05-28-2025, 09:28 AM
2 of 2
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May 27th, 2025
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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The late morning sun poured through the wide, tinted windows of the one-story Miami home, casting soft golden angles across the gleaming tile floors. The house, modestly upscale but tastefully modern, sat tucked behind a row of palm trees and privacy hedges. A pale stucco exterior gave way to a cool, open interior that whispered refinement rather than shouted wealth. It was the kind of home that looked designed to impress without overwhelming, where minimalism met warmth. This would never be the first choice of a home for “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter. The lap of luxury is not something he prefers. He is used to a more simplistic lifestyle. Still, one will not be choosy, especially when this particular home was gifted to him and his girlfriend by his girlfriend’s mother, Glory Braddock. Glory had insisted on choosing the place herself. She claimed it was for the view, for the space, for the convenience of being close to her daughter. Inside, the living room sprawled in clean, neutral tones, soft beige couches with chrome legs, a glass coffee table poised atop a white shag rug, and built-in shelves that framed a flat-screen television like an art installation. The flat screen currently is airing the daily news. One wall was all windows, looking out onto a manicured backyard where a narrow lap pool shimmered in the heat. There were potted orchids in the corners, delicate and precise, their blossoms a splash of magenta in the otherwise serene palette.
Clyde Sutter looked out of place in this carefully arranged setting, but not uncomfortably so; more like a man refusing to blend in, as a matter of principle. He sat with a sort of lazy command in one corner of the couch, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, his arm draped over the backrest. Clyde was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with the quiet self-assurance of someone who’d survived more than one street fight. His long black hair was tied back into a loose ponytail. His black T-shirt was stretched slightly across his chest and paired with faded jeans that had seen better days. On his bare feet, a thin dusting of dirt from a walk around the pool clung stubbornly, a stark contrast to the polished floors beneath him. Everything about Clyde seemed to push against the setting, like a jagged edge against a polished surface. Yet there he was, completely at ease, a living defiance of aesthetic cohesion. His eyes, sharp and a little narrowed beneath dark brows, followed the ceiling fan lazily turning above. He was silent, but there was a charged stillness about him, like a lit fuse smoldering rather than burning.
Beside him sat Melinda Braddock, as graceful and poised as if she’d stepped out of a fashion editorial. She perched at the opposite end of the couch, legs crossed at the knee, back straight, fingers loosely interlaced on her lap. Her long, honey-blonde hair was perfectly brushed and gleamed like silk under the sunlight. She wore a pale pink dress that cinched at the waist and fanned out in soft pleats, paired with a delicate necklace that caught the light each time she tilted her head. Melinda had the kind of beauty that was deliberate, cultivated. She never wore anything by accident, never let herself be seen in anything less than poised perfection. Her makeup was understated but flawless, with a soft shimmer on her eyelids and a hint of rose on her cheeks. The contrast between her and Clyde was almost theatrical; like a princess who had fallen in love with a rogue from a different world entirely.
“It still annoys me how those fools in management let Syren get away with murder.” Melinda says in a whiny tone.
“Are you surprised, my love?” Clyde asks quietly. “Do you truly believe that Mr. Desoubrais would be fair when it comes to Syren, a known cohort of his during their days together as Infamous?”
“Yes but he has someone he answers to, doesn’t he?” Melinda says. “CHBK let his girls cheat, he let them use that chair on you on Breakdown, yet another example of his blatant favoritism. Whoever he has to answer to should step in and…”
“Calm down, my love.” Sutter responds, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You are getting upset for no reason. I was the one who lost on Breakdown but do you see me fretting? Do you see me throwing a tantrum?”
“I admit that you have been eerily calm.” Melinda states, arching a brow out of curiosity. “How can you maintain such composure when you’ve been screwed over by those damned con artists?”
“Have you forgotten everything that I taught you?” Clyde chuckles. “Remember, Fate is in control. Fate has designs for everything and everyone. No one can escape the plan that Fate has designed for them. Syren managed to defeat me. She ended her losing streak.” He shrugs his shoulders. “What’s the big deal? At the end of the day her Fate is still sealed. Her downward trajectory will still continue. She will not win Taking Hold of the Flame. She will not become SCW World Champion. She will continue to be irrelevant. A victory over me does not change that.”
“Fate…” Melinda nods her head “...yes, Fate is in control.”
“That is correct, my love.” He leans in and kisses her on her cheek. “I am but Fate’s Chosen Assassin, I work for Fate, not for SCW and definitely not for its foolish fanbase.”
