Glory Braddock vs. Amelia Nevado

[Braddock]

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June 4th, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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Taking Hold of the Flame has already come and gone; it was the kickoff of Rise To Greatness season. Glory Braddock was originally supposed to participate in the Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal but she refused to play by CHBK’s rules, she refused to be a pawn in his game. The British Bombshell instead backed out of the battle royal and opted to get back to the World Championship picture the old fashioned way; through hard work, by winning match after match. Already Braddock has built up a good winning streak, defeating Kemal Yilmaz and David Striker. Now that Rise To Greatness season is here, she looks to extend her winning streak to three. But she knows it won’t be easy; she faces a fellow Englishwoman, an opponent she has done battle with on numerous occasions; Amelia Nevado. Braddock and Amelia had a one on one match in which Braddock was victorious. They also have a history in tag team warfare when Twisted & Sadistic clashed with Light in the Darkness over the SCW World Tag Team Championship. Braddock respects what Nevado can do inside the ring and looks forward to renewing their professional rivalry inside the confines of the squared circle. She hopes she can win, adding a third victory to her streak, and build that all important momentum heading towards the show of shows for Supreme Championship Wrestling.

Glory Braddock still has another problem on her mind that she has to take care of and that involves her company; Glorious Golden Enterprise. Braddock’s best friend, Frances Taylor, had served as president of the company for a long time. These two had been friends since they were children and Glory thought she could trust Frances, but little did she know Frances was jealous and wanted more power. When Glory was unwilling to grant her more power, Frances quit the position and revived her own company, Taylor Enterprises, promising to run Glory out of business. This was a stunning move because Glory thought Frances was financially incapable of bringing back Taylor Enterprises but apparently Frances’s new boyfriend, Dominic Sterling, has funded its financial revival. After further research, The British Bombshell learned that Dominic got all of his wealth mostly through fraud and deceit, defrauding and stealing the money from his own family. Braddock and Melody Murphy, Frances and Glory’s mutual friend, are worried that Dominic may be scamming Frances, trying to manipulate her and use her for his own deceitful ends. The British Bombshell has asked Melody to set up a meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, headquarters of Glory’s company and Frances’s current residence. Braddock and Melody hope that this meeting can serve two purposes; one, eliminate the threat of Frances Taylor and Taylor Enterprises from running Glory out of business, and two, to save Frances from what could be a ruinous scam at the hands of Dominic Sterling.

The low hum of conversation blended seamlessly with the clinking of crystal and the muted rustle of fine linens inside The Palm, an upscale restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chandeliers crafted of gold-veined glass hung like frozen fireworks from the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm, flattering glow across the room. The view beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was breathtaking; the city sprawled below in glittering lights, a living constellation under the night sky. Soft piano music trickled through the air, adding a touch of serenity that barely masked the tension at one particular table near the window. The maître d’ had personally escorted them to a private alcove set apart from the rest of the dining area. Draped in cream and bronze, the circular booth was plush and intimate, ideal for delicate negotiations or clandestine reunions, which, in this case, were one and the same. A bottle of vintage Chardonnay rested in a polished silver cooler beside the table, untouched. Glory Braddock sat poised at the center, her tailored navy-blue sheath dress clung to her frame with effortless precision, structured shoulders lending a regal silhouette to the otherwise sleek design. A thin silver belt cinched her waist, matching the subtle glint of her jewelry — a minimalist bracelet and small diamond stud earrings. Her golden-blonde hair, as always, was immaculately styled in soft waves that brushed just below her shoulders. To her left, Melody Murphy brought a more playful elegance to the table. Her dress, a cream-colored wrap with a modest V-neckline and three-quarter sleeves, gave her a softer, more romantic air. The fabric shimmered subtly with every movement, catching the light in quiet bursts. A thin gold chain around her neck held a tiny star-shaped charm, and her open-toe heels added a hint of youthful flair to an otherwise mature look. Her long blonde hair was tucked behind one ear on one side, cascading in soft curls on the other.

