Post by gvb on Jun 16, 2021 15:22:44 GMT -6
Riot in Virginia
Live from Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, VA
Sunday, June 13th, 2021
We open backstage in the dressing room area. It is there we find “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock, dressed to compete in her two-piece royal purple wrestling gear, doing some stretches in preparation for her match tonight against James Edwards. Watching her is her long time friend and ally Sophie O’Brian, who isn’t scheduled to compete this evening so is dressed in casual attire of jeans, boots, and a black t-shirt.
Sophie O’Brian:
So this is Virginia?
Sophie sighs.
Sophie O’Brian:
I’ve seen better places.
Glory Braddock:
Oh hush, Sophie. The fans here are great.
Braddock rises to her feet and turns to face her friend, smiling warmly. Sophie rolls her eyes.
Sophie O’Brian:
That has always been the one thing that differentiated you from me, my friend. You truly do care about the fans. Me? If they cheer and support me, then fine. If not, that is fine as well. My primary goal is always to win. Anything and everything else is secondary.
Glory Braddock:
Well of course, winning is important but so are the fans who make this possible. Without them the promotions we work for wouldn’t get any income and thus we wouldn’t get paid. Would you really want to fight people for free, Sophie?
O’Brian frowns.
Sophie O’Brian:
Do you really want me to answer that question?
The British Bombshell chuckles.
Glory Braddock:
Not necessary, love! But don’t worry, tonight my mind is on the task at hand and that is overcoming James Edwards.
Sophie O’Brian:
Excellent, because that is where it should be. We got back on the winning track last week and if you want to continue building your case for a one on one rematch for the MWE World Championship then you need to continue winning.
Glory Braddock:
Yes, I know, but I also know that as great as that win was last week it was still not up to Glorious Golden Era standards. Were it not for a mistake on the part of our opponents we would have been beaten. We...all of us, myself included...we all need to continue to improve our game. And for me, that means stepping up and taking on new challenges. Edwards tonight represents just the latest among the new challenges. He has a new found aggression, which I’m sure you love am I right?
Glory’s Irish friend smirks knowingly.
Sophie O’Brian:
What he did to Tiffany Page two weeks ago was an absolute masterpiece. I must admit. Breaking an enemy’s arm or leg is music to my ears.
Glory Braddock:
Perhaps for you but that’s not what I’m about. I won’t judge him because he got pushed too far and I understand that. Tonight, hopefully, we can have a good match, a clean match, and show the wrestling world what this sport should be about. But at the end of the night, I have the utmost confidence that my skills and my skills alone will be enough to get me victory.
We cut backstage, where one of the newest Riot superstars, Tiana Petrova-Hammond was busy warming up before her show opening match. Just as she sat her jump rope down to get ready to head toward the entryway, a strong hand found its way to her shoulder and spun her around. She found herself face to face with the Junior Heavyweight Champion, Echo. If Tiana was intimidated, she did her best not to show it, not backing down from the Aussie with a habit of making an example out of anyone she put her hands on.
Echo:
Relax, relax. I just wanted to wish you good luck. Not on your match, we both know you’ll pussy out again because boohoo, you hurt someone.
Tiana rolled her eyes and started to turn her back, only to be snatched up and pushed against the wall by the champ.
Echo:
I wasn’t done. No, I’m wishing you luck in dealing with Yulia. You’re already too soft for this business, and all she’s going to do is reinforce those shit values. Oh, Tiana, do it the right way, don’t hurt them EVEN IF IT MEANS YOU TAKE A LOSS. Hold your chin up, Tiana! Her and Damian will be the perfect little cheerleaders as your career takes a nosedive.
Echo released her grip on Tiana’s Chicago Fight Lab jacket, patting the logo over Ti’s heart.
Echo:
You think this is how you get answers, you think it’s going to be a family, but it’s on their terms. They’ll change you, mold you into what they think is the ideal wrestler. But you know what, Ti? You can be better than that. You’re a killer. You’re a destroyer. Deep down, you know you enjoyed fucking up JJ’s arm. You push it down, but you wanted to do it. You wanted to take out Sophie too, because that’s who you are. That’s what WE are. We do it our way, always. You’re just afraid of what that means for you.
Tiana stared at Echo as the champion backed away with her hands up, then glanced down at the championship itself.
Echo:
Because if you want this? Yulia won’t help you get there.
The Russian-American looked back into Echo’s eyes, shaking her head.
