Millennium XCVII

We cut outside the General Manager's office. Despite the door being closed, we could still hear what was being said inside.

Elsa McCarthy:
... Are you serious, Faith?

The GM asked in a shocked tone.

Faith Savell:
Absolutely. I would never joke about something like this.

There's a moment of silence following the Cloud Gate champion's words. 

Elsa McCarthy:
I'll have to look into this, but your concern is noted. Let me check with Ryen and his team, and if this is confirmed... We'll take actions.

Faith Savell:
They will tell you the same things I told you. And when they do, I expect you to do the right thing and cancel the match. 

Elsa McCarthy:
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thank you for bringing this up to my attention. 

Faith Savell:
You're welcome, Miss McCarthy.

A few moments later, the door opened and Faith walked out with a devious smile on her face.

Backstage here at Millenium we find Karen Eldon walking through the halls in her ring gear after the first match of the night. Looking determined to start the year off right after a rough end of the year. She turns the corner in the hallway to find Matt Stone exiting his locker room area, the two nearly bumping into one another. Matt smirks as the two size one another up, long time friends but tonight on opposite ends of the ring.

Karen Eldon:
Well, well, well. If it isn’t Mr. Dual champion…

Saying this allows Matt to show off a bit, he makes sure to act like it is a real pain to carry the two. Adjusting one of each on each shoulder as Karen rolls her eyes.

Karen Eldon:
You know, shouldn’t that be enough? Instead you find some lame duck partner, to enter into K2O’s tag team division. I don’t think there were many people happier than me to see you win all that gold, but…now you are sort of stepping on my toes…Matty.

Matt seems a little taken aback by the accusation, but stands his ground, once again adjusting the championships on his shoulders that he is so proud of.

Matt Stone:
Please don’t call me that. And if you recall, I offered to team with you first but you were so confident with your Olly. That’s in the past now and Veronica and I go way back, I assure you she’s no lame duck. She’s an elegant swan that’s going to be diving into this division with me. I’ve made no secrets about what I want, Karen. You can either continue to support me or you can get in my way. It hasn’t worked well for others so far, as these titles clearly demonstrate.

Karen Eldon:
You are great as a singles competitor. But don't forget which team won team of the year. Don't forget which team had the belts longer than any other team. As a friend I am telling you, to stay out of K2O's way. And everything will be fine.

Karen says this while trying to appear menacing, made a bit hard when she is looking up at Matt.

Matt Stone:
No offense Karen but I don't put a whole lot of stock in those award shows, no one had a better 2021 than me and I think these two championships prove that. As far as staying out of your way? I face whomever is placed in front of me, perhaps we should be talking to Booker about this match rather than turning on eachother?

Karen Eldon:
I mean. I told you as a friend I would expect you to lay down. But since you are apparently refusing to do that. Then I guess the best team will win. We can go back to being friends...after we win.

Karen waves as she walks past Matt, he makes sure to leave her with one last view of him holding his belts as she goes.

It’s a big night for Phenomenal Cosmic Power as they are set to make their official tag team debut, Matt Stone already having made quite a name for himself in the company since he arrived, and he’s always been about making a statement in every aspect of his life. That’s why he was now standing inside of his dressing room with his manager, Nicole Rossi, looking to put some final touches on his attire for the evening. There’s quite a selection pouring out of the suitcase that Matt placed on the floor before he opened it, Nicole bending over to start grabbing at some of the pieces of clothing.

Matt takes a brief moment to glance at her backside while her attention is focused somewhere else before turning away when she straightens back up and turns towards him with some of the pieces of his entrance attire in her hands. Nicole raises one eyebrow slightly, almost as if she was aware of what he had been doing, that sixth sense most women possess as you know.

Nicole Rossi:
What do you think you were doing?

Matt feigns ignorance of her question and picks up one of his two championships that were laying on the bench side them.

Matt Stone:
I was admiring my own reflection, of course. My hair looks amazing today, don’t you think? Pretty sure it would go perfect with those boots over there.

