Post by gvb on Oct 8, 2021 10:17:01 GMT -6
Millennium LXXXIX
Live from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI
Wednesday, October 6th, 2021
Everything comes into focus and as it does we are taken to the backstage area. It is there where we are able to see Crystal Zdunich standing in front of a camera. She just offers a long drawn out sigh as her eyes look deeply into that of the camera.
Crystal Zdunich:
Honestly I have a lot on my mind right now. When everyone saw me competing last I was involved in a match in which if I lost I could never compete for the Cloud Gate Championship for a year. Faith ended up getting the better of me and now I am forced to step away from that and focus on other things. I truly don’t know how to feel because it feels like I have done everything in my power to pursue after that title and I really haven’t had any luck.
Crystal just shakes her head shrugging her shoulders as she begins to speak more passionately.
Crystal Zdunich:
Hell to be honest I could say I really haven’t had ANY luck in MWE. I haven’t won any sort of championship and everybody seems to think that I am just one big joke. It really is sickening because I know I am so much better than what people think. I am good and I just have to finally get over that hump so I can prove myself as being as good as I know I am.
Crystal looks deeper into the camera as she has a confident expression on her face.
Crystal Zdunich:
Kyle Butler is a hell of an athlete and I know he is going to be as tough as they come. However he has something I want badly. He has the Lock Down Championship and I plan to do whatever it takes to get a hold of it. Golden Era rules might be tough but if there is somebody who could go about proving the masses wrong and winning the title you can bet it is me! You need to understand that I totally want this!
Crystal looks right into the camera.
Crystal Zdunich:
I absolutely need this! Everybody seems to think that I don’t have it anymore, that I am washed up or if they see my name on a card that I plan to be easy pickings, that comment couldn’t be any further from the truth and I am going to show why as soon as the bell rings. Whether you wish to boo me or you actually believe in me. Let it be known that I am going to be firing at all cylinders. I refuse to get embarrassed again. I refuse to end up on the losing side of things, and I will find my place in the ring. So bring it Kyle… Bring everything you got I will still find a way to keep on fighting. This rose will always blossom…
Crystal is very passionate as she stares into the camera and walks away.
The scene opens backstage. Kyle Butler can be seen with the MWE Lockdown Championship wrapped around his waist. The Milwaukee crowd gave him a loud standing ovation. This brings a smile to his face.
Kyle Butler:
I know its tradition for a new champion to give you a speech about how much it means for him or her to be champion. Announce their upcoming domination, etc, etc, etc. I’ll keep it short, you didn’t come here to hear me talk. Thanks to everyone who believed in me. Thanks to everyone who had faith in me when I lost faith in myself. I appreciate the support. As long as I am champion I promise pro wrestling will be at the forefront.
The crowd cheers. Kyle nods in appreciation.
Kyle Butler:
So I should probably explain what Golden Era Rules are...
Kyle says with a smirk.
Kyle Butler:
As everybody knows by now I am a traditionalist. I prefer to keep the action on the mat. Over the years professional wrestling has, in some peoples minds; evolved. Not going to deny watching the athleticism from some of my peers isn’t easy on the eyes. Anything to keep the crowd more engaged is a great thing for this sport. BUT what gets lost in all the high flying and the flash is a lack of depth. Fundamentals have gone by the waste side. A lack of appreciation for the art form that is professional wrestling doesn’t get highlighted in favor of the most eye popping displays of athleticism. For anyone who is gonna step up to the plate to take this championship from me--
Kyle pats the Lockdown Championship around his waist.
Kyle Butler:
-- will have to rely on their mat based skills to get ahead. As long as I am champion, wrestling will be the focus. Golden Era rules is a modification of Pure Rules. 20 count on the outside. Allowed three rope breaks. No closed fist to the face. Your standard fare with one major difference, all top rope moves are illegal. You can’t go up to the top rope to perform a moonsault. Sentons. 450’s... the highlight reel worthy stuff. If you perform a move from the top rope, you’re disqualified. We are going to keep the action on the mat at all times.
The Milwaukee crowd claps. Kyle continues.
Kyle Butler:
Christina, I welcome the challenge. You may not have the best luck in MWE these days, lucky for you, I underestimate no one. I have chased singles gold for so long I refuse to get too cocky. Wrestle like a woman possessed. Bring your trademark fiery attitude... at the end of the day, I am going to ROLL TIDE all over that ass, baybeeeeeeeeeee!
Kyle smirks.
Kyle Butler:
I’m the best wrestler on the planet. Try to keep up.
Kyle winks as the scene fades.
