Post by Robb (Owner) on Jan 22, 2023 18:51:33 GMT -8
Empire Pro Presents…
Episode 62 of Conquest
Live from Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario
On Saturday, January 21st, 2023
Episode 62 of Conquest
Live from Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario
On Saturday, January 21st, 2023
MATCH ONE: SINGLES
Hilary Levandrier vs Scotty Latimer
Hilary Levandrier vs Scotty Latimer
| RECAP Scotty was a little unhinged here, looking to show some dominance in the early going as he’s had a rough time as of late. But Hilary was countering every that he had to throw at her. He tried to get her with his Final Wave but Hilary managed to wiggle free. She then showed her acrobatic abilities as she nailed Scotty with Killshot - Somersault Neckbreaker! She pinned and got the much needed three count. It looks like Hilary is looking to get back on track after the loss against Britney at Festivus. WINNER Hilary Levandrier METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 5:33 FINISHING MOVE Killshot |
SEGMENT
We hear the clicking of heels in the distance, as Malaya Diyosa walked into the view of the camera with a casual outfit on. She would knock on the door, a little anxious, as she awaited being allowed entrance.
"Come in."
She hears the owner of Empire Pro Wrestling say, as Malaya opened the door to be greeted by them.
Robb Hardy: Malaya! Great! Come take a seat.
He pointed at the chair in front of his desk.
She would nod briefly, as Malaya makes her way to the chair and seated herself. Leaning back against the seat, she would ask him...
Malaya Diyosa: What did you want to see me for, Mr. Hardy?
Robb leans forward in his chair, looking Malaya up and down.
Robb Hardy: You know, some folks might think you were the weak link of Life of the Party. Im sure you’ve heard that from the trolls of the internet. Now you’re here on your own, away from your friend and tag partner.
Robb nods.
Robb Hardy: And you made it clear on Twitter that you were frustrated with your booking. So, I wanted to see what you wanted? What you envision for yourself here at Empire? While also telling you that I see potential in you.
Malaya sighed a bit, as she looked away from him with a bit of a pout.
Malaya Diyosa: "I didn't care about what others said... I was happy being with Cassie. Then this draft pulled us apart, and she changed..."
Malaya heaved a heavy sigh, as she closed her eyes.
Malaya Diyosa: "She was there for me, when I was blinded by my own hatred... Now, it feels like she isn't the same person. She helped me become a better person, and I just... don't know if I'm ready for this. You know?"
She replied, feeling very vulnerable and a bit heartbroken about everything going on.
Robb nodded.
Robb Hardy: I understand but now it’s time for you to weave your own path and not worry about anyone else. You know, they have this saying, “don’t swim with sharks.”
He leans back in his chair and shrugs.
Robb Hardy: And there’s a lot of sharks here in Empire. The key is to be faster than the sharks. So… are you ready to take the dive in the deep end?
Malaya Diyosa: If there's anything I can do, it's outrun trouble.
She said with a bit of a smirk on her face.
Robb smiled and nodded.
Robb Hardy: Good. I'm sure you're going to do well here. Just keep your head up and believe in yourself like I believe in you.
Malaya would get up, as she was mentally preparing herself for tonight.
Malaya Diyosa: "I understand. I know what Lena is capable of, so, I'm going to bring all I've got to the table. She'll be in real trouble before I'm done with her."
Robb smiles.
Robb Hardy: Sounds good. Knock 'em dead out there and good luck!
We hear the clicking of heels in the distance, as Malaya Diyosa walked into the view of the camera with a casual outfit on. She would knock on the door, a little anxious, as she awaited being allowed entrance.
"Come in."
She hears the owner of Empire Pro Wrestling say, as Malaya opened the door to be greeted by them.
Robb Hardy: Malaya! Great! Come take a seat.
He pointed at the chair in front of his desk.
She would nod briefly, as Malaya makes her way to the chair and seated herself. Leaning back against the seat, she would ask him...
Malaya Diyosa: What did you want to see me for, Mr. Hardy?
Robb leans forward in his chair, looking Malaya up and down.
Robb Hardy: You know, some folks might think you were the weak link of Life of the Party. Im sure you’ve heard that from the trolls of the internet. Now you’re here on your own, away from your friend and tag partner.
Robb nods.
Robb Hardy: And you made it clear on Twitter that you were frustrated with your booking. So, I wanted to see what you wanted? What you envision for yourself here at Empire? While also telling you that I see potential in you.
Malaya sighed a bit, as she looked away from him with a bit of a pout.
Malaya Diyosa: "I didn't care about what others said... I was happy being with Cassie. Then this draft pulled us apart, and she changed..."
Malaya heaved a heavy sigh, as she closed her eyes.
Malaya Diyosa: "She was there for me, when I was blinded by my own hatred... Now, it feels like she isn't the same person. She helped me become a better person, and I just... don't know if I'm ready for this. You know?"
She replied, feeling very vulnerable and a bit heartbroken about everything going on.
Robb nodded.
Robb Hardy: I understand but now it’s time for you to weave your own path and not worry about anyone else. You know, they have this saying, “don’t swim with sharks.”
He leans back in his chair and shrugs.
Robb Hardy: And there’s a lot of sharks here in Empire. The key is to be faster than the sharks. So… are you ready to take the dive in the deep end?
Malaya Diyosa: If there's anything I can do, it's outrun trouble.
She said with a bit of a smirk on her face.
Robb smiled and nodded.
Robb Hardy: Good. I'm sure you're going to do well here. Just keep your head up and believe in yourself like I believe in you.
Malaya would get up, as she was mentally preparing herself for tonight.
Malaya Diyosa: "I understand. I know what Lena is capable of, so, I'm going to bring all I've got to the table. She'll be in real trouble before I'm done with her."
Robb smiles.
Robb Hardy: Sounds good. Knock 'em dead out there and good luck!
MATCH TWO: SINGLES
Justice King vs Atticus Cassian w/Sunday K. Love
Justice King vs Atticus Cassian w/Sunday K. Love
| RECAP The typical Atticus match happened here. He used his power to get control but also had the help of Sunday K. Love throughout the match as well. Justice, despite being brand new, had an attitude and swagger about him that the crowd was eating up and their support willed him on. One mistake is all Justice needed to hit Vanish Mode - Killswitch on Cassian to pick up the three and the win. WINNER Justice King METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 7:22 FINISHING MOVE Vanish Mode |
SEGMENT
We open up backstage to the fan favorite reporter, Rylee Robinson, standing by with a microphone in her hand.
Rylee Robinson: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's show has big match after big match, but none gets bigger than the main event where we will see a number one contender crowned for the Empire Championship when Derrick La'Bell, Britney Anders, Sparrow, and Jack Graves meet in a first ever fatal four way contest. Joining me now is none other that one of the four competitors in that main event matchup, The Living Doll herself, Britney Anders. Britney, thanks for joining me.
Britney Anders walks into the frame wearing a red t-shirt with 'Queen of Canada' in white letters on it, to go with tight leather pants, and some Nikes.
Britney Anders: Of course, Rylee, after our wonderful conversation last show, I was just dying for another chance to chat with you.
Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but Rylee was ever the professional, nodding and moving past Britney's assessment of their last interview.
Rylee Robinson: Well, Britney, tonight is only your third match in Empire, but it's easily the biggest one yet, and possibly the biggest opportunity you will get for quite some time. How are you feeling going into this match?
Britney Anders: I'm feeling great, Rylee. I feel at home. Everywhere I've ever wrestled, I've been in situations like this. Main event matches, title implications, go big or go home. This is where I'm the most comfortable, so tonight's match might be filled with a ton of pressure, but I perform best under pressure. I'm excited for it. And of course, the fans are excited to see THEIR Queen of Canada in the main event!
The fans immediately begin to boo Britney's bold proclamation as Rylee smirks a bit. Britney just rolls her eyes and scoffs.
Rylee Robinson: The pressure will certainly be on because if you fail to walk out with your hand raised, some would say your attitude and even sense of entitlement could hold you back from another chance at something like this anytime soon. What do you have to say to the people with that take on your situation?
Britney Anders: I'd say that's an idiotic take, and anyone who thinks thats even remotely possible is stupid. Robb Hardy didn't sign me to open the shows, okay? Because unlike you, who just stepped foot in a wrestling venue for the first time a month ago, Robb has been around for decades. Like me or not, he knows what I'm capable of, and he knows my value to Empire Pro. He's seen what I've done in AGW, Grapps, and even Valiant. But, we won't even have to worry about that because my hand WILL be raised at the end of the match.
Rylee Robinson: What makes you so confident? Derrick La'Bell is a former champion, Jack Graves is a current World Champion in wrestling, and Sparrow is coming off the hottest win at the Festivus event, arguably. Past aside, right here and now, what gives you the advantage over your three opponents?
Britney was clearly growing annoyed at the questions as she crosses her arms and scowls at the interviewer.
Britney Anders: Lets see, on top of training with Alan Envy, who is a better wrestler than any of the three people you just mentioned, with more experience than all of them, lets talk facts, okay? Fact is, they might be bigger, have more to brag about in Empire than I do, or they might be more unhinged, but me? I'm the smartest person in that ring and I'm the most resourceful. It's not about being the strongest all the time, or even the most talented, which I am, it's about finding a way to win. And that's exactly what I plan on doing tonight. Oh, and Rylee? When I do win, we'll do this again next show, and I expect you to take a less aggressive tone with me, okay? This isn't how you talk to a Queen.
Looking directly into the camera, Britney laughs.
Britney Anders: Jack has crossed my path before and he ran away, literally, left the company because he was scared of me. Sparrow is talking like he's 100 percent, but how can he be after that Ambulance match? And Derrick? He'll get a lesson tonight on why he's a FORMER champion, when he loses to the future champion. Interview is over.
Britney walksk away, leaving Rylee to send us back to ringside.
We open up backstage to the fan favorite reporter, Rylee Robinson, standing by with a microphone in her hand.
Rylee Robinson: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's show has big match after big match, but none gets bigger than the main event where we will see a number one contender crowned for the Empire Championship when Derrick La'Bell, Britney Anders, Sparrow, and Jack Graves meet in a first ever fatal four way contest. Joining me now is none other that one of the four competitors in that main event matchup, The Living Doll herself, Britney Anders. Britney, thanks for joining me.
Britney Anders walks into the frame wearing a red t-shirt with 'Queen of Canada' in white letters on it, to go with tight leather pants, and some Nikes.
Britney Anders: Of course, Rylee, after our wonderful conversation last show, I was just dying for another chance to chat with you.
Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but Rylee was ever the professional, nodding and moving past Britney's assessment of their last interview.
Rylee Robinson: Well, Britney, tonight is only your third match in Empire, but it's easily the biggest one yet, and possibly the biggest opportunity you will get for quite some time. How are you feeling going into this match?
Britney Anders: I'm feeling great, Rylee. I feel at home. Everywhere I've ever wrestled, I've been in situations like this. Main event matches, title implications, go big or go home. This is where I'm the most comfortable, so tonight's match might be filled with a ton of pressure, but I perform best under pressure. I'm excited for it. And of course, the fans are excited to see THEIR Queen of Canada in the main event!
The fans immediately begin to boo Britney's bold proclamation as Rylee smirks a bit. Britney just rolls her eyes and scoffs.
Rylee Robinson: The pressure will certainly be on because if you fail to walk out with your hand raised, some would say your attitude and even sense of entitlement could hold you back from another chance at something like this anytime soon. What do you have to say to the people with that take on your situation?
Britney Anders: I'd say that's an idiotic take, and anyone who thinks thats even remotely possible is stupid. Robb Hardy didn't sign me to open the shows, okay? Because unlike you, who just stepped foot in a wrestling venue for the first time a month ago, Robb has been around for decades. Like me or not, he knows what I'm capable of, and he knows my value to Empire Pro. He's seen what I've done in AGW, Grapps, and even Valiant. But, we won't even have to worry about that because my hand WILL be raised at the end of the match.
