MWE Presents: Below Zero (night 2)

MWE Presents: Below Zero (night 2) Dec 31, 2021 15:44:09 GMT -6

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Post by gvb on Dec 31, 2021 15:44:09 GMT -6

MWE Presents: Below Zero Pre-Show (night 2)
Live from Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA
Sunday, December 26th, 2021

Academy Pre-Show Match
Gold Star Match

Rainer Nordhagen © VS Emma Wakefield

After the “accident” that cost Gabriel Landry his spot in this match, a fans’ vote named Emma Wakefield as the next contender, not without some controversy. Any possible issues were resolved by the odd woman out. Bey in fact decided to leave tonight’s shot to Emma and save hers for another day. The Gold Star Rainer Nordhagen reminded Emma that she didn’t earn this opportunity and that she should just give it up without fighting. Of course. Wakefield cheekily asked him if he was scared of her like he was scared of Gabriel, hinting that the German-Australian might have played a role in Landry’s injury. This seemed to upset the Gold Star who didn’t wait any longer and charged in toward the opponent, missing with a clothesline. Em turned around and caught Rainer off guard with a standing headscissors takedown. Nordhagen kneeled up and Wakefield ran off the ropes with a low dropkick to the face. As the champion fell back on the mat she covered him, but he kicked out after one. Emma was first up to her feet and she attempted to whip him into the ropes, but he reversed with a short-arm clothesline forcing Emma’s head to thud against the canvas. He picked her up off her feet and kneeled down as he dropped her lower back across the knee with a backbreaker. After the cover attempt barely got him a count of two, Rainer quickly stood up to his feet and jumped onto her chest with a double foot stomp, attempting another cover, this time getting a full two.

The Gold Star was in full control halfway into the match, managing to block Emma into the corner where he could hit her with hard knees to the abdomen. The referee asked for a clean break but the young man kept hitting the opponent, triggering the count from the official. Once it reached four, Rainer threw his hands up, finally conceding the break. The truce only lasted one brief moment, the referee was still warning him about what he had just done and Nordhagen hit Emma once again with a quick punch to the neck. He followed with a series of forearm strikes to the jaw before whipping the blonde girl in the opposite corner and running in that direction at full speed, jumping with both knees to her face. Wakefield fell down to the mat while Rainer climbed to the top rope, jumping off with a diving legdrop. Another pinfall attempt made by the Gold Star, but once again Emma raised her shoulder just before the three. Rainer started arguing with the referee vehemently, literally getting in his face. Charles didn’t buckle, he had been in countless of these situations before (which speaks volumes about how much the wrestlers trust and respect him), and it won’t let a kid intimidate him. As this back and forth between the two unfolded, Emma made it up to her feet and surprised the distracted Gold Star with a backstabber. She wasn’t done yet, deciding to awe the fans with a standing moonsault and make the cover, but Charles’ hand stopped inches away from hitting the canvas a third time.

With the fans cheering on her, Emma grew more and more confident, gaining the advantage on the Gold Star. In almost two separate occasions she made everyone believe she made it, firstly with a satellite ddt and then with a beautiful moonsault, but in both circumstances Nordhagen was able to get his shoulder up in time. To his credit, the champion came very close to the win too, with a devastating running knee to the back of Emma’s head. Wakefield showed great ring awareness and put her foot on the bottom rope, and the match continued. The back and forth action continued, none of them was slowing down, not when they felt so close to the respective goal. The impression the fans were having was that we were one big move away from the end, both competitors looked tired and worn out after the intense battle. This could have really gone both ways, instead it went sideways. Wakefield seemed ready to jump from the turnbuckle with a shooting star press, looking to end this in style after knocking Rainer down with a springboard enziguri kick. But before she could take that final leap, someone pushed her off the turnbuckle toward the outside of the ring, causing her to land hard onto the apron, and they did it right in front of the referee’s eyes. That someone, who was now being booed out of the building, was none other than Bey Addams. The match ended with a bitter win for Emma, one that didn’t earn her the Gold Star and one that she couldn’t even celebrate, as she was immediately attended by a physician at ringside. The concern was on that shoulder she landed awkwardly on and that was irradiating a sharp pain that brought Emma almost on the verge of tears. The focus moved back inside the ring where Rainer literally snatched the title from the hands of the referee and headed backstage, not particularly caring about his opponent’s potential injury. Before he could leave the ring though, he got flattened by a superkick from Addams. Bey reached down to grab the Gold Star, looking at her image reflecting on the central plate. In the front row, Helena looked extremely disappointed, shaking her head at her first pick for Team Noir. Her gaze met, for a brief moment, Bey’s, right before Addams dropped the Gold Star on Rainer’s chest and left.

WINNER: Emma Wakefield (RAINER NORDHAGEN STILL GOLD STAR CHAMPION)
BY: DQ, 16:11

MWE Presents: Below Zero (night 2)
Live from Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA
Sunday, December 26th, 2021

Backstage near the early start of the show, Bree enters the building wearing a red t-shirt and black shorts combo along with her Monster’s Inc cap and some new red and white sneakers. She’s currently carrying her stuff in her gym bag. As she’s walking in, she notices there’s a small setup for an interview and the inner circle of backstage staff are placing bets on who’ll win the main event. Bree’s quite chuffed with herself that she’s being backed by a few people when her excitement is deflated by the arrival of one of her opponents later that night.

Matt Stone:
Well well well, look who finally decided to show up. You know what they say, early bird gets the titles…or you would know that if you had one.

He points to the championship belt around his waist, track pants and his own brand of T-shirt completing the ensemble.

Bree Smith:
Settle down, Stoneford. You just make sure to get all that musk off the IC title, cus this shoulder really wants that title, and lefty has her eye on the Lockdown title. You boys are gonna be tough, but I’ve got my game face on tonight.

Bree then blows a bubble in his face and makes it pop loudly to startle the champ.

Bree Smith:
Got it?

He glares at her for a second after that disrespectful action and takes a step back, wiping the residue off his face.

Matt Stone:
Your game face? We’re not mugging for points Bree, we’re competing in the main event for my championship. Sure, the Lockdown title in on the line as well but this title, right here -

He points again to the IC championship.

Matt Stone:
Is the real prize. Everyone has been saying they want to take this title off me because of it’s prestige and they’ve all failed. Tonight. I just get to add another accolade to my career and make history in the process. You ever study history, Bree? Hmm? Well on the off chance that you haven’t, it’s when something happens that’s so significant that people remember it hundreds or thousands of years later. Ironically, after I make history, you and Kyle will just be it.

Bree Smith:
Speaking of history. There’s been a lot of Millennium gold my family’s held. Dean held the TV Title in it’s former form for ages. Luna’s held the Lockdown championship and a Junior Heavyweight title run to her name.

Bree sizes up Matt, even chest bumping him a little to back up some.

Bree Smith:
So if you want to talk about setting histo-bree, winning that IC Title and Lockdown title will make me the first Smith to win two titles on the same night. Two titles that are full and rich of fame and glory, aside this little reign you’re running.

Bree casually unzips her bag.

Bree Smith:
Plus I’ll be the Smith who shut you up. I know Mimi once talked about putting that on a plaque when she did it so….there’s an idea. Then again….

And out comes a trophy with a Matt Stone figure with a sticker over his mouth mounted to a trophy stand which says awarded to Bree Smith for shutting Matt Stone up.

Bree Smith:
I’ve always preferred trophies.

Matt looks at the trophy before him and laughs, shaking his head.

Matt Stone:
That’s funny, cause when you get married that’s all you’re gunna be.

He does the pose on the trophy for a second before laughing again.

Matt Stone:
You can talk about your family all you want Bree but everything to my family’s name is done by me. I’m a one man legacy and whether it’s here or elsewhere, Stone means champion and tonight, it’s gunna be twice as potent. Your Carrot Top ways will only get you so far, but when I’m holding my props at the end of the night? That’s going to mean far more than your little family trinkets.

Bree Smith:
If you walk into 2022 with both titles, then I’ll know for sure every year just gets worser from here on out.

Bree remarks, hitting him with her ponytail as she’s done before and catches up with her invited guest who is wearing a Bree t-shirt with a cute black pair of pants. Blue eyes. Blonde hair curled to cascade and frame her face.

Matt Stone:
Jokes on you, worser isn’t even a word!

We cut to the backstage area of the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. There we find roving reporter Robbie Hayden. He is the middle of a Fabulous sandwich (pun definitely intended). To his left stands Summer Collins and to Robbie’s right stands “The Archangel” Jessica Lasiewicz, together they are Fabulous and tonight they are preparing for a three way tag team battle.

Robbie Hayden:
Ladies and gentlemen I am Robbie Hayden and tonight three of our great tag teams of the MWE tag team division will collide as Fabulous, Nightfall Rising, and Team Trillie battle it out. My guests at this time are hoping to regain some footing in the tag team division with a win here tonight. So please welcome Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz, better known as Fabulous.

Summer Collins:
The pleasure is all yours, Hayden.

Collins says smugly.

Robbie Hayden:
Well you and Jessica lost the tag titles back in April of this year. You have yet to get back into the tag team title hunt. And you recently lost to Nightfall Rising already. What makes you think that tonight is your night?

Summer Collins:
Look at you asking the tough questions!

Summer playfully pinches his cheeks.

Summer Collins:
Look, Rob, have there bumps in the road? Of course. One thing I have learned about through business is that if one particular approach doesn’t work or just no longer works, then you take a new approach. The original approach Jess and I were taking in tag team wrestling had worked. The proof is in our resume; we were MWE World Tag Team Champions and GCW Global Tag Team Champions simultaneously. But obviously other teams figured us out. Or maybe we just got too soft? Either way, our old approach was no longer working. Jess realizes that, I realize that, and we have decided that we are taking a completely new approach.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Summer and I have been through wars with one another and against one another. You will not find two tougher bitches than the ones you see right here in front of you. But perhaps the one thing we lacked was a certain ruthlessness, a certain cutthroat attitude, a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Well that changes starting tonight. Tonight Fabulous will add a new layer to our style, a layer that is more cutthroat, more ruthless than anything you have ever seen from us. Summer and I still believe that we are the best tag team in wrestling today…

Summer Collins:
Sorry, Neil, but its true! And once we beat Team Trillie and Nightfall Rising, we’re eying your titles.

Summer blows a kiss at the camera.

[bJessica Lasiewicz:

[/b]
...but yes, we still believe we are the best tag team. And tonight we prove it by taking on and taking OUT both Nightfall Rising and Team Trillie. Those tag team championships will soon be returning to our sexy gorgeous waists and that will be absolutely Fabulous!

Jessica and Summer turn to walk away.
[/font][/div]

Tag Team Match

Fabulous VS Nightfall Rising VS Team Trillie

As you can guess, all three of these teams are very invested into this match, each one wants to establish themselves to be able to get a shot at the tag belts eventually. Team Trillie dominates a bit in the early goings, Trinity and Millie are hot tagging and keeping down Donnie and Jay Gallagher with their speed and athleticism. But eventually, Nightfall Rising shows off their experience together, as the pair of best friends start to get in some nice teamwork and double teaming in on Team Trillie, including a sharp Superkick on Trinity from Donnie. Jay and Donovan now have their turn to take over the match, showing why they have been so successful together for so long. They keep Team Trillie on their back feet, while Fabulous simply watches on, waiting for the right moment to strike as the other two times continue to tire themselves out.

The duo of Fabulous, Summer and Jessica Lasiewicz are not slouching around out there either, picking and choosing the best spots to make an impact in the match, on their own pace and terms, of course! At one point it seems like they’ve got the match sewn up after a devastating move on Jay, Jessica getting him up for a suplex and Summer catching Jay on the way down with a lungblower. What a crazy combination move, with Summer and Jessica showing why they have been one of the greatest MWE Tag Teams of all time. Fabulous is wasting little time as Summer stacks Jay up for a pin only to be kicked in the head by Millie who yanks her up for a german suplex as Trinity flies in for a single leg front dropkick, Team Trillie shows that they can get a big combo move of their own! Trinity moves to pin Summer, only to have Donnie dive on the pin and break it up. Team Trillie almost picks up the win but Keane shows off his awareness.

