.
The first Polish Hammer lands across Ursa’s upper chest.
The second catches her near the shoulder and jaw.
Ursa staggers backward.
Penny continues.
Another heavy swinging strike lands.
Ursa finally drops to one knee.
The crowd responds.
KC Rogers: This time the Market Pounders connect!
Vera Steele: Better setup. Penny did not announce the sequence from distance. She stepped inside first and shortened the arc. Ursa had less time to intercept the arms.
Minute 12
Ursa gets back to her feet.
Penny moves toward her.
Ursa catches the body.
Side Suplex.
Penny is thrown across the ring.
She lands hard but rolls through.
Ursa approaches too quickly.
Penny rises beneath her.
She catches the head and arm.
Wicked Spinner Special.
The Spinning Snapmare Driver drives Ursa down.
The crowd reacts loudly.
Penny falls backward beside her, exhausted.
KC Rogers: Side Suplex from Ursa, but Penny answers with the Wicked Spinner Special!
Vera Steele: That may be Penny’s strongest counter of the match. She used Ursa’s forward movement and redirected the head rather than trying to overpower the torso.
Minute 13
Both women remain down momentarily.
Honest Abe watches carefully.
Ursa reaches one knee.
Penny does the same.
For several seconds, neither woman commits.
They rise.
Ursa moves first.
Penny attempts to circle.
Ursa catches her.
Bodyslam.
Penny crashes flat across the canvas.
Ursa steps toward her.
Penny reacts from underneath.
She hooks the body and rolls Ursa through.
Snapsnare Suplex.
Ursa is pulled over and lands across the shoulders.
Both women separate again.
KC Rogers: Bodyslam from Ursa Titania, answered by the Snapsnare Suplex.
Vera Steele: Penny is still finding counters, but notice the recovery after each one. She is staying down longer. Ursa is forcing her to spend enormous amounts of energy simply maintaining parity.
Minute 14
Penny reaches her feet first.
She immediately attacks with another Market Pounders sequence.
One Polish Hammer lands.
A second follows.
Ursa gives ground.
At ringside, Marcus climbs onto the apron.
Honest Abe sees him this time.
The referee turns.
He orders Marcus down.
Marcus argues.
Penny notices.
She points toward him.
Ursa remains behind her.
Marcus finally steps down.
Honest Abe leans through the ropes and continues warning him.
Marcus suddenly moves around the corner.
Penny turns back toward Ursa.
Marcus slides beneath the bottom rope behind the referee.
He catches Penny from the side.
Sidewalk Slam.
Penny is driven into the canvas for the second time.
Marcus immediately rolls back out.
The boos become deafening.
Honest Abe turns.
All he sees is Penny on the canvas and Ursa standing over her.
KC Rogers: Again! Marcus the Beastmaster has done it again!
Vera Steele: And Honest Abe missed it again. Marcus used the referee’s own warning against him. He remained the focus until Abe committed his attention, then entered from another angle.
Ursa drops across Penny.
She hooks the leg.
Honest Abe dives into position.
One!
Two!
Penny kicks out!
The crowd erupts.
Ursa sits upright.
For the first time, frustration shows across her face.
Marcus pounds one hand against the apron.
KC Rogers: Penny survives at two despite the second Sidewalk Slam from Marcus!
Vera Steele: That kickout required significant reserves. She absorbed the Market Pounders exchange, then an illegal Sidewalk Slam, and still escaped before three. But those reserves are not unlimited.
Ursa gets up immediately.
She reaches down for Penny.
Minute 15
Ursa pulls Penny upright.
Penny begins throwing Market Pounders again.
One Polish Hammer catches Ursa.
Another.
Ursa absorbs both.
Penny attempts a third.
Ursa steps through the strike.
Her hand closes around Penny’s throat.
Penny’s eyes widen.
She tries to break the grip.
Ursa lifts.
Choke Slam.
Penny crashes violently into the canvas.
Ursa drops across her immediately.
She hooks the far leg.
Honest Abe counts.
One!
Penny moves.
Two!
She tries to turn the shoulder.
Three!
The bell rings.
Ursa releases the cover and sits upright.
Marcus raises both arms from ringside.
The crowd responds with a mixture of boos for the interference and reaction to the decisive final Choke Slam.
Honest Abe raises Ursa’s arm.
Celeste Orion enters the ring.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... URSA TITANIA!
Marcus climbs onto the apron.
Ursa gets to her feet.
She looks down at Penny for several seconds.
Then toward the entrance stage.
URSA TITANIA DEFEATS PENNY COPPERSNAP VIA PINFALL FOLLOWING A CHOKE SLAM AT 15:00 MINUTE MARK.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania gets the victory after fifteen minutes, and the official record will show that she pinned Penny Coppersnap following the Choke Slam.
Vera Steele: But any competitive analysis of this match has to include Marcus the Beastmaster. He illegally entered the ring twice. He delivered two Sidewalk Slams. Honest Abe saw neither one.
The replay shows both attacks again.
KC Rogers: And Penny still survived the first interference well enough to continue fighting.
Vera Steele: She did more than continue. She repeatedly answered Ursa’s offense. The Greed Goblin Slam. Two Glimmerbomb Tosses. The Head Hex Driver. The Market Pounders. The Wicked Spinner Special. Penny forced Ursa to work for this result.
Inside the ring, Penny has rolled toward the ropes.
Honest Abe checks on her.
Ursa stands beside Marcus.
KC Rogers: But the result belongs to Ursa Titania.
Vera Steele: And if Ursa wants the Aurora Championship, this match demonstrated both why she is dangerous and where questions remain.
KC Rogers: Explain that.
Vera Steele: The physical threat is obvious. Penny absorbed multiple Powerbomb variations, Choke Slams and heavy strikes. Ursa can overwhelm opponents once she establishes control.
A replay shows Marcus entering again.
Vera Steele: But twice tonight, Marcus materially changed the match. If Ursa wants to prove she can take the Aurora Championship from Valka, eventually she has to demonstrate that she can create those decisive openings herself.
Ursa looks toward the enormous main screen.
The Aurora Championship suddenly appears.
The crowd responds.
Then the image changes.
Valka.
AURORA CHAMPION
The camera tightens on Ursa.
Her eyes never leave the screen.
Marcus steps beside her.
KC Rogers: And there is no confusion about where Ursa Titania’s attention goes next.
The graphic changes.
LATER TONIGHT
AURORA CHAMPION VALKA
VS
COTTON CANDY
NON-TITLE
Vera Steele: But Valka still has business tonight. Cotton Candy is waiting.
Ursa gives the championship image one final stare.
Then she steps through the ropes.
Marcus follows her down from the apron.
Penny is now sitting against the bottom turnbuckle, recovering as Honest Abe speaks to her.
Ursa and Marcus begin walking toward the entrance.
Neither looks back.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania has made her statement.
Vera Steele: And later tonight, the woman holding the championship she wants gets the opportunity to make one of her own.
The camera follows Ursa and Marcus up the aisle before the Northern Belles logo sweeps across the screen.
The broadcast cuts backstage to the Northern Belles interview area.
The blue-white backdrop glows beneath the overhead lighting. The Northern Belles emblem shines in icy gold and steel behind Alexandra Jones, who stands at center frame with microphone in hand.
Beside her is Mrs. Claus.
The reaction from inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum is immediate.
A warm cheer rolls through the building.
Mrs. Claus acknowledges it with a small smile, but there is none of her usual easy warmth tonight.
Her posture is straight.
Her hands are clasped in front of her.
Her expression is thoughtful.
Serious.
Alexandra notices it immediately.
Alexandra Jones: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me now is one of the most beloved competitors in Northern Belles, Mrs. Claus.
The crowd cheers again.
Mrs. Claus gives a restrained nod.
Alexandra Jones: Mrs. Claus, normally when you join me back here, there is a little more of a smile.
A faint smile briefly appears.
Then disappears.
Alexandra Jones: You asked for this time tonight because you said there was something you needed to address.
Alexandra raises the microphone slightly.
Alexandra Jones: What is on your mind?
Mrs. Claus takes a slow breath.
Mrs. Claus: Something that should have been dealt with a long time ago.
The crowd quiets.
Mrs. Claus: And if I am being fair...
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: ...some of that is on me.
Alexandra listens.
Mrs. Claus: There is unfinished business between me and Dorothy.
A reaction immediately moves through the Coliseum.
Mrs. Claus nods.
She expected it.
Mrs. Claus: And before anybody starts turning this into something that it is not, I want to explain why.
She looks directly into the camera.
Mrs. Claus: We have to go back to March of last year.
Her expression grows heavier.
Mrs. Claus: March 2025.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: Wicked Witch attacked me.
The crowd boos.
Mrs. Claus: And she attacked Dorothy.
Her eyes harden slightly at the memory.
Mrs. Claus: What happened that night changed both of us.
She looks toward Alexandra.
Mrs. Claus: But I think it changed Dorothy more.
A brief pause.
Mrs. Claus: The Dorothy who came out the other side of that attack was not the same young woman who went into it.
The crowd becomes attentive.
Mrs. Claus: She was angrier.
Mrs. Claus: More suspicious.
Mrs. Claus: Less willing to accept the way things had always been done.
Mrs. Claus slowly nods.
Mrs. Claus: And eventually, that became part of what created the Blonde Bombshells.
A cheer rises from the audience.
Mrs. Claus allows herself a small smile.
Mrs. Claus: And look at her now.
The smile becomes genuine for a moment.
Mrs. Claus: North Star Tag Team Champion.
The audience cheers louder.
Mrs. Claus: Part of one of the most successful teams in Northern Belles.
Another reaction.
Mrs. Claus: And, somehow...
She smiles slightly.
Mrs. Claus: ...one of the biggest fan favorites in this entire division.
The crowd cheers again.
Mrs. Claus waits for it to settle.
Mrs. Claus: I am happy for her.
Her tone makes clear that she means it.
Mrs. Claus: Truly.
Mrs. Claus: Dorothy found something that worked for her.
Mrs. Claus: She found her confidence.
Mrs. Claus: She found her voice.
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: Maybe she found a part of herself that had been waiting to come out for a long time.
Her expression becomes more serious again.
Mrs. Claus: But when Dorothy found that voice...
She looks into the camera.
Mrs. Claus: ...she had some things to say.
The crowd begins reacting before she continues.
Mrs. Claus: About people like me.
Mrs. Claus lets that sit.
Mrs. Claus: About the old guard.
Her voice remains calm.
There is no anger in it.
Only weight.
Mrs. Claus: Dorothy said that people who had been here longer had spent too much time protecting their places.
Mrs. Claus: That we had held younger wrestlers back.
Mrs. Claus: That opportunities had too often gone to the same names because those names were familiar.
She looks down briefly.
Mrs. Claus: And some of those words were aimed directly at me.
Alexandra raises the microphone.
Alexandra Jones: Did you take those comments personally?
Mrs. Claus thinks about the question.
Mrs. Claus: Of course I did.
The answer is immediate.
Mrs. Claus: I would be lying if I stood here and said otherwise.
She looks toward Alexandra.
Mrs. Claus: I have spent a very long time trying to help people in this business.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: So when somebody tells you that maybe you have actually been part of the reason other people could not move forward...