Rylee Robinson: What makes you so confident? Derrick La'Bell is a former champion, Jack Graves is a current World Champion in wrestling, and Sparrow is coming off the hottest win at the Festivus event, arguably. Past aside, right here and now, what gives you the advantage over your three opponents?
Britney was clearly growing annoyed at the questions as she crosses her arms and scowls at the interviewer.
Britney Anders: Lets see, on top of training with Alan Envy, who is a better wrestler than any of the three people you just mentioned, with more experience than all of them, lets talk facts, okay? Fact is, they might be bigger, have more to brag about in Empire than I do, or they might be more unhinged, but me? I'm the smartest person in that ring and I'm the most resourceful. It's not about being the strongest all the time, or even the most talented, which I am, it's about finding a way to win. And that's exactly what I plan on doing tonight. Oh, and Rylee? When I do win, we'll do this again next show, and I expect you to take a less aggressive tone with me, okay? This isn't how you talk to a Queen.
Looking directly into the camera, Britney laughs.
Britney Anders: Jack has crossed my path before and he ran away, literally, left the company because he was scared of me. Sparrow is talking like he's 100 percent, but how can he be after that Ambulance match? And Derrick? He'll get a lesson tonight on why he's a FORMER champion, when he loses to the future champion. Interview is over.
Britney walksk away, leaving Rylee to send us back to ringside.
MATCH THREE: SINGLES
Malaya Diyosa vs Lena Galante
Malaya Diyosa vs Lena Galante
| RECAP Malaya Diyosa was making her Empire debut against the Great Lakes Champion. Lena here was very cerebral in her attack, targeting the leg of Malaya , trying to give her no way to make a high flying move. Lena had been feeling herself lately and she wanted to take out Malaya the same way she took out McKena Hardy a couple of weeks ago. She went for the Dynamite Stick but Malaya dodged it and nailed Rude Buster (Lightning Spiral)! She pinned and got the upset victory over a champion! WINNER Malaya Diyosa METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 9:11 FINISHING MOVE Rude Buster |
SEGMENT
It’s been a fun-filled show at the Ricoh Coliseum so far. It's the first Empire show of the year, which means a lot of people have set goals for themselves and predict that this year it will be different than the last. So many people are planning to claw their way to the top, chasing after what their hearts desire.. whatever it may be. Some may just say it is what it is, what happens, happens. Carli Davis was no different than those with goals set, or she thinks? She was planning something, but she wasn’t exactly sure what that was yet.
The camera’s spot the mini Carli in the halls, dressed in gear, as she stretches out her limbs for her upcoming tag match. A small sigh escapes between Carli’s lips as she drops her arms to her side.
CARLI DAVIS: I know what y’all are thinking. Carli Davis has fallen so far down that she can’t even get up. I know. Your girl has been struggling. Like struggling. There’s been so much going on and my head hasn’t been in the game and it’s kept me from focusing. BUT! No worries. All is good and I’m back and ready to be better than I was! Big Poppa Bubz is takin’ over!
A wide smile on her face, she nods.
CARLI DAVIS: So the last time y’all saw me was at the Supershow and I think things went well, right? My team got the win and it was kind of nice getting one of the Socialites. They’ve been known to cause trouble and we don’t stand for that.
Carli waggles her finger in a “no” manner.
CARLI DAVIS: But it seems afterward, my partners didn’t have nice things to say. It’s kinda laughable. There’s some old beef between us and it was kind of silly honestly. Lots of stuff that was said out of the heat of the moment. But they are out here telling me to watch my back? Or others, I don’t know. They were never nice to me, so I don’t know what they’re talking about. So I guess having a twitter spat and marking them with a sharpie makes me this big evil meanie pants. Sticking up for myself and not being cookie-cutter perfect doesn’t mean I’m fooling people. It’s totally not like I didn’t go out there and work with y’all to get that W.
Taking a deep breath in, she exhales while she shakes her head.
CARLI DAVIS: That’s behind me and I’m here to focus on some singles competition. It’s time that I get back to it, though tonight I do have a match with my girl Jess! So never can I pass that chance up. We got Thatchy and Tyson.
Bubz can’t hold back her giggle.
CARLI DAVIS: I’ve lucked out on Tyson DMing me and telling me good luck and he looks forward to getting in the ring with me again.
She bursts out laughing and she’s laughing so hard she’s got her arm wrapped around her abdomen.
CARLI DAVIS: Jokes! All the jokes. I don’t need to get myself in too much trouble. I’ve been a bad Bubz lately with the joke department lately.
She giggles again, before finally gaining back her composure.
CARLI DAVIS: Thatchy Ray Cyrus. Kidding! Thatcher is pretty cool, I guess! Weird to be seeing him team up with anyone besides Jack, but it’s nice to see him teaming up with ol’ Tyson! But really, I’ve been in the ring several times with Tyson, so I know what he’s all about. I know his moves, his tricks, etcetera. That’s not me downplaying him. I would never do that. Tyson works hard and everyone knows that. Jess and I have been in different companies with him, too. So we are prepared for that. Thatch? Well, I know he’s got some cool moves but I can’t say I’ve ever got the chance to be across from him in the ring. He’s the one we really gotta keep our eye on. He’s the wild card that can throw us off.
A shrug falls from her shoulders.
CARLI DAVIS: However, B² are former tag champs, baby! I feel like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve worked with Jess. We’ll fall perfectly back in sync. So see you boys out there!
It’s been a fun-filled show at the Ricoh Coliseum so far. It's the first Empire show of the year, which means a lot of people have set goals for themselves and predict that this year it will be different than the last. So many people are planning to claw their way to the top, chasing after what their hearts desire.. whatever it may be. Some may just say it is what it is, what happens, happens. Carli Davis was no different than those with goals set, or she thinks? She was planning something, but she wasn’t exactly sure what that was yet.
The camera’s spot the mini Carli in the halls, dressed in gear, as she stretches out her limbs for her upcoming tag match. A small sigh escapes between Carli’s lips as she drops her arms to her side.
CARLI DAVIS: I know what y’all are thinking. Carli Davis has fallen so far down that she can’t even get up. I know. Your girl has been struggling. Like struggling. There’s been so much going on and my head hasn’t been in the game and it’s kept me from focusing. BUT! No worries. All is good and I’m back and ready to be better than I was! Big Poppa Bubz is takin’ over!
A wide smile on her face, she nods.
CARLI DAVIS: So the last time y’all saw me was at the Supershow and I think things went well, right? My team got the win and it was kind of nice getting one of the Socialites. They’ve been known to cause trouble and we don’t stand for that.
Carli waggles her finger in a “no” manner.
CARLI DAVIS: But it seems afterward, my partners didn’t have nice things to say. It’s kinda laughable. There’s some old beef between us and it was kind of silly honestly. Lots of stuff that was said out of the heat of the moment. But they are out here telling me to watch my back? Or others, I don’t know. They were never nice to me, so I don’t know what they’re talking about. So I guess having a twitter spat and marking them with a sharpie makes me this big evil meanie pants. Sticking up for myself and not being cookie-cutter perfect doesn’t mean I’m fooling people. It’s totally not like I didn’t go out there and work with y’all to get that W.
Taking a deep breath in, she exhales while she shakes her head.
CARLI DAVIS: That’s behind me and I’m here to focus on some singles competition. It’s time that I get back to it, though tonight I do have a match with my girl Jess! So never can I pass that chance up. We got Thatchy and Tyson.
Bubz can’t hold back her giggle.
CARLI DAVIS: I’ve lucked out on Tyson DMing me and telling me good luck and he looks forward to getting in the ring with me again.
She bursts out laughing and she’s laughing so hard she’s got her arm wrapped around her abdomen.
CARLI DAVIS: Jokes! All the jokes. I don’t need to get myself in too much trouble. I’ve been a bad Bubz lately with the joke department lately.
She giggles again, before finally gaining back her composure.
CARLI DAVIS: Thatchy Ray Cyrus. Kidding! Thatcher is pretty cool, I guess! Weird to be seeing him team up with anyone besides Jack, but it’s nice to see him teaming up with ol’ Tyson! But really, I’ve been in the ring several times with Tyson, so I know what he’s all about. I know his moves, his tricks, etcetera. That’s not me downplaying him. I would never do that. Tyson works hard and everyone knows that. Jess and I have been in different companies with him, too. So we are prepared for that. Thatch? Well, I know he’s got some cool moves but I can’t say I’ve ever got the chance to be across from him in the ring. He’s the one we really gotta keep our eye on. He’s the wild card that can throw us off.
A shrug falls from her shoulders.
CARLI DAVIS: However, B² are former tag champs, baby! I feel like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve worked with Jess. We’ll fall perfectly back in sync. So see you boys out there!
MATCH FOUR: SINGLES
Amelia Moore vs Cait Flanagan
Amelia Moore vs Cait Flanagan
| RECAP These two competitors had no love for each other. Cait was looking to rebound from a string of losses and Amelia? Well, she was looking to make a statement after leaving Valiant as one of their champions. Both women came at each other with anger and ferociousness, they were trying to kill each other at points. When the referee went down though? Cait tried to take advantage. Josh Anderson came in with a chair and he swung it at Amelia but she had it scouted and ducked. WHACK! Josh slammed it into Cait’s face. Amelia pulled the chair out of Josh’s hands and decked him in the head with it with a sickening thud, sending him out of the ring. Amelia then looked at Cait and called her a ‘stupid bitch’! Before she picked her up and nailed her with MTYBF (Moore Than You Bargained For) - Unprettier! She pinned Cait and got the three count and the win! WINNER Amelia Moore METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 8:10 FINISHING MOVE MTYBF POST MATCH Amelia exited the ring, not giving a crap about celebrating. But before she could head up the ramp, she was tackled from behind by a hooded figure! He began to lay punch after punch into her. Amelia manages to pull the hoodie down and it reveals none other than… BOBBY LAFLEUR!? Amelia was irate seeing his face! These two have had it out for each other for the last two years! Amelia, with fire in her eyes, starts to fight back despite having an exhausting match. She throws elbows up into Bobby’s face over and over, fighting him off until she’s the one on top of him now! Amelia is beating the shit out of Bobby, cracking open his nose! But the bloody nose caused LaFleur to start seeing red. He snapped his head forehead, headbutting Amelia and it caused her head to snap back and she was dazed but it had Bobby dazed as well. The two of them then started to roll around, taking turns mounting each other and laying into one another. Eventually Robb Hardy is at the entrance way with a dozen security guards behind him. He sends them down to the ring and they separate Amelia and Bobby. Bobby yells at Amelia, calling her a stupid bitch and she manages to slip out of the grasp of the guards and she dives right at Bobby and starts to club at him again before being pulled away but Bobby gets free and he gets one last shot in at Amelia before spitting the blood from his nose going down his face and into his mouth at Amelia. She screams at him as the two of them are finally held back from each other. Holy shit, what the hell is all of this? And how will Robb Hardy manage to keep these two from killing each other. |
SEGMENT
We cut backstage to Thatcher Ray Nash and Tyson Gregory standing next to each other, with Tyson holding up the ‘Empire’ In The Bank briefcase on his shoulder.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Tonight, Tyson and I go up against the former EPW Tag Team Champions. B2 has done a lot in this biz, especially Carli Davis, a former top champ. But do you see what we got on my side?
Thatcher points at Tyson.
Thatcher Ray Nash: A man who’s won it all everywhere he’s been. One of the top guys in the biz. And as for me? Shit, I’m just gettin’ started.
