Liberation: Episode Sixty-Eight, March 5th, 2022

RECORDED EARLIER
We open on the streets of Brooklyn, New York, the Callaghan Warehouse clearly in the background of the shot. The time is getting late, Liberation had to have started airing live by now and yet we see Becky Balfour, Seth Lawless, and Warren Corbett walking the streets. Becky holds both titles, separating from Seth and Warren and walking up to a couple sitting on the curb. They look down on their luck. Becky speaks with them, unheard by the microphone, before offering them some spending money and tickets to Liberation 68. On the other side of the street, Seth flags down a man walking with a shopping cart, also pulling out an envelope with some cash and sitting on top, tickets to Liberation 68. Warren turns, the only one to acknowledge the camera in front of them, thus far.

Warren Corbett: A lot of people look at our win last week as tarnished. As if Becky’s presence made the win of #TheSociety less than? Did I not spear Coral through the barricade? Did we not double powerbomb Nami in the middle of the ring for the three count. That win belongs to each of us, and as such, we each carry these belts. Becky was on Freedom holding both belts, and we were goated as if that was going to piss off Seth and I. We’ll say it until the end of days, these belts belong to ALL of us!

The couple in the background with Becky stand up off the curb, and begin walking towards the warehouse in the background with smiles on their faces. Becky looks filled with joy. She walks over to where Warren is, joining him.

Warren Corbett: I’ve also heard a little talk that we only won the Tag Team Championships so we would have a free ticket to go back and forth to Libertation and Freedom. The thing with that is there was nothing stopping us to begin with. We’ve always found a way into Freedom, or even into their broadcasting when we’ve been banned from the show. We may have our own way in now, but it surely wasn’t the sole reason for us securing these belts.

Warren reaches over, first tapping on the belt on the right shoulder, followed by tapping on the one on her left shoulder. Seth walks up from behind the duo and joins them as well.

Warren Corbett: This division has been ruled over by Coral and Nami for a while, but the true royalty of the division has come back to claim their throne. These belts have always belonged to the ones that people look down on, the ones that people whisper about and walk to the other side of the street, these belts belong to our family, they belong to #TheSociety. There are numerous teams on both Freedom and Liberty, Jackal and Xavier believe they can garner themselves a title shot by defeating us here tonight…

Warren smirks to the camera.

Warren Corbett: Xavier, Becky already beat you a mere few weeks ago, and our drive and determination to spread the Message has only risen since then! We’re making sure that the Callaghan Warehouse tonight will be filled with people who deserve to be there. A section for only Followers at Liberation tonight.

Seth smiles a bit as he looks at the camera.

Seth Lawless: Coming back to wrestling like I said was a shot in the dark for me. I didn’t really expect much coming back here either to be honest. I achieved my goal though and that is becoming a champion again.

He looked back at the titles and nodded.

Seth Lawless: I know what Xavier brings to the table, I know that you are a strong bastard and that you hold nothing back and looking at Jackal she’ll do the same damn thing, but the point is we have climbed the damn mountain and it’ll be hard to knock us off. Xavier, you and I have danced in that ring before and I expect a damn hard hitting match here. I love it, I want it and I need it.

Seth looks at the titles once more.

Seth Lawless: I love the targets on our back because they always have been. That is how we thrive and that is how we always will.

Warren Corbett: Jackal, Xavier, even Derrick against Becky later tonight…Our reign begins again, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it!

Becky hands off one title to each of her Brothers, and the three members strike a menacing pose before the blackout.

BACKSTAGE
Coral: I’m so fucking digusted right now. Well, we both are.

Nami: Lang… no, you know what, you’re right. It’s our turn to be hella hecking rude.

Coral: Yet AGAIN, the nasty known as BB pokes her nose in and costs us something important. Trash that she is, roach that she is, always stumbling back in with her little roachlets and squealing about how important it all is.

