Post by gvb on Mar 15, 2021 16:46:45 GMT -6
Riot in Wisconsin
Live from UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, WI
Sunday, March 13th, 2021
Singles Match
Alan Envy VS Asher MilesAlan didn’t come here to play around. The AGW World champion wasted no time to charge at Asher, knocking the young man down before the match actually started with a clothesline. Asher quickly popped up to his feet and started fighting back, not backing down from the challenge and taking on one of the best brawlers in the company. And he held his own against the veteran, momentarily getting an advantage as he stringed together a series of quick jabs that pushed Alan back into a corner. But when you put someone like him with the back against the wall you have to expect him to fight back. In this case, Envy grabbed the Antares’ neck with both hands and pivoted 180° degrees and put Miles back first against the corner. The first chop was so stiff that it drew a scream of pain from Asher’s lips, leaving a red mark on his chest. And a few more landed before Alan threw him into the opposite corner with an irish whip. In his intentions the Show Stealer was going for a clothesline, but he ran right into Asher’s boot. Miles then climbed to the middle rope and jumped toward Alan, wrapping his arm around the Iconic’s head and nailed him with a diving tornado ddt. Quick and agile, Asher was now controlling the match, taking Aland down with a slingblade and obtaining a count of two with the subsequent standing moonsault. The Lonestar picked himself up and went for a kick to the stomach, but Asher was one step beyond and blocked his attempt, quickly countering with a step-over spinning kick, catching Envy right on the chin. Alan rolled out of the ring to catch a break, but Asher didn’t give him any chance to rest, diving through the ropes with a suicide dive. Miles was definitely giving Alan a run for his money, turning out to be a bigger challenge than the veteran had made him out to be. A change of attitude was necessary for the former member of APE if he wanted to avoid another misstep, It happened, as often does, after Asher obtained the nearest of falls with a diving leg trap sunset flip powerbomb, a real wake up call for the Iconic. Asher stayed on the attack, throwing some punches and forearms to Alan’s face. The first couple of them landed but didn’t seem to affect him too much. He literally turned the other cheek, offering Miles a free shot and the man took it without hesitation. Envy blocked it and used the other hand to rake the Antares’ eyes and drop him down with a neckbreaker. He then began to stomp the opponent furiously until the referee stopped him. Asher crawled to the ropes to help himself up but he received a kick to the back of the head. Since Miles found himself hanging on the bottom rope, Envy thought he could step on his back and push his throat against it. An illegal and nasty move that earned him another stern warning from the official. Asher was breathing heavily when he stood back up to a vertical base and Alan grabbed him in a clinch and fed him several knees to the face before switching to a front facelock and throwing him down on the mat with a gourdbuster. Alternating hard strikes with suplexes, Envy sailed smoothly toward the win, only allowing Asher to a short comeback attempt that culminated in a tiger suplex, beautiful but not enough to get the three count. A stiff lariat turned him inside out and put Alan once again on the driver’s seat. The pop up death valley driver and the spinebuster didn’t get the job done, but they paved the road for the Envious Demise (evenflow ddt) that earned him the three count. WINNER: Alan Envy BY: Pinfall (Envious Demise), 8:11 |
We open backstage in the Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sophie O’Brian is already dressed in her ring gear looking ready to compete. The black haired beauty is intense and focused as tonight is another opportunity to get some form of revenge against a woman who has been a thorn in her side for quite some time; Intercontinental Champion Megan Monroe. And while Megan may have the world champion Seth Iser by her side, Sophie isn’t concerned because she has her best friend and former fifteen time world champion Glory Braddock by her side. Sophie would fight and die by Glory’s side if she had to; their friendship is as solid as you can get. Plus Glory has designs on Seth’s World Championship. Glory can have it as far as Sophie is concerned. She just wants to even the score against Megan. Tonight is an opportunity to do just that.
Sophie O’Brian:
Where the hell are they?
The Irish native is a little frustrated because she hasn’t been able to find where her brother, Mark O’Brian is. For that matter, Glory isn’t around either. They were supposed to meet up sometime before the match but they are nowhere to be found. Sophie continues her walk down the hall of the Panther Arena until she finally spots them. Just down the hall, by a vending machine, Sophie sees Mark O’Brian and Glory Braddock. Glory Braddock is also dressed in her wrestling gear ready to compete but she and Mark both have on Green Bay Packers jerseys. Sophie immediately rolls her eyes in disgust.
Sophie O’Brian:
Bloody hell…
O’Brian approaches Glory Braddock and Mark O’Brian. Mark has a pepsi in his hand and the two are laughing, having a good time backstage up until Sophie steps forward.
Sophie O’Brian:
What is this?!
Mark O’Brian:
This is a pepsi.
Sophie rolls her eyes.
Sophie O’Brian:
Not the drink, you buffoon! I mean the bloody outfits! Whose idea was it to wear those foolish American football jerseys?!
The British Bombshell raises her hand.
Glory Braddock:
Guilty as charged!
Sophie O’Brian:
Glory? I thought this would have been one of my idiot brother’s stupid ideas. If you’re doing this to ingratiate yourself to the fans then I must object. Number one, there are not that many fans in attendance to begin with. Only a limited number due to the pandemic across this wretched globe.
Glory Braddock:
Still there are many Wisconsin fans watching at home.
Sophie O’Brian:
So what? That brings me to my second objection, because why should the fans matter? Getting what we want is what should matter.
Glory Braddock:
Calm down, Sophie. I haven’t forgotten our mission. Trust me when I say that I am still 110% focused on the task at hand. You want to get your hands on Megan, I want to get my hands on Seth, and tonight we both get what we want in the main event. But why not have a little fun in the process? The Trinity is back together!