Things go on like this for a good bit - the teams are working as teams and all three are showing, if not flashes of brilliance, at least really good tag team wrestling for the Millennium Wrestling fans! Each team nearly puts the match to bed more than once, with a string of rapid pinfalls, submission attempts, and so forth, but all are broken before the three or a tap can happen! It’s anyone’s match until the real turning point. Millie is shooting the ropes for momentum to crush Jay, when Jessica and Summer pop up at the perfect time and slam hard elbow shots into the back of her head! What another awesome combination from Fabulous!

Millie staggers past Jay instead of smashing into him thanks to the double team from Fabulous. Jessica and Summer both charge Millie but Millie dodges them and hits the ropes and she thinks fast and leaps up, taking out Summer and Jessica with each leg. But wait!!! A surprise roll up by Jay Gallagher! Millie is still too woozy to kick out and Trinity is delayed by Donnie and being tripped by Jessica! Jay is simply jubilant upon getting the pin on Millie. Jay leaps off the pin after the three count before Trinity can pitch him off and Jay and Donnie leave the ring to celebrate their win, heading towards the back, knowing that they have extended their winnings way and may be up for a shot at the tag championships real soon. The other two teams look surprised and defeated as Jay and Donnie pick up the quick win.

WINNER: Nightfall Rising
BY: Pinfall (Roll-Up), 12:47

Snow seemed to be falling from the ceiling, the room being a beautiful Christmas scene in white. Wind rustled through, and there was an open log fire blazing brightly. Next to the pure white Christmas tree, a tall figure strutted into view, attired in a dazzling ice blue and snow white outfit, their eye shadow matching this eye-catching color scheme.

Leia LeBeau:
Wednesday the 8th of December, 2021. The Gas South Arena, Duluth, Georgia. That was the last time and place that you saw The Show.

The figure was none other than Leia LeBeau, attired like the White Queen of the snow, a fluffy hat upon her head, and that outfit clinging to her skin. Her lips were as red as Snow White’s, a crimson color, and she gave a sultry pout as she twirled her cane, a miniature statue of Elsa from Frozen upon it.

Leia LeBeau:
What should have been happening was the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance for this Show to reach new heights and build towards the biggest season finale in this broadcast's history. A chance to win the most sought after prize on the green brand of Millennium, the famed Cloud Gate Championship. My head was already in the clouds, with the prize in sight, and these long, long legs were taking me on a journey that I had never been on before, to the very highest of heights.

She stated, looking skyward as the snow fell down upon her, her eyes full of dreams and her voice full of emotion. But then her voice cracked, growing as cold as the scenery as she continued on.

Leia LeBeau:
Until, all I had worked and prepared for was taken away from me, from hands that weren’t even in the contest.

Setting down her cane, she crossed her arms across her chest, giving a cold, steely glare to the camera.

Leia LeBeau:
Now I am quite aware of those that are jealous of The Show. For my success, for my talents, my popularity and for my looks. And Faizah was especially jealous that I was much better equipped for this contest, and that I had eliminated her with these damn fine knees and my smarts. But setting her dog on me? During that match? To cause me to be eliminated in a match I was all set to win?

The Show wagged her finger, still staring into the camera, her words a little more fierce, a little more ego driven, and certainly more fired up and confident than she had been in a long time.

Leia LeBeau:
The Show went on a season break, but now I’m back and ready for the grand season finale. And let me give you a little spoiler, at Below Zero… Revenge is going to be a stone cold bish!

Picking up her cane, she twirled in her hand, giving a wink and blowing a kiss to the camera as she shook her hips, strutting off camera as the snow continued to fall.

Singles Match

Leia LeBeau VS Faizah Marshall

Ever since Faizah cost her the six-way match for the number one contender spot with that brutal TD’s assault, Leia has been awfully quiet, patiently waiting for this opportunity to get her revenge on the former Gold Star. As soon as the bell rang Leia charged Marshall and dropped her back first onto the mat with a double leg takedown. She straightened out her posture and began to rain down with stiff right hands. Faizah got her hands up instinctively trying to block the blows while sliding her hips out and pushing to her feet. LeBeau grabbed the Original BAE by the wrist and whipped her across the ring. As she bounced off, the former Junior Heavyweight champion dropped her on the canvas with a flapjack. Caught off guard by this aggressive and uncharacteristic start from Leia, Marshall opted for a quick break, rolling out of the ring and hiding behind her massive bodyguard, just in case the opponent decided to chase her. She took almost the entire count of ten, which seemed to piss off the Jet CIty Girl, who didn’t appreciate the interruption. As she was entering the ring, Leia kicked the middle rope up to her crotch and quickly pulled her into a headlock for a rope hung ddt, obtaining a count of two. She tried to keep pressure on the Boston native but Marshall broke free of her hold and took another break on the outside. These continuous interruptions didn’t sit well with the Show, and she went to drag Faizah back in the ring. Obviously TD Batterson stood in her way and, even though he didn’t raise a finger, the mere presence of the colossal enforcer was enough to distract and intimidate LeBeau, allowing Marshall to surprise her with a quick right hand to the jaw. The former Junior Heavyweight champion’s head bounced against the ring apron before Faiz would push her back in the ring. Dazed, Leia stumbled around once she stood up to her feet, an easy target for Marshall’s springboard meteors.

Faizah obtained a couple of near falls in the following minutes, her biggest chance coming with an exploder suplex. Slowly but surely Leia began gaining ground, finally bringing out her greatest weapon, those long legs of hers that allowed her to kick Marshall and keep her at distance. The Best At Everything managed to grab her foot and take her down with a dragon screw leg whip. As long as Leia was down, she couldn’t use her kicks, so Faiz decided to keep her on the mat for as long as she possibly could. She stepped up behind her and drove a knee down into the spine of the former Junior Heavyweight champion before locking in a rear chin-lock. Faizah pulled on her head while digging her knee into her back. Pushing through the pain. Leia turned her body and pushed up to her feet, forcing Marshall to turn the chin-lock into a side headlock. The Show backed her to the ropes and then pushed her off. Faiz ran across the ring and sprung back off of the ropes, right into a leg lariat from Leia. Teasing the fans with a little dance, LeBeau then landed on Marshall’s neck with her leg after a somersault leg drop that earned her another near fall. The Jet City Woman stood to her feet and stalked her opponent, watching as she crawled to the corner and used the turnbuckles to pull herself to her feet and leaned back into it to regain her bearings. Leia quickly moved to the corner opposite Faizah and sprinted across the ring for the Jet City Jive. Marshall was just playing possum though, easily avoiding the running Claymore and attempting a quick cover with a schoolboy pin. Despite her using the ropes for more leverage, it wasn’t enough to end The Show.

Things really kicked up a notch in the final minutes, the two competitors were just hammering at each other in the middle of the ring. In a pure striking contest there was no doubt Leia would come out victorious, flooring Faizah with a crane kick. The two-time Gold Star went down like a ton of bricks, but LeBeau didn’t go for the pin right away. She instead gave the opponent a moment to recover and when she started to get up, the Seattle born unleashed a flurry of Show Kicks to the chest, finishing her sequence with an axe kick. Now she hooked the leg, but Marshall popped her shoulder up in time. The Original BAE managed to turn the tides and obtain a very near fall as well when she dropped the Showgirl on her head with a brainbuster. After kicking out probably on instinct alone, Leia remained on the ground, not moving at all. Marshall then climbed to the top rope, ready to put the icing on the cake with the Best Splash Ever (450 splash). “Evie says hi, bish!” Came a familiar voice from behind Faizah’s shoulders. The Academy student Bebe LeBeau, back to her behind-the-camera duty, distracting Marshall for just long enough to allow her sister to get up to her feet and quickly climb up the ropes, reaching Faiz on the top and taking her all the way down with a superplex. The Show athletically got up to her feet and once again ascended to the top turnbuckle, jumping toward the Original BAE as she was getting up and finishing her with a super Seattle Slutdrop.

WINNER: Leia LeBeau
BY: Pinfall (Seattle Slutdrop), 11:01

The scene cuts backstage where we currently see the reigning MWE Chicago Way Champion, wrestling’s most hated, Andrew Raynes, looking confident going into his title match tonight. With his third defense coming only days after his grueling tables match defense, he was ready to once again show everyone why he was the most hated in wrestling.

Andrew Raynes:
It shouldn't be a surprise that I am already walking into my third title defense since capturing the Chicago Way Championship only a few short weeks ago. THere was a time when this belt was hardly even given a thought with the way it was portrayed and hardly defended. I am a man that simply knows how to elevate championships to the next level and give them the prestige they deserve, even if none of you can stand it.

The truth is, the Chicago Way Championship is the perfect way for a man like me to be able to exemplify his excellence because i am a man that is at the forefront of doing whatever it takes in order to get the job done, it doesn't matter to me how i defend this belt or what type of match the brass wants to make it against me to keep it but each and every time i go out there i am going to make sure that i am walking out STILL Chicago Way champion.

See, Donovan thought he was going to give himself a championship after he exposed my head to the turnbuckle and cracked my head open. You could see the look on his face widen when he saw his opportunity to put me through that table, just like he and everyone else will begin to understand when it comes to Hate Never Sleeps, is that I am very much alive until I am no longer capable of fighting out of it. Unlike a lot of people around here, I don’t claim to be unbeatable but as champion, I will always ensure that I am in the fight until my last breath, until you find a way to put an end to the doomtrain that doesn't seem to quit.

That’s what separates me from a lot of people around here, I dont just talk the talk, i fucking back it up too.

Andrew smirks

Andrew Raynes:
People hate it when people like me walk away victorious, the fact that I am one of the most hated in this business and always finding a way to remain on top or retain my championship because I stop at nothing to win, you do not concern me with your morals or respect. I am not here for the validation of my peers and out for their respect, I am here on my own accord, on my own time frame to do as I see fit in the setting I have been given and there's nothing that can be done to stop me.

I can take this Chicago Way Championship and build it into a championship that gains more and more eyes on it, that will drive people to want to come take this from me because I am that damn good at what I do. While everyone foolishly lusts for the World Championship, I take a belt like this and make it just as worthwhile to hold because of the defenses and the challenge I present with being champion. I am not just some run of the mill wrestler or champion. I am one of the few that carries himself like a boss fight every single time.

You come prepared or I will eat you alive each and every time.

I am not afraid to lose my belt, I am not afraid to take the risks necessary in order to retain my belt. I am going to do what it takes and you either stop it or i fucking steam roll you

A task, Jordan, you better be absolutely prepared for.

Andrew scoffs, he's no stranger to title defenses and no stranger to anything being possible when he's out there. This match though has a little extra to it given what happened the last time these two faced off.

Andrew Raynes:
A last man standing match for me to keep this belt is fitting against the man that I was deprived of outright beating because some little clown wanted to get involved in my business. A dog who wanted to come get himself whatever I had left of Jordan in our match because he thought he Rcould make a little statement. Trust me, you can try that shit again and you’ll learn real fast how quickly you’ll fail to answer a 10 count. I am always prepared for anyone to get involved in my shit because I have come to have anyone try to deprive me of what I value most.

Jordan, you may have thought our first blood match was something to behold but now it's not just about trying to make me bleed. You have the tall task of trying to shut me down for 10 seconds and hope that i dont fucking get back up. Each time I do I grow stronger and stronger because I know that I am closer to having my belt slip away from me. I am not going to concern myself with how close you get to me failing to answer the ten count because as long as he doesnt say it and as long as I still have the slightest bit of life in me, I will keep getting up.

