Post by gvb on Feb 26, 2020 18:22:37 GMT -6
Down Under Tour:
Millennium LIII
Live from Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide
Wednesday, February 26th, 2020
The scene opens inside the Adelaide Centre in Adelaide. It's the first stop for the green brand in the Down Under tour and, as reminded by Peyton Holland and Ambra Monroe at commentary, the Intercontinental Championship tournament will see the next six people qualifying. On top of that, we will also find out what the briefcases Neal Durden and Melody Lennox won at Big In Japan hold. Rumors, said Ambra, say that it has something to do with the new title that's seeing 24 of MWE's best battling. Before going backstage, Peyton announces that Melissa Reeves is in the house, and she will address the events happened at the last ppv, when she lost her title at the hands of Chris Constantine Junior. Needless to say, the mention of the former MWE World Champion name earned a loud pop from her fellow-countrymen.
The camera picks up in the back of the building where a long black limo pulls into the overhead doors. Coming to a stop for a moment as the driver gets out and quickly makes his way to the back. Opening the door as the new look Duke Andrews emerges.
Sporting a custom tailored suit, a powder blue and grey print, his shirt unbuttoned, with a vest polishing the look. He looks down at the driver as the door closes behind him.
His wrist covered in a Rolex, he reaches into his pocket and grabs a cigar. Placing the end in his mouth, he grabs a matchbook from his pants pocket. Striking a match as he brings it to the other end of his cigar, lighting it. Flicking his wrist extinguishes the flame from the single match. His eyes dart back to the driver.
Duke Andrews:
What—
He paused as he nodded his head. Reaching back into the breast pocket of his jacket he pulls a folded stack of hundred dollar bills. Swiping two from the stack he pushes them into the front pocket of the black sport coat of the driver.
Duke Andrews:
Now grab my bags and take them to the A.P.E. dressing room.
Holding the cash in his hand, he flips more of the bills out before pushing them back into the same pocket of the driver.
Duke Andrews:
And upgrade your wardrobe
With a puff from the cigar, he turns and begins walking through the backstage area. Looking around. His right hand reaching to grab the cigar from his lips, a puff of smoke as he exhales. He stopped as he looks at a local stage hand who stares.
Duke Andrews:
C’mon, not like you’re not used to smoke around here by now.
The cloud of cigar smoke blows into the poor guys face as Duke lowers down.
Duke Andrews:
Now point me in the direction of the plastic Barbie wannabe.
The stage hand pauses and looks confused.
Duke Andrews:
Okay, she’s about this tall—
He hand replicates her height.
Duke Andrews:
Bottle blonde hair and tits about this big that are full of silicone, like Pamela Anderson.”
Again the stagehand looks confused before walking off. A simple shrug of the shoulders as Duke continues his way into the building
Duke Andrews:
Bobbi, you have to be around this place. I know you’re not going to no show tonight with my title you stole!”
Referencing his loss at the last pay per view event, in which Bobbi made him submit. He cracked his neck as he finds the door to the dressing rooms. Pushing it open as he takes another puff of the cigar and finding Chloe Collins office.
Duke Andrews:
Well if Bob isn’t going to show, I’ll just take it to the middle class of the company.”
Without a knock, he twists and upturns the door and walks in.
The cameras come into focus and as they do we are treated to the sight of Christina Rose. She offers a long sigh as sits down on a chair and shakes her head in utter disgust as she looks deeply into the heart of the camera.
Christina Rose:
Of course here we are and what do you know? It seems like we are brought here again and I honestly feel like it was a year or so again when I have had this match. Duke Andrews taking on the likes of me! Both of us are from Michigan. Duke represents that of Grand Rapids where as I represent the Detroit area. I have a problem with this entire situation.
Christina sighs as she looks away and continues to speak.
Christina Rose:
We both are battling to advance further in this tournament. We both want to be the one people look at. A year or so ago I came at Duke Andrews with everything I had but in the end it just wasn’t enough. I faltered and came up short. I am tired of being a let down to just about everybody. I am tired of not being able to get the job done and I expect better from myself. I am looking to expand and actually become something in this company and so far to this very day I haven’t lived up to my full potential. I haven’t capitalized on any moment and it is getting very frustrating.
Christina just shakes her head as she continues to share her heart.
Christina Rose:
Even the commentators are constantly joking about it that nobody expects me to win and that’s absolutely ridiculous. I know I am a top tier athlete. I know I am amazing but the level of disrespect is really hurtful. Duke might have been here for a while but so have I. I have all of the makings and tools to be something special in this company. I am going to be destined for something great. I am going to go on and make something of myself and I will be a champion. Through hell or high water I will become a champion in this company and everyone else will just admire my presence. I am a legend and it’s about time I start acting like such. So bring it on. Bring on the challenge Duke but tonight it’s going to be game over for you. I will see you soon… It’s time to roll the credits on you.
With that Christina smile turns into a look of seriousness as we fade out on this image.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Duke Andrews VS Christina Lopez-ZdunichMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
The first half of the qualifying matches for the Intercontinental Championship Tournament was a disaster for the green brand. Out of 6 first round matches, only one, namely Sophie O’Brian managed to advance to the next round. The former and longest Lockdown Champion Duke Andrews, outspoken since day one about Millennium's superiority over Riot would love to reverse the trend and pick up a win and advance to the next round, but in order to do so, he has to go through Christina Zdunich, who was once again trying to bounce back from a series of losses. And she started with the right foot, surprising Andrews with her fast paced offense, trying some quick pinning combinations, always finding Andrews ready and responsive. A hurricanrana sent Duke rolling out of the ring, the multi-time world champion took an high risk flying over the top rope with a somersault plancha, caught in mid air by Duke who powerbombed her on the apron. Zdunich groaned in pain, arching her back as she fell on her hands and knees. Perfect position for some hard kicks to the ribs before bringing the fight back inside the ring and throwing her in the corner, charging for a shoulder tackle to the mid section. He then landed some European uppercuts but when he tried a superplex, Hilton fought back and managed to push him down from the middle rope, jumping and landing with both feet to his chest. The two kept going back and forth for several minutes, Duke came real close to the three in more than one occasion. With his Crossroads (leghook reverse STO), with a big time spinebuster and ultimately with a straight punch to the jaw. Or rather, a long sequence of quick jabs and hooks that knocked Zdunich on her ass. Christina quickly recovered and sent the former Lockdown champion face first against the turnbuckle with a drop toe hold takedown. Duke was laying against the corner stunned and unable to move away in time to avoid the running yakuza kick to the face from the Blossoming Rose who wasted no time climbing to the top rope and connecting a 450 splash for another near fall. The momentum of the match was now on her side, Duke on his knees eating a series of kicks to the chest. Christina went for her Flashing Lights, the high speed roundhouse to the head, ducked by Duke who then rose back to his feet with the opponent sitting on his shoulders. He tucked her head and violently drove her to the canvas for the Andrews Effect that once again, secured him the victory. WINNER: Duke Andrews BY: Pinfall (Andrews Effect), 6:33 |
Ambra Monroe: "Duke kicking out the night with a win for the green brand."
Peyton Holland: "Last Saturday Riot definitely dominated the first round, winning five of the six matches. It's time to get back at them."
Peyton Holland: "Last Saturday Riot definitely dominated the first round, winning five of the six matches. It's time to get back at them."
A sweaty, red faced young man wearing a headset is seen walking down a hallway backstage. He’s obviously a stagehand, and doesn’t appear too experienced at his job, as he walks around in search of something. He wipes the sweat from his brow and takes a deep breath.
Stagehand:
Australian summers are no joke… why did I apply for this job?!
He rubs a hand down his face, collecting an abundance of sweat against his palm that he wipes across the back of his shirt. He continues down the hall, until he stops at a single steel door. He looks it up and down, a nod of the head and a gulp to match. In frigid fashion, he reaches at the handle, and slowly twists it and pulls the door open. There’s nothing but pitch blackness inside, even the light from the hall is fighting a losing battle against the dark.