Sophie’s stone cold expression finally softens a little and she lets out a slight smile.
Sophie O’Brian:
I suppose this reunion is something worth celebrating.
Glory Braddock:
It is, and besides, ingratiating ourselves to the fans is part of the Art of War. Having popular support can be a pretty powerful tool. Surely one of your many wartime philosophers that you’ve studied has said something to that effect.
Sophie chuckles.
Sophie O’Brian:
Yes, Julius Caesar was so popular that he declared himself dictator for life and not a soul in the Roman Republic objected.
Mark O’Brian:
Is he the guy who invented the caesar salad or the orange julius from Dairy Queen?
Sophie smacks her brother in the back of his head.
Sophie O’Brian:
Neither you bumbling oaf! He was the greatest military leader that ever lived!
Glory Braddock:
Now don’t go abusing your brother too much, Sophie. We have work to do.
Sophie nods as she follows Glory and Mark further down the hall.
Singles Match
Tank Steiner VS Omari JohnsonOmari came out of the gate hot, annoyed perhaps by the boos he got from the Wisconsin fans and frustrated by the fact that things didn’t really go well for him since joining the Bad Boyz. His annoyance however didn’t affect his ring skills, making things difficult for Tank in the early moments of the match. The Human Superhuman bounced around the ring like a pinball, showing great agility and coordination as he used the ropes as springboards for his acrobatic attacks. He eventually managed to get Tank down with a cutter, leaving the ring as the big Austrian was slowly pulling himself up. Standing on the apron, Omari waited for the opportunity to take a leap and punch Herr Steiner in the face with the 911 (springboard superman punch). The Bad Boy made the cover but he only got a one out of it before Tank pushed him off him. Johnson targeted the legs with swift kicks, well aware of the opponent’s issues with the knees. But he wasn’t fast enough to avoid a right uppercut to the chin that stumbled him back against the ropes. He was still dazed when Steiner grabbed his arm and fired him on the opposite side of the ring, lifting him off his feet and planting him with a ring shaking spinebuster. As the Austrian Hulk hooked the leg it appeared that Omari was done for, but the young man kicked out in time. Slowly he crawled to the corner to pick himself up, realizing a moment too late how big of a mistake he made. He was in the worst place he could be when in the ring with Tank Steiner, back against the corner and chest exposed to those terrific chops. The fans counted ten of those, Omari’s chest was one big bruise at the end of this flurry. He fell forward, right into Tank’s arms. The Austrian adjusted him before throwing him over his head with a belly to belly suplex. The chops were not the only trademark move of the big man the Wisconsin fans could enjoy tonight. There was room for the Giant Swing and it was one of the longest in memory. The record of 50 rotation was still resisting, but this definitely got close to it. Sir Figgles on commentary noted how he felt dizzy just by watching this, and things were definitely worse for Omari. He managed to pick himself up, but he was barely able to stand, stumbling around like a drunk man. In that condition there was no way he could avoid Das Boot, but luckily for him the impact sent him on the outside. This was the turning point of the match, a rare mistake from the colossal Austrian allowed the Bad Boy to get back into the match. In an attempt to awe the fans even further, Tank climbed to the top rope and soared the skies with a beautiful moonsault to the outside. Omari stepped out of the way, leaving nothing but the hard concrete to stop his fall. And then, almost wanting to show the super heavyweight how it’s done, he went for an asai moonsault of his own, taking down the big man as soon as he got up to his feet. This left Omari with a huge problem: lifting the 340 pounds of humanity and rolling him back into the ring. It took him almost the full 10 count, and a superhuman effort but he eventually succeeded. He went for a second 911, but Tank caught him in mid air into a bear hug. The pressure on his lower back was terrible but Omari managed to resist, using his head, literally, to break free. Tank had to let him go after the headbutt hit him on the bridge of the nose, leaving him momentarily stunned and giving Johnson the chance to hit the Super Duper Kick. The superkick caught Tank right on the chin, but it wasn’t enough to keep him down. Desperate, Omari went for a second one but Tank dodged it and powerbombed the young man into the canvas. Once again he went high risk, but this time Der große Kaboom hit the mark. WINNER: Tank Steiner BY: Pinfall (Der große Kaboom), 10:28 |
You know, I feel pretty good about tonight.
The voice was that of Nina, the former intern turned wrestler who, later tonight, will challenge Neil Newman for the MENTV Championship.
Nina:
And that's not me taking anything away from Newman, it's not a knock at his ability nor me underestimating him or some shit. He's good, he's been tag champion before and now he's holding the MENTV belt. But...
She poked with her finger at her stomach.
Nina:
I can feel it in my guts.. It's hard to explain but... I'm in the best shape I've ever been, my last match went pretty well and I0m confident I can beat Manning.
A non-committal shrug followed her words.
Nina:
Yeah, I can hear some of you whispering how I always fuck up when the stakes are high. I'm the first to admit that I've had my fair share of title shots, more than some other people and maybe more than I deserved too. But when you take stocks of what this company gave me, and what it took from me... You can see that they still owe me.
She stood up from her seat, walking toward the locker room door with a look of determination in her eyes.
Nina:
And tonight I'm coming to collect.
Leia LeBeau:
Bright lights, big city. Milwaukee, are you ready for The Show?
Came the voice of the reigning Junior Heavyweight Champion, standing there looking absolutely stunning in their glittering gold ring attire, with their oversized and very regal purple jacket on. Around their waist was the championship belt, shining in the light of the room, as they struck a sultry pose. Lifting their cane up in the air and giving it a little spin, she continued on.
