SEGMENT ONE
The camera fades in on a black-and-white backdrop, reminiscent of an old Hollywood soundstage. It focuses in on Timeless Toni Storm, dressed in vintage, glamorous attire. Her robe is a flowing silk, her hair is perfectly curled, and a pearl necklace around her collarbone ties the whole ensemble together. She holds a long cigarette holder with elegance, though it is unlit and clearly just for show.
Toni Storm: In this grand picture we call life, there are stars… and then, there’s everyone else… Miss Athena Star fancies herself the former, but let’s face it, she’s no longer deserving of top billing! Like Norma Desmond, she clings to her past glories, carrying around a championship that reminds her of brighter days. But I’m like Audrey Hepburn, effortlessly stealing the scene with every step I take! Athena Star is more like an extra, waiting for her cue to exit stage left.
Storm saunters across the soundstage, stopping momentarily to look at herself in a vanity mirror, adjusting her hair in the reflection.
Toni Storm: Athena, my dear, we’ve seen this film before. It’s a tale as old as Hollywood itself… the bright-eyed ingenue, dazzled by the spotlight, thinking she’s untouchable! But Athena, darling, you and I both know the spotlight is fickle! It can burn just as brightly as it fades. In two days, the spotlight will dim on you at Aftershock, and I’ll be there… ready to take my rightful place!
She turns to the camera, disdain dripping from her every word.
Toni Storm: Oh, how you remind me of poor Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane! Desperate, washed up, and painfully unaware that the curtains are about to close!
Toni picks up an old reel of film, twirling it in her hands as she speaks.
Toni Storm: Athena is playing the role of a champion, but it’s all wrong! Miscast, misdirected, and misjudged! What we need is a rewrite, and I’m here to tear up the old script and write anew! This is my picture now, Athena. And your Knockouts Championship? Another trophy for my mantle!
Storm pauses, tilting her head with a sly smile.
Toni Storm: I’m not just another starlet. I’m a timeless icon! The one who transcends eras, a star who never fades. At Aftershock, it’s not just about the Knockouts Championship… it’s about legacy… MY LEGACY. And sweetheart, when I say, ‘Here’s looking at you, kid,’ what I really mean is goodbye!
Storm takes one last look in the mirror, smirks, and walks off set, leaving the camera focused on the empty backdrop as the scene slowly fades.
Arn Anderson and Kevin Kelly welcome us back to Chaos, the final stop on the road to Aftershock. Thus far, we’ve got five huge matches slated for the pay-per-view, including Brock Lesnar challenging Sami Zayn for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship, Timeless Toni Storm challenging Athena Star for the AEW Knockouts Championship, the Acclaimed defending their tag titles against FTR and A-Town Down Under, and the IWGP World Champion Will Ospreay debuting against the American Dragon Bryan Danielson!
They’re interrupted by the entrance music of the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, who comes to the ring in a suit carrying a microphone.
Cody Rhodes: So, what do you want to talk about? I’ll tell you what I want to talk about… Sammy Guevara…
The audience boos at the mention of Guevara’s name.
Cody Rhodes: A few weeks ago, Sammy decided to insert himself into my match with Bryan Danielson. That little distraction cost me the opportunity to go on to Aftershock to face Will Ospreay. And since then, I’ve been hearing Sammy’s name a lot… mostly because Sammy’s been running his mouth. He’s been whining, complaining, crying about a loss he suffered back in November of 2022.
Cody paces as he speaks, his voice rising.
Cody Rhodes: Sammy, let me make one thing clear—I have no problem putting you back in your place. But let’s not get this twisted. This… this is all just a distraction from what I’m really here for, what I’ve always been here for, and that’s to become the AEW World Heavyweight Champion!
Suddenly, Sammy Guevara’s music hits. The crowd’s boos intensify as Sammy walks out onto the stage, smirking, with a microphone in hand. He’s wearing a leather jacket over his ring gear, clearly ready for a fight.
