Post by gvb on May 12, 2020 15:48:37 GMT -6
MWE Presents: Dark Web II (night 2)
Live from Enterprise Arena in Chicago, IL
Sunday, May 10th, 2020
"No Mercy" by PVRIS welcomes the fans to night two of Dark Web II. The four commentators are sitting at their table, and of course the main topic of discussion is the controversial ending of night one. Peyton said that what happened in the main event is only going to exacerbate the bad blood between Michaels and Andrews, making the Lego And Hard Candy match even more interesting. Another interesting match will be the IC title match. Megan Rydell only had 24 hours to prepare for her opponent Tank Steiner, who makes his debut in MWE tonight. The Invictus Championship will also be on the line, for the first time contested inside a cage, much like the Lockdown Championship. Figgles is obviously thrilled by the level of violence ensured by the Chicago Way Championship match although, Amy said, the main event could be as much as violent. And after the quick rundown of tonight's card, it's time to kick off night 2 of Dark Web II.
Abruptly a lavish title card reading Fake Tales with Brien Storm cuts off the intro to night two of Dark Web II. Followed by a fade into Brien Storm rocking a three piece suit walking through large red theater curtains with a microphone in hand and a large grin on his face.
Brien Storm:
Good Evening Chicago.
Brien lets his warm greeting sit.
Brien Storm:
My guest tonight happens to be an illustrious… nobody. Much like tonight she usually is the first person going down the ramp and the first person going up the ramp when she loses.
Canned laughter rings out after Brien seemingly purposefully bad joke.
Brien Storm:
Thank you, I came with that myself. Your Favorite Worst Nightmare don't need C-level writers for terrible jokes. My guest tonight is a lovely loser by the name of Leia LeBeau...
Canned laughter plays once again cutting off Brien, which draws a grin from your Favorite Worst Nightmare.
Brien Storm:
I wholeheartedly agree with you folks she's just laughable. You couldn't do anything meaningful in your acting career, so you decided to hop over into professional wrestling. A little like me, except I came over from my highly successful career in music to become highly successful in this business. By all accounts I've done that so far so imagine my surprise, when your Favorite Worst Nightmare found out I were fighting you. I went from a Riot Championship match to a Intercontinental Tournament, both of which I should've won, to this. Clearly someone is trying to mess with me. That's fine though, I always ready to prove I'm better than someone. And if bending Leia's limbs in the wrong directions will find me a title shot for the MWE Intercontinental Championship well unfortunately for her insufferable self I'm all too keen on that.
More canned laughter towards Brien Storm's harsh but calmly stated threat. More amusement shows in Brien's face clearly relishing in this talk show monologue charade. Quickly though the grin leaves him and his tone changes to a more serious and warning one.
Brien Storm:
Leia I'm sure you're going to step into the ring with all the panache you can muster with your shitty outfit on ready for fisticuffs, but this ain't that kind of fight. My focus is sharper than a razor's edge. When something, you better believe I get that something. And when I'm disrespected like I am now with this pitiful match, well that just upsets me mate. Unfortunately for you Leia, you're facing a perfect storm. No pun intended.
Brien grin returns as the canned laughter sounds a bit more raucous this time. Brien cut through on going cheers
Brien Storm:
Thank you all folks and Leia I'll be seeing you.
Fade to black.
As the broadcast cut to ringside, a spotlight shone on the entrance ramp, revealing a single cello player sat there. The bell rang to announce the first match, one between “The Show” Leia LeBeau and Brien Storm. The cellist began to play a stunning version of the Wonder Woman theme tune, Tina Guo’s in fact, and as the stunning musician began to play out the tune, accompanied by a live band AND a choir.
Sir Figgles:
I’ve got money on this one being a car crash!
Amy Maynard:
I think that is a little insensitive given what happened to Donovan Keane, Leia’s boyfriend, on Night One yesterday.
Sir Figgles:
Well if you’re going to get run over, it makes sense that it’s by an ambulance. Just makes things quicker for recovery.
Amy Maynard:
You’re so insensitive… Regardless of that comment, it is a surprise to many that Leia LeBeau is even here tonight. But due to contracts that were signed prior to the pay per view, it has been mentioned that barring an injury to themselves, all competitors had to compete in whatever match was assigned. So here she is, putting on a show.
Leia LeBeau stepped from behind the curtain as the drum beat kicked in and the choir started singing, looking absolutely fabulous and on point as Gal Gadot’s version of Wonder Woman, wearing the complete skimpy outfit, along with the sword, shield and Lasso of Truth. It was clear she was upset with everything that had happened, but The Showgirl was determined to put on a show as she always did, strutting out past the band with a tear in her eye. It had to be noted that attached to her hip was the new ‘Dangerous Donnie’ t-shirt that had just been released, as she raised it up to hold close to her heart.
Amy Maynard:
Leia paying tribute to Donovan Keane with that shirt.
Sir Figgles:
Hey? What’s with that sign over there.
There was indeed a large, blackened sign to the side of her, and after tucking the shirt behind her shield, she pulled out the lasso. Twirling it around her head, she cracked the whip, hitting the sign as it suddenly burst into flames. Once a light, it spelled out the message “Welcome To The Show”.
Amy Maynard:
Wow! Well this is certainly one way to welcome you all to Night Two of Dark Web II! The Showgirl knows how to make a statement.
Sir Figgles:
And she is going to need to make a statement against a multi time World Champion like Brien Storm, though my money is on Storm.
Amy Maynard:
We can’t tell her mindset going into this, but a victory here for LeBeau would not only be a shock, but it would also be the biggest win of her young career.
Leia continued strutting her stuff as she went to the ring, climbing in with a seductive little dance over the middle rope, before resting Donnie’s shirt on the turnbuckle. As she awaited her opponent, she leaned into the camera, planting a big kiss upon the lens that filled the screen with a large, pink lip mark. “This is for you, Donnie. I’ll be back soon. I love you,” she purred, before taking off the lasso, sword and shield as she awaited her opponent.
Singles Match
Leia LeBeau VS Brien StormThe Favorite Worst Nightmare was far from impressed by the Wonder Woman attire or Leia’s elaborate entrance. Confidence as always, he mocked the young girl, mimicking the sound of the ambulance siren that took away her boyfriend last night. And he got slapped soundly across the cheek by The Show for it. He answered with a knee to the midsection, doubling her over and knocking her down with a forearm to the spine. He maintained control easily with a series of three suplexes, making a first pinfall attempt and obtaining a count of two. It seemed clear since this first moments that Leia’s mind wasn’t in this match. Too concerned about the situation her man was in, laying in a hospital bed for the past twenty four hours. She didn’t seem able to give continuity to her offense, connecting a kick here and there but making some mistake right after, or getting distracted and allowing Brien to turn the momentum back in his favor. Another two count came for him after a snap dragon suplex, with Storm picking up the opponent right after and throwing her in the corner where he smacked her with a running uppercut before lifting her to sit on the top turnbuckle, just to pick her up onto his shoulder and drop her with the I’ve moved your chair. Once again LeBeau raised her shoulder just in time. Feeling in absolute control, Brien started taking his time to toy with the opponent, becoming more cocky and less focused, thus giving Leia a small window of opportunity to try a first shy reaction. She began swinging those long legs of hers, and Brien learned why her kicks were some of the most feared on the orange brand. Soon the Favorite Worst Nightmare was on his knees, perfectly positioned for her Show Kicks, a series of shoot kicks to the chest. . To end this second wind of offense, Leia hit the ropes to connect a running big boot to the opponent’s face. Finally Brien was down and she rushed into a cover, hoping that this was enough to secure her the win so that she could go back to her Donnie. But this wasn't enough to keep the Captain down, Leia tried again with a meteora, but the outcome was just the same. And soon Brien took back control catching the running showgirl with a samoan drop. No more wasting time, no more playing with food, Storm was now determined to end the match and pick up a win that, considering the experience advantage and what transpired so far from the match, seems obvious. Although in great difficulty, LeBeau was pouring her heart into this fight, kicking out from everything Brien brought to the table and coming back for more. She even attempted another comeback, countering an irish whip and sending Brien in the corner, but when she charged, he caught her with a reverse STO into the middle turnbuckle. The young girl was laying down, battered and bruised and Storm got nothing better than mocking her once again, claiming that “Showtime is over.” This time the facts were proving him right. He went to pick her up to end the match with the Unforecasted Storm and almost got caught with an inside cradle, managing to kick out in two. They were both up to their feet, Brien swinging and missing with a right hook and Leia quickly countering with a cartwheel heascissors. The young girl tried to submit the multi time champion with her How Darehug, squeezing those strong legs around his torso in a tight bodylock from behind, using her forearm to club him on the back of the head. And then he arrived, Asher Miles walked down the ramp keeping his eyes glued on Leia. The Showgirl shook her head, yelling at him to go away but obviously the Antares didn't listen. He grabbed the Dangerous Donnie shirt and tossed it on the floor, pouring something onto it and setting it on fire. Leia let go her opponent, screaming "Why?" at Miles, watching her boyfriend's shirt engulfed in flames. Asher didn't answer, turning on his heels and leaving without saying a word. Storm was standing now behind Leia, lifting her on his shoulders and dropping her down with the Unforecasted Storm. WINNER: Brien Storm BY: Pinfall (Unforecasted Storm), 9:16 |
Sir Figgles: "I don't know what Donovan did to this kid, but it must have been something awful... He sent him and his best friend to the hospital, and it looks like Leia is the next on his list."
Amy Maynard: "This is not looking good for her, Figgles. Not at all."
Amy Maynard: "This is not looking good for her, Figgles. Not at all."
We see that the location of Moretti’s office this time is a local pizza place in the heart of Chicago. They have a couple of monitors set up around and the various workers, wearing their masks and protecting themselves, are doing their work as they are making their food. While Vincent is watching one of the matches from a monitor, he’s still sitting on his desk and he just seems like he’s in a particularly foul mood.
Vincent Moretti:
Brah! Damn APE making a mockery of what it means to be in the main event and what a world title match means…
One of the workers does serve Moretti a piece of Chicago styled pizza on his desk before scampering back to work. Vincent straightens his tie and lets out a sigh before he just continues muttering darkly for a moment, ignoring the fresh hot pizza now on his desk.
Vincent Moretti:
Slap all of us in the face…
By now used to the peculiar locations chosen by her Riot counterpart as his office, Elsa doesn’t seem too bothered by the location chosen, despite her white cutout dress being in serious danger in a venue like this. She immediately spots her colleague, if anything before she can clearly hear his voice cursing at his desk. She joins him there, sitting at the chair placed right in front of him and pointing her elbows on the desk, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
Elsa McCarthy:
Good evening Vincent… If I may say so…
Her voice betrays tiredness. Last night, the first night of Dark Web II was quite stressful for the young general manager, and the days before were no less draining. This time it is Vincent who seems like he’s mentally out of it for a moment before he blinks and realizes Elsa is there.
Vincent Moretti:
Oh...good evening kid.
There’s a disgruntled sigh that escapes from Vincent’s lips as he slinks back on his chair but his eye is twitching. He has a barely contained fury as he’s tapping his fingers on his desk for a couple of moments. Finally he lashes out by throwing an empty bottle of water at the wall.
Vincent Moretti:
That craven do-nothing son of a BITCH!
The water bottle bounces off the wall with a couple of thuds as Vincent is twitching still in his anger.
Vincent Moretti:
The only thing commendable about what happened is that he passed on the navy montra of not leaving people behind to his mates. But that certainly wasn’t the work of a navy man. What we saw in that main event last night Elsa was more along the lines of King Henry the sixth. Everybody other than the head man doing the work for the King because the person at the top of the line wasn’t capable of handling the reign. He doesn’t quite have his papa’s gift for war in the same manner.
And then he just sneers for a moment and glances at the steaming hot pizza but doesn’t take a bite. He’s that angry. He even palms another thing to throw but refrains.
Vincent Moretti:
He tried to be his own man and not go to wrestling. I partied with his old man back in the day and he mentioned that to me. But now that the second generation boy is in here he’s become the epitome of what he wanted to avoid. He’s having others make the important decision when it matters the most and one more time...the mad King. The feeble King...the foolish King was handed his ill begotten throne yet again. All because his more powerful nobles pulled the strings knowing he couldn’t do it on his own. He wasn’t strong enough to take that stand. History forever repeats...and they did what they had to do. They have power as long as their figurehead is strong…
And then he grunts yet again, still furious.
Vincent Moretti:
But the little chickenshit ends up taking a dump on us all by showcasing how weak he was yet again. And another god damn main event is DOWN THE FUCKING TOILET!!!!!!!!
He lets out that high yell and throws a second bottle of water at the wall that has a louder whack to it, he’s breathing heavy from all of his fury and he then remembers one thing and he’s even angrier.
Vincent Moretti:
And even worse, we have someone using the goddamned L word all because we have this weak, feeble KING!
Elsa listened to his monologue with startled eyes. Vincent has always been able to keep his calm, even in the most stressful moments. But tonight he just lost it, that ability to always approach the situations with a collected mind is only a memory. Vincent at his desk just mouths off one more profanity without saying it out loud.
Elsa McCarthy:
I… I guess I missed something. Who used the L word? And why?
She seems more surprised than concerned. And then he realizes once she speaks again that she had to witness all of that. He lets out a sigh, almost feeling a little bad before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone to show Elsa rather than say it out loud right now. It’s easier since it’s a particular tweet after all. Though after handing her his phone he slinks back on his desk and just shakes his head. As she’s reading that updated situation, Vincent finally finds his voice again, more akin to his normal tone.
Vincent Moretti:
...That was probably not my most professional couple of minutes but it needed to be let out. But sorry, I lost my cool. The damn mad King really helped create a mess once again.
Elsa pours herself a glass of water and fumbles inside her purse, pulling out a headache tablet and swallowing it by downing with a sip of water.
Elsa McCarthy:
Yeah.. It was disgraceful. Looks like the cage wasn’t enough to keep his goons out..
Vincent Moretti:
No kidding…
Vincent rubs his temple as if he has a bit of a headache himself.
Vincent Moretti:
I get the feeling this’ll be my headache to endure. Ha..haha…
A humorless laugh escapes him.
Vincent Moretti:
Yeah...I might have to come up with something a little more different next time.
Elsa McCarthy:
Need one of these?
She asks, handing him one of her tablets.
Vincent Moretti:
After I eat perhaps. I tend to not eat well if I have to take one of’m.
Putting them back in her purse, she forces a smile.
Elsa McCarthy:
I was able to get something before coming here. Although that pizza surely looks inviting.
Vincent Moretti:
‘The best in Chicago.’
Vincent mimics the owner of the place in his best Chicago accent which...for an Russian sounds as horrible as you’d expect.
Vincent Moretti:
...We’ll address all of the things that need to be done after the show. I guess after all that, we might as well enjoy some of the best wrestlers in the world do just that: wrestle. Just what you got from me is sometimes a taste of how a wrestler feels after something really doesn’t go there way, you know. I rode in a car and managed one of the more temperamental wrestlers of the generation as you know…
Vincent’s eyes light up as he remembered something else.
Vincent Moretti:
Speaking of something that does need to be addressed later…but to give you a heads up.
Vincent opens up his desk and pulls out a stack of papers and he hands them over to Elsa
Vincent Moretti:
I think it’s your turn if you can find the right one to pique his interest for this one.
She casually scrolls through the papers, until she realizes what, or rather who, they are talking about.
Elsa McCarthy:
This… Really?
Her eyes move from the papers to Vincent and then back to the folder.
Elsa McCarthy:
I mean, I was obviously aware of the agreement, I’m the one who put it to papers back then. But I thought that, considering who we’re talking about, you wanted to handle this...
Vincent, for the first time, has a semblance of a warm smile come to his face.
Vincent Moretti:
Considering the headache I think I’m about to have the next couple of weeks, my hands might be full. Plus you do need a little more experience in talking with different talents and different personality types. If you’re worried on that one though, I can give you a crash course before you deal with that particular one.
Failing to hide a certain excitement, momentarily overcome the worries and the sense of inadequacy, Elsa closes the folder and smiles at her colleague.
Elsa McCarthy:
That would be much appreciated. I’ll start thinking about the options tomorrow, hoping that tonight will be less stressful than yesterday. Between the main event, the Cloud Gate championship match and what happened to that Keane kid… Last night was an absolute nightmare.
Vincent Moretti:
Next time we’ll be in a better mood celebrating a better occurrence.
Elsa smiles, nodding at Vincent. Her eyes fall now on his Chicago style pizza.
Elsa McCarthy:
Can I... ? Just a little slice…
She says pointing at Moretti’s dinner. Vincent raises his eyebrow thinking about it before shrugging.
Vincent Moretti:
Sure. Go ahead. ‘The best pizza in all of Chicago.’
He mimics again in that horrible accent. Finally the store owner peers through over the counter. He’s an elder gentleman who is a little heavier but truly looks like someone from the midwest with an apron and a protective mask considering the times.
Store Owner
Hey! I take offense to that accent!
Vincent Moretti:
Sorry. Yeesh...it’s been a long couple of days.
Vincent and the stage owner then start conversing in a loud but otherwise friendly tone as Elsa takes a bite of her pizza.
Backstage, Dean comes out of his locker room with his Invictus smile right on his face. He rubs his hands together like he’s going to start a fire with the speed he rubs them. Dressed with his shorts on, going red with his name in black down the right leg. Invictus across the back in black too. He tightens one of his gloves and sighs oddly happy. His cheeks are raised with a sense of comfort. He looks back over his shoulder to someone inside his locker room.
Dean Smith:
I feel like I’m running on seventy energy drinks right now. It is goo-oood to be back in the Invictus Division.
