gvb
Millennium Roster
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Post by gvb on May 5, 2024 13:37:14 GMT -6
 MWE Presents: Dark Web V (night 1)
Live from Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa
Friday, December 29th, 2023
Aliyah Marshall can be seen walking through the backstage area. It doesn’t take her long to reach her desired destination. She pushes the door open. As soon as she steps inside we get a glimpse at what she sees. Dani Marrow is in her own little world stretching, undoubtedly getting herself loose for the upcoming Academy tag team title match. Aliyah rests her hands on her hips observing Dani. Not too long passes before Aliyah grunts. This gets the attention of her tag team partner for the night. Aliyah waves.
Aliyah Marshall:
Ready to put Make a Wish Barbie and Diet Gordon Ramsey in their collective places? I am. How about you?
Dani is a little cold toward Aliyah, she's not forgotten recent events.
Dani Morrow:
Sure.
There's a brief pause.
Dani Morrow:
Actually, you know what? You can mock them all you want but they're both talented. So it comes down to who will work better as a team, won't it?
Dani squares up to her partner, though she has to look up due to ceding several inches of height.
Dani Morrow:
Which begs the question, are you going to be a team player or will we get a repeat of your selfish actions from last show?
Aliyah Marshall:
Here we go.
Aliyah rolls her eyes.
Aliyah Marshall:
Lets talk about selfishness, Dani. Who died and made you the captain of our team last show? I don’t recall getting a vote in the matter. So bite me, ok? Instead of this cold attitude you are flexing, I would appreciate it if you said, “Aliyah, you’re welcome.” Our match was under captain falls rules, remember? Meaning if I didn’t tag myself in and you had gotten pinned, we would have lost. Thanks to me, we were the last two standing. I am the reason we are challenging for the tag titles. Come off it, Princess. I don’t have the luxury of falling back on a modeling gig like you. I’m here to win! Not look pretty. Lets go out there and humble those two. Sound good to you?
Aliyah folds her arms into her chest. She doesn’t break eye contact with her tag team partner. Dani just stares, then rolls her eyes and scoffs.
Dani Morrow:
Whatever, we both know I had it won. So I tell you what, work for this as a team and we're going to get along just fine.
She allows a monetary scowl.
Dani Morrow:
But if you go rogue and it costs us the match, you'll shoulder the blame. And if that means you go home with nothing to fall back on, that's your own problem.
She takes a few steps back.
Dani Morrow:
So be smart about it, since you have no other options.
Aliyah Marshall:
Aye aye, “Captain.”
Aliyah casually smirks.
Aliyah Marshall:
I like this side of you. See you out there.
Aliyah pats Dani on the shoulder, which doesn’t endear her to partner at all. She turns around and walks away leaving Dani alone with her thoughts as the scene fades to black.
Academy Pre-Show Match
Team Title Tag Team Match Team Kanensson (Dane Mitchell & Megan Smith) VS Team Strike (Aliyah Marshall & Dani Morrow)
- The four young competitors took the center of the ring, visibly excited to step inside the ring on such an important stage. There was a very marked difference between the two teams, something that those who followed The Academy this year would most likely know. While the duo chosen by Marissa was a well oiled machine, Lady's Magdalena handpicked students were, to use an euphemism, a dysfunctional team. And yet this in-house competition between the two teammates seemed to be working quite well for them, once they finally agreed on who should start the match. Their desire to one-up the other resulted in quick tags to isolate Megan in their half of the ring, a fast pace where each Team Strike member was throwing their best shots hoping to be the one getting the credit, and the glory of scoring the winning fall for their team.
- Smith had been in deep waters for the entire first five minutes of the contest, stuck in the wrong side of town almost helpless against the opponents’ attacks. But the former swimsuit model knew how to swim through the storm, eventually finding an opening and flooring Dani with a superkick. She rushed to her corner where Dane was waiting with his hand stretched out but Aliyah entered the ring illegally and stopped her by diving and grabbing her leg, tripping her to the mat. Megan stood to her feet but Marshall was still holding her by the foot, preventing her from reaching her partner. Nothing that a leaping kick couldn’t fix, allowing Smith to break free and finally make the tag to Mitchell.
- The Chef entered the ring and immediately took Dani down with a big chop to the chest. Marshall tried to get a cheap shot in but she suffered the same fate as her tag partner who came back for more, and ended up once again on her back. Aliyah charged in and got hit with a leaping knee that sent her stumbling back into the ropes, from where she bounced into a dropkick that forced her to roll out of the ring. Seeing Dane distracted, Morrow hiit him from behind with a forearm to the spine, grabbing him by the wrist and attempting to send him into the ropes with an Irish whip. Mitchell reversed the move and waited for Dani to bounce back, catching her with a leg lariat for a count of two.
- The Team Noir duo worked like a well oiled machine, showing some interesting team maneuvers that earned them a couple of near falls and the applause of the fans. Megan, now the legal competitor for her team, took a bit of revenge on Marshall, hitting her with a flurry of kicks and a codebreaker to knock her down. The blonde hooked the leg for a deep cover but Morrow was quick to slide inside the ring and break up the pinning predicament. Megan tried to keep the pressure on the opponent, dragging her toward the corner to involve her partner in some way but Marshall broke free with a cheeky hair pull. As the referee warned her about using illegal moves, the athletic girl jumped in the air and connected a dropkick to the back of Megan, sending her head first into the turnbuckle. Mitchell tagged himself in and rushed inside the ring, trying to prevent Aliyah from making the tag but coming up just short.
- This time Dani seemed to have figured out Mitchell, managing to dodge his volley of strikes and countering with a sweep kick that took the Chef down. The younger sister of the world-class superstar Aiden Morrow followed with a moonsault into a double knee drop, but Mitchell got the shoulder up in time. Dani then took a short run to the ropes and came back at full speed, going for a tornado DDT. Mitchell is able to resist the attempt and use Morrow’s own momentum to spin and slam her into the canvas with incredible strength. Aliyah rushed inside the ring to save her partner but got intercepted by Megan’s spear. Luckily for her Dani still had enough in her to kick out.
- The final moments of the match were rough for Team Strike. Dani took a lot of punishment and she desperately needed to tag out, but in order to do that she had to catch a break from Dane’s relentless attacks. She eventually did, ducking a roundhouse kick and jumping on his back, dragging him down onto her knees with a backstabber. She began to crawl toward her corner, looking to finally get the tag she desperately needed… But Aliyah wasn’t there, too busy slamming Megan’s head against the barricade. And it was looking personal. Morrow sighed, calling her out and asking that she would return to the corner but before Marshall could do that, Mitchell picked Dani up on his shoulders and walked back toward the center of the ring where he dropped Morrow with an electric chair driver. As the count was made, Aliyah tried to reach her partner and save her from the pin, but Megan grabbed her foot and prevented her from getting there in time.
WINNER: Team Kanensson
BY: Pinfall (Electric Chair Driver), 10:31
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We open backstage. Angelica Jones is wearing her typical wrestling gear…only with a Christmas twist. She is wearing a Santa style overcoat, a Santa hat, and even her boots match the big fat man’s traditional holiday boots from every Santa image you see. A confident grin is etched across her face as she plans for tonight’s event, a Santa Brawl with some special prize in store for the winner. Jones is interrupted when her dressing room door swings wildly open. She turns to see her daughter, Kimberly Williams, standing there. Kim, too, is wearing a Santa Claus themed outfit similar to her mother’s but with a few different tweaks to make it unique. One unique aspect of Kim’s attire is her favorite friend Wasley. The plush penguin has reindeer ears and a red nose for this particular occasion.
Angelica Jones:
Oh, hi, Kim. What’s up?
Angelica’s demeanor is rather upbeat and pleasant. But the face on her daughter seems to be rather angry.
Kimberly Williams:
What’s up? I think we both know what’s up!
Angelica Jones:
Please don’t say “the sky”...
Williams sighs.
Kimberly Williams:
Fine…other than the sky, there is something else up.
She points a finger at her mother.
Kimberly Williams:
You stole my outfit idea!
Angelica Jones:
I stole your idea? Kim, this is a Santa Brawl. One rule is that you are required to come with a Christmas or holiday themed outfit. I am fairly certain, beyond a reasonable doubt, that we aren’t the only ones with the idea of being Santa for this thing. I mean, he is one of the central figures of Christmas. Though looking at you, I think you do the outfit more justice than me.
The Queen of the Death Match smiles at the compliment.
Kimberly Williams:
Awww, thanks!
Angelica Jones:
Well it’s the truth. Now are you ready?
Kimberly Williams:
A death match? I’m always ready! So is Wasley! But I need to know are YOU going to stick to the plan?
The Dragon furrows her brow.
Angelica Jones:
Plan?
Kimberly Williams:
Yes, our plan. We’ve been working together in MWE for awhile. We have been working side by side in GCW and SCW before this. It makes sense that we work together in this Santa Brawl. We can eliminate everyone else until its just down to you and I…but…
Angelica Jones:
But what?
Kimberly Williams:
EVERYONE SAYS THAT! C’mon, everyone says they’re gonna work together, form an alliance until its just down to the two of them, but then they prematurely betray one another and the alliance falls apart! No one wins! We gotta keep it together, ok? Can I trust you to keep on the same page with moi?
The Dragon chuckles softly.
Angelica Jones:
I am your mother. I kinda doubt that I would betray my own daughter prematurely. However you’re right, when it comes down to the two of us, all bets are off. Who knows what the prize could be? I wouldn’t mind a championship match of some sort.
Kimberly Williams:
Title match? This is a Santa Brawl! The prize is probably a fruit cake!
Kimberly skips away.
Santa Brawl Match*
Marina Marston VS Bree Smith VS Kimberly Williams VS Faith Savell VS Kate Steele VS
Rick Benson VS Devon Slayton VS Angelica Jones
- The eight competitors were in the ring, all dressed up for the occasion. There were a couple of Lady Claus, as Kim and Angelica chose the same outfit, Marina Marston came out as one of the cutest Rudolph the Reindeer to memory, Devon Slayton made an incredibly accurate representation of Snow Miser while Rick chose to be a Snowman, who seemed to limit his movements to a degree, but the padding was likely to offer him some protection during the match. Bree was almost unrecognizable under that Santa’s beard but when she ripped off the sleeves of her costume and flexed her muscles there was no doubt she was the one hiding under that guise. Kate Steele was dressed as a Christmas Elf, but she unlikely would be helping Santa tonight. As for Faith? Well, obviously she came out in a Grinch outfit, complete with green face paint and a frown. Under the tree placed at ringside there were seven presents wrapped in gift paper of different colors, meaning that the one person who will be unable to score a pinfall or submission will not get a present.
- As the bell sounded, it was clear that the bad mood wasn’t just part of the costume for the young Savell. Just knowing her uptight demeanor, you had to believe that dressing up wasn’t something she’d do happily, but when you look past the silliness of the costumes, this match potentially had interesting developments, and that was enough to convince her to play along, even though she was trying to end it as soon as possible. That was why she grabbed a chair and started to smack it against everyone that came within reach. The last one was a vertical shot just on top of Kate’s head that caused her elf hat to fly as she dropped on the mat unconscious, Savell dropped the chair and, with a smile, prepared to make the cover but before she could drop on top of Steele she ate a big boot courtesy of Snow Miser Devon Slayton.
- Devon’s dominance lasted for about a minute as the Snow Miser delivered hard strikes or just tossed people around like ragdolls. It all came to an end when he crossed paths with Santa Bree, the two locking in a test of strength where no one really got the advantage. Their stalemate was broken when Marina Marston tried to roll up the Breebarian with a school boy pin, but Smith got her shoulder up in time. Kate came flying off the top rope and took Devon down with her Silence Is Golden (top rope blockbuster). A move that had given her many wins through her career and was probably going to give her the chance to turn her things around. But the Grinch was there to steal the happy ending from her, throwing her out of the ring and making the cover on Slayton. The ref counted to three and Faith Savell was the first to leave the match and pick up one of the gifts under the tree. She went to open it as the fight kept raging on inside the ring and when she eventually.. “You gotta be kidding me!” Faith blurted out, staring in disbelief at the content of the gift she had just opened. As the camera zoomed in, much to the amusement of the fans, it was revealed that there was nothing but a lump of coal inside. Savell was furious, and lunged in trying to grab another gift but a couple of referees that were standing there preventing her from reaching it.
- The commentary team highlighted the “poetic justice” of Faith Savell picking up the only “negative” gift on the list, and as the first choice nonetheless. But there wasn’t much time to chit-chat as the action continued inside and outside the ring. Leave it up to Kimberly to add that little bit of chaos to the match, introducing some of her favorite weapons. Holding a stapler in her hand, she began to staple wrapping paper on her own mother, laughing like a maniac and proudly staring at her artwork once she was finished. The Firestar wasn’t as happy as her daughter seemed to be, calling her by her full birth name the same way a mother would call her eight years old who just made some mischief. Kim’s happy moment was cut short by Rick Benson who just pushed her into the Christmas Tree. It probably didn't hurt her much, a few decorations fell on her head but that was about it. She did lose her Santa hat in the process, which seemed to piss her off. She launched herself on Benson, spearing him into the ground. The padded costume absorbed most of the impact, but it couldn’t do much as The Woman Scorned began to rain down punches to his face.
- It took her a couple of minutes, but with a few rolls back and forth and a lot of squirming, Angelica managed to get out of the wrapping paper she was pretty much mummified into. All over her body, especially on arms and the exposed body of her torso, the staples could be seen, along with small rivulets of blood running on her skin. She saw her daughter fighting against the Snowman and decided to take a little bit of revenge by suplexing her on the floor. She then launched Rick into the steel post, realizing the same way her daughter did that the snowman costume was protecting him from impact on the torso and back area. She still decided to charge in but she was met by a boot to the face from Rick, who then proceeded to pick her up and just slam her onto the ring apron.
- The second person who got to leave the match after scoring a pinfall was Marina Marston. The PARAMOUNT Queen City champion took a run at the ropes, stepped on Devon’s back as he was on all fours after a gutbuster from Bree to leap toward the blonde powerhouse and hit her with a massive bicycle knee strike. As the three was counted, the referee invited Marina to leave the ring and head over to the Christmas Tree to pick up her reward. She took a moment to choose between the various gifts, eventually resting her eyes on the one wrapped in green paper with reindeers printed all over it, matching her outfit. And boy, was it a great choice! Inside the box was a letter, signed by the Riot General Manager Vincent Moretti allowing whoever holds it to book a Riot card on the next cycle of shows. A big smile appeared on Rina’s face at the massive opportunity she had just gotten, but as soon as the commentators announced what her prize was, you could hear a “NOOOOOOOOO!” coming from the corner where Kimberly was just stomping at Kate Steele. The Woman Scorned’s desire to book shows was well known, and seeing the opportunity she had been craving for go to another person just sent her into a blind, frenzied rage at the expenses of the former Lockdown champion.
