Liberation: Episode Seventy-Four, May 28th, 2022

BACKSTAGE
Chase Romano walked through the backstage area of the arena, looking for the female locker room. She often showed up to the show whenever she wasn’t booked, just in case they needed a stand in for someone or if something had come up. Card is always subject to change, and Chase knew if she was backstage, she’d have a better chance of getting on the card and improving her standing here in Liberty Pro. As per the last few weeks, she was completely alone, carrying her duffel bag alongside her and letting her copper hair flow in the breeze. Unbeknownst to her, Wade Manson had spotted her from the corner of the hallway. He sauntered up behind her.

Wade Manson: I never thought it’d be difficult to get ahold of my own girlfriend.

Chase jumped, surprised by the sudden voice behind her, but probably more surprised that the voice belonged to that of someone she didn’t particularly wish to speak with. Chase didn’t even spin around to meet his eyes, but she did stop walking.

Chase Romano: Would you please give it a rest, Wade? It’s hard enough trying to deal with our personal issues outside of the ring. You don’t have to bring it to work, too.

Wade smirked, as smug as can be. He moved in closer behind her though, placing a hand up on her shoulder.

Wade Manson: Look I’m not here to argue about anything that’s happened. I just thought you may want to accompany me out to the ring tonight…

She didn’t take much time to think about it. In fact, she removed his hand from her shoulder.

Chase Romano: You’re a smart guy, Wade, but this is not the brightest idea that you’ve come up with. I don’t think it’s the best idea for either one of us to be anywhere near each other’s matches for the foreseeable future.

She looked towards the wall, moving her shoulder more away from him. It was easy to see how uncomfortable she was.

Wade Manson: Well, I just thought it would be a good idea for the betterment of your career. The whole point of us coming to Liberty Pro together was that I could train you and assist you as you go. We haven’t been able to have a chance for you to see me in action. Sure we’ve had our tag matches, but you haven’t had a chance to see me work alone, from the sidelines…

She wasn’t budging.

Wade Manson:...plus, I don’t know, don’t you like those Triple A, girls? You saw what I just did with RAZE and Julian in MWE…With you at ringside, I may have an easier time controlling my anger…otherwise who knows what will happen to poor, poor AMC…

Without warning, Wade spun around, stomping on a nearby bug in one fell swoop. The sudden movement made Chase jump. Against her better judgment, she turned around to face him.

Chase Romano:...you know, maybe you do have a point.

Wade Manson: That’s what I thought…so you’ll be at ringside then?

She nodded a yes, and Wade nodded, continuing down the connecting hallway that he came from. The camera focuses in on Chase as she crosses her arms, looking more concerned and worried than ever before.

RECORDED EARLIER
Backstage AMC is standing in her locker room with her newly won FGA Tag Team Championship draped over her left shoulder. She pats her title and smiles into the camera.

AMC: They say hard work always pays off and what do you know me and Sully won the FGA Tag Team Championship. Sully’s back may be killing her after the beating she took in that match but success heals all back wounds but there is still something missing and that is a companion. Just look at my right shoulder and see how bare it is? How sad it look, not to mention that with only one title it could make me start to lean to the left.

AMC starts leaning to the left before straightening back up

AMC: Now i know people will say “Why don’t you just beat Sully up and take her half of the FGA tag titles and have two belts.”

AMC shakes her head

AMC: I would never do that to my bestie. So next people will say just “beat up Antoinette and take her title to place on your shoulder.”

AMC takes a long pause, A pause that is probably longer than it should be before she finally snaps out of it and shakes her head.

AMC: No, no, no I could not do that to Ant either as it wouldn’t be fair and besides if I did then I would have Becky crying to me instead of pestering Ant and who needs that.

AMC pats her title again

AMC: No, what I need is a companion to The FGA Tag Titles and that is the Liberty Tag Team Championship. That title will be the perfect companion piece to my other title and let's be honest Ashley 2 Belts squared would truly be a great thing indeed so Liberty do the right thing and give Ashes 2 Ashes the tag title shot we deserve or I promise you i will tell Ant that the bossed don’t believe in Aliens and you don’t want that to happen.