Sammy Guevara: [sarcastically] Oh, Cody, Cody, Cody… still chasing that dream, huh? But let’s be real—you’re not even the most relevant Rhodes in wrestling. Hell, you’re not even the second most relevant Rhodes! That spot belongs to your old man and your older brother, both are getting more TV time lately in the ULW than you’ve gotten in your entire career.
The crowd boos as Sammy smirks to himself.
Sammy Guevara: You had your shot, Cody. You were supposed to be the face of AEW, the guy to carry this company. But what happened? You squandered it! Now, you’re just another guy, a former TV Champion who’s lost his way.
Cody steps forward as he and Sammy come face to face.
Cody Rhodes: That’s funny, coming from someone who’s been trying to claw his way into the spotlight ever since he got here. You want to talk about relevancy? How about earning it instead of trying to steal it?
The smirk on Sammy’s face fades, replaced by a hateful gaze.
Sammy Guevara: ou think you’re better than me? You think you’re still ‘The American Nightmare’? You’re just a guy who’s past his prime, clinging to a legacy that doesn’t even belong to you!
Cody Rhodes: You want to prove you’re better? Then do it in the ring. In 10 days, when Dynamite returns, I challenge you to a match. No distractions, no excuses. Just you and me.
Cody drops the mic, turning to leave. But just as Cody steps through the ropes, Sammy blindsides him, delivering a vicious forearm to the back of Cody’s head. Cody staggers, dropping to one knee, and Sammy pounces, laying into him with stiff right hands and martial arts kicks.
The crowd erupts in boos as Sammy continues his assault, stomping Cody into the mat. He stands over Cody, sneering as he raises his arms, soaking in the hatred from the audience. Cody lies motionless on the canvas, clutching his head in pain.
Sammy kneels next to Cody, raising the microphone back to his lips.
Sammy Guevara: [whispering] You’re on!
Sammy drops the microphone on Cody’s chest before standing up and raising his arms once more, reveling in his attack.
As the chaos from the previous encounter subsides and the ring is cleared, we take it to Jane Mouse for the introductions for our opening contest!
Match # 1 | Exhibition Match
The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong) vs. Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Kalisto)
The match starts with Roderick Strong locking up with Kalisto. Strong’s strength is immediately evident as he forces Kalisto into a headlock, but Kalisto quickly slips out, using his speed to dodge a strike and land a quick kick to Strong’s ribs. Kalisto follows up by leaping off the ropes, hitting a springboard arm drag that sends Strong rolling to his corner.
Strong tags in Adam Cole, who enters to try his hand with Kalisto. They circle each other before locking up, but Cole quickly overpowers Kalisto, driving him back into the corner. The referee steps in to break them up, but Cole takes the opportunity to hit a cheap shot with a forearm to Kalisto’s jaw. Kalisto staggers out of the corner, and Cole capitalizes with a snap suplex, transitioning into a quick cover, but Kalisto kicks out at two.
Arn Anderson: Adam Cole is willing to play dirty when he has to, and that’s part of what has made the Undisputed Era such a dominant tag team in previous companies.
Cole drags Kalisto to his corner and tags Strong back in. They double-team Kalisto, with Cole hitting a backbreaker and Strong following up with a quick knee drop. Strong goes for the cover, but Kalisto kicks out again. Strong keeps Kalisto down with a series of stomps, preventing him from reaching his corner to tag in Gran Metalik.
The crowd rallies behind Kalisto as he fights back, catching Strong off guard with a sudden tilt-a-whirl DDT. Both men are down, and Kalisto crawls toward his corner, finally making the tag to Gran Metalik. Metalik bursts into the ring to a loud pop, taking down Strong with a high-flying crossbody. Cole rushes in to interfere, but Metalik ducks under his clothesline and hits him with a handspring back elbow, sending Cole reeling.
