Post by gvb on Mar 29, 2020 3:16:54 GMT -6
MWE presents: Down Under -night 1
Live from Enterprise Arena in Chicago, IL
Saturday, March 28th, 2020
The show comes to life, once again inside the empty Enterprise Arena in Chicago. A sight that will become the norm in the next weeks, as all the shows if both brands, as well as the next May pay-per-view will be held in this setting, behind closed doors and with limited personnel. The first feature that could be noticed missing was the pyrotechnics that usually blasted on the entrance stage to kick off the show. Tonight there's just the clip highlighting the rivalries that build this cycle to accompany Riot's hit "Fire Down Under", the theme song chosen for this ppv. The camera takes us at ringside where the commentary teams are ready to call the action.
Peyton Holland:
Good evening to all the MWE fans watching at home on MENTV and welcome to the Down Under pay-per-view!
Amy Maynard:
We were supposed to be in Adelaide, in front of fifty thousand people and we are here in an empty arena in Chicago. I'm not going to lie, this feels weird...
Ambra Monroe:
I'm sure the athletes will feel the same way. It's a necessary evil, so to speak. And something they will have to get used to, since this situation will drag on for all the next cycle at least.
Sir Figgles:
Yeah but who cares about that? I mean, did you see tonight's card? It starts with my sister getting her ass whooped and it only gets better from there!
Peyton Holland:
It's certainly going to be a great night awaiting for us. Five titles on the line, including the brand new Intercontinental Championship to be assigned in the main event.
Ambra Monroe:
Megan Rydell and Neal Durden went through sixteen others competitors to get to this match tonight, to try write their name in the history book. Thirty minutes, that's how log they will be fighting in an Ultimate Submission match to crown the first ever IC champion.
Amy Maynard:
And right before that, Devin Hearst, the Riot Champion, will be defending his title from the assault of Heath Williams and Kelsey Spencer in what promises to be the toughest challenge he ever faced in his reign.
Sir Figgles:
Hearst has the experience and ability to overcome any odds, Amy. The Man has been the undisputed ruler of Riot for a year now, since he made his debut at Dark Web in march last year, dominating the battle royale and eliminating, amongst others, yours truly.
Peyton Holland:
You're saying that like it's a big deal... My daughter could probably eliminate you, and she's three. Anyway, back to the green brand, we will see Bobbi Jackson defending her Lockdown Championship against Kate Steele.
Ambra Monroe:
A former Lockdown Champion herself, Kate shocked the world when she pinned Bobbi last week to earn this opportunity. Tonight though, it's a differet beast. She's stepping in the Phoenix Cage, and you can bet Jackson will pay extra attention to her shenanigans.
Amy Maynard:
Speaking of upsets, on the last Riot before this ppv, Kristina Spencer challenged and beat Cheesecake to become the new Junior Heavyweight Champion. Tonight marks her first defense, against Christina Lopez.
Sir Figgles:
At first I thought this was a five way match against Christina Lopez, Christina Zdunich, Christina Rose and Crystal Hilton. Then I realized they are all the same person.
Peyton Holland:
... Right. The last title on the line tonight is the Chicago Way Championship. Kenzie Garrett against Joey Leclair in a TLC match.
Ambra Monroe:
It's never easy to predict these kind of match, too many variables can come in play. But Kenzie has poured her blood, sweat and tears to earn this title, and I don't see her losing it on her first night.
Amy Maynard:
You can't rule out Joey though, we all saw how dangerous he can be.
Peyton Holland:
Good point. These are just some of the matches we have in store for you, and this is just the first night. But before we start, let's go backstage to hear what the Junior Heavyweight championhas to say.
The scene shifts to the back where Kristina Spencer and Veronica Chandler are standing by
Veronica Chandler:
Last week Cheesecake thought she could try and cash a check that we all knew her ass could not cash and now she is a former champion and now she can go back to that whole in the ground and let real champions like Kristina run this place.
Kristina smirks while patting her title
Veronica Chandler:
Now instead of giving us the day off that we deserve we are given Christina Lopez-Zdunich. I would ask if this was a joke but i know better but i promise you Christina you will wish you were never given this match.
Kristina laughs
Kristina Spencer
Now personally I feel after my win I should have been given a match against Devon Hearst but since that did not happen I will gladly take my frustrations out on Christina. Now i know quite a bit about you from a mutual friend of ours AMC.
Kristina smiles huge
Kristina Spencer
But don’t worry i’m sure Ash will take good care of your wife while you recover in the ICU! You see Christina I waited a long time to get a title shot here in Millenium and i will damned if i am giving this title…
Holds up title
Kristina Spencer
Up to you anytime soon. Tonight The Spencer cousins officially take over this place, I will keep my title and cousin Kelsey will win the Riot championship and then we will throw a huge bash celebrating our victories and you Christina will go to the hospital and then to the back of the line!
Veronica Chandler:
Christina tonight will be a night you will always remember. Tonight is the night you went one on one with The Wicked and if you are lucky you can tell your daughter how you survived the encounter and can still wrestle in this sport. Tonight my clients will reign supreme and I will run everything.
Kristina and Veronica laugh as we fade out
Singles Match
Nina VS Tiny Des
It was a Riot match opening this PPV. The absence of fans was somehow compensated by pre-recorded crowd effect, although, as you could tell by the look on Nina’s face as she was welcomed by a thunderous ovation as she would have been in front of her home crowd. hearing that roar coming from the empty seats was quite an odd sensation. The bell tolled and the match officially started. Before starting the hostility, Nina had something to say to Destiny, and those certainly weren’t kind and flattering words as Sir Figgles’ sister reacted with a heavy forearm to the face. Poking the bear didn’t work well for the Snakebite who found herself now with her back against the ropes while Tiny Des was unleashing lefts and rights to her ribs. An irish whip sent Nina against the ropes and the Chicago born was quick to grab them right after bouncing off them, frustrating Destiny’s dropkick attempt. And while she was pulling herself up, Nina’s charged at her and connected with her shin to the Kansas born with a hard hitting shining wizard. She made the cover, picking up the first near fall of the match. Unsurprisingly, Tiny Des was the one taking the initiative and dictating the pace, with Nina exploiting her evasion skills and quickness to dodge most of the opponent’s attacks and counter with offense of her own. Destiny managed to get some momentum after taking the Viper down with a neckbreaker. Her brother at commentary heavily criticized her decision to pick up Nina instead of going for a cover, and he became even more vocal when she started to hit the Chicago born with some punches to the face, saying that Destiny’s best and only chance to win is to keep the pace quick and her offense unpredictable. And facts proved him right as Nina blocked the third punch and twisted Destiny’s arm in a wrist lock, connecting a rib-shattering side kick to the flank. Now in control, the Snakebite slowed down the pace, targeting the opponent's ribcage, dropping forearm shots while holding her in an abdominal stretch. From that position she transitioned into a gutwrench suplex, but once again Figgins kicked out in time. Although in pain, Tiny Des managed to get back on the driver’s seat, going at Nina with repeated running sentons. She tried another cover after the Destiny Drop, her patented springboard reverse ddt but once again she got just a two count out of it. Nina was in great difficulty now, no longer able to find a counter to Destiny’s high flying moves. Everything seemed to be going in Destiny’s favor who never slowed down, constantly attacking the opponent and eventually flooring her with a roundhouse kick. Tiny Des only had one slight hesitation, waiting for a few moments before charging at Nina for her Tiny Hammer (shining axekick) gave the Chicago born the chance to avoid the killshot and grab her foot, locking her in the Leg Constrictor kneebar right in the middle of the ring. With nowhere to go, Tiny Des had no chance but to tap to the excruciating submission, WINNER: Nina BY: Submission (Leg Constrictor), 8:25 |
Amy Maynard: "Looks like your wish has been granted, Figgles. Your sister lost her match."
Sir Figgles: "Again."
Amy Maynard: "What's with all this hostility anyway?"
Sir Figgles: "Destiny needs to look in the mirror and realize that she lost it. She lost that killer instinct, that..."
Nina is now leaving the ring, after being announced the winner. Leaning in through the ropes, she can't possibly see Tiny Des getting back to her feet and sneaking in behind her, pushing her out of the ring for a ruinous fall. It doesn't stop there, Destiny exits the ring as well and grabs a steel chair from under the ring, smashing it multiple times across the Snakebite's back. Nina is laying on the floor motionless, Des standing on top of her with the chair in hand and shooting a glance over to her brother sitting at the commentary table.
Amy Maynard: "I... Think she just found it again."
Sir Figgles: "There is a point in a Figgins life where they just go cuckoo. My sister seemed to hold out the longest."
Amy Maynard: "So... What should we expect now? Anything we should look out for?"
Sir Figgles: "All these lattes are going straight to my butt."
Sir Figgles: "Again."
Amy Maynard: "What's with all this hostility anyway?"
Sir Figgles: "Destiny needs to look in the mirror and realize that she lost it. She lost that killer instinct, that..."
Nina is now leaving the ring, after being announced the winner. Leaning in through the ropes, she can't possibly see Tiny Des getting back to her feet and sneaking in behind her, pushing her out of the ring for a ruinous fall. It doesn't stop there, Destiny exits the ring as well and grabs a steel chair from under the ring, smashing it multiple times across the Snakebite's back. Nina is laying on the floor motionless, Des standing on top of her with the chair in hand and shooting a glance over to her brother sitting at the commentary table.
Amy Maynard: "I... Think she just found it again."
Sir Figgles: "There is a point in a Figgins life where they just go cuckoo. My sister seemed to hold out the longest."
Amy Maynard: "So... What should we expect now? Anything we should look out for?"
Sir Figgles: "All these lattes are going straight to my butt."
We find ourselves in the backstage area and it is there where we are able to see Christina Zdunich smirking as she looks like quite the nerd. The cameras zoom in on her as she is clad in a Sailor Moon shirt. She can’t help but chuckle as she holds up 3 fingers and begins to speak directly to that of the camera.
Christina Zdunich:
Hello to all of the beautiful people out there. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that it feels super awesome to be here right now. Tonight is going to be an amazing night because everything that I have been fighting for I actually get to compete for right in the middle of the ring. I get a chance to fight for that Junior Heavyweight Championship and it is something that I have had my mind on for a very long time.
Christina chuckles as she continues to hold three fingers up.
Christina Zdunich:
You are probably wondering why I have three fingers up and it’s really simple. It’s because as it currently stands you can call me Christina 3 belts. I wrestle for so many promotions around the world and I currently hold three championships. That is actually impressive and two weeks ago I finally won yet another World Championship after not having one for two years to mark my 16th World Championship throughout my 17 year career. That is nearly unheard of. I started wrestling when I was only 17 years of age but it never seems to be enough.
Christina nods her head as she continues to speak.
Christina Zdunich:
I have this drive that keeps me going. It’s like I always want more and I am willing to do whatever it takes to continue getting more and more. I need to be the best and I will do whatever it takes to showcase my love for this very business. The Junior Heavyweight title would mean everything to me. it would showcase that I am as fast and light as they come. That I could unleash my speed with the best of them and I have wings that could never be clipped. I would keep on going and I wouldn’t be stopped. Tonight I am going to do everything in my power to make my dream become a reality. Kristina Spencer you are amazing in your own right…
Christina smiles as she speaks some more.
Christina Zdunich:
So give me your absolute best Kristina. I have been waiting for this moment since I came over to Riot. This is everything that I am fighting for and I won’t allow you to turn me down from what I have been working so desperately to do. By the end of the night I will throw up the 4 because I will be Christina Four belts and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. See you soon and best of luck, but it’s about time I finally break out of my shell!
With that Christina seems more focused than ever as we go to elsewhere.
Millennium Wrestling Enterprise has been promoting for two nights of success. Although many on the large roster of amazing talent are expecting to make an impact, there is a very young one who has been taking refuge in the backstage area. A new breath of fresh air with youth on his side to begin his career in one of the most prestigious companies known to mankind. Noris Cranley, a new Junior Heavyweight, is looking to make his mark within the squared ring with a goal in one mind. The MWE Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Within the backstage area minutes before the Junior Heavyweight Championship match featuring Kristina Spencer against Christina Lopez-Zdunich, Noris is seen relaxing on top of an equipment box with a flatscreen to view the action from behind the scenes. His eyes glued to the screens for he knew this was the moment he was waiting on. To see one of the most coveted belts being represented on the main stage was his goal to win and Noris wanted that belt more than ever. Interview personnel approached him while he was toiling with his phone in his hand but he paid no mind.
Grayce Kelli:
Noris! First of all, congratulations on joining the Riot talent of MWE! With that said, who is Noris Cranley and what can we expect?
Noris didn’t budge in his glare to the screen. He smiled and perched his right eyebrow.
Noris Cranley:
You can expect a lot of things. You can expect a new guy wanting to do as much as he can in Millenium Wrestling Enterprise. So many opportunities and talent that it would leave any wrestler foaming on the mouth. Unfortunately for me, I’m not here to play games or be cheery; No, I’ll do that on my own time. When I step into MWE, I only have one thing in mind and that is to be the greatest but I’m not going do it with the usual regime. Unlike others who I’m going to be watching, there’s been a lot of detachment from reality. You ever wondered where the good guys go? There are still here but they are being overshadowed by the scheming scums of the Earth doing anything in their power to win.
So to answer your question, I’m a new one. A young individual who can fly and can do things the average human being can’t. Hell, if I’m even blowing my own horn, I think not even gravity can stop me from doing what I do. The point is that my name is Noris Cranley and I’m unstoppable. It’s not a petty nickname. It’s the way of my life. I’m unstoppable because I never quit on myself nor ever lower myself to doing dumb stuff to get championship opportunities. I never lie, cheat or steal. I walk in with dignity, respect, class, and honor. And if those who don’t understand those words, they need a good look in the mirror.