Leia LeBeau:
Even when this gold isn’t on the line, it doesn’t mean that this Showgirl isn’t going to dazzle for the camera, put on the performance of a lifetime and have you all wanting to watch rerun after rerun of her performances. That is something that I think has been missing from the Junior Heavyweight division for quite some time. And this isn’t just about some highlight reel streamed for a few minutes at a time. Oh no. The Show aims to put on award winning performance after award winning performance with this award winning smile on her face.
Those pearly white teeth of hers shone brightly as she did a little twirl, shaking her hips as she did. She then unhooked her belt, spinning on the spot dramatically as she raised her prize high in the air.
Leia LeBeau:
The Show is about the epic, mind blowing performance that is the talk of the town. And whether that is on Riot, live on pay per view, in the opening contest and under the spotlight for the Main Event, you are all going to be begging, pleading for an encore from wrestling’s most famous Showgirl.
She bent over, giving quite the alluring view as she blew a kiss to the camera, the sultry showstopper giving a wink to the camera.
Leia LeBeau:
So tonight, Teagan Gallagher, whether you have aspirations for my title or not, your dreams of a grand finale against this Seattle born, Vegas raised Showstealer are going to bomb at the box office. Because this Show is going on and on and on, and this season is going to be the very best yet!
With another twirl, she strutted off exit stage right, grabbing herself one of her infamous lattes as she went. But in the background, just as she left, the sight of her younger sibling, Bebe LeBeau, could be seen. The youngest LeBeau was holding up a sign in protest, one that read:
“Donnie Wouldn’t Let Me Film This. Stand Up For A Bebe. Fight For Her Rights, Bebeiacs! P.S Send Pizza”
Then the camera cut right back to ringside.
Singles Match
Liv Mercer VS Henri BlackTwo former Riot champions collided in the second match of the night, and it was clear from the early minutes that this was going to be a rough night for Liv. On the backfoot from the get going, Mercer struggled to get any sort of offence in, too busy trying to resist the Blackstar’s relentless attacks. The Australian had her in the corner and where he could wear her down with some sharp elbows. Liv looked already out of it, unable to avoid a telegraphed running european uppercut. But despite the punishment taken in the early minutes, she still had the energy to kick out in two from the following cover attempt. The cunning Liv, with an assist from her boyfriend who diverted the referee’s attention on himself, surprised Henri with a low blow and blasted him with a shining wizard as Henri fell on his knees holding onto his jewels. The referee turned and saw only the last part of this, quickly dropping into position when Mercer, after a diving elbow drop, made the cover. Black raised his shoulder in time and you could tell he wasn’t happy with what just happened. He blocked Liv’s right hand and twisted it into a hammerlock, pulling the former champion into a ripcord lariat. Liv quickly rolled out of the ring and Henri had a word with the referee, telling him to “stop being a Charles”. He then left the ring, glaring at Oz as he walked past him to pick Mercer up again and powerbomb her on the apron. The former Junior Heavyweight champion’s boyfriend stopped Henri from doing more damage and allowed Liv to get back inside the ring. Black didn’t think twice and floored him with a discus lariat. When he turned around, Liv made him pay the distraction with a baseball slide that sent him crashing against the barricade. Liv kept Henri grounded with a bodyscissors, using her forearm to pound his chest and neck area. Black reached the ropes with his foot but Mercer didn’t let him go, not until the referee’s count reached four. She then drilled him with a nasty ddt, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Blackstar down. She almost wrapped it up with a roundhouse kick, but Henri just about managed to avoid getting his head taken off. And then he started fighting back, rocking Mercer with a heavy right hand that sent her staggering against the ropes. With a clothesline, he sent her tumbling on the outside but this time he didn’t follow her there. not wanting to give her and Oz another chance to take advantage of the numbers game. Instead, he waited patiently for her to get in, welcoming her back with a knee strike to the stomach right after she got back in. He connected with a first suplex, The cover attempt wasn’t meant to get anything more than a two, Henri didn’t even hook the leg and put a minimum weight on her. But forcing a kick out is an effective way to drain some energy. And he did it quite often in the following minutes, the closest to three was with the third german suplex of his trifecta, a bridging version. Oz tried to make himself useful once again, climbing on the apron and providing a distraction. Henri dropped him down with a forearm strike to the jaw and Liv tried to catch him off guard with a schoolboy pin. Too bad for her Henri was expecting something like that from the former champion and grabbed the top rope, making it impossible for her to roll him up. She quickly gave up and got back to her feet, but a Black Diamond put her back down on the mat. Once again she slowly started stirring and pulling herself up. Henri was waiting for it, gaining some speed after bouncing off the ropes to connect the Black Sacrament to the back of the head. Mercer was down again, and this time she was there to stay. WINNER: Henri Black BY: Pinfall (Black Sacrament), 9:43 |
Hey Henri, up here.
The sound of Pierce Manning’s view is coming from the upper deck inside the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. He waves at Henri from a safe distance.
Pierce Manning:
I've been thinking about accepting your request for a rematch. I happen to have the perfect solution. The Junior Heavyweight Title feels more suited for you.
Pierce smirks as the boos reign down.
Pierce Manning:
Remember those words Henri. I still do. Prior to the tag team match we had a couple weeks ago, before I reached the five required defenses to call my shot, you had the nerve to tell me to go and challenge for the Jr. Heavyweight Title like I wasn't worth your goddamn time. Respect is a foreign concept when it has come to us. Snide remarks like that. You bringing up what happened inside the Barbed Wire Steel Cage to scare Neil off. Attacking my girlfriend. Actions and words have consequences, don’t you get it?