He nodded confidently as Tyson pats him on the back.
Tyson Gregory: That’s damn right. Every single place I’ve been I have made an impact, I’ve proven time and time again that I am one of the best in the business. So it should not be a shock that I would align myself with people I see the same traits in them that have helped get me to where I am. Thatcher is a great example of having all the tools and just needing the right person to direct all that talent.
Nash nodded as he was getting hyped by Tyson’s words.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Here’s the thing, y’all, The Division? We’re just getting started. While we made some statements over there in Liberty? Tonight? We’re going to make our biggest statement yet. Tonight, the Division will reign supreme and while the rest of you will be divided? We will reign supreme. And tonight? It all starts with Carli Davis and Jessica Carter.
Tyson shrugs his shoulders and lets out a small laugh.
Tyson Gregory: So don’t take it personally tonight Carli and Jessica. This isn’t and never was about the two of you or what you have done as a team. This has and will be about The Division and what we are doing across the entire wrestling world. We are changing up the game and rebuilding it the way we see fit. But we are happy to have you in our ring tonight.
We cut backstage to Thatcher Ray Nash and Tyson Gregory standing next to each other, with Tyson holding up the ‘Empire’ In The Bank briefcase on his shoulder.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Tonight, Tyson and I go up against the former EPW Tag Team Champions. B2 has done a lot in this biz, especially Carli Davis, a former top champ. But do you see what we got on my side?
Thatcher points at Tyson.
Thatcher Ray Nash: A man who’s won it all everywhere he’s been. One of the top guys in the biz. And as for me? Shit, I’m just gettin’ started.
He nodded confidently as Tyson pats him on the back.
Tyson Gregory: That’s damn right. Every single place I’ve been I have made an impact, I’ve proven time and time again that I am one of the best in the business. So it should not be a shock that I would align myself with people I see the same traits in them that have helped get me to where I am. Thatcher is a great example of having all the tools and just needing the right person to direct all that talent.
Nash nodded as he was getting hyped by Tyson’s words.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Here’s the thing, y’all, The Division? We’re just getting started. While we made some statements over there in Liberty? Tonight? We’re going to make our biggest statement yet. Tonight, the Division will reign supreme and while the rest of you will be divided? We will reign supreme. And tonight? It all starts with Carli Davis and Jessica Carter.
Tyson shrugs his shoulders and lets out a small laugh.
Tyson Gregory: So don’t take it personally tonight Carli and Jessica. This isn’t and never was about the two of you or what you have done as a team. This has and will be about The Division and what we are doing across the entire wrestling world. We are changing up the game and rebuilding it the way we see fit. But we are happy to have you in our ring tonight.
SEGMENT
A giant gift basket. That’s what the camera first focuses up on. The camera slowly pans towards Sparrow in front of a locker room as he begins digging into the basket which has no end of tiny gifts and items for perusal. We’re talking like, a very strange assortment of items and bits and pieces that probably have some use somewhere? Probably?
SPARROW: “Alright let’s see. Here’s some of those cool antibac bottles from Bath & Body Works, I ain’t know what your favorite scent is so I just scooped up a couple. Uh this...This is a framed picture of Robb Hardy. I dunno why I needed to include that in part of the gift basket but you’re in Empire now so it felt like committing ot the bit yes. OH THIS! This right here. This is a fifty dollar gift card to Qdoba.”
The West Indian Whirlwind stopped to think about it before he kept rummaging.
SPARROW: “Do people still even eat Qdoba? I honestly like ‘em more than Chipotle. Can I say that? Is that legal? Hold up uh...This is... This is one of those cool little umbrella things you put in drinks. I dunno where you and MARKRUSH is honeymoonin’ but put this in one of them coconut things, be like in front of the ocean---hold up. Oh! Here! This is...A water bottle. Why did I get you a---OH RIGHT! It’s one of them cool Hydratank ones, holds a lot of water, and look--Alien faces all over. This is just me tryna make you feel welcome.”
Giggles could be heard as the camera pans back to show Empire’s resident alien ant queen, the former Liberty Pro Champion Antoinette! With her smile glued on her face she inches up on her tippy toes to peek inside the basket.
ANTOINETTE: “SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRROOOOOOW!!! You really really went above and beyond here with all this! I was so excited to come to work today knowing that some of my bestest friends in the biz was going to be here but I didn’t expect all this!!!”
Antoinette says before her face lights up as she looks at everything and all the details down to the alien designed water bottle. It isn’t long before Antoinette digs her hand into her pants pocket pulling out a purple and gold decorated kandi bracelet she had specially custom made for him.
ANTOINETTE: “SINCE WE AREEE EXCHANGING GIFTS MR. CHAAAAMPION! I think it is only right for me to give you this! I couldn’t wait to give you the kandi I made for you because I’m so incredibly proud of you! I knew you could do it and I just couldn’t wait to SCREAAAAAM congratulations! So, how does it feel!?! Huh??? HUH!! How does it feel CHAMP!?!
A shouting hyper Antoinette bounces up and down as she hands him the bracelet, smiling as she looks at her friend before her. Sparrow lets out a whistle and eyes it up, giving the bracelet a little tug before sliding it on his wrist.
SPARROW: “I ain’t quite a champ yet you know. I still have to beat Derrick and Jack and Anders tonight and then if I do THAT then it’s still the matter of Mr. Black off in the distance at some other point in time. Now if it’s FGA U.S. champ in the other-other company you and me workin’ for since we never got to celebrate that or you bein’ FGA Legacy Champion...EY IT’S CHAMP-CHAMP GANG ALL DAY EVERY DAY! TEAM BEATS REUNITED YES...Well the ‘A’ and the ‘S’ but whatever, we still here and this bracelet is comfortable for real...I might have to get some ring gear to match y’know.”
Sparrow side-eyed around before whispering almost conspiratorily at Ant...Fully aware that there was a camera in front of them. Just roll with it.
SPARROW: “Though just between you and me, Ant...I know you gotta be comin’ for the big belt in Empire too. It’s a big hunt here and gold gotta be on your mind, even as you face Dex tonight. Morant...What a wild last name. I wonder if him and Ja is related...? Nevermind that.”
Antoinette jumped up and down nodding her head, before giggling at her own words.
ANTOINETTE: “Of course that’s what I meant I feel like we haven’t had a minute to realllllly slow down and connect after all these things happened for us! But listen listen…if we're gonna keep it real between you and I??”
Antoinette leans in close whispering, but loud enough for the cameras close by can pick up on.
ANTOINETTE: “Key word in what you just said is yet because I believe in you. I believe in everything you are capable of and I am lucky enough to consider you one of my closest friends! You’ll be there before you know it!”
With a reassuring smile, Antoinette looks at her friend and listens to what he says with a head nod. She giggles at the mention of Dex and his name.
ANTOINETTE: “Right?! He was just saying how much he haaaaated ants but it is in his last name!! But you’re right, between you and I gold is on my mind. It has been on my mind ever since I lost the Liberty Championship…and ever since my switch up to the oleeee Empire brand was announced. But I also know I made a huge impact in a bad way losing my belt…the second time I defended it. I have a lot to prove and I intend on doing it here but doing it my way…the right way…earning my spot to the top!! You know I have to make sure everyone knowwwws I mean business!!”
Antoinette says with a playfully fierce grr face, looking up at her friend.
ANTOINETTE: “I’m just happy to know that in doing things the right way I’ve got people like you here to count on, just like you can count on me always!! You always have your back watched as long as I’m around!!”
Sparrow flashes a warm smile in the face of...Well, the grr face. C’mon, could you resist? He raises a fist up to bump Antoinette’s.
SPARROW: “Like I’ve got yours. Look, you’ll prove it, I know you will yes. Shouldn’t be any question in anybody’s mind, especially mine of who you are and what you stand for. You’ll be at the top again one way or the next. If I gotta meet you there or be the one waitin’ for you, so be it. You know we gon’ tear the house down. Prove what you gotta, do what you gotta but--”
Very gently he patted her shoulder and the West Indian Whirlwind nodded.
SPARROW: “Around here? I’ll be ther whenever you need me and however. Tag partner? I’m there. Destined rival? Call the shot. Now get out there and some brethren what Ant is really all about. You got a long reign in you. I know it and you know it and every single fan chanting your name knows it.”
With a smile on her face, Antoinette nods her head and smiles real wide at that. Gripping onto her gift, she blushes before speaking softly.
ANTOINETTE: “Gosh! That is so good to hear because I am certainly no stranger to being in situations where I need a little help but knowing we got each other’s back is a huge deal to me!! Thanks again for the gift, I gotta call Markus and tell him he’s going to just LOOOOOOVEEEEE Qdobaaaaa!!!!”
Struggling to hold the giant basket she laughs before playfully bumping hips with her friend before turning to call her fiancé about the generous welcome basket.
A giant gift basket. That’s what the camera first focuses up on. The camera slowly pans towards Sparrow in front of a locker room as he begins digging into the basket which has no end of tiny gifts and items for perusal. We’re talking like, a very strange assortment of items and bits and pieces that probably have some use somewhere? Probably?
SPARROW: “Alright let’s see. Here’s some of those cool antibac bottles from Bath & Body Works, I ain’t know what your favorite scent is so I just scooped up a couple. Uh this...This is a framed picture of Robb Hardy. I dunno why I needed to include that in part of the gift basket but you’re in Empire now so it felt like committing ot the bit yes. OH THIS! This right here. This is a fifty dollar gift card to Qdoba.”
The West Indian Whirlwind stopped to think about it before he kept rummaging.
SPARROW: “Do people still even eat Qdoba? I honestly like ‘em more than Chipotle. Can I say that? Is that legal? Hold up uh...This is... This is one of those cool little umbrella things you put in drinks. I dunno where you and MARKRUSH is honeymoonin’ but put this in one of them coconut things, be like in front of the ocean---hold up. Oh! Here! This is...A water bottle. Why did I get you a---OH RIGHT! It’s one of them cool Hydratank ones, holds a lot of water, and look--Alien faces all over. This is just me tryna make you feel welcome.”
Giggles could be heard as the camera pans back to show Empire’s resident alien ant queen, the former Liberty Pro Champion Antoinette! With her smile glued on her face she inches up on her tippy toes to peek inside the basket.
ANTOINETTE: “SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRROOOOOOW!!! You really really went above and beyond here with all this! I was so excited to come to work today knowing that some of my bestest friends in the biz was going to be here but I didn’t expect all this!!!”
Antoinette says before her face lights up as she looks at everything and all the details down to the alien designed water bottle. It isn’t long before Antoinette digs her hand into her pants pocket pulling out a purple and gold decorated kandi bracelet she had specially custom made for him.
ANTOINETTE: “SINCE WE AREEE EXCHANGING GIFTS MR. CHAAAAMPION! I think it is only right for me to give you this! I couldn’t wait to give you the kandi I made for you because I’m so incredibly proud of you! I knew you could do it and I just couldn’t wait to SCREAAAAAM congratulations! So, how does it feel!?! Huh??? HUH!! How does it feel CHAMP!?!
A shouting hyper Antoinette bounces up and down as she hands him the bracelet, smiling as she looks at her friend before her. Sparrow lets out a whistle and eyes it up, giving the bracelet a little tug before sliding it on his wrist.
SPARROW: “I ain’t quite a champ yet you know. I still have to beat Derrick and Jack and Anders tonight and then if I do THAT then it’s still the matter of Mr. Black off in the distance at some other point in time. Now if it’s FGA U.S. champ in the other-other company you and me workin’ for since we never got to celebrate that or you bein’ FGA Legacy Champion...EY IT’S CHAMP-CHAMP GANG ALL DAY EVERY DAY! TEAM BEATS REUNITED YES...Well the ‘A’ and the ‘S’ but whatever, we still here and this bracelet is comfortable for real...I might have to get some ring gear to match y’know.”
