Riot in Massachusetts

Riot in Massachusetts May 25, 2021 4:08:11 GMT -6

Quote

Post by gvb on May 25, 2021 4:08:11 GMT -6

Riot in Massachusetts
Live from DCU Center in Worcester, MA
Sunday, May 23rd, 2021

Singles Match

JJ Night VS Tiana Petrova-Hammond

Riot debut for two of the students of the Academy, the first ever Gold Star Tiana Petrova-Hammond and JJ Night, who just recently unsuccessfully competed for the same title in the Academy’s final match at Hic Sunt Leones. As the match started the young man tried to use his speed and agility to get an early advantage, scoring a couple of near falls with fast pinning combinations. Tiana was known to prefer a much more slow paced rhythm, relying on her MMA background to ground the opponent and limit his high flying offense. Her attempts though didn’t seem to work, JJ looked in great shape and connected a handspring cutter, following with a moonsault knee drop to the back of the russian-american, rolling her on her chest to pin her and get another two. It took her a minute, but once she managed to build some momentum and get those kicks rolling, she quickly turned the tides. Her deadly combinations were too swift and precise for her opponent to defend himself against. She caught him with a high kick to the shoulder and began working on that right arm with various holds and armbars, transitioning oh so smoothly between one and the next. keeping the pressure on and leaving him no openings to even try a counter. Frustrated by the impossibility to escape that chain of submissions, JJ crawled to the ropes, finally getting a much needed break.

Tiana looked extremely focused, way more than she was in these past couple of months, apparently getting away from the constant drama that affected the development facility in recent times helped the Russian-American to go back to the high standards she accustomed us to. As for JJ, he managed to score another near fall with a springboard hurricanrana but Petrova-Hammond kicked out in time. That right arm was clearly bothering him though, you could tell by the way he kept it limp against his chest. A big bullseye for the submission expert who started looking for a chance to get to work on it. She used some quick kicks to force him to open his guard, sinking in and grabbing his hand when he left the slightest opening, twisting his arm in a hammerlock. JJ was in obvious pain, wriggling in an attempt to break free. But she didn’t let him go, changing position and taking him down with an arm drag into an armbar. Night was quick to reach the ropes, saving himself at least for now. Because Tiana wasn’t slowing down, nor was she changing a strategy that was so effective and brought her so close to win her first match on Riot. And soon she caught him in a flying armbar, taking him down once again. The referee moved in position and JJ refused to tap, shaking his head vigorously with a painful look on his face. Tiana torqued the arm even more, causing him to let out another cry of pain. But when asked, he still said no. Tiana tightened the hold even more, applying an incredible pressure on JJ’s arm. A high cry escaped JJ’s lips, Tiana immediately let him go and looked down with an horrified expression on her face. The referee didn’t waste a second, calling for the bell and crossing his arms forming an X to signal an injury. Medic personnel rushed to the scene and attended to the young man. Tiana stepped back and brought her hands up, covering her mouth as she looked at the doctor checking on her opponent. Visibly shocked and upset, she shook her head as they took JJ out. The fans stood on their feet and applauded both the unlucky injured man and the young woman who unintentionally injured him.

WINNER: Tiana Petrova-Hammond
BY: Referee Stoppage, 8:22

Backstage in Millennium's room we see Millie Smith dressed in a new Team Tillie hoody, charcoal with grey sleeves. She's got a pair of jeans on and the zip of her hoody just about shows off the top of a Sonic the Hedgehog design. Next to her she's got her little sister who flings the plastic wrap of her own Team Tillie hoody and the first baseball cap produced, not yet available in the MWE store.

Clover:
You might be fighting for the briefcase, big bro but I have the first and only cap produced for the New Tag Team on the block. I'm going to get it signed too, imagine how important this will be when Millie and Tiillie are Trillionaire tag team royals.

The pair are watching Dean who keeps getting a new briefcase passed to him to check in the mirror while he's trying to focus on the last match Kate Steele had. He's wearing his black shorts with a few creative patterns on the right leg, along with some tape around his wrists, fresh boots, knee pads and just needed his gloves.

Dean Smith
Laurel, could you pass me my gloves instead of another briefcase. I don't think MWE allow you to change it when you win it.

Laurel Bradley:
What’s the point in winning a briefcase if you can’t personalize it a little?

Laurel rolls her eyes slightly before she reaches towards the side to pick up Dean’s gloves to hand them over to him, Dean’s agent is wearing a pair of white denim jeans with a floral print blouse in a mixture of pastel colours for the springtime.

Clover:
I think you should win this one. Bree's beat Kate, Luna has, when you do tonight, that just leaves Millie to do the same.

Millie lightly smiles before tucking her hair done to obscure a little more of her face.

Dean Smith
I've got this tonight. It's time to bounce back.

Dean gives his cheeks a double slap with both hands to keep him alert, he rolls his shoulders, as his phone rings and Laurel quickly answers it for him.

Laurel Bradley:
Dean’s phone, can I help you?

Dean tries to open his hand to get his phone but has his hand swatted away.

Laurel Bradley:
Cindy! You must be calling to wish Dean good luck, right? Such a caring mother.

As she’s speaking, Laurel looks over at Dean with a wicked grin, raising her eyebrows a little bit.

Dean Smith
I can speak to her.

He tries to reach for the phone up against Laurel's ear, but she gets up, still fully engaged in the conversation.

Laurel Bradley:
Of course I’ll pass along the message, you know how he gets when he’s focused, wouldn’t dare want to interrupt that.

Meanwhile Clover shows Millie her phone.

Clover:
I texted mom to make some cookies for us for your first match.

