Liberation: Episode Thirty-Nine, September 2nd, 2018

OPENING SEGMENT
As the show opener finishes Olivia Starr executive assistant to Nathan Callaghan, stands on the stage a podium is set up in front of her and she has a folder opened up in front of her, she regards the fans for a moment with a small smile.

Olivia Starr: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the draft!

As the fans cheer she nods, clearing her throat.

Olivia Starr: Now championships and those who hold them, will have exclusivity to brands from here on out… that means that Liberty Champion Honey, Gotham Champion Scotty Latimer, US Champion Felix Graves and Trials Champion Kristina Spencer will stay on Liberation, the next episode of which will air on September Eight.

Freedom Champion Ruby Lance, Independence Champion Caspian Kace, Anarchy Champion Carli Davis and the Tag Team Champions Katie Anderson-Tolson and Samantha Tolson will stay on Freedom, the next episode will air September 12.

She again pauses for the fans to soak this in.

Olivia Starr: Each show had a top five draft pick, before all others were assigned at random, so the Top Five picks for Liberation;

Tyson Gregory
Becky Balfour
Cyrus Riddle
Cartier
Lennox Taylor.

Top five picks for Freedom;

Riley Sweet
Warren Corbett
Girls of Summer
New signing… BENOITE
Gray Malone.

The fans boo loudly at the mention of Benoite and Olivia chuckles softly, shaking her head.

Olivia Starr: Lets carry on shall we?

Liberation Draft;
Aubrey Grimes
James Remy
Kyla Kamden
Kendrick across
Azrael
ACID
Drakken
Helena Noir
Neriah Holst
And new signing… Caleb Houston!

Freedom Roster;
Robyn Jones
Layne & Michael
Tai Thibodeau
Teddy Warren-Steele
Jaylen Michaels
Isabella Strickland
Felix Vialpando
Avery Smith
Cass Baumer
And new signing… Tara Castellano!

Olivia nods with another smile as she closes the folder, looking out at the fans.

Olivia Starr: Tonight marks a new era for Liberty, Miss. Callaghan has entrusted me with this role, to ensure that Nathan Callaghan can no longer rule over this company like a fat, spoiled king. He will have to answer for his decisions, he will have to sit up and pay attention to those who you are all here to see… Well, that is… whenever he returns from his vacation sponsored by Miss Balfour and the Followers.

Olivia chuckles slightly as she picks up the folder and turns on her heels to walk behind the curtain.

BACKSTAGE
The show opens with Aubrey Grimes backstage, heading towards the ring for her opening match before Corey Grimes intercepts her and gives her a kiss.

Corey Grimes: What? Did you think I’d let you go out there before giving you a good luck kiss?

She grins.

Aubrey Grimes: Thank you, babe! I need it. This is probably my biggest singles match yet. Kind of nervous, actually.

Corey Grimes: I hear you, but you just gotta look at it like it’s any other match, you know? I know Robyn is a pretty big deal but hey, so are you! You’re a Grimes, afterall!

Corey smiles and gives Aubrey a reassuring nod.

Aubrey Grimes: A Grimes who is still very much learning. It feels weird being on my own, but I know it’s for the best. I’m so afraid of embarrassing myself. But I know, I just have to relax. Easier said than done.

She takes a deep breath.

Aubrey Grimes: I don’t want to disappoint the Grimes name!

Corey shakes his head.

Corey Grimes: You’ll never disappoint the name or me, ever! Don’t ever let that thought cross your silly little head again, alright?

She nods, taking his hands into hers.

Aubrey Grimes: Alright, alright...I’m sorry! No more. I promise. I totally got this. Win or lose. I’ll still have a future. Totally.

Corey leans in and kisses her softly before leaning back and nodding.

Corey Grimes: And your future is fucking bright. Never forget that, baby.

Aubrey Grimes: Those are going to be words to live by now! Thank you again. I love you so much and I am so thankful to have you here with me. Now, now I can go out there. I think I’m ready.