- An unexpected help for Steele came from a pissed off Devon Slayton who smacked Kimberly’s head with a kendo stick. Sensing someone attacking him from behind, he turned around and took a swing at the charging Rick Benson, but the impact was absorbed by his Snowman’s costume. Rick smiled and counterattacked with a kick to the stomach, doubling him over. While it was exceptional when it came to defense bonus, the costume wasn’t granting the usual range of motion, forcing Benson to adapt his style to these new circumstances. Sticking to simple moves, he just hit Devon with several knee strikes to the head before he’d take him down with a neckbreaker, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Black King down.
- Things had definitely taken a violent turn now, as it was to be expected seeing the cast of people involved. Obviously it was Kimberly who filled the ring with chairs, piling them up and dropping Bree head first onto them with a DDT. Slayton yanked the Wildcard and unceremoniously tossed her out of the ring, interrupting the pinning predicament and looking to capitalize on her work to secure his victory in this match. He threw a couple of punches to Bree’s face, then he whipped her into the ropes and caught her on the rebound, spinning and slamming her on top of the chair with his The Hellhound. He laid on top of her, hooking the leg for the cover but the joy was just taken away from him with a wicked punt kick to the head courtesy of Angelica Jones. The Firestar then charged to the ropes and bounced off the middle one, soaring the air and landing on top of Bree with her Divine Impact (lionsault), obtaining the three count and the right to pick her own present. As she did, she found a Lockdown title shot inside.
- Five competitors left, four gifts to choose from. Things got even more intense now that the stakes got higher, Kate Steele using her speed and every trick in the book to try put Rick away, targeting the most (and perhaps only) vulnerable part of his body, which was the neck and head that were left exposed by the Snowman’s costume. She sent him into the corner and then blasted him with a running corner Yakuza kick. leaving him flat on his back. She climbed to the top rope and jumped on him with a 450° splash, once again miscalculating the ability of Rick’s suit to absorb impact. And just like that the young man was able to roll through and hold Kate up horizontally and lift her over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position. Before he could do anything, Kim hit Kate with the Morrigan’s Wrath, the sheer force behind the superkick allowed Benson to carry the momentum through into a sport of F5. Williams delivered a second superkick, this time catching Benson right on the jaw and dropping him, right on top of Steele. Before she knew it, she got spun around and dropped by Slayton’s Cromwell Invocation (vertical suplex cutter) and put into a pinning predicament by Snow Miser. The ref counted a double pin, the one made by the barely conscious Rick on Kate and Kim’s one on Devon. Only one of them reached the three, and it was the Benson’s one. Rick was rolled out of the ring and asked to pick one of the few remaining boxes, which he did. He raised his fist in victory as he saw the prize, perhaps not entirely realizing at first what this could entail. It was a shot at the Junior Heavyweight Championship, which means he could be facing his good friend Abby Blake for it, should she retain tomorrow night.
- Devon was really mad now, and he channeled that frustration in his blows, pounding Kim with heavy strikes to the ribs. He then picked her up effortlessly and tossed her out of the ring and through a table that was previously set up. He then engaged in a battle with Bree, the two of them just bringing it to town with a back and forth of stiff strikes. Smith was not backing down, fighting back strike after strike against the veteran, holding her ground against the Black King. They went from punches to forearm strikes to headbutts, and only then Slayton was able to get the upper hand. He stunned the Breebarian and caused her to stumble back. An Irish Whip into the ropes and, on the rebound, he caught her on the rebound and planted her on the canvas with his Hellhound. And this time, nobody could get there in time and take the pin from him. He picked the least festive of gifts, one wrapped in gray and blue paper. The cold colors definitely matched his costume, as for what was inside? A $50K check was perhaps not what he was hoping for, but a pleasant gift for Christmas nonetheless.
- Three to go, and surprisingly enough Kim Williams was still among them. The Woman Scorned didn’t find herself in this situation by her own demerit by any means. As a matter of fact, she took the lion’s share in this match, by far being the most impressive and entertaining out there. She was the one who, more than anyone else, made full use of the hardcore rules and did so in an innovative way but, for one reason or another, she never had the opportunity to capitalize on her work. And unfortunately for her, the most cruel aspect of this kind of match once again came into play when she positioned a chair between the bottom and middle rope and rested Kate’s head against it, taking a run to the opposite side of the ring to obliterate her with the Shadowblade (running knee). Bree, who was recovering just out of the ring after being on the receiving end of the Hellhound, grabbed the redhead by her foot and just whipped her into the barricade with all her strength. Kim’s body hit the barrier hard and tumbled over the edge, causing her to land through the fans. This gave Bree all the time she needed to finish the job, hitting Kate with on Bree-Show (pop-up powerbomb) just for good measure and scoring the second to last pinfall of the match. Her reward for this feat was a tag team title shot, a throwback for the Breebarian. The question was, who would her partner be?
- There was an awkward pause in this fast paced match. Nobody was left standing, both the competitors had been laid out and counting them out was not an option. The referee went to check on Kate who, although battered and bruised, was apparently able to continue, even though she might need a couple more minutes. He then left the ring and went to check on Kimberly, who was already beginning to stir up. Slowly, Williams made it back to the ring, but as she was sliding back in the ring, she got hit by Steele’s baseball slide. Kate then pushed the opponent under the bottom rope and went looking for some weapon to bring this home. Her choice fell on another table, which she brought inside the ring and set up near the corner. Apparently her idea was to put Kim through it with the Punk Driver but when she moved close to her, Williams pulled one of the many tricks from her sleeve, using once again the stapler on the opponent’s thigh. That bought her enough time to get back to a vertical position and connect a sudden Morrigan’s Wrath (superkick) to Kate’s chin. The veteran stumbled back and hit her back on the edge of the table. Williams threw a couple of punches and set her up on top of the wooden surface, quickly climbing to the top rope and jumping off with her Chaos Theory (corkscrew senton). The table broke upon impact, the referee went down and counted the three, finally declaring the end of the match. Kim quickly went to the three to pick up the final gift, but she didn’t seem too thrilled. The disappointment for a match she, and everyone else, thought would go differently for her was clear and on top of that you have to add the frustration coming from seeing her coveted prize going to Marina. She tore the wrapping paper off and opened the box. Her expression immediately changed as inside it there was a piece of paper just like the one Marston got. This one had BROOKFORD signature in the bottom corner and would allow Kim to book a Millennium card.
WINNER: Everyone but Kate Steele
BY: Elimination, 16:03
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The camera cuts backstage, as the Dark Web is only just getting going. Stage hands are running around doing their business, as the production team hurry along, ensuring everything is going smoothly for the show. In a rare display, a very brief shot is seen of the Gorilla position, the crew staring at screens intently, studying what is going on in the arena. But the camera lingers on another figure, wearing a Burberry flat cap, keeping a close eye on them from afar. As the camera panned out a little, the figure could be seen wearing a bomber jacket, a white football shirt beneath, bearing the logo of three lions upon the breast. They billowed out smoke as if they were a dragon, before turning and marching on down the hallway, keeping their head down.
Man:
I know you’re here…
They muttered under their breath, the camera barely picking it up. As the camera zoomed in for a moment, it picked up the sight of the Number One Contender for the Millenium Wrestling World Championship, Jackie Fowler. What he was doing, or who he was looking for, wasn’t entirely clear. But the Bastard of Bowland seemed on the lookout for someone.
Clyde Sutter:
Selena Lyre…
The voice comes out of the dark, dank boiler room area. The still chill air makes things all the more creepy and sinister. Eventually a figure emerges from the shadows on the right. Stepping into the light we see that this is none other than “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter. Sutter is dressed in his all black ring attire, a black trenchcoat, and he has his newly won GCW World Tag Team Championship title belt wrapped around his waist.
Clyde Sutter:
For a time fate had smiled brightly down upon you. After all, you wear championship gold in MWE. That should be applauded. Fate has also smiled brightly down upon me, as you can see.
He pats the championship wrapped around his waist.
Clyde Sutter:
The problem for you, Ms. Lyre, is that fate is a fickle mistress. One moment you are its favorite child and the next moment it may decide that the time has come to cast you out into the outer darkness of the abyss. For a time you were one of its favorite children but now, Ms. Lyre, now fate has apparently decided to change your direction. Fate has put you on my radar screen. That should be apparent after the one victory I already hold over you, a victory that has already earned me this championship match here tonight.
Sutter chuckles softly.
Clyde Sutter:
This Lockdown Championship Match will be contested under YOUR rules but believe me, Ms. Lyre, those rules are the only thing you control in this scenario. Everything else is outside of your control. Fate has its hands upon the reins and you have no control over your destiny here tonight. Fate has decided that your time is up, Ms. Lyre. Fate has decided to cast you out into the outer darkness of the abyss and that I should be the one to take the Lockdown Championship away from you.
He smirks knowingly.
Clyde Sutter:
Do you hear it, Ms. Lyre? The countdown to your end. Tick, tock…tick, tock…
Tag Team Match
Tornado Tag Team Match The Accadettes VS Carter Girls
- The first time these two teams met, back in October, they delighted the fans with a surprisingly good match, according to many the best of that particular night. The Carter Girls got the upper hand on that occasion as the Accadettes perhaps paid the price of their inexperience, as that was their first match together. Millie and Clementine improved a lot in this time, working on their chemistry and gaining more experience. That was evident from the get going, when the two Smiths also proved to have done their homework, countering the Carters’ attacks and sending them both out of the ring. Millie and Clem exchanged a quick look and took a dive to the outside, taking down both opponents.
- If their first match was talked about for the fast pace and daredevil flips that kept the fans on the edge of their seats for the entire duration of the match, this one seemed to even top that, the stipulation chosen by the fans was clearly favoring the show, allowing the four of them to be in the ring at the same time creating a whole new dynamic. Jessica had Clem in one corner while Evelyn was attacking Millie in the opposite one. The Fashion Guru then suddenly dropped on all fours and called Vi, who stepped on her back to leap toward Clementine and hit her with a knee to the face. No wasted motions for Evelyn who then snuck between Smith’s leg and lifted her over her shoulders in a powerbomb position, turning around and taking a couple of steps to the middle of the ring before dropping her down. As she was completing the move, Jessica jumped and caught Clem in mid air with a backstabber. Mimi managed to get back in the ring and sneak past Evelyn to break up the pin and save her partner.
- Millie and Jess were now in the ring while Clem and Vi were laying on the floor outside. As the fight inside the ropes continued, the two young women on the outside didn’t stay there watching. They kept going at each other, trading strikes near the commentary table. Evelyn got the upper hand with a knee to the gut and then proceeded to whip the Academy graduate against the barricade to get some separation and go help Jessica turning the tide against Mimi. But Clementine used her quick reflexes to step on the edge of the barricade and leap backward, taking Vi down with a moonsault. She was quick to go back on the ring, just in time to see her cousin taking Jess down with the OnlyFace (inverted foot stomp). They exchanged a quick glance and both climbed to different and opposite corners, diving on Jessica at the same time. Millie landed with her leg on the woman’s neck, Clem performed a perfect 450 to land on top of Jess, hooking her leg for a cover. Carter kicked up in two, even before Evelyn could get there and make the save.
- Both the Carter Girls and The Accadettes excelled in teamwork, and this was even more evident tonight when they didn’t have to deal with the limitations of a regular tag team match. The Smith girls particularly shone with some impressive team maneuvers. Evelyn was bounced back and forth between the two blondes with their Superkick Ping Pong, and only a desperate dive from Jessica saved her from defeat. A minute or so later, Vi had the chance to return the courtesy when The Accadettes connected their Clemillie Slam (double flapjack) on Jess. The last minute save allowed the Carter Girls to stay in the match, although it was clear they needed to step up their game.
- And that they did, slowly beginning to turn the tide, focusing their combined efforts on Millie while keeping Clementine out of the fray. They went for a double suplex, following with a double superkick to the face and back of the head as the Excelsiora was starting to get up. Clementine tried to get back in the mix but she caught a kick to the stomach followed by a bulldog from Jess. Vi, instead, was tasked to take this one home and get her team the win, but her springboard moonsault found nobody home as Mills rolled out of the way. She followed up with a neckbreaker but before she could even attempt to pin Evelyn, she got dropped by Jessica with her Veneno (desecrator), obtaining another near fall for the Carter Girls.
- After ten minutes of this intense and exciting back and forth the match eventually came to its conclusion. The four competitors were all back in the ring, trading strikes back and forth. After Millie’s dodge, Evelyn’s roundhouse kick unintentionally collided with Jessica’s head, knocking her down. Vi instantly went to check on her partner, visibly concerned and incredibly sorry for inadvertently hitting her. By doing that, she gave her back to the Accadettes, and Millie and Clem quickly took advantage of this. The Bahamas Baby picked her up for a side slam, dropping Evelyn on the Flexibelle’s knees as she caught her with a backstabber. This was known as the Caribbean Crush, and it was enough for the Smiths to score the win. The referee lifted their hands and left them to celebrate with their fans. The Carter Girls eventually got back to their feet and stood in front of their opponents, stretching out their hands to congratulate them for the win.
WINNER: The Accadettes
BY: Pinfall (Caribbean Crush), 11:13
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Electricity by Blood Stain Child starts blaring through the arena, as Selena Lyre steps through the curtains onto the stage, making her way down the ring with purpose as she grabs a microphone from the ring steps, and slides into the ring turning to face the hard cam.
Selena Lyre:
When I signed A contract to be apart of Millennium Wrestling Entertainment, I knew that I had A very tall mountain to climb, because I am coming into a company with seasoned veterans who have seen, and done it all, and I knew that I wouldn't just be put be put again other newcomers, but I would have to sooner or later face the best of the best, and I will sooner rather than later be fed to the sharks and either learn to swim or sink to the bottom, and for the first several months I was sinking fast, because the sharks i encountered hunted in packs, and suffocated my air supply, but all it took is one opening, one opportunity, and i took it, and swam my way back to the surface, and now I am back head above the water moving forward, but you see? All that splashing I did to get to the top has attracted another shark, but this one isn’t weak like the previous shark who had to hunt in packs! No this shark hunts alone, this shark is an apex predator by the name of Clyde Sutter.
Selena takes a deep breath relieving the nerves before placing the microphone back to her lips.
