Liberty Pro Presents... Day of Reckoning II, Night Two

Liberty Pro Presents... Day of Reckoning II, Night Two Apr 19, 2022 3:58:08 GMT -8 chrissandypants likes this

Post by Robb (Owner) on Apr 19, 2022 3:58:08 GMT -8

Liberty Pro Presents...
Night Two of Day of Reckoning II
Live from Madison Square Garden
On Monday, April 11th, 2022

MATCH ONE: TAG
Team Trillie vs Wolves of Legion

RECAP
The bell rings with Trinity and Danae starting for the two teams. They go into a test of strength but the much larger Danae overpowers Trinity easily, picking her up and tossing her around the ring. Thompson rolls through, getting up and rushing towards Danae again, who again picks her up and tosses her across the ring instead. She backs Trinity into the ropes, giving her a huge backhand across her chest. The smack echoes throughout the arena. She goes to do it again but she’s kicked in the gut by Trinity. Danae staggers back. Trinity springboards into a high knee which takes Danae down to one knee. As quick as she can, Thompson bounds off the ropes and comes back with a sliding basement knee that finally puts Danae on the canvas.

Trinity wastes no time in rushing over to tag her partner, Millie Smith, showing the two have great teamwork together. The referee starts her count as Team Trillie both strike Danae, causing her to double over. Together, the floor her with the Cosplay Disarray (Double DDT) Tag Millie, before Trinity gets back onto the apron. It’s worth a shot, she thinks, as Millie hooks Danae’s leg.

One…Kickout!

Nowhere near enough to get a pin as Danae thrusts out of the pin with force! Danae sits up into the seated position, and Millie tries to bring her back down with a kick across the chest. Unfortunately, Danae catches the kick, holding onto her leg as she gets to her feet. Danae spins Millie around, keeping hold of her leg into a free fall spinning backdrop. Danae bounds of the ropes into a running senton but Millie rolls out of the way. She goes for a dropkick as Danae is getting up but Danae swats her out of the air with a huge big boot! She picks Millie up off the canvas, giving her a few right hands and walking her over to the Wolves of Legion corner. She tags in Kassandra, who hits the ropes. Millie is lifted into a spinning spinebuster comboed into a backstabber from Kassandra! Danae returns to her corner as Kass hooks the leg.

One…Twkickout!

Kassandra doesn’t look pleased, smacking her fist against the canvas. Trinity looked ready to come to her partners aid but luckily Millie was able to kick out on her own. Kassandra grabs Millie by the head, bringing her to her knees. Once there, Kass shoves two elbows into Millie’s forehead while keeping her kneeling. She uses both hands to grab her by the neck lifting her up into a lifted choke before tossing her into a free corner. She meets Millie in the corner, giving her several punches to the gut. Millie can hear Trinity yelling for her at the corner but she can’t get out of the corner. Kass runs to the other side of the ring, and then back, expecting to hit Millie with a huge splash in the corner…but Millie moves out of the way! Kassandra hits the turnbuckle hard, turning around and stumbling out of the corner just in time to eat a missile dropkick that rockets Kass back into the corner with a hard thud. Kass sinks to a seated position in the corner, before getting hit with a seated corner crossbody from Millie.

Kassandra rolls out of the corner to about the center of the ring. In response, Millie runs over and tags Trinity in once again. But they don’t simply stop there, as Millie rushes to an opposing apron while Trinity positions herself on their apron. They leap at he same time into a Retcon (springboard legdrop/springboard moonsalt) that makes the crowd go nuts. Trinity hooks Kassandra’s leg.

One…Two…Th-Danae breaks the count!

Danae comes sliding in with a double axe handle to the back of Trinity’s head that breaks the count. The referee begins the count for both Danae and Millie to get back to their corner but they don’t really seem that concerned with that as they begin throwing fists at each other. Trinity runs forward and jumps on Danae’s back, only to be yanked off by Kass back on her feet. She tosses her backwards across the ring, sending Trinity right into the referee who hits the canvas.

All hell breaks loose as the two teams no longer have a referee to count them back to their corners. Danae delivers a headbutt to Trinity that takes her down to the canvas. She twists her arm on the floor, giving it a hard stomp. Still holding it, she gets her to her feet, lifting her high in the air with a gorilla press, showing her strength. Kassandra has Millie in a headlock near the middle of the ring, which she then begins to use as leverage to knee her in the face. Kassandra bounds off the ropes and back, looking for a knee to the face, but Millie thinks fast, hitting a drop toe hold. Seeing her partner slip up right next to her makes Danae distracted as she holds Trinity up in the gorilla press position. This gives Thompson enough time to twist her body around, and bring Danae down with a surprise hurricanrana!

As Kassandra is getting onto her feet, she is brought back down with a snap front drop, just as Danae is getting to her feet using the ropes. However, Danae turns in time to receive a Knee-Jerk (Running Knee Strike) from Trinity that sends her toppling over the ropes. Now in the middle of the ring, Kassandra slowly gets to her knees, alone with Team Trillie on either side of her. The crowd goes into a roar as they launch into Experiment 626 (5 kicks to the chest + 5 kicks to the back, followed by a superkick. Performed by both teammates at the same time). The crowd counts along as they get to five, before knocking Kassandra out with their kicks. The referee is stirring just as Trinity lays across Kassandra’s body.

One……Two…..Three!

WINNER
Team Trillie
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
13:11
FINISHING MOVE
Experiment 626

BACKSTAGE
Three large A’s flash onto the screen against a background awash with a mix of neon colors. From the left side, a sparkling pony trots into view and stops with its mouth moving as if to speak.

Sparkle Pony: The following is a paid advertisement from Triple A.

The logo flashes away to join Antoinette and Ashley Sands and Ashley Marie Chase in what looks to be a slightly cramped truck of some kind. Surrounded by various types of items like toys and t-shirt, the trio are distorted through a grainy yet brightly colored filter.

Ashley Sands: We’re here in the MDV or Merchandise Distribution Vehicle to show you, the Liberty Pro fans, everything that Triple A has to offer as a brand.

Ashley picks up a wide box with the picture depicting a Lego set of an AMC theater.

Ashley Sands: We have here an accurate depiction of Casa de Chase, the abode of the lovely lady here to my left. It’s properly branded with her initials right out in front so you know it’s official AMC merch.

Antoinette Sands: That’s so cool.

AMC picks up another box from the table in front of them. Brightly colored, it looks to depict a glass case with creatures having the bodies of ants but the heads of large-eyed aliens.

AMC: You too can create your own mark on the world or on the tabletop in this case with this official licensed Dungeons and Dragons campaign kit Alien Ant Farm. Create your own legend.

Antoinette poses and stretches out what she can in the cramped quarters of the truck to show off the front of her t-shirt. The words “Ant Life” run across the bottom with a picture of Antoinette herself holding a hand in the position of the Vulcan “live long and prosper” greeting but held upside down like an alien gang sign gesture.

Antoinette Sands: We have this shirt in every size you can think of. Even small enough for the smallest Ant fans!

AMC holds another one of the shirts stretched out in front of her.

AMC: BUY THE SHIRT!!! However if you want something more personal we also have jars of Ant’s bathwater for those true Ant fans.

Antoinette gives AMC a look and then she grabs something from the side that had to have been in an opened bag, a flesh-colored dildo.

Antoinette Sands: Umm guys, are we really selling this stuff too?

Ashley looks at it wide-eyes and reaches to yank it away.

Ashley Sands: THAT’S NOT FOR SALE!

Ashley quickly moved to hide it back away and out of sight.

Ashley Sands: God, do you know how much of a pain it was to get your brother to get that mold done?

The look on Antoinette’s face seems to be a mixture of disgust and confusion, doing her best to keep from throwing up as she stares at her hand as if it were now deformed. She quickly reaches for a bottle of hand sanitizer and sticks her entire hand inside while almost to the point of crying.

Antoinette Sands: EWWW, unclean!

AMC tries not to burst out laughing

AMC: Hmm you know that could appeal to a certain part of the Sands fan base so….

Antoinette Sands: EWWWW! NO!!!!!

The video cuts back to the neon colored AAA logo with the sparkling pony.

Sparkle Pony: You can pick up all Triple A merchandise outside the venue at any Liberty Pro event. Just look for the renovated taco truck with the fish painted on the side.

BACKSTAGE

We open backstage of Madison Square Garden where former Liberty Pro Anarchy Champion, Dylan Shepherd is walking around just taking in all of the sights of the historic arena. The camera comes in close and catches his faint smile.

Dylan Shepherd: “You know as far as venues go, this has to be a bucket list place to compete in as a pro wrestler. So much wild and historic shit has happened here that there ain't no way I could talk about it all. But you know what we can add to it? The night Dylan Shepherd got his baby back in an elimination match.”

Shepherd smirks at the camera.

Dylan Shepherd: “It’s funny how all these rule changes keep coming for that title. It's like management doesn't really give a shit about it but I wanna put some respect on it, keep it for a long time and make it a championship that's more than just a hot potato. I mean, look since I won it on the first night Liberty has been back, I've gotten people popping up all over just wanting a taste of that Anarchy lifestyle. Because the fact of the matter is that I'm becoming the life blood of the Anarchy division. Not Nina who has to use a loophole to get the title, not Dex who seems to have something better to do and not Walker who no one really knows about.”

He gives a sheepish smile and shrugs his shoulders.

Dylan Shepherd: “The thing with this match though is its elimination style and that just makes me worried that Im gonna get dogged up on and well, I kinda welcome that. That would just prove exactly what I'm telling you all right now. Plus it would be pretty fun cause then I could maybe do that thing where you put the ladder around your neck and spin and knock people in the face with it. That’s another thing that would rock.”

He takes a moment thinking to himself and chuckling, before jolting back to reality.

Dylan Shepherd: “Oh shit, sorry kinda spaced there huh? Just kinda got into the headspace of some cool shit I want to do out there. Oh well, time to make this shit a reality.”

Shepherd then starts to walk off again, down the hallway.

MATCH TWO: SINGLES
Jace Mitchell vs Frank Cornell

RECAP
The match gets underway and both men meet in the middle of the ring for a collar and elbow tie up. It’s pretty evenly matched at first, but slowly and surely, Frank Cornell begins to back “The Pittsburgh Punisher” into the ropes. Cornell puts his shoulder into Mitchell, before irish whipping him hard across the ring. Jace rebounds like a freight train and he uses the momentum to leap into the air and look for a running crossbody! Mitchell collides with Frank Cornell and although it knocks Frank back quite a few steps, the power lifter is able to catch Jace and hold him in the air for a second. Mitchell wiggles and tries to throw an elbow to get out of Frank’s clutches, but the old timer takes a few steps forward and slams the absolute SHIT out of Pittsburgh's favorite son.

The crowd boos loudly as Cornell hooks the leg, and the ref falls into place to count the first pin attempt of the match. Jace is nowhere near done though, and he kicks out at a near 2 count. Frank pushes himself back vertical with clear frustration, and he pulls Jace to his feet by his hair. This pisses Jace off, and he responds with a forearm strike to the side of Cornell’s head. Cornell responds with an open hand slap to the face which gets an “OoOoOoh” from the crowd. This fires both men up, for opposite reasons, and they begin a chop battle in the middle of the ring. They trade some loud shots, the sounds echoing out and getting the same “OoOoOoh” from the crowd with each impact. Cornell, Mitchell, Cornell, Mitchell, Mitchell, Cornell, Cornell, Cornell. As the chops land, both competitors begin to welt, their chests blazing red as Frank Cornell backs Mitchell into a corner. He uses his big boy power to shit whip Jace across the ring into the opposite corner. Mitchell’s back hits the turnbuckles and Cornell follows like a runaway 18-wheeler, looking to collide with a motherfucker of a clothesline.

Unfortunately for him, “The Pittsburgh Punisher” sees it coming from a mile away and he counters with a reverse uranage to bounce Frank’s head off the turnbuckle with emphasis. Frank recoils from the turnbuckle strike, and Mitchell rolls him up with a schoolboy pin! One… Tw-- No! Frank powers out and pops back to his feet! Jace does the same, and they both charge toward opposite sides of the ring. Both men come barreling back toward each other with a full head of steam and they collide with dueling shoulder tackles. The smack echoes out and draws a loud pop from the crowd as both men stay standing. Immovable force, meet unstoppable object. Both men shake off the impact and they stare at each other for a moment before repeating the same action. Cornell hits one set of ropes, and Mitchell hits the opposite, both getting more steam this time as they push themselves to the max.

Honestly, the best way to describe what happens next is “a high speed car crash.” Both men look to land their respective Lariats at the same time and they double clothesline each other off their feet with an explosion of force. Both men hit the canvas hard and neither of them move for a good minute as everyone in the building comes to their feet.The ref begins a 10 count, as both men take a moment to shake off the concussive damage they’d just taken. The ref is at 5 before either man moves, but at 7, both have made it to opposite ends of the ring to pull themselves back to their feet. The crowd shows their appreciation with another loud pop, and the two retake the center of the ring to circle one another, looking for an opening.

Another beefy boi collar and elbow tie up shakes the ring as the two big fellas lock up and fight for the upperhand. Jace grabs a headlock, and Cornell struggles for a moment before reversing it into a quick wrist lock that transitions to a hammerlock fluidly, showing off his technical wrestling skills. Mitchell grabs at his shoulder, clearly in pain as Cornell wrenches on his arm. Suddenly, Jace formulates a plan to counter and he stomps Frank’s foot before spinning out to land a solid punch to the jaw of Frank Cornell. Frank stumbles back a few steps and honestly looks a little taken aback by eating a closed hand shot to the jaw. Jace presses forward trying to land another, but he’s surprised as Frank Cornell levels him with the Western Lariat!

Mitchell is turned inside out, and Frank stays on the offensive. Instead of going for a pin though, he locks Mitchell in “The Bandit’s Lasso,” his known match ending Texas Cloverleaf. Jace shouts in pain as his hand waivers over the mat and it’s pretty clear he wants to tap, but the crowd gets behind him and starts a “Jace” chant through the arena that gives him the will to crawl a few more inches forward to secure a rope break. Frank holds the move on for 3 more seconds as the ref threatens to DQ him if he doesn’t let go. Pissed, Frank releases the hold and begins putting the boots to the downed Mitchell, holding the top rope for leverage as he stomps a mudhole in his ass. The ref finally steps in and pushes Cornell back a few steps but Cornell comes back forward and steps around the ref to look for a deadlift german suplex to the rising Mitchell. Jace is lifted into the air, but he has the wherewithal to land a defensive back elbow to the head of Cornell. Frank loses the momentum, and on the way down Jace hooks an arm and hits Frank with a rolling arm drag that sends him crashing to the mat.

Both men pop back to their feet and Jace charges forward to try and put the match away with his burning lariat “Terminated.” Frank is groggy but he actually sees it coming, and ducks under it to secure a backdrop grip. Jace shakes his head, and tries to make his way to the ropes to grab them to avoid being lifted into the air but he’s too far from them! Jace goes for a ride as he’s lifted into the air, and spiked on his head with “The Earth Pushed Back” Frank’s Backdrop Driver of doom! The crowd is silent as the ref makes the count. One. Two. Three.