Corey grabs her and gives her one more big kiss before smiling.

Corey Grimes: You can go now. I’ll be waiting here for when you get back.

He nods and Aubrey walks off and the scene cuts away.

BACKSTAGE
We find Honey arriving to the arena to a great little welcome by staff. As she exits her Uber, she sees a few staff who offer to take her backpack for her and give her a complimentary bottle of water. Honey hands both of them strawberry kitkats instead and pays the driver while wearing her LPW Championship around her waist.

Once she's inside the building,, Tim Anderson is there a bit short of breath and a small ketchup blob on his white tie.

Tim Anderson: I am here with the new LPW Champion, formerly Honey in the Bank, Super Falcon 2017 Winner, Former ACM Duos Champion….Honey Smith.

He takes a little bit of a breath of all Honey's accolades. Honey gives a happy smile and then her eyebrows shoot up in surprise as she is presented with a hotdog.

Honey: For me!!?

Tim nods.

Tim Anderson: Anything for an exclusive with the LPW Champion.

Honey takes the hotdog and promptly takes a big bite with a little bit of a ketchup moustache as a result.

Tim Anderson: How are you feeling for the upcoming match against Becky and Gray Malone?

Honey has a mouthful of hotdog and smiles with some murmurs trying to get it down. Once she's able to, a feminine hand swipes the microphone from Tim's hands to reveal Honey's Cousin Mimi which makes Honey gasp in surprise.

Honey: Cousin Mimi!!

Mimi: You can't get me off The Syndicate Network that easy…

She says to the camera.

Mimi: Better question, Honey. What's it like teaming up with the guy who you beat to be Honey in the Bank.

Honey: Ummmm….

She says taking a little think, cupping her chin with narrowed eyes before coming to a conclusion.

Honey: I think it is ok and stuff! But Lennox seems to think he's not very grateful which is a little confusing.

Tim then takes the microphone back and steps in front of Mimi.

Tim: Speaking of Lennox! (Clears throat) Did you follow her advice and rewatch the tape?

Honey nods quite quickly.

Honey: I was going to but, like, every time I tried to my Daddies took me out for a celebration and stuff. So I didn't get much chance to. Why?

She wonders a little bit when Mimi slips the microphone out of Tim's hands.

Mimi: The better question, Honey, is Who. Who are you going to defend that title against?

Honey: I think I'm going to have lots and lots of tip top challengers. Liberty is super-duper full of great people! But I think Ana also has a title rematch too so I will be ready to defend my title against her too!

Honey takes another bite of her hotdog and Tim squeezes Mimi's wrist to open her hand and take the microphone.

Tim: And you're aware that if Gray or Becky pin you tonight, they might be the new contender?

Honey finishes her bite of the hotdog and nods a little more attentively, slowly and understanding.

Honey: MMhmm! One of my friends said that it makes me a target and stuff. But I think I can be up for the challenge!

She smiles and puts the rest of her hotdog in her mouth and promptly pays Mimi and Tim a strawberry KitKat each for interviewing her as she goes along her way.

Tim: Are you trying to steal my job?

Tim says to Mimi who shrugs with an eyebrow up and the other down.

Mimi: Or I could be throwing my name in the hat for this draft…

She uses as misdirection, kinda, to slip Tim's KitKat out of his hand and goes on her own way.

BACKSTAGE
Michael Callaghan: Did you see me out there?! I put down one half of the tag team champions and made one of my dad’s wives look idiotic as she totally screwed up tripping to break up my pin.

Michael is walking through the back after his match celebrating his win.

Michael Callaghan: That was a clean pin too… I think that means Layne and I should get a chance at those tag belts. Where’s that one lady filling in for my dad while Becky's off tickling his taint or whatever they are doing. So after Layne and I celebrate? We are demanding that title shot!

Michael pushes open his locker room door and shouts to Layne.

Michael Callaghan: Daddy’s home!

We hear squeal from Layne before the door closes.

