Post by Millennium Management on Oct 27, 2018 11:32:53 GMT -6
MILLENNIUM XVIII: Year One
Live from Marlins Park in Miami, FL
Monday, October 22, 2018
The show comes to life panning over pyrotechnic display on the Millennium Wrestling stage: The large metallic M hanging over the stage itself, with wrestlers emerging from beneath the heavy spiked. "Waking Lions" by Pop Evil blasts through the arena, pumping up the audience in attendance. The cameras pan around the arena, showcasing the sold-out crowd, focusing in on a few of the fan-made signs:
"IF GRACE WINS, WE RIOT" “Official Millennium Britty Committee” “OMG Spider WTF thought she was dead LOL” “WALL WILL SAVE US ALL” “Sean Libby is Main Eventing, What a Time to Be Alive” “Aurora + Vivi = WTF” “I Like Turtles” “MONDAY IS MILLENNIUM” “#HaveMyBabies”
The show cuts to the broadcast table.
Jared Idol: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Millennium Wrestling LIVE on MENTV.”
Bea Torres: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILLENNIUM!”
Jared Idol: “Why must you always begin the show by screaming?”
Bea Torres: “Because this show is HUGE! It’s ONE FULL YEAR since Pride first opened its doors, and now here we are, as one big Millennium family, in this HUGE PARK, LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE!”
The camera pans around to see a packed park, thousands of Millennium fans excited for the night ahead.
Jared Idol: “And tonight, everything is at stake. It’s Grace van Beek taking on the boss himself, Chuck Matthews, and if Chuck loses, he will step down as the head of Millennium.”
Bea Torres: “But if Chuck wins, it’s game over for Grace AND her allies!”
Jared Idol: “Let’s not forget our co-main event: Jennifer Yang defends her title against Melissa Reeves!”
Bea Torres: “Yang wants to prove she’s the best? She’s going to have to get past one of the best.”
Jared Idol: “First up though, we’ve got tag team action. Kasey Summers requested this match, and asked for a partner of her own choosing. She takes on Sephora Eastwick, who chose the now-healthy Logan MacLeod!”
Bea Torres: “Logan had a couple matches in Millennium as part of the war between Millennium and Vengeance earlier this year… he had moderate success in Vegas, but this is Chicago…. Well, Miami, really, BUT STILL!”
Jared Idol: “Let’s go to Rum.”
Tag Team Match
Kasey Summers & Trebuchet VS Sephora Eastwick & Logan MacLeod
The opening match of the night had two big question marks before the bell rang. First, and the most obvious, who Kasey’s partner was going to be. The other one were the conditions of Logan MacLeod, Sephora’s boyfriend and Chuck’s nephew who had a strong start back in Vengeance before a terrible injury took him out of action for months. Both question found their answer in the first minutes of the match when when Portland Pro’s own Trebuchet started the match against Logan. MacLeod’s leg didn’t bother him at all, his speed apparently intact despite the months away from the competition, quickly shifting the momentum in his favor. Things changed when Trebuchet managed to make a tag to the Warrior Princess. Kasey didn't take long to turn the match in her favor, stemming Logan’s initial burst and using her experience to take control of the match. At first, she slowed down the pace, taking him down with and starting to work on the injured leg with a spinning toe hold. On the apron, Sephora was trying to encourage her boyfriend, giving him the strength he needed to push through the pain and use his free leg to kick himself free. Slowly, MacLeod crawled his way back to his corner but Trebuchet, who in the meantime became the legal man after the tag, stopped him before he could reach Sephora, grabbing him by the same leg. Logan broke free with an enziguri kick and literally dove to your corner to get the tag he desperately needed… But nobody was there! Kasey tripped Sephora’s leg and prevented the tag. The two women were now brawling outside the ring, while Trebuchet kept dismantling Chuck’s nephew, planting him with a brainbuster. Somehow, Logan kicked out, but it was clear that he already was on his last leg. No pun intended. Outside the ring, Sephora was in her element, easily besting Summers, sending her to crash against the barricade. Determined to inflict more punishment, she was approaching the Warrior Princess with all the worst intentions, when her attention was drawn back to the ring by Logan’s gumbling. Trebuchet had him locked in the Legacy, the Dragon Sleeper that gave him so many wins throughout his career. The Belle Of The Brawl immediately slid back in the ring and set her boyfriend free with a superkick to Trebuchet’s face. The referee pushed her back on her corner, from where she started calling Logan’s name. MacLeod dragged himself across the ring, finally reaching her hand. Sephora sprang inside the ring as soon as the tag was made, rushing to the opposite corner where Trebuchet was hoping to find his partner. But Summer was still recovering outside the ring, and the Portland Pro wrestler found himself squashed between the corner and Sephora’s body. Despite her not being a fan favorite, the crowd was completely behind the blonde girl, mostly thank to her boyfriend’s valiant performance. And Seph didn’t let them down, fighting her best match in Millennium. Everyone got on their feet when a Michinoku Driver II almost gave her the win, if it wasn’t for Summers making a last minute save. After a desperation jawbreaker, Trebuchet was able to make the tag. Summers and Eastwick met once again, this time in the ring. The redhead’s speed was causing some troubles to Sephora, but tonight she was showing a new found determination. Not even the Heat Stroke/Nergasm combination (Saito Suplex and 720 Moonsault) was enough to keep her down. Kasey couldn’t believe it, and started arguing with the referee. But turning the back to a dangerous woman like Seph is a big mistake. She immediately capitalized with an elbow smash to the back of the head, following up with a Reverse Kneeling Piledriver. But she wasn’t done just yet. Sephora picked up the opponent and finished her with the Blue Light Special (Pumphandle Lift into a Reverse STO). Trebuchet rushed to the save but Logan intercepted him with the DEFCON 1, a wicked spear that stopped his opponent and secured the win for his team WINNERS: Sephora Eastwick & Logan MacLeod BY: Pinfall, 10:12 |
Bea Torres: “Sephyyyyy!”
