Millennium LX

And we're back with another episode of Millennium from the empty Enterprise Arena. "When Legends Rise" by Godsmack is still echoing as we cut to the commentators table where the gorgeous Peyton Holland and Ambra Monroe welcome the fans watching at home. "Dark Web II is fastly approaching" says Peyton pointing out how tonight we will find out who is going to challenge the BreeTee Committee for the Tag Team titles at the PPV in a huge six teams elimination match. Ambra instead points out that we will be seeing three debuts tonight, Roderick Kross who's going to open the show against YUKI, Vin Halstead who's teaming up with The Enforcer in that tag match and, of course, one of the most highly anticipated debuts in recent history, the Promised Freddie Hjalmar. Tonight also marks the return of Hammerstein after his time off to deal with the death of his manager and long time friend Reese Kennedy. But of course, the spotlights are on the main event, for the first time Anastasia Starling goes one on one against BROOKFORD. 

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The Camera opens up to see Roderick Kross standing in the middle of the ring. His match was just moments away but it seems he needed to get something off his chest. In one he held his version of the bible and in the other he held a microphone. He brought it up to his mouth and he began speaking.

“The Dublin Messiah” Roderick Kross:
Hello everyone, my name is Roderick Kross and you’ll must be asking yourselves the very same question. Why the fuck is this man standing in the middle of the ring when he as his debut match moments away? Well I personally felt like I needed to introduce myself because none of you are capable of knowing a star when you see one. I know right, I’m such a cocky little fucker right? Well yes you’re right but you know something. This was the first company that decided to take a chance on a young star like me. I could have said no but I knew what having me here would mean for both parties involved.

My children around the world gets to see their messiah spread his love and message across the world. Every opponent will drop to their knees and worship him at his feet. My opponent tonight will understand the true meaning of worshiping a god. She will understand that I have a very important mission that must be completed. I need to save every single one of you. Save you from the filth this world brings and save you from especially yourselves. Every human being eventually self-harm themselves. It’s not a healthy way to live.

Roderick looks around smirking before he resumes his speech. He knew this moment was perfect to make a great impression. He knew he had a match soon but this needed to be said.

“The Dublin Messiah” Roderick Kross:
So please bring out Yuki so I can finally show her that when it comes to showing the path of enlightenment, I am just the man for the job.

Roderick tosses his mic aside and gently places his book in one of the far turnbuckles as his awaits his match to begin.

The camera pans backstage where Joey Leclair is seen walking wearing a black leather jacket and black jeans. He is pacing the hallway seemingly with purpose when he is approached by a female backstage interviewer, the replacement for Iggy who asked for some personal time off to take care of his injured boyfriend, one half of Nightfall Rising Jay Gallagher.

Interviewer:
Joey may I have a moment of your time?

Joey pauses seemingly annoyed, but not turning to face her.

Interviewer:
Last week you tweeted out that tonight someone is going to get hurt, and I mean you can’t be serious right?!

Joey turns facing the interviewer just staring at her with annoyance.

Interviewer:
Uh.. okay so if you don’t wanna answer that question then how about answering what you meant by the chains are going to be undone, and everyone is going to be fucked?.

Joey reaches out, and takes the microphone from the interviewer.

Joey Leclair:
You're annoying me.

Joey grabs her by the throat and slams her to the floor, letting her off and pressing his foot against her throat instead. As she starts coughing, Joey places the microphone to this lips.

Joey Leclair:
News flash! I am not someone you can just approach with this cute little questions! Now go tell your colleagues to never approach me ever again or they may not get off as lucky as you!.

The poor girl, terrified, get up to her feet and runs away without turning back. Probably out of the Arena and away from this job that quickly turned into a nightmare.

Joey Leclair:
You all really love to test my patience here don’t you? I tried so hard to play by the rules, and build a respectful career here in Millennium, but its becoming painfully obvious that won’t work for me, and is holding me back... So now the chains are off, and never again will anyone ever take my lightly, and Neal you may have gotten off lucky last week thanks to Helena Noir, but never again will you be so lucky.

Joey gets a look of agitation across his face as he mentions Helena’s name.

Joey Leclair:
Speaking of Helena! I thought I was done with her in Japan, but obviously not. What is it with you Helena? Why are you so fascinated with me that you make it your purpose to ruin my fun? I mean when I first arrived here, and started having fun with my opponents? You instantly became a thorn in my side, and now that I am finally carving my own path, and moving forward leaving the past behind me? You are still clinging onto me, and so what is it Helena? Do you have a crush on me? Is that it! Or maybe you wanna be my friend, and rescue me from my demons? Or maybe you just can’t accept the fact that I beat you because you hesitated, and I did not! Anyways tonight I finish you, and Neal with or without the help of my teammate, and then I am going to watch, and hell maybe even get a front row seat to Victoria Salinas vs Kenzie Garrett.

Joey pauses for a moment twirling the microphone between his fingers.

Joey Leclair:
Victoria asked to be left out of my agenda, because she has nothing to do with me, and quite frankly she is right. But I have no compassion for anyone, innocent or not, and one way or another everyone is going to learn just how much of an asshole I am, because Kenzie dearest? I am going to rip the Chicago Way Championship from your hand even if I have to hurt you very badly. Basically I am going to break you beyond repair physically, and mentally. You said the Chicago Way Championship is your world title, and so when I take it from you so soon? You will fall into a world of depression, and despair in levels that you have never felt before, and cry yourself to sleep every night, and when your finally accept the reality of the situation? I want you to go tell all your friends that they don’t wanna fuck with Joey Leclair, and then I want you to tell your enemies like the American Pain Experience for example? I want you to tell them all that they don’t know what true pain feels like until they stand across from the Death Dealer, because the fact of the matter is that I am the Alpha Asshole in Millennium, and everyone else is just falling short.

Joey gets a sinister look on his face.

Joey Leclair:
When I win the Chicago Way Championship? That will be a declaration of war on Millennium, and countless fools will come after me, and countless fools will leave broken, and usher in an era of pain like non other, and the screams of my victims will be so loud, and clear that even the Riot roster will hear it and know that Millennium is the Death Dealer's domain.
Which means Millennium is fucked!

Joey drops the microphone, and drops to his knees over top of the microphone.

Joey Leclair:
Don’t forget though that tonight someone is getting hurt if not multiple people!.

Joey laughs as gets up to his feet, leaving the microphone on the floor and walking out of scene.

Peyton Holland: "This was the first match for Bobbi since Down Under and let me tell you, she's still on top of her game."

Ambra Monroe: "This time off certainly didn't affect her... Hey hold on, is that..."

Peyton Holland: "Yep, it's the Warwolf, West Long."

In the empty arena, that lonely man sitting in the front row and staring at the champion definitely stood out. Bobby noticed him as well, and raised her title, telling him that he was welcome to try taking it away from her. Long stood up from his seat and nodded, disappearing in the darkness engulfing the hollow stands.

Millennium cuts back to the studio where there’s a picture of Victoria Salinas from early 2015. The picture of her consists of her holding two championships at the same time at what appears to be at a grand wrestling event that she was a part of at that time. The picture is focused on for a few brief seconds before Victoria’s voice is heard.

Victoria Salinas:
There I am… in what was supposed to be one of the biggest moments of my career… five years ago… as both GCW Television Champion and GCW World Champion… having won the latter at GCW’s grandest stage of the year. There I was, having conquered GCW in just four short months. I hit the ground running and I hit the ground running hard, there’s no denying that at all. And yet? This never really made me happy.

Victoria pauses while she takes down the picture and puts it to the side.

