Liberation: Episode Fifty-Six, December 8th, 2020

BACKSTAGE
The scene cuts backstage to Jade Night in her office. A knock is heard at the door but she looks at it and shakes her head. She ignores it as she focuses on the task at hand for later tonight. Her match with Kendrick Kross… It’ll be the first time she gets in the ring in quite time, so it makes sense that this boss is trying her best to focus in. The scene then cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
The scene cuts backstage to TJ Techniques and Mighty Sparrow walking down the hallway. The two are discussing strategies for their tag match tonight, with TJ warning Sparrow about the nefarious deeds that Max Cerrano gets into. Sparrow nodded and made sure TJ knew that Donovan is the same and isn’t afraid to get DQ’d. The two continue to discuss strategy and teamwork as the scene cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
Max Cerrano is standing backstage with his Gotham Championship on his shoulder. He proclaims that none of the three men in this tag match are worthy to share a ring with him and that he is tired of entertaining a fool like TJ Techniques, who doesn’t deserve a shot at his Gotham Championship, the one that Max successfully defended against that trash company, GEW. Max goes on to say that this match is meaningless but he will still go out there and perform. Not because anyone deserves it, no, but because he wants to embarrass all of them and show the world just how beneath him they all truly are. He then walked out of the frame and the scene cut away.

BACKSTAGE
Ava Ryan was walking backstage after her match with a smile on her face, victorious just moments ago against Hope Williams. Despite the smile and her decent time in the beat the clock challenge, she also was favoring her neck as she rubs it. The brainbuster in the match did a number on her. While keeping a fairly quick pace, the feisty advisor to Jade Night stops in her tracks when she sees Kendrick Kross standing just ahead of her up the hallway. Kendrick was tossing a bottle of water up and down as he approaches the blonde who eyes him up.

Ava Ryan: I can see it all over your face. You're impressed about how fast I was in that beat the clock challenge match aren't you?

Kendrick was just a few feet away from her now as he tosses the bottle towards her. Ava catches it and nods as her way of saying 'thank you'.

Kendrick Kross: While yes, I was.

Kendrick let out a smirk as he had paid attention to her match but was also running things through his head about his coming up match with Jade, the match he had been wanting and looking forward to all week. For him to have found out it was a Falls Count Anywhere match made him that much happier about his match

Kendrick Kross: For your debut here you definitely had one hell of a match there. I have a huge match though as well. Me vs Jade? Falls Count Anywhere? Oh this is going to be exciting.

Kendrick inches his way towards the blonde as he got up near her, wearing a smirk on his face.

Kendrick Kross: I’m sure your boss or whatever she is isn’t lookin forward to this match. Even if she says she is.

Ava Ryan: I honestly haven't been around her much today. There's this silent tension between us that turns not so silent when we're in the same room together for too long.

Ava rubs the back of her neck a bit more, still a bit shook up from the competitive back and forth in her match against Hope Williams. She then takes another quick drink of the water.

Ava Ryan: What I can say is this...Jade knows what she's doing and she always seems to have a plan. Falls count anywhere might seem good to you, but that just gives her the opportunity to lure you back here, have The Pride or others waiting to lay you out and give her the win. I know how important this is to you, just make sure your head is on a swivel.

Taking a few deep breaths, she acknowledges his confidence.

Ava Ryan: You know that while I'm an advisor to Jade, I also respect you and what you're capable of you. I did fight to get you unsuspended by the way, so I have no doubt that if everything is as fair as possible that you'll walk out victorious. Still though...be careful.

Kendrick Kross: Oh the tension between you two is obvious at times. But I think that’s because she sees you as a threat. She knows you’re just as smart as her and could run this company better than her. Better booking and fairer.

Kendrick grabs a bottle of water out of a cooler that was next to them and twists the cap off and takes a drink before placing the cap back on.

Kendrick Kross: Neck hurt? That’ll go away. And with the showing you had out there tonight I have no doubt you’ll be winning your next match against Alex.