Selena Lyre:
Clyde, after you beat me A couple weeks ago, you said no matter what I do I can only go as far as fate allows me to go, and then asked the question, Can I survive the Assassin? You then went on twitter, and mocked me by saying that you were supposed to see how good Ms.Lyre is? It was at that moment that I knew that no matter what? I have to beat you at all cost, and why? Simply, because you're like everyone else who has looked down on me, or ridiculed me in the past. This world is a dark cruel place, and I have seen it all, and each time I wonder why fate has been so cruel to me, but every time I always come out a stronger women, and A better person so maybe fate smiles upon me Clyde, or maybe each and every time fate tries to constrain me? I break it down brick by brick until I create my own path, a path that is bright, and full of freedom, a path that has allowed me to soar higher, and higher until I have become a goddess of the sky!
Selena gets a strong look of confidence on her face as she stares into the camera.
Selena Lyre:
But you Clyde? You call yourself an assassin, and from your mysterious dark speeches? You act like your a messenger of fate, and I know first hand just how talented you are if not from hearing everyone talk about how talented, and dangerous Clyde is, then from facing you and experiencing it myself, but you see Clyde as dangerous, and talented as you are? You are still human, as like you said everyone has their limits, what are yours? So now I take you back to the question you posed.Can you survive the Assassin? Well we are about to find out, because I am going to make your hunt easy, I will not run nor will I ask for anyone’s help! Tonight Clyde Sutter? You, and I will be locked inside HELL IN A CELL, but not just any normal Hell in a cell match, because I am going to provide you with all the tools you need to carry out your assassination, because under the ring, and hanging from the cage walls will be numerous weapons, but ask yourself this? What happens when the prey fights back? What happens when the prey is dangerous enough to go toe, and toe with the predator? Tonight we may be locked inside a giant cage, but know this Clyde, tonight the Sky Goddess soars to new heights, and The Assassin learns why I am called the Electric Girl. and more importantly tonight I show the rest of the roster that Selena Lyre is no longer a rookie learning the ropes, but a superstar ready to go toe to toe with the best of them.
Lockdown Championship Match
Selena's Rule: Weaponized HIAC Selena Lyre © VS Clyde Sutter
- As the Hell In A Cell slowly lowered on the two competitors, Clyde Sutter looked right in Selena’s eyes and asked her if she was sure about this. His tone was calm and collected, definitely intimidating. But Selena didn’t flinch, nodding and looking ready to give him hell. The bell sounded and Lyre instantly struck Sutter with a forceful missile dropkick, immediately getting the upper hand. She unleashed a series of spin kicks targeting Clyde’s head, eventually forcing him to roll under the bottom rope to regroup. But Selena wasn’t giving him the chance to breathe, following with a daring dive to the outside. The risk didn’t pay off as the Assassin just stepped aside and let her crash head first into the unforgiving structure.
- Clyde couldn’t quite believe the gift his opponent had just done to him by missing her dive. He picked her up and continued his assault on Lyre, inflicting a series of ferocious backhand chops and forcefully drove her into one of the steel posts before launching her into the corner of the steel structure. He reached down and grabbed a steel chair, smacking it against Selena’s head. The Electric Girl shifted to her right, dodging the impact and causing Sutter’s shot to hit the cage. The chair ricocheted back and caught the Assassin right on the head, leaving him stunned for a brief moment. Enough for Selena to slide back in the ring and try the suicide dive one more time, this time connecting against the former Riot champion and pushing him back first into the cold steel. Grabbing him by the back of the head, she rolled him back in the ring and climbed on the apron. From there, she jumped on the top rope and jumped toward the opponent, dropping her elbow onto his chest.
- Sutter took another break after dropping the champ on the canvas with a backbreaker and started pacing around the ring until he was caught by a surprise baseball slide to the side of his head. Selena attempted to follow up with a kick to the sternum but Clyde blocked the leg and lifted her over his head before slamming her down onto the apron. He then concentrated on targeting Selena’s back, throwing her against the cage a few times before dropping her on the floor with a German Suplex. He proceeded to stomp her a few times before dragging her limp body back inside the ring. There he proceeded to hit her with a few stiff kick to the ribs while she was on the ground and then deadlifted her in a vertical suplex position, concluding that impressive display of strength with a brainbuster, but it wasn’t enough to keep the champion down.
- Sutter continued his offensive by slamming Selena’s head into the cage and delivering repeated kicks to the back of her head. His sadistic side was on full display tonight as he grabbed her by her blue hair and began to grind her face against the cold metal, stopping only after he saw her pale face turning crimson from the blood dripping from the cut on her forehead. Although bleeding, Selema managed to create some distance and retaliated with a barrage of kicks to Sutter’s body, concluding with a powerful head kick that finally knocked the Assassin down. Selena started to climb the cage, enough to reach a kendo stick that was hanging from the wall. Once she retrieved it,, she leaped off and drove the weapon on top of Sutter’s skull, cracking it open and causing blood to drip down his face as well, temporarily clouding his sight. This only seemed to piss him off even more, as he grabbed Selena and hurled her back into the wall and, in one fluid motion, sent her flying several feet across with an overhead belly to belly.
- Lyre landed close to the cell’s cage and immediately asked the ref on the outside to open it, and she started crawling out of the cell. Sutter followed her at a distance, seemingly not in a rush to get there. He eventually reached the door, and Lyre was still on her knees, trying to get up to her feet. As soon as she saw Sutter walk toward her, she grabbed the door with both hands and slammed it on his face. The Assassin saw that desperate move coming from a mile and blocked the door with both hands, quickly shoving it back into Selena’s figure, shoving her off and causing her to roll back into the barricade. He kept walking with the usual slow, methodical pace and started stomping Lyre on the chest, continuing his dominant display by lifting her up and dropping her on the edge of the railing, leaving her hanging. He took a few steps back and charged in, connecting a brutal kick to the side of her head.
- It got to a point where it became hard to watch. Selena was a bloody mess, barely able to stand on her feet. But her fighting spirit seemed untouched, still flowing through her body and being what was driving her to attempt one more comeback. The first step was to finally dodge the Assassin’s right punch and kick him hard on the knee, forcing him to drop to a kneeling position. She then grabbed the first thing she could find within reach, which happened to be her Lockdown champion and drove it on the challenger’s face. The impact stopped his menacing advance, but Clyde didn’t go down. Rocked, wobbling on his legs, he stumbled back but kept his raging eyes on the blue haired girl. He recovered quickly and took a step forward, taking a kick to the stomach that doubled him over. Selena then let the title fall on the floor and dropped Sutter head first onto it with a snap DDT, opening another cut on his skull. She tried to drag him back to the ring so that she could end the match, but he was way too heavy for her, the task would have taken too much time and left her open to Sutter’s inevitable comeback. A couple of moments later her face lit up and she let go of his hand. Instead, she began to climb the cage to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
- Sutter started to stir up and began to look around, searching for Selena. “Up here, motherfucker!” She called him out, causing him to lift his gaze and the fans to cheer loudly. He smirked as he saw her up there on the roof, and went as far as licking his lips as if he was foretasting the destruction he would be able to bring up there. Sure, climbing would expose him to the risk of Selena using her vantage point to stomp on his hands and prevent him from reaching her up on top, but for some reason Lyre didn’t take that chance, choosing to wait for him instead. And they began to battle on the roof of the cell, moving between the few weapons that were scattered all around, free for use. Among them was a sledge hammer that Clyde managed to grab and drive into Selena’s stomach, ending that little momentum she was building. The second shot caught her on the back of the head, leaving her motionless on the cage floor. Sutter took a moment to let this all sink in, before signaling that the match was over with the cut-throat gesture. He went to pick up Selena for the Judge, Jury And Executioner but he didn’t realize that the Electric Girl managed to grab with the last bit of energy one of the weapons that were hanging on the roof. It was a taser, and she drove it to the side of Sutter’s neck as he picked her up for the powerbomb, unleashing the charge in the Assassin’s body. He fell limp on the cage floor, Selena fell on top of him and the referee began to count. By hook or by crook, Selena managed to retain, but in the end she didn’t look much like a winner.
WINNER: Selena Lyre (STILL LOCKDOWN CHAMPION)
BY: Pinfall (taser shock), 15:29
|
Scott Martel:
Are you ready for Greatness?
Came the voice of Scott Martel, wearing large, over the top heart shaped sunglasses. He wore bright pink ring gear, the words “The Great One” running down his sparkly tights, his thick black curls dangling over his shades. He had that cocky grin on his face, curling up into a sneer as his gloved hands pointed towards the camera.
Scott Martel:
Hey Pump King. Big Boy 3000. Jiggling Jasper. How you doin’, son?
Pulling down his shades, he blew a kiss to the camera, then gave a wink.
Scott Martel:
I know why they put us together. I know why they made you my dance partner. You, a guy who won the Gold Star on a day one event, against the MAN who proved without a shadow of a doubt, that they were, are and always will be the GREATEST, GREATEST, GREATEST Gold Star of ALL TIME.
Pushing back his shades, he clapped his hands together, doing a little twirl. On the back of his jacket was a picture of Ava Grimes, his girlfriend, with the words “Grimes to Greatness” upon it, clearly supporting his closest friend and supporter.
Scott Martel:
This is big billing for you, big boy. This might be the BIGGEST match in your short career. A chance for you to test yourself against the FUTURE of this company, the man tipped for the very, very top. And you know that is coming, son. Oh baby, you know that it is. So this is a real, big deal for you, isn’t it?
He let out a cocky laugh, the ego of the young star running wild as he clicked his fingers, pointing to someone off camera, before turning back to the lens.
Scott Martel:
It’s okay. No need to answer that, me and the people all know, Big Puppy Pump. It’s all good. I just want you to bring your all, show what you can do. Then I can show you exactly what a real SUPERSTAR, what real GREATNESS can do. Know what I mean, Pumpy?
He shrugged his shoulders, chuckling again as he cracked his knuckles, then his neck, peeling back his over the top ring jacket to expose his extremely oiled up body.
Scott Martel:
But it’s all good. I just want you to bring your very best. It won’t be enough, mind, but I want maximum effort. Because if you don’t, I’ll just walk on out and leave you embarrassed. I have a guaranteed title shot whenever the hell I want, and if you aren’t game, I’ll save my effort for someone that actually matters on my path to true GREATNESS. I know you got it in you, so bring everything you got.
He tapped his nose, lowering his shades as he blew another kiss to the camera.
Scott Martel:
Or be embarrassed.
With that, he strutted off the camera and out of sight before his big PPV match up.
The King Of Pumpkins Jasper King looks pumped and ready to go as he waits in the Gorilla position for his music to hit. We see him slapping his chest repeatedly as he paces back and forth, hyping himself up in the wake of his match against Scott Martell.
Jasper King:
Come on, Jas. You got this.
The young powerhouse talks to himself, clenching his fists looking to get “in the zone”.
Jasper King:
Sure, things didn’t go as planned, your team with Walker kinda fell through, but as Mom always says, when you close a door you should check the rest of the house to see if you locked the others too because maybe you forgot one open.
A moment of awkward silence follows his words, in which Jasper himself can be seen scratching his chin as if he’s trying to make sense of what he said. Could it be that he got it wrong?
Jasper King:
Now that I think about it, maybe she was just saying that because she didn’t like Walker very much. She was always telling me that he was a bad influence and I shouldn’t be friend with him. I don’t know, I thought he was cool and we made a good team. But the point is, even though that didn’t work out and my title shot got wasted when we couldn’t become Tag Champions, I have to look forward, and not look back.
Arguably the most sense he’s made so far.
Jasper King:
And that’s my word of advice for my opponent tonight, Scott Martell. I hear you, brother, you were a big deal in The Academy, best of your class, Gold Star and Valedictorian, the whole shebang. That’s impressive, I mean it. This ain’t a knock down at you by any means. But as I learned, there’s a big difference between the Academy and MWE. I was the big fish in the small pond too, but now we’re swimming in the ocean, my friend. There’s shark, and octop.. octopuss…octopuses… Things with tentacles that can strangle and drag you down. There’s dolphins and swordfishes and all sorts of huge beasts that have been swimming in these waters for years and know all the stuff you don’t know yet.
Jasper stares intently at the camera, talking right at his opponent.
Jasper King:
The Great Scott Martell… Confidence is cool, and you sure earned that moniker during your time in The Academy. But you have yet to prove yourself on the big stage. It’s sink or swim, buddy and tonight you’re swimming with a whale…
Another pause. This probably sounded a lot better in his head.
Jasper King:
Damnit!
He curses, biting his own lip.
Jasper King:
Killer whale, that’s what I meant. I wish you good luck, Scott. Let’s see what you got.
A big smile appears on the face of the big guy as he closes his slightly awkward promo.
Singles Match
Jasper King VS Scott Martell
- The two former Academy students met in the middle of the ring. On one side we had Jasper King, the first Gold Star of Year Two, an absolute powerhouse and undoubtedly the strongest competitor in MWE. In the other corner was Scott Martell, Valedictorian of Year Three and possible future champion with a title shot in his pocket. They began with a test of strength, one Scott gladly accepted even though he knew he’d be at a disadvantage. That is because he had a plan, which was kicking Jasper on the kneecap when he inevitably started to get the upper hand. This allowed him to turn the tables and use his vantage position as Jasper dropped to one knee to best him and push him further down. But the King Of Pumpkins fought back, starting to push upward as he stood back to his feet. He kept going, forcing Scott back into the ropes. The referee asked Jasper to break it up, and the Gentle Giant immediately did, taking a step back.
- Scott may not be the biggest, but he was used to dominating his opponents physically. Unfortunately that just wasn’t working tonight, the shoulder tackle he tried to take Jsper down with turned out to be completely ineffective. The big guy didn’t even flinch, his frame absorbed that shoulder tackle and even the following lariat without apparently taking any damage. Martell went for a third attempt but he got picked up and dropped on the mat with a sidewalk slam. Jasper hooked the leg attempting the first cover of this match but the Great One raised his shoulder in one.
- Letting Jasper dictate the pace and take control was the last thing Scott wanted. King hit him with some heavy chops to the chest after squashing him with a running splash in the corner. Scott’s chest had now, clearly visible on his pecs, the red marks of Jasper’s big hand. The country boy then placed those massive hands on his shoulders and just tossed him halfway across the ring. Martell landed hard on the canvas, arching his back in pain and getting on his hands and knees to push himself back. Jasper was right there on him and dropped down with a double axe handle on his lower back, flattening him once again on the canvas. King worked a little more on the opponents back with heavy blows and even a senton, pushing his whole weight on Martell’s spine. But none of them worked to keep the Valedictorian down for the count of three.
