Liberation: Episode Eighty-Four, March 10th, 2023

BACKSTAGE
Tim Anderson is sitting in one of two chairs in the simple interview setup while new Liberty Pro signee Trish Mayhem relaxes in the other one, her right leg crossed over her left. She’s already dressed in her ring attire, rightfully so since her match is the first of the night. Though only minutes away, she seems calm and cool with no signs of nervousness.

Tim Anderson: Thanks for joining me here, Trish. I’m glad to finally have an official interview with you. Don’t worry, it’ll be a short one this time as I don’t want to hold you back more than I should. But let me properly welcome you to Liberty Pro and the Liberation show.

Trish gives him a practised smile and a nod.

Trish Mayhem: Thank you, Tim. Appreciate that.

He glances at his prepared note cards on his lap before looking back up at Trish who’s now sitting up straight in her chair.

Tim Anderson: So debut tonight, huh. You’re facing Karen Willow. A remarkable young woman who’s established quite a reputation herself and a former world champion too. Does that intimidate you coming into this match?

She smirks a little.

Trish Mayhem: Intimidate? Nah.

Tim raises an eyebrow.

Tim Anderson: Really? She won her first world championship just 15 months after her making her wrestling debut. And for someone at her age, I think she’s younger than you, and with her experience at the time, that’s not only impressive but also rare in this business. Surely, facing someone like her in your first match ever has to be daunting at least.

Trish nods, clearly having predicted this very question.

Trish Mayhem: Well, it was daunting at first. I watched her matches and whatever YouTube video made in tribute to her inspiring journey to the world championship win. But that was a motivation for me, Tim. Everything she did, her accomplishments, they all pushed me harder and harder during my preparations for this match. Because this is a lucky shot for me. When I first started training to be a pro wrestler, I knew I was going all in and my ultimate dream? The world championship. So you see, Tim, Karen puts a face to the challenge I have ahead of me and that helps me sharpen my focus. If I can beat Karen in my debut, it sends a message to the entire locker room. And that message is, watch out for Trish Mayhem ‘cause she’s coming for everyone.

Her smile widens.

Trish Mayhem: Even though Karen hasn’t performed so well lately in Liberty Pro, including losing in that Extreme Championship ladder match at Festivus last month, there’s no denying her skills and achievements. So beating her can still give me bragging rights. And even more so when I do what she did in a shorter amount of time. That’s right, I plan to capture the world championship… in 12 months.

Tim lets out a chuckle of disbelief.

Tim Anderson: In 1 year? Really? I admire your confidence, Trish, but I have to warn you that competition here in Liberty Pro is very tough. I’m sure you already know that.

Trish gives a nonchalant shrug.

Trish Mayhem: I thrive on competition and I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to. Which I have done all my life. I make goals and I make sure I achieve them. I don’t leave things unfinished. And I always bet on no one but myself. It can’t be wrong to be confident in myself just because my opponent did what she did. ‘Cause so what? I’ve already done the math and I trust in my own preparations. Plus, I don’t say things for cute soundbites either. My words have weight and their weight is in gold. So mark them now, Tim. One day, that gold will be the one I wear around my waist and you will be calling me champion.

Tim’s face brightens with amusement at Trish’s matter-of-fact attitude.

Tim Anderson: And it all begins with tonight’s match with Karen Willow. Well, Trish, good luck to you out there.

Trish Mayhem: Thanks for having me.

Just then, a showrunner calls her name to inform her of her cue before her match begins. Trish excuses herself and makes her way to the backstage area.

BACKSTAGE
The first thing that’s heard is a very quiet barking coming from inside a magical and perhaps ramshackle structure that’s really quite hard to make out the full size of as the camera approaches. There’s a door, and right now it’s ajar, there’s a light on in there casting a comforting glow into the shadowy area. Zooming closer now, there’s a brief period of adjustment as the camera moves into the light and then it’s met with a *boom* before the camera and its operator are showered in confetti.