She exhales.
Mrs. Claus: ...that hurts.
The crowd remains quiet.
Mrs. Claus: And I did not agree with everything Dorothy said.
Her voice firms.
Mrs. Claus: I still do not.
She turns toward the camera.
Mrs. Claus: I do not believe that every veteran who earns an opportunity is stealing it from somebody younger.
Mrs. Claus: I do not believe experience becomes something you should apologize for simply because somebody else wants your place.
A few cheers rise.
Mrs. Claus: But I also know enough to admit something else.
She pauses.
Mrs. Claus: Sometimes people who have been around a long time become too comfortable with the way things are.
A louder reaction.
Mrs. Claus: Sometimes we stop noticing who is waiting behind us.
She nods.
Mrs. Claus: Sometimes we think we are protecting tradition...
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: ...when maybe we are protecting our own comfort.
Alexandra watches carefully.
Mrs. Claus: And maybe Dorothy needed to say some of what she said.
She gives a small shrug.
Mrs. Claus: Maybe I needed to hear some of it.
The crowd responds appreciatively.
Mrs. Claus: But there is a difference between understanding why somebody is angry...
Her expression hardens slightly.
Mrs. Claus: ...and pretending the words never hurt.
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: They did.
The Coliseum quiets again.
Mrs. Claus: And I think mine hurt her too.
Alexandra tilts the microphone toward herself.
Alexandra Jones: You and Dorothy have never really resolved any of this.
Mrs. Claus slowly shakes her head.
Mrs. Claus: No.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: We moved forward.
Mrs. Claus: There were other matches.
Mrs. Claus: Other problems.
Mrs. Claus: Championships.
Mrs. Claus: Rivalries.
She looks toward the floor.
Mrs. Claus: Life.
Then back up.
Mrs. Claus: But moving forward is not the same thing as resolving something.
Her voice becomes more deliberate.
Mrs. Claus: And I do not want this sitting between us for another year.
The crowd starts to react.
Mrs. Claus looks directly into the camera.
Mrs. Claus: So Goldie Locks...
A cheer rises at the Commissioner’s name.
Mrs. Claus: I am asking you for something.
She steps slightly closer to the camera.
Mrs. Claus: Next week.
The crowd grows louder.
Mrs. Claus: Mrs. Claus versus Dorothy.
A strong reaction rolls through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Alexandra looks toward her.
Mrs. Claus continues.
Mrs. Claus: No championship.
Mrs. Claus: No stipulation.
Mrs. Claus: No partners.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: No excuses.
She places one hand against her chest.
Mrs. Claus: Just me.
Then gestures toward the camera.
Mrs. Claus: And Dorothy.
The audience cheers.
Mrs. Claus: Two women who have known each other a long time.
Mrs. Claus: Two women who have said things that still matter.
Her expression softens slightly.
Mrs. Claus: And one wrestling match where maybe we finally get to say what needs to be said without a microphone between us.
Alexandra nods slowly.
Alexandra Jones: You called this unfinished business.
Mrs. Claus: It is.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: But I do not want revenge.
That answer quiets the crowd.
Mrs. Claus: I do not want to embarrass Dorothy.
She shakes her head.
Mrs. Claus: And I certainly do not want to undo what she has become.
A small smile returns.
Mrs. Claus: I like what she has become.
The crowd cheers.
Mrs. Claus: She is strong.
Mrs. Claus: She is confident.
Mrs. Claus: She speaks her mind whether anybody wants to hear it or not.
Another cheer.
Mrs. Claus: And people love her for it.
Her smile fades back into seriousness.
Mrs. Claus: But if we are ever going to truly move past what happened between us...
She points toward the ring area beyond the camera.
Mrs. Claus: ...then I think we need to meet in that ring.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: Look each other in the eye.
Mrs. Claus: Fight.
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: And when it is over...
Her voice softens.
Mrs. Claus: ...bury the hatchet.
The crowd responds warmly.
Alexandra turns slightly toward the camera.
Alexandra Jones: So the challenge is official from your side.
Mrs. Claus nods.
Mrs. Claus: Goldie Locks, book it.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: Dorothy...
She looks directly into the lens.
Mrs. Claus: I hope you say yes.
Her expression is sincere.
Mrs. Claus: Not because I want to prove that you were wrong about everything.
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: And not because I expect you to admit that I was right about everything.
She shakes her head.
Mrs. Claus: We are both too stubborn for that.
A few supporters laugh.
Mrs. Claus smiles.
Then becomes serious again.
Mrs. Claus: I want the match because you mattered to me before March 2025.
Mrs. Claus: You mattered to me afterward.
A beat.
Mrs. Claus: And you still matter to me now.
The crowd reacts warmly.
Mrs. Claus: But if there is something between us...
She clenches one fist gently.
Mrs. Claus: ...then I would rather fight through it than spend another year pretending it is not there.
A loud cheer rises.
Mrs. Claus looks toward Alexandra.
Mrs. Claus: That is all I wanted to say.
Alexandra nods.
Alexandra Jones: Mrs. Claus, thank you.
Mrs. Claus gives her a small smile.
Then she looks toward the camera one final time.
Mrs. Claus: Dorothy.
A pause.
Mrs. Claus: Next week.
Another.
Mrs. Claus: Let us finish what we never finished.
Mrs. Claus turns and walks toward the backstage corridor.
The crowd inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum continues cheering as she disappears from view.
Alexandra remains in front of the Northern Belles backdrop.
She looks toward the corridor where Mrs. Claus left.
Then back toward the camera.
Alexandra Jones: A challenge has been made. Mrs. Claus wants Dorothy, one-on-one, next week on Northern Belles.
The camera lingers on the empty corridor.
The Northern Belles logo sweeps across the screen.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The camera sweeps across the crowd before settling on the ring, where Honest Abe checks the ropes and speaks briefly with the timekeeper.
At the commentary position, KC Rogers looks toward the entrance stage.
KC Rogers: We move now to our fourth match of the evening, and the Aurora Championship will not be defended, but the woman carrying it absolutely has something to prove. Earlier tonight, Ursa Titania defeated Penny Coppersnap and once again made it clear that she intends to come for Valka.
Vera Steele: Which creates exactly the kind of situation a champion has to manage correctly. Valka knows Ursa is waiting. She knows that challenge is developing. But none of that matters unless she handles Cotton Candy first.
The lights brighten.
Pink, white and blue illumination sweeps across the stage.
The enormous main screen fills with spinning candy-striped patterns before the image twists into something sharper.
The music begins.
Sour Candy steps through the curtain first.
She looks toward the ring, then dramatically turns back toward the entrance.
Cotton Candy emerges.
The crowd responds warmly.
Cotton raises both arms before joining Sour at the center of the stage.
The two exchange a quick look.
Sour says something into Cotton’s ear.
Cotton nods.
Then both begin toward the ring.
KC Rogers: This may be a non-title match, but the opportunity in front of Cotton Candy is enormous.
Vera Steele: Pinning a champion changes perception immediately. The championship does not have to be available for the result to matter. If Cotton Candy defeats Valka tonight, she gives Commissioner Goldie Locks something she cannot simply ignore.
Cotton reaches ringside.
Sour circles toward the corner.
Cotton climbs onto the apron and enters.
She moves around the ring with visible energy before turning toward the entrance.
The lighting changes.
The bright candy colors disappear.
Cold blue-white light spreads throughout the Coliseum.
The Aurora Championship appears across the enormous screen.
The crowd rises.
A brilliant aurora forms behind it.
Then Valka steps through the curtain.
The inaugural Aurora Champion stands beneath the shifting light with the championship resting securely over one shoulder.
She does not pose extravagantly.
She simply looks toward the ring.
Then toward Cotton Candy.
Her expression is focused.
KC Rogers: There is the first Aurora Champion in NPCW history.
Vera Steele: And this is one of those matches that tests championship discipline. Valka cannot spend sixteen minutes thinking about Ursa Titania. She cannot spend one minute doing it. Cotton Candy deserves the champion’s full attention.
Valka begins down the aisle.
Several supporters reach toward her.
She acknowledges them briefly but never takes her eyes from the ring.
At ringside, she removes the Aurora Championship.
She looks at it for a moment.
Then hands it carefully to the timekeeper.
Sour Candy watches the exchange from the opposite side.
Valka notices.
Their eyes meet.
Sour gives her an exaggerated innocent smile.
Valka climbs onto the apron and steps through the ropes.
She moves toward the center.
Cotton Candy approaches.
There is a clear size and power difference, but Cotton does not retreat.
Honest Abe steps between them.
He gives his instructions.
Then turns toward Sour Candy.
He points directly toward the floor and makes clear that she is to remain outside the ring.
Sour places one hand over her heart as though offended by the suggestion she might interfere.
Vera watches her.
Vera Steele: Honest Abe is making the expectation very clear.
KC Rogers: Whether Sour Candy intends to respect it may be another question.
Celeste Orion steps forward with microphone in hand.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a NON-TITLE MATCH!
The crowd responds.
Celeste Orion: Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Sour Candy... COTTON CANDY!
Cotton raises both arms.
Sour applauds from ringside.
Celeste turns.
Celeste Orion: Her opponent... she is the reigning and inaugural AURORA CHAMPION... VALKA!
The Coliseum erupts.
Valka steps forward.
The Aurora Championship is raised briefly by the timekeeper at ringside.
Valka gives it one glance.
Then looks back at Cotton.
Celeste exits.
Honest Abe checks both women.
He signals.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Valka takes the center immediately.
Cotton Candy attempts to circle.
Valka closes the distance before Cotton can build speed.
She catches her around the body.
Cotton tries to shift her hips free.
Valka turns.
Sidewalk Slam.
Cotton is driven hard into the canvas.
Valka begins to pull her upright.
At ringside, Sour Candy suddenly jumps onto the apron.
She begins shouting toward Valka.
Honest Abe immediately turns and orders her down.
Valka looks toward Sour for only a second.
It is enough.
Cotton catches Valka from behind and forces her toward the ropes.
Valka turns before Cotton can complete another attack, but the momentum from the opening Sidewalk Slam has been interrupted.
KC Rogers: Strong opening from Valka with the Sidewalk Slam, but Sour Candy immediately inserts herself into the match.
Vera Steele: And that changed the next exchange. Valka had Cotton grounded and was preparing to continue. The distraction gave Cotton recovery time and forced the champion into a reactive position.
Minute 2
Cotton attacks the legs.
She catches Valka before the champion can fully reset.
Valka tries to pull free.
Cotton takes her down and steps through.
Boston Crab.
Valka’s lower back bends beneath the pressure.
Honest Abe drops beside her.
Valka shakes her head immediately.
No submission.
She plants both palms against the canvas and begins dragging herself toward the ropes.
Cotton sits deeper.
Valka continues moving.
The champion eventually reaches enough of an angle to force Cotton to adjust.
Cotton releases before Valka can reverse completely.
KC Rogers: Boston Crab from Cotton Candy. She has turned the Sour Candy distraction into sustained offense.
Vera Steele: And she attacked the lower back immediately after the Sidewalk Slam exchange. Whether that was planned or opportunistic, it is smart. Valka relies heavily on explosive lifting power. Damaging the lower back can compromise that.
Minute 3
Valka rises.