“You’re right, of course.” Melinda sighs as she lets her head rest on his chest. “I’m sorry for upsetting you, Clyde. I know you have tried to teach me about Fate and I do believe, I truly do, but I also hate seeing you getting screwed over the way you have by Syren…and then by Lawler before her…”
“Now it is my turn to tell you not to fret, my love.” Sutter remarks. “It is quite understandable and normal, human, to be concerned about someone you love and care for; besides, you are still relatively new to the truth of Fate.”
“I am committed to Fate…” she kisses him on his lips “...just like I am committed to you.”
“Good.”
“But…” Melinda grins knowingly “...what does Fate say about Taking Hold of the Flame?”
“Ah yes, that all important battle royal.” Sutter nods his head. “It is quite accurate to point out the importance of that event. Unfortunately the entire roster of Supreme Championship Wrestling gets it wrong year in and year out. They view that battle royal as their opportunity to change their Fate. But they are mistaken. No one can change their Fate. Taking Hold of the Flame is Fate’s way of playing with the emotions of the entire roster, making forty people believe that they have an opportunity only to destroy the dreams of thirty nine of them.”
“Yes, all of that is true.” Melinda touches Clyde on his nose. “But what about you? Where do you fit into this equation?”
“I fit in where Fate fits me in.” Sutter remarks with a cold grin. “I am what I have always said I am. I am Fate’s Chosen Assassin. Perhaps I will be the one to destroy the hopes and dreams of thirty nine others and go on to win Taking Hold of the Flame. And I swear to you, my love, if I do win the battle royal, I will go on and become SCW World Champion in the Rise To Greatness main event. And then I will bestow that championship onto you.”
“Clyde…” she starts to speak up but Clyde shushes her.
“Hush now. You deserve everything in this life. You deserve the world at your feet and, as long as I draw breath, I will make sure you get everything you want in life.”
“Clyde…” Melinda starts speaking again, but this time she points towards the television screen “...you might want to listen…”
“What is it?” Sutter turns his attention back to the television set. He can see a female news anchor seated at a news desk. The headline beneath her reads ‘Update in Cold Case’ and there is a picture of Archie Van Stanton next to her. Sutter instantly snatches the remote control and turns the volume loudly so that he can hear the anchor more clearly…
“AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED AN UPDATE ON THE COLD CASE MURDER OF ARCHIE VAN STANTON THAT OCCURED IN MIAMI YEARS AGO. AN ANONYMOUS TIPSTER INFORMED THEM THAT SUSPECTED MASTERMIND OF THE DRIVE BY SHOOTING THAT LEFT VAN STANTON DEAD AND MELINDA BRADDOCK SERIOUSLY INJURED, LILITH SUTTER, IS CURRENTLY HIDING OUT IN RUSSIA. AUTHORITIES CAN NOW CONFIRMED THAT THIS TIP IS TRUE. LILITH SUTTER HAS FLED TO RUSSIA AND…”
The Assassin instantly loses his cool. He uses the remote control to turn off the television and then he throws the remote across the room. Melinda Braddock turns and stares with wide eyed shock at Sutter. She looks somewhat incredulous that he would dare turn off the television.
“Hey! I was watching that!”
“What does it matter?!” The Assassin exclaims. “That anchor speaks of what the authorities know. But let’s speak of what the reality is; the reality is that the FBI, CIA, and any other law enforcement arm involved in this case will fail in their efforts to bring justice to the Van Stantons.”
There is a very real anger and rage in Clyde’s voice, one that Melinda has bore witness to in the past and would rather not see again. She gently rubs his chest and back, hoping to soothe the angry beast.
“Calm down, Clyde…” she says “....there’s nothing either of us can do about it.”
“How can you be so calm?!” Clyde pulls away from Melinda. He looks at her with a sense of surprise. “My sister organized this hit. The hit targeted my half-brother, who happened to be your fiance. This hit could just as easily have killed you too because you were caught in the crossfire.”
“I know all of this.” Melinda says, nodding her head.
“So how the hell can you be so calm?!”
“Oh I am angry.” Melinda points out. “But what you fail to realize is that this is out of my hands, out of my control. Just like it’s out of your hands.”
“You are wrong.” Clyde insists. “If Joey and I track her down before the authorities do, then we will take care of this once and for all!” Sutter declares. “We will ensure justice is done!”
“How?” Melinda asks. “You’re going to drag your friend to RUSSIA? And then what? Kill her?!”
“Yes.”
“Do you hear the words coming from your own mouth right now?” Melinda asks. “Do you realize how crazy you sound? That kind of talk, those actions you are threatening, that’s exactly what your sister wants. She wants you to lose control. She wants you to become that monster again. Right now I do not see the man I fell in love with…” Melinda says quietly. Sutter instantly has a reality check upon hearing that last sentence from Braddock. He has lost control. He lost his cool. This is what Lilith wanted. He is falling into her trap.