Lockdown Championship Match
Golden Era Rules
Kyle Butler © VS Crystal ZdunichGolden Era Rules
The first Millennium back after the summer break, after the rosters unification kicked off things in style with a title match. New Lockdown champion, new set of rules for the set of defenses Kyle Butler will be involved in. A very interesting one, actually, creating a literal “no fly zone” inside the ring that will clearly affect one’s strategy, especially those who, like Crystal, implemented aerial assaults in their arsenal. The bell sounded and Butler immediately moved in and grabbed Crystal’s leg, taking the woman down. He showcased his technical ability with a three minute long display of holds and throws. Zdunich was clearly off her game tonight, making you wonder if the stipulation and the implications another loss tonight could have in her career were affecting her. With the Cloud Gate championship being foreclosed to her for a whole year due to the stipulation of her match against Faith Savell, another loss tonight could close the door to the Lockdown championship as well and make management think twice before giving her another title opportunity. In desperate need to get an opening and turn things around, Crystal bent a rule or two to get herself that little edge that allowed her to rock Kyle with an enziguri kick. She was in a sort of a hot streak for the next couple of minutes, obtaining a near fall with her Smell The Roses handspring standing moonsault but Butler kicked out in two. She charged him and went for a headscissors but the Lockdown champion blocked the attempt and powerbombed her into the canvas. She arched her back in pain, her hand reaching behind her sore back. Butler doubled down the dose with a backbreaker and then put her in a bow and arrow submission. Much like the first part of the match, the second half saw Kyle dominating for long periods with the occasional comeback from Zdunich. One of those saw the challenger stringing together a good set of offense, quick kicks that backed the champ into the corner. Crystal persisted with a flurry of knee strikes, only stopping when the referee physically pushed her away from the opponent, giving Kyle a small break. As he stumbled out of the corner to grapple with the challenger, Crystal knocked him down with the Flashing Lights (chick kick). Perhaps it was the heat of the moment, or just the force of habit but Crystal forgot about the Golden Era rules and climbed to the top rope for her Mega Buster. The referee promptly stepped between her and Kyle who was just getting up to his feet, telling her to step down and that any top rope move will result in an instant disqualification. Before Crystal could act according to the rules, Butler hit the ropes causing her to lose balance and ruinously fall inside the ring. He wasted no time and picked her up, applying a headlock and spiking her into the canvas with the Rooooooooooooooooooolllll TIDE!! First defense was on the book for Kyle, but the main thing that emerged from this match where his success had never really been questioned was that the champion WINNER: Kyle Butler (STILL MENTV CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Rooooooooooooooooooolllll TIDE!!), 12:11 |
Best Shot by Mountains vs Machines starts playing throughout the arena as Joey steps out onto the stage area in casual attire just a white tee shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers as he looks around the arena at the crowd with a conflicted look on his face as he appears to have something on his mind as he makes his way down the ramp to ringside grabbing a microphone from the steel steps as he wakes his way up them, and enters the ring under the top rope coming directly into the center staring straight into the hard cam.
Joey Leclair :
I am at a literal loss for words right now.
Joey takes a deep anxious breath trying to soothe his nerves.
Joey Leclair :
I understand that every single one of you is probably confused because you know me I am never one to stumble over my words or know not what to say, because I love to talk, and so I understand your confusion. But what you need to understand is that at the end of last season before the scheduled summer break for us occurred, that I fell into a deep depression, a place of hopelessness, and defeat because I came to realize that it doesn’t matter how hard I train, how good of a wrestler I am, or how charismatic I am on the microphone, because at the end of the day the story remains the same all throughout my career, and that is the fact I always fall short.
Joey taps his foot due to being uncomfortable being personal, and admitting his shortcomings for everyone to see.
Joey Leclair :
I was sitting at home going through my head trying to figure out why I keep failing time, and time again. Is it because I am not good enough to hang in this business anymore? Should I retire? Maybe it’s because I keep fantasizing over the past when I won my first world championship, and was having the time of my life, but if that is the case then Henri Black is right when he told me to let go of the past, and just like that I something happened that shook me to my core.
Joey sits down in the center of the ring, and crosses his legs.
Joey Leclair :
I was sitting at home watching Glory Horizons when Helena Noir’s match came on, and at first stuck in my ways I was like this is going to be a quick meaningless match, but then I was proven wrong! It was one hell of a match, and by the end of it I found myself on the edge of the seat glued to the television. And not even because I was enjoying the match, but because I saw my role model, the person I respected the most putting on one hell of a performance. And then I realized I was wrong the whole time about Helena, and regretted every disrespecting word I said to her when I first started here. You must understand a little bit of the past before you can understand what I am about to say, and so I implore you guys to bear with me as I tell you a story.
I once went into retirement and was satisfied being retired until an old acquaintance whom I will call Rosario called me, and said hey you should come out of retirement, I have met some cool people and formed a faction called the Revenants. And he proceeded to send me a tape of some of their matches, and I fell back in love with wrestling, and agreed to lace up my boots once more, and thus I came out of retirement with one goal in mind, and that was to face Helena Noir, because out of all the Revenants? She was the one who intrigued me the most, because she was cool, and badass. I adopted a nickname called The Rev Hunter just in hopes of speeding up the process of facing her, but sure enough she left the company I was in, and so I took my bitterness out on Henri Black, and did so through several companies, and each time I came closer, and closer to beating him, but always falling short! I adopted the Death Dealer Gimmick as an attempt to be like Helena Noir who was known as the Queen of Pain, and then I ended up In Millennium, and started hurting people for fun only to be confronted by Helena Noir begging me to stop”
Joey pauses for a moment collecting his thoughts.
Joey Leclair :
So you can probably imagine my confusion, because in my eyes I was thinking what is Helena doing, what was the queen of pain doing? She once set an opponent on fire in the middle of the ring, and found joy in it for the love of god! So why is she begging me to stop hurting people, and also why is she even out here acting like we are friends when we have honestly never met face to face?! So hell yes I was angry, and after hearing her say that the Queen of Pain is dead, I of course called her soft, and vowed to bring that version back, and I did to an extent until we faced each other, because honest to god she was giving me the ass whooping of a lifetime until the the end when she was preparing to end me... She paused.
And while that confused me, I wasn’t going to waste the chance, and so i pulled the trigger, and beat Helena Noir, and that pushed my career forward for awhile, because I was riding a fake high, a fake high that I proved Henri Black wrong, and beat Helena Noir when he said I didn’t have the chance! I say fake high, because I was riding a wave of confidence that I created over a lie, and I say it’s a lie, because I never should have won that match, and looking back now I realize that to this day it is eating me alive wondering why Helena hesitated at that moment in time, and one day I will ask her face to face, but for now Helena? Let me tell you what conclusion I have come to. I think you hesitated, because you knew what that match meant to me, and that beating me would not solve the problem but send me spirling even farther into my depression. I am probably completely wrong, but until I hear from you yourself? This is what I am going to take it as, and so I want to say I am sorry Helena, and also thank you…. Thank you because that little rub now that I look back made me realize something.. You sacrificed so that I could move forward, and no one, and I mean no one besides my wife whom I have pushed away has shown any sort of caring or sympathy towards me, and for that I will be forever grateful, and maybe just maybe if some asshole didn’t force you into retirement? Maybe we could have become friends, and so thank you Helena for everything you have done in this business, and I hope you have a happy retirement.”