Kevin Kelly: Gran Metalik is coming in on fire, and is changing the pace of things!
Metalik turns his attention back to Strong, who’s getting to his feet. Metalik hits a running dropkick, sending Strong into the ropes. He goes for the Metalik Driver, but Cole, now recovered, pulls Strong out of harm’s way. Metalik turns around just in time to see Cole charging at him, and before Metalik can react, Cole nails him with a superkick that drops him to the mat.
Kalisto tries to re-enter the ring, but Strong intercepts him, tossing him over the top rope. With Metalik dazed, Cole signals for the Panama Sunrise. He climbs the ropes, waits for Metalik to rise, and then flips over into the piledriver, driving Metalik’s head into the canvas. Cole covers Metalik, hooking the leg. The ref counts… 1… 2… 3!
Arn Anderson: The action continues to heat up in what’s arguably the strongest tag team division in BWM Inc. history!
Kevin Kelly: Lucha House Party gave it their all, but the experience of Undisputed Era was just too much for them tonight.
Winners: The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong)
Match Time: 9:02
SEGMENT TWO
In a dingy tavern, low murmurs from the patrons can be heard as Hangman Adam Page is shown once again, slouched alone in a corner with a half-empty beer bottle in his hands. He’s visibly intoxicated, but not so much so that he cannot maintain his composure. Kenny Omega enters and immediately approaches Page, looking concerned but more frustrated than the last time this happened.
Kenny Omega: [agitated] Come on Hangman, get up. We’re getting you out of here.
Omega snatches the beer bottle from Page just as he’s about to take a drink.
Hangman Adam Page: [angry] What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Kenny Omega: I can’t stand to see you like this anymore.
Page rolls his eyes, before snatching the bottle back from Omega. He downs the rest of the beer in one big gulp, defiantly staring at Omega as he does.
Kenny Omega: [irritated] Is this who you want to be, Page?
Hangman Adam Page: [bitter] Spare me the lecture, Kenny. I’ve got every reason to drown my sorrows. We lost the tag belts, I lost Monday night… and have you seen the state of the world lately? It’s impossible out here for millennials! Booze is the only thing that helps with the anxiety. So just leave me alone.
Omega’s had enough, his frustration boiling over. He reaches out and grabs Page by the arm, trying to pull him out of the bar. Page reacts, almost instinctively, smashing the beer bottle over Omega’s head!
Omega collapses to the floor, as Page stands up. He breathes heavily as he looks down at Omega, his face a mixture of regret and anger.
Hangman Adam Page: [losing control] I’m not your kid, Kenny! I’m not some project for you to fix! We’re done! Our team is over! If you’ve got a problem with that, you can find me at Aftershock!
Bar employees and patrons rush over to help Omega as Page storms out of the tavern, leaving behind a fractured friendship. The camera lingers on Omega, surrounded by concerned onlookers, as the scene fades out.
Back at ringside, Arn Anderson and Kevin Kelly discuss what we just witnessed. Kelly says he’s received word via his headset that it’s just been made official – the former tag team champions will compete against one another as Kenny Omega will take on Hangman Adam Page at Aftershock this Sunday! With that, the card is finalized, and we transition to Jane Mouse in the ring for our main event!
Match #2 | Knockouts Hardcore Championship
Nia Jax (C) vs. Maryse
The lights dim and Maryse’s music hits first, as she poses atop the stage before strutting to the ring. Despite her elegance, there’s a dangerous edge to her demeanor, as Anderson notes she intends to capture gold here tonight.
Kevin Kelly: She’s a former PWI Women’s Champion, and she’s looking to add the Knockouts Hardcore Championship to her resume tonight.
Arn Anderson: Beautiful and dangerous is Maryse! She’s had her fair share of hardcore matches in her career, and she’s just about as tough as they come!
Jax is out next, as the reigning, defending Knockouts Hardcore Champion marches to the ring.