Victoria Salinas:
Don’t get me wrong, this was a great moment for me and one that I am never going to forget but that moment right there was really the best part of the entire reign. What followed? It was quite honestly the worst of my five title reigns because I didn’t conduct myself or carry myself as a champion the way I should have. I’ll take the blame for that. But ultimately… I’d snap out of it. The awful things I had done during this reign… with all the cheating, with all the nonsense… with taking up half the show every week… yeah… rising to the top that damn fast really wasn’t worth it… and in hindsight? Maybe I should have pumped the brakes with all the times I expressed concern about all these newcomers to MWE getting title shots right away. No championship reign made me feel more insecure than that one. I did win two more world titles in GCW and there’s not much of a doubt in my mind I’d have won another one or two had I stuck around, even with all the confidence problems I was having and being muted in my own shell because it’s the ability that gets it done at the end of the day.

Still…

I had to take on a different challenge. And boy has MWE really been that challenge…

I’ve had it harder here than any other place I’ve been… if two weeks ago hadn’t symbolized that enough… if what I’ve been hearing about what will take place with that championship situation wasn’t enough…

I’m hearing about what MAY happen… it turns out that I might get another chance… and I wouldn’t mind if I did. As of this point, it hasn’t been made clear if it’s going to be a triple threat… or if it’s going to be a separate defense on both days… for all I know, I might be the first to get a crack at Constantine and there’s the possibility that I win against him and defend it against Kelsey the next day… what I do know is… that it won’t be easy. Yet…

Victoria takes another pause, this one though… exuding a lot more determination and confidence than usual.

Victoria Salinas:
I KNOW I can do it! No matter WHAT it turns out to be, I know that I can pull through. When I won my first world championship, I had defended an Intercontinental Championship AND won a tournament in the same match against my own mentor to get a shot at the World Championship later that night against one of the biggest rivals I’ve EVER had… who was already fresh… while I had gone through hell in a ladder match. It didn’t matter. I won my first world title that night.

Two months before my second reign began, I had to win a rumble match to get that shot.

Even with my third world title, I had to jump through some hoops. I outlasted EIGHTY other people to get that title shot to begin with.

My fourth? I endured the longest wait and the most extensive hell I’d ever been through… well… prior to now anyway… dealing with “friends” that wanted to ruin my life, dealing with being shoehorned into the tag team division, dealing with going from the top of the world to being on a filler match at Resurrection the year after I won the world title on the same event, dealing with a LOT of bullshit backstage, on social media, and so forth that I never wanted or ever would have asked for… and I still pulled through.

My most recent world title? It came against the hands of the same son of a bitch that took it from me… and who put me through a LOT of psychological torture that by the time I was done with him, that world title was not only out of the picture… that son of a bitch ended up in the hospital. I still pulled through.

So whether it’s a triple threat… whether it’s a title match per day… it doesn’t matter. Because on my journey to my sixth world title? I’ve already endured the worst of it.

Victoria picks up the picture of her third world title win and doesn’t appear to be so glum about it at this point.

Victoria Salinas:
You know… maybe this really wasn’t so bad…

Victoria lets out a sigh of relief before she walks out of the shot with the picture, the scene ending shortly after.

As we cut back from commercial, we find Helena Noir standing in the ring, microphone in her hand. With her match being the next on the card, she’s already dressed to compete in her black leather pants and with a “Revenants” shirt over the purple tank top.

Helena Noir:
You’re probably asking yourself why…

She cracks a smirk at the camera, starting to pace the ring.

Helena Noir:
Why did I come to save Neal last week? Why do I keep messing up with Joey Leclair, even after he put me in the hospital a couple of months ago?

You will all agree that it’s funny as fuck seeing the ole Joey get all upset whenever I show up, throwing a tantrum about how I keep tormenting him when I said that I had moved on years ago…

The last Liberty Champion shrugs her shoulders before continuing.

Helena Noir:
Truth is, I wasn’t there for Joey. I was waiting for the match to finish to have a few words with Neal Durden. It just happened that, being the sore loser that he is, Leclair decided to be a coward and attack the man that just outwrestled him and at that point, I just had to make a bitch run.

Again, she flashes a smile.

Helena Noir:
Now that I answered the “why”, I guess it’s only fair for me to address what I was doing there, what I had to tell Neal and why was it so important that I couldn’t wait for him to come backstage.

I know you’re out there, Neal. Why don’t you join me out here?

There’s a period of about a minute where nothing happens. In the ring, Helena doesn’t look amused at all that she’s been made to wait; but before she could say anything… the first chords of “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine begin to blast off on the P.A System. Without his usual fanfare; sporting just a black and grey hoodie with his wrestling tights and boots; Neal Durden makes his way to the ramp. Looking detached, with his hands inside the pockets of his hoodie.

Neal walks down the ramp, not saying a word; not even doing anything remotely as he would normally do. In fact, you could say that he just wanted to do his job and be done with the night. Yet, he was called out, he’s here, he stands in the ring with Noir who looks directly at him and he mutters… “You wanted to talk to me, here I am… talk.”

Helena Noir:
You know, I’ve been thinking for two weeks now about the last match we had. Right here in Chicago, remember? Triple Threat, I had Ashley down, you kneed me in the face and finished her?

The tattooed woman takes a step toward the Anarchist who, unsure on what her intentions are, takes a step back, keeping a safe distance between them. Not taking his hands out of his hoodie, he kind of leans his head forward; as if asking Noir where’s she’s going with this. In fact, he looks as if he feels he has an advantage over her; as she doesn’t know what he has in his hoodie’s pockets and why he’s so reluctant to take his hands out. Yet, he lets her continue.

Helena Noir:
I realized I never congratulated you.

And she follows up her words by extending her right hand toward the Welsh. The smile on her face seems honest, but Neal is, rightfully, still hesitant. He smirks; tilting his head to the right. He looks at Helena’s hands and takes his hand out of the pocket finally; smirking one more time as if to say “if you try anything funny…”, but he shakes Helena’s hand...

And then…

Nothing happens. The handshake lasts a few seconds before Helena lets him go.

Helena Noir:
You fought well, you impressed me… And you took advantage of the situation. If the roles were reversed, I would have done the same, without thinking twice.
Last week, I came out to ask you something. A favor, if you will.

Her words seem to tickle Neal’s curiosity.

Helena Noir:
Fight me at Dark Web 2.

Never one to beat around the bush, Helena dropped her request just like that, even a bit bluntly maybe. And before Durden could reply, she adds.

Helena Noir:
I don’t care about the stipulation. You can choose it, or we can let the fans choose it for us. But I don’t have many matches left in me, not because I physically can’t take them… But that little flame of passion that’s burning in you, is growing dim by the day. I gave all I had to this sport, I got probably less than I deserved back but such is life… The truth is, the face of this business is changing so quickly.

There’s bitterness in her words.

Helena Noir:
Hard working people barely get the spotlight nowadays, the shine is constantly stolen by the more ruthless, the slimiers, those who politic their way to the top, those who sell out… You’re one of the last of a dying breed, a dream chaser, one of the pures… A man of principles and honor amongst a company of crooks without morality nor shame. In a word, you’re one of the few people i respect. And I’ll be damned if I don’t fight you before I retire.

Neal leans against the ropes a couple of times, almost as if he was mimicking Ali’s rope a dope. He then moved towards Noir and asked for the mic she was holding. To which, Noir obliged. He moved past her playing with the microphone in his right hand and keeping his left hand inside his hoodie. He hung his head and talked to Noir.

Neal Durden:
So, let me see if I understood right… because you know I’m a little bit slow to pick up on things, so I need to repeat things to see if I am correct in my train of thought. You see parallels in the spots we’re right now; you see something that you want to feel one more time dimming inside of me. You’ve obviously done your homework and watched that last video I posted online a couple of days ago. So, you want to face me before it fades completely?

Noir nods in approval; she doesn’t need to say anything else… Neal understood her gesture and nodded back to her before he continued.

