Post by gvb on Mar 20, 2020 15:28:50 GMT -6
Down Under Tour:
Millennium LVII
Live from Enterprise Arena in Chicago, IL
Wednesday, March 18th, 2020
The show comes to life inside an Enterprise Arena shrouded in silence. Not because it's empty, even though the attendance is very limited and.
Rumchata Ayano:
Ladies and gentlemen, to honor the life of the manager of MWE superstar Jacob Hammerstein, Reese Kennedy...
An applause momentarily interrupts the ring announcer.
Rumchata Ayano:
Please rise, as we toll the bell ten times.
The entire locker room is standing on the entrance stage as the bell rings for the ten-bell salute. Hammerstein's brother in arms in APE in the first row, all of them wearing a APE t-shirt with Reese face printed on the front, Chris Constantine and his wife Olivia looking very emotional. Next to them the MWE higher ranks, Vincent Moretti and Elsa McCarthy and all the staff members, the two commentary teams and the interviewers, referees and doctors. Nobody is missing, even those who were at loggerheads with Hammerstein and Kennedy joined in this tribute to the man. Melissa Reeves, the Chicago Way champion Kenzie Garrett, Victoria Salinas as well as Bobbi Jackson, the four women who more than anyone else stood up against APE.
A long and loud applause explodes at the after the bell rings for the tenth time, the titantron comes to life showing Reese's face and a simple message.
IN MEMORY OF REESE KENNEDY.
1963 - 2020
West Long steps out to see the crowd in his second appearance for the company. The Warwolf wastes no one's time because he heads straight for the ring. His towering presence is something of a wonder to fans as their eyes follow West around the squared circle. Long grabs a mic from the crew working ringside and hops onto the apron. He spends a second nodding barely to his theme before stepping over the ropes to enter the ring.
Once his music dies down, West positions himself roughly in the center of the ring. He opens his left arm to begin his first pre-match promo from within the ring.
West Long:
Another week another opponent.
Standing six-foot, one hundred and ninety pounds. Akemi is a woman of many names, but in MWE, she's not a woman of many wins.
Yeah, I looked at her past matches, and this girl's waiting for her miracle win to turn things around. She's on a streak here of losses, still yet to crack open a beer and celebrate.
Nothing he said wasn't true and the smarks filling the arena tonight reacted to him neutrally.
West Long:
I'm one victory away from a streak, so any family and friends of Akemi who think their girl is gonna win turn her luck at my expense are in for a world of disappointment.
Your girl's out here to make friends, I'm here to compete and win. To be the superior athlete bell to bell. I proved last week in this ring that my backgrounds in boxing and my body-building are weapons in this ring. Weapons in a war for victory.
Once again, I find myself in the warzone.
West points to the ropes and slowly spins so the audience knows he's referring to the very ring he's stood in..
West Long:
This is where countless battles have happened. Blood's been spilled. Careers have ended. Where many changes have affected this company all through each and every battle in the warzone.
My point is I don't see this as a friendship square so we can swap social media and become BFFs. I see this as four sides that will continuously sharpen my weapons and make me unquestionably one of MWE's top guys.
But that's the long-term. The short-term is about showing what I'm capable of to each and every one of you.
To slap a three in my overall career win column and leave each and every one of you a memory you'll look back on when I'm holding MWE Gold one day yeah.
He earns his first crowd pop from the fans who start to believe in what he's saying. Production cut to several different fans looking on and turning into fans of the Warwolf.
West Long:
So bring her out, let's hear some starlight and see how long Akemi lasts in the warzone with me.
Nikki lasted just over seven minutes. You may not break the losing streak, but you can try to last a little bit longer,
After that, West points to the titantron. On it is Nikki's Knight match time and underneath is a counter set to 00:00:00. The former is going to count down, and the later count up as Long awaits his opponent
Singles Match
West Long VS Akemi HayashiAfter his successful debut last week, West Long was called to confirm the good impression he made in this opening contest, against an Akemi Hayashi looking for redemption after some poor performances.. The Danger Princess went for broke right out of the gate, surprising the big men with a flurry of elbows to the face. Such was the momentum of her blows that she forced West to stumble back until he was pinned in the corner. She followed up with a running crossbody, transitioning right on the apron and climbing to the top rope, diving with a crossbody. A big mistake, as West caught her in mid air and easily launched her all the way across the ring with a fallaway slam. Akemi grabbed the ropes to pull herself up and when she did, she turned around to see Long coming at her like a freight train, squashing the poor japanese against the corner with a big splash, followed by a snap belly-to.belly suplex. For a couple of minutes the Warwolf manhandled the young japanese with all sort of power moves, including a pop up one handed spinebuster that almost gave him the win. Akemi managed to catch a break from the onslaught when she took him down with a drop toe hold. She kept pressure on the big man with a series of stiff kicks to the chest. Basing all her offense on hard-hitting strikes, Hayashi created some difficulties to Long who was now struggling to get any offensive move in, too busy trying to defend himself from those deadly kicks. The fans, if there were any, would have screamed at the upset when she connected her finishing move, the Grapey Marshmallow Fizz, but the running split legged Yakuza kick couldn’t keep Long down enough. A look of dismay appeared on Akemi’s face at the realization that her best shot couldn’t get the job done. It didn’t last long, quickly fading to a frightened expression when the muscular man got back to his feet and closed in on her and hit her with a knockout right hand. Throwing the opponent in the corner, West then shattered her ribcage with some hard open handed chops, finishing with a bigger one to knock her down. Wasting no time, he dragged her back to her feet and lifted her in a stalling vertical suplex, keeping the young girl upside down for a ridiculously long time before finally dropping her down to the canvas. It was all downhill from there for the Warwolf who kept control of the match and finished things off with the Point Blank. WINNER: West Long BY: Pinfall (Point Blank), 5:44 |
Peyton Holland: "He did it again, another impressive win for The Warwolf."
Ambra Monroe: "Strength, quickness, agility. Easy to predict he will be a major player here in MWE."
Peyton Holland: "Without a doubt. If he's not the total package, he's as close as you can get."
Ambra Monroe: "Strength, quickness, agility. Easy to predict he will be a major player here in MWE."
Peyton Holland: "Without a doubt. If he's not the total package, he's as close as you can get."
Jessica Lasiewicz:
Honor…
The voice comes from the darkness. Then we fade in to show a Millennium logo backdrop. A few moments later “The Archangel” Jessica Lasiewicz emerges from stage right. Her tag team partner, Summer Collins, emerges from stage left to stand next to her. Summer is dressed in typical Fabulous fashion, consisting of a forest green tight dress that hugs her every curve and black patent leather high heel peep toed pumps. By contrast, The Archangel is dressed for combat in her wrestling gear.
Jessica Lasiewicz:
Some consider honor and nobility a lost cause. Some believe that restoring honor and nobility to this great sport is a fool’s errand and can never be done. Still others claim that they can restore honor but use dishonor and innoble tactics to do so. Has this sport become more cutthroat than what it used to be?
The Polish warrior nods her head.
Jessica Lasiewicz:
Yes. When you have people forming factions in order to gain power, people jumping other people backstage just to gain an unfair advantage, all of this is just a symptom of the underlying problem of no honor within this sport.
A smile forms upon her face.
Jessica Lasiewicz:
It does bring a smile to my face knowing that there are some within this sport who still have a sense of honor and nobility. Rhett Adelson and Qiyara Singh, you did defeat myself and Summer Collins but you did not win it the way you wanted. And you were willing to grant a rematch to see which of us is the best. And for that you have definitely earned my respect. You have earned the respect of Summer. You have earned the respect of Fabulous.
The Archangel pauses momentarily. A stoic gaze forms upon her face.