AMC laughs

AMC: Now that brings us to tonight. For some ungodly reason The Bosses felt it was a good idea to have me face with that nut job Wade Manson. Why me? Why not Sully? I mean Sully has been in constant contact with Peanut and he has prepared her for how to take down Wade the Spade. I would much rather face Chase instead of Wade but alas it is what it is I suppose.

AMC gets serious now

AMC: Speaking of Chase I hope you are not going to do anything stupid like try and help Wade in this match. I get you are his girl and you might feel some gratitude towards him for helping you get that first win but Chase don't do it. Just let him be out there along and let whatever happens to him happen. Then after we can go out for drinks and party the night away because that would be so much more fun. See you soon Wade the Spade

AMC smirks and waves as the camera fades to black.

BACKSTAGE

We cut to backstage where we see Dylan Shepherd walking around, trying to get used to his new referee’s shirt. He has on black gym shorts to finish off the look. The camera comes up and he looks slightly uncomfortable in the collared shirt.

Dylan Shepherd: I think I might need to hit up Jade and see if I can trim this up a bit. Maybe chop off the sleeves or something to make it a bit more kick ass.

He chuckles and then shakes his head.

Dylan Shepherd: But yeah, I know the whole talk on Twitter with Becky crying was that I wasn't going to be fair or impartial in this match up. That I was going to help make sure that BLC wins this match or to make Becky look dumber than she already does. I cannot believe my integrity would be the one to call into question. Any time I’ve faced the Society twerps, I've stuck by the rules of the match to the damn letter. Can you say that same shit about Becky? Dex? No, you can't. They wanted to complain that Rowen got involved in that First Blood match? Only after all those hairy followers and Dex got involved in it first. But I get it, I really do. It’s only fair if Becky and the gang have the advantage. When it's a clear and level playing field then it's just not fair to them.

A laugh escapes him.

Dylan Shepherd: But I am here to tell you this right here and right now that I am going to be the most down the middle, by the book referee this place has ever seen… Until I’m not.

He gives a small sinister smile.

Dylan Shepherd: This about that one Becky… You won't know when that moment will be. It could take all the match, it could be right away. Hell, it could be right when you think you have it won but then suddenly NOPE! But I guess that just depends on what happens before that, you know in that match where Dex takes on Rowen?

Rowen came walking down the hallway, she lowered her sunglasses and looked Dylan up and down like he was a snack.

Rowen: You know you make that look hot?

He lets out a small chuckle as he eyes her up and down as well.

Dylan Shepherd: Well I did hear a rumor that stripes are my thing. Though I do kinda want to rip the sleeves off it.

Rowen: Maybe Dex can help you with that? Since he just can't seem to keep his hands off you. Let alone stay out of your business.

Rowen looked Dylan up and down one last time.

Rowen: I get it, you're hot! I can barely keep my hands to myself. But, enough is enough!

Dylan lets out a laugh and shakes his head.

Dylan Shepherd: You are right, Dex can't seem to get enough of me. That’s why tonight's match where the winner gets to pick the stipulation is a big one. We can't get put in a match that Becky and Dex pick. You already saw Becky’s first suggestion where the winner just gets to hit the other with a bat. I mean come on, that’s super lame. It’s not even as good as the cliched idea of a bat on a pole match.

Rowen: They should probably stop watching bullshit TV like the Walking Dead! You aren't Negan, you're just a group of idiots thinking you're entitled to everything. When things don't go your way? You bitch and moan until you get your way. That's not happening tonight, you won't get your shitty match. So, gather your "followers" up, bring them with you, leave them in the back, I don't care.

Dylan shakes his head.

Dylan Shepherd: Babe, I don’t wanna be in some lame match where Becky is tickling Dex with a feather or someone has to go through a Double Dare obstacle course or you have to find where Dora is exploring. You know that’s what's going to happen if they get to pick the stipulation cause Becky is brain damaged and Dex is her little man puppy. So for our sake and for the people who have to watch it… This is a must win for us.

Rowen: We will win, cause we're better and we already know their plan of attack and we are ready for anything.