I hope you do the same, I expect someone who’s coming to challenge me to know what they are in store for. I don't care if you keep getting up, I basically welcome it because I will continue to inflict punishment and make my statement until you finally can’t stand it anymore. Your determination only fuels me because it makes it more pleasurable to take that moment away from you. As you keep getting up and giving yourself that chance to win, I take it away from you each and every time. It's not toying with you, it's simply allowing myself to continue exercising my way around here and proving to everyone why I am Chicago Way Champion and one of the most ruthlessly aggressive champions in all of wrestling.

I am one of the few that treats every belt like it means something, I am someone that isn't afraid to defend his belt time and time again, I have already notched more title defense in 3 weeks than most do in 3 to 6 months. The more I defend this belt, the more people want it because they want to take it away from me and begin to get desperate.

That's why I enjoy this business most, being hated enough to spark change in people, to evolve them because after you face me in my elements, you are never the same again. That’s something you can ask anyone that's come up against me when it matters most.

Andrew holds onto his Chicago Way championship, the stakes higher, to him, than the main event tonight. A chance to steal the show, as he's so good at doing, before the main event has a chance to get off the ground.

Andrew Raynes:
Jordan, come prepared because this is more than just a simple title match. This is about setting the tone for Millennium going into the new year and showcasing why I am wrestling's most hated. To those who wish to fuck around and find out if they wanna try taking this from me, you're going to learn and understood youre truly prepared to step up and be next.

It's time to embrace the fact that hate is the new Chicago way, a way that is derived from naturally and in my natural element I will stop at nothing to keep what's mine. You're coming into my territory and you'll learn why hate never sleeps.

Because until you have the means of putting me down for the count and be the last one standing is going to require you to go beyond your means and really figure out what it takes to stop me because I will not stop until you are done and I won't quit. Hate has granted me the freedom to act as I see fit and without remorse or regard and hate has granted me the means of taking the next step forward.

STILL Chicago way champion

Backstage at the Tacoma Dome is Jordan Parker-Kane. Dressed in ring gear for his match, and a basic black t-shirt. The Valiant Chaos champion sits in a chair, leaned back, with a satisfied smirk on his face. Clear still happy with his actions last night. Considering the match he has tonight, will he still feel that way at the end of the night?

Jordan Parker-Kane:
It's been quite the 2021. Certainly not where I thought I would be when the year started, but life is what it is. Just have to learn to accept it and ideally embrace it. Something my opponent knows all about. Course there is more than just hate to embrace. Oh, so much more darkness to embrace.

Jordan runs his hands through his hair.

Jordan Parker-Kane:
This past year I have learned I can be and do so much more than I ever thought. I looked down on the more hardcore styles of wrestling for a long time. However, now I find myself craving the violence of these matches.

Jordan pauses for a moment, sitting up in the seat.

Jordan Parker-Kane:
A craving that has lead me tonight. A last man standing match for the Chicago Way Championship.A championship that, with a win, would mark the return of Joedan 2 Belts..

Jordan scoffs and let's out a laugh.

Jordan Parker-Kane:
Who am I kidding? I think we all know now how tonight is going to end. I can't blame big ole Valentine for being upset and seeking revenge. I mean I cost him a match, and God that busting his face felt good. The funny part is the big oaf thought Inhad just forgot he did the same to me, and for no real reason. Least when I did it, it was in response. A very calculated response that I've been waiting for must the right moment to unleash. I waited because I wanted you to forget. I wanted you to think I would be like so many before me, afraid of the boogeyman.

Jordan stands up, moving toward the locker room door.

Jordan Parker-Kane: I no longer live my life concerned with things like fear… Do your worst, anything less and I'll be offended.

Jordan opens the door and leaves the room for the camera to fade out.

Chicago Way Championship Match
Last Man Standing

Andrew Raynes © VS Jordan Parker-Kane

The referee rings the bell as Champion and Challenger circle the ring starting at one another. The pair jaw back and forth at one another. The ring side cameras aren't able to pick up what's being said as the two trash each other. Finally Andrew is the first to move, charging in at Jordan. The challenger is able to get a spinning back kick that knocks the champion off balance. Jordan takes advantage and slams several hard forearm shots to Andrews head, along with kicks to the side as Jordan forces him into the corner. Jordan stays aggressive by driving his knee into Andrews gut. He steps back, jumping up to hit a people kick to Andrews head. He stumes lit, but doesn't fall to the mat. Jordan throws a few more punches, leaning Andrew against the ropes. Jordan bounces off the opposite side of the ring. On the rebound, Andrew nails Jordan with a hard lariat.

The larger and stronger wrestler takes charge with very hard punches to the head of his challenger. Jordan stumbles back allowing Andrew to kick him into the corner of the ring himself. Andrew presses his rare power advantage, throwing all his weight behind the vicious shots to the head. Jordan slumps forward as Andrew moves back and charges at him hitting a clothesline in the corner. Jordan crumbles to the mat. Andrew looks out at the crowd pleased with himself as Jordan pulls himself up in the corner. Andrew charges back in, but catches a back elbow to the face. Jordan flips the champion back into the corner, hitting several quick kicks to the beat in rapid succession, followed by a jumping spinning heel kick that drops Andrew.

Jordan steps up to the second turnbuckle and uses the rules to jump up and propel himself down into a dropkick right in the chest of the seated Andrew Raynes. Jordan rolls back to his feet as the champion clutches his chest trying to catch his breath. The referee starts the count, but he's up to his knees before the count of four. Jordan quickly takes him back down with an enziguri to the back of the head. Jordan springboards off the ropes into a double stomp. Jordan pulls Andrew up before the referee can get the count going and whips him across the ring. Jordan charges right after, leaps and nails a driving forearm into Andrews face.

Jordan rolls from the ring as the referee starts the 10 counts. Outside the ring, Jordan takes a chair from the ringside area. As he slides back in the ring Andrew shoves the chair away and manages to elbow Jordan in the face as he slides in the ring. Andrew drives his knee into the same place as Jordan tries to get up again. Andrew grabs the chair and brings it down across Jordan's back, much to his delight. He sets the chair in the corner, wedged between the middle and top turnbuckle. Andrew gets Jordan up to whip him into the turnbuckle with the chair, but Jordan reverses and sends Andrew the opposite way. Jordan charges and dives at Andrew, but a foot comes up and Jordan bounces off the extended foot to the mat. During the referee's 10 count, Andrew drags Jordan up to his feet, tossing Jordan out of the ring.

Outside the ring Andrews sets the ring steps up on it's side before going after Jordan. Andrew clubs the younger wrestler across the back as he pulls him into position. Andrews lifts Jordan up and drops him face first across the metal steps. Not letting the referee get far into the count, Andrew pulls Jordan up and senses him crashing into the still standing steps. Andrew stomps over and pulls Jordan back up and sends him crashing into the ring post. Jordan stumbles around on wobbly legs as Andrew grabs and rolls him back in the ring. Andrews follows after him, grabbing Jordan and throwing him into the chair that's still wedged into the turnbuckle. He steps back to allow the referee to start the count, but he's moving and pulling himself up around the six count.

Jordan leans in the corner talking trash to the champion, trying to get under hIs skin. Andrew goes for a right hand that Jordan blocks and returns one of his own. Still a bit woozy, he can't capitalize and Andrew cones back but again Jordan blocks and hits back. After several back and forth Jordan takes over knocking Andrew back. Jordan's momentum is cut off when he bounces off the ropes and is smacked with a back elbow. Andrew moves to climb up to the turnbuckle, but is caught with a heel kick that leaves Andrew in a seated position. Jordan slowly climbs up and appears poised for a hurricanrana off the top, but Andrew surprises Jordan and lifts and drops him in a sit-out powerbomb. Both wrestlers are down as the referee starts the count.

Both wrestlers roll outside the ring as they try to recover. Andrew finds a chain under the ring and moves around to swing it at Jordan, who ducks under it. The chain wraps around the ring post forcing Andrew to drop it. Jordan grand and shoves Andrew into the barricade before grants the chain and wraps it around his fist and jumps and hits a punch to Andrew's face. Jordan drops the chain to go under the ring and drag a table out. As he sets it up, Andrew managed to get up before the ten count. Jordan has something in mind as he tries to put Andrew on the table, but is fought off and shoved away into the barricade. As Jordan slams into the barricade be is grabbed and pulled over into the crowd.

The is a murmur in the crowd then a mix of cheers and books when it's seen that Valentine was in the crowd and taking his revenge on Jordan, clocking him with the same wrench Jordan had hit him with. Bleeding, Jordan looks completely out of it as he's lifted up over Valentine’s head and thrown back over the barricade and though the table. Valentine looks at the champion, almost daring him to try to do something as the referee counts Jordan out

WINNER: Andrew Raynes (STILL CHICAGO WAY CHAMPION)
BY: Last Man Standing, 13:37

We cut back to the ring, where the Junior Heavyweight Champion proudly stood, title belt draped over her shoulder. A small black bag she had brought with her hung in the corner, though she was paying it little mind. Her face was still showing the battle scars, bruises and bandages giving way to the pain behind her smirking facade. The crowd had managed to drown out her theme music, booing at the Aussie superstars mere presence, though it didn’t seem to bother her.

Her music came to an end, though the crowd sure didn’t. Her cocky little smirk never faded, instead she just held up her title belt. This continued briefly until the crowd burned themselves out, prompting Echo to finally raise her microphone.

Echo:
I’m not here to make some drawn out speech, even though I could. I’m not going to tell you all I told you so, even though I should. Instead, I’m keeping a promise. I told Tiana we aren’t done. So with that said, Damian, let her off the leash so she can get what’s coming to her.

It didn’t take long for Tiana’s music to hit, though her appearance on the stage was hampered by Damian attempting to hold her back. She eventually maneuvered around him, leaving him behind as she stomped her way to the ring, wearing her own set of damage all over her face, and visible bruising on her exposed ribcage. She slid into the ring with fire, ready to go at the champion again, but the Aussie just stepped back and held her hand up.

Echo:
Easy, easy. We’ve done this song and dance what feels like a hundred times, but it’s different right now. No, see, you finally gave me what I wanted. You brought everything you had, you put aside your fears, and you took me to my limit and then some. More so than anyone that came before you. And I’m not going to apologize for all the things I’ve done, because I’m not sorry for any of it. I don’t regret any of it, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, but you…

Echo took a step toward the hanging bag, unzipping it slowly. Tiana was quick on the defensive, stepping back expecting some sort of trick, but… Echo simply retrieved her old studded leather Chicago Fight Lab vest. She held it out to the Russian-American who cautiously took hold of it, looking it over.

Echo:
Keep it, wear it, burn it, throw it in the ocean, I don’t care. But Ti, you earned that. Keep the fire, you’re going to need that aggression going forward because it’s only going to get harder.

Echo dropped the microphone to the mat, and quickly held her hand out to Tiana. The two stared each other down, Tiana eventually turning her head back toward Damian and the recently appeared Yulia who was standing with the aid of Damian and a set of crutches. Yulia, surprisingly, was the first to nod encouragement down to the ring.

In what seemed like an impossibility only a week ago, the former Fight Lab superstar had her hand taken by Tiana, the two shaking with a reluctant respect. Echo let go and left the ring, walking up the ramp to leave the Russian-American by herself. The champion paused as she reached the stage, staring down Damian and Yulia with her ever present smirk.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Echo!

The Aussie turned on the spot, staring back toward the ring.

Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Thank you…

Echo rolled her eyes and held her championship belt up again, backing up until she had disappeared backstage.

The scene opens up in the luxury suite of the Tacoma Dome. Sitting on a plush leather couch is the Riot Champion, Pierce Manning. Sitting on his lap, with Pierce's arms wrapped around her waist, is the former Intercontinental Champion Megan Monroe. Pierce’s Riot Championship is laying right next to him. He takes a look at it, then refocuses on the camera.

Pierce Manning:
Alex, this could be your night...

Pierce stops himself. He looks at Megan. Both of them break out laughing at the possibility that The Man could lose his Riot Championship. Pierce composes himself.