Grayce Kelli:
Noris, we appreciate your passion and motivation to be in MWE. However, you seem to be very interested in the Junior Heavyweight Championship match with Kristina Spencer defending the belt against Christina Lopez-Zdunch. Is this a goal of yours to become the MWE Junior Heavyweight Champion?
Noris chuckled at the question and shifted his weight to be on the edge of the equipment box. With the match almost ready to be next, he folded his arms and looked towards the television.
Noris Cranley:
The first championship that I saw in MWE was the Junior Heavyweight Championship. I looked at that belt and pictured myself being the longest reigning junior heavyweight champion in the history of MWE and I was going to do it with my chin held high. I wasn’t going to talk a dumb former champion into giving me a title shot and embarrassing him with cheap tactics or being handed a shot to treat it as another championship. No, it deserved better than that. That belt means you’re the best damn junior heavyweight so treat it with respect and take flight with it.
I’m going to be paying real close attention to the match and whoever walks out the champion will have to know one thing. Noris Cranley will be coming after them and nothing nor no one can stop me from taking the belt but who can beat something that is unstoppable?
He didn’t break his confidence nor struggled in delivering those passionate words. All he did was simply say what he said before leaving the personnel at their disposal. Noris walked off down the narrow hallways and he was walking with a purpose. The twenty-year-old young adult was set to make his mark on MWE but make a mark by being a future MWE Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Junior Heavyweight Championship Match
Kristina Spencer (c) VS Christina Lopez-Zdunich
Kristina Spencer was looking to impress in her first defense, wasting no time and throwing a kick to Christina’s stomach doubling her over and following with a double axe handle to the back to drop her on her knee and follow up with a running single leg dropkick to the face. An early attempt to score a pinfall gave the champion a two count and an initial advantage Spencer was determined to exploit attacking the Blossoming Rose with ruthless aggression, mounting on top of her and pounding her face with a flurry of right hand strikes. Taken aback by this aggressive start, Christina took a breather on the outside, only for Krissy to leap over the top rope and level her with a tope con hilo. When the champion tried to send her against the steps, Christina managed to counter it and sent Spencer impacting shoulder first on the cold steel. Lopez grabbed her arm and smashed it against the post before rolling the Junior Heavyweight champion under the bottom rope and made a cover. Wisely Lopez kept targeting the right arm and shoulder, identifying in that part already injured her best chances to win and finally claim the Junior Heavyweight Championship she has been chasing for months. And even though the technical side of this sport was never her strongest suit, the multi time world champion was doing a good job in trying to dislocate the shoulder with an armbar. Pushing through the pain, Kristina managed to roll over and pinning the challenger’s shoulder to the mat, breaking out of the submission. The champion now tried to take back control, connecting the Handful Of Fun (boobplex) and a beautiful fisherman ddt, but a hard kick to the shoulder turned once again the tables, allowing Christina to get back to work with a series of arm drags. Not only with submissions, her every move was meant to hurt that part. A smart, considering that the move that gave Krissy the win in her title match was a right handed punch to the heart. The scoop powerslam dropped Spencer on her shoulder, and that was the target of the Flashing Lights chick kick as well, but the pinning predicament only earned her a near fall. Krissy’s title seemed to have come to a sudden and early end when Christina dropped her on her head with the Rock & Roll (swinging snap ddt) but somehow the champion managed to put her foot on the bottom rope. Lopez was out of herself, arguing that it was actually Veronica Chandler who took Christina’s right foot and made the rope break happen. Arguing never leads to any good, a lesson that every wrestler should know and that Christina was about to learn. enduring a second boobplex. Suddenly back in control, Krissy found the same determination and mean streak that allowed her to dominate the first part of the contest. But this time she made no mistakes, connecting a superkick and the Wicked Good Time (diving moonsault knee drop) in rapid succession, carrying the match all the way to its conclusion that came a couple of minutes and near falls later when, aware that her right arm was too damaged to strike her best blow, Spencer went for a submission instead, locking Lopez in her crippler crossface called Extreme PMS to successfully retain the gold. WINNER: Kristina Spencer (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Extreme PMS), 9:44 |
Peyton Holland: "Spencer really seems to have put her career back on track."
Ambra Monroe: "Without a doubt. It makes me wonder if the War Games match can be seen as the real turning point in her career, at least here in MWE."
Peyton Holland: "It definitely lit the proverbial fire under her ass. Perhaps standing up next to her cousin gave her the motivation she needed, and from that moment, she's been on a roll."
Pre-recorded…
The cityscape was a jumble of shapes, like a child had cast blocks down randomly and then swept them so close together they touched. There were rectangles, domes and mini-castles. There were spires, weather vanes and satellite dishes. Between the dwellings and businesses the roads were so narrow that they frequently became blocked by trucks brining in wares. These juggernauts were designed for highways and the metropolis. Between the chaotic buildings ran a network of paths wide enough for two skinny people to pass. This city is Chicago and it is a living machine spread over once green land like a microchip grossly enlarged. The roads run in their predictable grid pattern and the lights of the stores, restaurants and places of vice shine neon into the night.
We then cut to the outside of a hotel room, specifically a balcony. The balcony grew from the walls of the house as generous arms from a host, or perhaps those of a mother to cradle her infant child. The metal had a patina of ocean greens and blues, or perhaps it was more the hues of a mossy forest floor in softened early light, yet either way it was beautiful. It isn’t long until a lovely femine figure steps out onto the balcony. The camera zooms in and we see that this is “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock. The self-proclaimed Best in the World is wearing a little purple dress that hugs her every curve and matching purple high heeled patent leather pumps. A confident grin is etched across her lovely face as she stares into the camera.
Glory Braddock:
You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I have always been the hero for professional wrestling. I have always been the one fighting the battles no one else is willing to fight. I fought the monsters and the delusional power hungry egomaniacs, and I did it all for the good of professional wrestling. Everything I do is for the best of this sport. I have decades left on my legendary career and yet I could have still retired a year ago and I would have been forever worshipped as a goddess in this sport of mortals. That would have been the easy way out but I am Glory Braddock, I am The Best in the World, and I never take the easy way out.
The beautiful blonde haired bombshell shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
I kept fighting for this sport that I loved, I kept fighting for what was right, and as a result I have now lived to see myself become the villain. People hate me and boo me and why? Because I call a spade a spade. When I see something wrong with this sport I call it out, I confront it, and I fix it. And I will not cease in my quest to fix professional wrestling. It is a monumental task and while I know I could fight this battle on my own, it is unwise to do so on my own. I will surround myself with like-minded individuals. Neil Newman and Kyle Butler are two individuals who share my vision and are willing to fight by my side to see professional wrestling returned to its natural state. They have already taken the fight to The Revenants, who seem to enjoy garbage violent bloodthirsty wrestling. I am confident that Neil and Kyle will take care of business tonight. As for the rest of the MWE roster, either on Millennium or Riot, I welcome anyone who shares in my view of professional wrestling, who can see that all I want to do is help fix this sport, to join myself, Neil, and Kyle in the GLORIOUS Golden Era.
Braddock chuckles as she shrugs her shoulders.
Glory Braddock:
You never know when we may welcome a new member!
She winks at the camera. The British Bombshell pauses as her smile fades and a stoic gaze forms upon her face.
Glory Braddock:
Professional wrestling is riddled with corruption that needs to be eradicated and problems that need to be fixed. Crimes are being committed upon my beloved sport every day but one crime that even MWE would not dare commit is to leave The Best in the World off of the card for Down Under. The irony is not lost on me that management had to find the most random of opponents for me. Josh Holloway...do I hold any grudge against him? No. Does he pose any particular threat to wrestling? No. Does he disrespect or devalue my beloved sport by his mere existence? No. In fact, I respect Mr. Holloway. I respect anyone willing to go out and do what is necessary to prove themselves as among the very best in the business. I respect any and all veterans like Mr. Holloway. Perhaps Mr. Holloway is one of the few competitors remaining who understands what this sport should be about. Two successful competitors, two athletes valued by MWE, both needing opponents, are facing off at Down Under. It just makes sense for Holloway to go head to head with The British Bombshell.
A smirk forms upon her lovely face.
Glory Braddock:
So Mr. Holloway, knowing that I do respect you, I hope you understand why I will bring the absolute best of The Best in the World to bear upon you. Because I do feel disrespected, not by you but by MWE and by the fact that nothing was prepared for me heading into this event. A living legend like myself should have a bigger spotlight than night one near the early portion of the card. Hell, before I heard who I would be facing, I even considered not showing up. I think you could understand why. Seriously, not only am I on the early card on night one, but we are in Chicago of all places. The longer you stay in this polluted wasteland, a wasteland with a notoriously high crime rate, the more likely you are to die at a young age.
She points a finger at the camera.
Glory Braddock:
Then I saw I was facing you, and I knew that I had a rare opportunity to prove my skills against someone who I know who will definitely bring the fight to me. Thus when I ultimately win I will impress the masses even more. And also being here in Chicago, a city that is severely lacking in championship caliber athletics, I knew I could give this city something that it has not seen and will not see for a very long time, not with the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Bulls in their current state of abysmal mediocrity…
Braddock chuckles.
Glory Braddock:
...I will give them a champion! And to the city of Chicago, you can thank me later. When you do, I will be here to say those two words…
She nods her head with a smug, arrogant grin upon her face.
Glory Braddock:
...you’re welcome.
Singles Match
Glory Braddock VS Josh Holloway
Josh Holloway had been in a bit of losing streak recently, and he would love nothing more than stopping Glory’s Braddock climb to the top of the Riot ranks. As the match started though, it was Glory who seemed to get the early advantage. Feigning some lunges to the Sovereign, the Best In The World tested his response time, easily keeping herself away from his reaction using her greater speed while poking the big man with some stiff kicks to the back of the leg. This tactic was already frustrating Josh, whose strikes became harder but even less accurate, playing right in Braddock’s hand. Sticking to her plan paid out well for Glory as she chopped down the big ole tree, forcing Holloway to his knee. Braddock couldn’t resist at the temptation of kicking his head in the front row with a roundhouse kick, but Josh ducked it and lifted her over his shoulders, falling backwards for an electric chair drop. The pace immediately slowed down now that the canadian was in control, the 6’5’’ shoving the opponent in the corner and proceeded to squash her with a big time splash, pulling out the heavy artillery already and planting the British Bombshell on the top of her head with a rope hung ddt. Josh Holloway was going all the way tonight, fighting what was arguably his best match since coming back to MWE, above everyone’s expectations. Especially Glory’s who wasn’t expecting this kind of opposition from a man whose form in the last few matches could have been defined lackluster to say the least. Tonight, instead, the Sovereign was back in his prime. His power and size advantage came into play now that the pace of the match slowed down, allowing him to control Braddock with a series of suplexes and tosses, wearing her down and calling her to a couple of very close kick outs. namely after a pumphandle neckbreaker and an Ushigoroshi (fireman’s carry neckbreaker). Now in difficulty, Braddock opted for taking a breather, rolling under the bottom rope and pacing at ringside. Not too fond of the interruption, the Sovereign followed her outside and started chasing her around the ring. A mistake, as the quicker opponent easily put enough distance between herself and Josh and slid back inside the ring. By the time he reached her there, she had already bounced off the ropes and was coming at him at full speed with a running knee to the face. The momentum of the match swung back and forth between the two competitors with none of them really able to keep control for long. Braddock was now stringing together a nice flurry of offense, relying, just like early in the match, on quick kicks to create an opening for a neckbreaker. Once again Josh kicked out with authority and pulling himself up with the help of the ropes. Resting now against the corner, Holloway saw Glory charging at him and stopped her run with a boot to the face, Wasting no time, he lifted her in a powerbomb position and took a short run to drop her in the middle of the ring, but the British Bombshell punched her way out of it and hit him with a forearm to the face. Josh answered with one of his own, doing way more damage than she did to him and leaving the 13 time world champion staggered. With an irish whip he sent her against the ropes, launching her high in the air as she came back for a pop up powerbomb. Another counter surprised him, this time the Best In The World able to connect the Glory In Excelsis Deo code breaker. She then began to work the opponent on the ground, her strongest suit. Various choke holds wore the big man down who, not without a struggle, eventually reached the ropes. Glory jumped on his back to wrap her arms around his head in a sleeper hold and it looked like the big mane was about to fade when with one last, desperate attempt, he broke free with a backpack stunner. Glory was down and, apparently out, a chance Josh wasn’t going to pass on. Except she was just playing possum, waiting until he bent forward to pick her up to lock her in Shekhinah Glory, her patented Triangle Choke. And this time, he had no chance but to tap out. WINNER: Glory Braddock BY: Submission (Shekhinah Glory), 11:03 |
Amy Maynard: "Another big win for Glory Braddock. Her climb to the top of the orange brand knows no stopping."
Sir Figgles: "See, Amy.. climbing the ranks is not that hard.. The tricky part is when you go swinging for the throne."
Amy Maynard: "Your obsession with Devin Hearst is quite disturbing... What are you going to do when he, eventually, lose the title?"
Sir Figgles: "Simple. Nothing at all, that's just not going to happen."
Sir Figgles: "See, Amy.. climbing the ranks is not that hard.. The tricky part is when you go swinging for the throne."
Amy Maynard: "Your obsession with Devin Hearst is quite disturbing... What are you going to do when he, eventually, lose the title?"
Sir Figgles: "Simple. Nothing at all, that's just not going to happen."
Backstage at Down Under we see Bobbi Jackson sitting on a nice looking leather couch in her private locker room. Already in her gear she just sits there with an angry look on her face. Her MWE Lockdown Championship laying on the couch next to her as Alexa Cannon does her makeup in the nearby mirror not really aware of Bobbi's current demeanor as she speaks to the seated blonde.
