Liberty Pro Presents... Year One (Night Two)

BACKSTAGE
As Lennox Taylor comes through the curtain, the camera catches her and she turns to face it with a large exhale, a smile plastered across her face. She pushes her long blonde hair back from her face, dropping her hands to her hips as she faces the camera.

Lennox Taylor: One thing, one spot in my career is like a smear on my name… Julian Savell; he took dignity from me, he took respect from me, he sexually harassed and assaulted me in the middle of the fucking ring and what Tyson… WHAT did you do?

Lennox’s face turns into a sneer.

Lennox Taylor: You laughed.

You sat back with your buddies and you goaded me, you teased, you poked. You Made EVERYTHING so funny, so he would never have to be sorry, never have to feel bad. You are nothing but a fraud, you smile for the camera and let people think k you’re some nice guy but really?

You’re scum. You’re dirt. What kind of world are you creating for our daughters that someone like Julian is your BEST FRIEND!? HUH!?

Lennox is panting slightly, she takes a pause and shakes her head, calming herself down.

Lennox Taylor: You took from me Tyson and so tonight, I took from you. Payback is a bitch…

She turns to walk away but then looks back at the camera.

Lennox Taylor: Woof.

RINGSIDE
“Bad Company” by Five Finger Death Punch blares over the PA system and out walks the owner of Liberty Pro, Nathan Callaghan. He has a huge smile across his face, as he’s dressed down in his usual attire; black leather jacket, black jeans and boots, and his trusty bat in his hand. Nathan makes his way down the ramp as the fans boo the no-nonsense owner of Liberty. Nathan soon makes it to the ring and gets inside before he calls for a mic. His music soon cuts away and he begins to speak.

Nathan Callaghan: Liberty Pro Wrestling… Year one.

Nathan pauses to smile as the fans cheer.

Nathan Callaghan: You know, it’s been quite the ride since I opened Liberty Pro. In fact, there’s been quite a bit of sinking ships we’ve been surrounded by since we opened our doors.

Nathan laughs and shrugs his shoulders.

Nathan Callaghan: Take Empire Pro Wrestling for example. I opened that company alongside a few partners and guess what? I saw the writing on the wall, I saw that it was a shit show and that I wouldn’t be able to stamp my image on the company like I’ve done here in Liberty Pro. So what did I do? I sold my shares and opened Liberty Pro. While we continue to be a growing, prosperous company, Empire has died, alongside the careers of Molly Reid, Paz Guevara, and many other champions in Empire. In turn, the people who become champion in Liberty? They thrive while they’re here. Riley Savell, Becky Balfour, Anastasia Hayden and the list goes on and on.

Nathan smiles and nods his head.

Nathan Callaghan: While company’s around us in the CWC crashed and burned, left and right, we survived it all. We then left CWC to join the newly founded GWA, and several doubters thought Liberty would die. But no, we’ve continued to thrive, even with the death of GWA, which was due to the other owners being weak. But now? Now, we will no longer surround ourselves with the weak.

Nathan shakes his head.

Nathan Callaghan: Nope, we will continue to be strong because that’s what we fucking do and you all will do it under my leadership. Why? Because I’m the fucking best owner in wrestling. Shit, I’m great at everything I do. Tonight isn’t just a celebration of Liberty Pro’s one year existence, it’s a celebration of me, because I fucking piss excellence.

The fans start to boo before a voice can be heard making a gagging sound. At the top of the entrance way stands Noelle Callaghan, the daughter of Nathan Callaghan.

Noelle Callaghan: Alright pops, I think that’s enough of you inflating your ego there.

Nathan rolls his eyes.

Nathan Callaghan: What the hell are you doing out here? And what the fuck do you want?

Noelle shrugs.

Noelle Callaghan: Oh, you know… I’m here to shake things up a little bit. You put half the company in my name, which gives me half control. So my first order of business? I’m putting someone new in charge. Sure, you can still run things but you will have an assistant to help you with your decisions and this isn’t something you can reverse.

Nathan Callaghan: What? Noelle, cut the bullshit!

He throws his hands up in the air in frustration.

Nathan Callaghan: Just get out of here. You’re ruining my celebration.

Noelle holds up a finger and shakes it.

Noelle Callaghan: No can do, pops. I have one last announcement to make. Your firing and lifetime ban of Be-...

Nathan cuts her off.

Nathan Callaghan: Don't you say it. Don’t you fucking say it!

Noelle Callaghan: Fine… I’ll show it.

Noelle points to the ring, which makes Nathan turn around to Becky Balfour, who has a huge grin on her face. Nathan goes to hit her with his bat, but Becky ducks under it. Becky then grabs Nathan’s head and screams before nailing Hear Me Out (Reverse DDT).

Noelle Callaghan: Now I can finish my sentence. Becky’s ban and firing had been reversed and my father can no longer fire her. That’ll be all.

Noelle chuckles before dropping the mic and heading backstage. Becky picks up the mic that Nathan had earlier with a grin on her face. The fans are electric, some cheering, others boo’ing, but all of them are at attention for the former voice of #TheSociety as she circles the fallen Callaghan.

Becky Balfour: Year One…

Becky stops and sits indian style right next to Nathan. She looks down at him in disgust before looking back up.