Jessica Lasiewicz:
Teams like us can bring back honor to this sport. I still believe in a sense of honor and nobility. And when we clash again, we will give the fans a show like none other and we will also answer the question of who is the best. Until then this is all about momentum. Summer already beat Rhett. Tonight, it is my task to take down Qiyara Singh. And just as much as I believe in honor and nobility, also understand that I believe in competition and victory. I will do what is necessary to bring victory to Fabulous, Singh. So come and place your bets...I do not like your odds…
Jessica turns and walks off with Summer Collins in tow.
Singles Match
Qiyara Singh VS Jessica LasiewiczAt the start of the match Qiyara paused to offer a handshake to Jessica, who accepted the sportsmanship gesture without hesitating. The controversy from a couple of weeks ago left no animosity or bad blood between the two competitors who started things off with a classic collar and elbow, Qiyara quickly transitioning into a rear waistlock and hitting a german suplex. The Archangel was immediately back to her feet, catching the charging opponent with a belly-to-belly. The first part of the match was a back and forth where both competitors showed their technical prowess, countering almost every opponent’s move. The result was a long chain wrestling sequence where nobody seemed to have the upper hand, until Jessica tried to steal a page from Singh and reply the german suplex, but Qiyara landed on her feet and countered with a standing dropkick. Singh started working on the opponent’s neck and wear her down, wrapping her legs around her neck in a Pace Choke. Lasiewicz made her way to the ropes and got out of the submission. With a move like the Four Card Trick in her arsenal, the elevated figure four leg lock learned from her father, the polish legend Andreas Lasiewicz, the same move her cousin Anastasia Starling won the Cloud Gate Championship with, Lasiewicz’ main focus was Qiyara’s right leg. A chop block took the indian down and allowed the Archangel to began working on that limb. Singh wrestled her way out of the submission, but she fell right back into a leg grapevine. To get out of this she dragged herself to the ropes, forcing Jessica to let her go. Slowly Qi got back to her feet, only for a brief moment before the opponent took her down with a dragon screw, working again on that knee. Peyton on commentary pointed out how most of Qiyara’s offense, including the Singhing Off Qi was delivered with that same leg Jessica was wisely tearing apart. But the word quit didn’t belong in Qiyara’s vocabulary and she once again found a way out of the submission. Knowing that the opponent would go for the leg, she kind of offered it to her with a weak kick to the side easily blocked by Jessica and rocked her with an enziguri. Her left leg was just as dangerous as the right one, as Lasiewicz found out when a series of Muay Thai knee strikes forced her back to the ropes. Singh followed with an irish whip, sending the Archangel against the ropes and stopping her run with a jumping knee that left her stunned and open toa left-footed Qi To Your Heart striking combination. The Singhing Off Qi that knocked her out instead was delivered with the right leg and took a lot out of Qiyara as well. Still, even though it took her some time to make the cover, it was enough to get the win in this match. WINNER: Qiyara Singh BY: Pinfall (Singhing Off Qi), 8:53 |
Ambra Monroe: "Congratulations to both competitors, they put on one hell of a match."
Peyton Holland: "A very evenly matched contest, just like the one we saw last week between Summer and Rhett."
Ambra Monroe: "And their tag match before that. I'm personally looking forward to see their next confrontation, which has just been confirmed for the Down Under PPV."
Peyton Holland: "A very evenly matched contest, just like the one we saw last week between Summer and Rhett."
Ambra Monroe: "And their tag match before that. I'm personally looking forward to see their next confrontation, which has just been confirmed for the Down Under PPV."
The Scene opens up with Joey Leclair sitting in a dark room with his head lowered looking to the ground.
Joey Leclair:
So Kenzie finally accepted my challenge, and went on to say that she is not going to let go of the Chicago Way Championship, and if I want it I better come at her with everything I have, and that I better show her how bad I want it? Heh I don’t know if she is Confident or just that stupid to question my resolve!
Joey raises his head staring into the camera with a serious look on his face.
Joey Leclair:
I am a very passionate person, and every single fucking thing I do has meaning so Kenzie I am going to come after you with full intent of taking the Chicago Way Championship, and I know that won’t be easy, because you are also very passionate, and as tough as they come which is scary, because that means it won’t be easy for either of us, and that means there is a huge chance one of us leaves the match on a stretcher.
Joey places both his hands together, and brings them to his chin resting his head on his hands.
Joey Leclair:
My question to you are you prepared for the humiliation of losing your Championship on your very first defense? Are you prepared to feel that feeling of not being good enough? That feeling can either break a person or cause them to evolve so which are you, because I have full intentions of ripping the Chicago Way Championship from your hands whether it be by pinfall or straight up knock out, and tonight I am going to show you just how serious I am when I face Miss Malice. This will be my second time facing her, and the first time I straight up dominated her, and she has improved greatly since then, and don’t get me wrong I like Miss Malice she is crazy, but tonight for the first time in her career she is going to scream, and not screams of insanity or pleasure from hurting her opponent, but screams of pain, and terror as she begs for me to spare her, but that won’t be enough because I promise, no I swear to you that tonight Miss Malice gets added to the injured list, and after the match is over? I invite you to come join me in the ring to get a taste of what’s going to happen when we meet face to face for the Chicago Way Championship, but fair warning, if you do join me in the ring? I won’t play nice.
Joey smiles at the camera.
Joey Leclair:
I respect you, but this is business, and out of respect I am telling you that if you come to the ring after my match tonight? I will knock you the fuck out. Have a nice day now Kenzie, and hold your Championship close, because your days with it are coming to an end.
Joey kisses his hand, and blows out a kiss to the camera as the scene fades to black.
Singles Match
Miss Malice VS Joey LeclairTen days before his match against Kenzie Garrett for the Chicago Way championship, Joey had a warm up match against Miss Malice, or at least this is what it looked like in the first minutes with the Death Dealer imposed himself with a volley of stiff strikes, forearm and elbows mostly but not disdaining some kicks and knee strikes as well. Malice spent the longest part of the opening minutes laying on the mat, licking her wounds as an uber aggressive Leclair was brutalizing her with a ruthless and relentless onslaught. The match appeared to be over early after a Death Dealer elbow floored the Lipstick Timebomb but Malice was too close to the ropes and saved herself. Being in absolute control made Joey grow over confident, diminishing the intensity of the barrage of blows that gave him the initial edge. This, obviously, favored Miss Malice’s comeback. She created the opening with a chin breaker, finally having enough room to maneuver and exploit her quickness and agility. A wheelbarrow bulldog planted Leclair on his face and while he was still checking his teeth, Malice popped back on her feet and bounced against the ropes hitting him with a low dropkick to the face. Malice had taken control by the halfway point, even getting real close to the win with a reverse ddt on the knee. The two competitors are now back to their feet, Leclair trying to take back control but a sudden kick to the gut followed by a standing shiranui stalls his momentum. The Lipstick Timebomb let him get back to his feet and hit the ropes going for another wheelbarrow move, but this time Joey was ready for it and countered with a high-angle german suplex. Wasting no time he sent the opponent against the ropes and floored her with a bicycle kick before landing a jumping knee drop. Almost as if someone clicked a switch, the focused and relentless Leclair came back, muscling Malice in the corner and hit her with several elbows to the side of the head. Not satisfied, he lifted her for his Brain Damage brainbuster, dropping Malice head first on the top turnbuckle. The canadian seemed out of it, but Joey didn’t try to pin her, looking to make a statement. He rolled under the bottom rope and started throwing some chairs inside the ring, uncaring of the referee’s warning to stop . A small pile had formed in the centre of the ring when Joey finally get back in, shrugging his shoulders at the referee threatening him with a disqualification. It was clear now, he didn’t care about winning the match anymore. He connected the Stygian vertebreaker onto the chairs, resulting in an obvious disqualification. WINNER: Miss Malice BY: DQ, 7:38 |
Peyton Holland: "Miss Malice might have won the match, but let me tell you. She doesn't look much like a winner."
