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Nightshade Brings Dark Forces To Play In WAH

Posted: Jul 13th 2022 By: CMBurnham

When people think of churches, they consider them sanctuaries from the evil of mankind. A place where the hopeless can find hope and the wrongs of civilisation can be made right. Many Tulsa area wrestling federations have long associations with churches, most recently WFC and WAH, both of which run their shows at Living Hope Fellowship in Tulsa. And ironically, that mutual location may have provided the bridge for a dark force to unknowingly cross from one company to another, making his presence felt at the most recent WAH event.

July 25, 2020 saw the formation of the Order of Thorns in WFC. A mysterious, mystical group led by Dr. Nightshade that originated with Samedi and Shadow Gemini, membership grew to include Ethan Cole, Umbra, Milo Lamont and Blade [2nd]. During the so-called "Turf Warfare" years in WFC, The OoT remained active, but mysterious. They seemed to be gathering forces to participate in the way, but instead got sidetracked into a confrontation with Mr. Durden's Pandemonium Sideshow. A video showing a massive conflict between both sides was released, but the results shown there seemed questionable. Whatever the outcome, Dr. Nightshade faded away from WFC around Halloween of 2021 and was thought to be gone from wrestling forever.

Perhaps wrestling fans should have known better. Because even though the leader had faded away, some of the key players were still around. Waiting. Biding their time until either they felt the situation was right or they received a message to move on to their next phase. And while WFC was no longer the pristine target that it seemed like it once might have been, there was another target. One where take over would be even more devastating. After all, that fed was run....by a Pastor.

Almost 2 years to the day of the formation of the Order of Thorns, a video appeared on the WAH social media. No words were spoken. No clear message was conveyed. Just an image of an eye, similar to what was seen on the back of American currency. And an ominous tone. No one could explain it. No one could provide insight. But not too long after that, two words began to circulate around WAH:

Dark Forces.

With little information to go on, it was hard to begin to know where to start in discovering these Dark Forces and their leader. But WAH fans wouldn't have to wait too long. After newly-crowned WAH Living Hope Champion Umbra defeated the debuting Lunchador, Nightshade, sporting a very different look, made his way to the stage to join his former OoT protege. Nightshade took the microphone and declared that as of this point, calling Umbra's title the Living Hope title was pointless as there was "No Hope" for the company and rechristened the title a the "No Hope Title".

But even with that statement, shocking as it was, the pieces weren't all falling into place. And would not get clearer until later in the event. The semi-main event saw WAH Tag Team Champion Pastor Brent take on Romeo Reese. This match was pretty even with Reese controlling much of the action after initially stalling for time, but Brent had rallied and after dropping 3 big legs was on his way to achieving victory when the video of the eye appeared for the second time. Brent stood fixated on it, demanding answers and for whoever was behind it to show themselves. And that distraction gave Reese time to recuperate and score a surprise victory over Brent. But that was not the end. After getting the pinfall, Umbra ran to the ring and Nightshade appeared on the stage again, joined by Dr. Corvus. Umbra and Reese double teamed Brent, then dragged his tag team championship partner Andrew Fenix into the ring and did the same to him. After the physical assault was finished, Nightshade and Corvus entered the ring. Nightshade took the microphone and uttered the following cryptic statement: "Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame!" He then left with Corvus and Umbra while Reese seemed momentarily confused, but soon followed.

A video released a couple of days later showed Reese being presented with the opportunity to join what was officially referred to as Dark Forces. Reese spoke about how people always thought he was like his father, Samedi, but he was different. Nonetheless, it was his time to sit at the table, which he felt he had been denied for quite some time. Nightshade said there would always be a place for him there and shook his hand, welcoming another former OoT member back into the fold, as Reese had been associated while known as Milo Lamont.

So the Dark Forces are in place. They control one title already and seem to have their eyes on the Tag Team Titles as well. But it is very clear that what they really want is total control of WAH. Pastor Brent and the other WAH defenders are going to have to call on all the power they have to fend off this threat. Because no only is WAH at stake, but possibly the very souls of the roster and the fanbase itself.