Post by gvb on Jul 22, 2020 16:10:59 GMT -6
MWE Presents: By Any Means (night 2)
Live from Enterprise Arena in Chicago, IL
Wednesday, July 1st, 2020
A loud piercing whistle over the black screen is the first thing that's heard. Then, a close up of Brianna Smith's hand dropping the whistle. It bangs against her shirt with loud, drum like beats synced up to it. Bree's wearing a red shirt with black shorts. A direct contrast to her training buddy, Vance, who's wearing red shorts and a black BreeTee shirt tank.
Bree:
Five more, Dude.
Vance shakes his head, claps his hands together, and sighs. The big guy makes a spring down the basketball court, right to the end, heads back to Bree who bounces a basketball to him. Vance controls the ball with one hand, cross-overs and performs a lay-up. Bree gets the ball and they do it three more times. On the fifth and final one, Vance is heated, gunning for the net, but BreeZone comes in to defend. One vs One, Vance backs up and drives to the post. Bree gets caught out by a fake left, only to pivot on her foot to spin around and snatch the ball from Vance. He looks down because the ball didn't bounce up into his hand, spotting his ex going right to the three point line and drops a three.
Bree:
I told you to work on dribbling with your left hand, Dude. Big mistake.
Bree shrugs while Vance hugs the ball with one hand.
Vance:
You know me well, Hulk.
She modestly tilts her head upon hearing her old high school nickname. Vance bounces the ball to Bree.
Vance:
You sure you've done enough homework on your opponents though?
Bree:
Yeah. Teegs and I have had plenty of bouts with Jetpack. Rhett and Oiyara are new, but I've got plenty of old Sixth City Pro tapes courtesy of Skylar, my little sister's new favourite person.
Vance:
And--
Bree casually interrupts.
Bree:
And yes, Dude. In this triple threat match, you have to pick your spot, take it and nail the offense, just like I did to you.
Bree casually breathes on her fingertips, making her three pointer seem effortlessly.
Bree:
Plus, we need to get our tag team titles back. I'm missing breeing the champs.
Bree then gets the ball and makes a second basket from the top of the key.
Vance:
So explain to me, are PPV wins more important than TV wins. . . . How does it work in the business.
He bounces passes the ball back to her.
Bree:
It depends person to person. PPVs do carry more weight, and the fans do put a lot of importance on them too. But that doesn't mean TV wins don't matter, it's just a bigger platform, a bigger audience…and Teegs and I have the first match which is huge pressure since the fans have all that energy, but it means when we win, they'll remember it.
Bree bounce passes the ball back with Vance hooking the ball off the board and into the net.
Vance:
I'll be watching too, so don't choke.
He lobs the ball at Bree with his right hand, a good arc and Bree proceeds to jump up and catch the ball. Before she starts to fall back down, Bree takes a shot at the net. This one almost goes in, a dastardly trip around the rim three times sees the ball fly into the board. Vance leaps up to catch the ball and make the alley oop.
Bree:
Not gonna happen, Dude. Just like that, my partner covers my back if I don't make the shot.
Bree not so subtlety compares the help and Teagan having her back.
Bree:
We're going to be tag team champions again some-day.
Bree says with a softer tone and Vance, just like the pair did before all those years ago, bounces the ball to her so Bree catches it only to swipe it from her and wrap his arm around her neck.
Vance:
I believe you will too. By the way, is that the third?
Vance points just off camera and Bree emphatically nods.
Bree:
You bet, Dude!
Tag Team Match
Brothers McMillion VS Strip Search
Night 2’s Action continues as Strip Search hit the ring with their signature entrance followed by the likes of the Brother’s McMillion. CM began the match for his team while Zoey stepped in for hers, nodding to each other respectfully the bell rang and the two began to circle around the ring before darting into action. Zoey charges to CM who meets her charge with a roll over arm drag, showing off his years of experience and allowing Zoey the time to recover, she rolls out of the move and climbs back to her feet as CM nods to her again and smiles as the two once again square off, this time Zoey advancing a little more cautiously. Looking to go for a lock up she instead ducks under CM’s reach and hits the ropes barreling at the veteran just as he turns around knocking him down with a smooth clothesline. As he falls to the mat Zoey runs towards the opposing ropes again barreling off them for momentum, CM has rolled over as she comes back and bounces over top of him hitting the ropes again as he goes to stand she hits a running neckbreaker taking CM back down garnering a quick two count. Taking her momentum Zoey goes and tags in Kiernan and the two glance toward one another almost like they can read each others minds showing off their friendship and tag team ability, Zoey goes to perch herself on the middle rope as the purely focused Kiernan runs forward hitting a running legdrop Zoey then leaps from the middle with a diving elbow just as Kiernan comes barreling back with another leg drop only this time she flips forward first adding some pizzazz to the move, earning another quick two count for her team. Pulling up CM she sends the former MWE tag team champ into a corner barreling in behind him with a running clothesline, she goes to repeat the process only to find it reversed this time ending up with her back eating the turnbuckle followed by a fast-paced body splash from CM. Kiernan now momentarily down in the corner CM goes to tag in Javen who is hyped and ready to go. Climbing to the top rope as Kiernan is brought to her feet by CM she is whipped across the ring to only halfway make it across the canvas as Javen crashed down on top of her with a flying crossbody. Making a cover of his own, which is quickly dismissed when the referee mentions Kiernan’s leg on the ropes. The match pace quickens as Javen continues to show off his ability to leap off just about anything, Kiernan found herself recovering outside of the ring after a sickening lariat, it looks as if Javen was going to capitalize with a suicide dive but he stopped mid run only to handspring into the ropes and halt his momentum, Kiernan looked relieved still catching her breath but Javen was simply altering his course of action, running towards the corner he used the rights side middle rope of the corner before lifting himself up to the left side top rope of the corner and bounced off flying sky high flipping through the air to crash down on top of Kiernan. The two spend several seconds recovering before Javen stirs helping Kiernan back into the ring Rolling in behind her the match continues seeing Javen and Kiernan reverse each others moves back and forth a number of times, with the final inception being Kiernan taking him down with a stifling knee, following by that Chicago Fight Lab type of strike sequence an elbow followed by a mid kick, left-forearm, and right fist, another swift kick to the back of the knee, followed by a rolling back elbow to the face just in time to finish off her A.D.W signature move with a stiff roundhouse kick. Taking the opportunity she tags in Zoey once more who shows her own innovative high flying style leaping from the top turnbuckle Kiernan is still in the ring and instead of using the rope as a springboard she uses her friends hand instead, Kiernan using her strength to boost Zoey into the air Zoey flips forward in a stunning shooting star press that she calls the air dance. As she covers the match would’ve clearly been over but the pin was broken up by CM who saw his partner in need. Disappointed by that Zoey goes to work on Javen once more but the momentum doesn’t seem to get back into her favor as she hits a few swift moves before Javen trips her up with a dragonscrew tagging CM back in CM comes in on fire, taking Zoey down not once but twice, before keeping her down with a back breaker. As he pulls her up again and lifts her for a stalling vertical suplex, and signals to Javen who instantly knows what its time for. Simon climbs up to the top, ready to complete the Dirty South Drop with his diving crossbody. But before he could jump off and take down Zoey, Kyle Butler pushed him off the turnbuckle, causing him to fall on the apron. The referee immediately calls for the bell, ending the match with an obvious DQ. WINNER: Brother McMillion BY: DQ, 10:36 |
As Kyle begins stomping Javen to the ground getting a little payback for the way he, willingly or not, costed them the titles, Newman takes out Christian before he could rescue his brother, knocking him down with a wicked clothesline. Kiernan tries to stop Kyle by charging at him after he sent Javen against the barricade but she eats a big boot to the face by the former champion. And her partner suffers a similar fate when she tries to stop Newman from punishing CM. He then joins his partner, and the two take out Javen with the End Of An Era before leaving the ringside.
Amy Maynard: "Talk about starting things off with a bang!"
Sir Figgles: "Javen should have expected it, after deciding to help APE last night."
Amy Maynard: "I don't know, I'm not sure he was actually trying to help them. I believe it was a misunderstanding, an attempt at stopping APE gone wrong."
Sir Figgles: "It certainly was a mistake, and now he paid for it."
We cut away from the action and tension to see a serene, yet eerie scene. Seated in what appears to be the boiler room is Saki, bright hair in pigtails as she adjusts the face mask on her teddy bear. To keep it safe, obviously. Saki looks up, her eyes two tones this time and she smiles.
SAKI:
Girls and boys, the fans bring the toys
Nails and bats and all my joys.
Noris wants to put me in the ground
...bitch, as if you could put me down.
The self proclaimed Singapore Mauler paused for a moment as if having a moment of clarity.
SAKI:
I’m broken, they always say so
I’m psycho, but they always joke though
All I wanted was someone to play with
Now Noris wants to end my breath
Her smile starts to grow once again as she digs her finger into the stomach of the teddy bear, cutting into it with a perverted glee.
SAKI:
Poems that I've thrown confuse the Riddler
Bones break and skin bruises. Everybody's similar
No constraints. Restraints for the safety of the passenger
Saki is back to reclaim the throne
Tonight the fans bring some ‘friends’ along
Saki pulls out a small cross, like a necklace someone would wear, from the inside of the teddy bear. She holds it upside down with a sort of mocking grin before throwing it away.
SAKI:
Hell is dark, Heaven's white and gold.
Where are you ending up when bloodshed is yours to behold?
Saki stood up and smeared her makeup with one hand, giggling one moment and glaring the next as her lipstick smears up the side of her face like a twisted smile.
SAKI:
I crept up from above and took you out
I’m the chief misfit in town
Hope you know what’s about to go down
Bang Bang Bang Bang, Noris, I’ll shut ya down
Fans Bring The Weapon Match
Saki VS Noris CranleyThe match between Saki and Noris Cranley begins with Saki exiting the ring. She goes to the empty seats where the crowd usually is and she grabs a barbed wire bat. But when she turns around, she has Noris Cranley dropping down on her with a suicide dive. Noris picks Saki up and throws her into the ring. He grabs a kendo stick from the empty crowd area and slides in the ring. Cranley starts to rain down shots to Saki’s back with the kendo stick, over and over until it snaps in half. There are red marks all over Saki’s back. Noris picks her up and nails her with "Abandoned" (Alabama Slam into the corner). He goes for the pin but Saki kicks out after two. Noris doesn’t waste any time and he climbs up the top rope. He leaps off and goes for "Sunrise Shooting Star" (Diving Shooting Star Splash) but Saki picks up the broken half of the kendo stick and slams it into Cranley’s gut. Sake rolls out of the ring and grabs her barbed wire bat before finding liter fluid. She pours it over the bat and picks up a lighter she had found and she sets it on fire with a sadistic look on her face. Cranley starts to stir but Saki slams the blazing barbed wire bat right into his gut. She hits him several times before causing his pants to catch on fire. Cranley rolls around the ring on fire and his rolling helps put him out. Saki throws the bat out of the ring and the ringside crew puts it out with an extinguisher. Saki stalks Noris and when he gets up, she hits her finisher, Farfegnugen: Ripcord into a headbutt. Saki goes for a pin now as well but Cranley somehow kicks out after a two count! Saki can’t believe it and she screams at Cranley. She goes out of the ring and gets another weapon, this time a sledge hammer. She slides into the ring and Noris gets up. Saki swings the sledgehammer but Noris ducks under it and then hits Saki with a pele kick that sends her flying out of the ring. Cranley runs up the turnbuckle and as Saki gets to her feet, he dives off, taking them both out. The two are down for a moment before Cranley gets up and grabs a chair. He waits for Saki to get up and when she does he slams the chair down on her skull. Blood starts to pour down her face as Cranley throws the chair to the side. Noris picks Saki up and puts her on the announcer table. He then gets in the ring and heads up the turnbuckle. He takes a deep breath and leaps off and goes for "Sunrise Shooting Star" (Diving Shooting Star Splash) but Saki rolls off of the table just in time and Noris goes crashing right through it! Saki takes a while to catch her breath before she picks Noris up and slides him into the ring. Saki then springboards off the ropes and decimates Noris with Cotton Candy Kiss of Death: Meteora. Saki goes for the pin and the referee starts the count. 1! 2! 3! DING DING DING!!!! WINNER: Saki BY: Pinfall (Cotton Candy Kiss Of Death), 9:41 |
Peyton Holland: "A good performance by Noris, but this kind of matches are Saki's daily bread."
Ambra Monroe: "That's it, the experince in hardcore matches is what tipped the scale in the Singapore Mauler's favor. She's more used to fighting with weapons, her creativity and twisted ways gave her a big advantage over the opponent."
Peyton Holland: "We've seen her harassing him for weeks, begging him to play with her. Do you think that now she'll finally leave him alone?"
Ambra Monroe: "You want me to be honest? I don't know, you can never tell with Saki..."
Ambra Monroe: "That's it, the experince in hardcore matches is what tipped the scale in the Singapore Mauler's favor. She's more used to fighting with weapons, her creativity and twisted ways gave her a big advantage over the opponent."
Peyton Holland: "We've seen her harassing him for weeks, begging him to play with her. Do you think that now she'll finally leave him alone?"
Ambra Monroe: "You want me to be honest? I don't know, you can never tell with Saki..."
A sinister laugh can be heard echoing backstage in the Enterprise Arena on Night Two of By Any Means. As the camera comes into focus we see that the laughter is coming from none other than “The Woman Scorned” and reigning HKW Bloodlust Champion Kimberly Williams. The crazed ginger is pacing back and forth at the backstage area. She has her Bloodlust Championship title belt wrapped around her gorgeous waist.
Kimberly Williams:
Insert a little chaos...upset the establishment...challenge the status quo...all of these phrases can be used to describe the situation I find myself in right here tonight.
The Woman Scorned stops pacing and turns to face the camera, grinning with a sadistic sneer.
Kimberly Williams:
I’m not supposed to be here tonight. This is supposed to be Hayley Halsey against Kristina Spencer but I decided nope! Not gonna work for me! I don’t like that script! So I decided to tear that script apart into millions of tiny pieces, shove them all up Hayley and Kristina’s asses, and insert myself into a situation I had no business in! And y’know something? I tend to have tremendous luck when I insert myself into situations I have no business in…
She pats the HKW Bloodlust Championship title belt.
Kimberly Williams:
...isn’t that right, my precious?
She winks at the camera.
Kimberly Williams
Kristina, babe, this is a triple threat match. And unless this is some kind of bizarro world, triple threat matches can only end by pin or submission. So c’mon, babe! Let the violence out! Let’s show the world what real bloodlust is all about! Let’s go crazy!
Kimberly points a finger at the camera.
Kimberly Williams
As for you, Hayley...you’re just a coward. You complain, bitch, and moan about having to face two opponents tonight. Guess what? You’re a champion. Champions have to be prepared for anything. Champions should be prepared to defend their title on a moment’s notice. Champions should not try to take the easy way out. And you, my little cowardly lion, are a champion trying to take the easy way out. Glory Braddock talks a big game about fighting for the purity of wrestling but someone like you running from a fight…
She shakes her head.
Kimberly Williams
...that’s not purity of wrestling. That’s cowardice. Champions should not be cowards. So on behalf of wrestling, I will relieve you of the Junior Heavyweight Championship and you can go crying to your Glorious Golden Pals about it after the violence is all said and done. Tonight is my night, tonight belongs to chaos, tonight I become Kimberly One Plus One Belt!
