Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2024 6:30:30 GMT -5
LIVE from the MGM GRAND ARENA in LAS VEGAS, NEVADA MARCH 2, 2024 |
EXT. MGM GRAND
We fade in with a shot of the loading dock of the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where a large stretch Cadillac Escalade slowly pulls into frame. The driver emerges and approaches the rear door, only to have it open from the inside before he can reach the handle. As the door opens, the massive frame of Donovan Basch steps out, clad in a black suit and black dress shirt, his hair tied back in a low ponytail. He nods to the driver and gestures as if silently saying “I’ve got this,” before turning around to extend his hand inside the vehicle. Before long, his hand has taken hold of that of his wife Danielle, as she too steps out of the SUV. Mrs. Basch is dressed to kill in a curve-hugging black dress and black Christian Louboutin heels, her hair swept up into an elegant French Twist, with tendrils of hair framing her face. She looks at Donovan and smiles as he takes in his surroundings.
DONOVAN BASCH
Ah, it’s good to be back, Danielle…
He turns to his wife, lifting her chin with his finger as the driver approaches with two pilot cases.
DRIVER
Your luggage, sir…
DONOVAN BASCH
Thank you; that will be all.
DRIVER
Yes, sir.
The driver nods his head and gets back into the driver’s seat, slowly pulling away as Danielle and Donovan grab the handles of the pilot cases and begin to head toward the building.
DONOVAN BASCH
And more importantly, it’s good to finally have you back where you belong…
DANIELLE BASCH
At your side, naturally. But it seems as though they’re not breaking you in gently in your return match.
Donovan smirks, chuckling softly as he shakes his head.
DONOVAN BASCH
Nixy, you know I wouldn’t have it any other way.
DANIELLE BASCH
Of course not! For you, the more challenging the fight, the better. But I trust that you won’t try anything TOO risky tonight.
DONOVAN BASCH
It’s like every other night when I step into the ring, Danielle. If I don’t give it everything I have, I shouldn’t bother lacing up my boots.
As the Basches make their way inside, they’re greeted by several members of the UPRISING backstage crew, returning their greetings with nods of acknowledgement, including Danielle’s dazzling smile.
DANIELLE BASCH
Speaking of which, watching you prepare for this match has me thinking…
DONOVAN BASCH
I know, Nixy… you miss being able to compete on your own.
DANIELLE BASCH
Why do you think I’ve been stepping up my own training? So I can keep up with you!
DONOVAN BASCH
As if you needed any help in that respect, my love. As always, if this is truly what you want to do, then you know you have my full support.
DANIELLE BASCH
Of course. But tonight isn’t about me. Sure, it’s my first show back since the pregnancy, but tonight, I’m here to support you. And THIS time, I’m NOT slinking back to the ring like before.
DONOVAN BASCH
Granted, I trust you’ll stay out of trouble.
Danielle shoots her husband a playful smirk, coupled with a sly wink of her eye.
DANIELLE BASCH
I’ll stay out of trouble, so long as “trouble” stays away from you.
Donovan glances knowingly at his wife.
DONOVAN BASCH
You’re thinking my opponent’s wife might try something?
DANIELLE BASCH
I don’t put anything past anyone anymore; you know that.
DONOVAN BASCH
Fair enough. So long as you yourself don’t try to instigate anything.
Mrs. Basch feigns indignation with a mild gasp as she places a hand on her chest.
DANIELLE BASCH
Why, Donovan Jacob Everett Basch… I would never…!
Donovan chuckles again.
DONOVAN BASCH
Well, of course YOU wouldn’t. But you’re right; I’ll be counting on you to be an extra pair of eyes tonight. Just in case…
DANIELLE BASCH
Or an extra set of fists?
DONOVAN BASCH
You’re sounding a tad bit enthusiastic, dearest, but if Eli Buchanan is foolish enough to have his compatriot involve themselves in my business, then they have nobody else to blame for the consequences…
But, we won't get anywhere standing around here, will we?
DANIELLE BASCH
Oh no, our business is out there, in the ring… and we really shouldn't keep the fans waiting. However, I do think that a change of wardrobe is in order.
Danielle gestures towards the curtain separating the backstage area from the dressing rooms as the scene cuts away to our opening video package.
DONOVAN BASCH
Ah, it’s good to be back, Danielle…
He turns to his wife, lifting her chin with his finger as the driver approaches with two pilot cases.