“I…I’m sorry…” he says quietly.
“It’s ok, Clyde.” Melinda takes his hands and pats it comfortably. “Remember what you just told me about Fate?”
“Fate is in control.” Sutter says, nodding his head.
“That’s right. So trust in Fate. Be patient and calm down.”
“How?” Clyde asks. “I don’t know how…Archie was murdered, you were nearly killed, all because of my sister…”
“Don’t focus on all of those negatives. You need to focus on the positive things in your life.”
“You are asking a lot of me. There really aren’t many positive things in my life.” He looks up at Melinda, gazing deep into her eyes. “Except for you…”
“Me?”
“Yes, you are the one, singular bright spot in my life. You are the one person that has managed to keep me grounded, who has kept the darkness from tearing me apart. You alone have kept me from losing control, from losing all of the progress I have made over the years. You have kept me going, my love.”
“Oh well…good…” Melinda is somewhat taken aback but regains her composure, she knows that her most important job is to keep Sutter calm “...focus on me, then.”
“From the moment I set eyes on you I knew I wanted you but my rage caused me to lose you. I fought so very hard to gain some semblance of control over myself, just with the hope…not even a promise…that I might get a second chance with you.”
“And now we have that second chance.” Melinda says, smiling warmly. “And nothing is going to tear us apart, especially not your sister.”
“Quite right. But I do believe that it is time we take this to the next level…” he says. Melinda furrows her brow out of curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
“Melinda Braddock…” he begins “...will you marry me?”
Tears begin to stream down Melinda’s face. This wasn’t what she was expecting. Still, just by looking into his eyes, she knows that this is the right time. Braddock nods her head emphatically.
“Yes!”
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May 31st, 2025
New Orleans, LA
On Camera
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The camera begins to roll and we see Clyde Sutter standing confidently in front of a pair of wooden double doors, exuding an imposing yet composed presence. The Assassin is a striking figure dressed in a sharp all-black ensemble. His tailored suit jacket fits snugly over a black dress shirt, and he sports a matching black necktie, giving him an appearance that is equal parts professional and intimidating. The all-black attire suggests a sense of authority, mystery, and a darker, more enigmatic persona. His choice of clothing is deliberate and speaks to someone who wants to project control and command respect without saying a word. His facial expression is what most vividly captures attention, a mix of sly amusement and subtle menace. He gazes to the side with eyes that seem to flicker with mischief, calculation, or perhaps even a brewing challenge. A half-smirk plays at his lips, and his brow is slightly furrowed, adding to the sense that he is inwardly amused by something only he understands. This expression contributes to an aura of danger cloaked in charisma. Clyde’s hair is pulled back into a tight topknot or bun, revealing a widow’s peak and emphasizing his intense gaze. The rest of his hair cascades down his back, giving him a rugged, almost warrior-like appearance. His full beard, well-groomed but thick, adds to this effect, framing his face in a way that underscores his physical presence and perhaps his rough-edged background.
Then, Melinda Braddock enters the scene from the right and takes her place next to The Assassin. Melinda Braddock evokes mystique and grandeur with an outfit that radiates vintage elegance and theatrical allure. She wears a deep-cut, halter-style black dress lavishly adorned with shimmering beads that cascade down her form in intricate patterns, catching and reflecting the light to create a mesmerizing texture. The plunging neckline draws the eye to the ornate, chandelier-like necklace that rests against her chest. Her look is further heightened by a pair of statement earrings that dangle beside her cheeks, echoing the opulence of her necklace and lending an additional element of refinement.
“You cannot change your own Fate.” Melinda says defiantly with a smug grin on her face. “You can delay it by running and that is the typical human response, is it not? We refuse to accept the hand that Fate has dealt us and so we run. We run as fast as we can. But eventually we tire out. Just like a vehicle, we run out of gas. We give out and we break down. Then Fate catches up to us. And then our Fate is sealed. It would be easier if we would just accept the hand that Fate has dealt us. It would be so much easier on you all if you would embrace your Fate. But no, you insist on fighting. You choose to believe the lie that you can change your own destiny. That is why this time of year, and in particular this specific match, is so very popular amongst the fans and the roster of Supreme Championship Wrestling. Taking Hold of the Flame is the night in which the competitors of this promotion try to change the trajectory of their careers in one night. Only to have their dreams destroyed year after year, again and again. You would think that after being disappointed time and time again that they would learn exactly what Taking Hold of the Flame really is…” she looks up at Clyde “...but they never learn, do they?”
