Post by independencepro on Mar 12, 2021 5:54:00 GMT
Liberty Pro Presents...
Episode Two of INDEPENDENCE
Taped from the Sanctuary in Hell's Kitchen
On Thursday, March 11th, 2021
Episode Two of INDEPENDENCE
Taped from the Sanctuary in Hell's Kitchen
On Thursday, March 11th, 2021
"CONTINGENCY PLAN"
(GTaylor Lewis I, Gina Van Zyl - BACKSTAGE)
Gina Van Zyl is walking down the hallway, she is pulling her suitcase behind her, she smiles and nods to a few employees as she heads to the locker room. That is until she hears a voice yhat instantly makes her roll her eyes, she turns to see a covered up whiteboard and GTaylor Lewis I calling out to her. She sighs heavily as she waits for them to approach.
GTAYLOR: Gina. I’ve been looking for you. Haven’t the security guards told you?
GL1 came to a stop beside their partner for the night. They leaned against the wall opposite of Gina, whiteboard right beside them.
Gina rolls her eyes again as she listens to GTaylor, she eyes them suspiciously
GINA: Yeah, they told me, I was hoping I would be able to at least put my stuff away before I had to deal with you. What do you want GTaylor?
She leans against the opposite wall and crosses her arms. Gtaylor looks both ways with an eyebrow raised before leaning towards his partner and whispering.
GTAYLOR: Would you like me to explain my Big Brain plan and contingency plan and backup contingency plan to you? I could break it down for you. You know. Dumb it down.
Gina scoffs and smirks as she looks in their eyes. She shakes her head.
GINA: We are not going to attack our opponents with chairs, but by all means please explain it to me. This ought to be fun.
She tries to look interested. Gtaylor stares back at her blankly, and then suddenly lifts a corner of the sheet. He erases something from the board, looking over his shoulder every so often. After a few more minutes, and another eye roll from Gina, Indy Pro’s resident Genius spins back around.
GTAYLOR: Did you take a peek at my board when I wasn’t looking? Nevermind, don’t answer that. It doesn’t matter. I’ve got a contingency plan already in place. And I think I’ll keep it to myself now.
Gina chuckles and shakes her head again.
GINA: Look, I don't like you, you don't like me, but we have to work together. Just let me in the ring, work with me and not against me and I will do the same. There is no need for using a whiteboard, we just need to do what we do best.
Gtaylor begins to speak, Gina holds up her hand to stop them.
GINA: And that means without using underhanded tactics.
GL1 scowls at her and raises a finger, beginning a sentence. They decide against it though, and instead snatches the whiteboards and proceeds backwards down the hall.
GTAYLOR: MY PLANS ARE TOO COMPLICATED FOR YOU ANYWAYS!
They yell as they storm off down the corridor. Gina watches as sge chuckles softly and shakes her head.
GINA: That genius needs a lobotomy.
She laughs as she walks down the hall to the locker room.
MATCH ONE: SINGLES
Joss Morant w/ Dex Morant vs Sad Max w/ Aurelio
RECAP All of ROTTEN's second wave is ringside, but before we began Huck and Kassi joined Jackson and Rudolph at the commentary table. The match kicked off with a slow open between Max and Joss. Much like last week Joss had an early advantage, wrestling circles around Max in the opening minutes. As Joss went through her offense, the cameras began to focus on developments at ringside. Aurelio and Dex were jawing back and forth from their respective sides. However, something said must have really struck a nerve with Dex. The Morant brother and Aurelio met halfway on the outside, after a brief stare down hands were exchanged. The skirmish outside was enough to snatch Joss' attention, allowing Max a chance to go for a sudden roll-up. Under the guise of getting a closer look at the action, Kassi was close to the ropes and on the official's blind side. She reached between the ropes to grab Max's ankles and elevate them on the ropes for extra leverage. The referee counts the pin, and Max scrambled the hell out of the ring. WINNER Sad Max METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 3:03 FINISHING MOVE Roll-Up POST MATCH The match ended early with the dirty pin, but the fight was still on. Aurelio and Dex were still taking it too each other on the outside. The brawl led to the back, with Max following behind them both to assist his stablemate. Inside of the ring, Joss was just regaining her bearings. However, Huck and Kassi split the ring and cornered the young Morant - with evil intentions on their expressions. Hit with a Pink Valley Driver last week, Joss had her hands up and ready to rumble to prevent the beatdown. We see an awkward glare from Huck towards Joss for what felt like ages. Oddly enough, Huck cracked a small smile and exited the ring. Joss warily exited out herself, before rushing back up the ramp to go find and support her brother. |
"SET THE TABLE"
(Aurelio, Sad Max, Joss & Dex Morant - BACKSTAGE)
The cameras cut backstage in a hurry. We come in with an over-the-shoulder POV shot from Joss' perspective. She's rushing through the backstage area in frantic search for her brother and his assailants.