- Jasper’s dominant display continued as he now wrapped his strong arms around the opponent’s torso, squeezing him in a tight bear hug. Martell groaned in pain, trying to wiggle out of the undesired embrace, but the grasp was just too strong, impossible to break. As for Jasper, he was having a good time, just shaking the opponent in the air while squeezing the life out of him. Scott wasn't going to give up tho, eventually managing to free his arms and used them to clap back at the King Of Pumpkins, hitting him with a double slap to the ears. It rocked the big man but it wasn’t enough to break his iron grip. He went for a second attempt, and for a brief moment Jasper’s grasp around his torso loosened, but before he could slip out of it, Jasper regained control of the hold and just threw the opponent backward with an impressive bear hug suplex.
- This wasn’t the kind of match the confident New Yorker was expecting. As someone who had won most of his matches on his superior power and strength, facing someone this much bigger and stronger than him was something Scott had never experienced, and something that required a different approach. The Great One was smart enough to figure that out and lure King into charging at him in the corner. As the big guy darted toward him, Martell went to meet him with a basement dropkick that hit the running giant on the shin, causing him to trip over and drop head first into the middle turnbuckle. This was the opening Scott needed to try turning the tide, as it allowed him to land a few kicks and stomps to the man in the corner.
- The Great One kept pushing forward, sticking to his hit and run strategy trying to stay away from Jasper’s grasp. The damage he was able to do was definitely smaller than what his usual arsenal of offense would allow, but just like the water slowly but steadily carve the stone, his shots eventually weakened the former Gold Star to the point where Scott could then drop him on his head with a DDT. Martell made the cover but Jasper kicked out with authority, showing that he still had a lot left in his tank. Scott continued his attacks, managing to get a couple more two counts in. Jasper began to look a little worse for wear, the effects of Scott’s attacks beginning to show on him. Martell tried to suplex the powerhouse but he couldn’t actually lift him. His back instantly reached behind his figure, resting on the lower back as a look of pain twisted his face. The King Of Pumpkins followed with an elbow to the skull that caused Scott to stumble back and then charged in, running right into a jumping knee to the face from the Valedictorian. Scott connected with a quick volley of strikes before whipping King into the ropes. What happened next will be one of the things that will remain etched in the fans’ memory. Against logic, after failing to lift Jasper several times throughout the match and with a sore back, Scott Martell still went for The Scoop, managing to pick up the over 300 pounds opponent and slam him onto the canvas with incredible velocity. The sheer impact literally made the ring shake, the referee, visibly appalled, moved into position and counted the one, two, three.
WINNER: Scott Martell
BY: Pinfall (The Scoop) 11:11
|
Faith Savell:
A lump of coal, really? What a joke!
She may have taken off her Grinch outfit, but the mood certainly hasn’t improved. Not even her long-time boyfriend seems to be calming her down, although it’s unsure if that was actually his goal. Rather than helping her get over it, Olly seems to be fueling her fire.
Olly:
What were you expecting from this company? BROOKFORD and Moretti have no clue about what they’re doing. You should have refused to step in that ring the moment they asked you to play dress-up.
Faith Savell:
And be left off another show? Management already hates me, ever since I targeted and exposed their prized “longest reigning champion” for the weak and pathetic crybaby she is, they’ve been holding me back. What happened to the rematch for the title I never lost? Why is Tiff getting all this opportunities while I’m stuck fighting in the opener for a lump of fucking coal? What has Alice done to be in the headliner match? I’m better than them, I beat Tiff and I can beat Will’s daughter too. Just ask everyone at Nightfall, I was the top prospect there, not her.
They say that jealousy is a green-eyed monster, and in this case it had partially green skin too, thanks to some remnants of make-up on Faith’s face.
Olly:
I know, I get it’s frustrating. But there might be a way…
Faith Savell:
Olly… We talked about it. I have no issues with what you, Julian and the other guys are doing. But that’s not my style. I’m the Masterclass, I just need a chance to remind everyone what that means.
The two time tag team champion nods, understanding his girlfriend’s reluctance in joining The Division.
Olly:
Alright, Faith. Just let me know if you need anything from me. I would knock BROOKFORD’s fat ass down if that gets you the spot you deserve on the card.
She leans forward, giving him a peck on the cheek.
Faith Savell:
I know, and that’s so cute. But it won’t be necessary. I will find the General Manager and have a conversation with him. I just got an idea that I’m sure he will be thrilled about.
All that anger and frustration she showed earlier seems to be gone now. Her lips curl into a smile, her eyes bright with excitement.
Olly:
Well then, color me intrigued…
Faith Savell:
Since everyone is so high on little Alice now, maybe it’s time that I bring her and everyone who jumped on her bandwagon down to earth. A match between Nightfall’s best, the next chapter in the Savell-Hardy feud.
Olly:
And you think she will accept?
Savell nods her head.
Faith Savell:
Without a doubt. I’m the one who got away, the one she couldn’t beat when we were training back at Nightfall. Alice may fool everyone with this humble and down to earth persona, but I know her. I know how competitive she is, I know how much it stings her that I am better than her, that I was picked to join The Academy before her. She needs to prove that she can beat me, even though deep down she knows that’s not true. She’ll take the match.
Olly:
And after you beat her, they’ll have no choice but to acknowledge you and give you what you deserve.
Faith Savell:
Indeed. People like to think that I was just a flash in the pan, but the reality is that they have seen nothing yet. I’m done playing around, it’s time for another Masterclass.
Olly nods in agreement with his girlfriend before leaning in to kiss her. The couple then walks away, likely heading to have that conversation with the Millennium General Manager.
Chicago Way Championship #1 contender Four-Way Match
Fans Bring The Weapons Lau "Cloudy" Maldano VS Tiff VS Ash Fi VS McKena Hardy
- The excitement was through the roof for this match. Four competitors, four young women looking to earn themselves a shot at the hardcore title, the Chicago Way championship. They were no strangers to this type of matches, Tiff had even a Red Line trophy to her name and a decent run in Valiant in their Chaos Division, McKena and Ash had their fair share of hardcore matches and even Cloudy, the less experienced of the bunch, had seen her share of violence. A quick pan over the stands showed various weapons brought in by the fans, some standards, some more unique, some others… Questionable, to say the least. Before the match started, McKena talked a lot of shit at her opponents, especially Tiffany bringing up her past scuffles with Faith Savell and recycling some of her jabs. When the bell sounded, all of them turned to Hardy and just began to kick and punch and stomp her, finally shutting her up.
- It didn’t take long for the competitors to take a tour out of the ring and grab some of the objects the eager fans were handing over to them. Tiff grabbed a cricket bat and swung it through Cloudy’s mid section, doubling her over. She then set herself next to Maldano and placed the bat against her neck while hooking her leg with hers. The former Cloud Gate champion then fell back, taking Lau down with a Russian leg sweep on the floor outside. In the meantime Ash began to kick McKena inside the ring, blasting her with a flurry of strikes building up to a roundhouse kick. That one was actually ducked by Hardy who then grabbedAislinn from behind and dropped her with a swift German Suplex. Spotting Tiff and Lau fighting at ringside, McKena decided to take some measure of revenge on them both, launching herself through the ropes with a reckless suicide dive that knocked both women down. She then decided to taunt the fans, mocking them as she highlighted how she was currently the only person standing. Despite not necessarily liking the young member of The Division, the fans still tried to hand her various objects, and she ended up choosing a South Africa flag.
- Maldano had already made it back in the ring while Rollins was still recovering after her head bounced on the concrete floor following McKena’s dive. And that made her the perfect target for Hardy, who used the recently obtained flag to choke the former Cloud Gate champion, wrapping it around her neck and yanking with all her strength and a wicked grin. Tiff was in a very rough spot, desperately trying to fight back or at least reduce some pressure on her trachea but every attempt seemed futile. McKena was in absolute control, slowly but surely choking out the Five Foot Warrior. If outside the ring there wasn’t much action going on, the same didn’t apply between the ropes where Aislinn and the Cloudy One were keeping the fans entertained and the pace of the contest high with an intense back and forth. Finn knocked the Elevated One on her rear with a stiff kick to the back of the knee and followed with her patented Madra Rua (crossbody to a seated opponent), obtaining a count of two.
- McKena eventually let go of Tiff, leaving the former champion on her hands and knees, coughing and trying to catch her breath. Hardy taunted her even further by giving her a couple of slap to the back of the head before stomping her face to the floor. But that wasn’t what drew the ire of the South African fans, it was what she did next. She threw the flag on the floor and stepped over it, wiping her feet with a cocky grin on her face. The crowd was raging, throwing plastic cups and some of the weapons they brought toward the ring. Hardy simply thanked them and picked up a bag of Lego, which she poured inside the ring. McKena then grabbed Ash and lifted her for a belly to back suplex over the Lego pieces. Aislinn cried out in pain, rolling away from the extremely painful blocks. McKena was right back on her with a shining wizard and followed with a cover, but Lau dove in and broke it up.
- After dealing with Hardy and knocking her down with a spinning wheel kick, the Elevated One left the ring and started walking around and took a look at what the fans were offering. She turned down a few different types of bats, various everyday objects whose use and effectiveness may be debatable, but they would definitely make for some fun times. Her eyes lit up as she saw a unique artifact held by one of the fans in the third or fourth row. It was a replica of the traditional Zulu shield, a big oval piece of wood decorated with tribal paintings. She grabbed it and headed back in the ring where the rest of competitors, all looking a bit worse for wear, had gathered and were battling it out. There were a couple of chairs, just because the dozens of weapons the fans brought weren’t enough, laying under McKena’s motionless body after Aislinn dropped her on top of them with her Gae Bulg (Essex Destroyer), hurting herself as well in the process. This cost her a few valuable moments before she could make the cover, thus giving Tiff time to move in and break up the pin. The former Cloud Gate champion, bleeding from her forehead courtesy of a chair shot from Hardy, began to unleash a flurry of kicks to Aislinn, a very familiar sequence that usually would culminate with the Death Kick. Right before she could connect the kick, Cloudy came back into the fray and ran into her, using the shield as a battering ram to knock Rollins down.
- The shield was pretty cool to wield, and it even came in handy allowing Lau to block and fend off a couple of kicks from Ash Fi. But it wasn’t quite as effective to inflict damage, rather than being used to push the opponents away. Unless Cloudy got creative with it, which she apparently did. She placed the shield in the corner, resting it on the middle ropes creating a sort of bridge where she laid Aislinn on. Standing on the top rope, Cloudy then got ready to jump on Finn with a double foot stomp. Out of nowhere came McKena Hardy, stepping on the second rope and reaching Cloudy on top, grabbing her and flying backward with a spanish fly, barely missing the shield with Ash’ body on. The former Chaos Theory champion rolled down from the shield and attacked Hardy, but McKena got the best of the exchange and just suplexed Ash on top of Lau. As the two of them rolled out of the ring, holding respectively her back and ribs, Tiff hit Mac with the Peacemaker, busting her nose and causing her to fall on one knee. The positioning was perfect, nobody was in the immediate proximity to eventually break up the pin. Tiff went for the Death Kick, McKena instinctively grabbed the shield that had protected Lau so well in the past and put it between herself and Tiff. But this time the kick busted through the shield, splinters of wood flying in every direction as the blonde’s boot found Hardy’s jaw, knocking her down. Tiff hooked the leg and won herself the right to challenge the Chicago Way champion.
WINNER: Tiff
BY: Pinfall (Deathkick), 17:22
|
The MWE backstage interviewer Jelena Shcherbakova is enjoying a peaceful moment backstage when a familiar face to the MWE fans walks into frame, stopping in front of the young russian..
Yulia Kirilenko:
Look at you, all grown up..
The former Riot General Manager Yulia smiles widely at Jelena, who glances at her slightly confused. The former Academy prospect doesn’t seem to recognize her at first, but after a few moments a smile appears on her face and she throws her arms around the founder of the Chicago Fight Lab.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Yulia! I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognize you at first. It’s been way too long..
Yulia Kirilenko:
You were a toddler back then, always standing by your dad’s side. You couldn’t be older than six…
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Those were certainly much happier days..
Jelena says with a sigh, a wave of sadness suddenly hitting her and changing her expression.
Yulia Kirilenko:
I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry for not reaching out earlier when you came out with your real name. I tried to wait for the right moment and find the right words but nothing about this whole thing ever felt right…
Jelena Shcherbakova:
I know what you mean, and I don’t blame you. I remember how close you and Aleksej were, I found the stash of letters you wrote him through the years, he kept every single one of them.
Yulia Kirilenko:
So I did, Lena…
The Russian replies, pulling the younger girl in another tight hug.
Yulia Kirilenko:
Oh God, you’re going to make me cry…
In the following moment of silence you could hear sobbing. Hard to tell who it came from, as both women had watery eyes when they pulled away from that emotional embrace.
Yulia Kirilenko:
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to open old wounds.. I just wanted to see you…
Jelena Shcherbakova:
I guess it was inevitable. And while it still hurts that they’re gone, I’m trying to find comfort in the good memories they have left, both with me and the people that were close to us.
After another brief hug, Jelena tried to change the topic and possibly lighten the mood.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
But enough with the sad stuff… Look, it’s been a slow night for me, seems like everyone is too busy and focused to talk… Would you like to answer a couple of questions?
The former Riot GM looks surprised.
Yulia Kirilenko:
An interview? I don’t even know what I could talk about…
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Well, let me worry about that.
Without giving Yulia a chance to argue, Jelena quickly shoots the first question.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Yulia, tonight marks your return to MWE in the role of judge in the Invictus rule match, a concept you introduced back when you were the Riot General Manager. How do you feel about your creation still being one of the fan favorite stipulations? Do you think it should still be a prominent division in the company, with his own title?
Yulia Kirilenko:
Well… It certainly feels good to see that the fans still enjoy the Invictus rules, I think it’s a testament that I did something good during my time at the helm of the orange brand. As for having an Invictus Division? I will forever be a fan of this type of match, but I reckon that it probably ran its course. We have some formidable champions and some memorable matches, but the interest in that kind of competition was beginning to fade. I believe Vincent made the right call in retiring the belt and replacing it with a new title, keeping the Invictus rules as a special attraction. And he knows he can always count on me to judge them, whether it’s one match or, who knows, a special event tournament.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Can I say that I would love to see that?
Jelena adds before moving to the next question.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Any opinion on tonight’s match between Melissa Reeves and Qiyara Singh?
Yulia Kirilenko:
I’ve known Melissa for a few years, I was the one who brought her back by signing her on my Riot roster after Grace fired her from Millennium and I can tell you this. She was formidable back then, and not only she didn’t miss a step but the training she had in MMA in the past couple of years added even more depth to her already vast arsenal. Safe to say a woman that can master both these styles is a force to be reckoned with, more so in an Invictus match. As for Singh, I’m very curious and excited to see her in action. I’m not very familiar with the Pehlwani combat style, it’ll be interesting to see it up close and how it works against someone like Reeves.