In your mind you were wronged, you feel you are dishing out justice. Newsflash, you're not God. There are consequences for attacking Megan and attacking me the following week. You want to hunt me until I say yes? No. I'm not playing this game. I am unlike anyone else you’ve ever dealt with. If Moretti is gracious enough to grant you a rematch, I don’t care, I’ll face you. But it won’t be because you asked me.
You didn’t need to attack, Megan. If you had asked me like a man, I would have jumped at the chance to humble you one last time. Who am I kidding, that isn’t the way you operate. You threaten officials, which should be a fireable offense. You threaten to attack anyone associated with the person you have an issue with. Why? I was right all those months, you’re a sociopath. You have no respect order. Hurting people gives you this immense satisfaction. For too long your behavior has been rewarded. You manage to get away with your brashness. No wonder why you continue down this trek. Well. I am going to be THE MAN to stand up and say no... no... NO!
Pierce rolls his eyes.
Pierce Manning:
You need to learn that being a bully isn't the way. I am the Riot Champion. I'M THE MAN. Not. You. I want you to think and hard about this. If you even so much as go down to the ring tonight to attack Megan or Seth, or find another way to blatantly ignore what I am telling you, I promise this won’t work out the way you envision. Have a nice night. I’m out.”
Pierce drops the microphone leaving to a cascade of boos. He doesn’t bother to stick around to entertain any response that Henri has.
Henri looks after Pierce as he walks away and calls to ringside for a microphone of his own.
Henri Black:
Well, look who grew some balls in the past fortnight.
The comment elicits a round of laughter from the fans and a chuckle from Henri at their reaction.
Henri Black:
The thing is Pierce, as wonderful as your little speech was, I have never made any secret about my, let's call it a propensity for violence, especially when I feel like somebody deserves it. Now I admit I attacked Megan but did it ever occur to you that I did that to pay back Eliza after her little double cross? I mean I didn’t, that was just a bonus, but it really never occurred to you that this wasn’t all about you, did it?
You see I may very well be a sociopath, it fits about as well as any other word you could use to describe me, but you my friend are, beyond the shadow of a doubt, a raging narcissist. I mean you actually believe your own hype don’t you? That you’re somehow this all powerful wrestling prodigy who can do no wrong… that you didn’t need to cheat to beat me at Domino Effect, or ever, for that matter. You’ve never once pinned me cleanly now that I think about it.
Henri puts a fist on his jaw and pushes his head to one side, eliciting a loud pop before rolling his shoulders and grunting in satisfaction.
Henri Black:
Now, you say that you’re thinking about accepting my challenge, funny how two weeks ago you proudly declared that there would never be a rematch, you even made a cute little hashtag about it. Makes me wonder what changed...
Raising an eyebrow momentarily Henri lowers it and lets a grin creep across his face.
Henri Black:
I guess it doesn’t matter but you’ve given me some good news tonight Pierce, so I’m going to give you a gift in return. You’ve got what you asked for all those months ago because now, well, now I’m serious. Congratulations.
Leaving the ring Henri hands the microphone over to the techs at ringside and heads up the ramp where he pauses to take a mocking bow towards Pierce's vacant perch.
Singles Match
Teagan Gallagher VS Leia LeBeauThe MWE fans know Teagan Gallagher as a great tag team competitor and a former champion with her regular partner Bree Smith, but Teegs recently ventured in a quite successful singles career in High Roller. The first minutes saw her taking control of the match, using her technical ability to keep Leia off her feet and preventing her from using those devastating kicks. Mat wrestling wasn’t the champion’s forte and she was struggling to get away from Gallagher’s grasp. It didn’t help that any time she managed to get up to her feet Teagan would quickly bring her back on the mat effortlessly, whether it was with a suplex or a simple takedown. Her first opening came when the former tag champion went for a belly to back suplex and the Show landed on her feet, quickly taking the opponent off guard with a standing dropkick. Teagan popped up right away, ready to take on the charging LeBeau. Or so she thought. The volley of kicks that reached them was so quick and precise that she couldn’t find a counter or dodge them. Letting the champion gain momentum and swing those long legs was exactly what Teagan should’ve avoided. Soon enough she found herself laying flat on her back after getting blasted with a running big boot and with Leia about to land leg first against her neck with a standing somersault legdrop. The fans were very vocal for this match, chanting for both competitors. Not exactly a 50/50 split as a slight majority of them was rooting for the champion but Gallagher was having a great reception nonetheless. And their disappointment when the Tee For Two (630 corkscrew senton) only got a two count was only barely drowned out by the cheers of the Show’s fans. Fired up by the fans the two competitors were now trading back and forth shots, each blow accompanied by the respective supporters’ shouting. None of them was getting the upper hand, none of them was slowing or backing down. Punches kept flying back and forth, slower as the exchange was taking out a lot from them but no less powerful. Then all of a sudden Leia’s jab caught Teagan right on the jaw and caused her to stumble back, opening the way for more strikes from the champion. Her boxing background was in full display tonight, lefts and rights pushed Gallagher back into a corner. Leia then changed strategy and went for an elbow to the face, leaving the opponent groggy against the turnbuckle, perfectly positioned for the Jet City Jive. The claymore kick didn’t find the target as Teegs stepped out of the trajectory and immediately connected with a tiger suplex. Leia was trying to get up when she got hit with a shining wizard followed with a cover. She kicked out in two but looked dazed, leaning against the ropes. Teagan unleashed some chops before firing her on the opposite side of the ring, leveling her with a dropkick as she bounced back. Some may call it an upset, but when she connected the Gallagher’s Way (exploder suplex) to get the three count it was a worthy ending to a great match that could’ve literally gone both ways. WINNER: Teagan Gallagher BY: Pinfall (Gallagher’s Way), 13:31 |
We then head to the darkest parts of the arena, a total contrast from the luxury you might expect from someone who has the current accomplishments that he’s racked up over the past calendar year. But in this darkness you do see the gleam of the gold he carries. Both the Millenium World Championship over his right shoulder and the FGA World Championship over his left. And it seems like the man who everyone in the wrestling industry in some form or another is chasing.