The bell rings, and Frank gets back to his feet. The ref tries to raise his arm in the air, but Cornell snatches it away and starts pointing his finger in the face of the ref and berating them. The ref, fearing for their safety, leaves the ring and Cornell turns his attention back to Jace Mitchell, who is struggling to his feet. Cornell makes his way over and for a moment actually looks like he might be trying to help his opponent to his feet….

But that’s quickly debunked as he lifts Jace into a piledriver position, gets the cradle, and spikes him on his head again with the Big Spike Driver! The crown rain boos down on the Texan, but he pays them no mind as he rolls out of the ring and makes his way back up the ramp with a grin.

WINNER
Frank Cornell
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
11:33
FINISHING MOVE
The Earth Pushed Back

BACKSTAGE
Large black curtains are drawn open, showing Chase Romano letting the sun in through her window in the morning. She has nothing but a smile on her face because today is the day she’s been waiting for. Today is her first big Supershow, the moment she can redeem herself and get on the right track with her new company. She wanted more than anything to be able to make it in Liberty Pro, and this was the way to do it.

Chase Romero: I’m not proud of how my first match went a few weeks ago. I know I’m more green than a lot of others here, especially the Wolves of Legion, but it would’ve been nice to get a win for my first match. Not to mention, I was teaming with my boyfriend, and I REALLY didn’t want to let him down…

She lets out a sigh of disappointment, walking into her kitchen and grabbing her coffee mug. She takes a sip, her cheerful smile returning to her face.

Chase Romero: But that’s in the past now, and with every loss I learn something new. With every loss, I inch closer and closer to the kind of wrestler I want to be. This week I’m scheduled to wrestle on my very first Supershow. What an exciting night! PLUS I get a chance to redeem myself from last week when Wade and I partner together again. I have a chance to write the wrongs of last week and move into the future with brighter days!

She walks from the kitchen into the next room, opening up two double doors that lead to the outside.

Chase Romero: How have you been, hun? You’ve been out here a while.

Sitting in their ever so peaceful garden off to the side, was Wade Manson. He’s sitting in a wooden chair, in front of an easel. Naturally the easel is facing him and away from the camera.

Wade Manson: I’m just doing some de-stressing techniques before the big match at Day of Reckoning. We’ve got a big night ahead of us and I just don’t want any distractions. I know you didn’t appreciate how I talked to the Wolves after our loss - even though you were more than respectful with them and they straight up ignored you…even now they STILL haven’t responded to you, which is just rude…

There's a moment you can see his anger flare, as he clutches the paintbrush in his hand with excessive force. It only takes a second of silence before his clutch releases pressure.

Wade Manson: But Ashley Sands and AMC aren’t the Wolves of Legion, so they shouldn’t be made to receive the punishments of a crime that aren’t theirs.

Chase Romero: Exactly! Plus I had some banter with Ashley on twitter last week and honestly I think she’s a fun gal! Maybe we can see what they’re up to after the match and if they’d want to get a drink or something? I haven’t really gotten to mingle with any backstage that much and I’d really like some wrestle pals!

She leans against him, looking at the picture he’s been painting and smiles brightly. She likes what she sees, and is pleased. As the camera shifts over, we can see the portrait within the shot. It’s an uncanny likeness to to himself, Chase, Ashley and AMC.

Wade Manson: Whatever you’d like, love.

Chase Romeo: Perfect, I won’t let you down!

She plants a kiss on his cheek, before waltzing inside. He waits until Chase is out of range before his facial expression changes. Slowly, he dips his paintbrush is red, mixing it with a little black to make a deep red. He drags it across the faces of both Ashley and AMC, giving it the effect of blood.

Wade Manson: “Much better.”

Cut.

BACKSTAGE
En route to their fight against B squared, we see Malaya Diyosa behind the wheel of her Mazda CX-7, and Cassie Mason in the passenger seat, while she is drifting around some tight corners in a zen-like state, as she would roll to a stop and park her beast before getting the onboard camera to speak.

Malaya Diyosa: "It's ya girls, Cassie and Malaya coming in hot in this upcoming fight for Liberty, and we're taking on B Squared for some tag gold! We're super excited to face them, and even more so to beat them to secure the Freedom Tag Team Titles!"

She said with a bright smile, as Malaya gestured to Cassie, before commenting.

Malaya Diyosa: "We've been on fire ever since we started, and the Life of the Party are hell bent to win our first championships together, and as for me, there's no better place to do it than on Freedom!"

Cassie Mason: “Never has a pay per view name been so on the nose. Day of Reckoning does sound pretty dark. Not something that’ll inspire most people. When it comes to The Socialites, nothing is inspiring about them. Danielle and her sister are pests to the highest orders. Their high and mighty attitudes. Their arrogance. The way they look down on everyone? Annoying. Can’t seem to escape those party poopers. If anyone deserves a day of reckoning it’s them, the thought of putting them through tables?

Cassie smiles.

Cassie Mason: Awesomesauce. B Squared. Nothing personal ladies. Socialites, heh, this is every bit as personal.

Cassie blows a kiss. Malaya would rev her engine, as she smirked, before cutting the feed as they raced onwards.

BACKSTAGE
In the halls of Madison Square Garden, we find Walker Hill dressed and ready to compete in some snazzy new dark red gear, rocking the black vest and cowboy hat tonight, but he has another hat in his hand, a simple straw cowboy hat. He strolls up to a couple of crew members, smiles, and tips his hat.

Walker Hill: Howdy fellas, y’all happen to seen Slim around here? I brought him that hat I promised him, but I ain’t seen hide nor hair of him.

The crew members just shrug and shake their heads.

Walker Hill: Well shoot, thanks fellas. If’n you do see him, let him know Walker was looking for him.

Walker heads off, stopping along the way to ask a few more people if they have seen Tim Anderson, though with Walker calling him Slim, it could be slowing his search down as they have no idea who he’s talking about. Walker comes up towards Madi Smith who is working double duty as the Liberation and Freedom rosters are both taking part in this two-night super card. Walker tips his hat and smiles.

Walker Hill: Howdy there Miss, I was hoping you could help me find one of your fellow broadcast people. I told Slim that I would bring him a hat next sow, but I can’t find no trace of him.

Madi seems a little confused by the question, but she goes into interview mode to try and figure things out.

Madi Smith: Slim? Did you say he’s a fellow interviewer? Do you mean Tim? Tim Anderson.

Walker Hill: Well yea. Shoot, I should have been asking people where Tim was. Dag nabbit. I got this bad habit of giving people nicknames and forgetting that not everybody knows the nickname I gave to a person.

Madi can’t help but laugh a little bit as Walker shakes his head and sighs.

Madi Smith: I did see him earlier today, but I haven’t seen him for a while. I would think you might be a little bit more focused on the elimination match you have coming up for the Anarchy Championship.

Walker Hill: I’m focused on that Miss…

Madi Smith: Smith, but you can call me Madi if you would like.

Walker Hill: Well alrighty then Madi. Trust me, I am focused and ready for this match. I was able to get a win against Dex Morant last show so I got an idea of what he can do. I watched as much stuff as I could find on Nina and that Dylan Sheppard fella. The three of them all got different styles and shoot they might decide to all gang up on the new kid, but knowing this is for that Anarchy Championship, I took a whole heap of a lot of extra abuse during my training. I got whacked by some kendo sticks, let myself get thrown through some tables, smacked with chairs. Heck, I even got dropped on some thumbtacks. Only thing I didn’t do and what I hope I can avoid tonight is them legos that Dylan Sheppard likes to use.

Madi Smith: Well I’m not sure all of that was necessary, but I guess you are prepared. Still, why not relax and mentally prepare for your match instead of wandering around looking for Tim?

Walker Hill: Ah well that’s simple, I made Slim a promise. I told him I would bring him his very own cowboy hat the next show, and a man always keeps his word. I do think it’s getting pretty close to match time though. Do you think you could be a peach and help me out Miss Smith, I mean Madi? Just hold on to this and if you do see Tim, tell him it’s from me?

Madi again smiles and laughs a little at Walker’s country ways. She nods and he hands her the hat, again tips his in her direction, and smiles before he heads off to finish preparing for the match ahead of him.

MATCH THREE: TAG
AMC & Ashley Sands vs Chase Romano & Wade Manson

RECAP
Both corners speak with one another before the referee motions for the bell to ring. We start out with Wade Manson and AMC. Wade looks back at Chase, telling her to watch him as if he is providing a training moment. The two begin to circle around each other, before going in for a tie up. They do a quick test of strength, but Wade is easily the stronger of the two so he wins out and takes control. He takes hold of AMC’s arm, twisting it into a hammerlock and looking back at Chase again. AMC seems insulted, and gives Wade a forearm to the face while she’s still in the hammerlock. Wade’s expression changes, applying more pressure onto the lock before hitting AMC with a snap suplex. He bounds off the ropes as she’s getting up, and takes her back down with an axe kick. Manson grabs AMC, and tags in Chase. Chase bounds off the ropes, and Manson hits a tiger suplex as Chase bounds back with a rocket kick! Chase looks ECSTATIC that she has successfully hit a tag move with Wade, and she goes in for a pin.

One…Kickout!

AMC kicks out, getting to her feet and fighting back against Chase. She knocks her off with an elbow, before springboarding off the ropes with a springboard dropkick! As Chase is getting to her feet, AMC brings her back down with a hard northern lights! She tags Ashley Sands in immediately after. Ashley comes in hot, hitting a running senton off the jump. She locks Chase into an octopus hold as she’s getting up, but in seeing Chase wasn’t near ready to tap, instead Ashley smashed her with a straightjacket backstabber. She hooked the leg.

One…Tw-Kickout!

Ashley gets Chase to her feet, whipping her across the ring. Chase bounds back and reverses into a standing armbar! Ashley powers out, so Chase launches into a rolling armbar! She’s trying her best to cause some sort of damage to her opponent. Ashley fights that but planting herself in one spot, and then rolling to her feet. Chase, still having ahold of Ashley’s arm, leaps into a single-arm DDT. Chase stalks Ashley from behind as she gets to her feet. She makes a mistake by turning to Wade, and giving him a look almost as if to ask if she was doing alright. Ashley leaps into a pele kick, catching Chase off guard! This allows Ashley to roll to her corner and tag AMC back in. AMC comes back into the ring just as Chase is getting to her feet, taking her back down with a swinging neckbreaker. She gets Chase to her feet, whipping her to the corner but Chase reverses, instead sending AMC into the corner. Chase rushes forward, delivering double knees to AMC in the corner! She tries for a pin!

One…TwKICKout!

Chase is looking a bit tired now, and tries to go back to her corner for a tag. However, AMC is on her feet again, and snags Chase from behind for a russian legsweep back to the canvas. She helps Chase to her feet, kicking her in the midsection and planting her with a cradle piledriver! AMC hooks Chase’s leg!

One…Two…Wade breaks the count!

The ref tells Wade to get back onto the apron and he does, having successfully broken the count. Though it’s easy to see that he really wants to stay in the ring and do some damage. He yells out to Chase for a tag, and she’s trying to get to her feet but is pretty winded. AMC whips her to the other side of the ring, and when she bounds back she goes for a hard lariat. But wait! Chase holds her arm steady as well, but lariating one another down to the canvas! AMC and Chase both crawl towards their corners, both partners hooting and hollering for their partner. Wade stomps the apron. Finally, both teammates reach their corners and tag at the same time! Wade and Ashley come barreling in, ducking under one another’s attacks and bounding back. Manson leaps and catches Ashley in the face with a jumping heel kick. She rolls to the corner, where Wade kicks her twice to the chest followed by a devastating lungblower powerbomb.

However, he’s too close to the corner, and AMC is able to reach and tag herself in. Wade tries to pin Ashley, but AMC swings over the ropes with a legdrop to the back of Wade’s head. She tries for a spinning kick as he’s getting up but Wade ducks, spinning around into a back elbow that smashes AMC in the face. She stumbles but doesn’t fall, being caught by Wade into a Drive-By [Leaping Single-leg Codebreaker]. Now with so much momentum on their side, Wade walks over and tags in Chase. The Drama Queen climbs to the top rope, soaring with a frog splash that gets a ridiculous amount of air! But AMC puts up her knees at the last second, colliding with Chase’s gut and stopping the momentum dead in its tracks. The two get to their feet slowly, the audience and their partners chanting their names. They come to blows in the middle of the ring. Chase goes to land a third right hand, but AMC catches it, launching into a series of three back-to-back arm drags followed by a standing moonsault!

Sometime in between the series of arm drags, Wade had grown tired of the way the match was going and left his corner (illegally, of course). He walked around to the other side of the ring where Ashley Sands was, and took her down off the apron! The two traded rights back and forth before AMC realized what was happening on the outside as the ref checked on Chase. AMC turns her attention to the outside, giving Chase time to recover. As she does, she grabs AMC into a reverse DDT, not realizing herself what is happening on the outside of the ring. What IS happening on the outside is Ashley has attempted a hurricanrana that Wade has caught, powerbombing her into the barricade! However, in the ring, Chase has bounded off the ropes and leapt into a Second Act [Martin-Knees]...but AMC dodges backwards, causing Chase’s knees to hit the canvas. Instead, AMC hits the ropes herself, bounding back into a Full Facial [Curb Stomp]. She quickly hooks Chase’s leg.

One…Two…Three!

Chase clutches her face and rolls from the ring as AMC releases the pin. However, Wade enters the ring and is beyond pissed! He starts trading blows with AMC, before whipping her across the ring. She reverses it and when he bounds back she pulls the ropes, causing him to crash to the outside! Ashley slides into the ring, still feeling the barricade powerbomb a bit and clutching her back but ready to fight if need be. Wade gets back to his feet and looks as if he’s going to slide in but is stopped by Chase who pulls him back. He obliges and they back up the ramp, showing two very different facial expressions, while Ashley and AMC hold their hands high in victory.

WINNER
AMC& Ashley Sands
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
13:02
FINISHING MOVE
Full Facial

BACKSTAGE
”Words are just so…”

Chris Sanderson strolled through the hallway of perhaps the most famous arena not only in the United States, but the world. Madison Square Garden. Sanderson was dressed to compete tonight as his match against Callie Buchanon was due to begin soon. The second generation wrestler let loose a small smirk.

”It’s so easy to say something behind a keyboard, and yet it’s entirely different to do something about it. In this sport, we insult one another, we claim we’re better and we’ll even stoop so low to go after that low hanging fruit to get under someone’s skin. And why? Is there really even a point to it? Yeah, the fans get a chuckle out of it. Some might agree. But…”

He stops and looks at some of the famous photographs on the walls. Legends of various sports and Patrick Ewing.

”As I’ve said before, and I’ll continue to remind everyone, coming at me on Twitter doesn’t mean a damn thing. You can call me a coward, you can say it’s a reddit copypasta when I share a promo with you folks instead. I am a wrestler. In the ring. I get the thrill of going into a ring. I don’t get a thrill for talking shit on Twitter unironically to someone I don’t even know.”

A simple shrug followed as Chris continued to walk around taking it all in.

”Do you think, and sorry if someone’s not a basketball fan, John Starks would’ve gotten as mad as he did at Reggie Miller all those years here at MSG if Reggie was tweeting at him? Nah. He heard Reggie get into his ear and talk all that trash. If you want to talk shit to me don’t use a keyboard. Use your voice. Written words are hollow threats and empty promises. At least when I hear you insult me, I can get a tone in your voice to see how real you truly are.”