It isn’t long before Laurel Bradley, Dean’s agent, steps out from inside the locker room also with a smile on her face. Laurel is dressed in a tan pair of form fitting pants with a pink and blue floral patterned blouse. Her blonde hair is curled in loose waves and she quickly runs a hand through her hair while stepping closer to where Dean is standing.
Laurel Bradley:
That was just me doing my job.
Dean Smith:
You did a really good job.
He turns slightly to face her while noticing her efforts.
Dean Smith:
Like, a really good job…
Laurel smirks as she reaches up to place one hand on his bicep.
Laurel Bradley:
Satisfaction guaranteed, right?
Dean Smith:
Yep, definitely. I feel as good as ever, ready to show Pierce Manning why.
He points out with both index fingers before curling them back to point at himself, with a real sense of confidence in his abilities, given he’d been champion of the division for some time.
Dean Smith:
Why I was Mr. Invictus for the better part of a year. I saw his little bout with Liv, the ‘win’ over Echo, he looks like a hungry guy, Laurel, but I don’t think he’s aware of how good I was in that division. I never really relied on the judges, because I would end that fight with a Lights Out knee or a Choke Out submission. I dominated, and with that time out of the division with APE, it’s great to be back to dominate once again.
The corners of Laurel’s mouth are turned upwards in a slight smirk as she now crosses her arms in front of her chest, tilting her head to the side.
Laurel Bradley:
You do enjoy dominating as I can recall...
Dean Smith:
…..
Before Dean can answer back, he’s hit in the back of the head by a quick finger poking him. That finger belongs to his little sister Clover who’s riding on his sister Sabrina’s shoulders. Sabrina’s jaw is a little dropped from what she overheard.
Sabrina Smith:
Did I just hear that right?
Laurel glances over at them with her eyes open wide as she takes a quick step backwards as if she wants to put some immediate distance between herself and Dean.
Laurel Bradley:
You girls snuck up on us
Clover Smith:
Sabrina’s uggs let her move around like she’s a cat!
Clover says as she extends her leg to show off what would have been louder shoes.
Clover Smith:
I remember you. You’re the lady who was pretty darn cold last time we met.
Laurel Bradley:
...how could I forget you?
Laurel manages to smile over in Clover’s direction before she exchanges a quick glance with Dean.
Clover Smith:
I’m Dean’s number one fan.
Dean Smith:
Well, after tonight there might be stiff competition for that spot, Clo.
Clover waves that off as silly.
Clover Smith:
You’re thinking of the number two spot, Big Brother.
Laurel Bradley:
Who’s number two?
Clover Smith:
I think that’s got to be either you, since you work for my brother. Chico Musico’s Lady for now, since her mom is also a fan of his and it’s through her most likely. I think I saw that Sunshine Hair girl who likes Disney more than Honey wear one of his shirts but she could be #3 since she doesn’t know how to make my big brother’s root beer float, and I do.
Laurel’s attention becomes focused on Dean as she raises one eyebrow.
Laurel Bradley:
...is that so?
Dean Smith:
I mean...erm…
Dean’s not sure what to say and Sabrina moves Clover out the way of one of the light fixtures she’s just noticed.
Sabrina Smith:
I don’t think I’ve been told it either.
Dean Smith:
Because you flooded my car.
Sabrina Smith:
One time I forgot to roll the windows up…
Sabrina huffs.
Dean Smith:
As you were going through the car wash, Sabrina….
Laurel Bradley:
I do believe someone should be getting ready for his match.
Laurel clears her throat while giving Dean a pointed look as if she was trying to get the message across without saying the actual words.
Dean Smith:
I do yes. Clo. Sabrina, you’re going to want to grab your seats before someone takes them.
He spins the tower of sisters he’s presented with and gives Sabrina a light push with his hand.
Sabrina Smith:
Alright, you don’t need to shove me.
Dean Smith:
Hardly pushing you, Sabby…
He says, taking a watchful eye on Sabrina walk with Clover off. Sabrina lets Clover down as her back needs a little rest, so they disappear around the corner.
Three Way Tag Team Match
The Steeles VS Jetpack VS The HooligunnZ
Penny from Jetpack started the match against Teddy Steele, with The HooligunnZ gladly sitting this one out. The former MWE tag champion never lost control of the match, showing her dominance from the start with a series of hip tosses. After the last one she transitioned into an armbar, from which Teddy escaped not without difficulty. The Black Sexy Teddy was already favoring the arm, but nonetheless he went at Kaplan with a volley of quick jabs. Penny was slightly surprised by the speed and precision of his punches that were forcing her back toward her corner. Eventually Teddy took some times with pointless theatrics before swinging that last right punch, giving the champion time to pull herself together and dodge the strike, grabbing his arm and twisting it in a wrist lock. Jet made the tag and climbed to the top rope, jumping on Steele’s arm with a double foot stomp. The pace of the match picked up now that the Georgia born was in the ring. He caught Teddy with a headscissors takedown and dropkicked him on the face, getting back to his feet with a keep up and charging in kicking him once again with a shining wizard. And then he made the cover, but Kate’s husband kicked out. The members of Jetpack kept tagging each other inside and out, always keeping the fresh man inside the ring. Teddy instead desperately needed a tag after enduring a lot of punishment from the first ever MWE tag team champions. And finally he got his break with a sitdown jawbreaker, jumping toward the nearest corner and making the tag to Trey Cole. The Father Of Finesse jumped over the top rope and unleashed one of his lightning quick kicking combos to Penny, finishing her with a wheel kick. He quickly made the cover but Jet saved his partner. Spectre entered the ring as well to go after Blanchard but the referee stopped him, turning his back to the action and missing Penny catching Cole with a knee to the jaw and diving into her corner, tagging her partner in. When the official turned around, he saw Kaplan laying down still inside the ring and Blanchard delivering a flurry of forearm strikes to the face of Trey. And he stopped it, asking Jet to leave the ring before, according to him, there was no tag. The IYHWF superstar tried to convince the referee that Penny did, in fact made the tag. The reputation Jetpack made through all these years were they proved to be paradigm of sportsmanship should’ve convinced him of the truth in his words, but this wasn’t the case. And in the midst of this controversy, Trey picked up Penny and dragged her into his corner. Spectre leaped in the ring, this time actually without a tag and, after his partner dropped PenPen with a corner STO, he caught her with a backstabber. Trey clapped his hands together, faking the sound of the tag being made while the Swoltergeist made the cover. The referee turned around and made the cover but Kaplan kicked out. The match was now entering his final phase. Kate Steele was taking on Spectre, kicking out from his Archer Approved (springboard cutter) and coming back with a second wind of offense, connecting a beautiful tiger suplex for a count of two. Spectre managed to sneak away and make the tag to Trey, but little changed. The former Lockdown Champion was fighting her best match in a long time tonight, perhaps helped by the fact that she was the freshest of the pack. She sent Cole in the corner with an irish whip, following with a corner Yakuza kick and climbing to the top rope, hitting her Silence Is Golden (top rope blockbuster), failing to win the match just because Spectre dove in just in time to make the save. Teddy entered the ring and left it just as quickly as the Die Fly launched him through the ropes and into Penny’s midsection, knocking them both out of the ring. Cole was trading right hands with Kate, using closed fists which earned him a stern reprimand from the official. But as he kept the ref busy, Spectre wrapped the chain around his fist and knocked Blanchard down, quickly dropping the weapon. Despite being illegally inside the ring, he still lifted Kate over his shoulders for a rolling fireman’s carry, leaving her in position for Cole’s 450 splash before connecting a double jump phoenix splash. Then Trey made the cover and, despite Penny’s desperate attempt to make the save, picked up the win. WINNER: The HooligunnZ BY: Pinfall (More Fang For You’re Fucked), 13:41 |
Ambra Monroe: "I don't think there's a single rule The HooligunnZ didn't break tonight..."
Peyton Holland: "I don't think they care too much about it, Ambra. They wanted, they needed this win and they got it. By any means."
Peyton Holland: "I don't think they care too much about it, Ambra. They wanted, they needed this win and they got it. By any means."
We have grown accustomed to the Pierce Manning segment of the show to open in the luxury box seats. Not today. The scene fades in on Pierce Manning sitting on a black car in the parking lot. He is as far away from people as humanly possible, and that's saying something considering there are no fans inside the arena. Jared Constable is the one human being in his immediate vicinity (minus the camera crew for obvious reasons). Jared pulls out his cellphone. He scrolls through it. Pierce Manning doesn't appear to care. He is staring off into the distance thinking god knows what.
Jared Constable.:
I really hate to disturb you Mrs. Manning... I haven't seen Pierce like this before. He's normally hype. Full of life. I don't know how to handle this situation.
Whoever Jared is speaking to on the phone doesn't elicit a response from Pierce. He continues to keep his eyes fixated on something.
Jared Constable.:
We're in the parking lot....
I don't think he's in the mood to...
Ok. Fine.
Jared Constable holds the phone up for Pierce.
Jared Constable.:
Your sister (Tiffany) wants to talk to you, sir.
Pierce doesn't react. Jared sighs. He pushes a button on the phone.
Tiffany Manning: (on speaker phone)
PIERCE BARTHOLOMEW MANNING!
Pierce snaps out of his trance. He glares at the phone in Jared's hand.
Pierce Manning:
Hey! What did I tell you about calling me Bartholomew!
Tiffany Manning: (on speaker phone)
Stop being a depressive prick, maybe I won't!
Pierce Manning:
Thanks for giving the world something else to laugh at!”
Tiffany Manning: (on speaker phone)
They don't need my help, no offense.
Pierce rolls his eyes.
Pierce Manning:
I am not in the mood for this, Tiff. In case you weren’t aware, I could lose my third straight pay per view match. Third match in a row as well. I might as well quit tonight if Dean Smith beats me.
There is a noticeable pause hanging in the air. Jared looks concerned.
Tiffany Manning: (on speaker phone)
Wow... what happened to you?
Pierce sighs.
Pierce Manning:
Jesus, you don't understand. I have always been coming in second. I'm older than you, it still feels like I am the runner up in the Manning sweepstakes. No matter how many times you screwed up, you are STILL daddy's favorite. No one cares I was SWC GM, people talk about your stint at Shotgun GM. I was a champion. Oh, your X Division Title reign was memorable. I'm not going to rehash your entire history, Tiff, no matter we do, I am not the MANNING. You are. Here I am, about to have my third match at a MWE pay per view. The guy kicked my ass is getting a title shot. Hayley sucks on Glory's titty. Title shot. I CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT. Why does Jenni put up with me? I'm a disappointment. If I go out there and lose, what kinda man am I?
Jared lowers his head. He didn't realize Pierce put this much pressure on himself.
Tiffany Manning: (on speaker phone)
Who cares what our father thinks. He's a jerk.
Here's food for thought, rely on your natural talent, don't focus on being the smartest man in the room. The whole cheating to win thing has backfired on you more than I lost count, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again...
Your history with Jenni is odd... Not like she needs you for money, she can hire any goon under the sun to do her dirty work. Won't pretend I know the depth of your arrangement, I'm gonna assume you treat her well. That's all a real woman could ever want. Having money isn't going to impress her. Bro, you are doing something right. Relax. Go out there. Have a good match. You can win this. I believe in you.
Pierce slides off the car. He grabs the phone from Jared. He pushes the button to take Tiffany off speaker. He finally cracks a smile.
Pierce Manning:
Thanks. Love you, Tiff.
He allows Tiffany to say something the feed can't pick up. Pierce hands Jared back the phone. Sighing he says...
Pierce Manning:
Lets get this over with.
Pierce heads back inside the arena. Jared follows suit as the scene fades to black.
Dark Web 2 heads backstage to see the MWE Lockdown Champion, Bobbi Jackson sitting on a production crate messing around on her cell phone. As the camera crew approaches she looks up with a half smile and places the phone down on the crate beside her and begins to speak.
Bobbi Jackson:
Sorry, I was just looking at Twitter to see if anyone else was...promoting themselves...
The Phoenix puts those two words in quotations with her fingers before continuing.
Bobbi Jackson:
...for the show this weekend. You see, a lot of newer wrestlers this day and age seem to care a lot more about saying cool and funny things on social media than actually worrying about the in-ring work that is required to compete with the best this industry has to offer.
The blonde hops off the crate and stands there with her hands on her hips. The MWE Lockdown Championship strapped securely around her waist.
Bobbi Jackson:
My opponent tonight, West Long. Is one of those people. Who thinks he can get by via running his mouth on social media. Sure, you've had a good track record so far. You haven't lost a match. And that's great, but all winning streaks come to an end. They don't last forever. I of all people know this. Another thing I know? Is that title reigns don't last forever. When you hold gold in this business a target is placed right on your back. Everyone wants what you have. It's hard to win a championship in our profession, but it's even harder to keep it...
Bobbi taps the middle plate of the championship, a look of confidence on her face.
Bobbi Jackson:
When you're a champion you need to work harder than anyone else. You need to shut out the outside noise and rise above it all to keep it. I don't think these are the kind of lessons that Long is prepared enough to understand yet. He thinks he can just get in the ring and rely on his power to win every person that's placed in front of him. But that only gets you so far...
The blonde smirks slightly.
Bobbi Jackson:
Tonight, you step into the Phoenix Cage for the first time. A structure which I am certain you have never experienced anything quite like it. You're coming to try and take my title and I have no intentions of giving it up. After tonight, you'll have your first loss. Your streak will be over and you'll have to go back to the drawing board and figure out a new strategy and a new way to promote yourself that doesn't include bragging about how you've never lost. Because after tonight, all that goes away and you're gonna have to come up with some new material...
Bobbi chuckles slightly.
Bobbi Jackson:
It's a real shame you chose to show me little to no respect on your path to getting your title shot. I would have wished you luck, but now? I'm just going to beat some respect into you. Maybe afterward you'll be humble enough to admit you were wrong. Maybe then, if I choose to give you some advice...you'll actually listen.
The Phoenix shrugs, not too confident that it will happen.
Bobbi Jackson:
I'll see you out there West, I hope you're prepared. I hope you did your homework and I hope you prepared for the fight of your life. I know I did...
Bobbi grabs her phone off the crate and walks away as Dark Web 2 heads back to ringside for the next match.
Singles Match
Invictus Rules
Pierce Manning VS Dean SmithInvictus Rules
The first of two Invictus match in night two saw the former and longest reigning champion Dean Smith taking on someone who just started in the division, with a 1-1 record so far. First Round: The bell rang, signaling the start of the first round. The two men walked around in circles before locking up in a test of strength. In a year and half in the Invictus division, this was the closest one Dean had ever been in. And when it looked like he was getting the upper hand, Manning pushed back, regaining the ground he lost. Again Dean maximized his effort, his muscles tensing as he forced Pierce back towards the ropes. Seeing that he was losing this confrontation, Manning quickly slid behind Dean’s back and applied a waistlock. But his suplex attempt was blocked by the former champion who hooked his leg with Pierce, sliding his hands between his abdomen and Pierce’s arm and forcing out of it. Manning clubbed him from behind with a forearm to the back, Dean turned around with one to the jaw and the match finally came alive. Hard strikes from both men were being traded, heavy right hands flying with none of them giving up an inch, exactly what you were expecting from the two heavy hitters. And it was Dean who came out victorious from this long and very evenly matched exchange, chaining together three forearm strikes and follow up with a jumping knee strike, catching Pierce on the chin. Lifting him from his feet, Dean dropped him on the mat with a powerslam and connected a jumping knee to the face. Manning had a reaction once the fight started again with some knees to the face from a clinch position, but the ending of the round was all Dean, as he regained control with a throat jab and forced him in the corner where he hit him with a series of uppercuts in the corner. Judges Scores: Moretti: Smith 10-9 Maynard: Smith 10-9 Figgins: Smith 10-8 Second Round: The scoring of round one seemed to have undermined Pierce confidence. The thought of losing another match crept in the back of his mind and affected his performance in the early moments of round two. Dean easily took control and landed those hard strikes of his, quick punches to the ribs and a spinning backfist that left Pierce stunned. Applying a front facelock Dean went for a suplex, dropping Manning on his back and straddling on top of him. Before he couldn’t even throw a punch as Pierce locked him in a Triangle Choke. A mistake probably due to an excess of confidence from the former champion, who was able to remedy by escaping the submission within a reasonable time. As they both are back to their feet, Dean tried to decapitate Pierce with a sudden bicycle kick but the member of The Establishment took a step aside and dodged it taking him down with a hangman neckbreaker. He kept the pressure on the former champion with various neck holds, controlling the pace of the match showing off his mat based style. And when Dean managed to get back to his feet, Manning connected some knee to the head from a cravate hold position, flooring once again Smith and getting back to his ground game. Judges Scores: Moretti: Manning 10-9 Maynard: Manning 10-9 Figgins: Manning 10-9 FInal Round: Five more minutes to submit or knock out the opponent, or the fate of the match will be in the hands of the judges. And even though from that standpoint Dean had a slight advantage, he wasn’t taking any chances, starting this final round with an unmatched intensity, looking to nail that KO blow early. Pierce did an excellent job staying away from his initial burst, and only a few of Dean’s punches and knee strikes landed, definitely not enough to create him any issue. And as soon as he saw an opening, Pierce seized the opportunity to catch the off-balance Dean with a kick to the side and lifting him for his rotating belly-to-back suplex slam. Just like before Pierce attempted to slow the pace of the match and keep the bigger opponent grounded, but the expert fighter this time escaped rather quickly, unleashing a flurry of punches to push Manning in the corner. Even in this precarious position, Pierce kept fighting back punch for punch, eventually creating a bit of an opening with a headbutt to the bridge of the nose. Now bleeding slightly the longest reigning champion went back on the attack with an european uppercut, dodged by Pierce who was quick to counter with an elbow to the face, once again catching the opponent on the nose with pinpoint precision. The momentum was now on his side, with a little over a minute to go. He suplexed Smith back to the centre of the ring and moved on top of him for some ground and pound. Dean was able to roll over, switching position and controlling the opponent from a mounting position, returning the courtesy with some punches of his own. Pierce once again rolled to the side and found himself on top but the bell forbid him to throw another punch. Judges Scores: Moretti: Manning 10-9 Maynard: Draw 9-9 Figgins: Manning 10-9 WINNER: Pierce Manning BY: Judges Decision, Round 3; 5:00 |
Amy Maynard: "He did it! Pierce just beat the longest reigning Invictus champion."