Jared Idol: “Sephora gets the win tonight!”
Bea Torres: “Aww, they’re so cute together!”
Jared Idol: “.....what?”
Bea Torres: “GOALS.”
Jared Idol: “Why are you like this?”
Logan hugs Sephora, who looks irritated at the sign of affection, but doesn’t fight it. Eventually, she almost cracks a smile as Logan celebrates her victory, pointing excitedly to Seph and showing her off to the crowd. The show cuts backstage.
The cameras cut somewhere backstage to find Selina Metzger, who is dressed in her ring attire, ready for her upcoming match with Kate Steele, and “Der Übermensch” starts by offering a courteous smile.
Selina Metzger
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Millennium.
Her greeting is German for “Happy Birthday, Millennium.”
Selina Metzger
Tonight is of course about marking the end of Millennium Wrestling’s first year, and while I’ve only been here for just under two months, I have every intention of being an important of Millennium in its second year and beyond. As I stand here now, it remains to be seen who will be in control of Millennium beyond tonight, but whatever happen come the end of the show, I’m here to stay, and I’m going to make my mark.
Following the briefest of pauses, Selina continues.
Selina Metzger
Two weeks ago, I continued my perfect start to my time in Millennium, as I beat Jacob Figgins to improve my record to four wins from four matches, and I’m willing to admit that so far, things have gone better than even I would have expected. I’m confident in my ability, I know what I’m capable of inside the ring, and obviously I know how powerful I am, but when I set myself some targets prior to my debut last month, winning all of my first four matches wasn’t one of them. Now the challenge is for me to maintain the success I’ve been having for as long as I can, and well… who knows quite how far I can go?
It is a rhetorical question, and she gives a shrug, in lieu of a verbal answer.
Selina Metzger
It’s also good to know that the effort I’ve been putting in, and the results that I’ve been achieving, hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Chuck Matthews saw fit to reward me with a match tonight against the current Lockdown Champion, Kate Steele. I’m aware that this is going to be a step up from the matches I’ve had up to this point, but I’m also aware of how big an opportunity this is for me. I mean, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but if I defeat Kate - which is exactly what I plan on doing - I reckon that would have to put me into consideration for a shot at her title; I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
A smirk crosses Selina’s face, conveying the confidence she feels about her chances of winning tonight.
Selina Metzger
This match could be very different to any match I’ve been in before now - although I suppose that’s not really saying much, as the number of matches I’ve had so far in my short career is still in single figures. I don’t think I’ve faced an opponent previously who has a wrestling style that’s similar to Kate’s, which is something that I’m going to have to adapt to, and quickly, if I am indeed going to win this. She prides herself on her submission holds, and I know that Kate and her husband, Teddy, have at times claimed that she is the best submissionist - although in all the time that I spent studying English, “submissionist” isn’t a word that I ever came across.
She lets out a slight sigh, before continuing.
Selina Metzger
I’m not going to try to beat Kate at her own game. Not tonight, anyway. I’m going to stick what has brought me the success that I’ve had. And why wouldn’t why I, when I know that I’ve got a distinct strength advantage over Kate? Two weeks ago, I overwhelmed Jacob Figgins, and tonight, I’m going to do the same to Kate; I’ll subdue her... I’ll overpower her... and I… will… beat her.
With a confident stare on the face of Selina, the camera cuts away.
Empire Extreme Championship
Falls Count Anywhere
Saki (c) VS Gray Malone
Saki (c) VS Gray Malone
Put two bloodthirsty animal in a match where rules out of the window and you can easily imagine what will happen. Ever since the opening bell, Malone and Saki made it clear that this match won’t be one for the purists of these sport. The Shadow Of Society made his size advantage count, pushing the Singapore Mauler back in the corner where he drove his shoulder into her midsection multiple times. Saki rolled out of the ring, catching her breath and trying to regroup after being caught by surprise by Gray’s strong start. Like a predator stalking his prey, Malone slowly followed her outside. Too slowly. The Kawaii Deathmachine was waiting for him, hiding a kendo stick behind her back. The impact on Malone’s head was so powerful that the stick shattered, making the weapon completely useless. But it was enough to stun Gray, giving Saki the opening to climb on the apron and diving on the opponent, catching his head and spinning, using the momentum to plant him with a Tornado ddt on the floor. Taking full advantage of the stipulation, she quickly tried to cover him, but Malone kicked out in two. Saki picked him up and whipped him against the barricade, wasting no time before charging at him and leaping for a body splash. But Gray caught her in mid air and relentlessly slammed her down. Holding her back in pain, Saki didn’t notice the wicked grin on the former Extreme champion’s face as he looked under the ring, finding his vengeance in the form of a baseball bat. As soon as Saki got back on her feet, he met her with a swing to the stomach that doubled her over. He then positioned himself next to her, holding the bat across her neck and falling backwards with a russian legsweep. After another bat shot to the back of the grounded opponent for good measure, Gray went for the pinfall, only getting a two count. Everybody knows Saki’s high pain tolerance, but the Kawaii Deathmachine was in troubles, as rarely we have seen her. Gray was leaving her no room to breathe, using the ringside area at his full advantage. The Singapore Mauler had to resort to a low blow to catch a break, using the opening to career up the ramp, putting some distance between herself and Malone. As soon as he got back on his feet he followed her up the ramp. The action moved backstage, where they kept brawling in the hallways, involving some innocent Millennium staff members in their match when Gray crashed Saki through their table in the catering area. The referee went down for the count in the middle of their dinners leftovers, reaching two before the asian kicked out. Saki quickly grabbed a paper cup and tossed whatever liquid was left on it on her opponent face, buying herself some precious time. She got on her knees, looking around for potential weapon to use. But Gray was already on her, grabbing her by the hair and setting her up for a powerbomb through another table. Saki fought with everything she had to avoid it, raining punches on his head and eventually wiggling free. She quickly followed up with a dropkick that sent Gray against the wall. After the impact, Malone crawled through the door and down the hallway, but Saki was right after him and kicked him in the ribs. With some struggles, she picked him up and tossed him against a vending machine, immediately going for the pinfall. Once again, the Shadow Of The Society kicked out. The match eventually arrived to the parking lot inside the arena, for the joy of the insurance company. Cars became, unwillingly, victims on their path of destruction. Gray slammed Saki on the trunk of a black sedan, the Singapore Mauler answered by throwing him head first through the window of a brand new Prius. Gray came out of the car crash with blood dripping from his forehead, limiting his sight. He never saw Saki climbing on the roof of the same car and launching herself against him with her knees. The Cotton Candy Kiss Of Death made another victim, and Saki retained her Empire Extreme Championship after her toughest challenge in Millennium to this date. WINNER: Saki -- STILL Empire Extreme Champion BY: Pinfall, 11:16 |
Jared Idol: “AND STILL!”
