Millennium XCVIII

Backstage we find “The Archangel” Jessica Lasiewicz and her best friend and tag team partner Summer Collins, the tag team duo known as Fabulous. Only on this evening they are not alone. A visitor, familiar to Lasiewicz and Collins but mostly unfamiliar to the rest of the MWE universe, stands in between the pair. He has wild black hair, unkept facial hair, and is dressed from head to toe in a purple suit, blue silk button up shirt, and an orange tie. In a way, he almost looks like The Joker from Batman. But this is not Joker. This is the self-proclaimed Most Loved Man on the Planet Leviticus.

Leviticus:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am Levi Timothy Craig, but you peasants can call me Leviticus! You can also call me The Most Loved Man On The Planet, The Emperor of Entrepreneurship, Captain Capitalism, Master Media Mogul, Saint Levi, Your Righteous Savior, The Titan of Twitter, The Sultan of Social Media, The Nova Wonder Killer, The Franciscan Friar of Flash…

Lasiewicz rolls her eyes.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Don’t forget that you are also The Man of a Thousand Nickname…

Leviticus:
Right! But this evening I am taking on the role I was made for, the role the good lord above created me for! I am The Maharajah of Marketing! And the ladies you see to my right and to my left are YOUR NEXT MWE Cloud Gate Champions!

Lasiewicz smacks Levi in the back of his head.

Jessica Lasiewicz:]
Idiot. We can’t BOTH be champion.

Leviticus:
True, but I can’t show favoritism. I mean, you scare the hell out of me…just like your father scares the hell out of me…but Summer here signs the paychecks and she has a ton of money. So I’m kinda torn, y’know?

Collins chuckles. Jessica rolls her eyes.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Just get on with it, Levi.

Leviticus:
Right! Tonight the tournament to crown a new Cloud Gate Champion begins and I guarantee you, that you are looking at the next champion when you look at these two absolutely FABULOUS women by my side! Tell ‘em about it, Summer!

Summer Collins
Valkyrie, we are no strangers to one another. And we recently reignited our rivalry. Of course Fabulous wishes your partner, Niko, the best wishes and a quick recovery so that Warblade and Fabulous can have another round of great tag team action for the great fans of MWE. But this is about singles action and singles gold. And it has been a long time since I have had gold of any kind around my sexy gorgeous waist. I’m not going to let you stand in my way.

Leviticus:
But don’t worry, Valky baby! After you get beat, just talk to Captain Capitalism! I can see big things for you on the horizon! A hammer! A really big hammer! Valkyrie: The Hammer! On sale now at MWE Shop Dot Com! But what about the little lady who thinks this tournament is a waste of her time? A little lady who thinks she should already BE champion? Of course, I’m talking about Faizah Marshall…

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Sorry, Marshall, but champions are not made via forfeit. Don’t get me wrong, I am not naive, I have been around long enough to see men and women become champion via forfeit. And yes, they are officially crowned a champion but are they ever truly championship material? The answer to that is almost always a resounding no, because once they are faced with the pressure of actually defending that championship they fold like a cheap tent. Maybe you DO deserve to be champion? But you have to prove it by winning this tournament. And trust me, I am not going to make it easy for you. Like Summer, I haven’t had any gold in a long time and I am not going to let you stop me from becoming Cloud Gate Champion.

Leviticus:
Don’t worry Faizy baby, when you lose The Emperor of Entrepreneurship will send the proceeds of Faizah Marshall: The Video Game to you as a consolation prize!

Lasiewicz smacks St. Levi in the back of his head again.

Summer Collins
Here are the facts, ladies and gents; Fabulous will win this tournament. One of his will become the new Cloud Gate Champion. And that is going to be absolutely FABULOUS!

As the show switches elsewhere, Lowri Moss is seen standing in an area backstage, and the sight of the popular young woman from South Wales draws a loud cheer from the fans inside the Pensacola Bay Center. Dressed casually, Lowri is wearing a pair of jeans, as well as one of the “For Niko” t-shirts that Valkyrie had made, showing her support for the stricken Warblade 42 member. She starts by giving her usual greeting.

Lowri Moss:
What’s occurring, Pensacola?

That elicits the customary cheap pop from the audience.

Lowri Moss:
The last time you all saw me, seven days ago, I was involved in a match with Julian Savell, which I came out on the losing end of. But of course, that doesn’t quite tell the whole story.

She gives a shake of her head.

Lowri Moss:
Since I made my first appearance in an MWE ring, fifteen months ago, there have been three matches in which I’ve been beaten. There was that first match, at the Three Year Anniversary show, a few months before I actually signed a contract with the promotion, where I lost to Freddie Hjalmar; there was the match last September, at When The Sun Goes Down, against Faith Savell; and then there was the match last Wednesday, against Julian. And all three of those losses had something in common: they all came in contentious circumstances.

Following the briefest of pauses, Lowri continues.

Lowri Moss:
Freddie arranged for an impostor to replace the actual referee, who then did a fast count on me; Faith got a great big assist from her boyfriend, Olly; and it was a similar situation last week, with Julian and his bodyguard.

She lets out a sigh.