Nami: We had hopes for Warren, but you know, disappointment is rampant. Just understand, there will be a day you and yours pay for all this garbage you spew and strew around Liberty and trust us when we say we’re going to be there when it happens and when you hear laughter yes it’s everyone and yes it’s at you. All you sick dudes, thinking you know what the heck’s up and none of you do.

Arguably Liberty Pro’s best tag team, Girls of Summer stood backstage looking, well, pissed off of course. They’d dressed in far sturdier than usual matching gear, considering the kind of match that was ahead of them, and there was a meanness in Nami’s look that wasn’t usually there as she paced while Coral talked.

Coral: Pawns that turned into minions, but just because you got little names doesn’t make you better than the rest of the things that crawl around after Becky.

Nami: But tonight is especially heinous. We literally went to war with the Wolves of Legion and the Socialites in a TLC, JUST before we faced those asshats in the society of douches, we worked our fine asses off, we gave better than we got and we WON… and not a fucking PEEP out of either team? The Wolves with all their damn talk beforehand about how we don’t understand what it’s like to struggle or whatever and like Fuck You Both and the Legion you rode in on!

Coral: And as far as the Socialites, sure we had a little fun at their expense on Twitter about how they weren’t worth naming or anything like that, but instead of proving us wrong? They just showed how mentally weak they were too. God. Dammit.

Nami: We’re not going to talk about the disrespect that’s constantly shoveled at us, because every time it’s the same lame, weak, nauseatingly LAZY and STUPID lines that have been used on us before. Someday someone will come up with something new, but yeah, today isn’t that day.

Coral: None of you are better than us. Not one of you. If we have to beat you all to pieces and put you through tables tonight? Well fuck, that’s rough for you because we don’t care about ANY OF YOU. Through the tables, then get out, bitches. Get Out.

Both of them flipped off the camera in perfect synch, then gestured towards the doors to the arena that were down the end of the hallway, in case there was any doubt as to what they meant before they stormed off.

BACKSTAGE
“Anarchy: a state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems.”

A light chuckle follows the dictionary definition, provided by Nina herself, of the stipulation attached to the upcoming triple threat match. “So it’s pretty much a regular Saturday night here in Liberty…”

Her sarcastic tone doesn’t make the statement less true. And that’s something that seems to bother the Chicago native, “I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record already but y’all seen what happened last week, right? I ain’t talking just about my match… Anarchy, chaos… That’s the status quo ‘round here, a situation that’s permitted, if not endorsed, by the people in charge”

“Kinda bold of them to assume they’re still in control, if you think about it. When you let this shit happen week in and week out, it’s only a matter of time before things spiral out of control. The history of this sport is full of examples, how many places shut down because the people who were supposed to run them lacked the pulse? How many times have we seen what happens when you let the inmates run the asylum? How many more times do we need to see it before they learn?”


She shrugs her shoulders, but it’s not a lack of interest or concern. Quite the opposite, it feels like something out of her control, an issue she wishes she could do something about. “Anyway, rant’s over, I gotta talk about my match. An Anarchy rules triple threat match against Dex Morant and Avery Smith.”

Running a hand through her black hair, Nina lifts her head and forces a smile to the camera. “I ain’t lying, after last week there’s nothing I would love more than bashing a couple of skulls with a chair. Granted, when I think about it, it’s Kross’ and Chrysalis’ faces I see, but until the day of reckoning comes, Dex and Avery will do.”

“Is this going to be my first step in the hardcore division? The beginning of the rise, or descent if you will, of the Viper into Anarchy? Time will tell, my friends. All I can say is, buckle up my friends. Wherever this road may take us, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. But I’ll make it worth it.” With a wink to the camera, Nina walks away, heading to the ring.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to the halls of the Callaghan Warehouse. Nathan was walking down it when he bumped into Karen Willow.

Nathan Callaghan: Well look who it is. How’re ya, kid?

Karen rolled her eyes.

Karen Willow: You know why I’m here. That Noir Championship? I want a shot.

Nathan thought it over and nodded.

Nathan Callaghan: You know, you’ve got bigger balls than most of the people on this roster. You’ll get your shot if you go out there tonight and beat Kendrick Kross. How’s that sound?