Jelena nods.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Thank you for the precious insight, Yulia. I have one last question before I let you off the hook. Speaking of people you have been knowing for a long time, your former pupil Echo is going to be in possibly the biggest match of her career tomorrow night as she takes on Nine van der Hoek in an I Quit match.
Yulia takes a moment before replying.
Yulia Kirilenko:
Juliet is the toughest woman I know, and I don’t believe the words “I Quit” belong in her vocabulary. Normally I would be so confident in her ability that I would have no doubts she’d come out on top. But this is no ordinary match against no ordinary opponent. By taking Brighton, Nine really pushed this into a personal territory, and that’s a slippery slope for Echo.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
I’m sorry but I don’t understand. Why would you think that? The last time things got personal for Echo was when she challenged you and broke your leg. If anything, I’d say that it’s a dangerous situation for Nine.
The young Russian adds, almost in an apologetic tone.
Yulia Kirilenko:
It’s a double-edged sword, really. Anger is a great fuel, especially for someone like Echo. But when driven by this fire, one tends to get tunnel vision and that’s something she can’t afford. She won’t be facing just Nine tomorrow, she’ll be taking on Erin, Saoirse and God knows how many cultists too. She’ll need eyes behind her back too, and that won’t happen unless she can keep her emotions in check.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Hopefully she’ll see this interview and listen to her old mentor’s advice.
Jelena’s smile momentarily soothes away the concern on Yulia’s face.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Thank you for your time, Yulia. It was a pleasure to see you again and hear your precious outlook on some of Dark Web V's most anticipated matches.
Right before the camera cuts to the next segment, it catches one final request from the young backstage interviewer.
Jelena Shcherbakova:
Yulia… I’d like to see those letters my brother wrote to you, if possible…
There was no reply from the former Riot General Manager, at least not a verbal one. She put her arm around Jelena’s shoulder and walked away with her, whispering something the camera couldn’t catch.
Singles Match
Invictus Rules Melissa Reeves VS Qiyara Singh
- Everything was ready for the Invictus Rules match between Qiyara Singh and Melissa Reeves. The competitors were in the ring, the judges sitting at ringside as the ring announcer proceeded to introduce them. The MMA legend and current Academy Trainer Marissa Kanensson, Riot General Manager’s Vincent Moretti and the former GM Yulia Kirilenko, the mind behind the Invictus matches. It must somehow make her proud that, even though the Invictus Division is no longer a thing, the stipulation still holds a special place in the hearts of the fans who chose this over the other possible stipulations. The referee reminded the competitors the rules, which they both agreed on. The two women shook hands in the middle of the ring and went back to the respective corners so that the referee could start the first round.
- Round One:
They started slow, with a sort of feeling out process. Low kicks to the legs, aimed at finding or creating an opening in the opponent’s defense but neither of them was lowering their guard. A little over one minute in the first round Melissa lunged in and brought Qiyara’s on her back with a double leg takedown. The former World champion was quick to apply a leglock, identifying in those long and powerful legs the biggest threat. It was a well known fact that Singh’s most dangerous weapons were her kicks, and a veteran like Mel was, unsurprisingly, trying to take that away early. Singh easily found a way out of the submission predicament, disentangling and quickly rolling back to her feet. Reeves gave her a nod of acknowledgement and began to circle around her and went for another takedown, this time going straight into a knee to the face that rocked her. Singh then landed a few kicks to the torso to get the advantage and earn points with the judges. She now had Melissa in the corner and decided to go for the kill with her Singhing Off Qi. Perhaps a mistake on her end as The Reaver ducked the impact and grabbed a hold of her legs, holding the Indian star over her head as she took some steps toward the center of the ring before dropping her on the canvas with a thunderous powerbomb. The Australian tried to follow up with a shining wizard but Qiyara dodged it and rolled her up with a schoolboy. Well aware that there are no pinfalls in this match, she rolled through and connected with a kick to the side of Mel’s head. Confident on having done enough to secure the judges’ favor, Qiyara decided not to push and avoid taking unnecessary risks, letting the clock run down the remaining seconds while staying on the defensive and dodging Mel’s attacks.
Judges Score:
Kanensson: Singh 10-9
Moretti: Singh 10-9
Kirilenko: 10-9
- Round Two:
It was already uphill for Reeves, who needed to secure this round or attempt to knock Qiyara out. Submission would also work to get the win without resorting to the third and final round, and that seemed to be what the Australian was going for. A sweep kick to take Singh down and Mel immediately applied a knee bar, holding the submission for around thirty seconds before Yara was able to get to the ropes, only to remember that there were no rope breaks under Invictus Rules. She then focused her efforts on trying to break up the submission, managing to do so although with some difficulty. And as she got up, she seemed to be limping. Reeves charged in and hit her with a forearm strike, sending the Indian back into the ropes. Singh bounced back and right into Mel’s arms, but she managed to counter her attack with a tornado DDT, planting the former World champion on her head. Singh tried to follow up with another Singhing Off Qi but her knee buckled when she was going to jump, not getting enough momentum to complete the rotation and deliver the kick. Reeves caught her in mid-air and dropped her onto her knee with a backbreaker, immediately taking a couple of steps back and waiting for her to get up. As soon as she did, she went for the Magnitude Nine but the kick was ducked by Singh who then hit her with a body kick and applied a triangle choke. As soon as she locked her in, the bell sounded signaling the end of the second round.
Judges Score:
Kanensson: Reeves 10-9
Moretti: Reeves 10-9
Kirilenko: Reeves 10-9
- Final Round:
It went down to the third and final round. Five minutes to determine the winner of this match. They both knew this was it, and they pulled out all stops. Singh connected her Qi To Your Heart (combination of a low kick to the thigh, side push kick, and high knee, followed with a jumping kick to the chest), Reeves replied with a Reaver Slam followed by a Pele Kick. Various exchanges later, the former Tag Team champion attempted a double underhook suplex but Mel blocked the attempt and shoved her back a couple of feet. Reeves closed in and connected the Facial Deconstructor, which wasn’t enough to knock Qi down but left her bleeding from her nose. A significant damage that would have likely influenced the judges’ decision, and Qiyara knew that. She poured everything she had left into a reckless assault, managing to connect a few strikes to the ribs and chest, causing Reeves to stumble back. It was make it or break it, Singh knew that, with the time running out, this might be her last chance to turn the tide, and she had to do something big. Her third attempt at Singhing Off Qi connected, although it wasn’t a full impact. Only the tip of her foot connected against the Australian’s head as she attempted to move out of the way, with just enough force to knock her down, but not enough to KO her. Reeves quickly got up and prepared her counterattack, but unfortunately the time was out. The two competitors, both greeted with a thunderous round of applause, were brought to the center of the ring, waiting for the Judges’ final decision to determine the winner.
Judges Score:
Kanensson: Reeves 10-9
Moretti: Singh 10-9
Kirilenko: Reeves 10-9
- A mixed reaction, part of the fans clearly wanted to see Qiyara Singh getting her arm raised. But the Indian accepted the verdict, thanking the judges with a nod and turning her attention to her opponent. There was a smile on her face as she once again extended her hand, which Mel promptly accepted. The two exchanged few words that the camera couldn’t quite pick up, but the most important takeaway from this was that Qiyara Singh had proved once and for all that she was more than just a tag team wrestler, being able to go toe to toe with one of the best in MWE and this industry as well.
WINNER: Melissa Reeves
BY: Judges Decision, 15:00
|
Ava Grimes:
When I stepped into wrestling, I knew I’d be meeting some quirky and unique characters, but never had I though I’d be fighting a science geek. And yet, here we are.
The shot opens on a close-up of Ava Grimes, sitting on the floor backstage in her ring gear, as she gathers her thoughts going into her Riot championship match.
Ava Grimes:
I was never really big on math at school, or any scientific disciplines for that matters. Hell, if I’m being honest I wasn’t very fond of liberal arts either, school in general was just something I HAD to do, not something I wanted. But hey, what didn’t work for me surely seemed to have worked for you, and that’s something I can respect.
The smile on her face looks honest, as if she’s truly meaning the words coming out from her mouth.
Ava Grimes:
Throughout your years, you kept sharpening your mind, and that’s given you a unique approach and perspective on this sport. Don’t get me wrong, you’re talented and athletic but what makes you stand out among the ranks, what made you a champion, and a damn good one i’d say, is your brain. Your ability to study your opponent, the meticulousness with which you dissect their every move and steal their secrets, that’s what really gives you an edge against every… well, almost every opponent.
Finally standing up from the floor, the Academy graduate flaunts her perfect smile to the camera.
Ava Grimes:
At the risk of sounding cocky, I think we can agree I got that figured out. I’m sure you went back and watched our previous match, trying to figure out what didn’t work out for you, studying my moves and coming up with counters. If you asked me, I would have told you to not bother. We’re opposite, Haylie. Two sides of the same coin. Where you thrive thanks to your painstaking preparation, I go on instinct alone. You wrestle with your brain, I have my guts. Action and reaction, it’s all about now and here. So what happens when all your homework, all your knowledge doesn’t help you?
While hers are obviously fighting words, an attempt to get under the opponent’s skin and possibly shake LaFleur’s confidence, Ava doesn’t seem to mean any disrespect with her words. She’s bold, not cocky. Confident, not arrogant.
Ava Grimes:
Luck, some would say. Luck is something you firmly believe in, it’s in your X handle, you even came up with your own stipulation to involve this randomness factor into a match, the same stipulation you won the title in, the same stipulation the fans chose for our match tonight. As big as it is, it’s not ALL about that. Because in order to have Lady Luck smile upon us tonight, we have to build our own luck. Which brings us back to my original point… What else is there when everything you know is useless? What can you hang onto when all your certainties fade away? Is your proverbial luck going to be enough? Will the lightning strike twice? Will it strike at all? Let’s find out.
With a wink at the camera, Ava walks away.
Riot Championship Match
Lady Luck Match
Haylie LaFleur © VS Ava Grimes
- Haylie’s influence as Riot champion is as clear as the sun. When given the opportunity to choose the stipulation for this match, the fans picked the type of match she invented, the one she picked when she challenged Andrew Raynes to win the strap. For those who don’t know, the match was contested under a fifteen minutes time limit and for every fall or submission scored, the wrestlers would earn the chance to pick one of the mysterious boxes, only one of which would contain the title. As soon as the match started, Ava applied a headlock but LaFleur broke free with an elbow to the stomach and took her off her feet with a shoulder tackle. The Riot champion continued to target Grimes with a standing dropkick, taking the former Academy student down. She rolled out of the ring and LaFleur immediately went for a baseball slide but Ava crouched down right below the apron and Haylie’s attempt missed the target. Thanks to her quick reflexes and agility, the champ landed on her feet and quickly turned around, finding Ava standing in front of her. The former gymnast instantly grabbed the opponent and fell back, dropping Haylie with a reverse STO on the floor. Grimes stood up with a kip-up and dragged the champion to her feet, shoving her into the ring post. The very aggressive start from the young girl lasted for almost the whole count of ten, and in that time she did as much damage as possible on Haylie, using the apron to her advantage, dropping Haylie on it with a nasty DDT. Then, after pushing the champion back in the ring, the Academy graduate climbed to the top rope and jumped on Haylie with a spectacular skytwister press, obtaining the early, and somewhat shocking, first fall. (Grimes 1)
- Haylie acknowledged Ava’s strategy with a nod, a surprisingly vicious start that put the former student in the driving seat. Luckily there was still plenty of time for the champion, and she wasn’t going to waste any as she attacked Ava with a volley of kicks. The young Grimes used her speed and evasion skills to dodge most of them, although a few actually found their mark. LaFleur then grabbed Grimes by the wrist and fired her into the corner, immediately charging in. The athletic youngster dodged the impact with a handstand on the turnbuckle, landing on the apron as Haylie couldn’t slow down her run enough to avoid crashing into the empty corner. Ava grabbed the top rope and leaped back inside the ring, right behind the champ’s back and immediately dropping her on her neck with a release dragon suplex. Oddly enough, Grimes didn’t go for the pin right away, giving Haylie time to stand up instead. As soon as she did, she went for a wheelbarrow bulldog but the Formulaic blocked the attempt and countered it with a facebuster. The following pinning predicament didn’t go past the count of two.
- The action was so quick that it was hard to follow, the two athletic competitors were holding nothing back even if this meant taking high risks. Ava rolled out of the ring to regroup after Haylie hit her with the 360 codebreaker, but the Riot champion wasn’t giving her the opportunity, running toward the corner and leaping onto Ava with a triangle moonsault, landing on her feet and soaking in the loud round of applause the fans gave her. That only lasted a moment before she quickly went back to work, firing Ava into the commentary table. Once again the young girl’s cat-like reflexes came into play as she was able to just step on the announcers’ desk without taking damage. She then jumped on Haylie and caught her with a headscissors, sending her crashing shoulder first into the steel steps. Grimes quickly entered the ring and sat there, recovering as the referee counted the champion out. LaFleur got up at eight and barely hit the count, diving back in the ring at the very last second. Ava quickly picked her up and lifted her for a brainbuster, getting a count of two.
- LaFleur ducked a clothesline and took Grimes off her feet with a rana. The champ followed up with another flurry of strikes but the former gymnast managed to avoid the roundhouse kick with a Matrix evasion. Haylie quickly followed with a headscissor but once again Grimes had a counter ready, performing a cartwheel to land on her feet, unharmed. The smile and confidence that usually were omnipresent on the champion’s face slowly began to fade at the realization that time was ticking, and she didn’t seem able to do any substantial damage to the young Grimes. Haylie continued her attacks, but the percentage of attacks that actually connected was incredibly slow due to Ava’s uncanny dodging ability. The only time the champ was able to actually put Grimes down was when she surprised her with her moonsault sliced bread, but it wasn’t enough to score the match-tying fall.
- At this point Ava’s strategy was clear, and pretty smart if you think about it. She was going to use her evasion skills to stay away from Haylie’s attacks, and when the pressure would start to become too much, she would take a breather on the outside, exploiting the full ten counts to let the clock run down. If hers would end up being the only fall scored in the fifteen minutes time limit, that would mean that there will only be one box to choose from, and it would be the one containing the title. Basically, her idea was to hack the stipulation, and it was working. LaFleur would probably be proud of her for thinking outside the box like this, if she wasn’t too busy desperately trying to get that fall that would keep her hopes alive. She came very close to that when she connected a springboard facebuster, but Ava’s foot found the bottom rope and the count was interrupted.