JOSS: Dex?
She nervously looked around any corner she could find. However, it's not long before she looked down and discovered a small and warm pool of blood droplets. She followed the trail down a desolate and eerie service corridor. With a slight turn to the cameras tracking her, the look on Joss' face is that of worry.
JOSS: DEX!
In short order, she discovered her body. However, she encountered her brother bloodied and barely clinging on to consciousness. He's being lifted with his feet dangling inches above the floor, his neck in a stranglehold as Aurelio was lifting and choking the life out of him with a metal chain wrapped around his neck.
Naturally, Joss rushed to help her brother. However, she's taken out from behind by a sneaky chop block from Sad Max. With the ambush successful, Aurelio slacked his hold of his chain and dropped Dex to the floor.
SAD MAX: It's funny...
Max spoke with punches in between his words. He started to pummel Joss before handing her off too Aurelio.
AURELIO: Set the table.
The man's voice was stoic, even in this excitable encounter. Sad Max moved without delay, heading off screen for moments before returning with a table. He continued to chide Joss as he began to set up.
SAD MAX: You thought you screwed us out of the title.
As he finished locking in the table, we see Max move out of the way. Though she struggled, a few punches from that chain wrapped around Aurelio's meaty fist was enough to quell her. ROTTEN's big man dropped his chain and lifted Joss up for that sitout crucifix powerbomb he calls "Rotten Heart" right through the table!
SAD MAX: But really, you just screwed yourself.
Max had a smirk on his face as he stood over Joss and the debris. The two took a second to drink in what they'd done to the Morants. Feeling vindicated, we saw Max patting Aurelio on the back as we faded away from the scene...
"PURE GENIUS"
(GTaylor Lewis I, Callie Buchanan - BACKSTAGE)
We're still in the back and we get a visual, where Independence’s resident Big Brain Gtaylor Lewis I is seen pushing a rolling whiteboard covered with a sheet. The self proclaimed Genius would stop every so often to lift a corner of said sheet to dribble something down before continuing on their way.
GTAYLOR: Yes. Yes. Pure genius. This plan will undoubtedly assure us a victory.
The college dropout threw their head back in laughter causing them to inadvertently bump someone with the white board. It was the instantly recognizable Brit, Callie Buchanan.
CALLIE: Watch it a little, you almost took my head off.
Her eyes lit up a bit as she saw who was behind the white board, a smirk fell upon her face.
CALLIE: Oh, it’s you. My opponent and known GENIUS.
Gtaylor flashed a smile at the Posh Princess and rested a foot on one of the whiteboard’s wheels.
GTAYLOR: Well Well Well. If it isn’t the Iron Maiden. My apologies. I was driving a little careless there.
CALLIE: No problem at all, G. Soooo this match, we’re opponents. I don’t like it, do you?
Callie leaned on a box a bit, trying to act natural around Gtaylor.
GTAYLOR: Absolutely not!
The rookie wrestler protested almost immediately. The smile on their face was quickly replaced with a furrow of the brow and a complimentary scowl.
GTAYLOR: This was obviously a ploy to try and hold back two of Indy’s absolute best. After the show that the two of us put on last week you would think we’d be rewarded. Not punished.
CALLIE: It’s OBVIOUS that they’re victim shaming me by having me team with my bully abuser Miki. Did you SEE the verbal abuse I got for defending myself on the ramp? Shameful.
The Post Princess rolled her eyes before coming closer.
CALLIE: What’re you writing here?
GL1 threw an arm up blocking the board. They looked both ways down the hall making sure the coast was clear. Callie looked towards the camera crew, shooing them out as she got a clear view of the plan, laughing a bit.