DRIVER
Your luggage, sir…
DONOVAN BASCH
Thank you; that will be all.
DRIVER
Yes, sir.
The driver nods his head and gets back into the driver’s seat, slowly pulling away as Danielle and Donovan grab the handles of the pilot cases and begin to head toward the building.
DONOVAN BASCH
And more importantly, it’s good to finally have you back where you belong…
DANIELLE BASCH
At your side, naturally. But it seems as though they’re not breaking you in gently in your return match.
Donovan smirks, chuckling softly as he shakes his head.
DONOVAN BASCH
Nixy, you know I wouldn’t have it any other way.
DANIELLE BASCH
Of course not! For you, the more challenging the fight, the better. But I trust that you won’t try anything TOO risky tonight.
DONOVAN BASCH
It’s like every other night when I step into the ring, Danielle. If I don’t give it everything I have, I shouldn’t bother lacing up my boots.
As the Basches make their way inside, they’re greeted by several members of the UPRISING backstage crew, returning their greetings with nods of acknowledgement, including Danielle’s dazzling smile.
DANIELLE BASCH
Speaking of which, watching you prepare for this match has me thinking…
DONOVAN BASCH
I know, Nixy… you miss being able to compete on your own.
DANIELLE BASCH
Why do you think I’ve been stepping up my own training? So I can keep up with you!
DONOVAN BASCH
As if you needed any help in that respect, my love. As always, if this is truly what you want to do, then you know you have my full support.
DANIELLE BASCH
Of course. But tonight isn’t about me. Sure, it’s my first show back since the pregnancy, but tonight, I’m here to support you. And THIS time, I’m NOT slinking back to the ring like before.
DONOVAN BASCH
Granted, I trust you’ll stay out of trouble.
Danielle shoots her husband a playful smirk, coupled with a sly wink of her eye.
DANIELLE BASCH
I’ll stay out of trouble, so long as “trouble” stays away from you.
Donovan glances knowingly at his wife.
DONOVAN BASCH
You’re thinking my opponent’s wife might try something?
DANIELLE BASCH
I don’t put anything past anyone anymore; you know that.
DONOVAN BASCH
Fair enough. So long as you yourself don’t try to instigate anything.
Mrs. Basch feigns indignation with a mild gasp as she places a hand on her chest.
DANIELLE BASCH
Why, Donovan Jacob Everett Basch… I would never…!
Donovan chuckles again.
DONOVAN BASCH
Well, of course YOU wouldn’t. But you’re right; I’ll be counting on you to be an extra pair of eyes tonight. Just in case…
DANIELLE BASCH
Or an extra set of fists?
DONOVAN BASCH
You’re sounding a tad bit enthusiastic, dearest, but if Eli Buchanan is foolish enough to have his compatriot involve themselves in my business, then they have nobody else to blame for the consequences…
But, we won't get anywhere standing around here, will we?
DANIELLE BASCH
Oh no, our business is out there, in the ring… and we really shouldn't keep the fans waiting. However, I do think that a change of wardrobe is in order.
Danielle gestures towards the curtain separating the backstage area from the dressing rooms as the scene cuts away to our opening video package.
CUT TO:
INT. MGM GRAND ARENA — THE RING.
YOUNG LIONS SHOWCASE
MATEO vs LEO LIONS
The crowd is on their feet for this match where two friends are going to do battle. Leo Lions stands in one corner with a confident smirk on his face. On the opposite side stands one-half of the Unity Champions, Mateo. The younger Tigre looks ready to get things started. Referee Soames does his pre-march check with both men before calling for the bell to signal the start of this match.
*DING DING*
Mateo waves his arms and gestures for Leo to bring it on. Both men bolt to the center of the ring and circle each other. There is some hand fighting and feeling out before Mateo flies across the board and connects with a stiff forearm shot to the face of Lions. The shot staggers Leo a bit before he shoots forward and grabs a double-leg takedown that puts Mateo on his back on the canvas. Lions mounts himself onto his friend and begins to rain down punches on the younger Tigre. Mateo puts his guard up and tries to block Leo’s punches but a few of them manage to slip through. Mateo uses his legs to kick Lions off of him and scrambles back up to his feet. However, he eats a dropkick to the face from Leo that sends him right back down to the canvas.
