Luke wasn't acting like his usual self.
Tony picked up on it right away.
Typically, Luke would be the loudest in the group—arguing, reacting, and tossing out comments at every entrance, every promo, every near fall. But today? He was uncharacteristically quiet, and the show hadn't even begun.
Justin noticed it as well.
The two shared a look before Tony gave Luke a gentle nudge.
"What's up with you?" Tony asked. "You look like you lost a bet before the show even kicked off."
Luke let out a slow breath.
"My cousins and uncle are coming."
Tony raised an eyebrow.
"…And?"
Luke shot him a flat stare.
"You really don't get it."
Justin leaned in, suddenly intrigued. "Wait, cousins? Is this a big deal or just a family visit?"
Luke ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated.
"They're my dad's brother, Aiden Hart, and his sons."
Justin's eyes went wide. "How did I not connect the dots? The Hart family!"
Tony still looked a bit lost.
Luke sighed, trying to clarify.
"You know… the wrestling family."
Tony's expression slowly shifted to understanding.
"Oh. Who are they?"
Luke sighed, while Justin facepalmed.
----
Backstage, the vibe was completely different.
Maya stood facing Vince and Lance, her arms crossed as she explained.
"My family… the Hart family… they've been part of wrestling since the very beginning," she said. "Not just wrestlers—trainers, promoters, you name it."
Lance nodded slowly, the name ringing a bell.
"They moved to New York years ago," Maya continued. "They were looking to expand. Bigger stage, bigger opportunities."
She took a brief pause.
"I'm from the youngest branch. That's why Luke and I ended up here in Dodge."
Vince listened intently.
"Who's coming?" Lance asked.
Maya met his gaze.
"My uncle. Stu Hart."
Lance straightened up a bit.
"And his sons. Bret and Owen."
Vince coughed.
Maya shot him a glance, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Vince replied quickly, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
Bret Hart.
Owen Hart.
He had spent his earlier years watching those names light up arenas.
And now, they were coming here?
Lance narrowed his eyes at Vince's reaction but chose not to press.
"What do they want?" he asked Maya.
Maya shrugged lightly.
"They've heard about IRW. About All In."
She hesitated for a moment.
"And… things aren't exactly smooth between the brothers."
Lance frowned. "What do you mean?"
Maya let out a breath.
"The eldest—Bruce—doesn't see eye to eye with the others."
She shook her head slightly, "Honestly, I'm not sure if Stu was pushed out… or if he left on his own."
A brief pause.
"But if they're here… it means something."
Vince had been quiet for a while.
He was staring at the floor, lost in thought.
Lance noticed. "What's going on in your head?"
Vince looked up. There was a glimmer in his eyes.
"This," he said slowly, "is an opportunity."
Maya frowned. "What do you mean?"
Vince leaned in a bit.
"If things aren't stable for them in New York…"
He locked eyes with her.
"Would they think about joining IRW?"
Lance's eyes widened in surprise.
Maya blinked.
"…You're serious?"
Vince didn't respond right away.
----
The arena lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted with excitement.
Noah and Irvin settled into their seats at the commentary table.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Noah kicked things off, "welcome back to IRW!"
Irvin leaned into his mic, a grin spreading across his face. "And after last week? You'd be out of your mind to miss this."
The energy in the air was electric. Fans were still buzzing about the Vox special.
They couldn't stop talking about the Falls Count Anywhere match. About the sheer chaos that unfolded.
They were hungry for more.
Noah quickly glanced at his notes.
"Well, let's not waste any time," he said.
Irvin chuckled. "I like the sound of that."
Then the music hit.
Apex Predators.
The crowd reacted instantly—mixed cheers, loud and alive.
Jett and Axel strutted out, exuding their usual swagger, titles slung over their shoulders, golden glasses perched on their faces, red jackets flaring open.
They high-fived fans as they made their way down, that unmistakable bounce in their step like they owned the place.
Tony nodded in approval. "These guys know how to make an entrance."
Justin grinned. "Champions, no doubt."
Luke crossed his arms, unimpressed. "A bit much, don't you think?"
The Predators climbed into the ring.
They tossed their sunglasses into the crowd.
Then their jackets followed suit.
The belts were handed to the official, raised high for all to see.
Jett grabbed the mic.
"I'm bored," he declared.
The crowd reacted immediately.
"What?"
Jett paced back and forth.
"We're the champions," he continued. "And there's not a soul here who can take us down."
Boos mixed with a few cheers.
Axel leaned against the ropes, a smirk on his face.
Jett pointed toward the ramp.
"Steel Titans?" he scoffed. "Those so-called giants?"
He laughed, the sound echoing.
"Pussies. All talk, no show. But wait a minute, they can't even talk properly." (I NEED SERIOUS HELP WITH WRITING INSULTS AND RETORTS AS IT IS THAT TIME)
The word hit hard.
The crowd gasped, then erupted into chaos.
Irvin laughed heartily. "That's one way to put it."
Noah shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "That's definitely going to stir things up."
Axel took the mic next.
"So here's the deal," he said. "We're throwing down an open challenge."
He spread his arms wide.
"Anyone in the back with the guts to step in here—come try your luck!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
There was a moment of silence.
Then, a different kind of music hit the air.
Heavy drums, sounding intense as a Mongolian scream echoed (IDK WHAT TO CALL THAT)
Noah leaned in closer, "…Who is that?"
Irvin squinted, trying to see.
The crowd shifted in anticipation.
And then they appeared.
Two enormous men.
Face paint adorned their features.
Noah's voice rose a notch.
"Wait—"
He quickly checked his notes.
"Road Warriors."
"Road Warrior Hawk… and Road Warrior Animal."
Tony leaned in, eyes wide. "Those guys are massive."
Justin nodded slowly, his expression serious. "They're like Titans but somehow look more intimidating with the face paint on."
Justin nodded, "It looks more like a war paint."
The two men didn't play to the audience.
No smiles.
No waves.
They just walked, their eyes on the two wrestlers in the ring.
Jett's smirk faded a little.
Axel shot him a glance.
"…You know them?" he whispered.
Jett stayed silent.
The Road Warriors climbed into the ring without uttering a word.
The official stepped in quickly.
"You issued the challenge," he said firmly.
Jett let out a breath.
"…Yeah."
There was no backing down now.
Jackets off.
Game on.
Hawk stepped forward.
From the Predator side, Axel stepped up.
The bell rang.
Axel didn't hesitate.
He charged in, throwing quick strikes—jabs, forearms, trying to gain the upper hand.
Hawk didn't budge, didn't flinch.
He shoved Axel.
Just one push, and Axel stumbled back several steps.
Axel shook it off and charged again, only to be sent flying by a brutal clothesline.
He flipped and hit the mat hard.
The entire arena fell silent for a heartbeat.
Then erupted.
"OH!"
Noah stood up slightly. "What impact!"
Irvin laughed in disbelief. "That's a whole different level!"
The official dropped down to check on Axel.
Axel wasn't moving much.
Hawk turned to the crowd, raised his arms, and let out a roar.
The crowd roared back in response.