Alexa Cannon:
You are going to go out there and be amazing, as you always do, doll.
Alexa turns, spreading her arms in a presenting pose.
Alexa Cannon:
Tadaa! What do you think? I went with a bit of a stronger pigment.
Bobbi glances over at Alexa and offers a quick nod but its clear she's not really paying attention.
Bobbi Jackson:
Yeah hun, you look great...
The Phoenix responds as she glances away almost as quickly, her mood and focus clearly on her upcoming match later on in the evening.
Alexa furrows her brow. She can read her fiancee well enough to tell something is weighing her mind. She walks on over and reaches down to take Bobbi's hand in hers.
Alexa Cannon:
What's the matter, doll?
Bobbi sighs deeply as her gaze finally meets Alexa's for real. She looks down however and speaks as she looks at the ground.
Bobbi Jackson:
Just fucking Kate Steele. Someone who claims she wants to be my friend, and everyone elses friend. But when the first opportunity to stab someone in the back is provided to her she takes it no questions asked...
The blonde huffs angrily.
Bobbi Jackson:
Pulling my tights to beat me on the last show and now she gets this title shot? I'm going to punish her in the Phoenix Cage tonight. I hate fake people. And Steele is as fake as they come!
Alexa narrows her eyes a bit as she nods her head in agreement.
Alexa Cannon:
At least you KNOW an honest asshole when you see them. I know Steele is in for quite the lesson.
Bobbi Jackson:
I'm just glad I get to face her in the Phoenix Cage before she faces Dominique Frost at Battleground next week. If I decide to leave any of her left after tonight is over, I'm certain she's going to finish her off.
Bobbi grumbles a bit.
Bobbi Jackson:
Normally I would assist in helping people who have to deal with the Court but I won't lift a finger to help her next week. I'm just not in the mood to be kind or sympathetic tonight...
Bobbi reaches over with her free hand and grabs her title laying it over her lap.
Bobbi Jackson:
I just got this title and I'm not ready to giving it up anytime soon. Tonight I make a statement inside the Phoenix Cage. Tonight, the MWE roster finds out what happens when you anger the Phoenix!
Alexa smiles as she leans in to place a kiss on the fired up Phoenix's lips.
Alexa Cannon:
You mess with the Phoenix and you get BURNED.
Bobbi can't help but smirk as she nods her head in agreement.
Bobbi Jackson:
Exactly!
The Phoenix stands up off the couch and flips the title up on her shoulder as she leans slightly against Alexa.
Bobbi Jackson:
Thanks for being here, as always. I'm very lucky to have you.
It was Alexa's turn to smirk this time as she simply responds.
Alexa Cannon:
I know.
Cannon giggles and playfully winks at Bobbi before motioning to the locker room door.
Alexa Cannon:
Are you ready?
Bobbi nods.
Bobbi Jackson:
Absolutely...Let's go!
Bobbi and Alexa walk out of the locker room shutting the door behind them as MWE returns to ringside for the next match.
Tag Team Match
APE (REDD Thunder & Duke Andrews) VS Jetpack
APE entered the ring first this time, thus avoiding any risk of repeating the unpleasant situation that happened this past wednesday when REDD and Duke blindsided the inaugural MWE Tag Team Champion before their match on Millennium. Finally “Stand Up (For The Champions) blared out of the loudspeakers and out came Penny and Jet. Kaplan looked all around the empty arena with a curious look on her face, the loud cheers added by the production team making this all more surreal and awkward, especially for someone like PenPen who always had a great relation with the crowd. It was her partner Jet who shook her out of this impasse. Once the bell toll tho, Kaplan immediately found her focus, locking up with the former Lockdown Champion and trading holds with him for a good couple of minutes. Andrews raised his knee to Penny’s stomach, doubling her over and quickly applying a front facelock, dragging her to his corner where REDD Thunder made the tag. If there were any fans in the Arena they would have been surprised to see the 380 pounder going straight to the top and jumping off with a double axe handle to Kaplan’s back. The Walking Disaster dominated the first part of the match alternating his power moves with some vicious strikes, including a spinning backfist that whipped the young woman a full 360 degrees around before falling flat on her back. The Thunder From Down Under squashed her with a running senton, calling Blanchard to a last minute save. The first ever tag team champions came out at distance,after a first part of the match that saw APE in full and absolute control. After Penelope managed to escape from REDD’s grasp long enough to rush to her corner and make the tag, Jet brought his speed and agility into this match, using it to avoid Redd’s attacks and wear him down with his quick striking combination. Obtaining a two count with a tornado ddt, Blanchard was now on the outer part of the ring, holding onto the ropes ready to take Thunder out with his Oh Good Lord as soon as the big man would get up. And slowly he did, right in front of Jet who jumped on the top rope and used it to dive in with a springboard lariat- REDD caught him in mid air and held him horizontally on his chest, getting the tag from Duke who took a short run to the ropes to drive the sole of his boot to Jet’s head with a running big boot. Redd used the momentum off the kick to spin and slam Wyatt to the mat, letting his partner make the cover while he made sure Kaplan couldn’t interfere. The frantic action made time seem to fly, but we were already fifteen minutes into this contest. And it started to show as both teams looked tired. Headbutt after headbutt, Duke finally found a way out of the enemy corner where he had been trapped for the past three minutes or so and rushed to REDD Thunder who entered the ring and ran through Blanchard, continuing his run to send Penelope off the apron with a right punch. Fresh and well rested, the big man had zero problems in taking back control for his team. keeping both members of Jetpack at bay, knocking down the poor Penny every time she climbed back to the apron. Doing so though, not only he wasted a lot of precious energy, but he took his eyes and focus off Jet. A big mistake, one the former tag champion capitalized on rocking the Walking Disaster with an enziguri and making a quick tag in the corner, taking the big man down with a chop block. Penelope entered the ring with a fast bulldog, a combined move Jetpack calls Bam! and that earned them a two count. Duke was still recovering, on the outside and things weren't looking good for REDD. Unsurprisingly, the rest of APE came out to help their stable mates, with Envy providing the distraction when he tried to enter the ring and Constantine leaping over the barricade and sneaking in from behind to knock down Jet with a loaded punch to the face. Penelope turned around to check on Jet, getting caught by REDD with the Brute Force Algorithm. WINNER: APE BY: Pinfall (Brute Force Algorithm), 17:22 |
Ambra Monroe: "And in a shocking turn of events, APE cheats to win."
Peyton Holland: "I know right? It really makes you wonder how the matches that will see the rest of them involved tomorrow are going to end."
Ambra Monroe: "Something similar to this, probably."
We find ourselves in an undisclosed part of the arena and we can see the likes of Kate Steele walking and she finally stops as a camera ends up directly in her face. She offers a long drawn out sigh as she begins to speak.
Kate Steele:
Hey everyone. In other wrestling companies I am known as Diamond Steele but right here I am Kate Steele. I know the question that is on everybody’s mind. Why did I do what I did to Bobbi Jackson?! Why did I have to use quite an underhanded tactic to pull out a win over her?
Kate chuckles as she paces around with a wicked grin on her lips.
Kate Steele:
So many questions need to be answered and let me just be brutally honest with you all. I love Bobbi Jackson. She is amazing in every single way. I know this is probably not the norm. I should be standing here wish to bury her and everything she stands for but that isn’t the case. I have watched Bobbi come out of retirement and she has been an absolute beast throughout whatever wrestling company she has been a part of. She is everything I aspire to be. I have followed her career throughout the likes of ROB and so on. It has all been amazing.
Kate takes a breather as she speaks some more.
Kate Steele:
To be honest I wouldn’t know much about wrestling if it wasn’t for my best friend Stephanie Sulllivan. She pretty much introduced me to wrestling and got me involved with that of a wrestling school. You have done so much Bobbi. You are the most caring person. You are very trustworthy and you will go out of your way for a friend. I love that about you. However why did I do what I did against you. I guess a part of me missed that spotlight of being the Lockdown champion. It’s a spot I held a very long time ago and I loved every single minute of it. I guess I missed that championship status among everything else and I wanted to do everything to get back there.
Kate sighs again with a sigh.
Kate Steele:
Beating you was a clear way to that but now we have to do it under your rules. I feel like there is still a lot of things we need to overcome especially with what happened between Griffin and I. so I will proudly face my judgment. Maybe I am looking for a trial by fire and once I go through it we can finally leave all of this behind us. Don’t take it personally though I am gunning to win and I am going to do whatever it takes to emerge as a victor. See you soon and best of luck. You definitely will need it.
Night one of Down Under cuts to some pre-recorded footage of Victoria Salinas sitting by a campfire around the Lake Michigan area. The scene is solitary and serene and aside from her camera crew, she’s the only one there completely distant from essentially the outside world at this point. She doesn’t seem to mind this. In fact, she even seems to relish this as the relaxed demeanor on her face would appear to indicate. She takes a small sigh before she begins to express her thoughts.
Victoria Salinas:
I’m not going to lie. On the last Millennium, two great questions were posed. Why didn’t I want a shot to just be handed to me? Why was I feeling like I hadn’t earned it? The first one is easy enough. I’m not the type of person to just accept things being handed to me. I’m from the school of thought where I’d rather earn things through a number one contender’s match instead of just being told that I have a title shot and that’s that. But on the other hand? There are few people… if any… that work harder than I do in this company. I go out there every single week and I go above and beyond. I’m not like other wrestlers in this company that walk in the door and BAM, instant title shot. I’ve been here for a year now, busting my ass… overcoming my doubts… overcoming my career hitting a nadir at one point… overcoming the frustration of being overlooked constantly… overcoming the fear that I’d fall back to old habits. I suppose in that sense, I have earned it. But the other question? Putting things into perspective? Perhaps I am selling myself short. Personally, I wasn’t feeling like I had enough big wins to be ready for this.
Don’t get me wrong, I want this title shot. I want to be MWE World Champion. I want my two year long wait for world title number six to be over. I realize that I was feeling like I hadn’t earned it or had enough big wins to be ready for this not out of a lack of confidence… I believe deep down in my heart that I can beat Chris Constantine Jr…. that feeling was born out of trying a little too hard to be modest. And I realize WHY I’ve been trying so hard to be modest… WHY I’ve held back for so long… it’s because for nearly five years… I’ve allowed other people to silence me…
Victoria takes a reflective pause before looking at the campfire and continuing on.
Victoria Salinas:
Five years ago, I wasn’t just in peak form… I was THE peak… I was in the middle of my third world championship reign… first in GCW… and I was having the time of my life. That company at that point revolved around me. I think I was taking up what? Almost half of the air time? Unfortunately, I was tied to this “revolution” somewhere else that was a massive flop. I aligned with so called “friends”... one who was a total joke and nothing more than a drunk… one who had no passion for this business and the “leader” who never met her main event potential because she had her head up her ass and never grew up… and this company… they gave this “leader”... who I was the closest to… a lot of shit. She deserved it in hindsight, but I publicly stood up for her, on camera.
Next thing I know, one of their biggest stars goes on Twitter and immediately calls me a “nobody”. And it hurt.
Back in GCW, of all the title reigns I’ve had in my career, my third was the most miserable.
All of that criticism… that slander… people wanting to “break my fingers” because I “tweeted too much”... being called a “paper champion”... it got to me.
It fractured my friendship with that “leader”... but in hindsight, that was a good thing.
As the years went on, I became more subdued. I let my wrestling do the talking and it did plenty of it with my fourth and fifth world championships. For the most part, I was modest and tried to treat every opponent with honor. I kept to myself as to not ruffle any feathers. I wanted to avoid that criticism and slander as much as possible. By the time I came here, I had lost every ounce of confidence I had in myself and thank god I’ve gotten it all back since then.
For too long, I let the words of other people matter… when they never did.
But that’s over…
Stupid Duke Andrews and his “I don’t even know who you are” backhanded bullshit acting as if it matters…
Well tomorrow night… he can’t pretend anymore. That goes for anyone out there that thinks that I don’t deserve this.
I will NOT be subdued anymore! I will NOT be overlooked anymore! No matter what happens tomorrow, I’m NOT going to go back to the anonymous darkness I was in… I’m NOT going to go back to obscurity. I’m NOT some stupid, one-off token challenger! Tomorrow is merely the first of many shows that Victoria Salinas is going to be in the main event of. PERIOD! This isn’t some one off. What separates me from people like Sophie and people like Lennox is that I WANT THIS… and not for my reputation… I want this for the people that came up like I did… who at some point in their lives felt hopeless… this is for them. I want to help them realize dreams that people tell them are impossible! That’s my greater purpose in this.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to put APE in its place even if I’m doing this alone… even if I’m one of the few on this roster that gives a crap about ensuring that they don’t exist anymore.
I’m not here to be famous… I’m here to do what’s right… and what’s right is to do what I’ve done before and that’s making the lives of my enemies a living hell and making sure that they know exactly who the fuck I am…
Well allow me to introduce myself then…
I’m Victoria Salinas…
And the bitch is back…
Victoria maintains her confidence as she watches the campfire burn. Her eyes are telling the story though, indicating her desire for APE to do the same thing. Tomorrow night, she could definitely go a long way to making that desire a reality.