Joey uncrosses his legs, and stands to his feet wiping a tear from his right eye with his left hand.
Joey Leclair :
Now that I have addressed my past, and present? Let’s talk about the future shall we? I already mentioned Helena’s match at Glory Horizons and went through a whole sappy story, but that match inspired me, and in that short moment when I was no longer depressed? I realized that life will always be hard, and that I will fail time, and time again, but its how I react to those failures that will determine my future, because If I react like I have been by getting frustrated, and defeated? Then I will continue to stay at the bottom, but If I use defeat to improve my weaknesses, and become stronger, and smarter? Then I will succeed, and It does not matter how good you are, or you think you are, because if someone knocks at your door, who has heart? Then they won’t stop, and won't give up, and will continue to push and push until they overcome even the greatest obstacles, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am full of heart! With that being said! My mission remains true, I won’t until I become Millennium World Champion, and even if I fail? I will get back up stronger, and faster every single time until I achieve my goal. I am Joey Leclair, your future world champion, and you can take that to the bank.
Joey flips the microphone, and leaves the ring heading to the back as his music plays.
Singles Match
Nine van der Hoek VS LunaNine was waiting inside the ring, ready to take on the Star Of The Night. "All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar blasted out of the loudspeakers and out came the former Lockdown champion... Dressed in her civil clothes? With her bodyguard West Long by her side, Luna brought the microphone one of her assistants handed over and began to speak. She kept her speech short, going straight to the obvious point. She won't be wrestling tonight. She doubled down saying that she will no longer compete against anyone who got a rate lower than 7 on her weekly roster evaluation and that Nine, despite her name, is a 6 at best. What did that mean, or what are the parameters for this ratings, no man can say. Luna turned on her heels and left the stage, followed by her entourage. Nine tried to chase her but the referee stopped her, declaring her as the winner of this match. WINNER: Nine van der Hoek BY: Forfeit, 0:00 |
Backstage in a darkened part of the arena we find “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter. The monster is dressed nicely in an all black suit.
Clyde Sutter:
Mr. Edwards seems to have an obsession with yours truly. Apparently he took what I did to him personally.
Sutter shakes his head.
Clyde Sutter:
Don’t take it personally, Mr. Edwards. It’s just business. Tiffany Page paid good money for something I would have eventually gotten around to doing to you for free anyway. That includes Page. When her money runs dry, or when there’s simply no one else left, I’ll break her too. None of this is personal for me. It’s just me doing what I enjoy doing and what I do better than anyone else...hurt people.
He points at the camera.
Clyde Sutter:
But you’re begging for a shot at me. You basically said that you would beat up everyone that management put across the ring from you until you got your match against me. Now I wonder if that means I’m indirectly hurting them as well?
He chuckles.
Clyde Sutter:
That’s the thing. I’m in your head. You are so enraged at me that you are seeing red, you are destroying anyone and anything in sight just to get to me. You know what that means? I took your soul, your humanity. Now eventually you will get your wish. You will get the match you crave. All I ask is that you bring your absolute worst, your most vile and evil of intentions. Because when I do break you for a second and permanent time, I want to say I broke you when you were at your inhuman worst.
Tag Team Match
Tribe Called Conquest (Dante Cutler & Commas Oxford) VS Dustin Douglas & Alan Envy
Big tag match this one, involving the former Lockdown Champion and the finalist of the Battle For The Briefcase tournament against Dante Cutler and Commas Oxford of the Tribe Called Conquest. The British duo started off strong showing great chemistry in their attacks. Alan, perhaps still not at 100% after the brutal three stages of hell match at Glory Horizons, seemed already on the ropes, slowly crumbling under the Tribe’s coordinated attacks. Chantelle pretty much yelling in his ears from ringside surely didn’t help his case, keeping him from focusing and making it impossible to hear Dustin’s advice and encouragement from across the ring. So the Murder Train had to take the matters in hand and enter the ring, literally running over Dante with a massive shoulder tackle. Oxford looked to avenge The Chief and entered the ring to face the Big Nasty. The two of them began trading hard blows, absolutely ignoring the referee’s demand that they would leave the ring so that the match could continue with the legal men. And eventually the legal men recovered and joined the fight, making this a four men all out brawl. The ref looked desperate, the fans on the other hand were loving it, especially the part where Dustin and Alan respectively lifted Commas and Cutler in a gorilla press slam and threw them over the top rope on opposite sides of the ring. With everyone on their feet cheering, Dusty and Alan took a moment to celebrate, cut short by Chantell jumping on the apron to yell something most people didn’t understand at them. Clearly the only reason why she did it was to draw attention to her so that her buddies could sneak back in behind the two men’s backs and club them with a big forearm strike. Oxford then tossed Douglas out of the ring and, along with Dante, tried a double suplex on Envy. But the Lonestar, infused with the strength of God or something, was able not only to block it but to lift both opponents for an impressive double suplex, using the opening to tag Dusty in. The Murder Train seemed to be rolling through the Tribe almost effortlessly. Douglas proved through time that he is one of the major players in MWE by winning the Sandstorm Tournament last year and dominating over the Lockdown division for four months equalling the record for most defenses in half the time as Bobbi Jackson, but the way he was dominating the ring tonight was a sight to behold, more so when he did it over an accomplished former World Champion like Dante Cutler. Sure, the size was surely giving him a clear advantage, but it was the determination behind every strike, the way his eyes were burning every time he lifted the opponent to violently slam them on the mat that was impressive, and somewhat scary. Eventually Cutler was able to surprise him, countering a powerbomb attempt with a hurricanrana. He and Commas then went back to their original game plan, cutting the ring in half with quick tags and keeping Douglas on the wrong side of town. Both contributed to wear down the Murder Train but it was Dante’s Liquid Swords that knocked the Murder Train down for a long count of two. And if Alan didn’t break it up, it might just have been a full three. The match continued, both competitors tagged out and it was down to Alan and Commas in the end. But just because they were no longer inside the ring, doesn’t mean that they stopped fighting. All it took was a spark, Dusty coming in a millisecond too late and failing to stop Dante from jumping on Alan who was making the cover on Commas after hitting him with the pop-up death valley driver. Despite being late, Dusty still hit Dante, they got up and began to fight, the brawl spilled on the outside and the two of them kept trading strikes while the match inside the ring continued. Alan seemed ready to plant Oxford with the Envious Demise but he got distracted by his partner missing a spear and crushing through the barricade. That was enough for Commas to roll Envy up with a cradle and scoring the three count. WINNER: Tribe Called Conquest BY: Pinfall (Inside Cradle), 14:22 |
James Edwards paces in the parking lot.