Lowri Moss:
Three losses against three opponents who each know that I’m better than them, and who each know that they couldn’t haven’t beaten me without taking a major shortcut… not that any of them will admit that, of course, but then they don’t need to– their actions already speak loud enough.

A wry smile crosses her face.

Lowri Moss:
What it does mean though is that I now have a score to settle with Julian. I missed out on settling things with Freddie, as by the time that I became a full-time member of the roster, he was long gone. I kind of settled things with Faith… well, with Olly, at least, when I got to drop him on his head. But Julian? Yeah, that’s a score that I definitely want to settle at some point, should I get the chance to do so.

She lets out another, longer sigh, before then moving on to a different subject.

Lowri Moss:
Tonight is all about the opening round of the tournament to crown a new Cloud Gate Champion– a tournament that originally, I was due to be part of, until I asked Elsa McCarthy to remove me from it. Now, I know some people may be surprised that I would pass up the chance to potentially win a championship– Faizah Marshall certainly was– but I said back in October, on the first episode of Millennium after my reign as Cloud Gate Champion had come to an end, that I wasn’t interested in a rematch for the title, and three months on, I'm still not interested in trying to regain the Cloud Gate title.

Lowri shakes her head again.

Lowri Moss:
Two, three, four years ago, I would’ve relished the opportunity to be in a tournament like this one, but not now. Sure I want gold, but I’ve got enough accolades to my name now that I’m not interested in winning just any old title. I don’t need this opportunity, not as much as someone such as Faizah does; for her, and a number of others in the tournament, it could produce the biggest moment of their career so far, but for me, well, right now, I think it would be a step backwards.

She puts her hands on her hips.

Lowri Moss:
I will still be watching the tournament with interest though, not least because my other half is in it. In fact, my main reason for being here tonight is to support him, and his match with Siobhan Mahoney is coming up soon, after the one between Valkyrie and Summer Collins that’s up next. Before I go and re-join him in the locker rooms though, there’s just something that I want say to Elsa– or to Vincent Moretti, for that matter, if he’s watching– and that’s that if you want to give me an opportunity, if you want to put me in a match, then please, give me the match that I want, the one that you know I’ve wanted for a few months now, at least. Please give it to me be–

She is interrupted by a voice from off camera.

“Hey, are you referring to James Edwards?”

Lowri diverts her attention away from the camera, looking in the direction of the voice.

Lowri Moss:
Yeah, why?

A reply comes from the disembodied voice.

“He’s MIA. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since Below Zero.”

That is clearly not the news that Lowri wanted to hear.

Lowri Moss:
Great, so you mean I may well have missed out on the match that I want with him again?

She throws her hands up in exasperation.

Lowri Moss:
You know what? Just cut it there.

As instructed, the camera abruptly cuts away.

Backstage here at Millenium we find ourselves looking at Tank Steiner who does not have a match tonight. However he is likely there to watch good friend Valkyrie compete. He is enjoying the silence until the loud heels of another competitor with the week off strolls around the corner nearly bumping into him. Wearing a green dress with matching heels it is Karen Eldon. A look of fear across her face at first. She quickly knocks it off her face in favor of a smile, trying her best not to look intimidated.

Karen Eldon:
If it isn’t my old pal Mr. Steiner! Long time no see, see you are looking as tall as ever.

Even in her heels Karen is forced to stare up at Tank, the menacing force that he is. Tank merely dips his head in greeting, completely relaxed.

Tank Steiner:
Frau Eldon, you are well I trust?

Having no idea what Frau means, Karen ignores it hoping it wasn’t an insult.

Karen Eldon:
Sure you are here to watch Valk’ do her thing. You know it is so awful what happened with Niko. She and I go way back, is she doing ok?

Despite her best acting performance we all know Karen not to be sincere, as she places a hand on Tank’s shoulder.

Tank Steiner:
To the best of my knowledge, she’s out of surgery and back at home recovering. But, I get the feeling you didn’t come to talk about my friend or her injured partner.

Karen Eldon:
Well Tanky not totally, I mean I am super supportive of Niko. But I am also a bit worried about you…I know we haven’t always gotten along but I want what is best for you. And know you and Dusty have been teaming up. But this whole APE stuff is bad news…Dusty treats Duke and Alan like his parents. It’s very clear where his loyalties lie, I just worry what that means for you.

Karen looks over at Tank shaking her head in concern. Tank rolled out his shoulder as he nodded.

Tank Steiner:
Well, no need to worry about me, it’s not like I can’t take action where necessary. People who stick a knife in my back tend to get chopped in the face, dropped on the apron or fall victim to a Moonsault.

Karen Eldon:
Trust me, Dusty is totally going to do that to you soon enough. Maybe better to beat him to the punch wouldn't you say?

Tank Steiner:
Oh trust me, I keep a sharp eye on Dusty for that reason, just as sharp as the one I keep on any Cobra that has screwed over my friends and performs a show before me to actually make me get the double cross in first.

Tank makes a presentation of Karen to the camera, before the Austrian Hulk turns his hardest stare back to her. Karen visibly gulps, few people more menacing than Tank.