Pierce Manning:

“Where was I? Oh, right. This fiction that tonight could be your one shining moment. Pinning me in a tag match means absolutely nothing. Not the first time I have been pinned in a tag match by a delusional person foolish enough to believe meaningless wins like that equate to beating me when it matters most. I lost track of all the people who walked into a title match with me believing that nonsense. You’re gonna have to do better than telling me that you beat me in that situation.

Here’s the crux of the matter, Alex. Months ago you laid your cards on the table. Repeat my accomplishments, then challenge me to become the Face of Riot. I don’t go around calling myself the Face of Riot just to sound cool. Do you have any idea of the responsibilities that come with representing one singular brand? Truthfully, I don’t need to. Management decided months ago the brand extension was all but dead. No more being beholden to a brand. I could show up on Millennium anytime I goddamn please. I am a loyal guy. I put in the work. Climbed the mountain. Crashed down. Pulled myself back up. Exiled a former enemy. I wasn’t going to let all the hard work I put in go to waste. To have you Alex win a couple matches and try to come for my crown, sorry kid. Doesn’t work that way.

Pierce shakes his head.

Pierce Manning:
The Riot Championship and the honor of being the Face of Riot... belong to me. No one else. I am going to go out there and remind the world, and you, who The Man in this bitch truly is. Me.

Megan nods in agreement.

Megan Monroe:
That’s the problem with some people in this company. They just want handouts without putting in the work. Alex thinks he can be the face of Riot? What has he done besides challenge Pierce?

Monroe scoffs and shakes her head.

Megan Monroe:
Pierce ran this place as MENTV Champion before cashing it in to become Riot Champion. He’s done so much to be THE MAN of Riot. Nobody can compare to Pierce and you all want what he has. That championship… and me.

Meg grins as she points at herself.

Megan Monroe:
Speaking of those trying to jump the line, tonight I deal with Billy. He has been getting in my way and sneak attacking me and why is that? It’s because he wants to use me for some rub. I mean, beating the greatest and most beautiful Intercontinental Champion in Millennium history would go a long way. But here’s the thing, Billy doesn’t stand a chance against me. He’s trash and I’m wrestling royalty. He only got this match with me through shady antics and tonight, I show him and the world why I am not someone you want to fuck with. I will end him, I guarantee it.

Singles Match

Megan Monroe VS Billy Danielson

Twice Megan cost Billy a title shot. The first and most obvious one was the Riot championship match back at On The Rise, when she attacked him directly helping her boyfriend retaining, the second one being two weeks ago in Georgia when she attacked him before his match (a retaliation for Billy’s earlier interference) and kept him from competing in a #1 contendership match for the Cloud Gate championship. No love lost between the two and no wasted time for Billy as he took off towards Megan right as the bell sounded. As he approached, Monroe quickly side stepped and Danielson crashed into the turnbuckle with a missed right hand swing. The former IC champion then dug her fingernails into his back and pulled down, giving the Franchise a back rake. Danielson stood straight up, red marks running down his back as he leaned against the corner. Monroe slapped him across the face while with a stinging right open hand, adding some insults for good measure. Billy fired off with a hard punch that sent Megan staggering back, then he knocked her down with the first of many Chicago Blackouts. Billy walked towards Meg as she slowly began to climb to her feet and grabbed her by the hair. Without any effort he lifted her in the air and dropped her on the canvas with a scoop slam, darting toward the ropes to get some more momentum behind his second Chicago Blackout, kneeing Megan’s face in. With a confident look on his face Danielson made the cover but Monroe kicked out in two.

Billy seemed to be in control, slowing down the pace of the match with a side headlock and punching the former Intercontinental champion’s head with his free hand. Out of nowhere, Megan elbowed him in the stomach and broke his grip. She then stomped on his toe and clocked him with a Pele kick. Danielson staggered back but he didn’t go down, not even when Monroe started kicking the hell out of him with one of her volley of kicks. At the end of the sequence though she went for a crescent kick, knocking the big man down. Just as Billy was pulling himself up, Megan curb stomped his face back into the canvas and continued heading to the corner, climbing on the top for an aerial assault. Once The Franchise got to his feet, Monroe leaped from the top rope towards him, landing on his shoulders with her legs wrapped around his head and trying to flip him over for a hurricanrana. But Billy wrapped his arms around her waist and drove her into the mat with a huge powerbomb that echoed throughout the building. He hooked the leg for a deep cover but the former iC champion kicked out in two. The fight continued and Megan’s kicks proved to be once again her greatest and most effective weapon. She had him on the ropes, and she was ready to knock him out of the ring with the Mega Kick. But Danielson was ready for it and sent her flying over the top rope with a back body drop. With a great feat of athleticism, Megan landed on the apron, though she struggled a bit to keep her balance. And just when she found it, another Chicago Blackout knocked her down.

Billy exploited the count of ten to do some more damage to Meg, most notably with a violent Irish whip into the barricade and a rock bottom on the edge of the ring. Then he quickly brought her back in the ring, looking to finish her off with his patented The Franchise. He took a second to prance around the ring while holding Megan in the inverted crucifix position, and perhaps that gave the former IC champion the opportunity to slip away, landing behind his back and drilling him with a reverse rana before he could turn around. Megan blasted the opponent with the Mega Kick (running single leg dropkick) right to the face, but it wasn’t enough to keep him down. She pulled out some of the best moves in her arsenal, including the Fly-Dell (phoenix splash) and even a submission attempt with the Rydell From Hell (anaconda vise), but Billy kicked out from the first and broke the latter up by reaching the ropes. Megan was getting more and more frustrated, and that almost desperate search for the KO shot led her to make a fatal error, jumping straight in Billy’s arms with a springboard crossbody. Danielson adjusted her position, lifting her over his head and nailing her with the Big Match Driver. A terrific impact that left the fans in a shocked silence for a second, right before they busted out in cheers when the referee counted the one, two, three for Billy’s biggest win in MWE.

WINNER: Billy Danielson
BY: Pinfall (Big Match Driver), 13:29

A car is seen pulling up to a parking space in the parking garage. A moment later the engine shuts off and we see a female form getting out of the car. The trunk pops open and we see Alex Andrews grabbing a suitcase out from there. We see her dressed up in a tight blue dress as she set the suitcase down and extends the handle. She twiddle with a good bracelet on her wrist as she smiles at the camera.

Alex Andrews :
I dress up pretty well when the occasion calls for it, don't you think?

IShe lets out a laugh and shakes her head.

Alex Andrews :
I know it's not quite the same as Pierce Manning and his tailor made three piece suits, but it'll do. But I'm not doing this for him, either. I'm doing this for me. Sometimes a girl dresses up for herself, ya know?

Alex just grins.

A!ex Andrews :
Pierce Manning likes to look down on people and spout off about how he's the greatest. It's just what he does. I suppose I can't fault him for it, but as someone whom has to scratch and claw for every opportunity I've had, he rubs me the wrong way. He just..does. But that being said, he's right about one thing, I don't look like him.

Alex does a little spin, showing off her full form.

Alex Andrews :
But that's not to say, I don't have the ability to be THE brand. I just don't have to do it the way he has. What kind of champion do you want? An pompous ass? Or someone whom has put their heart and soul into every match they've had? Yeah, that's what I thought. So I think I'll do just fine representing the Riot brand just fine. I've been bleeding orange from the moment I stepped into an MWE ring, and that's not about to end now, win lose or draw.

Alex takes a moment to point in a direction away from her, at nothing in particular.

Alex Andrews :
You all saw how the last edition of Riot ended, right? With Peirce Manning lying face down on the mat and me signing that championship belt is coming home with me. You saw that. You saw just how capable I am and what it looks like when I find that one moment and strike hard and fast. And tonight, you're going to see that same hunger, that same drive. I'm not the same snot nosed punk whom had only a match or two be coming to MWE, no, I'm so much more and, Pierce, you felt that first hand.

Alex paces just a little.

Alex Andrews :
Pierce will tell you all about his accomplishments and how he runs this brand, but he isn't the only one walking around making history, is he? I've just been doing it without the need to draw attention to myself like he has. Yeah, I managed to duplicate his achievment of successfully retaining the MENTV Championship five times, but I also in doing that became the first ever two-time MENTV Champion, and that's something no one else is going to take away from me, ever. So go ahead, keep spouting off your deeds, I'll be right here waiting to shut you up. I'm going to represent Riot MY way, and at this point, Pierce, I don't give a damn if you approve of not. Cause I'm doing this for ME.

Alex pounds her chest a couple times, glaring hard at the camera before she shuts her trunk and begins walking off, her heeled footsteps the only sounds we hear making as we face to black.

Riot Championship Match

Pierce Manning © VS Alex Andrews

It was a long journey for Alex to get to this point. A first MENTV reign ended prematurely, then a second one that ended with 5 successful defenses and the long awaited Riot championship opportunity. Pierce Manning was here to ruin the party and put an end to her fairytale to prove once again to be the face of Riot. Both competitors struggled to get control, despite the strength advantage Manning couldn't get the better of the very focused opponent, always able to slip out of his grasp. Eventually Alex took control by putting him in a side headlock hold. Pierce connected with a few jabs to the kidneys before pushing Andrews into the ropes. She rebounded back with a running shoulder block, but there wasn't enough strength in it to knock the man down. Pierce invited the opponent to try that a second time, which she did. The effect was pretty much the same which caused The Man to grin and taunt Alex asking her to go for a third attempt. Andrews only faked it this time, doubling the champ over with a back kick to the stomach and knocking him down with a scissors kick. Pierce immediately picked himself up, dropping down as the former MENTV champion came back charging at him after hitting the ropes, forcing her to leap over him. As Alex bounced back from the opposite side, Pierce leapfrogged over her and forced her to continue her run. On the following rebound, he caught her with a quick Japanese armdrag takedown. Alex didn’t stay down much, quickly getting to her feet only to receive a knee to the gut, prelude to snap suplex from the Riot

Both competitors clearly did their homework and came into this match prepared. It was hard for them to catch the opponent off guard, they always seemed to know exactly what the other was about to do, which resulted in a very evenly matched, back and forth action. They had to start thinking outside the box in order to get the advantage, and Pierce was a master at that, always ready to exploit every chance. He momentarily blinded Andrews with a thumb to the eye, following with a quick throat strike that left the challenger gasping for air. While Lady Limitless was aiding her throat, Pierce attacked again, this time with a hangman neckbreaker. He had a smug smile on his face as he dropped to make a cover, but that quickly changed as Andrews kicked out in two. Pierce remained in control, lifting Andrews with a release German suplex. Alex crashed down on her neck, another hard hit to a body part that took quite the punishment in the last minutes. Seeing how the former MENTV champion was favoring that body part. Pierce continued to target it with painful holds and DDTs, as well as other moves aimed at hurting and stressing that area. After a few minutes of absolute dominance, he went for the killing blow, his TBTM Gory neckbreaker. Alex managed to slip away and quickly dropped him on his face with her Hella Rough! The crowd erupted with cheers as she got in position for the cover, but their cry of joy died in their throats as The Man kicked out in the nick of time.

After the close call the champ grew more cautious, allowing the challenger to gain ground. Andrews caught Pierce right in the chest with a drilling dropkick, knocking him down. As he got back up to his feet, holding his chest, Alex ran over to him and connected with a high knee smash. The self-proclaimed face of Riot leaned back against the ropes and Andrew grabbed him by the wrist, whipping him across the ring. The champ reversed it and caught Andrews on the rebound with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. But the champion was struggling to keep the momentum going, forced on the defensive by a particularly aggressive Alex, who got yet another near fall with her Elysium (running bicycle kick). Even though the champions kept kicking out of her best attempts, the fans were firmly believing in Alex' chances and incredibly supportive, constantly cheering on her and booing the champ every time he turned the tables, whether he did that by cheating or on his own ability. Alex put Pierce in her patented Lion Tamer called Dawn Breaker but the Riot champion reached the ropes quickly, before the submission could do any real damage. Alex kept the hold for a brief moment after the champ got to the ropes, enough to get the referee to step in. And while the official had a word with her, Pierce retrieved something at ringside. When Alex went to pick him up, he hit her with a sock full of dimes, hiding his misdeed from the ref’s sight. The boos burst out instantly and loudly as the Riot champion hooked the legs to retain, but Alex raised her shoulder at the very moment. Manning couldn't believe it, looking at her in shock as she was struggling to even get up, visibly dizzy. He moved in, signaling for the end and calling for another TBTM attempt. A quick inside cradle from the challenger caught him off guard and put an end to his title reign.