Cotton closes first.
She kicks Valka in the midsection.
Hooks both arms.
Valka attempts to straighten her posture.
Cotton drops.
Pedigree.
Valka is driven face-first into the canvas.
The crowd reacts sharply.
Cotton rolls away and gets back to her feet quickly.
Valka remains down for several seconds.
KC Rogers: Pedigree from Cotton Candy!
Vera Steele: And Valka was still recovering from the Boston Crab. Cotton did not give the champion enough time to reestablish her base before attacking the head and upper body.
Minute 4
Cotton keeps pressing.
Valka forces herself upright near the ropes.
Cotton attacks the body again.
Valka reaches for her.
Cotton slips beneath the hands.
Kick to the midsection.
Both arms trapped.
A second Pedigree.
Valka crashes into the canvas again.
Cotton sits upright beside her.
For the first time, the crowd begins reacting with genuine surprise at how completely the challenger has controlled several consecutive minutes.
KC Rogers: Another Pedigree! Cotton Candy has controlled three straight minutes against the Aurora Champion.
Vera Steele: And this is no longer simply the result of the ringside distraction. Cotton is executing. Valka has been unable to interrupt the sequence since Sour Candy created the opening.
Minute 5
Valka finally changes the direction of the match.
Cotton approaches too confidently.
Valka gets underneath her.
She lifts Cotton completely overhead.
Military Press Slam.
Cotton is held high above the ring.
Valka takes two steps forward.
Then drives her down.
Cotton crashes flat across the canvas.
The crowd responds loudly.
Valka remains standing over her.
KC Rogers: That is the power difference.
Vera Steele: And Valka needed that badly. Cotton controlled minutes two through four. The Military Press Slam does more than inflict damage. It forces Cotton to respect the champion’s ability to change the match with one lift.
Minute 6
Cotton gets back to her feet.
She spins.
Discus Clothesline.
The arm catches Valka cleanly across the upper chest and neck.
Valka falls.
Cotton immediately drops into the cover.
Honest Abe slides into position.
One!
Valka shifts.
Cotton tries to secure the shoulders more tightly.
Valka rolls through.
The pin reverses.
Now Cotton’s shoulders are down.
One!
Two!
Cotton kicks out!
Both women separate quickly.
The crowd cheers the exchange.
KC Rogers: Cotton Candy went for the fall after the Discus Clothesline, but Valka turned the cover against her and nearly stole the match herself.
Vera Steele: Excellent awareness from the champion. Valka was stunned by the Clothesline, but she felt Cotton’s weight positioned too far forward and used that leverage to reverse the pin.
Minute 7
Both women move toward the center.
Valka gets underneath Cotton again.
Military Press.
Cotton kicks her legs, trying to shift the balance.
Valka maintains the elevation.
Military Press Slam.
Cotton crashes down.
Valka approaches.
Cotton suddenly catches her with a kick to the midsection.
Valka bends forward.
Cotton traps both arms.
Pedigree.
The champion is driven face-first into the canvas.
Both women remain down.
KC Rogers: Military Press Slam from Valka, immediately answered by the third Pedigree of the match from Cotton Candy.
Vera Steele: Cotton is doing an excellent job attacking during Valka’s recovery after power moves. She cannot stop the Press Slam once Valka establishes it, so she is attacking before Valka can build the next sequence.
Minute 8
Valka reaches her feet first.
Cotton approaches.
Valka pivots sharply.
She jumps.
180 Corkscrew Enzuigiri.
The kick catches Cotton across the side of the head.
Cotton spins and collapses.
Valka gets back to her feet.
The crowd applauds the sudden strike.
KC Rogers: Beautiful Corkscrew Enzuigiri from Valka.
Vera Steele: And that is an important reminder that Valka is not simply a power wrestler. Cotton has been preparing for lifts and throws. Valka just attacked from an entirely different angle.
Minute 9
Valka moves behind Cotton.
She catches the head and arm.
Dragon Sleeper.
Cotton immediately recognizes the danger.
She turns toward the trapped side before Valka can completely settle her weight.
Cotton rotates free.
Valka reaches for her again.
Cotton spins.
Discus Clothesline.
The strike lands cleanly.
Valka falls onto her back.
KC Rogers: Cotton reverses the Dragon Sleeper and answers with another Discus Clothesline!
Vera Steele: Excellent defense. She did not pull directly away from the Sleeper. She turned into the control point, reduced Valka’s leverage and attacked immediately after the escape.
Minute 10
Valka rises.
Cotton advances.
Valka catches her around the waist.
Cotton tries to brace.
Valka lifts.
Flying Phoenix Cradle Suplex.
Cotton is thrown across the shoulders and back.
Valka releases.
Cotton rolls through faster than expected.
She gets upright.
Valka turns toward her.
Another Discus Clothesline.
Valka is knocked backward.
Both women drop to the canvas after the exchange.
KC Rogers: Flying Phoenix Cradle Suplex from Valka, but Cotton answers yet again.
Vera Steele: Cotton Candy is refusing to allow any single Valka attack to become two. That has kept this match remarkably balanced despite the physical difference.
Minute 11
Valka closes first.
She gets both hands beneath Cotton.
Military Press Slam.
For the third time, Cotton is elevated overhead and driven down.
Cotton rolls toward one side.
Valka follows.
Cotton catches her during the approach.
One vertical suplex.
Cotton maintains control.
A second.
Two Amigos.
Valka lands hard across the back.
Cotton releases and rolls away.
KC Rogers: Third Military Press Slam from Valka, answered by Two Amigos from Cotton Candy.
Vera Steele: And that is becoming the theme of this match. Valka owns the larger individual impacts. Cotton is winning enough of the transitions afterward to prevent sustained domination.
Minute 12
Cotton gets to her feet first.
Valka moves toward her.
Cotton catches the arm.
She steps across the body.
Side Russian Legsweep.
Valka is driven backward into the canvas.
Cotton remains close.
Valka rolls toward the ropes before Cotton can establish a cover.
KC Rogers: Side Russian Legsweep from Cotton Candy.
Vera Steele: And look at Valka’s recovery. She immediately moved toward the ropes rather than trying to stand at the center. That tells us the accumulated punishment is beginning to matter.
Minute 13
Valka pushes herself upright.
Cotton approaches.
Valka catches her.
Cotton attempts to shift down the back.
Valka keeps control.
She lifts Cotton across her shoulders.
Ragnarok.
The Death Valley Driver crashes Cotton into the canvas.
The Coliseum erupts.
Valka immediately turns toward her.
At ringside, Sour Candy jumps onto the apron again.
She slams both hands against the top rope and begins shouting.
Honest Abe turns.
Valka looks toward her.
Sour points toward the entrance as if someone is coming down the aisle.
Valka instinctively looks.
No one is there.
Cotton remains down but begins recovering.
KC Rogers: Ragnarok! Valka landed Ragnarok, and Sour Candy immediately intervenes again!
Vera Steele: That could be decisive. Cotton was vulnerable after the Death Valley Driver. Valka had the opportunity to cover. Sour Candy has just taken that moment away from her.
Honest Abe orders Sour to the floor.
Sour finally steps down.
Valka turns back toward Cotton.
Cotton is already moving.
Minute 14
Cotton rolls beneath Valka’s reach.
The momentum carries both women toward the ropes.
Cotton catches Valka.
The struggle continues onto the apron.
Valka attempts to force Cotton back inside.
Cotton changes position.
She hooks Valka in a crucifix.
Both women shift toward the floor.
Cotton drives Valka down with the first Crucifix Powerbomb onto the ringside mats.
The crowd gasps.
Cotton keeps the grip.
She powers Valka upward again.
Second Crucifix Powerbomb on the floor.
Valka crashes hard.
Cotton releases and rolls beneath the bottom rope.
Honest Abe looks down at the champion.
He begins counting.
One!
Valka turns onto her side.
Two!
She reaches toward the apron.
Three!
Valka gets one knee beneath herself.
Four!
She slides beneath the bottom rope.
Honest Abe stops the count immediately.
KC Rogers: Valka returns at four, but two Crucifix Powerbombs on the floor may have changed this match.
Vera Steele: Absolutely. The floor does not absorb impact the way the ring does. And remember, Cotton attacked Valka’s lower back with the Boston Crab early. That area has now taken repeated punishment.
Minute 15
Valka tries to rise.
Cotton goes directly back to the lower body.
She catches both legs.
Steps through.
Boston Crab.
Valka recognizes the setup this time.
Before Cotton can sit fully into the hold, Valka turns her hips.
She kicks one leg free.
Then the other.
Cotton is thrown forward.
Valka rolls away.
Cotton gets back to her feet.
Valka remains on one knee.
KC Rogers: Cotton goes back to the Boston Crab, but Valka neutralizes it before the pressure can become established.
Vera Steele: Good defense from the champion, but look at the effort required. Valka prevented the hold. She did not create offense afterward. She is still recovering from what happened on the floor.
Minute 16
Cotton sees it.
She moves immediately.
Valka tries to stand.
Cotton catches her from the front.
Valka reaches for the waist.
Cotton drops her weight and rotates underneath.
Code Red.
Valka is driven down onto her shoulders.
Cotton folds forward and keeps the legs trapped.
Honest Abe dives into position.
One!
The crowd rises.
Two!
Valka tries to shift her hips.
Three!
The bell rings.
For a fraction of a second, the Coliseum seems stunned.
Then the reaction explodes.
Cotton Candy releases the legs and sits upright.
Her eyes widen.
She looks toward Honest Abe.
Then toward Sour Candy.
Sour Candy screams from ringside and throws both arms into the air.
KC Rogers: COTTON CANDY HAS PINNED THE AURORA CHAMPION!
Valka remains on the canvas.
She looks upward, processing what has happened.
Cotton gets to her knees.
Honest Abe raises her arm.
Celeste Orion enters the ring.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... COTTON CANDY!
The crowd responds loudly.
Sour Candy slides into the ring and immediately embraces her.
Cotton looks almost overwhelmed by the moment.
Across the ring, Valka has rolled onto one elbow.
She stares toward the winner.
COTTON CANDY DEFEATS VALKA VIA PINFALL FOLLOWING CODE RED AT 16:00 MINUTE MARK.
KC Rogers: This is the biggest victory of Cotton Candy’s Northern Belles career.
Vera Steele: Without question. She has pinned the reigning Aurora Champion.
KC Rogers: And there will be discussion about Sour Candy.
The replay shows both distractions.
Vera Steele: There should be. Sour Candy affected the match twice. The second instance is particularly significant because Valka had just delivered Ragnarok. The champion had Cotton down and was positioned to capitalize.
The replay freezes on Valka looking toward Sour while Cotton recovers.
Vera Steele: That recovery window mattered.
KC Rogers: But the final sequence did not involve Sour Candy.
The Code Red appears again.
Vera Steele: Correct. Valka returned from the floor. She defended the Boston Crab. Cotton recognized that the champion was still compromised, attacked and completed the Code Red herself.
One.
Two.
Three.
Vera Steele: That pinfall is official.
Inside the ring, Cotton Candy stands beside Sour Candy.
Cotton points toward herself in disbelief.
Sour grabs her wrist and raises her arm higher.
The crowd cheers.