Seth Iser:
You never answered my question now did you? Nor have you really researched me properly…
The veteran scowls as he maintains this calm air about himself. But it isn’t out of a sense of ego this time as he’s leaning back on that wall while he’s been alone with his thoughts for a little bit. The shine of the gold is there as is the gleam of that metal knee brace on his left knee. He’s dining a variation of his black and red gear.
Seth Iser:
Not to mention you’re teetering out of control, Duke. You lose control, you lose your mind. Especially if you think I’m the one living in a fantasy world. But humans are the type of flawed creatures who only want to see what they want to through their own lens. It creates their own bias...their own spin. Their own...narrative. But the reason you lashed out at the end there...I think the reality is starting to slowly creep onto you. The reality of the mess you find yourself in now…
A calmness still evident in Iser’s tone as he recounts all of this. Cold in his tone as well as he stays surrounded by darkness.
Seth Iser:
And like Neal...you’re being stubborn. Especially when you know I’m speaking a truth that shatters your narrow minded world view. You’ve traveled round the world; you’ve bragged about that when you went on your speel. Yet you’re so damn narrow minded about the world around you. You tend to fall into this more...when your emotions betray you.
There’s this absolute cold tone to him that has a menacing bite but Seth ends up reaching into his knee pad and pulls out a taped up shard of something he might have broken at one point and even twirls it around his taped right hand.
Seth Iser:
It’s almost like looking at a mirror at your past self once...and you want to blame everyone but yourself, right? It’s ‘management’s fault that someone else has something you want. It’s this person’s fault because they STOLE the title...that kind of bile, right? Duke...you’re smarter than that. Those...are weightless excuses. It all...stops with ourselves and the choices we make. You wanted to project this never-ending strength and determination when you broke that mirror to pieces. But...I saw something a little different.
He continues twirling that piece in his right hand even beyond the gleam of the gold before he palms it.
Seth Iser:
Deep down when you shattered that mirror...I saw a man who didn’t like what he saw looking back at him and didn’t want to face it. That’s what I saw. That’s fair...very few people ever like what they see in the mirror fully. Even I don’t when I consider some of the things I’ve done in my life. Not just career...life. I could recount some of them but I don’t think Vincent would appreciate me hijacking all the airtime for that. We might have that in common but there’s one difference in this thread of similarity we have.
He sneers toward the camera coldly.
Seth Iser:
You blinked and looked away at what stared back in the end.
And there’s a hint of that fire within all this ice from the double champion.
Seth Iser:
That’s the difference between you and me at the end of the day. It isn’t raw talent. You have it in spades. It isn’t the ability to create enemies for yourself either...we both have that. It isn’t the world traveling...we both have that as well. I have the confidence to face even the worst parts of myself knowing I have the capabilities and experience to come out even better for it. Vincent has told Nina and you some things about me. You know the ‘what’. But you don’t know the how...or better yet...the why. Part of that why...comes from this confidence. And you lack it…
The fire is gone as his eyes narrow and his lips curl into a disapproving frown.
Seth Iser:
The confidence you throw out is a mask. When someone calls you on your project...you retreat. Problem is...now you’re in a spot where you can’t retreat. You said I signed my death warrant? We already did that the moment we signed up for this sport. We’re the modern successors to the gladiators of Rome. I mean that in every tennant. That includes our deaths. But I don’t retreat from that like you would. Besides...you can’t kill me. You don’t have the confidence for it.
He smirks, a hint of that confidence bordering on ego chiming in as the two gold belts shine through.
Seth Iser:
You don’t have the confidence, you don’t have the self awareness to realize this. And you’re doing it to yourself. You might think this is an old man rambling...but you’ve beaten yourself at the end of the day. You’ve lost the fight to your own self. And at Dark Web? I’m showing that work that you’ve beaten yourself. Then...when you realize that comes the hard part. Realizing that you now have to save yourself after you got yourself into this mess. That...is the reality of your situation.
He sighs as he shakes his head, before he finally steps forward. After that cold attack his eyes lighten slightly...only slightly when he thinks about what’s in front of him now.
Seth Iser:
Oh don’t worry...I haven’t forgotten about the Glorious Golden Era. Sophie already knows both Megan and I damn well. She’s as well versed in the deceitful arts of the sport as anyone really...that includes me. It’s a modern twist to it as well...blending speed and technicality alongside it all. It makes her dangerous.
And then a light smile on his face as he goes onto the next topic.
Seth Iser:
And then there’s the decorated Glory Braddock. A multiple...multiple time world champion and a woman who admirably carried the Orange Brand with pride. A technical wizard who knows more holds than most wrestlers even see in their entire careers. And she knows a way out of them to boot. Technical excellence defines who she is even more so than the numerous accolades she’s earned in her career. And that makes her one of the bigger threats chasing me...for this. And they have plenty of experience together at this point.