Sir Figgles: "Certainly a big boost of confidence, more so after some less than exciting performances."
Amy Maynard: "In all fairness, his performances has always been fine.. He lacked a bit of luck.."
Sir Figgles: "There's no luck in wrestling."
Sir Figgles: "Certainly a big boost of confidence, more so after some less than exciting performances."
Amy Maynard: "In all fairness, his performances has always been fine.. He lacked a bit of luck.."
Sir Figgles: "There's no luck in wrestling."
The scene cut backstage to Qiyara Singh and Rhett Adelson, who are in their locker room, finishing up getting ready for their upcoming no DQ match. Qiyara had a set of indian clubs that she moved about like she was juggling in hand as she was practicing moves with it. Meanwhile, Rhett had a bat in hand and was swinging it as hard as he can. Adelson soon noticed the camera and waved at it.
Rhett Adelson:
Oh hey there! You caught us practicing the use of certain… weapons for this match.
Rhett let out a light laugh.
Rhett Adelson:
While Yara and I love doing the right thing, if the match calls for you to bring out your street fighting tactics, then that’s exactly what we plan on doing, We’re not afraid to get down and dirty.
Qiyara using her same technique turned towards the camera to finish a particular set of moves with the clubs before tucking the end of it beneath her shoulder, catching the last one as she did so.
Qiyara Singh:
That’s right, especially when we’re facing a team who we know isn’t afraid to pull out all of the stops! We know that Warblade 42 is one of the best the Millenium Roster has to offer, but we also know what this match means. The stakes are already high in adapting to the rules you fans put in place, but also with the tag titles now in the possession of the Golden Era, everyone has a chance to prove who should be next in line to try and take those away.
A soft look in Rhett’s direction was made before she turns back to the camera.
Qiyara Singh:
And soon we will certainly be making our claim. That starts tonight when we once again take on Niko and Valkyrie.
Rhett nodded in agreement before continuing on.
Rhett Adelson:
And what better way to prove that you’re next in line than showing your grit and determination in a No DQ match? Yara and I are willing to put our bodies on the line to reach our goals as a team. Right now? That goal is to become the Millennium Tag Team Champions. To make a move towards that goal? We have to beat Niko and Valkyrie. But you know what?
Rhett flipped the bat before catching it and then pretending to swing a home run.
Rhett Adelson:
Yara and I? We’re hitting big tonight. We’re going to swing big and knock this shit out of the park. Then? We can’t be denied in this tag division anymore and we will be recognized as contenders.
With an affirmative nod Qiyara would chime in again.
Qiyara Singh:
We know you ladies bring something unique and prosperous to the table, but we fought for the fans to vote for this stipulation for a reason. It’s about the season of Adelson & Singh.
A gentle laugh to Rhett’s baseball reference continued.
Qiyara Singh:
Whatever it takes is exactly what we will do in this No DQ and trust that while your name may ignite a warriors frame of mine, we’re the ones slinging the actual war blade. Tonight there will be no mistakes on who is deserving.
Rhett pointed that bat at the camera and smirked.
Rhett Adelson:
You might be Warblade, but right now? We’re the ones who are bringing a war. Guess you could say we have a war state of mind. Can you handle that? I guess we’re about to find out.
Adelson winked at the camera before turning back to Qiyara.
Rhett Adelson:
Ready to go?
She nodded.
Qiyara Singh:
Oh absolutely!
As she turned to the camera once last time she gave a quick bow and a ‘namaste’ with her signature pose before smiling again.
Qiyara Singh:
See you out there!
Tag Team Match
Stipulation TBD
Stipulation TBD
Rhett Adelson & Qiyara Singh VS Warblade 42
Raise your hand if you were surprised to see Qiyara Singh asking the fans to vote for a no DQ match. It was definitely a change for the indian, who made a name for herself as a pure fighter in these first few months in MWE. But since the opening minutes she proved that she could go, introducing a chair to the ring and smacking it across the back of Valkyrie as the blond Dane was getting up from the bicycle kick. In another part of the ring Rhett and Niko were battling in a lightning quick paced contest, showing off their greatest assets, agility and unpredictability. Rhett had a good start when he threw Yua near the corner with a headscissors, running toward her and jumping with both feet to the chest in a double foot stomp. His split-legged moonsault attempt though was countered by the Blade Maiden of Tokyo who raised her knees in protection and then pushed Rhett in the corner to hit him with a series of chops. Qiyara got a taste for hit, sneaking up behind the japanese and swinging the chair across her back as well, saving her boyfriend from further punishment. Rhett asked her to drop the weapon and Qiyara, although a bit perplexed, did as he asked. He lifted himself over the top rope and jumped toward Niko with a meteora, driving her onto the chair and reaching behind to grab her legs in a pinning predicament. Niko kicked out in two. The momentum of the match kept swinging back and forth, both team taking full advantage of the lack of rules and the possibility to remain in the ring at the same time, coming up with some unique offense. Valkyrie particularly showed some creativity by breaking up a cover Rhett was making by emptying a fire extinguisher on him, the same fire extinguisher she leveled Qiyara with a minute prior. Throwing Adelson out of the ring, the Warmaiden Of Roskilde helped her partner up to her feet and together they took the fight on Qiyara, taking turns to wear her down with her shoot style offense before connecting their already famous Switchover Suplex with Niko doing the initial lift and passing the opponent over to Vee to complete the move and float into a lateral press, hooking the leg for a pinning predicament that ssa SIngh kicking out in two. Less experienced with weapons, especially compared to the blonde Omega Academy trainer, Qiyara stuck to more classical weapons, pushing a table inside the ring. Rhett just managed to take the kendo stick away from the Dane’s hands and pressed it against her neck as he fell backwards for a russian legsweep. Singh had just finished setting up the table near the corner and turned around to pick up Niko from the floor. The japanese surprised her by spitting some green mist in the indian’s eyes. blinding her and hooking both of her arms to lift her and spin around for a butterfly neckbreaker. She then placed Qiyara on the table and climbed to the top rope. The japanese jumped off with a senton, but Rhett quickly pulled his girlfriend off the table. Yua crashed through the table, but still had enough left to kick out from Adelson’s quick pinfall attempt. Things became even more chaotic and exciting as the match drew to a close, near falls kept coming in rapid succession. Qiyara almost got the match won for her team when she threw a chair at Valkyrie and when the Dane caught it, she hit her Singing Off Qi through the chair. In that case, Niko saved her partner who returned her the courtesy when Rhett’s Explosion knocked Yua down. The game changer was when Valkyrie found a pack of light tubes under the ring. She tossed one to her partner who was dealing with Qiyara and kept another one for herself. Warblade 42 were now wielding the tubes as they were swords, dancing around the opponents to find the perfect moment to strike. And they happened to do that at the same time, Niko swinging the tube to Qiyara’s midsection, Valkyrie smashing it on Rhett’s head. Vee picked up the California born and threw him out of the ring while her partner grabbed the last few tubes remaining and put them down in the middle of the ring, lifting Qiyara and dropping her on top of them. Perhaps in that moment, feeling the shards of the light tubes cutting her skin, Qiyara regretted asking for a No DQ match. Either way, she tried to get up, finding herself in the middle of the Hammer Of Thor and the Meteor Strike. Valkyrie made sure that Rhett couldn’t break the pinning predicament in time, as Niko picked up the win for Warblade 42 WINNER: Warblade 42 BY: Pinfall (Knockout Junction), 12:19 |
Peyton Holland: "Not bad for a first time.."
Ambra Monroe: "Not at all. But experience is something you can't teach, and Warblade 42 has plenty more than them."
Peyton Holland: "Especially when it comes to hardcore stipulations."
Ambra Monroe: "Not at all. But experience is something you can't teach, and Warblade 42 has plenty more than them."
Peyton Holland: "Especially when it comes to hardcore stipulations."
The grinning facade of Raymond Reznik comes into view. He's standing in his wrestling gear and rubbing his hands together in pure delight.
Raymond Reznik:
I hate to say I told you so but here I am, night two of Dark Web II and just 24 hours from choking out the legend known as the "Messiah of Metal", Dazz. You put up a hell of a fight, Dazz, but I did what I set out to do. I walked into that ring, I put a hurting on you and I put you to sleep. Send my best regards to your wife for me.
He laughs to himself while he continues to rub his hands before simultaneously clapping and widening his eyes with a more menacing grimace plastered across his expression.
Raymond Reznik:
Y'see, when I make a promise, I always fulfil it. I did it last night and tonight, I have another fight to look forward to. Have I proved myself to you yet, Ms. McCarthy? You had me team with Joey LeClair in a tag team match to prove my worth for another match for the Chicago Way championship and I went along with it. Mistake number one. I don't need to prove myself to anybody. You run the Millenium show and yet you haven't figured out that I'm one of the htotest commodities you have by now? That's okay, I worked the tag match because more money for me and more attention for your show by having me featured is a good business decision for us both. But then, mistake number two happened.
Joey LeClair deciding that he could hit me. Did it feel good when your forearm connected with my jaw, Joey? I hope it did because that was the moment you came to my attention, and not in a way that can benefit you. In fact, I hope you get some more shots in tonight because you won't get many opportunities to do so in future. You'll have to use more than just your forearm, though, Joseph. Answer me this, though; do you really consider yourself as the next Chicago Way champion when you're up against the best pure striker in MWE?
In fact, that's exactly why the MWE fans chose the stipulation for our match; a Taipei Death Match. All three of us battling with our fists covered in broken glass, ready to maim and injure in order to walk out as the rightful Chicago Way champion. They may be noted as sick, twisted and violent by others but they now exactly who that decision helps the most of the three of us; me.
He begins pacing gently back and forth, hands together as though in prayer.
Raymond Reznik:
They've seen how I fight, and how I dominate. Pain and violence are meaningless to me, pushing myself and my opponent further and further across the line until only one of us is left standing, and that it usually the man you're looking at. Joseph...Kenzie...You may both be looking at this fight and fooling yourselves into believing that you can walk out to the ring and walk back out again as the same person. That couldn't be further from the truth. Tonight will change all of us - not just the three of us battling for the championhip we each lay claim to, but those who are watching on from the comfort of their own homes. It'll even change MWE in the long run.
No longer will that championship be seen as just another so-called "hardcore" championship. It will represent self-sacrifice in a way that will change how the world looks at us as individuals, and MWE as a promotion. We can become the new unholy trinity that shakes things up and has everybody questioning their own claims of just how far they'll go in pursuit of victory. The trouble is that the follies of man will also fall upon this Taipei Death Match. Joey believes that striking me to get himself involved in my business with Kenzie, combined with his arrogance and self-inflated sense of self-worth will see him to victory. Meanwhile, Kenzie believes that the will of the people who have cheered her on as a beloved talent so far in her reign as Chicago Way champion will ensure that the title remains firmly fixed around her waist for many more shows to come.
Ego. Pride. Ignorance. Each of these things sees dominion over the laws of physics itself, imposing the nature of their twisted existences upon others. People refer to the likes of Joey and Kenzie, as well as others who possess those qualities, as stars or even as gods of the squared circle, but one thing must be done; these stars and gods must be destroyed, and I'm the one to do it.
Raymond finally stands still and glares toward the camera.
Raymond Reznik:
You may claim that I possess ego and pride but the reality is that I base my prowess in the ring as a fighter on the things that others say when they see me in action. I love to fight, and I've trained in a variety of disciplines to ensure that both my mind and body are prepared for any situation I may find myself in, yet my claims as rightful Chicago Way champion come about because to my own eyes, that title is one that needs to be tested in ever-increasing methods of discipline that Kenzie just cannot. You've been a good champion, Kenzie, but you should really move on now and let the title and all that it represents evolve just slightly, from gimmicky hardcore championship to something that forces anybody wanting to fight for it to be willing to put everything on the line, including their own health and well-being in a way that so far hasn't.
This is why the fans chose a Taipei Death Match, after all. I've already stated that I'm the individual for whom this stipulation suits the most and tonight, you'll see exactly why. I've had this dance only once before and I came out victorious then. What makes anybody assume that I won't enjoy hurting Joey and Kenzie to take the championship I've had my eye on since I first arrived in MWE, especially with how close I've been to claiming it as my own? The Chicago Way championship is just inches from my grasp now, I won't allow it to slip through my fingers again. I am that which hides in the horizon, and when dawn breaks and the new day's sun spreads its light across the ground below, I will be the one left standing at the end of this battle of glass and flesh. The victor shall walk away from the rubbles of man, and others shall walk behind him.
Reznik moves closer to the camera, only his eyes in shot.
Raymond Reznik:
I am that man.
The video fades to black.
The scene opens up in a dark room with a single light hanging above a chair on which Joey Leclair is sitting. Only his face showing due to the single light hanging above him when he looks up, and notices the camera.
Joey Leclair:
You got lucky once Kenzie... Raymond? I have already beat you once, I have nothing to prove to you.
But you see? Tonight luck runs out for both of you, and by the end of tonight you both will experience true fear. There is an entity that resides inside of me... Since I've invited in, he has been growing with every match I took part of. He is apart of me, he uses all these experiences to grow.
And to evolve.
You must understand that his mindset is very very different than my own it’s far advanced allowing him to grow, and learn at a much faster rate than I could ever. Hell just look at my match with Helena Noir when i first invited this entity in! During this time he was in infant stages, and so Helena kicked my.. His ass, and still yet by the end of the match he had learned so much that he took advantage of it, and hospitalized her!.
Joey lets out a long sigh.
Joey Leclair:
Now I am an asshole who loves to hurt people, but Pale Blood? He is whole different monster, he is sadistic, methodical, and merciless! He doesn’t view a match like I do, because when he steps into the ring he doesn’t think about winning, no all he thinks about is ripping his opponents apart, and leaving them mangled, and broken. but by no means mistake the fact that when he knows his opponents are completley annihated? He will take the win even if he doesn’t think about it? It’s built instincively into his body from my experiences. You may think I am bluffing, and you may think that Pale Blood isn’t something to be afraid of, but believe me when I say that I am the Death Dealer, and I fear no one, but him! I fear the entity within, and you may ask how do I fear something that shares a body with me… that is me? Yet you do not know the mental torture he puts me through when he is in control its literal hell! I did not want to rely on him again, because I wanted to prove I don’t need him to win the big ones, but given the theme of tonight? I have made a exception, and so Pale Blood is coming! He is coming! He is coming! He is here!.
Joeys eyes widen as a type of Pale liquid starts pouring from his eyes, and he can be seen muttering one last thing with desperation, and fear in his tone as sanity leaves, and something sinister takes over..
Joey Leclair:
Help Me!
The light suddenly shatters, and the camera man runs out of the room shutting off the camera, and ending the scene.
Chicago Way Championship Match
Taipei Death Match
Kenzie Garrett (c) VS Joey Leclair VS Raymond ReznikTaipei Death Match
The three competitors were ready for one of those matches from where none of them will come out the same way they entered. Their fists were taped and already dipped in glue and glass shards, turning them into dangerous weapons. Leclair, sporting tonight his Pale Blood attire and warpaint he wore in his unsanctioned match against Helena Noir at Big In Japan had a wicked smile. Reznik, although battered and bruised from last night’s fight against Dazz, looked focused and confident and the same could be said for the Chicago Way champion who proved over and over in the past to be one to overcome the greatest challenges that have been put in front of her. As soon as the referee started the match, Joey threw a punch aiming at the champion’s face but Garrett took a step back and dodged it. To do so though, she bumped into Reznik who quickly caught her in a full nelson position and suplexed her. More than the move itself, what hurt the champion more were those glass shards covered hands pressing against the back of his neck and grazing her skin. Reznik got back to his feet and was met by a kick to the stomach from Leclair, who then whipped the bald man against the ropes and assumed a fighting stance throwing a punch to the oncoming opponent who dropped himself on the mat to avoid the impact. Kenzi was back on her feet and placed her hands on Joey’s shoulder to push herself up and plant him on her head with a reverse rana. It didn’t take long for the first blood to be shed, and it was the champion who punched Joey in the midsection, cutting his skin open. As he doubled over in pain and fell on his knees, Kenzie took a run to the ropes and went for a running knee to the face, but Reznik stepped in and turned her inside out with a lariat. He then positioned himself on top of the Chicago Way champion, clenching his fist and pressing his knuckles on her forehead, cutting her deep. Garrett was screaming in pain as Raymond grinded his hand against the forehead, deepening and widening the wound. An unexpected help came from Leclair who superkicked the Ohio born to the back of the head, hammering him with some forearms to the back and then drove the back of his hands down his back, drawing blood from him as well. Joey tried to keep him down with a lateral press but Raymond kicked out in two. The Pale Blood switched his focus on the champion then, dragging her up to her feet and lifting her upside down for his Brain Damage, dropping Garrett on top of her bleeding head. He made the cover on her as well, but this time it was Reznik who broke up the pinfall. The champion was the one in the worst shape of the three, but this didn’t stop her from putting up one hell of a fight, holding her own against both opponents, using her speed and agility. After stunning Leclair with a flurry of quick kicks and finish the sequence with a spinning backfist that left a deep mark on the Pale Blood cheek. Quickly turning on her feet, she saw Reznik charging with a spear and barely avoided the impact with a leapfrog, sending Raymond shoulder first on Joey’s midsection. She slid her arm between the man’s legs and rolled him over for a quick pin, but Reznik kicked out in time, rolling backwards and getting up to his feet just to eat a jumping knee to the jaw. Stunned, he stumbled back into the corner seeing Garrett charging and jumping for a superman punch. He was able to take a step forward and anticipate her, catching her in mid air and slamming the champ down on her back with a STO, avoiding what could’ve potentially been a KO blow. Like the Death Dealer Elbow that caught him out of nowhere, the impact of Joey’s wrapped elbow to the temple knocking him down. Before Joey could capitalize on that with a cover, Kenzie swept him off his feet with a kick to the legs and jumped on his chest with both feet, hooking the leg to get another near fall. A little over ten minutes and the match was in his closing stages. Leclair had Kenzie on his shoulders and launched her in the corner with a buckle bomb. The Chicago Way champion bounced back with a roaring elbow that caught Joey on the jaw and sent him spinning 180 degrees right into a big boot from Reznik, before she collapsed to the mat. Raymond lifted Joey in a gorilla press position and launched him outside the ring. It was down to him and the champion, with Kenzie looking in a horrible shape. Raymond showed no mercy and hit her with the Kneehilism (Ripcord V-Trigger) but it wasn’t enough to keep the resilient champion down. He wasted no time and set her up for another powerbomb, Kenzie desperately fighting for her own life and punching him on the top of the head. As blood started flowing and hindered his vision, Reznik had to let Kenzie. He wiped the blood away from his eyes and opened them just in time to see Kenzie leaping toward him and drilling him with the Grim Fandango. It looked like once again the Soulknife did it, retaining what she had called in several occasions her world title. But the Pale Blood was back inside the ring, and with a trick up his sleeve. Kenzie realized why Joey had taped his right elbow, so that he could dip it in glue and shards the same way he did with his fists, for a killer Death Dealer Elbow that left Garrett no chance. WINNER: Joey Leclair (NEW CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Death Dealer Elbow), 12:03 |
Amy Maynard: "We have a new champion!"