At ringside, the timekeeper retrieves the Aurora Championship.
Valka has reached her feet.
She steps through the ropes and takes the title.
For several seconds, she simply looks down at it.
Still champion.
But defeated.
KC Rogers: The Aurora Championship remains with Valka because this was a non-title match.
Valka lifts the title onto her shoulder.
Then looks back into the ring.
Cotton sees her.
The celebration slows.
The two women stare at one another.
Valka gives one small nod.
Recognition.
Cotton returns it.
Sour Candy immediately points toward the Aurora Championship and begins talking excitedly.
Valka’s expression hardens slightly.
Vera Steele: And now the championship picture becomes considerably more complicated.
KC Rogers: Earlier tonight, Ursa Titania defeated Penny Coppersnap.
The screen briefly displays Ursa.
Then Cotton.
Then Valka.
KC Rogers: Ursa has already openly challenged the champion.
Vera Steele: But Cotton Candy just accomplished something Ursa Titania has not.
A beat.
Vera Steele: She pinned Valka.
The crowd reacts.
Cotton hears the statement.
She slowly turns toward the commentary position.
Then toward the championship.
Sour Candy smiles broadly beside her.
KC Rogers: One result does not automatically create a championship match.
Vera Steele: No. But defeating the champion is evidence. And Commissioner Goldie Locks now has evidence she did not have sixteen minutes ago.
Valka remains on the floor.
She looks first at Cotton.
Then toward the screen displaying Ursa Titania.
Then back at the Aurora Championship resting on her shoulder.
One champion.
One declared challenger.
And now one woman who has actually pinned her.
KC Rogers: Valka is still the Aurora Champion.
A beat.
KC Rogers: But tonight, Cotton Candy has changed the conversation around her championship.
Inside the ring, Cotton raises both arms.
Sour Candy stands proudly beside her.
The graphic appears one final time.
COTTON CANDY
DEFEATS AURORA CHAMPION VALKA
The camera closes on Cotton’s celebration before the Northern Belles logo sweeps across the screen.
The broadcast returns live to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The atmosphere inside the building has changed completely.
The colorful celebration surrounding Cotton Candy’s upset victory is gone.
The lights dim.
The Queen of the North Championship appears across the enormous main screen.
A deep heartbeat rolls through the Coliseum.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The championship rotates slowly beneath cold silver light.
Then three images appear around it.
The reigning champion.
Lilith.
The official number one contender.
Moonshadow.
And the former champion who has insisted since Fallout that the championship was taken from her.
Crimson Vane.
The crowd rises.
At the commentary position, KC Rogers watches the graphic.
KC Rogers: It is time for our main event, and after weeks of controversy, confrontations and unanswered questions, the Queen of the North Championship will be decided inside this ring.
Vera Steele: Three competitors. One championship. And three very different reasons for believing they should leave with it.
The graphic isolates Moonshadow.
NUMBER ONE CONTENDER
KC Rogers: Moonshadow earned this opportunity when she survived the Number One Contender Fatal Four-Way.
Footage flashes briefly.
Moonshadow covers Morgana Le Faye.
One.
Two.
Three.
Vera Steele: Her position is the cleanest of the three. She won the match that established the next challenger. She did not demand her way into this situation. She earned it.
Another graphic appears.
TWO-TIME QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
BOTH REIGNS ENDED BY LILITH
KC Rogers: But there is history attached to that opportunity. Moonshadow has twice become Queen of the North Champion.
Vera Steele: And twice, Lilith was the woman who ended the reign.
The screen shifts.
Crimson Vane appears.
Footage from Fallout flashes.
The regular fall.
Count Vlad striking with the Transylvania Spike.
Later, the Ladder Match.
Crimson climbing toward the championship.
Another Transylvania Spike.
Lilith climbing after her.
The championship coming down.
The footage freezes.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane enters from an entirely different position. She was champion before Fallout.
Vera Steele: And whatever anyone thinks of the official result, the circumstances are not disputable. Count Vlad physically interfered in two decisive moments.
Footage from last week replaces it.
Crimson Vane attacks Lilith backstage.
Security floods the interview area.
Crimson Vane points toward Count Vlad.
KC Rogers: Last week, Crimson made it very clear that she considers the championship issue unresolved.
The screen changes again.
Three crimson beams rise behind the current champion.
Lilith appears with the Queen of the North Championship.
FIRST THREE-TIME QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
Vera Steele: And then there is the champion.
A beat.
Vera Steele: History recognizes Lilith as the first three-time Queen of the North Champion.
KC Rogers: Tonight she does not have to answer questions behind a microphone.
The championship fills the screen.
KC Rogers: She has to answer two challengers inside the ring.
A dark red light spreads across the entrance.
The first entrance begins.
Crimson Vane steps through the curtain.
The response is immediate.
She stops beneath the entrance arch wearing dark red and black ring attire, her expression hard and focused.
There is no elaborate pose.
No attention given to the crowd.
Her eyes go directly toward the Queen of the North Championship displayed above the ring.
She begins walking.
KC Rogers: There is very little ambiguity in the body language of Crimson Vane.
Vera Steele: She believes she is correcting something tonight. That mentality can produce tremendous aggression, but it can also create tunnel vision. There are two opponents in this match. Crimson cannot wrestle as though Lilith is the only one.
Crimson reaches ringside.
She climbs onto the apron.
Before entering, she looks toward the timekeeper’s position where the Queen of the North Championship will eventually be placed.
Then she steps through the ropes.
She takes one corner.
The lighting changes.
Dark red disappears beneath cold silver moonlight.
A full moon forms across the enormous screen.
Mist rolls through an ancient forest.
Moonshadow appears.
The crowd gives her a strong reaction.
She stands beneath the silver light for several seconds.
Calm.
Focused.
There is no visible anger.
Only concentration.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow has already waited weeks for the championship match she earned.
Vera Steele: And unlike Crimson Vane, she has no grievance to resolve before she can think about winning. Her problem is entirely competitive.
Moonshadow begins down the aisle.
The graphic appears behind her.
TWO-TIME QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
NUMBER ONE CONTENDER
She reaches ringside.
Crimson Vane watches her.
Moonshadow looks back.
Neither woman speaks.
Moonshadow climbs through the ropes and moves toward a second corner.
Then the arena falls dark.
A low gothic chord begins.
Crimson light cuts through the darkness.
Three narrow beams appear behind the entrance.
The Queen of the North Championship rises across the main screen.
Then Lilith steps through the curtain.
The championship rests prominently over her shoulder.
The reaction is enormous.
Cheers.
Boos.
Everything between.
Lilith stands beneath the three crimson beams.
She looks toward Moonshadow.
Then Crimson Vane.
Finally toward the title on her shoulder.
A small smile appears.
She begins walking.
KC Rogers: No matter how complicated the path to this third reign was, Lilith enters tonight as champion.
Vera Steele: And triple-threat championship matches create the most dangerous condition a champion can face. She does not have to be involved in the decision to lose that championship.
Lilith reaches ringside.
She stops beside the timekeeper.
She removes the championship slowly.
She looks at the center plate.
Then hands it over.
The timekeeper raises it.
All three women look toward it.
Lilith enters the ring.
She walks directly toward the center.
Moonshadow steps out of her corner.
Crimson Vane does the same.
Honest Abe immediately moves between the three women.
The tension rises.
Celeste Orion steps into the center with microphone in hand.
The Queen of the North Championship is raised again at ringside.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is tonight’s MAIN EVENT and is for the QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP!
The Coliseum erupts.
Celeste Orion: This match has a thirty-minute time limit!
A reaction moves through the crowd.
Celeste turns toward Crimson Vane.
Celeste Orion: Introducing first, the former Queen of the North Champion... CRIMSON VANE!
Crimson steps forward.
She looks past Celeste and directly toward Lilith.
Celeste turns toward Moonshadow.
Celeste Orion: She is the official number one contender and a former two-time Queen of the North Champion... MOONSHADOW!
Moonshadow raises one arm.
The crowd responds.
Celeste turns toward the champion.
Celeste Orion: And their opponent... she is the first three-time Queen of the North Champion in NPCW history... the reigning QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION... LILITH!
Lilith raises both arms.
The crowd erupts again.
The championship is held above the three women.
Then removed from ringside presentation.
Celeste exits.
Honest Abe calls all three toward the center.
He gives his final instructions.
Crimson Vane never takes her eyes from Lilith.
Moonshadow looks from one woman to the other.
Lilith gives Crimson the faintest smile.
Honest Abe steps backward.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Lilith moves first.
Crimson Vane meets her near the center.
Moonshadow remains several feet away, allowing the two rivals to engage rather than immediately inserting herself.
Crimson reaches for Lilith.
Lilith changes levels.
She catches Crimson around the waist and takes her down.
Before Crimson can turn, Lilith wraps both legs around the body.
Infernal Embrace.
The Bodyscissors tightens around Crimson’s ribs.
Crimson immediately begins prying at the legs.
Lilith squeezes harder.
Crimson shifts onto one hip and tries to rotate toward the ropes.
There are no rope breaks that can remove another competitor from the match permanently, but Honest Abe still watches carefully for illegal choking or obstruction.
Crimson forces enough space between Lilith’s ankles to begin turning.
Lilith releases before Moonshadow can approach from behind.
All three reset.
KC Rogers: Lilith immediately goes after Crimson Vane and establishes the Infernal Embrace.
Vera Steele: That is useful strategy in a triple threat. It attacked the torso without leaving Lilith standing upright where Moonshadow could strike from behind. Grounded control can actually offer protection from the third competitor if your positioning is correct.
Minute 2
Moonshadow finally moves.
She closes toward Crimson Vane.
Crimson sees her and attacks first.
She lifts Moonshadow across the shoulders.
Witchwood Drop.
The Death Valley Driver drives Moonshadow hard into the canvas.
Lilith immediately arrives.
Crimson looks toward her.
For one brief moment, champion and former champion make the same calculation.
Moonshadow is vulnerable.
Lilith pulls Moonshadow upright.
Abyssal Slam.
The Sitout Rear Mat Slam drives Moonshadow down again.
The temporary cooperation ends immediately.
Crimson reaches for Lilith.
Moonshadow recovers faster than either woman expects.
She climbs onto the middle rope behind them.
Lilith turns.
Moonshadow launches.
Flying Kneedrop.
The knee crashes down across Lilith’s upper body and forces the champion away.
Crimson backs off before Moonshadow can attack her as well.
KC Rogers: We have already seen the first temporary alliance. Crimson Vane and Lilith both attacked Moonshadow.
Vera Steele: And that is all it was. Temporary. Triple threats create alliances of convenience because two competitors can recognize the same opening at the same time. Nobody should mistake that for cooperation beyond the immediate moment.
Minute 3
Crimson Vane advances toward Moonshadow.
Lilith approaches from the opposite side.
Now Moonshadow and Lilith turn toward Crimson.
Crimson recognizes the numbers too late.
Lilith strikes first.
Dread Kick.
The Superkick catches Crimson high across the jaw.
Crimson staggers.
Moonshadow moves behind her.
Lycan Lock.
The Dragon Sleeper is secured.
Crimson’s body bends backward.
Lilith watches rather than helping.
Crimson refuses to remain trapped.
