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SEGMENT
"A Battle Cry"
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{ Fireworks explodes from the stage and all around the arenas as the fans go absolutely wild for another action packed episode of IWF Monday Night Sacrifice. We go straight to ringside where we can see the COO of IWF, Roberto Verona, stood in the ring, with the majority of the IWF roster surrounding him. }Terri Moraso: Welcome everyone to Monday Night Sacrifice, we have an action packed show for you tonight, and it seems like we’re starting with the anticipated announcement from Roberto Verona.
Vasco Dias: I wonder what the COO has to say, especially after Angel’s actions last week.
Roberto Verona: I suppose an explanation is due, a little insight to why I called each and every one of you here today. Let me begin, however, with an apology. To each and every one of you, I am sorry.
{ Verona shakes his head. }Roberto Verona: No, you heard me correctly, I am truly sorry. Sorry that it has come to this, that I am forced to stand here before you in this very ring and make this declaration to all of you because truthfully, it should never have come to this. IWF should never have been allowed to sink to these depths, where future careers are threatened and the status quo is rigidly reinforced by those whose interests do not correlate with a changing of the guard.
{ Verona looks down, grasping at the mic. }Roberto Verona: You have been forced into a situation that perhaps you believe you have no part in producing, and I am not here to blame any of you for the fate that has befallen us all. You have been thrust into a conflict between two factions that is not one of your choosing, but it has the potential to have a huge impact on your future prospects all the same. As I look outside this ring I see so many men and women who have the world at their feet, yet are threatened with the dilemma of watching it torn from under them, all to suit one agenda or the other. Yet, despite that, I stand here today to ask you to make a choice…
{ Roberto pauses. }Roberto Verona: A choice which many of you may feel you’re unable to make, or perhaps even unwilling.
Roberto Verona: Men like you, Mike Laszlo…
{ The crowd cheer as Verona points at Mike. }Roberto Verona: God knows I don’t like you, but I still respect you. What many consider to be three months where I routinely displayed your inability to get the job done, I see as an experience you have learned from. One which will eventually give you everything you need to cement your own moment in history, a moment that you will be deprived of if Simon de Montfort and Angel have their way. Do you think there will be room for men like you at their table? You’ll be nothing more than their entertainment, trotted out when they want to be tested, but slapped back down when you test them too much. Are you willing to have your future marginalised simply to get back at me for depriving you of your dream, or are you going to use all of the spirit you have shown to keep coming back for more regardless of what people say and ensure that this company keeps rewarding men like you who bust their ass each and every week, always trying to improve?
{ Roberto turns, moving his hand to point to the other side of the ring. }Roberto Verona: Or perhaps, even women like you Joanne Canelli, or perhaps Jade Wylder. After all you haven’t been here too long and perhaps you feel that this is all far bigger than you, that you’d much rather hone your skills, build some momentum and keep moving towards the titles and success that brought you here. Yet, Simon de Montfort has already shown his feelings for the women of this company, he made a mockery of you for two months, destroyed a girl who divides opinions but always cared about the division, all so he could place his chosen puppet on the throne, deposed as she may well be as we speak. Are you willing to have your future relegated to a sideshow, mocked by the people who run this company, or do you want to ensure that women continue to get the respect they deserve and that the Diamond’s Championship remains equal to the Imperial Championship like it deserves to be?
Roberto Verona: What about you, Xander?
{ The crowd cheers for Famularo as he crosses his arms and stares at Roberto sternly. }Roberto Verona: I know that you returned to help save this company by my side, and for that I thank you. But do not think I don’t see what is eating you up inside. I know that you want to be seen as your own man again, the same man who didn’t need to be at the side of other’s because he was leading the way and dictating the pace we all had to follow. We both know you can break through walls, but if those two leeches get there way, will you ever be able to achieve everything you need alone or will you always be reliant on the support of others to prevent those road blocks from getting bigger and bigger? Are you going to let them destroy your opportunity for legitimate competition, to truly prove yourself without the pointless hurdles tossed in your way through the fear and spite of an old man and his adopted son?
