Shotgun 05.15

[randy]

(The first few chords of “Always” by Saliva begins to play.)

I hear, a voice say "Don't be so blind"
It's telling me all these things
That you would probably hide
Am I, your one and only desire
Am I the reason you breathe
Or am I the reason you cry?

Always, always, always, always, always, always,
I just can't live without you...

I love you
I hate you
I can't get around you.

I breathe you
I taste you
I can't live without you.

I just can't take anymore
This life of solitude
I guess that I'm out the door
And now I'm done with you.

I feel, like you don't want me around
I guess I'll pack all my things
I guess I'll see you around
It's all, been bottled up until now
As I walk out your door
All I can hear is the sound

Always, always, always, always, always, always,
I just can't live without you...

I love you
I hate you
I can't get around you.

I breathe you
I taste you
I can't live without you.

[Shotgun fades in on into the office of Tiffany Manning. She is sitting behind her desk. With a smile written across her face she addresses the audience.]

Tiffany Manning: Welcome to TIFFANY MANNING PRESENTS... SHOTGUN. Ok, ok, I’m still working on that. Tonights show promises to be a great one. The Global Tag Team Champions will defend their championships against the former challenger. And... your World Champion, Chantelle Chambers will defend the title against former GFC World Champion, Jay Pride. But that won’t be the only championship matches to take place tonight. This is Madison Square Garden people. The Mecca. Legends are made here. And I expect the champions on the roster to step up their game. One champion won’t be here tonight, Katherine Prescott. Unfortunately, I could not reach an agreement with Ms. Prescott. I wish her well in her future endeavors. The X Division Championship is vacant, again. Not for long. Because later tonight, the X Division Championship will be on the line. Gabriela Austin and Mal Cross will challenge Jenni Anderson and Isabelle Harker. Whoever scores the winning fall will become the brand new X Division Champion. Last but not least will be the Television Championship. Cassidy Carter will defend the Television Championship later tonight with her partner, Alan Shields against the team of JaMarcus Avery and Aedan Quinn.


Are we excited? I know I am. And remember to shout GO, TIFF, GO.

[The scene fades out.]


Broken Dreams hits the PA system, and here comes The Saviour, Ethan Payne accompanied by PRINCE ALEX to receive booing from the fans.The Saviour climbs the ring and raises his hand before shouting: "Feel the pain!" [/centre]

Ethan: Hello, am I supposed to introduce myself to you here? You have to know me. I am going to take everything every newcomer came and never accomplished, I will achieve what I have been dreaming of since day one. And that shit is gold.

Prince: I am just here for this one night, and is to cheer my student up.

Ethan: You are here to cheer me? I WAS your student, Prince. Now I'm all alone. You WERE my idol, now my idol is myself. I am my own rolemodel.

Prince: You better watch your words, kid. I wish you all the best, because you deserve it.

Ethan: Oh snap, please… *shouts* OH HELL I REALLY KNOW I DESERVE ALL THE BEST! And do I have to thank you for training me? Of course… NOT! I came here because of MY hardwork!

Prince Alex turns his back on Ethan and proceeds to leave the area.

Ethan: Oh well, ok. About my next match, Karina Lysenko I promise you, that you are not escaping out of this match like you escaped your country, oh I forgot that you left your country after sex slavery. Ha ha, You are leaving this match with pain. Because Ethan Payne, is going to letcha feel the pain. No Payne, No Gain. It's all going to be pain. Yeah, ha ha ha; You will be welcomed into the Hall Of Payne. Come to the ring, right now! You r*** scumbag!


Karina Lysenko vs "The Saviour" Ethan Payne

The battle tested Karina had Ethan Payne on the ropes for the majority of the match to the fans delight. One key mistake by Karina opened the floodgates. From that moment forward it was all Payne. He lived up to his word by unleashing the payne. He put Karina out of her misery with “Shattered” for the one, two, three.

WINNER: Ethan Payne.


[We cut backstage to find Izumi Sato performing some stretches in preparation for her upcoming debut match against Betty Crocker. GCW backstage reporter Janice King strolls right by, before stopping and turning back to the Japanese import.]

JANICE: You're Izumi Sato, aren't you?

[Izumi looks up from her stretches, a big warm smile spreading across her face.]

IZUMI: Hai, that'd be me.

[She goes right back to doing her stretches.]

JANICE: I'm Janice King, backstage interviewer; may I ask you a few questions?

IZUMI: Sure. Just one sec.

[Izumi stretches a little more, before rising to her feet.]

IZUMI: Pleasure to meet you, Miss King.

[She shakes the reporter's hand.]

JANICE: Oh, you can call me Janice; everybody else does. Anyway, you made a pretty bold statement on the last edition of Shotgun, calling out all the groups around these parts. My question to you is, what happens if they all come knocking down your door at the same time?

[Izumi pauses, contemplating the question.]

IZUMI: To be honest, Janice, that never even occurred to me. Guess I just assumed that they'd come one at a time. The concept that I'd have to take on multiple people from one group, potentially alone, is hard enough to deal with. Others have been doing it long before me though so... it's nothing new. And on the plus side, I do have some aikido at my disposal for dealing with crowds. But...