The veteran taps the MWE World Title calmly.
Seth Iser:
But there is a weakness in your team constitution for the evening. Something Megan and I are keen to exploit. Besides, I don’t want to accelerate your claim to a challenge right now when I have so much unresolved business to take care of. You’re both getting my best effort and Megan’s as well. She’s still putting more marks defining the title she’s carrying and the responsibility that goes with it you know. And consider this a precursor for a potential challenge, Glory. I know I have your end goal.
A knowing smirk yet again from the champion as he’s relaxed and calm about this whole ordeal.
Seth Iser:
But I don’t plan on relinquishing it for a long time. Not to you. Not to Duke. Not to anyone else for that matter. I have my own reigns to define and the weight of everyone else’s hopes and dreams with it. That is my responsibility to bear as your World Champion. Pierce has to carry what Henri and you Glory have helped define the title of late and try to surpass it. In time he will. That’s what the Triumvirate will do...define what we hold and cement us as the best. While everyone else?
He shrugs his shoulders with a hint of that ego shining through.
Seth Iser:
Everyone else has to look in the mirror to themselves...knowing they’re fighting themselves and each other for second place.
And with that conclusion the champion steps away from the shadows and walks off knowing what his set goals are.
MENTV Championship Match
Neil Newman © VS NinaOn paper, one would have thought that this would be a one sided affair in the favour of the defending MWE champion. But that was far from the case. Nina’s career on Riot has been a succession of a few ebbs and too many flows, and particularly she had a history of “choking” when the stakes are high. But she came to WIsconsin with the intention of reversing the trend. Neil wasn’t expecting that aggressive start from the Chicago born, more so since Nina was known as a more defensive wrestler, with most of her trademark moves being counterattacks.The early moments of the match was all Nina, her combo kicks catching Newman off guard and forcing him back into the corner. She immediately stepped back, seemingly conceding a clean break. But it was just another decoy to get him to lower his guard so that she could clock him with a jumping knee strike. After getting him in a side headlock, she ran to the centre of the ring to slam him on the canvas with a bulldog but Neil saw it coming and shoved her away. As she turned back and charged at him again, the MENTV champion took her down with a drop toe hold, working her on the canvas for a minute or two with various holds. Nina’s background gave her the tools to escape and counter them, but Neil’s experience allowed him to keep an almost constant control. But eventually Nina managed to get up to her feet and break free, Newman swung with a punch that the former intern blocked and kicked him in the exposed ribs, putting all her strength into that devastating blow. And it did a number on Newman, whose mobility was affected for minutes to come, making his movements slower and evading a lot harder. The Snakebite collected a couple of near falls with a roundhouse kick and the Viper’s Sting (Sambo casting punch), but the champion stayed alive. Nina’s greatest enemy was time and her inability to manage the, albeit more than enough, minutes left. The clock said that we entered the ninth minute, and the former intern felt the urge to end things quickly, rushing to the killshot. Newman still had some fight in him and was able to avoid the Snakebite (axe kick), sidestepping and connecting a snap german suplex. The champion changed approach and pace, no longer relying in static holds. He obviously wanted to get the three before the time limit expired, so that he could get defense number two in the books and focus on the next challenge. Nina was being tossed around with an array of suplexes, and that applied for both in and out of the ring. Not even there, in fact, she was safe from Newman, who reached her on the outside when she tried to regroup and dropped her on the apron with an Alabama slam. Pushing her back in the ring, Neil made the cover, but Nina wasn’t giving up so easy. The champion’s attacks kept coming and the young woman was on the ropes. But right when all hope seemed lost, she used The Sting (one finger takedown) to turn the tides, following with a punt kick to the skull. Newman barely kicked out in time, and Nina was already waiting for him, ready to end this with the Snakebite. But there came Echo, looking for revenge on the former fellow Chicago Lab trainée. Nina saw her, and that was her demise. Newman didn’t hesitate and dropped her down with the End Game Classic, writing defense number two down in the books.. WINNER: Neil Newman (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (End Game Classic), 13:28 |
The former intern was furious, hard to tell if her rage was aimed at Echo or herself. The Australian was standing there, laughing at Nina while Newman celebrated his successful defense.
“My Way” by Il Divo plays. Neil Newman takes a moment to process the hard grueling match he was involved in. He looks at the ring announcer, motions for a microphone to be handed to him. Neil is promptly handed one. Sitting on the turnbuckle with microphone in one hand and the MENTV Championship in the other, Neil looks out towards the entrance.
Neil Newman:
I hope you were taking notes, Alex. In fact, I hope that your failure to become MENTV Champion at Domino Effect lit a fire under your ass. You are about to get at least one more chance to right a wrong. Nina and Jay were fun challenges. No secret that you are the one I want. Alex, I am a man who keeps his promises; At Dark Web III, the same event I became one half of the MWE Tag Team Champions, I hereby challenge you to a MENTV Championship match.
The fans give a slow applause. This is what they have been waiting for.
Neil Newman:
I don’t care what stipulation the fans choose. I am the ultimate weapon. Hardcore. Submission. I can do it all. Besides, I still owe you one from Coupe Da Grace. Domino Effect wasn’t enough for me, I need to pin. Submit. Knock you out if need be. This has been a fun ride, Alex. Our saga as opponents ends soon. Then I can continue to inspire you to become the best you can be. No doubt you’ll accept. See you soon.
“My Way” plays as Neil slides under the ring and heads up the ramp.