Millie then hugs her sister and looks at Laurel and Dean.

Dean Smith
What did she say?

Laurel Bradley:
Oh she just wanted to wish you good luck, of course, no pressure or anything.

Clover:
Tell her I said hi, and did she see my text yet?

Dean Smith
I'm going to win, trust me ladies.

Laurel Bradley:
Cookies will be waiting for you.

Laurel informs Clover as she tosses Dean’s phone back to him, which he catches without any cause for concern, as she picks up her own phone to start taking some notes.

Laurel Bradley:
I’ll get things in order for any post-match activities.

Dean Smith
Mom? Yeah I'll call you back…

He then moves towards Laurel. Speaking with a hint of concern.

Dean Smith
What post-match activities exactly?

Laurel doesn't reply, simply smiling at him and walking away. That look of concern is still very present on Dean's face, who now tries to regain his focus for the upcoming match.

Even if her match ended a few minutes ago, Tiana Petrova-Hammond was still in her wrestling gear, nervously pacing back and forth the hallway in front of the medical bay, waiting for updates on JJ Night’s condition. She may have had her issues with him in the past, but she definitely wouldn’t wish any ill on him, nor be the cause of it. Visibly upset and concerned, she didn’t even notice a familiar face to the Riot fans, the former General Manager and founder of Chicago Fight Lab Yulia Kirilenko.

Yulia Kirilenko:
Not quite how you imagined your debut on Riot, right?

She said with a compassionate smile of understanding, trying to perhaps easen the tension she could clearly read on the young woman’s face.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
That might be the understatement of the century.

Tiana stopped her pacing, standing in front of the door with a sigh.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I didn’t like him too much, but he worked hard. He shouldn’t be in there because of me.

Yulia watched her in silence for a few moments before shaking her head and speaking again.

Yulia Kirilenko:
You didn’t want to hurt him…

Her words sounded almost like a rhetorical question, one she already knew the answer to.

Yulia Kirilenko:
You can’t blame yourself for doing what you trained to do. That flying armbar… between me and you, one of the best executions I’ve seen in a while… It was MEANT to hurt. What happened there was a horrible accident, but it’s something that can happen in our line of work. I’m sure he will tell you the same as soon as he walks out of that door.

Ti shook her head, sending droplets of sweat falling to the floor.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I doubt that. Here we are, trying to start things off on the right foot and I go overboard. Winning is important to me but not if I’m going to start hurting people in the process.

Yulia let out a sigh, probably thinking about someone else she’s quite familiar with who in recent times looked more interested in the hurting people part rather than winning matches.

Yulia Kirilenko:
I know, and that’s very noble of you. We all saw what happened there, Tiana. And your reaction to it. Like I said, it was an unfortunate accident, and JJ has his share of guilt as well. The first thing I tell to my trainees at the Fight Lab is to learn to listen to your body. In that ring, or in a cage, there’s no room for superhero complex. Injuries can happen, but often they can be avoided. It’s a bit harsh to say, but he should’ve tapped out sooner, and he wouldn’t be in this situation.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Maybe you’re right, I don’t know right now. It’s just frustrating.

Tiana turned back toward Yulia and rested herself against the wall, eying the Fight Lab proprietor with a tired glance.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Sorry. It’s just frustrating, you know?

Yulia Kirilenko:
I know, trust me… I’ve been there too.

The former GM leaned back against the same well, right next to the first ever Gold Star of the Academy.

Yulia Kirilenko:
And I know that whatever I’ll say right now won’t change the way you feel about what happened, not right now at least.

The tone of her voice was soothing, trying to comfort the young wrestler.

Yulia Kirilenko:
You know what we could do? We can wait until the doctor comes out with updates on JJ, and then grab something to eat. I’ve heard good things about you, and I must say they still didn’t do you justice. You’re incredibly talented, the trainers at the Academy did an outstanding job with you, but I think you could use a different approach to fully reach your potential…

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
What do you mean, a different approach? It just all seems straight forward to me, I guess, but that lead to tonight, so…

She shrugged her shoulders and turned her head to Yulia.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
But yeah...let’s wait this out and we can go get something to eat. That sounds good.

Yulia nodded and smiled at Tiana.

Yulia Kirilenko:
You’ll see what I mean.

And she leaned back against the wall, silently waiting for news on JJ, leaving Tiana to her thoughts.

Battle For The Briefcase Match
Round One: Singles

Dean Smith VS Kate Steele

The Battle For The Briefcase represents a huge opportunity for the wrestlers involved, even those whose recent performances have been a rollercoaster of sorts. That was the case of Dean Smith and Kate Steele, recently involved in title pictures but always coming up short. The negative streak will continue for one of them, while the other will take a first step in turning their luck around. Speaking of steps, Dean took a few quick ones toward Kate as soon as the bell sounded, but she ducked and yanked the top rope down, leading him to fall on the outside. Showing an uncharacteristic rush, coming perhaps from the urge to win and get back on track, Smith slid back in the ring. Both competitors charge at one another with neither backing down. Dean went for a spear but Alex turned it into a huge DDT and made a cover, hooking the leg. Dean kicked out with authority before the count even reached the two. Smith got back to his feet to find Kate charging at him once more. He showed impressive agility for someone his size and leapfrogged over the woman, turning around to catch her as she bounced back off the ropes and threw her in the air. The following spinebuster shook the entire ring. Dean made a cover afterward and got a long two count out of it. Dean watched on as Kate got to one knee, then followed up with a huge big boot to her face. Steele fell through to the ropes then bounced off the apron onto the outside floor. She soon slid back into the ring still in a daze, Smith welcomed her back with his Four Uppercuts And A Dreading, slamming her into the canvas with a high angle rock bottom and pinning her for another near fall.