She drives one foot backward and twists free enough to turn.
Moonshadow loses the Sleeper.
Crimson immediately attacks Lilith.
Widow’s Howl.
The Scorpio Rising Axe Kick crashes down across the champion.
Lilith falls.
Moonshadow releases completely and creates distance.
KC Rogers: Now Lilith and Moonshadow briefly combine against Crimson Vane.
Vera Steele: And Crimson ended that cooperation herself. She escaped the Lycan Lock and immediately attacked Lilith before either woman could continue controlling her.
Minute 4
Moonshadow catches Crimson first.
She drives her down.
Then comes off the ropes.
Flying Kneedrop.
The knee lands across Crimson’s upper chest.
Moonshadow reaches down to pull her upright.
Crimson changes levels.
She catches Moonshadow around the waist.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
The Saito Suplex launches Moonshadow backward.
She lands high across the shoulders.
Crimson rises and looks toward Lilith.
The champion remains several feet away, measuring both challengers.
KC Rogers: Flying Kneedrop from Moonshadow, answered by the Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
Vera Steele: Crimson is attacking the neck and upper back already. In a match with multiple Dragon Sleeper attempts possible from Moonshadow, weakening that area can also make Moonshadow less explosive when she tries to transition.
Minute 5
Lilith attacks Crimson.
She hooks the body.
Vertical Suplex.
Crimson is lifted cleanly and driven down.
Lilith remains close.
She reaches for Crimson again.
Crimson rolls behind her.
Lilith turns.
Crimson catches her.
Hollow Vein Lock.
The Rear Naked Choke tightens.
Lilith immediately reaches for Crimson’s wrist.
Crimson pulls backward.
Moonshadow approaches.
Crimson recognizes the danger and releases before Moonshadow can attack both women.
Lilith rolls away.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane went immediately to the Hollow Vein Lock.
Vera Steele: And she released at the correct moment. In a singles match, she might have maintained that choke longer. Here, holding a submission too long makes you vulnerable to the third competitor.
Minute 6
Moonshadow and Crimson Vane suddenly converge on Lilith.
Moonshadow catches the champion near the ropes.
She drives Lilith through them.
Lilith lands on the floor but remains immediately active.
Crimson follows the movement.
As Lilith rises near the apron, Crimson strikes.
Banshee Claw.
The European Uppercut snaps Lilith’s head backward.
Moonshadow attempts to follow to the floor.
Lilith catches Crimson reaching through the ropes.
She drags her partially through, then forces her back inside.
Lilith re-enters.
Crimson turns.
Vertical Suplex.
Lilith drives the former champion into the canvas.
Moonshadow returns through the ropes behind them.
KC Rogers: Lilith was forced through the ropes, took the European Uppercut from Crimson Vane, and still recovered quickly enough to suplex Crimson.
Vera Steele: That was an important survival sequence for the champion. Moonshadow and Crimson had the positional advantage. Lilith prevented it from becoming sustained two-on-one control.
Minute 7
Moonshadow closes toward Crimson.
Lilith moves at the same time.
Crimson catches Moonshadow first.
Witchwood Drop.
The Death Valley Driver sends Moonshadow down.
Lilith immediately grabs Moonshadow from behind.
Abyssal Slam.
The Sitout Rear Mat Slam drives her down again.
Crimson steps backward.
The alliance is over as quickly as it formed.
Moonshadow rolls toward the ropes, visibly stunned by the consecutive impacts.
KC Rogers: Second time tonight Crimson Vane and Lilith have temporarily combined against Moonshadow.
Vera Steele: And this sequence was much more damaging than the first. Death Valley Driver followed immediately by the Abyssal Slam. Moonshadow absorbed two heavy impacts without recovery between them.
Minute 8
Lilith follows Moonshadow.
She pulls her away from the ropes.
Moonshadow attempts to turn.
Lilith traps her.
Demon’s Embrace.
The Code of Silence submission is secured.
Moonshadow struggles against the pressure.
Lilith keeps her trapped for several seconds.
Crimson approaches.
Lilith sees her coming.
She releases the submission and immediately hooks Moonshadow’s leg.
Honest Abe drops.
One!
Moonshadow kicks out immediately.
Lilith rolls away before Crimson can attack.
KC Rogers: First pinfall attempt of the match belongs to Lilith, but Moonshadow is out at one.
Vera Steele: That was more about forcing Moonshadow to expend energy than expecting the match to end. Lilith knew Crimson was approaching and converted the submission into a quick cover rather than remaining exposed.
Minute 9
Lilith turns directly toward Crimson.
Crimson reaches for her.
Lilith catches the arm and head.
She brings Crimson down.
Demon’s Embrace.
The Code of Silence is locked in again.
This time Crimson is the one trapped.
Honest Abe drops beside them.
Crimson shakes her head.
No submission.
Lilith adjusts the pressure.
Crimson plants one knee under herself.
She refuses to tap.
Moonshadow begins moving toward them.
Lilith releases before Moonshadow can break the hold herself.
Crimson rolls away breathing heavily.
KC Rogers: Demon’s Embrace again, now on Crimson Vane.
Vera Steele: Crimson did not submit, but Lilith has now forced both challengers to spend time defending the same submission. That creates cumulative fatigue without requiring the champion to change strategy.
Minute 10
Crimson rises.
Moonshadow attacks her.
Lilith joins the exchange.
Moonshadow comes down with another Flying Kneedrop across Crimson’s upper body.
Lilith grabs Crimson as she tries to stand.
Winged Embrace.
The Monkey Flip sends Crimson across the ring.
Crimson rolls through the landing.
Lilith approaches.
Crimson comes up firing.
Banshee Claw.
The European Uppercut catches Lilith under the jaw.
Lilith staggers backward.
Moonshadow closes but Crimson moves out before she can be caught again.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow and Lilith briefly target Crimson Vane, but Crimson again finds a way to break the sequence.
Vera Steele: And that European Uppercut matters because Lilith has been controlling most of the submission exchanges. Crimson needed a direct strike that stopped the champion’s forward pressure immediately.
Minute 11
Lilith steps toward Crimson.
Crimson raises her guard.
Lilith explodes.
Dread Kick.
The Superkick lands flush.
Crimson falls backward.
Lilith moves in.
Crimson catches her arm from underneath.
She turns.
Vane’s Vice.
The Fujiwara Armbar is applied.
Lilith’s shoulder is extended.
Lilith tries to roll.
Crimson follows.
Moonshadow approaches.
Crimson releases before she can be attacked from behind.
Lilith pulls the arm against her body.
KC Rogers: Dread Kick from Lilith, and Crimson somehow converts the aftermath into Vane’s Vice.
Vera Steele: Excellent instinct. Crimson was knocked down but remained aware enough to attack the limb Lilith extended while reaching for her.
Minute 12
Crimson attacks Moonshadow.
She catches the waist.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
No.
Moonshadow hooks one leg and blocks the elevation.
Crimson attempts again.
Moonshadow turns through.
She gets behind Crimson.
Lycan Lock.
The Dragon Sleeper is secured.
Crimson’s neck bends backward.
She tries to reach the ropes.
Moonshadow keeps her away.
Crimson begins turning toward the trapped side.
Moonshadow tightens the hold.
Lilith watches from several feet away, waiting for either woman to weaken the other.
Crimson finally creates enough movement that Moonshadow releases before Lilith can capitalize.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow reverses the Hunter’s Backbreaker directly into the Lycan Lock.
Vera Steele: That is excellent counter wrestling. She stopped the Saito Suplex before Crimson could elevate the hips, turned through the waist control and immediately attacked the neck.
Minute 13
Moonshadow turns toward Lilith.
The champion approaches.
Moonshadow backs her toward the ropes.
She reaches through.
Rake to the eyes across the ropes.
Honest Abe immediately warns her.
Lilith recoils.
Moonshadow releases before the referee reaches the end of his count.
Lilith turns.
Dread Kick.
The Superkick catches Moonshadow before she can retreat.
Moonshadow drops to one knee.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow takes a shortcut with the eye rake, but Lilith answers immediately with the Dread Kick.
Vera Steele: That is the risk. Moonshadow used the ropes to create an illegal advantage, but she remained too close after releasing. Lilith had the distance required for the Superkick.
Minute 14
Moonshadow sees Crimson rising.
She charges.
Flying Kneedrop attempt.
Crimson rolls aside.
Moonshadow crashes down without connecting.
Crimson immediately catches one leg.
Moonshadow kicks free before Crimson can turn the defensive movement into a hold.
Both women return to their feet.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane neutralizes the Flying Kneedrop.
Vera Steele: And that is familiarity. Moonshadow has used that attack repeatedly. Crimson recognized the approach early enough to move before the knee came down.
Minute 15
Moonshadow forces Crimson toward the ropes.
She drives Crimson through them.
Crimson lands on the apron rather than the floor.
Moonshadow reaches for her.
Crimson snaps Moonshadow downward across the top rope and slips back inside.
Moonshadow turns.
Crimson catches the head.
Crimson Thornplant.
The DDT drives Moonshadow into the canvas.
Crimson rolls her over.
She hooks the leg.
Honest Abe counts.
One!
Two!
Lilith dives into the cover!
She breaks the fall.
The Coliseum erupts.
Crimson immediately turns toward Lilith.
KC Rogers: Lilith makes the save at two!
Vera Steele: And that illustrates the champion’s greatest problem. Crimson Vane could have become champion by pinning Moonshadow. Lilith had no choice but to intervene.
Crimson and Lilith stare at one another.
Moonshadow remains down beside them.
Minute 16
Lilith and Crimson begin exchanging strikes.
Moonshadow rises behind Crimson.
She catches her.
Lycan Lock.
The Dragon Sleeper is locked in deeply.
Crimson reaches backward for Moonshadow’s head.
Moonshadow pulls away and increases the pressure.
Honest Abe asks Crimson whether she submits.
Crimson refuses.
She begins turning.
Moonshadow keeps the hold.
Lilith stands nearby.
For several seconds, she considers allowing the submission to continue.
Then Crimson begins weakening.
Lilith moves closer.
Moonshadow sees her.
She releases before the champion can strike.
Crimson drops to one knee.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane survives another Lycan Lock.
Vera Steele: And Lilith nearly allowed Moonshadow to do the work for her. That is the calculation in a triple threat. You want the other competitors damaged, but you cannot allow one of them to finish the other.
Minute 17
Moonshadow turns toward Lilith.
She forces the champion back against the ropes.
Lilith tries to push her away.
Moonshadow catches the head.
Another rake across the eyes using the ropes.
Honest Abe warns her sharply.
Moonshadow releases at four.
Lilith covers her eyes and stumbles toward the center.
Moonshadow does not immediately follow.
KC Rogers: Second rope-assisted eye rake from Moonshadow.
Vera Steele: She is deliberately attacking Lilith’s vision now. In a match where threats can come from two directions, reduced visual awareness is especially dangerous.
Minute 18
Moonshadow closes on Lilith.
She catches the head.
Neckbreaker.
Lilith is driven down.
Moonshadow gets back to her feet and reaches for her again.
Lilith catches the body.
She turns.
Abyssal Slam.
Moonshadow crashes into the canvas.
Both women remain down momentarily.