Stunned, Mateo rolls to the outside of the ring to take a moment to gather himself. Lions decides to get a running start and then leaps through the ropes to hit the younger Tigre with a shoulder-led suicide dive that sends him crashing into the barricade hard. The crowd cheers wildly as Leo gets up to his feet and then grabs Mateo by the hair. He pulls him back to his feet before running him spine-first into the edge of the ring apron. The Unity Champion arches his back in pain before Lions tosses him back into the ring. Leo slides back inside as Mateo gets back up to his feet. The younger Tigre charges at Lions but Leo catches him with an arm drag that snaps him down to the canvas. Mateo gets back up again quickly but runs right into a shotgun dropkick from Leo that sends him crashing into the turnbuckle.
Mateo falls to the canvas as Leo steps through the ropes and begins to climb the turnbuckle. Lions finds his balance on the top rope as Mateo pulls himself back up to a vertical base. Mateo turns around as Leo leaps off the top and takes him down with Lion Pounce. Lions hooks the leg and makes the cover as Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
KICKOUT BY MATEO!
Leo gets back up to his feet and stalks around Mateo as he fights his way back up to his feet. Lions comes up on his friend from behind and goes to lock in Lion Sleeps Tonight but the younger flips Leo forward and down to the canvas. Leo scrambles back up to his feet but Mateo hits a low dropkick to the knee that sends Lions back down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet and races for the ropes. As Leo begins to pull himself back up, Mateo bounces off the ropes and hits a second low dropkick but to the temple of Lions this time. Lions is stunned as Mateo grabs him by the hair. The Unity Champion pulls him back up to his feet before hitting a couple of knife-edged chops to the chest. Mateo grabs hold of Leo by the wrist and then whips him into the corner hard. Lions hits the turnbuckle as Mateo races in behind him. The younger Tigre leaps into the air and hits Leo with a jumping clothesline in the corner.
Leo staggers away from the turnbuckle but Mateo grabs hold of him in a headlock. The younger Tigre runs up the turnbuckle pads before jumping off of them and planting Lions with a tornado DDT down to the canvas. Mateo gets back up to his feet with adrenaline pumping through his veins. The roar of the crowd has got him hyped up and causes him to play to the crowd for more. Leo begins to pull himself up to his feet and then sneaks up on Mateo from behind with a waistlock. Lions goes for a German suplex but Mateo lands on his feet. Leo tries to scramble back up to his feet quickly but Mateo is on him. The younger Tigre gets Lions into a reverse headlock and then drops him with a reverse DDT down to the canvas. Mateo gets up to his feet and then steps through the ropes. The Unity Champion begins to climb the turnbuckle and stands tall on the top rope. Mateo leaps off of the top rope and hits Lions with a frog splash. The impact of the move sends Mateo rolling over on the canvas holding his midsection. However, he manages to hook the leg and makes the cover on Leo as Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
KICKOUT BY LIONS!
Mateo gets back up to his feet and then grabs hold of Leo. The Unity Champion pulls Lions back up to his feet and goes for a vertical suplex but Leo blocks it. Mateo tries to muscle Lions into the air again but Leo blocks it a second time. Lions buries a knee into the gut of Mateo which causes him to lose his grip. Leo hits Mateo with a swinging neckbreaker that sends him crashing back down to the canvas. Both men are down as the referee begins a ten count. Both wrestlers are back to their feet by the count of eight. Mateo gives Leo a boot to the midsection and then whips him off into the ropes. Lions bounces off the ropes and then hits Mateo with a flying shoulder tackle that takes him down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet but Leo takes him down again with another flying shoulder tackle. Mateo pulls himself off of the canvas but Lions gets hold of him and hits him with a Saito suplex down to the canvas.
Leo gets up to his feet and then makes his way over to the nearest corner. Lions climbs up to the middle rope before leaping off and hitting Mateo with an elbow drop. Leo gets back up to his feet and then peels the Unity Champion off of the canvas. Lions fires off a couple of chops before whipping Mateo off into the ropes but Mateo reveres the whip. Leo bounces off the ropes but nails Mateo with a flying forearm shot to the face that takes him down to the canvas. Lions kips back up to his feet and then stalks around Mateo who staggers back to a vertical base. Leo gets a waist lock on Mateo and then lifts him up and over with a Northern Lights suplex. Lions keeps his grip and pulls the younger Tigre back up to his feet before hitting a second Northern Lights suplex. Leo keeps his grip once again, then pulls Mateo back up, and then completes the Lions Den with a third Northern Lights suplex with a bridge. Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
THRE-- NO!