Smith launched the opponent into the ropes, Kate bounced off with a flying forearm that barely rocked the big man, causing him to only stumble back one step.She went back on the attack, this time with a flurry of kicks to the legs and a jumping knee to the chin. He was still standing, although a little more groggy than before, and Steele thought that a springboard crossbody could finally knock the big man down. Unfortunately for her it wasn’t, and Dean caught her in mid air, easily lifted her in a fireman’s carry position and dropped her on both knees as he fell back into a double knee gutbuster. With his Down WIth The Door front kick he pushed the challenger in the corner and followed up with repeated uppercuts, landing half a dozen of those before using a belly to belly suplex to launch her to the center of the ring. Crouching down in a three point stance, he waited until she stood up to her feet and charged in with another spear. This one connected, leaving Kate writhing in pain on the mat and holding onto her ribs. Relentlessly Dean stayed on the attack, catching the opponent in an abdominal stretch and pounding at her midsection with heavy strikes. He then lifted her over his shoulder, setting her up for a running powerslam but Steele slipped out of his grasp and dropped him on his head with an inverted ddt. Her attempt to build any momentum was quickly frustrated by Dean who caught her with a spinning backfist/discus lariat combination that turned Kate inside out. Dean headed into the corner and climbed to the top rope, waiting for her to stand up to jump and hit the Mean Dean diving knee, securing the win and a spot in round two.

WINNER: Dean Smith
BY: Pinfall (Mean Dean), 10:11

There is a low crowd roar as the fans see the sign on the dressing room door that reads “Glorious Golden Era”. The door opens and the camera begins to slowly creep inside. We spot “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock sitting there alone in a chair. The beautiful blonde is dressed in a long sleeve royal purple dress with a hemline that stops just above the knee. Patent leather black high heel pumps are on her feet and her long blonde hair hangs straight and unrestrained to past the shoulders. She has a stoic look etched across her face.

Glory Braddock:
Fair to say that Hic Sunt Leones did not go the way I had pictured it. Now I could try to make excuses as to why I didn’t win, I could try to grasp for something good out of this...I could say that at least I made it to the final phase, at least I came in second…

Braddock shakes her head.

Glory Braddock:
...but I’m no liar and those of you who know me know that I don’t settle for second best. I’m not content with “well, at least she tried”...and I am damn sure not content with the fact that Seth Iser is still the World Champion. But those who know me also know that I am not one to just sit around licking my wounds forever.

The British Bombshell stands up and glares with more intensity and a hint of anger in her face.

Glory Braddock:
You may still be the champion, Seth, you may have survived the cage at Hic Sunt Leones, and for that congratulations, but the fact is that you reign as champion is still on borrowed time. Because you did make one mistake that night and that mistake was letting me live. You made the mistake of not ending me. Because I did get my Shekhinah Glory locked in; you escaped, fair play to that, but I had it locked in. And for that brief moment I had it locked in I could taste the championship. And now I’m hungrier than ever, now I am more emboldened than ever before to end you and your reign as champion. I may be down, Seth, but I am not out. I am still coming after that championship you hold near and dear to your heart. If you have the guts, you’d face me one on one...no fancy gimmicks, just a straight up one on one match with that championship of yours on the line.

She smirks.

Glory Braddock:
But I don’t anticipate guts from you and your lot. So know this...I will walk through hell if I have to but I will get another shot at that championship and when I do, I will not walk away empty handed. I have said it before and I will say it again, only one person will be the one to dethrone you and become the new MWE World Champion and that person is Glory Braddock. Sic Semper Tyrannis!

Battle For The Briefcase Match
Round One: Singles

Christina Rose VS Nine van der Hoek

The New Problem lived up to her nickname at Hic Sunt Leones when she played a major role in ending Leia LeBeau’s record Junior Heavyweight reign. Her actions certainly didn't win her any fans, the people in Worcester literally showered her in boos during her entrance, some of them even chanting for The Show. Nine couldn’t care less about what they had to say, entering the ring and turning to the main stage, waiting for Christina to get out of the curtain. Her music played but the Blossoming Rose didn’t come out. He did, instead, jump the barricade and slid inside the ring behind the Dutch’s shoulder, blasting her with a forearm to the back that sent her stumbling forward. A cheap shot, sure, but considering who was the target of it, the fans happily turned a blind eye. even cheering on Crystal. A reaction that surprised the Michigan born too and definitely boosted her confidence. Van der Hoek remained hung halfway on the ropes, which prompted Rose to climb the nearest turnbuckle to jump with a diving guillotine leg drop. She landed hard on the apron with her rear, letting out a groan of pain. But it certainly got worse for her opponents who bounced off it and then on the floor down below, landing awkwardly on her neck.

The match continued inside the ring with Christina in firm control for several minutes thanks to that early advantage secured in the first minutes of the match. She kept a fast pace, using the ring ropes to hit the Frisian Demon with spectacular aerial attacks like a springboard moonsault press into a pin that gave her a count of two. Most importantly, her agility was what allowed her to stay away from Nine and her dangerous submissions, at least until Christina made one fatal mistake, missing widely with the Mega Buster, landing on her back as Nine rolled out of the way. The Dutch immediately hit her with the handstand double knee drop and attempted a cover, but Christina kicked out in time. And after that she put up an absolute clinic, keeping Rose on the mat for the longest time, putting her through a number of different submissions. From a surfboard stretch to her trademark joint manipulation armbar, from a leglock to yet another submission targeting Christina’s back, floating into a front guillotine choke right from that position. It lasted several minutes, not the most exciting the fans witnessed tonight but her technique and ability made it worth watching. Christina refused to tap out, trying to fight her way out of the choke, somehow managing to loosen the hold a little bit. But before she could capitalize on that, Nine delivered a few vicious knees to her face that left her stunned. The Dutch kicked her hard on the leg and dropped her on one knee, sprinting the ropes to deliver The Seventh Dream (somersault cutter) and advance in the tournament.