Sir Figgles: "Did you have any doubt? There's a reason why the Pale Blood is undefeated!"
Amy Maynard: "What are you trying to say?"
Sir Figgles: "Look, Joey Leclair lost to Kenzie Garrett, the Pale Blood? He got the job done."
Amy Maynard: "Do you think Leclair should give up to his dark side?"
Sir Figgles: "He's got the title now, and the big target on his back that comes with it."
Sir Figgles: "Did you have any doubt? There's a reason why the Pale Blood is undefeated!"
Amy Maynard: "What are you trying to say?"
Sir Figgles: "Look, Joey Leclair lost to Kenzie Garrett, the Pale Blood? He got the job done."
Amy Maynard: "Do you think Leclair should give up to his dark side?"
Sir Figgles: "He's got the title now, and the big target on his back that comes with it."
We cut backstage and we find Sophie O’Brian in her mostly black wrestling gear with green trim. She is standing in front of an MWE logo backdrop. This brilliant strategist is wearing her wrestling gear which consists of a mostly black attire with some green trim. A stoic, emotionless face is etched across her lovely features as she stares into the camera.
Sophie O’Brian:
Sun Tzu said, “the good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.”
O’Brian remains stoic as she nods her head.
Sophie O’Brian:
I do not blame Megyn Rydell for doing what she felt must be done in order to advance her career. Sun Tzu himself would always have applauded anyone who used any means necessary to achieve their endgame. The Art of War is about avoiding disaster while at the same time advancing your own career. And trust me, Megyn, facing me would have been a disaster for you. So you did what had to be done, you took me out. I don’t even begrudge you for how you did it. I mean, I could call you out for your cowardice because you could not take me out on your own, you had to have some overgrown Neanderthal do it for you all because you clearly lacked the skill, knowledge, and ability to harm me. You did what you had to do. It is warfare in its purest form and I applaud you for that.
Sophie claps but it is clear that this is sarcasm.
Sophie O’Brian:
That does not mean that there will be no consequences for you or your smelly ape. Tonight Deacon Lewis pays for the sins he committed by being your halfwitted thug. But eventually I will get to you, Rydell, and I will make you suffer as well. Do not hunt what you cannot kill and you cannot kill Sophie O’Brian. As for the aforementioned smelly ape...Deacon may be big, he may be strong, but what he lacks is right up here…
She points to her head.
Sophie O’Brian:
He lacks intelligence. And I will exploit that. I will outthink him, outwit him, and eventually humble and embarrass him in front of the world tonight. Though he is not a complete idiot; he is intelligent enough to realize that he could not take me out face to face. He had to take me out from behind. And therein lies another problem you face, Deacon. Tonight you have to face me head on. No blindside attacks. Nothing smoke and mirrors. No tricks. Just you and me. And I am looking forward to humiliating you as phase one of my vengeance.
Singles Match
Deacon Lewis VS Sophie O'BrianO’Brian didn’t look intimidated by the towering opponent, the mercenary in the pay of Megan Rydell who took her out before the semi-final match of that infamous Intercontinental Championship tournament won by Meg. Before getting back on the chase of the title and eventually get her payback on Rydell, O’Brian had the chance to get a first taste of revenge as she goes through her bodyguard. The match started with Sophie on the offense, trying to use her speed advantage to chop down the giant with swift kicks to the legs. It worked for a while until Deacon swatted her away with a terrific backhand. O’Brian opened and closed her mouth, bringing her hand to the jaw, aching after the hard shot. As Lewis picked her up from the floor, Sophie delivered a couple of punches to the ribs but the giant seemed to eat those for breakfast. Not at all affected by her blows, she tried to shatter all her ribs at once with one of the heaviest chops in living memory. Next thing Sophie was tossed in the corner and squashed by 330 pounds of humanity, who then picked her up and launched her all the way across the ring with disarming ease. Another splash attempt by Big Trouble, but this time he found nobody home as Sophie moved out of the way. Deacon surely made a some progress since his last appearance, his movements looked more quick and smooth and he seemed to have added a few moves to his arsenal, like a pumphandle poweslam that got him a two count. But he still lacked the experience to measure up with someone like Sophie. Even though most of the moves in her arsenal had, all the suplexes and throws had to be ruled out due to impossibility of lifting the giant, O’Brian had enough strings to her bow to turn the tides. With a dropkick to the knee she brought the colossus down and dropped him down with a roundhouse kick to the head. The following pinning predicament only earned her a count of one, but this didn’t discourage her. When Lewis stood back up to his feet, she welcomed him with another flurry of kicks, using a dropkick to push him back in the corner. Her mistake then was charging in for a running back elbow as Deacon caught her and dropped her spine first on his knee. Sophie controlled long parts of the match, resorting to some submission moves. She had him now in her Shekinah Glory, the triangle choke she adopted from her best friend, the British Bombshell Glory Braddock. Lewis didn’t take long to power out of it and counterattack with a right hook, ducked by O’Brian who then jumped on his back to apply a sleeper hold. Her plan seemed solid and apparently it was working. Deacon already started showing signs of fatigue, cardio was definitely not one of his strong suits. Trying to wear him down further with choke holds was the way to go and a ring general like Sophie was well aware of this. She took some risks, like when Lewis punched her straight on the face after breaking free from the sleeper hold. And if he dragged her to the centre of the ring instead than making the cover so close to the ropes, that single shot could perhaps have been enough to end the match. His lack of ring awareness allowed Sophie to reach the ropes with her foot and interrupt the count. As he argued with the referee, failing to understand at first the reason why he stopped at two. O’Brian rolled on the apron and used this time to recover, and when Deacon went to pick her up, she dropped off the apron, sending the giant bouncing neck first on the top rope and stumbling back to the middle of the ring. Back in the ring went Sophie, taking the opponent down to his knees with a chop block and quickly following with a superkick to the back of the head. But no matter what, Lewis was refusing to go down, only momentarily faltering and putting his hand to push himself up to his feet. The northern Irish swept in and connected her Death Of Wisdom before locking the behemoth in the Muta lock she calls Wisdom. And after unsuccessfully trying to get out of it, Deacon had no choice but tapping out. WINNER: Sophie O’Brian BY: Submission (Wisdom), 11:04 |
Peyton Holland: "Sophie O'Brian just slayed the giant."
Ambra Monroe: "And now that she got this out of the way, you can bet that her eyes are set on Megan Rydell."
Peyton Holland: "Without a doubt. The question is if Rydell will still be champion after tonight."
Ambra Monroe: "Tank Steiner is not an easy client, that's for sure. But Megan has some history of overcoming the odds."
Ambra Monroe: "And now that she got this out of the way, you can bet that her eyes are set on Megan Rydell."
Peyton Holland: "Without a doubt. The question is if Rydell will still be champion after tonight."
Ambra Monroe: "Tank Steiner is not an easy client, that's for sure. But Megan has some history of overcoming the odds."
The beginning of the segment is black, but light glimmers in on the right and left of the frame. Thuds and impacts can be heard. The camera pulls back to reveal it was close up on a punching bag. The challenger for the Lockdown title, hardly breaking a sweat, stands tall, pumped, game to compete.
West Long:
Tonight's the night. Strap vs. Streak, yeah.
Last night, Millennium had some new champions and some who could hold onto their strap.
He holds his hands up to the camera, giving the audience the first look at his fingerless MMA gloves.
West Long:
Now forgive me, because what I'm about to say set off Bob and Duke on social media.
But when I walk out there, yeah, you best believe I'm stepping in that cage, and I plan on walking out the champion. That's not to discredit the champion. In fact, I want Bob to be the very best inside Bob's very own match, the biggest test for Millennium's most prominent dog.
West hardly reaches, considering his height, onto the top of the punching back to lean on the metallic hook that suspends the bag.
West Long:
I walk into this match against a woman who's been in the business for a while. Fact. But what this woman has posted on social media, what she's most likely to say about me is I'm arrogant, I'm a loudmouth, a lot of trash that's honestly ninety-nine percent a load of shit because she doesn't know me.
Their social media back and forth brought a smirk to his face. The passive, dismissive approach that came across on the part of the champion.
West Long:
If the champion does her research on me, which I hope she's done, yeah. She'll recognize that I'm a challenger who's been dominant. Who's beaten past champions who've held that strap.
What I also expect her to say is how good she's been with that title. She gets pissed off when I push myself on social media, hype the fight as a must-see classic between two titans of the Lockdown division.
But I won't stop pushing myself on the mic, on the media, in training, because I want to be the best, and tonight's the opportunity to prove that.
This is the point in the segment where West stands up. The smirk is now gone. He's standing upright to showcase to the fans watching why he's earned his spot here.
West Long:
Inside your match, inside the phoenix cage, the warwolf's gonna step and back up every word I've put out there. That I'm one dominant, well-built athlete, who's been unstoppable so far.
A man who can fling you into a cage with one hand then turns you inside out with the other.
A predator to the gold
A breakout star
An undeniable champion in the making.
He just has to go through one last trial, the biggest test of his career. Break down the phoenix cage and bring a new era to Millennium.
My goal tonight is to walk out a marketable man, the undefeated champion in Millennium Wrestling.
See you out there, Bob.
Lockdown Championship Match
Bobbi's Rule: Phoenix Cage
Bobbi Jackson (c) VS West LongBobbi's Rule: Phoenix Cage
The two competitors were inside the red cage already, Bobbi’s Lockdown Championship will be on the line against West’s streak in a match that can only be won via submission or pinfall. No escape, no disqualifications. no interference. The Warwolf went hard right off the bat, pushing the Lockdown champion against the wall of the cage hitting a rapid fire series of punches to the sides and ribs. Jackson dropped some elbow shots to the base of the neck of the bent down opponent who was still unleashing a storm of heavy rights and lefts to stomach. Since her elbow drops weren’t effective, the champion lifted her knee to the face of the challenger, and this momentarily stopped his flurry of offense, Wrapping her arm around his head in a front facelock, Bobbi drove his head against the cage two times, enough to stun the big man and shove him back, catching him with a superkick straight to the chin. Bobbi went down for the cover but she only barely got a two out of it. She pulled him back to his feet and tried to whip him in the corner, but Long easily reversed it, charging at the champ for a corner splash. Bobbi raised her boot to his face, he slowed down and blocked the kick, confidently shaking his head before tossing her to the centre of the ring with an exploder suplex. Long didn’t seem to need the cage to hurt Bobbi, his incredible strength already allowing him to dominate the central part of the match with moves like a gorilla press drop, or his trademark spinning scoop powerslam. But this didn’t mean he wouldn’t use the punishing structure, even if it was by simply tossing the Rising Phoenix against it. Jackson surely took a lot of punishment, but she’s known for not giving up so easily. Picking herself up for the umpteenth time, the champion used her experience advantage to take the big man down, trying to wear him down with a tight headlock. Long was up to his feet and tried to get free with a back suplex, easily lifting the opponent who managed to shift her bodyweight and block the attempt, maintaining the headlock in the process. And from that position she took a short run and drove West’s face on the canvas with a bulldog. The Warwolf was up and looking pissed, swinging those punches that Jackson easily dodged, doubling him over with a kick to the guts and catching him down with a neckbreaker. The Rising Phoenix went close to retain the title with the unprettier, but West kicked out in time. Bobbi was now stalking him, almost inviting him to get up, feeling favorable momentum. As soon as the Warwolf was up to his feet, she kicked him in the abdomen to double him over and hit the Phoenix Landing. The look on her face when West Long kicked out was a mix of disbelief and perhaps discourage, her best shot wasn’t enough to keep down the Warwolf. It only lasted a few seconds before she went back to work, grabbing those massive legs to apply her Trial By Fire. Long wasn’t done just yet, having still enough left in his tank to bring his knees to his chest and push Bobbi back. West doesn’t look like someone who ever skipped a single leg day in his life, and all that work paid off tonight as Jackson was sent flying against the cage. Dizzy, the champion stumbled right into a the Warwolf’s Boom Drop (pop up one handed spinebuster). And then he started to climb the cage, Peyton and Ambra wondering what he was doing, considering that he couldn’t win the match by escaping the cage. But that was never his idea, he found an unsteady balance on the top of the cage and then jumped off for his Big Boy Elbow Drop. Finding nobody home. Bobbi rolled out of the way just in time and then rolled the crashed opponent over with a cradle. Perhaps the tiredness, perhaps the dizziness, but she didn’t execute the pinning combination perfectly, getting caught with her shoulders to the mat as well. And none of them kicked out in time. WINNER: // (STILL CHAMPION BOBBI JACKSON) BY: Double Pinfall (Cradle), 13:32 |
Amy Maynard: "So... It's a draw?"
Sir Figgles: "No, it's bullshit. The referee should just restart the match and give us a winner."
Amy Maynard: "See, I would agree with you.. But neither of them seems to be in great shape.."
Sir Figgles: "No, it's bullshit. The referee should just restart the match and give us a winner."
Amy Maynard: "See, I would agree with you.. But neither of them seems to be in great shape.."
Backstage Luna Smith has gone all out for her outfit for her match up. A spider web tights design over both of her legs. She’s abandoned the dark blue in favour of a shiny silver set of trunks and top. Luna’s abdomen is covered by a mesh which has a keyboard like design all around her. Luna’s hair is being set by a MWE employee with the hairspray, featuring a few strands of green in her usually blonde locks for the event. Luna chose to put a bit of dark green eyeshadow on, and only the most eagled of fans would catch Luna had a makeup artist do some binary on the eyes in a silverish font. Suffice to say, Luna’s look took time and she was ready to make an impression.
MWE Stylist:
And we are done. Gorgeous from head to toe, It was a challenge, but let it never be said Evan Michael Rowland doesn’t do his best for the best in Millennium….still waiting on that raise I put in for a month ago though.
He grumbles which Luna takes no notice of. She listens up to the best in Millennium and smirks while she agrees.
Luna Smith:
I am. I have the best match set, something to leave my adoring fans wanting more and this Freddie Hjalmar will see that he’s a candle in the wind compared to me. Tonight will be the night I can turn things around and start showing management my stock is on the rise.
Holly Wakefield:
You look beautiful Luna.
The sound of the voice of Luna’s personal assistant, Holly Wakefield, can be heard as she approaches closer to where Luna is sitting with some clothes in her hands.
Holly Wakefield:
You’re definitely going to impress tonight.
Luna Smith:
Thank you, Holly?
Luna takes a little check around to see or try and hear a baby. When she gets a sense there is none, she smirks and has Holly come a bit closer.
Luna Smith:
I hope that we’ve got my stars all set up to fall down when I do win my 15 minutes of stardom match? Freddie will see it as a metaphor for his fall, since he’s got some wins or whatever.
Luna keeps that half-compliment short and as inaudible as possible while checking her bare nails which she wanted to fix as soon as this match was over.
Luna Smith:
Make sure Isabella can do my nails too. At 11, when Dean’s busy.
Holly Wakefield:
I’ll make the calls…
As Holly nods her head, she is holding out the clothes towards Luna.
Holly Wakefield:
I also brought you these… they’re from my clothing line, a sneak peek for you.
Luna Smith:
Oh?
Luna takes a little interest in the clothes she’s picked out for her. Thanks to their extensive work together, Holly has probably the best sense of Luna’s style minus herself and she checks out a few choices against her.
Luna Smith:
Obviously I’d make them look amazing, wouldn’t I?
Holly Wakefield:
That’s why I asked you to be my model, who else could make my clothes look as good?
Luna Smith:
NO One.
Luna says while keeping her clothes Holly’s given her very close.
Luna Smith:
Freddie Hjalmar?
She sarcastically suggests with a wicked, mean girl chuckle after it, like Holly would. Holly is quick to shake her head as if she would never dare to do such a thing.