MATEO GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!
Leo is shocked as he pulls himself up to his feet and Big J points to his foot on the bottom rope. Lions swallows the frustration building inside of him and then grabs hold of Mateo by the legs. He drags his opponent to the center of the ring and then tries to lock in Lion Tamer but Mateo counters by rolling Leo into a small package as the referee dives in.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
NOOOOOO! LEO KICKS OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE THREE!!!
Lions gets back up to his feet quickly after the near fall and charges towards Mateo with a clothesline but Mateo ducks under it. Leo turns around as Mateo fires off a boot to the midsection but Lions catches it. Leo taunts his friend who hops around on one foot but Mateo manages to pop Lions with the Penalty Kick to the back of the head. Leo hits the canvas like a sack of potatoes but Mateo isn’t able to make the cover. Soames begins yet another ten count as both men struggle to get back up to their feet. They each beat the count of ten and then begin trading shots in the center of the ring. Lions gets the better of the exchange with forearm shots before shooting Mateo off into the ropes. Leo catches Mateo off the ropes but Mateo counters with a headscissors that turns into a spike DDT. Mateo slams his fist down on the canvas repeatedly before willing himself back up to a vertical base. Mateo grabs a hold of Lions and hits him with a belly-to-back suplex down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet and then steps through the ropes. Mateo begins to climb the turnbuckle as Leo begins to stir on the canvas. Mateo perches himself on the top rope as Lions gets up to his feet.
Leo turns around as Mateo leaps off the top rope. The Unity Champion goes for a hurricanrana but Lions catches him and plants him with a sitout powerbomb. The two men are slow to move as they have beaten the hell out of each other. Leo is the first one to get back up to his feet and stalks around Mateo. The younger Tigre finally regains his vertical base but Lions comes in from behind and locks in Lion Sleeps Tonight. Mateo swings his arms wildly but Leo has the move locked in. Big J asks Mateo if he wants to submit but the Unity Champion shakes his head no. Mateo starts to make his way toward the ropes but the sleeper hold is taking effect on him. The younger Tigre continues to struggle until he grabs hold of the top turnbuckle in the corner. Referee Soames comes over and begins a count of five to release the hold but Leo refuses. Lions begins to pull on Mateo trying to yank him free of turnbuckle. Leo yanks back as hard as he can and both men fall backward onto the canvas.
The crowd gasps as the hold is broken but Mateo lies on the canvas holding the top turnbuckle pad. The Unity Champion begins to roll toward the ropes to try and help himself back up to his feet. Mateo tries to shake off the effects of the sleeper hold as he regains his vertical base. However, Leo swoops in and locks in the Lion Sleeps Tonight again. Mateo tries to fight it but is fading quickly. In a desperate effort, Mateo tries to dive for the ropes in the corner but ends up falling down to the middle turnbuckle pad. The crowd pops as the effort is enough to send Lions headfirst into the exposed top turnbuckle. The hold is broken as Leo struggles to even stay on his feet. Mateo pulls himself up slowly and then hits Lions with a superkick to the face that floors him. Mateo leaps to the second rope and then hits Leo with Tiger Pounce right across the throat. Mateo hooks the leg and makes the cover on Leo as Big J slides in.
ONE
TWO
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
*DING DING*
Mateo waves his arms and gestures for Leo to bring it on. Both men bolt to the center of the ring and circle each other. There is some hand fighting and feeling out before Mateo flies across the board and connects with a stiff forearm shot to the face of Lions. The shot staggers Leo a bit before he shoots forward and grabs a double-leg takedown that puts Mateo on his back on the canvas. Lions mounts himself onto his friend and begins to rain down punches on the younger Tigre. Mateo puts his guard up and tries to block Leo’s punches but a few of them manage to slip through. Mateo uses his legs to kick Lions off of him and scrambles back up to his feet. However, he eats a dropkick to the face from Leo that sends him right back down to the canvas.
Stunned, Mateo rolls to the outside of the ring to take a moment to gather himself. Lions decides to get a running start and then leaps through the ropes to hit the younger Tigre with a shoulder-led suicide dive that sends him crashing into the barricade hard. The crowd cheers wildly as Leo gets up to his feet and then grabs Mateo by the hair. He pulls him back to his feet before running him spine-first into the edge of the ring apron. The Unity Champion arches his back in pain before Lions tosses him back into the ring. Leo slides back inside as Mateo gets back up to his feet. The younger Tigre charges at Lions but Leo catches him with an arm drag that snaps him down to the canvas. Mateo gets back up again quickly but runs right into a shotgun dropkick from Leo that sends him crashing into the turnbuckle.
