Free-1 III Promo Thread

[noname1525]

Berry Bishop was pacing back and forth backstage when Artemis Evans walked up to her. As soon as Berry saw her, she immediately glanced over her shoulder for the rest of the Queendom, which caused Artemis to chuckle.

"Don't worry, Thea and Myra have bigger things to worry about right now. No, I'm here with a proposition for you. See, our final match in the Free-1 is coming up, and unfortunately, my path to the top of the block is far from clear. And you are one of the obstacles in my way. So I'm willing to make you a deal. All you'd have to do is lay down for me on Friday. You give me those two points quickly, and that greatly improves my chance of winning the block. Now, if you're anything like me-"

"I'm not." Berry cut in sharply.

Artemis gritted her teeth, but continued. "Perhaps, but if you were, you'd be wondering how you benefit from this deal, and so I'll tell you. The Queendom would owe you a favor. No strings attached, no expiration dates. If you ever want something done, but don't want to dirty your innocent little hands doing it yourself, just give us a call and we'll handle it for you. We don't even have to tell anyone that you put us up to it."

Berry opened her mouth to reply, but stopped as Artemis put a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to answer right now, just think it over before our match, and if you decide to accept, you'll know what to do when that bell rings."

Berry shurgged off Artemis' hand and squared up to her. "I don't need to wait that long to make my decision Artemis, the answer is no. I don't want you or your Queenie Meanies to owe me anything, if you want those two points, you're going to have to do it yourself."

She turned to walk away, but Artemis grabbed her wrist. "Jerry's already won the A block," she said, any hint of warmth gone from her voice. "Do you want him to win the Free-1 too? And if you don't, do you think you can beat him if you make it to the finals?"

Artemis let go, and Berry walked away, clearly shaken by Artemis' last statement. And as she walked away, she was unaware of Artemis biting her lip as she watched her go.

[marileeg17]

Backstage, Marcus is alone in the locker room when Dasha Banks approaches, camera nowhere in sight. His back is to the door however so he doesn't hear her come in at first as he continues mumbling to himself.

MAJ: I gave everything I had for this tournament. I ask for one thing. One thing and Houston backs down. Maybe, maybe Aaron, Jace and I should take another approach, an unsanct--

Marcus pauses as he catches Dasha out of the small mirror in his locker. He turns around and she smiles him, though there is concern written on her face.

MAJ: Dasha...How long have you been here?

Dasha shuffles her feet while looking at the ground for a few moments. She looks back up at Marcus.

DB: Long enough to hear you planning something you shouldn't be...

Marcus sighs. MAJ: Look, you saw those guys out there. They ruined the Free-1. Now, as much as I'm happy to see Berry finally get her hands on her slimeball brother, Jace got screwed out of an opportunity. Those guys did to the Free-1 what TakeOver did the first time around and I can't stand for it. I got screwed out of my own chance thanks to the Queendom but at least they are on the roster. These other guys, I kept getting told they have no business being here and yet they still keep being here. And if Houston isn't going to handle it, if he's not going to keep his house in order. If I have to take matters into my own hands...

Marcus begins to stand up, but stops as he feels a slight twinge in his knee. It doesn't go unnoticed by Dasha, who frowns.

DB: You don't have to do this. You shouldn't. I, I won't tell Jim what you're planning but please reconsider. Your knee is just starting to get better but now you're going to put yourself in a situation where the Queendom can take advantage of you and put you back to square one? I know I asked you this before and I know what your answer was but that was the tournament. That was when you still stood a shot at winning the Free-1. But now? Things are different. Tell Williams and Mason to find a new partner. Take the night off. Rest up and come back stronger. You don't have to do this.

Marcus reflects for a few moments as he starts to take his knee brace off. He turns back to Dasha, a look of almost desperation in his eyes.

MAJ: That's where you're wrong. I HAVE to do this...After I lost to Evans, after the numbers game played its karmic trick on me, I went for my usual post match check up and you know what the doc told me? He told me to quit. And I heard the guys on commentary tonight, wondering why I hadn't. Honestly...I almost did. I came back through that curtain and stood outside of Houston's office for what felt like hours, waiting for him to come out. Waiting for the courage to go in. I was going to tell him...I was going to pull out of the Free-1.