[She lets out a long, loud sigh; and then shudders ever so slightly.]

IZUMI: Taking on multiple groups at the same time? I can barely even wrap my head around that. Mind you, it would be a cunning move on their parts, banding together to continue bullying the rest of us.

[She shakes her head.]

IZUMI: Yeesh, scary thoughts! Here's hoping they're not as smart as that, Janice.

JANICE: Now you also said that you would gladly help those in need. Have you gotten anybody asking for help yet?

[Izumi shakes her head.]

IZUMI: Not yet. I've got to remain vigilent though, and keep a watchful eye. I'm the new face around here after all, so I maybe I just need to earn their respect. And if I see one of these groups throwing their weight around, get involved. Come to the rescue!

JANICE: From what I understand, you're also more of a defensive wrestler, Izumi. You tend to let others come to you in a fight. So will that help or hinder you should you need to come to the aid of others?

[Izumi again thinks about the question before responding.]

IZUMI: It's true, I am more defensive. It's the judo way; use my opponents' own momentum against them. I have enough in my bag of tricks though, that I can bring the fight to them should the need arise.

JANICE: And what about your opponent tonight, Betty Crocker? Some say you should beat her handily; but are you prepared to push the pace and be aggressive if she can't?

IZUMI: Let me tell you something, Janice; and I mean this in the kindest way. Don't ever underestimate anyone, no matter how big or small they are, or what story their record might tell. I tried to do my research on Betty, but found next to nothing. Sure she has a reputation within GCW, but outside it she's an unknown commodity. Also, if there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that when people are desperate and backed into a corner, they often fight harder and more violently than ever before. It's that very fact that concerns me about facing her.

Judging by that name, I'm willing to bet she's one of the sweetest girls around. But when you're down in the dumps, when you've got nothing left to lose, and a win over a newcomer could mean eating at Arby's or dumpster diving for the third night in a row, I'm taking her very seriously.

Now, I may be a defensive wrestler, but I'm not just going to hang back and wait for Betty to come to me. A strong defense is very important, and some people completely ignore that fact, but you've also got to be able to bring the fight and finish them off when the time comes. That being said, sometisomething tells me Betty won't be hanging back either. She needs to win this match as much as I do.

JANICE: Well Izumi, thank you very much for taking this time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.

[Izumi bows and smiles.]

IZUMI: Thanks for the talk, Janice. Hopefully we'll have more like these in the coming weeks and months.

JANICE: I hope so too. Good luck out there tonight, Izumi.

IZUMI: Thank you!

[They part ways, with Janice heading down the hall in the direction she initially was, while Izumi goes back to her stretches.]


Betty Crocker vs "Pure Heart Warrior" Izumi Sato

Betty Crocker stood no chance against Izumi Sato. She mostly stuck to a striking based offense against perennial journeyman Betty Crocker. Izumi ended the match with BUSHIO for the academic victory.

WINNER: Izumi Sato.


(We open backstage in the dressing room of Julia Braddock. She is stretching as a last minute preparation for her match tonight, a Lethal Lottery Match that could lead her to a world title shot. There is a knocking at the door that interrupts her…)

Julia: Come in!

(She stands up and waits as the door slowly creaks open. She smiles as she sees Dr. Henry Van Stanton walking in.)

Julia: Doctor!

(She rushes over and gives him a great big bear hug.)

Julia: How have you been, mate?

Henry: I’ve been well.

Julia: Well damn, tell me, where have you been?

(He chuckles.)

Henry: Oh nowhere special, just dealing with my other clients. You aren’t my only one, of course.

Julia: But I am your favorite!

(Again Henry chuckles.)

Henry: Perhaps…I have to admit, I missed you.

(Braddock nods her head.)

Julia: I missed you too, Henry.

Henry: So tell me, Julia, have you come to a decision?

(She frowns.)

Julia: Decision?

Henry: Have you decided between me or your uncle?

(She sighs and shakes her head.)

Julia: No, not yet…

Henry: Julia…

Julia: I’m sorry, Henry, but I just can’t make that kind of big decision in a hurry. You know? I want to think it out. I want to make sure I am making the right decision. Besides…

(She frowns.)

Julia: I don’t want to lose either of you.

Henry: I’m sorry, but you do have to choose. I can no longer work with Glenn Braddock and that is a fact.

Julia: But…

(She bows her head and sighs.)

Julia: …but, can’t we just not talk about that tonight? I mean, I do have another match to focus on tonight and…and…

(Henry smiles warmly and nods his head.)

Henry: I understand, I do not wish to distract you from tonight. I do apologize.

(He pats her on the back.)

Henry: You focus on tonight. We can focus on that other matter later. Sound fair?

Julia: Yeah, sounds fair.



LETHAL LOTTERY MATCH
Television Championship Match:
Aedan Quinn/JaMarcus Avery vs. Alan Shields/Cassidy Carter

Remembering The Horsemen laid out what consisted of Executive Order at the time, Alan Shields said no mas to working with Cassidy. Him leaving wasn’t her death nail. With the other three Horsemen standing at ringside, Cassidy was able to scrape and claw away in spite of the two on one advantage inside the ring. Whenever a Cassidy’s back looked like it was going to be against the wall, one of the other three Horsemen got involved. This continued what felt like forever until GCW officials, a lot of them, came down to the ring to escort the Horsemen to the back. This gave JaMarcus the distraction he needed to hoist Cassidy up, deliver COURTMARSHALLED. One, two, three. Brand new champion.