Sparrow side-eyed around before whispering almost conspiratorily at Ant...Fully aware that there was a camera in front of them. Just roll with it.
SPARROW: “Though just between you and me, Ant...I know you gotta be comin’ for the big belt in Empire too. It’s a big hunt here and gold gotta be on your mind, even as you face Dex tonight. Morant...What a wild last name. I wonder if him and Ja is related...? Nevermind that.”
Antoinette jumped up and down nodding her head, before giggling at her own words.
ANTOINETTE: “Of course that’s what I meant I feel like we haven’t had a minute to realllllly slow down and connect after all these things happened for us! But listen listen…if we're gonna keep it real between you and I??”
Antoinette leans in close whispering, but loud enough for the cameras close by can pick up on.
ANTOINETTE: “Key word in what you just said is yet because I believe in you. I believe in everything you are capable of and I am lucky enough to consider you one of my closest friends! You’ll be there before you know it!”
With a reassuring smile, Antoinette looks at her friend and listens to what he says with a head nod. She giggles at the mention of Dex and his name.
ANTOINETTE: “Right?! He was just saying how much he haaaaated ants but it is in his last name!! But you’re right, between you and I gold is on my mind. It has been on my mind ever since I lost the Liberty Championship…and ever since my switch up to the oleeee Empire brand was announced. But I also know I made a huge impact in a bad way losing my belt…the second time I defended it. I have a lot to prove and I intend on doing it here but doing it my way…the right way…earning my spot to the top!! You know I have to make sure everyone knowwwws I mean business!!”
Antoinette says with a playfully fierce grr face, looking up at her friend.
ANTOINETTE: “I’m just happy to know that in doing things the right way I’ve got people like you here to count on, just like you can count on me always!! You always have your back watched as long as I’m around!!”
Sparrow flashes a warm smile in the face of...Well, the grr face. C’mon, could you resist? He raises a fist up to bump Antoinette’s.
SPARROW: “Like I’ve got yours. Look, you’ll prove it, I know you will yes. Shouldn’t be any question in anybody’s mind, especially mine of who you are and what you stand for. You’ll be at the top again one way or the next. If I gotta meet you there or be the one waitin’ for you, so be it. You know we gon’ tear the house down. Prove what you gotta, do what you gotta but--”
Very gently he patted her shoulder and the West Indian Whirlwind nodded.
SPARROW: “Around here? I’ll be ther whenever you need me and however. Tag partner? I’m there. Destined rival? Call the shot. Now get out there and some brethren what Ant is really all about. You got a long reign in you. I know it and you know it and every single fan chanting your name knows it.”
With a smile on her face, Antoinette nods her head and smiles real wide at that. Gripping onto her gift, she blushes before speaking softly.
ANTOINETTE: “Gosh! That is so good to hear because I am certainly no stranger to being in situations where I need a little help but knowing we got each other’s back is a huge deal to me!! Thanks again for the gift, I gotta call Markus and tell him he’s going to just LOOOOOOVEEEEE Qdobaaaaa!!!!”
Struggling to hold the giant basket she laughs before playfully bumping hips with her friend before turning to call her fiancé about the generous welcome basket.
MATCH FIVE: TAG
Carli Davis & Jessica Carter vs Tyson Gregory & Thatcher Ray Nash
Carli Davis & Jessica Carter vs Tyson Gregory & Thatcher Ray Nash
| RECAP This match saw B2 control the early going, with their experience shining through. The two of them were showing why they were the former EPW Tag Team Champions. But foul play soon became a factor, with Julian Savell of all people taunting from the front row! This distracted Jessica in the ring and Tyson nailed her with End of Your Sorrow! Carli tried to make the save but Julian Savell hopped the barricade and grabbed her before Thatcher hit her with a running boot! The Division gets the HUGE win over the former tag champs. WINNER The Division METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 9:10 FINISHING MOVE End of Your Sorrow |
SEGMENT
We cut to backstage where Jack Graves can be seen making his way down one of the hallways of the Ricoh Coliseum, dressed and ready for his match later tonight. The rhymic thunk of his Tecovas boots hitting the ground echoes through the hallway like some sort of ominous warning of his approach, and Jack adjusts his hat as he stops in front of the office of his new boss, Robb Hardy.
Before Graves can reach for the doorknob though (because of course he doesn’t knock) the door opens and out walks Thatcher Ray Nash. The two men instantly give each other dabs and a bro hug, and Jack steps aside to let his friend exit the office before giving him a nudge.
Jack Graves: You sucking up to the boss already?
Thatcher laughs and gives him a nonchalant shrug before shoving him back playfully.
Thatcher Ray Nash: What if I am? Looks like you’re doing the same. You didn’t even bring him an edible arrangement like I did though.
Jack’s eyebrows furrow and he lowers his voice so that Robb doesn’t hear them.
Jack Graves: You brought that man a fuckin’ FRUIT BASKET? What in the hell w--
Thatcher can’t control his laughter, and as soon as he cracks, Jack catches on and he reaches out to grab his best friend in a side headlock.
Jack Graves: Motherfucker. I thought you were serious.
Suddenly, someone clearing their voice brings a halt to the roughhousing and the look on Jack’s face goes stone-cold stoic when he sees who it is. The camera pans back and Britney Anders is seen watching the two men in disgust as she files at her nails with a bubblegum pink nail file.
Britney Anders: Can you two move out of my way with this… whatever this is? I need to get in there to talk to Robb about how UNFAIR it is for everyone in this match to team up against me.
Jack stands and takes two steps toward Britney, who takes two steps back in return.
She’d put her back to the wall, quite literally.
Jack Graves: Didn’t I tell you to watch your mouth when you speak to me? This ain’t Twitter now. We’re right here. Live and in color, and I will drop you quicker than the buckle bunnies would drop their panties if I gave them the chance.
Thatcher looks over at Britney then back at Jack before shaking his head.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Not the buckle bunnies. Goddamn Jackie.
He places his hand on Jack’s shoulder as he looks at his partner and best friend.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Look, against my better judgment I’m gonna leave you two to it. I need to go find Tyson for our match. Try not to pull a Sid from Toy Story and pull a doll apart, as tempting as it is. I don’t want to see a bitch like Alan Envy cry anymore than he already does.
Thatcher pats Jack on the shoulder and walks out of the frame. This leaves Britney and Jack right outside of Robb Hardy’s office, and Britney puffs her chest out, despite being back first against the wall.
Britney Anders: You’re right, this isn’t Twitter, and letting your friend call Alan the b word? Not smart. As a matter of fact…
Britney drops her nail file and does all she knows how to do when backed against a wall, she slaps Graves in the side of the cheek so hard that his hat falls to the floor. There was a fire in Britney’s eyes.
Britney Anders: Now get the hell out of my way because you don’t want any issues with me. Do you think I’m going to cower to you, or back down? Well guess what, Nashvillain redneck? This Doll is unbreakable. Now if you will excuse me…
Britney tries to walk past him, but the man with the now red face takes a step to block her path.
Britney Anders: I said move, are you stupid? Do I have to speak your language?
Taking on a trailer trash tone of voice, Anders begins to mock Jack.
Britney Anders: Listen ‘ere now pardner, get the hail outta my way, okayyyy?
Her trailer trash voice needed some work, but the fans watching from the big screen were on the edge of their seats and as Britney took another step, her boot lands on top of his hat. She laughs a little as she crushes it under her foot.
Britney Anders: Ooops…
There was a collective gasp throughout the entire arena as her foot flattened his hat. That was enough for Jack. Mocking him was one thing, but you didn’t touch the Outlaw’s hat.
With lightning reflexes, Jack reaches out and snatches Britney by the throat to hoist her into the air, pinning her to the wall.
Jack Graves: Bitch are YOU fuckin’ stupid? Do you know who you’re fuckin’ with?! HUH?! YOU STILL TOUGH NOW, BARBIE?! HIT ME AGAIN! LET’S SEE IT.
Brit’s legs flail desperately as she’s held in the air by her throat, but her kicks get weaker and weaker by the second until Graves is literally pulled off of her by Robb Hardy and a mob of security. Britney crumbles to the floor, landing on her butt as her hands move up to her throat while she coughs.
Robb Hardy: Jack, what the fuck is this!? I get trash talk, but you and Britney have a match with two other contenders tonight! You are not allowed to take out your opponents beforehand, no matter how much you want to. This is unacceptable and we’re going to talk about this later.
Robb then looks down at Britney who was in a state of shock, her eyes wide with her hand on her neck still.
Robb Hardy: And you? I’m sure you have something to prove with all the trash talk you’ve heard lately, but how about you two do this in the ring? Can you do that?
Robb stands in front of Jack with a plethora of backstage guards holding him back. Meanwhile Jack puts his hands up, taking a few steps back.
Jack Graves: You know what? You’re right. We’ve got a match in just a few so I’ll save your fuckin’ beating until then. You’re going to regret stomping on that hat. When I’m done with you you’ll be lucky if you ain’t eating your meals through a mothafuckin’ straw for the foreseeable future.
Britney looks up at the guards as one of them finally offers her an arm. She clings to it, keeping the squad of men between her and Jack Graves. She was trying to say something, but was unable to get it out without coughing. Her eyes stay on Jack before she pulls the guard with her, using him as an escort down the hall to safety.
Robb and Jack share a silent stare for a moment, and finally Jack scoops up his flattened hat and turns to walk off without another word. Hardy watches him leave and the final shot is of him shaking his head in frustration as we fade to commercial.
We cut to backstage where Jack Graves can be seen making his way down one of the hallways of the Ricoh Coliseum, dressed and ready for his match later tonight. The rhymic thunk of his Tecovas boots hitting the ground echoes through the hallway like some sort of ominous warning of his approach, and Jack adjusts his hat as he stops in front of the office of his new boss, Robb Hardy.
Before Graves can reach for the doorknob though (because of course he doesn’t knock) the door opens and out walks Thatcher Ray Nash. The two men instantly give each other dabs and a bro hug, and Jack steps aside to let his friend exit the office before giving him a nudge.
Jack Graves: You sucking up to the boss already?
Thatcher laughs and gives him a nonchalant shrug before shoving him back playfully.
Thatcher Ray Nash: What if I am? Looks like you’re doing the same. You didn’t even bring him an edible arrangement like I did though.
Jack’s eyebrows furrow and he lowers his voice so that Robb doesn’t hear them.
Jack Graves: You brought that man a fuckin’ FRUIT BASKET? What in the hell w--
Thatcher can’t control his laughter, and as soon as he cracks, Jack catches on and he reaches out to grab his best friend in a side headlock.
Jack Graves: Motherfucker. I thought you were serious.
Suddenly, someone clearing their voice brings a halt to the roughhousing and the look on Jack’s face goes stone-cold stoic when he sees who it is. The camera pans back and Britney Anders is seen watching the two men in disgust as she files at her nails with a bubblegum pink nail file.
Britney Anders: Can you two move out of my way with this… whatever this is? I need to get in there to talk to Robb about how UNFAIR it is for everyone in this match to team up against me.
Jack stands and takes two steps toward Britney, who takes two steps back in return.
She’d put her back to the wall, quite literally.
Jack Graves: Didn’t I tell you to watch your mouth when you speak to me? This ain’t Twitter now. We’re right here. Live and in color, and I will drop you quicker than the buckle bunnies would drop their panties if I gave them the chance.
Thatcher looks over at Britney then back at Jack before shaking his head.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Not the buckle bunnies. Goddamn Jackie.
He places his hand on Jack’s shoulder as he looks at his partner and best friend.