She nodded.

Karen Willow: Easy work.

Karen then walked off and Nathan laughed as he shook his head.

Nathan Callaghan: God damn, not even a thank you. This generation is going to hell.

The scene cuts away to ringside.

BACKSTAGE
Brianna Clark: I get it, I do. Strange Bedfellows sort of tag match in the Headline slot here tonight. Something to whet the fans' appetites? So I’m working with Markus, the same Markus that I just faced and let me tell you, that was a humbling experience at exactly the time I didn’t need that sort of thing.

She holds up a hand and shakes her head, a gentler expression that one might expect on her face, considering her words.

Brianna Clark: I’d focused so hard on Max Cerrano that I really had some blinders on. I’d thrown everything I had into beating him, and overcoming that man… and some of you will understand that and some of you won’t because you can’t, not yet. That’s fine.

A bit of a sigh and then she straightened her ring jacket, making sure it was just so.

Brianna Clark: I let myself feel invincible for a little bit there, because I’d done it. I’d beaten my unicorn, when even I wasn’t really sure I was there yet. It’s a real heady feeling, when you conquer something or someone that’s been so very consistently your glass ceiling. That euphoria? I let it color what I was seeing when I faced Markus and I paid for that.

A hint of resolve then as she smiled widely.

Brianna Clark: I won’t be making that particular mistake again. Tonight, I’ll be partnered with Markus and I feel we’re on the same page. There’s no way he wants to stop making real statements, and well, I understand that. We’re facing two exceptionally talented wrestlers here tonight, and while I couldn’t tell you if they’ve ever teamed before, if Melissa Reeves and Erik Malone have it’s been long enough ago that I couldn’t find mention of it… and that puts them on more even footing with me and Markus.

Brianna nods, thoughtfully adjusting her Gotham Championship where it rests around her waist, a hint of a smile coming and going as her voice lowered.

Brianna Clark: I want all the challenges, I’ve said that before - and I mean it. So I’m going to wrestle my best tonight, and treat Markus like we’ve teamed together for years, because you know what? I’m not above saying that I want to win. I’m an honest little Bri if nothing else. Melissa and Erik aren’t a pair of paper targets, but I think I’m safe in saying that at least physically? Markus and I are pound for pound the stronger pair, and that? Might make all the difference.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to Dex Morant running with the Anarchy Championship in hand and close behind him were Avery Smith and Nina. Both Avery and Nina were shoving each other and this gave Dex just a small amount of time to find a broom closet to hide in and get away. The two looked around but couldn’t find him. Suddenly, there was shuffling going on in that broom closet and when the door opened, Lochlan Rivers dropped out of there unconscious with Dex Morant standing over him, Anarchy Championship in hand. Avery, Nina and now several others saw Dex and his eyes widened.

Dex Morant: Oh shit.

It didn’t take long for Dex to sprint away and be chased by several others.

BACKSTAGE
Kendrick is seen walking around with a chair in his hand that has a pronounced dent in it. He smirks as his manager Chrysalis is walking by him.

KENDRICK KROSS: Chairs can be used for multiple things but I like using them for one specific thing. It’s actually quite a beautiful thing too.

Still with chair in hand Kendrick keeps walking down the hallway.

KENDRICK KROSS: Specifically like I did last week. Causing Karen her match. It was nice. Though her doing what she did? That wasn’t. That was a mistake. I hit her with a chair to get even. But she caused big problems after she decided she needed to come out and not even let me have my match like I should have.

CHRYSALIS: Big mistake! Not one that she’ll live down easy either.

Kendrick looks at Chrys and then stops in front of the storage closet for a moment.

KENDRICK KROSS: This specific chair was used to hit Karen with, as you can see by the dent. The one that I got even with. I hope you remember the sting of that Karen. Me causing you to lose by using this very chair.

Kendrick raises it up for the camera to see the dent.

KENDRICK KROSS: I bet this one has given you nightmares the past week. And don’t think that nightmare is going to end after tonight. Because it’s not.