Hre lets out a laugh.

Dylan Shepherd: You’re damn right!

He then turns and kisses Rowen on the lips as the scene fades out.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to Dex Morant pacing around when he noticed the camera.

Dex Morant: In a few moments, I go up against that bitch Rowen Spencer and I get to choose the stipulation for our match. There’s no way I let Becky down here. And Dylan? Rowen? I won’t have anyone out there with me tonight.

Morant shook his head.

Dex Morant: I told Becky I wanted to do this on my own and there isn’t a damn thing either of you can do to stop me out there. I’m going to win and it’s going to be convincing. Both of you can be out there for all I care. It doesn’t matter. I will win.

He nodded and walked off before the scene cut away.

BACKSTAGE
Ashley Sands is backstage in AAA’s dressing room alone with AMC and Antoinette for the time being. With her newly won FGA Tag Team Championship title belt draped across her shoulder on her right, Ashley looks to her left at the small electronic toy called a Furby.

Ashley Sands: Hey Peanut. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or maybe you just look like you have been like The Society, there was a bit of huge news in wrestling. Me and AMC just won FGA’s tag titles. Second time for me but first with her. As I was sitting home the other night and just looking at the shiny goldy-ness of it, I got to thinking that it was looking pretty lonely. It looked like it could use a friend.

Peanut’s mechanical ears shift and its eyes look up in her direction.

Ashley Sands: Now when me and AMC came here to Liberty, you could just feel things start to change. Ant went from the wrestling trash treating her like a doormat to this show’s top champ. Talk about a turnaround. Not too long after that, we get our own tag gold in a company we’ve spent years trying to climb that mountain. We came to Liberty and the wrestling gods just started smiling on us and it’s been raining titles.

Besides Ashley, even though it should not be possible, the small toy’s plastic mouth looks like it has moved into a smile.

Ashley Sands: In wrestling, just like any sport, momentum can take you places that you haven’t been able to get before. It’s that bit of extra force to take you over the edge. And if you haven’t gotten the point by now, we have it. So how about it? It’s about time some life gets brought into Liberation’s tag division and the Ashes are just the couple of gals to do it.

Ashley pauses for a moment when a thought just occurred to her.

Ashley Sands: And these Socialites… god I wish you people can come up with different sounding names, if you think what happened last week means a damn thing then think again. A count out win? Seriously? Being proud of that really shows how desperate you guys are clinging to legitimacy let alone how far off you should be in consideration for a show at the Liberation tag belts. You know how me and AMC won these belts? In a flaming table match? Now that was a real win. Call us when you go through that kind of hell for a spot.

Ashley looks like she’s about to stand up but stops herself as another thought has occurred to her.

Ashley Sands: Oh and speaking of calling us… Chase, girl. First name Chase, not AMC. Chase Romano. We need to talk. Particularly why you have anything to do with that dick bag Wade. I mean, it can’t be that good can it? Nothing would make me sink that low as to put up with the kind of shit he pulls with you. You do you, girlie, what you want, how you want and when you want and don’t let him stop you because believe me you can do SO much better. When you finally get that, give us a call. But until then, it looks like Peanut needs to get to bed before I show half of the Socials why they’re old news in this tag division.



With a reach of a hand, Ashley turns the camera off and the feed cuts out.

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
Vanessa Page is in the backseat of a 2022 Black Mercedes as she is being driven on the George Washington Bridge heading back to Manhattan from Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Vanessa Page:Every Time I am forced to go to that Godforsaken state I am reminded nothing ever comes from New Jersey.

Vanessa’s chauffeur looks into the rear view mirror at her and chuckles.

Vanessa Page:Am I wrong? Haha Definitely not. Now after Danielle and I crushed The Ashleys last week I have to beat that ass of that Jersey City trailer park trash, Ashley Sands, in a one on one match.

Vanessa shakes her head in annoyance.

Vanessa Page:It is really quite simple, Ashley #1, much like in our match last week. You don’t stand a chance against me. I can list off the plethora upon plethora of reasons as to why you don’t stand a chance but that means we will be here for the next twenty years. All you need to realize, Ash, is that I am not only better than you but Danielle and I will stop at nothing to become the next Liberation Tag Team Champions. All while reminding the world that New York is so much better than that shit show of a state, New Yuck Jersey.