Mateo falls to the canvas as Leo steps through the ropes and begins to climb the turnbuckle. Lions finds his balance on the top rope as Mateo pulls himself back up to a vertical base. Mateo turns around as Leo leaps off the top and takes him down with Lion Pounce. Lions hooks the leg and makes the cover as Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
KICKOUT BY MATEO!
Leo gets back up to his feet and stalks around Mateo as he fights his way back up to his feet. Lions comes up on his friend from behind and goes to lock in Lion Sleeps Tonight but the younger flips Leo forward and down to the canvas. Leo scrambles back up to his feet but Mateo hits a low dropkick to the knee that sends Lions back down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet and races for the ropes. As Leo begins to pull himself back up, Mateo bounces off the ropes and hits a second low dropkick but to the temple of Lions this time. Lions is stunned as Mateo grabs him by the hair. The Unity Champion pulls him back up to his feet before hitting a couple of knife-edged chops to the chest. Mateo grabs hold of Leo by the wrist and then whips him into the corner hard. Lions hits the turnbuckle as Mateo races in behind him. The younger Tigre leaps into the air and hits Leo with a jumping clothesline in the corner.
Leo staggers away from the turnbuckle but Mateo grabs hold of him in a headlock. The younger Tigre runs up the turnbuckle pads before jumping off of them and planting Lions with a tornado DDT down to the canvas. Mateo gets back up to his feet with adrenaline pumping through his veins. The roar of the crowd has got him hyped up and causes him to play to the crowd for more. Leo begins to pull himself up to his feet and then sneaks up on Mateo from behind with a waistlock. Lions goes for a German suplex but Mateo lands on his feet. Leo tries to scramble back up to his feet quickly but Mateo is on him. The younger Tigre gets Lions into a reverse headlock and then drops him with a reverse DDT down to the canvas. Mateo gets up to his feet and then steps through the ropes. The Unity Champion begins to climb the turnbuckle and stands tall on the top rope. Mateo leaps off of the top rope and hits Lions with a frog splash. The impact of the move sends Mateo rolling over on the canvas holding his midsection. However, he manages to hook the leg and makes the cover on Leo as Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
KICKOUT BY LIONS!
Mateo gets back up to his feet and then grabs hold of Leo. The Unity Champion pulls Lions back up to his feet and goes for a vertical suplex but Leo blocks it. Mateo tries to muscle Lions into the air again but Leo blocks it a second time. Lions buries a knee into the gut of Mateo which causes him to lose his grip. Leo hits Mateo with a swinging neckbreaker that sends him crashing back down to the canvas. Both men are down as the referee begins a ten count. Both wrestlers are back to their feet by the count of eight. Mateo gives Leo a boot to the midsection and then whips him off into the ropes. Lions bounces off the ropes and then hits Mateo with a flying shoulder tackle that takes him down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet but Leo takes him down again with another flying shoulder tackle. Mateo pulls himself off of the canvas but Lions gets hold of him and hits him with a Saito suplex down to the canvas.
Leo gets up to his feet and then makes his way over to the nearest corner. Lions climbs up to the middle rope before leaping off and hitting Mateo with an elbow drop. Leo gets back up to his feet and then peels the Unity Champion off of the canvas. Lions fires off a couple of chops before whipping Mateo off into the ropes but Mateo reveres the whip. Leo bounces off the ropes but nails Mateo with a flying forearm shot to the face that takes him down to the canvas. Lions kips back up to his feet and then stalks around Mateo who staggers back to a vertical base. Leo gets a waist lock on Mateo and then lifts him up and over with a Northern Lights suplex. Lions keeps his grip and pulls the younger Tigre back up to his feet before hitting a second Northern Lights suplex. Leo keeps his grip once again, then pulls Mateo back up, and then completes the Lions Den with a third Northern Lights suplex with a bridge. Big J slides in for the count.
ONE
TWO
THRE-- NO!
MATEO GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!
Leo is shocked as he pulls himself up to his feet and Big J points to his foot on the bottom rope. Lions swallows the frustration building inside of him and then grabs hold of Mateo by the legs. He drags his opponent to the center of the ring and then tries to lock in Lion Tamer but Mateo counters by rolling Leo into a small package as the referee dives in.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
NOOOOOO! LEO KICKS OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE THREE!!!