Yes, confetti.

Wielding the confetti cannon is one Brianna Leigh Clark, who grins before setting it aside and pretending what just happened never did, because of course. She goes back to wiping down a card table before setting several different types of games and cards on one side of it, as variety is the spice of life, though the deck she picks up is of course, UNO. The barking that had been heard of course comes from the super cute and adorable Unnamed Corgi that’s prancing around the space as Corgis tend to do, and apparently he was just communicating with one of the ducks that are also in the lair.

That’s right. Emery brought her ducks.

On the super comfy looking overstuffed sofa in the room sits Binky The Bear, standing (or sitting) watch over the Liberty Tag Team Championships, as he likes to do. There’s music playing, it’s very low but also very likely a Kate Bush song. Towards the back there’s even a BBQ grill, with some food going, under a vent which we’re to assume leads the fumes to the outside.

Brianna Leigh Clark: Say Emery? Have you seen my red kickpads? I can only find the white and the purple ones.

Em looks up from her UNO card, which she’s been studying for the last two minutes trying to understand what it actually means. She scans around.

Emery Layton: Mm…y’know, I don’t know actually, lemme check.

Em looks to her cat, Comet, who is perched on a chair.

Emery Layton: Comet, you’ve not been at the kickpads again have you?

Comet does not look up from licking his arse, nor does he intend to. Em pierces him with a look.

Emery Layton: Yeah, wondered why I stopped bringing you on the road. We’ll discuss this later, you and me.

Knock Knock! Em looks up, then back at Comet, having heard the knock on the door to their lair.

Emery Layton: You wait here, you.

Em opens the door, but not before kind of strutting her way towards it chanting ‘there’s somebody at the door’ like she’s on The Emu Show. When she opens it, who else is stood there but none other than Ricky Rodriguez!

Emery Layton: –at the door, there’s somebody at the door, there’s somebody at– oh! Well, look who it is!

Ricky Rodriguez: Step Emery!

His visible excitement at seeing her is totally outclassed once he sees past her into their lair. Eyes as wide as saucers, he can't focus on one single thing. He’s clearly lost in all of it, forgetting just why he’s there.

Ricky Rodriguez: ..whoa.

Brianna Leigh Clark: Hey Emery, is someone at the door?

Brianna of course has gotten up and is looking in a chest of drawers off to one side, and is holding up one of her ‘missing’ kickpads, but the other is still nowhere to be found.

Brianna Leigh Clark: Is that the pizza guy, because I know we’ve got food going but I figured we needed some garlic knots… wait, did he say Step Emery? AYYYYY it’s Ricky! Hey Emery, Ricky’s here!

She says, as if Emery isn’t standing right there in front of said Ricky.

Emery Layton: Y’know what? I think it IS! Fancy that. We’ve redecorated a bit. We’re considering calling it the Ladcave but we’re not there yet. How’s your Da? Ahhh, don’t answer that I know how he is. So what can we do you for, Rickster? Pull up a beanbag and we’ll chat.

There are, indeed, some beanbags right next to him. Large ones too.

Ricky wastes no time taking Emery up on that offer, moving to and lowering himself down into one of those beanbags. It's then he remembers why he is there!

Ricky Rodriguez: So uh yeah! I wanted to apologize again..y'know..for all of that.

He nods his head quickly, that bright and almost childlike smile dominating his expression.

Ricky Rodriguez: I did some stupid shit and now I'm makin it right~

At this fresh apology Brianna shakes her head, giving him a really kind smile, especially from one as rowdy as she is.

Brianna Leigh Clark: It’s cool, Ricky. We’re cool, we accepted the apology, I’m happy, you’re happy, Emery’s happy, your Da is happy…

She hides a grin behind her hand before she moves to rejoin the pair, a sole kick pad in hand.

