Glory Braddock vs. Kemal Yilmaz

[Braddock]

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May 3rd, 2025
Birmingham, England
Off Camera
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Rebirth definitely did not turn out the way Glory Braddock had hoped. She was pinned by Selena Frost, which means Selena got the prestigious number forty spot while The British Bombshell will now have to go the distance, starting at the number one spot, if she hopes to win Taking Hold of the Flame and earn a World Championship Match. The only solace she can take away from this is the fact that at least Syren will not get that number forty spot. Still, that is a very small bit of comfort. As much as she despises Syren, Braddock ultimately wanted that win for herself. She knows that having that number forty spot is a huge advantage that she could have used. Now she must go the distance. She must go bell to bell at Taking Hold of the Flame and prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that she really is what she claims to be; The Best in the World. Still, Taking Hold of the Flame is in the future and The British Bombshell cannot afford to look past anything or anyone on her road to the flame, and that includes her opponent for the next Breakdown; Kemal Yilmaz. This isn’t the first time she heard from Kemal. She knows he has wanted a piece of The British Bombshell since his arrival in SCW. Now he gets his opportunity but, unfortunately for him, it will be on her home turf in her home of London, England. She will have the decided homefield advantage. Glory Braddock looks to get some momentum back in her corner with an impactful victory on Breakdown.

The fact that this Breakdown is in London makes this very convenient for Glory Braddock. She gets to return home and visit friends and family still living in England. It also gives her the perfect excuse to take care of some business that just isn’t personal, it has become professional as well. Braddock learned that her friend and president of her company, Frances Taylor, has decided to quit the company and, with financial support from a new boyfriend, is going to try and run Glory Braddock out of business. A corporate war against Frances Taylor isn’t what concerns Glory the most. She knows that Frances is far more experienced in the cutthroat corporate world than Glory Braddock is but, at the end of the day, her company isn’t the most important thing. Glory is far more concerned with her friendship with Frances Taylor. The last time she spoke to Frances, her old friend sounded bitter and angry. It seemed as if their friendship was at risk. Braddock is convinced that Frances’s new boyfriend, Dominic Sterling, is somehow responsible for corrupting her, for twisting her mind against her. She wants to talk to Frances, to try and convince her that she is in over her head, that this path she is taking is not right. But Frances will not listen, she won’t answer her phone. She has cut off Glory Braddock. Luckily for The British Bombshell, she has another friend, a mutual friend of herself and Frances, whom Glory knows she can trust; Frances’s sister-in-law, Melody Murphy.

The late afternoon light spilled through the tall windows of the Murphy estate, casting soft golden streaks across the polished oak floor. Outside, a soft drizzle kissed the well-manicured hedges and wrought-iron gates that marked the boundary of one of Birmingham’s most exclusive neighborhoods. Melody Murphy’s home stood like a modern-day fortress of elegance: restrained but regal. Inside, the warmth of the house softened the cool English air. The parlor was awash in muted earth tones, burnt umber, moss green, the deep grey of river stones. Everything in Melody’s home was designed to project effortless affluence: original art hung in quiet conversation on the walls, a baby grand piano rested in the corner like a sleeping animal, and not a speck of dust dared settle on the glass coffee table between the women. Glory Braddock sat in an ivory armchair with one leg tucked under the other, her posture relaxed but alert. She wore faded denim jeans, scuffed tan ankle boots, and a simple black cashmere sweater. Her blonde hair was pulled back loosely, strands falling forward to frame her lovely face. Melody, seated across from her on a velvet chaise, had taken a different approach to casual comfort. Her flowing burgundy blouse shimmered slightly under the lighting, paired with slim ivory trousers and bare feet tucked neatly beneath her. Her chestnut hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and a diamond tennis bracelet caught the light every time she lifted her teacup. She moved with the graceful ease of someone who had been born to luxury.

“I am so happy and surprised to see you stop by.” Melody says cheerfully.