Chris stops and sighs while adjusting the hoodie for his entrance.

”Tonight, Callie, I want you to hit me. Hit me as hard as you can. Make me believe that those words on Twitter are real and not just some sort of banter bullshit created because someone’s taking a break at the gym. I can assure you I’m ready for tonight. I can assure Liberty Pro I am ready to claw my way to where I want to be. There will be setbacks. But every setback comes with a lesson to learn. Soon enough, Callie, one of us will leave with a victory while the other thinks about what they could’ve done better. I’d wish you some sort of luck, but I don’t want to be a copypasta while speaking… somehow.”

He finishes his final preparations with his entrance attire before walking out of the frame.

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
The Socialites are walking into the backstage area of Madison Square Garden with their trainer Marisol Vilaro.

Marisol Vilaro:This is your night, ladies.

Vanessa Page:Damn right it is.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page:Time to bring some more championships to Team Vilaro.

Marisol Vilaro:Ooh I love the way that sounds.

Vanessa Page:What the miscreants don’t seem to realize that Danielle and I are at the center of the Freedom tag team divisions.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page:On one side we have our good friend, Jessica Anderson, and her teammate Carli Davis. Since we think the world of Jessica we say may the best team win.

Marisol Vilaro:Don’t worry, you two will.

Vanessa Page:I mean…like obviously. But this other team that is lucky enough to be in this championship match is the real scum of the earth.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page:No doubt about it. The only party that Life of The Party is a part of is a masquerade party considering that they are evil bitches masquerading as good people.

Vanessa Page:You mean that Benedict Arnold traitor Malaya and her little parrott, Cassie. The wrestling world saw how Malaya befriended me only to turn her back on me when I outshined her in every way. Clearly green isn’t a good look on you, Malaya.

Marisol Vilaro:With a whole lot more colors.

Vanessa Page:The green paperback could never find its way into their bank account.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page:And why championship gold always escapes their grasps

Marisol Vilaro:Tonight when it is all said and done these two ladies right here will be standing over four others who will be laying in the midst of broken tables.

Vanessa Page:It is difficult to get wrestlers to ever agree on anything but everyone seems to agree that they hate the Socialites. We live rent free in a lot of people’s heads in this business because a lot of those sycophants love to see us fail. Which will of course affect their judgment and that will ultimately lead to them making mistakes.

“Diamond Princess” Danielle Page:Mistakes that will lead to the party ending early, bubbles will be popped, and no flowers will blossom.

The Socialites and Marisol walk away.

BACKSTAGE
We fade in on the ringside area…to cheering. Madison Square Garden is absolutely electric, and a lot of it may be due to who is standing in the ring and what it likely means.

Amy Taylor, with a microphone in her hand, looks on silently. The chant begins.

“EMERY LAYTON!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “EMERY LAYTON!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*

Amy smiles. Yeah. She raises her mic.

Amy Taylor: I don’t think I need to say any more, do I?

Cheers in abundance. And without any further delay, it’s like they know backstage too. “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush explodes from the sound system and the crowd erupts, as the woman who was successfully rehired only one night ago struts her way out through the curtain with the title she fought so hard to procure. Emery Layton, first ever Liberty Pro Noir Champion. Making her way down the ramp, she gives them the full entrance. The dancing, the climbing over the ropes, the big skid on her knees in the middle of the ring as she holds her new belt above her head, all there.

When the pomp and circumstance has ended, Amy hands the mic to Em and steps back. The She-King looks out to the crowd, title over her shoulder, nodding away as the New York crowd showers Em with a single, repeating sentiment - “welcome back.”

Emery Layton: I hope you all keep this same level of energy when Sparrow wins later.

Cheers! Hooray, we like the Mighty Sparrow! Em grins from ear to ear as a “Sparrow” chant breaks out. She allows it to run its course- she ain’t interrupting that!

Emery Layton: Y’know what though, it means a bunch. This last month or so since I got released has been kinda wild so it really…yeah, thanks. Thanks New York!

More applause, politer this time. Em begins to pace about the ring.

Emery Layton: Let's have a little chat about Freedom. Freedom is what a Traveller wants and what a Traveller needs and craves. Hell, it’s what we all want. It’s what we need to even exist. Without freedom, we can’t do what we wanna do and be who we wanna be. And sometimes, promises are made to you under the banner of freedom but when it comes down to it, it’s just a bunch of empty words being used to coax you into somewhere that was never gonna be good for you in the first place.

At this point, Em has looked directly at us. Well no, not us, but someone she definitely knows is watching. Somewhere in the world, Lily destroys a television.

Emery Layton: Nathan Callaghan, for all he is, knew what I wanted and he reached out to Amy. He said there was a spot going in the Ultimate X match and he wanted me to have that. So, yesterday afternoon, dude smuggled me backstage and got me to sign a brand new contract with Liberty Pro. So this ain’t a one-time deal or whatever, I’m back and ain’t nobody gonna sack me cos I dared to be honest about the place I work and a roster I give a shit about. And, well, yeah. Lot of it is cos Amy Taylor is a miracle worker.

Em points to her manager. Around long enough to receive a good response from New York, Amy bats away as the crowd briefly chants her name. Em stops and raises the title for all to see.

Emery Layton: THIS title, right here, this is the chance for freedom. Real freedom, proper freedom and I fought off FIVE other people to get it. Cos if I was gonna come back, I needed this, the Liberty Pro Noir Championship, which lets me do the thing I wanna do more than anything, and that’s give people a chance.

As the fans cheer, Emery clicks her fingers as she sets the title back on her shoulder and waggles her finger.

Emery Layton: And y’know what, after getting the sack a month ago, I gotta make up for lost time. So I’m making a vow right now. I wanna both work Liberation and Freedom every single week and defend this title in every match I’m in. And I’ll do you one better - I’ll leave it open. Anyone. Everyone. I ain’t gonna discriminate. I’ll take on whoever fancies their chances tryna take the Noir Championship from me. Maybe I’ll trade it in for a shot at one of the top titles if I rack up the wins, maybe I won’t. I’ll see how I feel when we get there, but while I’m on that road, I think it’s only right that I let people step up.

Leaving a final pause, Em once again looks at us. Well, no. Us, and presumably the whole roster.

Emery Layton: Liberation. Freedom. I’m not arsed which side of the fence you come from. I’m gonna be on both, every single week and I’ll bring this baby to every show with me. So come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough.

“Running Up That Hill” boots up again as Emery finishes off. Amy applauds, as does everyone else and Em slides out the ring to greet the first row with open arms. The She-King is back, and she’s the Liberty Pro Noir Champion.

MATCH FOUR: SINGLES
Callie Buchanon vs Chris Sanderson

RECAP
The match is a trainwreck from the very beginning. Now that might be because Callie starts things off bringing a chair into the ring and demanding that Sanderson lay down so she can place the unfolded chair on his chest, sit on said chair and take a victory as becoming of her greatness. Because after all, this match is all but a waste of her time. Sanderson mugs for the camera, before Callie gets in his face, waving the chair around and threatening him. The ref eventually begins pulling the chair from her and the Iron Maiden pulls back, right in the ref’s face...

...Allowing her to catch Sanderson with a swift kick in the family jewels as ref jerks the chair away. Callie shrugs to some nasty boos before she drops down on top of Sanderson for a pin. She gets a two count and begins arguing with the ref that it was an obvious three, grinding her heel in Chris’s face as she does it. The Iron Maiden then forces Sanderson up and lights him with a few heavy forearms before irish-whipping him into the opposite corner. She chases after him but Chris does a float over and lands behind her.

She rushes for him but Chris catches her by the wrist and twists her around before launching her into the turnbuckle with an exploder suplex. The Iron Maiden lands on the back of her neck against the turnbuckle and folds, recovering. Sanderson runs for the opposite turnbuckle. He rushes back and catches her with Dead Set (Discus Big Boot) in the corner, causing Callie to slowly slide out of the corner and be dragged out for a nice two count.

What the ref doesn’t see is the Iron Maiden catching Sanderson with a thumb to the eye as she raises her arms to kick out before she latches on a headlock on Sanderson’s prone body. As he reaches a leg and an arm at the ropes, having to drag himself and Callie Buchanan’s dead weight. It isn’t helped when Callie does a handstand to the boos of the crowd. She swings her frame forward, double knees in Chris’s shoulder blades before finally letting go of the hold. As Sanderson sits up Callie hits him with a standing double stomp, laying him back down before she gets another solid two count. She forces Chris up by his hair, pulling him up and forcing him into the corner. She catches him with a few stiff elbows before choking him up until the ref makes it to four on a count. Callie holds her hands up, turning her back to Chris again.

The ref is once again made unaware as Callie is about to mule kick Chris between the legs but...Her eyes widen as her leg snaps backward but this time Chris catches her ankle. She begins yelling to the ref that Sanderson is cheating and this is an illegal hold, but Chis shoves her leg, twisting her to meet him face-to-face before he shoots her up into a Fireman’s Carry. A second later it’s Hit By A Thunderstorm (Fireman’s Carry into A Roundhouse Kick) that flattens Callie and puts her down for nearly a three count. Sanderson rolls backward behind Callie and the crowd is on their feet.

They can feel it...Sense it. Buchanan is about to be put down. Sanderson waits for it...About to slap on what looks like a Cobra Clutch and he...

...And he...

Hesitates.

As if he can’t bring himself to do it.

Instead he...Irish-whips Callie towards the ropes and hits her with a standard flapjack. She lands on her face and Sanderson pins her for one count, only for her to get a surprise roll-up, giving him the wedgie of all times with her hands on the tights. It is NEARLY a three, mere centimeters away. Sanderson shoots his arms up, as Callie casually comments that after she beats him she hopes his sister posts some good thirst traps since that’s about all she’s good for...And she’s not even good at that. Something in the way Buchanan casually just shits on Sanderson’s siter seems to set him off. Callie forces him up and irish-whips him but he slips behind her to hit Untitled Finale III (Cobra Clutch Suplex)! The Iron Maiden gets spiked right on the crown of her head before getting pinned for the three!

WINNER
Chris Sanderson
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
12:22
FINISHING MOVE
Untitled Finale III

BACKSTAGE
It’s finally that time! The day that Jess and Carli had waited for quite some time. The opportunity to win some tag team titles together! Not only that, but if they win this match? They will become the first Freedom tag team champions, since Liberty announced separate titles for the brands.

Carli was wearing her new Catwoman inspired gear, topped off with a huge smile as she stood next to Jessica.

CARLI DAVIS: I’m so excited! We’ve been waiting for this day for how long? We’ve had one little slip up, but other than that we’ve been kicking butt!

Jessica couldn’t contain her excitement as she was grinning from ear-to-ear. She opted for a similar theme, wearing a blue-and-red Supergirl-esque attire. She nodded her head in agreement.

JESSICA ANDERSON: We first met nine years ago in 2013, and it didn’t take long for us to start talking about how we both dreamed of just stepping into the ring, let alone accomplishing what we’ve accomplished as individuals. But tonight we can finally achieve something together, as partners. One loss in our last match hasn’t derailed us, it’s made us want this even more.

CARLI DAVIS: I’m really happy that you came to Liberty, and more so that you were able to get put on Freedom. I felt alone since everyone else seemed to be on a whole different show. It’s definitely not easy to get used to a new company again.

She shrugs her shoulders.

CARLI DAVIS: I feel like out of our match, we’ve been really consistent. We’ve teamed in other places and like I said, we’ve been on a roll here. The Socialites are right behind us, but I think their cockiness might get the best of them and then the Life of the Party only just got here and they did manage to get a win on us. But it won’t become a habit.

Jess smiled and gave Carli a hug.

JESSICA ANDERSON: I came to Liberty specifically for you. When Valiant closed, sure it sucked. Your reign was cut short, I’m sure you had plenty more big moments to give us. But when one door closes, another one opens. And when I saw that you were already on the other side, I just had to step through it.

She nodded her head in assurance.

JESSICA ANDERSON: And it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve always known we were a good tag team, but we’ve really started off well here on Freedom. And we get an opportunity at long last without one of us getting robbed of our chance for whatever reason. You only get one chance to become the first ever Freedom Tag Team Champions, so we’d better make it count!

CARLI DAVIS: You’re absolutely right! And not only that, but we are only beginning. Winning those titles will also put us in a bigger spotlight. We know tag teams are the talk of the town and we know we’re good, but it’s time to show others how good we really are.

She high fives Jess and the scene fades.

BACKSTAGE
Lead Freedom interviewer Madi Smith is standing by.

Madi Smith: Madi Smith here and tonight, I'm joined by a very special guest.

Madi steps to the side and gestures for someone to walk in. Into the frame steps Emily Carter. Emily is met with some cheers from those familiar with her run in Valiant.

Emily Carter: Hi babes! Emily Carter here and I just wanna say how excited I am to finally see my babes Carli and your sister in person here in Liberty!

Madi Smith: Well, you certainly picked a good night, Em. B² have their shot at the Freedom Tag Team Titles in a Tables Match!

Emily nods!

Emily Carter: I know. I'm SO, so happy for the both of them! It's nice to see them teaming together again and thriving here in the tag team scene. Carli is one of the best in the world and Jess is a hell of a tag team partner. I don't wanna speak for them. But I like their chances here tonight. I'm being biased. I know, I know. But I can't help it. They're my best friends and I wouldn't miss this for the world! It's gonna be great to watch them tonight... and in the weeks to come.

Madi Smith: They have been great as of l... wait a second.

Madi does a double take when she finally registers Emily's last line.

Madi Smith: What do you mean it's gonna be great to watch them tonight and in the weeks to come?

Emily Carter: Welllllll, Madi... tonight, I'm simply here as a fan. After tonight, though...

A smile forms on Emily's face.

Emily Carter: I'll be here as a wrestler... on the Freedom brand.

The announcement is met with some cheers from the crowd.

Madi Smith: Oh my God, Emily, that's great news! I take it the three of you plan on celebrating tonight?

Emily Carter: Carli and Jess don't know yet. I wanted to keep this close to the vest until tonight. They're probably busy preparing for their match right now. But hopefully they can win the titles tonight so that all three of us can have something to celebrate.

Madi Smith: Well, I look forward to seeing what you can do here in Liberty.

Emily Carter: Thanks, Madi! I plan on giving it my best.

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
The waves rolled gently onto the warm, white sands, the sounds of gulls echoing out in the air. Bare feet walked upon the ground, leaving large and lasting footprints in the sand, leaving a long trail over to the dock. A single rowing boat was docked three, midnight black in colour, with a single symbol painted in sea green upon the starboard side. And it was the image of a kraken.

Brendan Samuels: I have always preferred the quiet. I've already spoken in the past about the quiet before the storm, but this here be how I go. I ain't the loudest talker in this sport. I ain't never been the one to drag out an interview, cut a loud an' aggressive promo citing me aims an' making me threats. I ain't the one to climb up high an' scream out how I'm gonna cut me opponents down, nor am I the kind to storm the ring an' roar out me intentions over the microphone.