Emery Layton: Yeah! Yknow what, I been doing this a properly long time now and in that time I can count the people who apologised for doing shit stuff easier than I can the people who didn't. But y’know who should be apologising? Marisol.

Em scratches the side of her nose and removes her beanie, sitting down.

Emery Layton: That's er…that's hard luck, dude. Hard when a partner turns their back on you like that.

Ricky Rodriguez: Right! Like..you'd be surprised how many people in this business wanna take advantage of a young, impressionable young man such as myself.

He paused, thinking about it for a moment only to shake his head and dismiss the thought.

Ricky Rodriguez: Ohh! Speakin of kickin ass. I figured y'all might wanna get a lil getback against Mari and I got this title match comin up against Warren that I know her and the Socializers gonna wanna get in on.

Brianna pauses in what she’s doing at the table - which looks suspiciously like she’s putting black electrical tape stripes on the red kick pad so it matches a tiger striped one she found in another drawer, and looks over at Ricky.

Brianna Leigh Clark: You know what I hate? I hate a damn numbers game. So how ‘bout this… maybe I’ll come strolling down to the ringside area and watch the match, nice and close. I don’t trust Warren much either, but he’s at least tolerable now that his own parasitic baggage fell off.

Ricky Rodriguez: Hopefully she's smart enough to stay the hell outta it..but then again..

Shrugging his shoulders, Ricky gives the 'yikes' face. Right then and there, Ricky almost visibly loses his train of thought.

Ricky Rodriguez: One more question tho..prolly the most important one.

Emery Layton: Yeahyeah, course, ask anything. Well most things, but go for it…

Ricky Rodriguez: Can I play with the ducks?

Em looks down. She looks at Franklin and Edward, both happily quacking away, eating a bit of melon. She curls her lip.

Emery Layton: Mm…yeah sure, go nuts.

And he does! But amongst the madness, the cookout, the ducks, the cat, the missing kickpad and the Unnamed Corgi, an alliance has been formed as we go to our next segment.

BACKSTAGE
Chris Sanderson: I told you, I told you that you don’t get to have your little lovefest in this ring tonight, TJ. I told you. I told this stupid bitch. I told everyone. Gave you warning. Gave everyone warning and yet, no one gets to leave here happy, except for me.

The crowd in the warehouse doesn’t like that one single bit. Sanderson kneels down next to TJ and grabs him by his hair, forcing him to listen closely.

Chris Sanderson: How many times do I say it, TJ. I’m done asking. I’m taking what I want out of this business. This business I gave 11 fucking years to and have shit to show for it. A couple of shitty title reigns in second rate companies like SVW? A run at the top of Millennium before a required surgery or have more permanent damage to my right arm? But no, no one seems to give a single shit about it. I’m a quitter, right?

Sanderson’s face is a bright shade of red as he keeps looking right at the Liberty Champion.

Chris Sanderson: Do you know how it feels, TJ, to have surgery and have the fans call me a disappointment. People telling me that I wasn’t worth it. That Millennium made a mistake? That other companies made a mistake. Do you know how much that hangs on a person, being called a fucking mistake? No, I don’t think you do. Everyone in this sport gets away with whatever they want. People in Liberty or Empire get to do anything they want and it’s completely fine. Me? I take the time to do what’s right and I get all these labels.

Chris slams TJ’s head back down to the mat before turning his attention to the crowd.

Chris Sanderson: Every single one of you people are the reason why I am what I am. Every single one of you turned your back on me when I decided to stick by my family, to get a needed surgery, to be a father to my children instead of putting on a fucking wristlock, or suplexing someone off the top, putting someone through a table or whatever shit makes you assholes get up and chant “This is awesome!” at the top of your lungs.

By now the crowd is starting to throw things into the ring.