BACKSTAGE
KENDRICK KROSS: No match? Really?!

Kenrick rolls his eyes as he gets out of his car and slams the door clearly in a bad mood.

KENDRICK KROSS: What the hell is up with this? Me not having a match. Sure I may appreciate a week off but the show before the Super I don’t get a match? That isn’t exactly something that should happen.

Kendrick kicks the tires of his car before hopping up onto the hood of it then slamming his hand down.

KENDRICK KROSS: Lost twice last week when I shouldn’t have and now have a week off. Straight up bullshit it is, you know. Shouldn’t have to deal with this.

A sigh then a roll of his eyes as he slams his hand on the hood once again.

KENDRICK KROSS: I guess the one good thing that could come from this is it gives me a chance to scout any possible opponent going into this next Super. That’s something that I like. Don’t have to worry about scouting an opponent this week. There’s a few I have in mind but I’ll leave that to the future.

When it comes to everything though I’m not about to start a losing streak I’ll guarantee you that. Those 2 losses last week are the only 2 I plan on having for a long while. How do I know that? Because the best Anarchy Champion this company has ever seen isn’t about to fail.

A smile from Kendrick as he punches the hood of his car before the camera fades.

BACKSTAGE
We go backstage where Becky Balfour is wearing a 'deX Factor' Dex Morant t-shirt with a sneer on her face. The fans begin to boo the former Liberty champion on sight which doesn't seem to bother or surprise Balfour at all. 

Becky Balfour: Go ahead. Throw your boos and insults my way. That's nothing new to me. It doesn't bother me and it doesn't hurt me. As you can see, I wear my scars proudly. 

Becky leans closer to the camera and shows an indent on her forehead, one that was clearly from one of the many wars she's been in during her now lengthy career. 

Becky Balfour: Last week I went out there and showed Rowen why sticking her nose in my business was a bad idea, and surprise surprise, this week, her and her boyfriend are given an opportunity at revenge if you want to call it that. I'm wrestling Brianna, but if anyone believes for one second that Dylan is going to be an impartial ref then they are either high or in denial. The reality is, tonight is two against one. The odds are in Brianna's favor, and the smart money bets against me. But it's been that way my entire life. People lose money betting smart when it comes to betting against Becky Balfour. 

Becky tugs on the bottom of her deX Factor shirt to reveal some of her pale stomach.

Becky Balfour: What's your motivation here, Dyl? Is it getting a sliver of revenge because I was able to put your lady on her back faster than you are? 

The fans let out an audible gasp as Becky grins.

Becky Balfour: Are you overcompensating for your lack of getting the job done against me without some help? Let me issue an official challenge to you, Dylan. Prove you're a man and call this one fair and square, or...prove me right, that you are overcompensating, and screw me over, which again, more pleasurable for you than me. Either way, I'll be seeing you again much sooner than later, and when I finally get my hands on you, you'll see that 'past Becky Balfour'? She's still here. 

Balfour bites at the camera before walking by, getting ready for her match against Brianna Leigh Clark!

BACKSTAGE
Brianna Clark: Not everything in life goes how we want it to. I mean, if it did? I wouldn’t have endured the former Gotham Champion calling me a mutt or any other number of indignities, who would choose that? The thing is? I can’t for a second deny that while it stung, it also motivated me. Without that opposition, that spite thrown at me, I don’t know if I’d be where I am today, standing up here as your Gotham Champion. Sure, I’m not afraid of hard work…

Here she pauses to lift her arm, the little spangly band around her bicep that matches her gear tonight gleaming as she flexes to show off her strength.

Brianna Clark: …clearly. But would I have got that fire lit under me, to prove him wrong, to show people that I could deliver on my words? Maybe. I guess it’s a roundabout way of saying that when we want so badly to win, we lose sight of the value that’s found in losing sometimes.

She looks a little thoughtful, a little pensive even maybe, as she thinks about the past, but then she takes a deep breath and smiles for the camera.