Ambra Monroe: "Joey Leclair wanted to make a statement. He never cared about this match, or his opponent. He wanted to send another message to Kenzie, and he definitely did."
Peyton Holland: "We all saw what he did to Helena at Big In Japan. Leclair is one dangerous man."
Ambra Monroe: "He's unhinged, but there's a method to his madness. Garrett must be very carefully coming next Saturday."
Ambra Monroe: "Joey Leclair wanted to make a statement. He never cared about this match, or his opponent. He wanted to send another message to Kenzie, and he definitely did."
Peyton Holland: "We all saw what he did to Helena at Big In Japan. Leclair is one dangerous man."
Ambra Monroe: "He's unhinged, but there's a method to his madness. Garrett must be very carefully coming next Saturday."
Millennium returns from commercial break and we see the MWE Lockdown Champion, "The Rising Phoenix" Bobbi Jackson standing in a pretty empty hallway in the Enterprise Arena in Chicago, Illinois next to Alexa Cannon. She's jumping up and down shifting from one foot to the other trying to fire herself up. The shiny championship strapped securely around her waist as she looks over at the camera crew watching them and smirks a bit.
Bobbi Jackson:
We're in crazy times now right?
The Phoenix says casually as she shrugs her shoulder.
Bobbi Jackson:
Everything is different. 2020 is a scary place, an unknown reality that no one was truly prepared for. Yet here we are? Marching forward. Because that's what we do...
Bobbi places a hand on Alexa's shoulder as they each exchange a warm glancing smile at one another.
Bobbi Jackson:
All over the world things are changing right now. It's honestly hard to wrap your head around things. But right now? The fans of professional wrestling deserve an escape. And I'm here to give them one. Tonight, I step into that ring and go one on one with Kate Steele. While I don't have any issues with her, I know a win is absolutely needed to maintain my momentum.
The Phoenix takes her hands and rubs them over the main plate of her championship.
Bobbi Jackson:
So while the two of us might be friendly in other companies? Tonight? Once that bell rings...I'm going to beat your ass all over that ring. Tonight Kate? You won't survive your Trial by Fire. I'll see you in the ring!
Bobbi says as she and Alexa walk off and Millennium returns to ringside for the next match.
Singles Match
Raymond Reznik VS NullThe Voice Of The Voiceless started things off fiercely with a shotgun dropkick that sent Reznik in the corner, charging at him with a knee to the face. It was clear that the wolf boy had a lot to prove to the fans, management and perhaps himself as well. The Ohio fighter seemed like a great testing ground for him, a great challenge to overcome and get his career back on the right track. And for a few minutes, it looked like Null could do it, his agility seemed the key to breach through Reznik’s defense. Quick strikes and keep on moving, one of the most basic strategy and yet so effective to stay out of his grasp and wear him down with swift kicks. Raymond was struggling to get any offense in, unable to catch the masked wrestler who kept dancing around him, even using the ropes to his advantage with a springboard enziguri that floored the big man. When Null went for the cover though, he only got a one count out of it with Reznik looking barely affected by all the offense the Wolf Of All Street put in. Reznik gradually figured out the opponent, starting to dodge his strikes and countering with some punches of his own. But once again Null’s speed and unpredictability allowed him to keep control, coming back from an irish whip attempt and planting his opponent on top of his head with a tilt-a-whirl ddt for another near fall. With the opponent on his knees, Null went for The Kill, but his spinning back side kick didn’t find its mark as Reznik dodged it and quickly slid his head between the wolf boy legs, standing up to a vertical base and dropping him down with an electric chair driver right into a cover. That was the turning point of the match, putting Null completely at Raymond’s mercy. And the Ohio born had already proved in the past he has none of it. A flapjack onto the top rope left Null staggered, stumbling toward the middle of the ring where he was met by a kick to the stomach that doubled him over. Applying a double underhook, Raymond connected a series of five kicks to the face before lifting him up and dropping him on his knee for a backbreaker. A glimmer of hope for Null’s fans when the wolf boy made the cover after connecting a springboard reverse ddt, but it wasn’t enough to keep Reznik down. And other than that, it was pretty much a one man show where the bald fighter gave further proof of his brutal strength, perhaps wanting to send a message to Luna. A straightjacket german suplex, a hangman neckbreaker, a running powerslam… And never once he tried to make the cover, not even after the devastating Kneehilism V-Trigger that knocked Null down. Instead, Raymond went to pick him up, ready to rock him with a right hand. Sudden in his movements, Null dodged it and pinned Raymond's shoulders to the mat with his Magic Clutch, picking up an unexpected win. WINNER: Null BY: Pinfall (Magic Clutch), 7:13 |
Peyton Holland: "Wow! What an upset!"
Ambra Monroe: "Upset is the perfect word to descrive both the outcome of this match and Reznik's mood right now."
Upset barely started to describe how Reznik was feeling. Getting up to his feet after his opponent was declared the winner, Reznik floored the celebrating Null with a clothesline. Literally fuming, he stepped up to the referee, barking in his face and accusing him to have been too fast in his count. The official, visibly scared, shook his head and rejected the accusations. And for a moment. it looked like he was off the hook as Reznik walked past him.
But instead of leaving the ring, he wrapped his arms around the official's neck in a sleeper hold, squeezing the life out of him. A Dark Fate, that was the name of this submission move. And the fate of the referee was sealed when Reznik took him to the mat and applied the body scissors, putting now even more pressure on his neck. Soon, the poor man in a striped shirt passed out in the middle of the ring. Paramedics rushed to the ring to check on him, right when Reznik let him go and rolled out under the bottom rope. He moved in front of a camera and sent a message to Luna.
Raymond Reznik:
The Star Of The Night is going to fade, Luna. I'm coming for you.
Ambra Monroe: "Upset is the perfect word to descrive both the outcome of this match and Reznik's mood right now."
Upset barely started to describe how Reznik was feeling. Getting up to his feet after his opponent was declared the winner, Reznik floored the celebrating Null with a clothesline. Literally fuming, he stepped up to the referee, barking in his face and accusing him to have been too fast in his count. The official, visibly scared, shook his head and rejected the accusations. And for a moment. it looked like he was off the hook as Reznik walked past him.
But instead of leaving the ring, he wrapped his arms around the official's neck in a sleeper hold, squeezing the life out of him. A Dark Fate, that was the name of this submission move. And the fate of the referee was sealed when Reznik took him to the mat and applied the body scissors, putting now even more pressure on his neck. Soon, the poor man in a striped shirt passed out in the middle of the ring. Paramedics rushed to the ring to check on him, right when Reznik let him go and rolled out under the bottom rope. He moved in front of a camera and sent a message to Luna.
Raymond Reznik:
The Star Of The Night is going to fade, Luna. I'm coming for you.