- Two minutes to go, and the pace hadn’t slowed down a bit. Both competitors looked tired, but with opposite moods. You could see desperation starting to creep in with the champ, frustrated at Ava’s ability to dodge and counter most of her attacks. Grimes, on the other hand, had a hint of a smile on her lips knowing that she was only 90 seconds away from winning her first gold in MWE. Haylie went for an Irish whip and Ava was able to counter it, sending the champion into the ropes instead. On the rebound, Grimes jumped in the air with a leapfrog but this time the champ caught her in mid air and dropped her down on her knees with a lungblower. Wasting no time, Haylie got back to her feet and connected a shining wizard, following with an imploding senton to finally score the first fall of her match, with only twenty seconds to spare.
- The match was over, but the real fun begins now. The two competitors were brought to the timekeeper’s desk and presented with two boxes that looked, and weighted, exactly the same. A 50/50 split, equal chances to walk out of Johannesburg with the title around their waist for both competitors. A coin was tossed by the ref to determine who will have the right to choose, and it seemed that Lady Luck was smiling upon Ava. Will she continue to favor the young Grimes even through her choice? The former Academy student took some time to ponder the two boxes, her eyes constantly shifting from one to the other. Eventually she grabbed the one on the right, leaving Haylie with the left one. Which happened to be the one containing the Riot championship.
WINNER: Haylie LaFleur (STILL RIOT CHAMPION)
BY: Title Retrieval
|
Backstage we find one half of the MWE Tag Team Champions Matt Stone circling in the hallway just outside his partner’s locker room around a basic wooden table, holding a tape measure in his hands and trying to get every measurement just right. The MWE Tag Title is resting on top of the table as are his sunglasses and a piece of paper, complete with a #2 pencil on top. Matt is already dressed in his attire, of course, but seems more preoccupied with his task than he is in harassing his partner to hurry up.
Veronica Sawyer:
What are you doing?
Matt had been so focused on the current task at hand that he barely noticed his tag team partner opening the door of her locker room and she had watched him for a few moments, clearly amused, before she finally decided to announce her presence. He looks up to see Veronica standing there, her half of the tag team championship belts in her hands.
Veronica Sawyer:
Do you need a moment alone with the table?
Matt jumps a bit at her sudden question before glaring at her, not unlike the one she’s perfected over the years when looking at him.
Matt Stone:
Don’t do that!
He takes a moment to catch his breath before going back to what he was doing, ignoring the fact that she had just asked if he wanted a moment with the table.
Matt Stone:
Do you know what this is Veronica?
Veronica Sawyer:
Yes, I believe they call this a table.
Veronica rolls her eyes, although she is clearly amused judging by the expression on her face, as she takes a few steps closer towards the table and sits down on it much to Matt’s annoyance.
Matt Stone:
What are you doing?!
Matt tries to measure around her leg that’s dangling over the edge but can’t figure it out.
Matt Stone:
I’m trying to scientifically figure out the best place to put our opponents to ensure this table breaks and you just waltz over here and sit on it. Don’t you care about science Veronica?
Veronica Sawyer:
Calm down there Bill Nye.
Veronica notices what he’s doing as she pulls her legs up onto the surface of the table.
Veronica Sawyer:
I think you might be overthinking this a little bit too much, it’s not that complex, probably exactly why people were voting for the most barbaric option.
Matt Stone:
That’s what they want you to think!
Matt explains like he just figured out the answers to the universe.
Matt Stone:
By going into these kinds of matches thinking just throw people through wood then you give the advantage to the brutes. You and I aren’t brutes, so we need to use our other gifts to solve this puzzle and knowing where to fall where it’s safe could be the key
As he’s explaining this, he’s once again going through the measurements and scurrying back to the paper to jot things down, all while Veronica just sat there on the table watching him. She is now simply shaking her head as she begins to admire her reflection in her tag team title.
Veronica Sawyer:
Don’t tell me you’re that worried about getting a booboo going through a table.
Matt Stone:
A booboo? You’re not taking this seriously at all, are you?
Veronica Sawyer:
Of course I am.
Immediately Veronica takes offense to his question as she lowers her tag team title on the table besides where she was sitting, both of her hands on her hips.
Veronica Sawyer:
We’re defending OUR tag team titles. That’s the most serious thing. The difference between you and I is that I know the type of match doesn’t matter, because we’re going to retain our gold, we are the tag team setting the standard now. Not some team of knuckleheads with one of the longest tag team names around.
Matt Stone:
Yeah, the Children of the Moon are pretty exhausting, aren’t they
He smirks for a second before going back to his measurements, almost done with them at this point.
Matt Stone:
You’re right though, we are setting the tone and have been since we won these titles. We don’t care what kind of match it is, we’re going to win, I’m just trying to make sure we win in the best way possible. I know you want people talking about you after the show, just imagine all the little twits sending their tweets about how Veronica Sawyer avoided her doom by twisting to the right as she well to only catch the edge of the table and didn’t break it.
Veronica Sawyer:
I do love when people talk about me.
Veronica smirks before she removes herself from the table, allowing for her feet to touch the floor once more, looking back at Matt while she waves one hand.
Veronica Sawyer:
Besides, all of this is really a moo point.
Matt Stone:
A moo point? Are you calling me a cow? I know if I called you a cow I’d get a shoe thrown at my head.
He remarked as he finished up the paper scribbling happy with what he'd discovered. Veronica simply shakes her head as she walks over to Matt and gives him a little pat on the top of his head.
Veronica Sawyer:
It isn’t even going to be a table match.
He backs away from her not wanting his hair messed up and almost trips over the table behind him, having to scramble to catch his balance.
Matt Stone:
God Damn it…wait, what? What do you mean it’s not a table match? I just did all this work!
Veronica Sawyer:
Look at the bright side! It was fun for me.
Veronica chuckles as she picks up her tag team title and places it over her shoulder before walking away from Matt who simply shakes his head as the scene cuts away.
MWE Tag Team Championship Match
Elimination Rules PCP © VS The Brookson Wrestling Company
- A unique spin to this tag match that will be contested under elimination rules. After obtaining wins over both Matt and Ronnie in singles matches, The Brookson Wrestling Company had to do a very similar thing tonight to walk away with the Gold, pinning not one but both the current MWE Tag Team Champions. The stipulation chosen by the fans in fact required that the match wouldn’t end at the first fall or submission, but it would continue until both members of a team fell. It was Leo and Veronica who started the match for the respective teams, a sort of rematch from their previous battle. The Lumberjock flashed a smile, Sawyer reciprocated it and immediately went for a kick to the stomach that doubled the challenger over. The Canadian then went for a scissor kick but Leo moved out of the way and leveled her with a clothesline. Brooks then started to kick and stomp at the female member of PCP, in an attempt to dismantle them. Matt grabbed Veronica by the foot and pulled her out of harm’s way.
- After getting back in the ring, Veronica immediately tagged her partner in. Matt entered the ring and unleashed a barrage of suplexes against Leo, showcasing his strength and technical prowess. He then fired him in the friendly corner and followed with a clothesline. Sawyer tagged back in, following Matt to the center of the ring and grabbing his hand. The Abominable Showman spun around and launched his partner into their opponent, watching as she jumped to drive both her knees into Brooks’ face. But the Lumberjock saw this coming and moved out of the way, causing her to crash into the empty turnbuckle. He then ran towards his corner, knocking Stone down with a clothesline and finally reaching Leiffsen, who looked eager to enter the ring and throw some folks around. Matt had barely managed to get to his feet when he felt Noah’s strong arms wrap around his body. Moments later, he was flying in the air, tossed around by the man’s Saito suplex.
- Leo returned to the action, renewing his assault on Stone. The Brookson Wrestling Company was going to isolate the Canadian, figuring that once he was out of the equation, it would be easy for them to take Sawyer out. Leo delivered a series of punishing chops and slams to the Name Dropper, but Matt got his shoulder up every single time. Brooks dragged the former Intercontinental champion to his feet and doubled him over with a kick to the stomach. He then pulled Matt’s head between his legs and lifted him in a powerbomb position. Stone desperately tried to fight back with a couple of punches to the head, and when he realized he wasn’t getting the desired effect, he just went for the eyes, raking them and temporarily blinding the Lumberjock. Leo had to drop Stone who quickly caught him with an inside cradle, holding onto his tights and keeping him down for the count of three. Noah tried to break up the pin but Ronnie was able to prevent him from reaching his partner.
- Now with the advantage in numbers, PCP could control the match, tagging in and out while using their combined attacks to wear down Leiffsen. We got to see some of PCP’s trademark moves, including their double superplexes and a diving legdrop by Ronnie following a backbreaker from Matt, but the powerhouse just wasn’t staying down. The Tag Team champions looked at one another and decided to go for their finishing maneuver, the Planet Aligns. Noah managed to power out of Matt’s grasp just as Veronica jumped on the middle rope and went for the springboard dropkick that ended up hitting her own partner. Noah then charged at her and blasted her with a big boot, immediately turning his attention on Matt. He lifted him over his head and just threw him out of the ring with a military press so that he could focus on the legal member of PCP. Still dizzy from the kick to the side of the head, Sawyer stood slowly to her feet. Leiffsen then lifted her over his head with a jackknife powerbomb and drove her violently on the canvas. And that was enough to eliminate one half of the tag team champions.
- It was all down to Matt and Noah, a rematch from their bout on Riot a few weeks ago. Stone seemed to have done his homework and had a counter for Leiffsen’s moves, managing to back him into the corner with a series of forearm strikes to the head. He then launched Noah with a forceful Monkey flip, but the big guy managed to land on his feet with a surprising feat of agility. Stone shook his head and charged him regardless, running right into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex that sent him close to the corner. Leiffsen walked up to him and delivered a flurry of stomps in the corner. Matt rolled out of the ring, looking for a safe space to regroup. Leiffsen stayed on the offense, joining Matt out of the ring and throwing a couple of wild haymakers that rocked him just enough for Leiffsen to throw him up and make him bounce on the ropes, catching him with a violent lariat mid air. Matt’s body fell limp on the floor, Noah threw him into the steel steps for good measure and then rolled him back in the ring, making the cover and getting another near fall.
- It was like watching the replay of their Riot match, a dominant display from Leiffsen as he left little to no room for Matt’s counterattacks. The challenger attempted several pinfalls but, by hook or by crook, Stone always managed to save himself and PCP’s reign. Things were looking bleak for the Canadian, looking exhausted and worse for wear as Noah kept hitting him with violent strikes and powerful slams. As the match seemed to be going toward a foregone conclusion with a title change on the horizon, the veteran’s instinct kicked in. Matt was able to shift his weight and land behind Noah’s back as he indulged a bit longer in his stalling vertical suplex. In one fluid motion, the Abominable Showman wrapped his arm around Noah’s neck and bent forward, dragging him onto his back for the Stone Cutter. With the last bit of energy he had left in him, the Canadian made his comeback, relying mostly on direct strikes to stay away from the opponent’s grasp. He poured everything he had in those strikes, culminating into a C-c-c-c combo Breaker. The Straight Shooter then jumped into a cover, but shockingly Noah got his shoulder up right before the three. No wasted motions as Stone instantly shifted into his The Danger Zone (Katahajime), applying his patented submission move. Noah tried to fight through it, refusing to give up. But there was nowhere to go, not even his strength prowess could break through Matt’s tight grasp this far into the match. And eventually the big guy seemed to subside, his strength and consciousness slowly abandoning him. The referee went to check on Leiffsen, asking if he was going to give up. No answer. He then proceeded to lift his arm and let him fall. Once. Twice. Three Times.
WINNER: PCP (STILL Mwe TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS)
BY: Submission (The Danger Zone), 18:03
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Singles Match
Ambulance Match Donovan Keane VS Anna Daniels
- No love lost between the two competitors, tracing back from the day when Donovan Keane disguised as the Dalek and cost her the World title at Zeitgeist. Management hasn’t been able to keep them away from one another through the weeks between the pay-per-views, as the two of them constantly interfered in each other’s business, even having a couple of squabbles.during their unfriendly encounters. A grudge match was inevitable, the stipulation chosen was one Donnie was quite familiar with, having fought Asher Miles in a losing effort in this same match three Dark Webs ago, a match that was nominated as Match Of The Year by the fans. Nobody thought Anna was looking to match or surpass that, she was simply out for blood and revenge and she wasted no time attacking Donnie before he could even get in the ring, taking him down. She was immediately on top of him, raining down punches to his face and grabbing him by the neck to slam the back of his head on the steel ramp multiple times. Far from done, Daniels dragged her opponent back to the ring and smashed his head on the announcer’s desk before throwing him against the apron. Keane arched his back in pain as he hit the edge of the ring and he immediately had to deal with the charging Muse. He stepped forward and anticipated her intentions, throwing her in the air as he ducked down. Anna landed on her feet on the apron and immediately swung her leg back, kicking Donovan in the face. She then leapt off, twisting in the air with a moonsault. Keane recovered surprisingly quickly and caught her in mid-air and drove her back first into the steel post.
- They kept fighting around the ring, trading hard strikes and throwing each other into the barricades and steel steps a few times. After gaining the advantage, Donovan dragged out a ladder from under the ring and hit the Muse in her face with it. He then placed the improvised weapon between the ring apron and the commentary table, creating a sort of bridge. He then whipped Anna into it but the Time Lord managed to slide under it and avoid the impact. She quickly grabbed the side of the ladder and just pushed it on Donnie’s chest, causing him to start coughing and leaving a bruise on his sternum. She then climbed on top of the ladder, still set as a bridge between the table and the apron, and jumped on him, trying to send him into it with a headscissors. Once again Keane was able to block the attempt and just powerbombed Daniels into the ladder, which snapped under the force of the impact.
- He started to drag Anna toward the ambulance, but she fought back and hit him with an elbow to the stomach. As he doubled over, Daniels slammed his head into the barricade three times before snapping back and slamming him on the steel ramp. She started stomping him furiously, targeting the chest and ribs area, causing the man to writhe in pain. Pulling his blonde hair, she dragged him up and began to walk toward the ambulance, only managing to take a few steps before the member of The Division would punch her in the lower back and stop her progress, quickly lifting her for a belly to back suplex. Anna’s head bounced against the cold steel awkwardly, leaving the Time Lord rocked. This allowed Donnie to regain control and put some offense in, showing off his athletic skill by jumping on the barricade and then back toward Daniels, clocking her with a flying kick to the head.
- They got finally close to where the ambulance was parked, and Anna was instantly introduced to the vehicle as her head was slammed on the backdoor. Donnie then opened it and tried to push Anna inside but the Time Lord fought back with a mule kick that caught Keane between his legs. Keane instantly doubled over, hand going down to his crotch as he stared at his opponent, a look of surprise and pain on his face. Daniels took a few steps back and then charged in, jumping inside the ambulance while slamming his face on the stationary rear step. Donovan had his hands over his face, checking for possible blood loss from his nose or mouth. There was none, at least not until Daniels, standing inside the patient compartment, kicked him right between his eyes. Blood then began pouring from his nose and mouth as he stumbled back a few steps, glaring back at The Muse with rage and hatred in his eyes. She launched out of the ambulance and wrapped her arm around his head, spinning in mid air and planting him on his skull with a tornado DDT.