“No, they do not.” Sutter remarks, shaking his head. “Therefore I shall educate them. I shall be the teacher who will illuminate them…physically, mentally, and emotionally…on what Taking Hold of the Flame really is; those veterans of Taking Hold of the Flame…people like Syren, Ms. Frost, Mr. Hudson…you have been a part of this event multiple times over and yet you refuse to accept the truth of what this event is all about. You choose to embrace the lie that you tell yourselves to make yourselves feel better. This lesson isn’t for you because you have all been tried and have been found to have been failures. This year will be no different when your hopes are dashed and your dreams turned into nightmares. This lesson is for those who are new to Supreme Championship Wrestling. Mr. Grant…The Monster Machine…Ms. Lecavalier…this lesson is for you because you have yet to participate in Taking Hold of the Flame. You have yet to experience this event. You are a virgin to this particular form of violence, violence that will ruin your both physically and emotionally. So listen and listen well as I educate you on what this battle royal really is.” The Assassin says coldly.
“Mr. Desoubrais would have you believe that in this one night any single person on the SCW roster can shock the world, can change their own destiny, and figuratively speaking punch their ticket to a SCW World Title Match in the main event of Rise To Greatness. He is lying to you and for once not because of his blatant favoritism towards Syren and her friends. Mr. Desoubrais is lying because even he refuses to acknowledge the truth of Taking Hold of the Flame. This event is not an opportunity and it certainly has nothing to do with hopes and dreams. Taking Hold of the Flame is Fate’s twisted sense of humor at play.” He chuckles. “Fate is dangling that golden ticket in front of forty individuals, giving them false hope that they all can become SCW World Champion, when in reality thirty nine of them will have their dreams ruined.” Sutter holds up a finger. “Taking Hold of the Flame is about ONE person, the thirty nine others are but merely cannon fodder. One person is the star while the rest of you are filler.”
“I am here to tell you the truth because I am not afraid of the truth. Unlike the rest of you who, whether knowingly or unknowingly, refuse to acknowledge it, I embrace my role in Fate’s grand plans. As a result, Fate has chosen me to be its Assassin. I am the one who enforces Fate’s will. Fate already has its designs for Taking Hold of the Flame. Everyone is needlessly worrying themselves over something that, alas, is but an inevitability. You cannot fight Fate and yet you will so desperately try to fight it.” He pats himself on the chest. “That is where I come in. As your educator, as your teacher, I will educate you violently in the battle royal on what Fate has planned for each and every single one of you. For thirty nine of you, this battle royal is going to be nothing except pain, heartache, and humiliation. But for one this battle royal will be a glorious moment of victory that will send them to the grandest stage, to the main event of Rise To Greatness where they will challenge for the SCW World Championship.”
“Here’s another lesson for you, boys and girls.” Melinda Braddock chimes in again. “Like my man said, there can only be one who will be rewarded by Fate with that beautiful victory in Taking Hold of the Flame. Only one out of the forty will get that World Title Match while the rest will suffer the physical pain of enduring the battle royal as well as the emotional and mental pains of loss and disappointment. But for that one who wins, it will be glorious.” She pats Sutter on the back. “And that one will be Fate’s Chosen Assassin. Why wouldn’t it be? Why shouldn’t it be? Clyde Sutter has been fiercely loyal to Fate for a very long time. While the rest of the competitors…who I shall just call cannon fodder…change their allegiances on a whim, often for amusement of the fickle SCW fans, Fate’s Chosen Assassin has always been loyal to Fate.” She smirks and then winks at the camera. “And to me.”
“Quite right, my love. Now I come to claim my reward. My reward come in the form of wrecking anyone who gets in my way in the battle royal, for I take great pleasure in breaking human bodies. I take pleasure in inflicting pain. And for this particular event where I am competing against thirty nine fools who have false hope and fake dreams, delusions of grandeur, I will take great pleasure in shredding those hopes and dreams and exposing those delusions in front of the entire world. But my greatest reward of all will be winning Taking Hold of the Flame. Those of you who mock and ridicule Fate, who refuse to accept Fate…when you bear witness to me as the final one left standing, with my arm raised in victory, with me in control of that figurative golden ticket that sends me to Rise To Greatness…you will all be forced to acknowledge that you are not in control, that you do not have the power. Fate has the power. Fate is in control.” He points a finger at the camera.
“And your Fate is sealed.”