Opposite them sat Frances Taylor, and her entrance had made the maître d’ noticeably stammer. Frances’s aura was colder, more calculated. Her black pencil dress featured an asymmetric neckline that bared one shoulder, the cut sharp and modern like the woman herself. A platinum brooch gleamed at her collarbone, a silent badge of her revived company, Taylor Enterprise. Her sleek blonde hair was pulled into a chignon so precise it might have been sculpted. Her red lipstick stood in bold contrast to her otherwise monochromatic palette, a deliberate statement. She looked like a woman who had come to reclaim something, or destroy it. A waiter approached and silently poured the wine, expertly reading the tension and knowing better than to comment. When he left, there was a pause, heavy and anticipatory. The city lights sparkled behind them, casting reflections across the polished mahogany of the table. Cutlery gleamed, menus lay untouched, and glasses remained held but unsipped.

“Isn’t this nice?” Melody speaks up after a tense moment of silence, hoping to break the awkward tension. “The three of us are back together again. Just like old times, am I right?”

“Yes, it is nice, I suppose.” Frances says coldly and smoothly. She nods in Melody’s general direction. “How are you and my brother doing?”

“Matty’s a sweetheart.” Melody says, referencing her husband, Frances’s younger brother. Glory Braddock remains silent for now. She finds this small talk that Frances and Melody are engaging in to be troubling. All three know the real reason why they are here. They are here to discuss the ongoing feud between the two companies. But no one seems ready to broach the subject. No one wants to bring it up first. Frances then turns her attention to Braddock and smirks.

“What about you, Gloria? How is the wrestling business?”

“It’s great, Frances.”

“Really?” Frances chuckles. “I heard you quit Taking Hold of the Flame. I never took you for a quitter.”

“You misunderstand. I quit because Alex Desoubrais tried to make me the number one entrant out of forty, but I refuse to play by his games and I refuse to be number one just because he says so. The fact is, Frances, that Taking Hold of the Flame, as difficult as it is to win, is just a shortcut to a title match. Anyone can jump from curtain jerker to challenging for the World Title at Rise To Greatness in an instant if they win that match. So it’s a shortcut, plain and simple.

“And…?”

“And I chose to take a harder, more difficult path. I would rather EARN my way back to the top by winning matches, by defeating opponents in the center of the ring. And THAT is going quite well. I have won two straight matches and hope to win a third straight Amelia Nevado.”

“Well I wish you the best of luck, Gloria.” Frances nods her head, but The British Bombshell can tell by the tone of her voice that she is far from sincere in her well wishes. Frances takes her glass of wine and sips it. She motions to Glory’s own untouched glass of wine. “Go ahead, have a drink. You certainly seemed to enjoy drinking wine during Taking Hold of the Flame.”

“Ok, that’s it…” Glory has had enough of the small talk and the passive-aggressive nature of this conversation. “...let’s cut the crap, Frances. We’re not here to talk about Melody’s marriage or my wrestling career.”

“Glory…” Melody, who wanted this be as peaceful and diplomatic as possible, is showing signs of panic as she sees Glory starting to lose her patience. Braddock ignores her and continues with her rant.

“We are here to talk about how you want to run ME out of business.” Glory says, pointing an accusatory finger at Frances Taylor. Melody fears that Frances may get angry and retaliate. Instead Frances remains calm, with a cold grin on her face.

“This is why you nearly ran yourself out of business in those early years, Gloria.” Frances chuckles quietly. “You never had the patience for the cutthroat corporate world. You needed me, or Aphrodite Noel, to save you. Now that you no longer have me, and you are apparently unwilling to go crawling to Noel, you are begging Melody for help.”

“Now that’s unfair, Frances.” Melody snaps back. “I’m just here trying to be a peacemaker. Remember that we used to be friends, really close friends. I don’t want to see a good friendship ruined over business.”

“Have you gone soft, Melody?” Frances asks, arching her brow.