Stagehand:
Uhh… Mr Pinhead? They’re waiting for you.
He waits for a moment, but there’s no response.
Stagehand:
Mr Pinhead? You there?
The stagehand sticks his head in through the doorway, so far that we can no longer see it.
Stagehand:
...Mr Pinhead?
The stagehand’s head jerks backwards, as a large hand engulfs his neck and throat. His eyes bulge, like one of those novelty rubber chicken toys, as he claws at the hand trying his best to break free. It’s no use however, the hold is far too tight.
Pinhead:
Dominique-nique-nique…
Suddenly, the stagehand gets pulled into the room, and the sounds of crashing, screaming, and squealing fills the air.
Stagehand:
No! Mr Pinhead! No! Please!
Another loud thud, before the stagehand comes flying out the door, crashing into the concrete wall opposite the room, then falling into a heap on the floor. As the camera stays fixated on the unconscious stagehand, a pair of huge, thick boots come into frame. The camera pans upwards, and catches a glimpse of a solid braced knee, before halting on the eye-patched face of Pinhead.
Pinhead:
Dominique-nique-nique… Andrew Wilkow… you are about to feel like you have never felt before… you are going to feel… very, very small…
Pinhead grunts and hisses, then takes hold of the camera and slams into the ground, causing static upon the tron.
The screen cuts back to the arena as Unheavenly Creatures by Coheed and Cambria begins to play. The fans in the arena quickly begin to boo, but the boos are quickly over powered by cheers that are being pumped by the PA system. Accompanied by his beautiful wife, the newly crowned MWE Champion, Chris Constantine Junior, makes his way out and gives a huge smile to the crowd. Holding the title up in the air, Chris plants a kiss on the Title first, then his wife.
Making their way down the ramp, Chris and Olivia stand in the middle of the ring as confetti and balloons fall on them. Olivia steps aside and gives a huge applause as Constantine holds back the tears as the PA system continues to pump in fake cheers.
With a microphone in hand, Constantine tells the crowd to calm down. But as the PA system finally cuts off the fake cheers, the boos from the crowd fill the arena. Constantine isn’t happy about this as Olivia quickly comes over and places her hands over his ears and begs the audience to stop booing.
Chris Constantine Junior:
You’d think I’d get a hero’s welcome from the Millennium Universe after winning the MWE World Title, but I’ll forgive you people of Australia. I’d be miserable as well if my country was on fire for most of last year, if I had to eat vegemite, and every animal on the continent could kill me with a single string or a bite.
The crowd begins to boo but Chris is quick to shut them off as he starts to talk again
Chris Constantine Junior:
I’ll make this quick because I want out of this country as quickly possible begins I don’t want to be like Steve Irwin and die in this miserable country.
Chris is about to speak again but the crowd boos even louder to the point where Chris has to wait to talk.
Chris Constantine Junior:
I’d be getting cheered more if we were in the greatest country in the world in the United States, but nooooo. We just had to stop at Earth's asshole!
The crowd boos once again and Chris has had enough as he attempts to make his way out of the ring. But Olivia grabs Constantine by the wrist and and begs him to stay. Grabbing the microphone from Chris, Olivia begins to talk.
Olvia Constantine:
Chris! Chris I know you’re angry but I have something to cheer you up. Now I made some calls and had some conversations with some people and I have a great gift for you.
Chris seems to be in a better mood as he awaits to hear what the gift is. Olivia points at the ceiling as a wooden box with a bow makes its way down. As the box settles down in the middle of the ring, Chris slowly makes his way over to the box and is about to open it but stops as a fist comes ramming out of the box. Then another fist. The box is quickly destroyed from the inside and out pops a returning Redd Thunder. Chris is overjoyed as his old friend has returned. The two hug it out in the middle of the ring as the fans go back to booing.
Chris Constantine Junior:
With Redd back by my side, the MWE Title will forever be in my possession!
Chris gives a laugh until Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy Of Gold” blares out of the loudspeakers.
Peyton Holland:
It’s not often that you see the owner of the company, Grace van Beek appearing on a show. And when she does, it’s never for trivialities.
And her thought seems to be shared by Constantine and Co. The look on his face, as well as on Redd’s and Olivia as Grace walks down the ramp guarded as always by her personal security, fails to hide a certain concern.
Grace van Beek:
Mister Constantine…
She says after stepping inside the ring.
Grace van Beek:
I believe there has been a misunderstanding.
Chris is getting agitated. He brings the microphone to his lips to counter van Beek’s argument, only to find out that his microphone has been cut off. Grace doesn’t like being interrupted, we all know that. And yet, he keeps talking, even though the boos from the fans cover his voice. One word though sticks out. Contract.
Grace van Beek:
Perhaps your friend should have read the papers he was signing. He did, indeed, sign a contract to be rehired in my company. Anyway, considering his record, all the troubles he caused in the past, especially to miss Collins and my assistant, miss McCarthy, I could never allow him back to Millennium.
Redd and Chris exchanged a perplexed glance.
Grace van Beek:
That is right. The contract mister Thunder, admitting that is his real name, was a Riot contract. Enjoy your new Saturday night job, mister Thunder. And do not make me regret this.
Leaving the trio looking at each other dumbfounded, Grace exits the ring and heads backstage, prehaps for the first time under the applause of the fans.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Andrew Wilkow VS PinheadMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Two of the biggest competitors in MWE clashed in a first round qualifying match for the Intercontinental Championship. A sigh of relief must have been taken by the other competitors as this match was announced, knowing that one of these two behemoths will no longer be a problem after tonight. If anyone had any concerns about Pinhead’s health after the brutal War Games match, the first couple of minutes confirmed that the monster was more than ready to go. Wilkow brought the fight to the member of the Revolution, hammering him with his heaviest strike, but Pinhead ate them for breakfast and delivered a headbutt to the Appalachian Mountain Monster. Wilkow backed down a few steps, enough for Pinhead to charge and hit him with a shoulder tackle. Any other men would have been knocked on his ass on the impact, but not Andrew. He resisted, even a second tackle. Third time's a charm for Pinhead, who finally dropped Wilkow down. The Appalachian Mountain Monster quickly got up to his feet, watching the 390 pounder charging at him with deceptive speed to try and take his head off with a massive lariat. A kick to the stomach slowed the giant’s momentum, stopping him on his tracks. A series of chops followed, but his hard strikes apparently only pissed off Pinhead who rocked Andrew once again with a right hand. Wilkow stumbled before coming back at him with a roaring elbow, putting all his strength in that blow. And the monster felt it, falling back against the ropes and right into a big boot from Drew. Down he went, giving the Riot Champion’s goon a chance to make a first cover attempt, not before dropping an elbow to the heart. Pinhead kicked out with authority. The match soon broke down to a slugfest, hard punches flying from both competitors as they battled it out in the middle of the ring. There wasn’t much room for anything different than punches or kicks, although Pinhead did pick his opponent up and slammed him to the mat with a front powerslam. Wilkow instead never tried to lift the giant of The Revolution, 385 pounds are no joke even for a big boy like him. And if he couldn’t get him up, he would take him down with a chop block to the back of the right leg. Not quite sure what do now, he began stomping the leg, jumping and driving all his body-weight down to that knee. He even tried to wrap that tree trunk size leg in a figure four leglock. Mat wrestling was never his thing and the attempted execution was slow and sloppy, making it easy for Pinhead to kick Andrew away, pushing him chest first against the corner. As Andrew bounced back, he got caught from Pinhead in a German suplex, the first of the series he calls “The Village”, the same move that annihilated Kelsey Spencer in the first match of the Japanese tour with a record 12 suplexes. Tonight, obviously, he couldn’t get as many, stopping at three before the right knee gave out. He still managed to connect the third suplex and make the cover, Wilkow failed to kick out in time. WINNER: Pinhead BY: Pinfall (The Village), 8:43 |
Peyton Holland: "Make it two, Ambra."