Chris Sanderson: Oh it’s because I have an attitude problem right? The same thing that got me fired from places because they didn’t want to deal with me anymore. What’s wrong with voicing your perceived value? Can we not expect to get what we feel is owed to us for what we put in? Others can go in, kiss some ass, and get chance after chance after chance. Me? No matter how hard I work, I get stuck with the absolute worst fucking wrestlers in this sport. And now, TJ, you get to feel the brunt of it. You and that white trash looking piece of shit Gavin Grimes.

A smirk forms on Sanderson’s face as he grabs the Liberty Title. He looks at it and throws it down near TJ.

Chris Sanderson: You can show out as Liberty Champion. You can parade around, kiss the babies before the show, sign autographs for your legion of fans, TJ. But you know what happens the moment, the absolute moment you’re slowing down and not doing as much for them? You’re no longer the hero. No longer the loved man. You’re me, and I know that deep down, it’ll kill someone like you to be like me.

BACKSTAGE
At first all we hear is the sound of chopping. Hit, hit, hit. We open deep inside a forest, whereabouts unknown of course. We continue hearing the chopping sound, the camera making its way through several trees, before the sound of wood snapping echoes through the forest. A large trunk falls right in front of the camera.

Warren Corbett: I spoke of the unsaid, I spoke of silence. It’s a wonder all the things that one can say, but not saying anything at all. Words have never been my strong suit, I’m more of an action kind of person. What good are words when I can show you. Of course, as Evie pointed out, some will simply need it spelled out for them.

Warren has walked into view, hoisting a large axe above his head and plummeting it into a nearby stump. He grabs some chains attached to his belt and begins wrapping the large tree trunk.

Warren Corbett: People see when they look at me. Some people see a puppet, a henchman. While others see a warrior. I’ve made my own way, I can do what I want, and associate with who I want. There’s never been anyone around that’s been able to tell me what to do. Just because you place these expectations on me, doesn’t mean I have to adhere to them.

Warren attached the ends of the chains to a device that gets rid of the slack and pulls it tight. Corbett places the device to a backpack-like contraption, and then runs forward with all his force. It takes a few seconds to gain momentum, but when he does it’s amazing to see the trunk move through the forest. He doesn’t have far to go, stopping at a cabin.

Warren Corbett: I’ve never felt like I was understood until I was in #TheSociety, and now that it’s over, I’m back to that feeling. But gone are the days of trying to make people understand me. Gone are the days when I try to make people see it my way. It doesn’t matter what you think of me anymore and quite frankly, it really never did. I let those words control me. I let them wrap themselves around my neck and choke me to sleep every night and for what? So that I can climb to the tallest peak on the tallest mountain, the Liberty Championship, and have people still look down upon me. That doesn’t make sense.

He’s been taking deep breaths, tired as all hell, detaching the chains. Odds are he’ll just use the trunk as some firewood that he won’t have to continually go out for. He walks through the door to the cabin, and the camera follows.

Warren Corbett: You can’t look down upon someone who is so far above you. I’m so high above the majority of you when it comes to in-ring ability, that I shouldn’t even be able to see you. That’s what I needed to realize. The only validation I need is my own. Evie taught me that.

He grabs #TheSociety Heavyweight Championship as he’s walking through the cabin. The belt itself is sitting on the back of the couch, stretched out and displayed. He slings it onto his shoulder, taking a seat on the couch in front of the camera.

Warren Corbett: Ricky Rodriguez is simply everything I despise. His focus is purely superficial. He wants this gold probably because he thinks it may accent his eyes well, or some bullshit like that. Is he still trying to push some sort of workout tapes or something? Your mind is so clouded with trivial matters that you can’t see what’s right in front of your face. #TheSociety Heavyweight Championship isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. It’s staying right here on my shoulder, and there’s no amount of words you can speak that’ll keep me from smashing you into the ground. Hope you have your face insured.

His eyes narrow in on the camera as we cut.

BACKSTAGE
The scene opens up backstage with Cassandra Mason. The audience is quick to give Ms. Mason a piece of her mind. She doesn’t allow their boos to rattle her.

