Freedom: Episode Six, January 25th, 2021

BACKSTAGE
“No matter how you slice it, Jordan and Helena are in a wild situation...”

Mighty Sparrow is seated backstage, fingers twiddling. That’s...For the most part, but his King Of New York championship is draped over his wrists for the camera to see in full. He leans back in his chair, dreads tied back into a ponytail as he looks down at the title. He kicks one leg up to sit on his knee, wrestling gear on in full and why wouldn’t it be on. Tonight he joins the Freedom Champion, TJ Techniques in a tag match against the two named opponents.

Mighty Sparrow: See I thought Freedom Episode Five was wild, ya know. I thought it was crazy cuz me and Vega showed that when we come together, for whatever reason...Shows get nabbed. They does get stolen. Now that’s just my opinion of course because then again? The biggest match to have paid attention to was that Elimination Chamber match. Ey ey, then come, quick as you please in those final moments... TJ pins Helena and boom. New Freedom Champion. Prophet Sparrow...As I said.

Sparrow smiles slightly, a look of amusement clear across his face for at least a good half or three-quarters of a second. Then? Then it fades away. Quick as you please.

Mighty Sparrow: I watched m’partner do his thing and now he and I are two of the champions on this brand. Yet in that same breath...You must suspect that Helena Noir wants to change she luck. Look at what she’d had to go through. She put in an absolute clinic against Lattimer. Clinic...Then Tamsin cashed in on she and poof go the title. Fast forward it, pause...Hit play. Helena survives everyone out that chamber and one might say...Did Techniques have luck on his side, happenin’ to come out last? Maybe...Then again, whose to say what woulda happen if he come out first and Helena would be last? What I do see is that Helena Noir has had a bad string of luck. Now you wanna also talk about bad luck...

Sparrow pauses. He suddenly seems to think better of speaking on the situation with Jordan’s significant other and their boss...Or some notable friction between the two men, employer and employee. Maybe for Sparrow’s own wellbeing or perhaps really because it’s not his business, he doesn’t go into a lot of detail. We can certainly pick one where the current reigning King of New York is concerned.

Mighty Sparrow: ...JPK, you ain’t exactly rollin’ in good fortune neither. Now I say that to say this, back to this whole wild situation. You both in this tag match, and all...Lemme lay this out real easy and clear...All y’all gotta do is agree upon who gets the pinfall. That’s it. End. Done. All y’all gotta agree upon is that. That one stipulation of...Who gets the first crack at Teej, and who gets the crack at me. Speakin’ as one of the champions, I’d take either of y’all, I’d take both of y’all. What I must worry about however is...Will one of you agree to somethin’ and then get a little greedy because understand.

The West Indian Whirlwind stopped twiddling his thumbs, pulling his hands apart to take a grip of the end of the strap and lift it up for the camera to see.

Mighty Sparrow: If y’all divide, that bad luck stays bein’ bad luck. The champs is the champs for a reason. Come up with a game plan. I sayin’ this because I welcome any and all challengers, and ain’t too sure how much control goes over expectation. Because I would EXPECT Helena to want to get what she feels she earned, and a crack on TJ gets her that. Same way I would SUSPECT that while THIS is what you Jordan would like...

Sparrow looks down at the title.

Mighty Sparrow: Will that still be the case when adrenaline is pumpin’ and the match could be ended in seconds with no one in sight but you and someone starin’ up at the lights?

The King of New York champion shrugs his shoulders, only positing the worst scenarios possible. He stands up, slings the championship over his shoulder and goes to find the Freedom champion.

BACKSTAGE
Here we see Brianna Leigh Clark as she rushes out of the locker area, ready for her upcoming tag team match. She only gets a few steps when she notices the camera following her, and she motions it to come on as she hurries up down the hall, moving around the workers as she makes her way. After a few moments she pauses, and nods at the camera as she speaks, looking around… maybe for OTK? Who knows.

Brianna Clark: So I’m not sure how any of this is going to go tonight. I’ll be teaming with OTK, and despite him knowing that I get along well with Rory, I really don’t know how this is going to go? He may decide it’s not worth his effort to wrestle tonight, despite him clearly being talented in the ring. That’s not something I have any control over.

She shakes her head, a sympathetic and understanding look coming and going on her features before she moves again, clearly expecting the camera to follow.