Bea Torres: “Gray is one of the nastiest dudes there is, but Saki pulled out a HUGE win!”
Jared Idol: “I don’t think too many people realized just how violent this girl is. She’s been on a warpath since joining Millennium, and I don’t think anyone is going to get in her way soon.”
Saki seems happy with her retention, and hugs her title sweetly before the show cuts backstage.
The cameras land on that of Kate Steele and standing next to her is her husband Teddy Steele. She has her Lockdown Championship proudly slung across her shoulder. She paces back and forth as she is standing on the upper deck of the baseball stadium. She gazes out at the field as she slowly turns her attention to that of the camera.
Kate Steele
Bloody fucking hell it must be that time again?!
Teddy Steele
You damn right it’s that time so make sure you all are doing whatever you can to capture this beautiful sight. You all get to be graced by my loving wife so pay attention so you know something important is about to be said from her mouth.
Kate Steele
Year fucking one… That in itself is an amazing thing to be a part of. I was here when my best friend Violet was the owner of Pride. I remember when she had opened up this company. I did whatever I could to be in this because I wanted her to know that she could trust me. I just knew I had to be in this company and I would do anything just to grace the ring and be a member of something great. Now look at us?!
Kate nods her head as she continues to speak.
Kate Steele
We have survived a year and we have rebranded ourselves into being Millennium Wrestling and it’s an amazing thing to really be take part in.
Kate Steele can’t help but offer a wicked grin as she continues to share her heart.
Kate Steele
More importantly than that I am the Lock Down Champion and this title isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There isn’t anybody better than me on this entire roster. I know I might stand before you all and I look different but it was time for a change. I am happy with my boob job among other things but that still doesn’t change the fact that I will beat the living shit out of anybody who gets in my way and that brings me to my opponent this week. I get to step into the ring with a woman who everyone thinks is the hottest thing to have stepped foot inside of this company in a long time. I get to face the likes of Selina Metzger some German twat who feels she is amazing because she’s undefeated?! Bitch please your biggest claim to fame is beating Christina multiple times and that doesn’t mean anything. I can do that in my sleep. You are just an over grown meathead who is probably pumping herself full of HGH just to look tough.
Kate chuckles as she shakes her head in disgust.
Kate Steele
However that doesn’t scare me because everywhere I go I am always the smallest woman on the roster. I don’t need size and strength to make an impact I am well trained at Submissions and even the tallest woman can be cut down to fucking shreds because I will viciously pick a part certain areas of the body. Perhaps it could be your arm and I can pull it back so far to the point of it breaking? Or maybe I could do the same with your ankle, or maybe just maybe you would rather enjoy me placing you in ym Triangle Choke. Whatever it is you can be assured that I will wear you down just as easiest and giants were meant to be slain. At 110 pounds soaking wet standing at 5’2 I have never backed down from a challenge and I have dealt with a lot of bullshit in this company. I overcame Kasey Summers and put her ass in her place. I overcame Grace Van Beek and to this day I still believe I should be the Cloud Gate Champion, and of course I won this belt from Zelda. I have paid my dues and I am not going to let you scare me from accomplishing what I was meant to accomplish.
Teddy Steele
In other words we will cut you down?! Giants were meant to go down! Just like those sorry ass New York Giants!
Kate Steele
Minus OBJ he is our favourite player and all but NOT TO LET MY HUBBY GET US OFF TRACK! The fact is Selina streaks were meant to get broken and as great as you have been in these past few weeks all of that ends right here in Miami. You will not beat me, and you will learn a serious lesson of humility. So you better bring it because I am not going to back down. Not now and certainly not ever. See you soon wanker.
With that Kate continues to adjust her title as we go elsewhere.