Winner: Aedan Quinn and JaMarcus Avery (new Television Champion).

Quinn shook JaMarcus hand. What was important is them moving on to the next stage of Lethal Lottery.
...

Janice King stands backstage with a microphone in her mouth. She looks at the camera before she speaks.

Janice: Ladies and gentleman please welcome my guest at this time, Queen Mamba!

[Queen mamba steps into view, sporting a simple black hoodie with her ring gear on the bottom.]

Janice: Mamba, you're new here in GCW but that hasn't stopped you from making an impression. Last week, you scored what many called an upset victory in order to advance to the second round of the Lethal Lottery tournament. Tonight, your partner is Cailey Carter and-

[Suddenly, Queen Mamba halts King.]

Queen: Not trying to be rude or anything but honestly, if I didn't say anything, you would keep talking.

[King is taken a back.]

Queen: "I know, that comes off as cold. That's not how I meant it. It's just..the only thing that matters to me right now is making a name for myself. People don't know my name. People don't know what I'm about or what I'm capable of. So yeah, I would expect everyone to be a little bit shocked that I got the pin last week. I expected that. But soon everyone is going to expect to see me go in the ring and handle business. And after last week, all I want to do is go back in that ring and kick ass.

[Queen lets a smile crack open.]

Queen: See I like to think of myself as an ass kicker. And tonight, I'll be teaming up with one. Cailey Carter is a fighter. She goes out there and she brings it. And I respect that and I know that she's going to be on her A game. So it's up to me to do the same and I will. I have someone back home that looks up to me and I want to set an example as someone that isn't going to back down from anyone or from anything. But I rather not talk about it. I want to win this tournament and the only way to continue to make a statement? It's by driving ym fist down someone's throat.

[Queen immediately walks off the set.]



Backstage in his dressing room, Adrian Waters has just finished lacing up his boots and stands to admire himself in a small mirror hanging on the locker door. He turns when the reflection of his manager (and the manager for Utopia), Clarissa Vega appears behind him.

Clarissa: "I guess I don't need to ask you if you're ready for tonight. I still think you need to keep an eye on Allison. I know what Tabitha Silverstone said, but I can't get the match from Civil War out of my head."

Waters smiles.

Adrian: "I have been giving it a lot of thought, and actually, I believe Ms. Silverstone. Allison is a great competitor. Regardless of our history and our brief feud, her eyes will be on the prize…the GCW World Championship. I'm not dismissing your concerns by any stretch of the imagination. I will keep an eye on her…but I think it will be a non issue."

Vega grins and nods.

Clarissa: "You're most likely right. Not to mention, Allison has issues with both Gold and Skye. Granted, they are issues she and her 'Nation' brought on themselves…but it's more than enough to keep her busy tonight. My advice? Concentrate on you. If the other three want to destroy each other…stand back and let them. You will be there in the end to make the winning fall."

Adrian: "I will keep that in mind. That's why Myra pays you the big bucks…right?"

Clarissa beams and laughs a little.

Clarissa: "I'm worth every single dollar."

Adrian: "Well soon enough, you'll have being the manager of a World Champion for your resume. Although, I have to admit, it burns my ass that Pride gets a title shot straight up while I have to go through this fucking tournament."

Clarissa: "I have two thoughts on that subject. First, Jay has been here in GCW much longer than you have…even when you don't count the time he spent doing God knows what when he was on LoA. Listen to him in interviews Adrian…he's an ass kisser. He also has ties to Laurel Hardy…"

Waters scoffs at the mention of Laurel Ann Hardy.

Clarissa: "I know how you feel about Laurel…but let's face it, she does, unfortunately, have some pull around here. Secondly, Jay did defeat you at Resurrection. I hate to bring up a sore subject, but I'm not the kind of person who no-sells shit. I think it says something about your worth that Jay goes into tonight as a top contender to the World Championship after his most recent accomplishment was defeating you. Just give that some thought…but not too much. You need to forget about Jay and Laurel and concentrate on the big picture. Winning tonight and moving on in the Lethal Lottery. Like you said, Allison will most likely be a team player tonight. If anything, it could be an advantage for you if her partners decide to get involved on her behalf."

Adrian seems to be thinking about Vega's statement, then he finally nods.

Adrian: "All excellent points. Tonight, I will forget about Pride and my history with Allison. Tonight, it's about winning and advancing in this tournament. Forget the fact that I should be a top contender without a damn tournament. It's time to show the wrestling world that Pure Genius is championship material. That starts…tonight!"

Clarissa claps and Adrian dramatically bows.

Clarissa: "Shall we?"

Adrian: "Let's do it."

Clarissa opens the door for Adrian and the two head towards the ring. Scene fades.