Lions gets back up to his feet quickly after the near fall and charges towards Mateo with a clothesline but Mateo ducks under it. Leo turns around as Mateo fires off a boot to the midsection but Lions catches it. Leo taunts his friend who hops around on one foot but Mateo manages to pop Lions with the Penalty Kick to the back of the head. Leo hits the canvas like a sack of potatoes but Mateo isn’t able to make the cover. Soames begins yet another ten count as both men struggle to get back up to their feet. They each beat the count of ten and then begin trading shots in the center of the ring. Lions gets the better of the exchange with forearm shots before shooting Mateo off into the ropes. Leo catches Mateo off the ropes but Mateo counters with a headscissors that turns into a spike DDT. Mateo slams his fist down on the canvas repeatedly before willing himself back up to a vertical base. Mateo grabs a hold of Lions and hits him with a belly-to-back suplex down to the canvas. The younger Tigre gets back up to his feet and then steps through the ropes. Mateo begins to climb the turnbuckle as Leo begins to stir on the canvas. Mateo perches himself on the top rope as Lions gets up to his feet.
Leo turns around as Mateo leaps off the top rope. The Unity Champion goes for a hurricanrana but Lions catches him and plants him with a sitout powerbomb. The two men are slow to move as they have beaten the hell out of each other. Leo is the first one to get back up to his feet and stalks around Mateo. The younger Tigre finally regains his vertical base but Lions comes in from behind and locks in Lion Sleeps Tonight. Mateo swings his arms wildly but Leo has the move locked in. Big J asks Mateo if he wants to submit but the Unity Champion shakes his head no. Mateo starts to make his way toward the ropes but the sleeper hold is taking effect on him. The younger Tigre continues to struggle until he grabs hold of the top turnbuckle in the corner. Referee Soames comes over and begins a count of five to release the hold but Leo refuses. Lions begins to pull on Mateo trying to yank him free of turnbuckle. Leo yanks back as hard as he can and both men fall backward onto the canvas.
The crowd gasps as the hold is broken but Mateo lies on the canvas holding the top turnbuckle pad. The Unity Champion begins to roll toward the ropes to try and help himself back up to his feet. Mateo tries to shake off the effects of the sleeper hold as he regains his vertical base. However, Leo swoops in and locks in the Lion Sleeps Tonight again. Mateo tries to fight it but is fading quickly. In a desperate effort, Mateo tries to dive for the ropes in the corner but ends up falling down to the middle turnbuckle pad. The crowd pops as the effort is enough to send Lions headfirst into the exposed top turnbuckle. The hold is broken as Leo struggles to even stay on his feet. Mateo pulls himself up slowly and then hits Lions with a superkick to the face that floors him. Mateo leaps to the second rope and then hits Leo with Tiger Pounce right across the throat. Mateo hooks the leg and makes the cover on Leo as Big J slides in.
ONE
TWO
THREE!!!
DING DING DING
WINNER (VIA PINFALL): MATEO
The referee helps Mateo up to his feet and raises his arm in victory. Leo pulls himself up to a seated position on the canvas with a look of disappointment on his face. Matero turns around and then lowers his hand down to Lions. Leo looks up and stares at Mateo for a moment before accepting his hand. Mateo helps pull Leo back up to his feet as the crowd applauds both men.
CUT TO:
BACKSTAGE
We cut to a section of the backstage area where Senior Backstage Interviewer Luis Montes can be seen standing with a microphone in his hand. He turns toward the camera with a creepy smirk on his face as he begins speaking.
LUIS MONTES
Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s see if I can get an interview with one of the participants in the major matches later tonight.
Luis turns around and begins to knock on the dressing room door labeled The Kingdom. Montes stands to the side for a few moments and waits patiently until the door slowly opens. Out of the locker room steps Madison Carter who has her FTW Championship belt around her waist.
LUIS MONTES
Madison! Mind if I get a few words with you before your match later tonight against Serenity Holmes?
MADISON CARTER
Make it quick.
Luis nods his head and then stands in position. He smiles at the camera again before starting the interview.
LUIS MONTES
Later on tonight, you step into the ring for the first time in your wrestling career to compete for a Championship belt. How do you feel about stepping into what is the unknown for you so far here in UPRISING?
Montes points the microphone at Madison who raises her eyebrow.