{ Roberto turns again, raising the mic closer to his lips. }Roberto Verona: Each of you see this as a choice between Roberto Verona and Simon de Montfort, but I am here to tell you that’s not true. When I look around this ring I see men and women I have wronged, who have no reason to love me or wish to see me survive this war, but I tell you now, this isn’t Verona vs. Simon, this is your right to a fair chance to succeed in every way you dream possible against a regime which will stifle your growth to keep their chosen favourites on top at your expense.
{ Verona turns again. }Roberto Verona: I am not asking you to rise up and fight for me, I am asking you, each and every one of you, to stand up and fight for yourselves. I built this company for all of you, so that you can pursue the same dream I did all those years ago, so that you can be what you want to be and receive a fair shot at glory instead of watching as the fat grow fatter and the richer go richer. The Rubicon has been crossed, make no mistake, whether you want to pick a side is now an irrelevance. You can either stand by me and fight for yourselves, or you can bow to Simon and accept servility. The choice is yours to make, just make sure you make the right one.
{ Verona drops the microphone and looks around at the roster, turning on the spot as he points at them, continuing to shout at them though we struggle to hear what he is saying as the roster stands in silence or talks among themselves. }Vasco Dias: Looks like the last roll of the dice.
Terri Moraso: Or perhaps, a rallying call, the question is, has he burned too many bridges in the past or will the roster leave old grudges behind to fight for their futures?
Vasco Dias: I don’t know, Morasco, but it seems the time to choose is now…
{ Verona continues to roar at the roster as IWF cuts to a commercial break. }Where do you stand? Are you on Team Simon de Montfort or Team Roberto Verona? Send a private message to the Simon de Montfort account to indicate which side you’d like to fight on, remember Simon’s friends are predominantly heels who want his favour to get ahead, and Verona’s are faces who want a fair and level playing field, but don’t let affiliation force you either way. This is your opportunity the placed into feuds that fit into the wider fed angle moving into the anniversary pay per view.----------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"Stalker"
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{We cut backstage to find Amber Richards arriving at the arena, her bag over her shoulder. Amber looks around and shivers feeling eyes upon her.}Amber: Hello?....
{There's no answer as Amber keeps walking down the deserted hallway, she stops and looks around her heart beating faster and harder.}Amber: This isn't funny..who's there?....
{Amber walks faster now, trying to get somewhere, anywhere with more people, she comes to a door and stops, hot breathe felt on the back of her neck, she spins around and finds no one. She shakes her head and walks through the dor into a crowded room feeling safer.}----------------------------------------------------------
MATCH
SINGLES MATCH
Alexis Caffrey vs Joanne Canelli
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Alison Valance: The following contest is scheduled for one fall…
{The house lights go down, as a spotlight goes over the crowd. As the spotlight comes to a stop at the back of the entrance way, as "Run This Town" begins to play. A picture of the Italian Flag appears on the screen with the letters F.B.I over the flag, with the words "FULL BLOODED ITALIAN" is written underneath. It soon changes to scenes of mob hits, newspaper clippings from just recent to the late 1900's, but soon changes once again, to shots of the Mafioso, sitting in a large office, and in limos, and in arena's from times since past. The spotlight focuses on four figures standing at the back of the ramp. This is Joanne and her bodyguards. They make their way down the ramp with Joanne in the middle with Reno and Rude on either side, and Scarpaci following behind, , talking among themselves ignoring the crowd around them.}Alison Valance: From the Jersey Shore, weighing 135 pounds…Joanne Canelli!
{When they reach the ring, Reno holds open the ropes for her, as she slips inside, only to follow behind and stand in the middle of the ring, around her. She removes her jacket, and hands it to one of the guys, before they head out of the ring.}Terri Morasco: This young lady has had a bit of a dry spell as of late, cultivating with a loss to Diamonds Champion, Ana Valentine.
Vasco Dias: And tonight she goes up against one of the crazy chicks in this federation Alexis Caffrey who a few nights ago was in the bloody match against Alice Pleasant and Ayla St. James, looking for redemption of her own.