Kendrick smirks as he begins his walk down the halls again.

KENDRICK KROSS: You got into my business and tried to act as if you have any right to the Noir Championship or if you earned a shot. Well Karen, you didn't. I earned that shot. I am the one that actually won the battle royal while you celebrated early. That’s all your fault. So you have no one to blame but you for losing out on a guaranteed shot at it.

Just like you lost out on that you’re going to be losing this match. You’re going to learn that getting in my business isn’t something you should do. And it isn’t something that is going to be thought of as nice.

Hope you are ready to be laying on the mat Karen. Because that’s exactly where you’re going to be. And I’ll prove to everyone exactly why I’m better than you.

Kendrick smiles as he continues walking down the hall while the camera fades.

BACKSTAGE
Dex had grabbed his luggage from his locker room and was making a beeline to the parking lot when BANG! A light tube went right across his face. Standing there was NV Payton and she dropped down and pinned Dex. ONE! TWO! THREE!

NV Payton is Anarchy Champion! She grabbed the championship and made off with it! The scene then cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
Cameras moves backstage where Becky Balfour is talking to Warren Corbett and Seth Lawless after their loss. She rubs the back of their necks until noticing the cameras are on them now. Becky steps forward to shield her ‘brothers’ from the camera, taking all of the attention in the process.

Becky Balfour: You want a comment? The fans want to hear from #TheSociety after yet another matter of unjustice? The comment is this: We’re tired of playing. We were brought here to do one thing: destroy Liberty from within. We’ve already taken their precious tag team championships.

Becky looked down at the titles as she was stepping on them, one under each foot. The fans boo the blatant disrespect shown by the ‘voice’ of the Society. Seth and Warren meanwhile look into the camera now, both men still dripping sweat from their match against Jackal and Xavier Laroux.

Becky Balfour: So in the same vein as saying playtime is over, WE want more. My brothers will recover. A loss is a temporary setback, but we can’t afford another. Not tonight. Especially with the spotlight that the main event shines on us. Which brings me to you, Derrick La’Bell. You wear the Liberation shirt proudly. You’re a company champion. You get off on the people cheering your name. You wear the gold around your waist truly believing you’re the best.

Becky leans closer to the camera, curling her lips and then ‘biting’ at the camera before Seth pulls her back. Becky lets out a psychotic giggle.

Becky Balfour: You failed to be the best the moment I was brought back into Liberty. As the inaugural champion, this place was running on Becky Balfour and The Society blood. We spilled it. We spilled others, and we had one big messy mixture of it all…and nobody could look away. But you, Derrick? You lack the depth to truly make an impact. The moment the gold is gone, so is your world. And unfortunately for you, my sights are now firmly set on doing just that: Becoming the next champion on Liberation. It won’t be tonight, but tonight will be a statement. Don’t fuck with #TheSociety.

Seth and Warren stand tall behind Becky now, smug looks on their faces despite the pain they are in after their match.

Becky Balfour: Where I go, they go. Where they go, the Followers follow.

Suddenly, the doors open behind Seth and Warren and a swarm of unkept men and women flood into the dressing room. The camera fades back as the men and women are crowded closely together around the three members of #TheSociety.

Becky Balfour: After tonight, there will be no other option than to give me a future title match. Time is running out, Derrick. Tick Tock….

She laughs and screams out ‘TICK….TOCK until the camera fades to black, the main event right around the corner.

BACKSTAGE
NV Payton is backstage, trying to make her exit when suddenly, she is being shot by… BY LEGOS!? That’s right! Dylan Shepherd is pulling out all the stops and he has a… A LEGO GUN IN HIS HANDS! How the hell did he get a hold of something like that?

Dylan Shepherd: Drop my championship…

Dylan cocked the lego gun and smirked.

Dylan Shepherd: Or I’ll make ya famous.