Brianna Clark: I also feel kind of bad for Joss and Dex Morant, because through no fault of their own they didn’t even get to wrestle their last slated match and that sucks! So I’m going to promise as much as I can, to give them both the best match possible. They deserve the same chance win or lose to get out there and show what they can do.

Brianna pauses to get out of the way of a few workers as they roll crates to another part of the building, waiting for the rumble of their passage to die down before she speaks again.

Brianna Clark: It’s important. Whether you believe in a cause, or just want to build your brand, stake a claim toward a title or just make your names. If you can’t get out there, get in that ring, you’re robbed of that chance. Stuff like that is wrong, and it really needs to stop.

A long pause as she looks around again, then shrugs her shoulders and continues.

Brianna Clark: That said, I sure don’t intend to make it easy on you two out there. I want to win, as much as anyone else. I can’t and won’t talk for my partner tonight, I guess we’ll see if I passed his political test and stuff.

She bites her lip for a moment, seemingly lost in thought but then she shakes her head.

Brianna Clark: No time for that now, I’ve got to get ringside - see you!

Brianna grins and waves, leaving the camera behind as she zips down the corridor.

BACKSTAGE
Focus fell upon 'The Antagonist' Gabriel Laroux as he was in the midst of a quick last minute workout before the big Eight Person Tag Team Match that was to come later in the show. He was sending heavy rights and lefts into a large bag. An intensity shown in his features that only grew with each punch thrown.

As he was doing that, it could be seen that 'YOUR Favorite Drug' Xavier Laroux and Kassi Taylor stood off to the side, in the middle of their own workout, helping one another stretch out. When he noticed the cameraman, Gabriel slowed those punches before leaning into the bag, letting it hold himself up.

Gabriel Laroux: This show being pushed back last week was the best possible thing that could have happened. With everything back to how it should be, I have been able to prepare, like I should, for a match like this. A match with as many combustible elements in it as this one? Requires a rather delicate approach.

A soft laugh slipped free from behind Gabriel's lips as he pushed off of that bag. Standing straight, a smile lingered across his face after that laugh.

Gabriel Laroux: The history with my brother and Jacob. The more recent..problems we've had with The Pride..either of those things could very well cause this whole thing to spin out of control. Luckily, we've already discussed this, haven't we, Xavier?

Focus moved over to where Xavier and Kassi were getting a little too into their stretching. Kassi having been bent at the waist in front of Xavier, as he helped her hold that position with his hand pressing into the small of her back. Gabriel's question shook Xavier out of the situation as he looked over at his older brother.

Xavier Laroux: Oh, what?

The younger of the two Larouxs moved away from Kassi, smacking her ass, eliciting a laugh from her before walking over to where Gabriel was standing. He playfully threw his arm across his shoulder before speaking up.

Gabriel Laroux: I'm talking about how we already discussed how you're going to be on your best behavior when we team with Daniels and Chase.

Xavier couldn't help but to groan out, even going as far as to roll his eyes, his head leaning back as he did so. Shaking his head, he was soon joined by Kassi as he responded to Gabriel.

Xavier Laroux: I already told you, I ain't gonna start nothin. I don't think they're gonna either, they prolly want the win just as bad as we do. Not to mention, them summer girls gotta bigger problem with Rory and olegirl than we got with Daniels and Chase. Bet they go after each other afore we hafta go after The Pride.

Kassi Taylor: Not like it matters anyway. You two are going to have this all wrapped up before anything stupid goes down anyway.

Xavier Laroux: I'm not good at wrappin it up.

Kassi Taylor: Don't I know it?

Gabriel looked back and forth between the two of them as they exchanged rather suggestive grins. Shaking his head, Gabriel turned his attention back to the man holding the camera.

Gabriel Laroux: Things are finally back on the right track. Tonight, we show that to the world. We're all on the same page. We've handled the..issues and now we're free to focus on what we need to be focused on..victory..gold..success. Here's to Cause and Effect.

He looked to Xavier, as if expecting him to follow his own statement up with a line of his own.

Xavier Laroux: Here's to no condoms!

Gabriel shook his head in sheer disappointment while Kassi laughed aloud, thinking it was a lot funnier than Gabe did.

Kassi Taylor: And here's to ass massages!

The eldest Laroux simply shook his head as he retained that straight face. He grabbed up the black gym bag closest to him as he started off towards the way out. The two speaking inaudibly to one another, Xavier and Kassi followed suit, laughing as they did so.