Lockdown Championship Match
Bobbi's rule: Phoenix Cage
Bobbi Jackson (c) VS Kate Steele
Kate Steele shocked the world last wednesday when she scored a surprising win against Bobbi Jackson, earning herself this shot at becoming the first two time Lockdown Champion. In order to do so, she must survive the Phoenix Cage, the custom red steel structure that was now being lowered, locking her and the champion in it. The champion looked more focused and determined to avoid the mistakes she possibly made last week and that costed her the match, attacking the challenger right off the gate with some forearms to the face, scooping her up for a powerslam and following with a leg drop right after. Instinctively Kate tried to roll out of the ring, finding the wall of the cage to block her. She used it to pick herself up, immediately rolling out of the way to dodge the overzealous champion’s running big boot. The impact against the red cage sent shocks of pain down Jackson’s leg, and this detail didn’t go unnoticed by Steele who took the leg out with a low dropkick, stomping that right knee several times and eventually applying a leg lock from which the Rising Phoenix quickly escaped. Both competitors made good use of the environment, using the cage to inflict damage to the opponent, whether it was launching Kate against it with a catapult like Bobbi did or driving the champions face against it with a low dropkick when Bobbi was pulling herself up after a tiger suplex. The two competitors kept going back and forth in an exchange of stiff blows, and it was Steele who got the upper hand thanks to a knee to the stomach. She followed with some punches that pushed Bobbi a few steps back, going now for a spinning heel kick. The champion was quick to duck it and even more quick to stand back up and floor the opponent with a superkick, rushing into a cover to get only a two count. The Rising Phoenix rushed to the cover but all she could get out of it was another two count. By the end of the match Kate Steele came really close to score another upset when she connected the Punk Driver, pinning Bobbi right in the middle of the ring. It was so close that she looked desperate when the referee confirmed her that it was only a two, pulling at her hair and screaming. And that kind of desperation is a wrestler worst enemy, as it leads to mistakes, like the one Kate made when she climbed to the top of the cage and jumped off to land with her leg across Bobbi’s neck and chest. Except there was nobody home, as the champion already rolled out of her way and was back on her feet, kicking the proverbial crap out of the Siren with a flurry of hard kicks to the chest. And from that moment on, it was all Bobbi. The Lockdown Champion broke down whatever resistance was left in Kate with death valley drivers and spears. Somehow the Siren kicked out from it, slowly rising back to her feet. Jackson was there, ready to double her over with a kick to the stomach and plant her on her head with the Phoenix Landing to successfully retain the title for the second time. WINNER: Bobbi Jackson (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Phoenix Landing), 11:41 |
Sir Figgles: "Hold on a second... These two are not on Riot, why the hell did we call their match?"
Amy Maynard: "Because that's how we always did it, one match each. Wait.. Did you just realize that this was a Millennium match?"
Sir Figgles: "You think it's easy to call the matches in a hazmat suit? This bitch fogs up when I breathe..."
Amy Maynard: "Lord help me..."
The scene opens in the luxury box of the Enterprise Arena. Pierce Manning, already in his wrestling gear, is sitting down on a black leather couch, his bare feet propped up on a small table. His feet are not left unattended, Jarad Constable can be seen massaging them while Pierce holds a glass of wine in his hand.
Pierce Manning:
Brien Storm, you are under the perception I need to steer clear of your business. Normally your business wouldn’t concern me. In this instance you are wrong about whose business is whose. When it comes to anything involving Jenni Anderson that is my business. More our business. The Establishment business. Not my fault you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Fate works out like that. Not that it matters, I want it to be known, I don’t have an issue with you. Costing you the chance to become Intercontinental Champion wasn’t personal at all. Either Jenni or me should be in the finals right now. Can’t do anything about that. No matter how much we push to get the result of her Big in Japan match altered to a DQ, Golden Era did strike Jenni first, MWE refuses to rectify its mistake. But what I can control Brien is avenging the loss I suffered to you in Osaka.
Pierce takes a sip from his glass.
Pierce Manning:
I planned to anyway. The facts are, Henri Black did play a role in your victory. He knocked Jenni out with the Black Sacrament, clearly I was distracted. What if Henri assaulted --without cause-- the person you care about? The last thing you would be thinking about in the closing moments of a match is finishing off your opponent. My head wasn’t one hundred percent in the game. As you can see Brien, I won’t have that problem tonight, Henri won’t be around to save you, he has Glory’s goons to contend with. Echo doesn’t seem like the type of women to attack loved ones. No one is coming for my head, there will be no distractions getting in my way of showing once and for all who the better man is.
Jarad is done massaging Pierce’s feet. He transitions to slipping Pierce’s wrestling boots on him. Pierce finishes off his glass of wine. He tosses the wine glass off screen not caring about what it will cost to place it.
Pierce Manning:
I am not one to hide how much money I have. I’ll brag on my mansions. The lizard shoes I wear. How I could buy MWE and still have a surplus of money left in the bank. Tonight on Down Under I keep it simple. Down Under is about a loss avenged, moving on from you to become a champion in MWE. The Establishment reigning supreme on both nights. Be prepared to learn your place in the grand design...
... below me.
Pierce winks. With his wrestling boots on, Pierce stands up. He walks off camera. Jared follows him as the scene fades to black.
Quarantine meant that Brien Storm had plenty of time to contemplate the way in which his exit from the MWE Intercontinental Tournament took place. It wasn’t a frantic contemplation, but more of a stoic one. There he sat in his L.A. studio apartment, gathering his thoughts on the matter. Preparing to record a message on a camera directly in front. Some final words of wisdom to Pierce Manning. He lights a cigarette and presses record
Brien Storm:
It’s quite unfortunate that it’s come to this Pierce. Despite what I might’ve said in Osaka about you, you’ve clearly got a fire in you that I’d be so bold as to compare to a younger me. You almost got the look and the swagger, and you’re no slouch in the ring much to my surprise. You got an inherent problem though. When you look at me, I’m one man. No smoke and mirrors. I don’t need someone in my ear whispering sweet bullshite. You’re a follower, Pierce.
Brien let’s those last four words sit there for a moment whilst taking a drag.
Brien Storm:
That leads me to your actions in my match with the forever nauseating Jenni Anderson. A match she was destined to lose, same as you in the match in Osaka. You see I have no respect for losers like her, and I have even less respect for the idiotic dickheads who help ‘em. On top of that you have the stakes of the match. For me a chance to rebound from a disappointing championship loss, and you ripped that from my hands. And for what? What do you get out of it, Pierce? Cucked? I believe you’ve claimed that Jenni is helping you become a better man or Manning or whatever stupid shit you say. Let me tell you what she’s done for you. She put you right in the crosshairs of your Favourite Worst Nightmare. You seem to remember our match in Osaka quite a bit Pierce, so do me a favour mate. Remember the amount of pain you went through when I contorted your joints with a surgical precision. Think about it, go ahead I’ll give you a moment… Now imagine that 10 times worse.
His voice slows giving each word its own bite and space.
Brien Storm:
That’s the kind of shite you’ll endure. So you don’t stick your nose in my business. When you’re crying and thrashing. I will look in your eyes and tell you not to stick your nose in my business.
Quickly his voice reverts to his smooth Sheffield draw.
Brien Storm:
Normally I’m not sadistic, but I’ll have a reyt grin whilst kicking your ass. It won’t be quick, but it’ll be fun. Dust’ll be settled and your ass will be sent back down to the bottom of the card with your loser of a manager, and I’ll be on my way. Everyone that matters is happy.
Singles Match
Pierce Manning VS Brien Storm
No love lost between Manning and Storm and it all goes down to the Brisbane Riot episode when Manning costed the Favorite Worst Nightmare his match against Jenni Anderson in the second turn of the Intercontinental Championship tournament. Storm tried to tie up with the opponent to start the match but the slight size advantage allowed Pierce to outpower him and push the captain back against the ropes. The referee asked for the break and Manning immediately let Brien go, smiling cockily before sneaking in a sudden slap to the face. Brien kept his cool, not letting this mind games get to his head and smiling at his opponent while the referee was pushing Manning back to share a few words with him, Storm charged at the opponent and ducked the clothesline, moving behind Pierce to apply a waistlock. The member of The Establishment quickly reached the ropes and asked for the break. As soon as Storm let him go, an elbow to the jaw rocked the Captain, catching him right on the jaw. Twice Manning caught his opponent off guard with those cheap shot, a valid reason to justify the big smile he flashed to the camera before turning around to face Brien Storm who leaped in the air and extended both feet toward Pierce’s face, pushing him through the ropes with a standing dropkick. Halfway through the match, the time for mind games was over. The two men were trading blows in the middle of the ring, both of them not shying away from taking shortcuts in order to get the upper hand. If Storm went for the opponent’s eyes, blinding him momentarily to stop his flurry of offense and plant him with a reverse STO to obtain a two count, Manning more subtly used the distraction from Jared to hit The Captain with a low blow and connect a snap suplex followed by a knee drop and a lateral press, obtaining another near fall. The Man(ning) was now in control, building some momentum with a series of suplexes, namely german, butterfly and dragon variations. But it was the Hangman’s neckbreaker that gave him the nearest of falls, with Brien barely raising the shoulder in time. Desperately needing to find an opening and turn things around, Brien capitalized on the first (and could well have been the last) chance he got, slipping away from the TBTM attempt and push Pierce against the corner, catching him in an high angle snap german suplex that painfully dropped Manning on his neck. Storm kept targeting the neck with little to no regard to Pierce well being. Through his assistant, the member of the Establishment kept asking for a time break, lamenting a stinging pain to the neck. Neither the referee nor Brien believed his words, taking them as the umpteenth attempt to pull one of the many tricks. Holding him in a fireman’s carry position, Storm dropped him head first on his neck but neither this was enough to keep Manning down, although it did more damage to the neck. Storm wasted no time and went for a crossface, looking to get a submission win and only the closeness to the ropes saved Pierce in this case. Brien slowed the pace, holding now his opponent in a cravate and flipping him over to a seated position, swinging his leg for a hard kick to the back of the head dodged by Manning who went for a quick roll up, grabbing a hold of his tights and even using the ropes for more leverage to keep him down for the three count. The attentive referee spotted the misconduct and interrupted the count, once again giving a stern warning to Manning. Constable took the chance to climb on the apron and hit Storm with a punch to the back of the head, right when the referee turned around, drawn by the noises. The obvious consequence was for him to call the DQ and award the win to Brien. WINNER: Brien Storm BY: DQ, 10:18 |
Peyton Holland: "I know I probably shouldn't say this, but if you have to cheat, be smart about it."
Ambra Monroe: "Yeah, Jared could have done much better than this. And Pierce doesn't seem too happy.."
Manning is still yelling at Jared, guilty of costing him the match. Then, in the blink of an eye, he spins around and floors Storm with a discus lariat, picking him up and delivering a TBTM before leaving the ring. Constable trota next to him, getting slapped to the back of the head for the clumsy attempt to help Pierce that backfired spectacularly.
The scene cuts backstage as the MWE World Champion, Chris Constantine Junior, sits next to his wife in a press box in the Enterprise Arena. Dressed in a custom made suit, Constantine has the MWE Title on his lap as he and his wife look down at the ring. Constantine isn’t impressed as he seems bored out of his mind.
Chris Constantine Junior:
Night one has been a major disappointment. A bunch of matches that no one gives a damn about. The only good matches have been Redd and Duke in that Tag Match and the Brien Storm match was entertaining. Everything else has been the drizzling shits. Only thing that will save this night is if Hearst loses.
Grabbing a nearby glass cup of a brown substance, Constantine takes a sip of it as his mind wanders all over the place.
Chris Constantine Junior:
Big things are happening Olivia. Big, big things. It’s going to take time though and time is something we don’t have much of. We play it smart though and MWE will be under my thumb for years to come.
Olivia gives a smile as she leans over and lays her head on Chris’s shoulder. Chris continues to stare a hole into the ring as he takes another sip of his glass as the scene ends.
The scene opens backstage in a locker room. Kyle Butler is sitting down on a steel folding chair. Neil Newman is standing behind him.
Kyle Butler:
For those living under a rock this is how we got here.
On the last episode of Riot, you Helena Noir had the nerve to call Glory, Neil and myself self entitled? Ha. Throwing stones aren’t we? In case you forgot WE are not the ones who started this. You did.”
Kyle points to the camera.
Kyle Butler:
Over a month ago Glory beat your boy Henri. I slightly remember Henri tossing a threat or two in our direction. We could have taken offense to that. Stormed down the ring. Issue a beat down. Neil and I didn’t. Helena, you chose to strike first. You decided to pick a fight with us, not the other way around. We could have been bitter assholes, attack Henri during his falls count anywhere gauntlet match. Did we show up? No. No beef on our end. Helena, YOU choose to overstep your bounds by costing us a match against Jetpack, then two weeks later cast us as the bad guys in this situation? The world doesn’t work that way toots. Right bud?
Neil shakes his head.
Kyle Butler:
To make matters worse after you and Henri showed beyond a shadow of a reasonable doubt you couldn’t OUT WRESTLE US, Elsa McCarty showed how much of an “Enemy of Wrestling” she truly is by making us fight again in a No Disqualification Tornado Tag Team match. I would love to know what the plans she had for me and Neil. She gave you what you wanted Helena. What about us? Where is our rematch for the tag team titles. I’ll say it one more time Elsa. Me and Neil weren’t pinned at Big In Japan, that Valentine’s Day Gauntlet was set up to screw over me, Neil, Jessica and Summer. But you give the girl who started this whole mess what she wants? You handed The Brothers McMillion... who couldn’t beat us in a one on one match what they wanted! WHAT ABOUT WHAT GOLDEN ERA WANTS?!
Kyle takes a deep breath. Neil massages his shoulders hoping to calm his friend down.
Kyle Butler:
I’m angry. Neil is angry. Any real fan of wrestling is angry. WE are not going to use our anger to draw blood. By the power vested in me, with God and the entire city of Chicago as witnesses, the Golden Era will not use a weapon. We will not use a steel chair to strike in furious vengeance. We will not use a kendo stick to choke you out Helena. We will not use a steel chain to whip you. We are the last real gentlemen in professional wrestling. We have every justification to compromise you like CM was compromised heading into Big In Japan against us and BreeTee. We are not savages. We are an inspiration to the next generation who is in need of role models more than ever before. That doesn’t make us morally superior, just means we are doing the Lord’s work. We are angels in the flesh shining a light on what professional wrestling should be while people like you and Henri are enemies of it. Dang right, The Revenants are Enemies of Wrestling. You chose to stand against us. You pay for that mistake. See you out there.