Neal Durden:
It doesn’t matter what type of match it is; the only thing that matters to you is that you get to face me; before the year is over. Because, that’s where I’m heading right now… if you’ve done your homework, you know that too. So, you want to be a good sport. You want to kind of give me a reason to continue bashing my head against the same wall you’ve been bashing yours because… well… we’re two of a dying breed.

Helena continues to nod as Neal continues to talk.

Neal Durden:
So, let’s say we have a match. Let’s say we give the fans the opportunity to choose whatever stipulation they want… because god knows when I pick a stipulation it always backfires on me… then what? Because that’s the problem, Helena. Every time someone like us pushes forward; every time someone like us looks for their niche, for that space we fit in and makes us comfortable in this industry; every time someone like us finds what they were missing… it’s always a dead end. We always find that wall that keeps us from achieving something else.

Call it what you want; fate, bad luck, lack of motivation… it doesn’t matter… thing is we always hit that wall. I feel you know what I’m talking about. I feel you know what wall I’m talking about. You’ve done your homework. You know where I’m coming from. You know why I talk the way I talk, why I’m looking for other things that bring out that passion I once had for wrestling, like I’m doing now with Music. I know you understand where I’m coming from.

Neal looks to his right, normally he would lock eyes with one of the fans in the nearest rows to the ring. Normally this would be his chance to feel the pulse of the crowd; but tonight, there was nothing. Just emptiness and the feeling of being by himself facing the same things again… overwhelmed him, to the point where he just hung his head and let out a sigh before continuing.

Neal Durden:
You know I’m far from the last wrestler feeling this right now. In fact, another member of this same roster is going thru some tiring times too… albeit, she does have more people looking for her and she had a lot of more things going on for her in the industry. I don’t think I need to bring her name out; just… food for thought I guess. Then… if that’s the case… Why me?

Neal walks away from Noir and stands against the corner. Noir looks at him as he continues.

Neal Durden:
I feel that’s a valid question. I don’t have anything to offer you. I’m not a former champion on my own right; I don’t have any name value outside of being a tag-team partner that needs to name drop his partner in life every time he has, simply because he’s known more as her partner than his own man… Helena… I don’t have anything you could possibly gain from being in the same ring with me. I don’t have a title, I don’t have name value, I’m not popular on Twitter so you could take some shine in beating one of the internet’s darlings… I’m not the guy that gets big wins… I have nothing... then… Why me?

Noir listened to Neal’s heartfelt words without flinching, not even taking her eyes off him for a second. She could relate to every single thing he said. From the frustration growing week after week, to that wall they both seem to have hit, to that feeling of not belonging. They were similar, Neal and her, in more aspects than she realized. When he asked her that last question, that “why me?” she didn’t hesitate to answer. Taking another step toward him, she poked his chest with the microphone, mouthing a barely audible this.

Helena Noir:
Can you feel it, Neal? I’m sure you can. You have your music, I have tattoos… But nothing makes our hearts beat like walking out here and doing what we are born to do. No matter how much it hurts, and not only physically… No matter how much we say we hate it… We are still here. And we wouldn’t, if we didn’t love this.

A brief pause.

Helena Noir:
You’re thinking of walking out, aren’t you? You want to just turn around and run away from this.. You wish you could, don’t you? But it’s not easy. It’s not the money, it’s not even the fear of a life without this…

Because we both know there won’t be one. We live for this, Neal. It’s our curse. You choose a path that will give you more suffering than joy, you choose the high and impervious road. I know because I walked it before you. It’s ungrateful, and it doesn’t seem worth it.. But when you make it, when you reach that goal… Nothing compares to that moment.

A smile forms on the lips of the usually cold Swede.

Helena Noir:
I had my moment already, my candle is burning out. But yours… It’s too soon, Neal. Don’t let that fire die, not yet.

Fire or not, Neal had already talked to his better half of his plans for 2020. They already knew the course of action and if nothing happened, they already knew what was going to happen. Yet, Neal smirked. He took the mic off of Noir once more and talked.

Neal Durden:
Life has a funny way of doing things. There are some that might see me and tell me about my age; my potential and all of that. But they all fail to answer the same question you didn’t answer. Why me?... but I have an idea. I feel there are some out there who see themselves in me. That just wish I don’t give up and keep fighting; because they want to enjoy, vicariously, the thrill of getting to the top. I’m just kind of a puppet for many.

Sure, I took the road less traveled; I didn’t look to gain an advantage even when I could. I look at every challenge, every opponent the same way. My approach doesn’t change. Yet, there’s this thing that lingers. That bitterness, you know full well.

Neal put his left hand back inside the hoodie’s pocket, before continuing.

Neal Durden:
Let’s not take any more time beating around the bush. At Dark Web 2, it’ll be you and I… one on one… whatever stipulation the fans might choose. If it ends for you, I’ll be glad to be your last opponent. If this year is my last dance; at least you were a part of it. Do we have a deal?

Helena Noir:
We have a deal.

She nods her head.

Helena Noir:
And I know the perfect way to seal it. Let’s show Joey and Reznik how it’s done.

The time for talking is over. Helena and Neal hand the microphones to the ring announcer and head to their corner, waiting for their opponents to come down to the ring.

AC/DC's Highway to Hell blares from the empty Enterprise Arena's PA system as the former Chicago Way Champion, Jacob Hammerstein, makes his way down to the ring. The American Monster rolls under the bottom rope, a microphone in his hand. He steps to the center of the ring, facing the hard camera. His face is solemn, sad.

Jacob Hammerstein:
Reese Kennedy was the best friend I've ever had not named Eli Buchanan. When he died, hell, part of me died. The part of me that loved this business. The part of me that loved the travel. The late nights, the early mornings. The scrambling across the airport tarmacs trying to make a connecting flight, not really remembering where you flew in from or knowing where you're flying to. The long ass drives in the way too small rental cars with the windshield wipers that just happened to quit in the middle of a damned monsoon.

When Reese died, I wanted to quit. I didn't want to have anything to do with professional wrestling anymore. I just wanted out.

Then I watched a replay of The Down Under Tour finale. I watched the tribute to Reese. I watched as Reese's friends paid tribute to him.

Hammerstein's eyes well up. He wipes his eyes and composes himself.

Jacob Hammerstein:
I watched as those who were anything but Reese's friends honored him. Kenzie Garrett, Bobbi Jackson, Victoria Salinas, and even Melissa Reeves. They all paid their respects to a man they despised.

I'll never forget that. You four will never know how much that simple gesture means to me.

Hammerstein bows his head, his breathing more like a slow succession of sighs, as he tries to stay on top of his emotions. His head remains bowed as he continues.

Jacob Hammerstein:
With that being said….

The American Monster raises his head, looking to the sky. Tears roll down his cheeks as he nods to the heavens. He brings his head down, his bloodshot eyes boring holes in the camera's lense.

Jacob Hammerstein:
Melissa Reeves…I'm gonna kick your ass!

Hammerstein's expression is cold, damn near soulless.

Jacob Hammerstein:
As far as I'm concerned, we still have a date. And it won't be in some hokey "Hammerstein's House of Fun" bullshit match that The Millennium brass wanted.

No. Hell no.

Me and you.
One on one.
None of your friends.
None of my APE brothers.
Just us.

And if me walking out onto the stage last week was enough to scatter your brains, just wait til I hit you with this right hand.

Hammerstein holds up his clenched right hand.

Jacob Hammerstein:
It's high time I reassert my place in this company. I'm starting tonight with your little buddy, Keelan Jayce.

Keelan Jayce, I'm gonna stomp a goddamn mudhole in your ass as a little preview of what The Reaver has in store for her. Melissa, pay close attention tonight, because Keelan's fate is the same as yours.

Hammerstein flips the microphone to the mat, rolls under the rope, and walks back up the ramp,

Backstage, Melissa Reeves is watching a replay of Hammerstein’s earlier promo.

Jacob Hammerstein
Melissa Reeves…I'm gonna kick your ass!