Dasha looks at him, a surprised reaction on her face.

MAJ: But as I stood there, as time went by, backstage stagehands came up to me one-by-one thanking me. Telling me they respected me. Were inspired by me fighting through the pain. Even some of the guys in the back said they never could have done it. So I thought to myself, who would I be if I didn't wrestle my last match? This whole Free-1 has been a quest of self-discovery. I've had to adapt. Learn how to wrestle a totally different style. Contemplate the what ifs. What if I injured my knee so badly it ended my career? What if I risked it all just to lose in the end? What if I was wrestling just to have an excuse that I lost because of the injury not because others were better? What if...I knew that when the Free-1 was over, I needed to be able to look into the mirror, face myself and answer the question, "was it all worth it?" And the moment I knew the answer was yes, was the moment I knew I had to finish what I started. But after beating Russ, I really did think my Free-1 was over. I wasn't expecting to be back in action but here we are. As soon as I saw those thugs attacking Jace, I had no other choice. Was I risking my knee by going out there? Probably. Am I risking my knee by taking this match with the Queendom? Most likely. But is it all still worth it? Absolutely, 100 percent is. I live to wrestle. It's who I am and it's in my blood. And if having the opportunity to take down one faction that doesn't play by the rules leads to me getting my hands on the other? Well then, I consider it my duty to step up and prevent another TakeOver from plaguing this place I've come to call home.

Dasha stares at Marcus for a few seconds before asking another question that has been on her mind. She takes a deep breath.

DB: Berry is going to give everything she has when she takes on Jerry, but...if it's not enough...and he wins the Free-1...and goes into Judgment Day able to pick his challenger...

Dasha pauses to collect her thoughts and compose herself. She takes another deep breath as she looks at Marcus intently.

DB: I guess what I'm trying to say is, your golden ticket...It expires after Judgment Day. And now...If Berry can't beat him this time around, I'm not sure who else can, so what I'm trying to say is, will you finally use that opportunity to get a title match before the end of the year?

Marcus looks back at Dasha, confliction on his face.

MAJ: I'm not gonna lie, things have changed now. I was so sure I'd win the Free-1. That I'd earn my title match. But...it didn't happen. I couldn't even win my block. There are tons of guys so much more deserving and I'm teaming with two of them on August 31st at the finals. I still don't know how I feel about jumping the line but like I said, things are different now. This metaphorical ticket, it's all I've got left. I can't give you an answer right now though. I don't have one. My focus isn't on the world title. It's on ridding this place of a cancer that has seeped through our walls. So should Judgment Day come and go without me cashing in my title shot, I think I can be at peace with that so long as Lightbody and his cronies are gone for good.

Dasha nods her head in understanding.

MAJ: If it's not me, I promise you though, someone will get to use that golden opportunity. I'm not sure how yet but I promise you if Jerry wins the Free-1, that ticket will be cashed in. He'll get his hand-picked challenger at Judgment Day...should he last that long.

Dasha looks confused. DB: What exactly are you saying?

Marcus takes a deep breath. MAJ: I'm saying, should Jerry win on Monday, he will have his Judgment Day title match but only if he wins his other title defense that comes beforehand. Because no matter what Houston has planned, if Jerry wins the Free-1, he'll have one more title defense to worry about.

Dasha still looks confused but Marcus just smirks and grabs her hands in his.

MAJ: Trust me, all reigns of terror come to an end. All dictators fall. Nothing lasts forever. In the end, I have a big decision to make, one that could change everything. But I know no matter what I decide, things will work out in the end. Everything will come crashing down and there will be a new FPW, one that isn't remade in any one person's image. I'm going to make sure of that.

[ticktock]

Aaron Williams walks up to a door and sighs. He pauses for a moment before nodding and stepping through to see Dasha Banks sat in a chair checking her hair with a spare chair next to her. The cameras and lights are set up and ready to go.

