The soft melody of ‘Crimson’ by Morcheeba begins to play throughout the arena as The Crimson Baroness steps out from behind the curtain; her top hat is tipped forward, covering her eyes slightly as she poses, resting both hands on the head of her cane. The crowd immediately begin booing and jeering, letting The Baroness know exactly what they think of her. She begins her slow walk to the ring, shrugging off the hatred with a sense of nonchalance.
Tony Allen: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is tonight’s main event! Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 124 pounds! She is… THE CRIMSON BARONESS!
She climbs up the ring steps, urging the referee to hold the ropes open for her before she steps in under the middle ropes; The Crimson Baroness removes her hat and places it delicately in the corner next to her cane before she waits for the match to begin.
Geoff Penzer: It is main event time here on this latest episode of Pride! The Crimson Baroness has been forced into this match after Emily Carter “Picked Her Poison.” That poison was none other than “Terrific” Terrence Tillman, the current number one contender to the APEX Championship. It wasn’t that long ago when these two were involved in a Six Man Tag. The Crimson Baroness not only low blowed Tillman which led to his team’s loss, but she low blowed him again and then locked him inside that vicious armbar of hers. Tillman claims to have forgiven her for her past transgressions. He can forgive all he wants. I just hope he doesn’t forget. That Crimson Baroness is a tricky one!
As the beginning horn sound that starts “Forever” blasts through the arena, Terrence Tillman runs out to the stage. Running back and forth shouting and waving his arms in the air motioning for the fans to get on their feet. He stops in the center and stretches his arms out to either side shouting “It’s Time” at the top of his lungs. Tillman starts his march to the ring with a smile on his face, slapping hands of the kids in the audience letting out an occasional “Wooo!” or “Yeah baby!”
Tony Allen: And her opponent! From Orlando, Florida Weighing in at 230 pounds! He is “TERRIFIC”... TERRENCE… TILLMAN!
Geoff Penzer: The T-Unit is being represented well tonight by this hot crowd here in Winston-Salem! We are a little under two months away from his encounter with Nest, the current APEX Champion. We all know how close Tillman was to capturing the championship at 3rd Strike. Some would say he had the match won. But Tillman’s got to be careful. The Baroness has dealt out more than her fair share of damage to members of this roster. I wouldn’t put it past her to put Tillman on the shelf and then maneuver her way into that championship match.
Tillman rolls into the ring under the bottom rope and runs to each corner pointing to the fans, clapping his hands, and feeding off the crowd’s reaction.
The bell sounds as Tillman and The Crimson Baroness circle the ring before locking up. The Baroness quickly gains the advantage with a side headlock. But Tillman is able to shove her off of him and into the ropes. When the Baroness comes back, Tillman knocks her down with a shoulder block. He quickly drops down into a lateral press.
ONE!
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The Crimson Baroness kicks out.
Tillman picks up the Baroness and places her in a side headlock. But the Baroness is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock from behind. She then forces his arm up from behind, applying pressure to the shoulder. Tillman can be seen cringing in pain while the Baroness is savoring every moment of seeing Tillman in his current state. But Tillman is able to reverse with a drop toe hold, sending Baroness down to the canvas. He quickly hops down and applies a grounded side headlock. But the Baroness is able to slip out and reverse into another hammerlock. The ref gets down and asks Tillman is he wants to give up. But Triple T refuses to quit. He then gets back to his feet, reaches back, grabs the Baroness with his free arm and throws her down with a snapmare.
Tillman takes off into the ropes as the Baroness gets back to her feet. When Tillman returns, the Baroness leap frogs over him. Tillman then continues to run into the ropes. When Tillman comes back, Baroness stops him with a kick to the midsection. She then quickly grabs Tillman’s left arm and delivers an arm wrench. After applying pressure to the arm, she turns and delivers another arm wrench to boos from the crowd. The Baroness delivers a third arm wrench and goes to follows up with a hook kick. But Tillman reaches up with his free arm and catches her leg. The Baroness hops up and down while Tillman keeps a hold of her leg. She reaches out and takes wild swipes at Tillman. But Triple T easily avoids the blows. He then spins Baroness around. But Baroness uses the momentum to nail him with a spinning back fist, knocking him down to boos from the crowd. The Baroness quickly drops down and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman kicks out.
Geoff Penzer: Tillman got rocked by that spinning back fist. As much as I’m sure he enjoyed taunting the Baroness, he’s got to quickly take advantage when he’s in the ring with someone as crafty as she is.