Cassandra Mason:
“You’ve made some waves Chris Sanderson...”

Cassandra claps her hands to salute Chris. The fans in the arena don’t take too kind to her acknowledgement of Sanderson.


Cassandra Mason:
“We have a lot in common. We both come from families that cast a very huge shadow. I’m not second generation like you. Being a Mason, having an older brother who is pretty dynamic in his own right... I get it. And I can also relate to finally embracing who you truly are. For years I tried to rebel against my own family. I was the party girl. The life of the party. I wanted to be different from what my father and brother expected of me. Thanks to recent events, I finally embraced the dynamic, headstrong, killer that I was always meant to become. Seeing the way you made TJ, Gavin and Kendrick your bitch the last couple weeks, quite impressive if I do say so myself.”

Again, Cassandra applauds Chris.

Cassandra Mason:
Now, if I was some bleeding heart do gooder I would condemn your actions. I’m not going to Chris. In this world we need to do what must be done to get ahead. You’re no longer taking shit from anyone, I’m not either. You’re willing to do whatever it takes? Same here. We are birds of a feather, no judgment from your girl here. I can’t think of a better challenge to test the rebirth of Cassandra Mason than by going toe-to-toe against Mr. Public Enemy #1? To all you Liberty fans who are holding out hope that the brand new Cassandra Mason is just a phase, sorry to disappoint, don’t expect me to ride in on my white horse to knock Chris down a peg, oh no, I see this contest as an opportunity. If you weren’t a believer in Cassandra Mason, you will be after tonight. Ciao.”

Cassandra waves for the camera. She walks off as the scene fades to black.

BACKSTAGE
"Week after week, you continue to amaze me, Chris..."

We hear the word from a familiar voice off screen. When the cameraman zooms out, it's revealed that the voice belongs to none other than The Funky Technician. The sight of the reigning Liberty Champion is met with cheers from the audience in the arena.

TJ Techniques: There just ain't a level that you won't stoop to. Attackin' me from behind like a coward? Then, last week, you go and get wifey to fight your battles for you and hit me in the head with a championship? What type of grown ass man gets his woman to fight his battles for him?

The look on TJ's face is that of disbelief. A shake of the head over Chris Sanderson's pitiful actions follows...

TJ Techniques:See, that right there? That's the sucker shit I'm talkin' about with you.

The Liberty Champion points directly at the camera.

TJ Techniques: Then you got the nerve to come out here, on Al Gore's internet, and talk about how you didn't put her up to it. Who you tryin' to convince with that lie, 'cause it ain't me. And the people don't buy it, either. As far as you go, Ali, it's like this. I didn't bring you into this. This right here, was just between me and your man. I never looked in your direction. I never had no cross words with you. I didn't give you any reason to do what you did last week. Now I get it. I get standin' by your man. You wanna go out there and cheer him on from ringside? You go do that. You wanna hold up signs for him? You go do that. You wanna go out there with your pom poms and try to rally behind him? You do that. But don't you ever put your hands on me, or my championship, ever again. Hittin' TJ Techniques in the head with championship belts ain't about to become the family pastime, so the two of you can just forget that right here and now. So you watch yourself and you keep your damn hands to yourself. I ain't about to say it again. As far as you go, Chris? You already know what I think of you. As far as your wife is concerned, you better do like Jules told Pumpkin at the diner in Pulp Fiction. You better tell that bitch to be cool. Tell her to be like Fonzie and be cool, Chris. Cause the neck time she decides to insert herself in my business, I'm gon' insert my foot in her ass. You feel what I'm sayin'? Handle her before she gets handled.

The crowd cheers TJ on after his stern warnings to the Sandersons.

TJ Techniques: Now...

TJ takes a moment to collect himself in the backstage area.

TJ Techniques: Now that we've done addressed the trash on this roster, let's switch gears to someone that's actually worth a damn. Let's switch the focus to someone that's worthy of some praise and some respect around here and that's you, Angelina.