He gestures towards one of the three pairs they have with them, wardrobe is a big part of Nicole’s job, though that’s more because she doesn’t want to be seen with a slob as she put it. Nicole appears unconvinced by his answer as she presses her lips together, but decides to let the matter go as she looks towards the boots in question.

Nicole Rossi:
I guess those aren’t too bad, good boots for lying down, right?

The corners of her mouth turn upwards into a slight smirk as she makes a reference to what one of Matt’s opponents suggested he do prior to their match.He rolls his eyes at her comment, clearly not as amused by the whole situation as she had been.

Matt Stone:
It’s not like I agreed to that, I wouldn’t have heard the end of it from you and that aside, I don’t lay down for anyone. I’m a champion, damn it!

Nicole Rossi:
Maybe that’s part of your problem, not lying down for anyone.

There’s a slight suggestive tone to her comment as she turns her attention towards the items of clothing in her hands. He eyes her for a second before doing what she had done earlier and lets the matter go.

Matt Stone:
So we’ve got the boots then, can we get everything together so I can go meet with V? I can already hear her complaining about how long this is taking us.

Nicole Rossi:
She can wait, this is important.

Nicole appears to be annoyed at the mention of Matt’s tag team partner and he has no time to respond to her dismissive attitude when the door opens and Veronica herself steps through, holding some items of clothing of her own in her hands. She comes to a stop in between both Matt and Nicole as she looks back and forth for a few moments.

Veronica Sawyer:
I hate to interrupt this lover’s quarrel, but I feel like Matt and myself need to make sure we have outfits that are coordinated for tonight.

Matt was going to comment on people just walking into his dressing room when he saw it was Veronica and thought better of it.

Matt Stone:
Oh what a coincidence, Nicole here was just going through and doing the same thing. Who knew you two cared this much about me?

Veronica Sawyer:
Don’t flatter yourself, we don’t all think you have a crush on us.

Veronica rolls her eyes clearly annoyed by the few interactions she shared with Karen Eldon on Twitter after the announcement was made for their match. She gently pushes Nicole back with one swift motion of her hip as she holds up some of the choices for a jacket against Matt.

Veronica Sawyer:
We need to make sure every single tag team knows that there’s a new powerful force on the horizon and we won’t settle for less than the very best.

Matt Stone:
I mean, sure…

He starts glancing at Nicole before looking back to his partner.

Matt Stone:
I agree with that, but I don’t see how all this attention on the outfit makes a difference in the ring. I’m going to wrestle circles around Olly whether I’m in a tuxedo or a speedo.

Veronica Sawyer:
That’s cute.

Veronica shakes her head with a slight chuckle before she makes her selection and places the jacket over one of Matt’s shoulders. Nicole now has her arms crossed in front of her chest as she watches the both of them with an annoyed expression on her face.

Veronica Sawyer:
I don’t like the way Karen runs her mouth. I'm sure Olly is no better, they seem like two people who share one brain cell on their best day. So we need to send a message both on the inside and outside of the ring, they were the tag of the year, right? That was last year, this is a brand new year, and now we have Phenomenal Cosmic Power on our side.

He’s been eyeing the jacket as she was talking, finally taking it off his shoulder to fully inspect it.

Matt Stone:
So you think if I wear this jacket it’s going to properly convey the message that we’re the team of the…twenty-twenties? Is that how you say it? I don’t really think that tracks, doesn’t our work in the ring mean more? What do you think, Nicole?

Nicole Rossi:
Oh? Now how I feel matters?

Nicole snaps almost immediately as Matt appears confused by her sudden anger, but this seems to not be a concern for Veronica who waves one hand in Nicole’s face.

Veronica Sawyer:
Don’t be ridiculous, go and get us some water or something, Matt and I have plenty to discuss.

Nicole’s eyes open wide as she looks over towards Matt almost as if she was waiting for him to step up and come to her defense while Veronica is brushing off the front of the jacket he was holding to make sure it was looking perfect.

Matt Stone:
She’s not a maid, Ronnie.

Matt says without needing the prompting from Nicole on that one.