We return to the backstage area of the Panther Arena. We find three individuals, standing in the center wearing her royal purple ring gear is “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock. Standing to her right wearing her dark green and black ring gear is Sophie O’Brian. Standing to Glory’s left wearing denim jeans, black boots, and a black leather jacket is Mark O’Brian, Sophie’s older brother.
Sophie O’Brian:
The Triumvirate was the greatest, most powerful alliance in the history of the Roman State, arguably in the history of the world. Pompey, Cassus, and Julius Caesar made up the group. Individually they were formidable but could not accomplish their goals because they kept getting in each other’s way. But when they put their differences aside and worked together they proved to be quite a formidable force in Roman politics. Yet as powerful as that alliance was, it ran into the same problem any and every manmade alliance eventually runs into...ego. They let their own ambitions, egos, and pride get the better of them and they quickly turned on one another like venomous snakes. Now we have a Triumvirate here in MWE in the form of Seth Iser, Megan Monroe, and Pierce Manning. They may have all the gold right now and it is obvious that they are only in this position of power holding all the gold because of their alliance. But every alliance eventually falters, every alliance eventually dies out, and this one too will die out because of the same reason as every other alliance died out...ego.
Sophie casts a nod towards Glory Braddock.
Glory Braddock:
What you see right now is different. This is an alliance not based upon ego or the quest for power. This is an alliance based upon friendship and mutual respect for professional wrestling. Sophie O’Brian, her brother Mark, and myself, we are the first graduating class from my father Glenn Braddock’s Wrestling School. As a result of our notoriety as the first class, and due to how good we were and how quickly we took to my father’s teachings, other students nicknamed us The Trinity. The Trinity...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...cannot be broken up because its very existence is divine. And this alliance of Sophie, Mark, and myself, is something far greater and far more special than your pathetic little power-obsessed Triumvirate. This is based upon a divine friendship, love, and respect for professional wrestling. And the Glorious Golden Era, it was created not out of a selfish desire to gain and keep power but to fight to protect the principles and values that make professional wrestling great.
Sophie O’Brian:
Professional wrestling runs through the blood of Glory Braddock. She is a second generation wrestler who grew up around professional wrestling. And professional wrestling saved my life and the life of my brother Mark. So yes, the three of us and everyone within the Glorious Golden Era respects professional wrestling and watching the three of you take a piss one everything that wrestling means pisses us off to no end. And that is why tonight we take up arms and go to war.
Braddock nods her head in agreement.
Glory Braddock:
I never ask for war. In the words of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, I have seen war and I hate war. But there are times when war becomes a necessity. War becomes necessary whenever a little tin pot tyrant with delusions of grandeur decides to run this business I love into the ground. That’s what you lot are to me. That’s what The Triumvirate is to me. You are a tin pot tyrant with delusions of grandeur, doing whatever you want because no one has decided to step up and try and stop you.
The British Bombshell smirks knowingly.
Glory Braddock:
That is all about to change. Pierce Manning has a target on his back courtesy of none other than Henri Black. Trust me, mate, making an enemy of Henri Black is not something you want to do. I’ve been to war with Henri and I know what he is capable of. And what’s worse for you lot is that Henri already knows that all he has to do is say the word and he has the full support of this group right here. Tell them why, Sophie.
Sophie O’Brian:
Sun Tzu says, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Glory Braddock:
Megan pissed Sophie off, Pierce pissed Henri off, and Seth…
Braddock points a finger into the camera.
Glory Braddock:
...you have something I want. As long as you have the MWE World Championship, it is being discredited, disrespected, and spat upon. You spout off like you’re the smartest man in the room but at the end of the day there’s always someone smarter and better who will bring you back down to reality. And to be perfectly honest with you, mate, you haven’t exactly been making many smart moves since becoming World Champion. Karen Eldon of all bloody people holds a victory over you. A tag team victory, yes, but it still says in the record book she beat you. Then you have others like the former and longest reigning world champion Melissa Reeves who wants a piece of you. And now tonight, when Sophie and I kick the ever living crap out of you and Meagan in the center of the ring, Megan will have another challenger to her title and I will have a claim to your World Championship. And when I come knocking on your door, when The Glorious Golden Era brings war to your doorstep, the outcome is inevitable…
Braddock shuts her eyes.
Glory Braddock:
...Sic Semper Tyrannis…
Sophie O’Brian:
Thus always to tyrants.