BACKSTAGE
Lennox Taylor is walking down the hallway backstage, dressed to compete in her ring gear, her long blonde hair in a high pony swings back and forth as she moves. As she notices the camera she turns with a smile.

Lennox Taylor: Wah Wah Wah…

She makes a loud wailing sound like a baby.

Lennox Taylor: You think Tyson has been taking tips from the twins in conflict management? Because holy fuck has he been acting like a little piss baby with an overflowing diaper.

Wah Wah you took my opportunity.

Wah Wah you cost me a title.

Wah Wah you’re gonna pay!

Lennox rolls her eyes with a laugh.

Lennox Taylor: NO TYSON. You’re the one who’s going to pay and tonight is just the beginning.

BACKSTAGE
The scene opens in the back where the normally smiling Tyson Gregory is seen pacing back and forth just outside of his locker room. He is already dressed for his tag match later and has on a plain black shirt on over his gear. He takes a moment and looks to the camera.

Tyson Gregory: Year One. The event to put the metaphorical cherry on top of the one year of life in Liberty Pro. I was mere inches away from grabbing that case, insuring I got a Liberty Championship match when and wherever I wanted it. But fate? She played a cruel card when she had Lennox Taylor show up, push down my ladder and attack me… Right when I was about to take down that case.

He swallows hard and lets out a small sigh.

Tyson Gregory: To add insult to injury, Honey cashes in that case that very same night and she is now the Liberty Champion. I have nothing against Honey… She did exactly what anyone else would do in her position. But it stung me to my core watching her win that title when I should have been the one to pull down the case and cash in… But no… Lennox stole that from me.

He rolls his tongue over his teeth.

Tyson Gregory: Tonight, I’m going to extract just a hint of what Lennox took from me. Honey, I told you that we aren’t the best of partners but our opponents? Teaming with you gives me the chance to kick the shit out of both of them so I’m in completely. Becky Balfour? I really don’t give a fuck that she’s in the match… I’m coming for you Lennox… I’m going to give you a beating tonight and I’m going to make it hurt. And it’s just going to be a taste… just a small taste of things to come.

Tyson suddenly punches the brick wall in back with a sickening thud, his face barely offers up a flinch from the punch as he turns and walks off, away from the cameras.

BACKSTAGE
The broadcast transitions to a small room backstage with a wooden desk cluttered with things such as a classic drinking bird, Newton’s cradle and the large neon glow of the #BaumerReport logo sign hanging on the wall directly behind it. The red illumination coming from the gaudy symbol is the sole source of light, but it's all that’s needed to see Cass Baumer herself leaning back in her cushy leather office chair with her hands clasped behind her head and her ankles crossed lazily on the desk. She smirks arrogantly before she begins to speak, the Americanized kiwi accent prominent in every word.

Cass Baumer: You wanna know somethin’ I find fascinating?

With the cavalier attitude on clear display, she unclasps her hands and begins to use them to gesture as she speaks while her legs flippantly on the desk continue to act as a support.

Cass Baumer: For all the accomplishments Riley adds to her résumé on a weekly basis… And I wanna stress that it’s damn impressive... I can’t help but notice she clings to the hand-me-down legacy her brother Julian Savell carved out for her instead of charting her own path like I did. Instead of proudly carrying the surname of her supportive husband Asher Sweet into battle, she allows Nathan Callaghan to disrespect her marriage and write her in as Riley Savell.

The Headliner drops her legs to the solid ground, her voice serious as she continues to speak.

Cass Baumer: And that’s what we’re supposed to call her on the air. That’s what the announcer yells at the top of his lungs into the microphone whenever she wins.

She shakes her head.

Cass Baumer: So Riley Savell’s more marketable than Riley Sweet?

Cassandra chuckles at the ridiculousness of the question she posed.