Ambra Monroe: "If I was one to gamble, I'll put my money on Pinhead to win this all."
Peyton Holland: "He has all the tools to go all the way to the final, I agree."
Ambra Monroe: "If I was one to gamble, I'll put my money on Pinhead to win this all."
Peyton Holland: "He has all the tools to go all the way to the final, I agree."
After a commercial break the camera picks back up with Duke Andrews in the back. Fresh off his victory over Christina Lopez. Duke is freshly showered and back in his suit. The co-founder of A.P.E. is following the lead of the MWE Champion, Chris Constantine Jr.
Duke Andrews:
I know someone in this place has seen Bobbi Jackson.”
He pulled back the curtain that only revealed a brick wall. Taking another puff of his cigar as he continued his march through the back.
Duke Andrews:
You stole my property. You took what was mine and I want it back.”
The smoke clears as he turns the corner and begins walking down the corridor that had a few dressing rooms.
Duke Andrews:
You can’t be far. If you’re going to be the fighting champion you claim you are, you aren’t missing the show tonight.
Duke pushes open a door, the cigar hanging from his lips as he looks in the dark room. His hand finding the light switch.
Duke Andrews:
Where the hell are you, blondie?!
His voice beginning to show the frustration for not finding Bobbi Jackson. The room was empty with the exception of a couple of chairs and a gym bag.
Duke turned on his heel as the door closed behind him. Stopping in his tracks as he looked on at the man standing in front of him.
Duke Andrews:
I’ll call this a slight let down. Not exactly who I was looking for.
Duke took another puff from his cigar.
Duke Andrews:
But the person I needed to see.
He plucked the cigar from his mouth, his lips curling upwards as he grinned. The camera panned out to reveal the man Duke was looking at was none other than the Lonestar Icon Alan Envy. Envy looked back at Duke and looked him up and down.
Alan Envy:
A slight letdown huh? Well I'm sorry about that. What exactly do you need to see me for. If you're looking for a fight kid you don't have to look no further…..
Duke Andrews:
Kid? Good one. But that’s not really what I’m here for. I mean, I think you know exactly what I’m looking for here.”
Envy looks at Andrews then steps to the side and extends his arm towards his locker room offering Duke to go in
Alan Envy:
After you.
The feed switches to the backstage area, where a smiling Reese Kennedy stands outside the dressing room of his client, The American Monster, Jacob Hammerstein.
Reese Kennedy:
People have been asking me ever since Big in Japan, 'Reese, why did you do it? Why did you interject yourself in the MWE World Title match? You directly influenced the outcome of the match?'
Kennedy puts on a sad face, complete with quivering bottom lip.
Reese Kennedy:
'WHY REESE, WHY?'
The sad look is replaced by an arrogant sneer.
Reese Kennedy:
Why?
I could say that I did it because it was time for a change at the top, a regime change as it were. Or, I could say that I'm the unofficial Professional Representative for The American Pain Experience.
Or, I could say that I did it simply because I could.
The reasons are unimportant and, frankly none of your concern. What is important is tonight's match between YOUR Chicago…
Kennedy pauses, a bitter look on his face.
Reese Kennedy:
What is important is tonight's match between The American Monster, Jacob Hammerstein, and Jenni Anderson, or as I like to call it, Hammerstein's warm up round in the Intercontinental Title Tournament.
Kennedy takes a moment to smile, quite proud of his little zinger.
Reese Kennedy:
Now before you all start in with your "They're underestimating Anderson! They're overlooking her!" diatribe, let me assure you that, while we neither underestimate not overlooking her, we're also not worrying about her in the least.
While she likes to flaunt her money, my client….and I...are quietly amassing copious amounts of money. And we'll, unlike Ms. Andrews, we EARN our money through hard work and perseverance.
But, to borrow a phrase from some bygone wrestling "legend…"
Hammerstein don't get paid by the hour.
Again, another smirk.
Reese Kennedy:
So, Ms. Andrews, I hope you're ready to get bounced from this tournament quicker than The Adelaide Crows will fall to the bottom of the Australian Football League this Match.
The hometown fans let Kennedy have it over insulting their Crows, but the manager just smiles as the feed switches to the ring.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Luna VS Alan EnvyMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
The third match of the Intercontinental Tournament match saw the former Lockdown Champion Luna Smith taking on Alan Envy. The Riot superstar started off showing an aggressive side, determined to turn around a career that, at least in MWE, saw a few ebbs and far too many flows. After main eventing Deep In The Heart in San Antonio one year ago to, the Icon got a bit lost in the shuffle, with the exception of his win over Jordan Parker-Kane for the SSW Lonestar Championship, seemingly having lost his spark, that inner fire that was burning bright and hot in his rivalry against Heathen Jones. Luna wasn’t expecting this level of intensity, finding herself against the ropes bombarded by some european uppercuts. Sent for a run with an irish whip, she came back to a boot to the face from Alan. Smith was down, raising her arms to protect her face from the right punches of the determined opponent. Seeing that his shot couldn’t bypass her defense, Alan changed his strategy, whipping the opponent in the corner and charging for a back elbow. Luna moved away, ducking through the ropes with one fluid movement and fro the apron kicked threw a left kick to the back of the Lonestar’s head. Alan fell down on his chest, freeing the corner for Luna who quickly climbed up to the top rope, jumping and connecting a diving bulldog followed by a quick cover attempt to pick up a two count. Exploiting her quickness combined and the unpredictability of her Krav Maga based offense, Luna controlled the central part of the match, setting the course of this match toward the win everyone was expecting her to get. Her Upgrade (two knee strikes followed by an Overdrive neckbreaker) and a top rope blockbuster weren’t enough to keep down the Lonestar, who was now catching a breath in the corner. Luna charged at full speed and jumped with a knee to the face. She then went for a running bulldog, blocked by Envy who pushed the Star Of The Night away, breaking free from the facelock, He grabbed her hand though and pulled her back right into a devastating lariat. Luna raised her shoulder in time, rolling out of harm’s way under the bottom rope. Alan grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back to her feet, suplexing her back in the ring. She blocked the attempt, hanging on the top rope with both hands. Envy desisted, letting her go and rocking her with a forearm to the face that almost knocked Luna off the apron. Smith replied with one of her own, catching Alan flush on the jaw and rocking the Show Stealer. From the apron, she jumped on the top rope and used it to propel herself inside the ring, getting caught in mid air by the Texan who quickly went for a Death Valley Driver. Another counter from the former Lockdown Champion who caught Alan with a cutter on the fall, turning things back in her favor. Luna got another near fall with her Starstorm, and was now perching on the top rope ready to connect with her Thestral when the buzzing of the fans caught her attention. She turned around, expecting to see Reznik coming for her. Instead, it was Duke Andrews coming down to the ring. Alan exploited the distraction to catch Luna on the top rope and drop her down with a top rope Death Valley Driver. Somehow she still kicked out of it, resisting a couple more minutes until Alan dropped her on her head with the Envious Demise for the win. WINNER: Alan Envy BY: Pinfall (Envious Demise), 10:23 |
Peyton Holland: "What is Duke doing here?"
Ambra Monroe: "If I had to guess, things don't bode well for Luna right now."
Duke entered the ring, smiling at Alan Envy as he hoisted up Luna, holding her while Duke beat her up with some stiff punches. The fans booed loudle the actions of the Epitome Of Perfection, who literally didn't give a damn. Nobody came to rescue the poor Luna, it's not like she made many friends backstage in her time on the green brand. But it was hard to watch Duke whipping her toward Envy who connected his pop up death valley driver before lifting the motionless Star Of The Night over Andrews shoulders for him to connect the Andrews Effect. A close up on the two men smiling in the middle of the ring and the camera cut to the next segment.