Kendrick looks at her as he could see the fire in her eyes as he mentioned her opponent.

Kendrick Kross: Oh I hope she has the Pride out here. She has the Pride waiting for me I’ll make sure I have something waiting for her.

Kendrick smiles a bit as he keeps his eyes locked on the advisor.

Kendrick Kross: I know how hard you worked for me to get unsuspended and believe me, that is going to pay off. Guarantee it.

Ava Ryan: You don't owe me anything, I just want to make Liberty better for everyone involved. Jade has nearly ruined this place more than a few times, and with just signing here to wrestle, I want it to be around for years to come. So I have my hands full with her.

Ava thinks back to him mentioning Alex just a moment ago and she clenches her fist at her side.

Ava Ryan: As for Alex, she wants to play tough bitch and attack me on Twitter, and then try to be the 'bigger person' and run away? I hope my time was good enough, because there won't be any running if I have my way. Her ass is mine on the 23rd.

Feeling herself getting worked up, she looks down at her fist and unclenches it and takes a deep breath.

Ava Ryan: I need to go sit down and relax. And then I need to find Jade and make sure she doesn't do anything else crazy before this show goes off the air tonight. But hey? Good luck. I know what you can do, and I just hope you get a chance to show it to Jade first hand. Show her that even thinking about suspending you was silly. Just do me a favor? Don't totally finish her. I still have to work with her.

The blonde flashes a smirk as she goes to walk by Kendrick who steps aside but gets her attention once more by calling out her name.

Kendrick Kross: Oh you’ve made Liberty better already believe me. Just coming in to be the advisor has made Jade know she needs to cool herself but I’m going to show her even more tonight why she shouldn’t have tried to screw me and the rest of the GEW team.

Kendrick knew she was anxious to get back and unwind after such a high adrenaline and pressure match, so he looks down the hallway, telling her she can take her leave.

Kendrick Kross: Hey you relax all you want, you deserve it. As for finding Jade? When you see her tell her she’s gonna get her ass kicked by me. And I’ll try not to finish her, can’t guarantee that though.

Kendrick laughs a bit as he watches Ava walk by as he heads to finish his prep for the match.

BACKSTAGE
The Pride are backstage in their locker room, lacing their boots and getting ready for their upcoming handicap match with Xavier Laroux. Chase comments on how JD’s career always brings him to a match with Xavier Laroux but even X can’t handle JD one on one, so what can he do against The Pride as a team? JD agrees but says to take X seriously as he might try some shady bullshit. Chase nods and says that whatever happens, he’s going to be ready for it. They both will. The two nod before the scene cuts away to the next match.

RINGSIDE
'Your Favorite Drug' by Porcelain and The Tramps filled the air as Xavier Laroux emerged out onto the stage from behind those curtains. Not wasting a single moment, Laroux began to make his way down the ramp before sliding into the ring under the bottom set of ropes.

Popping back up to his feet, Xavier walked over and leaned between the ropes to be handed a microphone. Walking back to the middle of the ring, Laroux was dressed to compete, sporting those tattered and faded denim jeans and that skin tight white tank top. He brought the microphone up as the music cut and his talking began.

Xavier Laroux: Last week, I offered Jade the chance to say everythin she hadda say to me, like an adult, that right there, y'know shit's bad when -I- gotta be the fuckin adult in a situation. But I digress, I gave her the chance and what did I get for it? I get jumped by her two lilfuckin lapdogs. I get put in a damn near impossible to come outta on top situation.

With his free hand, Laroux ran it across the hair atop his head before shaking his head. Sighing out, he followed it up with a laugh before returning to what he was saying.

Xavier Laroux: Whenever someone asks me, 'X, why can't you do things the -right- way?' they can look to moments like this. Moments where I TRY to do the right thing only to get fucked over. So here's what's gonna happen. There is no right way, there is no wrong way..there is only MY WAY!