James Edwards:
This company don't make a hell of a lot of sense, does it?
He rolls his eyes.
James Edwards:
They know I hate this show, so they book me on it. They know the only fight I want is with Sutter so they give me someone else. That doesn't make a bit of sense.
He stops and cracks a sarcastic smile.
James Edwards:
Let me tell you what does makes sense. Give me the fight I want. Keep putting the wrong people across from me and I promise they won't be in fightin" shape for a long damn time. Now get outta here I'm tired of talkin'.
He pie faces the camera lense.
Backstage the cameras catch up with “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock. The blonde beauty is dressed in a royal purple skirt suit with matching high heels. A confident grin is upon her lovely face.
Glory Braddock:
Did poor Charlie have an owie for the second straight show in a row? Heh, serves the wanker right. He’s corrupt, incompetent, and I warned him that if he kept screwing up and screwing people over, then I’d keep on messing with him. Maybe the bloke is smart enough to get the message now. Now if he’s smart he’d take my next bit of advice and get a new job. Run for the hills. I may play a joke or two to humiliate him but after what he did to Henri Black, well, I don’t think Henri is in the joking mood. He will take your damn head off, Charles. So take my advice and run away while you still can, mate.
Braddock chuckles.
Glory Braddock:
I love Pierce Manning acting all indignant about what I’ve been doing to Charles. Bloody hell! Get real, mate! You don’t give a damn about anything or anyone but your own damn self and you definitely don’t care about the tradition and dignity of professional wrestling. See, that’s why I started the Glorious Golden Era in the first place. I wanted a collection of like minded individuals to help me preserve professional wrestling from the crooks, the monsters, and the tyrants. People like you, The Eldons, the list goes on and on.
The British Bombshell nods her head.
Glory Braddock:
Kyle Butler is a champion. Neil and Sophie would be Tag Champions right now were it not for some pathetic twats without enough talent to cleanly defend their belts without help. That last bit will soon be remedied. And as for me?
She makes the belt motion around her waist.
Glory Braddock:
It has been far too long since I’ve held singles gold. So this serves as a warning to all singles champions, from the bottom to the top, I am coming. There isn’t anything you can do about it. Sic semper tyrannis.
Singles Match
James Edwards VS Faith SavellIn his Millennium debut James Edwards faced off against the new Cloud Gate champion Faith Savell. Despite the controversy surrounding her win at When The Sun Goes Down, with her boyfriend Olly interfering in the end to help her get the win over Lowri Moss, Faith went toe to toe with one of the best performers in the business for twenty minutes, quite impressive for someone who just graduated from The Academy. Another huge match for the Valedictorian, another chance to put her ability to test against a former world champion and, now that the brand split is just a memory, a potential opponent for the title she’s holding as well. James Edwards tried to keep focus on the young woman he was in the ring with, but it was clear that he was expecting Clyde Sutter to pay him a visit at any moment. Savell wasn’t one to let this opportunity slip through her fingers and took the distracted James down on the canvas with a drop toe hold, floating right into one of her trademark submissions. It was quickly clear to her though that she may need a different approach, since James' strength and his experience always allowed him to escape them easily, sometimes even before she could fully lock them in. Changing strategy, she switched to direct strikes, using those long legs of hers to hit Edwards from a safe distance. This wasn’t her bread and butter, soon her attacks became predictable and easy to counter for the Burning Heart. He took her down with a dragon screw leg whip and proceeded to “blunt her weapons” so to speak with some kicks to the hamstring looking to weaken her leg. After that he went for a simple but effective leg lock, forcing Faith to crawl to the ropes for a break. James let go almost immediately and the two locked horns in the middle of the ring. It was the former MENTV champion who came out on top and tossed Faith around with a saito suplex. The match continued, the momentum going constantly back and forth between the two competitors. James knew what a win tonight could mean and despite his main focus had to be on Sutter, earning himself a title shot in the process was something that certainly couldn’t hurt. Faith, on the other hand, wanted to prove the doubters that despite the help received in the title match, she was a worthy champion, one that could hang with the best of them. Unable to rely on submissions and suplexes, and with her right leg slightly injured by James’ work in the ten minutes the match had been going on for, she had to be more creative, and that implied using the ring as a weapon. With a low dropkick she sent James on the middle rope where she could easily choke him on the ropes by simply pressing her knee to the back of his neck. Another wise use of the surroundings saw her sending the opponent shoulder first into the knee post and put him into an armbar. Edwards winced in pain and tried to power out of it, but Faith wasn’t giving him much room to maneuver. His best option then became reaching the ropes, which he did breaking up the submission successfully. He got very close to the three with a butterfly brainbuster, Savell knocked him down with a jumping knee and flattened him with a shining wizard, but James kicked out once again. And eventually here he came, Clyde Sutter appeared on the stage ironically applauding James after he caught Faith with the Triple Play. Edwards invited him to fight him and Sutter didn’t let him ask twice, charging to the ring. In all this Faith quickly surprised the opponent with a school boy pin, picking up the win. Not that James looked too mad about it, immediately turning to fight Sutter until the security pulled them apart. WINNER: Faith Savell BY: Pinfall (school boy), 12:31 |
As the attention of the camera switches elsewhere, Paisley Dawn is shown standing somewhere backstage, microphone in hand.