Kyle storms off. Neil gives the throat slash signal then walks off as the scene fades to black.
No DQ Tornado Tag Team Match
Golden Era VS The Revenants
If Golden Era promised they won’t use any weapon as that would be against their idea of “pure wrestling”, the Revenants instead came prepared. Helena was wielding the ever versatile steel chair, while Henri Black was carrying a kendo stick. No disqualifications, no tags needed and one fall to a finish. All the ingredients for an exciting match that started with Helena throwing the chair Kyle who caught it and got dropkicked through it. Henri instead swung the kendo stick in Neil’s mid-section doubling him over and positioning himself next to the Golden Era member, hooking the kendo stick around his neck and falling back with s russian legsweep. Their oath to fight without using any weapon didn’t stop them from taking advantage of the situations and the environment, so when Noir dropped the chair after a kick to the stomach received by Butler, the member of the Golden Era was quick to drop the tattooed woman on her head with a ddt on top of the chair, rushing to rescue his partner who was on his hand and knees getting his back caned by the Blackstar. A clothesline to the back saved Newman from further punishment, giving him the chance to take a breather on the outside. Kyle picked up the kendo stick and broke it on his knee, throwing the two halves on the outside and completed his cleanup of the ring by kicking out the chair and Helena restoring a one on one situation. He whipped Henri in the corner and hit him with a running european uppercut. Black was still a bit dazed when Kyle lifted him in a stalling vertical suplex, dropping him down only several seconds later. By that time, Newman was back in the ring and ready to drop his elbow on Henri’s chest, making a quick cover to obtain the first near fall of the match. The orderly style of the Golden Era, their stubborness to stick to the rules despite the match itself stated there were none was in clear contrast with the organized chaos the Revenants were bringing. If Kyle and Neal’s game plan was to isolate one opponent and exploit the numbers game advantage with their combined moves, coming extremely close to the three with a wheelbarrow facebuster/neckbreaker combo on Helena that required a last minute save from Black, the Revenants showed less chemistry, but make up for that with unpredictability and a creative usage of weapons. Helena just got rid of Kyle with a kick to the groin and, instead of helping Henri who was being assaulted in the corner by Newman with a series of shoulder tackles to the mid section, the swedish born went on the outside to retrieve another steel chair, sticking it in the corner between the top and middle rope, not before slamming it on Butler’s back while he was slowly trying to get back to his feet. Then the last Liberty Champion charged to the opposite corner with a jumping knee to the back of Newman’s head. The Revenants then grabbed one of his arms each and whipped him in the opposite corner, head first against the chair. A nod between them and Henri went to take care of Neil, returning the courtesy with several kicks to the chest while Helena removed the protective pad in the corner and slammed Butler’s face against it for a total of four times. Again, Helena and Henri exchanged a quick look and decided to reunite the Golden Era in the middle of the ring by whipping one against the other. Things didn’t go as planned as Newman and Butler countered the irish whips, but, showing extraordinary quick reflexes, the two Revenants avoided the impact and continued their run toward the opponents. Dalecarlian Horse on Neil, Black Sacrament on Kyle and double pinfall. A double disappointment as well as both members of the Golden Era kicked out in two. The tides had once again turned and Golden Era was double teaming Helena.The turnbuckle was still exposed, a temptation Newman couldn’’t pass on sending the Last Liberty champion against it with a german suplex. Butler sent Black out of the ring with a clothesline, once again creating a two on one situation him and his partner exploited to the fullest, wearing down Helena with their striking combinations before connecting the End Of An Era. Only a timely intervention from Henri saved the match for the Revenants. The fight went on and the ring wasn’t enough to contain it. Newman and Noir were fighting on the outside, with Neil clutching his left arm after Helena sent him shoulder first against the ring post. The Millennium superstar charged at him, eating an elbow to the face that stopped her momentum. A trickle of blood gushed out of her nose, but it soon became the last of her problems as Newman turned her inside out with a lariat and scooped her up, delivering a powerslam on the steel steps. He began to stomp her to the floor but immediately stopped when he heard the unmistakable sound of a table breaking in half, followed by a loud grunt of pain from his partner who was just driven through said table by Henri’s powerbomb. Black made the cover through the table’s debris, but right before the three an elbow drop to the lower back from Neil frustrated his pinfall attempt. They were the only one who seemed able to fight, and their strikes seemed to be losing some heat, slower and weaker in this exchange than they used to be. With a sudden headbutt Newman created some separation and stunned the australian. It was the perfect opportunity to debut his End Game Evolution, the standing arm triangle choke to submit Henri. And he probably would have accomplished it if Helena didn’t strike from behind with a punch to the back of the head, her fist wrapped in a steel chain. Catching his breath, Henri couldn’t help but smiling as he saw what Helena was doing. The last Liberty Champion dragged, with some difficulty, Neil to the corner and chained him there, making sure he could no longer interfere. Newman kicked the air and screamed trying to get his partner’s attention as Kyle found himself in the most dangerous spot in the world. Right in the middle of the ring, with Henri and Helena ready to knock him out with a combination of their two finishers. This time it was Henri calling his sister in arms attention, forcing Helena to turn around into a superkick from the Best In The World Glory Braddock. Black didn’t appreciate the interference and changed the target of his Black Sacrament, taking out the British Bombshell. Doing so, he took his eyes off his opponent who had enough time to stand back to his feet and connect the Roooooooooollll TIDE!! on the Blackstar, obtaining the win for his team and keeping their promise of fighting the match without using any weapon. WINNER: Golden Era BY: Pinfall (Roooooooollll TIDE!!), 19:47 |
Sir Figgles: "ROOOOOOOLLLL TIDEEEEEEEEEEE"
Amy Maynard: "I didn't take you for a Golden Era fan, Figgles."
Sir Figgles: "I'm not, I just like to yell."
Amy Maynard: "Yeah, we know that."
The scene opens up showing Joey Leclair sitting at a table in the setting of a bar taking a sip of his drink, before noticing the camera.
Joey Leclair:
Kenzie Garrett I am an honest man therefore when I say something you better listen, because even though I am an asshole? I have no intention of lying to anyone ever.
Joey grabs his drink, and takes another sip.
Joey Leclair:
Your good Kenzie in fact you are as good as they come, and I will not take that away from you. I mean after all you earned my respect which is hard to do, but make no mistake about it Kenzie! Beating me in a triple threat, and beating me in a elimination chamber match are completely different from facing me one on one, because there will be no distractions, and no bullshit so don’t get confident, don’t get comfortable just because you think you have my number, because you don’t, and don’t take it to hard, because no one truly ever has my number, I mean look at Helena Noir… she thought she had my number at Big in Japan, but she was stricken with emotions, and that allowed mistakes that I capitalized on, and reminded Helena why I am a prodigy of this business.
Joey smirks as he takes another sip of his drink.
Joey Leclair:
So listen well Kenzie when I tell you to bring out your darker shaded make up, and your black tank top, and jeans, because you better take this serious and personal, because why we have no true bad blood? Once you step inside the ring with me one on one, and I land the first blow on you? You will know just why they call me a very dangerous man, and when I stay one step ahead of you the entire match? You will know just why I am the smartest performer you have ever faced. It’s going to be a long bloody night Kenzie, this will be no short match, and I admit it will be a tough match for me, but it will be even tougher for you, and the audience, because they are going to have to listen to your crys begging me to stop as I brutalize you, and leave you in the worst shape of your career, but you can avoid all this if you just come down to the ring, and hand me the Chicago Way Championship, because their is no shame in wanting to protect your career.
Joey laughs as he takes the final sip of his drink.
Joey Leclair:
But I know you, you are just as passionate about this business as I am, and so you will not run, and that is what I respect about you Kenzie, but you have to promise me that when the match is over, and I am sitting ontop of a ladder with the Chicago Way Championship across my shoulder while your laying on your back a broken person laying in a puddle of her own blood being treated by medical personal, and lifted onto a stretcher? You have to promise me that you will have no bad blood towards me, because I warned you that all this would happen before you stepped inside this ring with me, and when your finally conscience, and healthy? You better tell all your friends to stay away from me, because I am on a whole different level then anyone else in this entire roster.
Joey stands up, and flips the table forward.
Joey Leclair:
I am the Death Dealer, and Kenzie Garrett tonight you will not survive!.
Joey steps over the downed table, and walks passed the camera man, and as the scene fades out you can hear Joey say one last thing.
Joey Leclair:
After tonight this entire roster will fear me.
Chicago Way Championship Match
TLC Match
Kenzie Garrett (c) VS Joey Leclair
Perhaps a bit tame compared to the last matches involving the Chicago Way Championship, the first defense for Kenzie Garrett started uphill with Joey leveling her before the match even started with a big boot to the face. The Death Dealer brought the same aggression he has been showing for weeks into this match tonight, the desire not only to take the title from the Soulknife, but to avenge the loss suffered against Garrett back at the Red Line event. AS he picked her up, he drove a few knees to her face before sending her against the ropes and tossing her in the air with a high back body drop. The landing was less than comfortable for the Chicago Way champion who immediately arched her back in pain. Joey was already outside the ring, looking to take full advantage of the rules, or the lack of. He positioned Kenzie so that her head was resting on the apron and dropped a nasty elbow to her neck. Garrett started squirming and coughing, holding her throat and cursing under her breath. But the worst was yet to come for her, as the challenger now pulled a chair from under the ring and placed it on her face, climbing on the apron and landing with his leg onto the chair for a nasty guillotine legdrop. Since the stipulation required to retrieve the title hanging over the ring, Joey brought inside the ring the first ladder and started to climb. Needless to say he didn’t go too far, courtesy of a chair shot to the back from the champ. Why just use the ladder to climb to the top, when you can knock down your opponent with it? That must have been Kenzie’s line of reasoning when she exploited the separation she had just created to use the ladder as a battering ram to floor Leclair. Far from done, the Chicago Way champion rolled Joey’s body over the ladder she just laid on the floor and climbed to the top. A brief moment to perhaps second guess her choice and she leaped, twisting in air to land a 450 splash. On the ladder, as Joey moved out of the way. As if the impact chest first on the steel steps wasn’t painful enough, Leclair thought he could add more to it, picking up the agonizing Kenzie and lifting her in a powerbomb position, dropping her this time back first onto it. More pain was in store for the champion, tonight Joey was hell bent on living up his Death Dealer moniker throwing some more furniture inside the ring, namely a table and four ladder. He unfolded the table in the middle of the ring, but wasn’t setting it up for a dinner with friends positioning it over the pile of chairs with the clear intention to powerbomb Kenzie through it. He almost managed to, but the champion desperately fought back with punches to the head and broke free, finding herself inches away from the table. She pushed it down, flipping it over and uncovering the pile of chairs underneath. They were only waiting to have Leclair dropped onto them, and she kindly obliged, planting the Death Dealer with a snap ddt. Perhaps thinking it was bad luck, Joey ignored the table he brought in before, leaving it laying unutilized and intact near the corner. He set up a second one instead, outside the ring. You never know it may come handy.. Collecting another chair from the floor, the other two were pretty much useless scraps after being used several times by both of them, he headed back in the ring, slamming it twice across the back of Kenzie, frustrating her attempts to get back on her feet. She started crawling to the ropes, needing them to help herself up. Joey simply walked behind her, that twisted grin of someone who’s in full control and already has his next move planned on his face. He let her get up to a vertical basis only to hit her with another chair shot , aiming at her skull with all the strength he was capable of. The blow opened up Kenzie’s head, blood starting to pour out of the wound like a fountain. Garrett was down, Leclair had the first, great opportunity to try retrieve the title. He needed a ladder though to do that, and none was in the ring. Just when Joey was about to leave the ring to grab one, he noticed the champion slowly rising to her feet on the apron. And the table he had set up was right behind her. The chance of putting her through it with a Death Dealer elbow was too good to pass on and he went for his spinning elbow smash. Miraculously, Kenzie ducked it and bending drove her shoulder through the ropes and into Leclair’s mid section. She went for a springboard move, but a punch to the jaw caught her while she was trying to jump to the top rope. The fact that she was holding onto the ropes saved her from a ruinous fall on the table, but she was still in a precarious spot. And Joey was already charging at her ready to dive through the ropes and taking her down. Once again her quickness and readiness allowed her to save herself, jumping on the middle rope an instant before Leclair dove. The challenger couldn’t stop himself, flying through Garrett’s legs and barely missing the table. The landing on the concrete floor wasn’t painless, but still better than what he just avoided. Thanking his Gods, Joey picked himself up. That was just what Kenzie was waiting for to perform a reckless Asai Moonsault, flying over the table and landing on Joey. The surprises weren’t over though, the former Progress superstar collected all his strength and caught the flying Soulknife in mid air, adjusting her in a powerbomb position and taking a short run toward the table. Garrett at the last second countered it with a hurricanrana and Joey ended up face first against the table. With some difficulty, she lifted and rested him onto it, climbing on the barricade and after a short run to gain some speed and momentum, leaped for a running senton, finally breaking the table in half. For several moments none of them moved. Then Kenzie slowly started to stir up, grabbing the apron to stand up on her feet. After moving her blood-caked black hair from her eyes, the Chicago Way champion spotted the ladder not too far away from her. She was exhausted, weakened by a battle that dragged on for almost sixteen minutes now. That ladder was much heavier than it looked, but she still pushed it inside the ring and set her up right under the Chicago Way Championship. Her world title, as she calls it. The ascent was slow, and this gave Leclair a chance to join her and try to stop her from retrieving the title. The two were now fighting at height, not the first time it happened in this match. And just like before, Joey’s greater brawling skills allowed him to knock Kenzie off the ladder. It was another nasty fall for the Soulknife, but she kept a cool head and quickly kicked the base of the ladder, a moment before Joey could get a hold of the title. He literally caressed it with his fingertips, the closest he could get to become the new champion right before the fall. To make things worse for him, his fall ended on the forgotten table, the first one he brought inside the ring early in the match. Garrett was in a world of pain, but she pushed through it, picking up the ladder and starting the world’s slowest climb. Nonetheless she reached the top, unhooking the title and bringing it close to her chest as she sat on top of the ladder. As she heard the fans roaring, she raised it in the air, too exhausted and emotional to realize that there was no crowd and those cheers were just a recorded effect. WINNER: Kenzie Garrett (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Title Retrieval , 18:33 |
Peyton Holland: "Looks like you were right, Ambra."