Tag Team Match
The Triumvirate (Seth Iser & Megan Monroe) VS Glorious Golden Era (Glory Braddock & Sophie O'Brian)
Amy Maynard: “The MWE World champion and the Intercontinental champion teaming up tonight against Glory Braddock and Sophie O’Brian.” Sir Figgles: “This is the first time Glory and Sophie team together here in MWE, but it’s definitely not their first rodeo as a team.” Amy Maynard: “Definitely not, they’ve also been tag champions together a few years ago. Certainly not a walk in the park for Seth and Megan.” Sir Figgles: “But then again, you’re talking about the two top champions in MWE. They should be able to get the job done.” The first thing you’d notice is Pierce Manning’s presence in the Triumvirate corner. Sophie and Glory asked for clarification since the Riot champion wasn’t announced to be at ringside but the referee confirmed that he was authorized to be out there with them. Manning raised his hands and told the two women that he was only there to support his girlfriend, speaking of who… Megan and Seth charged Sophie and Glory as they were distracted by the Riot champion, taking them down with a lariat (Iser on Braddock) and a superkick (Monroe to O’Brian). To immediately steer the match in their favor, the Triumvirate focused on Sophie, double teaming her after Seth unceremoniously tossed Glory out of the ring. The two on one assault continued for a half a minute before the referee could step between the assailants and the Belfast Born, finally restoring some order. Seth left the ring, letting Megan to officially start hostilities against Sophie, who was only now getting up to her feet with the help of the ropes. The official (Charles, editor’s note) made sure she was fit to compete and when he got a thumbs up from the multi-time tag champion, he ordered for the bell to ring. Amy Maynard: “Looks like we’re finally ready to… OH GOD!” Sir Figgles: “Welp, this one’s over already.” Sophie agreed to start the match, but she wasn’t ready for Megan’s Mega Kick right off the bat. The running single leg dropkick hit her like a hammer to the face and knocked her down. Glory had to enter the ring to make sure this highly anticipated match didn’t end in under thirty seconds, saving her partner. At least momentarily. The match seemed to be downhill for the Triumvirate, Megan blasted Sophie with a flurry of stiff kicks before tagging Seth in. The veteran added his touch to the match and as you can imagine, it wasn’t a light one. Hard right handed punches rocked O’Brian, but it was the Pillar Of Truth that gave him another near fall. After the failed attempt, Seth whipped O’Brian in his corner and made the tag to Megan. He then did the same to his partner, firing her in that same corner with an irish whip. Monroe hit the opponent with double knees to the face and quickly transitioned on the apron, one moment before Iser squashed O’Brian with a running clothesline. Sophie was down once again, a helpless target to the IC champion’s Fly-Dell (Phoenix Splash). Amy Maynard: “Great teamwork from The Triumvirate, but Sophie is still into this match.” Sir Figgles: “I don’t see her lasting much longer though. She desperately needs the tag, but she’s stuck in the wrong part of town. The question is, does she have what it takes to go through Megan and Seth and reach her partner?” O’Brian answered his question a moment later, swinging her arm back to hit Seth on the apron with an elbow to the face. Monroe tried to hit her with a right hand but Sophie ducked it and dropped her onto her knee with an STO backbreaker. Glory was right across the ring, but to O’Brian, it looked like she was miles away. Slowly but steadily she made her way there, both Seth and Megan tried to stop her but she was too close now. The hot tag was made and Braddock stepped in the ring, charging at the two opponents. They went for a double clothesline but Glory ducked the attempt and bounced against the ropes on the other side of the ring. Seth went for a big boot but she dodged it with a slide, getting up behind his shoulders. Megan’s punch was blocked by the former Riot champion who twisted her arm and pulled Monroe into a headbutt. She then pushed the stunned Meg shoulder first into her partner’s mid section, superkicking Seth who fell back and dropped the IC champion on her head with a ddt. Amy Maynard: “Glory’s on fire tonight!” Sir Figgles: “You should be careful what you say when Sophie O’Brian is around. She just might actually set someone on fire.” Amy Maynard: “Wouldn’t be the first time, nor the last.” The match continued with Glory controlling the pace and keeping Megan grounded. This was their gameplan from the get go, but Sophie never had a chance to implement it due to the attack she suffered before the bell. Braddock’s tactics were wearing down Megan and at the same time, allowing her partner to recover. Of course the former Riot champion didn’t limit herself to rest holds, but she alternated them with suplexes and direct strikes, obtaining a couple of near falls as well with a brainbuster and a hangman’s neckbreaker. But now she had Megan in a side headlock and, after connecting a few punches for good measure, she headed to her corner ready to slam her face on Sophie’s boot, raised on the top rope. But Megan slipped out of it and it was Glory’s head that connected to her partner’s foot, creating the opening to reach Seth in the corner. Sir Figgles: “Double tag, Seth and Sophie are in now.” Amy Maynard: “And look at O’Brian, she recovered pretty well from the early beatdown.” With a flurry of kicks she chopped the big man onto his knees and drove her knee to the side of his head. The Northern Irish hooked the leg but this was only worth a two. She kept trying to put the man down, but nothing seemed to work, not even the Death Of Wisdom codebreaker. Glory’s variation of it, the Gloria In Excelsis Deo got a little closer to the three, but still wasn’t enough. Braddock went high risk with the London Plunge (swan dive headbutt) but that was exactly what Seth was waiting for, avoiding her dive by simply rolling away and lifting her for the Icebreaker. The backbreaker gave the World Champion a two count and the chance to make the tag to Megan. The pace picked up again with the IC champion dictating the pace. Her high flying style earned her some near falls, but some risks shouldn’t be taken around expert fighters as Sophie and Glory. Braddock seemed to be hurt in the middle of the ring, but it was a decoy to keep the referee’s attention on her while Sophie pushed Megan off the top rope, sending her crashing on the outside. Braddock then left the ring and went to attack Megan, but Pierce was standing on her way. She demanded that he’d move, but he wasn’t going anywhere, protecting his girlfriend and buying her time to recover. In the meantime Seth circled around the ring and he would’ve levelled Glory from behind with a clothesline if it wasn’t for O’Brian flying onto him with a suicide dive, saving her partner. Braddock turned around and for a moment Pierce considered hitting her, taking advantage of the referee being distracted to check on Seth and Sophie. Amy Maynard: “Wait a second, that’s Henri Black?” The Blackstar jumped the barricade and stood in front of Manning. Charles turned pale at the sight of the former champion, studying the situation and pondering what to do. When Megan Mega Kick-ed Henri, payback from Domino Effect and Glory dropped Pierce on his head with the Beautiful Insanity, he realized that he would never get back control of this match and decided to call it a no contest. Wise decision, since soon enough Seth and Sophie joined the all out brawl on the outside. Security eventually rushed to the ring and separated the six competitors. WINNER: // BY: No Contest, 19:48 |