Matt Stone:
She’s my business advisor and this…well this isn’t really important business but it is business. You had to have walked by catering to get here, could have grabbed one for yourself…and me while we’re at it.

He adds in before seeing Nicole still glaring at him.

Matt Stone:
And one for her, too. Yeah, that’s it.

Veronica Sawyer:
Fine, fine…forget about the jacket, okay?

Veronica gives Nicole a tight lipped smile, clearly not one that was genuine, before she turns her attention back over towards Matt with a much more serious expression on her face.

Veronica Sawyer:
Obviously what we do inside of the ring is what’s really going to matter above all, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to impress that much more, we don’t want to get lost in the shuffle. We certainly don’t want to give Karen an even bigger ego than she already has because you went and pity liked her sad little thot posts.

Matt Stone:
I’ve liked yours too, do you have a big ego?

He asks, looking at her for a moment before correcting himself.

Matt Stone:
Nevermind, stupid question. I don’t think we should have any fear about being lost in the shuffle out there. I’m a champion, twice over actually, don’t know if I’ve said that but there it is, all eyes will naturally be on me. I’m kind of a big deal around here.

Veronica Sawyer:
This is tag team wrestling Matt, believe it or not, it’s not all about you.

Matt Stone:
Well yes, I know that. You two are there as well. You do remember Nicole back there, right?

Veronica glances over at Nicole once more, still appearing less than impressed.

Veronica Sawyer:
Sure, sure…can we just properly discuss our game plan before we go out there, alone?

Matt Stone:
Alone? Are you saying without the cameras or without Nicole? Cause I’m fine talking away from the cameras, I do that all the time but without Nicole doesn’t make much sense to me, she’s going to be out there with us so having her in on the plan only makes sense, no?

Veronica glances back at Nicole who gives her a smug smirk clearly pleased with the fact Matt is taking her side, this leaves Veronica with no other choice as she gives in to the request.

Veronica Sawyer:
Sure, she can stay, but we don’t want anyone else to know.

Matt Stone:
That I can agree on.

He turns to the camera and starts backing the person out the door.

Matt Stone:
You’ve seen plenty for now, but tune in later when you see PCP really make a statement.

With that, he closes the door and we head back to ringside.

Heading away from the arena for a moment and we're greeted with a wall of posters. Many of the MWE stars are there, some images tattered and worn, others newer looking. Standing with his back to us is a alrge man, whose identity becomes clearer as the camera zooms.

Valentine doesn't turn to face the camera, his focus is elsewhere. Instead his manager, Evie, talks.

Evie:
Look at them all.

She steps into view from off camera.

Evie:
So many names and faces. So much history, all those ambitions and hopes - all represented here, on this wall.

She steps around Valentine, pointing at a poster of Andrew Raynes.

Evie:
Take him for example. What are his ambitions, his dreams and hopes?

The elegant young woman trails her fingertips down the poster, nails scratching at it slightly.

Evie:
It doesn't matter what they are. When you face the immovable object then nothing you do matters. Andrew could have been a different case, but he decided he's just like everyone else. For all of his talk, how loud he likes to be, he's simply the same as everyone else.

Evie shrugs.

Evie:
Disappointing. I expected better, but V here? He never did. That's okay though, I learn as I go, I can admit when I'm wrong.

She circles back around Valentine, standing behind him.

Evie:
Just as I can tell you all, without question, that when Valentine sets his mind on a goal nothing and nobody can stop him. Not the guy spouting vitriol about hate. Not any other poser on the roster. Not champions, not veterans, nobody.

Her smile shows, but she shakes her head.

Evie:
They're just fighters. Valentine is a force of nature and a force of nature fears nothing. They are stopped by nothing. They just are. Tonight Andrew will face Valentine head on, and he will fall.

Valentine finally turns around, standing behind her still but looming above her.

Evie:
As all do.

Cut to black.