She grins from ear to ear as she skips away.
Backstage Bree, dressed with her red BreeTee shirt and black shorts combo, no makeup and a messy hair band job, joins her tag team partner for their last tag team training session before their match. Bree has two bottles of water in her hands and passes Teegs one.
Bree:
Ready, Teegs?
Teagan accepts the bottle of water after she adjusts her own ponytail, her BreeTee shirt is a dark shade of blue with some black shorts, to match with her tag team partner for their big training session. Teagan takes a quick sip from her bottle of water and bumps her fist up above her head as a sign that she was ready.
Teagan:
Born ready! It’s time for BreeTee to get back on the road to victory and some more success in our future.
Bree:
We’re going to get back to being in the tag team title picture for sure. With a big opportunity tonight to knock off former champs and this new team.
Bree giving her tag team partner a look over and noting the shape she is in as Bree approved. Then, the door opens up with a shadow of a girl on the wall behind them holding a megaphone. When the girl moves forward, it’s clearly Bree’s sister Clover who holds up the megaphone to the girls.
Clover:
Ok, Ladies! You’ve had enough chitchat time. Drop and give me twenty!
Teagan makes a gesture as if her ears were ringing due to the sheer volume of Clover’s voice thanks to the megaphone before she begins to laugh.
Teagan:
Check out Drill Sergeant Clover over here!
Bree:
I bet Chris got her that…
Likewise, Bree closes her eyes, opens them and they roll with how loud Clover sounds.
Clover:
Do I need to turn this up? I’m not seeing any push ups!
Teagan exchanges a quick glance with Bree as she motions towards Clover with her head.
Teagan:
I think she’s serious.
Bree drops to the push up position quickly, with her hands landing on the floor causing a echoed slap sound, and she begins to hit a few push ups just as Teegs makes sure to also drop to the floor for these push ups, both members of The BreeTee working together to achieve the goal of giving Clover the exact number she was looking for.
Teagan::
Piece of cake!
Clover:
Then it’s time for some sit-ups, so you can have Hemsworth abs for tonight…
Clover says again through her megaphone to the pair, with Bree, spinning on her center onto her butt and lifting her legs, crosses her ankles so she can do some crunches. It’s now up to Teagan to follow along and do the same thing, grunting slightly as she moves around.
Teagan:
I’m not sure if we’re going up against Jetpack and the team of Rhett Adelson and Qiyara Singh…
She grunts again as she attempts to keep her focus on the crunches.
Teagan:
...or if we’re going into battle.
Bree:
I think….
Bree says pushing herself through the exercise while trying to talk to her partner.
Bree:
It’s a bit of both….Teegs.
As Bree and Teagan then finish the 20 set while Clover tries to think what’s next.
Clover:
Very good, ladies. So now let’s see how you do...ugh….
Clover barely moves a medicine ball towards the team, hinting for them to do some obliques workout by passing the ball to one another in a circle. Bree helps her sister by picking the ball up and gets back to back with Teegs.
Bree:
On your left.
Bree says twisting to Teagan’s left to pass the ball off. Teagan is quick to move in that direction before she turns to the right to send the ball back over to Bree.
Teagan:
Our reflexes need to be extra sharp for this one.
Bree quickly takes it, twists around and feeds it back to Teegs.
Bree:
Couldn’t agree more, Teegs. Two teams, twice the sharpness.
Clover watches the ball go round and round before chiming in.
Clover:
Change direction!
As if on cue, Teagan changes the direction, not even flinching and Bree is quick to also catch on to this sudden change as she catches the ball.
Teagan:
A win tonight would be the first step in the right direction for us to get back in the title scene. Get us a little bit of vengeance for the loss of our tag titles.
Bree:
I’ve got to be honest with you, Teegs. Losing those titles has left a sour taste in my mouth. I want them back!
Bree feeds the ball back, both girls showing their core strength and upper body strength is well formed and the pair are well coordinated.
Teagan:
You’re not the only one who wants them back, I can’t shake off the feeling that people look at us differently now, and we have to prove them wrong!
Clover finds Bree’s whistle and blows it to suddenly stop the pair.
Clover:
Ladies! Time! Now go out there and get yourselves the win!
Clover casually pushes her sister and sister from another mister out of the locker room. Teagan and Bree exchange a quick double fist bump before they take off down the hall together, extremely pumped up for their big tag team triple threat match.
Tag Team Match
Jetpack VS Rhett Adelson & Qiyara Singh VS BreeTee Committee
This was a lightning quick paced contest between three of the best tag team in MWE, two of them having held gold in the past. And they were the ones starting things off, Jet Blanchard for the inaugural tag champions and Bree for the BreeTee Committee. And what the blonde gave up in terms of technical ability against the Georgia born, she made up for with pure strength, breaking out of the waistlock Blanchard had applied and taking him down to the mat with a hip toss. Wasting no time she dragged him back up, resisting a couple of right hands to the face and hitting him with an uppercut, and a second one. Two more followed in quick succession before Jet was sent against the ropes,coming back right into a back body drop from the Breeberry, who didn’t notice Rhett Adelson getting the blind tag. Teagan called her attention, causing her to turn around right when Rhett jumped from the top rope into the ring with a springboard crossbody, taking down Bree and pinning her, only for two seconds. Rhett was just too quick and agile for Bree, dodging every attempt she made to hit him and countering with quick and precise kicks. After doubling her over with one aimed to her midsection he connected his leg trap sunset flip powerbomb for another pinning predicament, interrupted by Teagan with a kick to Rhett’s back. They might be the less accomplished team in the pool, but Rhett and Qiyara were definitely proving something tonight, dominating the match for long periods, and scoring a couple of near falls on Bree and Teagan. And even after Gallagher was able to create some separation and reach Jetpack’s corner to tag Penny in, the less experienced team kept control with quick tags, cutting off Kaplan from her partner. The first ever MWE tag team champion was really struggling against Qiyara’s and her lightning fast kicks, that Muay Thai and Pehlwani background in full effect tonight, earning her a few near falls including one particularly close after her Qi To Your Heart (low kick, side push kick, high knee and jumping kick). Both Jet and Bree entered the ring and dove on Singh to break up the cover before the three. Rhett entered the ring as well to watch over his partner in case if need, and Teagan joined them right after. With all six competitors now in the ring it looked like a huge brawl was on the horizon, or at least that’s what would have gone down if the parts involved weren’t the epitome of sportsmanship. And when the referee invited them to leave the ring, they all obliged, leaving Penny and Qiyara in. Singh went again for her kicks, but this time Kaplan blocked one and took her down with a dragon screw leg whip, keeping the hold on her foot and dragging the indian in her corner. Qiyara was now resting on the outside after barely surviving Teegs’ stiff single leg running high knee. After kicking out a moment before the three, she dragged herself toward the nearest corner where Jetpack was standing. Teagan tried to stop her grabbing her ankle but she ate an enziguri that opened the way to the tag, made to Jet. Blanchard hopped over the top rope and immediately took out the stunned irish with a clothesline. He kept running toward Bree and took her out with a dropkick, kipping up to his feet and going at Rhett with a forearm strike that knocked him off the apron. Free to focus on Teagan now, he planted her with a tornado ddt, and almost got the win out of it. After countering a suplex attempt with one of her own, Teagan made the tag to Bree who entered and ran over Blanchard taking him down with a shoulder block. Suplex after suplex, Smith worned out the opponent, showing off all the Power Of Bree with her triple german suplex, bridging the last one into a pin. Penelope made the save to her partner, but soon she was thrown out of the ring by the blonde girl, who picked up Jet looking to end things.She made the tag to Gallagher who took place in the middle of the ring, ready to catch Blanchard with a codebreaker as Bree launched him with the exploder suplex- As the irish made the cover, Bree blocked Rhett’s attempt to break up the pinfall, securing the win for her team. WINNER: BreeTee Committee BY: Pinfall (WHOOPAH!), 11:16 |
Amy Maynard: "Big win for Bree and Teagan tonight. Big step toward another shot at the titles."
Sir Figgles: "Oh please... We just forgot their pathetic title reign, we don't really need to see another one!"
Amy Maynard: "They held the titles for 100 days, what are you talking about?"
Sir Figgles: "We finally have some worthy champions in APE, who needs the BoreTee Committee?"
Sir Figgles: "Oh please... We just forgot their pathetic title reign, we don't really need to see another one!"
Amy Maynard: "They held the titles for 100 days, what are you talking about?"
Sir Figgles: "We finally have some worthy champions in APE, who needs the BoreTee Committee?"
Night two of By Any Means fades to a promo studio where Jr. Heavyweight Champion Hayley Halsey is maintaining a bit of confident anger as she is staying as discreet as possible. She has a few things on her mind that she’s about to express.
Hayley Halsey:
Okay… so that didn’t go according to plan. I was definitely hoping someone would show up and take my open challenge and I wasn’t disappointed that someone did… but I was VERY disappointed that it had to be… a remnant of the past… UGH! Of ALL the people that took the open challenge, why did it HAVE to be her? SERIOUSLY? But then again… it’s nice to have a nice reminder of the way things were… how much I’ve progressed… and how much progress needs to be made…
Hayley narrows her eyes in anger as she steps away, revealing that Vianca Alvarez, her former friend, and the person that she defeated with ease in the first of her open challenges, is handcuffed to a lamp post.
Hayley Halsey:
You see Vianca… before there was the Glorious Golden Era… there was you…
Hayley is clearly still bitter as Vianca looks like she’s panicking… and that she’s been through some physical abuse from Hayley herself.
Hayley Halsey:
When you were by my side, all you ever did was make me a joke. I was the biggest laughingstock in this company. Everyone got to laugh at me. Everyone got to degrade me and tell me that I’m “not good at wrestling”. God, it was horrible! I hated dealing with that shit and I dealt with it all because of YOU! But how much has changed since I joined the Glorious Golden Era? Seriously… I mean… sure… I became a champion and all of that and that’s great. That’s an awesome change… yet… I feel like so much is the same…
Hayley delivers a wicked slap across Vianca’s face.
Hayley Halsey:
I feel like I am not taken seriously as a champion and that’s largely due to things out of my control… with APE getting involved in a lot of crap… with Kristina and Kimberly not being good enough to even beat each other… it’s like… what’s changed? At least I’m not in opening matches anymore, THANK GOD for that… and that’s because I joined the right team… that’s because I got away from people like YOU who did nothing but drag me down with their nonsense. What separates me from people like YOU is that I’ve always had the initiative to do what’s right for the business to get ahead… to get to where I want to be in this business… what separates me from idiots like Kristina and Kimberly is that I don’t act like I’m the end all, be all of everything.
You’ve got Kristina who thinks she’s SO beyond me that she’s always dismissed me…
You’ve got Kimberly who honestly doesn’t even DESERVE this opportunity… acting like something she did in HKW matters… she’s not the only MWE wrestler that acts like HKW is the end all be all by the way….
And you’ve got the powers that be that stacked the deck against me over something that wasn’t my fault but hey, I’ll shut the fuck up before they stick me in a handicap match too!
Guess what… Hayley Halsey is done being associated with the terms “fluke” and “one hit wonder”. No, I’m going to go out there and show how a real glorious champion does it… that I’m WAY above idiots like YOU who could never, EVER amount to anything in this business.
Hayley grabs Vianca by the throat and presses her against the lamp post, almost choking her.
Hayley Halsey:
You’re in the past… just like EVERYTHING that had ever happened to me prior to joining the Glorious Golden Era… and when I find a way to fuck the system and overcome the odds against two women who did NOTHING to deserve this shot… I’ll further validate myself… and further prove why people like YOU… are beneath me…
Hayley pulls out a key and uncuffs Vianca, freeing her from the ringpost. She grabs her and throws her down to the ground.
Hayley Halsey:
Now get the fuck out of my life…
An enraged Jr. Heavyweight Champion walks away from her pre-Glorious Golden Era past once and for all as the scene cuts out.
The show takes a break from the in-ring action to go backstage. Iggy stands in front of a MWE By Any Means banner.
Iggy:
If I'm honest, I'd have to say I was, and still am, a little hesitant to conduct this interview, but here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, The American Monster, Jacob Hammerstein.
You told me you weren't in the mood to answer questions, but you wanted to make a statement.
The floor is yours.
Hammerstein takes the mic as Iggy hands it to him.
Jacob Hammerstein:
Thanks, Iggy.
I got something to say to my buddy, Redd Thunder.
Redd, me and you ain't strangers to each other, and while you've left me laid out and bleeding when either you had the numbers or when you had the jump on me, when it's one on one in the ring? You can't hold a candle to me.
And you know it's true.
Redd, in our past matches, I've outwrestled you, but I'm not coming into this match intending to outwrestle you. Oh no, I've only got one goal this time around.
I'm gonna kick your big ass. And when I'm….oh lookee here….
Hammerstein takes a semi-defensive posture as Al Envy steps into frame, a sarcastic grin on his face.
Al Envy:
Hammy, Hammy, Hammy. You just don't get it, do you? After every beating, every time we've left you laying in a pool of your own blood and bad choices, you'd think you would've learned your lesson. You were never APE material. You were too stupid to…
Envy is cut off by a stiff right hand from The American Monster that sends him into the wall. Hammerstein grabs Envy by the hair and prepares to throw another right hand, but Al thumbs him in the eye. As Jacob reaches for his eye, Envy spins him around, just in time for Duke Andrews to smash a beer bottle over his head. Hammerstein falls to the floor, blood gushing from a huge cut just above his hairline. Envy and Andrews stand over Hammerstein once again a victim of the Experence
Al Envy:
STUPID! STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!! Let this go Jacob! You can't beat us Jacob!! JAACCOOBB!! Get it through your dense head you can't win!!
As Duke and Envy begin to walk away Duke reaches down into his pocket and retrieved another bottle of beer. He stops in his tracks as he looks back at Hammerstein. Walking back and crouching down beside him.
Duke Andrews:
You were never of us. We tried to help you see the light and you never wanted any part of it. This is for the better of this industry, what APE stands for. And you’re now just another name on the list of those that don’t get it. You’re finished Hammerstein.
Trainers and EMTs tend to Hammerstein as Duke and Envy walk away.