The mention of Angelina Fantastica is met with cheers from the New York crowd.

TJ Techniques: Now I'll admit it. When it comes to you, I'm biased as hell. It's always great to step in there against someone that you like and respect. But it's another thing when you're standin' across the ring from someone that comes from the same places that you came from. It means more when you're standin' in the ring within someone that's traveled the same path that you traveled. You know, Staten Island is always looked at as the "forgotten borough". It's the one that's always overlooked. Yet when it comes to wrestling, week after week, month after month, year after year, we show up, show out and put on for the city. And that's exactly what's gon' happen in that main event.

A round of cheers are heard from the crowd. The Funky Technician continues.

TJ Techniques: Ang', I got nothin' but love you you. I got the utmost respect for you. But after bein' laid out on consecutive shows, I need to go out there and leave a main event with my music playin' and my arm raised in the air. I need to end a main event with my head held high, not wakin' up from a state of unconsciousness wonderin' who jumped me from behind this time. Tonight ain't abut takin' these past few weeks of frustration out on you. Nah, never that. But I know you gon' give me your best. You're standin' in there against The Funky Technician, Kool G Grap, The Meaning of Dope, That Man and oh, by the way, THE Liberty Champion. This is a statement match for you. This ain't your first rodeo in Liberty Pro. But a win here tonight, no matter if it's non-title or not, makes you a made woman around these parts. It immediately puts you in the conversation of who comes next for a title shot. As match as I'd love to defend this against you, I also can't let you make a name for yourself around these parts at my expense out there tonight. So I'm gon' go out there, put it down for the home team, like I always do, and prove exactly why I am the man up in the piece. Good luck...

BACKSTAGE
We open up backstage at the Callaghan Warehouse in Brooklyn to see the Noir champion, Rayven Hardy wearing a t-shirt that says 'Family First' on the front and on the back we would see HARDY written at the top in Jersey style lettering with 17 below where the number on a jersey would go. Standing next to Rayven is interviewer, Rylee Robinson.

RYLEE ROBINSON: It's an honor to be standing next to the current Noir champion once again, Ms. Rayven Hardy. And Ray, you've had a sort of roller coaster type ride the last few weeks. From dealing with Dex Morant and Kaia Grainger, to wrestling back to back matches against Asher Miles in which you went 1-1. With all of that on your mind, how are you feeling tonight?

Rayven draws in a deep breath before looking down at the Noir championship around her waist.


RAYVEN HARDY: I'm doing good, Rylee, thanks for asking. Definitely been on a roller coaster, but hey, roller coasters are fun for a reason, right?

A smile tugs at the champion's lips.


RAYVEN HARDY: Nothing in life would mean anything if everything went perfectly. Dex was annoying, but now I shouldn't have to deal with him anymore, but Kaia? She's someone I respected. Kaia is incredibly talented, and I would have loved nothing more than to give her a one on one shot at my Noir championship, but, I guess she couldn't handle cashing in her championship match, only to lose, so now she's doing whatever she can to keep herself in the same conversation as me. Talented or not, it reeks of desperation.

RYLEE ROBINSON: The odds have certainly been against you lately, from dealing with Asher only for her to get involved, to that previously mentioned triple threat, but tonight, things seem more even than ever before. I see your shirt, so I'm guessing you're excited for the chance to team with not only anyone, but your sister.

RAYVEN HARDY: McKena is an amazing wrestler, but she's an even better sister. So yeah, I feel lucky to be able to team with her tonight. Now, I'm sure Kaia and Asher are going to bring up the public issues me and McKena had last year, but those issues are in the past. Sisters fight. That wasn't our first fight and I'm sure it won't be our last, but at the end of the day, we're family and we will ALWAYS be here for each other. I can't thank her enough for stepping up and going to battle with me tonight.