Kevin Kelly: Nia Jax has been an unstoppable force for months now, and there’s no telling what she’ll do to keep that Knockouts Hardcore Championship around her waist.
Arn Anderson: She’s a wildcard, Kevin, and she’s one of the most dangerous women in the sport.
The bell sounds and Jax charges full speed toward Maryse, but Maryse ducks and hits a dropkick to Jax’s knee, trying to chop her down to size. Jax stumbles but gets back to her feet, leveling Maryse with a clothesline.
Jax lifts Maryse up and tosses her to the corner, and follows up with a brutal avalanche splash. Maryse crumples to the mat and Jax charges at her again. This time, Maryse rolls out of the ring just in time as Jax catches a face full of turnbuckle.
Undeterred, Jax follows Maryse to the outside. Maryse grabs a steel chair from ringside and swings it at Jax, but Jax blocks the shot and rips the chair from Maryse’s hands, throwing it aside. Jax grabs Maryse by the hair and drags her around ringside, slamming her head into the barricade repeatedly.
Kevin Kelly: She’s just rag-dolling the challenger here!
Arn Anderson: And it’s all perfectly legal!
Maryse, in desperation, rakes Jax’s eyes, causing the champion to release her grip. She kicks Jax in the gut and DDTs her onto the floor! She goes for a quick cover, but Jax powers out at two, pushing Maryse off with authority. She doesn’t waste any time, grabbing Jax by the head and leading her into the crowd, where the fight continues into the stands.
The crowd is going crazy as the two brawl through the sea of fans, trading punches. Maryse slams Jax into a concrete wall, but Jax fights back by lifting her above her head and throwing her over a row of chairs! Maryse lands hard, and Jax doesn’t give her room to breath. She scoops her back up and slams her down with a Samoan drop onto the row of chairs! With Maryse spread out across several chairs, Jax covers her and the ref counts, but Maryse manages to get her should up just in time.
Kevin Kelly: This match has gone completely off the rails!
Arn Anderson: It sure has, and I’m loving it!
Jax drags Maryse back toward the ring, but Maryse fights back, grabbing a fan’s drink and smashing it into Jax’s face. Jax stumbles, and Maryse capitalizes, leading Jax back towards the stage area. Maryse grabs nearby trashcan and starts unloading on Jax, each swing more vicious than the last. Jax is somehow still standing after the series of trashcan shots, and shoves Maryse down on her ass.
Kevin Kelly: Nia Jax is like an armored tank! She just absorbs the blows one by one and keeps moving!
As Maryse struggles back to her feet, her ass sore from landing on the concrete, Jax hoists her up onto her shoulders and carries her up the ramp towards the stage. When they reach the top, Maryse slides off Jax’s back and defiantly slaps the champion across the face. This enrages Jax, who nearly decapitates her with a clothesline!
Jax scoops her back onto her shoulders and carries her to the edge of the stage, the audience members slowly rising from their seats in anticipation. With Maryse on her shoulders, Jax looks down and spots a production table on the floor level. Realizing the danger she is in, Maryse tries to escape, throwing elbows to Jax’s head. But Jax holds on, spinning her around and hitting a devastating Samoan Drop off the stage and through the tables below!
The crowd erupts into a “holy shit!” chant as Kenzie scrambles to the scene of the crash. Jax, barely conscious, is draped over Maryse and Kenzie makes the count… 1… 2… 3!!!
Jane Mouse: Here is your winner, and STILL AEW Knockouts Hardcore Champion, Nia Jax!
Winner: Nia Jax
Match Time: 12:12
The camera pans over the wreckage, showing both women lying amidst the broken table pieces, barely moving.
Kevin Kelly: What a war!
Arn Anderson: Maryse showed everyone why she’s a former PWI Women’s Champion, she gave Jax a serious run for her money tonight, but in the end, the Unstoppable Force Nia Jax retains!
Kevin Kelly: Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you in two days for Aftershock!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 