Tank Steiner:
Do you honestly think that little of me that you can come here, talking about how Niko is a friend when you and that youngling spent every moment in matches making her and Valkyrie look like idiots and I would conform to your version of truth? Days after I get jumped by a paid mercenary by a woman who is very similar to you in that she takes the easy way out of matches to put on a facade of greatness and is a fucking stain on this business? I’m a former soldier and former champion, calling yourself a great champion or wrestler is on a level of Stolen Valor to me! I have a splitting headache and I’m in too bad a mood to even carry on pretending to be civil with you Karen. In fact, what I do, is no business of yours, but it should very well be a concern.

And with those words, Tank just walked away from Karen. Karen waits until he is far enough away to puff out her chest.

Karen Eldon:
You better walk away.

Karen turns and storms off upset that things didn't go as she planned.

Look at me!

A jaded Gareth Prichard Jr appears on screen, wearing his “ring gear”, but a bit worn down; it doesn’t look as “clean” or “fresh” as one would’ve hoped. There’s a look of disgust on his face, not the usual smirk we’ve grown used to from him in this latter part of his career. He doesn’t look confident, he doesn’t look like a man on a mission; he looks like someone who is done with everything.

Gareth Prichard Jr:
Look at me and tell me this ain’t happening! That I’m not in another tournament for another consolation prize because wrestlers nowadays cannot go without having a fucking strap on their shoulders or waist. If they don’t have a belt… they don’t feel “validated”, they get in their feelings, and thus… companies like this one bow down to their wishes and create stupid prizes for stupid people…

Gareth puts both of his arms up in the air as if he’s giving up and lets out a sigh of frustration. A slight smile escapes him for a brief second and he gives in to the notion.

Gareth Prichard Jr:
I guess that’s what I get for trying. I guess that’s what I deserve for not taking that belt when I could’ve and just break it every single time I had the chance until it had no fucking value at all just to send a message. I guess that’s what I get for wanting that “validation” for the past five years before realizing that I didn’t need no belts. You see, I once was like all of you. I craved recognition, I craved the “End of the Year” awards… I craved to be THE ONE.

Gareth shrugs and bites his bottom lip before he continues.

Gareth Prichard Jr:
For the past five years I broke my body to get a message… just ONE… and it never came. The biggest moment in my career was quickly overshadowed and forgotten by every single one of you. If I’m not in a tag-team I never win a fucking popularity contest… I wasn’t deemed “the best”... I was just “good enough”. For the past five years I’ve been the fucking “good hand” and then it hit me. You guys don’t like me, because I’m the one that makes everyone else look good. You see, unlike you I don’t need to dance with specific people in order to be World Class… I can dance with almost everyone and deliver something that will keep you on your chair and not in the concession stands, not in the bathroom. You guys don’t like me because I don’t need to go on a rant on Twitter in order to deliver matches that captivate without a stipulation. I don’t need props… and that’ eats at you… so you push me down and away.

Putting both of his hands inside the pockets of his wrestling pants (because yes, Gareth wrestles with pockets in his pants), Gareth begins to walk away from the camera.

Gareth Prichard Jr:
Tonight will be no exception. Siobhan you want a “good night”... I’ll be your Huckleberry… but be careful what you wish for because tonight your run in this joke of a tournament ends. For the rest of the field, don’t worry, I’ll be brief here. Be wary of what you say, because just as I did in that rumble the other time… I have a shortlist of names I WILL take out if given the chance… and then walk away, because that belt… that belt is beneath me.

Gareth elevates his left shoulder shrugging as he keeps both of his hands inside his pockets and walks away from the shot.

We come in with Matt Stone sans his iconic championships stepping into a locker room holding three bags in his hand, making eye contact with his tag team partner Veronica Sawyer.

Matt Stone:
Big night Veronica, your first singles match in I don’t know how long and it’s in this big tournament. You win this and you’re half as good as I am, pretty impressive!

He smirks, obviously making a joke. The humor was not appreciated by his tag team partner who is dressed in only a robe at the moment, clearly not yet having made her choice for the outfit for her big singles match later in the evening. Veronica rolls her eyes as she places her hands on her hips.

Veronica Sawyer:
Are you trying to say I’m going to be rusty here tonight against Nine van der Hoek? When it’s a tournament match for a chance to become the new Cloud Gate champion? Come on now.

Matt Stone:
Say that name five times fast for me.

He can see the look on her face and can tell that she isn’t in the mood for his jokes, so he just moves on.

Matt Stone:
I don’t think you’re going to be rusty, I just think it’s a big match. This is me being supportive, so get used to it. Here, I found some outfits you might like, sort of in the same vein as you getting me that jacket last week, here.

He hands her the first bag, a hopeful look on his face. Veronica studies the expression on his face for a moment, almost as if she was trying to decide whether or not he was being genuine at first, and finally she grabs the bag to look inside.

Veronica Sawyer:
Supportive Matt… is that anything like Simp Matt?

Her question falls flat when she pulls some of the items of the bag and holds up what appears to be a strapless sequined top that Matt clearly picked out because it was gold, one of Veronica’s signature colour choices. She raises one eyebrow as she waves the material around.

Veronica Sawyer:
I’m sorry, are you hoping that I flash the entire world in my big return to singles action?