Ambra Monroe: "If I had to guess, things don't bode well for Luna right now."
Duke entered the ring, smiling at Alan Envy as he hoisted up Luna, holding her while Duke beat her up with some stiff punches. The fans booed loudle the actions of the Epitome Of Perfection, who literally didn't give a damn. Nobody came to rescue the poor Luna, it's not like she made many friends backstage in her time on the green brand. But it was hard to watch Duke whipping her toward Envy who connected his pop up death valley driver before lifting the motionless Star Of The Night over Andrews shoulders for him to connect the Andrews Effect. A close up on the two men smiling in the middle of the ring and the camera cut to the next segment.
Backstage we find the self-proclaimed “Best in the World” (and British Bombshell, don’t forget that) Glory Braddock in her dressing room. The blonde haired British beauty is dressed in her typical purple wrestling attire and she looks ready to compete. Braddock also appears to be quite confident based solely on the smug, if not downright arrogant smirk etched across her beautiful features.
Glory Braddock:
Let’s recap what has happened lately, shall we? First, I told the world that I would save professional wrestling from itself. I told the world that this sport I love and am passionate about is descending into anarchy and chaos, chaos that for some ungodly reason the fans love, a chaos that management love because it makes them money. But there was no way in hell I would sit idly by and let this great and noble sport descend into madness. So I found two men who believed in my ideals, who shared my point of view, and now together myself and The Golden Era are The Glorious Golden Era, with a goal of erasing this new status quo of chaos and bring nobility and respectability back to the sport of professional wrestling.
The British Bombshell chuckles lightly and then holds up two fingers.
Glory Braddock:
Second, at Big In Japan myself and The Glorious Golden Era made our mark. We made a statement at the expense of Jenni Anderson. No one is rich enough to buy greatness in my beloved sport. I had every intention on giving you the great fans and this great company the tag team champions you deserved, Neil Newman and Kyle Butler of Golden Era, but Nina got involved. She stuck her nose in Glorious Golden Era business, and that made her an enemy of wrestling.
Braddock makes “tsk, tsk” sounds as she shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
Not a good idea. You know who had an even worse idea? MWE management. In their infinite wisdom they thought that they could punish me by placing me in a No Holds Barred match against Nina? No Holds Barred is nothing but garbage wrestling and you have the nerve to offend me, an accomplished wrestling purist, The Best in the World, in a barbaric war like that? It was a bad idea to offend me but it was also a bad idea to think that it was in any way a form of punishment, it was a bad idea to think that Nina had a chance in hell against me. I showed her and everyone else just why I am The Best in the World.
The Best in the World holds up three fingers.
Glory Braddock:
That was problem number three. I dealt with it in perfect style as usual. And now maybe MWE management has begun to see the light, maybe they are realizing the error of their ways because now we have the introduction of a new championship; the MWE Intercontinental Championship. And it is not to be decided in some barbaric bloody war. It is to be decided in a tournament.
A wide grin forms on Braddock’s face. It is the kind of grin that you would have to get a doctor to surgically remove from The British Bombshell’s face.
Glory Braddock:
Tournaments, you see, are my specialty. Just last year I won a Trios Tournament in Supreme Championship Wrestling. In my professional wrestling debut I won an eight person single elimination tournament to win the GDW International Championship. That’s what I did in my professional debut. It’s been over eleven years and I have improved and gotten better each and every day since. Imagine what I can do in a tournament now.
Braddock pats herself on the chest.
Glory Braddock:
This is tailor made for someone like me. Endurance, the ability to go on and on, against anyone in a tournament setting, this is a specialty of The Braddock Wrestling family. Is it any surprise, then, that my best friend and fellow graduate of my father’s own wrestling school, Sophie O’Brian, already advanced in this tournament? Not a surprise to me. In fact, the smart money is on either myself or Sophie O’Brian winning this whole thing and leaving as your first ever MWE Intercontinental Champion. Helena Noir?
The Best in the World pauses momentarily as she lets her words sink in. Then she sighs and shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
No, unfortunately it will not be you. I have no doubt that you could have gone far in this tournament. You have the killer instinct to do what is necessary to achieve your goals, and I like that. But you had the unfortunate bad luck to draw me as your first opponent. I’m sure you’d love to face your friend from the Revenant days, Henri Black. I’m sure you’d love to test yourself against him, win, and advance on in the tournament and maybe even become Intercontinental Champion. It truly is a wonderful dream.
The British Bombshell glares angrily at the camera.
Glory Braddock:
It is not reality. I am YOUR reality. And the reality is that I am going to defeat you tonight, I will advance to face Henri Black, and Black and I will finish what we started in Way of the Dragon, only this time I will be victorious, just as I will be victorious over you here tonight. I defeat you, I will defeat Henri, and I will defeat anyone and everyone who gets in my way of becoming the first ever MWE Intercontinental Champion. Don’t worry, Helena. You have a consolation prize and that consolation prize is the fact that you get to share the wrestling ring with a living legend, with The Best in the World.
Braddock winks at the camera
Glory Braddock:
You’re welcome.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Helena Noir VS Glory BraddockMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Nobody was expecting to see Helena back to her feet ten days after the brutal Unsanctioned match against Joey Leclair at Big In Japan, let alone being able to bring the fight and dominate the first part of the match against the Best In The World, Glory Braddock. And yet Helena surprised everyone, Glory included, imposing a quick rhythm to the match, taking the Riot star down with a sling blade and following with three knee drops. Picking her up, she sent her in the corner with an irish whip and hit her with a running dropkick, starting to work her on the mat, wearing her down with a front facelock. Braddock stood up, trying to break free with some weak punches to the ribs. Far from being Glory’s best shots, they still seemed to hurt Helena, more than they were expected to do. Could it be that her ribs didn’t quite heal yet? Even though in pain, Noir kept an edge on the opponent, blocking her offense with a knee to the face following with a snapmare and a hard kick to the spine. A shining wizard caught Glory right on the face and knocked her down, but the Best In The World stayed in the match. Braddock must’ve noticed that Helena was favoring her irbs, and started targeting them with stiff kicks and even a rib breaker. Helena gritted her teeth and kicked out, blocking another kick attempt and taking the opponent down with a dragon screw leg whip, transitioning into a stretch muffler in one fluid motion. Glory reached the nearby ropes and grabbed the middle one, interrupting the submission. Seeing her resting against the ropes, Helena charged in with the idea of knocking her out of the ring with a clothesline, but she ate an elbow to the face instead. A vicious jumping knee from the fourteen times world champion made Helena want to check if she still had all her teeth in her mouth, leaving herself open for Braddock’s Gloria In Excelsis Deo codebreaker. It wasn’t enough for her to punch her ticket to the next round, and neither was the Beautiful Insanity (glorious ddt) nor the London Plunge (swan dive headbutt) that followed. Helena toughness and tenacity had been proven time and time again, tonight it was just another evidence of that. The two competitors were now fighting on the apron, trading hard shots in a precarious position. After an exchange of stiff right hands, Helena kicked Glory in the mid section and dropped her head first on the apron with a ddt. Rolling her back inside the ring, she made the cover but only obtained another near fall. After another two count out of the Stay Gold (shiranui), the last Liberty Champion waited for Glory to get up, ready to hit her with the Dalecarlian Horse. She charged in, failing to notice that Braddock dragged the referee in the trajectory until it was too late to try avoid the impact. And of course, when the cat’s away, the mice come to play. Kyle Butler came running down the ramp, with Helena ready to welcome him. It was just a decoy though, to allow Newman to slide in from behind and take the tattooed woman down with a clothesline to the back. Much like with Nina last Saturday, they set her up for the End Of An Era, leaving the killing shot to Glory who dropped Noir down with the Glorification. She made the cover after waking up the referee from his nap and obtained the victory, advancing to the next turn. WINNER: Glory Braddock BY: Pinfall (Glorification), 11:08 |
Peyton Holland: "For calling herself the Best In The World, Glory surely needs a lot of help to win a match."