Junior Heavyweight Championship Match
Triple Threat Match
Hayley Halsey (c) VS Kimberly Williams VS Kristina SpencerHayley didn’t seem too happy with the GM decision to reward both Kristina and Kimberly with a title shot after the indecisive ending of their number one contendership match. The champion and her predecessor were at each other’s throat from the get going, trading insults before the bell and punches as soon as the match started. Williams let them go at it for a minute or so, before deciding to get involved and hitting both opponents with a double dropkick, throwing both of them through the ropes. The Wildcard charged at the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to take down the champion with a suicide dive but Hayley grabbed Spencer’s hand and dragged her in the line of fire, saving herself from the impact. Kimberly didn’t seem too bothered for missing her original target and hitting Krissy instead, but as soon as she stood back up Halsey knocked her down with a running single leg dropkick. Not satisfied, the new Vainglorious tossed Williams against the ring post. With the Woman Scorned down she could finally focus on Kristina, smashing her face against the steel steps a few times and rolling her back in the ring. Hayley then climbed to the top rope, calling for her So Ridiculous but Kimberly was back and pushed her to the outside, taking her place on the top rope. She then jumped toward Krissy, twisting in mid air with a corkscrew senton called Chaos Theory, landing on the former champion’s knees. Spencer was determined to take the title back, no matter who she had to pin to do so. On a literal frenzy she took out Halsey with a roundhouse kick, obtaining a count of two. Kimberly charged with a clothesline but the Wicked One ducked it and hit the ropes on the opposite side, taking down the opponent with a tilt-a-whirl ddt. He followed up with another cover, broken up by Hayley who probably saved her reign. The champ threw a couple of strikes to her face, but Kristina once again dodged the blow and caught her from behind with her Handful Of Fun boob plex. Halsey rolled out of the ring to catch a breath, leaving the two challengers battling it out. In this circumstance it was Kimberly who came out on top, stunning Spencer with a flurry of forearm strikes, flooring her with the Morrigan’s Wrath superkick. As soon as she made the cover, Hayley took no chance and got back inside the ring, stomping the Woman Scorned back. The match has been fast paced since the start, but in the end things got even more hectic. With Kimberly out of the ring after a cactus clothesline from the Glorious Golden Era member, nobody was there to save the champion from the Extreme PMS Kristina locked her in. And the ropes were just too far away. There was a moment when Hayley looked like she was going to tap out, screaming in agony and struggling not to slam her hand on the mat. But then with one last effort she was able to roll to the side, pinning Krissy’s shoulders to the canvas. Spencer kicked out in two, getting up to her feet only to be hit with a running knee by the returning Kimberly. The Shadowblade hit the former Junior Heavyweight champion right in the face, knocking her out instantly. Williams only had to make the cover to win her first title in MWE but forgetting, although momentarily, about Halsey was a mistake she paid for. The New Vainglorious pushed her with the last bit of strength she had left, sending the Woman Scorned through the ropes and out of the ring, taking full advantage of Kimberly’s work and making the cover to retain her title. WINNER: Hayley Halsey (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Shadowblade), 10:31 |
Amy Maynard: "By hook or by crook, Hayley managed to retain the Junior Heavyweight Championship."
Sir Figgles: "It's the Super Glorious Championship, get your facts right, Amy!"
Amy Maynard: "Never, I refuse to call it that way."
Sir Figgles: "Tsk. So unprofessional."
Amy Maynard: "Sure, becuase renaming something that's still property of the company, or in your case using that name it's the epitome of professionalism..."
Sir Figgles: "Chicken Boomerang."
Sir Figgles: "It's the Super Glorious Championship, get your facts right, Amy!"
Amy Maynard: "Never, I refuse to call it that way."
Sir Figgles: "Tsk. So unprofessional."
Amy Maynard: "Sure, becuase renaming something that's still property of the company, or in your case using that name it's the epitome of professionalism..."
Sir Figgles: "Chicken Boomerang."
Backstage at the event, Luna Smith is just at the end of her meditation. Wearing a brand new, matching her outfit, diamond hairband. Her soft, slender, toned frame outlined by her lilac yoga pants and top, with some visible abs showing off where the top cuts off. Luna’s meditation is guided by her phone, which plays soft music and a soft but deep voiced man leads her breathing. This is all interrupted when the door busts open as one Ryan Sanderson, little brother of former MWE Championship Chris Kane, enters. The 12, nearly 13 year old nearly falls over seeing Luna’s abs.
Ryan Sanderson:
HUBBA HUBBA THANK YOU JESUS!
The young man has a huge crush on Luna and even moved in with his brother to be closer to the woman of his dreams.
Ryan Sanderson:
Heya Luna!
In typical Luna fashion, she doesn’t come out of her bubble and finishes her meditation off, taking five to six seconds after Ryan spoke to finish.
Luna Smith:
Come to get an autograph from the next Cloud Gate champion?
Ryan nodded his head, never taking his eyes off of his crush.
Ryan Sanderson:
Yep! I’ll always want your autograph, Luna.
A smile creeps on his face as he takes a few steps into the room. Of course, as he gets closer, that bravado goes away and instead is replaced by some hesitation.
Ryan Sanderson: I, uhh, I don’t have a pen or anything.
Luna walks over to her table, and claps her hands to turn the lights on from the dim setting. A little feature she’d asked one of the staff to install for her ahead of her arrival. With more light, she pulls her handbag towards her and retrieves a pen with the MWE logo on it.
Luna Smith:
Who are you here with?
She says while taking the newest headshot the Star Of The Night had made, signing her name and hands him the picture with Luna’s signature surrounded by a star she drew quickly. Ryan hugged the autographed picture and smiled at Luna like an idiot.
Ryan Sanderson:
Well, Aunt Brittany. She wanted to get out of the house, or something, and she said I could come with after she came to see big brother for a couple of hours!
Luna Smith:
I remember she was a Cloud Gate Champion while she worked here. She’s been highly supportive of me and my Lockdown title run. It is time I had another, don’t you think?
She says while catching her appearance in the full length mirror she insisted MWE have in her dressing room, readjusting her hair the right way. Ryan nods his head, too busy looking at her to say anything. Instead, we hear the voice of…
Brittany April:
I really do. Remember that at the time I was the longest reigning Cloud Gate Champion. Then she won it, tore her knee and became all Miss Emo McAngst. Now it’s gonna be yours, Luna.
Luna Smith:
Like it should have been before. Before she had someone interfere and gave her all that extra time…
Luna rolls her eyes a little bit.
Luna Smith:
I heard she mentioned me in a YouTube video some time ago. I know my name carries a lot of attention...which is why Millennium will probably have to watch out when the news breaks. New Cloud Gate Champion: Luna Smith.
Luna looks off to the distance while envisioning it. Her triumphant moment holding the title up while in her dark blue gear, tanned and fabulous.
Luna Smith:
The Last Woman Standing.
Given it was elimination rules after all. Brittany, who like Ryan, has crush on Luna, fans herself for a moment after hearing all of that self-confidence.
Brittany April:
I have every confidence in your ability to win the Cloud Gate tonight and become a better champion than those who have held in the past couple of years. Been a little lean on interest, you know?
She laughs to herself as Ryan takes a seat next to Luna.
Ryan Sanderson:
She’ll be the prettiest champion of all time!
Luna Smith:
Oh, Obvi.
Luna looks at the mirror and gives herself a kiss. Fluffs her hair again, believing she would be the prettiest champion.
Luna Smith:
And I’ll obviously boost your interest in that title. Especially after I defeat a former MWE Champion, a former MWE Lockdown Champion, this is the opportunity many dream of, but that’s all they do with it. Not me.
She readjusts her hair band, before opting to discard it to Ryan to put away, instead she gets out a brush to change her hair up.
Luna Smith:
But which side should I carry the title on. I always carried the Lockdown title on my left.
Brittany April:
Then put it on the right. After you finally win the MWE Title, around your waist to complete the triangle of awesome… run away to Mexico with me.
Of course that last part was said under Brittany’s breath. Ryan was busy “throwing away” the hair band, throwing away meaning pocketing it for his Luna shrine. HE’S GOT A PROBLEM, OKAY?
Luna Smith:
That’s not a bad idea. I already have some ring gear designed for my win. I’m exclusively going to wear diamond silver, emerald green, ruby red and gold.
Luna then opens one of the suitcases she brought along, to have options for any occasion.
Luna Smith:
But I’d have to decide which ones to wear on my coronation. Obviously it would headline Millennium’s episode.
Brittany April:
They should dedicate the whole show to you!
Luna Smith:
I know, there’s plenty of time to dedicate. It could be a whole documentary leading up to it. Probably would be the highest rated, rewatched show Millennium does. I’m just that good for business.
Luna’s hair then gets tied up, before she discards her scrunchie to opt for a plait look.
Luna Smith:
And I’d obviously be the biggest guest to all the beach parties in Miami after it, raising Millennium’s profile….
Then Luna sees she’s got a strawberry serving but no chocolate dipping sauce and her confident smile drops to a look that can’t comprehend how MWE could drop the ball on this demand.
Luna Smith:
Where is my chocolate dipping sauce?
Without saying a word Ryan sprints out of the room to track down the missing chocolate sauce for Luna’s strawberries.
Brittany April:
I think that boy would kill for you.
Luna Smith:
He’s been helpful at least. But since I have you here, we can talk shop about this match…
Luna says while taking the saucer and her cup, the aroma of a rather expensive latte that’s cooled to the right temperature gets caught by both girls as Luna takes a sip, with the scene slowly fading to black.
Singles Match
REDD Thunder VS HammersteinIf anyone had any doubt questioning whether Hammerstein would make it to the match or not after the assault suffered by the hands of Envy and Andrews earlier backstage, those disappeared as soon as Highway To Hell blasted through the PA system and the American Monster walked out of the curtain. A bit shaky on his legs at first, having a beer bottle smashed on your head is definitely not good for anyone’s health. But after that quick episode, the former Chicago Way champion walked the ramp with determined steps, sliding inside the ring and immediately bringing the fight to the Walking Disaster without even waiting for the bell to ring. The two Heavyweights traded back and forth shots with no intention of stopping or slowing down, and when the referee tried to separate them, he almost got accidentally hit in the face by REDD's big fist. Seeing that there was no stopping them, he officially started the match. Hammerstein kicked the big man in the stomach, doubling him over and clubbing him with forearms to the back that barely seemed to affect the member of APE. And when REDD stood back up, he looked pissed. Putting his hands on Hammerstein's chest, he shoved the former Chicago Way champion against the ropes and raised the boot to his face. To nobody’s surprise the match turned into an authentic slugfest. And despite REDD’s size and brute strength, Hammerstein was winning this exchange, now using his head to push the Thunder back with some rapidfire headbutts. With REDD now on the ropes, Hammy grabbed the big man’s wrist and tried to launch him against the ropes. The irish whip was countered by REDD who then extended his arm turning Jacob inside out with a clothesline. The American Monster was on all fours, pushing himself up. REDD grabbed him in a waistlock for his Big Bang Attack (deadlift german suplex), bridging right into a pin. After kicking out, Hammerstein was launched in the corner with an irish whip and squashed by the over 300 pounder who then attempted a belly to belly suplex. Hammerstein tried to fight back and broke free after several punches to the ribs. He then followed with a flurry of forearm strikes to the face, leaving REDD dizzy before taking him down with a neckbreaker. Nobody would ever doubt Hammerstein resilience and his toughness, but the way he kept getting up and coming back from more after REDD hit him with his best shots like the Killamajig spinning spinebuster and that surprisingly quick savate kick, was almost unbelievable, especially considering the number APE did on him before the match. He didn’t stop there though, turning the tides completely and forcing REDD on the defensive. With an outstanding feat of strength he even lifted him for a german suplex, but the big man kicked out in two. Hammerstein insisted, feeling the momentum on his side Hammerstein kept wearing him down with kicks and punches, sending him against the ropes and running into him with The Pounce. REDD was down and Hammerstein looked to put him away with the Python Sleeper. Now it was REDD’s turn to shock the world, getting up to his feet despite being locked in the rear naked choke and quickly walking backwards against the corner to force the American Monster to break the hold. The Thunder From Down Under hit the opponent with a flurry of heavy rights, but it was the devastating ripcord headbutt that did the trick, knocking Hammerstein out and causing him to bleed again from the cut patched up right before the match. REDD bragged about the power of his headbutt, seemingly unaware of the opponent’s pre-existent injury. REDD locked Hammerstein in a rear naked choke (his own version of the former Chicago Way Champion's Python Sleeper), looking disappointed as the referee immediately called for the bell noticing that the American Monster had passed out already, from the nasty headbutt rather than the submission itself. WINNER: REDD Thunder BY: Submission (Rear Naked Choke), 12:02 |
Ambra Monroe: "After claiming the tag titles last night, this one's another huge win for APE. Like it or not, they are the most dominant force in MWE today, and probably in the history of the company."
Peyton Holland: "Their methods are not always the cleanest, but nobody so far has been able to stop them. Speaking of which, do you think REDD was aware of the attack before the match and took advantage of Hammerstein's injury?"
Ambra Monroe: "I doubt REDD is aware of anything at all, so I'd go with no. It would be interesting to see his reaction when he finds out."
Peyton Holland: "Their methods are not always the cleanest, but nobody so far has been able to stop them. Speaking of which, do you think REDD was aware of the attack before the match and took advantage of Hammerstein's injury?"
Ambra Monroe: "I doubt REDD is aware of anything at all, so I'd go with no. It would be interesting to see his reaction when he finds out."
We cut backstage to a concrete stairway to find our relative newcomer Enganche sitting on the top step of this particular section of stairs. Dressed in his usual wrestling attire of black vest, tights and boots, the masked man is slowly wrapping white tape round his wrist and palm. The camera pulls back to reveal Isla Moore standing at the bottom of this section of stairs, deftly entering something into her iPhone. The PR agent is wearing a sky blue power suit and stiletto heels. She looks up at her client with a widening grin.
Isla Moore:
Well I don't think either of us were expecting this match.
Enganche:
Not this soon.
Isla Moore:
But it's GREAT for exposure. You're competing against some of the most established names in MWE for one of its most prominent championships. Even if you get eliminated early, as long as you put on a spectacle then you will cement yourself as a contender. If people see you in the same breath as Melissa Reeves, Kenzie and so on, then it's inevitable the deals will open up. I've already started contacting a few manufacturers about developing some prototypes for key chains, pens and other-
Enganche:
Forget capitalising on failure. What if I win?
She goes to speak then stops, mouth open, and ponders for a moment. He sighs.
Enganche:
See, you hadn't even considered that eventuality. But look, I get it. You're not a motivational speaker, you're my agent. I want you to promote my brand in the best way possible but right now - before my first ever championship match - forgive me if I'm more concerned with you know, winning, than getting some tacky plastic goods made up.
She looks up at Enganche with an awkward smile.
Isla Moore:
I'm sorry - do your thing. We'll talk about it afterwards.
Enganche:
Thank you.
She nods once and the camera pulls back to show her walking down the next section of stairs, leaving Enganche to continue taping his wrist. As the sound of Isla's heels fade away to silence, he suddenly looks up into the camera with a chuckle.
Enganche:
This Cloud Gate Championship match is not unwelcome but it is certainly unexpected.
Our view zooms in further, showing us the glint of excitement in his eyes.
Enganche:
I always envisioned competing for the Chicago Way Championship because of my pain tolerance and willingness to put my body on the line. But I have never been one to plan too carefully for the future; the number of factors and influences in the path of one's life - particularly in a globalised age - simply cannot be quantified. It's always come more naturally for me to adapt, improvise and make the best of whatever comes my way. Society is built on structure and rigidity but at the cost of liberty. Transience gives me freedom, vigour from impulsivity. This will be my first multi-person match. To my opponents, this will be one of many. But its chaotic nature relies on reactivity, not detailed strategy. Whatever happens happens, it will be who can think fast enough who wins.
He lets us dwell on those words for a moment before continuing.