He watches her wave it around and smiles, figuring she liked it.

Matt Stone:
Why do people keep calling me that? And what do you mean, it will fit fine, the mannequin really pulled it off nicely!

Veronica Sawyer:
Of course it looked good on the mannequin, it doesn’t move! How do you think this is going to work inside of the ring when I’m trying to out wrestle Nine what’s-her-face?

Matt Stone:
I thought you’d look like a Greek Goddess in a golden shower….wait, is that what I meant to say? Nevermind, here, try this one, then.

He says, handing her the second bag hoping it goes over better than the first. Veronica quickly snatches the bag so she can get a good look at what else he’s picked out, tossing the rejected outfit behind her shoulder first, she pulls out a small pair of tight fitting shorts with the word “Juicy” written across the backside and immediately narrows her eyes at Matt.

Veronica Sawyer:
Now I know you’re just mocking me, aren’t you?

Matt Stone:
What do you mean mocking you? Are you telling me it’s not juicy?

Veronica’s immediate response is to take the shorts in question and throw them directly in Matt’s face.

Veronica Sawyer:
You are SO immature! I thought you said you were being supportive because you know that tonight is a big deal for me. It’s bad enough I lost to that dumb blonde Karen, I don’t need to get taken out of this tournament by Nine whose-it.

He takes the shorts off his face and tosses them aside, shaking his head.

Matt Stone:
Of course I know this is a big deal and I am being supportive. You’re like Goldy Locks tonight, this one’s too small, this one’s too tacky…well here, if you’re following the pattern, then this one will be just right.

Veronica Sawyer:
Your current track record leaves a lot to be desired.

Veronica quips as she grabs the final bag out of his hand.

Matt Stone:
I have faith in me.

Veronica Sawyer:
That makes one of us.

Veronica reaches inside of the bag and finally pulls out some ring attire that looks similar to the kind she would normally wear, this one in a dark shade of red with some gold trimming, a smile forming on her face as she holds it up in front of herself clearly pleased with his selection.

Veronica Sawyer:
Well, would you look at that, you actually managed to get it right after all.

Matt Stone:
It upsets me that you assume I would fail.

She raises her eyebrow and glances over at the juicy shorts.

Matt Stone:
Okay fine, fair point, but we solved the problem at last. Now you can go out there and show the world that you’re not just the luckiest person ever to get to team with me but you’re someone who can succeed on their own, as well!

Veronica Sawyer:
Do I need to remind you that I happen to be part of a wrestling legacy? I’m more than capable of handling myself out there alone, especially when I’ve been presented with such a grand opportunity at a possible championship belt, so really when you think about it you’re the one who’s lucky to be teaming with me.

Matt Stone:
Uh huh uh huh. Keep your pants on… or rather, put your pants on. You’re up soon and you’re standing around in a robe. My juicy shorts would look better in the ring than this, so I’m gonna go get a snack and you get changed.

He heads for the door, looking back at her one last time.

Matt Stone:
You’ve got this, Ronnie.

A smile forms on Veronica’s face as she nods her head.

Veronica Sawyer:
Thanks Matt… I appreciate it.

Matt gives her a quick nod before he finally leaves the room, closing the door behind him, and the camera fades out as Veronica gathers up all her things to go and get prepared.

We cut backstage to Julian Savell sitting down in his locker room, lacing up his boots. His eyes soon catch the camera and he smirks.

Julian Savell:
I guess you all want me to talk about my “big” match, right?

He laughs as he finishes tying he boots and then standing up.

Julian Savell:
You all didn’t need to make this so easy for me. Trinity Thompson? Really? She’s a fucking rookie. You really want to see her get decimated by me? I can end her career in an instant.

Julian snaps his fingers.

Julian Savell:
Just like that. The poor girl doesn’t stand a fucking chance. Nobody does because nobody is as good as I am. Who’s the person that finally shut Seth Iser up? It was me. I embarrassed your so-called number one wrestler, your former World Champion. I-

Suddenly there’s a knock at the door and Julian furrows his brow.

Julian Savell:
What the hell?

Julian walks over to the door and opens it up. On the ground there’s a package. Julian picks it up and sees that it’s addressed to him from an anonymous source.

Julian Savell:
Huh. I didn’t order anything but I guess I have some secret admirer. I’m not surprised.

Savell opens up the box and his eyes widen as he sees what’s inside.

Julian Savell:
What the fuck?

He lifts the contents out for the camera to see and it’s a mask. More specifically, it’s Seth Iser’s old mask that he used to wear: But why? What could this mean? The scene cuts away with Julian staring at it.

Backstage drinking from her Team Trillie Thermos is Millie Smith who's gone very light on her makeup this evening. She's got her Stitch blue hoody on, hood up and some lounging pants on to cover her ring gear. Someone behind the camera says when you're ready Millie. She takes a deep breath, steps forward and unfortunately for her, the thermos was open so a little bit somehow, someway splashes vertically upward out of the thermos and into Millie's left eye. She seethes but tries to continue, adjusting her hoody to cover the irritated eye.

Millie Smith:
Ok. So I decided to do this one on my own tonight as I won't have Trin inside the ropes when I'm up against….Billy.