The Wrestling paced over the dock, his United States Championship belt over his shoulder, his eyes peering out over the vast ocean. He closed his eyes, breathing in the clean air, letting it fill him up.

Brendan Samuels: Nor am I the type to interfere in others matches. I ain't the kind of guy to stand ringside, trying to distract others from their contests. I ain't the type to try an' take the easy route, makin' alliances with management to get an easy voyage on these wrestling seas.

Samuels lifted his shades from the pocket of his Hawaiian shirt, putting them on as he cast his sight upon the sun itself. He took a moment, before turning back to the camera.

Brendan Samuels: I came here to be the very best at what I do, not to talk smack,not to make outlandish claims, not to sabotage anyone's hard work for personal gain. That's not me, that's not me style. But with what I have been seeing lately, Liberty an' Freedom have been masquerading as Slavery an' Servitude, an' a mutiny against the system seems to be on the horizon.

He took a step, one as effortless as anything, landing in the rowing boat before sitting down. He grabbed each of the oars, slowly beginning to row away with those powerful arms of his, the boat cutting through the water as if it was nothing at all.

Brendan Samuels: But as for tonight, I stick to what I know, I stick to what I came here to do an' to be. My opponent tonight maybe a lad who prefers to make snide comments on the ol' Twitter machine, he might be the type to interfere, to distract, to try an' take the easy way. But that ain't me way. That ain't the way of The Wrestling. An' that ain't the way the United States Championship deserves. That way would bring dishonour on a title that is often cited as the most honoured of all.

Brendan continued to sail, and in the background there was a luxurious sailing ship in the distance, one bearing the same colours as the Kraken himself.

Brendan Samuels: We've had two weeks of preparation, two weeks knowing this day was coming. Titles have changed hands, glory has been earned, dreams have been made and the nigh on impossible has been achieved. But tonight, the Day of Reckoning has come for Scott Dunn. For all ye have done, for all little ye said an' the sneakin' actions ye have tried, it all comes down to this. An' this booty ain't leaving me side.

The camera zoomed in on Brendan's features, focusing on his handsome face.

Brendan Samuels: New York City… Are ye ready for The Wrestling?

MATCH FIVE: TABLES ELIMINATION MATCH FREEDOM TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
B² vs Socalities vs Life of the Party

RECAP
As the three teams make their way out to the ring, the Liberty Pro ring crew have gone around and set up tables all over the outside of the rig. There are four leaning against each corner, as well as four tables already set up. We hear the rules clarified that each member of a team must be put through a table by someone of an opposing team to be eliminated. The team with the surviving member is declared the winner.

The bell rings and the match instantly breaks down into craziness. Everyone is at peak energy, rushing around from one side to another, and not allowing anyone to really get an advantage. Fists flew every which way. It’s Carli and Vanessa that go over the top rope, crashing to the outside and breaking away from the rest of the group. Malaya and Jessica stay on one side of the ring, as Danielle and Cassie stay on the opposite turnbuckle for now.

On the outside, Carli is able to send Nessa into the steel steps, before folding up one of the nearby tables and sliding it into the ring. She grabs a second one, this one leaning against the corner, and does the same, the two lying in the middle of the ring with the two groups on the outside. Her hopes are to assist her partner in the ring. Carli doesn’t get to slide in herself, because Vanessa Page is back up on her feet and knocks Carli off her feet with a flying forearm. The two remain on the outside.

Although at least one of the tables was meant for Jessica, she is thwarted by Malaya and kept in the corner, unable to grab one of the tables.On the other side of the ring, Danielle is really going in on Cassie. She’s seated on top of her, grabbing her by the hair and smashing her face against the canvas over and over again. The Diamond Princess grabs Cassie by the hair, getting her to her feet and nailing her with a “Princess Kick” (Chick Kick). She turns to the turnbuckle, climbing up with her back to the ring. On the other side, Malaya has given Jessica a hard facebuster, and turned to her partner to check on her. What she sees is Danielle Page on the turnbuckle, facing the opposite direction. Thinking fast, Malaya rushes forward, springboarding off the ropes into a dropkick that sends Danielle flying off the turnbuckle to the outside and through one of the previously set-up tables!

Eliminated: “Diamond Princess” Danielle Page by Malaya Diyosa

Cassie is back on her feet with the help of Malaya, and now they can both focus on Jessica inside of the ring. They take Jess back down with a poetry in motion combo. They whip Jess across the ring, but she’s able to reverse and send Malaya across the ring instead. Cassie rushes Anderson, and Jess pulls the ropes. Cassie almost goes over but is able to save herself. That is, until Malaya bounds back gets caught by a drop toe hold that knocks her into her partner and sends Cassie tumbling to the outside. Near where she has fallen, Vanessa is working on maintaining the control she currently has over Carli. Nessa has her in a headlock, reeling back on it. Carli elbows Vanessa in the gut, giving her a jawbreaker. Inside the ring, Jessica makes good on her previous move and follows up with a shining wizard. It’s here that Davis slides into the ring to help her partner by setting up a table. Jessica grabs Malaya in a german suplex position, refusing to let go. But here comes Carli!

On the outside of the ring, Cassie gets to her feet in time to see her partner being double teamed. She tries to slide into the ring - but wait! Vanessa Page is still on the outside, and she wants to see Malaya go through the table after the way she eliminated Danielle. Vanessa catches Cassie by the leg as she tries to slide in, yanking her back out and planting her with a DDT. This opens up B2 completely to hit a release german suplex/superkick combo that sends Malaya through the table that Carli set up!

Eliminated: Malaya Diyosa by B2

Vanessa Page climbs into the ring as B2 is getting back onto their feet. She circles them, walking to the other side of the ring, not going any closer. B2 keeps their fists up, ready to lunge. They look to one another, knowing they have the advantage. They're about to lunge forward when Cassie slides into the ring as well, taking Carli down with a spear! Vanessa lunges at Jessica and gives her a spinning side slam. Despite what had just happened moments before with Nessa keeping Cassie from saving her partner, they also know they need to keep the other in the match to keep from being double teamed. Again, Carli and Cassie find themselves on the outside, with Carli reversing and shoving Cassie right into the barricade. Inside the ring, Vanessa stomps away on Jess, hitting the ropes for a somersault legdrop! She takes a moment to set up the second and last table that was placed into the ring earlier. Nessa delivers right hands to Jess, bringing her over to the ropes and climbing to the second rope. It looks like she may try some sort of powerbomb move - but most were also betting on a second rope “Empire State of Mind” (Canadian Destroyer) right through the table! Vanessa goes to execute her move, and right at the last second…Carli Davis jumps from an opposing turnbuckle!

Carli climbed to the top of her nearest post, leaping into the air and sending HERSELF through the table! The crowd roars at the sacrifice, knowing Carli is still in the match since nobody put her through the table, and now Vanessa has no table to use against Jessica inside the ring. Carli is out, and Vanessa is stunned. She pushes Jessica to the ground and gets off the second rope, her plan not thwarted! Vanessa has to leave Jessica there in the ring, go to the outside of the ring and push back in another table. By this time, Jessica has gotten to her feet ands clubs Vanessa with an axe handle as she’s getting back in. She floors Vanessa with a hook kick, before deciding to set up the table herself.

Anderson is able to get the table legs planted when Vanessa is back on her feet, slamming Jessica’s face into the table. Jessica staggers back as Vanessa hits the ropes, bringing her down with a tilt-a-whirl takedown. She drags Jess over to the turnbuckle again, before hoisting her up and seating her on top. She lands a few right hands, battling back against Anderson as she climbs up the turnbuckle herself. Vanessa tosses Jessica’s arm over her shoulder, ready to take her down with a superplex from the top rope. But wait! From behind, someone hits her in the back with a forearm, staggering Vanessa for a moment. None other than Cassie Mason lands another right to Vanessa’s back, before positioning herself underneath Nessa in a powerbomb position. As Vanessa delivers a superplex to Jessica through the table, Cassie also powerbombs Vanessa at the same time! Both crash through the table in the middle of the ring!

Eliminated: Jessica Anderson by Vanessa Page, Vanessa Page by Cassie Mason

Carli Davis, having already gone through a table tonight, uses the ropes to get to her feet, looking across the ring at Cassie Mason, the last two left. Cassie rushes at her, but Carli is ready, moving to the side and dodging the attack. However, Mason wasn’t going for an attack but rather, a baseball slide out of the ring. Now on the outside, Cassie reaches in and grabs hold of Carli’s legs, sweeping her off her feet. She yanks her out but Carli kicks back, causing Cassie to collide with the table on the outside of the ring. Davis gets to her feet on the inside, before springboarding off the ropes to the outside, landing a perfect meteora to Cassie that drives her right through the table!!

Eliminated: Cassie Mason by Carli Davis

The bell rings, and Jessica is handed both Freedom Tag Team Championships. She runs up to Davis, who is working to her feet, the two of them gushing over the belts together.

WINNER
B²
METHOD
Through table
MATCH LENGTH
17:12
FINISHING MOVE
Meteora through table

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
Earlier in the day, the Anarchy champion Nina was taking a stroll through New York. The camera followed her as she walked the streets, every now and then stopping with some Liberty Pro fans who asked her for a selfie.

Nina: See? This is the kind of shit I’m living for. No, I don’t mean the praise, the adulation or getting recognized in the middle of a street. I’m talking about the real stuff, about all those fans, and believe me there’s plenty of them, thanking me for what I do and say.

The wind was messing with her hair, forcing the Anarchy champion to take a moment to pull a lock away from her eyes.

Nina: Shit’s wild. A few months ago, I was at my lowest. Two concussions in a short span of time really put my career in jeopardy and that took a huge toll on my psyche. Wrestling has always been all I wanted to do, it’s the reason why I took an underpaid job as an intern in MWE, to walk my first steps in this business. Losing it, being forced on the sideline and being told that I might never be able to do it again?

The Anarchy champion shook her head.

Nina: I had a very rough time, not gonna lie. Add to that the whole pandemic, being unable to even leave my house.. I was in a really bad spot and I fucked up. I lost my girl, I lost her adorable baby boy and I can’t go a single day without missing them.

After a brief pause, she continued.

Nina: The reason why I’m telling y’all this? It’s because wrestling is no longer my dream, it became my whole life. Wrestling is what’s helping me get up again after I hit rock bottom, it’s all I have left. And ain’t no Dex, no Dylan, no Walker gonna take it away from me.

A fan stepping in and asking to take a picture with the Viper herself forced another interruption. As the young man finally walked away, Nina turned back to the camera with a bright smile on her face.

Nina: I know the title I’m holding doesn’t define me. I’m aware that all this won’t disappear if I lose my belt tonight. But I made a promise to the fans, and I intend to keep it. I promised that the Anarchy championship will no longer be the hot potato of LPW, it’ll no longer be passed around like a blunt at Cali Roots, it’ll no longer change owners like Nathan changed wives.. This baby here…

Opening her coat, she revealed the Anarchy championship wrapped around her waist.

Nina: This is here to stay, and for a long ass time. I fear no opponent, I fear no curve balls thrown by management nor any 24/7 Free-For-All bullshit. I said it once, Imma say it again. I’m gonna redefine Anarchy, I’m gonna make this title legit.

I hereby declare the State Of Ninarchy

BACKSTAGE
The fans begin to cheer as they see RAYVEN HARDY on the big screen. The fan favorite was in golden ring gear with a smile on her face.

Rayven Hardy: Wow. I'm still humbled every time I hear you guys give me that kind of response. I'm so lucky to have such a loyal fanbase. And tonight is a night I've been looking forward to. For months now, Syn has went from a friend, to a bitch...to maybe a friend again? Still trying to figure that out, but its super show day and I'm ready to show out.

Rayven pauses as the fans begin to chant her name. After about thirty seconds she continues.

Rayven Hardy: Syn, you've made a name for yourself, but mostly at the expense of others. You're managing Hector, openly making fun of him, simply to expose yourself to the Liberty audience. This was never about him, it's about you. You worked your way into Jack's heart, earned his trust and then stabbed him in the back, all, again, to benefit yourself and get a spotlight on you for spilling the tea that was never yours to spill in the first place. And then you involved yourself in my personal life, but hiring my ex-husband, the father of my son, to referee a match, hoping it would get messier than it got, again, all for your enjoyment.

You managed to BUY a win against Jackson, but tonight, match two, that luck runs out. I trust you when you say you're doing this on your own and the best wrestler is going to walk out victorious. No disrespect, but I'm definitely the better wrestler of the two of us. If you think in your second match, you can compare to what I've been doing for the last six years, then you're full of more s....

She stops herself and laughs.

Rayven Hardy: You're higher than your girlfriend if you believe that. But if you stay true to your word, not only will you earn my respect, but I'm sure you'll earn at least a sliver of the respect of these amazing fans. And Julian, if you're watching, don't think I forgot about you. Like Syn, you've chosen to make things personal. Watch what I do tonight, and just know that your future is going to look very similar. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a match to prepare for.

Hardy winks at the camera and continues down the hallway as the fans begin to chant her name again, clearly the fan favorite heading into the grudge match later tonight.

MATCH SIX: ELIMINATION MATCH FOR THE ANARCHY CHAMPIONSHIP
Nina vs Dex Morant vs Dylan Shepherd vs Walker Hill

RECAP
This match is the one that directly follows the tables match, and as the four competitors for the Anarchy title made their way out, it was clear that nobody really tried to clean up the place. After all, this was the Anarchy division. What’s more, it looks like some had scattered various other weapons throughout the area. Of course, some came out with their own, including Dylan with his box of legos and Walker with his bullrope. As the bell rings, Dex has his sights on Walker, but Nina comes from the side with a hard running shoulder to Dex’s profile that floors him. She moves around, landing various kicks with him still on the ground. Meanwhile, Dylan has planted a headbutt to Walker, dizzying him for long enough for Shepherd to nail a northern lights! Walker rolls into the corner, with Dylan giving him low shoulders.

Nina and Dex end up in a ground war, rolling from one side to the other, one second in a ground and pound and the next Dex is applying a seated armbar from the transition. Meanwhile, Dylan tries to rush back into the turnbuckle but receives a mighty big boot from Walker. While Dylan is on the floor, Hill grabs his trusty bullrope, coming behind Dylan and putting it around his neck. He chokes Dylan with it, reeling back so it looks like Shepherd’s eyes are going to pop. He uses the bullrope to execute a modified neckbreaker. Next, he yanks Dylan out onto the apron, but Dylan fights back! Giving him a spinning backfist that almost knocks him to the ground. Walker tried to escape by running across the apron but he’s forgotten about the rope, Dylan now using it to his advantage and yanking hard on his end! It stops Walker dead in his tracks, Dylan spinning him around for a DDT on the apron!

Inside the ring, Nina has escaped the armbar, kneeing Dex in the face. He gets back into the seated position and receives a quick kick to the chest, and followed by a standing legdrop. Nina knows better than to pin him just yet, so she exits the ring in search of something useful. This is when Dylan rolls Walker back into the ring, followed by a black chair he’d grabbed from the side of the ring. However, by the time Dylan gets back on the apron, Walker has grabbed the chair and smashed it across his head! Dylan falls to the outside. But when Walker turns around he eats a straight punch through the chair and to his face! Dex holds his fist in pain but looks like he believes it was worth it. He grabs the chair, wedging it into the corner so that when Hill sands back up, Dex flips him off before nailing him with The Crowning to the chair in the corner! Talk about getting your revenge! Morant covers.