Cass Baumer: God forbid Riley put in the work to get her new name to the same level but nah! The controversy of all that Julian’s done is gonna get those fans in the seats to see his sister wrestle and Asher’s just gotta have to deal with the fact that his name just ain’t good enough to get the same amount of attention. ‘Cause she’s ashamed to even associate with him when it matters. Much like Scout’s ashamed to call herself a Savell, so it all comes full circle, yeah?

The corner of her mouth rise to form a devious smile.

Cass Baumer: That’s fucked up, and that’s comin’ from me. And what do you got without the Gotham Championship? What reason do people have to pay attention to you? What sets you apart from the typical rich brat throwing temper tantrums and inane, empty threats? I’ll tell you the answer before you strain a blood vessel: You’ve got nothing anybody’s gonna remember once the match is done and dusted ‘cept for “The Villain” persona — and even that might as well be shoplifted straight off the Julian Savell shelf.

With a quick tilt of her head for emphasis, she quickly smirks.

Cass Baumer: Even without a championship around my waist, I’ve managed to put in the work to assure the entirety of the wrestling community far and wide continue to taste my name on their lips and every single time, it’s free publicity Riley Sweet couldn’t even dream of attaining. You think that means for even a second that I’m content with where I am right now, though? You think I’m satisfied after I watched Kristina Spencer carry the Trials Championship out of the ring without me?

Cass’ arrogance subsides the more she speaks. She sighs as she rests her elbow on the desk, leaning forward to rest her chin on the makeshift perch while melancholy coats her expression.

Cass Baumer: I underestimated Kristina. I’ll admit it...It won’t happen tonight, though. It won’t happen again.

She leans back in her chair, lolling her head back towards the tiles above.

Cass Baumer: Riley might have a lotta issues to work out in this match against me after losing her Gotham Championship against Scotty Latimer thanks to a small package, but I’m here to take advantage of that frustration. Emotions breed mistakes. And when she’s left lying in her own blood, sweat, and tears after the bell rings…

Baumer slams her fist hard down on the desk.

Cass Baumer: You’ll forget Riley Sweet even existed and I’ll be the one on your mind.

She lets out a nasal laugh.

Cass Baumer: Oh! And one more thing, Riley…

The Headliner smiles wide.

Cass Baumer: You would have lost the Gotham Championship during your wedding ceremony instead of to Scotty Latimar if Nathan Callaghan hadn’t stepped in when you cried out for help like a little bitch who knows she wouldn’t have been able to beat me. So consider yourself lucky. I’ll beat you tonight, though! It’ll make up for all that lost time.

With a devious grin, the broadcast fades to black and shifts elsewhere in the Hammerstein Ballroom.

BACKSTAGE
The scene cuts backstage to Carli Davis’ locker room, where she is finishing up preparing for her upcoming match against Kristina Spencer. Soon enough, Jay Gallagher walks into the room with a bag of candy in his hands as he walks up to Carlil.

Jay Gallagher: Alright, I got you all those goodies I promised you!

Carli takes the bag, opens it and looks into it with a squeal.

Carli Davis: Oh my gosh, Jaaaaay! You’re the best!! Thank you!!!!

Jay smiles widely and shrugs.

Jay Gallagher: It’s no big deal! I know you needed some fuel for your match with Kristina later. Gotta be careful with her, she’s kind of crazy!

Carli Davis: I’m going to be so hyped up on a sugar rush it’s not even funny.

She shrugs.

Carli Davis: As for Kristina? I’m not scared of no crazy!! I think I’ve dealt with a fair share of them and now I’m just prepared. Besides, with this candy and me still going from winning the Anarchy Championship, I don’t think anything can stop me.

Jay Gallagher: That’s a valid point, you really have dealt with your fair share of crazy after having to deal with Avery Smith!

He chuckles.

Jay Gallagher: So I guess that’s the perfect warm up for Kristina here.

She shakes her head.

Carli Davis: You can say that again.

She sits her bag of candy down and takes Jay’s hands into hers.

Carli Davis: I could definitely think of a better warm up, but we will save that for after I beat her!

She giggles and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Carli Davis: Thank you for coming tonight.