DB: Hey, Aaron. Thanks for coming along.
AW: Always a pleasure, Dasha.
DB: I know the Free-1 didn't exactly go how you wanted it to and I know Houston didn't-
AW: It's okay. I'll answer any question you have. I talked a lot about winning the Free-1 and didn't manage it. Now I have to talk about failing and I'm okay with that.
DB: If you're sure.
AW: I'm sure.

Dasha gives Williams a smile and turns to the camera. Ted gives her a silent countdown.

DB: Ladies and gentlemen welcome to freedomprowrestling.com. I'm joined today by Aaron Williams to discuss the Free-1, his reaction to what happened at the end of yesterday's show and what comes next for Aaron Williams. Aaron, first of all, how are you today?
AW: I'm doing okay, Dasha. I'm not going to lie- I'm a little bruised, both physically and ego...ic...ly, but I'm ready to move forward and eager to get back in the ring on Monday.

DB: Let's talk about your match on Monday. You team with Jace Mason and Marcus Allen Jones to face The Queendom. That's quite the team.
AW: The Queendom are a very dangerous team too. I want to acknowledge that to begin with. I've lost to both Thea Donovan and Artemis Evans in the past and, while I haven't had the pleasure of a singles match against Myra Lopez, I have faced her in the All Star Tag Team Classic and I know she's a good technician. But what a team! Jace and I know one another well. I'd consider him my best friend here in FPW and I think we make quite the tag team. Add Marcus Allen Jones into the mix, who I have to say might be my favourite FPW opponent, and we make what some might call a dream team. That match ought to be something special.

DB: You go into it with both Marcus and Jace carrying injuries. Are you the man to carry the load in that match?
AW: I don't know. Marcus and Jace won't be competing if they're not physically ready. I'm the veteran of this team and I will make sure that they won't compete unless they're properly ready. Both of them will try to fight through anything but I know what kind of impact that can have on the body. People forget how young those two are because of how good they are and what they've both managed to achieve but they have a lot of years ahead of them and I won't let them ruin their careers now by having matches they don't need to have. If we have this match, we have it with all three of us ready to do whatever we need to do.

DB: I'm glad you're excited for the match, but, being honest, it's not really the match you wanted, is it?
AW: Being completely honest, no. I'd have liked to get my hands on Parker, Si and Armondo, but Jim Houston made his decision and, after I've had some time to calm down, I respect it. He has his reasons and he signs our paycheques, so I have to go with his decisions.

DB: But if he changed his mind, you'd like to face them?
AW: I would. I was the first guy they came after. I think they did it because I've been on a few shows with them in the past and I've always called out their bullshit. Nine years ago I wrestled on a show in England, the first time I'd been over there, and they were on that show. Parker was in the main event getting a title match and Armondo and Si were teaming together in the semi-main. I was an opening act guy and nobody knew who I was, so I kept my mouth shut and watched as all three of them, with Lightbody backing them up with some kind of legal crap, went to the promoter and held him up for the entire show's takings. They told him they'd walk out- and this was during the match before Armondo and Si were due to go on- if they didn't get the entire ticket money. What could he do? They were big draws back then and people were there to see them. If he said no and tried to rearrange things, most of the crowd would demand refunds and he'd probably never sell another ticket. This wasn't the time of Progress, RevPro, Fight Club: Pro and all of the big companies drawing a thousand people that are there now. So he caved. He lost a couple thousand that night and never ran a show again. And I vowed never to sit back and let something like that happen. Twice more I was booked on shows with them and each time I told the promoter what happened that first time. The promoters made us sign contracts and that stopped them, but they still ruined each show. First time out, they tried to hold the promoter up and he threatened them with legal action, so they went out there and lay down in all three of their matches, refusing to wrestle. Second time, they demanded a six-man tag with the three of them and they went to town on these local guys, bloodied them up really bad. Two of them quit wrestling that night, right there and then. I was one of the people who went down there to try and stop them and I got beat up pretty bad too. I know what they're capable of and I know why Houston doesn't want anything to do with them, but I also know that Jace and Marcus have just as much motivation as I do to teach these guys a lesson in the only language they understand. I hope we get the chance.