Holly Wakefield:
Of course not, you’re the perfect face for my clothing line.
Luna Smith:
Not just the face. I mean these past two weeks alone I’ve been complimented on my figure, my hands, and one MWE superstar in particular said good things about my behind.
Luna says, living off her compliments she’d banked and miraculously had an eidetic memory about.
Luna Smith:
It’s a shame I have to face someone as arrogant as Freddie, not everyone can be as down to earth like me I suppose.
Holly Wakefield:
It’ll be a good night for you, I’m sure of it.
Luna Smith:
For us both. Evan?
Luna turns back to the stylist who had been eavesdropping while cleaning his brushes and combs.
Evan:
Yes, my dear?
Luna Smith:
Can you give Holly your details so she can have you do my hair when she had me modelling?
Evan:
Of course, as long as she doesn’t call me between 8 and 9, that’s my catch up time.
Holly Wakefield:
That’s fair, I’ll make sure to call before that… or after if that works better for you.
Evan:
Lovely. Now why don’t you show me some of these clothes, per your schedule Luna’s meditation time is coming up so we can coordinate on some hairstyles for your design…
Luna sees her intern and stylist start to plan her after Dark Web things, but she did need to go center herself and focus on defeating Freddie tonight. She doesn’t really give her staff much notice, rather she heads to her locker room with a big gold star upon it as the scene slowly comes to an end.
15 Minutes Of Fame Match
Freddie Hjalmar VS LunaApparently, the fans despised Freddie so much that they would pick Luna Smith and her trademark stipulation over the Promised. Which, considering that Luna was never the most popular amongst the MWE aficionados, was saying a lot. The rules were simple, Hjalmar had fifteen minutes of time to pin or submit the Star Of The Night or else she will be declared the winner of this match. At first Freddie seemed to be overlooking the former Lockdown Champion, entering the match with a lazy and condescending approach. And he soon realized the mistake he made as Luna surely didn’t come here to play, smacking him across the chest with some hard chops and send him off to the ropes, catching him on the rebound with her Starstorm. She was quickly on top of him with a lateral press, but the second generation wrestler raised his shoulder in time. Hjalmar backed off into the corner to find some repair from Luna’s unceasing offense but this didn’t discourage the Star Of The Night who, with little care to the rules the referee tried to enforce, kept hitting the former Underground North American Champion with her Krav Maga knee strikes. Since the young referee seemed to be lacking the authority necessary to make the former Lockdown champion respect him and the rules, Hjalmar decided to take the matter in his hands. Which, obviously, means that he was going to break some rules himself. With an eye rake he interrupted Luna’s attack, starting with a striking combination of his own linking together stiff punches, hard kicks and vicious elbows until he knocked Luna off her feet. And then he took a short run, jumping on the middle rope and performing a beautiful moonsault to land across the opponent for a two count. Luna rallied up and came back strong, the two of them now trading shots in the middle of the ring in an exchange that would have delighted the strong style fans. None of them was holding back, or giving up an inch. The strikes kept coming from both sides until Luna hit Freddie with a throat jab, leaving him breathless. Luna then gained some speed hitting the ropes and caught the opponent with a running spanish fly. She felt confident enough to climb to the top and jump for her Stardom, but the sparkle splash missed the target as Hjalmar rolled out of the way and quickly hit her with a devastating punt kick to the head. With that the momentum was firmly on Freddie’s side. Moves like the spinning neckbreaker, the running facebuster or the hurricanrana driver were tearing apart the former Lockdown Champion who seemed to be getting closer and closer to capitulate. She tried to earn some time, to let the clock run hoping to get to a time limit win, rolling out of the ring after Freddie hit an enziguri kick. Understanding what she was trying to do, Freddie left the ring as well, looking to bring her back in. As he was chasing her, the lights started flickering. causing both competitors to stop on their track with a dumbfounded expression. Hjalmar started looking around for the eye that had been creeping on him for weeks. Seeing the opponent distracted, Luna slid back in the ring, hit the ropes and took him out with a suicide dive. She hit a couple of knee strikes as she pulled him up but Freddie fought back with a sudden headbutt, throwing the former Lockdown Champion against the steel steps. He smashed her head against the ring post twice, trying to inflict as much damage as he could considering that he was running out of time. He then pushed her back inside the ring and climbed on the apron, waiting for the opportunity to strike with his Prince Of Roses. “I see you…” came a voice out of the loudspeakers, distracting the Promised. But only momentarily, as he quickly shook it off and jumped off the top rope with his diving double knee drop, hitting the target, hooking the legs and taking home his third consecutive win, the first on in Pay-Per-View. WINNER: Freddie Hjalmar BY: Pinfall (Prince Of Roses), 14:26 |
Peyton Holland: "Fred... What the hell?"
The lights start flickering again for a few seconds. And then it's pitch black. When the lights finally come back, there's a man in a suit standing on the stage, right infront of Freddie.
Well, a headless man in a suit.
Hjalmar looks more annoyed than spooked. He tells the headless man to cut the jokes and show his face. And he does.
Sort of.
The lights go out once again for the briefest of seconds and then they come back. The man is still there, but this time there's a giant eye where his head should be. Freddie has had enough and charges at him with a clothesline, but the Arena plunges once again in darkness. And just like he appeared, the headless man is now gone.
The lights start flickering again for a few seconds. And then it's pitch black. When the lights finally come back, there's a man in a suit standing on the stage, right infront of Freddie.
Well, a headless man in a suit.
Hjalmar looks more annoyed than spooked. He tells the headless man to cut the jokes and show his face. And he does.
Sort of.
The lights go out once again for the briefest of seconds and then they come back. The man is still there, but this time there's a giant eye where his head should be. Freddie has had enough and charges at him with a clothesline, but the Arena plunges once again in darkness. And just like he appeared, the headless man is now gone.
Gracye Kelli is standing in the center of the ring of an empty Enterprise Arena with a microphone in hand.
Gracye Kelli:
This is the moment we've been waiting for. We've seen the vignettes, we have all seen the hype. I call it the superhuman hype, over the past couple days.
She paused, but there is the awkward moment of silence, no cheers, boos or reaction from the crowd. The seats are empty, much like the last few shows due to the Coronavirus that has swept through the world and United States.
Gracye Kelli:
Make no mistake, ....this young man is extraordinary and it's why the General Manager Vincent Moretti, not only signed him to a contract exclusive to Riot, but also rushed to have him make an appearance tonight, here on night two of Dark Web II.
Another awkward moment of silence and pause by Gracye,who smiles.
Gracye Kelli:
Ladies and gentlemen watching from around the world. The wait is over. .....About to make his way to a MWE ring for the first time ever. "The Human Superman" Omari Johnson!!!!!
The lights goes out, and s moment of silence once again fills the empty Enterprise Arena in Chicago. Suddenly "Superhuman" by Blacklist Regulars hits and bright white strobe lights shoots from the stage area throughout the dark arena, as Millennium Wrestling Enterprise's newest superstar Omari Johnson (sporting a white v-neck undershirt tightly fit on his chiseled body, slightly torn faded blue slim fit Levi's jeans, and pure black Nike Air Huarache City sneakers) walks out onto the Dark Web II stage. The white strobe lights throughout the dark arena gives a cool effect, as Omari Johnson makes his way down the short ramp. As The Human Superman reaches closer to the ring, he runs and slides into the ring under the bottom rope. He gets up onto one knee, before standing up. He walks over to the turnbuckles, climbs them and raised both arms in the air, before back flipping off the turnbuckles and landing on back onto one knee position before standing up, turning around and staring at Gracye Kelli who is standing by with the microphone. The lights return to normal, as Omari steps closer to Gracye Kelli.
Gracye Kelli:
Firstly welcome to Millennium Wrestling Enterprise. Now, how does it feel, standing here, in the center of a MWE ring?
Omari Johnson:
Thank you Gracye!!! .....How does it feel?
The Human Superman thinks for a few seconds, before giving a response.
Omari Johnson:
Its like what my song says, .....surreal. It's been a real long journey Gracye. I climbed, I clawed, I fought my way to where I stand right now. I work for what I want and this is what I worked for, because I wanted it.
Gracye Kelli:
Now that The Human Superman is here in MWE, exclusive to Riot. What can we expect?
Omari Johnson:
That is what on everyone's mind isn't it?
Omari pauses and smiles before continuing.
Omari Johnson:
What's next is my debut match? That's my focus and that's what I am about. My mom always told me, one step at a time baby, one step at a time. As far as my debut is concern. On the next Riot, I will wow the world. That I guarantee for sure.
Gracye Kelli:
Are there any goals you have set for yourself here in the MWE?
Omari Johnson:
Goals?! Like I said, my mother always told me one step at a time. That is what I did to reach here and I'm not about to change it. But to answer your question. Yes! I do have goals. There is accumulating a damn good win record. This of course will lead to .....championship gold, .....Hall of Fame, .....you know, the whole works of professional wrestling. Now look, I don't need to breeze pass an obstacle course like Superman or Flash. You see Gracye, I have T and T.
Gracye Kelli:
T and T?! What's that?
A smiling Omari looks at Gracye.
Omari Johnson:
Time..... and talent. Here is the thing Gracye, many have the time and not the talent. Others have the talent and not the time. While you can search through the locker room back there, find someone with T and T is like searching for a pin through a haystack. I have it.
Gracye Kelli:
But you have the time and talent.
Omari Johnson:
That right, T and T baby.
Gracye Kelli:
Some would call that beginner's attitude, ....arro.....
Gracye is cut off by Omari.
Omari Johnson:
Arrogance!!! Gracye, and I'm anything, but arrogant.
The Human Superman turns and looks into the camera directly staring at it.
Omari Johnson:
I've got the time to progress and the talent to get it done.
Gracye Kelli:
Anything else?
Omari Johnson:
Mr. Moretti, .....thanks for the opportunity. Big respect and I assure you what you saw and invested in, is every bit and more you're going to get inside this ring.
Gracye Kelli:
Welcome to MWE and good luck.
Omari smiles and shakes her hand as his theme song "Superhuman" begins to play, as he makes his way to the turnbuckles to raise his arms in the air. He repeats this with the other three turnbuckles, before exiting the square circle.
Tag Team Match
Stipulation TBD
Stipulation TBD
APE (REDD Thunder & Duke Andrews) VS Brothers McMillion
A first time ever, a LEGO and hard candy match between APE and the McMillions. A stipulation suggested by REDD Thunder and backed up by a vast majority, a true landslide with the 71% of the MWE fans choosing that option. Duke Andrews, the less enthusiast about the stipulation, was the one starting the match for APE against his long time rival Christian Michaels. A lot of bad blood between them, the tension only rose to higher levels after what happened in last night main event. And the first punch flew as soon as the referee turned to the timekeeper table to call for the bell, before it could even ring. And it was Duke who struck first, sudden and hard catching Michaels to the jaw and sending him recoiling a few steps back. Next he took him down with a clothesline, and a second one as the veteran stood up to his feet. An irish whip sent CM against the ropes, as Duke waited in the middle of the ring for him to come back and send him flying over his head with a back body drop. Too bad for him it was too predictable and Christian was able to slow down and kick him hard on the chest, forcing him to a vertical basis and jump with a standing dropkick. The former Lockdown champion stumbled back toward the corner, allowing the Walking Disaster to enter the ring. The Southern Heartthrob taunted the big man who, literally. dragged CCJ out of the cage screwing Kelsey Spencer (Christian’s wife) out of a rightful victory. Instant regret as the deceptively quick member of APE came at him like a freight train and ran him over. Easily taking control thanks to his unmatched strength, the Thunder From Down Under decided to get the ball rolling and bring in the weapons, asking his partner to hand him one of the bag of legos. Reluctantly, Duke obliged and REDD emptied the contents on the floor. Christian was crawling toward his brother but he was stopped just inches away by The Law. He pulled him up to his feet, lit up his chest with some hard chops and whipped him against the ropes, catching him on the rebound and lifting him, spinning around to drop him on the colored plastic bricks with the Killamajig. There was a cover attempt and Javen was quick to step inside the ring and break it up with a double axe handle to REDD’s massive back. Clutching his back in agony, Christian managed to land on his feet from the Thunder’s belly to back suplex and quickly hit him with a bicycle kick. It didn’t knock the APE member down but rocked him enough for Christian to lay down some offense with a quick striking combination. REDD recovered and blocked his foot, but he got caught by the Dragon Whap kick. And nothing, he was still standing tall, positioned right between Christian and his brother. The McMillion charged in, REDD pushed him up in the air probably for a pop up samoan drop but Michaels countered with a dropkick right to the face. REDD stumbled back and fell down in the former tag team champions corner, his head bouncing against the middle turnbuckle. The tag was finally made and Javen entered the ring with a slingshot dropkick to the seated opponent, rolling backwards and up to his feet to charge in with a double knee to the face of the Big Fat Lucha. The speed and agility of Javen, along with some of the tricks in his hat like sneaky eye rakes to quickly regain control when the big man started building some momentum. In a couple of occasion his high octane offense allowed him to score near falls, the closest one being after the Javenation as a follow up to a tornado ddt. Duke was constantly encouraging his partner, who eventually created the opening he needed catching Javen’s springboard crossbody attempt and countering with a spinning side slam. And there was the tag to Duke who entered the ring and went at Javen with the same aggressiveness he reserved to his older brother, attacking Simon with straight punches to the face. He had some for Christian as well, kicking him off the apron before doubling Javen over with a kick to the stomach and dropping him face first on the Legos with his Crossroads (leghook reverse STO.) Cursing out loud as he landed on some of those plastic bricks as well, he rolled Javen on his back and hooked the leg. Christian made the save just in the nick of time. Duke was down after CM planted him with a snap ddt. The McMillion didn’t go for the cover, calling on his brother and asking him to pass him every single bag of Legos he could find. Two, five, seven of those little bags were tossed from Christian to his brother, who emptied them on the floor. Amongst them there were a couple of hard candy bags and CM didn’t seem to mind, gathering them all together and piling them up in a little mound. Picking up his opponent, he worn him down with a couple of uppercuts before moving behind his back and hooking his arms in a full nelson position, lifting him and dropping him on the pile of legos and candies with a sitout full nelson atomic drop. Duke screamed in pain as he landed with his ass on the mound, REDD stepped in to save the match for his team, breaking up the pin a moment before Javen could stop him. The two started brawling, the referee turned his attention and Andrews low blowed CM, who dropped on his knees. The former Lockdown champion opened his rivals mouth and showed a bunch of hard candies in, and then hit him with the Killshot. Apparently, there was a piece of lego or two as well amongst the candies, and that’s would explain why Christian spat some blood off his mouth, coming from his gums. And yet, her kicked out from the pinning predicament. The ending of the match was pure chaos. REDD entered the ring without a tag being made and took CM out with a cactus clothesline. And it was the Walking DIsaster who got the worse, landing head first on the apron. Christian glanced at him laying motionless on the floor and quickly headed back inside the ring where Duke was getting up to his feet. A kick to the guts and the Just Like That twist of fate for the win. NO! Although visibly dizzy, REDD pulled Christian out by the leg and saved his partner. He swung and missed with a right hand, clearly he wasn’t ok after the bad landing on his head. Christian took a step back as he saw his brother ready to fly from the top rope, catching REDD’s head and dropping him down with a diving tornado ddt. From the apron, Christian took a moment to check on his brother who landed awkwardly. When Javen raised his thumb to signal he was ok, CM stepped through the ropes and found Duke waiting for him. He caught him in a headlock and planted him with a rope hung ddt, immediately picking him up for an Andrews Effect on the legos. And that was the end of it. WINNER: APE BY: Pinfall (Andrews Effect), 14:19 |
Sir Figgles: "My boys got the win!"
Amy Maynard: "Is REDD alright?"
Sir Figgles: "He's just a bit dizzy. But he's a big boy, he'll be fine."