“Well Breakdown is in London next week.” Glory says. “Makes it convenient to stop by for an unexpected visit, you know?”

“Ah, well that explains how I missed it.” She chuckles. “I’m not exactly a big wrestling person.”

“You say that despite marrying a wrestler.”

“A semi-retired wrestler.” Melody points out regarding her husband, Matthew Taylor. Yes, Matthew is Frances’s younger brother. Glory Braddock and Matthew were far closer friends than Glory and Frances were. Glory and Matthew were almost like siblings.

“Active, semi-retired, retired, does any of it really matter?” Braddock asks with a wry grin. “Fact is wrestling is in his blood. Besides, it isn’t just him. There’s your good friend who happens to be competing on Breakdown next week.”

“What good friend?” Melody asks playfully. Glory chuckles.

“Me, you dolt.”

“I know.” She smirks. “I’m just messing with you. But, uh, do I have to pay for my own tickets to go see you wrestle or will you gift me with some tickets?”

“Don’t worry, mate, I got both you and Matty covered.”

“Good to hear.” Melody nods her head. “I am fairly certain this will be the first time I’ve ever actually watched you in a professional wrestling match. I look forward to it.”

“I’m fairly certain it is NOT the first time you have watched me compete,” Glory winks “but that’s not important. What’s important is that I get to be right here in my home, England,, with all of my family, all of my longtime friends and supporters.” Glory sighs. “It is really good to see you, Melody. I mean that.”

“You’re being sentimental.” Melody arches a brow out of curiosity.

“So?”

“You’re never sentimental, especially when you talk about your…work.” Melody frowns. “Is something wrong? Has work been treating you bad?”

“If you mean SCW, yes.” Glory shrugs her shoulders. “The guy in charge…goes by CHBK…is being a real prick in terms of his booking. He put me in a decided disadvantage when challenging for the Adrenaline Title. Then he overlooked me and ignored me, refusing to book me. I had to call my own shot to even get on the most recent Rebirth card and even then he had to add a twist to the match that screwed me over in the end.” Braddock shakes her head. “But I can handle all of that. That’s not my real problem.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“Frances.”

“Huh?” Melody is taken aback at the mention of Frances Taylor. Frances is Melody’s sister-in-law by marriage but growing up, she and Frances and Glory were close friends. “What’s wrong with her?”

“I think the biggest problem with her is her new boyfriend. Have you heard about him?”

“Yes, she mentioned him to me once or twice.” Melody nods her head. “Dominic, I think.”

“Dominic Sterling.” Braddock says, nodding her head. “He’s wealthy too but his wealth comes from inheritance. He never actually earned a dime. But the real issue is what he’s been whispering into Frances’s ear.”

“What do you mean?” Melody asks curiously.

“She quit.” Glory states plainly. “She quit Glorious Golden Enterprise.”

“What?!” Melody instantly places her teacup down and stares in shock upon hearing this news. This isn’t just a matter of personal friendship now. Melody has invested a great deal of money in Glory’s company. The fact that Frances quit has certainly raised some red flags. “Why?!”

“Because I won’t let her have unchecked power to run the company as she sees fit.” Braddock rolls her eyes. “Apparently Dominic has her convinced that she can do far better than what I give her credit for, he has convinced her that if I won’t give her the unchecked power to run the company, that she should rebuild and restructure Taylor Enterprise and try and put ME out of business.”

“I hate to say this, Glory,” Melody says slowly, cautiously “but she has a point.”

“Are you kidding?!” The British Bombshell is surprised to hear this from Melody.

“Calm down, just hear me out. Frances is far more experienced in the corporate world than you. It’s what she was born to do. Compare it to yourself; you are one of the best wrestlers in the world because you were born into that life and raised to be a great wrestler. Frances was born into the corporate world and was expected to be a great businesswoman. She has all the knowledge and skill necessary to make Taylor Enterprise succeed. Had it not been for some bad luck and some economic downturn, she might have succeeded and not NEEDED to take on the role of president of YOUR company, working for YOU.”