That draws a scoff from Reeves. She fast forwards a little bit further…

Jacob Hammerstein
Me and you.
One on one.
None of your friends.
None of my APE brothers.
Just us.

Now she pauses the video and turns to the camera.

Melissa Reeves
Gonna stop you there, Hammy. It’s cute, really. Your big return was...a sneak attack? Wow, big wow.

She shrugs.

Melissa Reeves
Now I’ll admit that I did enjoy you having the gall to try and suggest not having your APE idiots involved is something you deserve credit for, though.

Her sarcasm is clear, emphasised by her shaking her head afterward though.

Melissa Reeves
Here’s a fact for you, Hamester, you’re an idiot...and, worse than that, a disappointment. You could be something better but you instead wallow, content to be in the shadow of mediocrity. You call those APE boys brother, but what have they really done for you? Just think about that.

She turns the TV off now, shoving it aside too.

Melissa Reeves
Now you think you’re proving something by targeting me and I get that. I’m the longest reigning MWE Champion and all, I can make you famous. Truthfully I got no problem kicking your ass all over Chicago. You want me 1v1? You got me. I’ll kick your ass, son, then I’ll wash my hands of you entirely and get myself back to where I belong.

Melissa leans in toward the camera.

Melissa Reeves
The top of the mountain...

We open backstage in the locker room set up specifically for Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz, the duo better known as Fabulous. Currently we see the filthy rich heiress and somewhat more arrogant of the two, Summer Collins, dressed in her ring gear seated on a stool with her head propped up in her hands. The beautiful brunette seems deep in thought and that deep thought is interrupted when “The Archangel” Jessica Lasiewicz enters rather loudly.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Summer! Where have you been?

At first Collins doesn’t appear to acknowledge her presence. Jessica snaps her fingers a few times in front of Summer’s face and immediately Summer snaps to attention.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Hello? Summer? It’s me, Jessica; your tag team partner.

Summer Collins:
Huh? Oh, sorry Jess, I was just distracted…

The Archangel tilts her head to one side and frowns.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Now is not the time to be distracted, Summer. You do remember what we came to MWE for? We came so that we can be recognized as among the elite tag teams in all of professional wrestling. Where we came from, Global Championship Wrestling, we are recognized as among the best. Hell, we built the tag team division over there. But that’s just in GCW. If we want to be recognized as among the elite tag teams in all of wrestling we need to prove that we can do this against any and all elite tag teams. Up until now we’ve been proving that but tonight is different. Tonight we get current best in MWE. Tonight is our night to prove ourselves and stake our claim.

Collins sighs and stands up to face Jessica.

Summer Collins:
I know this, Jess. And maybe “distracted” was the wrong word, because trust me when I say that when it comes to tonight’s match, I am NOT distracted. I am focused, now more than ever, on the goal. Don’t think it escaped my notice that we’re facing The BreeTee Committee in a non-title match while being left out of the number one contender’s match. But are we going to complain?

She shakes her head.

Summer Collins:
No, not a chance. Tonight when we defeat The BreeTee Committee we’re going to do just what you said, we’re going to stake our claim to the MWE Tag Team Championship. When we defeat The BreeTees, management will have no choice but to consider us as the rightful top contenders. And you know what that will be?

Jessica smirks.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Absolutely Fabulous?

Summer Collins:
Precisely!

Summer and Jessica embrace in a tight hug. Both seem intense and ready for tonight. But then another thought seems to enter the head of The Archangel.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
What about the boys?

Summer Collins:
You mean Neil and Kyle?

Lasiewicz nods her head.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Your plan is sound, Summer. If we beat Teegan and Bree tonight then there is no way MWE can deny us a tag team title opportunity. Think about Neil and Kyle, though. They have wanted this title shot for a long time. What if they become number one contenders tonight and we defeat The BreeTee Committee? Do you still want to shoehorn ourselves ahead of the line? I mean, that is your plan, isn’t it? To jump in line?

Collins smirks knowingly.

Summer Collins:
You know me oh so well, Jess. But ask yourself, is there anything wrong with what we’re doing. When we defeat The BreeTee Committee tonight who are we to turn down a tag team title opportunity that comes as a result of it? We’d be dumb to turn it down.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Even if it means getting the opportunity ahead of the rightful contenders, especially if it’s Neil and Kyle?

Collins shrugs her shoulders.

Summer Collins:
C'est la vie!

Jessica Lasiewicz:
You sound confident, Summer, but all of your plans have a fatal flaw. Your problem is that you never see the fatal flaw until it’s too late. You think you’ve got everything covered, but please consider the potential consequences. What if we end up ruining Neil and Kyle’s tag title aspirations?

Summer Collins:
What about OUR aspirations?!

Summer’s voice is loud and stern. It is enough to silence The Archangel and make her listen.

Summer Collins:
Neil and Kyle would agree with me, Jess. As competitors we should want to be champions just as much as any other tag team in this company. If you’re not in this to be champion then you’re in the wrong business. When that bell rings you have to set any and all personal feelings aside and fight to win. You said it yourself, Jess, tonight is our night to stake our claim to a tag team title opportunity. If we beat Bree and Teegan then we have that opportunity virtually sealed up. When will we get that opportunity? I don’t know but I hope it’s sooner rather than later. If it ends up messing up with someone else’s tag team aspirations, even if it is Neil and Kyle, then so what? When an opportunity presents itself you reach out and take that opportunity. That’s what competition is all about, Jess.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
But our husbands…

Summer Collins:
Enough about them! Jess, they would agree with me. They made a name for themselves at our expense or did you forget the time we lost to them many years ago and as a result of the agreed upon stipulation we had to serve as their cheerleaders for a few months? That was humbling, downright humiliating, but they put themselves on the map with that victory. They didn’t think twice about it. And if the roles were reversed, if they were in our shoes, they would be plotting the same damn thing I’m plotting right now. And you know I’m right.

There is a long, tense pause as Jessica ponders Summer’s words. The Archangel finally nods her head in agreement.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
You’re right…

She extends her hand.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Let’s go out and win this, Summer. You and me, we’ve run through the MWE tag team division, beating some of the best this division has had to offer, and now we get to face THE best the division has to offer. Let’s go out there and prove to the world that WE are the best tag team in the entire world.

Summer accepts the handshake.

Summer Collins:
That’s what I want to hear! Let’s do this!

Jessica Lasiewicz:
In Your Dreams!

The scene opens on Neil Newman in the hallway in the middle of doing push ups. No telling how many he did prior to the scene cutting in, judging by the sweet that is dripping from his forehead, he has been at this for a considerable amount of time. Finally he takes a breather, laying chest first on the floor. He’s not that out of it. He could go all day. Neil isn’t going to get that chance. A pair of wrestling boots come into the scene next to him. The person sits down revealing themself to be Kyle Butler. He smiles at his best friend.

Kyle Butler:
Don’t kill yourself. Not yet anyway.

Neil takes a moment to collect his breath.

Neil Newman:
I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Kyle Butler:
Never bud. Do you know what I find amazing? Before we walked on the scene the tag team division wasn’t as robust as it now. The division didn’t exist until we came along. Now every team under the sun is making a push to become the next challengers. Makes me proud that WE are the ones who lit the spark that elevated the tag division. Not BreeTee.

Neil Newman sits up. He looks at Kyle and nods.

Neil Newman:
Exactly.

Kyle Butler:
No doubt we are in for the fight of our life tonight. Can’t make the mistake of underestimating anyone. Every team in this match doesn’t get it. This is personal for us. BreeTee are the dragon we have yet to slay. That bothers me knowing they have our number. I want to throw up admitting that. One two occasions they have beaten us, small package or not, triple threat or not, we lost. I know we are better than them. I finally want to put that demon to bed.

Neil nods.

Neil Newman:
And we will.