Enganche:
I said on Twitter, "Good things happen when you least expect them" but that isn't just a reference to my pleasant surprise at being booked in this match but my own indication of the victor in spite of public opinion and expectations. Now I'm only two matches into my career, many would believe I'm not ready to be a champion - perhaps not even ready to be in a championship match. The history of professional wrestling would underpin that perspective; we're used to seeing rookies scrape through a series of trials and tribulations before lifting a championship. We expect a wrestler to learn and develop, to gradually refine his craft in order to compete and eventually win at the highest level. But anomalies exist, I could be the outlier. It was once said, "If you're good enough, you're old enough" but replace old with experienced and we have a catalyst mindset to break the mould. Of course you must believe in your own competence to enter a high-risk domain like this one. Sometimes that belief is inflated but not always.
He finishes the last wrapping of his white tape and stands up.
Enganche:
But enough theory, more feelings. It's difficult to describe what winning the Cloud Gate Championship would mean to me but I could comfortably describe it as my greatest achievement. I must stress that sense of accomplishment is not defined by the item but by whom accomplishes it. i know I said enough theory but I speak freely and this is where it leads. Alas, my victory would be great because of my status - inserted as the unknown variable among established competitors. Not to denigrate their journey - from rookie to contender to champion - as any less important to them but real greatness is predicated on difference. It requires something which sets you apart from the other. In the canon of MWE and perhaps even the wider sport, any one of my opponents winning this match would be somewhat typical but for me, that is not the case. I will never have another chance to achieve this specific level of greatness, even if I go on to become a highly decorated performer because they exist throughout eras. If you attempt to position one great above another then it comes down to pure subjectivity, heavily influenced by rose-tinted spectacles, nostalgia or recent bias, whatever it may be. But to become a champion from way down here? From virtually nothing?
He exhales heavily, rubbing his palms together.
Enganche:
That's something that you would never see coming... and it's too late to prepare.
Static.
if it is possible for a man to physically be fuming, that is beyond just mad but actually billowing smoke from his ears and head, that would be Redd Thunder. He stomps backstage, and even walks straight through a few interns and technicians. Behind him, moving as fast as she can in heels, is Olivia Constantine.
Olivia Constantine:
REDD!!!!
She calls but no answer. Redd sucks into a locker room, and Olivia follows quickly behind him. She enters to see The Thunder punching dents into various lockers. His knuckles bleed as he lets his aggression out on the lock doors
REDD Thunder:
Me couldn't beat him! Me couldn't get it done. Me am angrier than me have ever been!
Olivia Constantine:
I am confused there sweet boy. You two beat the holy hell out of each other and you made Hammerstein pass out? You won!
REDD Thunder:
No!!! Me simply broke his body. Me didn't break his spirit. The Thunder wanted, The Thunder needed to beat him...all of him!
Olivia Constantine:
I guess I don't understand
REDD Thunder:
Of course you don't! No one does! Me am a deep, passionate, and intelligent individual. Me can not get past this.
Oli.....people are gonna get hurt. The rage is building inside me, makes me feel like a virgin on prom night. Me gonna explode any moment and ruin someone's day.
Olivia grabs his hands
Olivia Constantine:
Let's get you cleaned up. Grab some steak tips, I know how much you like them, and go watch the rest of the show with out friends. And hey...I saw that girl you brought backstage. She is adorable!
REDD Thunder:
She is that...
Olivia and REDD head out to the medical area to patch him up
Singles Match
Devin Hearst VS Tank SteinerAnother match between two big guys, another rivalry that has been going on for a while, since the Dog Of War days when Devin Hearst and his buddies put a noose around Mike Donovan’s neck. Ever since then, Tank had been savoring his sweet revenge and that sentiment only grew since the two crossed paths here in MWE with tonight being the shot at revenge Tank had been waiting for. And he wasted no time, charging at the Florida Shuffle as soon as the bell signaled the beginning of the match and shoved the former Riot champion in the corner with a dropkick. There Tank began caving Devin's chest in with those heavy chops, each one of them echoing louder than the previous one. Soon Devin's pecs turned a bright shade of red, and that only pushed Tank to hit him harder and faster. A second irish whip sent Hearst in the opposite corner. As Steiner came charging in, the former Dog Of War moved out of the way leaving the opponent to crash in the corner. Devin moved behind his shoulders and clubbed the Austrian with some hard forearm strikes to the back of the head before taking him down with a neckbreaker. Devin’s strategy was to go for the opponent’s knees. It’s no secret that they bothered Tank in the past months, delaying his debut with MWE. And even though he seemed to have heal pretty well recently, Hearst’s plan was working effectively. After several stomps on the inside part of the knee, Devin applied a figure four right in the middle of the ring, trying to make the big man tap or at least weakening the limb and preparing the ground for the Badlands. Tank began dragging himself toward the ropes, reaching them despite Devin’s attempts to stop him, even with some punches to the leg. Four seconds later when Hearst eventually let him go, Herr Steiner used the ropes to pick himself up, keeping the former Riot champion at distance with a right punch followed by a series of chops taking the fight back in the middle of the ring. Steiner dropped the opponent down with a body slam, following with a knee drop but missing the target as Devin rolled away. That was another bad blow to the knee, but right now Tank Steiner had bigger concerns, like trying to kick out from the huge sliding lariat Hearst almost took his head of with. The sequence of hard strikes and high impact moves kept going on for several minutes, slightly slowing down on intensity only when drawing closer to the conclusion as fatigue and weariness began to show in both competitors. Catching the former Riot champion in a reverse headlock from behind, Tank pounded Devin’s chest with four massive chops, knocking the wind off his lungs. The Austrian big man easily lifted Hearst with a reverse suplex, He tried to follow with a cover, but his effort was only worth a count of two. Herr Steiner was in control though, coming close to the win once again with his trademark powerbomb but not even that was enough to keep the Florida Shuffle down. The moment the fans had been waiting for seemed to have finally arrived as Steiner grabbed the legs of his opponent and began spinning around getting some rotations in for his giant swing. Far from his record of fifty, but enough to leave Devin dazed on the mat, while Tank made his way up to the top turnbuckle, ready to jump for Der große Kaboom. At that point it became clear that Hearst was just playing possum as he quickly got back to his feet and jumped to hit the Austrian Hulk with a couple of forearm strikes to the back. Then Hearst did the unbelievable, carrying the 340 pounder on his shoulders and drop him on the mat with The Comedown, obtaining another two count. As soon as Tank kicked out, Devin went for his leg, applying the Badlands. He kept him locked in the stretch muffler for a couple of long, agonizing minutes before Steiner was able to reach the ropes. Failing to put him down frustrated Devin, who took out his anger with several vicious stomps to the back of the head, prelude to the Night Rider, his surfboard style curb stomp. That eventually was enough to keep Tank down for the three count even though, as emerged from the replay, the Austrian’s right foot was under the bottom rope. WINNER: Devin Hearst BY: Pinfall (Sunset Rider), 16;13 |
Amy Maynard: "What a battle we just witnessed!"
Sir Figgles:"And no surprises, Devin Hearst walked out victorious."
Amy Maynard: "Well..."
Sir Figgles: "No, don't even start. Tank Steiner lost, hopefully he understood that Devin is out of his league and he'll stick to Millennium so that I don't have to see his ugly mug any given Saturday."
Amy Maynard: "See, I don't think this one's over yet..."
Sir Figgles:"And no surprises, Devin Hearst walked out victorious."
Amy Maynard: "Well..."
Sir Figgles: "No, don't even start. Tank Steiner lost, hopefully he understood that Devin is out of his league and he'll stick to Millennium so that I don't have to see his ugly mug any given Saturday."
Amy Maynard: "See, I don't think this one's over yet..."
"M.O.M" by Will Roush begins to play as the lights begins flickering and alternating colours between blue and white. It doesn't take long for Omari Johnson (wearing a black Human Superman t-shirt, black joggers and red, white & black Jordan 1 Retro High) to make his way out on stage. A patch is covering the laceration he received in a brawl with Marcus Ali, after winning the First Blood Match. Omari enters the ring and is quickly given a microphone from ring side crew as his theme song fades.
Omari Johnson:
Night one of By Any Means was one crazy night. Yeah I bled.....
Omari touches the patch stuck to his forehead.
Omari Johnson:
But Marcus bled first. Now hey this thing between us, it's far from over, but what happened last night, where many innocent hard workers of this company were hurt and injured, because of our actions after the match. It's not if my character, and for that I sincerely apologize to everyone who ended up on the receiving end of that fight between Marcus and I. I'm sorry.
Omari pauses for a few before continuing.
Omari Johnson:
Now they say, .....I may have won the battle last night, but the war between Ali Jr and Johnsob rages on.
Omari pauses and walks around as if there is something that he needs to get off his chest.
Omari Johnson:
Yeah it's true! The war between Marcus and I is far from over. Make no mistake about it. One of us is going down and down for good, and I won't stop till Marcus Ali Jr is done, out of this business, and out of my life.
"G.O.A.T." by CFO$ featuring Will Roush interrupts Omari, as Michael Ali (wearing a dark gray blazer, over a light blue v-neck Hanes t-shirt, dark grey Levi's jeans and black leather shoes) walks out to a display of green lighting. Omari stares a hole through Michael, who makes his way down the ramp. He heads up the steel steps and pauses before entering the ring. He then slowly steps inside the ring with Omari who have not moves or take or taken his eyes off of Marcus' uncle. Michael Ali walk over to the other side of the ropes, where the ring crew on the outside hands him a microphone. Micheal then turns his focus on Omari as his theme song fades.
Michael Ali:
Hold on a second Omari, before you Super Duper Kick my lights out, there is a couple things you need to hear me out on.
Omari simply looks at Michael, like a predator stalking his prey.
Michael Ali:
Firstly you have it all wrong. You out here huffing and puffing, like a bad wolf hunting it's prey. Talking about who won the battle and how the war rages on. In the same breathe you apologize for the collateral damage of innocence. ....Omari, this is not about some vendetta. Sure there is bad blood between you and Khalil, but Khalil knows his place, he sees the bigger picture of a complete Bad Boyz. We all want you on our side, we need you Omari.
A slight smirk appears on the face of The Human Superman, as he steps out from the corner of the square circle.
Omari Johnson:
You want me to put aside sneak attacks The Bad Boyz orchestrated against me. The torment Khalil Washington III, put my sister through. Kidnapping my mop, and throwing her in an empty pool, she's still in a wheelchair. You want me to forget and forgive what your nephew Marcus Ali Jr did to me inside the Steel Cage, while my sister cries and pleads at the feet of Khalil. So let me get this right, despite our history before coming to Millennium Wrestling Enterprise, and you I know how that ended up, you want me to get back in that mess, you want me to bend a knee and play second rank to your chosen nephew the former WBO Junior Heavyweight Champion Marcus Ali Jr? Michael, I appreciate everything what you did for me. But when I Super Duper Kicked that steel chair into the face of Marcus, drawing first, when I turned my back and walked away two years ago on The Boyz two years ago down in Texas, I liberated myself from the oppression you and your family of thugs has had over me.
Michael Ali:
You don't get Omari, you can't walk away.
Omari Johnson:
You wanna try stopping me?
Michael Ali:
That's the thing Omari, you really don't get it.
Omari Johnson:
What don't I get?
Michael looks at Omari and shakes his head. He suddenly hugs Omari, Omari quickly responds, pushing Michael off, causing him to stumble to the canvas.
Omari Johnson:
What the hell Michael?
Michael looks at Omari as he slowly pulls himself up.
Omari Johnson:
What the heck was that Michael?
Michael stares at Omari and places his arm on his mouth, before turning around and walking away, but Omari tugs on his arm, preventing him from walking away, but suddenly Omari is taken down from behind with a recording camera. Omari drops to the canvas as the cameraman removes his black hoodie and black baseball cap, revealing it's Khalil Washington III.
Amy Maynard:
Yuh gotta be kidding me.
Sir Figgles:
Just like the first time disguised as a cameraman, Khalil attacked Omari.
Amy Maynard:
This is ridiculous!!!
Sir Figgles:
If it's not broken, why change it.
Michael looks concerned, as the rest of The Bad Boyz, Marcus Ali Jr (sporting a black "It's Good 2 B Bad" Bad Boyz t-shirt, faded blue Levi's jeans, black Tactical UA boots), The Masked Angel (wearing the usual black SWAT uniform) joins the ring with Khalil Washington III (wearing a black hoodie, black Levi's jeans and black Tactical UA boots). The Masked Angel holds up a dazed, but fully aware of what's going on Omari Johnson on both knees.
Michael Ali:
I didn't want it to happen like this. But you need dose of truth, right here,right now. .....You think you are here, because you put in your hard work? Truth is there is a whole lot of better talent than you, talent who spent all there lives, sweating and bleeding and working their ass off, just like you. Marcus Ali, a former WBO Junior Heavyweight Champion is one of those guys. Khalil Washington III, a former NCAA Division I Amateur Wrestling Champion is one of those guys. The Masked Angel, and for all of you who are wondering who he is, take note of this clue, he is a two time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He is one of those guys.
Michael grabs the chin of Omari, pure hatred could be read in the eyes of The Human Superman, as Marcus sporting a patch of his forehead where he was busted open on Night 1 of By Any Means stands back and looks on.
Michael Ali:
Nobody gets a string luck, like you have over the past years Omari. You thought you could just showed up at my academy and what? Get a free a pass to a three year course? And then just like that, get calls for major opportunities that better athletes than work years and some decades to get? You think you are here, because of your talent? You're in this position, because somebody been pulling strings for you all your life and if that someone wasn't there, you wouldn't be here. You life would have been pathetic, probably with a minimum wage job flipping burgers.
Omari is breathing hard as he struggles to escape the grasp of Khalil and The Masked Angel.
Michael Ali:
What's happening to you now is tough love Omari. They're holding you, because you need to hear everything. You see all of this Omari started on the 11th of November 1996. Yeah I was there, I was there with your mother Livia.
Omari looks confused, when suddenly Michael is interrupted by another voice screaming "Stop This". It's Livia on crushes accompanied by her daughter Kassie.
Livia Johnson:
Michael, stop this now. Leave my son go, let him be.
Michael looks up the ramp towards Omari's mother and sister.
Michael Ali:
He needs to know the truth....
Livia Johnson:
After twenty-three years. He needed you and you wasn't there.
Michael Ali:
I gave him everything he needed, to be one the man he is today. That is what father's do.
Michael looks back at Omari Johnson.
Michael Ali:
I held you in my arms, I looked right into your eyes and named you Omari Ladarian. .....You're my son and that is why you are here tonight, at this moment in time.
Omari yells at Michael.
Omari Johnson:
You are not my father.
Johnson spits in the face of Michael, who wipes the globe of saliva from his face. He smiles as he signals to Khalil and The Masked Angel to bring Omari to his feet as he does, Michael looks at Omari.
Michael Ali:
This is going to hurt me a whole lot more than it's going to hurt you.
And with that, Michael delivers one swift kick between Omari's, connecting to the groin. Omari drops to the ground holding his groin. Michael looks back at Omari's mother as "G.O.A.T." by CFO$ Will Roush begins to play, The Bad Boyz make their exit, but Michael stands in the ring looking down at his son. As soon as he turns his back, Omari kip up right back to his feet and taps Michael on his shoulder. Michael slowly turns to see Omari holding up a steel up, he was obviously wearing it when Michael hit the low blow. Michael looks very surprised and stunned, as his "son" tosses the cup at him and follows up with s Super Duper Kick, taking down Michael. As The Bad Boyz turns and see this, they storm the ring, but Omari Johnson quickly makes his exit. Leaving The Bad Boyz standing in the ring checking on their manager Michael Ali. M.O.M. hits as Omari heads up the steel ramp and walks pass both his mother and sister not telling them a word.