30 Minutes Iron Man Match
Neal Durden VS Helena NoirWill this be the last match in Helena's career? If that’s the case, if this is truly was her swan song, she choose one hell of a last dance partner in Neal Durden. The Anarchist, who recently beat his girlfriend to earn a shot at the Underworld Championship in Underground, has put on a streak of great matches since joining the green brand, although with alternating fortunes. All the ingredients were there to make this Iron Man match one of the most intriguing and interesting matches of night 2, one that promised to keep the fans on the edge of their seats for thirty minutes. And it started with a show of mutual respect and sportsmanship, the two competitors meeting in the middle of the ring and shaking hands. As soon as the bell rang, things got serious. Helena grabbed Neal’s arm and twisted it in a modified hammerlock, hooking her leg with his and performing a front somersault, rolling Durden on his back and keeping him down with a Gannosuke clutch, scoring the first pinfall of the match. Helena Noir 1 Neal Durden 0 Pinfall (Gannosuke Clutch) 0:09 Caught completely off guard by the sudden and unexpected move, Neal wasn’t able to kick out in time. He didn’t seem mad though, he was actually smiling, giving the opponent credit with a nod of his head. And besides, there was still a lot of time. Surely, he kept his guard up from that moment on, denying Helena a couple of chances to score other points, kicking out in time from an inside cradle and a Magistral. Pleased to note that Neal’s head was now in the game, and stressing it with a smile, Helena changed her approach, locking horns with the Anarchist. Durden made a name for himself for his daredevil and innovative style, but those who really followed his career since his debut in 2016 know how well versed he is in technical wrestling, with a great grappling background. And yet he was having issues keeping up with Helena, possibly one of the most underrated and underachieving members of the roster. She was always one step ahead, for every counter Neal tried to get out of her grip, she had a reversal, keeping an edge on the Welsh and switching from a hammerlock to a headlock. taking him down to the canvas where she maintained control with a front head chancery. As the two of them were on the canvas, she seemed to be talking to Neal, almost spurring him on. Durden was able to get up to his feet and tried to break free with some punches to the side, but a knee to the face blocked whatever momentum he was building. From the front headlock, she switched to a double underhook lifting the opponent for a beautiful bridging butterfly suplex, obtaining a near fall. As the minutes passed by, it became more and more clear that Helena was trying to push Neal out of the apathy of sort he had shown in recent times. Arising from a feeling of pride, the Anarchist unleashed those swift kick of his, forcing Noir back against the ropes. With an irish whip, he sent her against the ropes, dropping on the canvas at her first passage, jumping over her with a leapfrog on the second and performing a dropkick as she bounced back again. Too predictable for Helena who clearly had him scouted, stopping on her tracks and causing him to miss the dropkick. And when he got back to his feet, she took him down with a sling blade. Again her submission game came into play as she draped his leg over her shoulders with a stretch muffler. With a bit of struggle, Neal found his way to the ropes. The tattooed woman granted him a clean break but she immediately charged in as soon as he got up to his feet. Up and over the top rope she went, landing on the apron and catching Neal with a gamengiri kick as he turned around. Her foot caught him right to the head and rocked him, but he spun around and returned the courtesy with a wheel kick that almost knocked the last Liberty Champion off the apron. She managed to catch the ropes, miraculously hanging on and slowly pulling herself up. Durden was ready to finish the job with a right punch, but she ducked it and slif back in the ring under the bottom rope and between his legs, quickly getting up and taking a run to the ropes, connecting the Dalecarlian Horse and scoring her second pinfall. Helena Noir 2 Neal Durden 0 Pinfall (Dalecarlian Horse) 9:16 Two to nothing for Helena after ten minutes. The last Liberty Champion switched now to a more defensive style, knowing that the pressure was on Neal now. She even taunted him some as she moved quickly trying to stay away from his offense, seemingly getting more and more pressing by the minute. “Is this all you got?” She asked as she blocked one of his kicks and took him to the mat with a dragon screw leg whip, immediately switching to another stretch muffler. “Am I wrong, Neal?” She insisted, bending his leg looking to score that third point via submission. This time Durden managed to counter it before she could transition to the seated version and the two were back to their feet, once again trading strikes. And Neal came out on top, stunning Helena with a jumping knee and lifting her for his Olympic slam, The tattooed woman rolled out of the ring before Neal could make the cover, taking as much time as she could to catch a breath. As tempted as he was to take flight and hit her with one of his acrobatic moves, Neal stayed inside the ropes instead, probably thinking that Helena was just playing possum, ready to counter whatever move he’d try. And apparently he was right as, at a count of six, Noir entered the ring with a smile. Neal didn’t seem to appreciate it and kicked her head as she was sliding back in, stomping a few times before she dragged her up, spinned her around and dropped her to the mat with a tiger suplex. And finally Neal kicked into high gear, catching the Swede with a handspring back elbow. He didn’t slow down while Helena was laying on the floor, attacking here with knee drops and a springboard moonsault. She kicked out in two and slowly picked herself up, trying to regain control and hitting Neal with several quick jabs. One of those was eventually dodged by The Anarchist, who grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back in an hammerlock, smoothly moving in front of her and hitting a hammerlock suplex. The momentum was now completely in his favor, but no matter what he did, Helena wasn’t staying down, showing once again her impressive resilience. After she kicked out from a double underhook powerbomb, Neal lifted her over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position and dropped her into an overhead kick for what he called Nirvana’s Fall. The impact caused Helena to spin around, and only the ropes avoided her a fall on her face. Neal grabbed her from behind and pulled her into his Disaster Knee, dragging her away from the ropes and making the cover. Helena Noir 2 Neal Durden 1 Pinfall (Disaster Knee) 13:41 For several minutes nothing noteworthy happened, as both competitors seemed to catch their breath. They were only halfway through the match, and it had been a very energy consuming fight so far. The slower pace and the time ticking was clearly playing in Helena’s favor but Neal didn’t look too concerned. And considering his asthma, he probably needed this more than the opponent. And then all of a sudden thing sped up once again, and it was Neal dictating the pace, obtaining a two count with a standing shiranui. And as soon as Helena kicked out, he had a shining wizard with her name written on it, knocking her back down to the mat. This was the perfect spot for his standing corkscrew moonsault but Noir moved out of the way, once again trying to score a quick pinfall with a cradle and only obtaining a two count. She tried to put the opponent down with some of the best moves in her arsenal, trying to score that point that would give her a discreet advantage and the opportunity to administer the rest of the match. But neither the inverted stomp facebreaker nor the Ink Yo Face (double underhook facebuster) were enough to keep Neal down. She had him now in a waistlock, trying to german suplex the Anarchist. He blocked the attempt and with a standing switch moved behind her back. But instead than going for a suplex, he dropped down and rolled her on her shoulders with a schoolboy, lifting her up into a powerbomb. Wasting no time, he leaped on the top of the turnbuckle and jumped with his Starlight shooting star press, evening the score. Helena Noir 2 Neal Durden 2 Pinfall (Starlight) 19:59 Now it was Helena who started showing a sense of urgency. If this was really her last dance, she would do everything in her power to go out with a win. Durden might have expected a comeback, but not one of this intensity. Noir’s kicks were as quick as they were pinpoint, making it very difficult for him to block or counter. Not to mention the force behind them, especially those aiming at the chest. One of them doubled Neal over, and she followed up with a swinging neckbreaker. Again she went to work on the Welsh with her submission, trying to cut off the air supply, working the neck until she got in position for the triangle choke. Neal was locked in but he quickly escaped, jumping with both feet on the tattooed woman chest. This time the standing corkscrew moonsault connected, and Neal made the cover, being the most surprised when Helena didn’t kick out. Helena Noir 2 Neal Durden 3 Pinfall (standing corkscrew moonsault) 21:22 As she stood up, it was clear that Helena was suffering. Shortness of breath, a grimace of pain on her face and a hand clutching her side. The referee checked on her and asked if she wanted to continue, which she promptly confirmed, except then she quickly bent forward, resting her hands on her knees. Neal was hesitant, not sure if he should attack an opponent that was most likely injured, despite the attempts to mask it. The referee had no choice but to continue the match, and the two competitors now locked up. Helena grit her teeth and kept fighting despite the pain, chaining a few right forearms to Neal’s jaw. He countered with a knee strike, catching the last Liberty Champion on the side and almost regretting it immediately as he saw the hurt this caused her. A hesitation he paid for as she stunned him with a headbutt, kicked him in the stomach and lifted him with difficulty, planting him on his head with a cradle ddt and locking him in a guillotine choke. It was the Fondu Au Noir, the move that gave her so many wins in career and that tonight allowed her to equalize the score with just spare minutes to go as Neal quickly tapped out. Helena Noir 3 Neal Durden 3 Submission (Fondu Au Noir) 25:38 Could it be that Neal decided to tap out to save the energy and try to win the match in the little time that was left, especially considering the injury suffered by his opponent? Only Durden himself would be able to answer this. One thing for sure, the last four minutes were incredibly intense, Helena not holding anything back, almost getting the three with a roundhouse kick. Neal gave it all as well, despite the asthma taking its toil on him. Helena put everything she had left in that last desperate punch that Durden easily ducked, kicking her in the stomach to double her over and set her up for the Strike Back. Helena Noir 3 Neal Durden 4 Pinfall (Strike Back) 29:09 Helena slowly pulled herself up, shaking her head in disappointment. She cursed those injured ribs, looking at Neal like she was ready to fight, despite everything. But then one look at the clock signaling that there were less than 20 seconds to go made her change her mind. She extended her hand, a gesture that caught Neal off guard. Another trap? It only took a few words from Helena to convince him that this wasn’t a cheap trick. He shook her hand, and moments later the bell rang. Without letting him go, Helena raised his arm and then, without saying a word, dropped down and rolled out of the ring. WINNER: Neal Durden BY: 4-3, 30:00 |
Peyton Holland: "You know what I didn't like of this match? The fact that it ended."
Ambra Monroe: "They surely put on a clinic. Helena controlled the first part, Neal came out at distance and got the win in the last minute."
Peyton Holland: "I was under the impression that Neal intentionally tapped out."
Ambra Monroe: "He might as well. And in that case, it was absolutely brilliant."
Peyton Holland: "Indeed. As for Helena, chances are this was her last match. Not quite the way she was hoping to leave, if that's the case."
Ambra Monroe: "I don't know Peyton, I talked to her briefly before the match and she told me she hasn't made a decision yet. Personally, I hope this great match convinced her that she still have a lot to give to this sport."
The camera is focused backstage as we are following the challenger for the Invictus title belt, Liv Mercer, who is dressed in some new golden ring gear as part of her prophecy for becoming a champion once more in Millennium. As she is walking, Liv is casually holding the baseball bat from before over one shoulder, a slight smirk on her face and determination clear in her eyes.
Liv Mercer:
I can’t wait to see the look on Echo’s face when she loses her beloved Invictus title inside of the steel cage match that SHE wanted.
A chuckle follows these words as Liv continues to walk down the hallway with big confidence in each step. Her grip tightens on the baseball bat as she lowers it from her shoulder and allows for it to drag along behind her with each further step she takes towards her destination.
Liv Mercer:
It’s going to be a bitter pill for her to swallow when she’s beaten by this little rabbit that she’s so convinced herself she can crush beneath her boot.
Liv shakes her head as she picks the baseball bat back up and holds it out in front of her while turning the corner. At the same time, coming from the opposite direction, is Millie Smith who freezes directly upon catching a glimpse of the baseball bat in the hands of Liv.
Millie Smith:
EEP!
Millie, in her Liv Mercer jacket which she did zip up quite high to avoid any glimpses at her chest unlike her sister Luna’s attire, although that’s what maybe prompted Millie to zip hers up. She has her ponytail flying out of a BreeTee cap and ducks the bat like she’s being swung at.
Clover Smith:
What’s going on Mil...Oh.
Clover, Millie’s younger sister who was dressed head to toe in Millennium Merch, like she’d been dunked in the merchandise stand and came out with Millennium spirit. Several bands on her wrist, a Dark Web t-shirt and hat. Some black pants with Millennium Wrestling written down the side of her pant leg and a Dean Smith hoodie which was one size too big for her.
Clover Smith:
We don’t want any trouble, Ms. Quinn.
Liv smirks a little bit as she places the bat back on her shoulder to ensure she won’t be taking any swings towards Millie or Clover. She holds up one hand.
Liv Mercer:
I come in peace, neither one of you is my chosen target for this evening.
Millie Smith:
Are you in trouble?
Millie asks nervously, causing Clover to do a quick check either side in case there were. Although Clover looks a little disappointed she wasn’t going to see Liv use the bat and Millie tap into her training a bit. Liv shakes her head as she takes a step forward and holds the bat high above her head like a signal of victory.
Liv Mercer:
I’m not the one who’s going to be in trouble, what’s in trouble here tonight is Echo and her reign as the Invictus champion, I’ve been ticking down the minutes…
Clover Smith:
That’s the title my brother held for a long, long, really long time. So if you beat her tonight, that’ll make you A-Ok in my book, Harls.
Clover decides that she’s just going to assume Liv’s Harley Quinn right now. Millie tries to come forth with her own words of encouragement.
Millie Smith:
I believe in you. This will be another title for you!
As Millie remembers when Liv won both the Riot and the Junior Heavyweight championship belt. Millie shows her idolizing look towards Liv as well, remembering when Liv let her hold the Junior Heavyweight title for a little time. The weight it had and saw Liv ready to carry it once again. Liv slowly lowers the bat as she taps it up against her open palm.
Liv Mercer:
I’ve been having a lot of fun with Echo for my own amusement, especially since I came very close to beating her the last time, but tonight all of the fun and jokes come to an end. Tonight I won’t settle for less than the Invictus title in my hands.
Clover Smith:
And then you’ll be as good as Chico Musico.
Clover shows off her autographed picture of Nik Thoreau with some gold of his own, as Liv was rubbing shoulders with some Conglomerate people who backed her up plenty of times on Riot. Liv glances at the picture for a moment before she nods her head.
Liv Mercer:
And I’ll become a triple crown champion here in Millennium, which I don’t think I need to explain to you is a very big deal in this business.
Millie Smith:
Triple Crown Liv!
Clover Smith:
So that’ll make you Queen of Riot, Millennium and the Dark Web?
Liv twirls the bat in one hand before she places it down on the floor besides where she’s standing in order to put both of her hands on her hips.
Liv Mercer:
That’s exactly what it means, kiddo.
Clover Smith:
That makes me Smart Clover.
She gives Millie a little nudge to get her to confirm it which Millie does without a second thought.
Millie Smith:
Smart Clo’
Clover Smith:
I guess you won’t be needing this four leaf clover we found for you.
Clover pulls out of her pocket a slightly dried clover she’d found and put in a bag that once held fudge. By the small droplet of fudge on Millie’s cheek, it was easy to say that was long gone. Liv raises one eyebrow even though there’s a slight smile on her face.
Liv Mercer:
It’s the thought that counts, right?
Clover Smith:
And it’s better to win without luck. But you should come to my place so I can have tea with a three-queen Quinn.
Clover miswords the triple crown moniker at stake, while still referring to her as Harley Quinn. Millie thinks it’s slightly appropriate considering Oz could be considered a Millennium Joker type.
Liv Mercer:
It’s a date, okay?
Clover Smith:
Deal. You can leave the bat with my Butler, Togan Tiger when you come over. Let’s go get our seats, Millie!
Millie gives Liv a shy wave and mouths “Good luck” nonetheless to her while she big sisters Clover. Liv watches them walk away for a moment before she places the bat back on her shoulder and starts to walk off in the opposite direction.
The scene cuts to the lockerroom area, where Echo was just sitting down, to finish getting her gear on. She looked up briefly at the camera before looking right back down, getting to work on lacing her tights and boots.
Echo:
I came, I saw, I conquered. I came to MWE, I saw what I wanted, I conquered the former champion. I’ve fought anyone put in my way, I don’t shy away from any challenger, and tonight it just happens to be the biggest pain in my neck since Ryan Jones in fourth grade. Liv Mercer, who spent the better part of a night playing hide and seek with me, only to get put down. Liv Mercer, who decided to poke the bear by screwing me over. Multiple times. Liv Mercer, who tried and failed.
Liv Mercer, who is going to remain a failure tonight. She has this whole idea that I’m not a proper champion, that she’d be better for the Invictus Championship. I’m going to first explain, and later on I’m going to demonstrate, why she’s right about one thing and full of shit about everything else.
She paused for a moment, adjusting her waistband from her seated position, then moved on to taping her wrists.
Echo:
First off, you’re goddamn right I’m not a proper champion. I’m a terrible representative of this division, of this company. I’m crass, vulgar, loud, abrasive. Take your pick of adjectives and you’re right. That’s who I am, I’m real, and it bothers fakes like you, Liv. You’re good, sure, your accolades speak volumes. I get that.
But you’re not Invictus material. You run, you hide, your entire game is “gimme gimme gimme”. I earned this belt with blood, sweat, tears and a few bottles of vodka. You demand, you snake your way in position. You think you’ve found your way under my skin Liv, and yeh at first you might have had a point.”
Now? Now you’re just a nuisance, like a fly that pesters at a cookout. Now you’re a fly with nowhere to run and hide when that cage surrounds us. You’ll pay for each annoyance with your own blood, sweat and tears, only they won’t earn you this title. They won’t earn you the ever elusive triple clown you’re chasing.
With a huff, she pulled herself up off her seat, giving one last stretch to her neck. She leaned to her right, grasping the Invictus Championship tightly in her hand, smiling at the faceplate.
Echo:
They won’t earn you respect, or adoration, they won’t earn you anything but a trip home to ponder where it all went wrong for you. So maybe, Liv, you’ll get that triple crown honor eventually, but as I told you before, you won’t be doing it off my back.
With a flash of her smile toward the camera, Echo snatched up her Chicago Fight Lab jacket and pushed her way out of the locker room, where Yulia and Damian stood waiting for her. She took note with a nod and pounded both of their fists as she walked down the hallway.
Yulia Kirilenko:
Think she’ll be okay?
She asked, wrapping her arm around Damian’s as the pair watched Echo disappear around a corner.
Damian Carter:
Liv? No, I think she’ll be a stain on the mat that they struggle to wash out after.
Yulia Kirilenko:
...You know what I meant. She was difficult these last few weeks.
Damian Carter:
She’ll be fine, you worry too much. Come on, we’d better get out there.
The pair trailed off after Echo arm in arm, as the camera moved back to ringside.
