Backstage, Cody Johnson stood in front of the JWF interview backdrop, arms crossed with a smug grin on his face. The camera zoomed in as the interviewer approached, microphone in hand, ready to get Cody's thoughts on the explosive events that had just transpired in the ring.

Interviewer: Cody, you've been watching the events unfold tonight between Chang Toriyaki, Jack McMahon, and the mysterious Sovereign. What's your reaction to the power shift we just witnessed?

Cody chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

Cody: You know, I've gotta say... it's about damn time. Good to see those runts lose everything they ever had. Jack and Ashley? They've been coasting for far too long, playing like they had some real power in this company. But tonight, they got knocked off their high horses, and I couldn't be happier.

Interviewer: It's clear you've had your issues with Jack and Ashley in the past, especially after what went down at Lord of the Ring. Do you feel like this is the retribution you've been waiting for?

Cody smirked, leaning a little closer to the camera, his tone dripping with satisfaction.

Cody: Retribution? Oh, it's sweeter than that. This isn't just payback for what happened at Lord of the Ring. This is a reckoning. Jack and Ashley thought they could run the show, make decisions that suited them, and screw over whoever they wanted. Well, look at them now. They're nothing.

Interviewer: Now with Chang Toriyaki holding 30% of the company, what do you think that means for JWF going forward? And Sovereign-what's your take on him?

Cody's expression turned thoughtful for a moment, then he shrugged casually.

Cody: Chang's a smart guy. He's been playing the long game, and I respect that. He's got more power now, and if anyone knows how to use it, it's him. As for Sovereign... well, I don't know the guy personally, but I like what he did out there. Took control, didn't let Jack run his mouth, and put him in his place. That's what JWF needs-someone who doesn't play games and gets things done.

Cody paused, his grin returning.

Cody: Bottom line, though? It's good to see those two squirm. It's about time they learned they're not untouchable. I've been waiting for this moment, and trust me, I'm enjoying every second of it.

Interviewer: With everything shifting behind the scenes, what's next for you, Cody? How does this change things for your future here in JWF?

Cody smirked at the interviewer's question, clearly ready to address the next step in his JWF journey.

Cody: What's next for me? Well, I've got a match against Ilja Dragunov, and if you know anything about me, you know I don't back down from a fight. Ilja's tough, no doubt, but he's not tougher than me. This match? It's just another step in showing everyone why I'm the top guy in this company, no matter who's calling the shots behind the scenes.

Interviewer: Ilja Dragunov is known for his intense, hard-hitting style. How do you plan to counter that?

Cody's grin widened, clearly unfazed by the challenge.

Cody: Ilja's got heart, sure. He can take a beating and keep coming back, but so can I. Difference is, I hit harder, and when I knock you down, you stay down. Dragunov's been running through people, but he hasn't run into Cody Johnson yet. He's gonna find out real quick that stepping into the ring with me is a whole different ballgame.

Interviewer: You seem confident heading into the match. Do you think this win could put you in line for a title shot down the road?

Cody's eyes narrowed, his tone turning more serious.

Cody: I'm not here just to win matches-I'm here to be the best. And yeah, beating Ilja? That'll just be the beginning. Titles, main events, whatever's at the top-I'm coming for it. Dragunov's a stepping stone, and after I put him down, everyone's gonna realize that Cody Johnson isn't just here to play the game. I'm here to run it.

Interviewer: Strong words, Cody. Any final thoughts before your match with Ilja Dragunov?

Cody leaned closer to the mic, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

Cody: Ilja, you'd better be ready, because when that bell rings, I'm not coming to wrestle-I'm coming to hurt you. And when it's all said and done, you'll be lucky to walk out of that ring in one piece.

With that, Cody turned and walked off, leaving the interviewer standing there as the camera panned back to the arena. The intensity of his words lingered in the air, setting the stage for what was sure to be a brutal confrontation with Ilja Dragunov.

The crowd in the JWF Thunder arena buzzed in anticipation as Cody Johnson's music hit, his intense presence sending a ripple of excitement through the audience. His eyes were laser-focused on the task ahead-his upcoming match with the equally intense Ilja Dragunov. Cody stepped into the ring, pacing, waiting for his opponent.

The unmistakable symphonic theme of Ilja Dragunov blared through the speakers, and the crowd erupted as the former NXT UK Champion marched down the ramp, his eyes locked on Cody. The intensity between the two was palpable even before the bell rang.

Chad Darby: This one's going to be brutal, folks. You've got two guys with no quit in them. Cody Johnson, the self-proclaimed top dog of JWF, and Ilja Dragunov, a man who has made a career out of walking through fire.

The bell rang, and the two wasted no time, meeting in the center of the ring, locking up with sheer power. Dragunov quickly maneuvered into a headlock, but Cody shoved him off, sending Ilja into the ropes. Dragunov bounced back, ducking Cody's clothesline attempt, and countered with a stiff chop across Cody's chest. The crack echoed through the arena.

Cody winced but responded with a vicious forearm to Dragunov's jaw, staggering the Russian. Dragunov, never one to back down, fired off another brutal chop, this one harder than the last. The two traded blows, neither man willing to give an inch.

Chad Darby: Neither of these men are backing down! This is turning into a slugfest!

Cody, using his size advantage, whipped Dragunov into the corner with force, following up with a crushing clothesline. Dragunov slumped in the corner, but Cody was relentless. He grabbed Dragunov by the arm, hoisting him up and planting him with a spine-shattering back suplex. Cody went for the first pin of the match.

1... 2...

Dragunov kicked out, showing that signature resilience that had made him famous. Cody, undeterred, dragged Dragunov up again, only for Ilja to surprise him with a rapid series of strikes to Cody's midsection. Ilja hit the ropes, gaining momentum, and delivered a flying forearm to Cody's face, knocking the bigger man off his feet.