LETHAL LOTTERY MATCH
Nate Lawson/Julia Braddock vs. Cailey Carter/Queen Mamba

Both teams were competitive, despite the fact that they were randomly thrown together. Queen Mamba and Cailey Carter used a more fast paced offense against their more technically sound opponents but Lawson and Braddock eventually isolated and picked apart Cailey, tagging in and out quickly, showing their technical prowess in the process. Mamba got the tag back in and the match went back and forth again. The end came when Julia hit a Queen’s Ransom on Cailey Carter. Mamba tried to break up the pin attempt but Nate intercepted her. Julia scored the pin for her team.

WINNERS: Nate Lawson & Julia Braddock

...


[Shotgun returns from a commercial break and the fans are cheering quite loudly because standing in the middle of the ring is none other than Victoria Salinas, one-half of the GCW Global Tag Team Champions and she is getting quite the rousing ovation at that. Victoria has her tag team championship slung over her shoulder and she can’t help but have a confident smirk on her face as her music dies down. It takes a while for her to even get started on what she wants to say, as the fans are quite loud tonight. But eventually, the fans quiet down after a while to allow Victoria to speak her mind on what’s coming up for her tonight, among other things.]

Victoria: First off, I want to say it feels GREAT to be back here in New York City considering how the last time I was here, I was putting up with… well… not getting into it since it was a cartel of nonsense BUT there’s no place I would rather be at the moment than Madison Square Garden!

[Victoria pauses as the fans deliver a huge pop.]

Victoria: Anyway, as you guys are aware, I’ve been caught up in a bit of drama around here lately, which of course, since it’s me, that tends to happen more often than I’d like it to, but it comes with the territory so I don’t mind it for the most part. Hell, I don’t even mind most of the things Christy Hightower was talking about last week. I mean, damn, I had no idea she felt THAT strongly about For Glory and Gold and some of the stuff that I mistakenly, admittedly, bought into. I mean, that takes me back to when I was dealing with the whole Legacy thing and I couldn’t fucking stand her. Fun times. But still, there has been some talk. Not all of it has been good. I’ve got people in my ear telling me “Vicky, Kayla’s no good for you. She’s going to turn you around and stab you in the back. Kayla and Angelica have even turned on each other before. She’s dating one of the worst human beings GCW has ever employed. You can’t trust her. She’s going to do the exact same thing Tina Valentine did for you. She’s a spoiled, greedy, entitled brat”. And then you got another voice in my ear saying “Vicky, your boyfriend is dragging you down. He has no passion for this business. He hasn’t won in ages. He’s anchoring you. The one time you fought in his honor, you couldn’t even beat a drugged up party bitch that was nowhere near your league” and then when you pile on some of the talk that Christy is saying and some of the talk….or should I say TWEET that Travis Vessey is chirping… yeah… needless to say, I’m quite popular around here.

I mean, you all know I have my personal history with both of them. Travis Vessey, in particular, is a guy that has had a stronger social media game lately than an in-ring game. I mean, you all remember All Hallow’s Evil and how he couldn’t break me down to beat me in spite of his best efforts. You remember the talk coming from him that he and Christy were the best tag team around with the “best manager” around and judging by his words lately, especially the words he used toward me in a recent house show, he seems to have become somewhat obsessed with me. I get it. “Architect of Destruction”. Wants to break down everything and anything standing in his way. But, I know how to beat that because I HAVE beaten that and tonight is going to be no different. Travis can hang onto the past and hold a grudge over it, he can try to make up for a match we had 8 months ago that he hated he lost, but one way or another, it’s NOT going to make a difference. He’s not going to win or lose because of our match in October, I’ll say that for a fact. He wants to talk about me tweeting or doing anything to get attention? Honestly, the guy tweets just to remind the fans he’s still around. THAT is not attention grabbing?

It is what it is. Travis is never going to be a friend of mine and he’s always going to be a critic. Fine. But Christy Hightower on the other hand? Boy did she have a mouthful to say two weeks ago. Christy, let me set SOME of the record straight here, alright? I made a mistake. I allowed someone else to essentially prey on the fact that I was going through so much at the time because I was still coming back from a confidence-related meltdown that I had earlier last month and let me say, for the record, that NEITHER of those two things are EVER going to happen again. People make mistakes all the time, but DAMN, did you let THAT get to you or what? You’re right, you didn’t try to drive a wedge between Jazmyn and I after Resurrection. You DID though, question if I should still be supporting her in light of the behavior she was exhibiting at the time. You were looking out, I appreciate it. But I never questioned you on your decision to team with Travis, did I? I don’t remember you being there while I was going through what I was going through with Travis or with Tina, at least not to the extent of my other friends. I don’t remember you congratulating me when I finally brought Tina down after all SHE put me through. Not saying you were a bad friend, Christy, but if you want to question me and my role in the friendship we have, or had, depending on who you ask, look in the mirror and see things both ways.