BACKSTAGE
Coral and Nami are standing to the side in their full ring gear and are currently engrossed in looking at Tweetdeck on Nami’s phone. Their gear is spangly, sparkling and of course matching completely - just in case.

Coral: I can’t believe the nerve of that Twitter intern! How dare he say that about us? As if we’d ever lose to those… those…

Nami: Losers!

Coral blinks, looking down at the app again and then she snickers.

Coral: Well yeah they are, but this is ridiculous. There’s no way they’re ever going to catch up with us, accomplishment-wise or any other wise. I don’t get it. Sure, they’ve got some talent, at least some? They might be better at other things, but we’re clearly the superior team and superior set of sisters. No doubt at all!

Nami: All that aside… oh all that aside, for now. Put a pin in the conversation, Coral.

Nami’s smile grows bright, way too bright actually and her voice comes out sugary sweet despite the hard and mean look in her pretty eyes.

Nami: D’aww Micaela and Rory are worried. Well, we don’t honestly care about Micaela, which is a shame because we almost wanted to. Look, it’s like this. You’re a lazy bit of slash, worth about as much as gum scraped off a flip-flop. You had a shot at being different, but when you ape Becky Balfour in what you have to say about us you lose that shot. We never took anything we didn’t earn, but you don’t care about the truth. So here’s some more truth for you not to care about. Rory isn’t going to be enough to protect you in this match double M.

Coral: Nope, not even a little bitty bit. Tell you something else - Cause & Effect? The Pride? They want wins. ROTTEN getting their shit kicked in and us walking away? Well that’s a win for their side and knowing X as well as we do? He’s like as not going to concessions to get popcorn to watch it happen.

Nami: Of course, with the way ROTTEN behaves, there is the possibility they won’t even show up. So it’s a handicap match either way, but hella heckin rude to go about it that way. Of course, if you two don’t show up… don’t worry.

Coral: Yeah, don’t worry. We’ll find you.

The twins grin with evil intent as the cameras cut away.

BACKSTAGE
We are backstage where we see the current Liberty Pro United States Champion, voicing her opinion in a cell phone call. Her voice is low and barely prominent as the camera zooms in closer, but she’s quick to see the cameras approaching and ends the business call almost rather abruptly. The Lightbringer now turning on her toes to stare at the cameras with a bit of a curious expression on her face.

Kaia Grainger: “Gentleman, its rude to listen in on one’s conversations.”

She stated politely before hoisting her title up onto her shoulder. She was clearly not her typically chipper self tonight, showing that perhaps the Elimination Chamber match she was involved in last week didn’t leave such a good taste in her mouth.

She quickly turned that sour expression into one of a smirk though before she spoke further.

Kaia Grainger: “I know what you’re here for. Asking for a moment of my time to discuss this strange bedfellows match. We’ve all seen whats been going on between myself and Lizzy Jones and you want to know exactly how we’re going to go out there and possibly co exist with one another tonight. There’s a simple answer to that.”

She paused ideally looking down at her belt before glancing back to the camera.

Kaia Grainger: “We’re not. I’ve seen what happens when someone is willing to cooperate with Liz in Tag Team Matches, she will pretend to be a good sport, work with them, just before she goes after them for their pound of flesh. She did it with Brianna in their match at Kings and Queens of New York, and she’s taken every opportunity she can here to try and deny my very own rise. There’s only so many times one can let something slide. Throwing something in my eyes? Yeah possibly an accident, but attacking me with a cane and throwing my head through glass? Not going to let it fly, not any longer. I’m all for making your bank and being your own boss. Making opportunities happen where they should, but eventually there comes a time where it needs to be proven and I’m not going to just stand idly by this time while I put all of my efforts into making this a success tag match only to have her come from behind and throw another tantrum for being outshined. I’ve given her my respect, she didn’t want it and that’s perfectly fine, I can easily take it back where it came from. One thing I will never give to her though.”

She patted the belt on her shoulder.

Kaia Grainger: “This is mine, and tonight, this match, well we’ll see exactly what’s going to happen, won’t we?”

A very serious raise of the brow came then as she turns away deciding not to speak on it further.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to Ari Parker and Liam Callaghan talking. The words aren’t picked up but it’s clear that a camera is secretly watching them as the two friends laugh and seem to be having a good time. Eventually Liam sees the camera and rolls his eyes before looking back at Ari and nodding at her for the two of them to leave. The two walk away and the scene cuts to black.