Brianna Clark: Now tonight, I’ve got an interesting little thing going on. Instead of facing Dylan Shepherd, he’s going to be donning a spiffy zebra striped shirt and refereeing my match against Becky Balfour… who honestly? For her especially, has been really, really quiet. I don’t want to speak FOR her, by any means, but it’s weird, don’t you think? I could go to one extreme and say it’s because she realizes that I’m not the kind of person to cheat for a victory, to use a numbers game, to steal things that aren’t mine, or to deliberately go out of my way to injure someone and then boast and brag about it later while I know they’re stuck at home healing up.

She winks at the camera as if sharing some sort of fun gossip before shaking her head and turning to walk out of the room.

Brianna Clark: There actually does happen to be someone in my match that does all of that, who isn’t me, so I could also go to the other extreme and claim she’s just afraid. Afraid of what, we could guess. Reality says that it probably falls somewhere in the middle, just like Dylan has promised to call this match right down the middle.

As she’s walking she holds up her hands and mimes a walking motion over one palm before laughing.

Brianna Clark: Let’s see what we can see.

BACKSTAGE
Madeline Mason: “I came here chasing a dream.”

The screen is dark. Ordinarily, the voice of Jackal signaled the appearance of Chloe Collins and the other members of SABER Security; tonight, it’s a video package.

Madeline Mason: “To America. To SABER. To Liberty… I wanted something bigger. I wanted more.”

There’s clips of a soldier walking through a war-torn street. Her hair is tucked up beneath her helmet, and a rifle is slung over her shoulder. There’s a flag stitched into the shoulder of her jacket, signaling her allegiance to the UK. The scene fades.

When it opens again, it’s Jackal - or, rather, an actor playing a dramatized version of Jackal, speaking to an American general and Chloe Collins; the scene was from a number of years ago. Chloe is, notably, not yet confined to her wheelchair, and stands with the general as they chat silently with Jackal.

Madeline Mason: “Do you know what I respect about Chloe Collins? Why I take such pride in my work for SABER? It’s because both of us had dreams. We had aspirations. And both of us were told that we couldn’t. Both of us were told ‘no.’”

The scene fades to black, and only Jackal’s voice is heard in the dark.

Madeline Mason: “That gives people like us something to prove.”

When the scene returns, it’s not an actor, not a dramatization, but Jackal herself. A montage of her at the gym: Doing pull-ups. A squat rack. Curling increasingly larger and heavier weights. Showing the physique of the powerhouse.

Madeline Mason: “Everything I do, I want to be at my absolute best. The best soldier. The best athlete. The best agent. This new role… professional wrestling. It’s not what I was trained for. It’s not what I aspired to do… but this is where my career has taken me. So, like anything else I do, I’m going to do it right, and I’m going to tackle these obstacles head-on, just as I’ve done in everything else.”

The workout clips stop. The screen fades briefly, and when it comes back into focus, we’re treated to the focused gaze of SABER’s powerhouse.

Madeline Mason: “I don’t have any fancy wrestling schools who trained me to compete. I don’t have some long lineage that goes back for generations. I don’t have years of experience in wrestling to give me an edge. The fact is, this week I’m going up against Xavier Laroux and Melissa Reeves. Combined, they have almost 30 years of experience. Combined, they have enough championship belts to fill a room. Former world champions. Tag champions. You name it, they’ve won it at some point or another.

And then there’s me. Sergeant Madeline Mason. Starting my wrestling career at 38 years old. A little under six months of wrestling experience under my belt. No championships, no athletic accolades to speak of. But I know what it means to walk into a fight. I know how to handle it when the pressure is on and you have a mountain of a task ahead of you. Taking on challenges like this is what I live for… it’s what gives me life. Gives me purpose.”

She pauses for a moment, thinking through what she wants to say.

Madeline Mason: “There’s a lot of people telling me I’m in way over my head on this one. It isn’t hard to see why. But when they tell me I’m doomed to fail… when they tell me I can’t do it, that there’s no chance…”

A small, daring smile touches her lips.

Madeline Mason: “One more thing to prove.”