Which brings me back to tonight's match. Jade, herself, said unless I can find a partner for tonight, I gotta go in it alone. Then, in the very same fuckin breath, she said any member of the Liberty roster that decides to step up to help me will be severely punished.

That last part was spoken in a rather mocking tone, laughing out afterwards.

Xavier Laroux: And that's okay. Jade wants every one of us to fall in line. To bow to her every fuckin whim. But lemme tell ya, I damn sure ain't the only on the roster who's fuckin dyin for the chance to take her fuckin head off. With that in mind, I didn't even ask a single fuckin person to be my partner tonight.

His expression straightened out as he gave off a slight shrug. That straight face slowly shifted into that oh so arrogant smirk he usually wore.

Xavier Laroux: But someone asked me.

There was a bit of a commotion at the crowd railing as fans were parted to either side. Climbing over that railing was revealed to be none other than Gabriel Laroux. The smirk Xavier wore had never been larger as he watched his older brother climb into the ring. Gabriel took the microphone as Xavier handed it to him as he went to get another.

Gabriel Laroux: You honestly didn't think I would just sit back while you tried to ruin everything my brother..my flesh and blood..is working for..did you? I gave you an open opportunity to settle this in a way that benefits you both..but that wasn't good enough for you..was it Jade?

The eldest Laroux began to unbutton the black dress shirt he wore to reveal the white tanktop beneath it. Dropping the top shirt to the side, he pulled off the tanktop next, pitching it off to the side.

Gabriel Laroux: I..am the consequences of your actions.

Xavier Laroux: And that starts tonight!

Gabriel Laroux: Tonight..we strip you of your Pride.

Xavier Laroux: So bring'em the fuck out so we can get this party in full fuckin swing!

The Larouxs tossed their microphones to the side as they began to loosen themselves up as they awaited the arrival of Daniels and Hunter.

BACKSTAGE
The scene cuts backstage to OTK talking things over with Rory and Micaela as they prepare for their upcoming tag match against Derrick La’Bell & Honey. OTK says that last week, he finally gave management what they wanted, which was for ROTTEN to get in the ring. The Pride is part of ‘the man’, which is why they got what they deserved last week. Meanwhile, Derrick has stolen something that he didn’t earn, just like the 1%, who take and take but never give. This is something ROTTEN can’t let slide.

BACKSTAGE
A sharp cut to the back, the Liberty Pro camera crew finds Tamsin in the back - alone. A plain hoodie over her gear, the cameras cut in close. As the 40k comes with great clarity, we can easily see that she doesn’t look all put together. Her hair is a wild stringy mess, she looks like she hasn’t slept in days. While this isn’t quite out of the norm for her, the blank expression on her face is particularly jarring.

Known for being one of the most expressive professional wrestlers in the business, it would be well expected for her to be the one in search of a camera and some facetime. However, the tentative voice of one of the crewmen spells out something quite contrary.

Crewman: “Hey, Tamsin we’ve been looking for you about an hour.”

She gives no real response, the camera lingers on the shot - Tamsin looking off frame into the yonder. While uncaptured, the tone of the crewman grows even further antsy. Tamsin has a known history for lashing out violently, on practically anyone. The crewman speaks as if he’s half expecting her to rise from her chair and crack him over the head with it. Instead, he’s treated to a slow turn from the Manx Axe Murderer. Her neck slowly moving to face him, and the camera proper.

Crewman: “We uhm, we were supposed to get something for your matchup against Reeves. We got a little time before you’re queued up.”

Even giving him eye contact, it’s like she might as well not even be present. Her look isn’t her usual snarl, not even a devious smirk, just nothing. She turns her gaze from the cameraman towards the center frame. Her facial expression tight and showing no signs of any form of emoting.

Crewman: “Uhm… Anything you want to say about your match?”

Tamsin: “No.”