Jay shrugs.

Jay Gallagher: I wouldn’t of missed this for the world. No matter what, I always got your back! Which means if anything goes south out there tonight, I got you if you need me.

She sighs.

Carli Davis: It really wouldn’t surprise me if something ended up happening tonight. It would be just my luck. It always follows me around wherever I go, but thank you. I’m glad to know you have my back. It means a lot.

Jay Gallagher: Well you mean a lot!

Jay steals a kiss from Carli as he holds and squeezes her hand.

Jay Gallagher: So go out there and kick some ass and I’ll be back here waiting to celebrate with you, if you know what I’m saying!

He gives her a wink.

Carli Davis: Hmmm that sounds like a deal!

She digs out a piece of candy and pops it into her mouth, before grabbing the bag and her Anarchy title.

Carli Davis: Wish me luck!

She gives him a quick kiss and turns around, skipping off.

BACKSTAGE
Backstage, Riley Sweet is in her locker room, pulling at the brace on her knee she wears in the ring, she catches sight of the camera and looks up with a sigh.

Riley Sweet: Fuck off!

Finally getting the brace loose, she pulls it off and tosses it into her bag with a growl as Jodi James steps up from behind the cameras view.

Jodi James: Uhh i was really hoping to get a few words…

Riley Sweet: Well, you got two. Fuck. And off. So why don’t you do just that, hm?

Jodi James: I thought you might want an opportunity to explain your actions out there?

Riley snarls slightly and shoves her bag aside, rising up she stretches out her knee.

Riley Sweet: I told everyone at Year One that I was done playing by the rules, I made my name here by taking what the fuck I want and I will damn well do it again… the history books might show that Cass won here tonight and fuck, if you’re counting at home, that puts me at five straight losses in a row, but answer me this, who walked out?

Who Is standing in front of you right now? Not Cass that’s for fucking sure… I warned Cass, I’ve been telling her over and over that this isn’t about her, it was never about her. It could have been anyone out there tonight and the outcome would have been the same.

I SAY when I’m done, nobody else. I SAY when it’s enough. I SAY when she comes out to play… and tonight, the Villain was out in full fucking force and not a single person here could stop her!

Jodi takes a half step back and swallows hard.

Jodi James: Do you feel that your actions could have made Nathan and Olivia doubt their choice to our you at the top of the picks for Freedom?

Riley moves into the space that Jodi vacated and laughs in her face.

Riley Sweet: I don’t give a FUCK. I’m not here to please some glorified secretary bratty Callaghan put in charge and I sure as fucking hell don’t give a single shit what either of them think about me. I AM Liberty, I helped build this place and if I so chose I’d tear it down as well…

First pick or last pick, it doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is that my name is still whispered in these halls, that my legacy lives on… that I am FINALLY rewarded as the champion I have been for this company that my hard work and sacrifice stops going unnoticed. Until then? Well, until then…

Riley shoves Jodi out of the doorway with a sneer.

Riley Sweet: I'll keep doing things on my terms.

BACKSTAGE
Cameras catch Cartier backstage as she prepares for her first ever main event match later in the evening against Flix Graves for the Liberty US Championship.

As the scene focuses, Cartier is sitting on a bench in her locker room with her gym bag unzipped next to her. Her boots are set on the floor by her feet but she has yet to change out of her street clothes. Rather, she is sitting and staring down at the title belt in her hand. The 4CW King’s Road Internet Championship, the first title of any kind that she’d ever won.

Interviewer: “Miss Cartier?”

The interviewer interrupts her silent contemplation with the words as well as a gentle knock on the open doorway.

Interviewer: “Miss Cartier, sorry to barge in... I was hoping you had a moment for a word about the match tonight?”

Cartier looks for a moment like she might jump down the interviewer’s throat, but instead she just hefts the belt in her hands a few times and nods, bobbing her head to the side to indicate that the interviewer should sit next to her.

💎Cartier💎: “Yeah, I got time.”

Interviewer: “Great!”