The Baroness picks up Tillman and delivers another arm wrench to the left arm. But Tillman quickly rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. He then takes Baroness and whips her into the ropes. When The Baroness comes back, Tillman throws her down with a hip toss. The Baroness returns to her feet, but Tillman returns her to the mat with an arm drag. He quickly applies an armbar as the crowd cheers. The ref asks her if she wants to give up. But The Baroness quickly starts whining and moaning that Tillman pulled her hair. So the ref breaks up the move and scolds Tillman for pulling her hair. But Tillman protests, claiming that he did no such thing. The crowd continues to boo as Baroness gets up and gingerly touches her scalp. She can be seen mouthing “my poor scalp” before pouting.
Geoff Penzer: “My poor scalp” Who is she fooling? The referee, apparently. She can turn on the charm just as quickly as she can turn on the waterworks.
Tillman looks over at Baroness and just shakes his head. After the Baroness tells the ref that she’s “fine,” the two competitors circle the ring. They then inch forward before engaging in a collar & elbow tie up. But Tillman quickly uses his strength advantage to move Baroness into the ropes. From there, the ref gives them both until the count of five to break the hold.
Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…
Both grapplers make a clean break. But The Baroness turns to the ref and again accuses Tillman of pulling her hair. So the ref goes over to Tillman and scolds him for the illegal tactics. But Tillman stands his ground and continues to deny doing such a thing. When he turns his attention back to the Baroness, she knocks him down with a savate kick. The crowd boos as she makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman kicks out.
Geoff Penzer: Tillman nearly got his block knocked off with that martial arts style kick. Triple T really needs to get it together in there. I know he’s hot over the Baroness playing that ref like a fiddle. But he can’t fall into her traps.
Baroness picks up Tillman, moves him into the corner and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest. She then moves him out of the corner before whipping him into the far ropes. When Tillman comes back, the Baroness runs forward and nails him with a knee to the midsection. While Triple T’s doubled over, Baroness turns and heads into the ropes. When she comes back, she throws out a scissors kick. But Tillman moves out of the way. He quickly grabs Baroness from behind and locks her in the TTO as the crowd roars with cheers.
Geoff Penzer: This one could be over right here. He’s got the cobra clutch cinched in!
The Crimson Baroness quickly reaches out and grabs the ref by his shirt. But Tillman isn’t about to play that game. So he pulls back, breaking the Baroness away from the ref. But Tillman inadvertently pulls them close to the ropes. So the Baroness quickly reaches over and grabs the top rope. The crowd boos as the ref has no choice but to start a five count.
Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…
Tillman reluctantly breaks the hold. He then pushes Baroness’s back before stepping back towards the center of the ring. The frustration is written all over his face. When the Baroness looks back and sees it, she can’t help but to smirk.
Geoff Penzer: Yeah, she’s all in Tillman’s head. She knows it and she’s enjoying every second of it.
Both grapplers circle the ring. They then inch towards each other and motion for a lock up. But the Baroness changes her mind and opts for a kick to the gut. While Tillman’s doubled over, she quickly grabs him by the left arm and brings him down with a rolling cross armbar.
Geoff Penzer: Oh there it is! The Subjection! We’ve seen her injure many LDFC wrestlers with that hold! Will Tillman be next!?
The crowd boos as the Baroness tries to hyperextend Tillman’s arm. But Tillman wisely keeps his hands locked together. So Baroness begins yanking back as she tries to break Tillman’s grip. But Tillman’s able to keep his hands locked. He then rolls over towards the ropes and places his leg across the bottom rope, forcing the ref to start a five count.
Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…
The Baroness reluctantly breaks the hold. Once Tillman gets back to his feet, the Baroness holds up her hand and keeps her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. Tillman rolls his eyes in response.
The two competitors circle the ring. They go to lock up. But again, the Baroness kicks Tillman in the midsection. After a knife edge chop, she takes Tillman and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending the Baroness into the ropes. When she comes back, Tillman throws out a clothesline. But Baroness ducks and runs into the far ropes. When she comes back, she connects with a dropkick, sending Tillman stumbling back. So Baroness gets back up, runs over and connects with another dropkick. This time, the dropkick sends Tillman tumbling through the ropes. As The Pride of LDFC pulls himself up on the apron, the Baroness goes over to knock him off. But Tillman ducks and counters with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He then grabs the Baroness and goes for a vertical suplex to the outside. But Baroness slips down from behind and lands on her feet. She then tries to yank Tillman off the apron, but he hangs onto the top ropes. After kicking Baroness in the face with his free leg, he backflips off, lands behind Baroness and then brings her down with with an inverted sitout DDT. The crowd roars with cheers as the Baroness is down.