Thatcher Ray Nash: Look, against my better judgment I’m gonna leave you two to it. I need to go find Tyson for our match. Try not to pull a Sid from Toy Story and pull a doll apart, as tempting as it is. I don’t want to see a bitch like Alan Envy cry anymore than he already does.
Thatcher pats Jack on the shoulder and walks out of the frame. This leaves Britney and Jack right outside of Robb Hardy’s office, and Britney puffs her chest out, despite being back first against the wall.
Britney Anders: You’re right, this isn’t Twitter, and letting your friend call Alan the b word? Not smart. As a matter of fact…
Britney drops her nail file and does all she knows how to do when backed against a wall, she slaps Graves in the side of the cheek so hard that his hat falls to the floor. There was a fire in Britney’s eyes.
Britney Anders: Now get the hell out of my way because you don’t want any issues with me. Do you think I’m going to cower to you, or back down? Well guess what, Nashvillain redneck? This Doll is unbreakable. Now if you will excuse me…
Britney tries to walk past him, but the man with the now red face takes a step to block her path.
Britney Anders: I said move, are you stupid? Do I have to speak your language?
Taking on a trailer trash tone of voice, Anders begins to mock Jack.
Britney Anders: Listen ‘ere now pardner, get the hail outta my way, okayyyy?
Her trailer trash voice needed some work, but the fans watching from the big screen were on the edge of their seats and as Britney took another step, her boot lands on top of his hat. She laughs a little as she crushes it under her foot.
Britney Anders: Ooops…
There was a collective gasp throughout the entire arena as her foot flattened his hat. That was enough for Jack. Mocking him was one thing, but you didn’t touch the Outlaw’s hat.
With lightning reflexes, Jack reaches out and snatches Britney by the throat to hoist her into the air, pinning her to the wall.
Jack Graves: Bitch are YOU fuckin’ stupid? Do you know who you’re fuckin’ with?! HUH?! YOU STILL TOUGH NOW, BARBIE?! HIT ME AGAIN! LET’S SEE IT.
Brit’s legs flail desperately as she’s held in the air by her throat, but her kicks get weaker and weaker by the second until Graves is literally pulled off of her by Robb Hardy and a mob of security. Britney crumbles to the floor, landing on her butt as her hands move up to her throat while she coughs.
Robb Hardy: Jack, what the fuck is this!? I get trash talk, but you and Britney have a match with two other contenders tonight! You are not allowed to take out your opponents beforehand, no matter how much you want to. This is unacceptable and we’re going to talk about this later.
Robb then looks down at Britney who was in a state of shock, her eyes wide with her hand on her neck still.
Robb Hardy: And you? I’m sure you have something to prove with all the trash talk you’ve heard lately, but how about you two do this in the ring? Can you do that?
Robb stands in front of Jack with a plethora of backstage guards holding him back. Meanwhile Jack puts his hands up, taking a few steps back.
Jack Graves: You know what? You’re right. We’ve got a match in just a few so I’ll save your fuckin’ beating until then. You’re going to regret stomping on that hat. When I’m done with you you’ll be lucky if you ain’t eating your meals through a mothafuckin’ straw for the foreseeable future.
Britney looks up at the guards as one of them finally offers her an arm. She clings to it, keeping the squad of men between her and Jack Graves. She was trying to say something, but was unable to get it out without coughing. Her eyes stay on Jack before she pulls the guard with her, using him as an escort down the hall to safety.
Robb and Jack share a silent stare for a moment, and finally Jack scoops up his flattened hat and turns to walk off without another word. Hardy watches him leave and the final shot is of him shaking his head in frustration as we fade to commercial.
MATCH SIX: EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP
Wade Manson vs Chase Romano
Wade Manson vs Chase Romano
| RECAP There’s a lot of history here between Waden Manson and Chase Romano, former lovers and now enemies. They two stood face to face. Before they could make a move, suddenly the ring was surrounded. To Chase’s left? Tyson Gregory. Her right? Jack Graves. Behind her? Thatcher Ray Nash. She looked around nervously before charging Wade but the entire group was in the ring and they took her out. Jack laid her out with Dinner Bell before Tyson nailed her with the end of your sorrow. Thatcher then came in with a chair and he wrapped Chase’s arm in it. He then offered it up to Wade to do the final touches and he did. Wade got onto the top ropes and leaped off, stomping down on the chair and a crack could be heard. Chase’s arm was devastated! Wade then grabbed his former lover and he spit on her before he nailed her with Full Frontal Lobotomy! He then pinned her with his comrades around him and the count hit three! The Division has now added the Extreme Championship to their collection! But what’s the extent of Chase’s injuries? The medical team made their way to the ring to check on her as The Division celebrated. WINNER Wade Manson METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 2:55 FINISHING MOVE Full Frontal Lobotomy |
SEGMENT
Backstage we find the likes of a tall Indian woman, her championship resting safely on her shoulder as she does a few pivots, different poses, and angles as camera flashes are seen. A few more shots are taken as she puts the title on her waist and then after that she raises her hand signifying that she is finished.
Ahalya Patel: “You know someone once said, Ahalya you definitely earned that championship.”
She popped off with a boisterous laughter, it almost sounded like a hyena chuckling in the sahara, and yet she managed to contain herself, now once again lifting that championship up to her shoulder.
Ahalya Patel: “Lets get something straight right off the bat, I didn’t necessarily choose this championship, I didn’t go out of my way to seek it out, I didn’t step around anyone else, so on and so forth. Did I earn this belt? You’re damn right I did because after our little spat of the best two out of three, Brendan ended up losing to me. He even acknowledged that, he shook my hand, and unfortunately before we could square up again, my homie got traded.”
She offered a light shrug.
Ahalya Patel: “It be like that sometimes.”
She let a smile creep further up to her lips.
Ahalya Patel: “The thing people seem to forget about championships though, they seem to have some sort of ranking, they supposedly place you at what ‘level’ many seemingly believe you’re competing at. Stupidest shit I ever heard. “
She was shaking her head then.
Ahalya Patel: “That seems to be the problem my opponent for Tonight’s show has, he’s the Big Man on Campus and suddenly there’s a divide where Patel places second to Black because of this and that, again, let me reiterate my last statement. STUPIDEST shit I’ve ever heard.”
She now adjust the belt on her shoulder before rolling her neck in a attempt not to lose her temper or her focus.
Ahalya Patel: “See the thing is Marcus, I could’ve easily been the next one challenging for that strap you’re holding, but I decided why not go ahead and take the opportunity given to me to snag this Can Am Championship and add a little more prestige, not saying Brendan didn’t do his best, but anytime I touch something, lets just say it glitters to match that gold, but to try and commentate that there is a divide between you and I? Nah dawg. I am one of the best damn performers in this company and I can match toe to toe with anybody, on any given night. Need I remind you of the tweet since you seemed to have disappeared just after announcing your own sort of ‘division’ between us, but There’s only a handful of people who have been able to beat me in the ring since 2014. You’re the champ and I’ll put respect on that, but discounting me and this match takes a whole different stage, cause I don’t play that! So tonight, what we’re going to do, we’re going to give this highlight match a go, but unlike what you’re thinking I’m going to put you on the mat with your ass looking up at the rafters and thinking “damn if this was for my title, I’d of just lost it.” Because that is exactly, what I do. Is that clear?”
She didn’t feel as if she needed to say anymore than that as she lifted her hand up and then bypassed the camera crew walking down the hall.
Backstage we find the likes of a tall Indian woman, her championship resting safely on her shoulder as she does a few pivots, different poses, and angles as camera flashes are seen. A few more shots are taken as she puts the title on her waist and then after that she raises her hand signifying that she is finished.
Ahalya Patel: “You know someone once said, Ahalya you definitely earned that championship.”
She popped off with a boisterous laughter, it almost sounded like a hyena chuckling in the sahara, and yet she managed to contain herself, now once again lifting that championship up to her shoulder.
Ahalya Patel: “Lets get something straight right off the bat, I didn’t necessarily choose this championship, I didn’t go out of my way to seek it out, I didn’t step around anyone else, so on and so forth. Did I earn this belt? You’re damn right I did because after our little spat of the best two out of three, Brendan ended up losing to me. He even acknowledged that, he shook my hand, and unfortunately before we could square up again, my homie got traded.”
She offered a light shrug.
Ahalya Patel: “It be like that sometimes.”
She let a smile creep further up to her lips.
Ahalya Patel: “The thing people seem to forget about championships though, they seem to have some sort of ranking, they supposedly place you at what ‘level’ many seemingly believe you’re competing at. Stupidest shit I ever heard. “
She was shaking her head then.
Ahalya Patel: “That seems to be the problem my opponent for Tonight’s show has, he’s the Big Man on Campus and suddenly there’s a divide where Patel places second to Black because of this and that, again, let me reiterate my last statement. STUPIDEST shit I’ve ever heard.”
She now adjust the belt on her shoulder before rolling her neck in a attempt not to lose her temper or her focus.
Ahalya Patel: “See the thing is Marcus, I could’ve easily been the next one challenging for that strap you’re holding, but I decided why not go ahead and take the opportunity given to me to snag this Can Am Championship and add a little more prestige, not saying Brendan didn’t do his best, but anytime I touch something, lets just say it glitters to match that gold, but to try and commentate that there is a divide between you and I? Nah dawg. I am one of the best damn performers in this company and I can match toe to toe with anybody, on any given night. Need I remind you of the tweet since you seemed to have disappeared just after announcing your own sort of ‘division’ between us, but There’s only a handful of people who have been able to beat me in the ring since 2014. You’re the champ and I’ll put respect on that, but discounting me and this match takes a whole different stage, cause I don’t play that! So tonight, what we’re going to do, we’re going to give this highlight match a go, but unlike what you’re thinking I’m going to put you on the mat with your ass looking up at the rafters and thinking “damn if this was for my title, I’d of just lost it.” Because that is exactly, what I do. Is that clear?”
She didn’t feel as if she needed to say anymore than that as she lifted her hand up and then bypassed the camera crew walking down the hall.
MATCH SEVEN: TAG
Dirty Deeds vs Girls of Summer
Dirty Deeds vs Girls of Summer
| RECAP Dirty Deeds versus Girls of Summer. The mainstay legendary team of Liberty/Empire versus one of the rising tag teams in the business. Sisters versus sisters. This one was a good one! Coral and Nami were riding high here and they showed that they had the experience over Sarah and Samara. But it was Samara’s high risk style that gave Dirty Deeds the lead as she took out Coral and Nami with a wild plancha to the outside. They soon had Coral in the ring and nailed her with Dirty Deeds (Superkick (Sarah), followed by Curb Stomp by (Sam))! They pinned and got the big win! WINNER Dirty Deeds METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 6:22 FINISHING MOVE Dirty Deeds POST MATCH Someone was in the ring with a chair and they swung it at Samara but Sarah shoved her out of the way and took the sickening blow to her head. A furious Samara snatched the chair away from the person and we can see that it’s Kian Laroux! She swung it furiously at him but he slid out of the ring. The two jawed back and forth and it was obvious that Kian was out for revenge for what Dirty Deeds did to his dad, Xavier Laroux. Samara then went to check on Sarah, who was in a daze. |
SEGMENT
Backstage at the Ricoh Coliseum, Sparrow looks to be warming up for his match tonight. As he made the joke about being back to his Chill Sparrow Arc now that Blyss and Dante were gone, Sparrow’s ring gear continues following the trend. His ring gear is powder blue on black highlighting, with bird feathers big and small all over the sides. His kickpads are black with that same blue trim, a sparrow silhouette on the left kickpad with katakana for ‘KICK’ on the left. His black sunglasses are propped on his nose as he looks down at his cell phone. Eagle-eyed viewers see a text message from someone named ‘Joey Valentine’ pop up. The message simply reads ‘tag team when??’.