Ambra Monroe: "Never underestimate the heart and determination of Garrett. We saw her coming back from impossible situations in her rivalry with Hammerstein."
Peyton Holland: "That much is true. Not to mention her performance at Red Line. What does this loss mean to Joey Leclair?"
Peyton Holland: "I don't think it chages much. Kenzie might have found a way to win tonight, but he has proven his worth. I don't think it's over between these two."
Ambra Monroe: "Never underestimate the heart and determination of Garrett. We saw her coming back from impossible situations in her rivalry with Hammerstein."
Peyton Holland: "That much is true. Not to mention her performance at Red Line. What does this loss mean to Joey Leclair?"
Peyton Holland: "I don't think it chages much. Kenzie might have found a way to win tonight, but he has proven his worth. I don't think it's over between these two."
The camera cuts to grainy cell phone footage of Raymond Reznik leaning back against a wall, the words "RECORDED LAST NIGHT" overlayed in the bottom right corner briefly while the light of a nearby hotel lamp provides the ambient, orange haze soaking the screen. The man himself is see wearing both a gray sleeveless shirt and a smirk as he stares at his phone.
Raymond Reznik:
Hi. You may not be glad to see me but I'm definitely glad to be here speaking to you, because I have a lot to talk about. As you all know, the Australia tour had to be cut short and the big pay-per-view is now here in chilly Chicago. I just got here and came up to my room and honestly? I'd rather feel the cold here than in Australian winter. The world is changing before our very eyes and the only thing that people can be sure about is that nothing is for sure. Everything is either shutting down for the forseeable future or struggling to continue in the face of adversity with as few people as possible to stop the spread of a virus that just a few months ago, was ignored as "just a cold" and then as a "hoax" by the Criminal-in-Chief who allegedly leads this country.
He turns away to smile, trying not to laugh as his head shakes at the absurdity of the situation.
Raymond Reznik:
We'd be better off with APE running the United States but I digress. For something so innocuous and allegedly harmless, it sure has swept a path across the world and killed millions, huh? Oh, I'm not saying this to take you out of your distracting little entertainment show. How could I possibly do such a thing? No, I'm telling you this because the fact is, nobody knows where this thing came from, everybody treats it as harmless until it takes somebody they care about and then, it suddenly becomes so dangerous that measures are being put in place to prevent or to outright battle it until they finally discover the solution that puts an end to the devastation once and for all. Remind you of anyone?
A wide-eyed, almost sarcastic stare to the camera ensures that even Raymond knows what people may be thinking as they watch. A hand rubs from his temples to his chin.
Raymond Reznik:
Yeah, they say not to touch your face but after this Saturday night, people will be more concerned with the aftermath of my hands touching another person's face. But we'll get to that shortly. You see, just like a certain virus, nobody in MWE knew where I came from and honestly, nobody seemed to care. Even when I took Hammerstein to his limit, people didn't care all that much about the brutality on display. All they saw was the Chicago Way champion retaining in a hard-fought contest. At The Red Line, Kenzie Garrett managed to survive just long enough to take advantage and win her shot at any championship she desired by pinning me last when it came down to the two of us. Here's where I take issue. Fans have been trained to only care about those with championship belts and even if they scrape by, the challenger who took the fight to them might as well not exist. Right? Just like how they're trained to only give a shit about "feel-good moments", like Kenzie overcoming a dangerous tournament and multiple dangerous opponents to rise up and get her chance in the sun. Nobody gives a fuck about the people who were there to fight just as hard.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to whine and complain, or to make excuses. I'll leave all of that to Pierce Manning, since he's a very adept expert in those things. What I'm saying is that just like Covid-19's early life, nobody took me as serously as they perhaps ought to have beenn doing. That's fine. I'm not a champion, nor do I have a feel-good story in the making. While everybody else focused themselves on tournaments and having their names etched onto gold plates, I was doing what I do best; fight. No matter who or when, I've been quietly building my reputation here as a tough fighter who doesn't back away from a challenge. Pretty soon, everyone will realize just how dangerous I can truly be when I have to be. Not for glory but for the sheer hell of it, and the challenge. Although, there are definitely some people who need to be put down for good.
A quick glance to his side distracts Raymond momentarily but his gaze becomes once more fixed at the camera filming him.
Raymond Reznik:
Which brings me to the first night of Down Under, now - as you know by now - taking place in Chicago. I can be a patient man and bide my time but there's a limit before my patience starts to wear a little thin. I told you before, Luna, didn't I? I had unfinished business with you and just like everybody else, you dismissed it as the same kind of empty words you hear from a lot of other people in this industry. Now, do I look like the type of guy who would make empty threats?
A sarcastic expression washes over his face while Reznik allows Luna and others a chance to figure it out before he can answer that rhetorical question.
Raymond Reznik:
Did you really think that I'd let things rest the last time we were in the ring? No no no, Luna. It ends when I say it ends. You can become the Millenium champion and I'll be right there to lift you onto my shoulder in celebration, reminding you that I'm still here and still breathing, ready to fight. I'll even volunteer to induct you into the MWE Hall of Fame so that I can look you in the eye in front of the world and tell you that I'll fight you right there and then. Why? Because in both cases, you'll never be able to avoid the inevitable. I might decide that Down Under isn't the end of our business. I hope you're listening, Kenzie, because this goes for you as well.
Ignore me at your peril, Luna. I can be very...unpleasant to be around, especially when I become impatient or feel like I'm being ignored or disrespected. It took MWE management to persuade you to take this match because they were worried about what I might do if you continued to ignore our unfinished business. Now, I could have chosen to make you fight me this Saturday at Down Under night one inside a steel cage, locked inside with what some have called a "dangerous animal". Instead, I've given you a simpler task. Luna, we'll be competing in a Lights Out match and what that means is that we will do what we do best inside the ring until one of us is rendered unconscious. That's it. Try to knock me out cold, Luna. I dare you. All I have to do is slide my arm around your throat like an anaconda and squeeze while you splutter and gurgle until that last, gentle breath leaves your body to signify that the "Star of the Night" has been snuffed out, leaving just an empty, black space in the sky where she once existed. A Dark Fate will befall you, Luna. Just make sure you're properly dressed and ready for the occasion because it'll be a memorable night, even if you're the only one waking up on Sunday morning with no idea what happened between the moment my forearm slid across your trachea and the moment you open your eyes to the dawning of the new chapter of your life that begins with people talking in hushed tones about the night Luna was put under in the real main event of night one and was never the same again.
And that, Kenzie Garrett, will be the true Chicago way. I'm not done with you, either. Lights out, Luna.
With that, Raymond grins before reaching and, with a click, turning off the bedside lamp to leave the screen in nothing but darkness.
Riot Championship Match
Triple Threat
Devin Hearst (c) VS Heath Williams VS Kelsey Spencer
Kelsey and Heath were already in the ring, glaring at one another. The history between them was well documented, the War Games match not only didn’t placate their hatred, but it wasn’t the final chapter of their rivalry either, as destiny once again put them on a collision path, this time with the orange brand’s top title on the line. And finally here he came, the longest Riot Champion in history, one of the founding members of the legendary Dogs Of War group. With no fans to taunt, The Florida Shuffle quickly made his way to the ring, cockily raising the title in the face of both Heath and Kelsey. Amy Maynard: “I believe that, aside from all jokes and the mind games played on social media, Hearst know that this will be his biggest and hardest defense up to date.” Sir Figgles: “You don’t stay champion for 148 days by underestimating your opponents, Amy. Especially if their name is Heath WIlliams. For months the Hardcore Hero has dominated the competition here in Riot.” The bell rang and the match was under way. The three competitors began moving around in circles in a sort of dance looking for an opening to land the first strike while making sure they weren’t the ones on the receiving end. The Merry-Go-Round ended when Hearst raised his hand in the air, catching the attention of his opponents who stopped on their tracks. Devin dropped to the mat in a relaxed pose to catch the Good Vibrations. More mind games, and Kelsey didn’t take this lightly, looking to kick the laying champion. But Williams was quicker, cheap-shotting her with a stiff forearm to the face that sent the former Uncanny Socialite recoiling a few steps back. Heath followed with a kick to the stomach looking for an ealry Frozen Over. He had both arms hooked already, but Devin interrupted him with a reverse suplex. He turned his back to Kelsey to pick up Williams and the australian born took advantage with a dropkick to the back that sent the champion through the ropes and out of the ring. Amy Maynard: “Both Heath and Devin seem to count Kelsey out already. Are they forgetting the kind of battles she went through, the chances she had to overcome to be here?” Sir Figgles: “Nah, they just remembered all the times she choked when it was time to get the job done.” If what Amy said was true, and chances are it was, Kelsey was hell bent on changing their mind. Soon Heath reached Devin on the outside after a superkick at the end of a quick striking combination and a moment later, Spencer was soaring over the top rope with a somersault plancha, taking out both of them. It felt awkward not hearing the cheers from the fans as she landed on her feet after the spectacular move, but Kelsey, more focused and determined than ever, didn’t pay too much attention to that detail, rolling williams back under the bottom rope and climbing on the apron. Amy Maynard: “Looks like she’s about to fly again…” The springboard move, whatever it was meant to be, was interrupted by Hearst who grabbed Kelsey’s foot as she jumped and yanked, pulling her down and sending her crashing face first on the apron. Hearst entered back the ring where he was met by Williams. The two men began trading blows with the champion getting the upper hand, until a punch to the ribs stopped his momentum. A smirk appeared on the leader of The Revolution’s face. He clearly did his homework and identified in the ribs Devin’s weak point, one to exploit to wear the champion down. A few knee strikes reached him there, and a ribcage to complete the sequence. Before Heath could make the cover, Kelsey jumped in the ring with a springboard crossbody, taking him down and obtaining the first near fall of the match. Sir Figgles: “Where the hell did she come from?” Amy Maynard: “That’s what I’m saying, Figgles. Her speed, combined with her heart and determination can be the key factor in this match.” It certainly through all the first part, when Spencer put both Heath and Devin in difficulty, coming this close to achieve her dream in more than one occasion, with a frog splash on Heath after dropping him down with a superkick and a Deprivation DDT on Hearst that would’ve been enough to walk away with the title if it wasn’t for Williams breaking up the pinfall just in the nick of time. But as minutes went by, she seemed to be running a bit short on energy, the extremely energy consuming match she had fought until that point started to take its toll, giving the opponents the chance to get back into the match. Hearst especially was the quickest to take advantage, grabbing Williams while he was chopping the hell out of Kelsey in the corner and and shoving him out of the ring. He picked up where the Hardcore Hero left, only going for some uppercuts rather than open handed chops before sitting Kelsey on the top rope. Amy Maynard: “Superplex incoming…” Sir Figgles: “I don’t think that’s what Hearst is going for.” Turns out that Figgles was right. Shocking, I know. Hearst turned his back to the corner and climbed to the middle rope, putting Kelsey on his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position. He looked at the imaginary fans, the production adding some loud boos. Hearst took the time to thank the sound crew raising his thumb to the camera, then stepped further up, reaching the top rope. Amy Maynard: “Oh my God… He’s not thinking…” Sir Figgles: “He sure is! The Comedown connects! This one is over!” The champion brought Kelsey down with a hard samoan driver, making the cover with the smile of someone who knew he had this match won. And he would have, but Williams was there to spoil his plans, grabbing his foot and dragging him out of the ring, rocking him with an elbow to the face. Heath then entered the ring and tried to reap the fruits of Hearst’s work, hooking Kelsey’s leg. There was the one, the two… And then Devin returned the courtesy, pulling Heath out and smashing his face on the steel post. Back in the ring went the champion, once again sliding in a pinning predicament. But too much time had passed and the Blue Thunder kicked out in two. Amy Maynard: “Damn, that was close.” It was down to Heath and Devin now, with Kelsey recovering on the outside after being unceremoniously tossed over the top rope by Hearst. The champion was on the ropes, literally as the Auckland born tied him to them, delivering some hard kicks to the chest and ribs. Somehow the referee managed to impose his authority, stepping in front of Williams (risking to get kicked as well) and pushing him back. Thanks to the official’s intervention, Dev was now free but momentarily unable to do much. He fell on his knees, looking up at Heath as he charged another kick, the smack following the impact on his chest echoing in the empty arena. Williams picked up the champion and hung him upside down in the corner, landing some kicks to the chest. He then reached the opposite corner, climbing to the top and jumping to him, connecting the Coast To Coast. Amy Maynard: “Ridiculous!” Sir Figgles: “Like him or not, Williams is one hell of a fighter.. And apparently our new Riot Champion as well!” Heath picked up Hearst and planted him with his Frozen Over, but out of nowhere came Kelsey Spencer, sliding behind Heath Williams and, with a shocking feat of strength, lifted him with her Spitfire Suplex (straightjacket german suplex). Heath rolled right back on his feet, apparently unaffected by what can be considered one of the best moves in Kelsey’s arsenal, able to earn them more than a few wins in her career. Amy Maynard: “How can he be up already?” Sir Figgles: “I’m telling you, the Hardcore Hero eats suplexes for breakfast.” Amy Maynard: “Watch out, Kelsey!” When Spencer turned around, she didn’t expect to find her opponent back to his feet already. Let alone ready to turn her inside out with a vicious clothesline. Everybody knew what was coming next, especially Kelsey who had been on the receiving end of the Frozen Over several times. And tonight she came prepared, escaping the double underhook ddt, moving behind his back and countering it with a backslide pin. Heath immediately kicked out but when he got back to his feet, he was hit with a kick to the stomach and dropped on his head. Amy Maynard: “The Deprivation DDT! Kelsey did it!” Devin Hearst recovered just in time to break up the pin and launch Kelsey out of the ring, turning his attention on Williams who was only now getting back to his feet. An evenflow ddt was all he needed to keep down the already battered opponent and end an incredible match, for the disappointment of Kelsey who tried her best to make the save, coming in just a moment too late. WINNER: Devin Hearst (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Evenflow DDT), 17:12 |
Amy Maynard: "He did it again! Hearst reatined the title!"