DB: Wow. If you don't mind, I'd like to pivot to the Free-1. You vowed to win the tournament, but you came up short. How do you feel knowing that you'll be watching the final rather than participating.
AW: I don't feel great about it. I vowed to win this tournament for a couple of reasons. One of them was because I felt that Jerry Bishop being FPW Champion was partly my fault. After he beat up his sister at Judgement Day II, I was the guy he faced a few times and he beat me twice. He went into the Mania weekend tournament with all the confidence of beating me and then he came up against me again in the semi-finals and I couldn't stop him. I had chances to stop him from getting to a title match and I blew it. That man is my total opposite and I felt it was my responsibility to stop him. So I wanted to win the Free-1 and earn a shot at him. Without that, I knew I wasn't getting one because I didn't deserve one. The other reason was for myself. I came here as this hyped former indy guy coming back to the scene. There was so much buzz when I came here, and I think I've lived up to some of it. I've had a lot of great matches here and that's my main criteria for judging success, but I haven't won titles. Back when I was touring the wrestling world in 2012, 2013 I needed multiple bags to carry the titles that I had at any one time. There was one time when I was ROH Champion and I held twelve titles- two from England, one from Japan, one from Mexico and the others from around the US. I measured my success in matches and in the memories that I gave the fans, but I got the chance to have those matches by being a champion. I wanted to feel that again. I wanted to win something big and have the chance to win something bigger. I wanted to main event the biggest show FPW has to offer. But I came up short. Again. It happens. I'll get over it and I'll find my next challenge.

DB: One more question. The first Freedom Fighters show is eight days away. How excited are you for FPW debuting on TV?
AW: I'm excited. A lot of these guys have never wrestled on TV before so it's a great chance for them. I know the pressures and the attention that can come with wrestling on TV and I think it'll be a great chance for these guys to learn. I'm looking forward to my first Freedom Fighters match and hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.

DB: Aaron, thank you so much for joining me today. I know it's difficult to talk about disappointments like this so I really appreciate your time. Best of luck on Monday.
AW: No worries, Dasha. It's always a pleasure talking to you.

TC: And that's it. Great job, Dasha. Thanks as always Aaron.

Dasha stands and removes her mic, Williams doing the same. She goes to leave but he grabs her arm.

AW: Hey, I just... I want you to know I tried. I'm sorry.
DB: I know you tried. Maybe... maybe nobody can.
AW: They can. Maybe Berry-
DB: I don't want to think about it. I just don't want to think about it.
AW: I get it. But she's good. She's a lot better now than she was too. Have faith in her.

Williams turns and walks away, going through the door and out of the room. Dasha watches and then turns, biting her lower lip and wringing her hands.

[veggieleezy]

*We see Berry Bishop backstage, practically vibrating with energy as Dasha Banks approaches. Berry leaps toward her, wrapping her in a massive bear hug. Dasha smiles and hugs her friend.*

DB: I am so proud of you, Berry, all the hard work you’ve put in this year has paid off, you’ve won your block of the Free-1!

BB: OHMYGOSHNESSIKNOW! I DID IT! I gotta go find Bo and Fozzie and thank them for all their help. And you, of course! It really helps when your best friend is right there rooting for you. I have so much respect for all my opponents, except maybe Artie and the Queenie Meanies. And “Not Matt Dwyer.” And certainly not MD-ICK. So maybe not all my opponents. But to everyone else, I hope there are no hard feelings.

DB: Well, now that you’ve won the block, you... um... you know that you...

*Dasha struggles to get the next words out, but they become stuck in her throat. Berry puts an arm around her shoulders and hugs her.*

BB: I know. I’m not looking forward to it either. But I think I’m ready. Heck, I was finally able to beat MDEvil, maybe this time I can do it?

DB: You know I have all the faith in the world in you, Berry, but... but what if you can’t? Who knows what he’s going to do? You’ve seen what he’s become, and as much as I hold onto some idiotic hope that he’ll change, he’s just getting worse. You’ve seen the mind games he’s been playing, you’ve seen what he did to everyone else, to Mr. Houston, to Aaron, to Kincaid, to Marcus, and he wasn’t even in the same block, to Bobby, and even CJ. I’m scared of what he might do to you now.