Singles Match
Bobbi Jackson VS Kate SteeleAfter her successful title defense against Duke Andrews last week, Bobbi Jackson looked confident as she walked to the ring welcomed by the cheerings of the few fans. She took an early lead,taking the match on the mat with a headlock takedown and squeezing her arms around Steele’s head, making it difficult for her to breath. The Siren wrestled her way out of the submission, sending the champion for a ride against the ropes and meeting her with a standing dropkick right to the face. A submission expert herself, Kate began to target the Phoenix’ arm, locking her in a painful fujiwara armbar. Bobbi reached the ropes and managed to get free, favoring her arm as she stood back up. And using it to punch Kate in the face didn’t help her case although, in all fairness, it was quite effective, rocking Kate and allowing the champ to floor her with a superkick. By mid match the two had battled back and forth, the momentum repeatedly changing sides as the two competitors were trying to outdo one another in a technical exchange that delighted the fans. Bobbi had the former champion locked in a single leg boston crab but Kate easily reached the nearby ropes. Back to their feet the two competitors began trading kicks, with Kate getting the upper hand and building some momentum with a flurry of martial arts kicks, aiming at the opponent shoulder, twisting her arm in a wristlock and taking her down into another armbar. Even though she was going through an excruciating pain, Bobbi used all her knowledge and experience to escape the submission. Slowly and pretty much with one arm only, the champion began building some momentum, frustrating the opponent with her striking combinations and attempting to finish her off with the Phoenix Landing, but Kate dropped on her knee and put her weight down low, blocking the pedigree. Toward the end of the match, the Lockdown champion was firmly on the driver seat, having Kate in the corner and hitting her with various shoulder tackles. A powerful irish whip sent her in the opposite corner and bouncing back toward the centre of the ring right into a spear from the Lockdown champion, who quickly made the cover for another near fall. Controlling the pace of the match, Bobbi dropped Kate down with a death valley driver, positioning herself in front of the laying opponent ready to lock her in the Trials By Fire. With a sudden and unexpected movement, Steele reached up and rolled Jackson into a quick cover, desperately hanging on her tights to steal a win. WINNER: Kate Steele BY: Pinfall (Roll Up), 8:34 |
Peyton Holland: "What is even going on tonight?"
Ambra Monroe: "Another shocking outcome, Kate Steele just beat the Lockdown Champion!"
Peyton Holland: "And she probably just earned herself a title match by doing that."
Ambra Monroe: "Should the lightning strike twice next week, Kate Steele could become the first two time Lockdown Champion."
Peyton Holland: "The stakes just got a whole lot higher, Ambra... Who will survive the Phoenix Cage and walk out with the title?"
Ambra Monroe: "Another shocking outcome, Kate Steele just beat the Lockdown Champion!"
Peyton Holland: "And she probably just earned herself a title match by doing that."
Ambra Monroe: "Should the lightning strike twice next week, Kate Steele could become the first two time Lockdown Champion."
Peyton Holland: "The stakes just got a whole lot higher, Ambra... Who will survive the Phoenix Cage and walk out with the title?"
The show cuts to the back where a determined and yet annoyed Victoria Salinas stands in the center of the ring with her match to come later on. While she holds a microphone, some thoughts are crossing her mind and these thoughts appear to be creating some sort of discord within her. Still, the passionate former five-time world champion is able to compose herself before she’s able to compose her thoughts.
Victoria Salinas:
Last week… after what had happened two weeks before… I had wanted to get back in the ring against those bastards from APE. Did I get that chance? No. I didn’t. Why? Because I was left off the damn card for the second time in three weeks. Fortunately, I am competing later tonight but with all due respect to Luna, she’s not the person I want to face. I will face her, I’ll do what I do every given night against her, and I’m going to win and I’m going to show this company what a true champion should represent. I’m not going to half ass it just because she’s not my first choice of opponent. You stick me in that ring with one of those APE bastards and I’ll beat them. There are TWO in particular that I want to face… and I’ll get to that in a moment but first… there’s something that has been stuck in the back of my mind for a LONG time… something that has always resided in the pit of my stomach that I’ve held back from talking about for SO LONG because I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers… because I was too worried about some of my peers getting butthurt and telling me to go fuck myself or because I was too worried that the people in charge were going to reprimand me… but you know what? Screw it. I’m letting it all out… everything I should have said a LONG time ago is about to come to the surface…
Victoria maintains her poise while her anger seethes through her.
Victoria Salinas:
I’ve been part of this roster for JUST about a year now. How many title shots have I gotten? None.
How many number one contender matches have I gotten a crack at? None!
How many contendership or championship tournaments have I been a part of? NONE… and that especially includes the Intercontinental Championship tournament going on right now.
And do you honestly know how SICK and TIRED I am of all that? Normally, that sort of thing wouldn’t bug me so much. These days, I’d be “zen” about it and say “Hey, it’ll come eventually, no worries”... well… you know where being “zen” has gotten me these last two years? NOWHERE! Normally… I’d just let that sort of thing slide… however, for MONTHS now… I’ve had to watch the leadership of this company do their absolute BEST Oprah Winfrey impression… you know…. YOU GET A TITLE SHOT… AND YOU GET A TITLE SHOT… AND YOU GET A TITLE SHOT…
The fact that two people who didn’t DESERVE a main event title shot ended up having one walking right through that door is… excuse my language… absolute FUCKING BULLSHIT!
And here am I… one of the hardest working… no… THE hardest working person on this roster… shame that that’s not even noticed around here by most people… and I get what? Fucking scraps? I get wrestlers like fucking CHEESECAKE? Seriously… even Cheesecake… CHEESECAKE… not only got a fucking title shot out of nowhere after I humiliated her and made her look like the bitch that she is at the end of the China tour… but she WON. Fucking CHEESECAKE got to be a champion here and I can’t even get ONE number one contender’s match?
Tonight’s another example… sorry Luna… you’re a talented wrestler in your own right… but you’re not Duke Andrews… you’re not Chris Constantine Jr… as much as I hate to say that. What? The powers that be thought that I’d be happy and settle for at least HAVING a match? Hell with that!
I’m NOT going to be voiceless anymore! I’m NOT going to be cast aside like I’m just another face on the roster anymore. I’m NOT going to accept busting my ass harder than just about everyone in this company only to see the next hot Johnny-Come-Lately sign on the dotted line and get an instant title shot… HELL WITH THAT! If what I do isn’t good enough for this company, then I’ll prove you wrong. Stick me in there against Duke… or against Constantine… and I’ll prove you wrong. I’ll beat one of their asses. Although if you ask me… I’d rather have Duke because… well… let’s run down the reasons…
Coward’s playing the “I don’t know who you are… so I don’t care about you, hur hur hur” card pulling the stupidest, oldest trick in the book. Yeah, he really didn’t care when… oh I don’t know… he attacked me a couple of weeks ago when that whole APE shit was going down? Oh right, there’s my second reason.
I may forgive, but I don’t forget. Last year, we had a match… he had to cheat to beat me. Figures. The fucking piece of shit has smaller balls than those you’d see inside a gumball machine, for fuck’s sake!
And he thinks he has the right to tell me to “run away”? No… he doesn’t… the only thing he has a right to is taking several fucking seats with his delusional, bullshit ego!
And as much as I want Chris Constantine… and a shot at the MWE Championship… I’ll tell the powers that be this… don’t fucking hand me that shot. I’m not Bethany Driver, Melody Lennox, Sophie O’Brien or all the other wrestlers that got their token title shot. Don’t just give one to me. Make me earn it. To accept a title shot handed to me while complaining… albeit rightfully… about others getting handed a title shot… would be hypocritical of me. PLUS… Melissa Reeves has more of a right to a shot than I do… after all… she wasn’t even PINNED when she lost the title. Constantine couldn’t beat her straight up, so he had to take that backdoor.
Regardless… I came to this company to be a champion again… to revitalize my career… to prove to myself that I don’t need to be what I was before to be a champion in this business… that I CAN and WILL win my 6th world championship here…
I didn’t come here to be a fucking afterthought and to sit on the sidelines and watch someone like CHEESECAKE somehow win a championship.
I didn’t come here to be just another face. I may not be someone that seeks attention like I used to… but MWE… you’re NOT going to ignore me much longer because I promise you… and I swear to god… that if you sign someone and give them an instant title shot, I will find that person and I don’t care WHO they are, I WILL beat the shit out of them because I’m NOT going to tolerate that crap anymore.
If THAT’S what it takes for me to be “noticed” around here, so be it.
Shame though… that the hardest working woman on the roster… one of the FEW people that has had any GUTS to stand up to APE in any capacity while many of you are too tied up in other things or are too chickenshit to do anything about them… or that disgusting custom title that Constantine brought out… what a disgrace by the way… continues to be ignored.