GTAYLOR: It WAS a plan to make sure Gina and I won. But now that I’m thinking about it… This plan may be a little too complex for her. You know… Maybe I could tweak things to right a couple of wrongs here tonight.
They lifted a corner of the sheet and erased some things before replacing the writing. G looks over their shoulder, pulls Callie closer, and promptly waves the cameras off as the two of them begin whispering.
MATCH TWO: ROTTEN RULES SINGLES
Scout Delaney vs Huck w/ Kassi
RECAP We returned right on time for our middle match. A ROTTEN rules match tended to not have any rules. This was the case from the start of the match. Free to interfere at her leisure, Kassi wasn't allowing Scout to get out of the gate with any offense. Huck kept the match relatively clean, as far as ROTTEN standards went. He insisted on not using any weapons or foreign objects through the match, and that mercy allowed Scout a few desperation shots at getting back into the match. A Shiniest Wizard, gave her some breathing space. She really started to turn on the jets in her comeback sequence. She downed Huck repeatedly with springboard kicks across all four sides of the ring. She finished things off with a Scoutsault (Lionsault). Kassi was right there to break up the following pinning attempt from Scout. Tired of the third wheel, Delaney started to unload some shots on to Kassi for a good pop from the crowd. Scout managed to put Kassi down on the canvas. Delaney then stepped back, before charging in raising her knee for a Scout's Honor (V-Trigger) aimed at Kassi. But no! Instead Huck intercepted the path, just in time to eat the knee himself. The sound of the impact resonated with the fans. With Huck slumped, Scout went for the pin. But a huge round of boos echoed as Kassi pulled Delaney off of Huck before the three count. Scout kipped up with just a single leg, and nearly took Kassi's head off with an buzzsaw kick. Kassi managed to duck and powder out of the ring. Scout turned around, only to walk right into a Pink Valley Driver! (Tourture Rack Sitout Faceplant). The fans seemed livid as Huck appeared to have stolen this one away from his plucky opponent. However, that ire quickly turned into confusion. With a sick smile on his face, Huck slithered on the mat next to Scout. He draped her arm across his chest, as he rested back. One. Two. Three. WINNER Scout Delaney METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 11:19 FINISHING MOVE N/A POST MATCH We're still in the ring. Kassi retrieved a microphone from the ring announcer and gave a mocking announcement of Delaney as the winner of the match, but the loser of the war. On cue Huck went to the outside and fished under the ring. In time he procured a thick maple table from under the ring. The fans weren't liking where this was leading. Huck and Kassi were setting the table up for something sinister. However, cavalry from the back rushed down to the ring. Beatrix Davies and Danica Thetcher, collectively known as WisE bumrushed the ring. The fans heralded them in as saviors as they ran Huck and Kassi out of the ring. The two appeared to help Scout to her feet. But in a flash we saw the Symbol Of Complex (Cobra Punch Into A Double Wrist Lock Belly-To-Back Suplex) sent Scout crashing back first through the table! Everyone in the Sanctuary appeared shocked, and soon completely against WisE as they posed over Scout in the ring, making an impact on their Independence debut. |
"I NEVER SURRENDER"
(MIKI - RINGSIDE)
Fresh after the clean up from the previous match - For the first time ever, Miki stands alone in the ring. She has a microphone in hand and is ready to speak to the fans in attendance, the audience at home and her fellow wrestlers in the back.
MIKI: Last show...
Her first words draw a decent cheer, painting a smile on her face.
MIKI: Awww, you guys… thank you.
For a moment she soaks up the atmosphere, a first for her in her young career.
MIKI: Last show, the debut show for Indy, was a success for me in so many ways. First match, first win, can’t really ask for much more. I know I was technically beaten in the main event but let’s be honest, I never even had a chance to get into that particular match. All because of Callie Buchanan.
The mention of that name brings booing and hisses, a starkly different reaction.
MIKI: I know, I know. I share the sentiment, it was me she took her weird anger out on. I guess that Callie just couldn’t accept defeat and she decided to go the sore loser route. For someone so supposedly confident and definitely not arrogant, wink wink, she sure did come across as fragile didn’t she?
The disappointment is clear though, Miki shakes her head.