Sir Figgles: "Was there any doubt about it?"
Amy Maynard: "Why I'm sure you would have said the same if Heath Williams had won the match?"
Sir Figgles: "LOUD NOISES!"
Sir Figgles: "Was there any doubt about it?"
Amy Maynard: "Why I'm sure you would have said the same if Heath Williams had won the match?"
Sir Figgles: "LOUD NOISES!"
The scene opens up backstage, where sitting in some equipment boxes is “The Anarchist”, Neal Durden. His eyes fixated on the wall opposite to him as he has his headphones on. It feels like we’re seeing a cage animal plotting its escape. After a couple of seconds, that felt like hours, Neal takes his headphones off and addresses the camera in front of him.
Neal Durden:
Look, I’m not here to talk about the past or the future. What happened before tonight, doesn’t matter. What’s going to happen after tonight is not of our knowledge. But the right now is. Right now, I’m here patiently waiting for my music to hit and for me to walk out into that stage, look around and feel the moment. After all, is that moment what’s really important. That moment in time when everything stops and everything you’ve worked for becomes attainable. In fact… I’ll make this short.
Neal takes his phone from the pockets of his hoodie and checks the time. Not one to wear many watches, he relies on his phone for time and music. But this time, the motion doesn’t feel like an arbitrary one; it was plotted, calculated even; as he continues.
Neal Durden:
Half an hour, where there’ll be no tag outs for me. No one to pick up the slack when I start to get tired. No one to continue with the same intensity I had when I decided it was enough. Right for the picking, a fish out of water. Am I risking too much for a moment?
He straightens himself up as he cracks his neck, adjusting his headphones a bit; as he smirks.
Neal Durden:
For a long time I’ve seen everyone pass me by without waving. I’ve seen people say they respect me; when in reality what they mean is they respect my lack of ambition; my selflessness... this idea that I will step out of their way and let them accomplish whatever it is they want; because NEAL FUCKING DURDEN doesn’t want it… anyways…
A light chuckle escapes Neal as he continues.
Neal Durden:
Or… even worse… what they mean is they respect HER. In itself that’s not a bad thing; but when you’re talking to me… you better understand I’m not her. You don’t like me, I understand. You hate my approach, I understand. I just want honesty… and maybe that’s what’s driving me to this. Maybe that’s what’s driving me to the point I’m willing to risk my reputation, whatever that might be… to prove a point. TONIGHT I prove a point. I prove… MY point.”
Durden jumps off the equipment boxes and continues addressing the camera; but now his tone of voice changes. He’s no longer talking to a wide audience; he seems to soften his tone of voice, almost as if he was talking to someone very specific… someone familiar.
Neal Durden:
Megan, when I chose this specific match I didn’t do it because I had a clear cut advantage over you. No, in fact I did it understanding full well your own background. I did it understanding full well we’re basically a mirror of each other and if I’m somewhat decent at submissions; so are you. Again… I did it because we’re basically walking the same god forsaken road and eventually we will have to see each other’s faces again and I want everyone to remember… to have it stuck in their heads…. What are we really capable of doing inside that ring.
Neal shrugs, as he takes a quick glance behind him where in a small spot you can see a couple of wrestlers talking amongst themselves, enjoying lattes and what not.
Neal Durden:
One thing is the flash and spectacle we can bring to the table; but I want everyone watching that match from any promotion we might be a part of… not only Millennium… ANY PROMOTION… to understand that IF we wanted, we could break them limb by limb. I want EVERYONE to understand that we might’ve stepped aside, not because we’re yielding or have no ambition… but because we’re picking our spots. A lot of people peaked early in their careers. We continued learning. Tonight, Megan… we push our bodies to their limits. We push our wrestling knowledge to the limit. We put on a clinic and WE make sure everyone understands playtime is over… tonight we make sure EVERYONE else understands, they’re on borrowed time… half an hour to be precise.
Neal extends his hands in the air, almost as if he’s looking to shake hands with someone who isn’t there.
Neal Durden:
May the best wrestler win… and thank you, Megan!
As the scene cuts elsewhere.
The scene cuts backstage to Megan Rydell in her locker room, where she’s on the ground stretching. She glances up at the camera and rolls her eyes.
Megan Rydell:
It’s about time you got here. You shouldn’t keep the future Intercontinental Champion waiting so long, you got it?
Megan pops up onto her feet and brushes off her hands.
Megan Rydell:
Anyway, you want to know what I think about this submission match with Neal Durden? I’ll tell you what I think, I’m going to whip ass before breaking every single one of his limbs.
A smirk runs across her face.
Megan Rydell:
Unless he decides to give up, as he should. Then he’d be saving his body and his career. If Neal thinks he can lock me down into a submission and pick up the win, then he’s crazy as fuck.
She laughs lightly and shakes her head.
Megan Rydell:
Yeah, he chose this match but you know what he really did? He chose his deathbed. Because he’s going up against someone who prepares more than anyone else in this company. Nobody works harder and nobody is more dedicated to this company more than I am. I’ve been here since this place was Pride Pro. My legendary baffles with Eliza Valentine and Jacob Daniels are what helped build this place into what it is now. And now look? I’m the last one standing.
She nods confidently.
Megan Rydell:
Nobody wants to be the greatest Millennium Pro competitor more than I do. This company means more to me than anything else and I want my legacy to go hand in hand with the legacy of how great this company was. I want to be the reason. And one of those steps I need to take to get there is to become the Intercontinental Champion. Neal? You’re going to have to put me down into the ground to stop me. Because I’m not going to tap out tonight. I’m not going to quit. I can’t and I won’t. It’s as simple as that.
Meg steps towards the camera and peers into it.
Megan Rydell:
So, how will it go down, Neal? Will I snap your ankle? Your fibula? Maybe your wrist or arm? Maybe I’ll pull your shoulder right out of its fucking socket. All of it is up for grabs but the best part of it?
She leans closer to the camera and a devious grin grows over her lips.
Megan Rydell:
You have no idea what’s coming. You don’t know what I’ve been working on, you don’t know what I’m capable of. I’m unpredictable. But you? I can read you like a book, from the cover page to the back. I know you, Neal. But you? You don’t know me. You think you do, but you don’t. Nobody really does. But let me give you a little hint.
She pulls the camera towards her and glares into it.
Megan Rydell:
I’m the one who’s going to be your worst nightmare. I’m going to break you down and embarrass you. I’m the one who’s going to go down as the first and greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time and there’s not a damn thing you or anyone else can ever do about it. Because legacy here in Millennium? When it’s all said and done? It will be eternal.
She brushes past the camera and exits the locker room before the scene fades away.
MWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Ultimate Submission
Neal Durden VS Megan Rydell
Amy Maynard: “What a night this has been so far...And we saved the best for last!” Peyton Holland: “Through all the Down Under tour, 18 men and women battled in a single elimination tournament for this, the brand new MWE Intercontinental Championship.” Ambra Monroe: “It’s a great honor and privilege to be the first champion, and that puts a lot of extra pressure on both competitors. It will be interesting to see who can handle it better.” Megan unleashed first, charging Neal right off the gate and clubbing him with lefts and rights, kicks to the hips, forearms and all that jazz. Durden was trapped in the corner, trying his best to get his defense up and protect himself from the onslaught. Sir Figgles: “Rydell has come out all guns ablazing tonight, looking to make a quick work out of this.” Amy Maynard: “Well, considering they must go for thirty minutes, I doubt that’s the case.” Sir Figgles: “Thirty minutes? Who said that?” Ambra Monroe: “The stipulation chosen and the countdown running on the titantron.” Sir Figgles: “Ugh, when did this become an iron man match? I didn’t sign up for this.” Amy Maynard: “Well…:” Sir Figgles: “Only way this can get worse is if it was one of those matches that can only end via submissions.” Peyton Holland: “You know… You just perfectly described to the fans the rules of this Ultimate Submission match.” Sir Figgles: “... I’m out.” Megan was leaving Neal no room to breathe, tossing him in the middle of the ring with a monkey flip and charging with a running shooting star press. Amy Maynard: “I’m wondering if this is smart of Megan. Using all this energy right off the bat… Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to target one part of the body and focus on that? What do you think, Figg… Figgles? Where did he go? Ugh I can’t believe he really left…” And that was exactly what Neal started doing once he managed to get some offense in, taking Rydell down with an arm drag and immediately transitioning into a shoulder lock. Despite the pressure but into it, Megan stood back up to her feet using her agility to escape the submission and apply a wristlock of her own. This didn’t faze the Welsh who, being able to count on a greater technical ability, easily turned things around and once again reversed the hold into a hammerlock. Megan reached the ropes and interrupted the submission, turning around when Neal let her go and taunting him saying that he will never be as good as his girlfriend, the other half of Pendragon Lowri Moss. Mind games, obviously, but they didn’t seem to affect Neal at all. The spit on the face that followed did tho, as Neal charged at her only to end up chest first against the ropes when Megan moved out of the way and quickly positioned behind him, catching Neal on the rebound with a snap german suplex and transitioning into a Koji clutch in one fluid motion. Durden escaped before Rydell could wrap her legs around his neck, He stared at Megan, who looked back at him showing him with her index and thumb how close she went to make him tap out. Ambra Monroe: “And this is how dangerous Rydell can be. Neal might have the technical advantage but her quickness, and her quick thinking are equally fearsome weapons.” Neil was learning the lesson, every time he tried to slow down the pace and ground the younger Rydell, Megan somehow escaped his hold and quickly countered with her deadly kicks, taking him down. The former Cloud Gate champion may not have had many moves in his arsenal, but those she learned, she perfected them. Her dragon sleeper was really doing a number on the Anarchist who seemed on the verge of tapping out in more than one occasion. After almost a minute locked in the submission, the referee went to check on him as Neal was no longer moving. Amy Maynard: “It appears that Neal Durden has passed out…” Sir Figgles: “I don’t blame him, this match is booooooring!” Amy Maynard: “Not what I meant but I’m glad to see you back.” Sir Figgles: “Ha! You thought I was really gone? Well, I did but they told me that I only had thirty seconds to come back here or I should have found myself another job. I brought you a latte though, you owe me $5…” Amy Maynard: “But…” Sir Figgles: “Five bucks.” Amy Maynard: “Ugh, fine…” Neal’s hand had just fallen twice. For the third and last time, the referee raised it and dropped it… Ambra Monroe: “Neal is still alive!” Slowly, Neal pulled himself up to his feet and drove the his elbow in Megan’s mid section twice, but Rydell didn’t lose her grasp. Change of plans, he dropped to a seated position stunning her with a jawbreaker. He wisely took some time to recover, a minute trapped in the dragon sleeper left him breathless and unable to capitalize. He was ready though when Megan charged in, taking her down with a drop toe hold and smoothly wrapping her legs around his in an indian deathlock, pushing hard with his free foot on her knee. The tap out was almost immediate. Amy Maynard: “And the first submission is scored by Neal Durden!” Ambra Monroe: “That was very quick…” Peyton Holland: “It makes me wonder if it’s not part of a risky strategy from Megan. Give up quickly before any damage can actually be done. With so much time still available, the opportunity to turn things around won’t be lacking.” Ambra Monroe: “I agree, it’s a big gamble, but if anything she still has a chance to fight one hundred percent, rather than with a possibly injured leg.” And judging by the way Megan looked at the tron, smiling as she saw that there were still a little over twenty minutes to go, seemed to confirm this theory. The match was restarted, Neal looking a bit thrown out of his game by Megan’s decision to take the fall without fighting, something he probably wasn’t expecting. And the Colorado born used this heeling moment to bombard Neal with more strikes, aiming at the right leg first with a couple of swift kicks and slowly aiming higher, the right flank and arm. She sneaked in a couple of forearm shots to the face just for the sake of keeping her offense unpredictable and harder to counter for the welsh. And in the end, she took him down with a crescent kick. Amy Maynard: “Neal is down and it looks like Megan is looking to get even…” Megan quickly dropped down and wrapped her arms around Neal’s head and arm, squeezing the life out of him with her Rydell From Hell. Unlike Megan earlier, he tried to find a way out of the anaconda vise submission, but the grip was too tight and he didn’t have room to maneuver. Sir Figgles: “Just tap out son, why are you trying to be a hero?” But the words “giving up” don’t belong in Neal’s dictionary. Although breathing with difficulty, the Anarchist started to crawl toward the ropes, a slow but steady march toward salvation. If Durden looked on his last legs, between trying to stop her opponent from making it to the ropes and constantly adding more pressure to choke him out before he could break up the submission, this situation was taking a lot out of Meg as well. It became a battle of wills and determination with Neal coming now so close to touch the ropes with his foot and Rydell exerting her maximum effort, screaming at her opponent to tap out. And, feeling his forces abandoning him, Neal eventually gave up. Peyton Holland: “One even and the match is once again in perfect balance.” Ambra Monroe: “I don’t really think so. This took an awful lot out of Neal, Megan has now a huge advantage.” Sir Figgles: “See? He should’ve tapped out earlier and saved some energy.” Ambra Monroe: “I hate the fact that I agree with you.” Neal was now back to his feet, coughing and breathing heavily leaning against the ropes during the granted short break between one fall and another. The bigger picture wasn’t looking too good for him. Fifteen minutes into the match, his asthmatic condition was starting to come into play, and