The West Indian Whirlwind puts his phone away when someone walks up to him. Some fans might recognize the balding guy with the ginger goatee wearing a dress shirt. He is in fact Luke Laurie from famed wrestling coverage podcast, TalkWrestle. He looks...Especially happy to be here and be given this opportunity to be interviewing a wrestler on behalf of Empire Pro.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, the King of Kick, K-O-K himself...Oh dear. That spells ‘kok’ then.
Sparrow snorts and immediately walks away from the camera, snorting and trying hard not to laugh too hard. We are indeed back in the chill era if Empire Pro’s own can laugh at himself being called a ‘cock’, mispelled or not.
---
We try this again after a quick ‘technical difficulties’ bleep.
Cameraman Off-Camera: Take two.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, the King of Kick, The Kok-Of-The-Walk--
Sparrow: This is absolutely unprofessional--
Sparrow makes it look as though he was going to go off on a tangent but breaks into a laugh.
---
Once more with feeling, and the camera-man sounds absolutely exhausted.
Cameraman Off-Camera: Take...Three.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, Sparrow. We’ll just leave it at that. Sparrow, tonight you are facing...Former Liberty Pro Champion Derrick La’bell, current reigning GEW Grand Endurance Champion Jack Graves, and former multi-time World Champion in Britney Anders. Each one of you, reaching for an opportunity to face Marcus Black for the Empire Pro Championship. How are you feeling going towards this match? What are your thoughts, especially with the specter of Blyss behind you?
The West Indian Whirlwind raises his head and rolls his shoulders as Luke holds the microphone up to Sparrow’s face. He sniffs the air before seeming to stare at something that can’t be seen.
Sparrow: Blyss Lockhart and Dante Locke...Brought out the very worst of me, Luke. The worst parts of my personality, my being, my sense of self. Me and Derrick ain’t exactly bosom buddies but bringing up shit from a year ago? Unnecessary on my part. Bitch move. The constant passive-aggressive whining on is it worth it when I’m not moving on...That’s all on me. There’s what Blyss did to me and what I did to myself. Now I say that because...Now that she’s gone, now that Dante is gone even for now...There is...A clarity. Especially when it comes to here. Right now. Tonight. I need to make up for that. Any reign I ever had? With Freedom? Gone. Gone like Freedom is gone. Dead...But I still remember that reign that couldn’t even last an hour.
He slowly takes off his sunglasses and stares into the distance before becoming animated, smacking the flat of his left hand in the palm of his right.
Sparrow: It’s what I want Luke, this one thing in the company I haven’t had. A title reign unhindered. A title reign that I actually walk out of the arena that night still holding it, Luke. It consumes me, it eats me alive...So this match, tonight, redeeming myself against Derrick, facing Jack Graves, hell, even Anders that scyophant, it means everything. It means everything Luke because I can wrestle it.
The podcaster/interviewer looks a little thrown off by that statement.
Sparrow: Luke it all goes back to clarity. My job has been threatened multiple times, I had to take a man’s livelihood even temporarily, just to get at his girl to put a standstill on her career...Even temporarily. I have no doubts they’ll be back but in this moment I am...Thankful that I can wrestle, thankful that I can walk another day, thankful that I can perform in front of these crowds, against these opponents, for this opportunity and more than anything else...Show y’all what I can do. Scratch that, let me remind y’all what I does do. Y’see what I sayin’? Let me cook tonight, and you’ll see what I am talking about. Let us cook. WIth the best competitors around...And a spot that should be taken up by Ant or Hil Levandrier but unfortunately we got Anders...Let us cook.
Luke Laurie: That said, do you take to heart Marcus Black calling this main event match a joke?
Sparrow: Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, his opinion, man. We’ll get there when we get there, yes.
Luke Laurie: Final question, with your past history of uh...Interrupted championship reigns, what is the likelihood of Tyson Gregory, Mr. Empire In The Bank cashing in that Empire Championship no matter who wins tonight? I mean do you think he’d cash in after a championship match? Sooner? Later? What’s your take on it.
Sparrow whistles loudly, now that Luke has asked him to put his thinking cap on. The West Indian Whirlwind muses to himself.
Sparrow: Well, given that Marcus casually fought a tag team by himself just for the sake of makin’ a point--I’m sure he and Caroline would be best of friends--Ol’ Tyson ain’t gotta really wait any ol’ time I suspect. It could be a random off Conquest like tonight, it could be a tag team match. Hell, Jack could win tonight and go on to face Marcus. If Jack ain’t claim it, it could be Tyson right after to clean the scraps in a four-man clean-up job. Marcus is good but he damn sure ain’t that good. No one is for those numbers. Trust me, I know. It’s a lot of possibilities tonight, Luke.
Luke Laurie: Thank you then and good luck tonight.
Sparrow places his sunglasses on Luke’s head and gives him a nod before walking off-camera.
Backstage at the Ricoh Coliseum, Sparrow looks to be warming up for his match tonight. As he made the joke about being back to his Chill Sparrow Arc now that Blyss and Dante were gone, Sparrow’s ring gear continues following the trend. His ring gear is powder blue on black highlighting, with bird feathers big and small all over the sides. His kickpads are black with that same blue trim, a sparrow silhouette on the left kickpad with katakana for ‘KICK’ on the left. His black sunglasses are propped on his nose as he looks down at his cell phone. Eagle-eyed viewers see a text message from someone named ‘Joey Valentine’ pop up. The message simply reads ‘tag team when??’.
The West Indian Whirlwind puts his phone away when someone walks up to him. Some fans might recognize the balding guy with the ginger goatee wearing a dress shirt. He is in fact Luke Laurie from famed wrestling coverage podcast, TalkWrestle. He looks...Especially happy to be here and be given this opportunity to be interviewing a wrestler on behalf of Empire Pro.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, the King of Kick, K-O-K himself...Oh dear. That spells ‘kok’ then.
Sparrow snorts and immediately walks away from the camera, snorting and trying hard not to laugh too hard. We are indeed back in the chill era if Empire Pro’s own can laugh at himself being called a ‘cock’, mispelled or not.
---
We try this again after a quick ‘technical difficulties’ bleep.
Cameraman Off-Camera: Take two.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, the King of Kick, The Kok-Of-The-Walk--
Sparrow: This is absolutely unprofessional--
Sparrow makes it look as though he was going to go off on a tangent but breaks into a laugh.
---
Once more with feeling, and the camera-man sounds absolutely exhausted.
Cameraman Off-Camera: Take...Three.
Luke Laurie: Luke here, on behalf of TalkWrestle Podcast! I’m here with the West Indian Whirlwind, Sparrow. We’ll just leave it at that. Sparrow, tonight you are facing...Former Liberty Pro Champion Derrick La’bell, current reigning GEW Grand Endurance Champion Jack Graves, and former multi-time World Champion in Britney Anders. Each one of you, reaching for an opportunity to face Marcus Black for the Empire Pro Championship. How are you feeling going towards this match? What are your thoughts, especially with the specter of Blyss behind you?
The West Indian Whirlwind raises his head and rolls his shoulders as Luke holds the microphone up to Sparrow’s face. He sniffs the air before seeming to stare at something that can’t be seen.
Sparrow: Blyss Lockhart and Dante Locke...Brought out the very worst of me, Luke. The worst parts of my personality, my being, my sense of self. Me and Derrick ain’t exactly bosom buddies but bringing up shit from a year ago? Unnecessary on my part. Bitch move. The constant passive-aggressive whining on is it worth it when I’m not moving on...That’s all on me. There’s what Blyss did to me and what I did to myself. Now I say that because...Now that she’s gone, now that Dante is gone even for now...There is...A clarity. Especially when it comes to here. Right now. Tonight. I need to make up for that. Any reign I ever had? With Freedom? Gone. Gone like Freedom is gone. Dead...But I still remember that reign that couldn’t even last an hour.
He slowly takes off his sunglasses and stares into the distance before becoming animated, smacking the flat of his left hand in the palm of his right.
Sparrow: It’s what I want Luke, this one thing in the company I haven’t had. A title reign unhindered. A title reign that I actually walk out of the arena that night still holding it, Luke. It consumes me, it eats me alive...So this match, tonight, redeeming myself against Derrick, facing Jack Graves, hell, even Anders that scyophant, it means everything. It means everything Luke because I can wrestle it.
The podcaster/interviewer looks a little thrown off by that statement.
Sparrow: Luke it all goes back to clarity. My job has been threatened multiple times, I had to take a man’s livelihood even temporarily, just to get at his girl to put a standstill on her career...Even temporarily. I have no doubts they’ll be back but in this moment I am...Thankful that I can wrestle, thankful that I can walk another day, thankful that I can perform in front of these crowds, against these opponents, for this opportunity and more than anything else...Show y’all what I can do. Scratch that, let me remind y’all what I does do. Y’see what I sayin’? Let me cook tonight, and you’ll see what I am talking about. Let us cook. WIth the best competitors around...And a spot that should be taken up by Ant or Hil Levandrier but unfortunately we got Anders...Let us cook.
Luke Laurie: That said, do you take to heart Marcus Black calling this main event match a joke?
Sparrow: Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, his opinion, man. We’ll get there when we get there, yes.
Luke Laurie: Final question, with your past history of uh...Interrupted championship reigns, what is the likelihood of Tyson Gregory, Mr. Empire In The Bank cashing in that Empire Championship no matter who wins tonight? I mean do you think he’d cash in after a championship match? Sooner? Later? What’s your take on it.
Sparrow whistles loudly, now that Luke has asked him to put his thinking cap on. The West Indian Whirlwind muses to himself.
Sparrow: Well, given that Marcus casually fought a tag team by himself just for the sake of makin’ a point--I’m sure he and Caroline would be best of friends--Ol’ Tyson ain’t gotta really wait any ol’ time I suspect. It could be a random off Conquest like tonight, it could be a tag team match. Hell, Jack could win tonight and go on to face Marcus. If Jack ain’t claim it, it could be Tyson right after to clean the scraps in a four-man clean-up job. Marcus is good but he damn sure ain’t that good. No one is for those numbers. Trust me, I know. It’s a lot of possibilities tonight, Luke.
Luke Laurie: Thank you then and good luck tonight.
Sparrow places his sunglasses on Luke’s head and gives him a nod before walking off-camera.
MATCH EIGHT: SINGLES
Dex Morant vs Antoinette
Dex Morant vs Antoinette
| RECAP Antoinette had something to prove in her Empire debut after losing the Liberty Championship to TJ Techniques and she came out swinging. Antoinette was showing off her speed and high flying abilities here, dominating the early portion of the match with a monkey flip, followed up by a diving crossbody and then a swinging neckbreaker. Despite her recent failures, she wasn’t going to let it take her down. She soon hit the top rope and went for Rave-A-Round (Corkscrew Moonsault) and she nailed it! But she grabbed her midsection as she rolled around in the middle of the ring. She’s hurt? How!? Dex gets up and has an evil grin on his face. He then grabs Ant and nails her with The Crowning (Headlock Driver) and he pins her! Dexter Morant gets the upset victory!! But how did that move hurt Antoinette? Dexter, lifts his shirt up and reveals a steel plate strapped to his abdomen! Come to think of it, Dexter normally wrestles without a shirt! Dex points at the metal plate and laughs before pointing at Antoinette and calling her an idiot. Was this a fair move? Not really, no. WINNER Dex Morant METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 5:14 FINISHING MOVE The Crowning |
SEGMENT
The camera cuts backstage to Marcus Black in his locker room, already in his ring ghear with the Empire Championship draped over his shoulder.