NV charged at Shepherd but he unloaded the contents of the lego gun and NV had welts all over her because, well, legos fucking hurt. Dylan then charged and hit Payton in the head with his lego gun that he somehow created. He then pinned her and got the three count! Shepherd is a 2x Anarchy Champion! He grabbed the Anarchy Championship and ran off.

BACKSTAGE
Usually excited and humbled for the opportunity to compete and give opportunities, Derrick isn’t as bubbly or driven as he usually is. He sits on a bench in the locker room and just has a look of almost disdain on his face. It’s not necessarily a good look for him, but you can tell he doesn’t care either.

Derrick La’Bell: I knew this match was inevitable. Nathan bringing you back meant that eventually, we were going to come face to face in that ring.

His body language starts to show a bit of aggression and it is truly just a full 180 from his usual “Every Man/Boy Scout” persona and competitive drive that he has.

Derrick La’Bell: But I guess it’s not just us coming face to face… is it? I don’t think it has ever really been someone coming face to face with just you. It’s always been, someone coming face to face with you and whatever group you’ve got built around you.

Derrick pauses for a moment and curls his lip in disapproval because he knows exactly who he’s facing tonight, despite never directly mentioning their name yet.

Derrick La’Belll: That’s because you aren’t a wrestler like I am. You aren’t a fighter like I am. You aren’t a champion like I am. You are nothing more than an opportunist with some athletic skill that will take every cheap corner, every shortcut, and every quick victory you can get.

There’s a lot of fire behind his eyes. Despite never having really faced his opponent, he feels like he’s been warring against them for a long time.

Derrick La’Bell: You are not a wrestler, and that’s why you need a whole gang of people backing you up every second of every day. You can’t do anything in this industry on your own, and everyone knows it… including you. You stack the deck against your opponents and try to overwhelm them so you can come away with the smallest shred of victory you can muster up.

It’s almost like he knows he looks uncomfortable, so he shakes his head to clear that up. He sees his opponents as tough tasks, but it isn’t anything he hasn’t faced before.

Derrick La’Bell: Despite all that hype though, you and yours don’t scare me. You’re no different than the other psychotic attention whore who used to jump me from behind and leave me eating chair shots to the face for nearly 2 years, and I still ended up taking every title they ever held here. Your little group is no different than the stable of rotten bastards that I spent all of 2020 running out of Liberty and did so successfully. You and yours are nothing new to me.

One big breath from the Liberty Champion, creating a slight pause in his promo.

Derrick La’Bell: Becky Balfour… You and #TheSociety are exactly what Liberty Pro has been building me up to face since the day I walked in, and no matter what you do tonight, I’m still going to walk on top.

Finally saying her name, and giving her the credit for being the biggest thorn in Liberty’s side since the very beginning almost gives Derrick power. Not because she’s a demon, but because he’s seen a lot of versions come and go, but he has always stayed.

Derrick La’Bell: I know you will do everything in your power to cheat me out of the success I have earned with my own blood, sweat, and tears. I knew this day was coming, and I’ve been waiting for it every day. I’m ready for you, I’m ready for Seth, I’m ready for Warren, and I’m ready for whomever you have in your seedy little group because I've been here before. You ain’t about to punk me out like you’ve done everyone else in your career, because I am unlike anyone else you’ve ever faced in Liberty Pro.

Derrick stands up from the bench and walks away from the camera. He doesn’t tell his opponent good luck or even smile. He’s just focused and prepared for war.

BACKSTAGE
Dylan Shepherd was in the parking lot. He had his bags in his hand and the Anarchy Championship. He was running towards where his car was but the car right before it suddenly backed up and clipped Dylan! Exiting out of the car was Avery Smith! Dylan was completely taken out on the ground and Avery pinned him. A referee came from out of nowhere and counted to three! Avery was Anarchy Champion!

She stood up and grabbed the championship and left! Is that it? Is Avery the final Anarchy Champion of the night? NO! Nina appeared out of nowhere and slammed a toaster? Yes! A toaster over Avery’s head! She dropped and pinned her! Nina is now the Anarchy Champion and she takes off with it!