The scene cuts backstage where we see the reigning Chicago Way Champion, Andrew Raynes, with a little more focus in his eyes tonight. After the events of Red Line 3, he was ready to have his hatred level increase with a full season in MWE ready to go. Coming in as Chicago Way Champion put him in a much better position then who he was going up against tonight, even if his body didn’t want to admit it given the carnage, he endured from Red Line a couple weeks ago. Still, the man was always ready to give everything he had because it was who he was now. It didn’t matter to him how depleted he felt or how badly his body hurt, having the chance to go up against the man who’s been involving himself in Andrew’s matches just to get at Jordan meant something to him and now Andrew was going to finally be able to do something about it. You’d think given the fact that Valentine’s interference helped Andrew retain his belt at Below Zero would allow Andrew to enjoy it, he had a real distain for people getting involved in his shit no matter what the result was. Andrew was a man who prided himself on doing whatever it takes, on his own merit, to get the job done and having some imbecile get involved when it never concerned him just really put him off.

Andrew Raynes:
Its funny just how sensitive such a big man can be when you dismiss him as nothing.
It must really get to you, Valentine, when I look at you and think nothing of you, that your statue would otherwise be intimidating to everyone else you might come up against but I can assure you that you’ve never come across someone that’s so willing to sacrifice himself and do whatever it takes in order to get the job done. When I made the walk in the park comparison to facing you as opposed to what I went through against Kimmy and joey, I can almost imagine how badly your blood must have been boiling to be seen as nothing.
You might be a big man, V, but I guarantee I hit harder than you ever could.

Its what comes with being the Chicago Way champion, im just simply built differently than you and many others. It was why I was able to get past the two longest reigning champions before me and how I am in place to set the bar for a very long time. As the Chicago way champion, it would have been incomprehensible of me not to go into Red Line given it was in Chicago and that it was all hardcore rules that affected the matches. That even, for me, was a wake up call to step myself up and continue to give this belt the validation and eyes it deserves.

Now I get to chop you down for once.

Andrew scoffs, takes a deep breath and gives himself some more focus. He’s been hoping to get his hands on valentine for awhile now and was salivating at the chance to destroy him.

Andrew Raynes:
Its no surprise you didn’t bother to sign up for such a hellacious event, I wouldn’t expect someone like you to want to get his hands that dirty or maybe was afraid of getting a little scratch on himself. My body has been insanely lacerated, stitched, whatever else you can think of and I can assure you that I am nowhere near 100% coming into this match but its no going to stop me from forcing you to embrace the hatred I plan on bringing in this year. I’m sure you look at me and think that you’ll have it easy, being all nicely rested and healthy gives you an advantage over me, I’m sure that’s why you thought this was going to be easy by saying goodbye to me when the card was announced.

Its easy to see how foolish you are.

I’m genuinely battle tested, V, while you lay low and only strike when the opportunity presents itself, you’re going to have to look me dead in the eyes and have the guts to come after me face to face. It won’t be in the chaos of a match with someone else that you’ll gain the upper hand, you’ll actually have to come at me while I’m looking at you, except I know all about you now since you’ve gotten involved in my shit twice now. You’re not going to be able to do much about it when I punch you in the face and send you spiraling downhill.

Think I am concerned about you? I have faced many giants in my career and many of them I have brought down and humbled, embraced in my hatred and left wondering what happened to them. I called you a walk in the park because I know for a fact that Kimmy and Joey are far more dangerous than you ever could be, that they were willing to put themselves through the death match of all ages just to be able to go into the chamber, crippled, and try and win the thing. Its no wonder a loser ass clown like Tiff was able to win it when the true battle tested warriors had killed themselves in order just to get in. I make no excuses for myself because now, instead of focusing on any championship I want, I focus on making the Chicago Way Championship the belt that is most coveted.

Why? Because I have a way of making people want to come and take it from me.

That’s how good I am, V, that’s the stature I bring with me to the ring every single time. It’s why when you had the chance to do something about it, you decided to take the easy route and go after the weaker man in Jordan instead of the champ, you never had the guts to try and take me on because you knew it would end badly for you.

Now, you don’t have a choice, and I’m going to revel in it.

Andrew takes another deep breath, about to take pleasure in his upcoming match.