Tiana:
You’re a lot of things, Echo, but most importantly… You’re a bitch whose days are numbered.
Echo’s smirk faded and she lunged for Tiana, who quickly dipped out of the way as security swarmed the Aussie and held her back. Tiana waved with a grin, quickly disappearing through the curtain to make her entry.
Singles Match
Alex Andrews VS Tiana Petrova-HammondFollowing her close encounter with the Junior Heavyweight champion, Tiana looked a bit uneasy, probably still slightly shaken by the violent Aussie or her words. Andrews took the chance to get an early advantage, using a wristock to maintain control over the former Academy student. Tiana tried to counter it and even managed to escape for a brief moment, but then Andrews caught her again and took her down to the mat with an armdrag. The former MENTV champion is a fine technical wrestler, and she proved it time and time again in her short career. But Tiana was pretty much raised on a ring, she has been doing this since a tender age and she knew her way around submission and holds and easily reversed the pressure, forcing Alex to retreat to the ropes. Tiana let her go immediately and the former MENTV champion nodded at her, appreciating the rare gesture of sportsmanship. The two locked up once again, and this time it was Tiana who came out on top, holding the opponent in a hammerlock. Alex swung her elbow to escape but the first ever Gold Star ducked and quickly shifted in front of the opponent, lifting her and dropping her on her elbow with the hammerlock suplex. The Russian-American moved into a cover, but Lady Limitless was far from done and kicked out in two. Tiana stayed on the attack, using another armbar to keep the opponent grounded. Unlike last time, she looked less fearful, working on that right arm without any fear or concern about injuring the opponent, using the right amount of pressure to try to submit Alex without risking to do too much damage. When Andrews thought she found a way out of it, Tiana changed her position and rolled her on her stomach bending the arm behind the back and hit her with a few knee drops to the elbow. Giving a great display of her technical background the young superstar smoothly shifted into a cross armbreaker, causing the former MENTV champion to groan in pain and frustration. Alex tried to get free but the submission was locked in too tightly. The only way out was using her raw power and lifting the young martial artist for a buckle bomb. Tiana’s head snapped back against the top turnbuckle and the young girl was down, sitting in the corner visibly dazed. Alex took a moment to recover before running at her and kicking her in the face with a shining wizard. The New Dawn began building momentum, dodging Tiana’s strikes and catching her with the Alex Crusher for a near fall. More followed as the former MENTV champion assaulted the rookie with knee strikes and knees in the corner before taking her back to the center with a snapmara. Tiana was sitting on the mat trying to regain her bearings and Alex delivered a vicious soccer kick to the back before attempting another cover. Once again Petrova-Hammond raised the shoulder in time. After connecting the Broken Wings backstabber, Alex went for a rare submission, locking the BJJ purple belt in her Dawn Breaker. Tiana clawed and crawled toward the ropes, managing to get to the bottom one with a great effort. Just like Tiana did before, Alex granted the clean break, earning the applause of the Norfolk fans who loved to see a clean fight, for a change. Holding her lower back. Tiana pulled herself up to her feet and prepared to defend herself from Andrews’ attack. She connected a kick to the shoulder that staggered Andrews, immediately grabbing the same arm and dragging her down onto her knees with an armbreaker. Alex was writhing in pain and Tiana seemed ready for her patented flying armbreaker. That was when Echo walked out of the curtain, apparently more calm than she was before and, for that reason, even more scary. She looked straight at Tiana and said “Do it. You know you want to.” But her “encouragement” only worked as a distraction, allowing Alex to recover and get behind Tiana, hooking her arms and planting her on her face with the Hella Rough. WINNER: Alex Andrews BY: Pinfall (Hella Rough), 10:19 |
The camera cut to the back, focusing on the floor of one of the long hallways in the Norfolk Scope. There seemed to be a noise in the background, mixed amongst the hushed voices of the various backstage staff hurrying along, making sure that the broadcast was running as smoothly as possible. The noise began to grow louder though, and soon it became apparent that it was the sound of footsteps, heels in fact, tapping upon the tiled flooring. As the camera zoom in, it picked up a pair of stunning bright orange heels, Gucci by design. The view then panned up, revealing a set of toned and tanned legs, seemingly going upwards forever. Eventually those legs met an end (though comically they seemed to go on way longer than they actually were), and the figure was wearing a matching mini skirt, figure hugging in all the right places with sparkling tassels hanging down. The figure was finally revealed, the ever beautiful Leia LeBeau striding down the hallway with a clip and a clap of her heels, looking like she owned the place. Her hair hung down to her slender shoulders, and upon her head was a Nightfall rising themed top hat, with the tag team’s logo upon the side of it. She grinned wide, that award winning smile dazzling, and her eyes looked on in determination.
