Millennium CXIV

Amy Maynard greets the audience and welcomes them to the last Millennium of the year. It''s a stacked card the one the fans in Nashville got to witness on the Winter Solstice, with the main attraction being the match between Billy Danielson and Tiffany Lynn-Page. The match came three days after Duke's brutal assault on Billy's cousin Millie, is The Franchise going to retaliate tonight against Andrews' girlfriend? Is Duke going to be here in Tennessee to stop him, should that be the case? That and many other questions will find their answers tonight.

In two separate segments we get a glimpse inside the locker room of the two teams opening the night. First we meet Jessica and Evelyn Carter who, despite the recent losses suffered in the past weeks, manage to keep a positive attitude. They know their opponents tonight are tough competition but they promise they will do their best, as always. Climbing the tag team division ranks is not a sprint, it's a marathon. And theirs has only just started.

Opposite mood for Matt Stone and Veronica Sawyer. The Phenomenal Cosmic Powers have been going through a rough path ever since their match on the first round of the Cage Scamble qualifier in November. Something seems to have broken in their chemistry, and even now they don't look to be on the same page, blaming each other for the recent shortcomings. Things seem about to blow out of proportion but in the end cool heads prevail. They calm down and agree that they should focus on the future, not the past. Starting with this match tonight.  

Solid Space's "A Darkness In My Soul" blares out of the loudspeakers and the fans welcome the Time Lord Anna Daniels with a decent pop. It's not often that we see the Muse talking, but there appears to be something she really needs to get off her chest tonight. And of course, it's about Megan Manning. Anna claims she's tired of seeing her and her husband stomping their feet and crying whenever things don't go their way. Anna pointed out the irony of Megan calling herself the "cornerstone" when MWE proved time and time again they can do just fine without her. Which is a good thing, since she's planning to deprive the company of "an annoying brat" for quite some time. The fans cheered at the news, Daniels waited for them to calm down before confirming that she's challenging Megan to a Steel Cage Match at On Thin Ice. And there's not a single timeline where this is going to end well for her.
  

In the next segment we see Gabriel Landry standing next to MWE backstage interviewer Camille Bellamy. The young woman promises she'll be as delicate as she can be but this interview is bound to touch some personal matters, considering the history between him and his next opponent. Gabe sighs and says that he's ready for what's about to come. The interview retraces Gabe's career, from his beginnings (and the beginning of his love story with Karen), to injury caused by Erika (and Rainer), to the Gold Star win that granted him this title opportunity. Camille admits she thought he'd use it on Rainer, but Landry said that Karen crossed the line and made it personal. The young man then states that at the next PPV, is go big or go home for him. Literally.

Karen Eldon is seen leaving the medical area, accompanied by her boyfriend Rainer Nordhagen. When she sees the camera approaching, Karen says that, luckily for whoever her opponent is, she will not be embarrrassed tonight. As Karen starts coughing (although one could argue they look fake), Rainer butts in saying that the greatest champion on the Millennium roster is, unfortunately, still recovering from a flu and therefore will not compete tonight. Hopefully, she'll make a full recover for the Pay-per-View and deal once and for all with that "pathetic, obsessed loser" of her former boyfriend. The couple then leaves the Arena, looks like Ashley Belle's Millennium debut won't happen tonight.

Back in the studio, Amy Maynard looks perplexed at what we just saw. She doesn't believe Karen was actually sick, believing it was an excuse to just get a night off and avoid potential injuries, arriving at the PPV well rested. Speaking of the PPV, Amy confirms that Haylie LaFleur and Paula Parker will go one on one. Is Haylie going to be able to end Paula's undefeated streak? Or will the Prodigy come out victorious against the woman who, in her opinion, blemished her perfect record, although it happened in a tag match?

We get a video, straight from the Manning Mansion. The hall is decorated for the festivities, a GIANT christmas tree sparkling with lights and decorations next to the fireplace. A display of opulence and wealth, maybe a bit tacky but who are we to judge? Megan Manning is sitting on the couch, next to her husband Pierce. The former IC champion says that she heard what Anna Daniels had to say, and while normally she wouldn't bother to even reply, it's the Christmas Season and she feels generous. So yes, she accepts the challenge. Even though the MWE fans are definitely on the "naughty list" for the disrespect they keep showing her and her husband, she will still give them the greatest present they can ask for. Getting rid of the Time Lord. 

In the next segment we see Glory Braddock visiting her best friend Sophie O'Brian prior to her match against Tank Steiner. The World Champion says that she's proud of her for taking the destiny in her hands last week. When she attacked Kenzie, she didn't just send a message, she started the countdown toward the end of her reign. Sophie smirks, adding that it's time she reminds the company what she's capable of. 2022 was a complicated year, but it's going to end the way it's supposed to be. With her and Glory at the top of the company.

Before the match, we hear from Alex Andrews, who will join Alena Holland and Jennifer Carter on commentary for the next match. Camille starts by congratulating with her for the win over Chris Constantine Junior and for the overall amazing year she had, and not only in MWE. To that, Alex replies by saying that she's grateful for the opportunities she had and the unconditioned love the MWE fans always showed her. Now she feels like she's "almost there", constantly facing some of the best the company has to offer. Her goal is obviously to keep going, keep proving that she is World championship material. The next question is about Chris Sanderson and their match in Houston. Alex obviously praises the two time MWE World champion's ability, but she is confused about his actions during that match? Why he did that? Did he feel threatened by her? Does he consider her an obstacle on his way to the third title? Hopefully, she'll get the answer to those questions at On Thin Ice, when they will be stepping in the ring once again. And this time, there WILL be a winner.

It's time to say goodbye. Back in the studio, Amy introduces us to the last match of the card, showing a heartfelt promo from Billy Danielson. A stark contrast from the cold demeanor we saw from his rival Duke Andrews on Riot three days ago. The Franchise warns the Epitome Of Perfection, saying that he's playing a dangerous game. Coming for his family like he did is surely a way to earn his attention, but perhaps Duke didn't think it through, he didn't consider the consequences. "Two can play this game." Danielson says ominously, walking to his match against Duke's girlfriend.

Before the main event, the fans are treated to a nice surprise. Tiff makes an appearance, welcomed by a thunderous ovation. The Five Foot Death Machine speaks about her upcoming match against Glory Braddock, for the greatest prize in the company. She looks confident, stating that she's finally feeling great after the hardest time of her life. She thanks everyone who has been there for her, from her friends to her girlfriend Skylynn Reed, from the families who welcomed and supported her every step of the way to her real family, her blood, her younger sister Trinity Thompson who gave up her MWE career to ensure that she still had hers. And, of course, she thanks the fans who always supported her, even when she felt she didn't deserve it. Then she addresses her opponent, "truly one of the best wrestlers in the world", as her 17 World Titles testify. She continues saying that Glory has every right to be confident, after all she's the champion and the clear favorite, while Tiff is the underdog. But one thing she should know about her, is that Tiff has been an underdog for most of her career. As a matter of fact, she's been the most successful when filling that role. Even as a champion, even during that year-long reign, she was never the favorite. "How could a nineteen year old be considered the favorite against world class athlete like Aries Armadaist, Seth Iser or my cousin, Anastasia Starling?" And yet, she beat them. The cheers are deafening, the crowd is really buying into her words. She adds that she was the underdog when she entered Red Line III, with little to none experience in hardcore matches. The point she's trying to make it's simple. Tiff thrives under pressure, she build her career on overcoming the odds. And that's what she's planning to do at the next PPV. A "New World Champ" chant accompanies her as she makes her way backstage.