WINNER: Alex Andrews (NEW RIOT CHAMPION)
BY: Pinfall (Inside Cradle), 15:22

The scene opens backstage. Sophie O’Brian and Neil Newman are leaning up against a wall in the hallway. Both of them are in their ring gear. Their respective tag team championships are wrapped around their waist.

Neil Newman:
Does size matter? We hear it all the time, size matters. Men like Tank and Dustin Douglas are two men who embody that. Look at them. Big beefy men who are used to throwing their weight around. Dustin, you made your living for months tossing people around. One time you were undefeated. Dominated the Lockdown Division only to fall short to our Glorious Golden Era brothers in arms, Kyle Butler.

Neil smiles.

Neil Newman:
Tank. You’ve also used your power to rag doll people around. Not quite to the success of Dustin. But you do have some impressive victories under your belt. Scoring a victory over the former tag team champions, K20. Overcoming the same challenge (Team Trillie) that Sophie and I have slayed so many times. Bravo. Size only matters if you know how to use it. Fair to say, you two know how to use yours. Can you use that same size to defeat The Glorious Golden Era? Not today.

Neil shakes his head.

Neil Newman:
We’re not rookies who walked off the street. We are veterans of the sport, tag team specialists, unlike you two who decided one day you would team up because you were bored. Sophie and I put in the work. Spent months honing our craft. Dedicating each and every single day to ensure that we finished the job we started. One job finished when we became champions. Now our job is to restore the honor of a division chipped away because of K20. Our job isn’t done. Losing to you two sets a bad precedent. It takes more to become champion than waking up one day deciding yes we can, yes we can. Your size, while an asset, won’t be enough to dethrone us.

Sophie O’Brian
Sun Tzu says, appear weak when you are strong and strong when you are weak. Dustin and Tank, your strength is without question. But do you know of our strengths? Our strengths come not just from physical prowess, which is what you possess, but also from our intelligence, our strategy, and our pure wrestling ability. As individuals you have proven to be quite a force. As a team you have proven your worth, but can you get the job done when it matters? Can you defeat us when it’s just us against you and no one else to get in the way?

Sophie smirks.

Sophie O’Brian
There are those who believe your reign is inevitable. I believe you are buying that line of thought as well. The truth is that those people, and you two, are not heeding the advice of Sun Tzu. Appear strong when you are weak, appear weak when you are strong. Are you the weak team in this battle, gentlemen? We shall see.

The video package shows our former World Heavyweight Champion from behind. A hood over his head as he stands with outstretched arms.

“I still see that nobody…”

The words from Joey LeClair during his promo from night one in reference to Duke Andrews.

“I am willing to sink to whatever depth he needs to become the MWE World Heavyweight Champion. This isn’t business. Tonight is personal.”

Followed closely by the words from Brookford’s promo from night one. The feed cuts from the image of Duke to static.

“Alan climbed on the apron, one second away from entering the ring and getting his payback on his former partner. He took a moment to preach to the masses and the World champion, saying how fitting it was that this sinner’s reign will come to an end on the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born. The analogy he was trying to make came to an abrupt end when Gareth Prichard Jr hopped the barricade and positioned himself between Alan’s legs, exploiting gravity to powerbomb the bigger man on the hard floor below. This had to be revenge from attacking his girlfriend, GPJ this time didn’t stand there and watched but he took the matter in his hands. And to make sure Alan wouldn’t be an issue for the rest of the night, Gareth knocked the Preacher out with a soccer kick to the side of the head and concluded his performance with a mocking “Go In Peace”. Duke finally got up to his feet, looking at his former brother in arms laying motionless next to Lowri and Gareth standing smiling next to them. The reason why the enigmatic Welsh was smiling could be that BROOKFORD was right behind the champ's back, and he had the Christmas Lights in his hand. He wrapped the wire around Duke's neck and put him in his Lights Out (half Nelson choke with body scissors). The World Champion started in an attempt to escape the submission, but that only resulted in BROOKFORD tightening the grasp, both with his arms and legs. The champ could barely move now, but he still wasn't giving up, trying to resist the incredible amount of pressure in hope that either Lowri or Joey could break up the submission. But none of them could make it there in time, and eventually the World champion started to pass out. The referee went to check on him and, getting no response, he ascertained that Duke was indeed out by raising and letting his arm fall three times.”

The scene cut, not on Brookford celebrating his win. But with Duke laying on the mat. The lights still wrapped around his neck. Finally the voiceover came.

Duke Andrews:
To quote Andre Young “Y’all gonna keep fucking around with me and turn me back to the old me.”

With that, the screen came back to Duke as he removed this hood. His American Rebel persona back. The long beard, everything from the APE days.

Duke Andrews:
Let me be the first to publicly congratulate Nathaniel on his win. You did it big man. Took three and a half people, but you did it. Count your days, because once my other business is finished, I’m coming back. I’m coming back with a vengeance. I’m coming back for what is mine and there isn’t a fucking soul on this planet that can keep me from taking back my title.

The camera was focused on his face. Staring directly into the camera, as if he was ready to kill someone.

Duke Andrews:
Alan, I warned your ass. I warned you to stay out of my business. But you couldn’t help yourself could you? You cost me my title. You did this to yourself.

The rage coming in the tone of Duke’s voice was enough to warn the crowd watching that there would be retribution.

Duke Andrews:
You know that you are at the top of my list. And there isn’t a soul that can save you now. You better get your god on speed dial and warn him about the quick reservation you just made. I’ll see you very soon.

The feed cuts to black.

MWE Tag Team Championship Match

Glorious Golden Era © (Sophie O'Brian & Neil Newman) VS Tank Steiner & Dusty Douglas

Tag titles on the line in this match, the Glorious Golden Era facing a huge challenge in the duo of Tank Steiner and Dusty Douglas. Sophie O’Brian started the match against the big Austrian, who wasted no time charging at the Belfast born. He threw a big boot her way but Sophie ducked underneath and quickly began alternating with kicks targeting the outside and inside of Herr Steiner’s knee joints. Each kick stung worse than the one prior and backed him closer to the ropes. She reached up to the Austrian Hulk and grabbed the back of his head with a traditional muay thai clinch, forced his head down and began unloading knees upwards, each landing its mark. A few knee strikes later she finally released him, jumping and landing a jumping knee that sent the big man tumbling through the ropes. Dustin quickly went to pick his partner up, sharing a few words with him. Tank seemingly appreciated the advice though his eyes never moved away from Sophie. She may have caught him off guard in the early moments, but Tank wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Rather than charging at her, he now opted for a more cautious approach, waiting for Sophie to make the first move. He easily parried her kick and threw a wild punch that knocked her back a few steps. He then lifted her up onto his shoulder and carried her over to the corner before dropping her head first onto the top turnbuckle with a snake eyes. O’Brian leaned in the corner with her chest against the turnbuckles while feeling her head and Tank took the opportunity to run full speed at her before crushing her in the corner with a splash He made the tag to Dustin, the Murder Train entered the ring and walked to the corner opposite Sophie. Steiner launched her into a massive spear from the Murder Train, but somehow O’Brian kicked out.

As the match continued, the champs took control by isolating Douglas in their corner. Their exceptional teamwork was without a doubt the Glorious Golden Era’s best feature, and tonight they used it to wear down the Big Nasty. Neil was now in the ring, keeping Dustin grounded in a choke. The Murder Train fought his way up to his feet, using his incredible power to drop Newman down and opened the path to his partner. But he had a long way to go, much more than Neil had to cover to make the tag to Sophie. O’Brian ran straight to Tank and prevented the tag from being made with a dropkick that took the Austrian down. She now put Dustin in a front facelock and used some knee strikes to keep him down. Despite her efforts though The Murder Train kept pushing through, answering every knee strikes with a punch to the ribs. Those stone-like fists obtained the outcome he wanted, forcing Sophie to lose her grasp and doubling her over. Douglas wasn’t splitting hairs and lifted the woman in a powerbomb position, throwing her into the corner with his King Kai Bomb. Tag back to Tank who kept hitting O’Brian hard and slamming her into the canvas even harder, but Neil was doing a great job eluding Dusty’s attempts to stop him and breaking up these pinfalls attempts. From out of nowhere Sophie turned the tides, connecting her Death Of Wisdom codebreaker and getting the opening to reach her partner in the corner. And Newman was up for the task, well rested and unafraid to take on the behemoth. Highlight of the match, and probably of the night, was when he lifted the Austrian Hulk and slammed him hard on the mat with an Olympic slam.

Newman pulled a gutsy performance, carrying the weight while allowing his partner to rest and recover after being manhandled by the two big men for a good part of the match. His strategy was to slow the pace and keep the opponent off their feet. Even when Tank escaped him and made the tag to Dusty, Neil didn’t lose his cool. Firstly he took on the Murder Train head on, accepting the challenge to a brawl. Dusty hit like a truck but Newman was not to be outdone, fighting back with great intensity. As the battle raged on the crowd split as more and more of them took Newman’s side. It was not a 50/50 split, but if you look back at the reactions the two teams got when they walked out before the match you can definitely tell the GGE earned a number of fans tonight. And they definitely were enjoying the match, a fair, hard hitting contest without shenanigans, definitely a new one after almost six months of K2O reign. But good things tend not to last, and unfortunately this beautiful contest didn’t have a clean winner. Megan Coleman and Tiffany Lynn-Page came out to the ring and attacked Tank and Sophie who were standing on the apron. Seeing the interference, the ref immediately called for the belt, but this didn’t prevent them from laying down the punishment on the other two competitors as well. They did so with the help of a steel chair, used to knock Dustin down. Sophie was the last one standing, though that didn’t last long. Megan’s Super Woman Punch and Tiffany’s All Eyes On Me floored the tag champion. The two women then left the ring, eyeing the tag team titles at ringside before leaving the area.

WINNER: // (GLORIOUS GOLDEN ERA STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS)
BY: No Contest, 15:03

There’s a coldness in the locker room and even though his companions are here today it seems the man himself has opted to be alone. He has the golden symbol of the Triumvirate going down his tights on the right side but a gold lettering of his last name going down the other end with his knee brace adorned in that matching gold. And with his back on the wall as he has his arms crossed is the former World Champion and one of the most devious men to ever play the game in Seth Iser. The man’s expression is somewhat thoughtful as from a physical standpoint he’s finally looking a little closer to what you’d expect of him, the lanky shape with some muscle definition.

Seth Iser:
Julian…that day is here. The day you can’t run from anymore. I’m not like your actual last name or your father…things you can try to make go away. I’m here. Living and breathing proof that you can’t escape your past but also it’s something that you should’ve never buried to begin with. The weak…they bury their past, their failures and merely make excuses for what had happened. And…for all that you’ve done for this company in the past…you’ve become weak. Reliant on others…to get that rise.

A little more bite in his tone creeps into his voice toward the very end as he keeps his arms crossed and even closes his eyes briefly.

Seth Iser:
Content to just grab low hanging fruit and then flee the moment you’re the one being grilled…how lamentable.

There’s a sigh that escapes from his lips before he opens his eyes with a piercing gaze going right toward the viewer at home.

Seth Iser:
You have your associates…but I asked Megan and Pierce both not to intervene tonight. They have their own pressing matters to deal with not to mention…this issue really should just be between you and me. But I feel the need to amend something I said earlier. I thought you finally grew a set stepping up to me. Maybe we’d see what Julian Nelson was truly made of for the first time in a few years. Christ only knows you don’t want what Owen did to you hanging over your head…

He has that sneer etched on his face as he finally uncrosses his arms and you get more of an indication how long he is at six foot five. He’s even balling his right hand into a fist.