Becky Balfour: I came to Liberty a year ago with a family. That family made history over and over again. Most Liberty championship’s. Longest running Anarchy champion. Tag champions. You name it, they said we couldn’t reach it, but we did. When nobody offered a hand, we cut off their arm and held it over their head. We were untouchable and then...it crumbled. But through it all, here I am. No family around me, but I don’t need them.

Becky extends her right arm to grab the baseball bat that Nathan dropped. She pokes the shoulder of the fallen owner with the end of the bat.

Becky Balfour: What I do need, is your attention. I’m not here to engage in a power struggle again. I’ve been there and done that. Noelle brought me back, and my intentions are loud and clear. I’m here to do what I did in the first year and that is to open everyone’s eyes to the reality that the trash you write me off as, US off as? Sometimes that trash is more valuable than you think. Sometimes, we aren’t trash at all. Simply misunderstood.

Numerous ‘ticket holders’ in the front row on all sides of the ring stand up and throw their hoods down. They begin hopping over the barricade and filling up the ring, circling around Becky and Nathan.

Becky Balfour: Year One was only the first chapter. Year two is about to be written...in blood.

Becky tosses the bat aside and climbs on top of the unconscious Nathan and digs her fingernails into his forehead until we see blood begin to run down his face. A Follower hands her the microphone back as she looks down at the blood owner of Liberty.

Becky Balfour: This is no longer a celebration for you or your company, it’s the second coming of something much more important. Follow ME.

Becky screams into the microphone as the lights cut out. The building gets eerily quiet for thirty seconds and when they come back up Becky is at the top of the entranceway with her Followers behind her, holding Nathan Callaghan above them as if he were crowd surfing. Becky nods her head and the Followers march behind her, carrying Nathan backstage, leaving everyone to wonder what’s next for Becky, the Followers, and Nathan Callaghan.

BACKSTAGE
Rusty: “ARE Y’ALL EVEN SURPRISED!?”

It was Rusty, this time, that popped up first instead of Felix, the older man standing next to the still champ, who was all smiles, instead of trying to act grim for once.

Rusty: “I mean. Cartier’s tough, Kolin ain’t no joke, but look at my boy! He can’t be stopped, even when he gets cheap shotted by someone who can’t take losin’.”

The old man leaned over and spat a wad of tobacco juice into a nearby spitoon, making that classic ‘ping!’ before looking back into the camera, pointing at the camera with one hand while the other rested on one of Felix’s shoulders.

Rusty: “See this man? He’s a fighting champion. He’s told’em all to come and get it, that he’d defend this belt like he defended this nation: every night that someone wants to come get’em some! He’s beat some of the best to get to this belt, but he’s not done with this company. Tell’em what the game plan is, Felix!”

With that, the brute of a man was leanin’ forward with that ever present, and ever cocky, grin on his face, pointing at his own temple.

Felix: “The US Belt was the first step. It’s not my last one. I’m not going to stop here. Once I lose this beaut, if I ever do? I’m going for the other belts, and I’m not stopping until I’m one of Liberty’s Grand Slam champions, having held every belt in this joint. Between Liberation and Freedom, from this belt to every last one of them, I’m coming for my fellow champions, and Year One was just the start of it. I firmly believe there’s no better company on earth than Liberty Pro, and I absolutely plan on being the best of what Liberty Pro has to offer.”

Rusty was grinning from ear to ear, all too confident in his protege as the two looked ahead at the camera, Felix leaning forward, elbows on his knees as he stared ahead.

Felix: “So, dig it. I’m Brooklyn born and bred. New York is my home, the United States is my country, and Liberty Pro? Are my stomping grounds. This title? That’s something someone’s gonna have to pry from my hands.”

With that, Felix was getting up from his chair, moving to walk off camera.

Felix: “Let’s go grab a front row seat for the main event.”

Rusty: “Got you, Kid. I’m about to raid that damned concessions stand for Nachos.”

Cue the scene fading to black.

PRE-MATCH


Touch the Sky plays over the speakers and Honey's name flashes on screen. She comes out holding her money in the bank to her chest with both hands, proudly presenting it to the crowd. Equipped with her backpack, she pulls out the microphone from the side pocket.

Honey: Thank you for the lovely applause and stuff! I really really REALLY appreciate it and you guys are, like, one of the reasons I'm....

Honey takes a large inhale to completely fill her lungs. Bending forward and then backwards to shout out while holding up her briefcase.

Honey: HONEY IN THE BANK!!!!!!!

She says with a roaring, excited bellow to the crowd who chant it back to her. She can't contain the smile it brings to her face and nods frantically.

Honey: Mmhmm! And, like, I've decided to use it right here tonight!

Honey says to some fans wondering why now and many Honey Bees (Honey's Fans) knowing Honey's motto, fight fair when you wrestle in the square.

Honey marches over after putting her microphone back in the side pocket, hugging her case once again to hand over to the referee on the outside. He nods, seeing everything in order, and gives Honey the thumbs up that makes her jump for joy but then puts her hands up, narrowing her eyes to be cool and calm much to the little laughs of the crowd finding her adorable.

She goes to Ana and Warren to wish them the best of luck, shaking their hands. While she rolls her arms, Honey takes a firm look at the prize up for grabs.