Not anymore…
And tonight? Against Luna?
I’ll show you exactly why I ever got the label of “vainglorious” to begin with…
Victoria tosses the microphone aside, still showing some anger, but nonetheless leaving the ring and maintaining her composure and confidence as she walks up the ramp and cues the end of the scene in doing so.
Tag Team Match
The Revenants VS Golden Era
You could tell that Golden Era was eager to fight after being booked in only one occasion in this tour, and most importantly, they were eager to take on the “Enemy Of Wrestling” after weeks of interfering in the Glorious Golden Era business. The bell hadn’t rung yet and Butler and Newman were already attacking respectively Helena and Henri, blindsiding them with a kick to the stomach before unleashing a flurry of punches and forearm strikes. The Revenants fought back blow for blow, and Black got the upper hand against Neil, taking him out of the ring with a cactus clothesline. And now that Helena and Kyle were the only two remaining in the ring, the match could be considered under way, And even if the bigger and stronger Butler was winning this exchange, slowly pushing the opponent toward his corner, Helena wasn’t going down without a fight, even when her back was against the corner and the attackers became two after the tag. The Golden Era fully used the five count and beyond to pummel the last Liberty champion and hit her with their belly-to-back neckbreaker combination. To say that the referee was going to have his hands full with this match was an easy guess, but nobody was quite expecting this level of chaos. Ambra Monroe at ringside pointed out how this match had seen, for the most part, four people in the ring at the same time with absolute no care or respect for the referee’s authority when the official was, unsuccessfully, trying to restore order. Hard to tell who were the legal men at this point, probably Henri and Kyle as the ref started the count after the Australian turned his opponent inside out with a short arm lariat. Seeing his partner in danger, Newman shoved Noir through the ropes and dove in to make the save. It didn’t take long for Helena to come flying back in the ring with a springboard dropkick to take down both members of Golden Era before they could connect the End Of An Era on her fellow Revenant. The referee plead her to leave the ring but it was clear that he had lost, assuming he had ever had, control on the four members. Henri and Helena wore Kyle down and were about to hit him with the Black Sacrament/Dalecarlian Horse combination, but Newman interjected Helena before she could connect the busaiku knee with a spear. Butler still ate Henri’s single leg Yakuza kick but somehow managed to kick out. The uncontrolled brawl continued for a couple more minutes, the referee’s warnings falling on deaf ears. Until the official took the unpopular decision to call for the bell. WINNER: // BY: No Contest, 8:57 |
Peyton Holland: "Come on guys the match is over.."
Ambra Monroe: "I don't think they care much about it, Pey."
The brawl continues for several minutes, until a handful of men in black rush to the ring to separate the four competitors. Once things settled, Elsa McCarthy walks on the stage, holding a microphone in her hand.
Elsa McCarthy:
I can't hide my disappointment for how this match ended... I really hoped you four could resolve your issues tonight, since I had plans for the four of you for the upcoming PPV.
The Interim General Manager speaks, her eyes, moving between the four competitors.
Elsa McCarthy:
Especially for you, Helena. I was ready to announce that you will take part in the Cloud Gate Championship, facing Anastasia Starling and Gavin Grimes in a triple threat. But now this... This leaves a lot of unfinished business between your teams, and I know that, unless you settle this in the ring, you'll keep wreaking havoc in each other's match. And I can't afford that.
She takes a short pause to think about a solution, or perhaps to create some suspense before announcing a decision she has already taken.
Elsa McCarthy:
At Down Under, the Revenants will once again take on the Golden Era in a No DQ Tornado Tag Team Match. And since it would be unfair of me to take a chance you earned from you, I hope you are ready to pull double duty, Helena. Because the triple threat match for the Cloud Gate Championship is confirmed for night 2!
The announcement puts a smile on the last Liberty Champion face, drawing some loud cheers from the few but vocal fans. A few more harsh words fly between the four people in the ring as the camera cut to commercial.
Ambra Monroe: "I don't think they care much about it, Pey."
The brawl continues for several minutes, until a handful of men in black rush to the ring to separate the four competitors. Once things settled, Elsa McCarthy walks on the stage, holding a microphone in her hand.
Elsa McCarthy:
I can't hide my disappointment for how this match ended... I really hoped you four could resolve your issues tonight, since I had plans for the four of you for the upcoming PPV.
The Interim General Manager speaks, her eyes, moving between the four competitors.
Elsa McCarthy:
Especially for you, Helena. I was ready to announce that you will take part in the Cloud Gate Championship, facing Anastasia Starling and Gavin Grimes in a triple threat. But now this... This leaves a lot of unfinished business between your teams, and I know that, unless you settle this in the ring, you'll keep wreaking havoc in each other's match. And I can't afford that.
She takes a short pause to think about a solution, or perhaps to create some suspense before announcing a decision she has already taken.
Elsa McCarthy:
At Down Under, the Revenants will once again take on the Golden Era in a No DQ Tornado Tag Team Match. And since it would be unfair of me to take a chance you earned from you, I hope you are ready to pull double duty, Helena. Because the triple threat match for the Cloud Gate Championship is confirmed for night 2!
The announcement puts a smile on the last Liberty Champion face, drawing some loud cheers from the few but vocal fans. A few more harsh words fly between the four people in the ring as the camera cut to commercial.
Singles Match
Luna VS Victoria SalinasThe match opened with a flurry from Luna who darted in Salinas’ guard with her Krav Maga striking combinations. elbows to the face and knees to the chest and ribs. Salinas flinched, but she didn’t go down starting a counter attack with some kicks of her own, aiming at the legs and sides of the blonde former Lockdown Champion. Smith was losing ground, recoiling toward the ropes. A sudden throat strike blocked Victoria’s momentum, and Luna capitalized with an irish whip to send the veteran in the corner. Another running jumping knee hit Victoria in the face to which Luna tried to follow up with a bulldog but Victoria pushed her away. Smith turned around and came charging in, ending up against the turnbuckle after a belly to belly suplex. Halfway into the match and Victoria was in full control, relying on her submission skills to wear Luna down and limit her high flying offense. A cross armbreaker was broken up by the ropes, but seemed to have done damage to Luna’s shoulder. Salinas grabbed the opponent’s arm behind her back in a hammerlock, moving in front of her and connecting a hammerlock suplex. The subsequent cover attempt gave her a two count. And just when it looked like Victoria had the match right in her pocket, Luna pulled out a running spanish fly out of nowhere, almost walking away with the win. By the end of the match, Victoria was in a bad spot. Luna was once again in control, her speed unmatched by Salinas who couldn’t find a way to turn the tides. Barely surviving in a couple of occasions following the Dark Side Of Luna (Cheeky Nandos Kick) and the Starstorm (Discus spinning roundhouse) the Vainglorious was now pulling herself back to her feet with the help of the ropes. As Smith charged in, she bent forward and pushed her up and over the top rope, but the blonde girl landed on the apron and caught Victoria with a stiff forearm to the face. With a springboard crossbody the former Lockdown champion flew back in the ring, ending up caught by a powerslam from Victoria. Salinas still had some life after all and she tried to capitalize on it. Her second wind though was short lived as Luna quickly ended it with another throat strike, sending Victoria against the ropes with an irish whip. Rebounding back, Salinas managed to lock the Star Of The Night in her Vainglorious Victory, monetizing on all the hard work she put in throughout all the match on that right arm. Luna tried to hang in there and resist, but eventually she had no choice but to tap out. WINNER: Victoria Salinas BY: Submission (Vainglorious Victory), 12:37 |
Peyton Holland: "Another former champion falls by the hands of Victoria Salinas."
Ambra Monroe: "I can't fathom why Victoria keeps believing she hasn't done enough to earn the spot she's in. Bethany Driver, Gavin Grimes, Luna Smith... Those are quite some big names she has beaten."