Neil pulls himself up. He extends his hand to Kyle. He grabs Neil’s hand. Neil pulls him up.

Neil Newman:
We got this.

Neil puts out his fist. Kyle fist bumps him.

Kyle Butler:
We got this!

Both men off screen as the scene fades to black.

Millennium cuts back to the locker room where Victoria Salinas is already prepared for her match ahead. She’s got some thoughts on her mind, mainly the events of two weeks ago and how much they’re driving her to try and bounce back. As time has gone on, she has seemed to be less bothered by the humiliation that she went through and in large part, she appears to have moved on from it even if a slight inkling of it may be on her mind. She realizes that the cameras are on her, which she doesn’t mind of course and she takes a bit of a relaxing breath before she decides to speak her mind again.

Victoria Salinas:
Okay… that wasn’t supposed to happen so soon…

Victoria chuckles as she takes it in stride.

Victoria Salinas:
But… for the last week… there has been one question that I’ve been hearing quite often. And you know what that question is?

Voice:
That question is why you and Kenzie Garrett are facing each other when you’re on the same side, am I right?

Victoria doesn’t react in surprise at the appearance of a woman that’s slightly older than she is, though only by a couple of years. This lack of surprised reaction is based on the fact that she was expecting her to be in this shot.

Victoria Salinas:
It’s a great question, Allison… but that’s not it.

Allison:
You and Kenzie have had some very similar problems with APE lately, so I figured that’s a question that I’d want to pose to you. Oh… sorry… I should introduce myself by the way. I’m Allison and Victoria and I go way back… I’m talking about GCW and… even earlier than that. I’m very good at this “public relations” stuff to say the least and well… two weeks ago? Even Vicky will tell you… it was definitely a disaster. My role here is to help Victoria connect with the audience a little bit better… so I definitely had a behind the scenes role in that little presentation she had earlier tonight. I’m not going to be at ringside, that’s not my business. I know from an in-ring standpoint, Vicky’s got it handled.

Victoria Salinas:
Right… and it’s funny that you mention two weeks ago… and it’s a good callout regarding Kenzie, APE and the fact that in a more ideal situation, we’d be fighting against them… but as I said last week, nobody that is standing against them other than me appear to want a unified front against them. Now… as for your question? I’m not going to focus on that…

Allison:
Really?

Victoria Salinas:
Nope. Because if I focus on that “same side” stuff, that’s going to be a distraction and the last thing that I need right now is a loss before a potential world championship challenge.

Allison:
So… what IS your focus?

Victoria Salinas:
Bouncing back…

This is where Victoria starts to have that determined look in her eye again.

Victoria Salinas:
You said it yourself… two weeks ago was a public relations disaster for me. I would have loved to have a chance to bounce back last week had I ended up having a match. Tonight? It’s nothing personal against Kenzie at all, but it’s about bouncing back from that and getting back on track. I’ve been saying for weeks now that I’m not going away and right now? I have the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone… not only do I bounce back from two weeks ago… I also get some HUGE momentum going. Beating Kenzie Garrett would not just prove that I can beat a champion in MWE when the stakes are fair… because I know that Kenzie is going to give me a fair fight… but it would also add a huge boost to my already increasing confidence. So… Constantine better take a look at what’s going down because I get to show him how a REAL champion wins against a top wrestler like Kenzie… and Kelsey? Yeah, if she’s watching this… maybe she can learn not to bend the knee.

Allison:
Oh?

Victoria Salinas:
She’s over there talking about losing to the better competitor. The difference between her and I is that she admits someone’s better than her, and I admit that someone was better than me for one night. Losing to Kenzie would mean that she’s better than me on THIS night… but I’m not losing to her. She may be strong, she may be tough… but I’m not bending the knee. You know me more than most… I don’t accept being second best to anyone… and tonight is no exception to that.

Tonight? I bounce back. I build momentum. I show two others what a real world champion is capable of.

Allison:
Awesome attitude…

Allison begins to leave, but she does take a brief pause.

Allison:
Oh and Vicky… make sure it doesn’t go too far. You know… to avoid… well… another occurrence of two weeks ago…

Allison leaves the room at this point and for a change, Victoria can actually smile even for a little bit.

Victoria Salinas:
I’ll be sure to remember that…

Victoria remains alone in the locker room, poised and determined to build some momentum and bounce back from two weeks ago as the scene ends.

The camera picks up on noise coming from somewhere backstage as we follow the source all the way to the current tag team champions, The BreeTee Committee, who have been joined by former Invictus champion, Dean Smith, and the youngest member of the Smith family Clover. They are all standing in a wide circle, as much as it was possible in the hallway, while Dean tosses a small blue and red ball over towards his sister Bree who catches it with ease.

Bree and Teagan are dressed in their matching ring gear, the both of them wearing backwards baseball caps, tonight’s colour choices being purple and yellow. Dean’s not competing so he’s dressed in a tight, plain, dark navy bluet-shirt with some good quality jeans. A pair of garland shoes on and the expensive watch on his wrist. Clo was enjoying her time in Chicago and wore four red bangles on either wrist. She had on a pair of fingerless gloves, white and blue stripes that went down just shy of her forearm. She matched this with a white t-shirt with a blue string strap tank top over it. But she did match Dean on the jeans, with hers featuring a rhinestone heart on her left leg and a C on the right leg that she'd altered . Teagan is now holding her hands up waiting for the ball to come her way.

Teagan Gallagher:
Throw it this way, Bree, don’t let Dean be a ball hog!

Bree fakes throwing it to Dean and goes to throw it to Teagan when Dean puts his hand up towards Bree.

Dean Smith:
No. Don’t throw it to Teagan. She’s a known dropper.

Teagan glares over in Dean’s direction before she steps in front of him to block his view and make sure that she’s going to be the one to catch the ball.

Teagan Gallagher:
Don’t listen to him, listen to your tag team partner!

Dean Smith:
We’ve got a good thing going. Kelp’s overly sweaty hands will drop it and we’ll lose this record we’ve been working on.

Dean says as he’s moving to the left of Teagan, right of Bree to try and be open for the catch. Bree decides to throw it behind her back at Clover who catches it with both hands like a goalkeeper.

Bree Smith:
Nice catch, Clo!

Teagan uses both of her hands to give Dean a slight shove sending him moving forward.

Teagan Gallagher:
What did I tell you about the Kelp thing? You’re walking a thin line, mister!

Teagan steps back as she rubs her hands together in an attempt to get herself back in the zone to focus on the game at hand, getting into position to catch the ball.

Teagan Gallagher:
I’m completely focused right now, just like I will be when we’re going up against Fabulous, letting all those other tag teams know exactly what to expect when they try to take our tag team titles.

Dean doesn’t let Teagan get away with the shove thanks to a tip of her hat and a fast ruffle of her hair. Bree nods at her partner’s enthusiasm just before that happened.

Bree Smith:
We’re going to show them and all those teams in that challenge that nobody’s going to rain on the BreeTee Committee’s parade. All day, every day, Teegs.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
It’s really cool you girls are tag team champions. But are you as good as Double Trouble?

Clover then lobs the ball to Dean. Teagan jumps in front to catch the ball, making sure to stick her tongue out at Dean as she does, before she makes a show of tossing it above her head.

Teagan Gallagher:
I don’t think it’s fair to compare ourselves as tag teams, we each have very different dynamics, which is what makes us both such strong teams. That girl power!

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
What if Millennium did a partner swap so you had to team with Mimi here and Bree had to go to California to team with Daya.

Bree’s a little taken back; she'd have to go to the NVR show and Dean grabs the ball before it comes all the way back down to Teagan’s hands.

Dean Smith:
Close one. Almost dropped it, Teagan Kelp Gallagher.

Teagan Gallagher:
Stop being a mean Dean machine.