Paisley Dawn:
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… Lowri Moss!
The camera pans out, and the audience responds with a cheer, as the popular young woman from South Wales comes into view. Ahead of her upcoming match, Lowri is already dressed in her ring attire, together with one of her Irish Whip Clothing branded t-shirts and a backwards snapback.
Paisley Dawn:
Lowri, we’re now three weeks removed from When The Sun Goes Down, a show that saw your reign as Cloud Gate Champion come to an end in… controversial fashion, to say the least. Having had the better part of a month to reflect on it all, how are you feeling now about what happened that night?
Lowri Moss:
At the time, Paisley, in the immediate aftermath, I… given the circumstances of how I lost the title, I was tamping.
As they say in Wales.
Lowri Moss:
After I beat Melissa Reeves in a two out of three falls match to win the Cloud Gate title, I worked hard to be a champion that the fans and that the promotion could be proud of-- I worked hard to be a worthy successor to Melissa, to Anastasia Starling, and to Tiff Rollins. I carried the title with pride for seven months, defending it against all challengers, issuing open challenges, but then in one moment, through no fault of my own, it was taken away from me, and so to say that I wasn’t happy about it would be an understatement.
A sigh escapes her lips.
Lowri Moss:
Melissa told me afterwards that it sucked to see what happened to me, but as I said to her, it’s not the first time that I've been on the wrong end of some shithousery in a title match, not even the first time within the past twelve months, and it probably won’t be the last time either-- not that that made it any easier to accept. Like you said though, Paisley, we’re three weeks on from that show, and so whatever anger that I felt at the time has long since passed-- in fact, I think it had passed within twenty-four hours. Now I’m just reminded of something else that Melissa said, back in February, the day after our aforementioned match at Domino Effect.
Paisley Dawn:
What was that?
Lowri Moss:
That she may have lost, but that her pride was intact-- the circumstances of how we each lost the Cloud Gate title were very different, but I think that’s very much a shared sentiment.
Paisley Dawn:
We’ll discuss your upcoming match shortly, but before we talk about that I want to ask you, what’s next for you after tonight - will you be seeking a rematch for the Cloud Gate title?
Lowri responds with a shake of her head.
Lowri Moss:
I'm not interested in a rematch, Paisley. If you look at what I’ve accomplished in my career to date, all the titles that I’ve held, I’ve never been one to go after a rematch - once I’ve lost a title I’ve always preferred to move forward, on to something else. The sole exception was the Legión del HELL Championship, three years ago, but even then it was more my partners that wanted us to have a return match, rather than me. And who knows, maybe somewhere down the line, a year or two from now, or possibly longer, I could find myself fighting for the Cloud Gate title again, but for now at least, I think it's time for me to move on from that title.
Paisley Dawn:
If not a rematch for the Cloud Gate title then, what is next for you?
Lowri Moss:
The way I see it, Paisley, I’ve got more than a few options; perhaps I’ll find myself a tag partner, and after the role that he played in ending my reign as Cloud Gate Champion, we’ll try to win the tag titles from Olly and Karen Eldon.
A smirk crosses her face.
Lowri Moss:
Given the record-breaking success I’ve had in the not-too-distant past as part of a tag team, if I was to get myself a partner here in MWE, that should definitely be cause for concern for our current champions. In all seriousness though, I’m not really thinking about any championship right now. Instead, Paisley, if you think back to the beginning of the year, when I had the choice to sign with either Millennium or Riot, I said that whichever brand I signed with would enable me to renew acquaintances with some past opponents, while also giving me plenty of potential opportunities for some never-before-seen matchups; during my time as Cloud Gate Champion, I had matches that fell in both of those categories, and now, particularly with the merging of the two rosters, I simply want to have more of them.
Paisley Dawn:
On that subject, what was your reaction to the announcement that was made at When The Sun Goes Down, that the brand split was being dissolved?
Lowri Moss:
It caught me a bit by surprise, but if it’s what is believed to be best for the future of the promotion, then I fully support the decision. Plus, it does open up the possibility for me to now have matches with a whole host of members of the roster who you wouldn’t previously have had any chance of seeing me inside an MWE ring with.
Paisley Dawn:
Is there anyone in particular, either someone who was formerly part of the Millennium roster, or someone who was part of the Riot roster, that you would like to face?
Lowri nods her head.
Lowri Moss:
There is one person in particular that I would like to have a match with, yes.
Paisley Dawn:
Can I ask who?
Lowri gives a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders.
Lowri Moss:
It’s someone who I’ve wrestled previously… although not here in MWE.
Paisley thinks for a moment as to who that could potentially be, before coming up with a name.
Paisley Dawn:
Seth Iser?
Now Lowri shakes her head.
Lowri Moss:
No, it’s not Seth-- I would like to have another match with him at some point, eventually, but no, it’s not him that I have in mind.