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May 27th, 2025
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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The late morning sun poured through the wide, tinted windows of the one-story Miami home, casting soft golden angles across the gleaming tile floors. The house, modestly upscale but tastefully modern, sat tucked behind a row of palm trees and privacy hedges. A pale stucco exterior gave way to a cool, open interior that whispered refinement rather than shouted wealth. It was the kind of home that looked designed to impress without overwhelming, where minimalism met warmth. This would never be the first choice of a home for “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter. The lap of luxury is not something he prefers. He is used to a more simplistic lifestyle. Still, one will not be choosy, especially when this particular home was gifted to him and his girlfriend by his girlfriend’s mother, Glory Braddock. Glory had insisted on choosing the place herself. She claimed it was for the view, for the space, for the convenience of being close to her daughter. Inside, the living room sprawled in clean, neutral tones, soft beige couches with chrome legs, a glass coffee table poised atop a white shag rug, and built-in shelves that framed a flat-screen television like an art installation. The flat screen currently is airing the daily news. One wall was all windows, looking out onto a manicured backyard where a narrow lap pool shimmered in the heat. There were potted orchids in the corners, delicate and precise, their blossoms a splash of magenta in the otherwise serene palette.
Clyde Sutter looked out of place in this carefully arranged setting, but not uncomfortably so; more like a man refusing to blend in, as a matter of principle. He sat with a sort of lazy command in one corner of the couch, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, his arm draped over the backrest. Clyde was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with the quiet self-assurance of someone who’d survived more than one street fight. His long black hair was tied back into a loose ponytail. His black T-shirt was stretched slightly across his chest and paired with faded jeans that had seen better days. On his bare feet, a thin dusting of dirt from a walk around the pool clung stubbornly, a stark contrast to the polished floors beneath him. Everything about Clyde seemed to push against the setting, like a jagged edge against a polished surface. Yet there he was, completely at ease, a living defiance of aesthetic cohesion. His eyes, sharp and a little narrowed beneath dark brows, followed the ceiling fan lazily turning above. He was silent, but there was a charged stillness about him, like a lit fuse smoldering rather than burning.
Beside him sat Melinda Braddock, as graceful and poised as if she’d stepped out of a fashion editorial. She perched at the opposite end of the couch, legs crossed at the knee, back straight, fingers loosely interlaced on her lap. Her long, honey-blonde hair was perfectly brushed and gleamed like silk under the sunlight. She wore a pale pink dress that cinched at the waist and fanned out in soft pleats, paired with a delicate necklace that caught the light each time she tilted her head. Melinda had the kind of beauty that was deliberate, cultivated. She never wore anything by accident, never let herself be seen in anything less than poised perfection. Her makeup was understated but flawless, with a soft shimmer on her eyelids and a hint of rose on her cheeks. The contrast between her and Clyde was almost theatrical; like a princess who had fallen in love with a rogue from a different world entirely.
“It still annoys me how those fools in management let Syren get away with murder.” Melinda says in a whiny tone.
“Are you surprised, my love?” Clyde asks quietly. “Do you truly believe that Mr. Desoubrais would be fair when it comes to Syren, a known cohort of his during their days together as Infamous?”
“Yes but he has someone he answers to, doesn’t he?” Melinda says. “CHBK let his girls cheat, he let them use that chair on you on Breakdown, yet another example of his blatant favoritism. Whoever he has to answer to should step in and…”
“Calm down, my love.” Sutter responds, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You are getting upset for no reason. I was the one who lost on Breakdown but do you see me fretting? Do you see me throwing a tantrum?”
“I admit that you have been eerily calm.” Melinda states, arching a brow out of curiosity. “How can you maintain such composure when you’ve been screwed over by those damned con artists?”
“Have you forgotten everything that I taught you?” Clyde chuckles. “Remember, Fate is in control. Fate has designs for everything and everyone. No one can escape the plan that Fate has designed for them. Syren managed to defeat me. She ended her losing streak.” He shrugs his shoulders. “What’s the big deal? At the end of the day her Fate is still sealed. Her downward trajectory will still continue. She will not win Taking Hold of the Flame. She will not become SCW World Champion. She will continue to be irrelevant. A victory over me does not change that.”
“Fate…” Melinda nods her head “...yes, Fate is in control.”
“That is correct, my love.” He leans in and kisses her on her cheek. “I am but Fate’s Chosen Assassin, I work for Fate, not for SCW and definitely not for its foolish fanbase.”
“You’re right, of course.” Melinda sighs as she lets her head rest on his chest. “I’m sorry for upsetting you, Clyde. I know you have tried to teach me about Fate and I do believe, I truly do, but I also hate seeing you getting screwed over the way you have by Syren…and then by Lawler before her…”
“Now it is my turn to tell you not to fret, my love.” Sutter remarks. “It is quite understandable and normal, human, to be concerned about someone you love and care for; besides, you are still relatively new to the truth of Fate.”