- The match was surely living up to the hype, being as violent as people were expecting it to be. Anna was in control until Donovan tossed her in the air with a back body drop that saw her landing roughly on the ambulance hood. He punched her a few times before climbing on top of it as well and picking up the Time Lord. He easily lifted her over his head in a powerbomb position and just threw her into the windshield, shattering it in the process. A few small shards of glass stuck into Anna’s back, tearing partially her ring gear and cutting her skin. She managed to push out of the windshield that got carved inward by Donnie’s powerbomb, falling on her knees on the floor. Keane, instead, climbed even further, standing now on the ambulance’s roof. He had a crazy look in his eyes as he prepared to recklessly leap off, taking Daniels down with a diving clothesline. He hurt himself a bit too in the process, the landing from that height was not exactly nice, but the opponent definitely took the brunt of it. Once he finally recovered, he dragged the Time Lord to the back of the ambulance.
- Anna put up a strenuous resistance when he tried to lock her in, the two began to fight in the back of the ambulance, throwing the various instruments they found there at each other as they struggled for the advantage. Keane just drove the Time Lord’s head onto one of the cabinets on the side, busting the door and causing various medical instruments and supplies to spill on the floor. Anna retrieved an oxygen tank and slammed it on Donnie’s skull, leaving him stunned. She speared him out of the ambulance and on the floor out below. She then started punching him in the face, he was able to roll over and get on top of the Time Lord, returning the courtesy. They traded punches and position a couple more times before eventually getting up to their feet. Anna instantly grabbed the ambulance backdoor and slammed it on Donnie’s head, pushing him in and trying to lock him in the back. He managed to use his leg strength to stop her and push the left door open as Anna tried to close it, buying himself some more time.
- Perhaps remembering his previous Ambulance Match, Donnie seemed to have developed an odd fascination with the vehicle’s glasses, more specifically a sort of impulse to crush them using various part of Anna’s body. the passenger’s seat window exploded when he repeatedly slammed Daniels’ head onto it. Holding her by the hair, he pulled her head back, revealing her bloodied face to the camera. He grunted something that sounded like “I told you so” in her ear before starting to pull her once again to the back of the ambulance. As he did that, he made to drag the side of her face along the vehicle, leaving a trail of blood along it. Anna looked out of it, but she still had enough strength to fight back as he was trying to strap her to the stretcher. She used everything she could, even going as far as biting his face to push him away. Donnie had to back away, climbing down the ambulance to regroup. Anna rolled out of the stretcher and just shoved it into the opponent, driving it on his midsection. She reached him on ground level and began to hit him with kicks, pushing him back into the backdoor with a brutal bicycle kick. Between the kick to the face and the back of his head impacting against the ambulance, Keane was pretty rocked. Enough for the Time Lord to set him on the stretcher and tie him up. She could have closed him in and drove away to win the match, but she wasn’t satisfied with the damage she had done. She climbed up on the roof and jumped on him with the Cake Or Death? (corkscrew shooting star press), destroying the stretcher in the process. But it didn’t matter, at that point Keane was out and done for. She pushed him on the back, not even bothering tying him up in any way and sat down on the driver’s seat. The engine was started, lights and siren turned on for good measures as the Time Lord, looking out of the window to get a cleaner view than the one she would get from the shattered windshield, drove away.
WINNER: Anna Daniels
BY: Locked In The Ambulance, 16:55
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We see a car pull up into a parking space in the parking garage. After the car parks, we see Alex Andrews gets out of the car. She walks over to the truck, starts to open it up when a thought cross her mind, her change in demeanor changes. Her gaze raises up to the camera as she pulls her gym bag and luggage out of the trunk, closes the trunk and places it on the car.
Alex Andrews:
I've said this before but it truly bears repeating. This isn't how I wanted to get to the finals. I didn't choose for Alice to give up her shot like she did so I could win. I get it, she's trying to stand on her own feet, I quite understand that fact, but I still am having trouble coming to terms with it. It keeps eating at me. I mean, The Division just had to get themselves involved, through no fault of hers, but I wouldn't have begrudged her to have stepped out of the cage and taken the opportunity for herself, Lord knows I was in no condition to stop her.
Alex lets out a sigh and shakes her head.
Alex Andrews:
But she made her choice and I have to deal with it. Move forward and focus on the task in front of me. The finals of this Battle For The Briefcase Tournament. Billy Danielson. That's where my head needs to be. And the more I think about our paths to get to this point, I just can't help to smile. He came to MWE as already an established name, winning who knows how many championships before stepping into a Millennium ring. Trying to creep on my approach on the Riot Championship right as soon as he got here. While I've a much longer, much more grueling time to even get to this point. My second ever match was in a MWE ring. I've cut my teeth here and fought and bleed and scratched to get to where I am today.
A small smile forms on her face.
Alex Andrews:
It might have taken some time and some tough love, but you have all seen there is no quit in Alex Andrews. Every time I get knocked down and bloodied, I get back up more determined than ever. So get this, Billy. You can beat your chest about come hell or high water that you'll get the job done, but I can very much assure you, you don't want this as much as I do. You were molded into the person you are elsewhere, but me, I cut my teeth here, I had to sit back and watch others win this opportunity year after year until I was ready for it myself. This might dang well be the biggest match of my career, so when I say I want this so bad I can taste it, it isn't hyperbole, it's fact.
She glares hard at the camera.
Alex Andrews:
I fought young hungry rookies and former World Heavyweight Champions to get here, but it seems I'm always a bit of an underdog, always fighting from underneath. Maybe its because I'm usually the smaller person in any given fight, but that's become where I excel. So keep underestimating me, Billy, I have 2 falls to beat you and I get a chance at driving a stake directly at the heart of The Division. You better believe I'm doing everything in my power to hurt them badly after what they've put me through. So win if you can, Billy, but just remember, I ain't the lady to mess with.
Alex chuckles to herself as she grabs her things, placing the gym bag strap over her shoulder.
Chicago Way Championship Match
TLC Ahalya Patel © VS Olly VS Andrew Raynes VS Tiffany Lynn-Page
- The Chicago Way Championship was hanging above the four competitors’ heads as they set to compete in a match where Table, Ladders and Chairs were all legal. The bell had only just rang and Olly and Raynes were already at each other’s throat, throwing punches and forearms at each other’s face. Patel was just as aggressive, throwing violent kicks at Tiffany who had to do her best to stay out of harm’s way. Eventually though she reached the end of the ring, leaning back into the ropes. The Indian Queen charged once more with a spinning kick, connecting on Tiffany’s face and sending her tumbling on the outside. Patel quickly left the ring and went to pick Page up but the Prima Donna of MWE grabbed the bottom step of one of the open ladders outside and dropped it against the champion. Tiffany then closed the ladder and pushed it under the bottom rope but a timely baseball slide by Olly shoved the weapon in the woman’s face, knocking her down close to Ahalya.
- The ladder was brought inside the ring by Olly, but he didn’t attempt to climb toward the title with it. He instead used it as a weapon against the former Chicago Way champion, dropping him onto it with a bodyslam and then placing him between the two sides of the ladder, smashing the top one on his body. Ahalya re entered the ring and charged toward Olly who saw her coming and countered her move with a back body drop. There was no way Ahalya could avoid the impact, but she still had the chance to inflict more damage on Raynes, and she didn’t waste it. She managed to spin in the air adding more velocity and momentum on her way down, performing what turned out to be a decent 450 splash. Olly turned around to pick her up but a chair shot to the back stopped his momentum. Tiffany was back, armed, dangerous and out for blood.
- Everyone got a taste of cold steel on their face, courtesy of Lynn-Page. For almost a minute the blonde was in absolute control, smacking whoever got within range. Olly got the worst of this, as Tiffany seemed to particularly enjoy hurting him. The former Academy student was the first one to bleed, as one of the shots delivered why he was laying on his back had cut him right above the eyebrow. Raynes was the one who disarmed her, kicking the weapon away from her hand. He then kicked her in the stomach and picked her up for a powerbomb, but Tiff started to fight back, landing a couple of punches to his head. He resisted and still managed to drop her on the canvas, with Ahalya joining in and catching her with a neckbreaker. The champion and her predecessor were now standing in front of each other, an intense staredown that was interrupted by Olly taking Raynes down with an inverted DDT.
- We’ve seen chairs, we’ve seen ladders and soon enough we got to see tables as well. Raynes was the one who brought it in, setting it up in the corner, leaning against the turnbuckle, with the intention of putting someone, hopefully Olly, through it. But the two times Tag champion was a slippery one, managing to stay out of the way. He couldn’t avoid Tiffany’s dropkick that served Olly on a silver platter to The Toughest Out, placing him against the table. Andrew charged in and blasted Olly with his patented Code Of The Sith, leaving the Academy graduate sitting in the corner on the remnants of a shattered table.
- The first attempt at climbing the ladder and reaching the title was made by Tiffany Lynn-Page who tried to take advantage of Ahalya and Raynes taking each other down at the end of a long back and forth. Her ascension toward her first single gold in the company was slow because of the buckling ladder she had at her disposal, the same one that had been used by Olly to inflict punishment on the Toughest Out earlier in the match. The returning Raynes was also the one who took that dream away from Tiffany as he climbed the ladder on the same side she was and, throwing caution out of the window, hoisted the blonde on his shoulders and just fell back with a risky but effective electric chair drop. Ahalya looked down at both of them and pushed the ladder down on their broken bodies. She then left the ring and retrieved a brand new ladder, pushing it back in the ring. As she went to set it up, she realized she had to wrestle it out of Olly’s hands, as the young man had grabbed the other end. Each of them gave it a tug, before working together to drive it onto Andrew’s face. The partnership came to a quick end when Olly snapped the weapon out of Ahalya’s hands and tried to hit her with it, but the Indian ducked out of the way.
- Two ladders were now into play, positioned one next to the other. Raynes and Page were on top of each one, trading strikes and trying to knock the other down. Olly and Ahalya climbed the opposite sides, and now all four were battling in a precarious position, several feet in the air. Fists kept flying back and forth, A right punch from Olly caused Raynes to step down a step or two and gave him an opportunity to try and reach the title. He wasn’t exactly aligned under the swinging belt, and he had to stretch a bit and lean toward Ahalya to attempt to retrieve it. Patel hit him with an elbow to the ribs and slammed his head on the top step. This exposed her to a flurry of punches from Tiffany that caused the champion to lose some ground. Olly climbed back up but Andrew punched him on the already busted nose, causing more blood to flow. That appeared to piss him off as he dropped on the floor and just pushed both ladders down. Ahalya, who was halfway on the ladder, jumped down and landed on her feet while Raynes and Lynn-Page had a long way down before they crashed on the canvas and immediately rolled out of the ring in pain.
- Olly was in a full frenzied rage, grabbing one of the ladders and lifting it over his head, just throwing it at Raynes and Page out of the ring. Andrew managed to roll out of the way, Tiffany almost succeeded in the same endeavor but she wasn’t quick enough and the heavy object caught her on the ankle, causing her to catch her foot in pain. Olly then picked up a chair from the floor and turned around to face the Chicago Way champion… And they both began to laugh. The boos began to rain down instantly as Ahalya set up the ladder right under the title and began to climb. Not only Olly didn’t try to stop her, but he watched her back, allowing her to climb unbothered and swatting Raynes away with a chair shot to the face as he attempted to get in the ring and stop Ahalya from retaining. The championship belt was easily unhooked by the champion, who then climbed down and walked right to Olly. The former Academy student extended his hand toward her and mouthed “Welcome to The Division” before raising her hand in victory.
WINNER: Ahalya Patel (STILL CHICAGO WAY CHAMPION)
BY: Title Retrieval, 15:21
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BACKSTAGE…
When the camera opens on him, Billy Danielson has just gotten into his dressing room and put his stuff away. He’s dressed to the nines, as tonight could be the biggest night of his career in MIllenium… or his last. Either way, he wanted to look good, so he made sure to wear the nicest clothes money can buy. It helps build that aura that Billy is something bigger than your average main-event wrestler. After all, he is The Franchise. He waves his fingers around, as if listening to classical music, and slowly sways until he’s facing the camera.
Billy Danielson:
This is it…
He says with a sense of relaxed determination.
Billy Danielson:
Nearly a year ago, I put my career in Millenium on the line. I said I was either going to win the Battle for the Briefcase, or I was walking out of this company forever.
He pauses as he thinks of the complete turnaround he’s had since then.
Billy Danielson:
When I first laid that challenge, I was at one of the lowest points, competitively, that I had been in my career. I was in three companies and didn’t have a title in any of them and a losing streak in all of them. I was being told I was too hard to book because I was supposed to be a big deal but wasn’t reaching my potential at the same time. Everything I did felt stagnant and forced. Like I was trying to be something I wasn’t, but now look at me….
Billy smirks at the camera.
Billy Danielson:
I’m one match and 2 wins away from being right where I always should have been. I got my eye back on the ball, and have proven myself time and time again in one of the harshest schedules in this tournament.
Another pause as something comes to his mind in the middle of his self-promotion.
Billy Danielson:
And it just feels fitting that Alex Andrews is my opponent at this juncture because for as long as I have been here, she has been in a similar boat as me. She’s not some near-decade veteran who failed to live up to expectations, like myself, but she’s constantly struggled to make a name for herself here. She’s held the Chaos Theory and Riot Championships, but she oftentimes gets overshadowed by people like… well… people like myself.
He chuckles under his breath at the sudden bit of self-awareness he just achieved at this moment.
Billy Danielson:
In fact, I remember when I debuted and inserted myself into a feud with Pierce Manning because I had leaped frogged her. She had spent the bulk of 2021 as the Chaos Theory Champion and was ready to step up to become the Riot Champion, but this guy just steps in, beats Pierce in an exhibition on his first night, and gets the opportunity she had spent the entire year fighting for. And to some degree, I can sympathize with her…
Danielson’s usually cocky and confident tone is a bit more stoic and solemn in these moments.
Billy Danielson:
But the difference, Alex, and I hope you understand this… the difference is that you were able to capitalize on the opportunities provided. You capitalized, you had your moments to make your name, and sure things have happened that always seem to eclipse you, but at least you got to pull through. Me? I had every chance to succeed and somehow managed to blow every single one.
His hands ball up into fists as he tries to hold back some internal pain. This journey of self Danielson has been on has put him through a lot, and he was ready to finally be over it.