She lets out a slight sigh.
Lowri Moss:
I’m not going to give you a name-- sorry, Paisley-- as I think I would prefer to leave people wondering; all I’ll say is that if he is watching, then he should know who he is.
Paisley Dawn:
Okay, well, moving on to your upcoming match, you’re going to be facing one half of the MWE Tag Team Champions, Olly, who as you already alluded to, was a significant factor in your reign as Cloud Gate Champion being ended, so with that in mind, is it safe to say that you’re relishing having the chance to set foot in the ring with him here tonight?
Lowri Moss:
Very much so, Paisley. After what happened at When The Sun Goes Down, I tweeted that I was going to get my pound of flesh, so I’m grateful to Elsa McCarthy for giving me the opportunity to do just that, and I’m going to do my best to make Olly regret having interjected himself into my match with Faith Savell.
Lowri puts her hands on her hips.
Lowri Moss:
You know something, Paisley, I do wonder how Faith feels about what her boyfriend did. It doesn’t say a lot for Olly’s confidence in her ability that he felt that he had to interfere to help her win-- I know if I was in Faith’s shoes, I would be insulted by that.
Paisley Dawn:
I know you said you want to move on from the Cloud Gate title, but I feel I have to ask, if Olly hadn’t interfered in your match with Faith, do you believe that you would still be the champion?
Once more there is a nod of the head from Lowri.
Lowri Moss:
Absolutely. I mean, Faith is no slouch in the ring, she was the Academy's Valedictorian after all-- but she's no Lowri Moss. So if Olly hadn’t interfered, then yes, I believe that I would be standing here with the Cloud Gate title still in my possession, either over my shoulder or around my waist.
She shrugs, as she continues.
Lowri Moss:
But again, I’m not really thinking about that now, nor I have spent much time thinking about it since the card for tonight was revealed-- all I’ve been thinking about is how I’m going to approach this match, and what I’m going to do to Olly once he and I are in the ring together; should I drop him on his head with a Nos Da? Maybe I should put my foot through his skull with a superkick. Then though, I had another idea, thanks to, of all people, Karen Eldon.
Paisley is visibly surprised by that last part, and repeats the name, as if to be sure that she heard Lowri correctly.
Paisley Dawn:
Karen Eldon?
Lowri Moss:
Yup. Yesterday, Karen sent out a tweet that read, “I know Olly will destroy Lowri Moss.”
Lowri turns to look directly at the camera.
Lowri Moss:
Well, Karen, I can promise you that someone is going to get destroyed tonight-- but it certainly won’t be me.
Grinning, Lowri looks back to Paisley and gives her a wink, before she then takes her leave, as the camera cuts away.
Singles Match
Lowri Moss VS OllyLowri didn’t hide her intentions on the eve of this match. She came here to get some payback on the young man who physically interfered in her title match against Faith back in September, helping the Valedictorian to take the Cloud Gate championship from her. Olly didn’t look intimidated by the Welsh’ vengeful intentions. Oozing confidence as always, Oliver taunted Moss, asking her if she really thinks this was going to end differently from her match against Savell. Did he have some interference planned out? Was this a threat or just mind games? Lowri shrugged it off and hit Olly with a quick jab as soon as the bell rang. The Academy graduate learned immediately why Lowri Moss is considered one of the best strikers in the business, finding himself on the receiving end of those lethal kicks. Lowri floored him on several occasions, but he stubbornly kept getting up only to get kicked down again. Eventually Olly crawled in the corner, using the ropes to get up. Lowri went to grab him but he stretched his torso out of the ring asking and obtaining a break: Lowri was backing down and Olly quickly poked her in the eye, without caring to hide the illegal action from the ref’s sight. And while the official was reprimanding him, Olly blasted the former Cloud Gate champion with a bicycle knee strike, knocking the woman down. Though his technique was not as clean as Lowri’s, Olly’s strikes were equally as effective, putting Moss in a tough spot. Lowri was stuck in the corner with her opponent on the middle rope raining down punches to her face. A total of ten, completing the sequence he calls The Salute with a blatant closed fist right between Lowri’s eyes. And when the official called him out on his actions, he laughed in his face. There was hardly any trick Olly didn’t try to maintain the advantage on Moss, but eventually the experience gap and the unquestionable talent swung the momentum back in Lowri’s favor. She avoided his spear attempt with a leapfrog, kicking him in the stomach with a reverse side kick as he charged at her again. A second kick hit him on the chest, bringing him back to a vertical position. A third one, a beautiful roundhouse, impacted with the side of his head and knocked him down. The former champion was in control, attacking Olly with some of her trademark moves such as the Just For Kicks (running big boot to the cornered opponent followed by a running facewash) and the inverted ddt. But the former Academy student proved once again to be extremely resourceful, surprising the Welsh with a sudden headbutt and dropping her on her knee with a low kick to the leg. He took a run to the ropes and blasted him with the Random Act Of Violence running knee to the back of the head, and almost scored the upset win with it. The final moments of the match saw the two going back and forth in an intense exchange that saw Lowri coming out on top and making the best of the small window of opportunity she just created to strike Olly down with her Breuddwydion Melus (superkick). The young man went down, the fans started cheering knowing that they were three seconds away from celebrating another win from Moss, but the former Cloud Gate champion was not done yet. Her thirst for payback was only quenched after she dropped Olly on his head with the Welsh Destroyer. WINNER: Lowri Moss BY: Pinfall (Welsh Destroyer), 18:03 |
”I’m Bad” by LL Cool J plays in the Fiserv Forum. BROOKFORD walks out onto the ramp wearing his wrestling gear. He has a microphone and is carrying the briefcase he won Glory Horizons. He places the briefcase down beside him. He doesn’t take his eyes off the ring.