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
The last edition of Liberation hadn't quite gone how 'YOUR Favorite Drug' Xavier Laroux. What had been a simple information gathering had become something so..so much more. This was made clear as Xavier walked past catering, seeing the taco and burrito bar they had lined up.

A look of disgust grew across Xavier's face as he visibly shuddered, walking past the entire set up. Shaking his head, he just kept on going. As he turned a corner, he headed out to the parking garage for his prematch smoke.

Xavier found himself in a tough spot tonight, a match against his ex and his kindasorta tag team partner. It gave him a headache just thinking about it. Which is why he was grateful when the cool night air hit him in the face when he stepped into the garage.

He felt a wave of peacefulness and relaxation but alas, it didn't last for long. His brow lowering, he caught sight of someone leaning against the back end of his car. Decked out in a light brown trenchcoat, the collar pulled up and combined with the hat he wore, shrouded his identity.

Confusion showed heavy in the face of Xavier as he cautiously approached that man.

??: You're getting too close.

Xavier Laroux: The fuck does that mean?

??: You're right there but without the right help, you're never going to really get there.

The look of confusion on Xavier's face only intensified as that man reached inside of his coat and pulled out a large manilla envelope.

??: This changes you from paranoid rambler to someone who actually knows what he's talking about.

He slightly extended that envelope towards Xavier.

??: All you have to do is take it..and agree that you owe me one.

Giving it a couple moments of thought, Xavier reached out and grabbed that envelope. The man, however, wouldn't let go.

??: You owe me one.

Xavier Laroux: I owe you one.

That man released the envelope and Xavier took it. Instantly, he opened it up and looked down inside of it at the stack of papers within. He only looked in for a second but when he looked back up, that mysterious man was gone, without a trace.

Xavier Laroux: What the fuck.

Laroux moved to lean against his car now, lighting up his prematch cigarette. Shaking his head, he looked to that envelope in his hand, sighing out.

BACKSTAGE
It’s been an eventful evening thus far in Brooklyn and the scene opens up backstage. Over a sea of cheers, the cameras pan out to show the current Liberty Champion, Antoinette standing backstage. Dressed in her ring gear for tonight, she is wearing a new Markus FK t shirt over her gear in support of her fiance and tag team partner for the evening.

ANTOINETTE: “Liberation…I know you all are ready for even more action tonight! I mean, just look at how tonight has played out so far. But I promise you it’s only going to get better. You see? For too long I’ve been dealing with a gang of disrespectful, attention seeking, big mouthed bullies. The Society has made it their mission to make it known that they have heads bigger than the empire state building with attitudes to match.”

Antoinette shakes her head, looking displeased before using her free hand to rub on her Championship draped down her shoulder.

ANTOINETTE: “Ever since I won this championship they’ve made it their mission to paint me out to be something I am not, only to boost their own images. Truly, I find it comical that week after week they spew out this nonsense about me being fake and not a worthy champion. They degrade my skills and my ability to lead this Championship role and for what? Some out of pocket jealousy of what I have? So be it. You know, I’ve never been one to shy away or fear from a fight, and tonight is no different. This war between us isn’t over, and I’m not letting you get away with discrediting me any further.”

Antoinette says with a look of seriousness, before licking her lips glaring into the cameras.

ANTOINETTE: “You wanted a war? You got it. You wanted to push me past my breaking point and really get to me? Let’s dance. You both may respectfully hold victories over me…I will give you both that. But they were your lucky nights…”

Showing a bit more edge, her face remains the same fierce look on it as she speaks..

ANTOINETTE: “You won’t get so lucky again. This time? This time I’m coming fully loaded with all the works but I’m not coming alone..”

MARKUS FK: “...no she certainly isn’t!”

We hear him before we see him, the huge Swiss sauntering into the shot, wearing a cut up ChampiANT over his ring gear. He looks excited, albeit with an intensity about him that anyone would be wise to fear when it’s coming from a man that big.