My confidence issues were what they were. Yes, you ARE right, I DO take things to heart. Call it pride, but that’s who I am. That’s why in companies outside of GCW, I fought so hard and struggled so much to fix my damaged reputation due to awful decisions I once made and why I HATED being seen as a “sidekick” or “Tina-lite” and I’ll be honest with you Christy, when that meltdown happened, that was my breaking point. That was my “rock bottom”, basically. I had everything going on in more than one front. It felt like no matter what I did or what I tried, NOTHING could go right for me, at least not to the extent that I WANTED IT to go right. After nine to ten months of frustration, it was due to happen, some would say OVERDUE. Feelings were hurt. I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings Christy, but I am NOT sorry for taking the tag team titles from you and I WON’T be sorry for doing what I got to do tonight to make sure that Kayla and I remain the tag team champions. Ever since that low point, my confidence has bounced right back and then some. Winning the tag team championships help. FINALLY getting that respect that I had been starving for has helped. Successfully rebuilding my reputation in the Triad helps but what’s REALLY going to help, Christy, is retaining these titles tonight.

Yeah, I hear that talk from BOTH of you about how Kayla and I didn’t pin either of you and how we didn’t ‘beat the champions’. But Kayla and I are going to put an end to that talk tonight. You can think whatever you want to think, Christy. That’s fine. You can take this match personal as much as you want. If it drives you, so be it. I’d be a hypocrite to speak out against using whatever fuel and motivation you want to use to push you to get these tag team titles back. One thing I will tell you though is that I am NOT motivated by stretched and exaggerated truths and I am NOT coming into this thing feeling insecure. What motivates me, Christy, is not just retaining these tag team championships, but reminding you and Travis why I AM one of the best damn women’s wrestlers in the world AND why all this talk about Kayla and I not being able to gel and get along is nothing but a load of bullshit. So take THAT for what it’s worth Christy, because when Kayla and I put you both in our rearview mirrors after tonight, it’s going to be worth so damn much in all its vainglory! No more talk, Christy. Time to settle the score once and for all!

[Victoria drops the microphone she was using and her music hits again. The fans cheer for her as she leaves the ring with her half of the tag team championships still slung over her shoulder, confident in what’s to come later tonight.]

“The following advertisement has been paid for by The Ginger Nation…”

The scene cuts to a backstage setup where everything is in black and white , no colors, except for a few red splotches here and there. Allison Lorraine, aka: #GingerAllison, steps into view. Just like everything else, she’s in black and white…except her hair which, by the miracle of computer technology, remains its natural ginger color. Allison’s theme, Roar by Katy Perry, plays in the background.

Allison: Hi there!

She waves at the camera.

Allison: My name is Allison Lorraine but you all lower lifeforms can, like, call me #GingerAllison! And guess what? The Shotgun Lethal Lottery is ready and the Ginger Nation is, like, totally ready to kick ass and take names, but more important than any of that stuff, is to win…

She nods her head.

Allison: Yup! Tonight is the night that belongs to The Ginger Nation because my BFFs Jenni Jinxy and GingerEnigma are gonna carry their lame-o tag partners through to the next round while I work with an incredibly smart Adrian Waters! And our opponents?

She holds up two fingers.

Allison: Two sluts by the name of Hayley Gold and Destiny Skye!

She points at the camera.

Allison: Destiny, you, like, TOTALLY have a death wish by messing with the Ginger Nation! You may want those tag titles but they like, those belts totally belong to us! They belong to the nation! We’re more talented than you, we’re yummier than you, and after tonight, we’ll all be through into the next round and you’ll be outside looking in...

She snickers nastily.

Allison: Though being outside shouldn’t be too different for a whore like you, sweetie.



LETHAL LOTTERY MATCH
Adrian Waters/GingerAllison vs. Destiny Skye/Hayley Gold

GingerAllison had Destiny Skye still had unresolved issues, which left them to brawl with one another on the outside. This left Waters and Gold to start things off. This went back and forth for awhile. Unfortunately Waters and Gold inside the ring caused the referee to miss Destiny getting blasted with the ring bell by GingerEnigma outside. GingerEnigma and Jenni Anderson drag her underneath the ring while GingerAllison returns to her corner. This leaves Hayley Gold to fend for herself against Adrian Waters and GingerAllison. As good as Gold is, she does eventually succumb to the Use Your Head from Waters.

WINNERS: Adrian Waters & GingerAllison



LETHAL LOTTERY MATCH
GCW X-Division Championship Match
Isabella Harker/ Jenni “Jinxy” Anderson vs. Mal Cross/Gabby Austin

Before the match could get underway... Drake Hemingway and Slade Merriman jumped Mal Cross as Harker, Anderson and Austin waited for him to join them. Gabby made an effort to rescue her partner, by the time she got up there, Slade/Drake tossed Mal Cross off the stage through a table filled with electrical equipment. Realizing she was in the same position Neil Newman found himself in two weeks ago, Gabby went on to fight the two on one odds by herself.

She held her own. The numbers game caught up. Harker and Anderson worked reasonably well together. Towards the end of the match, Merriman and Hemingway marched down to the ring yet again, this time, they were meet by GingerAllison and GingerEnigma. The two men backed off, in the midst of the chaos, Harker tagged herself in. She locked in a Texas Cloverleaf. Before Jenni could break up the submission, the referee rings the bell, despite the fact Gabby DIDN’T TAP OUT. Jenni looked at the referee. So did Harker. None of that mattered because Isabella Harker, controversy and all is the new X Division Champion.