Teagan is rolling her eyes as she makes an attempt to retrieve the ball from Dean who is holding it up as high as possible and out of reach. As Teagan is jumping up to grab the ball, she makes her best attempt to answer the question Clo had asked.

Teagan Gallagher:
I don’t know how that would work out… Mimi and I might have a completely different dynamic, same for Bree with Daya, would the tag team magic be the same? Would it be ruined?

Bree Smith:
And we’ve put in A LOT of work together. I don’t know if I’d be as in-sync with Daya like I am with Teegs. In the ring it’s kind of like we’re two girls communicating telepathically.

Dean bounces the ball, itself squishing on Teagan’s head, before he throws it back at Clo and she passes it to Bree.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
Just like Chico Musico does in his tag matches. He’s a really good wrestler.

Melanie Dawson:
Yes, I suppose that he is…

The sound of someone else’s voice interrupts their game as Melanie Dawson approaches closer to the circle with an amused expression on her face. She is dressed to impress in a black pencil skirt with a sheer blue sleeveless blouse and a brand new pair of Christian Dior heels. Melanie keeps her eyes focused on Dean as she touches one of her earrings from her new collection.

Melanie Dawson:
I’ll pass the message along to my son-in-law.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
You remind me of that cranky lady from Lexie’s office.

Clo takes notice of Melanie’s well-dressed attire and recognizes a few subtle touches that she saw in her daughter.

Dean Smith:
Clo. This is Melanie. She owns and runs a jewellery store here. The Gemstone Gallery. Melanie, this is Clo, Bree. My sisters and Kelsey ‘Kelp’ Monroe.

He says as he introduces Teagan who makes a face at him before she gets a quick elbow from Bree. Melanie gives all of them a nod before she focuses on Clo.

Melanie Dawson:
That cranky lady is my daughter.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
Well I hope she’s not cranky now. If you’re cranky for too long I heard you get permanent crows feet and one huge wrinkle on your forehead.

Clo says and draws on her forehead roughly where she thought the aforementioned, rumoured wrinkle ends up. Melanie laughs a little bit with a shake of her head.

Melanie Dawson:
Aren’t you charming? I can’t imagine what Rebecca’s issue was.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
Beats me. Catch.

Clover passes the ball to Melanie who immediately takes a step back as if the last thing she wants is to come anywhere near the ball and allows for it to fall to the floor at her feet much to the horror of everyone who had been so focused on the game.

Teagan Gallagher:
See! I wasn’t the one who ruined the game!

Bree Smith:
I never doubted you, Teegs. You’re dependable and fabulous.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
It’s not opposite day, Melanie.

Clo says as she picks up the ball from the ground and tosses it close but over Melanie to Dean as Melanie places one hand on his chest so that he doesn’t reach out to catch the ball. It once again hits the floor much to the pleasure of Melanie who kicks it with one heel.

Melanie Dawson:
I see that you’re done here, I need your help for a minute.

Dean Smith:
Sure. What do you need?

Melanie Dawson:
It’s in my car, I’m sure the girls will be okay without you, right?

Melanie glances back towards them before she looks back at Dean, placing one hand on his bicep as if she was trying to add a little extra incentive for his benefit.
Dean Smith:
I think so. Clo, you’ll be ok with Bree?

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
Yeah. I love hanging out with Bree.

Clo locks her arms around Bree and Teagan’s arm so she’s in the middle of the tag team champions.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
And I can do the pre-match warm up with them now.

As if on cue, both Teagan and Bree use their combined strength to lift up Clo, using their hands to form a seat for her to be comfortably rested without having to worry about her balance.

Teagan Gallagher:
She’s in great hands as you can see.

Clover ‘Clo’ Smith:
Let’s go see the boss’s office, Girls!

Clo rests her hands on her sister and her friend’s shoulders to steady herself. Bree immediately lowers to train her legs by squatting and walking like so, showing her no days off mentality.

Teagan Gallagher:
Your wish is our command, we are the BreeTee chariot after all!

The scene cuts backstage to Gavin Grimes standing in front of a camera. He’s wearing a white shirt with a leather jacket and black jeans, it’s all a part of his new look.

Gavin Grimes:
Birdie, birdie, birdie… You didn’t look so good the last time you came out here and spoke. What happened?

A devilish grin rolled across his face.

Gavin Grimes:
Oh that’s right… I beat the shit out of you. I thought that would teach you to keep my name out of your mouth but what did you do? You came out here and you talked about me. Again.

Gavin waved his finger and shook his head.

Gavin Grimes:
You want to call me daddy’s little princess? That’s fine. It just shows exactly what I’ve been saying all along. You’re jealous of me. You always have been and you always will be. But here’s the thing… you won’t ever be me. You can’t ever be me. So give it up or else I’ll end you.

He leaned toward the camera and glared.

Gavin Grimes:
I know your weak points, Ana. Don’t fuck with me.

With that said, Gavin walked off and the scene cut away 

The shot opens up inside the office of the Millennium General Manager, Elsa McCarthy. She’s not alone, her Riot counterpart Vincent Moretti is sitting there with her, and the two seems to be in the midst of an argument, although both of them appear perfectly calm.

Elsa McCarthy:
I perfectly understand your point, Vincent. Riot hasn’t had a challenger for the World Championship since Melissa Reeves, who then asked to be moved to the green brand. And I agree, Kelsey is a good candidate…

Vincent Moretti:
Honestly, the win over Melissa is one of the more convincing arguments anybody could make regardless of the brand she represents. There’s something else I’m far more...worried about no matter who the challenger is.

Vincent states this with a calmness in his voice though if you look at his eyes it seems like some of the other stressors of the job have made him sleep far less than normal. He has a five o’clock shadow and the silver hair is a little more unkempt despite the silver suit he wears.

Elsa McCarthy:
You mean APE?

The question was almost rhetorical at this point. Chris Constantine’s crew has been running wild on both rosters with interference, attacks and whatnot.

Elsa McCarthy:
I tried to ban them at the last pay-per-view and he still found a way around it..

The young general manager lets out a long sigh. This was only one of the many times when she tried to do the right thing and it backfired. And this certainly wasn’t making her grow any fonder of a job she never really wanted to take. Vincent could see the frustration and feeling of helplessness in her eyes.

Vincent Moretti:
Constantine’s quite the damn pillock, ain’t he?

Vincent’s half joke, half actual response at least makes him half smirk for a brief second before he just shakes his head getting more serious.

Vincent Moretti:
But there’s more than one reason why I suggested Kelsey other than having the huge qualification of beating Melissa. It does help that she has natural allies to potentially neutralize that threat but one of the things I’ve learned during my time as manager is that as much as promoters love to chase the mirror match it’s that opposites and contrasts are what truly make wrestling matches. Those two, Kelsey and Constantine, couldn’t be more opposite if they tried.

She listens carefully to the much more expert colleague. His words make sense, she can see where Moretti is coming from, and where he is going. But…

Elsa McCarthy:
As much as I agree with you here, and I do… This doesn’t change the fact that Victoria was robbed of her last opportunity.

We all know what happened at Down Under when Salinas challenged Constantine, how the current World Champion found a way to get round the ban Elsa imposed on all the APE members, hiring the mercenary BROOKFORD to help him getting the best out of his opponent.

Elsa McCarthy:
She has a right to complain, this time. I thought about this situation and… We have two contenders, two nights… Why not putting the world championship on the line on either night? Both Kelsey and Salinas would have their rightful, one on one shot at the title.

Vincent’s face maintains a frown as he ponders everything.

Vincent Moretti:
That’s not entirely fair to all of the parties either even if our champion kind of deserves that situation. And who is to say the APE or Constantine won’t do some sort of similar work around bullshit as protest? But I can get behind both of them having their one on one shot if we can solve that other...issue. Call me old fashioned but I tend to prefer title matches being one on one when it’s possible. Plus I can hear the champion scream about defending against two opponents at the same time...but he’s the champion not the people who tell him who he defends and when and in what mat---

And then as he’s tapping his fingers on the desk, his eyes widen as if he just came up with something. A literal lightbulb goes off on his head.