Andrew Raynes:
By all means though, V, try your best to say goodbye to me, do your best to try and take me down when you were too chickenshit to do it when you had better opportunities. You chose to go after the weaker link and I’m going to show you why you made that choice.
You may seem to think that this will be easy for you given the status of my body physically but mentally, I’m stronger than you ever wish you could be. I’m going to enjoy showing you who the real idiot is when you realize that I am nowhere near your league and force you to embrace hate in embarrassing fashion.

I am a man that is built on doing whatever it takes to win, in order to get the job done in a way that suits me. I don’t care what it takes, I don’t care what I must do because I am a free man, I am someone who isn’t tied down to rules, respect, honour or anything else. It allowed me to take the Chicago Way Championship with ease and successfully defend it three times already. You’re nothing more than a little grunt boy being dragged by Evie’s leash, someone who won’t see his true potential until you have been freed and unleashed to show them who you really are.

Tonight though, you’ll be forced to embrace hate and be put down like the dog you are.

Andrew smirks, he shows off his Chicago Way Championship and walks off

The cameras cut to the sight of Lowri Moss walking backstage, eliciting a loud cheer from the audience. Dressed in her ring attire, together with one of her Irish Whip Clothing branded t-shirts and a backwards snapback, Lowri is on her way towards the ring for her forthcoming match. She is almost at the gorilla position, when a familiar voice calls out to her.

Paisley Dawn:
Lowri!

Lowri stops, and turns around to see Paisley approaching her; she gives the reporter a smile.

Lowri Moss:
Hi, Paisley. What’s up?

Paisley Dawn:
I know you’ve got your match with Julian Savell coming up shortly, but I just wanted to ask you a few questions first, if I may.

Lowri Moss:
Alright, sure, but… make it quick– I wouldn’t want the match to start without me.

Lowri winks playfully at Paisley.

Paisley Dawn:
I’ll try not to keep you too long.

The two share a laugh.

Paisley Dawn:
I actually wanted to start by congratulating you on the award that you won a few weeks ago in the MWE End Of The Year Awards– knowing the connection that you have with the fans, I assume it must have meant a lot to you to win that particular award.

For those unaware, Lowri won the Top Face award.

Lowri Moss:
Oh, absolutely, Paisley. I know I had nominations for one or two other awards as well, and it would’ve been cool to win the award for the Best Female Wrestler– although I can’t begrudge Alex Andrews that one, I don’t think anyone can deny that she deserved it– but if I could only win one award, then I would’ve wanted it to be the one that I won. The love and support that the fans show me means so much to me, I feed off of it when I'm inside the ring, and they make what I do - what we all do - they make it worthwhile.

There is a cheer from some of the crowd present inside the Garrett Coliseum, appreciative of Lowri’s remarks.

Lowri Moss:
I heard Dusty Douglas refer to himself recently as “the Champion of the people,” but the people have made themselves heard, Paisley, just as I can always count on them to do, and they have let everyone know who their champion really is; unfortunately at Below Zero I couldn’t quite reward them for their support by winning the world title, but I do intend to give them a victory to celebrate here tonight.

Another cheer can be heard, the fans in Montgomery seemingly on board with that.

Paisley Dawn:
Speaking of Below Zero, we’re now three and a half weeks on from what was the final pay-per-view event of last year. You were of course one of three challengers in the fatal four-way for the MWE World Championship that main evented night one of the show, and while a new champion was crowned, it wasn’t you that walked out with the title– how do you reflect back on that match?

Lowri shrugs her shoulders, almost seeing blasé about it.

Lowri Moss:
Obviously I wanted to win, Paisley, but not winning didn't ruin my Christmas.

Smiling wryly, she continues.

Lowri Moss:
I stated last month that my ultimate goal here in MWE is to win the World Championship, but I was well aware that I might not accomplish that at Below Zero, given the type of match, the number of opponents, so I wasn’t beating myself up about it afterwards. Besides, as I said prior to the match, I’m too good of a wrestler to believe that I won’t get another shot at the world title at some point in the future; Elsa McCarthy and Vincent Moretti both went to a lot of effort twelve months ago to convince me to join this promotion, and I’m not going anywhere– I’m here for the long haul, and whether it’s a month from now, a year from now, or longer, I will be MWE World Champion, Paisley, of that you can be sure.