Ambra Monroe: "Careful, she might consider you an enemy of wrestling."
Ambra Monroe: "Careful, she might consider you an enemy of wrestling."
The scene opens on a close up shot of the face of Pierce Manning. He hasn’t lost the smugness he walked into MWE with, despite losing a very brutal hard fought match against Henri Black on the second night of Big In Japan. The camera pulls out further, showing off his chest. Pierce is standing against a white wall. Likely in the hallway. A far cry from the fancy scenery we are used to from the Greenwich born wrestler. He takes a deep breath. He points downward. The camera follows his direction, there is a short man whose head more or less covers the abs of Pierce. He has a very rugged appearance.
??:
A-hem. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jared Constable. And I am the personal assistant of the last real MAN in professional wrestling today. Pierce Manning.
Jared smiles.
Jared Constable:
It has come to our attention Mr. Manning has been hand selected to be among the chosen few to decide who is going to be the Intercontinental Champ-i--on. According to the public consensus, Mr. Manning does not stand one lick of a chance. I beg to differ.
Mr. Manning is battle tested. He came into MWE knowing full well the reputation of one Henri Black. A noted sociopath who needs professional help I might add. At Big in Japan, it took FLUKE for Mr. Black to beat Mr. Manning. Don’t believe me? They were fighting, beating the living hell out of each other, by sheer LUCK, Mr. Manning was in a position where he was trapped, defenseless, unable to defend himself against a boot to the face. Mr. Black will lie, say he is a man of his word. He didn’t live up to his urban legend esque reputation. Mr. Manning proved by his sheer determination, and the fact that it took sheer LUCK and a mere FLUKISH circumstances to leave him vulnerable. He walked away displaying for everyone in MWE he is tough. He can stand up to sociopaths. He will not not bow down to fear tactics. Mr. Manning deserves your respect.
On the other hand, his opponent, Gavin Grimes, picked on a woman who has deep seated self confidence issues. A loss is enough to send her into a flying fit. For weeks he picked on this woman, getting under her skin time and time again, you would think a man of Gavin Grimes stature would be able to finish the job. He couldn’t do it. He gave Mrs. Sailnes a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in her dark circumstances, one can make an argument if Mr. Grimes even deserves this lifeline. No matter. Mr. Manning is going to do whatever it takes to get the job done. He is on a path to become champ-i-on, once he is done with Mr. Grimes in decisive fashion, his road could lead him back to Henri, if that is the case, he will show in a WRESTLING MATCH, not a death trap, who the better man is. Who knows, Henri might meet his end this coming weekend. Lets not put the cart before the horse. Mr. Grimes, prepare to know your place in the grand order of this tournament--
The camera returns to the smug indifferent face of Pierce Manning. With a smirk he caps off the interview by saying...
Pierce Manning:
“-- below me.
Fade. To. Black.
Killswitch Engage’s “No End in Sight” plays, and that can only mean one woman. The camera focuses in on the stage as the former MWE Champion, Mel Reeves, emerges from the back. Melissa strides to the ring and rolls in, cranking her neck a little before she’s handed a microphone.
Melissa Reeves:
It’s good to be home.
The Australian crowd is far warmer for her than most crowds have been lately.
Melissa Reeves:
Australia, I said it’s good to be home!
The cheers intensify, bringing a smile to her face.
Melissa Reeves:
Unfortunately, I couldn’t come here without a few tools following me. I’m talking about the monkey boys, of course. APE, that jackass CCJ and the rest. A champion who relies not on, as we say around here, hard yakka but on being a slimy little bastard.
They boo CCJ, as everyone should.
Melissa Reeves:
That’s right, boo that man. Ah, but what’s his latest stupidity? Let’s have a look.
She points up to the screen. A video plays reminding us, unfortunately, of the words that plopped out of CCJ’s mouth last show on Riot:
Chris Constantine Junior:
First! The male rosters will come to the arena with suits while the female wrestlers will show up in dresses.
Reeves looks down at her own attire, skinny jeans and a Kenzie Garrett shirt. She shrugs and smirks.
Chris Constantine Junior:
Secondly! Swear words will not be used in segments and will not be uttered inside the ring.
The video ends there, the rest is garbage.
Melissa Reeves:
Or what, you’ll send your idiots for me? That what you’re saying, CCJ? I just want to be clear, because, well...you see…
She leans in toward the camera.
Melissa Reeves:
Basically? Fuck you, fuck your stupid rules, fuck your goon squad, fuck your cheap ways, fuck you for making the title into a mockery, fuck you for never being able to beat me yourself, fuck Reese for still breathing and FUCK anyone else who is about to get in my way.
The fans cheer because CCJ is hardly popular and his rules are silly. But nobody comes to confront her.
Melissa Reeves:
Hah, nothing? Figures. All bark, no bite. Here’s what you don’t get, Chris. In this industry, short cuts may get temporary success, but only hard work creates true history. You lack the ethic for that. In truth, you’re a stepping stone to someone else’s success. In this case it’ll be me, when the time comes. I have my title rematch and I’ll invoke it when it suits me.
Her smirk is back, firmly.
Melissa Reeves:
But before I do, it strikes me as there are still a few guys around here who need to learn a thing or two of their own. First up? Reese Kennedy. That’s right...I’m looking at you, Reese, you balding fatty. I want you to know that I’m going to get my hands on you, and you’re going to pay for putting yours on me. You should have kept to being a mouthpiece. But no, you had to get involved. If you want to get physical then I have no problem kicking your ass. Hell, I might even do us all a favour and wire your jaw closed while I’m at it.
Again, the crowd cheer.
Melissa Reeves:
I’m not going to play by the rules that I’m supposedly bound to, whether they’re management’s or that idiot CCJ’s. I’m going to do what I do best, make myself known and undeniable. Nobody here, and I truly mean nobody can match me for that. It was me that the owner herself wanted to try and take out, it was me that Chris needed to have his boyband to defeat and it was me that everyone wanted to take out, because I am and will forever be the longest reigning MWE Champion in history.
She lowers the mic for a second and looks around. The reception is, again, warm and she can’t help but smile.
Melissa Reeves:
So basically? Reese Kennedy! Run, bitch.
She drops the mic now and moves to the ropes, stepping between without much in the way of pomp. She heads into the crowd to make her exit. A few people try to talk to her, but her face shows a focused intensity.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Pierce Manning VS Gavin GrimesMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Both men coming from a stinging loss at Big In Japan, they had in this qualifying match tonight the chance to get back on track. It was all Gavin in the early going, his agility allowing him to stay away from Manning’s grasp, avoiding his offense and striking with those swift kicking combination, stunning him and planting him with a diamond cutter. He went for a running shooting star press, landing on Pierce’s knees as this time the Riot superstar was quick enough to counter his attempt. Firing Grimes in the corner, Pierce then charged at him and raised his knee, hitting Gavin on the sternum. A few more strikes landed before the referee separated the two. Manning stepped back and nodded at the referee, keeping the official distracted so that his personal assistant, Jared Constable could use the tag rope to choke the Cult Classic winner. As he let him go, Grimes fell on his knees, receiving a kick to the face from Pierce that sent his head bouncing against the middle turnbuckle. His first pinfall attempt only earned him a two count, a second one followed a moment later when he picked Gavin up and dropped him down with a stalling vertical suplex with a remarkable hang time. Being on the driver seat caused Pierce to grow complacent and overconfident, favoring Gavin’s comeback. Exploiting one of his many distractions, Grimes connected a sitout jawbreaker, finding the break he needed. Again his quick kicks broke through Manning’s defense, finding their marks, and chopping Pierce down, leaving him on his knees. Gavin measured him up and hit the Sac-Town kick, knocking Manning down. Grimes was quick to make the cover, but he only obtained a two count. He insisted, shoving the opponent in the corner and charging in with a running Yakuza kick, knocking him down. He quickly climbed to the top rope, looking to land his King's Splash but Jared decided to earn his paycheck, making his presence felt and jumped on the apron, trying to stop Gavin from jumping. Obviously the referee blocked him, but this distraction gave Pierce time to recover and desperately fall against the ropes, tripping the Chosen One who fell sitting on the apron. Manning picked him up for his TBTM, connecting the Gory neckbreaker for the win. WINNER: Pierce Manning BY: Pinfall (TBTM), 9:27 |
Ambra Monroe: "Well, let me say I didn't expect this outcome."