It came out as soon as he’d finished his sentence. Her tone is very curt, measured, and frigid.

Crewman: “Ooookay, what about your return to Liberty Pro? Last sho-”

Tamsin: “No.”

This moment feels surreal, even for something as colorful as wrestling. The crewman literally has nothing else to try and put out there. Instead we’re treated to a very long, awkward, and unsettling stare into the camera from Tamsin. She seems robotical, and you can barely see her chest heave from breathing. The moment only lasts for two minutes, but it feels as if it runs for ages. All until the sound of Tamsin’s theme plays.

She slowly pushes herself up, uncaringly brushing into the camera as she did so. Readjusting the shot, the last thing we see is Tamsin’s back as she starts the walk towards gorilla.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to Scotty Latimer walking down the hallway. Dante Chapel shows up to ask him a few questions, especially about Helena Noir and the Liberty Championship that he wants a one on one shot for. Scotty rolled his eyes before shoulder bumping Chapel and walking past him, heading towards his upcoming match with Precious Pepper Vain.

BACKSTAGE
Precious Pepper Vain is standing backstage with her two championships on her shoulders. She claims that there’s a reason she’s a double champ and the next big thing in wrestling. She’s worked hard for this and she isn’t going to let anyone slow her down. While she’s building up the Anarchy Championship at the moment, don’t get it twisted, she will be the Liberty Champion one day. But today? Today she takes down the guy who believes he deserves that championship. Scotty isn’t going to know what hit him later. PPV then nodded and walked off, heading out towards her match.

BACKSTAGE
Here we see Brianna Leigh Clark in her usual wrestling gear, just finishing up with the lacing of her boots. Satisfied with that she lets out a sigh and picks up a Whole Ass Chips branded snapback with a little grin on her face.

Brianna Clark: People like to say a lot of redundant things in wrestling don’t they? I guess I should explain that a little. My opponent here tonight in an effort not to say what she usually would have, threw off a snarky little Tweet comment about how what I had to say about the match last Liberation says that she’s ‘living rent free’. How is it someone like Liz Jones who’s been around the block a few times, As If and surely she’s gotten jiggy with it, all while thinking she’s dabomb say something just so … vapid? I guess?

Brianna rolls her expressive eyes as she sets the hat on over her braids, moving to look in the mirror to make sure that it’s settled just right before she glances over at the camera.

Brianna Clark: I should really apologize for all that mess I mean really. Awful. Terrible. Ridiculous… but not as ridiculous as the idea that it’s somehow wrong to focus on your opponents? To pay attention to what they have to say, how they approach a match, how they act after being in one with you? It’s all information Liz, and well a more useful saying is that knowing is half the battle.

She manages to just barely restrain herself from humming the GI Joe theme, pausing to look around before winking at the camera.

Brianna Clark: I think about Liz Jones, because she is a glory hog. She’s Homelander, standing high above the city chanting to herself that she can do whatever I want. Well you can’t, Liz. There’s always going to be someone who can wreck your plans, that’s a part of life. This match between us, well frankly I’ve got a few ideas about what I want to pick for the stipulation and I’d love to tell you all about them but I’m sure that if I do, your ass is petty enough to make sure that none of them get used even if they’re cool.

Brianna heads out of the locker, shaking her head.

Brianna Clark: I really think Kaia and I deserve to have some real fun, make a big splash, you know? Have a match that isn’t seen all the time, or recently, you know. So maybe I’m going to fight harder to make sure that happens, yeah. Yeah!

She grins and throws a victory sign before moving on out of camera range.

BACKSTAGE
[The cameras cut backstage to Alex Reeves who is approaching the office of Jade Night, a huge smile spread across her face as she raps on the door gently before entering.]

Alex Reeves: “Hey boss, I heard the times have been counted and confirmed and you have some good news for me.”

[The two women share a smirk as Alex walks over to her desk and takes a seat, waving a hand for Jade to announce it.]