Peyton Holland: "It's probably the first person I see complaining about a title shot, but I kinda see her point."
Ambra Monroe: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures."
Peyton Holland: "... What was that?"
Ambra Monroe: "Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar" act 4. Some tides just have to be ridden, because once they're gone, you're left with nothing but regret for the missed opportunity."
Ambra Monroe: "I can't fathom why Victoria keeps believing she hasn't done enough to earn the spot she's in. Bethany Driver, Gavin Grimes, Luna Smith... Those are quite some big names she has beaten."
Peyton Holland: "It's probably the first person I see complaining about a title shot, but I kinda see her point."
Ambra Monroe: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures."
Peyton Holland: "... What was that?"
Ambra Monroe: "Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar" act 4. Some tides just have to be ridden, because once they're gone, you're left with nothing but regret for the missed opportunity."
Elsa McCarthy:
They complain when they're not booked, they complain when you book them... I really don't know how you could do this.
We are inside the General Manager's office, Elsa is sitting behind her desk, talking on the phone. She looks slightly dejected, still struggling to adapt to this new job.
Elsa McCarthy:
I thought people would be happy when awarded with a title shot but apparently I was wrong...
She lets out a deep sigh, listening to what the person on the other side of the phone is saying. The slightest smile surafeces on her face.
Elsa McCarthy:
Thank you Chloe. This really means a lot. How are you feeling, by the way?
Another long pause as the former GM Chloe Collins updates her on her situation.
Elsa McCarthy:
I see. Well, promise me you will listen to the doctors and take care of yourself, ok? I will come visit you this Friday.
She says with a smile.
Elsa McCarthy:
I really have to go now Chloe. I have a breafing with the new security team in a matter of minutes. Yes, Ryen and his guys are with Grace, of course. Right now that I needed them for this situation with Anastasia Starling. As if the pressure coming from this new job wasn't enough...
Her lips curl in a soft smile.
Elsa McCarthy:
I'll be fine, don't worry. Just.. Take care of yourself and come back soon, alright? We all miss you.
Pause.
Elsa McCarthy:
See you soon, Chloe.
As the phone call ends, the camera cuts back to the ring.
They complain when they're not booked, they complain when you book them... I really don't know how you could do this.
We are inside the General Manager's office, Elsa is sitting behind her desk, talking on the phone. She looks slightly dejected, still struggling to adapt to this new job.
Elsa McCarthy:
I thought people would be happy when awarded with a title shot but apparently I was wrong...
She lets out a deep sigh, listening to what the person on the other side of the phone is saying. The slightest smile surafeces on her face.
Elsa McCarthy:
Thank you Chloe. This really means a lot. How are you feeling, by the way?
Another long pause as the former GM Chloe Collins updates her on her situation.
Elsa McCarthy:
I see. Well, promise me you will listen to the doctors and take care of yourself, ok? I will come visit you this Friday.
She says with a smile.
Elsa McCarthy:
I really have to go now Chloe. I have a breafing with the new security team in a matter of minutes. Yes, Ryen and his guys are with Grace, of course. Right now that I needed them for this situation with Anastasia Starling. As if the pressure coming from this new job wasn't enough...
Her lips curl in a soft smile.
Elsa McCarthy:
I'll be fine, don't worry. Just.. Take care of yourself and come back soon, alright? We all miss you.
Pause.
Elsa McCarthy:
See you soon, Chloe.
As the phone call ends, the camera cuts back to the ring.
Tag Team Match
APE (REDD Thunder & Duke Andrews) VS Jetpack
Stand Up (For The Champions) blared out of the loudspeakers and thr first ever MWE Tag Team Champions walked out of the curtains with big smiles on their faces, welcomed by the loud applause of the fans. Penny and Jet looked pumped up and ready to fight as they walked down the ramp, smiling and waving hands at the fans. The same couldn’t be said for their opponents, REDD Thunder and Duke Andrews, representing APE. The two men blasted the former champions from behind, assaulting and brutalizing them on the steel ramp. Duke went all our on Penelope, kicking her hard on the ribs and frustrating her attempt to get back to her feet. The Walking Disaster quickly disposed of Blanchard, dropping him on the hard steel with his Brute Force Algorithm, leaving him laid out. He glanced over at Duke Andrews who had now Penny over his shoulder, smiling at the jeering fans before slamming her down with the Andrews Effect. The two APE members looked at their scheduled opponents’ motionless bodies and, after congratulating one another with a pat on the back. they headed backstage, proud of their actions. WINNER: // BY: //, 0:00 |
Ambra Monroe: "They're getting out of control."
Peyton Holland: "Someone should check on Jetpack, they haven't moved yet."
Ambra Monroe: "Another statement made by the American Pain Experience. Sure, they're making quite an impression in the tag division, but at some point they should probably start fighting, if they really want to earn a title shot. Don't you agree?"
Peyton Holland: "Someone should check on Jetpack, they haven't moved yet."
Ambra Monroe: "Another statement made by the American Pain Experience. Sure, they're making quite an impression in the tag division, but at some point they should probably start fighting, if they really want to earn a title shot. Don't you agree?"
We go back inside the office of the General Manager, far more crowded than it was before. A dozen, maybe less, men in a black tactical suit is standing in her office, the security team she mentioned before.
Elsa McCarthy:
I can't stress enough how important this is. We must consider the threat serious, so keep your eyes peeled out there.
The leader of the small group nods.
Elsa McCarthy:
And please, by any means, don't do anything that could provide a distraction to the athletes in the ring. Should anyone try to interfere, you are authorized to stop them.
Again the man nods, turning his head to the rest of his team who does the same.
Elsa McCarthy:
Don't disappoint me, and this could be the start of a long and fruitful relationship. We can always use some extra help. Go now, the match is up next.
The men in black stand to attention and in an orderly fashion leave the room quickly.
Elsa McCarthy:
Let's hope for the best....
The young GM says with a sigh, as the show cuts to the next segment.
Elsa McCarthy:
I can't stress enough how important this is. We must consider the threat serious, so keep your eyes peeled out there.
The leader of the small group nods.
Elsa McCarthy:
And please, by any means, don't do anything that could provide a distraction to the athletes in the ring. Should anyone try to interfere, you are authorized to stop them.
Again the man nods, turning his head to the rest of his team who does the same.
Elsa McCarthy:
Don't disappoint me, and this could be the start of a long and fruitful relationship. We can always use some extra help. Go now, the match is up next.
The men in black stand to attention and in an orderly fashion leave the room quickly.
Elsa McCarthy:
Let's hope for the best....
The young GM says with a sigh, as the show cuts to the next segment.
The camera cut to backstage, picking up the sight of the current reigning Cloud Gate Champion, Anastasia Starling, walking through the halls of the arena. Due to current events, there were very little staff pacing the halls, very unusual for the usually heaving and hectic backstage area for a wrestling show. But given the circumstances, this was probably a blessing for public health. Starling paused, gazing at her prize for a moment, the slight creeping of a joyful smile on her face.
Security:
We’re here, Ms. Lasiewicz.
Came the voice of the suited security member, who had appeared a few feet behind her. Starling sighed, half turning to them, the black suited man having half his features shrouded by a surgical mask that covered his nose and mouth, due to current world events.
Anastasia Starling:
I’m sticking to my original statement, what happened was an isolated incident and this is unnecessary.
Security:
I’m sorry you feel that way, Ms. Lasiewicz, but we have orders from General Manager McCarthy, as well as higher ups within MWE. We are also aware your mother agreed with this--
She cut off the security team leader as more approached, the enigmatic Songbird managing to both cut him off and silence him with a simple click of the fingers, and a sharp stare with those greens and blues she had for eyes.