One…Two…Three!

Eliminated: Walker Hill by Dex Morant

Dex doesn’t see as Nina gets back into the ring, holding a deadly barbed wire bat. Morant is kneeling when Nina comes from behind, smacking the back of his head with the deadly weapon as if she were swinging a golf club at golf ball. He looks out cold, and definitely bleeding from the back of his head. She pins.

One…Twkickout!

Nina shifts positions, grabbing the bat again but this time locking in a crossface with the barbedwire placed right across Dex’s face. He yells out in pain, the wire cutting into his forehead, but he refuses to tap. The area where he’s lying is becoming a small puddle of blood, Nina finally becoming a little frustrated with his perseverance and releases the hold. As she gets to her feet, she looks across the ring, noticing Shepherd has re-joined the fight. However he’s just standing there, smiling at her. In his hands, the box of legos, which he disperses all over the ring while staring right at her. Dylan beckons her forward, Nina swinging with the bat first. Dylan ducks, and Nina misses! It doesn’t bound back like a normal bat, but stays firmly in the top rope because of the barbed wire. She tries to yank it out for a moment but is grabbed by Dylan, giving her a snap dragon suplex right onto the legos!

Bloody Dex kicks Dylan in the gut as he’s getting up, followed by a spinning kick that backs Shepherd up into the corner. Morant leaps forward into a closeline, but slinks onto the apron, transitioning to the turnbuckle as Dylan stumbles out. Dex leaps, grabbing hold of Dylan’s face and slamming him down for a flying facebuster on top of his own legos! Shepherd is definitely busted by now as well. Morant gets him to his feet, Nina in the corner awaiting an opening that never comes because Dex and Dylan launch into trading rights. The fist fight ends when Dylan catches Dex’s fist, spinning him around into a Big D Driver (Jumping Piledriver) on top of the lego pile yet again! Dylan covers!

One…Two…Three!

Eliminated: Dex Morant by Dylan Shepherd

Dylan gets to his feet, doing his best to whip the blood that was beginning to drip into his eyes. Nina, on the other side of the ring, glared him down. This time she beckoned him forward, and he obliged. Nina goes for a yakuza kick but Dylan slides under. He pops up behind Nina, going for a backdrop but she throws her weight down, transitioning into an arm drag. Dylan rolls through, standing up right where the barbed wire bat was still on the top rope. Like King Arthur in the sword and the stone, Dylan yanks HARD on the bat and swings in one motion. Nina sees this coming a smidge too late, turning with the swing of that bat but getting nicked across the face by a few barbs. She steps back, swiping her right hand across her face and grinning at the trickle of blood. Dex tosses the bat outside the ring and again they rush one another. Dylan jumps up to the second rope, into a rope-assisted bulldog! Nina powers through the pain, rolling out of the way when Shepherd tries to land a standing elbow. She twists his arm, lifting him up with a suplex. She doesn’t try to lift all the way over though, resting him on the top rope and giving him double knees to the face with a codebreaker.

Both competitors are covered in blood, some theirs and some belonging to others. Nina goes for a high knee that is caught into a spinning backdrop powerbomb that again floors them both! They’re both trying to stay going. Shepherd applies a wristlock, taking Nina down with a lariat but then getting her back up to whip her to the corner. A corner kick makes her fall into a seated position. Dylan yells out to the sky, knowing that his time is coming. He runs forward through the legos with a CANNONBALL! (Corner cannonball to an opponent on their back). The crowd is roaring!

…but before he could go for the pin, Dex Morant slides in with the Anarchy Championship, smashing it across the back of Dylan’s head. Shepherd falls to the canvas and Morant leaves the scene. The crowd collars for their favorite to get to their feet, but it’s ultimately Nina to her feet first since she had a little more recovery time. She bounds off the ropes, hitting a Snakebite (Axe Kick) on the belt, lying across Shepherd.

One…two…three!

Nina was able to take advantage, getting the win and picking the now bloody Anarchy title off the canvas to place it on her shoulder. Dex Morant, now long gone, has got to be somewhere smiling for effectively stealing the win from Dylan Shepherd.

WINNER
Nina
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
14:46
FINISHING MOVE
Snakebite

BACKSTAGE
“Alright, fuckos?”

Opening backstage, Scott Dunn is on standby with Madeline Smith…who is already facepalming, thanks to his opening.

Scotty: “Big night, eh love?”

Madi clears her throat when she realises he’s addressing her.

Madi: “Yes, a big night. Especially for you, Scott, with that US title match later on.”

He grins, widely too.

Scotty: “Aye love, got me that title showdown. Let me tell you this, too, I don’t plan to let that little bastard leave here with the title.”

She interjects, not wanting him to start rambling.

Madi: “A title he’s held since Liberation 63, back in January.”

Scotty: “Sure, he’s had it for a little minute now, but what’s he really done with it? I mean, besides his Jack Sparrow shite, the guy is utterly unremarkable and not memorable. He ain’t elevated that title, that’s for damn sure. I reckon that title should be much bigger news, but instead a fight against him only earns you…what, seventh on the card? Behind a fucking rookie fighting one of the most overhyped people in the entire damn industry.”

Incredulous, he scoffs.

Scotty: “What’s that tell you about the prestige he’s brought to the gold? Tells me plenty and it’s sad to see, but that’s alright because tonight’s the last night of him sullying the prestige of a great and glorious championship.”

With that said, Scott elects to leave. Madi shakes her head and sighs, clearly not exactly enjoying her interviews with the big Brit.

BACKSTAGE
Sparrow: ...What would it mean to--

Caroline Dallins: Hold on. Hold on. Before you break out into the spiel, I want to say something to you. Sparrow.

Sparrow: You’re not calling me ‘Baby Bird’?

Caroline Dallins: No. Not tonight. Tonight I’m your sister more than your manager.

Sparrow: ...You are?

Caroline Dallins: I’m trying. Anyway...

Backstage at the Garden, Sparrow was about ready to go on a full spiel. Full on, likely to let loose similar to that fateful March 7th show of Freedom. Tonight his ring gear is once again playing off of a Squad Captain from Bleach. Black tights, white trim, white diamond shape on his left kickpad. The kanji for ‘11’ in the center, looking like a plus-sign over a minus, comparatively. The right kickpad has a similar diamond shape, with several white X’s over a black diamond. ‘Division 11’ is written down the side of one of his tights’ legs, with ‘THE LAST’ written on the other leg. While Caroline’s dressed in an innocuous black pantsuit, her blazer is black and white with a similar diamond logo to Sparrow’s on the back. The side of her right pant leg...’THE FIRST’ in the same font as him.

He does double-take at it a few times, a little thrown off that she made her professional attire match his own.

Caroline Dallins: What is wrestling? Do you remember what I said so many weeks ago?

Sparrow: ‘Wrestling is being put in uncomfortable situations and the worst odds imaginable at times and finding a way to get it done anyway.’ Your words.

Caroline Dallins: Good. You didn’t forget. Don’t ever forget it. Now go ahead. Do your thing, Sparrow.

She makes a point to take a few steps backward so the man who wants so desperately to be Freedom champion and believes he is worthy of holding it steps to the front.

...

...

Sparrow: There are people every day, willing to throw away everything they have...For just a chance at more. See Lily, it isn’t lost to me that even if I win tonight, even if I win and beat TJ and go on to be Freedom Champion and then beat all exhaustion and a whole Blyss, you could fire me half-way through the match. You could decide TJ isn’t finishing quick enough and tell the ref to do a real quick count on me. It’d be insane and spiteful just to screw me over like that ain’t? Especially at the cost of making sure TJ is fresher to clap down Blyss in the main event, but you ain’t really seem like you ever think in long term. That’s the possibility of course...But it’s not what I’m manifesting tonight, boss lady. See I have no problem with Teej bein’ considered the best that Freedom offers. Never did...But in holding that championship at the last Freedom, it reminded me of somethin’...Reminded me way beyond just pinnin’ Blyss. I deserve to be in the argument of who is among the best to ever walk through the doors of this company. I need to burn that into peoples’ brains and if I can’t?

...

“Why the fuck am I even wrestling here?”

...

Sparrow: ...I want to ask you somethin’ Blyss. Maybe you’ll answer this during our match, maybe you’ll answer it after... What part of this entire night makes you look a successful wrestler in this industry? Tell me. I want to hear it, I would love to hear it. What part of anything about tonight puts you in this hallmark of successful female wrestlers, stalwarts of an industry where there’s men who does throw their weight around or use different means to take advantage if you wanna take it there in terms of discussion. What part of...Anything does? Because like you yourself said...You have nothing to lose. You aren’t giving anything, you aren’t putting anything on the line. You have nothing to fight for. You don’t even fight for Lily, which...

Sparrow pauses and stares into space, trying to work out the still sanity-breaking situation that is Blyss Lockhart getting any favor from Lily Callighan.

Sparrow: ...Boggles my mind that she keeps doing you all these solids when you’d probably cozy up to Syn the second she’d be out of the job. That you’d cozy up to Nate if you and Dante were traded because you would be traded together. That’s what really throws me off, but it’s a matter of who you feel like gettin’ in bed with I suppose. You take pride of havin’ nothing to lose when all it means if you ain’t got anything in you to give up. ...And hah...It doesn’t prove you’re better. Ain’t a proof of how easy you could’ve had it if you had come sooner to Liberty Pro. All it...All it proves is that you talked to the right people, gave the right lip service, and here you are. You beat Teej in a tag match and that’s why you’re here? Great! I beat you in a tag match and that’s ONE of many reasons why I deserve to be here. I’ve spoken my peace about Teej, Blyss, and our boss knows how I feel about her. You...Lemme make this clear as far as you go?

Sparrow’s eyes close and his nostrils flare before he seems to find his peace. Yet still he speaks, a sort of cold calm washing over him.

Sparrow: As far as you go...Your title match, the main event Lily handed you after all this with Teej, can be summed up in one word. It’s the same one word that everyone in the Garden is going to be feeling when I walk into that match tonight as Freedom champion and leave you on the mat, raising this championship overhead. You wanna know what that word is, Blyss?

The youngest member of Dallins’ family breathes out and then his eyes open.

Sparrow: Pity.

MATCH SEVEN: US CHAMPIONSHIP
Brendan Samuels vs Scott Dunn

RECAP
The two men start by circling the ring before finally locking up in the center. Dunn manages to get Samuels in a side headlock but Samuels pushes him off. Scott smacks his hands before tying up once again with Samuels. This time Samuels gets the upper hand and slides behind Dunn and gets him in a waist lock, Dunn uses his quick thinking and reverses by getting behind Samuels. Scott lets go and spins Brendan around to face him, before whipping him into the ropes. As Samuels returns from the ropes Dunn attempts a superkick but Samuels ducks the shot. Dunn turns around just in time to receive a boot to the midsection by Samuels. Samuels then takes him down with a swinging neck breaker, then goes for the cover but Scott kicks out at one.

Brendan goes to bring Dunn to his feet but Scott catches him with a quick uppercut that stumbles Samuels back a bit, Dunn quickly rushes at Samuels and goes for a kick of his own but Samuels catches the foot. Dunn leaps and catches the US Champion in the back of the head with his other foot sending Samuels face first to the mat. While Samuels is face down, Dunn leaps into the air and crashes down with both knees to Samuels’s back. Samuels rolls over as he grabs his back, allowing Dunn to make the cover but Samuels powers out quite easily.

Dunn brings Brendan to his feet just long enough to drop him head first with a DDT. With Samuels down on the mat Dunn looks to fly high as he climbs the turnbuckles to the top rope. He points down at Samuels and leaps off looking to connect with a flying elbow drop. Samuels barely rolls out of the way allowing Scott to crash and burn. Both men begin to rise to their feet, once they’re up they begin to trade shots. Finally Samuels blocks a shot and goes to whip Dunn, Dunn reverses and whips Samuels across the ring and into the ropes. Dunn goes for a clothesline but Samuels ducks it, he rebounds from the opposite ropes and holds on to stop himself. Dunn sees this and takes him out of the ring with a clothesline that sends Samuels over the top rope and to the floor below.

Samuels stands outside the ring as Dunn launches himself through the ropes and catches Samuels with a suicide dive as both men lay outside the ring. Dunn hops to his feet and starts to celebrate after his move, then picks Samuels up and rolls him into the ring before going for a cover but Brendan throws him off after a one count. Dunn brings Samuels to his feet and gets him in a crucifix rollup for another pin attempt but the Kraken kicks out after one again. Dunn continued his attack, bringing himself up just enough to deliver a few well placed knees to the body of Samuels.

Standing back to his feet, he leans down to grab Samuels by the head and pull him back up to his feet. A few well placed slaps to the face of Samuels, Dunn grabs the man by the throat, looking down into his eyes. This enrages Brendan and he explodes with momentum as he begins to fire off rights and lefts into the face of Dunn, sending the man staggering back with each shot. Not letting the distance between the two grow too large, Samuels gives chase, those shots backing Dunn into the turnbuckles. Taking a few steps back, Samuels runs in, looking for a body avalanche but Dunn was ready, throwing his right boot up, catching Samuels square in the mouth.

Samuels staggering back a few steps, he somehow manages to brush off the boot as he storms forward again, throwing every pound into a second attempt at the body avalanche, sandwiching Dunn in the corner. Stepping back out of that corner, Brendan catches Dunn as he staggers out of the corner. Hoisting him high into the air, before snapping him downwards, drilling the spine of the Dunn into the stretched out canvas with every ounce of force he has within him with a vicious spinebuster.

Grabbing him by the head, Samuels drags Dunn up to a standing position, hooking his head. Reaching down, he grabs the leg before snapping back into a Fisherman's Suplex! Keeping it held in, he bridged his body up for the pin. The official was quick, once more dropping down for the count but no! Scott gets his shoulder up just before the three count. Samuels wants to continue his fight, pulling Dunn up to his feet. Samuels yells out to hoist ye flags before he hoists Scott up off of his feet, signaling for something big. As he lifts Scott up, Dunn manages to slip out of the grasp of the US Champion. Before Samuels could regain control, Dunn wraps his arms around the legs of Samuels and takes him down. Scott starts to rain down punches to the skull of Brendan. Dunn backs up from Samuels, who slowly starts to get to his knees.

Scott then charges in and connects with Eat the Meat (ripcord clothesline). Dunn makes the cover but no! Brendan somehow gets his shoulder up before the three count. Dunn is in shock as he can't believe Samuels kicked out. Scott gets up and starts to argue the count with the referee. Scott wastes no time as he picks Samuels up and goes for a chokeslam but Brendan counters out of it and he nails Mac Lir - Millennium Suplex (Cross Wing Chickenwing Suplex) from out of nowhere! Brendan drops down onto Dunn and the referee makes the count and it reaches three! Samuels retains!

WINNER
Brendan Samuels
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
16:01
FINISHING MOVE
Mac Lir

Backstage

The cameras cut backstage to a first person shot of a dimly lit, smoky dressing room in some forgotten corner of Madison Square Garden. The initial shot is one looking down at a card table, where there are numerous stacks of money, and some heavily tattooed hands can be seen shuffling a deck of cards. The camera stays pointed there for just a moment, before panning up to show none other than "The Outlaw" Jack Graves sitting across the table, posing as the "dealer." He's dressed for business in his typical show attire, and he peers across the table from under his Stetson cowboy hat, as a plume of smoke billows from the tip of a lit cigar in his mouth.