Geoff Penzer: Triple DDT on the floor!
Tillman gets up and begins shaking his left arm. He then picks up the Baroness and rolls her back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!
The Crimson Baroness gets her foot on the bottom rope. The crowd sighs, then boos over the Baroness escaping the three count.
Geoff Penzer: That is as close as you can get. The Baroness is lucky that she was that close to the ropes.
Tillman picks up the Baroness and whips her into the corner. He runs across the ring, but the Baroness nails him with a boot to the face. After Tillman turns and staggers away from the corner, the Baroness runs up from behind and brings him down with a bulldog. She makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman kicks out.
The Baroness picks up Tillman and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending her into the ropes. When The Baroness returns, Tillman sets up for a back body drop. But Baroness counters with a kick to his left shoulder. Tillman yelps as he stands up. The Baroness then runs over, leaps up and plants him with a jumping DDT. The crowd boos as she makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.
The Baroness picks up Tillman, brings him into the corner and slams him face first into the top turnbuckle. After turning him around, she nails him with a knife edge chop. She then takes him and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending her into the opposite corner. He then runs across the ring and goes for a Corner Splash. But The Baroness scurries out of the way…
… but unbeknownst to her, Tillman lands safely on the middle ropes. When the Baroness turns around, Tillman jumps off, turns and goes for a cross body. But the Baroness rolls out of the way, causing Tillman to crash onto the canvas. He tries to get up, but the Baroness quickly knocks him down with a Scissors Kick. The crowd boos as she makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!
Tillman gets his shoulder up.
Geoff Penzer: Tillman may have gotten his shoulder up. But that scissors kick definitely did some damage to his neck...
Baroness picks up Tillman, delivers five knees to the midsection and then plants him with a snap DDT.
Geoff Penzer: … and so did that DDT! She makes the cover!
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
Tillman gets his shoulder up. The Crimson Baroness then looks over at the ref and slams her hand three times.
The Baroness pulls up Tillman onto his knees and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest before taking off into the ropes. When she comes back, she nails Tillman with a Shining Apprentice. The crowd boos as she makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
Tillman gets his shoulder up. The Crimson Baroness glances over at the ref and gives him an annoyed look.
Geoff Penzer: The Baroness now starting to get frustrated that she can't quite put Tillman away.
The Baroness marches over into the corner and begins to feverishly untie the string on the top turnbuckle.
Geoff Penzer: She’s trying to expose that steel turnbuckle! She couldn’t put Tillman away so now she’s getting desperate!
The crowd continues to boo as the Baroness continues to untie the ropes. But before she can rip off the turnbuckle pad, Tillman hooks her arms from behind and delivers a release tiger suplex. The crowd cheers as the Baroness looks to be down and out. But just then, she slowly pushes herself up off the canvas. As she gets up on one knee, Tillman runs from out of the corner and nails her with a Shining Black. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.
Geoff Penzer: The Baroness caught Tillman’s boot right in her face! But she was still able to avoid the three count,
Tillman picks up the Baroness and whips her into the ropes. When she comes back, Tillman knocks her down with a dropsault. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.
Tillman picks up the Baroness and goes for a vertical suplex. But the Baroness slips down from behind. She then nails him with a forearm to the back of the neck before she turns and runs into the ropes. When the Baroness comes back, Tillman knocks her down with a spinning heel kick. After dragging her into position, Tillman heads into the corner and connects with a double jump moonsault.
Geoff Penzer: The Terry-sault! That could be enough for three!
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
The crowd sighs, then boos as after The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.
Geoff Penzer: Oh, so close!
Tillman picks up the Baroness and whips her into the ropes. When the Baroness returns, Tillman sets up for a back body drop. But she counters with a knee lift. As Tillman staggers back, the Baroness turns and runs back into the ropes. When she comes back, Tillman knocks her down with the Chin Checka. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!
The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.
Geoff Penzer: How was that not three!?