MARKUS FK: “You boys have done it now, I’ve gotta tell you. I mean, how did you think this was going to go? I’ve been busy doing my own thing, you know, jumping through fifty hoops, powerbombing half the roster just to get a title shot - and that’s after I beat the Gotham Champion, so walking around here talking all this crap? Doesn’t quite hit the mark, I’m sorry to say. See, instead of talking about it, you can be about it. Take your collective balls out of Balfour’s purse, I’m sure you’ve got around two between you, and come handle your business.”

Markus shakes his head, clearly disappointed.

MARKUS FK: “I mean, how much more time do you two idiots want to waste trying to attack the character of probably the nicest human being in professional wrestling. Where do you think that’s ever going to get you? It’s certainly not getting you both in her head in any meaningful way, because I’ve seen how she is when the pair of you idiots are tweeting your bullshit at her and most of the time she’s stifling a laugh. You’re not going to gain any moral high ground on Antoinette, so how about you both drop the act. It’s so goddamn transparent, I can’t stand it.”

He then raises his eyebrow slightly, his demeanor softening as Sion’s Strongest waves a dismissive hand.

MARKUS FK: “But truthfully, I’m not here to insert myself into this. Unlike your little band of dumbasses who can’t leave 2017 behind, I’m not here to insert myself in Ant’s business. She can handle all of you herself, but this match tonight? It’s special. Antoinette and I started in this business at the same time, I began to team with her brother, we hit the big time real early on and Ant? Well it took a while for her to figure things out, but look at her now. She’s got a big gold belt almost as big as she is, and me getting to team with her? Well that’s a dream come true - and we’re not going to let it turn into a nightmare. Maybe we haven’t been in the ring together much, but I know this beautiful woman inside and out, and vice versa. When we’re in that ring against the both of you tonight, we’re one.”

Antoinette smiles and giggles real wide, nodding her head after each and single word.

ANTOINETTE: “You hear that, fellas!?! You’re in for it now! You don’t mess with The Frei’s and we’re about to show you exactly why! I have so much to thank Liberty for. In my short time here I’ve gotten to fight some of the best, learn from the best and even get put in so many dream matches because of my place here. Tonight is just another one of those dreams come true getting to team with Markus. You all got to see us tear the roof off this place and give it our all against each other. We went to war with each other, could you imagine the magic we’re going to do together!?”

Her hyperactive personality shines through as she jumps up and down getting hyped for the match.

ANTOINETTE: “My fiance spoke nothing but facts. While I don’t need him to pound your faces in, I’m going to take much more enjoyment watching Markus put a pin in the obstacles people are making him go through to do some damage to you bozos!”

Her giggles fill the room again before she looks up to her partner.

ANTOINETTE: “Together we are unstoppable and the future is very bright for us. You think we’re going to let you two clowns ruin our moment? This is more than a moment but a message to be sent to you and Becky Becks and everyone else who seems to have issues. Stop messing with the good guys. Stop degrading our character and assuming we won’t kick your teeth in for the unwarranted disrespect. And boys? Bring your worst tonight. Bring every single thing you got because us? We aren’t holding a goddamn thing back.”

She says, puffing out her chest standing up tall…as tall as she could, looking directly to the cameras. Markus nods, a smirk on his face as he slides an arm over Antoinette’s far shoulder.

MARKUS FK: “Couldn’t have put it better myself. You can only push people so far - when Ant finally had enough she shocked the world and became Liberty Champion, becoming a champion of the people, the sort of champion every aspiring wrestler dreams to be. When I had enough, I left a trail of broken bodies in my wake, marching towards my Gotham Championship match. You love pushing people around? Fine. Just don’t be shocked when they push back twice as hard. C’mon Champ, let’s do this.”

The pair exchange a look, smiling at each other before walking out of the shot with each other.

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
We hear a car honking, followed by sounds of several honks, as the scene opens on the streets of New York. We’ve been on these same streets time and time again, and what’s more, Liberty Pro probably has endless footage of random people on the street near the Callaghan Warehouse. The shot walks on the street as if it belongs to a person itself. It bumps into someone who yells something unheard, and people continue walking by as if it’s just another day and they don’t really care. Nobody is paying attention. Suddenly the camera stops, turning slowly to face the opening of an alley. As the camera inches in more and more, we see the two brothers of #TheSociety. Lawless sits on top of a nearby dumpster, holding one of the Tag Team Championships, the other presumably with Becky. Warren lands a punch on the wall! Doesn’t flinch, but turns when he sees the camera.