Leia LeBeau:
What you saw last week? That wasn’t just a little bit of redemption. That was a plot twist for the new season opener.
LeBeau said, winking to the camera. She strutted off, only side glancing at the camera as she did so, the footage following her down the hall. The record setting former Champion had been largely quiet in recent weeks, especially since she was robbed of the Junior Heavyweight Championship by Echo, with major assistance by the mysterious Nine. But last week, with her own assistance from her boyfriend Donovan Keane, she had gained a small amount of revenge on Nine, dishing out a controversial beating to one of Riot’s newest signings. The Show hadn’t made many comments since, but she seemed to be on her way to ringside, and it made people wonder what her plans were. Afterall, her boyfriend would be facing Echo very soon.
Leia LeBeau:
The Show must go on.
She said, turning to give the camera a wink, then she strutted off out of view, leaving more questions than answers.
Singles Match
Donovan Keane VS EchoDonovan Keane was the one who attacked Echo last week as the Australian was about to interfere in favor of Nine van der Hoek against Leia LeBeau in their BFTB tournament match. The Junior Heavyweight champion didn’t take him messing with her plans lightly and returned the courtesy, attacking Donnie while he was still on the stage. with a stiff elbow to the back of the head. The Nightfall Rising member was then thrown against the huge led screen and beaten down with lefts and rights to the face. Taken off guard by the sudden assault, Donnie eventually fought back, managing to push the Aussie off himself and hit her with a running knee to the face. The official rushed there trying to calm them down, or at least direct them toward the ring. But they didn’t even notice him, too busy trading furious punches that took them closer and closer to the edge of the stage. The match itself was no longer, if it had ever been, an option for them. A concerned Leia left her spot at commentary to join her boyfriend but he asked her to stay back, not wanting her to become a target for the Australian. Echo found herself in a precarious position, on the verge of falling several feet below on a pile of crates, wires and various props. Donnie delivered the final blow, a huge right hand but Echo ducked his strike and wrapped her arms around his waist, taking a step away from the edge to suplex him all the way down. Keane went through a table and landed on the floor with a thud. As the camera zoomed on him, he wasn’t moving. The referee immediately called for the paramedics who rushed on the scene to check on the young man. Echo wiped some blood from her busted lips and went her way, smiling proudly after claiming yet another victim on her path of destruction. WINNER: // BY: //, 0:00 |
"The Burning Heart" James Edwards sits in front of his locker stall with gritted teeth.
James Edwards:
The people who called Babe Ruth a badass for calling his shot in the 32' World Series were full of shit, man. I called my shot on Twitter and even though I deleted the damn thing I still got punished.
He gestures around him.
James Edwards:
The GM told me that 'certain talent' don't feel comfortable with me having free roam in the arena. So I gotta sit here like a jackass until my fight and even I have to have an escort to and from the entrance. I can't say I don't deserve this though because I was dumb enough to call my shot. Then again, maybe being dumb is in my DNA.
He points at his eyes.
James Edwards:
I want you to look me in the eyes, Tiffany, because they ain't the ones of a lyin' man. I'm gonna snap your damn arm in half and I'm gonna do it right in the ring for everybody to see. Until then I won't touch you, but that depends on you giving me a rematch. Don't leave me waitin' because I can't keep the animal caged for long.
We open backstage at the ready area. There we find the beautiful blonde Glory Braddock standing there in her wrestling gear. The time is drawing near for her one on one against James Edwards and she looks focused and determined to continue her winning ways, one week after a six person tag victory last week on Riot.
Glory Braddock:
Last week you saw the Glorious Golden Era get back on the right track. We returned to our winning ways against Team Trillie and Tiana. And I must admit, that were it not for one small mistake on the part of our opponents, they could have beaten us and walked away victorious. Tiana was concerned for the safety of my good friend Sophie O’Brian and Sophie, being the person she is, took advantage and got the pin when Tiana was distracted.