Invictus Championship Match
Invictus Rules Cage Match
Echo (c) VS Liv MercerInvictus Rules Cage Match
For the first time since its inception, a stipulation has been added to the Invictus championship. The old rules still applied, three rounds of five minutes each, wins can only come via knockout, submission or judges decision at the end of the third round. But tonight, Echo and Liv Mercer were fighting inside a cage. First Round No ropes to define the boundaries of the ring, a steel cage to replace them and create a whole new and more dangerous environment for the two contenders to fight in, creating a new and way more dangerous environment. It was the stipulation picked and endorsed by the champion who asked and obtained the votes of the fans. And she immediately took advantage of the stipulation, forcing Liv back against it and once she had nowhere to go, throwing a volley of punches at her. Mercer didn’t come here to play the role of a punching bag and fought back, but a straight punch from the Australian caught her flush in the jaw and caused the back of her head to bounce against the cage, leaving the former Riot champion stunned. And the Fight Lab representative immediately wrapped her arms around the opponent and threw her behind her back with a well executed overhead belly to belly suplex. Never count Liv out to soon though, the New Yorker caught the charging champion with a drop-toe-hold and locked her in a STF. Echo found a counter after a few moments but missed with the right hook, ending up once again on the mat after a straightjacket neckbreaker slam. And once again Liv went for a submission, namely a rear naked choke. It took Echo a little longer this time to get free and by the time she did, there was not much time left for any kind of offense. Judges Score: Moretti: Mercer 10-9 Maynard: Mercer10-9 Figgins: Mercer 10-9 Second round A good start in the first round for Echo who got dominated in the second part after Liv managed to take the contest to the mat, easily controlling the australian. A mistake that the Invictus champion wouldn’t have wanted to repeat in the second round which started exactly the same way the first one ended. With Mercer taking Echo to the mat and locking her in a dragon sleeper. Finding her way up to her feet, the champ now used a judo hip throw to get free from her grasp, raising her foot and trying to stomp the challenger down. Liv rolled out of harm’s way, quickly getting back to a vertical stance ready to face the charging opponent with a knee to the face that barely slowed down Echo, and certainly didn’t stop her from literally lifting the challenger and driving her against the cage where she bombarded her with punches, elbows and knees. A lot of knee strikes, aiming at first to the stomach, and then to the face as she locked her in a collar tie. It’s plausible to say that this could have easily ended in a KO if the bell didn’t rang, giving Liv a much needed break. Judges Score: Moretti: Echo 10-9 Maynard: Echo 10-9 Figgins: Echo 10-9 Final Round That ending of the second round gave Echo a solid advantage walking into the third and final round as Liv looked still a bit dazed in the opening moments. The champion delivered more punishment to the challenger, using her knee drop brainbuster to leave Mercer flat on her back. The Aussie grabbed the opponent leg and began to work on it to set up her knee bar, kicking the hamstring. Liv fought back using the free leg to kick the opponent away and succeeded when one lucky shot caught Echo right on the jaw, The invictus champion immediately brought her hands to her mouth, turning her back to Liv who quickly got up and wrapped her arms around her waist for a snap german suplex. On the cage. The tides had just turned, Echo was sat down against the cage stunned and defenseless as Liv kicked and stomped her relentlessly. Time kept ticking, the end of this even third round was coming and Liv didn’t want to take any chances with another decision, picking up the opponent and pulling her back in the middle of the ring to end this contest. She pressed her foot on Echo’s face to set her up for her Stay Grounded inverted stomp facebreaker looking to apply the Liv Lock right after. But before she could wrap her legs around Echo’s head, the champion suddenly reacted and turned this into her knee bar, twisting the knee until the pain became too much for Liv to handle. WINNER: Echo (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Kneebar), Round 3; 4:31 |
Amy Maynard: "She did it! Echo beat Liv again, and this time beyond any doubt."
Sir Figgles: "Looks like Liv's dream of becoming a triple crown winner have to wait."
Sir Figgles: "Looks like Liv's dream of becoming a triple crown winner have to wait."
Backstage…
The camera comes on inside the locker-rooms. Jenni Anderson can be seen sitting on the benches, clad in her ring gear, as she looks to the camera, smirking.
Jenni Anderson:
I hear the talk…
She scowls.
Jenni Anderson:
I hear the wrestling media pushing the narrative that I am the underdog here. I hear them saying that because I lost to Devin Hearst, I don’t even deserve to be in this match.
Jenni pauses, seething. She forcibly points to the camera.
Jenni Anderson:
DO YOU KNOW…
... before catching herself. She gives a bitter grin, swallowing her anger as she smirks.
Jenni Anderson:
Do you know how insulting it is to hear these out-of-shape losers who aren’t worthy of lacing up MY boots talk about me as if I’m the afterthought? Glorious Golden Era took TWO Championships last night, so Glory Braddock… who I have proven I am BETTER than on more than one occasion… she has a chance. Henri Black has pinned the Champion before, so HE has a chance. Devin Hearst… well… his big mouth somehow has people convinced that he’s worth more than I could buy and sell in a heartbeat… he has a chance.
She nods again, bitterly running her tongue across her teeth inside her mouth.
Jenni Anderson:
In my view… forget ALL of you! I am the favorite here! I am the one who is in the BEST position to become the new Riot Champion. I debuted in the MAIN EVENT, something none of these other CLOWNS facing me have done! I have succeeded where EVERYONE has wanted me to fail! I get it… “Fuck the Establishment”, right? You want so BADLY for people like me to be denigrated to the positions of LOSERS like YOU so that maybe, you can feel better about being worthless, but people like me ALWAYS come out ahead. The Establishment always wins.
Jenni sits back, smiling genuinely as she looks to the camera.
Jenni Anderson:
Let Hearst enjoy his hollow victory. Let Black enjoy knowing that his pinfall over Hearst was as meaningful as that hollow victory Hearst enjoys. Let Glory bask in the reflected success of those she leeches onto. In the end, the Establishment always wins. And that means that you are looking right now at the future MWE Riot Champion. And as we’re going through the back, through the crowd… just think…
Jenni reaches down, pulling up a fanned-out stack of cash. She begins fanning herself with it.
Jenni Anderson:
Anyone we pass could already be in the back pocket of The Queenpin.
She begins to laugh as the scene fades elsewhere.
The camera travels backstage, through the near deserted halls of the Enterprise Arena, for a moment however a flash is seen of the vibrant atmosphere that existed in the months prior to the current pandemic before returning to the present.
??:
Oh how much can change in only a few short weeks. Where once there was vibrancy and vitality there is now despair, where once there were thousands screaming in approval or jeering with disdain there is now silence…
The camera now approaches a door labelled ‘Henri Black’ which opens to reveal Henri, with has back to the camera and stripped to the waist and wearing only a variation of his standard black and gold wrestling gear and standing over an open package it’s contents topped by a mask reminiscent of the skull of a large bird.
Henri Black:
On a night like tonight I would usually have choreographed an entrance so elaborate that it would put a Broadway director to shame. Maybe I would have ‘flown’ in from the rafters or entered through the screaming crowd accompanied by a dozen raven druids… but circumstances have dictated that my usual pageantry is simply not appropriate, however that won’t stop me from at least dressing the part.
Henri lifts the mask from and looks it over, admiring the craftsmanship before placing it to the side and taking hold of a hooded and tattered black overcoat and slings it over his shoulders.
Henri Black:
And after tonight things will change again. Because Devin Hearst will no longer be the RIOT champion, I will, I have given him a taste of things to come and now all that’s left to do is reach out and take what’s mine, Jenni Anderson will finally learn the lesson that was so painfully taught to Pierce Manning in Japan. But what, I hear you ask, about Glory Braddock? Well Glory is going to find out that up against an uninjured Henri Black and without any backup from her Glorious Golden Enema that she just can’t measure up.
Henri finishes fastening the last of the buttons securing his coat and then buckles a series of ornate straps across his chest and waist before retrieving a pair of leather gloves matching the cloats tattered appearance.
Henri Black:
But this pandemic can’t last forever, when it has passed, I will properly celebrate what happened here tonight with the roaring of the crowd and a bottle of absurdly expensive irish whiskey and I want all of you to look forward to that day, don’t fret over the lockdown, don’t put yourselves at risk and one day soon we will all be together again… albeit slightly different.
Henri then reaches for the mask and pulls it over his face and flips the hood of his coat into place before turning to the camera and speaking in a disturbingly sinister altered voice.
Henri Black:
And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, I will see each and every one of you on the other side, and I will be bringing that RIOT championship with me… be ready.
MWE Intercontinental Championship Match
2 out of 3 Falls Match
Meg Rydell (c) VS Tank Steiner2 out of 3 Falls Match
Amy Maynard: “Only 24 hours for Megan to get ready for an opponent she never faced before. Can’t say that management went easy for her in her first defense.” Sir Figgles: “Not really, but if that’s of any help, her opponent has been out of competition for quite some time to take care of some minor injuries.” Amy Maynard: “That’s correct and it’s also the reason why he didn’t join MWE right after the closing of NOW. But Tank Steiner is here now, even though it’s not clear yet which brand he’s going to join.” The first thing that caught the eye was the impressive size difference. The Austrian Hulk towered one foot over the Intercontinental Champion, weighing 200 pounds more. But if you thought that Rydell was letting this intimidate her, then you were in for a surprise. Megan was hellbent to prove Moretti and everyone else what she was capable of and earn that respect she thought they weren’t showing her. Hard and fast shoot kicks were thrown at the stoic heavyweight, who seemed to pretty much absorb them without being too bothered by them, as if Megan was nothing but an annoying mosquito buzzing around him. And as such, he swatted her away, pushing her down to the floor. Meg rolled back and up to her feet, clenching her fists in rage as she prepared herself to charge back to the attack with a jumping forearm. Tank didn’t even have to move, actually he hadn’t moved a inch since the match started. As Meg leaped toward him, he simply punched her in mid air. Amy Maynard: “Damn! A punch like that could knock out a horse.” Herr Steiner’s movements were calm and slow, of course he had absolutely no interest to speed up the pace of the match. Not that he couldn’t go, he proved time and time again in his career to be deceptively quick for a man that size. Simply, he didn’t want to give the opponent any possible advantage, controlling the initial part of the match. He shoved Megan in the corner, giving a first evidence of his speed, charging at the Intercontinental champion and squashing her against the turnbuckle. Sir Figgles: “Are we going to see some of those violent chops? If so, I sincerely hope Megan’s boobs are real…” Amy Maynard: “FIGGLES!” No chops were thrown tonight tho, Tank Steiner preferring to go with a couple of uppercuts before lifting Megan and throwing her backward with a fallaway slam. Rydell flew all the way across the ring, landing close to the opposite corner and rolling under the ropes. The super heavyweight was already on her tracks, leaning over the top rope to drag her up to her feet and applying a front facelock to suplex her back in. Rydell fought with everything she had, literally hanging onto the ropes to block his attempt. And somehow she managed not only to resist but to drag Tank Steiner on the apron as well. He pulled himself up immediately, but a superkick from Rydell leveled him, causing him to fall on the apron first and them roll down on the floor. He didn’t stay down long, but once again Megan struck as soon as he got up to his feet, running toward the ring post and stepping onto it, using it as a platform for hitting a beautiful Asai moonsault, even landing on her feet. Amy Maynard: “Megan is on fire tonight!” Sir Figgles: “Come on now, that was insensible toward Gavin Grimes…” Amy Maynard: “I swear I can’t even with you tonight..” The champion was back in the ring asking the referee to count the opponent out. Tank was back up at five and ready to get back in the ring. Megan wasted no time, hitting the ropes on the opposite side and taking out his knee with a low dropkick as soon as he stepped back in. Not really a submission specialist, she still tried to put pressure on that knee with a basic hold, twisting his leg. It wasn’t too hard for Herr Steiner to escape it and take down Rydell with a lariat. Next he hit a powerslam, making the cover for a count of two. Strike after strike, Tank Steiner regained control and whipped Megan against the ropes, hitting her with Das Boot (big boot) as she bounced back. And from then on he asserted his dominance, showing off an array of suplexes and backbreaker. Why was he insisting on the back? Quite simple, to eventually lock the Intercontinental champion in his Morgen In Traktion (Texas cloverleaf) obtaining a win via submission. Megan Rydell 0 Tank Steiner 1 Submission (Morgen In Traktion) Amy Maynard: “She tapped out! Tank is now one step closer to become the new Intercontinental champion.” Sir Figgles: “Not only that, but the pressure is all on Megan now. She has to beat him twice with no room for mistakes” Losing the first fall of the match seemed to have affected the young champion. The reaction everyone was expecting from her to try to even the score as soon as possible simply didn’t happen and Tank Steiner was literally dominating the Californian born. She was completely powerless against his strength, tossed around like a rag doll and incapable of reacting. A vicious headbutt from the Austrian knocked her down, Steiner then grabbed her legs and started spinning for a giant swing. Amy Maynard: “Are you keeping count Figgles?” Sir Figgles: “I think those were 29, but admittedly I might have missed a few.” Meg was laying on the mat, dazed and battered as her opponent was climbing the turnbuckle. Sir Figgles: “Where is he going?” Amy Maynard: “I think he’s ready for Der Grosse Kaboom, his patented moonsault…. If he connects it, we will be crowning a new champ!” Sir Figgles: “There’s no way he can land a moonsault…” If only Figgles watched some tapes of Tank Steiner, he’d know that it’s very much possible. Tonight though, we didn’t have the chance to see it as Megan prompted to her feet with one last burst of energy and clubbed him on his back with a forearm shot. And another one, until Tank eventually fell seated on the top rope. Then Megan placed her hands on his shoulders and raked his back before hanging him upside down and starting to kick him. The referee began to count as it was clear that Rydell wasn’t stopping just because he was asking nicely. The threat of a disqualification worked and Meg took a step back, only to hit a dropkick right to his face. This was what caused him to fall off the apron, laying now close to the corner, perfect position for the Fly-Dell. The phoenix splash only gave her a two, as Herr Steiner powered out and quickly got back to his feet, visibly pissed. Sir Figgles: “What the hell is going through Megan’s mind? She’s facing an angry giant and she starts taunting him?” “Come on big boy!” Echoed Meg’s voice in the empty arena. Tank obliged, swinging again his huge right hand and missing the target, offering his flank to Meg’s counterattack. Name a kick, Rydell probably used it in this sequence. And this includes a crane kick, the ever beautiful crescent one and. of course, a superkick. Finally Tank was down, Meg impatiently waited for him to start getting up so that she could hit the Mega Kick (running single leg dropkick) to score her first pinfall. Megan Rydell 1 Tank Steiner 1 Pinfall (Mega Kick) Amy Maynard: “One even, the next pinfall or submission will be the decisive one!” Sir FIggles: “It won’t take long, both competitors look exhausted.. And it seems like the knee is bothering Steiner.” All true, but it didn’t stop him from leveling Rydell with another Das Boot. As Megan was crawling to the ropes, Tank wrapped his massive arms around her waist for a deadlift Austrian suplex. There was a cover, and a last second kick out from the champ. Things weren’t looking good for her now that he had her in a bear hug, squeezing her in this far from pleasant embrace and putting pressure on the already sore back. Hanging in there despite the pain, she managed to hit him on the head several times, until she broke free. She could barely stand though, let alone moving with her characteristic quickness and agility. And unable to exploit her speed, she was an easy target for the Austrian Hulk who once again lifted her in a powerbomb position. Don’t ask how she did it but Megan was able to slip away behind his back and rolled him over, grabbing his trunks AND using the ropes for leverage to barely keep him down for the three. WINNER: Megan Rydell (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Sunset Flip), 18:31 |
Sir Figgles: "And STILL!"
Amy Maynard: "Impressive debut for Tank.. I just wonder if maybe he didn't rush the comeback. That knee still seemed to bother him."
Sir Figgles: "He's a superheavyweight pulling some cruiser shit.. Knees will always be an issue for him."
Amy Maynard: "Well, would you look at that?"
As Meg raises the IC title in the air to celebrate, Sophie O'Brian appears on the stage. She doesn't speak, she doesn't move. She just stares at Megan and the championship she's holding so proudly.
Amy Maynard: "Impressive debut for Tank.. I just wonder if maybe he didn't rush the comeback. That knee still seemed to bother him."
Sir Figgles: "He's a superheavyweight pulling some cruiser shit.. Knees will always be an issue for him."
Amy Maynard: "Well, would you look at that?"
As Meg raises the IC title in the air to celebrate, Sophie O'Brian appears on the stage. She doesn't speak, she doesn't move. She just stares at Megan and the championship she's holding so proudly.
Pre-recorded…
We open to a new scene and we see what appears to be a small, quaint, office. It is uninviting and not so pleasant; clearly whoever calls this office home intends for this place to be a place of business and not one to be fancy or to show off. The floors are a plain gray concrete. There are filing cabinets against the wall and in the back is a dark brown wood desk with a laptop computer, closed, sitting on top. A few moments later and we hear the sound of a door opening and then slamming shut. The clicking of heels across concrete clues the viewer in to the fact that someone is arriving. It isn’t long until our visitor, Glory Braddock, steps into full view. The British Bombshell steps into view from stage right; she 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:
There is an old saying about the ends justifying the means. While it may be a well known and popular phrase, many do not like it because of what it implies. It implies a willingness to do anything in order to achieve your goal. I prefer a different phrase, one I learned from my legendary father; a wrestler is, him or herself, the deadliest of weapons, so use the skills you have wisely. To this day every single time we have a graduate from my late father’s wrestling school in Southampton I tell them that same phrase. Every single graduate from my school leaves with that single solitary thought as the last thing they hear. My best friend Sophie O’Brian and I were two of his very first graduates and we heard that same teaching. We both interpreted it differently for the longest of times and it took me until just recently to recognize its true meaning and its true meaning ties into the older saying about the ends justifying the means.
A smirk forms upon her lovely face. Braddock winks at the camera, almost as if winking at the fans watching this right now.
Glory Braddock:
I wanted only to restore this great sport to its noble and purest of forms. I wanted only to give the fans REAL wrestling and not the garbage that it gets day in and day out from some organizations. I want to eliminate clowns who turn this sport into their own personal joke, glory hogs who only want this for the spotlight and fame, and the psychopaths who are in this simply to maim and maul. That’s why I formed an alliance with Neil Newman and Kyle Butler to form The Glorious Golden Era. Hayley Hasley has also seen that I am correct in my thinking and she is learning under the wing of The Best in the World. We have made great strides and tonight at Dark Web 2 we could have our crowning achievement, the greatest night of The Glorious Golden Era’s time; I could leave as the new MWE Riot Champion.