Graves stays silent for a spell, the orange cherry from the tip of his cigar illuminating his face as his massive hands finish shuffling the deck of cards. Finally, once the deck is shuffled to his liking, Jack deals two cards to each person at the table and finally begins to speak.

Jack Graves: "All my life, I've been a gambler by nature. I've taken a lot of calculated risks to get where I am today and some of those risks have paid off for me. You know, like deciding to learn to wrestle when I was younger to try and get away from the streets. That was a good one. Or, taking a chance on the woman of my dreams recently. Have you seen her fine ass? That definitely paid off for me. Or hell, even signing a contract here with Liberty and deciding to pursue my destiny. All of these things paid off for me in the long run, but some of the gambles I've made in this life? Well they didn't go as hot. I got locked up, I didn't get to say goodbye to my mother on her death bed, people I love got hurt, I let folks down..."

Jack looks at his cards as he speaks, and everyone goes around the table betting in turn. As it comes back to Jack, he discards the top card on the deck before placing three cards face up on the table.

King of Spades. Queen of Spades. 6 of Clubs.

Graves remains stoic as he surveys the cards on the table, keeping his poker face intact. The next round of betting starts, and Jack places his cigar in a nearby ashtray to pick up a red solo cup (contents unknown) and take a sip. He tosses some money into the pot to raise, and turns his attention back to the camera.

Jack Graves: "No matter how many times I've fallen short in my life though...No matter how many times I've hit rock bottom and had to dust myself off and climb back out of that hole. I've never given up, and that's because I have heart. See, Heart is a measure of a person that cannot be trained. That's something that can NOT be taught. You either have it, or your don't. I mean don't get me wrong, talent may be a wonderful thing, hell even a gift; but it means NOTHING without heart. What defines a professional wrestler, or even a person in general in life is their courage. The courage to stand up for what YOU believe is right, even if that means sometimes standing alone. The courage to never stop improving your life, to never let random misfortunes in your life get you down no matter how rough it gets. To have the heart to continue, no matter how many times you get knocked down, no matter how many times you have to try, no matter how many times you LOSE. Having heart means to never accept defeat. It means to do, or die, and that's exactly what I plan to do tonight against Marcus Black."

Graves flips another card over face up on the table as he speaks. This one is the Ace of Diamonds, and a few people at the table throw their hands in with a groan to fold, but Jack shakes his head and ups the Ante, raising the stakes by pushing all of his cash into the center of the table and going "all in."

Jack Graves: "There's a big misconception here, to be quite honest. Folks seem to think that I came out there and called Marcus Black out on his first night here because I have some sort of issue with him. Quite the contrary, actually. I called him out because my uncle once told me that if you wanted folks to know you were someone to be taken serious then you call out the biggest, baddest guy in the room, and you whoop his ass. You make a statement. That's what I'm doing. Marcus Black is a monster. You saw how he rag-dolled Rayven. She's a former world champion herself, and look how he handled her. He's been around this sport for a hot minute, and he's one HELL of a dominant powerhouse. A legitimate beast. Truth be told, I actually respect the man tremendously. That's why I picked him. But, ask yourself this. Would he have even given me a second thought if I hadn't done what I had?"

Jack pauses and finishes his drink to toss the cup over his shoulder nonchalantly. He then reaches down to flip over the last card on the table, the river, but the camera doesn't look at it yet. Instead, it stays locked in on Jack as he picks up his cigar once more and pushes his chair back to stand.

Jack Graves: "The answer is no. He wouldn't have. Because I'm not supposed to even be here. I'm just some hotheaded redneck that should've spent his career in the indies, being a drunken nobody. Lucky for me, we make our own destiny... and sometimes those calculated risks we make in life pay off. They pay off big. Maybe ol' Marcus Black beats the ever lovin' shit out of me tonight. Maybe he ends my career before it ever gets started, and that would be my own fault since I wanted to be locked in the cage with a Kraken. Sheeeeeit, Maybe he drags me to the watery deep, never to be seen again. Or! Hear me out... maybe, just maybe, I shock the world and put him down for the count. MAYBE I prove to you all that I AM someone to be taken seriously. That I AM a legitimate threat to your win-loss records, and your title reigns. Not some washed Indy wrestler weekend warrior and certainly not some fuckin' reality show jerk-off like the bachelor, where my love life is more important that my matches."

Jack takes a few puffs on the cigar, surveying the cards on the table with a cocky smirk. The camera pans down to show the newly added card and it's the 10 of Spades.

King of Spades, Queen of Spades, 6 of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds, 10 of Spades.

Jack Graves: "Either way? I'm all in. I'm going to leave absolutely everything I have out there in that cage, and there will only be one of us walkin' out of that sumbitch on our own volition, and it's going to be ME. This is one of the biggest gambles of my life, but bubba I like the odds. I mean, I have been on a bit of a roll lately...haven't I?"

With this, Jack tosses his cards on the table face up. The camera focuses in on them and they are the Ace of Spades, and the Jack of Spades, ironically enough. These cards complete the Royal Flush, the rarest, and unbeatable hand in poker. Jack sweeps the pile of cash off the table and into a duffel bag, before grinding his cigar out in the ashtray. He looks into the camera, and speaks only to one person now.

His opponent.

Jack Graves: "Marcus. I know you don't like me. I know you think I'm some moron who riled you up for no reason. I know you think that you are going to come out there and steamroll me like you do so many other people but... I respect you, and once this is all over and I pin you inside of that ring? Cleanly? I'll forgive you for underestimating me, and looking past me like you have. I told you on twitter that once the match was over this beef between us was done, and I mean that. This dies in that cage. But until that final bell rings? You are public enemy #1 motherfucker, and I'm not going to stop until one of us is laying bloody and unconscious on that canvas. Best of luck to you, Kraken. You're going to need it, whether you think so or not."

With this statement, Graves turns to exit the room and the camera fades to black.

MATCH EIGHT: SINGLES
Syn vs Rayven Hardy

RECAP
As the bell rings Syn meets Rayven in the middle of the ring and extends her hand. Rayven looks hesitant at first but Syn crosses her heart and smiles brightly. The two shake hands and Syn pulls Ray in for a warm hug before they finally separate and start the match. The early stages of the match are a scientific clinic with both competitors displaying speed, smarts and technique with counter after counter. Even the crowd is drawn in by this incredible display, cheering each move while Ray and Syn exchange a knowing smile. The middle part of the match begins to tilt in Rayven’s favor, her experience winning out as Syn is visibly winded the longer the match goes. The two finish a chain wrestling exchange that ends with Rayven hitting a Sleeperhold Drop. With Syn down and out Rayven scales the ropes, signals to the crowd and launches through the air with a beautifully executed Skittle Star Press… only Syn gets her knees up and Rayven crashes down upon them, driving the wind from her lungs. As Ray fights to catch her breath Syn turns vindictive, unleashing a barrage of stomps into Rayven’s sternum to prevent her from catching her breath. Not satisfied, she plunges her knee into Ray’s chest and keeps it there, digging it in as she grabs Ray by the hair and drives her closed fist in Rayven’s forehead over and over again. The ref warns Syn but she just snarls at him before yanking Rayven to her feet and screaming before planting her with Becky Balfour’s Hear Me Out reverse DDT. Syn hooks the leg but only gets a count of two before Rayven kicks out with authority.

Syn is beside herself, pulling at her own hair before glaring over at Rayven who is now sitting up. Syn wastes no time and unleashes a crescent kick that puts Ray flat on her back again, then she hits a standing moonsault before locking on a Guillotine Choke. Ray gasps for breath and tries to reach for the ropes but she’s too far away. Syn cackles and tighten the choke but Ray isn’t passing out, in fact she’s fighting her way to a vertical base. Syn’s eyes go wide but then narrow as she releases the hold and then RIPS Ray down to the canvas by her hair. Then she leaps into the air and drops her knees right across the bridge of Rayven’s nose while screaming, “STAY DOWN BITCH!!”

Syn is clearly out of control, her eyes wild as she pulls at her hair and looks around the ring. Finally a vindictive smile curls at the corners of her mouth as she runs to the corner, scales the turnbuckles and flips Ray a double bird before hitting the Skittle Star Press. The crowd can’t believe it as Syn confidently hooks the leg but gets only a count of two before Ray kicks out with even more authority than before. Syn can’t believe it, she slams her hands against the mat and then gets in the referee’s face, complaining about a slow count. What she doesn’t realize is that a pissed off Rayven is back to her feet as well, seething. All the emotion from the weeks of torment Syn caused her are flowing through her. She’s running on pure adrenaline as she remembers how Syn put her family through the ringer just to entertain the masses. The second Syn turns to face her, Ray explodes and spears Syn into the corner, absolutely destroying her and leaving her doubled over and broken as if she’d just been in a car accident. Rayven yanks Syn to her feet and pulls her to the center of the ring where she hits a beautifully executed suplex, only she doesn’t release. Ray follows through with the motion and drags Syn to her feet for another suplex… and then another! She hits five suplexes in a row before finally releasing her victim and popping to her feet. Syn is on the canvas gasping for air but Ray isn’t finished. She pulls Syn to her feet and drives her face first into the canvas with a punishing DDT. Syn is out, twitching on the canvas as Ray rolls her onto her back. She could pin her but she decides not to, she’s not finished yet. Ray once more scales the turnbuckles as the referee is hovering over Syn, checking on her. Rayven stands, perched above the ring waiting for the ref to move when from the crowd Julian Savell hops the barrier and makes a bee-line towards her. She doesn’t see him coming and he shoves her from the turnbuckle to the concrete floor before. She crashes down with a gruesome impact, unable to break her fall as she didn’t see the attack coming.

The commotion draws the referee’s attention and he’s confused as he looks at Syn down and out inside the ring and Rayven unconscious outside the ring. As he’s looking at Rayven, Julian slides into the ring and gives Syn a couple of slaps to the side of her face, rousing her and helping her to her feet. He leaves her clinging to the ropes to hold herself up and he quickly exits the ring. When the ref turns around he sees that Syn is back on her feet while Rayven is still down and out. With a confused shrug he begins to count. Rayven starts to stir, miraculously willing herself awake as she scratches and claws her way towards the ring to avoid the countout. She’s too late though, with one hand clinging to the apron she collapses as the referee reaches a count of ten and counts her out of the match, all thanks to Julian Savell.

WINNER
Syn
METHOD
Countout
MATCH LENGTH
17:32
FINISHING MOVE
That damned Julian Savell
POST MATCH
Julian grabs Ray and throws her under the ropes and inside the ring. He stalks her as she struggles to her hands and knees, lining her up for a punt to the head. He starts to run towards her when suddenly Syn throws her body over Ray’s, shielding her from Julian’s attack. Julian stops short and glares down at Syn, yelling for her to get out the way. Syn shakes her head and drops to her knees, tugging at Julian’s tights with tears in her eyes, begging him not to hurt Rayven. Julian sighs and rolls his eyes before caving to Syn’s pleas. He takes a step back while Syn helps Ray to her feet, seemingly apologizing for the way the match ended. Syn shoots Julian a dirty look while consoling Ray but slowly that look turns into a wicked grin before she sends Ray thundering down the canvas with The Crowning headlock driver! The crowd gasps as Syn pops back to her feet, leaping into Julian’s arms as the two celebrate together. After a moment of celebration they begin laying boots into the fallen Rayven, trying to outdo each other and laughing hysterically while doing so. Each kick is harder than the next as they light up Ray’s rib cage. From the back Jack Graves comes sprinting town to ringside, swinging a chair wildly in an effort to clear the ring. Julian and Syn scatter, regrouping on the outside, pointing and laughing while Jack tends to Rayven.

BACKSTAGE
The camera cuts backstage as Marcus Black goes to step out of his locker room, Stella Winters stopping him as he is about to suit the door.

Stella Winters: Are you sure about this? You’re in the cell anyway, the fuck am I gonna do? I don’t like just sitting back here and watching on a shitty little screen.

Marcus Black: I know you’ll do absolutely nothing, but yes I am sure. I want no excuses, no bitching, no complaining. I was content to simply beat him out there tonight, but after what happened on Freedom I am going to destroy him. I am going to put the exclamation point on this little “rivalry” of ours and put an end to this once and for all. He think I’m being locked in there with an animal, when in actuality he has jumped directly into the fucking deep end with his floaties on and thinks he can swim with the Kraken. He’s out of his depth, and he’s gonna drown.

Marcus turns to look straight down the camera, clearly being aware of it.

Marcus Black: While you are preparing for the fight of your career Jack, I’d advise you to pray. Pray to whoever or whatever you believe in for mercy. Because you will get none from me.

With that Marcus closes the door behind him and heads down the hallway as the camera cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
Day of Reckoning II, Night Two continues as TJ Techniques, the reigning Freedom Champion, appears backstage in one of the designated interview areas. TJ rubs his hands as he begins to address the viewing audience.

TJ Techniques: The vibes were good last night. My girl Bri retained her Gotham Championship. Emery Layton is back in the mix and is the new Noir Champion. To top it all off, Antoinette shocked the world and walked out the new Liberty Champion. Oh yeah, and Skylar choked out Blyss Lockhart's Kept Man, Dante Locke. That's always a plus.

TJ has a smirk on his face. But that smirk quickly disappears.

TJ Techniques: Tonight though? Tonight's a whole different story. The vibes are all off tonight. Matter of fact, there ain't gon be any feel good moments. There ain't gon be no story book endings. There's just gon be a bunch of hurt feelings and hurt bodies at the end of this. This is what Lily Callaghan's incompetent ass wanted. This is here dream scenario. This is her pettiness showing for the thousandth time. My guy Sparrow gets put into a situation where he has to win or be fired. Blyss gets put into a situation where she's gifted a match against an opponent that will not be at 100 percent. Then there me, who not only has to defend his title two times in one night, but has to do so back to back. But trust and believe that I will be walking out of here the same way that I walked in - a champion.

TJ takes a couple of seconds to form his thoughts before continuing.

TJ Techniques: Sparrow, you've been my man for the longest. We've fought alongside each other. We've been in the ring against each other in a Triple Threat Match along with a fellow champion. We've been in there against each other one on one. I don't think we ever would've thought that it was gon be like this though, right? This match between me and you, it deserves to be on Night Two. It deserves to be for a championship such as this. But it don't deserve this stip. Not now, not ever. But when you're dealin' with a woman that doesn't know her head from her ass and runs off of emotions, this is the hand that we been dealt. I would say that Lily should be ashamed of herself, but you can't expect shame from a shameless woman. I would say what I really wanna say about that woman, but knowing her petty ass, she'd have me wresting out there blindfolded with one arm tied behind my back.

TJ steers the conversation back to his first of two opponents for the night.