Tiana, you have nothing to be ashamed of or to apologize for. You and your teammates proved that you have a bright future in MWE. And anytime you want to go again, myself and the Glorious Golden Era would be honored to dance. You proved that on any given night anyone can beat even the best grapplers to step into the squared circle and that is what wrestling about; it is about the great spirit of competition. One or more grapplers stepping into the ring to see who is the best. And that is the singular reason I put together The Glorious Golden Era. That was my vision for forming this alliance with Neil, Kyle, and Sophie. We all share a similar vision of this great sport of ours.
The British Bombshell holds up one finger.
Glory Braddock:
You made one mistake. You took your eye off the ball. Did you have good reason to? And I’m not going to judge you for the concern you showed for Sophie O’Brian. But a distraction did cost you three the win. Sophie perhaps was truly in pain, but others in this company are deceptive, manipulative, and do not have the same respect for this sport as myself and my colleagues do.
Which brings me to my opponent for tonight. James, some may want me to stand here in judgment of you, for you assault two weeks ago after the MENTV Championship Match against Tiffany Page. But I’m not going to do that because I saw, just as everyone else saw, the shenanigans produced by the so-called champion. You and I both know that champions don’t act that way. Champions don’t run from a fight, they don’t try to use underhanded tactics to retain. This sport is about competition, it is about who is the best, and if you have the same kind of passion for wrestling as I do, then I can understand why you snapped and went after her. In fact, I hope you do get your hands on her and exact some revenge.
Braddock shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
Unfortunately while you may be seeking payback, I too have dreams and my dreams are of getting back into the MWE World Championship discussion. And to do that I cannot let anyone stand in my way and I absolutely cannot afford any losses. To be the World Champion means you have proven yourself to be the best by defeating anyone and everyone that is put in front of you. Right now, James, you have been put in front of me, so that means I have to defeat you in order to continue to make my case, to continue to march my way back to the championship. And I am prepared to bring war to your doorstep in order to get that victory. I hope you are prepared for war, James, because that is what you and the great fans of MWE Riot are about to witness tonight from The British Bombshell.
She shuts her eyes.
Glory Braddock:
Sic Semper Tyrannis…
Singles Match
Glory Braddock VS James EdwardsGlory’s “Quest To 16” may have dealt with a slowdown but the former Riot champion wasn’t letting any hindrance get in the way between her and her sixteenth World championship reign. The first obstacle goes by the name of James Edwards, whose mood drastically changed after he failed to capture the MENTV championship. a few weeks ago against Tiffany Lynn Page. This new aggressive side gave the Burning Heart an early advantage, his quick strikes forced Glory in the corner. James rushed in and threw a massive lariat, dazing the daughter of the legendary Glenn Braddock. Edwards kept the pressure and began throwing devastating knife edge chops in steady, yet rapid succession. After a series of chops, he took her by the back of the head and slammed her face first into the canvas with a running bulldog. Glory was down and James tried to end this quickly, taking a few steps back and pointing his finger at the British Bombshell’s head, charging at full speed with his Violent Gospel. Sophie, who accompanied her best friend to the ring, warned her and Braddock was able to roll out on the apron, saving herself from a possible concussion. Edwards didn’t waste a second and pulled her up by the air, looking to drag her back in the ring. Glory instead stunned him with a headbutt and then doubled him over with a shoulder tackle through the ropes. As James folded in two holding his midsection, she jumped over the top rope and caught James with a sunset flip. Edwards kicked out in two and quickly got back to his feet, eating a dropkick by the Best In The World. She picked him up off the canvas, he caught her off guard with a dirty knee strike to the side of the head. Glory looked dazed as she stumbled to keep her feet, resting against the ropes to regain her bearings. But James didn’t give her any relief, throwing a couple of knife edge chops before sending her for a run against the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. On the return, he jumped and hit her with a leg lariat, hooking the leg for another two count. James threw a few jabs and backed Braddock into the ropes and once again Irish whipped her across the ring, going for a lariat on the return. Glory ducked it and stopped on her tracks, waiting for James to turn around to jump at him and drag him down on her knee with the Gloria In Excelsis Deo (Codebreaker). The Burning Heart tried to stand up quickly but he was flattened by a shining wizard from the British Bombshell who then quickly climbed to the top rope. She measured the distance and dove toward him with the London Plunge with disastrous effects as James rolled out of the way and avoided the swan dive headbutt. The Kentucky born then started ragdolling the Best In The World with a series of suplexes. German, Half Nelson, Dragon, one after the other in rapid succession. He ended his sequence with a bridging fisherman, but Braddock kicked out. James locked her in a Muay Thai clinch and rocked her with a shattering knee smash. Then in one fluid motion, he followed with the spin kick to complete the first part of the Wildfire. He missed with the roundhouse knee as Glory sidestepped and took herself out of harm’s way. She quickly hooked his arms and connected the Glorification (unprettier), hooking both of his legs for a deep cover. Despite her effort, James still kicked out. The match continued, turning into a slugfest. Edwards had the advantage when it came to pure brawl, but Glory had so many aces up her sleeves, little tricks (more or less legal) to turn the tables or even just derail the opponent’s momentum. including the classic eye rake. The blinded Edwards stumbled back into the ropes. When Glory charged at him, he defended himself with an elbow to the face and looked ready for a second Wildfire attempt. Sophie grabbed his foot and caused him to miss the opportunity to strike. As he turned around to have a few words with her, Braddock caught him with the Glorification, and this time it gave her the win. WINNER: Glory Braddock BY: Pinfall (The Glorification), 13:22 |
“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page is walking into the Norfolk Scope surrounded by eight security guards, her publicist, driver, who is bringing her luggage and has the MWE MENTV title.Tiffany stops for a moment.
“Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page:
I cannot believe the unsafe working environment going on around here. That thug James Edwards viciously attacked me and tried to break me in half. Does he get reprimanded? He gets to take a week off. That is it!!! Now he is free to cry about how entitled he is and hurt people. Well, you ain’t going to hurt me! Not again! He is no better than that coward Siobahn Mahoney. Someone else who attacked me last week and she is rewarded with a title shot. Sioban likes to portray herself as some sort of badass but everyone can tell that she is an insecure little girl who knows that she can never measure up to me. Which is why I am the champion and she is ultimately nothing more than a pretender. Siobahn, I am leaving here tonight as I came in. With my MENTV title belt with me.
Tiffany motions for everyone to continue walking to her locker room.
Siobhan Mahoney:
Tiffany Lynn Page sure does enjoy winning without actually having to do anything, doesn’t she?
The Hot Mess herself, Siobhan Mahoney, is out in the back behind the arena, smoking a cigarette with one foot kicked up against the wall.
Siobhan Mahoney:
Tonight we change that, yeah? Cause I don’t think the Default Diva has realized just who she’s dealing with.
She flicks the ash off the end of her cigarette and inhales again, the cherry on the end turning a bright orange.
Siobhan Mahoney:
You see, back about a decade ago, when I was just eighteen, I got into a car accident that destroyed my left leg. Had to get it surgically repaired, lots of pins and screws - I set off metal detectors everywhere I go to this day. Doctors said there was a slim chance of me ever walking again without a cane.
Smirking, she gestures down her body to illustrate that she doesn’t have any assistance.
Siobhan Mahoney:
I am the definition of relentless. By the time my leg healed enough for the cast to come off, I had to teach myself how to walk normally again. They told me I couldn’t wrestle anymore, but I fought my way back to the ring. And you want to stand there and tell me I don’t deserve anything?
Siobhan tosses her cigarette, still lit, into a nearby garbage can, evidently not caring about the smoke rising from it.
Siobhan Mahoney:
I have worked harder than any of you just to be here. I fought back against my own body to get back into the ring, and now that I’m here? I’m taking everything. Including the MENTV Championship, Tiff.
With that, she pushes off the wall and opens the back door, slipping back into the arena.