“I am committed to Fate…” she kisses him on his lips “...just like I am committed to you.”
“Good.”
“But…” Melinda grins knowingly “...what does Fate say about Taking Hold of the Flame?”
“Ah yes, that all important battle royal.” Sutter nods his head. “It is quite accurate to point out the importance of that event. Unfortunately the entire roster of Supreme Championship Wrestling gets it wrong year in and year out. They view that battle royal as their opportunity to change their Fate. But they are mistaken. No one can change their Fate. Taking Hold of the Flame is Fate’s way of playing with the emotions of the entire roster, making forty people believe that they have an opportunity only to destroy the dreams of thirty nine of them.”
“Yes, all of that is true.” Melinda touches Clyde on his nose. “But what about you? Where do you fit into this equation?”
“I fit in where Fate fits me in.” Sutter remarks with a cold grin. “I am what I have always said I am. I am Fate’s Chosen Assassin. Perhaps I will be the one to destroy the hopes and dreams of thirty nine others and go on to win Taking Hold of the Flame. And I swear to you, my love, if I do win the battle royal, I will go on and become SCW World Champion in the Rise To Greatness main event. And then I will bestow that championship onto you.”
“Clyde…” she starts to speak up but Clyde shushes her.
“Hush now. You deserve everything in this life. You deserve the world at your feet and, as long as I draw breath, I will make sure you get everything you want in life.”
“Clyde…” Melinda starts speaking again, but this time she points towards the television screen “...you might want to listen…”
“What is it?” Sutter turns his attention back to the television set. He can see a female news anchor seated at a news desk. The headline beneath her reads ‘Update in Cold Case’ and there is a picture of Archie Van Stanton next to her. Sutter instantly snatches the remote control and turns the volume loudly so that he can hear the anchor more clearly…
“AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED AN UPDATE ON THE COLD CASE MURDER OF ARCHIE VAN STANTON THAT OCCURED IN MIAMI YEARS AGO. AN ANONYMOUS TIPSTER INFORMED THEM THAT SUSPECTED MASTERMIND OF THE DRIVE BY SHOOTING THAT LEFT VAN STANTON DEAD AND MELINDA BRADDOCK SERIOUSLY INJURED, LILITH SUTTER, IS CURRENTLY HIDING OUT IN RUSSIA. AUTHORITIES CAN NOW CONFIRMED THAT THIS TIP IS TRUE. LILITH SUTTER HAS FLED TO RUSSIA AND…”
The Assassin instantly loses his cool. He uses the remote control to turn off the television and then he throws the remote across the room. Melinda Braddock turns and stares with wide eyed shock at Sutter. She looks somewhat incredulous that he would dare turn off the television.
“Hey! I was watching that!”
“What does it matter?!” The Assassin exclaims. “That anchor speaks of what the authorities know. But let’s speak of what the reality is; the reality is that the FBI, CIA, and any other law enforcement arm involved in this case will fail in their efforts to bring justice to the Van Stantons.”
There is a very real anger and rage in Clyde’s voice, one that Melinda has bore witness to in the past and would rather not see again. She gently rubs his chest and back, hoping to soothe the angry beast.
“Calm down, Clyde…” she says “....there’s nothing either of us can do about it.”
“How can you be so calm?!” Clyde pulls away from Melinda. He looks at her with a sense of surprise. “My sister organized this hit. The hit targeted my half-brother, who happened to be your fiance. This hit could just as easily have killed you too because you were caught in the crossfire.”
“I know all of this.” Melinda says, nodding her head.
“So how the hell can you be so calm?!”
“Oh I am angry.” Melinda points out. “But what you fail to realize is that this is out of my hands, out of my control. Just like it’s out of your hands.”
“You are wrong.” Clyde insists. “If Joey and I track her down before the authorities do, then we will take care of this once and for all!” Sutter declares. “We will ensure justice is done!”
“How?” Melinda asks. “You’re going to drag your friend to RUSSIA? And then what? Kill her?!”
“Yes.”
“Do you hear the words coming from your own mouth right now?” Melinda asks. “Do you realize how crazy you sound? That kind of talk, those actions you are threatening, that’s exactly what your sister wants. She wants you to lose control. She wants you to become that monster again. Right now I do not see the man I fell in love with…” Melinda says quietly. Sutter instantly has a reality check upon hearing that last sentence from Braddock. He has lost control. He lost his cool. This is what Lilith wanted. He is falling into her trap.