As Tillman pulls up the Baroness, she rakes him across the eyes. She then sets him up for another snap DDT. The crowd boos as the Baroness savors the moment. But Tillman counters with a standing double leg takedown. He then hooks his arms around the Baroness’ legs and leans back, catapulting her into the corner. Tillman then gets up and waves his arms up and down, getting the T-Unit hyped up. After taking a few steps back, Tillman charges forward and leaps into the corner for a Corner Splash. But the Baroness pulls off the top turnbuckle pad, exposing the steel turnbuckle. Tillman then crash chest first onto the turnbuckle.
Geoff Penzer: Tillman!
Tillman immediately doubles over and clutches his chest. He staggers back into the Baroness, who turns him around, hooks his arms and plants him with Dom’d. The crowd boos as she makes the cover with a smirk on her face.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!
“Crimson” blares throughout the arena as the crowd boos the outcome.
Tony Allen: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, THE CRIMSON BARONESS!
The Baroness gets her arm raised to boos from the crowd.
Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness sneaks away with another win. It seems as if everything was coming together for Triple T. He had the match right there. But she was able to pull that turnbuckle off at the last second. I hope he didn’t hurt himself too bad there. And… wait a minute. What’s this? The Crimson Baroness has got a mic. What’s this about!?
The Crimson Baroness: Cut the music!
She demands, not even needing to use the microphone to be heard. A quick double tap of the mic in her hand lets The Baroness know that she can continue, as soon as the crowd quiets down. After nearly ten seconds of her pacing around the ring, the crowd finally begin to stop booing.
The Crimson Baroness: I’d like to take a moment to address someone backstage. You’ll remember that tonight was supposed to be some sort of humbling experience for me. That after two weeks ago on Pride, when that hoodlum Jensen Banks attacked me after our match…
A cheer from the crowd.
The Crimson Baroness: And sent me to Bank Shot City…
The term is said with derision, but the crowd cheer again regardless. The Baroness stands tall in the center of the ring, shaking her head dismissively before continuing.
The Crimson Baroness: And I had to watch as someone else became the new holder of the Carolina Cup. That string of bad luck was supposed to continue tonight when Terrence Tillman, the Pride of LDFC was supposed to humble me in this ring. He was supposed to beat me, to humiliate me, to get revenge for all the wrongdoings I’ve perpetrated against him over the past few months.
Pause.
The Crimson Baroness: …well that didn’t quite go according to the plan did it, Brat?!
She says, coldly. A sneer crosses The Baroness’ face as she looks up the aisle towards the backstage area; the fans continue to boo her as she speaks. A shot of Tillman making his way back up the aisle is shown with the help of the ref. Triple T is still favoring his torso.
The Crimson Baroness: Except now, after I’ve survived your poison … it’s time to turn the tables. You see, like Emily Carter was allowed to pick my opponent tonight, I too am allowed to pick her opponent for the next episode of Pride. And here’s another time where we differ, Brat. While you tried to pick someone who hates me, who’d have incentive to break me physically, I’m going a different route.
Geoff Penzer: What does she mean a different route?
The Crimson Baroness: There’s nobody here in LDFC who hates you nearly as much as I do, and you’re not ready to step into the ring with me yet. You don’t deserve the pleasure and the privilege of facing the fastest rising star here in LDFC. And until you are ready, until you deserve that opportunity, I don’t want to see you physically broken…
She pauses again, moving away from the ropes to stand in the center of the ring, looking at the hard camera.
The Crimson Baroness: …but I’ll see you torn, nonetheless. Because your opponent on the next episode of Pride isn’t someone you hate, nor is it someone who hates you. Quite the opposite in fact … because in two weeks time, Brat, you’ll be facing Jensen Banks!
A loud boo from the crowd this time as The Baroness cackles in delight.
Geoff Penzer: Emily Carter vs. Jensen Banks?! We know those two are very good friends, but now they’re going to find themselves as opponents!
The Crimson Baroness: And, Brat… there's a catch. I’m not one to rob these fans of a spectacle, so our dear, sweet, chivalrous Jensen can't lay down for you. And as much as, I’m sure, you’d love to have Jensen on top of you, you can't lay down for him, either. Enjoy your poison…
“Crimson” by Morcheeba begins playing again as The Crimson Baroness climbs out of the ring, heading backstage accompanied by a chorus of boos from the fans in attendance. A wide smile on her face as she strides confidently up the aisle.
Geoff Penzer: There we have it, folks. In two weeks time we’ll see Jensen Banks going one on one with the current holder of the Carolinas Cup, Emily Carter. Be sure to tune in then to catch that and much more, until then, I’m Geoff Penzer, signing off!