WINNER: Jenni Anderson and Isabella Harker (new X Division Champion)

Harker protested to death how this wasn’t right. The ref left the ring. Jenni scoffed and left the ring.
==

(Backstage we find Kayla Jones, one half of the GCW Global Tag Team Champions, standing by next to GCW’s roving reporter and hall of famer Janice King.)

Janice: Ladies and gentlemen I am now here with one half of the GCW Global Tag Team Champions Kayla Jones. Thank you for joining me, Kayla.

(Jones nods her head.)

Kayla: Not a problem, Janice.

Janice: Now it wasn’t that long ago that you and your unlikely tag team partner Victoria Salinas defeated two other tag teams, including your opponents here tonight, to become the GCW Global Tag Team Champions, and yet there are still those who doubt and…

(Jones shakes her head.)

Kayla: Whoa, whoa, hold on for a moment, Janice. I want to stop you right there because you’re right, people do doubt us, they think it was a fluke. The reigning champions themselves are even trying to make excuses. They weren’t pinned, they say…

(Jones chuckles lightly.)

Kayla: …I can appreciate that, because no, they weren’t pinned. Angelica and I used that same argument in SCW. But just like with the Sisterhood in SCW, even though we were not pinned to lose the titles, we still LOST, we were still BEATEN in accordance to the rules. And yet despite overcoming the odds of never having teamed together to beat two teams that HAVE chemistry and HAVE history of teaming together to become the champions, we still have to prove ourselves?

(She again shakes her head.)

Kayla: It isn’t fair, Janice, but Vicky and I don’t care. We are used to this by now. We have each had to prove ourselves in our own way. Victoria and I both had to individually and separately prove ourselves to the industry having going through some dark times in our own careers. I guess that’s what makes us a great team, because we do understand one another. And I’ll tell you another thing we both understand; we both understand that we will be victorious tonight and retain the GCW Global Tag Team Championship.

Janice: But there is still that shadow looming overhead, the shadow of the GCW World Heavyweight Championship, a title you both want. You both want another shot at that title. Is there any concern that world title aspirations could drive a wedge between you two?

(Kayla smirks.)

Kayla: The only ones trying to use the world title to drive a wedge between us are people like you, Janice, who keep bringing it up. The fact is that Victoria and I are focused on just one thing and that is successfully defending the GCW Global Tag Team Championships and here tonight, we do that. Here tonight we prove once and for all that we are the undisputed best team in GCW right now.

==

[Minutes before the Global tag team match is set to begin, Victoria Salinas is seen walking down the hallway with her tag title strapped around her waist. She certainly seems confident and ready to put the former champions behind her once and for all. However, she’s about to run into a bit of an annoyance in the form of her former manager Julia Rivera who cuts her off as she tries to get to the curtains. All Victoria can do is roll her eyes at her presence.]

Julia: Vicky…

Victoria: What?

Julia: I just wanted to tell you that you put on a hell of a performance earlier this week in France.

Victoria: Thanks.

Julia: It’s too bad I couldn’t be there though. No really, it’s SERIOUSLY too bad that I couldn’t be there because if I WAS there, you would be the UWA World Champion right now!!!!

Victoria: Are we REALLY about to go through with this again? Julia, listen to me. ENOUGH! Don’t you think you’ve caused enough damage as is?

Julia: I’m just speaking the truth, Victoria. And you know what? I’m going to tell you straight up, to your face, that you’re about to lose those tag team titles right back to Christy and Travis too. Now, before you cut me off, I’m not saying that out of a lack of faith. You want to know why you’re about to lose those tag team titles? Because Kayla Jones, Vicky, is going to kick your teeth right down your throat. If there was ANY time for her to stab you in the back and show her true colors, it owuld be RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW and let me tell you why. Because she HATES that she can’t beat you. Remember the two matches you had against each other before this whole random tag team shipping happened? She is JUST as frustrated that she couldn’t beat you as you were that you couldn’t beat her and you know it. This is NOT a true tag team partnership either. This is a subtle, subconscious competition between two women who want to prove they are better than the other and I’m sorry Vicky, but right now, I’d say SHE is better because… well, let’s see… SHE got the pin at FG&G right?

[Victoria just shakes her head, not even bothering to respond to any of this.]

Julia: And hey, let’s be honest. You go from wanting to beat her to suddenly being OKAY with all this? You know what that makes you, Victoria? That makes you Kayla’s bitch, that’s what! “If you can’t beat them, join them”. Right? Isn’t that how the saying goes? Besides, even if you and Kayla DO get by the former champions, this is NOT an easy tag team division to navigate. Not with teams like Ginger Nation and Skye and Myers waiting for their opportunity. This is the first time you’ve ever been a tag team champion and trust me, it’s not what you’re used to and it’s even harder when you have a two-faced tag team partner that is going to stab you in the back tonight, or two weeks from now, or a month from now. Either way, it IS going to happen and these toxic relationships with people like Kayla, with people like Axl, they are holding you back from being World Champion again. Before Axl, you were a champion that wouldn’t take shit from anyone. Since Axl, you’ve been a powderpuff that takes everything under the sun to heart. He has CHANGED YOU in the WORST way and….