BB: That hope isn’t stupid, Dashie, I have that same hope too. I know it’s silly, but we both know that the real Jerry is still somewhere in there. But he has to get there on his own, we can’t try and fix him, not anymore. That wouldn’t be fair to any of us to force him to change. But he’ll get there. Even if I have to kick his head off in the process. Maybe I’ll shake something loose. And I think we both know what that hope really is.

*Dasha takes a deep breath and lets out a heavy sigh.*

DB: You’re right. I can’t help it, but I guess when you mean it, it’s something you can’t help. Thanks, Berry, that was surprisingly mature of you.

BB: *mocking surprise* Are you saying I’m immature, Dashie?

DB: No, I meant mature as in serious. Immature, debatable. But serious? You? Come on.

BB: Yeah, you’ve got me there.

*A voice is heard clearing their throat behind Berry. She and Dasha turn to see Thalia Colombina holding a plain envelope and her clipboard.*

TC: How quaint.


DB: What the hell are you doing here, you-

TC: Please, Miss Banks, name-calling is beneath us both. Her, on the other hand, clearly not.

*Dasha starts towards Thalia, but Berry holds her back.*


BB: Now’s really not a good time, you lousy Limey Lois Lane, so get on with it already. I’ve seen what he’s been up to. What sick joke did my brother tell you to bring me?

TC: “lousy limey...” Wordplay truly does run in your family. And despite my advice, Mr. Bishop insisted I simply give you this. No showmanship, no guff, no trappings, just this.

*Thalia gives the envelope to Berry. She takes it uneasily.*


TC: He also instructed that as soon as I deliver that to you, I’m to immediately depart, something I’m all too glad to do.

*Thalia turns on the spot and walks away, Dasha staring daggers at her.*


DB: That woman is nothing but trouble. I don’t trust her any further than you could throw her.

BB: Well, it’s been nice knowing you, Dashie.

*Berry tentatively opens the envelope and shakes out its contents, a single piece of paper with purple borders, onto the ground. Berry picks up the paper and unfolds it to reveal, written in purple fountain pen:*

“Berry-

Good luck.

-J”

BB: I don’t like this, he’s messing with me, I know a Trojan letter when I see one, and I’ve seen at least four. That’s why Fozzie handles my email accounts now...

DB: But what if... what if this is a sign? You saw that Blighty Bitch, she didn’t pull any fast ones on you, no mind games, no anything. And he didn’t even sign it “Joker”! Maybe this is the real Jerry leaking through... maybe there is still hope...

*Dasha begins to well up. Berry drops the letter to the floor and embraces her friend as the camera fades out.*

[botiatus]

Bo enters the arena for tonight's Free-1 finale. He heads towards Berry's locker room but just as he reaches the door it opens and Dasha steps out

Bo- "Giving her some last minute moral support huh"

DB- "Just doing what I can"

Bo nods as he moves past Dasha to the door but she grabs his arm. He sees the look in her eyes and releases the handle

Bo- "What's on your mind Dasha?"

Dasha looks uneasy as she avoids eye contact with Bo

DB- "I... I'm just worried. She's my best friend after all. I don't want to see her humiliated again. Are you sure she can win?"

Bo- "I can't answer that question Dasha. Sometimes you don't know what you can do until you just do it. But I promise you this, she has every tool that she needs to defeat her brother"

Dasha raises her eyes and meets Bo's gaze which is steeled and determined

Bo- "Look Dasha, you need have belief in Berry tonight. Whenever she looks over at you she needs to see confidence, not concern. And more importantly you know that asshole won't hesitate to use you as a distraction to help him win so you need to keep your emotions in check and not give him a chance to involve you in the match"

DB- "I know, I know. I promise I'll do my best. The last thing I want is Berry losing because of me. But I'm a bit confused, won't you be ringside tonight?"

Bo- "That's up to Berry. It's her fight and I'll let her fight it however she wants"

Dasha looks away until again but Bo grabs her arm bringing her gaze back to him

Bo- "I have faith in her. So have faith in her too"

Dasha nods and Bo says his goodbye before opening the door again and walking in. Berry can be heard excitedly greeting Bo as the door closes