RYLEE ROBINSON: You mentioned the very public issues between you and McKena, and while those issues are squashed, how do you think it will affect your chemistry in the ring? We've seen Asher and Kaia are on the same page, and many people would say that tonight, they are the favorites to win this match, for that reason alone: Chemistry. Your thoughts?

RAYVEN HARDY: Chemistry? McKena and I have been in each other's lives our entire lives. I moved into McKena's home when I was fifteen, and even before that, I saw her and Junior and the rest of the family almost every weekend for my entire childhood. I can attest to the chemistry that Kaia and Asher share, but Rylee, when I say McKena and I are ready for this? Trust me, you'll see what I mean when that bell rings. There's nobody in the world that I trust to have my back more than I do McKena, and I know she feels the same way about me.

Rayven points to the words on the chest of her shirt.


RAYVEN HARDY: FAMILY...FIRST. Thanks for your time, Rylee.

Rayven pats the faceplate of the Noir championship before heading down the hallway, ready to continue strategizing with her sister for their very important tag team match later on.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to The Division heading to the ring. Next to Tyson, Wade and Thatcher is none other than Julian Savell, who looks to accompany them to the ring for the upcoming match. The Inspired usually have numbers games but it doesn’t look like it tonight.

BACKSTAGE
We cut backstage to Jade Night and Robb Hardy standing side by side.

Jade Night: Sorry for the delay of our shows getting pushed back a month, everyone.

Robb nodded.

Robb Hardy: Indeed, we do apologize, but we were in the middle of transitioning to a new television deal. We are now a part of the Agora Network. Which you obviously know, since you’re watching this on there now.

Robb laughed and Jade rolled her eyes.

Jade Night: Right. We’re joining up with other companies there such as House of Wrestling, Millennium and MWCW. We look forward to working with all of you.

Robb Hardy: See you all tomorrow at Empire

BACKSTAGE
“Nowhere Generation” by Rise Against blares out of the loudspeakers, signaling the entrance of one of the most controversial figures in Liberty Pro, Leanne Jones. Even though her actions here in New York have been, so far, irreproachable and above suspicion, her reputation definitely precedes her, keeping the fans very wary of her as the boos accompanying her to the ring testify.

By now used to them, Lan doesn’t seem too bothered as she waits for them to die down before raising the microphone to her lips and beginning her speech.

Leanne Jones: Speech is silver, but silence is golden.

As often happens with her, she starts her speech with a quote. This one comes from Tolstoj’s masterpiece War And Peace.

Leanne Jones: And I know this may sound pretty ironic from someone who…

Raising her free hand in the air, she flexes the index and middle fingers making the air-quote gesture.

Leanne Jones: Talks entirely too much, a self-help tape gone entirely wrong

This was a direct quote from Brianna Leigh-Clark, something the LPW tag champion said about her before their match one week ago. Mocking everyone’s favorite hoss surely isn’t going to fly with the NYC crowd, earning Jones another round of boos.

Leanne Jones: I know, I know. I was pretty disappointed too when I heard Brianna say those words.

She snickers, clearly enjoying playing to the crowd.

Leanne Jones: But in that exact moment, I knew Markus and I had won the match. Before even stepping in the ring, I knew that we were going to beat the tag team champions. And to be honest with you, I knew exactly how I would have accomplished that too. This has nothing to do with psychic power or reading the future in a crystal ball. It’s psychological warfare, it’s behavioral analysis, it’s game theory. There’s plenty of literature out there, from Sun Tzu’s The Art Of War to Harsaniyi’s papers about Bayesian games… An entire world of knowledge that may come in handy in a lot of different situations…

To say that the fans don’t appreciate the lecture may be an understatement. They make so much noise that it completely drowns her voice, forcing her to stop. She shrugs her shoulders, waits for them to let it all out and finally continues.

Leanne Jones: But I guess it takes less effort to judge someone by hearsay, to assume how they will act based on misconceptions and circumstantial evidence. The Lads made the mistake of thinking I would turn on my partner. They took it for granted, they were waiting for it to happen.