“No, I just matured and realized that some things are more important than business.” Melody remarks. “So yes, I am glad you came, Frances. Glory is glad you came, too. Maybe we can put an end to this silly feud?” Melody turns and glares at Glory. “RIGHT, Glory?”

“Yes…” Glory sighs out of frustration “...Melody is right, we have been friends forever. We grew up together, went to school together. There’s no need to let this business rivalry destroy out friendship.”

There is a tense pause as all three women exchange glances. Once again, no one dares to speak up next, afraid of making the wrong move in a dangerous game of corporate chess. Melody, nervously, takes a sip of her wine. Even Glory finally decides to sip on her previously untouched glass of wine. Finally Frances breaks the ice with a bit of laughter.

“I am happy to hear it.” Frances begins. “I am happy that you came to your senses.”

“Came to my senses?” Glory repeats, obviously confused. Frances nods her head.

“Yes, you obviously are nervous, you are afraid. You should be, by the way. I am far more experienced in the corporate world than you. I also know the inner workings of your business probably better than you. If anyone can run you out of business its me. If anyone can bankrupt you, its me.” Frances sips on her wine. “But don’t worry…losing your company won’t be the end of the world…you can always fall back on SCW. Unless you manage to piss off that nice Mr. Desoubrais and he fires you.”

“Of course you would like his old ass.” Glory rolls her eyes.

“Great minds think alike.”

“I’m beginning to question the greatness of YOUR mind, Frances, especially if you think that you can bankrupt me.”

“Oh but the work has already started. Taylor Enterprises is in the beginning stages of starting a wrestling school and a modeling agency to challenge yours.”

“I knew it. I knew you were trying to steal students from the Braddock School. Targeting me, though? That’s fine. But you started a modeling agency to challenge ‘my’ modeling agency? That is low even for you.”

“How do you mean?” Frances asks innocently. “I told you I would tear down everything you own.”

“You know damn well that modeling agency belongs to my cousin.”

“Your cousin may run it with free reign without your interference but you still own it.” Frances smirks knowingly. “Which, interestingly enough, is all I ever wanted…to run your company for you without your interference.”

“You are poaching talent!” Glory exclaims. Melody is obviously nervous. This exchange is drawing curious looks from other patrons in the restaurant. Frances, however, maintains her composure. She still believes that she is in the position of power.

“I did nothing illegal.”

“It may not be illegal but it was damn sure unethical.”

“You cannot succeed in business by being ethical and moral.” Frances points out. “That’s why you nearly went out of business twice in the early years of becoming a businesswoman. That’s why you first turned to me and later to that fool who pretends to be your mother, Aphrodite Noel, because the two of us have no qualms about throwing ethics and morality out the window in favor of being successful.”

“I can be successful AND ethical at the same time.”

“Wrong.” Frances shakes her head. “You can be successful OR ethical, not both. If you want to stop me from running you out of business, you are going to have to break your precious rules.”

“Whoa, hold on ladies!” Melody speaks up. This meeting is obviously getting out of hand and she knows that she needs to reign them back in. “Remember where we are. Try to remain quiet and don’t make a spectacle of yourselves, otherwise we will get thrown out.”

“I have been perfectly calm and quiet.” Frances says with a knowing grin. “Gloria is the hothead.”

“Hothead?!”

“Glory…” Melody interrupts her “...you are the one who has raised your voice. Please, try and remain calm. We all want peace, right?”

Braddock hates it but Melody is right. Frances may have been taunting her and provoking her but Glory should have known better. Glory should not have taken the bait and allowed herself to lose her temper. She is playing into Frances’s hands. The British Bombshell sips her wine to soothe and calm her nerves. She nods her head.

“You’re right. We all want peace…myself included.”

“Frances?” Melody turns her attention to their mutual friend.

“Yes, I do want peace. And for the record I did attempt to give Gloria an out. All she had to do was give me unrestricted control as president of Glorious Golden Enterprise.”