Jade Night: “I knew you’d come through and I was right, now you get to pick the stipulation and no one, can say you’re getting preferential treatment.”

Alex Reeves: “Oh I’m sure scrawny whiny and blonde will find a reason to say things are sooo unfair: you know boss, I’ve noticed that she really likes to run her mouth. And I was inspired by that, see most people want to silence their naysayers. But I’m not most people, so I’ve decided on the stip, especially for Ava.”

[Alex turns her head to look dead into the camera and smirks once again.]

Alex Reeves: Ava, you and I will be competing in an I Quit match - and I promise you, I’ll make you scream louder than anyone ever has. See you soon!

[Alex then waves the camera off as she and Jade share a laugh before they begin discussing something that can’t be heard.]

BACKSTAGE
The scene cuts to Jade Night standing in the dark, a small singular light being shone down on her as she looks down with her hair in her face.

Jade Night: You think you have all the answers, don’t you Kendrick? You think that you can just challenge me to a match, like I’m some nobody?

Jade scoffs.

Jade Night: I’ve had a hand in training some of the best talent out there. What? You don’t think it was just my brother, Chris Night, who trained people at Nightfall, do you? All of them learned fro me. All of the Savell’s, the Grimes’, the Hardy’s, Donovan Keane and Jay Gallagher and many more. Even Alesia Reeves.

Jade brushes her hair from her face and glares into the camera.

Jade Night: I’ve won any kind of championship you can think of. I’ve been the top champ of a company but you want to know where I’ve thrived best? It’s been the hardcore divison. It’s been being a Hardcore Champion. What about you, huh? Do you think you know what pain is!?

Jade scoffs again as she shakes her head.

Jade Night: You naive fool. You know nothing. You are nothing. Just because I am in a management position doesn’t mean that I’ve lost a step. I’m still in my mid-thirties, Kendrick. I still have something left in the tank and while I was going to focus that on Xavier Laroux? You decided to cut in on the action.And you know what? I’m going to make you pay for it. I’m going to make an example out of you.

She stepped closer to the camera and glared into.

Jade Night: I’m going to end you.

The scene cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
After her match against Lizzie Jones, Brianna is seen grabbing a bottle of Gatorade and a towel, a grin that just won’t quit on her face. She’s barely got the top of the bottle cracked open before a voice is calling to get her attention - Dante Chapel, microphone in hand and camera in tow.

Dante Chapel: Brianna! Hey, Brianna!

She gives him a little wave and sips her Gatorade, though it’s clear she wants to go get cleaned up she waits politely until he gets to her and he composes himself fast, like a professional.

Dante Chapel: Now that you’ve won the match to choose the stipulation for the US Championship Match where you’ll face not just our current Liberty US Champion Kaia Grainger, but the woman you beat tonight to get this choice, Lizzie Jones, can you tell us what it is you’ve chosen?

Brianna takes another drink and her grin brightens before she answers him.

Brianna Clark: You know, I didn’t want to pick something that’s been recent, that we’ve just seen. So I’m going with a classic, Mr Chapel. Something sure to make a little bit of an impact, you could say.

She draws it out for just a little bit, before her grin fades and she gets just a bit serious.

Brianna Clark: Our Triple Threat for the Us Championship? It’s going to be a Singapore Cane match.

Dante looks just a little shocked at this, but Brianna smiles again.

Brianna Clark: Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to get cleaned up and watch the rest of this show. It’s can’t miss!

She turns and walks away, Dante blinking before he recovers and turns to the camera.

Dante Chapel: There she goes, BLC has chose a Singapore Cane match!

The cameras cut away as he stares after her, shaking his head just a little.

BACKSTAGE
The cameras are backstage in the locker room area as a very focused Kaia Grainger walks past, she places her bag down on a bench, with her hair tied back tightly. A smile forms on her face before she takes a seat looking directly towards the viewers at home.