WINNER: Nine van der Hoek
BY: Pinfall (The Seventh Dream), 9:13

Kneeling in the locker room is Alan Envy, former multi champion and one half of the greatest tag team in MWE history. Why he was kneeling no one knows, yet he was talking to someone. After a few seconds he rose to his feet with a look on his face that a purpose was given to him He looks towards the door and says come in before it was even knocked on.

Alan Envy:
My brother, I knew you would arrive!

The large frame of Duke Andrews walked in, sporting another classic tailor made suit. The jacket was a forest green plaid, with a pair of grey dress pants.

Duke Andrews:
Alan

He had his business tone as he spoke. The camera panning around to his face.

Duke Andrews:
Just listen. Things have changed.

He placed his hand on Alan’s shoulder as Alan looked up at him.

Duke Andrews:
I know you were gone trying to keep your other company going. I tried to help, but you know I had to keep this company afloat. So in the past few months, there’s become a seismic shift in the pecking order and how things are run. But this is all apart of the plan, brother. This is all apart of the plan for the betterment of Millennium Wrestling Entertainment. This is no longer a place where the bad guys can run amuck. This is no longer a place where you’re constantly having to look over your shoulder. Remember, brother, we rid this place of those weasels. From Constantine to Wilkow and Hearst. They are gone. This is our time. This company has brought respect to this business. No longer will we settle our differences by interfering in matches. No. We prove it when we step inside the ropes and leave it at that.

Duke cleared his throat.

Duke Andrews:
I have watched your mental game lapse over the last couple of months. But you reached the bottom at Hic Sunt Leones. You no longer will fall into the trap of being a loser. I have worked my magic and gotten you into the Battle for the Briefcase. I have put my neck on the line. And it’s only because I believe in you. It’s because I believe in what you can do in that ring. And at the end of this cycle, you will have Duke Andrews, MWE Heavyweight Champion. And then Alan Envy, the holder of the briefcase.

Envy looked at Duke.He then laughed.

Alan Envy:
My brother through Christ. What is this talk about me being a loser and my failed company I did everything for to keep afloat but was resisted by misguided people that refused to repent? God has a plan for MWE, not you nor me, and He has instructed me to follow through. He has told me its up to me to find a fellow follower and show those their sins and teach the importance of repenting. You coming here confirms you will be at my side. We will cleanse MWE and bring sinners to the Word of God.

Envy grabbed the Bible out of his locker as Duke stares at him.

Alan Envy:
Jesus has forgiven you of your sins Brother, and he always will.

Duke looks over at what Envy has in his hand. Before bringing his eyes back to Alan. He places his hand on the Bible.

Duke Andrews:
You know where I stand. Trust the process.

Envy smiles as he grabs his new robe with a golden cross trimmed in green as he nods to his brother in Christ. It was time to spread his message, and get himself a briefcase.

Battle For The Briefcase Match
Round One: Singles

Alan Envy VS Tank Steiner

Not wasting any time, the two heavyweights collided in the middle of the ring, trading hard strikes as soon as the bell sounded. The two crossed paths several times in the past, both as opponents and even tag partners against Sandstorm Inc. but they have never really seen eye to eye. The size and strength advantage was definitely on the Austrian’s side who easily pushed Envy into the ropes, where Tank delivered the first of his skin-tearing, ribcage-shattering chops. Three more connected, leaving red bruises on the Iconic’s chest. The fifth was so hard that it sent Alan tumbling over the rope and falling outside the ring. The 340 pounder sprinted to the opposite side of the ring and hit the ropes to launch himself against Envy with the biggest suicide dive to memory, proving once again that for a man of his size he was shockingly agile. Picking the opponent up from the floor, Steiner went to push him back in the ring but Alan resisted and shoved him chest first into the apron instead, delivering an impressive snap german suplex on the floor. Alan seemed happy with a countout win, sliding inside the ring and barking at the referee to start the count, which he promptly did. Herr Steiner picked himself up and slid under the bottom rope before the nine. Alan furiously threw a flurry of stomps at the super heavyweight’s head, leaving him flat on his chest. The Lonestar then dragged him back up to his feet and set him up for the Envious Demise, but Tank blocked the DDT attempt and unceremoniously tossed Alan in the air. He landed hard on his back,arching it in pain. But that wasn’t even the worst part, as he was soon squashed by Steiner’s running senton, barely kicking out before the three.