Peyton Holland: "And another win for Riot... I thought Gavin had this."
Ambra Monroe: "He seems to have lost his touch. The past few months have been quite hectic for him personally and I have the feeling that until he gets a grip on his personal life, his career will keep spiraling down."
Peyton Holland: "And another win for Riot... I thought Gavin had this."
Ambra Monroe: "He seems to have lost his touch. The past few months have been quite hectic for him personally and I have the feeling that until he gets a grip on his personal life, his career will keep spiraling down."
As our scene rises up, Jenni Anderson can be seen walking the hallways before her tournament match against Hammerstein. But right now, her upcoming match isn’t what’s on the top of her mind. As she moves around, she finds the locker-room of MWE’s officials. A grin forms on her face as she turns the handle, pushing inside. A single official can be seen within.
Official:
Excuse me! This is a private locker-room!
Jenni smiles, stepping back a bit as she feigns embarrassment.
Jenni Anderson:
Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do tonight.
Official:
What do you want?
Jenni Anderson:
Well… nah. You probably don’t have the power.
Official:
I have the power! Try me!
Jenni grins.
Jenni Anderson:
You saw what terrible fate befell me at Big in Japan. I was well on my way to definitively defeating Glory Braddock when Neil Newman and Kyle Butler decided to get involved.
Official:
Yes, and the match was thrown out.
Jenni smiles, almost bitterly, as she recalls the event.
Jenni Anderson:
Yes… “thrown out”... and that’s my problem here. You see, Newman and Butler didn’t attack Glory. They only came after me. Personally, and I’ve reviewed the wrestling rulebook for this, Glory sho
uld have been disqualified rather than being spared a blemish on her record. She deserves that blemish. She failed to beat me and when she realized she couldn’t, her goons attacked me.
Official:
So what do you want me to do?
Jenni pulls out a small envelope.
Jenni Anderson:
Don’t consider this a bribe. Consider this an investment in a better MWE.
Official:
What?
Jenni Anderson:
I want you to get that match result amended to the PROPER one. Glory deserves to have that LOSS forever tacked to her, and I deserve the WIN.
Official:
I can’t just change match results, Miss.
Jenni rolls her eyes, pulling out another small envelope.
Jenni Anderson:
Here… maybe this will help you see the light. Take your time for now… but don’t take TOO much time. I’m a rather impatient woman.
Without another word, Jenni exits the room, heading back down the hallway prior to her match. The scene cuts elsewhere.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
Jenni Anderson VS HammersteinMWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round one
The reception the Adelaide fans reserved to the former Chicago Way Champion, and mostly to his manager was less than kind, putting Jenni Anderson in the unexpected situation of being the one the fans were cheering on. Not that she seemed to care, or did anything to stay on their good side, using every trick in her book to keep an edge over Hammerstein in the first part of the match. From a simple yet effective thumb to the eye to create some separation when the former Chicago Way Champion was building momentum with those heavy right hands to try get some leverage on the ropes while attempting a pin, to a low blow while the referee was busy arguing with a restless Reese Kennedy who kept pointing out the shortcuts taken by Anderson while constantly watching his back, shook by Melissa’s threat. The Bad Luck Cutter (spinning cross neckbreaker) followed the low blow, followed by a lateral press from Jenni who only got her a two count before Hammerstein kicked out. And boy, was he pissed! Nobody has ever dared questioning Hammerstein’s vicious streak, his reign as Chicago Way was painted in blood of his enemies but tonight, even without using any weapons, the American Monster showed how sadistic and vicious he could be. He left Jenni no break, dropping her out of the ring with a cactus clothesline and followed with a running somersault senton from the apron. He picked her up and launched her against the steps, body-slamming her on the unforgiving steel before tossing her back in the ring. Anderson struggled to get back to her feet and barely ducked the clothesline Hammerstein charged at her with, aiming at his head with a spinning heel kick. This time it was Jacob’s turn to dodge the dangerous kick, watching Jenni’s foot passing inches away before his eyes and taking the woman down with a lariat. Wasting no time he picked her up from the floor and connected one of his Hammerplex, only obtaining a two count. The match went on with Hammerstein pretty much always in control, until Jenni caught him with her TrickyDT, a tornado ddt with which she countered a sidewalk slam attempt, and that almost gave her the win. Just like as she was starting to build some momentum, he put a halt to it with The Pounce. The former Chicago Way champion was now waiting for Jenni to get up to finish her with the Hammersteiner. The roar of the fans and Reese squeaking caught his attention as he turned to see Melissa Reeves rushing down the ramp and leveling his manager with a lariat. Hammerstein’s priority became, of course, saving Kennedy from Melissa’s assault. Quickly he rolled out of the ring and kicked Mel off Reese, stopping the series of punches she was raining on his face. Melissa fought back, she had no personal issues with Hammerstein but he was standing on her way to the man who costed her the MWE World Championship. And he wasn’t going anywhere, determined to protect his manager and long time friend no matter what, even if it would cost him the match. The referee counted eight, but Hammerstein stopped caring about it, trading shots with Melissa. When the bell rang and Jenni Anderson was announced as the winner, he didn’t even flinch, too busy suplexing the Reaver to the floor. Security eventually rushed and separated the two contenders, dragging Melissa backstage. WINNER: Jenni Anderson BY: Countout, 13:24 |
Ambra Monroe: "Melissa Reeves always keeps her word."
Peyton Holland: "Damn right she does! She promised she was coming for Kennedy and she did."
Ambra Monroe: "A slice of revenge for the former MWE World Champion, made all the sweeter by the fact that she costed Hammerstein his match and his chance to become the first ever Intercontinental Champion."
Peyton Holland: "Damn right she does! She promised she was coming for Kennedy and she did."
Ambra Monroe: "A slice of revenge for the former MWE World Champion, made all the sweeter by the fact that she costed Hammerstein his match and his chance to become the first ever Intercontinental Champion."