Seth Iser:
But I think I might have found the real reason that you despise me.

A calmness is soon coming over the veteran as he keeps slouching on that wall and the tension in his hand relaxes, no longer balling it up into a fist.

Seth Iser:
You…hate me because in the deepest part of your soul, Julian, I am who you wish you could be.

The calmness radiating continues as there’s even a sly smile creeping onto his face. He even lets out a light chuckle as he says it out loud.

Seth Iser:
Your wealth wasn’t earned. It was inherited. Hell, your name isn’t even your own…it’s one you took to run away from your original. The name Savell is one that encompases many in the industry but not because of one person. But when you say the last name Iser…think of all the different roads that then end up heading toward me? It’s a name that carries respect and helps people respect the sport itself because I am indeed one of the ties to the past that keep the present and future learning. I am that name you wish you were…and I AM Professional Wrestling!

There’s a little more of a roar with the smile evolving into a smirk as the pride is creeping into his posture.

Seth Iser:
And it’s not something I was given. I had to scrap, claw, and suffer for all of it. Twenty years of my life…growing up and finding myself even…and that’s what I’ve earned. That name has helped keep finances more than comfortable for my family in the face of this damn pandemic that’s still had a hold of everything. But it’s also a curse too…that name. Because people like you, Julian…you want to be the person who broke me entirely. It’s a target. But it’s the kind of thing people like you yearn for. It’s a satisfaction you know you can’t have…because you don’t have the courage to stand on your own.

And the smirk has vanished from his face entirely as the veteran almost looks like he’s channeling part of his younger self with a frown etched on his face.

Seth Iser:
And that’s just the professional end of it, Julian Nelson...since you loved dragging my own personal things into the matter. You saw what I did. I addressed what I did. You can’t run from what you are…or what you’ve done. And I know who the hell I am. I’m one of the most devious men to ever play our little game. You’re just one of a many pretenders who want what I’ve got. One of…not the…story of your life at this point considering you never got that affection from your old man either if I had to guess. I never got much from mine either but I never ran from the damn name. I am indeed the son of a preacher even if the preacher's life isn’t for me. Al Envy does a good enough job of that if you want someone of faith anyway…

There’s a shake of the head from the old veteran as he steps forward, his voice heading more toward a neutral tone even if his face has that more familiar agitation.

Seth Iser:
Hell…I almost wish tonight was a steel cage or a chain match, even…that’s with my dislike of wanting one of those extreme stipulations at my age. I really do just because of your propensity to try to run away from your fate. But you can’t run forever…not from me, not from your name or who you really are. Everything we’ve ever done…and I’m not exempt from it…we can’t run from it forever. It all comes back to us.

And then the cold, icy glare that’s been so unfriendly to many and part of what has made him one of the more despised figures in the game today.

Seth Iser:
But running from our responsibilities as a man…that’s what pisses me off the most. It’s why you need to take your ass kicking from me personally. I’m no damn saint…never professed to be, but it might be tonight for you…to take your karma for once in your life. Time to be a man…Nelson. You’ll learn one way or another I’m not someone who you can break entirely nor someone you can kill in this industry. You really want to commit to it? That’s what you should be asking yourself…because if you actually pay attention to what I’ve done the last two years…I’ve changed EVERYONE…who has crossed paths with me.

The ice melts ever so slightly as you finally see the fire creeping in. The fire of old…that he doesn’t always bring out but seems to be burning tonight.

Seth Iser:
Son…you don’t have a vaccine from this. You ain’t exempt. I’ll change you too and make a man out of you…or in due time run you out of the sport. And it might be as simple as tonight…where I beat the hell out of you and you get the proper bitter medicine you deserve. Are you man enough to face these consequences?

He then balls his right hand back up into a fist.

Seth Iser:
Or are you going to run and kick your responsibility to the industry…and to yourself down the road yet again? That…I’ll get my answer to tonight.

With that the veteran makes his decree and marches out on his own to deal with Julian.

Singles Match

Julian Savell VS Seth Iser

Unsainted' by Slipknot blares over the PA system and Seth Iser makes his way down to the entrance ramp. Before he can make his way down to the ring, Julian Savell appears from behind and he slams a chair into Seth’s back. The fans start to boo as Julian bends the chair by hitting Iser with it. Julian then drags him down to the ring and throws him in. Julian pins Seth and tells the referee to start the match. The referee refuses, causing Julian to stand up and get in the referee’s face. This lasts a few moments and it gives Iser the chance to get up and when Julian turns around, Seth nails him with a big boot! Seth goes to attack Julian more but the referee pushes Seth away to the corner. Savell is given time to get up and the referee calls for the bell, starting up the match between Seth and Julian officially. Julian and Seth circle each other, waiting to make the first move. Seth says a few things to Julian, calling him Nelson, basically trying to get him to lose his cool, which it does when Seth brings up Julian’s father.

Savell charges in recklessly and Seth dodges him before pulling him in for a snap DDT. Iser takes control of the match, using his size advantage to keep Julian down in a headlock. Julian manages to get a foot on the bottom rope and the referee breaks it up. Seth goes to pick Julian up but Savell pokes Iser in the eye! The referee warns Julian but Savell brushes it off and he goes back in to take advantage of the situation as he takes Iser out with a brutal looking piledriver and it puts Julian in the driver’s seat of the match for a time. Julian’s moves are quick and clean, it’s easy to tell that he is completely focused tonight as he wants to prove a point to Iser. Seth is on the back foot but gets back in charge of the pacing using his experience and high IQ, stymying Julian’s attempts to roll him up for a flash pin for example and tossing him around to deliver a pair big splashes to him as he slumps in the near corner. Seth then grabs Julian and he nails him with a running bulldog before going for the pin but he only nets a two count. Seth picks Savell up but Julian counters and he’s behind Seth! Julian is able to nail him with a snap suplex that leaves the savvy veteran dazed.

As the leader of the Triumvirate sits up, Julian laces into his spine with kicks from his lower back right up to between his shoulder blades, Seth howling from the painful kicks as he surges up with a shout of anger and starts just pummeling Julian with striking combinations to the ribs and torso with all his might. Seth then takes Julian out with a vertical suplex. He hits Julian with a plethora of suplexes and strikes, keeping control of the match. But Julian starts to come back as the two battle back and forth with the ref warning them both about closed fist punches, Seth backs up and bang! A big superkick takes him to the mat and Julian scrambles for the cover but Seth kicks out just before the ref’s hand hits for three! Julian is pissed and yells at the referee before rounding on Seth and attacking him again, eating more heavy fists but not letting them deter him! Julian then wastes little time as he locks in the Savior Lock onto Seth, trying to make the former Millennium Champion tap out.

He manages to counter out but Julian rolls him back into it again, though now of course they’re in the ropes and Seth easily reaches the bottom strand. The referee orders Julian to break and Julian rolls his eyes and hangs on to the last possible second before releasing. He backs off at the ref’s order but as soon as Seth moves to get up he goes in again, this time looking to go for his Golden God Kick but Seth moves, dodging the kick. Iser locks in Julian’s head, he’s about to go for Deprivation DDT(Jake Roberts styled DDT)!! But Savell screams out and bullrushes Iser towards the corner but in the process, the referee gets hit and knocked out. Despite all of this, Iser still keeps his arm locked around Savell’s neck. He’s about to hit his Deprivation DDT but BAM! Out of nowhere, a woman slams a bottle of whiskey to the back of Seth Iser’s head. The woman turns toward the camera and it’s Rebekkah Katz of Saber! This is the reason Savell has been talking to Chloe Collins! Rebekkah soon exits the ring and Julian then hits Iser with a Savior Kick before pinning him! The referee comes to and he hits a three count! Savell wins!

WINNER: Julian Savell
BY: Pinfall (Savior Kick), 14:02

DING! DING! DING!!!

Julian is being announced as the winner and Rebekkah rolls into the ring. The former Israeli shoulder picks Julian up and she gives him a serious nod. Savell can’t help but smirk before Rebekkah holds the bottle to Julian. Julian orders Katz to lift Iser back up. She does so and BOOM! Julian slams the bottle against his head, giving Iser a second blow. Julian then tells Rebekkah to hold Seth down. She follows orders, putting him into a special hold. Julian opens the bottle and takes a swig of it before grabbing a microphone.

Julian Savell:
Seth thinks he’s better than all of us because he’s been clean for a million years. Well guess what, Seth? I’m going to bring you down a few pegs. I’m going to make you pay for bringing up my father but for also trying to make yourself look better than me. You are beneath me. You’re an addict and a loser and tonight? You’ll be going on your first bender in a long, long time.

Julian bends down and he shoves the bottle into Seth’s mouth. The contents of it goes spraying everywhere as Iser struggles to get out of the hold. Eventually, Julian decides that Iser has had his fill and he tosses the bottle to the side before kicking Seth in the face. Iser is out of it as Savell gives Rebekkah the go ahead to let him go. Julian and his new bodyguard both leave the incapacitated Iser before EMT’s and backstage workers come out to check on Iser.

Backstage the cameras find Alan Envy as he is sitting in a chair outside the catering area. He has his Bible with him as he preaches to those walking by. He looks at the camera

Alan Envy:
Are you here to accept the Word? Or are you here because you want me to respond to Duke?

A voice asks a question.

"Well its about Duke. Your former partner is blaming you for costing him the world title."

Alan Envy:
Just...stop right there. First off when you're offered to get taught the Word you should take advantage of it. You look and smell like sin...but if you want a response to Duke Andrews its simple...Duke cost himself the title not me.

Alan Envy:
He allowed others to take his mind off of being the world champion and got mad when I tried everything to get him to focus. But he didn't want to. Last night he found out what going into a match not focused results in. He lost...and it's his own fault.

Envy stands up.

Alan Envy:
So instead of taking responsibility for himself he takes the easy route and blames others. And now you stand there telling everyone that listens how you're going to punish me. Just because I decided to focus on saving the masses instead of wrestling doesn't mean I have gone soft kid. I'm still Alan Envy, I've forgotten more about this business than you know and I can guarantee you I taught you some things but not everything. And you know this. You know what kind of man I am. So at Riot if you want to settle this to make you feel better about you convincing yourself that I cost you the title so be it. I just hope the tough guy you're trying to portray Captain Redneck shows up. Because if world champ Duke, the one unfocused and weak, shows up, you have no chance.

Envy sits his Bible down.

Alan Envy:
Lace them up tight kid, school will be in session. Afterwards when I beat the living shit out of you maybe you'll wake up….

Envy reacts after realizing he said a cuss word and grabs the Bible and begins asking for forgiveness as the camera feed fades away.

Backstage here on Night Two of Below Zero, we find ourselves looking at a disheveled Karen Eldon. Though she is still wearing an expensive black dress, her makeup is running. Clearly having been crying at some point, slouched down against a wall backstage. Her Christmas last night was ruined by the fact that she was beaten by Melissa Reeves. A loss that extended a streak of losing every big match she had been in regardless of company stretching back even prior to losing the tag team belts. Needless to say it was clear they had taken a toll on her, now left down in the dumps from a year that started so great to a year ending so poorly.

Talking to herself under her breath it is clear it is also frustration seeping in causing all of this. We see walking past is Clyde Eldon Jr. He looks down at his mother seeming to be considering just walking past but his actual kind heart won’t let him as he leans down.

Clyde Eldon Jr:
Is everything ok?

Not looking up at him Karen keeps her head down, as she snaps back at him.

Karen Eldon:
Is everything ok? I spent my Christmas having to wrestle Melissa Reeves who got lucky again and beat me. Everyone is making fun of me for the fact that I have lost every single PPV match I’ve had since the Summer. I had to spend my Christmas alone because Gabriel was hurt and had to get checked up. And Erika is in love with that kid in the Academy…

Clyde raises an eyebrow considering Erika isn’t the only one.