Amy Maynard:
I, am lost of words.
Sir Figgles:
Same here Amy, same here.
Steel Cage Match
Alexander Lyndon VS BROOKFORDLike two animals in a cage, BROOKFORD and Lyndon were standing in the ring, surrounded by the steel structure as commanded by Grace van Beek herself. Two very different mindsets, the Problem Solver looking ready to unleash the frustration accumulated in the previous weeks while his opponent smirked at Grace van Beek, watching the match from the front row. This time though, she was sitting there alone without her personal security detail not even the inseparable Ryen Riekert. But as soon as the bell rang Alexander flipped the switch, that smile faded from his face and his focus became the big man in front of him. A lariat wasn’t enough to take BROOKFORD down, it took three to knock the Underground Dynasty Champion off his feet. And when Lyndon attempted an elbow drop right after, he was already gone, moving out of the way and quickly standing back up to his feet, He kicked Lyndon hard on the ribs as the Dead Soul was rising up to his feet. Grabbing a handful of his long black hair, BROOKFORD drove his face against the cage, right in front of where Grace was sitting. Lyndon blocked the attempt, planting his hands on the steel structure. BROOKFORD seemed to be winning this battle of strength and will, but Lyndon turn the tides with a mule kick. As the Problem Solver was doubled over in pain, the former JCP star grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him head first against the wall. Seating in the first row Grace didn’t seem too pleased to see how Lyndon was in full control in a match that was meant to be a punishment for the Dead Soul. Alexander had now BROOKFORD in the corner and was pummeling him with boxing combinations aiming at the abdomen area and the ribs. He shot a quick glance in the direction of the MWE owner, almost challenging her as he tried to lift the big man for his Flagship DDT, the delayed vertical suplex into a ddt. A titanic effort that the Dead Soul almost accomplished, picking up BROOKFORD and holding him upside down before the Problem Solver shifted his bodyweight and landed in front of Lyndon, rocking him with a headbutt. His open handed chops resonated in the empty arena, each one of them followed by Lyndon’s groan as red bruise marks formed on his chest. BROOKFORD then lifted him over his shoulder as if he was going for a running powerslam, but he launched him against the cage instead. Lyndon’s head was bleeding upon impact, Relentlessly the New Yorker kicked the opponent on the side of the head and pushed his face against the cage. The more the match went on, the more intense and violent it become. And yet, nobody had even tried to pin the opponent yet, not even after BROOKFORD began bleeding profusely after his face got smashed and grinded on the cage. This only seemed to fuel the big man’s rage, the intensity of his strikes growing as he stood up and began swinging those huge arms at Lyndon who was able to duck and dodge some of them until he wasn’t able to, The big right hand caught the Dead Soul on the side of the head, knocking him back a couple of feet. Before he could recover, BROOKFORD turned him inside out with a clothesline, picking up his dismantling of the opponent with stomps and kicks, finally trying his first cover after a running senton. The 34 years old kicked out and quickly fought back, scoring some back to back near falls with moves like flatliners. DDTs and even a spinebuster, crashing the big man to the mat and hooking his leg for a cover, only getting another count of two. Lyndon seemed in control now, leaving BROOKFORD laying flat on his back after an inverted ddt. Wrestling’s Biggest Problem kicked out once again, but he was now struggling to get back on his feet. Alexander walked toward the cage and asked for it to be open, As the referee did as asked, he seemed to have some issues with the keys that couldn’t open the lock. The timely holdup gave BROOKFORD the chance to recover and grab Lyndon in a full nelson lock, lifting him for the first of atomic drop.. You have to wonder if, as BROOKFORD lifted him, Alexander noticed the smirk on Grace’s face, and what that could mean. But from that moment on, the Underground Dynasty Champion kept wearing down the opponent using the cage to his advantage, until he set him up for the Problem… Solved to pick up the win. WINNER: BROOKFORD BY: Pinfall (Problem… Solved), 15:00 |
Peyton Holland: "BROOKFORD is your winner, but I wonder what would have happened if there wasn't that little issue with the door lock."
Ambra Monroe: "Are we sure it was an incident?"
Peyton Holland: "Are you suggesting..."
Ambra Monroe: "I'm just saying that the thought crossed my mind. And I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one..."
The cage is lifted, and BRROKFORD wastes no time, rolling under it and heading backstage. As soon as he does, a simple gesture by Grace van Beek commands to lower the steel structure once again, trapping Lyndon who is just getting up to his feet inside. van Beek stands up from her seat and walks closer to the ring, staring at her rival on the other side of the fence.
Grace van Beek:
Rough night, Mister Lyndon?
She mocks him with that devious smile.
Grace van Beek:
I must admit I enjoy this view. For months back in Johannesburg, you had me trapped inside a cage, artfully constructed using my own fears as its bars.
She grabs the cage with her hands, her blue eyes still locked on Alexander.
Grace van Beek:
Pardon me if I find ironic how the tables have turned. I am no longer that girl, you no longer have that kind of leverage on me. I would say that right now, you are the caged animal, and I am the one holding the keys.
She open her hand, revealing a key that looks just like the one the referee tried to open the cage with, unsuccessfully.
Grace van Beek:
Enjoy your staying, Mister Lyndon.
Her crimson lips curl in a wicked smile. Then she turns on her heels and leaves the ringside.
Alexander Lyndon:
Grace!
Getting up to his feet, Lyndon calls the Diamond Princess by her first name, knowing that this would bother her. The owner of MWE stops on her tracks without turning around not until she hears a thud coming from behind her. As soon as Alexander touched the wall of the cage, a jolt of the electricity ran through the cage, knocking him down.
Grace van Beek:
Please, make yourself at home.
And finally, she leaves through the curtains.
??:
Is everything alright, Elsa?
The voice that comes with that thick South African accent is that of Ryen Riekert, bodyguard of the MWE owner and Head Of Security for the company. He's inside Elsa's office, standing in front of the General Manger who seems lost in her thoughts.
Elsa McCarthy:
Huh? Yeah, sure...
She says, not sounding too convincing.
Elsa McCarthy:
I just have this awful migraine... Did you see my tablets?
She begins looking through the papers covering her desk, tossing them aside as her search becomes more frantic and impatient.
Ryen Riekert:
Behind you.
He points at the small white bottle standing right next the computer screen.
Ryen Riekert:
One of those days, huh? How many did you get already?
He asks as she swallow a pill with a glass of water. It's not the first time the young General Manager complains about headaches, and for someone like Ryen who works close to her on a daily basis this doesn't come as a surprise.
Elsa McCarthy:
Only one tonight..
She takes her eyes off Ryen for a moment, adding in a thread of voice.
Elsa McCarthy:
And a couple after lunch. I could barely sleep last night.
Ryen Riekert:
You're working and worrying too much Elsa. You should relax.
The GM shakes her head, skimming once again through the paperworks covering the surface of her desk.
Elsa McCarthy:
I just... Have a lot on my mind and stuff like this really doesn't help me...
Ryen Riekert:
APE?
The mere mention of the group seems to bother Elsa, aggravating her headache. She squeezes her eyes tightly, bringing both hands to the sides of her head and massaging her temples.
Elsa McCarthy:
I'm sick and tired of them thinking they run the show. They stole the Tag Team Titles, they costed Hammerstein his match against REDD and I'll be damned if they ruin another main event.
Elsa never sounded more determined and sure of the decision she is about to make.
Elsa McCarthy:
Gather all your men for the main event, nobody...
She stands up from her chair, pointing her fists on the mahogany desk.
Elsa McCarthy:
... And I mean nobody is allowed to get anywhere close to the ring. Use force, if necessary, and make sure they all know that, if anyone, somehow, manages to get past you guys, he can pack his things and find another company to work for.
Ryen smiles slightly, one could say he looks proud of Elsa for using the iron fist in this circumstance.
Ryen Riekert:
Roger that.
The former military says with a nod.
Ryen Riekert:
But promise me you give up whatever you're doing and relax.
Elsa nods, sitting back on her chair watching as Ryen leaves her office.
Elsa McCarthy:
I wish I could...
She says with a sigh as soon as the door closes, going back to her paperwork.
First Blood Match
Gavin Grimes VS Keelan JayceAs the referee read out the rules to both competitors this fight between former friends showed already to be a little too much, weeks of back and forth interaction and rage showed in the eyes of Keelan Jayce as Gavin Grimes lazed in the corner giving that signature coy smirk of his. Keelan observed him for a moment, the anger showing in his face, even through the bandaged forehead one could see the rage ready to explode as Keelan took off at him even before the bell rang. Ambra Monroe: “These two have been going at it for weeks, since they fought each other in a NO DQ match in Round Two of Battle for the Briefcase, and it certainly hasn’t cooled off sense.” Peyton Holland: “You’re right, Ambra and it definitely seems the Captain has gotten into his former friends head. Already dangerously busted open last week, Keelan is not only risking a loss here, but his health in this First Blood Match.” Ambra Monroe: “Yet he chose the stipulation himself. Apparently he has a point to prove.” The early charge proved to be a mistake as Gavin dodged out of the way letting Keelan run himself into the corner, barely able to stop before crashing into the turnbuckle, Gavin was already there sending boots into his midsection, bringing him out of the corner, Gavin is quick to capitalize with taking him down once again using the ropes to spring up before nailing a picture perfect crossbody. The fight continues as Gavin mounts above Keelan and send fists directly to his forehead, obviously aiming for the spot where he was previously busted open the Australian does his best to cover from the assault as Gavin nails a number of strikes. Peyton Holland: “Maybe not the most ethical approach but we’ve seen time and time again where Grimes will do whatever it takes to capitalize.” Ambra Monroe: “Its a good strategy to aim for an already open wound even if it might be a tad sinister. It’s within the rule set.” Keelan is finally able to block one of the strikes and uses the chance to send an elbow into Gavin’s face causing him to break the mount Keelan then swiftly uses his legs to roll Gavin over into an arm bar which takes him a few minutes to break, clearly not even aiming to win in this manner Keelan lets go as Gavin gets up to his feet. Still raging Keelan motions for Gavin to try again and the Captain still smirks in his direction clearly enjoying this side of his former friend or at least the daunting aspects of it. Gavin shakes his head back and forth taking a step back as Keelan stares him down. Clearly not amused, Keelan goes to charge towards him again only to be side stepped once more, this time to be thrown through the ropes as he comes crashing down hard on the outside, Gavin rebounds on the ropes in the opposing corner before he plants a Suicide dive on the already fallen Jayce. Peyton Holland: “Keelan’s anger is certainly getting the best of him, he’s not really even focused at the moment and Gavin is taking full advantage of the opportunity.” Ambra Monroe: “We’ve seen that he’s not really been himself lately, and Gavin has certainly gotten into his head.” Gavin continues his assault on the outside, now once again taking a fist to Keelan’s forehead sinisterly now tearing at the bandages used to protect the old wound, It takes a few moments as the bandage refuse to give way for several seconds allowing Keelan to gain his bearings as he sends a stiff kick into Gavin’s gut, before using one of his famous tricking methods to roll backwards and into an upright position. Now posing in a upright position he stares directly at Gavin before a sinister smile of his own comes to his face, ripping off the bandage the rest of the way to reveal no wound underneath. Gavin looks almost shocked by the reveal. Peyton Holland: “Looks like Keelan is finally playing the captains game with that one, he’s been aiming to bust open the old wound, but it seems its already healed up.” Ambra Monroe: “Some would say that is a cheap trick but sometimes you have to play by a different set of rules.” Taking the opportunity of his shocking reveal Keelan now leaps towards Gavin taking him down with a short-arm clothesline, as he climbs back up the Australian lands a kick to the back of the knee, a roundhouse to the gut only to run towards the crowd barrier leaping backwards into the air with a backflip kick, landing on his feet Gavin is floored momentarily. Peyton Holland: “And there’s that unique tricking style we’re using to seeing from the innovator of the Aussie Salute.” Ambra Monroe: “Its certainly effective and I don’t think Gavin is smiling anymore.” Having gone to go after him again Gavin catches Keelan in a leg sweep which sees him barreling forward into a flip-like handspring as he lands on his feet, Gavin has now climbed back up and the two begin exchanging strikes back-and-forth. Closed-knuckled fists which would usually be illegal are allowed for this type of bought. The two go back and forth before Gavin finally halts one of Keelan’s strikes with a gut-wrenching kick before hitting him with a snap suplex only he maintains hold of it rolling through to mount himself atop Keelan again this time barreling those closed knuckled fists directly to his forehead. Which now shows a firm redness from the damage he’d already taken. Ambra Monroe: “He may not be wounded any longer, but aiming for the same spot still has its merits.” Gavin now reaches into his boot, and we see a similar number to their bought in the Battle for the Briefcase as he pulls out a screwdriver that he had tucked away, Keelan sees it coming and instantly uses his arms to stop the force of Gavin’s hands, but Gavin presses further down inching the screw driver closer and closer to Keelan’s forehead. Peyton Holland: “The very same technique that started this. Gavin certainly will do whatever it takes to win.” Ambra Monroe: “Again its disparaging to know the lengths he will go but it certainly qualifies within the rules. Sadly bleeding for Keelan is just detrimental.” Keelan is finally able to power out by inching himself beneath Gavin almost in a backbend like motion he releases hold of Gavin’s wrist and Gavin stabs the screwdriver into the floor padding, Keelan rolls forward again providing himself a little leadway before whipping out a weapon of his own, a Bo Staff which is completely collapsible until rolled out, now twirling it around the staff increases in length on both ends and was safely strapped to his side, he turns twisting both arms into place as Gavin has gotten his screwdriver lose from the padding and tucked it safely back away for later use. Keelan begins to twirl the staff in a swift-like motion as he charges towards Gavin again, Gav blocks the first two shots before using his arms before Keelan nails a kick to his midsection and then swiftly aims a third shot with the staff at Gavin’s legs specifically the back of the knee causing him to shift in motion, keelan backs away slightly before spinning the Bo Staff around his back and barreling it across Gavin’s chest sending him over the barricade where the crowd would normally be seated. Peyton Holland: “You can certainly tell these two know each other, Keelan scouted Gavin’s play twice now and answered with a response of his own, but its clear Gavin already knows Keelan’s weakness.” Ambra Monroe: “It definitely shows when opponents scout each other out.” Taking a moment to collapse the staff back to where he could strap it to his side again Keelan uses the barricade as a sort of vault as he runs forward nailing his Double Gainer Splash that he calls the Aussie Salute leaving he and Gavin both sprawled out on the Enterprise Arena Floor. Ambra Monroe: “OH MY GOD!” Peyton Holland: “If this were a standard contest I’d say that would be the moment the match is over, but no blood has been spilt yet.” It takes several moments before either man stirs, Keelan finally being the one who makes it to his feet, now bringing the downed Gavin back over the barricade before following along behind him, he begins to send stiff chops across the chest area which seems to be his target as the redness can be seen across Gavin’s skin just beneath his white tank-top. One sickening chop followed by another as Gavin is backed up the ramp. The two using every inch of the Enterprise Arena floor to their advantage. Gavin stops the onslaught about halfway up the ramp garnering some momentum as he pokes Keelan in the eyes, sending him reeling down the ramp a few steps Gavin begins to hit a barrage of strikes once more as he goes directly for that forehead again. After garnering enough distance he grabs hold of Keelan’s head and hits the Headlock Driver Finisher