Singles Match
Kate Steele (c) VS Selina Metzger
Despite this being a non title match, Selina knew oh too well the implications that may arise from beating the current Lockdown Champion. And she didn’t waste any time overpowering Steele and forcing her back in the corner. The referee asked for a clean break, which Selina was happy to grant, at least until Kate tried to exploit the situation with a kick to the stomach. A move that the Ubermensch saw coming, making it look easy to grab her leg and quickly throw the Lockdown Champion to the opposite side of the ring with an Exploder Suplex. Selina seemed in full control in the first part of the match, her hard hits and power moves allowing her to keep the Lockdown Champion at bay. Kate built herself a break with some kicks to the knee, but when she hit the rope and attempted a crossbody, the Ubermensch caught her mid air and violently dropped her down with a ring shaking Front Powerslam. The pinfall attempt only got her a two count though. Kate left the ring to regroup, but the big woman was right behind her. Steel ran away and quickly slid back inside the ring, finally able to use her speed at her advantage. A low dropkick dropped Metzger on her knee, where she got caught by a vicious roundhouse kick. To the shock of the champion and the fans, Selina kicked out in one. But this didn’t discourage the champ, who could feel the momentum shifting. Her martial art kicks were starting to wear down the opponent, who was now struggling to get back into the match. Metzger cowered, seeing the ropes as her best chance to get away from that flurry of offense. But before she could find the break she so desperately needed, a Roundhouse kicks caught her right on the temple, stunning the big german woman who found herself stumbling back to the corner. Wasting no time, Kate charged at her with a corner Yakuza Kick: Selina was down. Steele quickly went for the cover, this time collecting a full two count. Despite kicking out Der Ubermensch was still feeling the effect of the last two hits, getting slowly back on her feet, completely unaware of the Lockdown champion stalking her from the top rope. As soon as she was standing up, Kate took a leap and planted the opponent with a beautiful Tornado DDT, hooking the far leg as she went for the cover. Two and a half. Frustration started to mount inside the champion who began to wonder what she needed to do to keep her down. Knowing the incredible resistance of Selina, Kate opted for a change of strategy, starting to work on her right arm, clearly preparing her path to the Shipwrecked. But while she had Selina locked in an armbar, she found herself defenseless in front of the superhuman feat of strength of the German, who was able to get on her feet and powerbomb Steele who was still hanging on her arm against the turnbuckle, finally getting free from the submission. Clearly favoring the arm, Selina was still able to lift the stunned Lockdown Champion and slam her down with the Death Valley Driver she calls Elbe Valley Driver. After an hard fought battle, Selina Metzger was your winner in what some people could refer to as a shocking upset. WINNER: Selina Metzger BY: Pinfall, 14:20 |
Bea Torres: “Selina is unstoppable!”
Jared Idol: “Kate Steele is a CHAMPION, and she falls short against the rookie star, Selina Metzger!”
Bea Torres: “Chuck Matthews said that this match would mean big things if Selina won it… what do you think happens now?”
Jared Idol: “More importantly: Will that be honored if Chuck loses here tonight?”
Bea Torres: “WON’T HAPPEN.”
Selina looks up to the stage, expecting to see the GM himself. When he doesn’t appear, she heads to the back, leaving a frustrated Kate Steele fuming in the ring. The show cuts to a promotional video for Millennium.
A brief segment is shown of Matthews and Metzger in Chuck’s office. Chuck mentions that as a result of her victory, Selina is now in line for a championship. Given the dominating nature of her wins, though, he mentions that he feels even the Lockdown belt may be too small for her. Chuck states that Selina has earned the right to compete for gold, and he’s allowing her to choose the belt she wants a match for.
Singles Match
Current Champion vs First Champion
Britt Kane (c) VS Spider
Britt Kane (c) VS Spider
The match between the current and the first Cloud Gate Champion began with a handshake. Britty Kane and Spider. Britty has a good height and weight advantage over Spider as the two friends circled around one another. Spider made the mistake of trying to chain wrestle with Kane, Kane getting the better of the first Cloud Gate Champion with a headlock that Spider cannot seem to get out of. Spider tries to push off but Britty simple stops the momentum by kneeling down with it. A weird smile comes on her face as Britty wrenched away at the headlock. Spider tries to use her agility to try to slip out of the hold but was still unable to break the hold. Britty told Spider that she’s not letting go of this. Spider again tried to push off but again the hold proved to be inescapable. Britty was able to take down Spider with a headlock takeover and kept the hold applied the entire time. The crowd claps at her ability to keep it on as Spider took the chance to spin around, her head still in the headlock, and get Britty’s shoulders on the mat. Kane kicked out before a two count by just rolling back over and kept smiling. Once again she reminded Spider she was not letting go of the headlock. Using most of her strength, Spider forced Britty back up to a vertical base and tried for a third time to push off, again that going nowhere. Britty shook her head and said it was time. The crowd got to their feet thinking they may see something other than a headlock. Britty grinned as she gave Spider a… noogie? Britty giggled after releasing the headlock. Spider was none too happy about getting clowned and just roundhouse kicked Britty, sending the Cloud Gate Champion to her ass. Britty’s eyes widened as Spider ran in and began to punch away almost as if she was furious at Britty. Britty grabbed the rope but Spider kept working over the Cloud Gate Champion. The first champion stayed on the champion with stomps and trying to just keep the larger woman down. Spider got a two count after hitting Kane with a neckbreaker, and then later got another off a textbook DDT. The kind of DDT that she hit again and rolled through to a third. Britty once again kicked out of Spider’s attempt to get the win. Spider shook her head and went to the top rope. She flew off with a perfect crossbody but Kane rolled through and was able to contort Spider around to butterfly the arms and hit a suplex. Britty took a few moments to collect herself but that was more than enough time for Spider to get another nearfall off of a roll up. Kane exploded back to her feet and dropkicked Spider right in the face. Not wanting to wait any longer, Britty pulled up Spider and looked to end her with the Ode to the Dead, but Spider dropped down and got Britty into a crossface! Kane rolled through to get Spider’s shoulder on the mat but was unable to get the three count. Spider got back to her feet and went for her Spiderbite. Britty ducked down and was able to catch Spider and took her down into the Pandalock. With a bad wrist, Spider has no choice but to tap out to the Cloud Gate Champion. WINNER: Britt Kane BY: Submission, 9:59 |
Bea Torres: “Britt beat Spider!”
Jared Idol: “I think a lot of people would call this an upset, but does anybody even remember the last time Spider’s won a match?”
Bea Torres: “STILL AN UPSET. MILLENNIUM STARS BEAT OTHER STARS. MILLENNIUM NUMBER ONE!”
Jared Idol: “Again with the screaming?”
Britt helps Spider to her feet, but Spider doesn’t accept any congratulations or handshakes. Rather, she slides from the ring and heads up the ramp, without a word as was her norm, and leaving Britt alone in the ring with the Cloud Gate Championship.