Billy Danielson:
Some people would blame others for cheating or blame people who get involved. If this was College Football, I could claim every failure a “quality” loss and that’s why I would continue to receive them. However, at the end of the day, it was me not reaching where I needed to be. I had a million-dollar name and wrestled like I was worth a hot dog and a handshake.
Billy shakes his head in disapproval of his poor run in Millenium before the Battle for the Briefcase. If he could just forget it, he would, but that would be forgetting the very thing driving him to stay in Millenium.
Billy Danielson:
And that’s why I had to put my Millenium Wrestling career on the line. I had to pull myself out of this rut. I had to pull myself out of this vicious cycle of phoning it in, because a lot of the time in this business, it’s not real until you realize you don’t get to come back for the next show. It’s not real until you get looked at as a failure and a “what could have been”.
Tears start to well in the eyes of Danielson, though he tries not to acknowledge them as he continues.
Billy Danielson:
But I don’t want that for me. I don’t want this to end. I don’t want to walk out of here with absolutely nothing. I want to walk out knowing I did everything I could. I want to walk out knowing I was finally enough and that my legacy won’t be a joke in this company anymore.
He looks down, trying to hide his face for a moment as his voice gets lower and more quiet.
Billy Danielson:
I want to walk out the man I should have always been.
He wipes his face and fixes his lapel. You can tell he’s trying to push back some feelings he’s kept in during this BFTB run.
Billy Danielson:
And what sucks, Alex, is that I see your struggles.
Billy points at the camera as if pointing directly at Alex.
Billy Danielson:
I know you want nothing more than to win the Briefcase, set yourself up for a title shot anywhere any time, and also be the person who beat Billy Danielson and send me packing because look at how much momentum that will get you. Nobody will ever doubt you then. Nobody will ever overshadow you again. But I’m here to tell you, Alex…
He pauses.
Billy Danielson:
These people believe in you. I believe in you. I know we have never seen eye-to-eye, but I see your greatness and your potential. Hell, your last opponent believed in you so much, that they let you win. People see you for what you are and what you can be, and unlike me, you will achieve it one day.
Billy’s face darkens as his voice turns almost violent. The desperation and the necessity burn in his eyes as he looks on.
Billy Danielson:
But Alex, I can’t let you achieve it tonight. This is a Three Stages of Hell Match for a reason. It’s the only way to be damn sure that the right person walks out with the briefcase. I am sure that you’re probably willing to do anything it takes to win, but look in my eyes and tell me you want it more than me. Look at what I’ve had to do to get to this moment, and the desperation in my soul, and tell me you deserve this more than I do.
His voice is hoarse and blunt, like that of an assassin in a movie. In a way, he almost sounds remorseful, as if he knows he’s going to have to go too far in order to win tonight, and feels bad for Alex because of it.
Billy Danielson:
You’ve had your moments. You’ve had your glories. You have the ability to capitalize tonight and add to them. However, you could search through 14 Million Timelines but will find that you are hungrier than me in none of them. I’m not stagnant anymore. I’m not phoning it in anymore. I’m not complacent anymore. I am The Franchise. I am the GOAT. I am The Inevitable and I will win tonight and go on to become the MWE World Champion, just like I should have been years ago.
He just stares into the camera. Everything about him right now screams violence and desperation. Billy may sound confident, but there is a very real chance Billy goes home with one less source of income and a huge black mark on his career. However, like a man fighting for his life, Billy wasn’t going to go quietly. If he was going to go down, he was going to take Alex with him. He wanted to win like he wanted to breathe, but if this was the end, he wanted to make sure that nobody could dare question his ability ever again.
Billy Danielson:
My heart goes out to you, Alex. Good luck. See you on the other side.
Battle For The Briefcase Tournament Match
The Final - Three Stages Of Hell
Stage One: Pure Rules
Stage Two: No Disqualifications
Stage Three: Last Person Standing Alex Andrews VS Billy Danielson
- The final of the Battle For The Briefcase tournament was finally here. Alex Andrews and Billy Danielson looked ready to enter the Three Stages Of Hell to obtain the greatest prize in MWE, the coveted Briefcase that can be used at any moment for an instant title shot, as well as allowing the owner the power to book and change any match they want. Compared to previous finals, this one seemed to be tamer when looking at the stipulations chosen, but that didn't take anything away from the stakes, or made the tension more bearable. Both Billy and Alex had held gold before, both had main evented pay-per-views and both were familiar to be the “top guy” in their company. But being here tonight? That seemed to hit different. The referee reminded the rules for the first stage, the one that will be contested under Pure Rules. Danielson launched an early attack on Andrews, focusing on her shoulder by driving her into the turnbuckle and onto his knee with a shoulder breaker. As Alex attempted to mount some offense, the crowd instantly rallied behind her, supporting her effort with loud chants. Danielson’s supporters didn’t stay quiet, immediately answering with their “Let’s go Billy” chants in response as The Franchise began to fight back. He connected with a head kick and repeated kicks to Alex’s shoulder. The strikes made the former Riot champion stumble back a couple of steps, enough distance for Billy to try the first Chicago Blackout of the match, but Andrews agilely evaded his offense, taking a step to the side and immediately taking a run to the closest ropes and coming back with a high-impact Elysium (running bicycle kick) that Danielson couldn’t possibly avoid. Andrews immediately attempted to make the cover, forcing Billy to spend his first rope break.
- The match was what many would call an instant classic. The two locked up and began to trade holds. The exchange lasted for a good minute, Alex's prowess was on full display as she seemed to always be one step forward. She finally emerged on top, arm wrapped around Billy's head in a tight headlock. Danielson powered out of that hold, picking up the opponent with ease and dropping her once again on her shoulder with a skillfully angled Suplex. Andrews was quickly back on her feet, massaging the sore spot with her hand. Billy wasted no time and once again flexed his strength, running through her and taking her down with a big shoulder block. He then started stomping her, aiming (needless to say) her upper arm. Andrews rolled under the bottom rope to catch a break but Billy was right there to grab her and bring her back in. He pulled her in, letting her feet rest on the middle rope while he held her head in a front face lock. He spun and dropped down, connecting with a rope hung neckbreaker. Making the cover, Billy made sure to put all his weight on Alex’s injured shoulder, and she had no choice but to sacrifice one of her saves and reach the bottom rope with her foot.
- A clothesline from Billy caused Lady Limitless to fall outside the ring, landing hard on her shoulder once again. Andrews had now a big bullseye painted on her shoulder and Danielson was having a field day, finding new ways to injure and hurt her. He tossed her into the steel post and against the barricade, doing as much damage as he could before he’d bring the fight back inside the ring. He made a not too convinced cover attempt, from which Alex easily kicked out. He kept the pressure with a shoulder lock, trying to submit the former Riot champion. Instinctively, she began dragging herself closer to the ropes, The referee quickly called for the rope break, and it was only then that Alex remembered those were numbered, and now she only had one left. Billy, on the other hand, appeared to be conscious of the fight, replying with a nod and a smile.
- At this point, Billy focused more on holds and submission rather than his usual arsenal of power moves, looking to make Alex burn that third rope break so that he could then go for the kill and make her tap out without having to worry about other rope breaks. The plan was as simple as it was brilliant, and most importantly, it was working perfectly. Andrews tried to fight through the pain as Billy worked surgically on her shoulder, trapping her in another submission hold. The third and final rope break was used by Alex to escape an excruciating (and quite old school) shoulder claw. Knowing that she had no more rope breaks to save herself forced Andrews to a change of strategy, shifting to a defensive stance in an attempt to stay away from The Franchise. Danielson was like a shark smelling blood, circling around his prey and looking to find the opening to take Andrews to the ground and make her tap out to one of his effective submissions. Alex kept him at distance with some kicks, she also was looking for the opportunity to strike and start her counteroffensive. The former Riot champion was quick to dodge Billy’s ripcord lariat and catch him with the Alex Cutter. She hit him with several kicks and stomps while he was on the floor, ruthlessly and relentlessly. Billy rolled all the way to the edge of the ring, spending one of his rope breaks to get away from the opponent. Alex immediately stepped back and waited for him to get up and join her in the middle of the ring. She swung immediately with a hard kick to the leg that brought Billy down to one knee, Temporarily, sure, but long enough for her to strike him with the Brain Dead (Step-Up Axe Kick) and win the first stage of this match.
- At this point, and more so considering Billy’s temper, you would expect him to go crazy in an attempt to quickly even things out, especially with this stage of the match being contested under no disqualifications rules. Instead, Danielson kept a calm demeanor, throwing Andrews in the corner and slowly picking her apart with heavy punches to the ribs and kicks to the chest. He scooped her up for a powerslam but Andrews slipped away from his grasp and jumped on him with her Broken Wings (backstabber). This now gave her the opportunity to leave the ring and grab a kendo stick. She started swinging down on Billy’s back and side, leaving red bruises on his torso. Even under those hard blows, Danielson managed to slowly make it up to his feet, which gave him now the chance to block the cane shot and yank the weapon away from Lady Limitless’ grasp. The first thing he did was to break the kendo stick in half across his knee and throw it outside, trying to intimidate the opponent. Then out of the blue, he charged in and knocked Alex down with a clothesline, repeating the same move two more times. Andrews was up once again and ready to strike, but Billy picked her up and slammed her into the canvas with a spinebuster.
- As minutes went by, Danielson grew more and more ruthless. He fully leaned in on the match rules, or the lack of, filling the ring with chairs and stacking them next to the corner. He held one in his hands and used it to wear down Andrews, slamming it on her arm and sides. He even stuck Alex arm into the chair and jumped onto it with a stomp, trying to break, or at the very least injure, the limb. As the former Riot champion rolled on the mat in agony, Billy took a couple of steps closer to the pile of chairs and, one by one, began to unfold them, setting two of them one in front of the other and then adding a couple more adjacent to the first pair. He went to pick Alex up with the malicious intention of dropping her onto the chairs he just set up but the former Riot champion fought back and got free with a sitout jawbreaker. This created her another window of opportunity to strike with a flurry of kicks, leaving Billy dazed and exposed to her Elysium. But Danielson dodged the impact and immediately rocked her with a heavy strike to the jaw. He then lifted her in a crucifix position and dropped her onto the four chairs he set up with his The Franchise. That was enough to end the second, relatively short, stage of the match.
- If you had to pick a favorite, based on how they looked going into the final stage, Billy Danielson had to be your pick. Andrews looked pretty rough, the landing on the chairs didn’t help with her already injured shoulder, which she was still holding by the time the referee ordered to start the final round. Billy immediately started to throw punches and kicks at her, forcing her to parry his blows with that same injured arm. He then tossed her in the corner and charged in, but Alex raised her foot and caught him right on the face. She hoisted herself over the top rope and from there jumped toward the opponent, taking him down with a missile dropkick. Andrews grabbed one of the chairs that were laying, bent out of shape, on the floor and used to drive the edge of it into Billy’s mid section several times, causing him to curl up and hold his abdomen. Lady Limitless picked him up and dragged him to the pile of chairs, dropping him on them with her Queen’s End (hammerlock DDT). She took a step back and recovered as the referee began to count Danielson out. The Franchise Player got up at five without seemingly much of a sweat.
- That arm was truly bothering Alex, becoming a liability for the former Riot champion. It was too easy for Danielson to target that body part and regain initiative, bending it behind Alex’s back and lifting her for a hammerlock suplex, dropping Andrews on her injured limb. Wasting no time, he picked her up and dragged her toward the closest corner, slamming her head on the turnbuckle. He went and did the same to each and every corner of the ring, but Andrews blocked the fourth and final attempt with her leg, swinging her elbow backward and connecting to Billy’s jaw. She turned to face him, back turned to the corner, and began to swing a volley of strikes at Billy, leaving him dazed. She then leaned back into the corner and lifted her legs, placing both feet on Danielson’s chest and stomping him into the ground. Once again Danielson answered the count without difficulty.
- After landing once again on her injured shoulder off a particularly high back body drop, Alex rolled out of the ring to regroup. Not exactly a wise move as Billy followed her there and hit her with a clubbing blow from behind. This time, he didn’t even have to worry about being counted out, and he could take all the time he wanted to hurt the former Riot champion. He kept things pretty down to earth, not resorting to anything too fancy or too many weapons, using the surroundings instead. At the expense of the commentary table, who got absolutely destroyed when Billy powerbombed Andrews onto it. The referee began yet another count, this time it was Alex who needed to answer it and she did, managing to get up, not without struggle, at a count of eight. Billy was right back on the attack, driving his knee on Andrews’ face a few times before attempting a second The Franchise, looking to throw her onto the apron. Alex was able to slip away this time and land behind Danileson’s shoulder. Before he could turn around, she pushed him into the steel post. The impact was brutal, leaving Billy motionless on the floor for a count of seven. When he finally stood back to a vertical base, blood was dripping profusely down his face.
- Maybe it was the blood hindering his sight, maybe it was his own fury blinding him, or maybe again the effects of a possible concussion, but the tide had definitely turned and now Billy was in a rough spot. Alex seemed content with just keeping the match out of the ropes, which allowed her to take advantage of the environment to wear down the bigger and stronger man. She did an excellent job at that, and really came close to win the briefcase when she slammed Billy face first on the steel steps with a bulldog, but somehow that wasn’t enough to keep the bloodied former Mainstream champion down. At the very last moment, Billy was able to get up to his feet. Barely, staggering and almost falling back down, but he managed to reach with his hand for the steel post and keep himself up. but he was still in the match. Alex wanted to make sure he didn’t stay into it for long, and tried to finish him with her patented Hella Rough, connecting her finishing maneuver on the steel ramp. And still, it wasn’t enough to keep Danielson down.
- The stakes couldn’t be higher for Billy. There was more than just the Briefcase on the line for him, at the beginning of the tournament he swore that either he’d win this whole thing, or he’s done with MWE. That was a lot of pressure he put on himself but at the same time a very powerful motivation to go through every round of this tournament. And perhaps that was what he dug into tonight to find that second wind to fight back and turn things around. He started blocking Alex’s strikes, managing to grab her leg so that he could lift her and run her into the ring post. He weakened her with several chops and forearm strikes before throwing her with all his might into the barricade, right where the timekeeper area is. Billy charged toward her and speared her through the barrier, both of them landing where the timekeeper and ring announcer were standing. Alex obviously took the brunt of it, but they both were down and the referee began the double count. Danielson got up at six and saw Andrews trying to get up as well. He hit her with a kick to the head and yelled at the people around to move out of the way. Taking a few steps, he connected a brutal Chicago Blackout to the sitting opponent. And another one. And a third after that, followed by a fourth to make sure she couldn’t get up in time. He was even going for a fifth but the referee got between the two competitors and asked him to wait. He began to count, reaching ten without Andrews being able to stand on her feet.
WINNER: Billy Danielson
BY: Last Man Standing, 39:47
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