BACKSTAGE


The footage stops. The camera fades out, revealing TJ Techniques reliving the events of the previous Freedom show backstage on a monitor. The new Freedom Champion is all smiles as the champion gold is held proudly across his shoulder.

TJ Techniques: I still remember it like it was yesterday. The leap off the top of the pods... the crash on top of Helena... seeing the ref's hand hit the mat once, twice, three times... then hearing my theme play. Then hearing my name announced as the winner. Then being handed this right here, the Freedom Championship.

TJ looks down at the belt. Another smile forms before he turns back to the camera.

TJ Techniques: So this is what it feels like, huh? This is what it feels like to hold a top title? This is what it feels like to hold one of the big boy belts? You know, a lot of you guys, you take all this for granted. The success, the accolades. But this right here?

TJ points to the belt.

TJ Techniques: This never came easy to me. I never had any red carpets rolled out for me. I never had any handouts. What you see right here is the result of a journey that started five years ago. Five years ago, when every notable developmental promotion in the northeast closed their doors in my face. Five years ago when they said I didn't have the look. They didn't see the potential. They didn't think I would ever be good enough. Maybe it's just me, but I think I'm good enough now. Just a hunch.

TJ looks back down at the belt and smirks. He turns back to the camera.

TJ Techniques: This right here?

TJ shrugs his shoulder with the belt across it.

TJ Techniques: This is the result of always getting back up after getting knocked down. Maaan, let me tell you, I've been knocked on my ass more times than I care to admit. I came so close, so many times. So, so many times... only to watch an opportunity slip through my fingers. So many times that big win was right there, only to be screwed out if it. I've been frustrated and angry. I've been disappointed in myself. There were a few times that I thought I would never get to this point. There was a time or two when I cried when I was all alone in that locker room. I won't even hold you. But I had to slap some sense into myself, snap out of it and get back up. I couldn't let defeat define mine. I wouldn't let defeat define me. I would let people like Max Cerrano and Freddie Hjalmar define my time here. So I got up. I brushed myself off and I put in that work. If you continue to put in the work, your time will come. And my time came at the return of Freedom.

TJ nods before continuing.

TJ Techniques: This belt is a symbol. It's a symbol that means that I am the guy on this brand. It's a feeling that I don't know well. I was always the tag team guy, usually taking a back seat to Johnny Amazing as apart of "Amazing Techniques". I was always the guy hovering around the "secondary" gold. But being in the mix for the top gold? That's never been me until now. I never had the opportunity until a few short weeks ago. But I got my shot and I made the most of it. Being "The Guy"? "The Top Dog"? I said it before and I'll say it again. It's a role that I don't know very well. But it's a role that I take very seriously and it's a role that I plan on staying in for a very long time. Just being the Freedom Champion ain't good enough for me. I don't wanna have this belt just to have it. I don't want this belt just to pad some stats. I want my time as champion to mean something. I wanna set the bar and be the man that people compare themselves to down the line. But to do that, I gotta keep putting in that work. That work starts right here tonight, when me and my man Sparrow take on Helena Noir and Jordan Parker-Kane.

A beat.

TJ Techniques: If Helena or Jordan get the win, they get a shot at my title. It doesn't matter who it is. Hell, Sparrow could be the legal man and lose and I would end up having to defend my title. Some would say that's unfair to me. But life's never been about being fair. It's about making the most out of the situation you've been dealt and if that's what's in the cards, then so be it. But you can be that myself and the King of New York are going to do everything to walk out of there with a dub tonight. Now JPK, here's a guy that I don't know personally. But I know him very well. Here's a young boy that's been doing this since he was what, 16? 17? He was in the ring as a teenager, getting busy, against grown ass men and women. As a young bull! The boy has been through the ringer, both professionally and personally. We don't have to look no further than what happened at Festivus. Now, whatever 's gone on between him and his Moms, that's not my business. But homie went out there and choked out his own momma to get the win. This is the woman that brought him into this world! She gave him life! He came out her womb... and he choked her ass out without a second thought! Damn, bruh! Now I know that as wrestlers, we supposed to come out here and act all tough. But it concerns me that this dude choked out his Moms, kept the chokehold locked on after the match was already over, and he liked it! Don't let his looks fool you. This dude is a straight savage and if he's willing to do that to Mom Dukes without hesitation, what is he willing to do the top champion on Freedom? Hmm.