Victoria: Get out!

[Julia pauses, surprised by what she just heard.]

Julia: Excuse me?

Victoria: Get the fuck out! Get out of my way, and get out of this building. I don’t want to talk to you because NOTHING you said was productive, at all. If there’s ANYTHING that’s toxic right now it’s your Hilary-esque rhetoric, that’s what. You can make your points WITHOUT filling my head with bullshit fearmongering and trying to drive a wedge between my boyfriend and I. Besides, let me remind you that my first two world championships along with everything I ever accomplished in my career BEFORE I came to GCW? I did all that without you. I got that world title match in UWA without you. Basically, Julia, tonight? I have something to prove. I have PLENTY of things to prove and ONE of those things is that I can beat Christy and Travis WITHOUT you. Tonight, I prove to YOU personally that I DON’T need you as my manager again and hell, I’ll take it one step further and prove to YOU personally that I NEVER needed you as my manager in the first place. Everything I’ve done in my career, with or without you, I always had it in me to do it without you and I ESTABLISH THAT tonight. So, you can take all your rhetoric and your warped motivational tactics, and you can get the fuck out!

Julia: You’re kidding me right?

[Victoria shoots her a glare, indicating that she’s not.]

Julia: After EVERYTHING I’ve done for you…

Victoria: Don’t even…

Julia: After I pulled you out of your confidence funk, after I got you to Civil War and all three of your GCW championships including this one… THIS is how you repay me?

Victoria: Just go…

Julia: I helped you bury the hatchet with Tina Valentine god damn it and THIS is the thanks I get?

Victoria: Security!

Julia: Vicky, come on…

[Almost right on cue, security comes into the picture.]

Victoria: Get her out of here.

[Two guards grab her and begin to escort her out.]

Julia: Vicky, don’t be like this…

Victoria: Julia… as a friend, I think we’re better off if I revoke your backstage access from now on.

[Julia is shocked and has nothing more to say as ultimately, security escorts her out of the scene and out of the picture. Victoria lets out an annoyed sigh and rolls her eyes as she continues to walk down the hallway.]

Victoria: Glad THAT’S over…

[She continues her walk, knowing that her and Kayla’s title defense is coming up in mere moments.]



Global Tag Team Championships
Kayla Jones/Victoria Salinas [c] vs. Travis Vessey/Christy Hightower

Emotions ran high in the early goings of this contest. Before the bell rang, Vessey made an immediate beeline for the Champions, knocking Salinas from the ring and keeping Jones in the corner, laying boots into her. The referee managed to get in between them, pulling Vessey off before conferring with Jones, who said she was good as the bell rang.

Once the match got underway, both sides ended up going back and forth throughout, with the challengers eventually taking the upper hand on Jones again, isolating her from Salinas. At the midway point of the match, Hightower took Jones with a diving high knee, but Salinas broke the fall. At that point, Salinas and Jones took the advantage over Hightower, which frustrated Vessey on the apron. Jones would look for the Kaylan Wind Kick, but Hightower ducked, almost forcing Kayla to strike Vicki. In the momentary hesitation, Hightower would throw herself towards Jones, taking both over the top rope.

As this melee was going on, Vessey got to ringside, where Trista Foxx-Porter sneakily tried to get him a pair of brass knuckles. Vessey would slide them onto his hand, measuring up Vicki while she was checking on Kayla. As he measured, Christy noticed the knuckles and confronted her partner about it. It didn’t take much of a confrontation for Salinas to clue in and take him down with the Siren Breaker. She covered Vessey, and Kayla leapt over the pinning predicament to hit a Kaylan Wind Kick on Hightower before she could react. Meanwhile, the referee administered the three count.

Winners: Kayla Jones and Victoria Salinas

After the match, Jones and Salinas started celebrating their victory before being attacked from behind by Jenni Anderson, #GingerAllison and #GingerEnigma. The trio attacked the Champions relentlessly, looking to cement their place as the next challengers for the titles. Vicky and Kayla are to winded to put up a comeback. #GingerNation stands tall at the scene fades.

...

Cheers go up as the video screen flares into life to show Jay Pride in the backstage interview area, all fired up for tonight's title match - or at least as fired up as the typically stoic and dour competitor ever really gets.

Jay: Tonight. Tonight here, in Madison Square Garden -

CHEAP POP!

Jay: - tonight, Chantelle Chambers gets officially welcomed to her ill-gotten reign as GCW World Champion, and lemme tell you, her reign is going to be short. Between her natural athleticism and a nice wee line in chicanery, Chantelle is a fearsome competitor - but only one person in GCW is The Crème-de-la-Crème of Catch-as-Catch-Can. The Apotheosis of All-In. Tonight, Chantelle Chambers faces a challenge like no other she's faced in her life. Tonight she finds herself on the wrong end of a good old British World of Sport style arse whupping! A storm of lariats. A cyclone of hammerlocks an' ankle locks. I'm gauntae stretch until breaking point all the joints she dadnae even know she had.

The fans holler at the idea of the despised champion being taught such a lesson.