Paisley gives a nod of acknowledgement, before then proceeding to ask about something else.

Paisley Dawn:
Someone who was victorious at Below Zero, albeit under controversial circumstances, is your upcoming opponent, Julian Savell; what are your thoughts on him and this match?

As Lowri responds, the smile on her face now resembles something more of a smirk.

Lowri Moss:
I think that if he wants to give me a bottle of whiskey, I would prefer for him to do so after the match. Seriously though, I’m expecting a very difficult match. Julian has been a top champion in multiple promotions, his history here is well known, and after that victory at Below Zero, he’ll no doubt be wanting to follow it up with another one tonight. I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone, however, to hear that I have other plans.

Paisley Dawn:
Are you at all concerned that his new bodyguard could get involved?

Lowri again shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly.

Lowri Moss:
If she does, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

She places her hands on her hips.

Lowri Moss:
I do find it ironic that the group who have been paid to prevent people from interfering in matches in Valiant Wrestling are doing just that here in MWE.

A small sigh then escapes her lips.

Lowri Moss:
You know, Paisley, tonight promises to be a bad night for the Savell family. Later on, in our main event, I think we may well see Faith’s time as a champion come to an end, when she faces Lucie Callaway again. Before that though, it’s the turn of her brother; no titles on the line in this one, sure, but I still want the win, to start off the new year in MWE on the right note.

With that, Lowri turns away from Paisley and resumes her walk towards the ring, ready for her match.

Once again we found ourselves outside Elsa's office. Much like earlier in the show, the door was open but the camera still picked up the conversation. The first voice we heard was that of Lucie Callaway.

Lucie Callaway:
Wait.. I can explain...

Elsa McCarthy:
I'm sure you will. And I hope, I truly do, that this will turn to be just a misunderstanding.

The General Manager interrupted the former Chicago Way champion.

Elsa McCarthy:
But for now, I think it's safer if we pull you from the match.

Lucie Callaway:
So you're just gonna let her duck me again?

Elsa McCarthy:
Nobody is taking your shot away. Once we clear this situation, you will get your rematch. If Faith can retain the title tonight, against Faizah Marshall.

A thud followed Elsa's words, likely coming from Lucie slamming her fist on the desk.

Lucie Callaway:
This is bullshit!

And on those words, the young sister of Brytain Rollins stormed out of the office.

We cut to the backstage area of the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama. There we find both Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz, the tag team duo known as Fabulous. Sandwiched in between them is none other than journalist Robbie Hayden.

Robbie Hayden:
Ladies and gentlemen Robbie Hayden here and my guests at this time are Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz…

Collins shakes her head.

Summer Collins:
“You can do better than that, Robbie.”

Robbie Hayden:
Do I have to?

Summer Collins:
Yes.

The reporter sighs.

Robbie Hayden:
My absolutely Fabulous guests at this time are the absolutely Fabulous tag team of Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz, known as Fabulous.

Collins nods her head approvingly.

Summer Collins:
That’s better, Robbie. The more you call us Fabulous the better the introduction is, the more you call us Fabulous, the more accurate your introduction is, because this name isn’t just a nice marketing slogan, it is factual. We are absolutely Fabulous…outside the ring we are absolutely Fabulous because we are the best looking, sexiest ladies on this roster. Inside the ring we are absolutely Fabulous because we are among the very best tag teams in professional wrestling. Our record speaks for itself. At our peak we held the GCW tag team championship and the MWE tag team championship simultaneously. That in and of itself speaks for our greatness. So yes, Robbie, call us Fabulous as often as you can, because it is true.

Robbie Hayden:
But you haven’t been Fabulous lately. In fact, you are looking to get back on track against Warblade 42 in a Tornado Tag Team Match. Would you care to comment on that?

Lasiewicz nods her head.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
I’ll take this one, Summer.