Millennium Championship
Jennifer Yang (c) VS Melissa Reeves
A match that would main event any other show. A fight between two of Millennium’s best for the biggest prize in the company. Melissa earned the right to challenge Jennifer at Heroes & Cons, the same night Yang retained in the Steel Cage Scramble match against Grace van Beek, Gray Malone, Jason Hawk and Christopher Kane. In the two weeks prior to Year One, this was the most talked about match, second only to the main event. And it showed as soon as they both were standing in the middle of the ring, the crowd split in half with fans chanting for both women who started the match with a predictable but sincere show of sportsmanship and respect, shaking their hands before walking back in the respective corners, waiting for the opening bell. And it finally rang. Both proud and confident in their skills, they started the match trying to overcome the opponent in something they both excelled, resulting in a hard hitting contest that inflamed the sold out crowd. Yang’s mixed martial arts background has been a difference maker in so many matches here in Millennium, but tonight it didn’t seem to work as well as it did in the past against the experienced former Liberty and Vengeance champion. Wei Shen, on the outside, suggested her a change of strategy, and the Millennium Champion listened to the advice. Instead of focusing on the so far relatively unsuccessful kicks, she shifted gears, bouncing against the ropes and sending Melissa flying across the ring with a hurricanrana. The Australian quickly came back on her feet just in time to eat a dropkick from the Millennium Champion. Jenni quickly climbed to the top of the turnbuckle, waiting for Melissa to stand before taking flight for a crossbody that knocked the challenger down. But Reeves rolled through it and, with a remarkable feat of strength, got back on her feet still holding Yang in her arms, dropping her back first on her extended knee with a backbreaker. That moved shifted the momentum of the match on Melissa’s favor, allowing her to slow down and control the pace, keeping Jenni grounded and working on her legs to limit her speed. A sound strategy that seemed to pay big time for Reeves, who had the champion locked in an ankle lock. Jennifer tried to reach the near rope. The roar of her fans gave her the strength to go that extra mile, ignoring the pain and crawling toward salvation. But just when she was literally inches away from the rope Melissa dragged her back to the middle of the ring, frustrating her effort. There was a moment where the pain seemed to be too much for Jenni to bear, and she almost tapped out. But once again, she dug deep, finding the strength to try one last, desperate attempt. Jenni rolled on her back and used her free leg to kick Melissa’s shoulder, forcing her to break the hold. But the damage was done. Jennifer crawled to the corner, visibly in pain. The referee immediately went to check on her asking her if she could continue the match. A worried Shen asked her the same, in both cases Jennifer shook her head and told her that she was fine. Even her opponent was staring at her with a look of concern on her face. Melissa was the first to clap her hands when Yang eventually rose back to her feet, limping on the damaged ankle but determined to continue the match. And they locked up once again in the middle of the ring. Jenny immediately broke the clinch driving her knee to the stomach of her opponent, She followed up with a right hand, starting a combination of WIng Chun punches and knees with theatrics. Melissa doubled over, but the Switchblade Kick that usually ends the #LOCKDOWN didn’t have much strength in it, consequence of the ankle lock. That’s probably the main reason why Mel was able to kick out of it. The match hit the fifteen minutes mark and both competitors were visibly tired. Melissa hit a Belly-To-Belly suplex but it couldn’t keep Yang down for the three count. Reeves kept control with a series of suplex, Snap, Belly-To-Back, Exploder… Once again she tried to make a cover but the champ was not ready to give up her title just yet. Once again, Jennifer relied on her striking ability to put together her reaction. Aided by the fatigue and the damage taken, Melissa’s defense wasn’t now as effective as it was earlier in the match, and her strikes were now finding their marks more frequently. With every kick, every punch hitting the target, Jenni’s speed seemed to increase and soon enough Melissa was down on her knee. The Millennium Champion sprinted to the ropes, using the middle one as a springboard to perform a moonsault… Right into the Facial Deconstructor! The entire Arena fell in a deafening silence. Every single person in the Arena was holding his breath in the moment the referee went down to count, Wei Shen was seen holding his head, desperate as he watched Jennifer’s title ending right before his eyes. ONEEEEE! TWOOOO! THREE…. Reeves’ supporters scream died in their throat when the champ raised her shoulder at the very last moment. Jennifer somehow survived, proving once again why she’s the Millennium Champion. Even her manager seemed shocked, but Yang was still in the match. As the fans were literally going insane, chanting Jenni’s name over and over, Reeves seemed to be the less surprised by her tenacity. Getting so close to the win only pushed her to find a way to put Jennifer down once and for all. She picked her up, Jennifer was barely standing but still managed to hit the challenger with a few right hands, only delaying the inevitable. Eventually Mel was able to grab her and lift her over her shoulders sideways for the Reaver Slam. With her last energy, Jennifer wiggled free, keeping her hold on the opponent wrist. With one final effort, the champ took her chance… #BEHUMBLE connected! Exhausted, she literally fell with her back on the opponent chest, barely able to hook the leg and praying this was enough to secure the win. And so it was. Another successful defense in the books for the Millennium Champion, probably the toughest challenge she ever faced. The referee raised her arm and gave her the title back. Jenni celebrated with the fans, waiting for Melissa to get back on her feet. When she finally did, Yang put the title on her shoulder and took a step forward, standing in front of Mel and offering her her hand. Reeves quickly shook it, pulling her closer and whispering something in her ear. She then raise Jennifer’s hand leaving her to her celebration and walking backstage, receiving the standing ovation of the Miami crowd. WINNER: Jennifer Yang -- STILL Millennium Champion BY: Pinfall, 19:40 |
Bea Torres: “YANG WINS!”
Jared Idol: “What a battle that was, and this Miami crowd is LOSING IT!”
The crowd is still on its feet as Jennifer makes her way up the ramp. Melissa sits up in the ring, realizing she’s lost, but allowing a smile at Jennifer’s success. This would certainly not be the last time Melissa Reeves found herself facing off for the Millennium belt. The show cuts to commercial.