Millie tries to battle her nerves, spinning her fidget spinner with her right hand.

Millie Smith:
It's a big challenge. It's hard since I'm a graduate and he's a veteran, it's hard to not be intimidated and…worry it'll be over before I know it.

She spins this fidget spinner faster and swallows hard.

Millie Smith:
I've never faced him, and he works hard, knows lots of reversals…can I even get him in a hold?

Faster and faster she spins that fidget spinner, pausing completely and shuts her eye to take a deep breath. The fidget spinner drastically slows down.

Millie Smith:
I guess we'll see. I have to face this one head on.

As Millie stops spinning her fidget spinner, the camera slowly zooming in on it before pulling back to see Millie, a shadow obscuring her left side of her face with a little nod from her to show she's ready.

A room littered in championships, a flex only professional athletes can pull off. Billy Danielson sits in the middle of this room as we come to the realization that this is his Legacy room. Titles from all over the world line the walls along with plaques and trophies, telling the story of his short but dominant run in professional wrestling.

Billy Danielson:
Family has always been such a touchy subject with me…

He pauses as he smirks into the camera.

Billy Danielson:
My father was a wrestler near the end of the territory days and at the beginning ages of the super-feds. He traveled the world while I was still a child, and between drugs, injuries, and infidelity, I came to the understanding that the life of a professional wrestler was not a happy one. I watched my father struggle with demons, literal and figurative, and it made it clear to me that there was nothing glorious about that lifestyle. So, one day 10-year-old me was babysitting my younger brother and my cousin while my father recovered from a pill bender, and I swore to myself that I would never follow in his footsteps. I swore I would never be a wrestler.

He looks around at the titles because obviously, he broke those promises. The irony in all of this is not lost on him as he laughs.

Billy Danielson:
Instead of wrestling, I chose football and through football, I found a new family. During my entire football career, I had coaches who were better at being role models than my father, teammates who only wanted to lift me up when my siblings tried to tear me down, and to top it all off, I was really good at it too. I worked my ass off on the gridiron until I got a full ride to the university of my dreams and even got invited to the NFL Combine, but the older I got and the closer I got to what I thought was my dream, I realized I would never be satisfied with football.

Billy takes another pause as he thinks back on his days at Notre Dame. He thinks of the ambitions he had at a younger age and the dedication he had for his “brothers”. It was the near-polar opposite of how he is now.

Billy Danielson:
The hardest part of being part of a 100 person “family”, is that you start to realize that you don’t really like sharing the spotlight with all these guys who will likely end up being high school coaches chasing glory days. You also begin to realize that, no matter how good you are as an individual, your talent will always be dependent on others. I didn’t want that. As good as I was, there would always be a quarterback that was siphoning my star power or a lineman who could hold a block and I don’t get my big highlight-reel moment. My glory was not my own, and I wasn’t about to allow that anymore… so I packed up my things and I went back home.

A deep breath as his voice starts to fill with nostalgia.

Billy Danielson:
I went back home, but I still swore I wasn’t going to be a wrestler. My father had just opened his wrestling school, and he begged and pleaded with me to join. He could see I would be a star, but I didn’t want to be like him. I decided to get as lean as possible and start training with my dad’s MMA buddy who helped do strike training at my dad’s academy. He helped me get to a point where I was ready to start doing amateur fights, but he didn’t like my ego. In fact, he sent me home right before a tournament, because I disrespected one of my dojo-mates. It was on that drive home that I realized that, again, my spotlight was getting hindered by others and I wasn’t about to allow that. So I quit MMA.

We start to see a recurring theme here, but Billy is well aware of it as well. Even though it would take years for him to start to manage and harness his ego, at that moment he felt like he had no other choice but to quit when things felt like they weren’t about him. He had spent years being for his family and teams and dojos, so why would he waste any more time focusing on anyone but himself?

Billy Danielson:
That night my father sat me down, and he tried one last time to convince me to become a wrestler. My brother had just come back from the military and my cousin, who I would later find out would be my half-brother, had just started his own pro-wrestling training and it was the perfect time for our family to start a dynasty. I told him no, because I wasn’t about to carry anyone else on my back ever again, and that’s when he said something that would change my life. He told me that because he wrestled under a stage name, and that my siblings were nowhere close to where I was, that I would be the one to trailblaze for my family. I would be the one that carries my family until my siblings were ready. I was going to be the one and only “Danielson” in my family, and that on my own I had the potential to be the Greatest of All Time.

He pauses.

Billy Danielson:
Obviously i said yes, and the rest is history.

He looks around one last time, smiling at his accomplishments over the last 6 years.

Billy Danielson:
Now I know most of you are wondering why I’m just spouting out pages of my villain origin story, but I promise this is relevant. You see, a few years ago, I found out I had a long-lost sister named Trixie, and she also came from a big family of wrestlers… The Smith Clan.

He laughs a bit, finally tying all of this autobiographical stuff back to the match.