Marcus Black: There is a saying I’ve often heard throughout my life: Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story. It is true in many aspects of life, but in wrestling it may as well be a mantra. People using a common story and just applying it to any situation as if it were fact. Tonight I am up against the newly crowned CanAm Champion and I am confident in my chances. I am vocal about that confidence. But it has to be arrogance. It has to be lies. It has to be something more because the simple truth of it is too hard for you to acknowledge Ahalya. You are an impressive wrestler, and well deserving Champion. But to pretend that there is no divide between what we hold, that there is no divide between the two of us, is just a story. One of our Championships controls this Empire, and one simply rules inside of it. It is not an insurmountable divide, and if you rise to the challenge no one will be more impressed than me, but I don’t see it. Why? Because the insurmountable, proven /fact/, no matter how many people want to spin stories and make excuses is this: I am /exactly/ as good as I say I am. You have defeated the Kraken guarding the door and now you think you can come in and take down the Emperor. I have dominated since the moment I set foot in this company, there has not been a single person who has been able to stop me. And everytime I step in the ring I get better. Especially when I compete against true warriors. That is why tonight excites me. That is why the main event, even though the choices of most combatants are confusing, excites me. That is why that slimy bastard Tyson Gregory waiting in the wings with that briefcase excites me.
So I hope tonight you have prepared for the Kraken you are going to face in that ring, Ahalya. Because if you have let your story get in the way of the facts, then you may as well not even approach the fucking throne. I’ll see you soon.
The camera cuts away.
The camera cuts backstage to Marcus Black in his locker room, already in his ring ghear with the Empire Championship draped over his shoulder.
Marcus Black: There is a saying I’ve often heard throughout my life: Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story. It is true in many aspects of life, but in wrestling it may as well be a mantra. People using a common story and just applying it to any situation as if it were fact. Tonight I am up against the newly crowned CanAm Champion and I am confident in my chances. I am vocal about that confidence. But it has to be arrogance. It has to be lies. It has to be something more because the simple truth of it is too hard for you to acknowledge Ahalya. You are an impressive wrestler, and well deserving Champion. But to pretend that there is no divide between what we hold, that there is no divide between the two of us, is just a story. One of our Championships controls this Empire, and one simply rules inside of it. It is not an insurmountable divide, and if you rise to the challenge no one will be more impressed than me, but I don’t see it. Why? Because the insurmountable, proven /fact/, no matter how many people want to spin stories and make excuses is this: I am /exactly/ as good as I say I am. You have defeated the Kraken guarding the door and now you think you can come in and take down the Emperor. I have dominated since the moment I set foot in this company, there has not been a single person who has been able to stop me. And everytime I step in the ring I get better. Especially when I compete against true warriors. That is why tonight excites me. That is why the main event, even though the choices of most combatants are confusing, excites me. That is why that slimy bastard Tyson Gregory waiting in the wings with that briefcase excites me.
So I hope tonight you have prepared for the Kraken you are going to face in that ring, Ahalya. Because if you have let your story get in the way of the facts, then you may as well not even approach the fucking throne. I’ll see you soon.
The camera cuts away.
SEGMENT
Derrick La'Bell is seen poking his head into his locker room. He's got his girlfriend Mimi and her little sister Clover visiting him tonight, so Derrick wanted to check on them before he cut his promo out. You can hear Mimi's reluctance to be left out, but her parents had requested the young Clover stay off TV, so Derrick agreed. Why anyone needs to know any of this, is unknown, but it's just a fun fact.
Anyways, Derrick closes the door and turns around to stare at the camera with a smile. Once he's ready to speak, he does a huge shrug and says…
Derrick La’Bell: What can I say?
His tone is a bit somber, but also a bit optimistic.
Derrick La’Bell: Sometimes in this business, you get overlooked by a champion, everything swings in your favor…
A bit of an awkward laugh as he rolls his eyes to hint at the proverbial other hand.
Derrick La’Bell: And sometimes you get thrown off the top of a cage!
Derrick clears his throat as he tries to recollect his pride for a moment as he moves pass his rather dramatic loss at Festivus for the Rest of Us
Derrick La’Bell: It's okay, though. Like I said on twitter, one loss doesn't define my career, and one loss won't halt my momentum in this company. If it did, I wouldn't be in this #1 Contenders match tonight, getting an opportunity to go right back in the Empire Title picture again.
He pauses for a moment as his tone drops. What he was about to say is a bit of a hard truth in this industry.
Derrick La’Bell: Though, I'll be honest with yall, I want to tell you I will win. However, I know tonight won't be easy. I know I can win, because I've done it before. But just being a fan of this company and this sport, I know the odds are stacked against.
Derrick continues on.
Derrick La’Bell: Sparrow has always been a phenomenal wrestler, and now that he's got a but of self-confidence and worth back, he's gonna be even better. Jack Graves been rocking all over this Liberty Empire territory thing we got going on. High Roller, Deep South, Liberty, Empire, he's been in all of them and rocked them as well.
He starts to speak very fast now.
Derrick La’Bell: Also Britt Anders is in the match.
Derrick laughs, before recanting.
Derrick La’Bell: Nah, I'm just kidding. If she's in this match, she's obviously earned her spot somehow. She just annoys me and try to ignore her existence as much as possible. Plus she's a very… opportunistic… wrestler, so if she can steal a moment, she will.
Derrick gets serious now as he reaches the end of his quick promo.
Derrick La’Bell: The odds are against me, but like I said, I refuse to allow my momentum to take a hit. I refuse to make Festivus be the last time I get to challenge for the Empire Championship. I'm going to overcome the odds, and I'm going to bring the war right back to Marcus, because I won't rest until I'm Empire Pro Champion!
Behind him, Mimi pokes her head out and smiles at the camera. However, Clover starts to poke her head out too and that's when Derrick turns around and shoves them both back into the locker room frantically, because he's not about to get on the bad side of Mr. Smith
Derrick La'Bell is seen poking his head into his locker room. He's got his girlfriend Mimi and her little sister Clover visiting him tonight, so Derrick wanted to check on them before he cut his promo out. You can hear Mimi's reluctance to be left out, but her parents had requested the young Clover stay off TV, so Derrick agreed. Why anyone needs to know any of this, is unknown, but it's just a fun fact.
Anyways, Derrick closes the door and turns around to stare at the camera with a smile. Once he's ready to speak, he does a huge shrug and says…
Derrick La’Bell: What can I say?
His tone is a bit somber, but also a bit optimistic.
Derrick La’Bell: Sometimes in this business, you get overlooked by a champion, everything swings in your favor…
A bit of an awkward laugh as he rolls his eyes to hint at the proverbial other hand.
Derrick La’Bell: And sometimes you get thrown off the top of a cage!
Derrick clears his throat as he tries to recollect his pride for a moment as he moves pass his rather dramatic loss at Festivus for the Rest of Us
Derrick La’Bell: It's okay, though. Like I said on twitter, one loss doesn't define my career, and one loss won't halt my momentum in this company. If it did, I wouldn't be in this #1 Contenders match tonight, getting an opportunity to go right back in the Empire Title picture again.
He pauses for a moment as his tone drops. What he was about to say is a bit of a hard truth in this industry.
Derrick La’Bell: Though, I'll be honest with yall, I want to tell you I will win. However, I know tonight won't be easy. I know I can win, because I've done it before. But just being a fan of this company and this sport, I know the odds are stacked against.
Derrick continues on.
Derrick La’Bell: Sparrow has always been a phenomenal wrestler, and now that he's got a but of self-confidence and worth back, he's gonna be even better. Jack Graves been rocking all over this Liberty Empire territory thing we got going on. High Roller, Deep South, Liberty, Empire, he's been in all of them and rocked them as well.
He starts to speak very fast now.
Derrick La’Bell: Also Britt Anders is in the match.
Derrick laughs, before recanting.
Derrick La’Bell: Nah, I'm just kidding. If she's in this match, she's obviously earned her spot somehow. She just annoys me and try to ignore her existence as much as possible. Plus she's a very… opportunistic… wrestler, so if she can steal a moment, she will.
Derrick gets serious now as he reaches the end of his quick promo.
Derrick La’Bell: The odds are against me, but like I said, I refuse to allow my momentum to take a hit. I refuse to make Festivus be the last time I get to challenge for the Empire Championship. I'm going to overcome the odds, and I'm going to bring the war right back to Marcus, because I won't rest until I'm Empire Pro Champion!
Behind him, Mimi pokes her head out and smiles at the camera. However, Clover starts to poke her head out too and that's when Derrick turns around and shoves them both back into the locker room frantically, because he's not about to get on the bad side of Mr. Smith
MATCH NINE: CHAMP VS CHAMP
Ahalya Patel vs Marcus Black
Ahalya Patel vs Marcus Black
| RECAP What a match this was! Marcus was trying to show that he was the dominant champion in Empire while Ahalya was trying to keep her hot start going as the new CanAm Champion. Ahalya dominated the early portion with her speed and wit. Getting a few two counts on Marcus after taking him down with a plethora of kicks. Those legs of hers were deadly. But she went to the well too many times and Black took her out with a spinebuster. He kept taking Ahalya down with various slams and suplexes, targeting her body but the Indian Queen wouldn’t stay down. Marcus tried to take her out with Blackhammer but she wiggled free and BANG! En Femina (540 High Kick) straight to Marcus’ head! But Black didn’t go down, he was simply dazed. The Indian Queen went for a second and it dropped The Kraken! Ahalya quickly pinned! One! Two! NOOOO! Marcus kicked out! Ahalya couldn’t believe it! She stepped back and waited for Marcus to stir and she went for a third En Femina but NO! The Kraken caught her in his grasps, lifted her onto his shoulders and BAM! BLACKHAMMER! (F-5)!! He pins the CanAm Champion and the referee makes the count to three! The Empire Champion reigns supreme! But Ahalya showed heart and resiliency here! WINNER Marcus Black METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 13:11 FINISHING MOVE Blackhammer |
RINGSIDE
It’s been another incredible night of action at the Ricoh Coliseum. The Canadian fans have been very vocal ever since the opening contest, cheering loudly for their favorites and letting the bad guys know how much they suck.
The loudest pop so far, one that will be hard to match throughout the rest of the night, was reserved to a duo that wasn’t even booked on tonight’s Conquest. THE duo, the triple tag team champions SkyBird. As [Song] blasted out of the loudspeakers, Anastasia Starling and Skylar Rayner came out of the curtains, the titles strapped around their waists and a wide smile illuminating their faces.
It took them a while to finally reach the ring, walking that aisle can really take a long time when you indulge in taking pictures and shaking hands with the adoring fans. But as the dynamic duo always say, the most important thing for them is “putting smiles on faces”, and that’s what they did tonight as well.
Once inside the ring, the Empire Tag Team champion had to wait a few more seconds for the crowd to tone down the noise before they could speak. And it was Skylar who started off, greeting the fans.
Skylar Rayner: “Wow, you guys really know how to make a couple of chicks welcome!”
Another round of cheers, Anastasia applauding the fan’s reaction as she did a little curtsey.
Skylar Rayner: “You know, when we saw the card and realized we didn’t have a match, we were so disappointed. Going one week without seeing you, our incredible fans? We simply couldn’t handle that.”
Anastasia Starling: “Because we’re not just your champions when we step into this ring and the bell sounds… We’re your champions. Wherever we’re in the ring, in the crowd, backstage, front of stage… Anywhere…. Everywhere.”
Starling, attired in a Canadian tuxedo combination, complete with a pink and black flannel shirt, beamed the biggest and brightest of smiles towards their diehard fans.
Anastasia Starling: “And we’re athletes. We’re professionals. And yes, like anyone who is clear and 100% fit to compete it is disheartening when your name isn’t on the card. We want to be on every show, every card, booked at every event to give back every single thing you have given to us. We want it, and you deserve it!”
Ana pointed her index finger out to the fans, pacing the ring to ensure she individually pointed to each and every single fan she possibly could, gaining a great reception from tall the fans in attendance.