Singles Match
Kenzie Garrett VS Raymond ReznikKenzie Garrett proudly raised her World Championship, the Chicago Way title she won at Big In Japan where she defeated Hammerstein in a brutal match. Reznik stared at the Soulknife, and particularly at that title he came so close to win back at Way Of The Dragon, when he took the former champion to the limit. The fighter from Canton, Ohio would love another shot at the gold, and a win tonight could be exactly what he needs to jump in front of the line for a future title shot. Remembering their first meeting back inside the elimination chamber back at Red Line, Kenzie tried to set a quick pace from the early going, hitting him with some swift kicks to the legs before ducking a right hand and hitting the ropes. She went with a crossbody, countered with a quick powerslam by Raymond. He began to stomp her, but it didn’t take Kenzie long to get out of harm’s way, rolling toward the ropes. She used them to get up on her feet, turning her back to Reznik who hit her with a couple of stiff shots to the kidneys before applying a waistlock and attempting a german suplex. Garrett held onto the rope, blocking the attempt at least momentarily. A couple more knee strikes to the back and the Reznik went again for the German. The Geek Gladiator landed on her feet and took out the opponent’s leg with a dropkick to the knee, quickly following with a shining wizard. Being close to the ropes, she grabbed the top one and connected an Arabian press, landing on Reznik’s raised knees. And after that came a rib breaker, inflicting more damage to Kenzie’s mid section. Garrett was in the corner, arching her back in pain after the violent irish whip. She saw Reznik charging at full speed and raised both feet to his chest, looking to use the momentum to stomp him to the mat. But Raymond blocked had that scouted, blocking her feet and pushing her legs down, hitting her with an uppercut in the corner. After a series of rapid fire back elbows, he lifted her and placed her on the top rope, climbing up and setting her up for a high impact superplex. Kenzie fought back with a flurry of punches to the gut until Raymond lost the grip around her head. Then a couple of headbutts to knock him off the turnbuckle before jumping at him with a meteora right into a pin, only obtaining a two count. Without losing her composure, Kenzie went back on the attack with more kicks to the legs and sides, hitting the ropes and wrapping her legs around his waist, ready to slam his face to the canvas with a wheelbarrow bulldog. But Reznik had a counter for that as well, dropping Garrett on his knee with an atomic drop and level her with a clothesline to the back of the head. The intense match went back and forth for a little longer, the two competitors seemingly having done their homework and finding a counter to the opponent’s moves. Kenzie connected a couple of her hurricanranas, charging at Raymond with a dropkick to the back as he was standing up, sending him chest first against the turnbuckle and bouncing back right into a backstabber. From that position she attempted to lock her submission move, the Ryuuenbu. And she managed to lock the double fujiwara armbar in, but the closeness to the ropes made it easy for Raymond to reach the ropes and break up the submission. When she went for her Grim Fandango though, Reznik blocked the spikerana and turned it into a buckle bomb, followed by a sidewalk slam. And when Garrett pulled herself up, she was met with the Harsh Reality, Reznik’s devastating kick. And that was the end for her. WINNER: Raymond Reznik BY: Pinfall (Harsh Reality), 10:13 |
At the end of the match, the referee handed the title back to Kenzie, who slowly got up to her feet. When she did, Reznik was still there, towering over her. "When I'm done with Luna, I'm coming for your belt." He said before rolling out of the ring and heading backstage, leaving the Chicago Way Champion clutching on her title.
Millennium cuts to ringside where Victoria Salinas is standing in the middle of the ring. She’s holding a microphone in her hand with a slightly nervous demeanor and she looks like she’s in disbelief at the positive crowd reception that she’s gathering from the audience. These cheers sustain themselves to the point where Victoria can’t exactly speak just yet as she appears to be touched by the positive reaction she’s getting.
Victoria Salinas:
You know…
The crowd interrupts her with a rousing ovation which causes her to chuckle for a bit.
Victoria Salinas:
I was here in Australia seven years ago and you all hated my guts. At the same time, I don’t blame you because I really was quite the “c word” back then. If that version of me ever showed up to an MWE arena, my career here? Look at Hayley Halsey over on Riot and that’s exactly what it would be. I totally get why you received me the way you did seven years ago and that’s because Australia is a country that appreciates hard work and dedication while they’re not fond of people that just have the whole world fall at their feet the way it did for me all those years ago. I used to have a reputation for crash landing into companies and dominating them right from the jump and I know that in this company, I haven’t been that wrestler. But at the same time? I don’t need to be.
When I beat Gavin Grimes, I wasn’t that incredibly dominant wrestler… I was the grinder that pulled through when the stage was biggest and when the lights were brightest and if there’s anyone back there that thinks that my win over Gavin Grimes is the end of my journey just because I finally got my “never look back” moment, then you clearly don’t know me very well. I endured SO MUCH to get that win… to have this moment… to be able to say “I know I can make it here and I know I can be one of the best”. Beating a man that had recently challenged for the MWE Championship is going to go a long way toward getting to where I want to be in this company and getting back to where I’ve been in my career and all I need is ONE opportunity.
Victoria takes a bit of a pause as she reflects on some things, hearing increasingly loud cheers from the audience.
Victoria Salinas:
I’ve noticed the recent trend of people walking in that door and getting an instant title shot: Neil Durden. Melody Lennox. Sophie O’Brien. Raymond Reznik. Just to name a few… all wrestlers that joined this company after I did and didn’t even need to put in HALF the work that I put into this company and while all that is going on, I’m in China scraping together a winning streak against wrestlers that… don’t get me wrong… they’re tough competition… but they’re not Gavin Grimes. They’re not Chris Constantine Jr. They’re not Melissa Reeves. I’m basically willing and grinding my way up the ladder trying to scrape together a case for why I can be a champion here while those names I just mentioned? They get to walk in and get a free title shot when I haven’t even had ONE since I’ve been here? You know why all four of them lost their shots? Because they didn’t have the tenacity that I do. They didn’t have to grind like I have. They didn’t have to work as hard as I have to get those opportunities. They haven’t been in fight or flight mode like I have since that match I had against Bethany Driver… but you give me that shot… and I WILL take advantage of it!
I showed it against Gavin Grimes… and I’ll show it again to any name that stands in my way: I’m not taking a backseat anymore. I’m not going to be the pushover that’s always forgotten about because back in Tokyo, I PROVED I can take on those big names and BEAT THEM. FINALLY! Unfortunately, tonight appears to be more of the same. Here we have a tournament for a new championship… which by the way, features the man I JUST beat in Gavin Grimes...and once again… overlooked. That’s not going to happen much longer. I don’t care if it’s the MWE Championship, or the Chicago Way Championship or the Junior Heavyweight Championship or ANY singles title from ANY brand… I deserve my due as well because this company has taught me the value of hard work, of passion, of dedication, of standing up for what you truly believe in, the value of being yourself and being true to what you’re destined to be and it all paid off against Grimes… and that’s just the start.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still ecstatic as hell that I got my biggest win yet in MWE. But I didn’t come here to be a one shot wonder… I didn’t come here to be overlooked. I’m going to keep grinding and keep fighting until this company can’t look past me anymore and I’m going to do it the RIGHT way, I’m not going to pull a Hayley Halsey and complain about things never going my way without doing shit about it, I’m not going to pull a Glory Braddock and well… whatever the hell she did for the attention she was clearly starving for. I’ll prove how a real champion does it… and I promise by the end of this tour, Australia’s going to have a much more positive memory to remember me for…
Victoria tosses the microphone aside, leaving the ring as she hears even louder cheers from the Australian audience who have clearly taken a liking to the attitude she’s taken on. Confident and determined, she walks through the curtains having said what she felt needed to be said.
Coming back from the commercial break, we cut right to the centre of the ring. Everything is ready for the main event, Melody and Neal are in the respective corners and the official is standing right in the middle of the ring, one briefcase in each hand. Standing next to him is Grace van Beek's personal assistant, Elsa McCarthy wearing a golden dress, inspired by one Grace herself wore in one of her rare appearances in MWE. Elsa is holding a microphone, waiting for the crowd to quiet down before raising it to her lips.
Elsa McCarthy:
Good evening to our dear Australian fans and those watching at home on MENTV. As you probably know, I am Elsa McCarthy, miss van Beek's personal assistant. And tonight, I'm here on her behalf to address a question all of you have been asking.
A small pause for dramatic effect.
Elsa McCarthy:
What's inside the green and orange briefcase?
The referee raised both objects over his head for everyone to see.
Elsa McCarhty:
Let's start with saying that no, it's not a granted title shot. We already have the Battle For The Briefcase for that, which will traditionally return in May during our upcoming UK tour.
The announcement is received with a round of applause from the Australian crowd, confirming the BFTB as one of MWE's most loved features.