Billy Danielson:
The same year I had bought my father’s wrestling academy, renamed it the GOAT Farm, and brought in one of the Smiths as a student because I knew that if I could just get her in that ring, she could break out of her shell. She was shy, she was quiet, but she had so much raw talent it was a no-brainer. I just needed to push her and get her to where she was comfortable standing on her own two feet in front of an opponent. It took some time, but she finally graduated and she got booked in none-other than Millenium’s developmental brand.

He looks right into the camera now, looking to his opponent through the lens. A look of pride is on his face as he smiles.

Billy Danielson:
Millie Smith… I have a love/hate relationship with family, but when it comes to you, I have nothing but pride. I see you, and I see a woman who has grown and overcome so much. Over the last year or so, you’ve gained so much momentum that you have found yourself in a tournament for the top title on the Millenium brand. As a family member and a mentor, I don’t think I could have asked for a better student, and I have nothing but good things to say to you. However… as an opponent…

All of that love and pride that was on his face moments ago is gone now.

Billy Danielson:
It’s a shame that all that momentum ends tonight.

Billy smirks into the camera. He’s fought all of his siblings before and has gone on the record to say that if you’re a Smith or a Danielson, you’ll get the absolute worst of The Franchise. He doesn’t hold back, because, at the end of the day, both of those family legacies fall onto his back and his resume. So he refuses to allow anyone in his family to besmirch his good name.

Billy Danielson:
Even if we weren’t related, would this really be fair? Look around me! I have more titles than most of our family members combined. What chance do you really have in this match, Millie? Really? You’re a phenomenal young talent against THE FRANCHISE OF MILLENNIUM WRESTLING ITSELF!!! You’ve worked your way up the three brand levels in the last year, and that’s great, but I walked onto the scene four months ago and was immediately thrust into both main rosters’ top title scenes. It’s not even close between us, my dear sweet cousin. I’m a god in other companies, and you can’t say more than 5 words without getting scared of your own shadow.

He scoffs.

Billy Danielson:
I wish I could say I’m excited to face you, Millie. I really wish I could. However, that would be a lie. This match is going to be a massacre and a lesson in futility as you realize that you will do your absolute best and it will not even be close to enough. At the end of the night, I’ll be one step closer to winning the Cloud Gate Championship, and you’ll be stuck watching me win it all in catering because I AM THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME… and you’re just Scared Millie…

He stands up and spreads his arms, showing off his glory. He may not be as egotistical as he once was, but that doesn’t mean much. Danielson has found himself on a level very few find these days, and he knows that he has to put down his favorite student and cousin in order to keep himself at that level.

Backstage in the arena we find the deranged, eccentric ginger known as “The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams. She is already dressed for war in her wrestling gear. She is joined by her trusty Dalek. Although her loyal homicidal friend has a picture of MWE journalist Paisley Dawn hanging over it.

“Paisley Dawn” (Dalek)
I AM PAISLEY DAWN! I AM NOT THE DALEK DISGUISING MYSELF AS PAISLEY DAWN! I AM THE HUMAN FLESH CREATURE KNOWN AS PAISLEY DAWN! GRACE VAN BEEK IS MY WIFE!

The Woman Scorned rolls her eyes.

Kimberly Williams:
Way to be subtle there, you love sick sociopath.

“Paisley Dawn” (Dalek)
YOU WILL ANSWER MY QUESTIONS! YOU WILL ANSWER THEM OR YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!

Kimberly Williams:
You couldn’t exterminate me if you tried. But fine, get on with it Dalek…err, I mean Paisley. I am a busy psychopath. I have people to maim, lives to destroy, and championships to win.

“Paisley Dawn” (Dalek)
TONIGHT THERE IS A TOURNAMENT TO CROWN A NEW CHAMPION OF THE CLOUDS! WILL YOU EXTERMINATE THE ENTIRE FIELD STARTING WITH THE HUMAN FLESH CREATURE KNOWN AS JOEY LECLAIR?!

Kimberly Williams:
Well it IS a tournament, Paisley Dalek, so I won’t get to exterminate EVERYONE but I can promise you that I will exterminate anyone that gets in my way, and yes that includes Joey Leclair. Speaking of Joey, I have a very special message for Joseph.

The Woman Scorned waves playfully at the camera.

Kimberly Williams:
Hi there, Joey! We share a unique bond, because we are the two longest reigning Chicago Way Champions! And y’know, if I had it my way this would be a death match of some sort! I mean, honestly, we didn’t get a chance to have that match we talked about. Remember the one? The hardcore match one on one between you and I? We were thinking of hosting it at Red Line but then my favorite hater Andy Raynes was thrown into the mix. And that’s fine because Andy is soooooo fun to play with! But we never did get our one on one play date, did we Joey?

Williams snickers.

Kimberly Williams:
But tonight we do get to fight. It may not be a bloodbath, the kind we both wanted, but we do get to at least try to settle the score. And in the process we will both have our opportunity to become champion again.

“Paisley Dawn” (Dalek)
WHEN YOU EXTERMINATE EVERYONE IN YOUR PATH AND BECOME MWE CLOUD GATE CHAMPION, WILL YOU DEMAND THAT GRACE VAN BEEK MARRY ME?!

The Woman Scorned smacks Dalek on its ‘head’.

Kimberly Williams:
This isn’t about you, Paisley Dalek! Now come on, let’s go!