“That’s a fair point. I had to learn about the corporate world in a trial by fire.” Braddock points out. “But still you do understand why I cannot trust her with unchecked power, right? She’s a friend but…” her voice trails off. Melody nods her head.

“I get it. You were betrayed multiple times by so many people since you started this company. It got to a point where you cannot trust anyone with that much power, even your friends. So yes, I understand.”

“Thank you.” Glory sighs. She looks away from Melody for a moment. This next question is going to be painful but it must be asked. “Melody, I hate to ask this, but if Frances does follow through on her threat to try and run me out of business…I mean, you are a friend to both of us. So whose side are you going to be on if this war does come to pass?” She shakes her head. “Sorry, but…”

“No need to apologize.” Melody smirks. “It isn’t like I have always been the symbol of moral purity. It is fair…and smart…for you to be skeptical. But I can assure you, Glory, that Frances never told me about any of this or any of her plans. This is the first time I have ever heard about it.”

“Fair.” Glory sighs with a hint of relief. “But are you going to remain committed to me, or…”

“Don’t worry. I made a financial commitment to your company, a company I believe in. I plan to keep that commitment and keep my word. Besides,” Melody smiles warmly “you are my friend and I swear to you that I will not betray you.”

“Thank you, mate.” Glory Braddock breathes a sigh of relief. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“Don’t mention it. And hey, just because she’s mad at you for whatever reason doesn’t mean that she is mad at me. I will try and reach out to her and see what she will tell me. Maybe I can talk her down from whatever cliff she’s on.” Melody holds up one finger. “But I do have ONE question about that Dominic guy.”

“Shoot.” Glory says. “Though I don’t know how much I can tell you.”

“It’s just that…Taylor Enterprises is really in the dumps, last I heard. And according to you, this Dominic guy is wealthy. Is Frances REALLY being funded by him? If so, how is he getting all of that money if it’s just from his inheritance? Does he have a company of his own or something?”

“According to Frances…” Glory shakes her head “...no, just his inheritance.”

“That makes no sense.” Melody furrows her brow. “I’ll look into it, see what I can find out. This Dominic guy sounds like bad news.”

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May 5th, 2025
London, England
Off Camera
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The sun had barely begun to rise over the rooftops of London, England, casting a faint pink blush across the horizon as fog clung low to the streets like a reluctant memory. Glory Braddock pulled into the gravel lot beside the Braddock Wrestling School, the tires of her charcoal-gray car crunching softly beneath her. She cut the engine and sat still for a moment, hands resting on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the building that had shaped so much of her past. Glory stepped out of the car, drawing her denim jacket tighter against the early chill. Her blonde hair was pulled into a practical ponytail, strands catching the golden light just beginning to filter through the fog. She wore plain black leggings, trainers, and a dark grey zip-up hoodie. She pulled out a key from her pocket and unlocked the door. The heavy steel protested with a groan as she pushed it open. Inside, the scent of old sweat, canvas, and liniment hit her like a memory too familiar to ignore. The fluorescent lights flickered to life above her, buzzing softly, illuminating the wide training space. There were two full-size wrestling rings set on opposite sides of the floor, their ropes slightly frayed and padding creased from years of punishment. Weight benches lined the far wall, flanked by squat racks and racks of free weights. Her footsteps echoed as she crossed the padded floor, eyes drifting upward to the rafters where the ceiling. She moved toward the office in the back, its frosted-glass door cracked open and faint light spilling from inside. It was then that she heard movement from the ring nearest the office. Glory turned and smiled. Mark O’Brian stood barefoot inside the ring, hoodie tied around his waist, black tank top clinging to a lean, muscular frame honed by decades of brutal matches and even rougher training routines. His long black hair was tied back into a messy tail, damp with sweat from his morning warm-up. He looked like a man born in the wrong century; eyes dark and defiant, built like a gladiator.