Another brief pause.

Leanne Jones: To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Sun Tzu, again, 2500 years ago. Crazy how little we learned in all this time. But I digress. The reason why I’m out here is not to educate you, although knowledge is free for those willing to take it. I know you’re back there, Markus. Would you mind joining me in this ring?

“Silvera” by Gojira hits and a wave of cheers goes up throughout the crowd, that sound growing even louder as they see the Gotham Champion march out onto the stage, his championship gripped in his left hand. He acknowledges the fan on his way down the ramp, but his primary focus seems to be on Leanne. Taking a microphone from the steps he climbs into the ring, pacing a little bit before finally stopping.

Markus FK: Let me stop you right there, Lan. What the fuck are you talking about?

The bluntness of Markus’ opening words prompts small pockets of laughter from the crowd, before the big man continues.

Markus FK: You come out here talking in a bunch of…circles. Quoting literature, saying shit just to hear yourself talk. I don’t have time for that, I’m not doing that. So this is what we’re gonna do. I know what you want, so let’s cut all the charades, all the bullshit, and let’s get down to business. Because if you quote one more fucking book, I might just decapitate you right here, right now.

A massive cheer goes up at the prospect of Markus obliterating Lan with a lariat - they hate books, apparently. Markus motions towards Lan, allowing her the opportunity to get to the point. Leanne glances over at Markus and shakes her head, letting out a long sigh.

Leanne Jones: Et tu, Brute?

Of course her reply is another quote, one Shakespeare had Julius Caesar in the homonymous tragedy. On top of that, it’s also a clever play on words, describing Markus' nature quite accurately.

Leanne Jones: I get it, what I’m saying is not for everyone. But trust me, I’m actually helping you here. You know, the old saying “know your enemy and you shall not fear the results of a hundred battles…”

At this point it’s clear she’s just quoting for the sake of it, taunting the Gotham champion.

Leanne Jones: But since you prefer me to state the obvious, allow me to answer the question you asked after Festivus. Where is your competition?

She curtsies, smiling at the powerhouse.

Leanne Jones: It’s standing right in front of you.

Markus rolls his eyes at the roundabout way in which Lan has gone about it, but nods.

Markus FK: It only took about one library’s worth of quotes to finally get it out of you. Congratulations, Leanne - but I want you to know, this ain’t a talkin’ person’s game.

He pauses, beginning to pace, raising his belt up a little bit higher.

Markus FK: See, I’ve been through hell just to get a shot at this title right here, and I’ve endured even worse to keep it. Whether it was people stabbing me in the back, attacking my fiancé to get at me, two knives in the back, running gauntlets…I’ve been through it all. So this is what you’re going to do…

Markus takes the slightest step closer to Lan, extending the title right by her face.

Markus FK: You want a shot at this? Prove it. Just like I did, time and time and time again. Just as I last defended this belt, you’re going to earn your shot at it. Quoting Shakespeare doesn’t earn you your place - but running the gauntlet? They sure as hell would.

The crowd explodes at the mention of another gauntlet, specifically at the fact that Lan has to run it just to get her shot. Markus cracks a smiles, backing up slightly.

Markus FK: Next week, I wanna see if you’ve got what it takes. You run it? I’ll be waiting for you.

Having laid down the challenge, Markus drops his microphone, his music hitting once more as he climbs out of the ring, dropping down to the floor, Leanne watching him the whole way. For a moment, Leanne seems at a loss for words, which is quite impressive. Things took a turn she wasn’t quite expecting, running a gauntlet is not something she saw coming. Nonetheless, she has something else to say to Markus before he leaves.

Leanne Jones: Your title, your rules. I can respect that. But make no mistake, Markus.. I’m coming for your title, no matter who I have to run through next week.

Markus stops on his tracks and turns around, acknowledging Leanne with a nod before disappearing behind the curtain: The camera cuts to commercial.