Elsa McCarthy:
As you have noticed today and last saturday, we are introducing a new title, the Intercontinental Championship. Twenty-four men and women from both rosters entered it, and now only twelve are left, fighting for the second prize in this company, a cross brand title that, and this is its peculiarity, can only be defended against members of the opposite brand.
This only confirms the rumor that was running since the tournament started.
Elsa McCarthy:
With their wins at Big In Japan, Melody Lennox and Neal Durden secured their spot in the quarter-finals of this tounrament, avoiding the first two rounds...
Neal and Melody nod, definitely pleased with this. But Elsa still has another surprise in store for them.
Elsa McCarthy:
... And on top of that, they can choose the stipulation for ONE of their tournament matches. Whether it is their first, or the semi-final or even the final at the pay-per-view, that will be entirely up to them.
She stops, letting her words sink in.
Elsa McCarthy:
This is all I had to say. Good luck for your match.
She then leaves the ring, as the official calls for the bell.
Singles Match
Briefcase Winners Showcase
Neal Durden VS Melody LennoxBriefcase Winners Showcase
Peyton Holland: “It’s Millennium versus Riot once again in this main event. The winners of the two briefcases at Big In Japan squaring off.” Ambra Monroe: “We just learned what those briefcases hold, a chance to enter the Intercontinental Championship tournament straight from the quarter finals, and on top of that, the opportunity to pick a stipulation for that match, or the semi-final or even the final.” But tonight, it wasn’t about the tournament. It was about bragging rights, it was, perhaps, about that natural rivalry between the two brands that never really abated. And in a tournament where Riot has dominated this first round, Neal would’ve loved nothing more than being the one to save the reputation of the green roster after a dire night. And he brought that fire to the ring, taking on Melody with his quick and innovative style, attacking Lennox with a series of quick kicks, dropping her on the middle rope with a dropkick to the knee and kicking her face with a tiger feint kick. Peyton Holland: "Durden is so entertaining to watch." Ambra Monroe: "So quick and so unpredictable, you never know what he's coming at you with next." Something that Melody was learning the hard way, falling victim of a tilt-a-whirl ddt when she believed she had found a way to stop his momentum. Instead, Neal was back in control, connecting a moonsault from the top rope that gave him the first near fall of the match. Peyton Holland: “Looks like Lennox is reconsidering her approach.” Ambra Monroe: “Sometimes taking a little break out of the ring is what you need to regroup. But when you’re in the ring with someone like Neal, not even out there can be safe.” Peyton Holland: “Looks like he heard you.. Here he comes flying…” As often happens to him, Durden threw caution out of the window and launched himself through the ropes with a suicide dive, flying right into a punch from the Small But Mighty. The blow rocked Neal and left him hanging on the rope with his head on the outside. Melody climbed on the apron and hit a running knee to knock the opponent out, pushing him back on the ring and landing on top of him with a slingshot senton and immediately rolled back to her feet and hit the ropes on the opposite side, pushing Neal out of the ring with a basement dropkick. Ambra Monroe: “How quickly the tides have turned. And it looks like it’s Melody’s turn now to fly.” Lennox ran up the corner, balancing on the top rope and, as soon as Neal got up, jumping at him with a crossbody. She was in no rush to head back in the ring, using the surroundings to inflict some more punishment to the Anarchist, tossing him against the barricade and into the crowd with a superkick before heading back to the ring. It took him a while to reemerge from behind the barrier, but Durden still managed to beat the count. Peyton Holland: “That was so close to ten…” Ambra Monroe: “He made it, barely, but things are not looking good for him.” Melody welcomed him back with a series of kicks to the head, not even giving him time to get back to a vertical base. And then she returned all those kicks she took in the first with interest, catching Durden on the skull with her Common Sense. Ambra Monroe: “Beautiful scorpion kick, could this be enough?” Of course not, as Neal kicked out in two. With his back against the corner, in every sense of the expression, the Welsh had no chance but to start fighting back, stopping the charging opponent with a kick to the face and driving her face first against the top turnbuckle. Effortlessly, he sat her on the top rope and hung her upside down in the tree of woe position, running to the opposite corner and back at her with a cannonball senton. Melody was down and Neal went once again high-risk, connecting a picture perfect moonsault for another count of two. When Lennox kicked out, Durden wasted no time and picked her back up landing a quick striking combo before moving behind her back to connect a tiger suplex. Before making another pin, he delighted the Adelaide fans with a corkscrew standing moonsault but not even that was enough to give him the win. Peyton Holland: “Back and forth action, and none of them is slowing down.” The match remained fast paced, the fans enjoying the spectacular show these two were putting on, including a long sequence of quick pins and reversals, ended when Neal rolled her over with a school boy pin but, instead of keeping her pinned, he lifted and violently dropped her to the canvas with a powerbomb. Not even this was enough to keep Lennox down and once again the Villainess kicked out in two. Ambra Monroe: “Another close call for Melodie.” Peyton Holland: “She might be small, but she surely is proving to be a tough cookie.” The Riot superstar took control after dodging Neal’s roundhouse kick in an athletic fashion with a one handed cartwheel and quickly sweeping him off his leg with a kick. She took a moment to gloat before trying a standing moonsault, giving her opponent enough time to read her intentions and roll out of the way. She showed once again her athleticism by landing on her feet and, with a back flip, avoiding his right punch charging at the ropes to take him down with a springboard crossbody. Neal wasn’t going to let all the spotlights to the opponent, earning his fair share of applause from the ecstatic Australian fans with a standing shiranui followed by his Nirvana’s Fall (fireman’s carry into an overhead kick). A couple of minutes passed and Melody came ridiculously close to the three with her Crescendo, the moonsault diving double foot stomp after a Thread And Needle (running splash in the corner( Peyton Holland: “How did he even kick out?” Ambra Monroe: “This should tell you how much this match means to these two competitors. Neither of them is staying down” And you can’t say they didn’t try, literally throwing everything at each other. A rolling cutter from Neal, a buckle flatliner from Melody, a cradle ddt from Durden and the Off-Key Symphony from Lennox were some of the big moves they connected that saw the opponent kicking out against all odds. The last one especially seemed to frustrate the Wicked one, who started arguing with the referee, claiming that he was favoring Neal because of him being a “Millennium guy”. Her pointless argument gave Neal time to recover and dropkick her chest first into the corner. She started removing the protective pad from the top turnbuckle, right under the referee’s eyes. The official obviously stopped and proceeded to put the pad back into his place, playing right into Melody’s hand. She ducked Neal’s right hand, clocking him with a closed fist to the temple brought with her engagement ring, connecting her Viola D’Amore (Tequila Shot) stealing the win. The fans didn’t enjoy the conclusion of this match, but Melody didn’t care, smirking as the referee raised her hand in victory. WINNER: Melody Lennox BY: Pinfall (Viola D'Amore), 15:19 |
Ambra Monroe:
Another night to forget for our colors.
Peyton Holland:
Only three Millennium roster members advanced to the next round. Four, considering that Neal Durden has another bye round.
Ambra Monroe:
We'll see next week how the tournament will progress. And hopefully we will learn more about this Envy/Andrews affair. Did The Lonestar join APE?
Peyton Holland:
He might have. And with REDD coming back, it looks like Constantin put together quite the army.
Ambra Monroe:
Time will tell. Thank you for joining us, ladies and gentlemen. And good night.
Another night to forget for our colors.
Peyton Holland:
Only three Millennium roster members advanced to the next round. Four, considering that Neal Durden has another bye round.
Ambra Monroe:
We'll see next week how the tournament will progress. And hopefully we will learn more about this Envy/Andrews affair. Did The Lonestar join APE?
Peyton Holland:
He might have. And with REDD coming back, it looks like Constantin put together quite the army.
Ambra Monroe:
Time will tell. Thank you for joining us, ladies and gentlemen. And good night.