“I…I’m sorry…” he says quietly.
“It’s ok, Clyde.” Melinda takes his hands and pats it comfortably. “Remember what you just told me about Fate?”
“Fate is in control.” Sutter says, nodding his head.
“That’s right. So trust in Fate. Be patient and calm down.”
“How?” Clyde asks. “I don’t know how…Archie was murdered, you were nearly killed, all because of my sister…”
“Don’t focus on all of those negatives. You need to focus on the positive things in your life.”
“You are asking a lot of me. There really aren’t many positive things in my life.” He looks up at Melinda, gazing deep into her eyes. “Except for you…”
“Me?”
“Yes, you are the one, singular bright spot in my life. You are the one person that has managed to keep me grounded, who has kept the darkness from tearing me apart. You alone have kept me from losing control, from losing all of the progress I have made over the years. You have kept me going, my love.”
“Oh well…good…” Melinda is somewhat taken aback but regains her composure, she knows that her most important job is to keep Sutter calm “...focus on me, then.”
“From the moment I set eyes on you I knew I wanted you but my rage caused me to lose you. I fought so very hard to gain some semblance of control over myself, just with the hope…not even a promise…that I might get a second chance with you.”
“And now we have that second chance.” Melinda says, smiling warmly. “And nothing is going to tear us apart, especially not your sister.”
“Quite right. But I do believe that it is time we take this to the next level…” he says. Melinda furrows her brow out of curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
“Melinda Braddock…” he begins “...will you marry me?”
Tears begin to stream down Melinda’s face. This wasn’t what she was expecting. Still, just by looking into his eyes, she knows that this is the right time. Braddock nods her head emphatically.
“Yes!”
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May 31st, 2025
New Orleans, LA
On Camera
==========
The camera begins to roll and we see Clyde Sutter standing confidently in front of a pair of wooden double doors, exuding an imposing yet composed presence. The Assassin is a striking figure dressed in a sharp all-black ensemble. His tailored suit jacket fits snugly over a black dress shirt, and he sports a matching black necktie, giving him an appearance that is equal parts professional and intimidating. The all-black attire suggests a sense of authority, mystery, and a darker, more enigmatic persona. His choice of clothing is deliberate and speaks to someone who wants to project control and command respect without saying a word. His facial expression is what most vividly captures attention, a mix of sly amusement and subtle menace. He gazes to the side with eyes that seem to flicker with mischief, calculation, or perhaps even a brewing challenge. A half-smirk plays at his lips, and his brow is slightly furrowed, adding to the sense that he is inwardly amused by something only he understands. This expression contributes to an aura of danger cloaked in charisma. Clyde’s hair is pulled back into a tight topknot or bun, revealing a widow’s peak and emphasizing his intense gaze. The rest of his hair cascades down his back, giving him a rugged, almost warrior-like appearance. His full beard, well-groomed but thick, adds to this effect, framing his face in a way that underscores his physical presence and perhaps his rough-edged background.
Then, Melinda Braddock enters the scene from the right and takes her place next to The Assassin. Melinda Braddock evokes mystique and grandeur with an outfit that radiates vintage elegance and theatrical allure. She wears a deep-cut, halter-style black dress lavishly adorned with shimmering beads that cascade down her form in intricate patterns, catching and reflecting the light to create a mesmerizing texture. The plunging neckline draws the eye to the ornate, chandelier-like necklace that rests against her chest. Her look is further heightened by a pair of statement earrings that dangle beside her cheeks, echoing the opulence of her necklace and lending an additional element of refinement.
“You cannot change your own Fate.” Melinda says defiantly with a smug grin on her face. “You can delay it by running and that is the typical human response, is it not? We refuse to accept the hand that Fate has dealt us and so we run. We run as fast as we can. But eventually we tire out. Just like a vehicle, we run out of gas. We give out and we break down. Then Fate catches up to us. And then our Fate is sealed. It would be easier if we would just accept the hand that Fate has dealt us. It would be so much easier on you all if you would embrace your Fate. But no, you insist on fighting. You choose to believe the lie that you can change your own destiny. That is why this time of year, and in particular this specific match, is so very popular amongst the fans and the roster of Supreme Championship Wrestling. Taking Hold of the Flame is the night in which the competitors of this promotion try to change the trajectory of their careers in one night. Only to have their dreams destroyed year after year, again and again. You would think that after being disappointed time and time again that they would learn exactly what Taking Hold of the Flame really is…” she looks up at Clyde “...but they never learn, do they?”