Alan took it to the bigger man without holding back, fighting punch for punch despite being, and that wasn’t something he was very used to, at a disadvantage. Tank was getting the best of this exchange when Alan resorted to one of his tricks and raked the Austrian’s eyes, sending him into the corner with a shotgun dropkick. The Lonestar followed with a running uppercut and then doubled it down with knee strikes into the gut. Grabbing him by the back of the head, Alan tried a bulldog out of the corner but Steiner pushed him off. The Austrian Hulk charged with a lariat but Envy caught him with a savate kick to the mush, flooring the charging behemoth. Five elbow drops later, Envy made the cover but Tank kicked out in time. Alan felt the favorable moment and looked to make the most of it, keeping a constant pressure on the opponent with kicks, stomps and knee strikes. He even tried to lift him for his gourdbuster, but that was probably too much. Tank blocked the attempt and elbowed his way out of his grasp. He then pushed the stunned Alan into the ropes, picking him up for a sidewalk slam. Alan kicked out from the pinning predicament slowly getting up to his feet. Tank lifted him and dropped him on his knees with two consecutive backbreakers before taking him on the Giant Swing for a total of 23 rotations. Far from his record but more than enough to make Alan dizzy and flatten him with Das Boot. The Show Stealer was down, but rather than going for a cover, Tank put him into his Texas Cloverleaf called Morgen In Traktion. Envy dug both elbows into the mat then slowly began to draw himself and Tank closer to the bottom rope. A titanic effort that paid off as he eventually grabbed the bottom one to save himself. As Tank let him go, Alan reached for the gold cross he was wearing as he entered the ring, and that he left in his corner. He clenched his fist around it, kissing his hand as he mumbled something along the lines of "God give me strength". As Herr Steiner went to grab him, Alan clocked him with a punch so hard that sent the big man stumbling back. The first though, shared by the fans and the referee, was that he used the cross to load his punch, but the golden emblem was where Alan left it, on the apron. There was no foul in his action, only a desperation lucky punch (though he would argue that the Lord had listened to his prayer and guided his hand) that stunned the big Austrian. Envy then dropped him on his head with the Envious Demise, picking up a big win and advancing in the tournament.

WINNER: Alan Envy
BY: Pinfall (Envious Demise), 13:06

The scene opens up in Joey Leclair’s locker room where he is seen with his right leg crossed over his lap, and his hands clasped together resting on his right leg and his facial emotions show that he is focused.

Joey Leclair:
Every since I returned from injury I have been on a losing streak which is a far cry from how I started, and I could make excuses, and say something like it’s because I am facing more talented opponents or because I am rusty, but no I am not going to whine and complain and search for your pity, because pity is for the weak while warriors like myself show no sign of weakness or pain, because we stand up push on, and overcome.

Joey unclasps his hands, and reaches his right hand to his right side where there is a side table with a drink on it, and he grabs the drink placing it to his lips taking a sip before placing the glass back down.

Joey Leclair:
Neil I have been watching you closely. You are talented, I give you that, and once revealed in the heavens riding high in the Glorious Golden Era!.... Until the heavens turned black, and a blackstar destroyed your paradise.

Joey smirks letting a small bit of laughter escape his lips.

Joey Leclair:
You are very familiar with my friend, and bitter rival Henri Black are you not? Well allow me to tell you a little story. He, and I have fought each other a dozen times, and each time I have lost, but on our final encounter? That fated day the only way he was able to beat me was with not one, but two of his Black Sacrement which dislocated my jaw forcing me to eat defeat, but in that defeat I looked up in pain and in Henri Black’s eyes I saw two things. One I say respect, and two I say disbelief in the fact that I could have beaten him if the match continued.

Joey uncrosses his legs, and gets a serious look on his face.

Joey Leclair:
I told you this story, because I want you to realize that I am constantly improving, and evolving no matter how long I have been in this business, because I am a prodigy, and Neil if you can’t beat Henri then you cannot beat me because he is my equal until I prove that I have surpassed him by winning the biggest title in this company the Millennium World Championship, and to do that I need this briefcase, and I realize now what is holding me back, and and that is the fact that I have been trying to win some sort of approval when I need no ones approval, and so from now on I am going back to my favorite motto. No. Fucks Given!

The pre recorded scene opens up on a college campus. Neil Newman, who is dressed in a maroon and gold jumpsuit, is standing in front of a marble podium with a golden eagle statue on top. In the background is a building that looks like a church. Neil inhales, then exhales.

Neil Newman:
There is no place like home.

Neil turns around to point at the building behind him.

Neil Newman:
We are on the Boston College campus. Been awhile since I stepped foot on this hallowed ground. This is the exact spot where I learned to be a winner. I was the elite athlete. The man. The cock of the walk. No one could touch me.

Neil cracks a smirk.

Neil Newman:
Finally having the opportunity to compete in my home state again is exhilarating. Months of being stuck wrestling in Chicago, being unable to travel, the day I learned Riot was passing through Massachuttes, if I wasn’t scheduled to compete tonight, I would have been disappointed. Speaking of disappointments...

Hello Joey.

Neil waves to the camera.

Neil Newman:
Your climb to the top hasn’t quite worked out. Certain pundits believed when you became the Chicago Way Champion that was your ticket up the ladder, that it was only a matter of time before you ascended to where Seth Iser is. Where Duke Andrews wishes to be. Life doesn’t always work out the way you planned. You were put down. Came back. Called your shot. Fate didn’t work out the way you imagined. But you know what could change your fortune? Winning Battle for the Briefcase. This could be your one way ticket to becoming the MWE World Champion. Just like that, months of struggle, all washed away IF you manage to win. Unfortunately for you, the path to winning this tournament goes through me and my home state.

Neil folds his arms into his chest.

Neil Newman:
Like you, I have tasted success. Being a former Tag Team and MENTV Champion isn’t enough. I want to climb higher. As grateful as I am for my prior success I wonder, why haven’t I been considered for the Riot or Intercontinental Championship opportunity? Maybe I want to be World Champion. Have anyone considered that?
I work as hard as anyone in this company. I shouldn’t need to win a briefcase to call my shot. I am good enough as is to challenge any of MWE’s top champions. If this is the path I need to take, so be it. I’ll crush your aspirations, Joey. One by one, the field will fall. Then I’ll have the power to call my shot.