TJ Techniques: But enough about the idiot that runs this side of Liberty. Let's bring this back to me and you. From the first moment we met, you always showed me respect. You always showed love. In a cutthroat business like this, you are one of the very few that I would put my entire trust in. You've been my man 50 grand from the start. But all that shit flies out the window tonight. The love? The friendship? The respect? That don't mean nothin' when that bell sounds, my brother. Tonight, I'm fightin' to keep this championship. I'm fightin' to see another match as champion. You? You're fightin' for your life here in Liberty. You're fightin' to simply survive. Yeah, you could get picked up by any promotion out there tomorrow. No doubt you'd have people willin' to back up the Brinks truck for you. But fightin' for your career here in Liberty? Fightin' for your job? It's a pride thing. It's the principal of the matter. If it was any other match, I would support you. If it was any other match, I would be behind you 100 percent. But not here. Not with this match. Especially not with this on the line.

TJ raises the Freedom Championship.

TJ Techniques: Y'know... someone stopped me the other day. They asked me if I would lay down for you. I told 'em "nah". They then asked me if the title wasn't on the line, would I lay down for you. You know what I told em? "Nah". You wanna know why? It's 'cause you wouldn't want it that way. Even with your back against the wall, even with your job hangin' over your head, you wouldn't want a win over me that way. You wanna earn it the right way and that's by goin' through me. But here's the thing, my dude. You couldn't beat me in the Triple Threat with Kaia. You couldn't beat me one on one last April. You damn sure won't be beating me tonight. That may not be what you want to hear. But it's what your ass needs to hear. You understand? You may be my boy. But when that bell sounds, you are just another opponent, I won't think twice about doing what needs to be done. There won't be no internal conflict on my end. Trust me when I tell you, bro, I will not hesitate to put one right between your eyes. I will not hesitate to drop you. I. WILL. NOT. HESITATE, Sparrow, to deliver the move that not only puts you down for the count... but puts you out of a job, as well.

TJ lets that last line linger.

TJ Techniques: Caroline was right. No, not about her misguided ways or about the slick shit that comes out of her mouth. It's what she told you on the very show show of Liberty's Re-Re-Return. You might be the King around here, but TJ is a deity. That's the one thing her ass got right and Sparrow, my man, you will find out once again the difference between me and you. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

TJ shifts the Freedom Championship across his shoulder before continuing.

TJ Techniques: Then there's your ho ass, Blyss. The Banshee of Bad Vibes herself. To say that I cannot stand your ass would be an understatement. I've had my fair share of clashes with people. I've had my fair share of rivalries here and there. But I don't think I've ever come close to hatin' someone until your bowlegged ass came walkin' through the door. Let me let you in on a 'lil secret. No one in that locker room besides Dante wants you here. No one asked for you. No one needed your presence and when you leave? You will not be missed. By anyone.

TJ stares daggers through the camera.

TJ Techniques: You have had you nose firmly in my business from the day you decided to use Liberty to revive your dead career. I'm tired of your attacks. I'm tired of your politickin'. I'm tired of your voice. I'm tired of your matches. I'm tired of your tweets. I. Am. Sick. And. Tired. Of. You. And. Your. Bull. Shit. Do I make myself clear? I'm tired of it. I'm tired of it all! You? You think that this is all a game. You think that, because you have Lily's ear, you can do whatever you want around here with no repercussions. Nah, I don't think so. What happened at the last Freedom? That was just a taste of tonight. That was just a little sample of what I've got in store for you. My match with Sparrow? It won't be easy. It will be one of the hardest fights I've ever had in my life. But it's a fight that I will survive because I'll be damned if I don't leave this building getting a piece of your ass. And no, not in THAT way, Dante. Don't worry, my dude, no body wants her stankin' ass but you. That's all you, homie. All. You.

TJ is good on that.

TJ Techniques: But I'm not leavin' this building until I get my hands around that neck of yours. I'm not leavin' this building until you catch these hands. I'm not leavin' this building, Blyss, until I stomp you out! Yeah, you may have been a big fucking deal back in the day. But it's just like Slim Charles told Bodie on The Wire. "The thing about the old days, they the old days". It's a new day and age, Blyss. You don't run shit no more. I'm the man up in here. I'm the champ and I will stay the champ. You? You been talkin' nothing but cash shit for the past three months. But tonight, all those checks are about to bounce, baby, because your mouth wrote checks that your ass can't cash. It's over, ma. After tonight, you're done out here in these Freedom streets. You better go crawl your ass over to Liberation and try your hand over there, because there won't be nothin' for you at the top over here. When the ref takes this title from me and he holds it up for you to see before the match, that's as close as you'll ever to get the Freedom Championship after tonight. 'Ol Glory is staying right with me. You gotta understand that this right here? This Freedom brand? This is Teej's Terrain. And after you get smacked up Big Willie Style, I'm throwin' you right out the door like Uncle Phil used to do Jazz. All that talkin' stops tonight. All your garbage stops tonight. Your reign of terror, Blyss, it... stops... tonight.

MATCH NINE: HELL IN A CELL
Marcus Black vs Jack Graves

RECAP
The cell door has barely enough time to be locked closed before Jack and Marcus go for each other immediately, brawling and laying into each other with heavy shots as neither man wants to give an inch. Marcus takes the advantage early using his power to get the upper hand, wearing Jack down with slams and power strikes in the early going. That is until Jack lands a sharp elbow to the midsection, giving him the opening to dump Marcus over the top rope onto the apron. He then charges Marcus down, knocking him off the apron and sending him back first into the cell, before crashing onto the mat. Jack climbs out onto the apron and waits for Marcus to get up using the apron, and then runs at him going for a punt kick, but Marcus catches his foot before sweeping his leg out from under him, sending him crashing onto the apron! Marcus then grabs a hold of his legs and swings Jack into the cage, his body bouncing off the steel.

Marcus and Jack continue their brawl on the outside, both making the most of the enclosed space and the cell wall. Marcus knocks Jack down with a massive headbutt before he moves back to the corner on the outside and looks to charge Jack down, but as Jack recovers his hands go under the ring to grab something. As Marcus charges in Jack pulls out a steel chair and just throws it straight into his face, stunning Marcus before Jack drops him with a DDT on the outside! Jack goes to pick up a set of steel steps, and absolutely drills Marcus in the face with them, busting him open and knocking him back into the cage wall. Jack then drops the steps just before Marcus, before taking a run up and leaping off the steps, crashing into Marcus and busting open that section of the cell wall! Both men are now laying on the collapsed wall as Jack stirs, dragging Marcus back to his feet as he tries to hook him for Black Curtains (straightjacket DDT) onto the steel, but Marcus pull away and drives his knee right into Jack’s face. Blood is running down Marcus’s face as he doubles Jack over and brings him up before hitting a powerbomb onto the cell wall, the slight bounce allowing Marcus to catch him and bring him up for a second time, before Marcus runs down the cage and drives Jack spine first into the ringpost!

Both men are down on the outside as the crowd is going insane. Marcus is barely up before Jack, but walks straight into a low blow, Jack doing what it takes to get the upper hand as he rolls Marcus into the ring. He then grabs his pair of brass knuckles out of his pants and puts them on, but then picks up the chair from before and slides into the ring with it, holding it in a way that hides the knuckles. He loads up for a big chair shot on Marcus who ducks out of the way, but Jack immediately drops the chair then throws his arm back and cracks Marcus in the side of the head with a brass knucks assisted spinning backfist! Marcus drops like a corpse and Jack goes for a desperate cover, but at the count of 2.99 Marcus’s shoulder powers off the mat in defiance, and Jack can’t believe it. He’s up in the refs face, yelling at him and even raising his knuckled fist to him, but decides to refocus on Marcus instead. He stalks Marcus as he loads up his fist for a big right hand, but as he steps in Marcus counters and lifts him up on his shoulders, before sending Jack crashing to the mat with a Blackhammer (F5) out of nowhere! Marcus’s face is now covered in blood as he slowly crawls to Jack and rolls him over for the cover, but the small delay allows Jack to kick out defiantly at 2.99! Marcus sits up on his knees, trying to see through the blood, then spots the knuckles on Jack’s hand. He pulls the knuckles off of Jack’s fist, then puts it on his own right hand as he stands and waits for Jack to stand. Jack gets back to his feet and turns to face Marcus, just as Marcus unloads with a massive right haymaker with the knuckles, landing square on the jaw of Jack as he hits the mat hard, Marcus’s body collapsing on top of him, giving the Kraken the 3 count and the hard fought win!

WINNER
Marcus Black
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
14:47
FINISHING MOVE
Brass Knuckles Punch

BACKSTAGE
One more time in lieu of this big match, Sparrow appears before the camera. This time, however, Caroline Dallins is nowhere to be found. No. It’s just the West Indian Whirlwind, in a dimly lit room. He sits in quiet, uncomfortable silence, still dressed in the same gear from earlier. He licks his lips slowly and temples his fingers.

Sparrow: We rollin’?

Cameraman: Yeah.

Sparrow: Good.

The face of a man with nothing to lose is hardened. Everything about him sharpens, shoulders squaring and hands forming a sharp acute triangle pointing forward. His eyes pierce and his tongue sucks through his teeth.

Sparrow: I thought about it and...There’s something else I wanna say if this is my last night in Liberty Pro. If this...This is it? Why hold back? See there’s things I feel I could say in front of my manager since she my sister and all, and things I...Just don’t want to right now. So I’ll do this right now without her. If she wants to talk about it later, then we can. Or she’ll pretend it never happened and we go on with our lives.

His eyes closed and the West Indian Whirlwind sat up straight instead of hunching over slow.

Sparrow: The name you can find on my birth certificate is Raphael Christopher Dallilns. That is the first and very last time you will ever hear me refer to myself by that name in Liberty Pro Wrestling. See when Lily tried hurting me by throwing my name out there like that, she succeeded. Not in the way she woulda wanted all things considered, but she did. I hate that name because...It belongs to a wrestling family. Three generations. It belongs to a man who wanted absolutely nothing to do with me when I was an infant. He didn’t name me. The nurse did. He didn’t raise me. M’adopted family did. He ain’t gave me absolutely nothin’ but the last name. One child of the five he has and the last one he just abandons...And I can’t say that around my manager because it starts a real uncomfortable conversation about how insulting it is for the favorite child to, in her infinite wisdom and grace, come to extend a hand to the baby brother she never knew. How nice of her.

He sneered grimly before Sparrow simply let it wash over him. He frowned, grossed out by that pang of anger.

Sparrow: ...But ain’t her fault. No amount of anger should be directed at her because she, screwed up as it all is, is just tryna do what she thinks is right. Enough of that. There’s one thing that the old man could never do. He could never break out. He could never rise higher than he was. No Icarus for him. To everyone who saw him, he fit perfectly teaming with his brother. The Dallins Gang. Because watchin’ two black cowboys in the 80’s wrestlin’ on your television was a spectacle enough I suspect. That’s who he was. That’s all he could be. Then in spite of expectin’ greatness out of his eldest son...It’s only in and out of jail for said son. The daughter? She gives her whole soul to this. Love. Friendships. Her blood, her creativity, her mind, her soul, her very state of being...To this. She was so...Obsessed with it all. She had to quit or she would have become a tragedy on a future documentary or one of those wrestlin’ podcasts talkin’ about back in the day. You can even see it in her eyes...And I...I don’t hate her for that. I get it. So if it helps her to manage me so be it.

The Trinidadian wrestler takes a long stare off to the side, and remains silent for some time. A small smile plays up on the side of his lips.

Sparrow: Thank you, Lily. Thank you for putting things into perspective. Thank you for looking me right in the eye and making that comparison to Icarus and throwin’ my government name out there. Because I needed that reminder as to what I’m doing here. I am here tonight to make sure that Blyss knows beyond all reasonable doubt and thought that she ain’t the best. She ain’t the best in this industry, she certainly ain’t the fuckin’ best in this company and I am happy to show her that from post to post half-beaten to death. Thank you, Lily...For reminding me that as much as I will die on a hill proclaiming that TJ is a perfect wrestler, a wrestler’s wrestler, one of the best from end to end...It doesn’t mean shit if I can’t beat him. ...Because that’s the truth. I ain’t ever beaten you in this company Teej. It ain’t no secret. You know it, I know it...But it’s time that I do something about it. I can’t be your sidekick and I refuse to be just your witness. Because if I don’t? That’s my job. Like what, am I about to sing your praises as they give me my walkin’ papers? Nah. Not this time. 364 days can go by and everyone can say that TJ Techniques is better than Sparrow, and I’ll be okay with that...But tonight is the one day out of the year where everyone will know that in Liberty Pro, Sparrow has TJ Technique’s number.

Finally, Sparrow stands up, a do-or-die attitude written all over his features. He turns his head, dreads shifting around.

Sparrow: That? That’s just the start. Tonight and EVERY single night on Freedom, I will prove that no one can touch me. No one can even come close. Not TJ, fuck never Blyss, not any of Lily’s machinations for as long as she can still even have machinations. I am better than any member of the Dallins family. I am better than any wrestling family, hell, whoever is listening, I dunno if you need to hear this but I am better than your wrestling family. Future. Past. Present. Because let me restate it just one more time.

...If I didn’t believe that?

“Why the fuck am I even wrestling here?”

BACKSTAGE
A video montage of Blyss Lockhart begins to play. From her shocking debut with Dante Locke at Liberation to her unwarranted interferences and attacks at ringside…

Blyss Lockhart: Blyss Lockhart becoming the Freedom champion one day? There was never any doubt. From the moment I step through the curtains and back into the limelight of this merciless industry, it was only going to be a matter of when I would be at the top of the mountain again.

From her laughing mockingly at her adversaries’ misery to her screaming in rage during an intense match…

Blyss Lockhart: Just because my methods are a little unorthodox, just because I act and behave a certain way, a way you don’t understand, it doesn’t and shouldn’t discount my abilities. I have tasted gold numerous times before. So obviously I know perfectly well how to attain it again.

From her destroying the projector at the image of Sparrow on the wall to hitting TJ Techniques with a low blow…

Blyss Lockhart: In fact, I have mastered my craft. And my time in Freedom has demonstrated just that. I get what I want and I don’t waste time doing it.

A medium close-up shot of her now fades in as she tightens her hand wrap. Then she turns to the camera with a look of pure arrogance. The look of a woman who’s so sure of her place.

Blyss Lockhart: TJ and Sparrow used to say that I have no business being here but now the narrative has changed. Forced to change. If you’d been trying to guess who Blyss Lockhart is, well this is it. No matter what you think or believe of her, she will force you to think again. Someway, somehow, she will be here to prove you wrong. It isn’t like she hasn’t been telling you what’s going to happen. But maybe you were just meant to be living examples of what happens if you deny her.

A corner of her lips rises in a smirk.

Blyss Lockhart: This is not about being the boss’ favourite. The only real special privilege that I have is being Blyss Lockhart. What Lily has done is only the inevitable. It’s just that instead of later, my time has come now.

The smirk slowly blooms into a full-on self-pleased grin.

Blyss Lockhart: If I end up facing TJ tonight for the Freedom championship, things would come full circle and I love ending a good chapter on a positive note. But if I end up facing Sparrow, maybe Lily doesn’t get to fire him but I will destroy his career.

She lets out a laugh, relishing the two ideas.

Blyss Lockhart: Either way, I would enjoy, to be honest. Because at the end of the night, I will have my hand raised high with the Freedom championship finally and rightfully in my possession.