Karen Eldon:
And you ask if I am ok? Of course I am not!

Karen snaps back at him as Clyde seems to somewhat regret his decision to offer support to the mother who had turned his back on him. Still having a heart he does pat her shoulder.

Clyde Eldon Jr:
It'll get better…

Clyde gives it a moment before preparing to go but Karen shakes her head standing up now as she angrily points at Clyde.

Karen Eldon:
It was going PERFECT! Until YOU cost me the titles. Olly and I were on top of the world and YOU ruined it all. But you know what? You are going to learn from your mistakes tonight. Because Olly is going to tear you apart. Because Olly is a better wrestler, is a better fighter, is a better WINNER. AND YOU, don’t try to console me. When you started this losing streak for me! Olly is going to tear you apart…

Karen angrily shoves a finger into Clyde’s chest who seems to really want to rip her a new one. But seeing she is already down he just shakes his head, turning and leaving to get ready for his match tonight.

Anything Goes Match

Olly VS Clyde Eldon Jr.

Amy Maynard: “There’s a lot of history between these two gentlemen. From the bickering when Olly was still in the Academy, to him replacing the injured Clyde in the team with his mother Karen… Things rapidly escalated in the past couple of months, with Clyde costing K2O their record reign and the brutal assault perpetrated by Olly in that tag match back at the beginning of the month..”

Sir Figgles: “If you think that was brutal, just wait for what’s about to happen tonight. Olly is finally going to teach that punk a lesson.”

Amy Maynard: “Sure, let’s just ignore months of verbal abuse and humiliation… Olly never missed a chance to rub in Clyde’s face how successful he and his mother were, hinting that he was a much better tag partner for Karen..”

Sir Figgles: “And where’s the lie? The results leave no doubts, Karen won the titles with Olly, with him she held the belts for the longest time in the company history…”

Amy Maynard: “... Tied up with APE.”

Sir Figgles: “Yeah, and whose fault is that? Karen’s? Olly’s? Yeah, I didn’t think so. It was Clyde’s jealous ass that cost them the titles.”

Amy Maynard: “You sound very passionate about this.”

Sir Figgles: “... I may or may not have lost a bet because of his actions.”

Speaking of action, these two didn’t even wait for the bell to sound before getting down to business. Olly was already living rent free inside Clyde’s head before this match, he had been there for a long time. Since the Academy the young Eldon felt like his polarizing rival had everything he could only wish he had. Success with girls, success in the ring and the attention of his mother. And Olly reveled in it, constantly pointing out Clyde’s failure in opposition to his achievements. Enough was enough, CEJ wasn’t gonna take it anymore and he shut Olly’s mouth with a punch straight into his teeth. The former Tag Champion stumbled back and was struck by a kick to the sternum that pushed him back against the ropes. Clyde let out a primal scream and charged head first into Olly, putting his own well being at risk to spear the young man through the ropes. The impact with the floor below was ugly for both of them and for a few seconds none of them moved a muscle. Clyde was the first to get up to her feet, that spear definitely took a toll on him too as he staggered a bit after getting to a vertical base. Olly though definitely had the worst between them, favoring his lower back. Clyde noticed it and kicked him in the gut before pushing him back first into the ring apron. Arching his back in pain, Olly stumbled back right into a suplex on the concrete from CEJ, without a doubt the fans favorite in this bout.

Amy Maynard: “I hope you didn’t bet on this one too Fig because Clyde is all over Olly already.”

Sir Figgles: “Knowing his cardio he can keep this pace for another two minutes, three at best. Olly has much more experience in this type of matches, and he surely got some tips from one of the all-time greats in Hammerstein. As for Clyde? Not even his own mother wanted to give him any kind of advice.”

A strong survival instinct and quick wit were probably Olly’s greatest assets, and he showed it when he had Clyde all over him, raining down hard punches on the face. In that situation anyone would’ve probably tried to protect himself with both hands while Olly only did so with his left arm, and not very effectively since most of those punches hit the target. With his right hand though he reached under the ring, grabbing a steel chair and swinging it on the side of Clyde’s knee: the best defense is a strong offense after all. CEJ’s leg buckled and bent awkwardly upon impact, a sweep kick completed this shift of momentum with Olly now standing over Clyde with a sinister smirk on his face. The former tag champion was armed and dangerous, but what was worse for the young Eldon was that Olly had zero problems using the chair, more so in a match without rules like this one. Several times he slammed the chair on the opponent’s leg, the ardor of every shot caused some of them to lack the precision needed, hitting different body parts or even the canvas. But those that hit the target did quite the damage, leaving Clyde rolling on the canvas in agony.

Amy Maynard: “Oh no… What is he doing now?”

Sir Figgles: “He’s doing quick work and ending this once and for all, that’s what he’s doing.”

Translation, he was trying to break Clyde’s leg. He had trapped his foot into the folded chair and he now climbed on the apron, ready to jump onto it with a double foot stomp that could probably injure CEJ pretty badly. Moment of tension followed by a sigh of relief as Clyde rolled out of the way and an “Ooooh” of awe and disbelief as the son of Karen stood up to one feet and smacked the chair wrapped around his foot on Olly’s face with a leg lariat. The backlash sent more pain down his leg as he crawled on top of the opponent. The referee had to remind him that despite anything going in this match, submissions and pinfall attempts must be down inside the ring. First thing first, he removed the chair from his leg. Then Clyde slowly got up to his feet, visibly limping on that bad ankle. He dragged Olly up as well and hit him with a headbutt before pushing him under the bottom rope and back in the ring. Realizing that making the pin now that so long had passed since the chair shot to the face wouldn’t get the outcome he was hoping for, Clyde pushed a table in, as well as some chairs. He wasn’t laying down the table for dinner though, his goal was evidently to put the opponent through it, perhaps after further weakening him with some chair shots. If this first part of the plan worked perfectly, the second wasn’t as successful. While he was trying to pick up Olly for a powerbomb, in fact, Olly resisted and sent Clyde flying over his head with a back body drop, sending CEJ onto the pile of chairs.

Sir Figgles: “See? This is what I mean. Just when you think you got him, Olly finds a way to turn things around.”

Amy Maynard: “He’s a crafty one, that’s for sure.”

To do whatever he had in mind, Olly needed more space. So he folded up the table and leaned it against the corner. taking his time to set up four chairs one next to the other forming a square. He dragged Clyde closer to that improvised structure and climbed on top of it, putting his opponent’s head between his legs. He was going to piledrive him on the chairs but CEJ fought back and managed to get free with a punch to the crotch. Olly was still on top of the chairs, but on his knees now. Clyde grabbed the last chair in the ring and unfolded it right in front of Olly. He took a short run, stepped onto it and used it as a platform to jump toward Olly and connect with a dropkick to the chest, throwing him into the corner and through the wooden table. Eldon landed hard on the chairs, hurting his back. He still reached for his opponent and pulled him out of the debris to make the cover. All that bother and he only obtained a two.

Amy Maynard: “Clyde is really putting his body on the line tonight. It doesn’t matter how much he hurts himself in the process as long as it hurts his opponent more.”

Sir Figgles: “And that’s why he’s going to lose. High risk/high reward is a formula that doesn’t work in a match like this. You’re going to get hurt, eventually. What’s the point in doing it to yourself?”

That seemed to be the greatest contrast in this match. Clyde’s eagerness to hurt Olly led him to put his own well being at risk, it had been like that since the very first moments of the match, with that reckless spear through the ropes and on several other occasions through the match. Olly instead was much more methodical, calculated. As if he was overconfident, or he had a plan. Knowing him, it was a little bit of both, and he most definitely had an ace up his sleeve. Or actually in his boots. The mind went immediately back to one year ago, at Coup De Grâce. Back then, Olly was in the pre-show match, an I Quit against Dez Ali. That was the match that really put him on the map, if anything for the curious ending when he voluntarily said those words when he could’ve easily beat his opponent. Dez, in fact, was helpless in front of Olly, who had tied up his opponent to the ropes with zip ties. And now Clyde was about to suffer the same fate. Even with one hand blocked Clyde kept fighting and screaming, trying to kick and punch Olly away. Of course those defensive strikes were not effective at all, most of them completely missed the target and those who actually landed didn’t actually hurt the former tag champion. But it was slowing down the procedure, which irritated Olly. A kick to CEJ's face put an end to his strenuous defense, and the former Academy student blocked the other hand as well.

Amy Maynard: “Come on now, it’s Christmas…”

Sir Figgles: “Well, I guess Clyde was on the Naughty List then.. But unlike Santa, Olly doesn’t hand out coal…”

Olly was out of the ring while Clyde was desperately trying to get free. That fire in his eyes seemed to be fading as the realization that his fate was now sealed. Eventually, that look on his face became one of terror as he saw the opponent coming back with a baseball bat. Olly was absolutely ruthless, picking the rival apart with vicious bat shots to the limbs, torso and even on the back when CEJ, writhing in pain, rolled on his side. The scene was hard to watch, a brutal beatdown to a helpless man seasoned with insults and mockeries. There was only one way this could end but Olly was really biding his time, delaying that knockout blow to punish his tag partner’s son and in Karen’s words, teach him a lesson. But right when all hope was lost, something unexpected happened.

Amy Maynard: “That’s… That’s Tiff Rollins!”

Sir Figgles: “What the hell is she doing here?”

Welcomed by a loud roar of cheers, the former Cloud Gate champion rushed down the ramp. In recent weeks she found an unexpected friend in Clyde who offered her words of appreciation and encouragement and stood up for her against Olly’s bullying ways. At On The Rise, after their match, Clyde took a title shot to the face for her and a few weeks later, she watched Olly beat the crap out of him without being able to help him. Now she decided to return the courtesy, attacking Olly and tackling him down with a spear. Having had her fair share of issues with the young man, Tiff eyed the baseball bat laying on the floor and perhaps considered taking her pound of flesh. But then decided against it, not wanting to take the honor away from Eldon. As Olly started to get up, she knocked him back down with a Death Kick and then walked up to Clyde, finally freeing him. Battered and bruised, he mumbled a weak thank you before trying to get up to his feet and immediately falling back on the mat. He started to crawl toward Olly, who was only now beginning to stir up. Halfway there, CEJ picked up the bat and used it to help himself up, slowly taking the few last steps that separated him from his rival. He then began to use the bat with the same brutality displayed by the former Academy student before, beating him up like he was a piñata. The onslaught went on for a good minute in which Clyde unleashed all that pent-up anger and frustration coming from months of humiliations. Unlike Olly earlier though, he actually ended things with a brutal shot to the side of the head that cracked Olly’s skull open. Exhausted, Clyde dropped on top of him and picked up a huge win against his rival.

WINNER: Clyde Eldon Jr.
BY: Pinfall (Baseball bat shot to the head), 24:36

The scene opens with Kyle Butler walking down the hallway. He has the MWE Lockdown Championship wrapped around his way. Looks like he is in a hurry. He stops in front of a blue locker room door. He lights taps on it. It takes a moment, the door does open. Standing in the doorway is Bree Smith. The friends look at each other in silence. Things are a bit awkward, for starters they are involved in the main event of Night 2. Triple threat for both his championship and Matt Stone’s IC Championship. And also, there is the tension that exists of what was said by Bree a few shows back.

Kyle Butler:
This isn’t the most convenient time but we need to clear the air. Sooner the better.

Bree Smith:
Ok, sounds like you’re serious here.

Bree says giving him her full attention. She steps to the side to let him into her locker room. He walks in. She closes the door behind her. Kyle folds his arms into his chest.

Kyle Butler:
About what you said on Riot to Matt...

Kyle takes a deep breath.

Kyle Butler:
You know me. In no way do I feel great about how our match ended. Matt sticking his nose in our business pissed me off. I wanted to punch him in the face. But you saying you would be Lockdown Champion right now if it wasn’t for him... you know just as much as anyone how hard I worked to become champion. You were there to cheer me up when I was at my lowest. I can’t believe you said that. Friends don’t do that, Bree. I was hurt.