Kaia Grainger: “Tonight is the big deal, yet again I’m finding myself making the same quotes over and over again, but tonight is possibly the biggest match of my young career. I mentioned it before how I’ve faced some of the biggest names in this industry and have been able to come out on top despite the odds.”

She pauses now, slowly opening her bag before she pulls out the Liberty Pro US Championship and stares at it emphatically taking a cloth that she keeps in her bag as well and she runs it across the gold plating, staring at her name at the bottom for a few moments before she looks back up, the smile she wears still strong but fading slightly.

Kaia Grainger: “It is hard to imagine a time when I didn’t have this belt with me, hard to imagine a time when I wasn’t staking a claim at being one of Liberty Pro’s best, hard to imagine who I was before my wrestler career began. Some girl from Seaside, Oregon whose home town people only noticed because they saw featured in the Goonies. A young rookie who’d made her bread and butter by modeling, becoming a business woman, and negotiating her way to the top. People asking me why I wanted to do this and what it all meant to me as if I needed to justify a dream like this to anyone else.”

She paused breathing inwardly before smiling further.

Kaia Grainger: “The answer has finally arrived though. I’ve been a part of the sports-entertainment industry basically since birth. I watched my father negotiate deals from his gym to broker in new clients and fights to feature to make people pay attention to his club. Learned how to watch and listen, to show passion and humility for the sport each and every one of us who steps foot into that ring learn to show. All in an effort to become one of the best, to travel the world and face others who have also become one of the best, and to try and beat them to prove once and for all just who the best is on that given night.”

She momentarily pauses letting her hair loose from the ponytail and slowly sliding away the sports jacket she wore, now in more of a sports bra number, as she stood to her feet hoisting the belt up onto her shoulders.

Kaia Grainger: “I know companies rate their titles and therefore their competitors from top to bottom. I understand that many would consider me being the US Champion taking on someone like Helena Noir the Liberty Pro Champion to be the underdog. I would almost say its certain that I am. Helena has the experience, she has the top prize, and earnestly she has my respect when it comes down to it. Yet, I was chosen for this main event because I know what its like to fill the role of the underdog. I’ve played that role all of my life when others tried to tell me I couldn’t do something. Kaia couldn’t be this or that, but we all know people who say those things are only affected by the limitations of their own mind and simply unaware of capability.”

She pauses further to allow that point to sink in.

Kaia Grainger: “I’m not here to make a claim on Helena’s prize however, because I am quite happy with the position I’ve found myself in as your Liberty Pro US Champion. This match isn’t about the prize nor is it about the outcome truthfully, it’s about showing the world that despite always being considered the underdog you can do anything you want to if you put your mind to it and I certainly do want to prove that on any given night, much like I can hang with the rest of the roster despite where many might believe my title ranks. . .”

Her smile grows again.

Kaia Grainger: “I can contend with your top champion if I so choose, and that is definitely a light that needs to shine.”

Pausing momentarily she takes a second to laugh before opening up her locker and grabbing out a towel, clearly working to get her things ready so that she might get dressed for her match.

Kaia Grainger: “As for what comes after tonight, at Festivus for the rest of us I know one of my opponents will get to choose the stipulation for our triple threat contest. Brianna-Leigh Clark has proven herself to be a notable contender. She’s wrestled with her heart and pure integrity each and every time she’s stepped into the ring. As for Lizzie Jones, despite what many may think I believe about her, the truth is I can’t do anything more than respect what she’s accomplished. Its hard to furrow your brow and accept when someone uses certain measures to aid in their advantage, but at the end of the day like the contracts state. . . you know what you were getting into when you signed on the dotted line. Nevertheless, whatever stipulation either of them may choose. I’ve got one of my own.”

She turns now and lifts the belt up, patting it nicely.

Kaia Grainger: “Keeping my name right here.”

With that she slams the locker shut and gently places her belt back into the bag which is obviously being used as her carrying case, before she moves out of the scene.