he calls The Crowning, directly impacting the forehead of Keelan as its driven into the ramp. As he is rolled forward Keelan seems to be out as the referee goes to check on him, he is breathing heavy but still moving and still no blood. Ambra Monroe: “I thought it was over there, Keelan’s head hit the ramp so hard.” Peyton Holland: “The impact is definitely starting to show that’s for sure.” Gavin seems undeterred as he again, takes the screwdriver he has tucked away. He twirls it around in his fingers for a moment gingerly pondering before grabbing the handle with both hands looking as if he is about to impale him. Charging forward he uses all of his might to aim down as Keelan just barely rolls out of the way at the last minute. Ambra Monroe: “That would’ve directly cut through Keelan’s skull if he would’ve hit that.” Peyton Holland: “It was definitely troublesome to watch.” Having rolled off the side of the ramp way, Keelan is still dazed an bent over slightly as Gavin uses the side of the ramp to catapult him slightly, nailing Keelan on his head once with a hurricanrana driver. Laid out once more Gavin goes back to the ramp to once again retrieve his weapon looking to end this once and for all. Having fetched the screwdriver he now goes to land down on top of Keelan but is met with a boot to his face for his efforts, rolling to the side Keelan now takes the screwdriver that has been a idle threat to him the entire match and tosses it as far as he can throw it. His rage unleashed as he begins to barrel down rights and lefts to Gavin’s face, before climbing off of him and yelling out in anger as he lets out some of the rage he feels before helping Gavin back up to his feet nailing him yet again in the chest with some chops. Gavin blocks and punches him in the throat which leaves Keelan gasping as Gav distances himself by crawling back onto the ramp with Keelan not far behind. Gav reaches the stage and scouts Keelan coming looking to put him down with an enziguri only Keelan uses his tricking moves to flip backwards in an evasive maneuver. Leaving Gav twisting in mid air with his back to Keelan who swoops in behind him and does a 180 turn, nailing a belly-to-back suplex that sends Gavin’s back hard into the stage. Keelan looks wild again as he pulls out that Bo Staff from earlier. Ambra Monroe: “There’s been a lot of back and forth here with this one, Keelan looks to be back in control with that Collapsible Bo Staff, it seems really effective considering you can hold it in your hand until you need to use it.” Peyton Holland: “Compact and effective. Its certainly helped him get a little edge on Gavin at certain points in the match thus far.” Now rolling the Staff around in his hands once more Keelan clashes the side of staff directly to the Chest of Gavin who yelps out in pain and rolls over, only to have the staff slam across his back, again and again it comes down until Keelan drops it long enough to climb atop Gavin’s back and hits his Double Stomp which turns into a Standing Moonsault that he calls True Blue. Gavin seems to be laid out on the stage now as Keelan looks up and out over the arena, as if he suddenly had an Epiphany of where he was in the arena he stars triumphantly over the area where the crowd would normally be and seems to be catching his breath. Turning back now he seems to be waiting for Gavin to climb to his feet now perching down to measure him stirring, Gavin begins climbing to his feet as Keelan looks to charge him once more with a viscous high kick, only Gavin counters with a spinning kick of his own, Keelan unexpectedly falters back as Gavin notices the Bo staff laying there he picks it up, not using nearly as much artistry with it as aims the staff directly at Keelan’s head, Keelan barely dodges out of the way and rolls through using another of his tricking moves only to have another shot aimed at him by Gavin, who again misses as Keelan rolls out of it yet again. Gavin finally is able to sweep Keelan’s legs from beneath him only to have Keelan fall onto his arms in a pushup like motion, and into a handstand before he comes back onto his feet, and Gavin swings the staff angrily as Keelan now stops the motion with his hands, shaking his head. Using the built momentum Keelan jerks the staff away from Gavin’s hands and looks to be about to swing it once again only to instead aim another stiff kick to the back of Gavin’s knee and he loses his balance as he hobbles on that knee after taking the third strike to it in this match, Keelan backs away only to use the Staff to vault himself into the air with that same high kick we saw from before only the added moment sends Gavin stumbling right off of the stage. Ambra Monroe: “Unbelievable! He used that staff to vault himself in the air for added momentum! This is insane!” Peyton Holland: “The Captain fell really hard there in the process too. That had to be at least a fifteen foot drop.” Gavin can be seen laid out at the bottom of the stage, as the referee sounds for the bell, the Camera pans over Gavin who now has a busted up forehead from the impact of that kick. WINNER: Keelan Jayce BY: First Blood (Elevated Kick), 21:28 |
Ambra Monroe: “That was a crazy and unexpected finish and Gavin seems to out cold from that kick.”
Peyton Holland: “Keelan’s innovative style proved a little too much for Gavin tonight, but certainly not without much merit from Gavin himself. That was the most technical battle we’ve seen from him in some time.”
Ambra Monroe: “Wait was is this?”
The Camera now pans to see Keelan now coming down the ramp his Bo Staff still in hand as he circles to the floor below. He stares at Gavin for several long moments the anger still present in his face as he grips the staff to the point where his knuckles appear white. As he inches closer the referee seems to caution him as Keelan eyes him angrily for a moment before walking towards Gavin. Staring down at him he again holds off for several long moments until finally he collapses the Bo again, and bends over to stare down at his former friend. He says something inaudible to the camera before he pulls him up to his feet.
Bloodied and limping Gavin looks to be in pain, as Keelan escorts him backstage.
Ambra Monroe: “I’m not really sure what that was, but what an awesome display of sportsmanship even after everything they’ve been through.”
Peyton Holland: “You never know what to expect when it comes to the Green Brand.”
From somewhere in the arena, Melissa Reeves appears on the screen. She’s in her ring gear, with a jacket over, and a solemn look on her face.
Melissa Reeves:
“By any means”. Ironic, it’s a term I’ve used myself more than a few times to explain just how or why I behaved a certain way. Now here we are with an entire show named after it and you know what? For me, it’s befitting. To win a match like mine, it truly requires any means necessary.
She intakes a deep breath, slowly letting the air out.
Melissa Reeves:
Tonight, more than most nights, there’s no room for error. There’s no room for taking your eye off the ball, no wiggle room. There are so many competitors involved, so many ways the match can end without me even directly involved. Everyone talks about the odds, but they never tell the full story.
Reeves gives a little finger wave.
Melissa Reeves:
Truth is, you never know what you’re walking into with a match like this. Just look at the competitive field involved; I know two of them very well, but they’re all familiar to me. Kate, Kenzie? Yeah, I’ve seen plenty of them in action. Then you have Luna, she’s no slouch either. But everyone there is a danger, a credible threat. That said…
She looks up at the camera.
Melissa Reeves:
None of them are the longest reigning MWE Champion of all time. None of them are me. I know I walk into this as THE one to beat, my resume says plenty and my reputation tells the rest. But while those are advantages in some ways, they are disadvantages in others and regardless of which? They’re never enough to win anything on their own. They add pressure, sure, but I excel when under pressure.
There’s a calmness about her, even as she prepares for such a huge battle.
Melissa Reeves:
Now it’s not a secret that this isn’t the title I was hoping to chase, that’s not going to be a fact lost on anyone, but it’s here that I find myself now. So here’s where I will aim to do what I do best, folks, and that’s win matches and win gold. Another accolade to my record, another victory against all odds? Yeah, I like the sound of that. So, with that said, cya all very soon.
She gets up and heads off, away into the darkness, lost from view.
Cloud Gate Championship Match
Elimination Rules
Luna VS Melissa Reeves VS Enganche VS Kenzie Garrett VS Kate Steele VS EnforcerElimination Rules
Many people consider the Cloud Gate Championship THE title in MWE. The historic year long title reign of Tiff Rollins, the night Anastasia Starling ended it in Tokyo, the epic battle against Gavin Grimes in one of the most intense matches in the company’s history.. All this contributed to build this title as one of the most coveted, on the same level as the World title. Starling’s decision to step away from the company and relinquish it was a shock to everybody except maybe to those close to the Pale Winged Passerine who saw how the Monster’s Ball match affected her. But as they say, when a door closes another one opens, and this became a huge opportunity for six competitors who had a chance to write their name in the history books tonight. The first minutes saw the bigger and more expert Enforcer literally cleaning house, dropping down one by one whoever stepped up to him. First was Kate Steel, almost beheaded by a wicked clothesline. Then Kenzie Garrett who attacked him from behind. Her forearm strike to the back of the head barely affected Enforcer who turned around and clocked the former Chicago Way champion with a right punch, before lifting her in a gorilla press position and throwing her over the top rope. Luna stepped up next, and her Krav Maga striking combinations seemed to be working on the big man. He wobbled on his legs, stumbling back after the throat strike, but he recovered quickly countering Luna's next move with a pop-up powerbomb. Enganche was giving the former world champion Melissa Reeves a run for her money, but he stopped when he saw the Enforcer coming their way. So did the Reaver, the two of them quickly glancing at one another before turning their focus on the big man with coordinated strikes. The match continued with the back and forth, chaotic action the fans were expecting from a contest with so many people involved and such high stakes. Enforcer kept proving himself as the biggest threat, his size alone giving him advantage on the much smaller opponents. With his Mafia Kick he almost took Garrett's head off, but somehow the Soulknife raised her shoulder in time. The other four competitors then all ganged up on Enforcer, hitting him with a volley of strikes, wearing him down. Enforcer then got hit with the Facial Deconstructor, incredibly still standing after it. From the top rope Luna jumped at him, twisting in mid air to connect her Thestral. Enforcer spun around, right into a diving blockbuster from Kate Steele. And if the Silence Is Golden wasn’t enough to put Enforcer down, Enganche’s Riquelme Special certainly did the trick. The masked man made the cover after his devastating punt kick and scored the first elimination. Rumchata Ayano: “Enforcer has been eliminated!” Not even time for Enforcer to leave the ring and Kenzie Garrett caught Kate Steele off guard and nailed her with the Grim Fandango, and just like that we were down to four. Rumchata Ayano: “Kate Steele has been eliminated!” Melissa was showing off her striking ability hitting Luna with swift and pinpoint combinations. Soon the former Lockdown champion found herself flat on her back, and Melissa took the chance to climb to the top rope. On the opposite side of the ring Enganche was manhandling Kenzie, scooping her up and hanging her upside down in the corner, hitting her with some kicks to the chest. Reeves was ready to jump from the top rope for her Death From Above shooting star press when she got distracted by the bustle behind her back. Enforcer didn’t appreciate the collective effort his opponents put in place to take him out and he was coming back with a vengeance. And a steel chair. Only the prompt intervention of the security team stopped him from ruining what was turning out to be a great match, but this distraction gave time to Luna to recover and run up the turnbuckle, catching Mel with the Night Skyfall, the spanish fly that gave her a very close near fall. Reeves was now in difficult against the former Lockdown champion who got another two count after the Upgrade. Kenzie Garrett in the meantime had turned the tides against Enganche, using a hurricanrana to send him head first against the middle turnbuckle. When he stood up and rested in the corner for a moment, she went at him at full speed with a running double knee to the face. Enganche was down, Kenzie turned around spotting Luna waiting for the world champion to rise back to her feet to hit her with the Starstorm. The Soulknife sneaked behind the Star Of The Night’s back and rolled her up with a schoolboy pin, managing to keep her down for the three. Rumchata Ayano: “Luna has been eliminated!” Luna Smith didn’t take it lightly, complaining with the referee about how unfair this elimination was. As the official pointed out how perfectly legal was, the blonde girl stomped her feet, and headed to the ropes to leave the ring. Only to turn at the last moment and kick Kenzie’s head off with the spinning roundhouse kick she had in store for Melissa. Garrett was down, Melissa looked at her and shrugged her shoulders, hooking the leg for another cover and scoring the fourth elimination. Rumchata Ayano: “Kenzie Garrett has been eliminated!” Leaving the ring, the former Lockdown Champion was fuming. And of course she took it out on Smith, running up the ramp and reaching her on the stage. The two women brawled near the entrance, Kenzie a literal fury pulling Luna’s long blonde hair to throw on the floor, mounting on top and unleashing a flurry of punches to the face. A similar scene was going down inside the ring where the Reaver took down Enganche with a Thesz Press and was bashing his masked face with forearm strikes. Security was shown dragging Kenzie away and helping Luna back to her feet and when the camera cut back to the action inside the ring the mysterious Enganche was back to his feet, ducking a clothesline from the former world champ and hitting her with such a strong uppercut that Reeves bounced against the ropes and back into his arms for an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. The newcomer was pulling out an outstanding performance, and only Mel’s ring awareness allowed the Reaver to save herself with a foot on the rope after Enganche’s pulling piledriver called Brain Teaser. With Isla Moore encouraging him on the outside, the NKOTB went for the Riquelme Special to put Mel out and win his first title in MWE, but Reeves rolled away and grabbed his leg, pulling him in the Iron Lock. Enganche tried to reach the near ropes, or to break the submission somehow. But all his efforts were in vain, the heel hook claimed another victim, and Reeves claimed her second title in MWE. WINNER: Melissa Reeves BY: Submission (Iron Lock), 27:33 |
Peyton Holland: "It's over, Melissa Reeves is the last one standing, and your NEW Cloud Gate Champion."
Ambra Monroe: "She said she would and she did. She withstood five other superstars and claimed the title previously held by Anastasia Starling and Tiffany Rollins."
Peyton Holland: "Some big shoes to fit, but if anyone is capable of doing so, it would be the longest reigning MWE World Champion."
Ambra Monroe: "She said she would and she did. She withstood five other superstars and claimed the title previously held by Anastasia Starling and Tiffany Rollins."
Peyton Holland: "Some big shoes to fit, but if anyone is capable of doing so, it would be the longest reigning MWE World Champion."
The scene begins backstage, Henri Black is leaning against the wall with eyes closed and dressed as usual in a black three-piece suit.
Henri Black:
Over the past few months, I have clashed time and again with Glory Braddock, in every conceivable match and we have torn each other to shreds in ever more creative ways, but as our war raged I began to see the truth behind the facade that is Gloria Marie Braddock, a truth that I planned to share with the world.
Henri steps away from the wall begins to pace.
Henri Black:
But it wasn’t until last night however that I knew it for sure because last night in that steel cage Glory I knew that you wanted me to stop you, to put you down once and for all but I just couldn’t do it, I was having too much fun to let this end prematurely.
Continuing to pace Henri puts his back to the camera as he crosses the room.
Henri Black:
But what truth have I uncovered I hear you ask? It’s a truth that you might be able to hide it from your little flunkies, hell you might even be able to hide it from yourself, but I know it, and now so will everybody watching, you have become everything you hated in this industry and it is eating you alive.
Henri rounds on the camera, right hand held forward in an upturned fist.
Henri Black:
I can see it in your eyes, that brief moment of hesitation as it dawns on you that you've become a monster, the indecision as your ego strangles that realization in order to protect your mind from the ugly truth. This is what cost you the third round, and tonight it's going to cost you the Riot Championship.
Henri advances towards the cameraman who takes a hasty step backwards, startled by the sudden movement.