Crimson Vane watches from the opposite side of the ring, breathing heavily.
KC Rogers: Neckbreaker from Moonshadow, answered by the Abyssal Slam.
Vera Steele: Neither woman was willing to concede the transition. Moonshadow won the first impact. Lilith won the second. At eighteen minutes, those exchanges begin costing both competitors more recovery time.
Minute 19
Crimson sees Lilith rising.
She attacks.
Kick to the midsection.
Crimson Thornplant.
The DDT plants Lilith face-first.
Crimson rolls toward one knee.
She looks toward Moonshadow.
Moonshadow is still recovering.
Crimson considers the cover.
Lilith rolls toward the ropes before Crimson can secure the leg.
KC Rogers: Crimson Thornplant on the champion.
Vera Steele: And Crimson had a brief opportunity there, but Lilith’s positioning saved her. She rolled toward the ropes and prevented Crimson from securing a clean cover before Moonshadow recovered.
Minute 20
Moonshadow reaches Lilith first.
She catches the champion around the body.
Bodyslam.
Lilith hits flat across the canvas.
Moonshadow immediately covers.
Honest Abe drops.
One!
Two!
Lilith kicks out!
The crowd responds loudly.
Moonshadow sits upright.
She looks toward the referee.
Honest Abe shows two fingers.
KC Rogers: Two-count for Moonshadow on the champion.
Vera Steele: That is the first time Moonshadow has kept Lilith down that long tonight. Twenty minutes of accumulated punishment is beginning to affect the champion’s recovery.
Crimson begins approaching.
Moonshadow gets to her feet before she can be attacked.
Minute 21
Moonshadow goes back to Lilith.
She catches the head.
Neckbreaker.
The champion is driven down again.
Moonshadow attempts to pull her upright.
Lilith catches her around the waist.
Abyssal Slam.
For the second time in several minutes, Lilith answers the Neckbreaker with the Sitout Rear Mat Slam.
Both women remain down.
KC Rogers: Another Neckbreaker from Moonshadow, another Abyssal Slam from Lilith.
Vera Steele: And both are beginning to repeat what has worked. At this stage, fatigue reduces experimentation. Competitors return to attacks they know they can still execute cleanly.
Minute 22
Crimson Vane enters the exchange.
She reaches for Lilith.
Lilith catches her first.
She lifts.
Atomic Drop to Hell.
Crimson is driven down and immediately recoils from the impact.
Lilith keeps herself between Crimson and Moonshadow.
Crimson rolls toward the corner.
KC Rogers: Atomic Drop to Hell from Lilith.
Vera Steele: The champion has regained some control over the last several minutes. The issue is whether she has enough left to convert control into a fall.
Minute 23
Moonshadow goes after Crimson.
She moves behind her.
Lycan Lock.
Crimson recognizes the setup before Moonshadow can settle the Dragon Sleeper.
She turns sharply.
Moonshadow loses the grip.
Crimson catches the waist.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
The Saito Suplex launches Moonshadow backward.
Moonshadow lands hard across the shoulders.
Crimson remains on one knee afterward.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane reverses the Lycan Lock and completes the Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
Vera Steele: That is the adjustment Crimson needed. She has now been caught in that Dragon Sleeper several times. This time she turned before Moonshadow could establish the full neck extension.
Minute 24
Lilith charges Moonshadow.
Running Big Boot.
The boot catches Moonshadow high.
Moonshadow staggers but does not fall.
Lilith moves forward again.
Moonshadow catches the head.
Neckbreaker.
Lilith crashes down.
Moonshadow falls beside her.
For several seconds, neither woman moves.
Then Lilith rolls across Moonshadow and hooks the leg.
Honest Abe counts.
One!
Two!
Moonshadow kicks out!
The Coliseum cheers.
Lilith rolls onto her back.
KC Rogers: Two-count for Lilith on Moonshadow!
Vera Steele: And that cover came almost from instinct. Moonshadow landed the Neckbreaker, but both women were exhausted. Lilith recovered first by only a fraction and used the position immediately.
Minute 25
Lilith gets to her feet.
Moonshadow reaches one knee.
Lilith catches her from behind.
Abyssal Slam.
Moonshadow is driven hard into the canvas.
Lilith remains seated momentarily after the impact.
She looks toward Crimson Vane.
Crimson is beginning to rise.
Lilith chooses not to cover.
She gets back to her feet.
KC Rogers: Another Abyssal Slam from Lilith.
Vera Steele: And she did not cover because Crimson Vane was already moving. That is good awareness. A cover would have left Lilith exposed to an immediate interruption.
Minute 26
Moonshadow tries to get up.
Lilith grabs her again.
Moonshadow attempts to hook the arm and block the rotation.
Lilith powers through.
Abyssal Slam.
Again.
Moonshadow crashes down for the second consecutive minute.
The crowd reacts to the sustained punishment.
Lilith remains standing.
Crimson Vane watches from the corner.
KC Rogers: Back-to-back Abyssal Slams.
Vera Steele: Moonshadow’s defense is slowing. Earlier she was countering transitions. Now Lilith is establishing the same attack repeatedly.
A graphic appears briefly.
FOUR MINUTES REMAINING.
The crowd reacts.
Minute 27
Lilith does not allow Moonshadow to recover.
Moonshadow reaches one knee.
Lilith races forward.
Running Big Boot.
The impact drives Moonshadow backward.
Lilith immediately drops into the cover.
Honest Abe slides into position.
One!
Two!
Moonshadow kicks out!
The crowd erupts.
Lilith sits upright.
For the first time tonight, frustration flashes across her face.
She looks toward Honest Abe.
Two fingers.
Only two.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow survives again!
Vera Steele: And that was a much more serious near fall. Two consecutive Abyssal Slams followed by the Running Big Boot. Moonshadow has absorbed an enormous amount in the last three minutes.
Lilith pulls herself upright.
The arena clock continues moving.
THREE MINUTES REMAINING.
Minute 28
Crimson Vane finally intercepts Lilith.
She jumps.
Moonfang Kick.
The Pele Kick begins rotating toward Lilith’s head.
Lilith catches enough of the movement to avoid the clean strike.
Crimson lands and turns.
Lilith grabs her.
Winged Embrace.
The Monkey Flip sends Crimson upward.
Crimson rotates in the air and lands on her feet.
Lilith rises.
Crimson backs away.
Neither woman completes the decisive attack.
KC Rogers: Excellent defensive exchange from both women.
Vera Steele: Crimson attempted the Moonfang Kick. Lilith read it. Lilith attempted the Winged Embrace. Crimson neutralized the landing. With less than two minutes remaining, neither could afford to lose that transition.
A graphic flashes.
TWO MINUTES REMAINING.
Minute 29
Moonshadow sees Crimson near the center.
She catches her around the body.
Bodyslam.
Crimson crashes down.
Moonshadow immediately hooks the leg.
Honest Abe dives into position.
One!
The crowd rises.
Two!
Crimson Vane kicks out!
The building erupts.
Moonshadow releases the leg and sits upright.
She looks toward the arena clock.
Crimson rolls away.
Lilith is already moving toward them.
KC Rogers: Crimson Vane survives at two!
Vera Steele: And now the clock becomes part of the strategy. Moonshadow knows exactly how little time remains.
The screen flashes.
ONE MINUTE REMAINING.
All three women begin forcing themselves upright.
Minute 30
The crowd rises completely.
Lilith reaches Crimson Vane first.
Crimson attempts to strike.
Lilith catches her.
Abyssal Slam.
Crimson is driven into the canvas.
Lilith remains seated beside her.
She begins moving toward the cover.
Crimson suddenly catches the waist.
She uses Lilith’s forward momentum.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
The Saito Suplex throws Lilith violently across the ring.
The crowd erupts.
Moonshadow begins moving toward both women.
The arena clock appears on the screen.
Thirty seconds.
Crimson Vane reaches one knee.
Lilith uses the ropes to stand.
Moonshadow gets upright.
Twenty seconds.
All three women see one another.
Crimson attacks Lilith.
Forearm.
Lilith answers.
Moonshadow enters.
She strikes Crimson.
Crimson turns.
Lilith catches Moonshadow.
Ten seconds.
The entire Coliseum begins counting.
Ten!
Lilith reaches for Moonshadow.
Nine!
Crimson catches Lilith around the waist.
Eight!
Moonshadow strikes Crimson free.
Seven!
Lilith attempts another Dread Kick.
Six!
Moonshadow moves.
Five!
Crimson reaches for Lilith.
Four!
Moonshadow reaches for Crimson.
Three!
All three collide near the center.
Two!
Lilith catches one arm.
One!
A loud horn sounds.
The bell rings.
For several seconds, nobody reacts.
Lilith still has hold of Moonshadow.
Crimson still has one hand around Lilith’s waist.
Honest Abe immediately steps between them.
The crowd erupts into a mixture of cheers and frustration.
All three women look toward the timekeeper.
Thirty minutes have expired.
Lilith points toward Moonshadow.
Crimson immediately begins arguing that she was still attacking the champion.
Moonshadow steps toward Honest Abe.
The referee points toward the clock.
The decision is final.
Celeste Orion enters the ring.
She waits for the crowd to settle enough for the announcement.
Celeste Orion: Ladies and gentlemen, the thirty-minute time limit has expired!
A strong reaction moves through the Coliseum.
Celeste Orion: Therefore, this match has been declared a DRAW!
The audience reacts loudly.
Lilith looks immediately toward the Queen of the North Championship.
Celeste continues.
Celeste Orion: As a result, LILITH REMAINS QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION!
The reaction becomes even louder.
LILITH, MOONSHADOW, AND CRIMSON VANE wrestle to a 30:00 time-limit draw. LILITH remains Queen of the North Champion.
The championship is brought into the ring.
Honest Abe receives it.
Lilith reaches out.
Before the referee hands it over, Crimson Vane steps forward.
She points directly toward the championship.
Lilith looks at her.
Then Moonshadow steps forward from the other side.
For several seconds, Honest Abe stands between all three women holding the title.
No one attacks.
But no one leaves.
The replay begins.
Lilith trapping Crimson in the Infernal Embrace.
Crimson and Lilith briefly combining against Moonshadow.
Witchwood Drop.
Abyssal Slam.
Moonshadow answering with the Flying Kneedrop.
Lilith and Moonshadow temporarily combining against Crimson.
Dread Kick.
Lycan Lock.
Widow’s Howl.
The Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex.
The Hollow Vein Lock.
Moonshadow and Crimson forcing Lilith through the ropes.
The second Witchwood Drop and Abyssal Slam sequence against Moonshadow.
Demon’s Embrace on Moonshadow.
One.
Kickout.
Demon’s Embrace on Crimson.
Crimson refusing to submit.
The Dread Kick.
Vane’s Vice.
Moonshadow reversing the Saito Suplex into the Lycan Lock.
The rope-assisted eye rake.
Another Dread Kick.
The replay reaches the fifteenth minute.
Crimson Thornplant.
Crimson covers Moonshadow.
One.
Two.
Lilith breaks it.
KC Rogers: That may have been the most important save of the first half of this match. Crimson Vane had Moonshadow down for two, and Lilith had to prevent the championship from changing hands without her being involved.
The replay continues.
Lycan Lock on Crimson.