The interviewer rushes to sit down on the bench next to Cartier, then smiles wide and hurries right into his spiel.

Interviewer: “So, tonight is a huge night for you, a big match, maybe the biggest of your career, and...”

💎Cartier💎: “Hold up.”

Interviewer: “I’m... I’m sorry? I thought you had time, I...”

💎Cartier💎: “Yeah, I said I gots a minute... but if we doin’ this we doin’ it the way Cartier want it. And tonight... tonight ain’t really ‘bout me, you feel me?”

The interviewer seems puzzled, pausing for a moment and looking back and forth from the camera to his superstar gust.

Interviewer: "I don’t understand... you’re in the main event! You have a title opportunity!”

💎Cartier💎: “I know that. Don’t you think I know that? This a dream I had for a long time, but sometimes shit’s bigger than things like wins and losses, main events, titles, the wrestlin’ business. There’s shit that means more than all that. There’s real life too. People’s real lives. And I ain’t been able to look at this... this title that means so much to me, you know? It means the world to me and I can’t even look at it because my nigga Redd died.”

Cartier’s voice cracks a little and she composes herself, leaving the interviewer to try and fill the dead air.

Interviewer: “Yes... of course you’re referring to the shocking news earlier this week about the passing of Redd Thunder, an extremely popular performer...”

💎Cartier💎: “No! I ain’t talkin’ about Redd the performer. I’m talkin’ about the man. I’m talkin’ about the human being who ain’t her with us no more. You know I ain’t know Redd that long but he was always cool wit’ me. Ven leading up to the last match in King’s Road, he coulda been talkin’ shit, he coulda been tryina get in my head and all that... but you know what he did? Redd, the dude who wanted to win that match every bit as much as I did, took the time to give me advice. He talked to me backstage when a lot of others didn’t. He showed me ways to do things, introduced me to people in 4CW... he ain’t had to do none of that. He coulda let me be all alone and confused there, but he was good to me.”

Interviewer: “Indeed, he was a good man...”

💎Cartier💎: “He was GREAT. I learned so much about myself even in just that one match... and after I won, he was like the first on to tell me I deserved it, right there in the ring. Other people woulda been all salty and shit, but not Redd. Now I don’t know if it’s true or not but someone told me that match that night was his last. And if it really was, then that just makes that night and this title all the more special. It already means the world that I got to work with him at all, but if that was the last anyone got to see of him... well... I just hope he somewhere knowin’ I’m thinkin’ of him, and that he proud of the way I represent the title we both fought so hard for. That’s why for tonight...”

Cartier lays the title across her lap and digs into her gym bag again, pulling out a bright red band of fabric with “RT” in black capital letters stitched into its center. She slides the loop of fabric up her arm until it is hugging tight to her bicep.

💎Cartier💎: “For tonight I’ll be wearin’ this. Because like I said... tonight ain’t about me. It ain;t about Felix. It ain’t about the US Title and it ain’t even about Liberty. Tonight I’m goin’ out there and tryin’ to make Redd proud of me one more time, so he can rest in peace and know that what he did for me ain’t goin’ to waste. I’m dedicatin’ this match, the only main event I ever been in, to my friend Redd Thunder who ain’t with us no more.”

Cartier sniffles and wipes away a tear from her eye. She then grabs a large bottle of water from her bag and unscrews the top.

💎Cartier💎: “I ain’t got a forty so this shit right here gonna have to do for now...”

Cartier turns the bottle upside down, letting the water pour out and splash all over the concrete floor of the locker room while she watches solemnly.

💎Cartier💎: “God bless you my nigga. I miss you. This one all for you.”[

Cartier turns the bottle back over, taking a large sip and catching her breath so as not to have a full-on breakdown on camera. She then remembers the interviewer sitting next to her.

💎Cartier💎: “You dismissed! Get the fuck on outta here now, I gotta get ready!”

Cartier shoves at the interviewer until he gets up and heads for the door, taking the camera crew along with him.