MIKI: That fragile state made her jealous and mad, it made her attack me as some twisted form of revenge and it showed everyone the real Callie. It’s a shame, you guys. It’s a shame because she’s got talent and she’s got skill, but she’s got that ugly black cloud hanging over her now. Tonight I have to team with her and I’m under no illusion… I’m not naive, she’s not going to be on my side, I know she’ll backstab me if the chance arises.
She audibly sighs.
MIKI: But what can I do? Management set this up expecting that and if I back down, I’m a coward. I can’t do that, I have to fight, even knowing that she’s going to do her best to make sure we both lose. This isn’t why I wanted to wrestle, I wanted to compete against the best to be the best, not play silly mind games or get beaten up by a crazed chick for having the audacity to be better than her on the given night. But this is the reality of things and that just means it’s the reality I’ll have to conquer. Because I don’t give up, I don’t back off, I don’t cower or sneak around. I fight face to face, I fight with strength and heart, and I never surrender. It’s a shame Callie can’t say the same thing.
The fans seem to agree with her, drawing cheers again.
MIKI: But of course Callie is my team mate, on paper, tonight. I have two opponents to take into consideration too. GTaylor Lewis I and Gina Van Zyl. I’ve met Gina, I have a lot of respect for her, and I look forward to facing her actually. I can’t say I’ve met her tag partner, but they didn’t exactly wow the fans on our debut show. Perhaps tonight will be different. Perhaps tonight they will do better. Perhaps Callie will be better.
The camera moves a little closer on her now.
MIKI: Somehow I doubt it, though.
She ends with a shrug and drops the mic as her music plays, moving to ringside to talk to a few fans on her way to the back.
"TRIALS AND CHALLENGES"
(Chelsea Li - COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE)
We're in the back of the Sanctuary and deep inside of Commissioner Chelsea Li's office. The cameras come into to a nice zooming shot of a championship belt draped across her shoulder.
CHELSEA: It's beautiful isn't it?
As she paused we're zoomed in on the belt. In high detail we see the same plate structure of Liberty Pro's retired Trials Championship belt. However, these plates are brand new. Chromed out, save for a harsh cobalt blue text of 'Challenge Champion' emblazed on the center circular plate.
CHELSEA: My vision for Independence, is a landscape where the talent paints their own picture. Through trials and challenges, they detail themselves and show their true colors.
She smiled as she tucked the belt even snugger into her shoulder.
CHELSEA: Last week, I provided a pathway for someone to rise to the occasion. For that, after tonight's main event I unveil what everyone's been dying to see! A custom Bien Habillé designed belt that represent the prestige I want my champion to have. Tonight, Lisa gets crowned!
She paused on a beat, letting it sink in before she performs a pouty smirk.
CHELSEA: But this one that sits every so pretty on my shoulder, this belt allows that same rise for anyone who manages to claim hold of the belt... And make a successful three defenses of its honor. And from there...
She milked the moment with a light shrug.
CHELSEA: The challenge champion can forge an even greater legacy, relinquishing claim over the belt and challenging for the Independence Championship.
She appears to be done at first, but slowly - she lifted a single index finger in the air.
CHELSEA: BUT! The challenge champion must defend that belt... Every. Single. Week. Of which the entire roster is fully free to issue an open challenge for. So I'd suggest everyone start scouting the competition a wee bit more diligently.
It feels like a natural close for her to end on. but still - Chelsea raised a second finger to accompany the first.
CHELSEA: Oh and as a little incentive for tonight's main event... The winning side will have the honor of main eventing next weeks show... For the Challenge Championship!
And on that note, she's finished. She turned to the belt on her shoulder, giving it a deep breath and polishing wipe as the cameras faded away.