“You’re here early.” Mark remarks pointedly with a gravelly voice. “You’re just like your old man, ya know?”

“Thanks for that compliment.” Glory says beaming. “Dad always taught me to be the first one in the gym and the last to leave.”

“And that’s why you became the best.” Mark points out. “But come on, do ya really need this kind of extra training to beat some temperamental bitch named Kermit The Frog?”

“That’s Kemal Yilmaz.” Glory says, correcting him. “And dad also taught me to never take any match or any opponent for granted. So yes, I want to get in as much training and prep time as I can, especially for this match against Kemal. In case you haven’t noticed, luck has not exactly been on my side lately. I am fighting in my home, Mark, and the pressure is on to pick up a much needed win.”

“Ok, ya make a good point.” Mark says, nodding his head. He watches Glory as she slowly approaches the ring and then steps up onto the apron and then steps through the ropes and into the ring. Braddock instantly walks over and embraces him in a tight hug.

“God I’ve missed you, Mark!”

“Back at ya, Glory.” He says smiling. “And whatever ya did for my sister, for Sophie, thanks. Whatever it was that ya did, it helped. She’s been in much better spirits.”

“Hey, don’t mention it.” Glory considered telling him everything she now knows about Sophie but she opted not to. Yes, she learned a big secret about Sophie, that Sophie and Glory are half-sister with the same father, which also means Sophie and Mark are only half-siblings with the same mother. But Glory is fairly confident Sophie has yet to tell Mark this. Glory will keep her sister’s secret for now, at least until Sophie is ready to tell. Besides, Glory is here for a different purpose. She wants to work with Mark, get some sparring in before her match on Breakdown against Kemal.

“Now before ya kick me, punch me, or collar and elbow tie up me, or whatever the heck ya wanna do,” Mark begins “there is something else I wanna talk to ya about.”

“Oh?” Glory arches her brow out of curiosity.

“It’s some bad news about the school. Several students have dropped out.”

“So?” Glory shrugs her shoulders. “Stuff like that happens; we have our busy times and our slow times. It’s likely a phase.”

“No, this is different.” Mark shakes his head. “Cause see, I got this source…a student who really trusts me…now when these students were dropping out, like you I wasn’t bothered at first, but this student of mine recently came to me and told me that most of those leaving are all leaving for the same reason.”

“Why?”

“Someone is promising them a quicker and easier path into the wrestling business.” Mark states. “Quick, easy, less work, more money. The only one who have stuck it out and are sticking with us are those who actually respect the business and respect your old man’s name.”

“Damn!” Glory exclaims. “It’s Frances.”

“Frances?!” Mark asks curiously. “Frances Taylor? Your snobby pal? What does she have to do with this? Why would she sabotage us? She WORKS for you.”

“She DID work for me.” Glory says. “She recently quit and promised to run me out of business.”

“Bloody hell!” Mark exclaims. “How the hell can she do that when her own company is on the rocks?!”

“Let’s just say she has a new and very wealthy donor.” Glory rolls her eyes. “But this tracks, she promised to bring this company down and this wrestling school is under my corporate umbrella. So of course she would try and sabotage, she would target it. She is likely going to target anything and everything my company is involved with.”

“Sounds like you have a bigger problem on your hand than just a match on Breakdown you need to win.” Mark states.

“Fighting for my professional life both inside and outside the ring.” Braddock sighs and shakes her head.

“Well one thing at a time.” Mark places a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’ll survive this, ya always do. And I’ll still work with ya this morning, I will prepare you to break this Kermit…”

“Kemal.”

“Whatever.” Mark rolls his eyes. “I’ll get ya ready to rip his damn head off. But afterwards, maybe YOU should start taking the initiative and take the fight to Frances.”

“That’s the problem, Mark. She’s my friend.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to fight her.”

“But she IS fighting you.” He points out. “You are going to have to defend yourself at some point.”