Kimberly walks away with Dalek following her closely behind.

Best Shot by Mountains vs Machines begins playing throughout the arena as Joey Leclair steps through the curtains onto the arena stage area where he takes his right hand, and places it over his eyes looking out into the crowd with a smirk on his face as then removes his hand placing it as his side, and walks down the ramp at a faster pace than usual not taking time to pander to the crowd as he reaches ring side grabbing a microphone from the ring steps, and sliding inside the ring immediately rising to his feet, and facing the hard cam.

Joey Leclair:
Earlier this week I made a promise on social media that this year would be my year, and I plan on honoring that promise, and low and behold as soon as I make that promise? Millennium announces a tournament to crown a new Cloud Gate Champion, and I happen to have a spot in that tournament, but you see? They made a mistake including me in this tournament with the mindset I am in, but who can blame them? I mean there is no way they could have predicted the mindset that I am in, or the levels on intensity and adrenaline running through my veins-

Joey lowers the microphone, and pauses for a moment allowing a smirk to come out across his lips before placing the microphone back to his lips.

Joey Leclair:
I have finally found my groove again which means I am back on my bullshit, and so tonight I face off against a woman who I am no stranger to in Kimberly Williams, and I know very well not to underestimate her, because we have ripped each others flesh from our bones, and quite literally drank each others blood! We are no strangers to each other, and I know very well why they call Kimberly WIlliams The Woman Scorned, but oh Kimmy don’t you know that I am the man on fire?

Joey laughs a little bit before getting serious again.

Joey Leclair:
Okay okay i get it that joke was a little cheesy, but in all seriousness Kimmy? Tonight marks the dawning of a new era in my career so don’t step into this ring with your usual loose cannon attitude who gets off on hurting your opponent, because if you step inside this ring anything less than serious?

The mood in the arena darkens as Joey's face begins shaking with intensity as his jaw shakes and lips twitch, as he slowly places the microphone back to his lips.

Joey Leclair:
“For the first time in your lifetime you are going to know fear, because that absolutely beautiful face of yours? I will render it so unrecognizable that you will have to wear a mask and cry everytime you look into a mirror, and that’s if you get lucky! Quite frankly I am going to snap you like a twig, and your going to be lucky if you leave tonight on your own two feet so I am going to ask the Medical to prepare a stretcher.”

Joey stares into the crowd with a big maniacal smile.

Joey Leclair:
“Oh did you think I was finally turning my career around and becoming a role model? Please I had you all wrapped around my fingers believing any bull crap i fed you, because that is what someone as charismatic as I am can do! I am a god damn prodigy, and your next Cloud Gate Champion, and so now I leave you guys with my last message for Kimberly Williams, and Kimmy I am going to commit a little gimmick infringement and steal something synonymous with you. One, Two Joey is coming for you.”

Joey tilts his head to the side.

Joey Leclair:
Three, Four a prodigal elbow to your head. Five, Six a count of three.

Joey turns the microphone upside down barely holding it from the bottom.

Joey Leclair:
Seven, Eight… your career is over. Please don’t take this match Kimberly… this is my last warning to you.

Joey drops the microphone, and leaves the ring heading to the back.

Faizah Marshall is sitting down on a steel folding chair in her locker room. The mammoth of a man TD Batterson is standing behind her. Towering over the smaller woman he is paid to make sure is safe.

Faizah Marshall:
Guarantee a victory? Do you believe this nonsense, TD?!

Faizah Marshall scoffs. TD shakes his head.

Faizah Marshall:
Is that how much you’re overlooking me Jessica? You shouldn’t. We’re in the same boat. I don’t see you dominating MWE. What have you done since losing the World Tag Team Championships? I’ll wait for an answer...

Faizah pauses, waiting for an answer that’ll never come.

Faizah Marshall:
That’s what I thought. So shut up, ok? You’re not a shoe in to win this tournament. Neither is your bestie Summer Collins. It’s hilarious, the last time we were in the ring, I made it easier for you to become number one contender for the Cloud Gate and you still couldn’t do it. I get it, you are a former World Champion elsewhere, former tag team champion here and elsewhere, at one point a year ago, you and Summer held both sets of tag belts.

Faizah claps.

Faizah Marshall:
Bravo. Good for you. The well has run dry. You’re middle of the road these days. I know I am not one to talk, I am not going to look at you and assume I got this in the bank. I may call myself the Best of Everything. I may believe I am going to run through this tournament. Nothing in life is certain. I understand that now. Tiana is right, I need to focus, I need to earn my way. Because unlike you, Jessica, I don’t have a championship to my name. I have failed quite a few times to get it done on the main roster. And I am sick of failing. I am sick of being embarrassed. Getting eliminated from the first round would be the ultimate embarrassment, no matter who the opponent is. I am going to shove your attitude up your ass, Jessica. I end the hopes of at least one half of Fabolous.

Faizah Marshall rises to her feet.

Faizah Marshall:
You want the Cloud Gate. I need this. See you out there.

Faizah storms off. TD Batterson follows. Scene fades.

The scene opens up with Megan Monroe standing in front of a mirror, finishing up her makeup. She notices the camera behind her and rolls her eyes before finishing up.