MAIN EVENT: TAG TEAM MATCH
GTaylor Lewis I & Gina Van Zyl vs Callie Buchanan & Miki
RECAP Strange bedfellows for this match-up. Buchanan already had Miki's paranoia meter running, as she seemed to defer to Miki from the start - even coming out to Miki's entrance as a united front. The same couldn't be said for their opponents. The match started with a back and forth between GTaylor and Miki. The Big Brain of Independence actually got the upper hand in the opening minutes. His offense flourished against Miki, flooring her after punctuating his early rise with a flying crossbody. Miki powered out of the pin attempt, but GTaylor kept applying pressure. His undoing seemed to come with his ostracism of Gina. Instead of putting in his fresh partner. He persisted alone. Even at times pulling Miki close to their corner, teasing a tag - only to deny Gina entry into the match. It eventually backfired with a reversed Irish Whip to the corner. GTaylor soon found himself deep in enemy territory. Before he could mount an escape, Miki was there to close the gap. Spraying him with a rush of knee strikes! Her offense put new life into the crowd! She's really starting to open up until... "MY TURN!" Callie's voice was followed by a resounding slap across the side of her partner's face! It seemed that Callie managed to catch and graze against Miki's eyes, as we saw Miki quickly cover her face and roll out of the ring. Technically a tag, Callie wasted no time trying to seek glory. She snatched up GTaylor and awkwardly pulled him out of the corner. But, Gtaylor fell, pulling Callie down with a roll-up. A catch style wrestler in her own right, Callie reversed with a pinning package of her own. The two then managed to pull off an odd double backslider! Gina was stuck at first, thinking GTaylor has the match won. It's only until the official starts his count, and she adjusts her vantage point that she frantically rushes into the ring. But a hair too late, the three count is made. Gina's face is red with fury, Miki is just getting back to the apron, the Sanctuary is in a quiet state of confusion. But all smiles on Gtaylor and Callie's faces as they helped each other up, knowing exactly what they did as they ring announcer made the call. WINNER Draw METHOD Double-Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 8:55 FINISHING MOVE Backslider POST MATCH The fans are booing loudly as GTaylor and Callie mockingly shook hands, in a display of "Sportsmanship". But the Big Brain has to hightail it too the back, as Gina's hot on his tracks. She didn't even get a chance in this match. And with the sudden news of title implications involving the result, she's beyond pissed. Inside of the ring, Callie and Miki are confronting each other. We can't exactly pick up on what's being said, but from appearances Miki and Callie are tearing into each other! As intense as it gets, Callie looked as if she were going to back off entirely. Until she swung, trying to get Miki with another sucker punch ala last week. But Miki was ready this time, catching the arm as she looked to go for her cross arm bar! The fans excitement quickly waned as Callie struggled and eventually clawed free from The Gate of Truth! Literally clawing, as she raked against Miki's noticeably swelling eye! |
"SOON"
(Chelsea Li, Lisa Kober - RINGSIDE)
We're back with Lisa Kober inside of the ring. In her street clothes, she reigns in the Sanctuary crowd cheering her name. No microphone in hand, and nothing much too say - Lisa let her work in the ring do the talking for her last week. Instead she leaned against the blue ropes. Ready and waiting to be presented with her prize.
In short order the theme for Independence played and Chelsea Li was soon to come out of the back, this time bearing a big briefcase in her hand. She stopped on the top of the ramp to cut her music.
CHELSEA: Lisa I know you've been waiting all week for this, but first I have to address tonight's main event.
The crowd booed in easy recollection on how GTaylor and Callie gamed the system only mere minutes ago.
CHELSEA: Instead of a pair of geniuses, we have a pair of dunces! And the reward for that is GTaylor and Callie getting to sit on the sidelines, while Miki and Gina Van Zyl compete in next weeks Main Event for the Challenge Championship!
This announcement seemed to rectify all the anger from the crowd, as she was responded too with a loud ovation. Chelsea let it all soak in before taking her first few steps down the ramp.
CHELSEA: Now I-
Her voice is cut off by the jarring and sudden display of pyro in the Sanctuary. A massive pillar of flame erupted from the center of the ramp, inches away from Li. The shock sent the commissioner falling on her backside, and scrambling away from the heat.
Lisa made a move to exit the ring, but another round of flames emerged from all sides and corners of the ring! With Lisa and Li trapped in this fiery hellscape, we see nothing but panic from the audience - and we hear nothing but panic from Jackson and Rudolph on commentary.
And in the midst of all the chaos, we hear a deafening pair of voices. Both speaking in perfect synch, and their tone disguised by heavy voice modulators.
UNKNOWN: Soon.
The cameras split between the blazing inferno, a confused Commissioner, and a champion yet to be crowned. And then, we fade out entirely.