The smirk fades into a frown. Braddock sighs and shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
Oh but of course it couldn’t be that simple. It couldn’t be simply me versus Devin Hearst for the championship. Instead it’s me, Jenni Anderson, Henri Black, and Hearst all in a four way war. And to make matters worse MWE had to give the fans the opportunity to vote on a stipulation. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs...what is the difference between TLC and a Ladder match anyway?
Braddock shrugs her shoulders.
Glory Braddock:
Doesn’t matter, it wasn’t chosen. Four Way Elimination? That wasn’t chosen either so who cares? Hell in a Cell? Yes, lets stick four individuals in one of the most dangerous environments ever and hope that they shorten their careers.
The sarcasm from The British Bombshell oozes from her mouth. She sighs and shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
No, that wasn’t chosen either. Instead this will be contested in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Now part of this offends me because as a professional wrestler I was trained and taught that the match should always end INSIDE the ring. The very best of the best is decided by a pin fall or a submission INSIDE the ring. Yet this match gives that overbearing egomaniacal buffoon Devin Hearst the opportunity to make excuses for WHEN...not if, WHEN...he loses the Riot Championship to me. I mean, let’s face it, the likelihood that this actually ends with a pin or submission in the ring is highly unlikely. I could pin Jenni or make Black tap out and become champion. And of course I’ll have to listen forever and ever about how that arrogant crybaby lost his title but never got beaten.
The British Bombshell nods her head.
Glory Braddock:
Oh yes, this is offensive, but then I got to thinking about my father’s teachings...I got to thinking about how the ends truly do justify the means...and as badly as I want to redeem this sport, I also realize that sometimes if you want to achieve your goals you have to take drastic action. I have battled Jenni Anderson before and I know full well that she won’t give a damn how she wins the title. She will not think twice about the purity of the sport. Black has proven time and time again that he is no stranger to bloodlust. And as for our “beloved” champion…
Braddock chuckles.
Glory Braddock:
...yes, Devin, I recall your ONE victory over me. You certainly have no qualms crowing about it but let me make one thing perfectly clear, wanker; that victory is shrouded in controversy. You could not have beaten me had it not been for Jenni and Pierce and you know it. Best Riot Champion Ever?
The self-proclaimed Best in the World rolls her eyes.
Glory Braddock:
Please. Maybe you are the best based solely on statistics but if you peel the onion back a little the world will see you for the fraud that you are. Now here you are in a situation where you can and most likely will lose the championship without being pinned. How will that make you feel, mate? The way I see it, it’s only fair. An eye for an eye and tonight I will gouge out your eyes if I have to, because for tonight only I will set aside my principles all for the sake of becoming the NEW Riot Champion.
Braddock folds her arms over her chest.
Glory Braddock:
And when I do become the new Riot Champion, I will be a champion this company and this brand can be proud of, unlike the slob you are, unlike the vicious monster Henri Black is, and unlike the scum Jenni Anderson is. I will be a role model for the fans of MWE. You’re welcome…
Devin Hearst:
You couldn’t carry the weight on my shoulders.
As we cut backstage, we don’t find ourselves among the dusty halls or a swanky private locker room. No, we find ourselves on the streets of Chicago right beside the man that has changed the definition of what it means to be the RIOT Champion, Devin Hearst. Leaning against a neon pink Lamborghini Aventador, cigarette clenched in his lips and the RIOT Championship draped over his shoulder, Hearst looks off into the distance from behind ruby red-lensed sunglasses at nothing in particular.
Devin Hearst:
I could trash your wrestling capabilities, but that’s not doing me any favors and, frankly, you’ve proven yourselves too dense to get an insult delivered directly to your faces. Whether it’s Henri, Jenni, or Glory, you’ve proven that you can at least hang when it counts and y’all haven’t wasted a minute letting the world know about it. I should be proud, really. Ever since I showed up in MWE, I’ve put the RIOT brand on my back and carried it to the top of the mountain. See, I’ve beaten Millennium. I’ve beaten every last person to hold this belt before me and then I crushed their records in the process. I am RIOT, and I should be happy that you’re capable of putting up a good fight, but frankly that’s where the line stops. Let me put this another way: none of you are champions. I don’t care whatever b-grade belts you’ve had before you got here, anyone can slap “world” on a title they bought for forty-bucks and hand them to some punk with a catchy hashtag or spooky persona. What the three of you have proven is that you’re looking for this title to make you, and let’s face it, you need it to. You need to be RIOT Champion to matter on this brand, but me? I became the RIOT champion to make this brand matter. I am the RIOT champion, championship, and brand, and that weight would crush you three like little bugs.
Taking a drag from his cigarette and dropping it to the ground, crushing it beneath his boot, Hearst turns a scowl toward the camera.
Devin Hearst:
I’ll be goddamned if I’m gonna let you kids ride my coattails anymore. I’m not about to let two clones and a theater kid turn my legacy into a waist accessory because that’s all this title becomes once any of you touch it: just something to keep your pants up. I’ve gotten my kicks out of dragging you nerds and getting my shit in, but tonight it’s about teaching you three the lessons of life: that I’m the best in Millennium’s world, a Queenpin ain’t nothing on a Kingpin, and nobody on this brand is able to get darker than your boy Rev Dev, because that’s how it has to be. Somebody has to steer the ship and somebody has to keep the riff raff in-line. Somebody has to keep RIOT as the land of milk and honey it’s become, and that person has to be me! That person has to be me! That person ... has to be me ...
Opening the door of his car, Hearst pulls from it a black bomber jacket, placing it on before draping the championship back over his shoulder where it belongs. He turns, and across his back, plastered among a neon grid-landscape and encircled by the words of its namesake sits the image of a looming seven-headed beast; the sign of the man that’s come back around.
Devin Hearst:
Because I’m the hero of this story.
Riot Championship Match
Falls Count Anywhere
Devin Hearst (c) VS Jenni Anderson VS Henri Black VS Glory BraddockFalls Count Anywhere
Amy Maynard: “For the first time since the launch of the Riot brand one year and half ago, its most coveted prize is main eventing a PPV.” Sir Figgles: “And that should answer anyone who still wants to argue the fact that Devin Hearst is the greatest Riot Champion of all time.” Ambra Monroe: “Hard to disagree with that, the numbers speak clearly. Longest reign, most defenses.. And of course, the honor of closing a PPV.” Peyton Holland: “He surely elevated this title to new heights. But the question is, will he be able to hold it for another night? Surely this is the toughest challenge he ever had to face.” Amy Maynard: “Three opponents, no rules, falls count anywhere. Surely the fans aren’t making his job any easy.” Sir Figgles: “You seem to forget that Devin thrives in violence. Ask Megan Rydell, if you don’t remember.” One referee inside the ring, one on the outside ready to follow the first competitor who should decide to bring the fight elsewhere. The bell rang, all the tension accumulated in the two weeks since the last Riot, all the vitriolic words spewed on social media and on camera, all the pride that was driving four of the very best Riot has to offer was unleashed. One by one, Hearst took all three opponents out with right handed punches. Sure, it helped that before the match even started he wore a brass knuckle, but who’s gonna argue with that in a match where everything goes? Anyway, the champion was standing tall, his opponents were already down licking their wounds. Nobody was surprised that Henri Black was the first up to his feet, dodging another punch from the Riot champion and twisting his arm behind the back in a hammerlock. As he was holding him there, Braddock hit Hearst with a stiff forearm, the champion kicked her away with a front kick and then swung his left elbow to Henri’s face who, in the meantime, managed to take the brass knuckle off the champion’s hand. Sure, now the champion had lost his weapon of choice, but this didn’t save the Blackstar from the Desperado (throwing released suplex). Jenni Anderson jumped on the champion’s back and dragged him down into a backstabber. Before she could even try the pin, Glory knocked her down with a running single leg dropkick right to the side of the head. Amy Maynard: “Not that there was any doubt, but we’re definitely off to a good start here.” Peyton Holland: “Nobody can question the intensity these four bring to the table.And things are bound to get only worse once the fight will be taken out of the ring." It didn't take long, obviously. Not even five minutes in and Henri took Glory out with a cactus clothesline. Hearst and Anderson instead were still fighting between the ropes, with the champion smacking the opponent’s head on the turnbuckle the Queenpin exposed moments earlier. Ambra Monroe: “Not quite the way Jenni was planning to use it…” The thud of Braddock’s back impacting with the cold steel of the ramp after a snap suplex by Henri caught Devin’s attention. Jenni took advantage of this momentary distraction to elbow him in the midsection and returned the courtesy, driving his head onto the turnbuckle and rolling him on his shoulders with a schoolgirl pin but the champ kicked out in two. A quick glance at Henri and Glory fighting right outside the ropes and she took them both out with a suicide dive. Hearst smiled and rolled under the bottom rope, grabbing a chair from under the ring and smashing it on Henri’s head, Jenni was getting up and she was reached by a shot to the stomach. Glory instead surprised the Riot champion with a kick to the groin, taking the chair out of his hands and placing it between her knees and his face as she fell backwards for a codebreaker. Amy Maynard: “Gloria In Excelsis Deo through the chair! The champion is down!” Glory made the cover right there on the ramp but Jenni broke up the pin, whipping the British Bombshell against the barricade, Henri picked the champion up and after a couple of knife edge chops, tried to brainbuster him on the chair. Hearst put his weight and blocked the initial lift, countering with a back body drop instead. And now the Riot champion was once again the one wielding the chair, looming over Black and splatting him with a shot to the face. The australian managed to roll away, and Hearst’s chair shot hit nothing but the ramp. The recoil not caused him to lose grasp of the weapon, but brought a piercing pain to his right shoulder. Henri noticed it and hit that body part with a superkick. Ambra Monroe: “Looks like Devin’s shoulder got hurt. This could be a factor in the long run.” Sir Figgles: “Don’t jinx him, woman.” The heat of the battle bought the four competitors on the entrance stage. Jenni was tossed head first against the Dark Web themed backdrop by the champion who then turned around, spotting Glory standing on top of the giant metallic “M”. He shook his head as the Best In The World leaped off it and perfectly landed on the Black Star with the Blaze Of Glory shooting star press. All this effort, all this risk taken and she didn’t even get a near fall out of it, as Hearst broke up the pin at one. And then he dragged Glory through the curtains, bringing the fight backstage. A referee followed them, the other remained on the stage where Henri was getting up, seeing Jenni charging at him from the opposite side of the ramp. He had all the time to decide how to stop her, opting for a jumping knee to the face, followed by a released overhead belly to belly suplex off the stage. Peyton Holland: “Sweet Lord..” Amy Maynard: “This could be it, there’s nobody who can save the Queenpin now.” Black looked at Jenni, motionless through the debrises of a crashed table. And he had a big smile on his face, the smile of someone who’s about to become Riot Champion. Running out of the curtain came Jared Constable, screaming at Jenni to get up and run as he was taking care of Henri. The lackey of The Establishment put on a decent fight, buying Anderson some time to get back to her feet and step over the barricade, walking through the empty stands to disappear backstage. Black eventually got rid of Constable in the most painful way, launching him on some of those black crates. For a moment the Revenant contemplated kicking Jared’s head off with the Black Sacrament but he chose to pursue the opponent instead. The second referee followed him. Peyton Holland: “Constable took one for the team tonight. His sacrifice saved Jenni and, most likely, Hearst’s reign.” Sir Figgles: “Speaking of the champion, why don’t we take a look at what he’s doing? I mean, he probably already won the match and we don’t know yet…” Ambra Monroe: “Hmm, not really. Actually, I would say he’s not doing so well.” The camera cuts to backstage, Hearst is laying against the wall bleeding from his head. The reason? Glory just dropped him with a ddt through a glass table in the cafeteria, showing a great adaptability and inner talent for hardcore, more impressive considering hers and the rest of Glorious Golden Era view about wrestling. Amy Maynard: “God… Well, Glory isn’t in a much better shape to be honest. Just look at her back!” Peyton Holland: “”That’s what happens when you go through glass… But I guess it’s an acceptable price to pay to finally get the title.” Ambra Monroe: “Glorious Golden Era is about to walk out of Dark Web II with a clean sweep…” With great effort and pain, the British Bombshell manages to drag herself on top of the champion… Who kicked out in the nick of time. Amy Maynard: “How in the world…” The two competitors were now recovering, and the camera cuts to a different area where Henri Black is still on the chase for Jenni Anderson. The hallway he’s walking is empty, barring a stage hand sipping a coffee next to a crate. As the Blackstar walks past him the top of the crate quietly opens and out comes the Queenpin, sneaking up behind Henri and hitting him with a superkick to the back of the head. Henri fell down to the floor, Anderson grabbed a handful of air to pull him up to his knees, draped her leg on his shoulders and drove him back down on his face. Peyton Holland: “Cash Advance! We have a new champion…” Amy Maynard: “HOW DID HE KICK OUT OF IT?” Ambra Monroe: “That was brilliant of Jenni, using the element of surprise to hit the opponent with her best shot. But now that not even that was enough, what’s left for her to try?” Jenni seemed to be asking the same question, shaking her head in disbelief. And the incredulity only grew when she picked up Henri and realized that he couldn’t even stand, stumbling and resting against the wall. Anderson brought the referee attention on her opponent, asking the official to call the match since Henri was in no shape to continue. The diligent striped shirt went to check on Black, who promised he was good to go, despite all the evidence suggesting otherwise. Sir FIggles: “Haha look at this!” “ItS sUcH gOoD sHiT!” Came the voice of the new and improved Andrew Wilkow coming to the rescue of his boss, who was struggling against Braddock. Wearing a #SandstormEnergy™ shirt and with a can of the ONLY ENERGY DRINK YOU’LL EVER NEED (paid partnership), the Appalachian Mountain Monster turned the British Bombshell inside out with a LARIAAAATTT! Hearst thanked him as he walked toward Glory. And there came the new MWE Tag Team Champions, Kyle Butler and Neil Newman to help their partner. Drew cracked the Sandstorm Energy open and downed it in one gulp, crashing the empty can on Kyle’s head and knocking him down. Newman hit him with a punch to the jaw that barely fazed Wilkow, who turned to him and engaged in an all out brawl. Hearst in the meantime was making the cover on Glory, who still had enough to kick out. Amy Maynard: “It’s madness!” Peyton Holland: “You know what else is crazy? The fact that Henri Black is still standing, still fighting. And he actually just drilled Anderson with a spike ddt!” Sir Figgles: “Come on Jenni, kick out… YES!” Ambra Monroe: “I didn’t know you were a fan of hers, Figgles.” Sir Figgles: “I couldn’t care less, but I’ll be damned if she costed the match to Hearst!” The champion was ready to end it. His goon was struggling against the tag champions, but somehow he managed to keep them at bay. Hearst entangled Glory’s legs around his and flipped her on her chest, applying what looked like a modified indian deathlock. He then grabbed her arms and pulled them up for a surfboard, placing his foot on her head and viciously curbstomping her on the floor. Sir Figgles: “That’s the Nightrider folks. Devin told me he had a surprise in store… Pack your things, we’re going home.” Amy Maynard: “Hold on, that’s…” … Hayley Halsey! The Junior Heavyweight champion and fourth member of the Glorious Golden Era came out of nowhere and broke up the pin. Hearst was far from pleased,getting up to his feet and grabbing Hayley by the throat. A kick between the legs was all it took to get free, and Halsey quickly followed up with a superkick. Devin stumbled back a few steps, bumping on Glory who quickly set him up for an unprettier. Amy Maynard: “The Glorification! And the Golden Era just took down Wilkow! Glory has done it!!” Peyton Holland: “BLACK SACRAMENT! Henri Black just hit the Queenpin with his Claymore Kick. Here’s the cover..:” ONE… TWO… THREEE! Ambra Monroe: “The question is… Who is the winner?” One referee was holding Henri’s arm in victory, the other Glory’s. Amy Maynard: “I have no idea, Ambra… What I know is that Devin Hearst’s reign has come to an end..” Peyton Holland: "And so did our time... Looks like we have to wait until Saturday to find out who is the new Riot Champion. Goodnight Ladies and Gentlemen!" WINNER: // BY: Pinfall (The Glorification/Black Sacrament), 21:08 |
After the credits roll, we find APE outside the Arena. There's Constantin, there's Alan Envy and REDD Thunder, holding an ice pack on his head, still looking dizzy after his match.
Chris Constantine Junior:
I'm proud of you guys. We showed once again that we run this show.
The MWE champion looks at his trusted friend, the Walking Disaster.
Chris Constantine Junior:
Hey big man.. How are you feeling?
Before REDD can even answer, Chris cuts him off.
Chris Constantine Junior:
You and Duke did gr... Hey, where's Duke?
Redd shrugs his shoulders.
Alan Envy:
He told me to wait outside, that he would be here soon..
Chris Constantine Junior:
Go call him, I'm treating you guys for dinner. I know a place here in Chicago.
Alan heads to the door they came out from. As he opens it, he finds Duke laying on the floor, completely knocked out.
Alan Envy:
Fuck... QUICK, A DOCTOR!
REDD and CCJ rush to the door to check on their fellow APE. And on this scene, the show comes to an end.
Chris Constantine Junior:
I'm proud of you guys. We showed once again that we run this show.
The MWE champion looks at his trusted friend, the Walking Disaster.
Chris Constantine Junior:
Hey big man.. How are you feeling?
Before REDD can even answer, Chris cuts him off.
Chris Constantine Junior:
You and Duke did gr... Hey, where's Duke?
Redd shrugs his shoulders.
Alan Envy:
He told me to wait outside, that he would be here soon..
Chris Constantine Junior:
Go call him, I'm treating you guys for dinner. I know a place here in Chicago.
Alan heads to the door they came out from. As he opens it, he finds Duke laying on the floor, completely knocked out.
Alan Envy:
Fuck... QUICK, A DOCTOR!
REDD and CCJ rush to the door to check on their fellow APE. And on this scene, the show comes to an end.