Megan Monroe:
Can’t a girl get ready without any silly interruptions? Ugh.

The former IC Champion turns towards the camera and shakes her head.

Megan Monroe:
Of course you booked me against Leia LeBeau. How many times do I have to deal with this stupid bitch? How many times do I have to fight my ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend? And how many times do I have to prove that she’s inferior to me in each and every way?

She rolls her eyes once again.

Megan Monroe:
This is the last time. I’m going to beat her down and wipe the floor with her. I’m going to show all of you in this tournament why I’m going to be the next Cloud Gate Champion. Nobody wants… No. nobody NEEDS this more than I do. The reign I had as Cloud Gate Champion is a blemish on my record and why? Because Chuck Matthews wasn’t a fan of me? The moment I won it, he had Britt April swoop in, right after I became champion, to fight me.

Monroe scoffs and shakes her head.

Megan Monroe:
She didn’t have any title shot to turn in. Nope. She just got a free shot at me after I won a hard fought match. Do you all see the things I had to deal with before most of you even got here? This is why I am Millennium. This is why I’m the face of this company. Because nobody represents it like I do. Despite my hardships, despite getting screwed over multiple times…. I’m still here and thriving. And in due time, I will reverse the misdeeds done to me. And to start that off? I’ll beat the snot out of Leia. See you out there:

The scene cuts away.

The camera pans in the back to find a group of people congregated around the large wooden equipment crates. Focusing on the center we see Duke Andrews sitting on one, sporting a simple black T-shirt with “a.p.e.” across the chest in the print of the American flag. His sleeves cut off, exposing his tattoos. Looking over at the blonde bombshell next to him, nodding his head.

Duke Andrews:
Where to even begin.

He cleared his throat. Running his left hand up and scratching his beard.

Duke Andrews:
Last week on Millennium, there was a lot going on. A lot of questioning if this group was back together, if we had settled our differences from Riot prior. The only thing you pieces of trash need to know is that we are back. We are together. And we are the baddest group of men ever assembled. Which leads me to the white trash barbie and the skater boy. You two have done nothing but try and use the clout of the three of us to try and make yourself relevant. You pop up on twitter and try and take your shots. Because you know that’s the only thing that brings eyes to you two. Karen over there acting like she’s happy with the kindergartener she’s dating, because I’ve got a straight up dime piece on my arm now. Oliver thinking he slings insults. In all truth, hope your chick is okay. But there will never be a time that you two will be on our level. We revolutionized the tag team division in this company. It was nonexistent until we made it a fucking dream. Karen would be selling make up at Walmart and Oliver would be trying to kick flip his skate board behind the high school if it wasn’t for Alan, Chris, Redd and myself.

He flashed a slight grin before he looked back in the direction of the camera.

Duke Andrews:
And big man, the top dawg of this industry right now, don’t think I didn’t forget about you. Grace must still have hard feelings against me because she’s instructed the two clowns that book this shit that I’m not allowed to take my title back. So, it doesn’t matter who I have to beat. Who I have to strangle. How long is it going to take? Maybe I’ll do something I’ve never had the chance, maybe I’ll just have to win that little briefcase and force the hand.

Duke moved his hands to his face and rubbed them over his eyes and down his beard.

Duke Andrews:
But you said you had zero doubts that you would’ve walked out of Below Zero as the world champion? Don’t lie to the world, Nathaniel. Don’t fucking spew your lies to these idiots sitting in the seats. You needed a distraction to get the job done. You needed the deck stacked against me, to get the job done. But you say I changed? You’re damn right I changed. But I’m still that bad motherfucker. The one that you couldn’t beat a year ago when you desperately needed something to separate you from the rest of the wannabe big boys. I’m still that guy that one on one, you know you don’t compare to. But good luck. Keep focused, maybe some day you’ll be talked about the way I’m still referenced. I’m sure that you’ll deny it, but it’s going to eat you alive that this company still revolves around me, and everything I touch.

Dukes frustration quickly turned to a grin. Moving his right hand to his forehead. He points out the red spot.

Duke Andrews:
And last but not least. You two pieces of shit that don’t quite get it. For some reason there must be something in the water that half of this company consumes. You two, and I don’t even need to mention your names…you two think that you’ll get away with what you did? That’s not how it works around this place. See, the problem for you two is that they’re keeping me from taking back my title. So now that I’m at the back of the line, that gives me nothing but time to make your lives a living hell. Whatever your beef with Alan is, that’s for you guys. Where you needed to put your pawn shop chain around your fist to take me down? Boy, you done fucked up.

Dukes eyes glanced down at his boots.

Duke Andrews:
But I’m in a giving mood. And Vince, Elsa, Grace, whoever needs this, you have until Riot to put me in the ring with either of these two wannabe thugs. One on one, two on one, doesn’t really matter. You keep asking for the crazy white boy to come out. You keep tweeting about the crazy white boy. You beg for the crazy white boy. Decide who dies, let me know. It’s your funeral. I promised you I’d bury you. You said I ain’t good enough to bury you, the best part about this, you know it’s coming. And there is nothing you two can do to stop it.

Fade.