Tag Team Match
Fate of Millennium at Stake
Chuck Matthews, Nessa Wall, Aurora Jansen, Vivi Robichaud & Kace Matthews
VS
Grace van Beek, Jason Hawk, Christopher Kane, Dane Archer & Sean Libby
VS
Grace van Beek, Jason Hawk, Christopher Kane, Dane Archer & Sean Libby
As Grace and her team made their way down the ramp, one member of the party was noticeably absent: Dane Archer was nowhere to be seen. Chuck and his team stood at ringside, Chuck in particular narrowing his eyes, suspicious at his disappearance. His suspicions proved correct, as Archer came over the barrier behind the team, clubbing Chuck in the back of the skull and leveling him! Before the other member of the team can react, he’s rolled Chuck into the ring, entering after him as the rest of Grace’s group gets to the apron. Grace smiles wickedly, knowing her plan has worked. The referee calls for the bell. Vivi already has a foot between the ropes, ready to get the jump on Dane, but the bell forces the referee to motion her out, indicating a disqualification if she’s not the legal person. Dane picks Chuck up from the mat, hurling him to the corner. He charges in, leaping and crushing the Millennium owner, letting Chuck stumble out a few steps, but he manages to keep his balance. Dane runs in, hitting a clothesline that plants Chuck hard on the mat. He looks over to Chuck’s corner with a smirk, and picks up the owner from the mat before dropping him again with a sick powerbomb. Dane looks to Grace, who demands the tag. Dane plants a boot on Chuck’s chest, keeping him in place as he extends his arm for Grace to tag in. Grace drops to her knees in front of Chuck, smirking at him. She slaps him across the face a few times, trying to get him to respond, but the beating at Dane’s hands has taken a lot out of the Smartest Man in Wrestling. Grace looks over at his comrades, and hooks his leg. One… two…. Three. Grace stands, smiling, and waiting for her hands to be raised. When the bell doesn’t ring, she looks over to the referee, who shrugs. Outside the ring, Rum has retrieved a microphone. Rumchata Ayano Nessa Wall has used her briefcase to alter tonight’s match. Grace rears on Nessa, who shrugs innocently. Rumchata Ayano This match will now be contested under elimination rules. Grace is livid! Nessa is eager to get into the ring to take the fight to Grace after the beatdown on Matthews. The two tie up in the center of the ring, trying to get the upper hand over each other. Grace manages to get control, taking Wall to the mat, and hammering into her with stiff elbows. She rolls over, tagging in Jason Hawk. Hawk leaps to the top rope, vaulting off and splashing across Nessa before hooking the leg. One… two… Nessa gets a shoulder up. Hawk sneers, picking her up to her feet. He throws her to the ropes, taking her down with a calf kick. As the match progresses, Hawk gains the upper hand on Nessa, using his speed and agility to keep her off her game until Wall is able to make the tag to Vivi… and things get tense. Vivienne takes the fight to Hawk right out of the gate. Hawk goes for a springboard crossbody, but Vivi jumps up, kicking Jason in the skull. Jason scrambles back to his corner, tagging in Sean. Sean gets the jump on Vivi, surprising her with a flurry of offense that staggers her, forcing her to a neutral corner. The two have their bout in the corner before Sean tags out to Chris. Chris enters. Vivi and Chris stand on opposite sides. Chris glances back at Grace, who shouts at him to attack her. Chris spots Chuck, sitting on the outside, watching the match after being eliminated. He shakes his head, sliding from the ring and heading up the ramp. Grace shouts at him, furious that he’s walking out. The referee begins counting Kane out of the match. One… two… three… Dane gives chase to Chris, refusing to let him leave. Four… five… six… Kane shoves him away, continuing his walk. Seven… eight… Dane seizes Kane, dragging him towards the ring. Nine… ten. Chris is counted out! Dane releases him, glaring at his teammate for a moment. Chris heads to the back, wanting nothing more to do with the match. Vivi stands in the ring, and Libby takes his chance, vaulting into the ring once more. Again the two showcase their flying abilities, each trying to one-up the other. Libby takes her down with a head scissors and goes for a pin. One… two… Vivi gets a shoulder up. She rolls over, tagging in Aurora. The crowd is losing it! Aurora drives a fierce elbow into the skull of the Irishman. He tries to fend off the attack, driving a fist to her stomach which forces Aurora back for a split second. She steps in, and Libby fires off a superkick… it connects! Aurora hits the mat! Sean scrambles on top of her for the pin. One… two… kickout by Aurora! Sean sneers, picking her up off the mat. Aurora drives a boot to his midsection and pulls him in… DDT! Aurora hooks the leg. One… two… three! Libby is eliminated! Grace looks nervous. The odds are suddenly not in her favor: With Aurora, Nessa, Vivienne, and Kace standing across from her, she realizes it’s time to send in the heavy weapon. Dane Archer steps over the top rope, facing down Aurora. Rori knows exactly how to attack the big man, and goes to work, trying to chop him down by targeting the legs. Dane is fresh, and her attacks do little to wear the big man down. He throws her to the mat, using his power to dominate the woman. She stands, looking dazed from the blows. Dane throws her to the ropes. She comes back, ducking his boot to her skull. She hits the opposite ropes and dives forward, driving her shoulder to the back of Dane’s leg. Dane drops to one knee. Aurora rolls across the ring, tagging in the first hand she can find… Nessa Wall! Nessa leaps over the rope without a second thought, seeing the opportunity in front of her. She charges Dane, kneeling in the ring, and drives her knee straight to his skull! That signature knee of hers connects… but Dane isn’t going down! Archer’s eyes tell the story: The knee has dazed the Great Dane, and he wobbles in place, trying to shake his head free of the pain. Nessa retreats to the corner, observing. She looks outside the ring to Chuck, then back to Dane, racing in for another knee… and it connects again! Dane drops forward, using his hand to keep from falling on his face. He breathes heavily, clearly out of sorts from two sharp blows from Wall. Nessa retreats back to the