Alison Valance: And her opponent…
{“Cult of Love” by Living Colour hits the sound system with a slow piano theme. The drums beat as "Cult of Personality" is mashed in just as Alexis and Mike walk out onto the stage. Mike steps back and lets Alexis pose for the cheering crowd as he claps along with them, urging on his girlfriend. Alexis heads to the ring followed by Mike as she is announced.}Alison Valance: Making her way to the ring, from Cleveland, Ohio, weighing in at 115 pounds, Alexis Caffreeeey!!!
{She gets to the ring and climbs up on the apron and into the ring. She heads to the corner opposite the entrance ramp as Mike climbs onto the apron to give her words of encouragement and further instruction.}Terri Morasco: There’s a definite size advantage for Canelli in this match. She’s about nine inches taller and 20 pounds heavier.
Vasco Dias: That doesn’t mean anything nowadays Terri. The fact of the matter is both these girls have a mean streak and look to show it off for the world tonight on Sacrifice.
{The bell rings as Laszlo drops down from the apron to the floor and looks on.}Terri Morasco: The technically skilled Alexis against the more powerful Joanne.
Vasco Dias: Technical prowess is my favorite.
Terri Morasco: You’re supposed to be unbiased.
Vasco Dias: People are supposed to be a lot of things…doesn’t mean they are.
{The two women circle the ring before locking up in the center of it but quickly, Joanne shoves Alexis onto her backside. Alexis lands and quickly rolls up to her feet, shooting a glare at the Jersey Devil Diva.}Terri Morasco: Strength shown by Joanne on that exchange.
{The two lock up again but this time it is Alexis breaking the grip of Joanne before leaping up and connecting with a swift Dropkick to the face. Alexis is back to her feet as Joanne gets to her knees and rubs her jaw.}Vasco Dias: Picture perfect Dropkick.
{Joanne gets in the face of Alexis who returns the favor. The two jaw-jack for a moment before Joanne halls off and slaps Alexis in the face, sending the pint sized young lady to a knee, holding her face. A smirk comes over Joanne as Alexis tilts her head to the side and starts breathing more rapidly. She turns on a dime and Lou Thesz Presses Joanne, grabbing her by the hair and slamming the back of her head into the mat repeatedly.}Vasco Dias: HERE WE GO!
Terri Morasco: We saw this a couple weeks ago in her match with Shelly the Bod. She has a viciousness to her.
{The referee finally pulls Alexis off of Canelli who rolls around holding the back of her head. Alexis side-steps the referee and halls off with a punt style kick, connecting with the ribs of Joanne, sending her rolling a few times toward the ropes. Alexis, hot in pursuit, goes to grab hold of Canelli who grabs her by her clothes and sends her through the ropes to the outside.}Terri Morasco: That’s one way to cool her off.
Vasco Dias: She needs a minute to think of her strategy.
{As Alexis gets to her feet, doubled over, Canelli charges and hits a hard kick to the side of the head that sends Alexis back to the floor, flipping over once backwards. Joanne rolls into the ring as the referee continues his count which is up to three.}Terri Morasco: Joanne might have just won this with that vicious kick to the side of the head.
Vasco Dias: The referee is now up to five and Alexis is barely starting to move.
{The referee calls out six as Alexis starts to grab the apron skirt. He gets up to eight before she pulls herself up and nine before she rolls into the ring under the bottom rope. Joanne glares before laying the boots to the back of Alexis.}Vasco Dias: Maybe she should have stayed on the outside.
Terri Morasco: The Jersey Devil Diva is wearing out Alexis with these stomps to the back.
{Joanne pulls Alexis to her feet and lock both arms up with a Double Underhook before hitting her with repeated knees to the chest. Joanne then latches onto the neck of Alexis, looking for a DDT when Alexis counters with a Northern Lights Suplex, bending into a bridge…only to get a two count.}Terri Morasco: Great move by Alexis to counter the DDT.
Vasco Dias: Both are down, the first to her feet might get a huge advantage in this match.
{Both are slow to their feet when Alexis charges Joanne and leaps in the air. It looks like Joanne has her caught until Alexis swings her legs down and hits a huge DDT to the roar of the crowd.}Terri Morasco: The Graceful Letdown out of nowhere by Alexis Caffrey!
Vasco Dias: She definitely does that better than Laszlo.