Henri Black:
It’s time Glory, this war of ours has reached its climax and only one of us can leave the arena tonight as the ultimate victor. Only one champion can reign over the RIOT brand and I know now that it will never be you. Not until you break through this self-serving veneer and finally, truly, know who you are.
Henri once again turns away from the camera and shrugs out of his blazer and begins to undo the buttons of his waistcoat.
Henri Black:
And unlike you Glory, I have already been on my journey of self-discovery, I know who I am. I am Henri Black, and I…
Henri flashes a knowing smile at the camera.
Henri Black:
I understand.
In a dark, remote part of the arena we find The British Bombshell and self proclaimed “Best in the World” Glory Braddock sitting on a stool. The beautiful blonde is dressed in her purple wrestling gear and appears ready for action. Her head is bowed as she looks down at the floor, musing quietly to herself but the camera picks up all of it…
Glory Braddock:
Standard match, I won. Submissions match, Henri won. Last Man Standing, Henri won. Steel Cage match, I won. Now we’re all tied up and it’s come to this. It’s come to tonight.
The British Bombshell looks back up at the camera. Her face grows more and more intense and her voice raises a few decibels.
Glory Braddock:
I would like to think that maybe you and I would have earned at least some respect for one another after damn near destroying ourselves in this best of five series. With your little games, your mockery of me, I am honestly not sure if you respect anything or anyone except yourself. What I can say is that this series has accomplished the goal of elevating the Riot Championship in prestige and greatness. Just look at what you and I have done to one another just to become Riot Champion. Those who come after us will have a hell of a mountain to climb if they want to be the man…
She smirks knowingly.
Glory Braddock:
...or the woman as it were.
Braddock’s face once again goes stoic, cold, and intense. She points to her face.
Glory Braddock:
Just look at the scars on my face...the bruises...these are the scars of war. This is evidence of what I am willing to sacrifice for the sake of professional wrestling and to become Riot Champion. These are the lengths I am willing to go, this is what I am willing to put my body through, in order to defeat Henri Black in this best of five series, elevate the Riot Championship to heights that it never has seen before, and to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am exactly what I say that I am...The Best in the World.
The beautiful blonde stands up off of the stool. She glares angrily at the camera. Her intensity is growing with each passing second.
Glory Braddock:
Now after all the pain, all of the bloodshed, and all of the violence. After all of the hell we have put ourselves through, Black, it comes down to one match to prove that I am the rightful Riot Champion and that I am The Best in the World. Appropriately enough, that match will be a Pure Rules Match. Pure WRESTLING Rules…
A confident, almost condescending smirk forms upon Braddock’s face. It is evident that she believes that this particular match type favors her.
Glory Braddock:
This is how it should be, Henri, and I think you and I both know it. The name of this game is WRESTLING and only a PURE WRESTLING MATCH should be the deciding fall. Only a PURE wrestling match with PURE RULES should decide who is the best. And when it comes to pure wrestling, that is precisely what The Glorious Golden Era has been striving for since our formation. This is what we stand for. This is the ultimate culmination of everything we have fought for. Purity in the sport of professional wrestling is what The Glorious Golden Era wants and it is through PURITY that it’s leader, The British Bombshell, will finally become Riot Champion. It should have already happened. I should have been crowned champion at Dark Web because let us not forget that it was ME who pinned then champion Devin Hearst in the four way for the championship. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time in order to delay what will be my coronation.
The British Bombshell shakes her head.
Glory Braddock:
You haven’t WON anything. All you did at Dark Web was delay the inevitable. All you did throughout this entire best of five series was delay the inevitable. And when you look at me, you are looking at the very definition of inevitable. Because I am the very best pure wrestler in the world today. And now, after being denied for so long, I will finally take what is rightfully mine. I will claim my spot at the top of the Riot brand. And I will usher in a Glorious Golden Era of much needed PURITY into the sport of professional wrestling. All I have to do is topple the one remaining tyrant standing in my way, all I have to do is get rid of the one remaining tyrant delaying the inevitable purification of “sports entertainment” and reestablishing PURE professional wrestling.
Braddock winks at the camera.
Glory Braddock:
Sic Semper Tyrannis...thus always to tyrants...
Best Of Five Series Riot Championship Match
Match Five: Pure Rules Match
Henri Black VS Glory BraddockMatch Five: Pure Rules Match
A match to be contested under pure rules for the final act of this series between Henri Black and Glory Braddock after the escalating violence that characterized the previous matches to assign the vacant Riot Championship. The referee called the two contestants in the middle of the ring and explained them the rules before raising the prize they've been fighting for for over a month up in the air. One last glance at it and then Glory and Henri locked up in a clinch position. With a clear strength advantage the Blackstar was forcing Braddock back against the ropes. The British Bombshell quickly escaped and moved behind his back applying a waistlock. A maneuver she tried several times in their previous encounters was and that Black had scouted, quickly countering it with a standing switch that put him in position to connect a snap German suplex. Glory arched her back in pain, obviously still feeling the effects of that nasty fall only 24 hours ago. Black wasn’t in a much better shape, kind of dragging his right leg as he walked toward the opponent, dragging her up for the next part of offense. Braddock cut him off with a chin breaker, grabbing his legs and sweeping him off his feet. Keeping hold of his left foot, having noticed how it was bothering him, Braddock twisted the foot and bent the knee, putting her opponent through a lot of pain. Henri quickly reached the ropes, spending the first of the three breaks he was allowed to. If in that case the rules played against him, Black fully exploited the twenty count the Pure match allowed him to punish Glory, targeting mostly her lower back unafraid to take advantage of the surroundings to maximize the damage. In the best case scenario the Best In The World was dropped on the hard floor with a suplex. But Henri’s favorite spot must have been the ring apron against which he powerbombed Glory twice after slamming her against it a number of times. The contest eventually headed back between the ropes with the Revenant trying to obtain the three count denied by Braddock’s tenacity. Black seemed in control, connecting the Black Diamond, with Braddock using a rope break to save herself. The next part of the match saw the two contenders slowing down the pace, often recurring to static holds to catch their breath. Understandably so, considering the war they went through the night before. But then Henri went for his triplets of german suplexes, only connecting two of them before Glory switched positions and quickly rolled him up pinning his shoulders on the mat. The Australian kicked out and immediately attempted a nasty kick to the head but Braddock ducked it and took him down again with a schoolboy pin. Before Henri could even kick out, Glory transitioned into a knee bar, obviously on the already damaged left one. Henri’s second rope break was gone as well, and the third followed right after as Glory immediately applied the same hold. This time the referee was more firm as he told her to step back, allowing Henri to get up to his feet. The fight went on with Black kicking into high gear, looking to end this quickly, well aware that the next submission he would find himself in, he would no longer have the easy way out represented by the rope break. The Blackstar threw everything he had at Braddock, hitting her with his best shots such as a spike ddt and a ripcord lariat. But the Best In The World survived, raising her shoulders a moment before the three. This sense of urgency ended up being his downfall as he rushed in for the Black Sacrament to the cornered Glory, who sidestepped at the last moment causing him to crush his leg against the empty turnbuckle. It was Glory’s chance and she didn’t miss it, dragging the opponent in the middle of the ring and applying a knee bar, leaving the Blackstar no chance but to tap out. WINNER: Glory Braddock (NEW CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Kneebar), 16:09 |
Amy Maynard: "Glory Braddock did it! The Best In The World is the new Riot Champion!"
Sir Figgles: "Remember when Henri was bragging about being one of the three people who made Glory tap? There's some poetic justice here.."
Amy Maynard: "You have a point, he hadn't tap out in years before tonight. I think the impossibility of using another rope break played a big part in this, but this takes nothing away from Braddock's incredible feat."
Sir Figgles: "As much as I don't like her, she's still a better option than Black."
Sir Figgles: "Remember when Henri was bragging about being one of the three people who made Glory tap? There's some poetic justice here.."
Amy Maynard: "You have a point, he hadn't tap out in years before tonight. I think the impossibility of using another rope break played a big part in this, but this takes nothing away from Braddock's incredible feat."
Sir Figgles: "As much as I don't like her, she's still a better option than Black."
Backstage we see a black haired female standing in front of a backdrop of the MWE By Any Means poster. This woman appears to be in some sort of wrestling gear and is also attired in a black leather jacket. Who is this? The thick Irish voice that comes next is a dead giveaway...
Sophie O’Brian:
Mark Twain says, “never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
O’Brian turns around and faces the camera. A sinister smirk is upon her lovely features. This confident woman who truly believes she is the smartest woman in the room has an opportunity to become MWE Intercontinental Champion tonight in a match against Megan Rydell. Based on her confident appearance one can assume that she believes tonight is her night.
Sophie O’Brian:
Megan, you say time and time again that I can talk a good game but you’ll be victorious in the end. And maybe in tonight’s battle you will be victorious? But a good general prepares for everything. A good general knows that one battle does not mean anything in the grand scheme. The endgame is what matters. The Union forces lost many significant battles in the early stages of the American Civil War but the endgame saw the total destruction of the southern confederacy as William Tecumseh Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant burnt them all to the ground. Germany believed that it was unstoppable after defeating Poland, France, and others in the beginnings of World War Two but that second great war ended with Germany completely and utterly destroyed.
Sophie points a finger at the camera, almost as if pointing at Megan herself.
Sophie O’Brian:
You claim to be a great champion. You may be a champion but greatness is debatable. Just as Twain said, never let the truth get in the way of a good story. It is time to face some harsh truth, Megan. The TRUTH is that I had beaten you in the Intercontinental Title Tournament. I eliminated you. You got a second chance because your ignorant caveman thug assaulted me backstage and I was unable to compete in my next match. The TRUTH is that you advanced in the tournament not because of your wrestling ability but because of your superior ability to cry, whine, and bitch like a little baby. The TRUTH is that you have never beaten me one on one. So I ask you and everyone watching one simple question; do I have anything to prove tonight?
O’Brian shakes her head.
Sophie O’Brian:
No...I already have beaten you. I beat you in the ring to prove that I am a better wrestler and I have beaten you mentally and the proof of that is the fact that you cannot help but utter my name on social media. I am in your head, Megan, and you know it. You are supposed to be the champion but it is YOU who has something to prove. You have to prove that your championship victory and subsequent reign as Intercontinental Champion was not a fluke. Unfortunately for you, the truth is very harsh and the truth is that your reign was a fluke. It was fraudulent. Your reign as champion has been nothing more than a joke. Your reign as champion has been bad comedy and it is time for me to put it to a merciful end here tonight.
Her confident smirk goes away. It is replaced with a stoic gaze.
Sophie O’Brian:
Now I can honestly say that I agree with you, Megan. Enough talk. The time for talking has now ended. Tonight is the time for action inside the ring, you and me, and only one of us will prove to be victorious. I know what I am capable of. I know who the hell I am but you have yet to show me anything else about you except your cowardice, your pathetic inability to pull your head out of your rectum, and your inability to beat me straight up one on one. Everything you have ever achieved up until now has been with an asterisk next to it, Megan, and yet you try to celebrate it? You live in a fantasy land. But tonight I march into your fantasy land and I will burn the whole damn thing to the ground when I take the MWE Intercontinental Championship and shut you up for good.
Sophie turns and walks off.
MWE Intercontinental Championship Match
No DQ Match
Meg Monroe (c) VS Sophie O'BrianNo DQ Match
Anything goes in this match between the Intercontinental Champion formerly known as Megan Rydell and Sophie O’Brian. The Northern Irish entered the ring confident as always, despite the stipulation of the match apparently favoring the defending champion more accustomed to fighting without rules. After all, Sophie already beat Megan once back in the quarter finals of the tournament, even though under controversial circumstances. And the first minutes of the contest saw Sophie taking control and dominating the young champion, forcing her to the mat and working on the lower back with stretches and submissions, wisely trying to affect her speed and agility that way. Meg rose back to her feet and hit a couple of strikes Sophie’s face, but the pupil of the late Glenn Braddock kicked the IC champion in the stomach and lifted her in a powerbomb position, dropping her onto her knees for a lungblower. There was a first pinfall attempt, Megan kicked out in two and Sophie immediately transitioned into a boston crab, Meg crawled to the ropes and grabbed the bottom one, realizing in that very moment that, with this being a no disqualification match, there were no rope breaks either. Her salvation was to crawl under the bottom rope and leave the ring. O’Brian overreached over the top rope and grabbed Monroe’s hair, dragging her up to her feet. Unseen by the Belfast born, Megan had reached for a chair under the ring and smashed it on the top of Sophie’s head, knocking her down. From the apron, the no longer Rydell jumped back inside the ring with a slingshot senton, landing on top of the challenger and making the cover, obtaining a two count. As expected, having free access to weapons of all sorts allowed Megan to compensate Sophie’s superiority as a pure wrestler. And Monroe really went wild with using not only chairs but a table as well, launching Sophie through it with an avalanche hurricanrana. That obviously wasn’t enough to keep the tough O’Brian down, and this prompted Megan to kick things up a notch. A small black pouch was introduced in the ring and emptied on the canvas, covering part of it with thumbtacks. Megan dragged the opponent up to her feet and tried to suplex her onto them, but Sophie resisted, blocking her attempt with the leg and countering with a snap suplex of her own, luckily for she didn’t drop her on the tacks. O’Brian glanced at them and shook her head, refusing to use them to her advantage and bringing the fight in the opposite side of the ring. Relying on her technique alone, without using any weapon, Sophie took back control and almost ended Megan’s reign with the Death Of Wisdom codebreaker that saw Megan barely kicking out right before the three. That was a sort of wake up call for Monroe. She answered Sophie blow for blow, in an intense exchange of stiff strikes in the middle of the ring. Somehow she came out on top, rocking the opponent with a headbutt and following up with a crescent kick, flooring O’Brian. All this effort didn’t pay out since Sophie was able to kick out in two. Megan went back to work, pushing Sophie into the ropes to hit her with a jumping knee on the rebound. Briefcase in hand, Seth Iser came out of the curtain, walking down the ramp with a slow pace, his eyes glued on the action inside the ring. The grizzled veteran walked past the commentators table, positioning himself between Peyton and the timekeeper, leaving the commentary team wondering what he was doing here. Megan must have thought the same, turning her back on Sophie to stare at Iser. Bad mistake that gave O'Brian time to prepare her Scorched Earth Policy, throwing a fireball at the champion's face when she turned around. And after that came the Ode To Braddock, the swinging fisherman neckbreaker that gave her so many wins throughout her career, including her last match against Megan. Sophie made the cover but while the referee was counting the win, Rumchata Ayano announced that Seth Iser used his right to change the stipulation of the match, turning this into a submission only. O'Brian stood up and approached the ropes, addressing Seth and asking what the hell did he want. While everybody's attention was on Seth, Megan pulled herself up and kicked a chair right behind Sophie's back, clubbing her from behind with a right punch to the nape before dropping her onto the chair with a reverse ddt, transitioning right into the anaconda vise she calls Rydell From Hell, or probably Monroe From Hell now. The ref went to check on O'Brian, observing that she was knocked out, most likely from the impact on the chair rather than passed out from the choke. WINNER: Megan Monroe (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Submission (Rydell From Hell), 15:17 |
Peyton Holland: "Can someone explain me what the hell happened?"