No submission.
Moonshadow raking Lilith’s eyes again.
Neckbreaker.
Abyssal Slam.
Crimson Thornplant on Lilith.
Moonshadow Bodyslam.
One.
Two.
Lilith survives.
The second Neckbreaker and Abyssal Slam exchange.
Atomic Drop to Hell.
Crimson reversing the Lycan Lock into the Hunter’s Backbreaker.
Running Big Boot.
Neckbreaker.
Lilith covers.
One.
Two.
Moonshadow survives.
Then the closing stretch.
Abyssal Slam.
Another Abyssal Slam.
Running Big Boot.
One.
Two.
Moonshadow kicks out.
The crowd reacts again to the replay.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow absorbed an extraordinary amount of punishment in those final minutes.
Vera Steele: And still survived every fall. Lilith established her strongest sustained stretch of the match from the twenty-fifth through the twenty-seventh minute, but she could not finish Moonshadow.
The replay shows Crimson’s Moonfang Kick attempt.
Lilith neutralizes it.
Winged Embrace.
Crimson lands safely.
Then Moonshadow Bodyslams Crimson.
One.
Two.
Crimson escapes.
Finally, the last minute.
Abyssal Slam from Lilith.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex from Crimson.
The three women converging.
The clock reaches zero.
The horn sounds.
The image freezes.
30:00
TIME-LIMIT DRAW
KC Rogers: Thirty minutes were not enough.
Vera Steele: And competitively, that is a difficult result for all three women.
KC looks toward her.
KC Rogers: Even Lilith?
Vera Steele: Absolutely.
Inside the ring, Lilith finally takes possession of the Queen of the North Championship.
Vera Steele: Lilith remains champion, and that is obviously the most important practical outcome for her.
A beat.
Vera Steele: But she did not defeat Moonshadow.
The camera shows Moonshadow staring toward the championship.
Vera Steele: She did not defeat Crimson Vane.
The camera changes to Crimson.
Vera Steele: And neither challenger defeated the other.
Lilith places the championship over her shoulder.
KC Rogers: Moonshadow entered tonight as the official number one contender. She leaves without the championship, but she also leaves without being beaten.
Vera Steele: Exactly. She survived multiple Abyssal Slams, multiple Running Big Boots and several submission attempts. Nothing about tonight invalidates the championship opportunity she earned.
Moonshadow steps toward Lilith.
The champion looks directly at her.
KC Rogers: And then there is Crimson Vane.
The camera moves toward the former champion.
Vera Steele: Crimson came into this match believing Fallout denied her a fair result. Tonight there was no Count Vlad interference. No Transylvania Spike. No ladder.
A beat.
Vera Steele: And after thirty minutes, Lilith still did not defeat her.
Crimson steps forward.
Now all three women stand within several feet of one another.
Honest Abe remains nearby.
Lilith raises the Queen of the North Championship.
Crimson’s eyes follow it.
Moonshadow does the same.
KC Rogers: The champion leaves with the title.
Vera Steele: But the argument around that title is not resolved.
Lilith looks toward Moonshadow.
Then Crimson.
She lifts the championship higher.
Moonshadow points toward herself.
Then toward the title.
A reminder.
She earned her opportunity.
Crimson points toward Lilith.
Then toward the championship.
Her message is equally clear.
She still believes it belongs to her.
Lilith gives both women a cold smile.
No one backs away.
KC Rogers: Thirty minutes.
A beat.
KC Rogers: Three women.
Another.
KC Rogers: And still only one Queen of the North Champion.
The camera tightens on Lilith holding the championship between her two challengers.
Vera Steele: But after tonight, I do not believe any of these women can claim that the question has been answered.
The Queen of the North Championship gleams beneath the overhead lights.
Lilith stands in the center.
Moonshadow on one side.
Crimson Vane on the other.
The Northern Belles logo begins forming in the corner of the screen as the main event comes to an end.
The broadcast returns to a wide shot of Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The crowd remains standing following the thirty-minute Queen of the North Championship main event.
Inside the ring, Lilith has finally left with the championship still over her shoulder.
Moonshadow and Crimson Vane have departed separately.
The arena clock above the entrance continues displaying the final result.
30:00
TIME-LIMIT DRAW
LILITH REMAINS QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
At the commentary desk, KC Rogers and Vera Steele prepare to close the broadcast.
Before KC can speak, the Northern Belles emblem disappears from the enormous main screen.
Icy gold light spreads across it.
Goldie Locks appears backstage.
The Northern Belles Commissioner stands in front of her office with a tablet in one hand.
The crowd reacts.
Goldie Locks: Before we leave tonight, I have one piece of business to make official.
The image changes beside her.
Earlier tonight.
Mrs. Claus standing with Alexandra Jones.
The words appear beneath them.
MRS. CLAUS CHALLENGES DOROTHY
Goldie looks directly into the camera.
Goldie Locks: I heard Mrs. Claus.
A pause.
Goldie Locks: And I spoke with Dorothy.
The crowd begins reacting.
Goldie smiles.
Goldie Locks: She said yes.
A loud cheer fills the Coliseum.
The graphic changes.
NEXT WEEK
NORTHERN BELLES MAIN EVENT
MRS. CLAUS
VS
DOROTHY
Goldie Locks: So it is official.
She points toward the graphic.
Goldie Locks: Next Sunday, Mrs. Claus and Dorothy meet one-on-one in the Northern Belles main event.
The crowd responds strongly.
Goldie Locks: No championship.
Goldie Locks: No partners.
Goldie Locks: No special stipulation.
A beat.
Goldie Locks: Two women with unfinished business from last year who have decided that the best place to settle it is inside the ring.
Goldie lowers the tablet.
Goldie Locks: Consider the match booked.
The graphic remains for several seconds.
MRS. CLAUS VS DOROTHY
NEXT WEEK — MAIN EVENT
The screen fades back to the Northern Belles logo.
The camera returns to the commentary position.
KC Rogers: There is our first major announcement for next week. The challenge was made earlier tonight, Dorothy has accepted, and Commissioner Goldie Locks has made it official.
Vera Steele: And I think the simplicity of the match is important. There is no stipulation hiding the issue. Mrs. Claus acknowledged tonight that Dorothy’s criticism of the old guard hurt her. She also acknowledged that perhaps some of those criticisms needed to be heard.
Footage from earlier begins.
Mrs. Claus stands beside Alexandra Jones.
Mrs. Claus: Moving forward is not the same thing as resolving something.
The footage changes.
Mrs. Claus: Next week.
Then:
Mrs. Claus: Mrs. Claus versus Dorothy.
Finally:
Mrs. Claus: Let us finish what we never finished.
The screen freezes on Mrs. Claus.
KC Rogers: That match now headlines Northern Belles next week.
The closing recap begins.
The Women’s Convergent Championship appears first.
Then twenty competitors fill the ring.
The opening Battle Royal explodes into motion.
Santelina eliminates Lark of Sherwood.
Sayaka Mizuhana sends Prioress Malveil out.
Hydra Veyne eliminates Clara Cobweb.
Then Athena and Anika Stahl collide.
The footage slows.
Anika gains leverage.
Stops.
Resets.
Athena capitalizes.
Wisdom’s Wrath.
Anika is eventually sent over the top rope.
KC Rogers: Tonight also marked the beginning of the road toward the inaugural Women’s Convergent Championship.
Vera Steele: And there were several notable performances throughout that first twenty-woman Battle Royal. Anika Stahl showed flashes of substantial physical strength, although there were moments where she appeared to hold something back. We do not know why.
The footage changes.
Lenore Valmont repeatedly Dropkicks Dark Duchess toward the ropes.
The Queen of Spades falls to the floor.
Then Lenore eliminates Malice.
KC Rogers: Lenore Valmont represented the Iron Ring Academy extremely well.
Vera Steele: Eliminating Dark Duchess was particularly significant. Lenore did not simply survive deeper than expected. She removed established competitors herself.
The footage changes again.
Maid Marion eliminates Mother Earth.
Then Sayaka Mizuhana.
Then Serpenta Veyne.
KC Rogers: Maid Marion produced one of the most explosive stretches of the entire match with three eliminations.
Then Hydra Veyne eliminates Marion.
The closing sequence appears.
Crimson Viper eliminates Hydra.
Then Lenore Valmont.
Finally only the Queen of Hearts and Morgana LeFaye remain.
Successive Snap Suplexes.
Crimson drives Morgana toward the ropes.
Morgana fights.
Crimson lifts.
Morgana falls to the floor.
The graphic appears.
BATTLE ROYAL #1 WINNER
CRIMSON VIPER, QUEEN OF HEARTS
KC Rogers: And when the field narrowed, Crimson Viper became increasingly dangerous.
Vera Steele: She eliminated Hydra Veyne, Lenore Valmont and Morgana LeFaye consecutively to finish the match. That is excellent Battle Royal management. Crimson did not need to dominate the opening chaos. She needed to survive it and peak when the field became manageable.
The tournament pathway appears.
BATTLE ROYAL #1 — CRIMSON VIPER
BATTLE ROYAL #2 — NEXT WEEK
BATTLE ROYAL #3 — TBD
BATTLE ROYAL #4 — TBD
KC Rogers: The Queen of Hearts becomes our first semifinal qualifier.
The screen goes dark.
Green and violet smoke rolls across it.
The cauldron appears.
Grizelda slowly stirs while La Bruja Muerte watches.
Then Morrigan appears.
Wicked Willow joins her.
Finally Wicked Witch materializes.
The recap advances.
Grizelda: Will you bow before me as the new leader of the Coven?
Then Wicked Witch steps forward.
Wicked Witch: You poor, delusional girl.
The crowd reacts again.
Clips flash rapidly.
Wicked Witch reminding Grizelda that she made Oz tremble.
That she defeated Dorothy.
That she defeated Mrs. Claus.
That Dracula sought her help with the Vale of Shadows bindings.
Then Morrigan nods.
Wicked Willow nods.
The image freezes.
KC Rogers: Grizelda received the answer she demanded.
Vera Steele: And it was unequivocal. Morrigan and Wicked Willow stood with Wicked Witch. They rejected Grizelda’s claim that one victory had automatically transferred leadership of the Coven.
The footage continues.
Grizelda smiles.
Grizelda: Then we will do this the hard way.
The words appear.
ALL HALLOWS EVE
OCTOBER 31
WITCH’S NIGHTMARE HEX MATCH
GRIZELDA VS WICKED WITCH
The crowd reacts loudly.
KC Rogers: And that rejection created something far more dangerous.
The stipulation appears.
WINNER RECEIVES THE MANTLE OF ALPHA WITCH
LOSER IS STRIPPED OF ALL MAGICAL POWERS
Vera Steele: Wicked Witch accepted.
The replay shows her staring directly at Grizelda.
Wicked Witch: I accept.
The graphic burns into darkness.
KC Rogers: October thirty-first.
A beat.
KC Rogers: All Hallows Eve.
The recap changes.
Hellfrost.
Patchwork Dolls.
Emberlyn Black drives Patchwork Paige down.
Velora Synn delivers the Pedigree.
Then the Dolls begin answering.
The Scoop Powerslam.
The X Factor Facebuster.
The mirror strike.
Another Pedigree.