BROOKFORD:
Hey Duke. How’s it going?
BROOKFORD pauses for a matter of moments. He doesn’t smirk or smile. A simple exhale before continuing along with what he wants to say.
BROOKFORD:
I appreciate all the kind words you said to me at When The Sun Goes Down. I get it, after what Seth pulled to steal the World Championship from your grasp the last time, a little paranoia is a healthy thing. It would blow to have the World Championship ripped from your grasp a second time because of a briefcase. Fair play. Who’s to say I am going to be the one who takes it from you? I do have the power to book any match I want.
Now a smirk forms on BROOKFORD’s face. The crowd goes with anticipation wondering what he means.
BROOKFORD:
IF anyone on the roster paid me enough money, would I happily give them an opportunity to rip the World Championship off your waist at the most opportune moment? Hey Dustin, how much money are you willing to pay for a World Championship match right now? Big meaty men slapping meat all that jazz.
BROOKFORD chuckles.
BROOKFORD:
I doubt you are the type of man to pay good cash for a championship opportunity. You’re the Murder Train damn it. You don’t need to slip some money under the table to get a shot at Duke... or did you already? Is that the reason I’m out here? Milwaukee should I announce Dustin Douglas vs Duke Andrews for the World Championship right now?
The crowd cheers at the possibility of a showdown between two meaty men slapping meat. BROOKFORD doesn’t allow the tease to sink in long enough before he shakes his head.
BROOKFORD:
Gotta admit that would be awesome.
BUT anyway, I didn’t go through an entire tournament and go through three death matches in one night to hand someone else an opportunity. You couldn’t pay me enough money. What I value just as much as money is honor. Duke, you got me all wrong. I am not waiting for the opportune moment to use my power to strip you of the World Championship when you least expect it. Unlike most of the people back there, I actually like you. You beat me at Sic Hunt Leons, fairly, no disputes. The proper way for me to pay you back for that is to beat you, straight up without any controversy. I know what it feels like to have someone use nefarious means to cheat me out of what I wanted. Namely the time Seth screwed me when I had Megan dead to rights. And that one guy who cut off the lights, attacking me, giving Megan another means of escape. Rest your head Duke, I am not going to blindside you to take that.
BROOKFORD points at the World Championship.
BROOKFORD:
I might not even cash in on you at all. You made it clear you have PTSD when it comes to the briefcase. Plus, you earned the right to enjoy your reign without the spectator of me hovering around. Summer Hits was fun, I won’t make a habit out of it. So enjoy your reign Duke, you don’t need to worry about me BUT... I am aware there is a ticking clock on when I can use the briefcase. Should the expiration date draw near, I’ll be left with no other choice. Until then Duke, have fun showing the world what a perfect specimen you are. Either way, the only thing inevitable is the World Championship comes home to me. Just a matter of when.
”I’m Bad” by LL Cool J plays again. BROOKFORD drops the mic. He picks up his briefcase and walks to the back.
We come back to the ring to find the MWE Intercontinental champion standing in the ring, the championship shining brightly around his waist.
Matt Stone:
Hello MILWAUKEE! As I’m sure all of you are well aware I am the best wrestler here in Millennium and you’re all about to witness that very greatness in just a ew moments but first I have something I need to get off my chest. You all love Twitter, right? It’s great, of course, but the bad thing about it is that it gives everyone access to everyone in one way or another and as of late I’ve been the victim of a smear campaign and I don’t mean by the company account telling people to boo me…
He’s interrupted by, of course, the audience booing him and he rolls his eyes.
Matt Stone:
It’s my birthday damn it! Don’t boo me, you people wouldn’t know quality if it slapped you in the face! What do you even have? Mediocre cheese? Piss-poor beer? I can’t wait to pull an Aaron Rogers and walk out of this shitty state.
That brought more boos but Stone moves passed it to get to his primary point.
Matt Stone:
That’s what I thought! But no, this is about me being slandered by that Chief, Dante Cutler and his band of merry men claiming to be the reason that I stand before you all as champion. I didn’t ask for their help and I’m certainly not going to credit them with ym success. I’m the one that entered the match, I’m the one that put my body on the line and I’m the one that took this championship off the hook and held it high in the air. I stand here as a champion an that’s more than any of them can say and it’s more than Henri Black can say as well, former Riot champion that he is. Tonight I’m the main event and he’s just along for the ride on his trip straight to the bottom so send out Mister Black from Kamp Krusty and you can all find out that he can’t SHUT. ME. UP!