corner, tagging in Vivi. Vivi leaps over the ropes, smirking at Dane. She grabs him by the head, looking over at Aurora, before spiking him into the mat with a wicked DDT that would make Aurora proud. She struggles to roll the massive man onto his back, but she manages, and crawls on top of him. One… two…. Three! Dane is out! Dane Archer has been eliminated! He rolls slowly from the ring, his eyes still a bit glazed over from the repeated blows to his skull. Vivi stands, watching for Grace’s next move. Grace van Beek and Jason Hawk stand alone against four of Chuck’s team. Grace steps between the ropes, looking at Vivi. She smirks, taunting van Beek to step up. Grace looks as though she’s about to take the bait, but takes a step backwards, raising her hands. Vivi is about to close the distance… but she’s blasted over the back of the head with a steel chair! Vivienne drops to the mat, and behind her stands.. Kace Matthews! The crowd boos loudly as Kace smiles, tapping the side of his head. He looks to the referee, who himself isn’t quite sure what’s happened. Kace has just attacked Vivi, and Robichaud is out cold! Kace heads across the ring, and offers a respectful bow to Grace van Beek! Nessa and Aurora stand at ringside, looking furious, while Chuck observes from the outside, a look of disappointment on his face. The referee, not quite sure how to call this, decides to call it a disqualification. Kace is eliminated! Kace seems completely unbothered by this, and slides out of the ring, heading up the ramp. Vivi still hasn’t moved, and Grace looks to the two opponents across from her. She smiles, easily rolling Vivi over and hooking the leg. One… two… three. Just like that, it’s two on two. Aurora and Nessa both make a move to get into the ring, and there’s a moment of tension as the two women eye each other, as though daring the other to step in first. Aurora narrows her eyes, glancing back at Chuck on the outside. Nessa frowns, but seems to get the message, and withdraws, returning to her spot on the outside. Aurora steps in to face off against Grace. The two lock up, until Aurora throws Grace to the mat with an arm drag. She wrenches on Grace’s arm, but Grace uses her mat wrestling ability to escape. The two stand. Grace sends a hard kick to Aurora’s head, rocking her. Grace follows up with a snap suplex, bridging for a pin. One… two… kickout. Grace retreats to the corner, tagging in Jason. Jason leaps to the top rope, measuring Aurora as she tries to stand. Hawk jumps off, rotating fully as he aims for a shooting star press. Aurora rolls out of the way… but Hawk manages to complete the turn and land on his feet! He turns around right into a boot from Aurora! Rori spikes him with her signature DDT and covers. One… two… three! Grace grits her teeth, stepping into the ring. As Aurora stands from her confrontation with Jason, she charges, attacking Aurora from behind. She siezes the stunned Aurora, dropping her with a Russian legsweep and going for the quick cover. One… two… kickout. Aurora stands. Grace approaches and gets an elbow to the jaw for her efforts. Aurora pulls her in for a DDT… no! Grace flips her over with a back body drop. Immediately, Grace seizes the leg, locking in the Gold Bar! Aurora struggles, trying to escape the devastating hold. She spots Nessa in the corner, reaching out for a tag. Aurora crawls, slowly, feebly, towards the corner, Grace cranking the pressure and torquing her knee. Aurora grits her teeth in pain, reaching out… she got it! She tags in Nessa! Nessa leaps over the ropes. Grace shoves Aurora’s leg away, trying to get to her feet, but she’s not quick enough. Nessa darts in, and nails her. Kissy Kissy connects! Nessa hooks the leg... and that’s it. Nessa and Aurora stand tall as the last remaining members of Chuck’s team. WINNERS: Nessa Wall & Aurora Jansen BY: Pinfall, 28:56 |
It’s over! Chuck’s team just won the most important match in Millennium’s history, putting an end to Grace van Beek’s revolution. As a result, the young South African and all those who stood with her just joined the unemployment line. As Chuck, Aurora, Vivi Robichaud, and Nessa Wall celebrate inside the ring, the camera moves on a defeat van Beek, who’s slowly walking up the ramp leaning against the head of her security, Ryen Riekert. She stops on the ramp and turn to the ring to give it one last look, uncaring of the fans jeering and singing the famous “Hey hey hey goodbye” song in obvious mockery. Her blue eyes, filled with anger and frustration dart from one side to the other of the arena, before stopping to the men celebrating inside the ring, ideally locking gaze with Chuck.
And then she smiles.
More of a snide actually.
Grace van Beek
I do hope you enjoyed this moment, mister Matthews…
She says over the deafening boos of the fans.
Grace van Beek
Because it is over now.
Chuck and his partners started looking all around, expecting to see the rest of her army storming to the ring. But nothing happened.
Grace van Beek
One smart man, arguably the smartest man in wrestling until I proved otherwise, started a war between the company he just bought and a rival one with the sole purpose to deflect the attention from his real goal. A brilliant strategy I must admit, that earned him my admiration. A respect he slowly but constantly burned week after week, when he proved himself to be nothing but an hypocrite and manipulative bureaucrat.
She takes a step forward, her eyes glued on Chuck, just like nothing else matters.
Grace van Beek
What happened to you, Mr. Matthews? What happened to the word you gave me, the promise that my safety would have been your prerogative? Why did you sacrifice it on the altar of your personal amities and interests? You ruined everything, Mr Matthews. This, all the events of the past few months, everything I did is on you and you alone. And now that it is all over, you only have yourself to blame.
Chuck tips his head to the side, observing Grace. His team stands nearby, looking from him to Grace, sharing with the crowd the feeling of confusion.
Grace van Beek
There is, indeed, irony in this. Pride was the name of the dying company you bought, pride is what you used as leverage to con Vengeance and drag them in your fake war. And pride was the reason of your downfall.
You looked at me and saw a spoiled little girl stomping her feet because things were not going her way.