TJ Techniques: Then we got Helena Noir. Helena, I stand by what I said last time on Freedom. You were, in my eyes, the ace of this promotion during this third run. You carried the company and set the standard of what a top champion should be. Now, as one of the top champions in Liberty and the top champion on Freedom, it's my job to not only meet the bar you set, but soar past it. Last time on Freedom, I stopped you from walking out with the belt that now rests across my shoulder. Tonight, it's my job to stop you from getting a shot at this belt across my shoulder. That's what a win tonight for me and Sparrow is supposed to do. But let me be very clear and I hope you and are listening. Regardless of who wins tonight, if you wanna shot at this belt, we can make it happen. I'm willing to shoot the fade whenever, wherever. That's what a real champion is supposed to do. He doesn't run from challengers. He doesn't run from the competition. He doesn't hide behind loopholes. He meets that action head on to prove that he's the best. And I plan on proving why what happened a couple weeks ago on Freedom was far from a fluke. So you and homeboy over there, JPK? You guys bring your best tonight. Sparrow? I don't need to worry about him. I already know he's gonna hold up his end of the bargain. Just know that your Freedom Champion ain't hiding behind nobody. Know that your Freedom Champion ain't ducking or dodging nobody. Just know that your Freedom Champion will do what he has to do... to go through you. May the best team win.

TJ salutes the camera before walking out of the frame.

BACKSTAGE
Helena Noir: Last week was… Disappointing.

Sitting inside her locker room, the former Liberty champion was getting ready for her match, a tag team bout with Jordan Parker-Kane against the King Of New York, The Mighty Sparrow and the Freedom champion TJ Techniques. The stakes were high, a win in the main event could project her back into the title picture, making her the number one contender to one of the two titles. Maybe even the Freedom championship that slipped through her fingers two weeks ago.

Helena Noir: I’m not going to lie, entering a multi-person match as the first, last all the way through it only to stumble at the very end by hands of the guy who entered the match last, is something that stings. And it happened twice in two months.

There was bitterness in her voice, the losses at Kings & Queens Of New York and the first episode of Freedom left a mark in the veteran’s pride.

Helena Noir: Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against TJ or Latimer before him… Well, not for winning their match anyway. It’s just frustrating coming so close to achieving something historical and seeing it being taken away by someone who has been blessed by Lady Luck and had to go through half of the shit I endured.

The former Liberty champion ran her tattooed hand through those long raven locks.

Helena Noir: Days like those, make you wonder. Perhaps the universe is trying to tell me something, maybe the stars aligned in a way to prevent me from reaching the top again. Twice I drew the short straw and was the first one to enter the ring, so much for my good fortune…

Pause.

Helena Noir: Or perhaps, it’s my body that’s sending me a message, that’s telling me that I simply don’t have it anymore, that this is how far I can go. ALMOST all the way.

She shook her head, hoping to shake off those thoughts as well.

Helena Noir: One year ago, I would’ve gotten the job done, no doubts. But this is who I am now, this is what I got and if anything good came from that Elimination Chamber, is that it gave me a new awareness of my own limits.

Finally the tense look on her face melted in a slight smile.

Helena Noir: And I don’t mean it in a negative way. Sure, I may not be the first-in-last-out in an Elimination Chamber anymore, probably I won’t be the last survivor in any 6v6 elimination match either, but I still can go the distance, I can still outlast some of the best on Freedom.

She leaned back on her chair, the usual confidence now in full display.

Helena Noir: It makes me wonder, TJ… What would have happened if the circumstances were different? If I hadn’t been in the ring for almost twenty minutes longer than you did? If the roles were reversed? If I wasn’t slightly more fresh. Aren’t you curious too? Wouldn’t you like to know if you can really beat me? If you can succeed where the likes of Tyson Gregory, Kendrick Kross, Scotty Latimer, PPV, Xavier Laroux and even the Liberty Champion Tamsin herself failed?

At this point she stood up from her seat.

Helena Noir: Don’t answer, that was rhetorical. Or, if you prefer, a glimpse of the future. Because I will win tonight’s tag team, I will score the decisive pinfall, I will earn a Freedom championship title shot. And then…
Then we dance.

Fade to black.