Anastasia Starling:
--who seems to have forgotten that I am a grown woman capable of making my own decisions, nevermind being a multi time champion, please don’t remind me.
She saw the rest of the team approach to flank her, though her eyebrow raised as she saw one of them stumble, a curly hair figure who cursed under their breath in a strong Bostonian accent. Ana turned away, her eyes keeping a close eye on them as she began to walk the green mile towards the green brand’s ring.
Anastasia Starling:
I know what is about, and I know what I am doing.
She muttered to herself, placing the championship belt upon her shoulder, a look of steely determination on her face as she paced. Thoughts of the last broadcast, and the disappointment for her first pinfall loss in MWE to Gavin Grimes must have been weighing heavily on her mind, and many had been calling into question whether she had the right mindset to compete, not just because of her ordeal in December, but the most recent incident during her father’s court case, where a masked assailant pulled a gun on her as she was about to give evidence.
Anastasia Starling:
My life is a sea of distractions, and the waves are riding too high.
She hummed under her breath, pulling up her own surgical mask, now seeming like she was attired like Mileena from the Mortal Kombat series in her royal purple ring attire, a different colour scheme to what she was usually accustomed to.
Anastasia Starling:
Courage, not cowardice…
She muttered, her hand reaching up to her throat, but halting as she closed her eyes, thinking better of doing what she aimed to have been doing. She carried on the long walk with security, starting to look more prepared for her mammoth match with Constantine, the fans knowing how she had him beat only a few months ago if not for outside interference. She spoke one last time, before turning the corner and away.
Anastasia Starling:
Evolve, Die, Transcend… Try to remember, Birdie. Try to remember.
Singles Match
Chris Constantine Junior VS Anastasia StarlingAs previously ordered by the interim General Manager Elsa McCarthy, the private security hired for the event surrounded the ring. Her goal was obviously to put Anastasia Starling in the best conditions to wrestle, to make her feel protected and safe after the recent events where her well being was in jeopardy, but the Cloud Gate champion looked quite nervous about all those men in black standing on the outside, their back turned to the ring and their eyes glued to the fans, ready to intervene at the first sign of suspicious movement. Not only Anastasia, but her raven Alexa as well looked nervous, flying around the ring croaking. Anyway the match started with the two competitors dancing around, studying the opponent while looking for an opening to strike. The first blow came from Constantine, a knee to the stomach after dodging a kick from the Songbird. Ana was doubled over, the MWE champion followed with a hard elbow to the back that dropped Starling on her knees where she couldn’t defend herself from those stiff kicks to the ribs. Chris went for an early cover after three of those, complaining to the referee after the opponent kicked out asking him to count faster. A drop toe hold sent the world champ crashing face first against the turnbuckle, interrupting his offense.. CCJ wisely rolls under the bottom robe, taking a breather on the outside, stopping Anastasia momentum before she could even begin to build. The sense of safety he felt when he left the ring didn’t last long. After a short run to the opposite side of the ring to gain speed, Ana put her foot on the second rope and dove on the outside taking out Constantine with a senton, effortlessly landing on her feet and thanking the fans with a little bow. For several minutes Starling maintained control with her kicking combinations, even coming close to the win after the Our Lady Peace spinning bicycle kick. The ever resourceful founder of APE managed to sneak in a thumb to the eye without getting seen by the referee, quickly capitalizing with a russian leg sweep. A series of stomps reached Anastasia as she was laying down, forcing the Pale Winged Passerine to try escape it by rolling away, under the bottom rope. This time it was Constantine who struck the iron while it was hot, grabbing the Cloud Gate Champion by the air and suplexing her back in. Over fifteen minutes in and both competitors looked tired after an intense match where both of them certainly pushed one another to the limits. A lot of near falls happened on both sides, Ana showing great resiliency and kicking out of the American Strong Piledriver and even coming back after it with a series of kicks to set Constantine up for her Pale Winged Passerine (springboard stunner). The fans came to life, rallying behind the Cloud Gate Champion as she once again picking up speed, flooring Constantine with a springboard polish hammer. The MWE world champion was in great difficulty, laying on the floor after the Angra Mainyu running blockbuster, with Anastasia now perching on the top rope ready to take flight. A loud croak from her raven caught her attention as she saw the bird fluttering around one of the security members who was trying to swat her away. Ana called her pet, who kept croaking at the guard, uncaring of Starling’s call. This unexpected event gave Constantine time to recover and catch her on the top rope, driving her down with a superplex. He was the first back to his feet, catching Anastasia with an european uppercut as she rose up and kicking her in the stomach to plant her on the top of her head with a second American Strong Piledriver. And this time, the Cloud Gate Champion couldn’t kick out in time. WINNER: Chris Constantine Junior BY: Pinfall (American Strong Piledriver), 18:14 |
Peyton Holland: "We all thought Starling was leaving with the win, but the distraction costed her the match."
Ambra Monroe: "I've not been around much, but I never seen Alexa acting like that."
Rubbing the back of her neck, Anastasia pulled herself up, clearly disappointed with the outcome of her match. Alexa flew back to her master, who glanced over at the raven that pretty much costed her the match. She smiled softly, almost wanting to reassure the black creature and rolled out of the ring, getting handed the Cloud Gate championship from the ring announcer. And her first thought was to apologize to thank the guards for ensuring her safety and apologize to the man who was targeted by her raven.
Alexa won't shut up, croaking at the masked man. Was she trying to say something?
The thought must have crossed Anastasia's mind, but before she could process it, the guard hit her with a forearm to the jaw, pulling down the mask and revealing himself as Gavin Grimes!
Ambra Monroe: "Well, this explains a lot."
Ana was down, a couple of guards tried to tackle Gavin but he was too quick and easily avoided them, taking them both down with pinpoint superkicks. Helena Noir came rushing down the ramp, but three security members stopped her. Another one charged at Grimes who had by now picked up the Cloud Gate championship and drove it on the guard's face. Anastasia suffered the same fate, getting leveled as she was starting to pull herself up. He bent down over her, saying something that the camera couldn't quite pick up. A third security member comes to Ana's rescue, finally tackling down Grimes.
Peyton Holland: "I'm not sure what Gavin told her but he just threw fuel on the fire."
Anastasia stood up, and if look could kill, Gavin would've been dead on the spot. Helena finally seemed to have calmed down, barely contained by two guards while the third was laying on the ramp, his hands clutching his crotch as he rolled in a world of pain. Grimes still had that cocky smile on his face, laughing at Starling as she picked up her title from the floor. The camera cuts to the last commercial break.
Ambra Monroe: "I've not been around much, but I never seen Alexa acting like that."
Rubbing the back of her neck, Anastasia pulled herself up, clearly disappointed with the outcome of her match. Alexa flew back to her master, who glanced over at the raven that pretty much costed her the match. She smiled softly, almost wanting to reassure the black creature and rolled out of the ring, getting handed the Cloud Gate championship from the ring announcer. And her first thought was to apologize to thank the guards for ensuring her safety and apologize to the man who was targeted by her raven.
Alexa won't shut up, croaking at the masked man. Was she trying to say something?
The thought must have crossed Anastasia's mind, but before she could process it, the guard hit her with a forearm to the jaw, pulling down the mask and revealing himself as Gavin Grimes!
Ambra Monroe: "Well, this explains a lot."
Ana was down, a couple of guards tried to tackle Gavin but he was too quick and easily avoided them, taking them both down with pinpoint superkicks. Helena Noir came rushing down the ramp, but three security members stopped her. Another one charged at Grimes who had by now picked up the Cloud Gate championship and drove it on the guard's face. Anastasia suffered the same fate, getting leveled as she was starting to pull herself up. He bent down over her, saying something that the camera couldn't quite pick up. A third security member comes to Ana's rescue, finally tackling down Grimes.