Sir Figgles: "Well, that Seth guy came out and screwed Soph.."
Peyton Holland: "I know that, but I meant why he did it.."
Amy Maynard: "Maybe he wants to cash the briefcase for the IC title?"
Sir Figgles: "Then why not letting Sophie win it and then take it from her? That would have been hilarious."
Amy Maynard: "He's on Millennium, he needs a champion from the orange brand. If that's his goal, he needs Megan to be the one with the title."
Ambra Monroe: "Or maybe that's what he wants everyone to believe.."
??:
Call a doctor, now!
The roar of a voice comes once again from Ryen Riekert. He's on his knee, next to the m motionless body of the Millennium General Manager Elsa McCarthy laying on the floor right outside her office.
Ryen Riekert:
What the hell happened here? Who did this?
He shouts at one of the stage hands.
Crew Guy:
I don't know i came here and saw her like that..
The doctor rushes to the scene, Riekert stands up to let him check on the young GM.
Ryen Riekert:
I want every piece of footage from every camera in this area. NOW! What are you waiting for?
The backstage worker does as asked, not that he had any other option...
Doctor:
Shes still unconscious, I'm taking her to the hospital.
Ryen nods, looking around to spot two of his men who are just arriving to the scene.
Ryen Riekert:
YOU! Go with them.
He ordered, cursing under his breath as Elsa is carried away. And on that, we cut to ringside, for the main event.
Sir Figgles: "Well, that Seth guy came out and screwed Soph.."
Peyton Holland: "I know that, but I meant why he did it.."
Amy Maynard: "Maybe he wants to cash the briefcase for the IC title?"
Sir Figgles: "Then why not letting Sophie win it and then take it from her? That would have been hilarious."
Amy Maynard: "He's on Millennium, he needs a champion from the orange brand. If that's his goal, he needs Megan to be the one with the title."
Ambra Monroe: "Or maybe that's what he wants everyone to believe.."
??:
Call a doctor, now!
The roar of a voice comes once again from Ryen Riekert. He's on his knee, next to the m motionless body of the Millennium General Manager Elsa McCarthy laying on the floor right outside her office.
Ryen Riekert:
What the hell happened here? Who did this?
He shouts at one of the stage hands.
Crew Guy:
I don't know i came here and saw her like that..
The doctor rushes to the scene, Riekert stands up to let him check on the young GM.
Ryen Riekert:
I want every piece of footage from every camera in this area. NOW! What are you waiting for?
The backstage worker does as asked, not that he had any other option...
Doctor:
Shes still unconscious, I'm taking her to the hospital.
Ryen nods, looking around to spot two of his men who are just arriving to the scene.
Ryen Riekert:
YOU! Go with them.
He ordered, cursing under his breath as Elsa is carried away. And on that, we cut to ringside, for the main event.
MWE World Championship Match
Chris Constantine Junior (c) VS Kelsey SpencerPeyton Holland: “Here we go, ladies and gentlemen. The moment you all have been waiting for, the company’s most coveted prize on the line as Chris Constantine Junior defends the world championship against Kelsey Spencer.” Amy Maynard: “Back at Dark Web II Kelsey came this close to finally achieve her dream, but the title was literally ripped from her grasp as APE came to save CCJ, literally dragging him out of the cage.” Ambra Monroe: “That was one of the most heartbreaking moments I ever witnessed. Tonight it's her chance to right that wrong." Sir Figgles: “Ladies, let’s be real for a minute, her chances are below zero. Even if, and that’s a long shot, she doesn’t choke like she usually does and somehow manages to worry the champ, Chris still has APE by his side.” Amy Maynard: “And Kelsey can count on her cousin and the Brothers McMillion…” Sir Figgles: “Oh sure… Did you see Javen recently? Him and Christian don’t seem to really be on the same page recently.” Peyton Holland: “I hate to say it but he has a point..” Kelsey didn’t let those thoughts affect her. staying focused since the beginning of the match despite Chris’ attempts at destabilize her with his mind games. The Riot superstar opened her match with a series of quick arm drags of various fashion, including some japanese style variations. You could see this was already frustrating Constantine, who took a first break rolling out of the ring. Kelsey grabbed the top rope with both hands to hit a pescado to the outside. She seemed a bit hesitant before taking the leap, almost as if she was expecting Chris to be playing possum. And when he, as she predicted, moved out of the trajectory, Kelsey was able to land on the apron instead, swinging her leg backwards to catch the World Champion on the face and hit him with a running senton from the apron. Amy Maynard: “A great start from Spencer, always one step ahead of CCJ in these first minutes.” Even when the action moved back in the ring, Kelsey maintained control, using her kicks to wear down the world champion who had yet to land a strike. Blow after blow, Kelsey brought knocked him down with a roundhouse kick. Once again he tried to roll out of the ring, but this time Kelsey grabbed his leg and dragged him back in. Hanging onto the bottom rope, Chris resisted until Kelsey had had enough of this and stomped him on the back, causing him to lose his grip and bringing him back in the middle of the ring. Here the world champion got on his knees begging the challenger for mercy, Kelsey had the slightest hesitation, and CCJ was lightning quick to capitalize on it, poking her eye with the thumb. Sir Figgles: “Classic CCJ here!” Peyton Holland: “I’m honestly surprised Kelsey even fell for it. How many times did we see Chris pulling that stunt?” Sir Figgles: “That’s the fastest thumb in the eye in the business, there’s no way anyone can counter it.” As Kelsey brought her hands to her face, Chris popped up to his feet and kicked him in the stomach, doubling her over as he applied a front facelock, lifting her for a snap suplex. In one fluid movement he positioned himself on top of the challenger, keeping the pressure on her with his ground and pound style. Kelsey ended up against the corner, courtesy of an irish whip from the world champion who then charged in, crashing against Spencer’s elbow. The former Uncanny Socialite then lifted herself on the middle rope and jumped with a crossbody, pinning the champion for a count of two. As they both got up to their feet, Kelsey went back on the attack, but this time Chris fired back. They traded strikes for half a minute before the bigger and stronger champion took the lead, stringing together five forearms to the jaw, pushing Spencer back against the ropes. He sent her for a run to the other side, catching her for a spinning spinebuster as she bounced back. Ambra Monroe: “Shades of REDD Thunder here, will it be enough?” The challenger kicked out in two, reaching the ropes to help herself up. CCJ was back on the attack, pushing away the referee who was trying to keep him away from the opponent since she was holding the top rope. More shots to the head reached the australian, including a closed fist sneaked in while the referee couldn’t see. He then dropped her to a seated position with a snapmare, grabbing her from behind in a rear chinlock with his knee planted on her spine to increase the discomfort. Kelsey tried to get up to a vertical base, using her technical skills to break free. She delivered an elbow to the face, finally getting away from Constantine’s grip and charged at the ropes, but the world champion grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back into a ripcord clothesline. He then began stomping her furiously, starting from her chest and later focusing on the right leg. Peyton Holland: “He may not be the best pure wrestler in the company, but Constantine always comes prepared and with a plan.” Ambra Monroe: “He’s working on the leg, obviously preparing the ground for his figure four leglock.” He kept doing so, using all legal and illegal techniques to torque and twist her joints. From some basic submission to placing her foot on the bottom rope and jumping on the knee, to smash the leg against the ring post a few times before heading back inside the ring and, holding Kel by the foot, dragging her back in the centre of the ring where he went for the Rew, White & Tap Out. As he was entwining his legs with hers for the patented figure four leglock, Spencer pushed him away with her free leg, making it back to her feet just in time to block the charging opponent with a kick to the stomach. Chris was now bent forward, perfectly positioned for the Deprivation DDT. That simple kick though shot pain through her leg, causing her to waste important seconds that allowed Constantine to recover and counter the finisher and push Kelsey away. When the blonde Australian charged back toward him, Chris surprised her with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Amy Maynard: “Another near fall from the champ, who now appears in full control.” Sir Figgles: “Did you have any doubt? Don’t answer, I know you did.” For several more minutes CCJ kept following his strategy, targeting that same leg. Mostly with strikes and impact moves, since every submission move he tried was countered by the challenger who proved herself to be one of the finest wrestlers in the company. A shin breaker gave CCJ another opportunity to lock the Red White & Tap Out, and this time he applied the submission move to perfection. His only mistake was to be a tad too close to the ropes which allowed Kelsey to escape, although not without struggle. And when Chris eventually let her go, fully exploiting the five count the referee administered after the rope break, she could barely put weight on that leg. The champion noticed it and tried to capitalize and knock her out of the ring with a clothesline. It didn’t quite work out the way he was planning as Kelsey pulled down the top rope and he was the one landing first on the apron and then on the floor outside. This time the Uncanny Socialite connected the slingshot plancha, landing on the bad knee and letting out a groan of pain. Peyton Holland: “The ref is up to three, and none of them has yet to move.” Ambra Monroe: “Constantine clearly has no rush, a count-out would allow him to survive another day, fastly approaching Mel Reeves’ record reign.” Constantine realized it and tried took his time to taunt Kelsey before launching her against the barricade. He was clearly looking to let time run out, either settling for a double count out or at least to leave Spencer unable to answer the ten count. But the challenger wasn’t letting another opportunity go to waste, picking herself up and blocking a right hand from Chris and firing off with a flurry of punches to the ribs. The champion was forced to back down toward the ring, trying to fight back but missing the right hand as Kelsy ducked under it, driving her shoulder in his mid section and pushing him back, spine first on the apron. The referee shouted eight, and the australian pushed CCJ inside the ring, following suit and immediately getting back to work, pushing the champion in the corner and hitting him with a series of chops. Stomping her foot on the mat ot shake some feelings back in the leg, she then took a few steps back and charged at him, jumping on his thighs and tossing him in the centre of the ring with a monkey flip. With a springboard moonsault, the challenger made another pinfall attempt, obtaining just a count of two. Amy Maynard: “That was close…” Ambra Monroe: “Looks like the tides have turned now, Kelsey is coming back with a second wind, and Constantine doesn’t seem able to counter it.” Spencer was pouring all her heart and soul in this flurry of offense, despite the right leg was clearly hurting her. This brought a change in her style, now less focused on kicks and using the left leg for the few she delivered and more on throws and neckbreaker variations. There was room for the Spitfire Suplex as well, but CCJ was able to kick out from the straight jacket suplex. Backbreaker, hurricanranas, a spike ddt… None of them were enough to keep the champion down. But Constantine was in difficult like he had never been before, crawling to the corner. Peyton Holland: “Chris knows his title is in jeopardy, and nobody is gonna come to save him tonight!” Ambra Monroe: “That’s definitely going to play in his mind. He knows APE is not coming and whatever back up plan he might have is out of the window as well thanks to Elsa’s ban.” Amy Maynard: “Come on Kelsey, this is your chance!” Sir Figgles: “Quick, someone brings these cheerleader her pom poms…” Amy Maynard: “You’re one to talk…” Chris grabbed the ropes and pulled himself up, Kelsey went to grab him but the referee got in the way, asking her to step back since the champion was on the ropes. Wit the ref’s back turned, Chris tried on of his many tricks, exposing the steel under the protective padding on the top turnbuckle and covering it from everyone’s sight resting against it. The clueless Kelsey charged at full speed, Chris took a step forward and grabbed her leg, dropping her on the steel with a flapjack. The hard impact busted the challenger open, blood began dripping from a cut right above her eye. Amy Maynard: “Oh no…” Sir Figgles: “It’s over, look at this!” Chris spun Kelsey around, pushing her head between his legs and lifting her for the American Strong Piledriver. The referee noticed only now the exposed turnbuckle, and reluctantly dropped in position to make the cover. Sir Figgles: “ONE, TWO AND THRE….” Peyton Holland: “SHE KICKED OUT!” I don’t know how but Kelsey Spencer is still in this match!” Chris couldn’t believe it, accusing the referee of trying to screw him over with a slow count. The official repeated the gestures, saying that there was nothing wrong with his count, and that Kelsey raised her shoulder in time. The two argued further, the ref calling out CCJ for removing the protective pad and the champion saying that he didn’t do it on purpose. In the meantime, Kelsey slowly rose up to her feet, bleeding, tired and barely standing. Chris turned around and hit her with a stiff right hand that sent the challenger to one knee. He went for the killing blow, but a desperation chin breaker stunned him momentarily, buying Kelsey some precious time she exploited to hit him with a superkick that sent the leader of APE against the ropes, bouncing back into a kick to the stomach and a Deprivation DDT. Amy Maynard: “She did it! We have a new champion!” Sir Figgles: Don’t count your chickens before..” Ambra Monroe: “Those are not chickens the referee is counting, Figgles, they are the last three seconds of Chris Constantine’s reign…” Peyton Holland: “... And three! She did it!” WINNER: Kelsey Spencer (NEW CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Deprivation DDT), 23:43 |
Colored confetti rain down on the ring as a visibly emotional Kelsey Spencer is handed the MWE World Championship. "CA in July" by the Bombpops is blaring from the loudspeakers and even without a live crowd tributi g the blonde Australian the well deserved standing ovation, the atmosphere is equally filled with emotions. Kelsey herself is staring at the title with tears of joy in her eyes, soaking in this moment. It's the greatest night of her life, the culmination of years of blood, sweat and tears to climb her way to the top. And no matter how many times she fell, how many times she thought about giving up, about not being good enough, how many times she doubted herself (the last one being after Dark Web II), she always pulled herself up and kept fighting.
All for this moment.
Kelsey lifts the title high in the air, staring at it and maybe wondering if it's all a dream. It's not, it's all true, all real.
And the snap back to reality looks a lot like Neal Durden walking on the stage, briefcase in hand. The commentators start buzzing about how Neal could be cashing in right here and now, for what would be the fastest use of the Briefcase. But in all truth, the Anarchist isn't dressed to complete. And this looks more like a message sent to the new champion rather than an attempt to cash in.
And if that thought ever crossed Neal's mind, the look the other Briefcase holder gave him surely changed his mind.
Seth Iser is out here as well, just like Neal holding his own briefcase.
And just like the Welsh, he's dressed in his civilian clothes. He locks eyes with Kelsey, mentor and student staring at one another without saying a word. Seth Iser simply nods, acknowledging Kelsey's win and saving the compliments for when they're both away from the cameras.
One champion, two contenders letting her know that they'll be able to capitalize on her first mistake. On this image, night 2 and By Any Means come to an end.
All for this moment.
Kelsey lifts the title high in the air, staring at it and maybe wondering if it's all a dream. It's not, it's all true, all real.
And the snap back to reality looks a lot like Neal Durden walking on the stage, briefcase in hand. The commentators start buzzing about how Neal could be cashing in right here and now, for what would be the fastest use of the Briefcase. But in all truth, the Anarchist isn't dressed to complete. And this looks more like a message sent to the new champion rather than an attempt to cash in.
And if that thought ever crossed Neal's mind, the look the other Briefcase holder gave him surely changed his mind.
Seth Iser is out here as well, just like Neal holding his own briefcase.
And just like the Welsh, he's dressed in his civilian clothes. He locks eyes with Kelsey, mentor and student staring at one another without saying a word. Seth Iser simply nods, acknowledging Kelsey's win and saving the compliments for when they're both away from the cameras.
One champion, two contenders letting her know that they'll be able to capitalize on her first mistake. On this image, night 2 and By Any Means come to an end.