Chad Darby: Ilja's coming alive now! Look at the speed and intensity of Dragunov!

Ilja pressed the advantage, hitting a flurry of European uppercuts that backed Cody into the corner. Dragunov climbed the ropes and began delivering punches to Cody's skull as the crowd counted along.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

But Cody, in a show of raw power, shoved Dragunov off, sending him flying across the ring. Dragunov quickly got to his feet, but Cody was on him, nailing him with a hard lariat that turned Dragunov inside out.

Cody wasted no time, signaling for his finishing move, but just as he set up for the Soul Surge DDT, the crowd erupted in boos. Jack McMahon had appeared at ringside, his presence not lost on Cody. The distraction was enough for Dragunov to slip out of Cody's grip, and he nailed a spinning backhand to Cody's temple, staggering him.

Chad Darby: Wait a minute, what's Jack McMahon doing out here?! Cody's about to put this match away, and Jack is out here, causing trouble again!

Ilja, seeing his opportunity, hit the ropes, looking for his signature Torpedo Moscow, but Cody countered, catching Dragunov mid-air and slamming him down with a thunderous powerbomb. He went for another pin.

1... 2...

Dragunov kicked out again!

Cody, growing frustrated, looked to the referee, but before he could react, Jack jumped up onto the apron. Cody's attention turned fully to Jack, rage boiling over. He stormed toward the ropes, yelling at McMahon, but Jack just smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing.

Chad Darby: This is absurd! Jack McMahon is out here for one reason, and that's to cost Cody the match!

While Cody was distracted, Dragunov, battered but still in the fight, struggled to his feet. The crowd roared in warning as Dragunov charged, but Cody turned just in time to catch him. However, as Cody hooked Dragunov for another Soul Surge DDT, Jack reached through the ropes and tripped Cody's legs, causing him to lose his grip and turn around.

The referee, having missed the interference, looked on in confusion as Dragunov capitalized. With Cody distracted, Ilja seized the moment, driving a knee into Cody's ribs and quickly hitting a Torpedo Moscow that sent Cody crashing to the mat.

Chad Darby: Torpedo Moscow! Ilja Dragunov just hit Cody with that devastating move!

Ilja fell onto Cody for the pin.

1... 2... 3!

The bell rang, and the referee raised Dragunov's hand in victory. The crowd erupted, half in shock, half in disbelief, as Cody lay on the mat, clutching his ribs in pain. Jack McMahon, on the outside, grinned maliciously, knowing he had once again played a key role in Cody's downfall.

Chad Darby: This is absolutely disgusting. Cody had this match won until Jack McMahon got involved! Ilja Dragunov gets the win, but there's no question about the interference!

As Ilja Dragunov stood victorious, celebrating his hard-fought win, Cody Johnson rolled out of the ring, glaring at Jack McMahon, who still smirked with smug satisfaction. The crowd's boos intensified as Jack made his way up the ramp, taunting Cody from a distance. Cody, now seething, locked his eyes on Jack and wasted no time.

Cody bolted up the ramp, sprinting after Jack. Jack's cocky demeanor quickly shifted to panic as he realized Cody wasn't letting this go. He took off, weaving through the backstage curtains with Cody hot on his heels.

Chad Darby: And Cody Johnson is chasing Jack McMahon right out of this arena! He's not waiting for another opportunity; he wants to settle the score right now!

Cameras quickly cut to the backstage area, where Jack shoved crew members aside, desperately trying to escape Cody's wrath. Cody was relentless, shoving through crates and equipment, never taking his eyes off his target. Jack turned a corner, and Cody followed without hesitation.

Jack shouted at security, but Cody was already on him, grabbing the back of his shirt and yanking him back. Jack stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance as Cody yanked him back by his shirt, the fear palpable in his eyes. He twisted around, raising his hands in surrender, desperation etched across his face.

Jack: Wait! Wait! Cody! Please, let me go! We-we don't have to do this! I swear, we don't!

Cody's grip tightened, pulling Jack even closer, his face inches away, eyes filled with rage.

Cody: You think I'm letting you off that easy? After everything you've done to me? Hell no.

Jack's eyes darted around, searching for some kind of way out. His lips quivered, the cockiness completely drained from him.

Jack: No, wait! I-I can help you! I can convince Sovereign! What if I get you a title shot, huh? A match against Bobby Lesnar! For the Carnage Championship! At the JWF Halloween Live Show! You want that, right? I can make that happen!

Cody stared at Jack, his expression still hard, but Jack could tell he was thinking. Jack, sensing an opening, scrambled to offer more.

Jack: Please! I-I can get you that match! Just let me go, and you've got your title shot. I swear!

Cody's eyes narrowed.

Cody: That's your big play? You think one title shot makes up for all this? You must think I'm stupid.

Jack's panic intensified, realizing he was losing Cody.

Jack: No! No, not just that! I'll get Ace a Thunder Championship match too! Bryan Danielson! The Halloween Live Show, I'll make sure Ace gets his shot! Please, just-just let me go, Cody!

Cody paused, weighing Jack's words. The promise of two title shots was tempting. He looked Jack up and down, seeing the cowardice, the pleading in his eyes. Cody grimaced.

Cody: Fine. You make sure that happens, both of those matches. But if you don't...

Jack: I swear! I swear! You've got my word!

Cody released Jack, pushing him away with disgust.

Cody: You better not screw me on this, Jack.

Jack, still shaking, stumbled back, nodding frantically before quickly scurrying away, eager to escape the wrath of Cody. Cody stood there, his fists clenched, knowing this wasn't over-not by a long shot.