Neil smirks. He turns his back to the camera to look at the golden eagle as the scene fades to black.

Battle For The Briefcase Match
Round One: Singles

Joey Leclair VS Neil Newman

Joey and Pierce began to circle each other with the echo of the bell still in their ears. Leclair lashed out running full speed looking for a clothesline Newman caught his right leg to connect a perfect exploder suplex right off the bat. Joey got back up with his back turned to Neil, who pinned him with a backslide. The former Chicago Way champion raised his shoulder in two and quickly pulled himself up, blocking a right punch from Neil and delivering a headbutt to the bridge of the nose, sending him stumbling a couple of feet back. It was the perfect distance to try the Prodigal Elbow Smash, but the former MENTV champion was expecting it and stepped aside, moving behind Joey’s shoulders and catching him with a half and half suplex. As Leclair kicked out, Newman looped his arm around his head for a side headlock, from which Joey easily broke free with some elbows to the ribs. With an irish whip he sent him into the ropes, catching him with a dropkick to the face as he bounced back. The shot sent Newman to the mat in a heap. Leclair followed up by grappling up then hooking him for a picture perfect DDT. Neil’s head bounced off the mat from the maneuver, Joey was quick to pin the opponent for a chance to advance in the tournament but he only obtained a two count.

Neil and Joey both got to their feet and immediately began swapping blows. Joey got the upper hand with a european uppercut then whipped the dazed opponent into the ropes. Leclair attempted a clothesline but Joey ducked it, turning around to hit him with a sudden throat strike.The shot took Newman completely off his feet. He then rolled underneath the bottom rope and onto the apron but Joey was right back on the attack, dragging him up to his feet and trying to pull him back inside the ring. Newman punched the Prodigy on the jaw but he hit back with a stiff right hand that almost knocked the Golden Era member off the apron, Newman grabbed onto the bottom rope and saved himself, managing to duck the following right hook and drive his shoulder in Joey’s stomach. He went for a suplex to the outside, but Leclair somehow blocked it and landed on the apron as well. More back and forth blows between the two, fighting in a quite dangerous spot. And eventually Newman was the one getting the upper hand, dropping the opponent on his head with an apron ddt and quickly sliding him back in to capitalize, only getting another near fall. Not wasting any time, Neil tried to submit the former champion with his EGV (standing arm triangle choke) but Leclair somehow escaped before Neil could really lock it and blasted the Golden Era member with the Prodigal Elbow. Neil kicked out just in time, surviving the following brainbuster and a vicious bicycle kick as well. But when Leclair dropped him on his neck with the Stygian, he couldn’t get his shoulders up in time.

WINNER: Joey Leclair
BY: Pinfall (Stygian), 13:47

“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page is in her locker room. She is holding the MENTV title belt checking her hair and make up from the reflection from the belt. Tiffany smiles as she sets the belt down on a table.

“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page:
How a man deals with adversity says a lot about him. So, what do recent events say about James Edwards? Since I beat him several weeks ago he has been spiraling straight into a dumpster fire. Is this what the once great James Edwards turned into? A bitter shell of his former self. I always had the feeling that you were putting on a facade when you started butting into my business back in Oath.

Tiffany sits down in a chair.

“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page:
Somehow though, James, you have weasled your way into a title match against me. How did that happen? I guess...I guess that's irrelevant because the fact of the matter is that you have this opportunity. But James, you and I both know what is going to happen tonight. You are going to enter the ring all cocky and brutish thinking that you are going to take my crown from me and knock me off my pedestal. All that you actually are is bitter because you aren’t man enough in general much less man enough to beat me. You can take your pathetic self back to wherever you came from because we all know that you are no longer the man and merely a gelding.

Tiffany winks at the camera as she leans back in the chair she is sitting in.

MENTV Championship Match

James Edwards didn’t hide his concerns for Tiffany’s shenanigans walking into this match. He even asked to make it a DQ, mostly as a provocation, but Vincent Moretti was crystal clear. The MENTV championship is meant to be contested in one on one matches with a fifteen minutes time limit, and that’s what they’ll have to deal with today. The match started and Tiffany immediately rolled out of the ring, shrugging her shoulders at Edwards when he, visibly annoyed, yelled at her to get back in the ring and stop playing around. She had no intention to listen to him, not even when he pointed out she was disrespecting the title she was wearing. Clearly, all that mattered to her was to hold the title, by all means. Or maybe just to bait the opponent into leaving the ring since, as soon as he did, she kicked him in the gut and began ramming his head repeatedly against the barricade. The crowd got riled up, the boos for the champion just grew louder and more intense, but she still didn’t give them the time of the day, until one particularly vocal fan caught her attention with some unrepeatable insult. She fired back at him, calling him a long list of epithets with “loser” being the nicest one. Finally she directed her attention back to the action, but Edwards struck with a sharp elbow to the midsection. Page doubled over and James began dropping a combination of forearm and elbow strikes to the face, pushing her back toward the ring. Her back was against the apron, but the Burning Heart was not done with her yet, unleashing a flurry of open palm strikes before he rolled her under the bottom rope and entered the ring. She was already standing up, with the help of the ropes and Edwards grabbed her from behind with a bridging tiger suplex, obtaining a two and half on his first pinfall attempt.