“No, they do not.” Sutter remarks, shaking his head. “Therefore I shall educate them. I shall be the teacher who will illuminate them…physically, mentally, and emotionally…on what Taking Hold of the Flame really is; those veterans of Taking Hold of the Flame…people like Syren, Ms. Frost, Mr. Hudson…you have been a part of this event multiple times over and yet you refuse to accept the truth of what this event is all about. You choose to embrace the lie that you tell yourselves to make yourselves feel better. This lesson isn’t for you because you have all been tried and have been found to have been failures. This year will be no different when your hopes are dashed and your dreams turned into nightmares. This lesson is for those who are new to Supreme Championship Wrestling. Mr. Grant…The Monster Machine…Ms. Lecavalier…this lesson is for you because you have yet to participate in Taking Hold of the Flame. You have yet to experience this event. You are a virgin to this particular form of violence, violence that will ruin your both physically and emotionally. So listen and listen well as I educate you on what this battle royal really is.” The Assassin says coldly.
“Mr. Desoubrais would have you believe that in this one night any single person on the SCW roster can shock the world, can change their own destiny, and figuratively speaking punch their ticket to a SCW World Title Match in the main event of Rise To Greatness. He is lying to you and for once not because of his blatant favoritism towards Syren and her friends. Mr. Desoubrais is lying because even he refuses to acknowledge the truth of Taking Hold of the Flame. This event is not an opportunity and it certainly has nothing to do with hopes and dreams. Taking Hold of the Flame is Fate’s twisted sense of humor at play.” He chuckles. “Fate is dangling that golden ticket in front of forty individuals, giving them false hope that they all can become SCW World Champion, when in reality thirty nine of them will have their dreams ruined.” Sutter holds up a finger. “Taking Hold of the Flame is about ONE person, the thirty nine others are but merely cannon fodder. One person is the star while the rest of you are filler.”
“I am here to tell you the truth because I am not afraid of the truth. Unlike the rest of you who, whether knowingly or unknowingly, refuse to acknowledge it, I embrace my role in Fate’s grand plans. As a result, Fate has chosen me to be its Assassin. I am the one who enforces Fate’s will. Fate already has its designs for Taking Hold of the Flame. Everyone is needlessly worrying themselves over something that, alas, is but an inevitability. You cannot fight Fate and yet you will so desperately try to fight it.” He pats himself on the chest. “That is where I come in. As your educator, as your teacher, I will educate you violently in the battle royal on what Fate has planned for each and every single one of you. For thirty nine of you, this battle royal is going to be nothing except pain, heartache, and humiliation. But for one this battle royal will be a glorious moment of victory that will send them to the grandest stage, to the main event of Rise To Greatness where they will challenge for the SCW World Championship.”
“Here’s another lesson for you, boys and girls.” Melinda Braddock chimes in again. “Like my man said, there can only be one who will be rewarded by Fate with that beautiful victory in Taking Hold of the Flame. Only one out of the forty will get that World Title Match while the rest will suffer the physical pain of enduring the battle royal as well as the emotional and mental pains of loss and disappointment. But for that one who wins, it will be glorious.” She pats Sutter on the back. “And that one will be Fate’s Chosen Assassin. Why wouldn’t it be? Why shouldn’t it be? Clyde Sutter has been fiercely loyal to Fate for a very long time. While the rest of the competitors…who I shall just call cannon fodder…change their allegiances on a whim, often for amusement of the fickle SCW fans, Fate’s Chosen Assassin has always been loyal to Fate.” She smirks and then winks at the camera. “And to me.”
“Quite right, my love. Now I come to claim my reward. My reward come in the form of wrecking anyone who gets in my way in the battle royal, for I take great pleasure in breaking human bodies. I take pleasure in inflicting pain. And for this particular event where I am competing against thirty nine fools who have false hope and fake dreams, delusions of grandeur, I will take great pleasure in shredding those hopes and dreams and exposing those delusions in front of the entire world. But my greatest reward of all will be winning Taking Hold of the Flame. Those of you who mock and ridicule Fate, who refuse to accept Fate…when you bear witness to me as the final one left standing, with my arm raised in victory, with me in control of that figurative golden ticket that sends me to Rise To Greatness…you will all be forced to acknowledge that you are not in control, that you do not have the power. Fate has the power. Fate is in control.” He points a finger at the camera.
“And your Fate is sealed.”
![[Image: XJiTNy0.png]](https://i.imgur.com/XJiTNy0.png)
Career Achievements
MWE Television Champion 2x
MWE Riot Champion 1x
GCW World Tag Team Champion 1x
SCW Television Champion 1x
MWA World Tag Team Champion 2x