Just before the opening introductions started, you could feel the tension throughout the arena. This wasn't the typical "anxious excitement" for a typical show. This felt heavier, like the whole arena had ropes tied around their necks and everyone was just waiting for someone to pull the rope tight.
Luke leaned forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees, and he quietly spoke to Tony. By this time, every single person in the building had already heard the news. News travelled very quickly, through gyms, bars, message boards, and fans that don't always follow wrestling closely. NPJW crossed the line; it's no longer just an attack on a wrestler; NPJW attacked the owner of IRW himself.
Luke was shaking his head as he spoke. "I can't believe that happened," Luke said. "He was legitimate. Maya said Ren or Zen—or whatever his name is—was a real NPJW brawler; a professional level wrestler. Yet still Vince took a couple of shots on Ren/Z-Zen, and landed a few good shots."
Tony's eyebrows raised. "Are you serious? That young handsome guy in the suit?"
"Yeah. That dude in the suit."
Tony let out a low whistle. "Wow… That is tremendous."
A voice entered their conversation from the right: "That's why his actions were correct."
As they turned around, they saw what was probably a boy their own age, though he was just a little overweight for his height, had curly hair that was sticking out all over the place, and wore glasses that were constantly slipping down the bridge of his nose. He was wearing a brand-new Apex Predators t-shirt, which made Luke wonder if he might wear it all the time since he obviously didn't care much for laundry.
As soon as he saw everything about Luke and Tony that made them stare at him, he felt embarrassed and very red in the face.
"Oh, man! Sorry about that. Didn't mean to, uh, interrupt."
When Luke heard this, he was a little surprised. "It's no problem at all. What did you want to say?"
The boy straightened himself out, got more confidence because he now had an opportunity to speak to Luke and Tony. "I'm, uh, Justin Hammer. Nice to meet you." Justin held his hand out for Luke to shake as Luke did, but Luke did so awkwardly.
Justin spoke very quickly, and Luke could tell that Justin was very excited about what he had to say. "I agree with Vince. I mean, uh, IRW is going through a change right now. There is new ownership, new presentation, new style on the way. I can feel the differences, you know what I mean? Wrestlers aren't just fighting anymore; they're talking, arguing, provoking, and creating moments."
After hearing this, Tony and Luke looked at each other, and Tony thought that Justin was far too much of a talker.
However, Justin still continued to talk: "Honestly, man, I love it! It feels like it's starting to come to life, you know? It feels like a breath of fresh air to me."
Justin looked astonished, "Wait, Maya Hart! That's your sister? Oh wow!" He leaned in close and spoke softly, "Could you please get me a signed picture?"
Luke had a good chuckle in response.
As Luke was about to reply, the lights in the arena faded to black and everyone was very excited. Over the sound system, Noah's voice was the only one heard from the company commentary table near Irvin.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I appreciate everyone who is joining us tonight for the live event. The past few weeks have produced the highest viewer numbers for IRW in history and everyone in the company would like to thank you!"
This was greeted with loud cheers and clapping from the fans in the arena.
In reply to Noah's comment, Irvin commented as well, "Whatever is about to happen next, it is already causing the buzz of excitement in this arena."
Noah also replied, "I am pleased to announce, We will be expanding IRW Programming very soon."
This one little sentence sent reverberations throughout the entire Arena, and the fans began cheering and murmuring in excitement. There were no announcement dates, no further explanations, only the anticipation of something great.
As the lights turned off, and an upbeat tempo played through the sound system, Noah announced, "Your Wrestling Tag Champions have arrived".
Axel Vane and Jett Calder made their way through the entrance surrounded by red lights. They proudly wore red sleeveless jackets that were unbuttoned with the words "Apex Predator" printed on the back of the jacket, red leather pants with yellow streaks and sunglasses that reflected the flashing lights of the arena.
They walked down the ramp wearing the Tag Team championships on their shoulders as they strutted down the entrance ramp smugly pointing at fans in attendance as they took in the noise and reaction from the audience.
Irvin chuckled. "I don't recognize these guys anymore."
The Apex Predators entered the ring and held their Championships up for the audience to see. The audience was alternating with loud cheering and booing but it was very loud.
Then the music began to slow down and became heavier as Noah's voice became very sharp as he announced, "Introducing the Challengers, The Steel Titans!"
Brocke and Gunnar walked to the ring without pausing posing for a picture or smiling, rather than focusing on winning the titles by the sound of their footsteps that shook the Arena, and were focused on the Gold Championships.
The four men stood opposite each other, their jackets on the ground and their sunglasses thrown to the side.
The bell sounded.
Axel immediately attacked Gunnar, delivering a series of rapid strikes to his body, attempting to take advantage of his speed against Gunnar's size. Gunnar absorbed Axel's punches like drops of rain on a stone, and after they had been delivered, he shoved Axel away with only one forearm, knocking Axel off balance and into the corner.
As Jett advanced on Brocke, he struck Brocke's knee with sharp kicks, and brought him to a knee. Brocke responded with loud growls and strikes, causing Jett to retreat, but not before he tagged Axel in, by hitting Axel in the chest.
Axel immediately charged back into the ring with Jett, and they wrestled against Brocke in tandem, hitting him many times with rapid hits. For a brief moment, the two champions wrestled well together, moving around each other as a single entity, cutting angles and remaining just beyond Brocke's reach.
Luke leaned forward and clenched his fists in anticipation. "They're really doing it."
Tony nodded in agreement. "They are using smart wrestling."
However, the momentum changed rapidly.
Brocke finally caught Axel mid-charge and lifted him clean off the mat, slamming him down with a spine-shaking body drop. The ring rattled. The crowd roared.
Gunnar tagged in and stalked Axel, dragging him up by the arm and throwing him into the Titans' corner. They went to work—heavy strikes, crushing elbows, methodical punishment.
Noah's voice rose. "This is where size becomes a weapon."
Axel tried to crawl away, reaching desperately for Jett, fingertips brushing air as Gunnar hauled him back by the ankle. Another crushing slam followed.
Axel kicked out of the first pin attempt. Then the second.
Jett pounded the turnbuckle, shouting encouragement.
"Axel's in trouble," Irvin said. "Real trouble."
Finally, Axel rolled free and lunged—tagging Jett just as Brocke charged. Jett sprang in like a missile, dropkicking Brocke square in the chest. Brocke staggered back.
The crowd surged to its feet as Jett bounced off the ropes, flying through the air with reckless abandon, crashing into Gunnar with a spinning elbow.
For a heartbeat, chaos reigned—bodies everywhere, the referee shouting, the crowd roaring.
And then—
The screen abruptly cut to black.
Commercial.
At home, Michael groaned, throwing his hands up. "Are you kidding me?! Right now?!"
He leaned forward on his couch, eyes glued to the blank screen, adrenaline still pumping.
"Every damn time," he muttered.