Edwards was using some of his hardest strikes like the Triple Play (two spinning back fist followed by a spinning back elbow) and the High Heat (springboard busaiku knee), but in both cases the champion kicked out. It was hard for him to really build any momentum though, as the champion was taking any chance she got to take a break, getting under James’ skin and letting the clock run down. When she didn’t act like a coward though, she proved that she could go against the expert multi-time champion, using those long legs of her to wear down the Burning Heart with stiff kicks, eventually knocking Edwards down. Without any hesitation, she took it to the sky and jumped with her shooting star press named Money, Power And Respect, but James moved out of the way. She was somehow able to land on her feet, though she lamented hurting her ankle in the process. The referee asked James to step back, but he wasn’t buying it. More so after realizing that there were only a little over two minutes left. He tried to reach her, but the official stood in his way and told him to back off. Ewards was livid, for all the match Tiffany wasted time but faking an injury with so little to go? That was the last straw. He yelled at the official that she was only pretending to be hurt, the ref tried to calm him down and asked that he’d let him check. James finally snapped, clocking the referee with a big right hand, getting instantly disqualified. Tiffany, now miraculously healed, jumped back on her feet and taunted him, adding insult to injury. He wasn’t taking it, chasing her outside and grabbing her by the arm, pulling her into a ripcord knee strike that absolutely flattened her. The match might be over but James, in an unusual and out of character way, kept attacking the MENTV champion, locking her in a kimura lock on the outside. Only the intervention of security finally made him desist, though they still had to struggle to separate him from Tiffany.

WINNER: Tiffany Lynn Page (STILL MENTV CHAMPION)
BY: DQ, 13:14

In a pre-recorded segment filmed Sunday morning before Riot, Henri Black is sitting at an outdoor cafe, the tables immediately around him still sitting vacant, without even a chair or table cloth. Henri removes his cloth face mask a moment after a waitress deposits a mug and a plate of eggs and toast before him.

Henri Black:
The first defence of my Riot championship is now in the books but on that same night, not one, not two but three potential challengers emerged. Pierce Manning still thinks that he can defeat me cleanly in the middle of that ring. Herr Steiner has declared his intent on working his way up the card and challenging for my championship, he also provided our audience with a much-needed lesson on how to properly brew tea. To both of you I say this, Bring your best, bring everything you have, because that is the absolute least that you will need to take me down.

Henri looks down at his own mug and lifts it to take a sip.

Henri Black:
And then of course there is Brian Ford, the man who was supposed to be my opponent at Hic Sunt Leones, and who will be my tag team partner tonight. That match I am looking forward to most of all, you see Brian and I have known each other for very nearly a decade, his father ran the last promotion in which I was a World Champion, and yet despite our long acquaintance he and I have never once shared the ring together, not one on one, not in a tag team match, hell, not even in a battle royal. We might have been together for a ceremony of some sort or another, but does that really count?

Spearing a piece of his eggs, Henri takes a moment as he chews and swallows.

Henri Black:
You see I thrive on competition, it’s why I chased Glory Braddock so long, I knew that on any given night that between the two of us the victor was never certain, nobody could ever predict which of us would walk away with their hand raised, also she can be kind of a bitch. I want more of that, and I truly believe that Bryan Ford can give it to me. Tonight in our tag team match he has the opportunity to prove my faith in him correct.

Now buttering his Toast Henri continues to speak.

Henri Black:
Tank Steiner, well he and I aren’t exactly acquainted but he is obviously a dangerous man. He is six foot seven, weighs in at three hundred and forty pounds, and he moves around that ring like a man half his size. I’ve seen the aftermath of too many matches where he literally chopped the skin off his opponent’s chest to take him lightly, I have seen him launch his body from the top rope and fly halfway across the ring to deliver a moonsault that frankly scares me… no, I am not taking his challenge lightly at all. But every tree can be chopped down, and any man will struggle once I have broken his ankle.

Taking a bit of his now buttered toast Henri returns it to the plate.

Henri Black:
And of course there is Pierce Manning, To this day he believes that he can defeat me, and history has proven that to be correct… so long as he comes at me with help or a weapon. Now he put up the fight of his life at Dark Web, so I won’t count him out again. If he wants to come for me and the Riot championship again then I will accept the match at any time, at any place, but I will be acting with all due seriousness this time. There will be no jokes, no games. If Pierce Manning wants this title back then he will have to bury me.

Henri takes up his fork once again and spins it between his fingers.

Henri Black:
Now if you will excuse me, my breakfast is getting cold.

With that, the scene fades to black.

Tag Team Match

Henri Black & Bryan Ford VS Team Trillie

Amy Maynard: “And here we are folks, it’s main event time! The Riot champion, Henri Black is in action…”

Sir Figgles: “Why the enthusiasm? The guy is as exciting as a mop, only the latter is without a doubt a better wrestler.”

Amy Maynard: “Bold take about the Riot Champion… Anyway, as I was saying, The Blackstar teams up with Seattle Pro’s own, the Innovator Of Greatness, Bryan Ford.”

Sir Figgles: “And they go against two girls who’re not even old enough to drink. Why is this even a main event? They’re just going to run through these two kids, they’ll probably join that other guy on the injured list.”

Amy Maynard: “They surely lack the experience, but Team Trillie proved at HSL that they can go with the best teams in MWE. And they’re exciting to watch, Mia already loves them.”

Sir Figgles: “Your daughter has horrible taste.”

Amy Maynard: “She thinks you’re funny so yeah, you’re not entirely wrong.”