The Archangel stares a hole through Hayden.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
I know you’re just doing your job. I get that. I know you’re asking the hard questions. But now is not the time to be a tough reporter. Summer and I are pissed off, and we have been pissed off for quite some time now. We haven’t been getting the opportunities we deserve and when we do get those opportunities we get screwed over. Yet you want to say we haven’t been very Fabulous lately? No shit, Sherlock. But tonight that changes and it changes at the expense of Warblade 42. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the hell out of Valkyrie and Niko. Fabulous and Warblade have done battle before. We have beaten them before. And tonight we will beat them again because tonight is the beginning of a new era for Fabulous. We are done playing games, we are finished with being nice. Summer and I have our goal and our goal is to once again dominate tag team wrestling. For MWE that means once again becoming World Tag Team Champions. For Valkyrie and Niko that means that as good as you are, and no matter what you throw at us tonight, all of it will be for nothing when we emphatically put you down.

Summer Collins:
The term ‘must win’ has been thrown a lot in this business. For Jess and I, this truly is must win because we recognize that we won’t get many more opportunities if we cannot pick up a victory. So tonight we will win, and we will win by any means necessary.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Tonight is just the beginning. Wardblade 42 and Fabulous reignite our rivalry and we will beat them. But it is just the beginning on our road back to the top. We will mow over every other team in this division if we have to until the queens of tag team wrestling go back on their throne. Come and place your bets.

”I’m Bad” by LL Cool J plays. The brand new MWE World Champion BROOKFORD walks out in front of the Garrett Coliseum audience. He doesn’t walk far, choosing to stand on the top of the stage. Everyone in attendance gives him a standing ovation. The normally stoic Problem Solver stands there soaking the ovation all in. A smile forms on his face. He brings the microphone to his lips.

BROOKFORD
You have my assurances I am not going to rattle on for the next twenty minutes. It’ll barely take five for me to say what needs to be said.

BROOKFORD takes a small pause before continuing.

BROOKFORD
I had zero doubt I would walk out of Below Zero as the World Champion, what I didn’t expect was all the congratulations I received after. From those on the MWE roster to those outside the company, it was a humbling experience. Lets face it, if you look up the phrase people person in the dictionary, you won’t see my photo. The amount of people I actually talk to backstage and outside the arena doesn’t equal two hands. And yet, I was floored with congratulations. Not a sentimental guy but I do appreciate it. What that did was reinforce the lesson I always knew, you work hard, you keep your head down, you go about your business, don’t try to be too big for your britches, the rewards will follow. Been through a lot. From FGA. To Underground. To losing my fair share of big matches in MWE. Holding the MWE World Championship makes me appreciate the journey I took. Cool.

The crowd applauds, chanting “you deserve it.” BROOKFORD nods.

BROOKFORD
I made several promises along the way. Promised to win the briefcase. Check. Promised not to use the briefcase for a blind cash in. Check. I have one more promise to keep. I won’t allow the World Championship to change me. What I find funny about our previous champion, he made it a point to ramble about going back to the old him. Some nonsense to the contrary. Duke... the moment you changed in my view is when you won the championship. You were always sure of yourself, grant it, the day you beat Seth to become World Champion, you became one of the most mouthy, arrogant, pieces of shit MWE had ever seen.

BROOKFORD shrugs.

BROOKFORD
You allowed your ego to make you forget whatever you truly are. I found it quite pathetic actually. The go home show prior to Below Zero and the build leading up to the pay per view, for someone who had beaten me in our previous encounters, your insecurities stunk worse than a thousand landfills. Like you were so desperate for any kinda edge. I asked myself, where was the Duke who beat me before he put Seth down? Does that Duke even exist anymore? Not that it matters. Go on believing once you get through Alan that you are gonna claim what you believe should still belong to you. Know this Duke, you’re not the man around here anymore. I am. Guess I did become World Champion in 2021 after all right?

BROOKFORD winks as he raises up the World Championship. ”I’m Bad” by LL Cool J plays. The crowd is firmly on the World Champion’s side on this day. He turns around and walks through the curtain.