Terri Morasco: Both are down though and Alexis may be too worn out to capitalize.
{Both again are slow to their feet, Alexis getting up in the corner with a smirk on her face as she blows Joanne a kiss and charges in, looking for her “Kiss Goodnight” Spinning Double Knee Jawbreaker. She leaps up and spins but lands hard on her back as Joanne grabs hold of the top rope.}Vasco Dias: A counter to the Kiss Goodnight!
Terri Morasco: She has ten years of experience, and she knows what she’s doing in that ring.
{Alexis holds the back of her head as Joanne stalks her in the center of the ring. Alexis gets to her feet and turns toward Joanne who lifts the 115 pound girl on her shoulders like nothing. She turns toward the camera and screams and goes to hit the “Bull’s Eye” (Go To Sleep). As she throws Alexis up, Alexis contorts her body around Joanne and locks in the “Entanglement” submission hold (Black Widow) in the center of the ring.}Vasco Dias: An eye for an eye and a counter for a counter. Alexis has that hold locked in the center of the ring and there aren’t too many ways to get out of it.
Terri Morasco: Canelli looks like she’s fading here.
{Joanne collapses to a knee as Alexis pulls on her arm even more with a sadistic smile on her face screaming “TAAAAAAP!” at the top of her lungs. After a bit of fighting, Joanne realizes that she should live to fight another day and taps out to the hold, the bell ringing as Mike gets in the ring.}Alison Valance: Here is your winner via submission…Alexis Caffrey!
{Alexis holds onto the hold as Mike grabs her and forces her to let go.}Vasco Dias: There certainly is a mean streak in her…I dig it.
Terri Morasco: Ever since her abduction she’s been a slightly more off…more dangerous young woman.
{“Cult of Love” plays over the speakers as Alexis jumps up onto Mike and celebrates with a long kiss, exciting a few members of the crowd as the scene fades.}----------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT
"Gods and Monsters"
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{The door to the Ragnarok locker room swings back, slamming into the wall behind it with enough force to echo a loud 'thud' throughout the room. Alice and Nero, who are standing closest to it, appear almost oblivious as Ana Valentine enters, pausing, her eyes do a quick check of the room.
Scouting her target, she marches straight past the pair, passing Amber who sits on a small chair off to one side. Ana reaches her intended as he turns to lay eyes upon her. With a tight, controlled smile on his lips, Angel looks Ana up and down slowly. Ana throws her hands to her hips, clearly trying to maintain the same control her voice is slow... Measured.}
Ana Valentine: You wont succeed....
{Angel arches a brow, almost playing dumb as he looks at her, a quizzical expression marking his face.}
Ana Valentine: Mich-Spike is not the monster you want him to be... Not any more...
{Angels scoffs, breaking his silence with cold laughter. This appears to anger Ana who pulls her shoulders back, steeling herself.}
Ana Valentine: You may have taken his sworn allegiance... But - you will Not have him. You will Not control him.... You will NOT turn him back into a monster for your own sick purpose and gain!!
{Ana's voice rises with her temper until she is almost panting, her body pressed close to his, her face but a few inches from Angel's, who looms down over her... An oddly bemused but angry expression on his face.}
Angel: Who are you to speak to me?
{Angel leans further over her, Alice and Nero have now turned to watch, but Amber seems somewhat distracted, almost looking away.... Angel's hands clench into fists and Ana laughs, nodding her head.}
Ana Valentine: Do it Angel... DO IT! Hit me... Show me what a man you are and watch him turn from you in the process...
{Ana leans her head back to look up at Angel and laughs in his face, shrugging slightly. Angel turns away quickly and slams his hands down flat onto the table before them, staring down at it.}
Ana Valentine: He may have sworn himself to you...... But it's ME he needs....
{Ana turns and begins to walk away... For a moment she stops and looks at Amber. Who sits, quietly staring off in the other direction. For a moment, Ana looks as though she is going to express a sentiment of friendship, but she feels Angel's eyes upon her and her eyes narrow as she spits the words.}
Ana Valentine: BITCH!
{Ana then marches out of the locker room, slamming the door behind her as she came in.}
Well howdy there pardner.