Anastasia Starling: “And with this recent unannounced draft, things are becoming very different on both brands. We can blow a kiss goodbye to former rivals as they skip on out of the door. And we are heartbroken to see a close friend and ally being traded over to New York, watching their black sails go off into the horizon on a voyage to the city that never sleeps.”
The Krakow Native leaned in towards the camera, making a salute which Skylar followed in turn, showing a little patch on her denim jacket with the Kraken’s Black Flag logo on it, much to the applause of the fans who had followed him prior to his trade to Liberty.
Anastasia Starling: “Bren Bren… all the luck in the world on your new journey… And we have taken a leaf out of your book, after your genius and skill changed the very fabric of Empire Wrestling, marking your stamp on the creation of the CanAm Championship… So you all might notice a little change on these here titles.”
Skylar, who was holding onto both of the EPW Tag Team title belts at this present moment, raised them both for all to see. And, indeed, there did seem to be a minor change to their decoration.
Anastasia Starling: “There is a little word been added to these belts. Take a peek, you will see.”
The camera zoomed in on one of the belts, and the word “Tornado” was clear as day to see.
Anastasia Starling: “We’ve been creating storms across the wrestling world over the past year. Three titles we hold each, and for those fans that branch their eyes out, they see the EPW Titles, the GCW Titles and the HKW titles being held aloft across the country. And those HKW belts were our first, setting a tone for how we work best. Whipping up a tornado across the Pro-Wrestling landscape. Soon enough in GCW, we will be doing the same thing… Taking on all comers in Tornado Rules, the very same rules in the Underground that gave us our very first team success… And now it is time to bring this to Canada. And bring this to Empire.”
The Songbird sang her hymn beautifully, smiling towards the camera as Sky did the rounds, ensuring everyone could see the change in place.
Anastasia Starling: “This is all official, we ain’t making this up, we ain’t just saying this to put smiles on faces… This is real, this is the now and this is a whole new era for Tag Team Wrestling in Empire… May I present to you the EPW Tornado Tag Team Championships.”
There was a round of applause from the audience, overly excited with the new change and what it meant to the Empire Tag Team division.
Anastasia Starling: “We hold three World recognised tag team titles, our unity forged in Tornado Rules wrestling. Front he Underground, to Global and now conquering the Empire. There is no team more successful right now, and no team that functions under these stipulations that does it better than us. Us as two. Us as a unit. There is no better partner in this ring than the woman standing beside me. In combat, in friendship… No better partner in life.”
Ana turned to Skylar with a smile, holding out her hand to take hers in her own, Rayner raising one of the titles and placing it on Ana’s shoulders, bringing a huge affectionate smile from the songstress.
Anastasia Starling: “And while these new groups and signings will have their hexes on us, have us as their targets, laser focused in to try and shoot SkyBird down like it’s Duck Hunt… You have another thing coming. Empire… welcome to the Tornado Era. And no one whips up the storm like SkyBird!”
And with that, the groundbreaking team raised their belts on high, as the camera faded away to a commercial.
It’s been another incredible night of action at the Ricoh Coliseum. The Canadian fans have been very vocal ever since the opening contest, cheering loudly for their favorites and letting the bad guys know how much they suck.
The loudest pop so far, one that will be hard to match throughout the rest of the night, was reserved to a duo that wasn’t even booked on tonight’s Conquest. THE duo, the triple tag team champions SkyBird. As [Song] blasted out of the loudspeakers, Anastasia Starling and Skylar Rayner came out of the curtains, the titles strapped around their waists and a wide smile illuminating their faces.
It took them a while to finally reach the ring, walking that aisle can really take a long time when you indulge in taking pictures and shaking hands with the adoring fans. But as the dynamic duo always say, the most important thing for them is “putting smiles on faces”, and that’s what they did tonight as well.
Once inside the ring, the Empire Tag Team champion had to wait a few more seconds for the crowd to tone down the noise before they could speak. And it was Skylar who started off, greeting the fans.
Skylar Rayner: “Wow, you guys really know how to make a couple of chicks welcome!”
Another round of cheers, Anastasia applauding the fan’s reaction as she did a little curtsey.
Skylar Rayner: “You know, when we saw the card and realized we didn’t have a match, we were so disappointed. Going one week without seeing you, our incredible fans? We simply couldn’t handle that.”
Anastasia Starling: “Because we’re not just your champions when we step into this ring and the bell sounds… We’re your champions. Wherever we’re in the ring, in the crowd, backstage, front of stage… Anywhere…. Everywhere.”
Starling, attired in a Canadian tuxedo combination, complete with a pink and black flannel shirt, beamed the biggest and brightest of smiles towards their diehard fans.
Anastasia Starling: “And we’re athletes. We’re professionals. And yes, like anyone who is clear and 100% fit to compete it is disheartening when your name isn’t on the card. We want to be on every show, every card, booked at every event to give back every single thing you have given to us. We want it, and you deserve it!”
Ana pointed her index finger out to the fans, pacing the ring to ensure she individually pointed to each and every single fan she possibly could, gaining a great reception from tall the fans in attendance.
Anastasia Starling: “And with this recent unannounced draft, things are becoming very different on both brands. We can blow a kiss goodbye to former rivals as they skip on out of the door. And we are heartbroken to see a close friend and ally being traded over to New York, watching their black sails go off into the horizon on a voyage to the city that never sleeps.”
The Krakow Native leaned in towards the camera, making a salute which Skylar followed in turn, showing a little patch on her denim jacket with the Kraken’s Black Flag logo on it, much to the applause of the fans who had followed him prior to his trade to Liberty.
Anastasia Starling: “Bren Bren… all the luck in the world on your new journey… And we have taken a leaf out of your book, after your genius and skill changed the very fabric of Empire Wrestling, marking your stamp on the creation of the CanAm Championship… So you all might notice a little change on these here titles.”
Skylar, who was holding onto both of the EPW Tag Team title belts at this present moment, raised them both for all to see. And, indeed, there did seem to be a minor change to their decoration.
Anastasia Starling: “There is a little word been added to these belts. Take a peek, you will see.”
The camera zoomed in on one of the belts, and the word “Tornado” was clear as day to see.
Anastasia Starling: “We’ve been creating storms across the wrestling world over the past year. Three titles we hold each, and for those fans that branch their eyes out, they see the EPW Titles, the GCW Titles and the HKW titles being held aloft across the country. And those HKW belts were our first, setting a tone for how we work best. Whipping up a tornado across the Pro-Wrestling landscape. Soon enough in GCW, we will be doing the same thing… Taking on all comers in Tornado Rules, the very same rules in the Underground that gave us our very first team success… And now it is time to bring this to Canada. And bring this to Empire.”
The Songbird sang her hymn beautifully, smiling towards the camera as Sky did the rounds, ensuring everyone could see the change in place.
Anastasia Starling: “This is all official, we ain’t making this up, we ain’t just saying this to put smiles on faces… This is real, this is the now and this is a whole new era for Tag Team Wrestling in Empire… May I present to you the EPW Tornado Tag Team Championships.”
There was a round of applause from the audience, overly excited with the new change and what it meant to the Empire Tag Team division.
Anastasia Starling: “We hold three World recognised tag team titles, our unity forged in Tornado Rules wrestling. Front he Underground, to Global and now conquering the Empire. There is no team more successful right now, and no team that functions under these stipulations that does it better than us. Us as two. Us as a unit. There is no better partner in this ring than the woman standing beside me. In combat, in friendship… No better partner in life.”
Ana turned to Skylar with a smile, holding out her hand to take hers in her own, Rayner raising one of the titles and placing it on Ana’s shoulders, bringing a huge affectionate smile from the songstress.
Anastasia Starling: “And while these new groups and signings will have their hexes on us, have us as their targets, laser focused in to try and shoot SkyBird down like it’s Duck Hunt… You have another thing coming. Empire… welcome to the Tornado Era. And no one whips up the storm like SkyBird!”
And with that, the groundbreaking team raised their belts on high, as the camera faded away to a commercial.
SEGMENT
We cut backstage to Madi Smith with Dexter Morant.
Madi Smith: Dex… Can I ask what that was all about with your match with Antoinette? That clearly was not fair.
Dexter laughs and shakes his head.
Dexter Morant: Who gives a shit about fair? Nothing is fair in this sport. But Antoinette? She got what she deserved. She was outsmarted once again and someone, which was me tonight, had to teach her that all of that positivity isn’t going to get you anywhere. All it’s going to do is get people to take advantage of you. Trust me, I know, I’ve been there.
Madi shakes her head.
Madi Smith: I don’t think that’s how you should go about things.
Dexter rolled his eyes.
Dexter Morant: You get paid to ask questions, not tell me about what you believe. Fuck off Madi.
Dex waved her off and walked away before the scene cut away.
We cut backstage to Madi Smith with Dexter Morant.
Madi Smith: Dex… Can I ask what that was all about with your match with Antoinette? That clearly was not fair.
Dexter laughs and shakes his head.
Dexter Morant: Who gives a shit about fair? Nothing is fair in this sport. But Antoinette? She got what she deserved. She was outsmarted once again and someone, which was me tonight, had to teach her that all of that positivity isn’t going to get you anywhere. All it’s going to do is get people to take advantage of you. Trust me, I know, I’ve been there.
Madi shakes her head.
Madi Smith: I don’t think that’s how you should go about things.
Dexter rolled his eyes.
Dexter Morant: You get paid to ask questions, not tell me about what you believe. Fuck off Madi.
Dex waved her off and walked away before the scene cut away.
MAIN EVENT: EMPIRE CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDER
Sparrow vs Jack Graves vs Britney Anders vs Derrick La’Bell
Sparrow vs Jack Graves vs Britney Anders vs Derrick La’Bell
| RECAP The match started off with Britney Anders rolling out of the ring. Jack rolled out of the ring and went right after her. Sparrow and Derrick, who’ve had their battles before, went at each other in the middle of the right. The action was fast and powerful. Britney was caught by Jack and he shoved her into the post on the outside, taking her out. He then slammed her into the barricade and called her a dumb bitch, leaving her outside of the ring. He then entered the fray and it was a three way between Jack, Sparrow and Derrick. The three of them all had their own turn dominating the match but eventually Jack took the lead when he hit Derrick and Sparrow both with Dinner Bell! He was on fire! The GEW Grand Champion wanted a shot at that Empire Championship. But Britney Anders slid in the ring and she clobbered Jack with his Grand Championship! She then tossed him out of the ring and The Living Doll looked PISSED! There was a sinister look to her that we quite hadn’t seen before. She grabbed a fire extinguisher from under the ring and sprayed a recovering Jack with it, blinding him before nailing him with the butt end of the extinguisher, busting The Cowboy open. Meanwhile, in the ring, Derrick went for Prodigy In Motion on Sparrow but he countered it, hopping over Derrick and then nailing a Pele Kick! He then took Derrick down with a German Suplex into the turnbuckle! And then he hit The Notorious K.I.C.K. - Standing Double Foot Stomp! This could be it!!! Britney was still laying into Jack as Sparrow pinned Derrick! One! Two! THREE!!! DING DING DING!!! Sparrow is the number one contender! Meanwhile on the outside of the ring, an irate Britney was still beating down on Jack but here comes the Division! They run her off and she jumps the barricade. What the hell got into Britney Anders? And if it wasn’t for her actions, Jack might have had a chance to win this thing. One thing is for certain, Jack Graves isn’t going to let this go. Not by a long shot. The night ends with Sparrow celebrating on the turnbuckle, an arm in the air as the fans cheer him on. WINNER Sparrow METHOD Pinfall MATCH LENGTH 13:21 FINISHING MOVE The Notorious K.I.C.K. |