You thought that, no matter what I did, you would have been victorious in the end. Because of that same moniker you carried for all this years with so much pride. Because Chuck Matthews always have a backup plan. Because, allow me to quote Ms Robichaud, “The moment you decide to try and outsmart Chuck Matthews, you are 1-3 months behind wherever he is in his plotting and, none of you are smart enough to present a challenge to him.”
At this point, the smirk on her face turns into laughter.
Grace van Beek
What’s that they say? “The only person who can beat Chuck Matthews is Chuck Matthews?” Fitting, isn’t it? Because here I am, and I beat you at your own game. Because, unlike you, I don’t settle. Unlike you, I keep learning.
I learned from you the art of deception, and I learned from my family to never start a war before you win it. The only person standing in my way… was you. You, the one they call “The Smartest Man in Wrestling.” How does one outsmart the world’s smartest man, you ask?
You take away his brain.
Grace smiles.
Grace van Beek
You’ve said it so many times, Mr. Matthews: “An angry mind is a mind that makes mistakes.” And everybody knows, Chuck Matthews never loses his cool. Chuck Matthews keeps a level head. He keeps his mind clear. He thinks a dozen moves ahead because he’s too GOOD for this emotional clutter, hm?
No. Chuck Matthews is a man, just like anybody else. He is not a god, try as he might to convince you otherwise. All I needed to do was get under his skin. Fog this brain with rage.
Everything I did since this “revolution” started, all the interferences in your matches, all the refusals to compete, the terror I spread among your roster, the scene staged at your pathetic Expo and, attacking your precious friend Nessa Wall and, of course, my all time favorite, the things I said during our last meeting…
All of that served a double purpose. Divert your attention from what I was really doing. Keep you angry. Keep you distracted. Keep you making mistakes. And with your cousin under my guidance, I was able to get into your company. Not Millennium… no, YOUR company. Matthews Enterprises itself, and I was able to prove to the board of directors that you were unfit to run this company.
Do you recall when, right after the Expo, you reminded me that I work for you? Do you remember what my reply was?
A small pause, almost as she was waiting Chuck answer that, obviously, didn’t come.
Grace van Beek
I said that you did not need to remind me how hierarchy works. I assumed, and it is safe to say that I was right, you took it as if I acknowledged and accepted my role. Quite the contrary, Mr. Matthews.
Millennium Wrestling is an interesting little project, isn’t it? See… as much as you tout yourself as the owner of Millennium, that’s not entirely true, is it? No… Matthews Enterprises owns Millennium, and while you may be in charge of THAT company, you still answer to a board. You still answer to shareholders. All of this?
She waves her arm at the massive crowd, packed into a baseball field for a wrestling show.
Grace van Beek
You took a wrestling promotion that was barely selling two thousand tickets per show, and within months, you had Millennium selling out hockey arenas, baseball fields… did you know there’s a show planned at Soldier Field in Chicago? Now, some of your moves were surprisingly brilliant. The Enterprise Arena in Chicago? 30,000 seats, all owned by your company. No cost to you to hold your home-based shows there. But once we started to tour… once you started making matches like The Pyramid, once you started making deals overseas… Millennium for the last couple months has been hemorrhaging money, Mr. Matthews, and your board knows it. This little hobby project of yours has not been cheap, and you’ve been gambling on it paying off in the long run. “If you build it, they will come,” right? And while you focused on Millennium… who’s been running the rest of your company? Did you really think the board would approve of their CEO gallivanting about in a tiny subsidiary?
Grace smirks.
Grace van Beek
Shareholders don’t like to gamble, Mr. Matthews, and they like it less when you gamble with THEIR money. So it was all too easy to convince them that Millennium needed new leadership… somebody who could keep the budget under control, and turn a profit for this company. Somebody like...me. You saw what I wanted you to see, you danced to the music I played, you believed what I wanted you to believe.
And ultimately, you won your battle.
From the back, the rest of her security emerges. Sean Libby, Jason Hawk and Dane Archer walk out with them. One of the member of her personal security hands her a suitcase. Grace thanks him before raising it.
Grace van Beek
But I won the war.
In this suitcase, I hold the documents that make me, effective immediately, the owner of Millennium Wrestling Enterprise. A copy should have been sent to you last week, informing you of the new managment... I'm sorry, did you miss that? I advise that you and Miss Cross decide to give it a look. One thing you perhaps would notice, is the day those documents were signed: Monday, October 8th, at 11:00 am. Ten hours before I put my career and the careers of those who have had enough of your blatant favoritism on the line in a wrestling match.
I am many things, but I am not foolhardy.
Raise the stakes, put everything on the line in a match that means nothing at all. Another little toy out of the Chuck Matthews playbook. I learned from you.
The entire arena is watching the events unfolding in a dramatic and surreal silence only interrupted by Grace’s authoritative voice.
Grace van Beek
For months, I promised a change. And Grace van Beek always keeps her word.
Welcome to the New Millennium.
On these words, her teammates and her private army start to tear down and destroy everything they can find with the Millennium logo on.
Inside the ring, all eyes are on Chuck Matthews, waiting for him to save the day, to announce how he predicted all this and how he, with one of his famous stroke of genius, found a way to keep control.
But not this time.
Chuck, who before had a fire in his eyes and a desire that had been missing for years… who had shown passion, emotion in the weeks leading up to this night, looked… defeated. His face was expressionless, that familiar look of disinterest that seemed to plague him. But this time, it was different. This time, it was clear that the gears in his head weren’t racing. They weren’t seeking some pattern, some solution. Grace was right, her plan had worked: She had shut down that machine that granted Chuck his power, and without his mind fully focused, Chuck couldn’t outsmart Grace… and especially couldn’t outsmart a Grace using Chuck’s own tools against him. He stares at the scene before him, watching his work get torn down. Nessa places a hand on his shoulder, which seems to bring him out of his silence. He bows his head, shaking it slowly.
Chuck Matthews
It’s over.