MENTV Championship Match
Tiffany Lynn Page © VS Siobhan MahoneyTo say that these two don’t see eye to eye might be the understatement of the year. Harsh words were exchanged ever since the MENTV champion was making her way down the ramp. The referee brought them both to the center of the ring and things escalated in the blink of an eye, with the two striking out even before the bell sounded. Siobhan reached up and yanked some of Tiffany’s hair out! The shock stunned the champion, who then got flattened by Mahoney’s Eire Raid (running bicycle knee strike). The challenger then mounted on top of the fallen champion and unleashed a flurry of lefts and rights, calling Tiffany names we rather not repeat. The referee had to almost physically get involved to separate the two after Page managed to grab the bottom rope. Siobhan went right back on the attack, not wanting to waste any time or give Tiffany the opportunity to do it. The champion stuck her upper body out through the ropes and the referee had to ask Siobhan to step back. She reluctantly did as asked, only to lunge in as soon as Page reentered the ring. But the Diva quickly moved back out, only this time Siobhan didn’t stop, clubbing her with a right punch to the jaw and pulling her back in through the ropes. She held her horizontally, her feet leaning on the middle rope and eventually dropped her on her head with a ddt. The Human Disaster quickly made the cover, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep the champ down. Mahoney took advantage of her shaken opponent by whipping her into the ropes and catching her with a big time clothesline on the return with such force that Tiffany nearly did a complete flip. The challenger immediately pulled her back up only to slam her down once again with the Blarney Stoned (sitout facebuster) for another count of two. The closer we got to the fifteen minutes time limit, the more frustrated Siobhan would get every time the champion kicked out. And that inevitably led her to make a mistake and allow Tiffany to take and maintain control. After dropping the Irish on her head with the Alluring brainbuster, the champion performed a cartwheel into a backflip knee drop, a move she perfected and made famous as PAWG. In this case it only gave her a two count, but surely did a lot of damage on the challenger who was seen clutching her ribs. Page noticed it and began to relentlessly stomp at Siobhan, who was writhing and groaning in pain everytime the sole of her foot crushed her ribs. Finally Siobhan rolled under the bottom rope to escape the onslaught, falling on the floor outside. And Tiffany, of course, showed no intention in bringing her back. With less than five minutes to go the champion had no interest in rushing anything, giving her opponent all the time she needed to recover. And when SIobhan entered the ring, she left it. Mahoney began to chase her around the ring, playing right into her hand. Almost a minute passed with them running in, out and around the ring before Siobhan was able to tackle Tiffany to the ground. She had a ten count to beat and the referee reached seven already, but she still decided to slam the champion’s face on the steel steps before rolling her back inside the ring. Page immediately rolled away, trying to exit the ring on the opposite side but Siobhan caught her by the foot and tied her up in the Bogside Knot. Tiffany spent a long twenty seconds in the submission before managing to grab the bottom rope. Siobhan kept the hold for the full five count before letting her go and taking a look at the clock. With less than a minute to go, she thought her best option would be targeting that injured leg with another submission, the Diabhal’s Clutch. Page tried to hang on and fight through the pain, but forty seconds in that lethal submission were too much, and she had to tap out ten seconds away from the time limit that would’ve meant a successful third defense for her. WINNER: Siobhan Mahoney (NEW MENTV CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Diabhal’s Clutch), 14:50 |
Singles Match
Special Referee: Henri Black
Bryan Ford VS Pierce ManningSpecial Referee: Henri Black
Amy Maynard: “And it’s time for our main event of the night, ladies and gentlemen. The Mainstream superstar Bryan Ford is in action against the former Riot champion Pierce Manning.” Sir Figgles: “I see what Moretti did here. He invited a guest, a very accomplished superstar and gave him a worthy opponent. So my question is, why ruin everything with that man?! Amy Maynard: “You mean the special referee Henri Black?” Sir Figgles: “I will not say his name.” Amy Maynard: “What are you, six? But, to answer your question, Bryan answered Henri’s open challenge, and we know they will be fighting at Glory Horizons.” Sir Figgles: “So we’re letting that guy screw him over?” Amy Maynard: “And favor Manning? Yeah, I don’t see that happening…” Henri brought both men to the center of the ring and called for the bell. The two men began to circle and eventually locked up, Pierce gaining the initial advantage as he began to drive Ford toward the corner, but mere moments before his back hit the turnbuckle pads, the second generation wrestler rotated his hips and dropped Manning into the turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Bryan hopped back to his feet, bounced off the opposite corner and delivered a huge knee to the back of the neck. Bryan pulled the opponent to his feet and tried a belly to back suplex, but Pierce grabbed a hold of the top rope, blocking the attempt. Henri was quick to step in and enforce the rules, asking Bryan to step