She laughs again before the scene fades to black.

BACKSTAGE
Nathan taps his knuckles impatiently on his desk. He turns his gaze away from the screen, away from his show, to turn to face his visitor.

Nathan Callaghan: “You can see how unhinged my ex-wife has become.”

The camera turns to show the relaxed pose of Chuck Matthews, sitting across from Nathan, his legs stretched out lazily in front of him.

Chuck Matthews: “She’s certainly become a liability. Firing Layton… bold move. Unwise move, too.”

Nathan grunts.

Nathan Callaghan: “Which is why I picked her up for Liberation.”

Chuck Matthews: “You think she’ll help you take the fight to Lily?”

Nathan frowns.

Nathan Callaghan: “No… I’m not sure. Maybe. She’s said she wants no part in this little spat of ours, but… who knows? That lawyer of Layton’s, Amy Taylor-Knowles, has been a thorn in Lily’s side but I’m not sure it’s been enough. Not even The Society has been enough.”

Chuck Matthews: “I did warn you about that.”

Nathan scoffs.

Chuck Matthews: “But then… that’s why I’m here, I suppose.”

Nathan glances up from his desk to meet Chuck’s calculating gaze.

Nathan Callaghan: “I want insurance.”

A devious glint seems to light up in Chuck’s eyes.

Chuck Matthews: “Ah, there it is.”

Nathan Callaghan: “Here’s the bottom line, Chuck… I don’t like you. I don’t trust you.”

Chuck Matthews: “Fair-”

Nathan holds his hand up, and Chuck, perhaps uncharacteristically, falls silent.

Nathan Callaghan: “But the fact is, you’re the smartest guy in the business. Hell, you may very well be the smartest guy in the history of the business. When my boys brought you in to handle the ROTTEN situation, I expected a war that’d tear my company apart… and you dismantled them quietly in two weeks. I need that sort of ruthless efficiency if I’m going to get rid of Lily. ”

He leans across the table.

Nathan Callaghan: “And before you ask, ‘why didn’t you come to me sooner, Nate?’ Well shit, Chuck, I thought that this would’ve been an easy fix. I didn’t expect Lily to have some kind of secret backing but whoever it is? They scare her and that’s why I… no, we need to get to the bottom of it. That’s why I need that devious brain of yours, Matthews.”

Chuck Matthews: “You know I’m out of in-ring competition.”

He raps his knuckles against his leg.

Chuck Matthews: “Old injuries and whatnot.”

Nathan Callaghan: “No. I don’t need wrestlers, I’ve got wrestlers. Ten years ago when you were one of the best in the world, yeah, maybe I could’ve used your in-ring talents. But I think we both know you’re not the same world-caliber athlete anymore.”

He scans his eyes across Chuck’s face. Chuck frowns. He appears less than pleased at the implication that his time at the top has long since passed him by, but he can’t offer any argument to the contrary.

Nathan Callaghan: “But anyone worth their salt in this business knows who you are and what you’ve done. You’ve got power. You’ve got connections. And you’ve got the most dangerous weapon in professional wrestling.”

He prods his finger in the center of Chuck’s forehead, a sinister smirk coming to Callaghan’s face.

Nathan Callaghan: “That’s what I want. That’s what I need to handle Lily.”

Chuck Matthews: “You’re forgetting the important question.”

Nathan sits back in his seat.

Nathan Callaghan: “What do you get out of it?”

Chuck smiles.

Chuck Matthews: “You know me so well.”

Nathan Callaghan: “I’m prepared to offer you-”

Chuck holds up his hand.

Chuck Matthews: “SABER.”

Nathan Callaghan: “What about them?”

The door creaks. Nathan’s eyes dart up to the office door, which slowly swings open. It’s still broken from Reaper’s forcible entry the night before. Chloe Collins wheels herself into the room, flanked by Jackal and Reaper. Nathan looks from the trio to Chuck, and shakes his head.

Nathan Callaghan: “I’ll never understand how you can do that.”

Chuck shrugs, but stands.

Chuck Matthews: “It seems you have business to handle here… but I’ll give you a call. Maybe we can work something out.”

Nathan opens his mouth, but decides not to object. Chuck turns to the door, limping slightly as he goes. He pauses at the military group in his way. He gives a polite smile to Chloe.

Chuck Matthews: “Always a pleasure, Chloe my dear.”

Chloe, normally quite pleased to see the Smartest Man in Wrestling, eyes him with a suspicious look. Finally, she nods.

Chloe Collins: “Mr. Matthews.”

Chuck looks to Reaper, patting the Sentinel’s arm.

Chuck Matthews: “Big man.”

Reaper gives an indifferent grunt. Chuck looks to Jackal, frowning.

Chuck Matthews: “You… I don’t know you.”

Jackal: “Keep it that way.”

Chuck raises his arms in surrender, but smiles at the three as he leaves the room. Once she’s sure he’s out of earshot, Chloe wheels herself forward to Nathan.

Chloe Collins: “What business do you have with Chuck Matthews?”

Nathan Callaghan: “That’s none of your concern.”

Chloe glances up at Jackal, who gives a small nod. She intends it to be subtle, but Nathan notices the gesture. He eyes the door, still slightly ajar. He waits a moment, looking deep in thought.

Nathan Callaghan: “Although… perhaps I have some use for the three of you after all…”

HEADLINE: FREEDOM CHAMPIONSHIP
TJ Techniques vs Sparrow

RECAP
The match begins with a bang! Sparrow charged Techniques, only to be planted with an impactful snap scoop powerslam, a la Randy Orton, to start off the match. TJ continued to work on Sparrow, taking him down with a myriad of strikes and slams but Sparrow managed to narrowly maneuver his legs to the rope and hold on the next time Techniques tried to pick up the former KONY Champion. Sparrow tried to get up but the long reigning Freedom Champion hit Sparrow with a dropkick that sent him flying to the outside. Sparrow started to get up on his feet but he was back on the ground as TJ came from out of nowhere and threw himself over the top to the outside! The sudden Suicide Dive floored Sparrow, but TJ wasn’t done yet. He slid back into the ring and charged the ropes, rebounded and flew again for another suicide dive - just as Sparrow was getting up. Techniques hit the ring again, looking to go for a third and to continue to show off his high flying ability as the Crown Prince of Mid-Air. This one he measured and timed Sparrow’s rise to his feet. He flew once again, but whiffed and hit the barricade as Sparrow rolled to safety at the last second, a nasty looking spill.

The next sequence of the match saw Sparrow keep the fight on the outside. Sparrow hit a suplex on the outside mats to TJ before taking him out with a snap DDT before managing to roll into the ring to reset the count. Sparrow then transitions into just taking TJ and whipping him into everything around the ring. The steps, the barricade, the commentary table, nothing was safe and the more intense side of Sparrow that we have seen lately is definitely showing up here. Sparrow looked to line the Freedom Champ up against the ring post on the outside but TJ managed to reverse the whip into a short arm clothesline that nearly decapitated Sparrow! The official was nearing his count, but TJ made the reset. On the outside, TJ picked up Sparrow and leaned him against the fan barricade. A feel good moment for the crowd as TJ gave a few high fives before he started to unload with unprotected chops to the side of Sparrow! He looked as if he was trying to see how many chops he could land before the ten count, managing to irish whip Sparrow back into the ring before the ten count. With the match finally back inside, the first pin attempt of the match was made.

A kick out by Sparrow kept the match rolling forward. TJ stood Sparrow up, and set him up for The Wig Splitter (Jay Driller) but Sparrow managed to fight TJ back. Sparrow only forced a small amount of space, but TJ closed the gap immediately, running him through and crunching him into the corner with a high impact clothesline. Sparrow stumbled out of the corner managing to wobble down to a knee. From there his head was snapped back by a superkick from Techniques! Another cover! ONE. TWO. NO! Again Sparrow showed some life, with a late kick out. Shaking his head, TJ instead began to work on Sparrow’s legs to slow him down. However, Sparrow managed to catch Techniques by surprise with a slow backslider attempt. However, TJ rolled out of the backslide and instead reversed, picking up Sparrow. In a fluid stroke TJ hit a backbreaker into double knees, that looked brutal! The impact so strong it bounced Sparrow back to his feet. From there TJ kipped up and immediately jumped with a backstabber to Sparrow! It had to be over, TJ hooked the leg. ONE. TWO. THR-NO! The fans are at a feverpitch as Sparrow kicked out yet again! TJ looks on in disbelief, shaking his head.

From there the match transitioned into a slug fest. Fresher than Sparrow, TJ was getting the better of an exchange of hands, until Leaf Hurricane (Counter Scorpion Kick followed by a Pele Kick)! Sparrow connected with a scorpion kick out of nowhere, followed by a pele kick that was right against the bridge of TJ’s nose! Blood starts to leak out as TJ holds his nose in pain. Sparrow’s unable to make an advantage with his opening as he’s still grounded and clearly exhausted. TJ’s shook up but still, it wasn’t enough to put the Freedom Champion down. TJ charged as Sparrow did and Techniques managed to get the edge as he went for a swinging neckbreaker But no! Sparrow slipped out at the last second as TJ hit the canvas. Sparrow tries to hit another homer as he charged in to go for some kind of kick - BUT NO! TJ GOT UP AND REVERSED! Catching Sparrow perfectly into Set 'Em Straight (Busaiku Knee Strike)! It’s over!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

The fans are going nuts as TJ looked around in shock before he wiped the blood away from his face. The Liberty fans are on their feet as they know this match is reaching a furious finish! Slowly TJ makes it to his feet and looks up at the turnbuckle. He decides to make the slow climb up it and when he gets up, he looked down at Sparrow and knew he had to go for something big to take him out. TJ soon leaped off of the turnbuckle, going for Know The Ledge (Shooting Star Press) but Sparrow rolled out of the way! TJ managed to show off his cat-like reflexes though and he made a safe landing, followed by a roll before he popped up to his feet. But as TJ got back up to his feet, it was too late and Sparrow had come in with a running knee strike! The strike connected sending TJ through the ropes and crashing to the outside!

Not content with a count out, Sparrow slowly got up and measured the ropes! Sparrow took to the air, only to get caught by TJ who was playing possum ringside. TJ caught Sparrow and dropped him to the floor with a powerbomb that had a sickening thud to it! TJ then picked up Sparrow and suplexed him back first onto the edge of the apron! What a brutal move! TJ then put Sparrow back into the ring before getting back in himself and nearly beating the ten count that the referee was making. These two looked gassed, they needed to lean on each other just to get back to their feet. The crowd went back and forth with dueling chants for the slow punches.

TJ managed to build up some momentum getting off three unanswered punches that had Sparrow wobbly. TJ was looking for something big as he backed into the ropes looking to rebound. But when he came back, Sparrow ducked his move and Sparrow nailed a German Suplex into the corner turnbuckles on TJ! He was out of it! Sparrow quickly climbed the top ropes… This could be his moment! He leaped off and BANG! He nailed The Notorious K.I.C.K. II - Top Rope Double Foot Stomp!!! Sparrow hooked the leg and the referee made the count… ONE! TWO! THREE!!! DING DING DING!!! Sparrow wins and the roof almost blew off as the fans went nuts! Sparrow keeps his career and is the new Freedom Champion!

WINNER
Sparrow
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
23:12
FINISHING MOVE
MOVEThe Notorious K.I.C.K.II
POST MATCH
The referee grabbed the Freedom Championship and an exhausted Sparrow went to celebrate with it but the celebration was cut short as “Back From The Dead” by Halestorm blared over the PA system and out came Lily Callaghan.

Lily Callaghan: Well Sparrow, you proved me wrong. You’re not completely useless. But here’s the thing, you’re not a worthy Freedom Champion. Which is why Blyss is about to take that from you.

Sparrow raised the Freedom Championship in the air but he didn’t see the person come through the crowd and slide in the ring. BANG! Ryan Callaghan took Sparrow out with Clothesline From Southie (Clothesline From Hell)! What the hell is Ryan Callaghan doing here? Is he truly aligned with his mother? Ryan mounted Sparrow and started to hit him with a few clubbing blows but HERE IS TJ TECHNIQUES!!! He took out Ryan with his Set ‘Em Straight right into the head! But the numbers game is too much as Blyss Lockhart and Dante Locke slide into the ring! Dante charged TJ but TJ fought him off but he couldn’t fight off Blyss, who got TJ from behind with a chair shot. Dante then tossed him out of the ring and followed. Blyss then looked at the referee and ordered him to start the match.

MAIN EVENT: FREEDOM CHAMPIONSHIP
Blyss Lockhart vs Sparrow

RECAP
The referee told Blyss to get rid of the chair and she obliged. The bell rang and Blyss charged Sparrow and went for her bicycle knee strike but he dodged it!? Blyss was livid and Sparrow hit her with a mule kick! He then charged her, showing that he had some fight left but Blyss got him with a poke to the eye! This was enough to turn things in her tide and she nailed her bicycle knee strike this time. Blyss then climbed the ropes and she nailed Blyzzard (Shooting Star Press) right onto Sparrow! With the previous match and the attack from Ryan Callaghan and now this? Sparrow had nothing left sadly and Blyss picked up the three count and the victory, crowing her as the new Freedom Champion!

WINNER
Blyss Lockhart
METHOD
Pinfall
MATCH LENGTH
1:43
FINISHING MOVE
Blizzard
POST MATCH
Lily was gone? Yup, she was indeed gone from the entrance way as the bell rang and Blyss was handed the Freedom Championship by Dante Locke, who had just rolled into the ring. He raised her hand in the air as Blyss raised the Freedom Championship in the air with the other hand of hers and a devious look on her face. The fans rained boos down on Blyss as she celebrated her cheap victory before the scene… cut backstage?

CLOSING SEGMENT
Lily Callaghan is shattered. A ball of stress and anger at this point. If these last few weeks haven’t done that, surely these last two nights would’ve.

But now, after a long night, she reaches her office. She closes the door. Finally, if just for a few minutes, she can be alone.

Well. No.

Sorry.

??: Oh dear, oh dear. Lily, Lily, Lily. Y’know, I’ve been meaning to meet you for quite a bit. Always the ex, isn’t it? I know a bit about that.

Lily Callaghan turns around. Stood at her door, she turns around to her desk. Someone is sat there. She knows that voice. She’s heard it many times. She just never actually thought she’d hear it saying her name. Or see Him here, in the flesh.

??: Ohhh, not a fan of that look. You look like I just walked in on Christmas Day and pissed on your dinner. ‘Four rings’, she said, yeah? I missed it. Bloody phone. I did try to call back…but then I thought why talk to her? What you’ve got going on is so much more interesting!

Lily Callaghan: What do you want?

??: Hey now, don’t be like that. I hear you have a few problems. I’d like to help. But first you have to help me.

He stands up, and he reaches into his inside pocket. He looks at her with those eyes. Those horrifying eyes of his. And he pulls out…a pen?

??: I brought a pen, Lily. I don’t want it to go to waste.

We swing around. And with a smile, we see him in all his glory. Vile as he’s ever been.

Diamond Jack Sabbath: You wouldn’t happen to have anything I could sign, would you?

Lily looks up at him. She looks him right up and down…and after a few seconds, a smile slowly begins to form on her face.

And the Day of Reckoning concludes.