The closing minute arrives.
Patchwork Paige Back Body Drops Velora over the ropes.
Velora crashes directly in front of the commentary position.
Lilith holds up the Queen of the North Championship.
The count begins.
Six.
Seven.
Emberlyn Black joins the confrontation.
Eight.
Nine.
Velora turns toward the ring.
Lilith calls after her.
Velora turns back.
Ten.
The bell.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls corrected many of the problems that hurt them against the War Council last week and earned the victory tonight.
Vera Steele: But the defining error belonged to Velora Synn. She had enough time to return to the ring. Instead she allowed Lilith to provoke her into losing track of the count.
The replay shows Velora staring at Lilith while Honest Abe reaches ten.
Vera Steele: Hellfrost’s pursuit of the Queen of the North Championship directly cost them a match tonight.
The screen changes.
Ursa Titania and Penny Coppersnap.
Choke Slam.
Greed Goblin Slam.
Cursebreak.
Glimmerbomb Toss.
Then Marcus the Beastmaster enters while Honest Abe is distracted.
Sidewalk Slam.
The crowd boos again.
Later, Marcus does it a second time.
Penny still survives the two-count.
Then the final exchange.
Market Pounders.
Ursa steps through.
Choke Slam.
One.
Two.
Three.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania continued building toward the Aurora Championship with a victory over Penny Coppersnap.
Vera Steele: But Marcus the Beastmaster interfered twice. Ursa’s power was decisive in the final exchange, but neither illegal Sidewalk Slam can be removed from an accurate analysis of the match.
The image of Ursa Titania staring at the Aurora Championship graphic fills the screen.
Then it abruptly changes.
Cotton Candy.
The crowd cheers.
Her match against Valka begins playing.
Sidewalk Slam from Valka.
Sour Candy distracts.
Boston Crab.
Pedigree.
Another Pedigree.
Military Press Slam.
Discus Clothesline.
Valka reverses Cotton’s pin.
One.
Two.
Kickout.
The exchanges continue.
Ragnarok.
Cotton crashes down.
Then Sour Candy jumps onto the apron.
Valka loses the immediate opportunity to cover.
The replay moves to the floor.
Double Crucifix Powerbomb.
Valka returns at four.
Then the sixteenth minute.
Code Red.
One.
Two.
Three.
The screen freezes.
COTTON CANDY DEFEATS AURORA CHAMPION VALKA
NON-TITLE
The Coliseum erupts again.
KC Rogers: And perhaps the largest upset of the night.
Vera Steele: Cotton Candy pinned the Aurora Champion.
KC Rogers: Sour Candy unquestionably influenced the match.
Vera Steele: Especially after Ragnarok. But the final Code Red was Cotton Candy’s. She saw a damaged champion and finished the sequence herself.
The screen divides into three.
Valka.
Ursa Titania.
Cotton Candy.
The Aurora Championship appears between them.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania has openly declared that she wants Valka’s championship.
Vera Steele: Cotton Candy just produced something different.
A beat.
Vera Steele: Proof that she can pin the champion.
The graphic fades.
Footage of Mrs. Claus returns.
The words appear.
NEXT WEEK
MRS. CLAUS VS DOROTHY
MAIN EVENT
KC Rogers: And earlier tonight, Mrs. Claus finally addressed unresolved issues that trace back to March 2025.
Footage flashes of the interview.
Mrs. Claus: There is unfinished business between me and Dorothy.
Then:
Mrs. Claus: I would rather fight through it than spend another year pretending it is not there.
Vera Steele: Dorothy’s transformation eventually helped create the Blonde Bombshells, but some of the things she said about established wrestlers and the old guard were never truly resolved with Mrs. Claus.
KC Rogers: Next week they attempt to resolve them in the ring.
The recap moves to tonight’s main event.
The Queen of the North Championship fills the screen.
Lilith.
Moonshadow.
Crimson Vane.
The opening exchanges flash rapidly.
Infernal Embrace.
Witchwood Drop.
Abyssal Slam.
Flying Kneedrop.
Dread Kick.
Lycan Lock.
Widow’s Howl.
Hollow Vein Lock.
Demon’s Embrace.
Vane’s Vice.
Crimson Thornplant.
The fifteenth-minute near fall appears.
Crimson covers Moonshadow.
One.
Two.
Lilith breaks the fall.
The recap accelerates.
Moonshadow traps Crimson in the Lycan Lock.
Crimson refuses to submit.
Moonshadow covers Lilith after the Bodyslam.
One.
Two.
Kickout.
Lilith covers Moonshadow.
One.
Two.
Kickout.
Abyssal Slam.
Another Abyssal Slam.
Running Big Boot.
One.
Two.
Moonshadow survives.
Moonshadow later covers Crimson.
One.
Two.
Crimson survives.
Then the final minute.
Abyssal Slam from Lilith.
Hunter’s Backbreaker Suplex from Crimson.
All three women converge.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
The countdown continues.
Three.
Two.
One.
The horn sounds.
The image freezes.
30:00 TIME-LIMIT DRAW
LILITH REMAINS QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPION
KC Rogers: Thirty minutes could not separate them.
Vera Steele: And the result preserves the championship reign without resolving the competitive argument.
The replay freezes on Moonshadow.
Vera Steele: Moonshadow entered as number one contender and was not defeated.
Then Crimson Vane.
Vera Steele: Crimson Vane finally had a championship match without Count Vlad physically interfering and she was not defeated either.
Then Lilith.
The championship rests over her shoulder.
Vera Steele: Lilith remains champion.
A pause.
Vera Steele: But she did not defeat either challenger.
The image returns to all three women surrounding the championship.
KC Rogers: The Queen of the North Championship picture remains unresolved.
The recap ends.
The camera returns to the commentary desk.
KC Rogers: And the week ahead will not wait for Northern Belles to return next Sunday.
The enormous screen changes.
MONDAY — WRESTLEFEST
LADY GUINEVERE
VS
REGINA
A reaction rises from the crowd.
KC Rogers: Tomorrow night at Wrestlefest, Lady Guinevere goes one-on-one with Regina.
Vera Steele: Regina therefore has an important week ahead. She competes tomorrow and then arrives here next Sunday with another kind of opportunity waiting.
The screen changes.
TUESDAY — POLAR SUPER HOUSE SHOW
QUEEN OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP
LILITH
VS
POLLY MASON
The crowd responds loudly.
KC Rogers: And on Tuesday at the Polar Super House Show, the Queen of the North Championship will be defended again.
The image of Lilith appears.
Then Polly Mason.
KC Rogers: Lilith defends against Polly Mason.
Vera Steele: Which means Lilith leaves tonight still champion after thirty exhausting minutes against Moonshadow and Crimson Vane, but she has very little recovery time before another championship defense.
The Queen of the North Championship rotates between them.
KC Rogers: Polly Mason told us last week that her direction following Fallout was forward.
A beat.
KC Rogers: Tuesday gives her a championship opportunity.
The screen changes once more.
The Women’s Convergent Championship appears.
BATTLE ROYAL #2
NEXT WEEK
Twenty silhouettes form.
Then individual names begin appearing.
RUBY HOWL
The crowd reacts.
REGINA
Another reaction.
SCARLETT HOWL
Then:
MORGANA LE FAYE
The reaction becomes noticeably louder.
The remaining silhouettes stay unrevealed.
AND MORE
KC Rogers: And next Sunday, the road to the Women’s Convergent Championship continues with qualifying Battle Royal Number Two.
Vera Steele: We already know several competitors who will be part of the twenty-woman field.
Ruby Howl’s image appears.
Vera Steele: Ruby Howl.
Then Scarlett.
Vera Steele: Scarlett Howl.
Regina.
Vera Steele: Regina, only six days after facing Lady Guinevere at Wrestlefest.
Then Morgana.
The crowd reacts.
Vera Steele: And Morgana Le Faye.
Footage from tonight’s Battle Royal plays.
Morgana eliminates Santelina.
Then Medussa Nemesis.
Then Athena.
Finally, she reaches the final two.
Crimson Viper sends her over.
KC Rogers: Morgana came within one elimination of winning the first Battle Royal tonight.
Vera Steele: And now she receives another opportunity.
The screen returns to the tournament pathway.
BATTLE ROYAL #1 — CRIMSON VIPER
BATTLE ROYAL #2 — NEXT WEEK
Twenty silhouettes appear beneath the second position.
KC Rogers: Whoever survives next week joins Crimson Viper in the semifinal field.
The complete next-week preview begins assembling.
WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
20-WOMAN BATTLE ROYAL #2
RUBY HOWL
REGINA
SCARLETT HOWL
MORGANA LE FAYE
AND MORE
Then beneath it:
MAIN EVENT
MRS. CLAUS VS DOROTHY
The crowd cheers.
The camera slowly pulls back from the commentary desk.
Silver-blue and icy gold lighting sweeps through Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
KC Rogers: Tonight, the first road to Convergence produced its first survivor.
Crimson Viper appears.
KC Rogers: The Coven rejected Grizelda’s demand for obedience...
Wicked Witch, Morrigan and Wicked Willow appear together.
Then Grizelda.
KC Rogers: ...and instead created a battle for magical supremacy on All Hallows Eve.
WITCH’S NIGHTMARE HEX MATCH flashes.
KC Rogers: The Patchwork Dolls capitalized on Hellfrost losing focus.
Patchwork Paige and Patchwork Paula celebrate while Velora argues with Lilith.
KC Rogers: Ursa Titania continued pursuing the Aurora Championship.
Ursa appears.
KC Rogers: But Cotton Candy changed that championship picture by pinning Valka.
Cotton Candy celebrates.
KC Rogers: Mrs. Claus asked for the opportunity to finally settle unfinished business with Dorothy.
The next-week main event graphic appears.
KC Rogers: And thirty minutes could not determine who truly owns the advantage around the Queen of the North Championship.
Lilith.
Moonshadow.
Crimson Vane.
The championship between them.
Vera Steele: And the schedule immediately puts pressure on several of those stories.
A beat.
Vera Steele: Lady Guinevere and Regina tomorrow.
Another graphic.
Vera Steele: Lilith and Polly Mason for the Queen of the North Championship on Tuesday.
Another.
Vera Steele: And next Sunday, twenty more women compete for one place on the road to Convergence.
The complete preview returns.
NEXT WEEK — NORTHERN BELLES
WOMEN’S CONVERGENT CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE ROYAL #2
MRS. CLAUS VS DOROTHY — MAIN EVENT
KC Rogers: For Vera Steele, Alexandra Jones, Celeste Orion, Commissioner Goldie Locks, and everyone here at Northern Belles, I am KC Rogers.
The camera begins rising above the commentary position.
The crowd remains standing beneath the illuminated Northern Belles emblem.
KC Rogers: Thank you for joining us live from Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
The final images alternate.
First:
CRIMSON VIPER — BATTLE ROYAL #1 WINNER
Then:
BATTLE ROYAL #2 — NEXT WEEK
Then:
MRS. CLAUS VS DOROTHY
MAIN EVENT
Finally, the Queen of the North Championship appears.
LILITH REMAINS CHAMPION
KC Rogers: We will see you next week.
The Northern Belles logo slams onto the screen in icy gold and steel.
The broadcast fades to black.
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