back and let the opponent go. Pierce himself seemed surprised by the alacrity shown by the special referee. Clearly, he didn’t trust him, despite Black’s assurances that he’d call this right in the middle. Pierce looked back at Bryan, going for another lock up. At the last moment he ducked and nailed a couple punches to the mid-section doubling Ford over and wrapping his arms around the head, dropping him on the mat with a neckbreaker. Pierce moved on top of the opponent and attempted a first pinning predicament, but Henri said it was just a two. Sir Figgles: “That count seemed a bit slow to me…” Amy Maynard: “Don’t start..” Sir Figgles: “I won’t be silenced, woman.” Unlike Figgles at commentary, Pierce didn’t complain, he knew there was no reason to. Instead, he focused on his opponent who was just now starting to pull himself up. Manning charged and kicked his head off with a shining wizard, or at least that was his intention. Ford ducked the kick and rolled him over, quickly getting up to his feet to superkick the member of the Triumvirate through the ropes. The Man somehow held onto the ropes and settled on the apron. Ford reached him there and kicked him in the stomach as he stood up, quickly planting him on the apron with a ddt. Pierce used the ring post to get up to his feet, resting against it for a moment to recover. Bryan went back on the attack and landed a couple of chops, missing the third one and hitting the steel post as Manning ducked the blow. The former Rior champion doubled down and slammed Bryan’s hand against the post one more time before entering the ring and starting to viciously stomp at it. Amy Maynard: “He’s going to break his hand!” Sir Figgles: “What the hell is Hen.. that guy doing? Why is he stopping Pierce?” Amy Maynard: “Looks like Ford’s foot is on the rope… Great call by the referee.” Manning seemed annoyed, but once again he had no reason to complain. To continue his punishment, he had to drag Bryan back to the center of the ring, but the Innovator Of Greatness caught him off guard with a cradle and almost got the three. As the two got up to their feet they engaged in a brawl, trading back and forth strikes like there’s no tomorrow. Henri played close attention, warning Pierce when he used a closed fist to rock the opponent but Manning ignored him, immediately wrapping his arms around the opponent’s body for a rotating belly to back suplex. The following pinning predicament gave him another two, and the former Riot champion started to show the first signs of frustration. Picking up Bryan, he tried to set him up for the TBTM, but Ford slipped away and delivered a massive roaring elbow that sent Pierce stumbling into the ropes and rebounding right into an overhead belly to belly from the LA born. Ford showed off his high-flying skills with a moonsault and shooting star press, obtaining two near falls off them. But when he attempted a 450 splash, things didn’t work out too well for him, as he landed on Manning’s knees. Pierce quickly hoisted him up for another TBTM, this time connecting his patented Gory neckbreaker. The Man quickly made the cover for the one, two thre…. NO! Sir Figgles: “I knew it! That was a three Bl.. That Guy is a fraud!” Amy Maynard: “Are you sure? Because looking at the replay, I’m not convinced it was a three..” Pierce, instead, was quite sure that he had the match won, and confronted the Riot champion about it. Henri remained adamant in his decision, but Manning insisted, even coming to tap him on the chest and slightly push him back. Henri kept his cool and didn’t react, actually trying to calm down Pierce. As the argument continued, Bryan had plenty of time to recover and get up to his feet, striking The Man down with the Bford And After. Somehow Pierce dodged it and the devastating bicycle kick hit Black right on the mush, knocking him down. Sir Figgles: “My prayers have been answered! This is grreat!” Amy Maynard: “The referee is down but fear not… Charles is on his way!” Pierce rolled his eyes at the sight of the replacement, despite the last time Charles officiated one of his matches, things worked in his favor. They kept him busy with quick pinning predicaments and counters. At the end of the sequence, Bryan lifted Pierce on his shoulders and dropped him on his knee for the Sudden Silence, hooking the leg for the cover. Ford couldn’t believe his eyes when Charles said it was only a two. Pierce looked dazed, standing up against the corner trying to catch his breath. But when Bryan charged in, he countered it with an elbow to the face. Ford spun around and was hit by a lariat to the back of the neck. Manning made another cover and… Got the three? That’s what Charles said as he popped up to his feet and called for the bell… But Henti stopped him! Amy Maynard: “What’s going on?” Sir FIggles: “Oh nothing… Just That Guy once again acting like a primadonna and reversing the decision of the referee.” Amy Maynard: “Yeah but.. Technically he is the referee..” Sir Figgles: “Was, then he got knocked out.” Amy Maynard: “Well, so did Charles, apparently.” The argument between the two officials ended with Henri flattening the poor Charles with the Black Diamond. Pierce was livid, yelling what the hell he was doing and getting a Black Diamond as well for his troubles. Even Ford who didn’t do anything to deserve it got one. The two competitors were down, Henri shrugged his shoulders and dragged Bryan close to Pierce, putting his arm over the opponent motionless body. He did the same with Manning’s arm, and then started to count a double pinfall. WINNER: Draw BY: Double Pinfall, 21:43 |