Vincent Moretti:
Elsa, I think I have an idea that falls in line with the spirit of the event that could take care of it all. And it all goes back to the traditions of the sport itself and it might solve all of our little problems. The people have to vote on the stipulations anyhow so we have three options. Option one is you put them in a fence as they used to say in my day.

Vincent immediately feels the odd look from his much younger counterpart at his terminology.

Vincent Moretti:
It’s code for a cage, kid. And if we’re worried about someone else climbing up the damn thing or breaking through the door we’ll have someone we both trust guard the damned key and watch out for anyone who could run in.

Elsa McCarthy:
A cage, huh?

Elsa quickly notes down the option, pondering it in her mind. Sure thing, she’s perhaps more concerned about the costs of the structure rather than its effectiveness.

Elsa McCarthy:
It’s an option, sure..

Vincent Moretti:
You’re worried about telling Miss van Beek about that one aren’t you? Don’t worry on that one, kid.

Vincent lets out a shrug as if to tell her to let him handle pitching that option to their boss.

Vincent Moretti:
Option two is something we don’t see a lot of in this day and age. Plus it’d be a lot...harder to deal with the entire mass of humanity around the ring for it even if it has its own risks. You could make it a lumberjack match. Let the locker room police itself in a way.

Again, Elsa takes notes, thankfully that she can count on Moretti to resolve this situation.

Elsa McCarthy:
Hmm, I like it. The lumberjacks could keep an eye on APE and we won’t risk to get another main event spoiled.

There’s a smile on her lips as she looks up at Vince. The expression quickly changes as she seem to get struck by some idea. Vincent gives her a look as if to encourage her to speak it.

Vincent Moretti:
Come on kid, I know that look. You got something good. I can help make your idea a reality if you’re worried about that.

His encouraging words help her win that shyness and that feeling of being about to say something stupid.

Elsa McCarthy:
I was thinking… What about a special referee? Someone who’s not afraid to make hard calls if needed? I’m thinking of someone with enough authority to guarantee a fair match, impartial and super partes, with enough experience and knowledge to handle all the pressure that comes with a match like this.

Vincent’s face ponders that for a moment as he instinctively asks another question but it isn’t out of an act of rejection, his face is highly intrigued.

Vincent Moretti:
Do you have someone in mind for that spot?

After he asks that question though there is a smile on his face anyway.

Vincent Moretti:
I like it though. You get the right person for that job, especially someone who can think like our champion who can bend and break the rules like that, and you’d have a very effective ref. I think Miss van Beek will be happy to hear that option too especially if it’s you suggesting it. And if that’s what’s voted on we can figure out who the ref is closer to when the time comes.

Elsa notes down the third option, trying to conceal a certain pride Vincent’s complimentary words made her feel behind a wide smile.

Elsa McCarthy:
We have a profile, the perfect candidate can be found when, eventually, the stipulation is voted. Thank you, Vincent. This meeting has been… Enlightening.

Vincent nods his head but another thought seems to come over him.

Vincent Moretti:
Could I borrow one more moment of your time, Elsa? It’s nothing near as daunting as what we just had to solve. But I think this might benefit you to hear.

Elsa McCarthy:
Of course. What’s up?

She quickly asks, curious about what Moretti has to say next.

Vincent Moretti:
You’re nothing like Miss van Beek in terms of style, but there’s nothing wrong with that. You are your own woman with your own ideas. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if your idea was the one who won the vote of the fans. But never shrink down and avoid pitching your own idea in any situation. The worst thing she can ever say is no or not right now. Trust me, I know it felt good to have your idea approved. You can’t hide that from me!

Vincent has a smirk but it’s more of a teasing nature than anything malicious for a brief moment. If anything, he knew today was big even if some people might just write it off as something else. But for someone who is trying to find themselves? Sticking your neck out in any idea is a big step.

Vincent Moretti:
But it’s a good feeling no matter how experienced we are. Hell, if you’re worried about how an idea might sound you can call me and I can give you the ins and outs of it to the best of my ability. Just never be afraid to say something or you might end up regretting how the situation turns out no matter how it resolves itself, okay? We might run different brands with different stars whom have different interests but we both have the same interests at the end of the day, right?

She let his words sink in for a few moments. This meeting has really been a lot more than just solving an intricate situation for the young General Manager. It was a lesson, one of the many Vincent taught her in this short time since she took over the green brand. And he never did that with arrogance or trying to impose his views. He guided her, helped her find her own voice and boost her self-esteem about this job and her ability to run a show.

Elsa McCarthy:
Thank you, Vincent. I really appreciate this.

She stands up and offer him her hand to shake, accompanied by a soft smile. Vincent shakes her hand and does have a warm smile, similar to a teacher proud of his student. He just straights up his papers and puts them in a folder on his desk.

Vincent Moretti:
Let’s get out of here. I think our job is now safely complete.

Elsa nods and walks around her desk, preceding Moretti to the door.

Elsa McCarthy:
And I dare to say, we brilliantly resolved this. We make quite a good team, don’t you think?

Vincent Moretti:
We’ll only get better as you continue to grow with the job, Elsa. We did some damn good work today. Now...I’m going to get something to drink. You’re welcome to join me if you want. No pressure, though.

Elsa McCarthy:
I think we deserved it.

She smiles at her Riot colleague, following him outside the office and closing the door behind them. The camera then cuts back to ringside.

The scene cuts backstage to Megan Rydell standing in her locker room in street clothes. She has her Intercontinental Championship over her shoulder and a serious look on her face.

Megan Rydell:
Last week, I was attacked before my match. What kind of bullshit is that? And it’s obvious that Melody Lennox did it because I saw it. She’s a fucking worthless and jealous bitch.

Meg nodded.

Megan Rydell:
This is the problem with Millennium and it always has been. The useless attacks! This place is like the wild, wild west and it’s just allowed to stay that way. But I’m done with it. I’m done with Moretti and everyone else above him. All of the excuses they have for it? They’re bullshit. I am going to be the one to lead the charge to end all of this. To make this place what it needs to be. Where you actually have to wrestle and use your SKILL to get over.

She stepped toward the camera and raised the Intercontinental Championship in the air.

Megan Rydell:
And this here? It gives me the power to make my stamp on this company because it is a cross brand championship. It means that I can be on both shows whenever I want. It means I can work as much as I want as well, which is what I love. Because me? I love to be here. I love to put in the work and I strive to be the absolute best. Some of you just float along, hoping for good things to happen to you. But not me. I’ve been here over two years and I’ve clawed and scraped for what I have.

She holds up her championship again.

Megan Rydell:
And I won’t let anyone take me down. I won’t let anyone ruin my hard work. I am here to stay and I will be the Intercontinental Champion until someone takes this belt from my lifeless body. So don’t get it twisted, I AM MWE. I’m the face of this company. Not Constantine, not that idiot Hearst! ME!!!

She leaned toward the camera and glared into it.

Megan Rydell:
And I won’t let anyone of you ever forget it.

With that said she walked off and the scene cut away.

Anastasia Starling:
It feels a little strange to have a feeling of optimism around these parts.

Came the voice, soft and sweet, almost as if they were accidently singing their words. As the footage picked up from the pitch black, to swirls of black smoke accented by rich, purple glitter.

Anastasia Starling:
I think the first thing people will want to be hearing about, from myself at least, is the well documented news about my father’s court case. I’m not entirely sure what else really needs to be said on the matter. Evidence was given, by both sides, and judgement was made. It is very difficult, which is unusual for me, to convey in words what occurred, not only in that courtroom, but in all the days leading up to it, so I am not even going to try to. This, really, on a live wrestling broadcast, this isn’t the place to really speak of it. But to those that are awaiting something, I do have one thing to say. I know the fans who have remained loyal to me in these trying months, and possibly some of the staff, maybe one or two on the roster even, they… You… You have supported me when I hit my lowest point, along with my real family and the few friends I have remaining. I would not be here if it was not for you, what was done would not have been possible without you. So thank you. Thank you for being you, for being true, for being honest when even I couldn’t take it.