Warren Corbett: This all seems so very familiar doesn’t it? You - Ant - going up against the combined might of #TheSociety and trying to prove that you are as strong of a champion as you say you are. We’ve done this little dance with your Triple A girl already, we’ve been here already. Let me refresh your memory, dear Antoinette. You ended the match with your shoulders on the mat a mere week after winning the title to begin with.

Seth hops off the dumpster with a thud, hoisting the Tag Team belt up a bit.

Seth Lawless: Oh, oh I get it, Warren. She thinks that because he’s her boo, that LOVE can carry them to new heights together! HAHA

He chuckles, slapping Corbett in the chest before placing the belt on his shoulder.

Warren Corbett: As you found out already when you tried to make your gal pal group a thing, it takes more than just calling yourself a team to be great at tag team wrestling. Seth and I are the Liberty Pro Tag Team Championships, and it’s our second reign at that. Since winning them NOBODY has stood in our way. We have teamwork. We have cohesion. We have years of experience, and you two have…love? Sorry Ant, that doesn’t get you very far in this industry and if you planned on using LOVE to keep your title on your shoulder then you won’t be champion for very long.

Warren scoffs, breaking his gaze on the lens and looking away. Seth stood on one leg, leaning against Corbett for support. Warren was so sturdy, Seth put his full weight onto him.

Seth Lawless: Speaking of…don’t you owe me a title shot?

Lawless stroked his chin, asking almost rhetorically but raising an eyebrow to the lens.

Warren Corbett: She owes ME a title shot.

Warren’s eyebrows raised as well, both boys turning towards one another. Seth chuckled again, usually being the one to crack a wiseass comment but got a kick out of Warren joining in on this one. Seth kicked back onto his two feet himself, scratching his bald head.

Seth Lawless: You promised me a shot at the belt a few weeks ago, despite saying I didn’t deserve it. Yet here we are and I still haven’t had my shot. You even told Warren he could have one, but I haven’t seen my brother get his shot either. Come to think of it, that singles match you two had last week should’ve been a title shot - ya know, since we’ve been saying you’ll defend. Warren should be your Liberty Pro Champion! But that’s not how things went down. You still don’t have a defense to your name, and #TheSociety is still the uncrowned Liberty Pro Champion.

Lawless pointed to both himself and Warren with one hand. His thumb pointing towards himself, his pinky pointing towards Corbett.

Warren Corbett: I could make the case to the boss about how I earned my shot with that match, if not long before that. But at the end of the day this isn’t about the title shot itself, Ant, it’s about exposing you for the person you truly are. This is about the double standards put onto us for no reason. If I promised multiple people title shots without making good, they’d be all in my mentions. But nobody calls out Ant, why? Because she pretends to be a nice person? You people are so fickle. We’ve done more for Liberty Pro and Antoinette Sands is just the flavor of the month. It’s cool at first, but then it gets tired and oh so boring.

They both looked towards one another again, this time with a smirk as they shook their head. Liberty may have gone through a period without #TheSociety, but that period was short. They knew where they belonged, no matter how many people told them to get out. Through it all, they’d seen people come and go, but still #TheSociety remains.

Seth Lawless: You can't outsmart me, Ant.

Lawless tapped his bald head with a single finger while gazing at the camera.

Warren Corbett: You can’t out Monster me, Markus.

Warren starred menacingly into the lens as he shifted backwards into a strength pose that showcased just how big he was. Many people had forgotten the hoss has always had power. That’s what’s always made these three of #TheSociety work, their dynamics.

Warren Corbett: Try as you can, little ant, but before long you may just find the perfect little ant hill you created can just as easily wash away…

One would think maybe water would be involved next, but instead, Warren held a single hand out, closing in around the air and crushing the metaphorical ant between his hand. The shot zoomed in on Warren’s massive hand as the scene fades.