Peyton Holland: "I'm not sure what Gavin told her but he just threw fuel on the fire."
Anastasia stood up, and if look could kill, Gavin would've been dead on the spot. Helena finally seemed to have calmed down, barely contained by two guards while the third was laying on the ramp, his hands clutching his crotch as he rolled in a world of pain. Grimes still had that cocky smile on his face, laughing at Starling as she picked up her title from the floor. The camera cuts to the last commercial break.
Singles Match
MWE Intercontiental Championship: Semifinal
Pinhead VS Neal DurdenMWE Intercontiental Championship: Semifinal
Ambra Monroe: “It’s time for our main event, Peyton. Pinhead against Neal Durden, the winner will face Megan Rydell at the pay-per-view for the newly minted MWE Intercontinental Championship.” Peyton Holland: “I’m surprised Neal didn’t decide to add a stipulation to try even the playfield. Is he so confident he’s saving the chance for the final?” Ambra Monroe: “Or perhaps he doesn’t see any real advantage in it. Pinhead is a threat as it is already, can you imagine how much damage could he do if he’s allowed to use weapons?” Peyton Holland: “That’s a very good point.” The match started and it was the Anarchist who took the initiative with a volley of kicks to the legs and elbows to the face that seemed to barely affect the giant. Neal didn’t let the apparent futility of his strikes affect him, keeping them coming and eventually managing to stagger Pinhead with a jumping knee to the chin. Hitting the ropes, Durden came back and went for a jumping forearm strike, ending up in Pinhead’s grasp and getting smashed down with a sidewalk slam. Ambra Monroe: “Bad mistake, Neal. Don’t let the big man catch you.” Peyton Holland: “That could be easier to be said than done, Ambra. Pinhead his deceptively quick for a man of that size.” The giant effortlessly picked up Neal and held him upside down for a delayed vertical suplex, holding him in that position for so long that landing hard on his back looked like a liberation for the welsh man. Pinhead went ground and pound, kneeling down on the opponent and hitting him with his boulder sized fists. Wrapping his large hands around Neal’s throat, he deadlifted him and chokebombed the one half of Pendragon on the mat, making the cover and obtaining a two count. Peyton Holland: “Things are already looking bad for Durden.” Ambra Monroe: “It’s never easy to face a monster like Pinhead, but if there’s one thing you want to avoid, it’s letting him dictate the pace.” Neal obviously knew that, but it was hard to turn things around when you’re getting tossed around like a rag doll by all sorts of suplexes. And the constant impacts on the mat were taking their toll on Neal’s back as he was seen arching it and reaching the lower back with his hand, a painful expression on his face. Hard open handed chops smashed his chest, undermining his breathing. He was still coughing when Pinhead sent him for a ride, destination the corner. Another hard impact on the back, but it suddenly paled in comparison of what could have happened if that nearly 400 pounds freight train coming his way would have hit him. Peyton Holland: “Thank God he moved out of the way.” Ambra Monroe: “Disaster avoided, and now he has a chance to turn things around.” Although still showing some breathing distress, the Anarchist was hell bent on taking this chance that could have very well been the last to make his impact on this match. First came an enziguri from the apron after ducking Pinhead’s right hook, catching the monster on the side of the head and dazing him. Then Neal climbed to the top rope, putting all his hopes in a diving knee that sent Pinhead stumbling back. The giant was refusing to go down and Neal was refusing to give up, insisting with those stiff kicks. And eventually his determination paid out, Pinhead’s facial expression shifting into a grimace of pain as he reached down for his knee. The same knee Neal targeted with a low dropkick, finally taking the giant off his feet and dropping him face first on the canvas with a hurricanrana driver. Peyton Holland: “You know what they say… The bigger they are…” Ambra Monroe: “What a thing of beauty!” Wasting no time, Neal made the cover after a spectacular standing corkscrew moonsault, but he didn’t go past the two count. For several minutes it looked like the welsh could score what many would define an upset and take down the seven feet monster, getting real close to accomplish the task in several occasions. But no matter what he tried, Pinhead kept kicking out. Probably some frustration began to build up in the Anarchist who saw some of the best moves in his arsenal failing to sort the desired effect. And when he tried to follow up on all those kicks to the leg and capitalize with a submission, things didn’t go any better. With some struggle he managed to lock that massive leg in a kneebar, but Pinhead forced him to let go with some punches to the leg. And things went from bad to worse once the two were up to their feet. Pinhead’s leg was hurting, causing him to be slower in his movements. But speed is not a priority when you can count on brute strength to turn the tables at any moment. And this is what happened when Durden went for a springboard hurricanrana and Pinhead caught him, heading to the ring post and launching against it for a buckle bomb. After he bounced back, the behemoth caught him with an overhead belly to belly suplex, sending him flying to the centre of the ring. Peyton Holland: “And just like that, Pinhead’s back in control.” Ambra Monroe: “It’s scary how quickly he can change the momentum of the match.” Two minutes of showing off his array of suplexes and Pinhead was ready to end the match with his gutwrench powerbomb, The Dominique Tribute. During the lifting, Neal was able to slip away and land on his back behind the opponent’s, grabbing his back and trying to flip him over on his shoulders into a pinning predicament. Hard to to it to a nearly 400 pound man, who decided to make Neal pay for this tactical mistake by squashing him under his giant rear. Durden moved out of the way and quickly made it back to his feet, superkicking the seated giant to the back of his head. Twice, for good measures. Ambra Monroe: “He’s down! Pinhead is down!” Peyton Holland: “This is your chance, come on Neal!” Durden climbed to the top rope and raised his hands to the sky before jumping off and twisting in mid air, landing on the opponent with his Starlight shooting star press. And even this time, Pinhead kicked out. One moment after the referee’s hand touched the mat for the third time. WINNER: Neal Durden BY: Pinfall (Starlight), 15:09 |
Peyton Holland:
He did it! Neal Durden pinned Pinhead!
Ambra Monroe:
A gutsy performance by the Anarchist earned him a spot in the final. He'll be the one representing Millennium at Down Under with a chance at making history.
Peyton Holland:
Neal Durden versus Megan Rydell, the winner will become the first ever MWE Intercontinental champion.
Ambra Monroe:
And let's not forget Neal can STILL pick a stipulation.
Peyton Holland:
That's true. Our time is up, ladies and gentlemen. The appointment is next Saturday and Sunday, right here in the Enterprise Arena in Chicago.
Ambra Monroe:
And here's my cue to remind that the Down Under ppv will be available exclusively on MENTV. The same will apply for the next set of shows for both the Millennium and Riot rosters, all held right here in the Enterprise Arena and behind closed doors, with only essential personnel allowed.
Peyton Holland:
Unfortunately, this is the only way we can keep providing our weekly shows and guarantee the safety of everyone. Thank you for joining us tonight, and see you in ten days at Down Under.
He did it! Neal Durden pinned Pinhead!
Ambra Monroe:
A gutsy performance by the Anarchist earned him a spot in the final. He'll be the one representing Millennium at Down Under with a chance at making history.
Peyton Holland:
Neal Durden versus Megan Rydell, the winner will become the first ever MWE Intercontinental champion.
Ambra Monroe:
And let's not forget Neal can STILL pick a stipulation.
Peyton Holland:
That's true. Our time is up, ladies and gentlemen. The appointment is next Saturday and Sunday, right here in the Enterprise Arena in Chicago.
Ambra Monroe:
And here's my cue to remind that the Down Under ppv will be available exclusively on MENTV. The same will apply for the next set of shows for both the Millennium and Riot rosters, all held right here in the Enterprise Arena and behind closed doors, with only essential personnel allowed.
Peyton Holland:
Unfortunately, this is the only way we can keep providing our weekly shows and guarantee the safety of everyone. Thank you for joining us tonight, and see you in ten days at Down Under.