Trinity chose to begin the match, their opponents took a little longer to get on the same page and figure out who should start things off until Henri, not too convinced, walked to the corner giving the guest the stage. Ford towered over the five feet tall girl who, despite the size difference, didn’t seem intimidated in the slightest.. The two competitors circle the ring as chants for Team Trillie filled the DCU Center, the two young girls surely made a great first impression with the MWE fans and earned a place in their heart. But despite the loud encouragement, the size, experience and strength advantage were too much and Ford muscled Trinity in the corner, pinning her against the turnbuckle. The referee immediately went to break them up, but he didn’t really need to do much, as Bryan immediately raised his hands and stepped back, granting the young opponent a clean break. Always confident, almost cocky, he offered her a condescending smile and light pat on the head before taking two steps back. The younger stepsister of Tiff Rollins didn’t take that too well, the look on her face suddenly changed into one of pure anger. She felt disrespected by Bryan attitude, and she wanted to prove that he should take her seriously, doing so with a flurry of hard kicks to the sides. Taken back by the unexpected outburst, Ford recoiled toward his corner, trying to stay away from Thompson’s swift and stiff shots. But the young girl caught him with a hard kick to the side of the leg, causing him to buckle and get to one knee. Now that the height advantage was nullified, she went for a roundhouse and floored the man.

Amy Maynard: “That should teach him not to overlook her.”

Sir FIggles: “That’s no way to treat a guest, Trinity should be ashamed of herself.”

Quick tag to Millie who went to the top rope and dove on Bryan with an elbow drop. She attempted a cover but barely obtained a count of two. Smith kept a quick pace, attacking the former Mainstream United States champion with her flashy moves. Ford was quite quick on his feet as well and soon caught up with the Academy graduate, matching her speed and beating her with the greater experience, crouching down as she went for a springboard crossbody and causing her to crash on the canvas. He dragged her up and blasted her with a couple of forearms to the back. He applied a waist lock, looking to connect a german suplex but Millie reacted, swinging her elbow back and connecting to his jaw. Millie then wrapped her arms around the stunned opponent’s head in a ¾ facelock and sprinted toward the corner, stepping over the ropes and flipping over his head, driving him into the canvas with a shiranui. Thompson made the tag as her partner was performing the move, entering the ring with a shining wizard that leveled the Innovator Of Greatness. The fans showed their appreciation for the young team and their innovative style of offense with a loud round of applause that continued even after Ford kicked out.

Amy Maynard: “You were saying something about them being too young and inexperienced to step in the ring with Ford and Black…”

Sir Figgles: “Shut up.”

The momentum of the match suddenly changed when Bryan caught Thompson with a ripcord knee strike. Trinity crawled to the corner, using the ropes to get up and leaning against the turnbuckle to regain her bearings, checking her mouth after the terrific impact. Bryan reached them there and delivered a flurry of knife edge chops, following with an irish whip that sent the teenager into the ropes. As she bounced back, he caught her with a tilt-a-whirl slam. A tremendous impact, but not enough to keep her down. Henri asked the partner to make the tag and Ford did as asked. A hint of teamwork from the uncharacteristic duo who performed some double team maneuvers. Bryan lifted Trin in a wheelbarrow position, holding her horizontally as the Riot Champion blasted her with his Black Diamond knee. The Innovator Of Greatness finished the move by dropping Thompson face first on the canvas, leaving his partner to make the pin. His mistake was to turn his back to the action, too confident that they had this won already. Millie sneaked inside the ring and saved her partner with a last minute dive.

Amy Maynard: “I thought they had her there, this match could’ve been over if only Bryan paid more attention.. And Henri doesn’t look pleased at all.”

Sir Figgles: “Henri should just shut the hell up… Where has he been until now while Ford did all the work?”

Amy Maynard: “Uhhh… On the apron waiting for a tag?”

Sir Figgles: “Exactly… Coward!”

The Riot champion seemed to be just too much for Trinity, tossed around with ease by the Australian who obtained another near fall with the triple german suplex. He and Bryan worked quite well together, showing good chemistry. As pointed out by Amy, they were very familiar to one another, and even teamed up in the past. But they were also rivals, already having a date set when they will fight for Henri’s Riot title at Glory Horizons, and each of them wanted to impress, trying to outdo one another. This competition inside the group led to a little misunderstanding, Trinity was quick to capitalize on it by reaching her partner, taking the much needed tag. Millie reignited the enthusiasm of the fans with her fast paced offense, delivering trying to surprise Bryan with a sunset flip, from which the IOG kicked out in two. Shades of Dean Smith when Millie climbed to the top to connect a brutal diving knee strike to Bryan’s head, still not enough to win the match. She even paid tribute to Luna with the Starstorm (discus spinning roundhouse) on Henri after the tag, but the outcome was the same, only a count of two.

Amy Maynard: “Millie is on fire tonight!”

With Trinity still recovering, Millie was pretty much on her own now, but she took up the task without flinching, bravely fighting both Henri and Bryan. Eventually the duo managed to take back control and Ford dropped the young girl on the mat violently with a blue thunder bomb. Henri asked for the tag, wanting to be the one to put the exclamation point on the match and finish the opponent. Ford wanted the honor for himself, the two of them argued for a few seconds giving Millie time to recover.Sliding her arm between his legs, she rolled him up with a school girl pin, catching the veteran off guard. Henri stepped inside the ring to make the save but a running single leg dropkick from Trinity prevented him from breaking up the pin. As the referee’s hand touched the floor a third time, Smith popped up to her feet, looking shocked that she managed to score the upset win. Trinity soon joined her, the two young girls hugging it out in the middle of the ring while the fans covered them in applause and cheers. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Henri and Ford weren’t happy with how things turned out, blaming one another for the unexpected loss. They almost got physical, but cool heads prevailed in the end and Bryan left the ring, shaking his head.

WINNER: Team Trillie
BY: Pinfall (School Girl Pin), 19:23

Post by gvb on May 25, 2021 4:08:11 GMT -6

Quick Reply

Shoutbox