Singles Match
Matt Stone VS Henri BlackPeyton Holland: “A former two time Riot champion against the current Intercontinental champion. Elsa booked one hell of a main event for this first Millennium, making the best of the possibility to book Riot superstars on the Wednesday night show.” Ambra Monroe: “This is a great opportunity for Black, a win tonight could skyrocket him straight in the title picture.” Peyton Holland: “That’s a good point, and… Wow, what a shot!” Henri came out of his corner swinging, rocking the IC champion with a brutal running forearm smash. The impact shoved Stone into his corner where he was met with a flurry of knife edge chops to the chest. Henri was showing a more aggressive side of his personality, lashing out on Matt all his frustration, all his anger. The commentary team began to wonder if losing to Manning was the cause of this huge chip on Black’s shoulder, or if there was a different reason to this initial brutal onslaught. They were still discussing this while Henri was stomping the hell out of the IC champion in the corner. The referee had to step in and force Black to back down, and as soon as he did Nicole helped Matt out of the ring so he could regroup. Stone was sitting on the apron, talking to his manager in front of him. He never saw Henri take a run to the ropes and hit him with a baseball slide. His manager spotted it and was barely able to move out of the way, avoiding getting squashed by her own client. Not sure if Matt was happy that she got away unharmed, since that meant he ended up flat on his face on the concrete floor outside. Nicole went to check on him but she rapidly moved out of the way when Black joined the duo outside to pick Matt up and drive his head into the ring post. Ambra Monroe: “I’m starting to believe this is not about his recent loss. It almost looks personal.” Peyton Holland: “But that can’t be, their paths never crossed before tonight. Maybe he’s just looking to send a message to that part of the roster that doesn’t know him.” Ambra Monroe: “I don’t know, I’m not fully convinced…” The referee’s count had reached seven and Henri didn’t look like he had any intention to bring the fight back in the ring. Matt elbowed the Blackstar in the stomach and slammed his face onto the apron, sliding inside the ring under the bottom rope. Black grabbed his foot and dragged him out once again. The two went back to trading punches, but this time Stone got the upper hand and hit a snap suplex on the outside. He didn’t wait another second and entered the ring, demanding that the official would count his opponent out. Henri beat the count in six, and the hostility picked back up, this time between the confines of the ropes. The intensity though, didn't diminish as both competitors went back to throw wild punches. Matt missed with the right hook and was caught by Henri in a waistlock for the first of the three german suplexes. The other two followed in one fluid motion, but Matt kicked out from it in two. Ambra Monroe: “I don’t remember seeing Matt Stone in such difficulty in recent times.” Peyton Holland: “Henri Black is a world class athlete, let’s not forget that. And tonight, if possible, he stepped up his game another notch, bringing a level of intensity in this ring that’s hard to match.” Matt almost fell after Henri planted him on his head with the spike ddt, rolling out of the ring after kicking out at the last moment to take another break. The former Riot champion went to drag him back inside the ring but he got caught by a shoulder into the stomach from the resourceful canadian who then, from the apron, grabbed a handful of hair and slammed Henri’s face into the turnbuckle. leaving him stunned. Matt re-entered the ring and set the Last Revenant up for MLG 360 No Scope (elevated ace crusher) obtaining the first near fall of his match. The tides seemed to have turned, the Abominable Showman now took control and the fans didn’t like it, showering the man in boos which only seemed to fuel the IC Champion. He taunted them with his “Shut. Me. Up.” catchphrase, showing a newfound confidence after the rough start. And every move he connected, every near fall he scored, increased that confidence, leading to the point where he tried to put Henri down with his own move, the Black Sacrament. Ambra Monroe: “Classic Matt Stone…” Peyton Holland: “Can you imagine if he can beat Henri with his own move? We’ll never hear the end of it..” Luckily that didn’t happen as Henri managed to kick out just in the nick of time. All these near falls, the fact that Black was refusing to stay down were starting to play into Matt’s frustration. And with that came a series of mistakes, the kind of thing you can't afford when you're in the ring with a veteran like Black. Slowly, but steadily, Henri made up for the lost ground, finding the groove that allowed him to dominate the first part of the contest. Henri took Matt out with a clothesline near the ropes, sending him tumbling on the outside. Nicole once again went to check on her client, the two shared a few words the camera couldn't quite pick up. The Manager of the Straight Shooter then climbed on the apron and asked the referee to disqualify Henri, bringing up some bogus reason about the safety of his client. In all this, Stone slid back inside the ring with a steel chair in hand. But rather than smack Henri’s skull with it, he slammed it on the canvas and tossed the foreign object toward his opponent, dropping on the mat and clutching his face as if he just got hit. One of the oldest tricks in the book, but it proved to be still quite effective. WINNER: Matt Stone BY: DQ, 20:14 |
After the bell rings, Henri looks at the chair in his hands, then at the smug champion and back again at the chair. A quick shrug of his shoulders and then he deleted that smirk from Matt's face with a devastating shot. He had one for Nicole as well but the manager is quick to escape. Black throws the chair in her direction, barely missing her. Henri snatches the microphon from Aspen's hands and raises it to his lips.
Henri Black:
GARETH. PRITCHARD. I have a bone to pick with you.
Looking directly up the ramp Henri continues speaking.
Henri Black:
You see, I have very few people I would consider friends in this industry, so few that I can easily count them on one hand and have fingers left over… you took one of those friends from me, from all of us.
Catching his breath for a moment Henri looks around ringside, seemingly searching for something.
Henri Black:
And your reason for this? You want to be remembered as the man who retired Helena Noir! Well, congratulations you have that distinction now, but that’s not all you gained with that little stunt.
Spotting his target Henri digs a bottle of water out of the ringside cooler, twists the lid free and downs half the contents of the bottle before continuing.
Henri Black:
No, you also gained my attention, and with your little speech at Summer Hits, you went one step further. You made me angry, you made yourself my enemy and now because of your own actions you will be remembered for generations to come but it will not be for what you did to Helena… it will be for what I am going to do to you.
Replacing the lid and tossing the bottle back into the cooler Henri looks dead into the camera, an old yet familiar fire in his eyes.
Henri Black:
Your choices are simple, you can duck me the way you did Glory Braddock, run and hide and pray to whatever god you believe in that I do not find you… or you can prove to me that you are anything but an opportunistic little bitch, a pathetic piece of garbage that could never match up to the legacy you robbed us of, and meet me head-on.
Smiling savagely the former Riot champion laughs.
Henri Black:
I don’t particularly care which option you choose, Gareth, because I’m going to get my satisfaction either way, but be warned that the longer you duck me the worse it is going to be when I finally get my hands on you, the second option will not be pleasant but I promise that your family will still be able to recognise you when I’m done.
Letting out a deep sigh, Henri shakes his head.
Henri Black:
You should have done your research, if you had then you would have known what a revenant is. If you had then you would not now have the living embodiment of vengeance hounding for your blood. Run and hide or fight and fall, the choice is yours.