MADISON CARTER
Unknown? What is unknown exactly? I have stepped into the ring before with Serenity Holmes. There is nothing unknown about her and her antics. Is it the first time I get to compete for a title? Yes, it is, and it’s on a Supershow but so what?
LUIS MONTES
A title match is a whole different beast and being that it’s here on a Supershow, it means the stakes are that much higher. The pressure is turned all the way up and I have a feeling the Champion is going to leave it all out there in the ring tonight.
Madison narrows her eyes.
MADISON CARTER
Okay, and? Are you saying that if Serenity ‘leaves it all in the ring’ that I have no chance of winning the Silver State Championship belt?
Luis shakes his head rapidly.
LUIS MONTES
Not at all! What I meant was that when you have a major title match on a Supershow, it takes a little bit more than what you would normally bring.
MADISON CARTER
Shut up, Montes. I don’t need to worry about what little bit more Serenity brings to the ring tonight. Whether it's a title match on a Supershow or a match on Unleashed. I empty the fucking tank every time I step inside of that ring. I don’t need to dig for a little bit more because I go full throttle each time. Maybe you need to go and give Serenity that weak-ass pep talk.
Montes laughs nervously and decides to ask another question.
LUIS MONTES
You took a long flight from Monaco to get here tonight for this match after wrestling--
Madison snaps her head to the side and interrupts Luis.
MADISON CARTER
GO AHEAD, SAY IT! I LOST TO ATARA RAVEN!
Montes cowers a bit as Madison takes a deep breath.
MADISON CARTER
Yeah, I went to Monaco to wrestle in the co-main event and I lost to Atara Raven. From the moment that match was over everyone has had a good hardy laugh about it. It’s not the outcome that I wanted, I’m sore, I’m annoyed, and I’m tired. However, I don’t regret it one bit.
Carter turns her head toward the camera.
MADISON CARTER
I lost to someone who is a big name in this business. Someone I took lightly because I thought her best days were behind her. I tested myself against her last night and I took her to the limit. That match had to go to replay; and for one second. In one single fucking second, she managed to get her shoulder off the canvas before me. Congratulations to her, but if you actually paid attention to the show. I’m the one that was left standing when it was all said and done. I dropped her with her own stupid ass ring gear and I let her and everyone else know that I am no pushover and that thing with me and her? It’s not over.
LUIS MONTES
Impressive but such a quick turnaround, are you sure your body can hold up?
MADISON CARTER
If wrestling on back-to-back nights is too much for me then I don’t deserve to be a Champion. I’ve waited far too long for this match, this opportunity. I lost last night and while Serenity and others might think that it’s an embarrassment. I view it as a blessing, the loss showed me where the flaws in my approach and tonight? I get to sure those up and make sure that this time I get my hand raised in victory.
LUIS MONTES
I see you’re wearing the FTW Championship belt around your waist. Are you sure that wearing that out to the ring is the best idea?
Madison pats her hand down onto the gold plate of the belt.
MADISON CARTER
It is the best idea, Luis. Serenity and anyone else can have their fucking opinions. They can point and laugh because I had this belt created. I don’t dictate my life on the opinions of idiots. Win, lose, or draw tonight I will still be the FTW Champion. This belt actually means something, I didn’t spread my legs and just congratulate myself with a title. No, I showed that regardless of the poor booking of this company, there isn’t a Champion in this place that I can’t stand toe-to-toe with. I was banned from competing for the Unity Championship belts because the former Champions were scared of competition. I’ve had to wait for months for a shot at the Silver State Championship because I was called nothing more than an enhancement talent.
There is anger and spite in Madison’s voice.
MADISON CARTER
Well, this enhancement talent. This girl… who had to make herself a Championship belt. She’s done sitting on the sidelines because the people who hold the belts are fucking cowards. Tonight I make a statement out in that ring and when it’s all said and done. It’ll be Serenity looking up at the lights while everyone laughs and calls her an embarrassment. The so-called longest reigning Silver State Champion is going to lose to someone she called an enhancement talent and I will leave here with not one but two Championship belts. And then we can all sit back and watch Mr. Holmes’ disappointment… kick, scream, and make all the excuses in the world.
Madison turns to face Montes.
MADISON CARTER
Tonight is my night and Serenity will have to fucking kill me to stop me.
Luis flinches a bit but Madison turns around and heads down the hallway leaving the interviewer standing there as we cut away.
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