Bree Smith:
Well I didn’t mean it like that. I was maybe putting on some extra grease to make him see how upset he made me and the possibility of being champion.

Bree sighs, finding it hard to focus on her flaws but clearing uses a technique she learned to do that, takes another deep breath, and lowers her shoulders.

Bree Smith:
Sometimes I get tunnel vision on these things.

Kyle stands there soaking in everything Bree had to say. He takes a deep breath.

Kyle Butler:
I completely understand. Remember when me and Neil wanted to take the tag team championships off you and Teagan?

Kyle chuckles. Bree bites down a little harder on her chewing gum after hearing the chuckle.

Kyle Butler:
That’s all we cared about. I had to fight back thoughts about you actually being a cool person to focus long enough to get the job done. Didn’t help that we had to beat up our wives too. Tunnel vision can make things complicated.

Bree Smith:
Very complicated. But my coolness can’t be fought off.

Kyle bridges the distance between him and Bree. He rests his hands on her shoulders. He smiles.

Kyle Butler:
It’s ok. Bring the same fire and intensity you have the ten zillion other times we fought. I expect nothing less from you. Don’t hold back. Do what you must. Know I don’t question our friendship, ok? Regardless of what happens tonight. Whether it’s me or you who walks out with both championships, we’re good.

Bree Smith:
Well, as my brother’s been a singles champion, my sister’s been a Lockdown champion and Cloud Gate, I’m gunning to hold my first singles title, so I’ll hold you to that because you’re gonna be clutching your gut when I spear you AND Matt tonight. So you’re promising we’ll be good?

Bree says after feigning a gut punch to Kyle in a playful way.

Kyle Butler:
I could lose the Lockdown Championship. Would it suck? You bet. Our friendship has been a gift, Bree. Life is more fun with you around. So damn right we’ll be good. You have my word.

Bree Smith:
I hope so, Dude.

Bree smiles and shrugs, before making her “I kinda want something salty and crunchy face”.

Bree Smith:
I’m gonna go get something to quickly snack on. You coming or are you dealing with that gutbuster?

Kyle Butler:
What gutbus-

Bree then playfully and lightly hand palms him in the gut to catch him off-guard and double him over a little.

Bree Smith:
Suck it up buddy, come on. This is practice for later.

As she pats his back then heads out the room to the vending machine. He follows her as the scene fades to black.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
You know; it’s funny…

Uncharacteristically for the Gareth of these past few months, the man is wearing a t-shirt and jeans. He’s obviously not competing tonight and, he seems to be in the arena for some reason. Maybe finally the competitive fire came back to him; maybe not. The fact remains that he’s here and he’s talking to a camera somewhere in the arena. Perhaps characteristically, there’s a smirk on his face as he looks towards the lens and continues.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
It’s funny that for two straight events I’ve been able to outsmart the lot of you by utilizing the oldest tricks in the book. I mean, for such “learned”, and “trained”, and “successful” wrestlers as you call yourselves… you fell for simple stuff. I mean, I put “hate” to sleep; and “hate” simply continued as if nothing happened. I guess the tweety birds in his head during those seconds made him believe he actually won, who am I to judge a man who clearly went out.

Gareth snickers and shrugs, as he continues.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
Then there’s the matter of last night’s battle royal… you honestly believed I went in for the win? You lot honestly thought I wanted to challenge for a belt when I didn’t want a belt that’s higher on the ladder than the two up for grabs for whoever won that match? Are you stupid or are you dumb? Because intelligent beings you are not.

But I digress, the fact of the matter is… JJ… you’re welcome! You’re welcome for the Christmas gift I bestowed upon you. You’re welcome because I WAS THE CATALYST for your success last night. I WAS THE ONE that made sure you could have success. Because of ME… you didn’t have anyone who could stand a chance against you. I took out a wrestler that had all the belief in the world but, made a rookie mistake, and instead of learning from it; she went to social media and basically said I wasn’t in the match. Lady, admit I outsmarted you. The faster you do so, the less it will hurt… In fact, I took you out because I wanted you to learn a lesson that you don’t seem to grasp. Here you cannot think your past success will carry you. You’re not special, you’re not the best… you’re just one of the rest, and if you’re not careful your career will fizzle out faster than eggnog out of the fridge on Christmas.

He throws his arms out and lowers his head as if to wipe his hands of that matter; before he continues talking.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
Then there’s the “old dog”... guess old doesn’t make wise… as for all your experience you seem to have never understood one small detail about wrestling, don’t think yourself the winner until it’s done. Now there’s another challenger for the title you so coveted and you’re back at the bottom of the pile looking up, but don’t worry my guy – that’s how you say it, right? – for this is not the end of the line, you live and you learn. Just keep out of my way if you want to keep your limbs in place.

Gareth inhales and exhales in a deep sigh as he closes his eyes and scratches his head a bit before resuming.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
Tiff… you could command a full fifteen-minute segment from me, but today I won’t take that long. Just know this, whatever this –

Gareth moves his hands in circles in front of him to signal “everything”, as he continues.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
– is that you’re doing… your pouting, you’re constant self-deprecation in public, your lack of enthusiasm for your own career. It has to end one way or the other… either you snap out of it and become an ass-kicker again or I’ll be fucking happy to put you to sleep like a sick little puppy… and believe me, I’ll be more than glad to be the one who puts your career to sleep once and for all if you continue this. You’re better than it, you know it… now prove it.

From that, rather, intense moment, Gareth smiles and brings his head up once more as he licks his bottom lip and speaks once more.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
As for the Main Event…

Gareth clears his throat as he busts out a tune.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
WHAT CAN I SAY… EXCEPT… YOU’RE WELCOME!

With that Gareth begins to leave, but he stops for a second, brings his index finger up, and turns around.

Gareth Prichard Jr.
Oh and Alan… try that shit again, and I’ll make sure you’ll see your god sooner than you wish to.

Now, finally… Gareth moves out of frame as the scene fades.

MWE Intercontinental/Lockdown Championship Match
Triple Threat Golden Era Rules

Amy Maynard: “It’s time for the main event of Below Zero! Two titles on the line in a winner takes all match!”

Ambra Monroe: “History is in the making right here in Tacoma. Nobody in MWE history has ever held two singles titles. Duke Andrews used to be Lockdown champion and tag team champion back in the APE days, just like the leader of the faction Chris Constantine Junior who was World champion.”

Sir Figgles: “This is a completely different situation though, Carrying two titles is not only a testament of your incredible ability, but it’s a lot of pressure too. And honestly, I can see only one person in that ring who can carry this weight without crumbling. Matt Stone.”

Peyton Holland: “God please no… We would never hear the end of that.”

Bree and Kyle both took off at the Intercontinental champion, catching him off guard with clothesline from each. Working in unison, they quickly picked him up and lifted him for a dragon suplex, after which Matt retreated on the outside to regroup. Smith and Butler quickly rolled to their feet and charged at one another, locking horns in the middle of the ring. The test of strength saw Butler coming out on top and eventually managing to push Bree back into the ropes. The referee asked for a rope break which was immediately granted by the Lockdown champion who let Bree go and stepped back. Matt climbed on the apron and pushed Smith into the master of the Roll Tide, knocking him down. Bree looked momentarily stunned as well and the Intercontinental champion immediately took advantage by sneaking up on her and hitting her with the Stone Cutter. His was the first pinfall attempt of the match, but Kyle was right there to break it up before he even reached the two.

Peyton Holland: “I expect this to be Matt’s strategy throughout all this match. Long breaks and quick, sneaky attacks.”

Sir Figgles: “Of course, because that’s what smart people would do in this situation.”

As the two men made it up to their feet, Kyle took hold of the back of Matt’s head after surprising him with a quick jab. The Lockdown champion charged across the ring to slam Stone’s face first into the cage. After the impact, the stunned Matt rested against the turnbuckle to regain his bearings while Kyle looked over to see Bree climbing up to her feet. The Breeberry rushed over but Butler surprised her with a low dropkick to the leg, tripping her over and causing her head to collide with Matt’s crotch. If the look on the Abominable Showman’s face was one of pain, Bree seemed quite disgusted as she got up to her feet. Kyle put an end to this almost comical interlude with a massive bridging german suplex on Bree, obtaining a near fall. After the kick out Smith rocked Butler with a jab to the face and delivered a flurry of forearm strikes to his face. With an irish whip she sent him into the ropes and waited for him in the middle of the ring, catching him a stiff lariat on the rebound. Bree reached down and helped him to his feet, scooping him up and holding him horizontally for her backbreaker reps. Once again Matt struck from behind with a jumping knee strike to the back, causing Bree to fall forward with a front powerslam, right into a pin. Matt at first was gloating, tapping the side of his head with his finger telling the fans how smart he was. But when he heard the referee’s count starting and realized his attack put Bree in a pinning predicament, his expression immediately changed. He turned around in the blink of an eye and stomped her on the back, breaking up the count.

Amy Maynard: “Not really a high IQ play there for Matt, he almost cost himself the match.”

Matt picked Bree up in a seated position and from there he began driving sharp knees to her back. Smith tried to fend them off as she climbed to her feet, but the Intercontinental champion switched up with some vicious elbows and jabs. Kyle was up to his feet and he grabbed Matt by the wrist, pulling him into a booming lariat. He then went for Bree but she caught him with a quick punch. He fired off one of his own and the two started trading shots. Bree more than held her own but eventually he got the upper hand connecting three consecutive forearm strikes. Matt tried to sneak up on him but this time Kyle caught him with an elbow to the face that sent the canadian back into the ropes. Another heavy strike to Bree before he would fire her toward Stone with an irish whip. Seeing the blond coming at full speed, Matt sucked and pulled down the top rope, causing Bree to tumble on the outside. The Straight Shooter then sprinted toward Butler, ducking under the clothesline attempt and continuing to run the ropes. On the comeback, Kyle tried to cut him off with a standing dropkick, but Stone hooked the ropes to halt his momentum, causing the Lockdown champion to flatback on the mat. It appeared that the wind had been knocked out of Kyle as he slowly tried to get to his feet, but just as he began to kneel, the IC champion rushed him and tried to cave his skull in with a wicked knee strike, but Kyle survived the terrible impact and kicked out in time.

Sir Figgles: “Slow count by the referee, Matt has every right to complain..”

Peyton Holland: “No he does not, and that’s what he got for wasting time arguing with the ref.”

Smith was back in the ring and she German-suplexed Matt. Not once, not twice but three times. showing off The Power Of Bree. The display continued with the backbreaker reps on Kyle, but the member of the GGE raised his shoulder in time. The two once again began battling it out, while Matt was lurking from the top rope, ready to leap with a double axe handle on whoever would come out on top. Which was something he couldn’t do under Golden Era rules. While the referee warned him and reminded him of the rules, it was Bree who took him down the hard way, with an overhead belly to belly suplex from the second rope after knocking Kyle down with a headbutt. The flying Matt landed perfectly across Butler’s body with a senton and Bree quickly topped the pile of bodies, pinning both of them at the same time and coming extremely close to the win. The blonde was now in control, keeping both men at bay with hard knife edge chops. It all happened so fast in the end, first Kyle cut off Bree with a running neckbreaker, only to get his head kicked in by Stone. Just as the Straight Shooter was about to pick the opponent up, Bree grabbed his arm and whipped him into the ropes, catching him on the rebound with the Bree-Show (pop up powerbomb). Kyle connected his Rooooooooooooooolllll Tide! on Smith but he couldn’t capitalize on his patented finisher as Matt hit him with a low blow and threw him out of the ring, making the cover on Bree for the one, two, three.

WINNER: Matt Stone (STILL MWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION, NEW LOCKDOWN CHAMPION)
BY: Pinfall (Rooooooooooooollllll Tide!), 19:56

Post by gvb on Dec 31, 2021 15:44:09 GMT -6

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