As they spoke, the soft voice ever so obvious, the figure of Anastasia Starling was picked up, still upon a backdrop of midnight, and attired in her over the top ring gear. Royal purple was more, decorated in faux peacock feathers, sleeveless. She stared up to the heavens, taking a deep breath of the free air before turning towards the camera, those greens and blues she had for eyes sparkling in the camera lens.

Anastasia Starling:
Thank you for not leaving me.

She held hands over her heart, before using sign language to clearly state “I Love You”, before she reverted back to speaking openly, her voice gentle, but with a hidden firmness that crept out, light shining in those beautiful eyes.

Anastasia Starling:
Now, now we have that out of the way, I suppose it’s for the best we move on to what is important here, in what has become my home federation over the past eight months. Although, with recent acquisitions, it’s starting to feel a little like somewhere else. I’m sure many of you at home that may be familiar with the company I was employed with prior to here, and I sure you are, you’d be able to get what I am saying.

She sat herself upon an invisible seat, hands letting her chin delicately rest upon them, as she peered into the lens.

Anastasia Starling:
Something is… happening. It’s hard to put an exact thumbprint on it, when other thumbprints are painted here and there, and some pressed into the skin, some even tattooed and others so deep it seems that they are part of someone’s body. But I can see it, and I don’t like it. And I know one or two others see it as well.

She made a motion with her thumb, sticking out her tongue childishly and playfully, as she then continued on.

Anastasia Starling:
It’s difficult to feel comfortable, despite getting through what I and others have gotten through lately. And, as a champion, I know I have a target painted on my back. I know as well that being the top champion of the brand has that, and the previous champion though she had tiny feet, she left very big shoes to fill. I get an almost daily reminder of that, despite my own experience and accomplishments within the sport. So I understand the eyes watching on, I understand the pressure. I’ve been here before, I’ve held World Titles and been public enemy number one for my success, not my failings. But this… Oh this is very different. That fresh start I spoke about eight months ago doesn’t seem all that fresh when you see the faces coming in, does it?

A few very blurred images seemed to fly past her, very purposeful and non alluded to, clearly of the likes of Gavin Grimes, BROOKFORD and Freddie Hjalmar, in action within the Underground, but none of them flattering. Each image being them tossed around, pinned, dropped on their head. Each a representation of the failings and misgivings.

Anastasia Starling:
This show, at least on an advertising standpoint, has been built around the debut of a man who has long been regarded as making his real break due to opportunities granted by my father, who came to court to support him, and has openly thanked him for the opportunities given. Recently, my appearances have been nothing but hindered by constant assaults by the man who was hand picked by my father has his second choice Chosen One. And tonight, tonight I am booked in a match with someone who always comes from the very same place, who really made their name in that same place, and a man who was recently aided by my stepmother. A woman who curses my name at every step.

More images stepped on by, Anastasia not flinching, especially when the unrequested (reportedly) aid of BROOKFORD’s most recent in ring victory elsewhere passed by.

Anastasia Starling:
Now, many would call this paranoia. That has been thrown at me enough times over the years, so it is nothing new to me. And to be honest, they are not the only three that have stepped over from the land of the Accused. The list is growing, and they are not the only ones, and certainly not the only ones who have made comments over the place I earned, the title I earned, the spot on this roster that I earned.
The Pale WInged Passerine stood, confident as she had ever been as more and more colour seemed to add to the background, rainbow themed Guy Fawkes’ masks floating on by, bobbing up and down as they did so, as Ana haphazardly started using sign language as she went along.

Anastasia Starling:
Not all those Accused are criminals. Not yet, but the feeling a crime will be attempted… It’s almost like it was set out to be that way, don’t you think? It did make me question where I was being booked.

She smiled, those cherry red lips spreading as she let her arms rest, showing that in addition to her ring gear, and the championship belt over her shoulder, she seemed to have a “Deadly Gooses Assassination Squad” t-shirt over the other shoulder.

Anastasia Starling:
Tonight, despite the shadows cast of debuts, trials, absent former champions, ineffective security measures and comments fed that make no sense, I am facing a challenge that has not been afforded to me before, the previously mentioned BROOKFORD. I was on a roster with him for a solid year, and yet we never crossed paths. Whether that be through mere coincidence, or the fact my path towards justice, or whatever you’d like to call it, was completely separate and distant from the path of a mercenary seeking the highest payout, whether it be in the pocket of someone who offered dollar for help, or a quest to enhance their own standing.

As she crossed her arms, she gazed at her championship, looking at it longingly as her hand absentmindedly moved to her throat, then moved around to scratch the back of her neck. She didn’t break in her speech though, her eyes laser focused, like fireflies where within them.

Anastasia Starling:
I’ve been at pretty much every Silver Brand show they have competed on. I’ve seen his work, I know what he can do. Much faster than a man of his size should be, as strong as one should be, technically minded as anyone on the higher level of the industry and has a mind that is as dangerous any you could potentially come across. Unpinned in the world of outlaws. Someone who has never quit against the hardest they have come across.

She paused for a moment, a finger on her lip as she gazed upwards, looking less tense than she had been, a little more carefree than what had been recently seen.

Anastasia Starling:
Also a big bitch who needed help from a mouthy bitch to get their last win, and unable to capitalize on a golden opportunity against a Little Wolf Bitch who gets things done, and probably always will.

Starling shrugged her shoulders, little images passing by, ones of the recent attacks on her, and even some tweets that were directed at her, each with red crosses being drawn through them to hide the content, though an image of a document stating she was cleared to compete had a big green tick against it.

Anastasia Starling:
I know what I am facing. And I know what is watching on, even more so than many expect. Sly gifs have been spotted, alliances forming have been witnessed, the thinly veiled comments of those that are trying to remain secretive are all too plain. But many of you, so many of you… You are forgetting something very, very important.

She wagged her finger, as her eyes seemed to blaze an inferno, and ethereal wings appeared to protrude from her back, saintly and heavenly, the wings spreading far and wide.

Anastasia Starling:
I’m Anastasia Starling. I’ve been the Rising Phoenix, the Iron Woman, the Rebirth, the Clockwork Songbird, the Little Circus Girl Who Could And Would. I’m the Three Time World Champion, the Queen of the Mountain, the Little Monster who took down whole regimes. I broke records, I made dreams come true, I am the most impossible, impossibubble professional wrestler in the industry and I have, am and will fly higher than anyone in this industry has ever done before. I came from royalty, but made it as a pauper. I could have played the princess, but made it as one of you. And I will always be one of you, because you made me.

Her eyes glowed like wildfire, those wings seeming to have razor blade edges as her hands turned into talons, just as Alexa the raven flew into flew, landing upon her shoulder, letting out their shrill call.

Anastasia Starling:
As someone once said, I’m the Homicidal, Genocidal, Suicidal, Pixie Unicorn Bird…

As the imagery faded away, the wings and fire vanishing, the raven cuddled up to her as she simply smiled to the camera, that sweet figure there again, but clinging to that championship belt as she wrapped the shirt around her.

Anastasia Starling:
But most of all, right here, right now… I am the Cloud Gate Champion of MWE. And I will play the role of the Monster of the Millennium if needs be. I’m not the welcoming mat, I am the next level. And if you try to play me, watch me fly… Because I am coming from the skies, and it is game over for you. And for anyone who wants to interfere in my world again. Be it a merc, the chosen, a prince, a blackbird or anyone else. Watch me fly, feel yourself fall...