Jay: But whatever she an' Brod might believe, this isn't only about her. With Adrian Waters and myself at, well, détente at least, I can start looking forward to the successes of my future rather than backwards to the mistakes of my past. It begins tonight as I reaffirm my claim on my place in GCW's main event scene. With apologies to Amelia Robson - who as far as I'm concerned will be first in line for the rematch she deserves should I win tonight - I'm going out there tonight to become the champion and nothing less. This last week I've been flying the GCW flag in Japan for KAMIKAZE Pro in this year's World Grand Prix. I'm undefeated so far - top of my group. And nothing would make me prouder than walking intae the finals as the GCW World Champion. GCW deserves a champion who'll represent; who'll show the world how we do it here. GCW deserves a better champion than one who cares not a jot for anyone or anything but herself - which is, regardless of her talent, exactly how to describe Chantelle Chambers. I believe I can be that champion, who'll represent GCW with - no pun intended - pride. Tonight, here in Madison Square Garden, that belief becomes reality.

Jay's vow is met with more cheers! He smiles - then tilts his head.

Jay: Oh, an' as for Pierce Manning and The Brod, just in case you two are thinking of making sure Chantelle retains tonight by any means necessary... you don't want, an' I don't want what would ensue. Adrian pushed a hurricane to the tip of my skin. Trust me, lads. You don't want it to come out.

He folds his arms and smirks.

Jay: Chantelle... kiss that championship belt you spent so long wheelin' an' dealin' tae get hold of one last time, because tonight, it gets taken away from you again.

And with that the feed fades out, with more pops ringing in the auditorium.



Backstage…

Price: Good evening… I’m here with…

Before Samuel Price can continue with his introduction, the microphone is snatched right out of his hand. The culprit? The GCW World Champion, Chantelle Chambers.

Chambers: Beat it, Price! I don’t need any two-bit interviewer asking me a list of questions approved by Tiffany Manning.

Price: But I…

Chambers: I said BEAT IT!

Without another word, Price doesn’t protest, exiting the scene. Chambers turns to the camera.

Chambers: Two weeks ago, Tiffany Manning decided to rain on MY parade… MY coronation ceremony… by announcing that here in Madison Square Gardens, I would defend MY World Championship against Jay Pride. I’m sure the shit-eating grins are filling the crowd right now… but you want to know something?

She leers closer to the camera.

Chambers: I welcome the challenge!

Backing up a bit, she points down to her belt.

Chambers: I’m glad that Tiffany Manning decided to let me defend this belt tonight, because it does something that needs to happen EVERY SINGLE WEEK! Instead of being forced to listen to people on Twitter blather on about their mundane lives as though we’re supposed to care, you’re being given an opportunity to put focus on a truly gifted athlete… me!

Chantelle stretches her arms out briefly, turning for the camera to allow the crowd to take in every inch of her form.

Chambers: While this Deadly Dreams tournament is going on, and every participant ASSUMES they are going to end up Champion, I know the truth. This tournament is giving two participants the right to fall in defeat to me, just like Amelia Robson did when I took the World Championship from her… just like Jay Pride will later on tonight when I beat him and retain MY Championship! And the night will end EXACTLY as all nights SHOULD… with all of the attention… all of the spotlight…

She grins.

Chambers: With all eyes on ME!!

With that, she carelessly lets the microphone drop to the floor as she exits the scene.

MAIN EVENT - GCW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Jay Pride vs. Chantelle Chambers (Champion)

After several minutes of Chambers stalling, Pride laid into the champion with a sudden outburst of moves, ending with a drop kick that sent Chantelle to the floor to consult with The Brod. After some encouragement from Brod, Chambers returned to the ring, and took charge after getting a thumb to Jay's eye. She followed this with a knee lift and a swinging neck breaker before going for a cover…but it was too soon, and Pride kicked out.

Chantelle continued to control the pace of this contest, and had a few more near falls. Chambers placed Jay in a side headlock, and Jay threw her off the ropes and performed a sidewalk slam. He went for a pin, but it was Chantelle's turn to kick out. It was now Pride's turn to control the match, to the audience's delight. Pride ended a string of moves against the champion with "Before a Fall" (a Canadian rack backbreaker. Once again Chambers kicked out after a cover by Jay.

The match kept going back and forth like this, and the contest was now going past the twenty minute mark. Both wrestlers found themselves outside the ring on the floor, where Pride was going after Chambers. Chantelle was at the announcer's table when Pride caught up to her. The referee, not wanting the night to end on a double countout, was also now on the floor, trying to get in between the two combatants when Pride went for a spear…but Chambers ducked and Pride knocked out the referee! The Brod immediately sprung into action, picking up the title belt and cracking Pride in the back of the head with it, causing Pride to crumple to the floor. Chase and Chambers worked together to roll Jay back inside the ring and Chambers rolled back inside the ring herself, while Brod worked on reviving the official. Chambers waited until the referee was alert again, then she devastated an already hurt Jay Pride with "Worship" (a curb stomp). Chantelle made the cover and got the pin.

Winner: Chantelle Chambers

The show went off the air with Chambers holding the World Championship title belt over her head while taunting the crowd. The Brod gave out a healthy "WOOO!" and we fade out.