having been locked for so long in two choke holds certainly made it worse. Rydell noticed it and she wasted no time, charging him as soon as the referee gave them the green light and dropping him on the outside with a clothesline. When Durden rose back to his feet, she launched herself through the ropes and wiped him out with a suicide dive and rolled him back in the ring right after. He couldn’t even fully getting up back up to a vertical basis because Megan came at him and dropped him back down with a flatliner, transitioning right into a Koji Clutch. This time, the Anarchist tapped out much quicker than he did before. Amy Maynard: “Back to back submissions for Rydell, who’s now on the lead.” Ambra Monroe: “Her strategy is paying off, the MWE Intercontinental Championship is now one step closer.” Peyton Holland: “There’s still a little over 12 minutes, plenty of time for Neal to turn things back in his favor.” Sure there was a lot of time, but it was ticking fast especially when Megan started wasting it taking long breaks to the outside to let it run, earning precious seconds. Her attitude was annoying Durden who started to see the MWE Intercontinental Championship drifting away. The countdown on the tron read five minutes to go, 300 seconds seconds separating these competitors from their appointment with history. Megan had Neal in a tight headlock, lifting and flipping him back to the canvas, casting a nervous glance to the clock. Durden picked himself up for the upteenth time, forcing his way out of the hold with a couple of elbows to the stomach. After creating some separation, he decided to run to the ropes but Rydell grabbed him by the waistband of his trunks and pulled him back in a waistlock. Two more elbow smashes, this time catching the young girl on the jaw, and Neal was once again free, jumping and kicking her with a pele kick. Peyton Holland: “This could be the last opportunity for Neal… He doesn’t have much time now, he must act quickly and get the submission to even the score and drag this match to the overtime.” Rydell quickly rolled out of the ring, looking to buy some more time. Not anymore thought her opponent before launching himself over the top rope with a somersault plancha. A little over three minutes and the Anarchist was showing that sense of urgency, bringing the fight back in the ring. The dazed Rydell tried to leave on the other side, but he took her down with a chop block that sent the former PPW Rogue Champion resting on the middle rope. A tiger feint kick brought her back to the centre of the ring the hard way, leaving two minutes and half to score the equaliser. He furiously stomped her knee a few times, trying to weaken it before locking in the kneebar. Megan’s cry of pain echoed in the empty arena and the former Lockdown champion stretched out her arm toward the far, far away ropes. Amy Maynard: “These are going to be the longest 90 seconds in Megan’s career.” Peyton Holland: “Unlike earlier, tapping out is not an option.” Rydell was trying to hang on, pushing through the pain as time was running. Seconds looked like minutes for Megan, for a sort of twisted cosmic joke the pain constantly becoming more and more unbearable as the time she should resist became less and less. And eventually it was too much, her hand furiously tapping on the mat. Ambra Monroe: “Would you look at this. Thirty minutes weren’t enough to get us a winner.” Neal looked at the clock. It said there were only 16 seconds left. Sir Figgles: “How lucky are we, this incredible match is still going! And to add more suspense, it’s sudden death rules, the first one to score a submission will walk away with the gold!” Amy Maynard: “I thought you said this match was boring…” Sir Figgles: “I was hacked by the Illumilatte.” No room for mistakes now, and this could explain why this extra time started with both competitors being extremely cautious. Neal tried to go for the leg, but Megan was protecting the injured limb very well, leaving him no room to breach into her guard. The way she was limping and the almost imperceptible way her lips curled in a grimace of pain every time she put weight on that leg were a temptation hard to resist for Durden, who kept trying until he managed to sweep, Rydell of her feet and take her down to the canvas, going for the leg. This time Megan quickly dragged herself to the ropes, frustrating the attempt even before he could actually lock her in. She picked herself up using the ropes and tried to catch Durden off guard with a kick to the stomach. He blocked it and grabbed hold of her foot, dragging her to the centre of the ring. Megan rocked him with an enziguri and followed with a series of knees to the stomach. One of them seemed to hit a bit lower, right between Neal’s legs. A snap swinging neckbreaker took Neal down and Megan immediately went for another submission. Peyton Holland: “That’s… The Hand Of Fate! That’s the submission made famous by Blyss Lockhart, Megan’s trainer and mentor…” Amy Maynard: “And it’s locked in, right in the middle of the ring!” The look of shock on Neal’s only lasted one second, and then he tried to find a way to escape the unprecedented submission. His effort valiantly lasted over a minute, but in the end he was forced to submit. WINNER: Megan Rydell (NEW CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Hand Of Fate), 34:52 |
Peyton Holland: "She did it, Megan Rydell is once again holding gold in MWE!"
Sir Figgles: "And it's already a longer reign that her last one as Cloud Gate Champion!"
Ambra Monroe: "Harsh. But true."
Amy Maynard: "Congratulation to Megan, but Neal deserves a lot of praise as well. They put on an incredible contest."
Ambra Monroe: "Without a doubt, thirty minutes weren't enough to get a clear winner. And I wonder if things would have been any different without that knee to the groin."
Sir Figgles: "Don't even start, woman. You Millennium people are always complaining and yelling conspiracy. Megan won because Riot rules! Period."
Peyton Holland: "As much as I'd love to argue with you, unfortunately our time is up. Night one is officially over, but don't go anywhere!"
Ambra Monroe: "That's right, we still have one match in store. The Lights Out match between Luna and Raymond Reznik."
Amy Maynard: "And don't forget to tune in tomorrow for night two of Down Under!"
Sir Figgles: "And it's already a longer reign that her last one as Cloud Gate Champion!"
Ambra Monroe: "Harsh. But true."
Amy Maynard: "Congratulation to Megan, but Neal deserves a lot of praise as well. They put on an incredible contest."
Ambra Monroe: "Without a doubt, thirty minutes weren't enough to get a clear winner. And I wonder if things would have been any different without that knee to the groin."
Sir Figgles: "Don't even start, woman. You Millennium people are always complaining and yelling conspiracy. Megan won because Riot rules! Period."
Peyton Holland: "As much as I'd love to argue with you, unfortunately our time is up. Night one is officially over, but don't go anywhere!"
Ambra Monroe: "That's right, we still have one match in store. The Lights Out match between Luna and Raymond Reznik."
Amy Maynard: "And don't forget to tune in tomorrow for night two of Down Under!"
Lights Out Match
Luna VS Raymond Reznik
Night one was officially over, the main event just ended crowning Megan Rydell as the first MWE Intercontinental champion and the right in the Arena went off. They turned back on a moment later as Raymond Reznik was making his way down the ramp. No music to announce his entrance, the production team was no longer on the clock and neither were the commentators, as their table stood there abandoned. A moment later an unwilling Luna appeared on the stage, walking to the ring with tentative steps, Probably wondering what wrong she did to end up in a situation like this, a Lights Out match against one of the most dangerous men in the company. No referee in the ring, Ryen Riekert was officiating the match much like he did at the last ppv in the Unsanctioned match between Helena Noir and Joey Leclair. He ordered the match to be started but no bell was sounded, obviously. Unlike Luna, Reznik was perfectly in his element and he exploded out of his corner leveling the Star Of The Night with a huge clothesline. With both hands grabbing her throat, he pulled her back of the feet maintaining the choke. Ryen could do nothing but watch as Reznik lifted Luna off her feet and launched her in the corner, squashing the former Lockdown Champion with a running splash. The fighter from Canton Ohio was absolutely dominating the match so far, not giving quarter to the opponent and keeping those stiff fists coming. With a cactus clothesline he took the fight to the outside, where he could do even more damage to the blonde beauty. He whipped her against the barricade and speared her through it, ending up in the empty front row. Riekert followed them there to keep a close eye on the action, not to enforce the rules since there were any but mostly to check if Luna was still alive after Reznik’s powerbomb. She was, barely. Slowly she pulled herself up, desperately poking at the man’s eyes to buy herself some seconds to run away from the big man, heading back toward the ring. The truce didn’t last long as Reznik was quickly back on her tracks. Luna turned around and surprised him with a kick to the stomach, doubling him over and pushing him head first against the steel post. The lack of rules was definitely a big opportunity for Luna to turn things around and the Star Of The Night wasn’t going to pass on it, grabbing a chair and swinging it to Raymond’s face. Reznik ducked the blow and the chair hit the post instead, bouncing back right on Luna’s face. The level of violence kept rising, Reznik bringing out all kinds of stuff to punish the former Lockdown Champion. Right now his weapon of choice was a pipe, wielded by the bald man who swung it in Luna’s mid section, doubling her over and leaving her in a world of pain on her knees. Reznik was in no hurry, confident that he was in full control and almost stalking Smith as she crawled to the ropes. After all, he did promise her he would be her worst nightmare and he was definitely living it up. Luna was in great difficulty, showing all her inexperience in this kind of stipulations. The few attacks she managed to string together were mostly counters that didn’t seem to bother the hardcore veteran. Once again the fight sprawled outside after Luna dropkicked Raymond over the top rope and took him out with a crossbody to the outside.Digging under the ring, she retrieved a trash can, a fitting object from someone like Reznik. Those were her words before putting the can over his head and swinging the chair against it. Things kept going in an escalation of brutality, and it was only a matter of time before blood started flowing. Surprisingly, the first face to turn red was Reznik’s after the Star Of The Night dropped him head first on a chair with a diving tornado ddt from the apron. A minute later and she began bleeding as well after a stiff loaded punch delivered with a perfectly legal brass knuckle. Luna looked so shocked at the sight of her own blood that she couldn’t even protect herself from the following series of strikes, ended with a suplex on the commentator’s table that, by a miracle, didn’t break on impact. Raymond was determined to change that, climbing on the barricade looking to flatten the opponent with a diving splash. The blood loss and fatigue were probably the cause of him slipping. He wasted some precious time to recover balance, and Luna took advantage by jumping on the barricade and catching him with a Night Skyfall (spanish fly) through the table. Neither wrestler was moving after the impact and Ryen was about to call the match when Raymond began to stir, slowly getting up to his feet and trying to lift Luna to finish her once and for all. And he did, with a Kneehilism that left The Star Of The Night laying on the floor. WINNER: Raymond Reznik BY: KO (Kneehilisim), 19:16 |
We go backstage to see Raymond Reznik stalking the corridors, blood trickling from his head and sporting the wounds of war after his Lights Out match against Luna. He clutches a hand to the back of his neck while MWE crew jump out of his way, the camera catching Raymond coming to a sudden and abrupt halt, turning his head to look past a corner that the camera can't yet pick up. Hurrying past Reznik, the cameraman catches the sight of a green cloth hanging from a light metal frame, both a ring light and a camera facing it and - strangely - a person in a squirrel costume staring nose to snout with Raymond.
Squirrel:
Hey, buddy, you okay?
Reznik smiles and shakes his head in disbelief, continuing his march past the squirrel, who merely shrugs and turns to face the camera. Raymond suddenly pivots on the spot and lunges at the giant rodent, jerking him forwards against the light and the camera. With one swift move, Raymond manages to yank the head from the costume and toss it aside, slamming the long-haired man inside it against the wall and frantically tearing the tail off. He uses the costume's tail as a makeshift bat then violently throws it further down the corridor, his arms slipping around the throat of the man in the costume to lock in A Dark Fate, dragging his victim to the ground and getting the body scissors for the full effect. The cameraman gets as close as possible to see that the writhing man inside the costume struggling to break free is none other than the "Messiah of Metal" himself, Dazz, a longtime professional wrestler who is now succumbing to Reznik's submission.
Referees, crew and security rush to the scene and gather at a safe distance, encouraging Reznik to let go until he finally does. Shoving Dazz aside as if he were nothing, Raymond watches as several people tend to his newest victim, wiping the back of his hand to stop blood getting into his eye.
Raymond Reznik:
Yeah, I'm doing fine.
Raymond casually walks away as we leave the view on a barely conscious Dazz, choking and spluttering as he's being helped
Squirrel:
Hey, buddy, you okay?
Reznik smiles and shakes his head in disbelief, continuing his march past the squirrel, who merely shrugs and turns to face the camera. Raymond suddenly pivots on the spot and lunges at the giant rodent, jerking him forwards against the light and the camera. With one swift move, Raymond manages to yank the head from the costume and toss it aside, slamming the long-haired man inside it against the wall and frantically tearing the tail off. He uses the costume's tail as a makeshift bat then violently throws it further down the corridor, his arms slipping around the throat of the man in the costume to lock in A Dark Fate, dragging his victim to the ground and getting the body scissors for the full effect. The cameraman gets as close as possible to see that the writhing man inside the costume struggling to break free is none other than the "Messiah of Metal" himself, Dazz, a longtime professional wrestler who is now succumbing to Reznik's submission.
Referees, crew and security rush to the scene and gather at a safe distance, encouraging Reznik to let go until he finally does. Shoving Dazz aside as if he were nothing, Raymond watches as several people tend to his newest victim, wiping the back of his hand to stop blood getting into his eye.
Raymond Reznik:
Yeah, I'm doing fine.
Raymond casually walks away as we leave the view on a barely conscious Dazz, choking and spluttering as he's being helped