“You still don’t understand why I had those restrictions on you in the first place.” Glory shakes her head.

“No corporate president has to deal with the kinds of insidious restrictions you placed upon me. I wanted the kind of power any normal company president should have but you refused because you didn’t trust me.” For the first time Frances’s cold, confident demeanor seems to break. “I thought we were friends. If I am your friend, how is it that you do not trust me?”

“Frances, I…” the question hits Glory like a punch in the gut “...I’m sorry, but I…my friends have betrayed me in the past…”

“Maybe that’s why you’re not cut out for the corporate world?” Frances states. “But I am willing to offer you one final out. I am proposing a merger; Glorious Golden Enterprises will absorb Taylor Enterprises.”

“And let me guess, you want to be an equal partner?” Glory asks with a skeptical gaze. Frances shakes her head.

“No. You can still be the sole owner, the most powerful person within the company. But I want to be the second most powerful person within the company behind you. Everyone within the company…except you…answers to me. And you promise to keep your hands off and let me run things the way I see fit.”

“That’s your offer?” Glory arches her brow. Frances nods her head.

“Yes. It is a wonderful deal, if you ask me. You get to sit back, do nothing, just focus on your stupid little wrestling, your matches against Nevado and others, your war of words with Desoubrais, and I will be busy making you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams.”

“Sounds like the same exact deal as before.” Glory rolls her eyes.

“I admit it is similar. The question is, do you trust me…friend?”

“This has nothing to do with trusting you.” Glory shakes her head. “I admit, at first it did, but now? Now this is bigger. Because it’s not you I don’t trust. It’s Dominic.”

“Dominic?!” Frances is taken aback. For the first time since this meeting began, she is shocked. “What does he have to do with any of this?”

“I think you know exactly what I mean.” Glory states. She has been accused of being soft when it comes to business. But now she feels confident. More than that, she feels cutthroat. She is ready to go in for the kill. “Do you have any idea how Dominic obtained all of his wealth?”

“We’ve already been through this…” Frances is cut off. Glory won’t let her finish her thought.

“No, not really. Because I’ve done some research on my own. Melody and I both have because we ARE your friends and we don’t want to see you scammed, to fall for some manipulative con artist. Yet, as brilliant as you make yourself out to be, Frances, you ARE falling for a con-man. Did you know that Dominic likely inherited that wealth through fraudulent and deceit? He tricked some of his relatives into signing over their inheritance when they were elderly and clearly in cognitive decline. Others he just outright wrote forged documents transferring the inheritance to himself.”

“You’re lying.” Frances shakes her head furiously.

“His entire wealth has been obtained through deceit. Look into it yourself if you don’t believe me. His own family has ongoing civil actions against him, trying to force him to return the money. But now that his family has caught onto his game he needs a new sucker.” She points a finger at Frances. “You’re the new sucker.”

“Glory’s right.” Melody chimes in. “I have evidence. Dominic is using you. He wants your wealth. He wants you for your money.”

“It’s not true.” Frances shakes her head. “But even if it were true, it still doesn’t change my mind. Remember that all three of us grew up in wealth and privilege and were expected to marry into it and were expected to chase more wealth and more power. That’s the nature of the class we were born into. Love, true love, doesn’t exist for people like us. Except I am the only one who seems to remember that.”

Frances points a finger at Melody. “You married my idiot brother who threw away his inheritence for some ungodly reason.” She points a finger at Glory.

“And you married a poor, lowly, professional wrestler barely making ends meet. You have some accusing Dominic of using me to keep himself up when your own husband would be a bum on the street if he hadn’t married you.”

“What are you saying?” Glory asks.

“Dominic may be everything you accuse him of being but you know what else he is? He is the man who reminded me that I do not need to be YOUR lackey, Gloria.” Frances stands up. “You have treated me like your lackey for a long time. I deserve to be your equal. That’s what friendships are, right?”

Frances turns and storms away from the table in an angry huff. Melody starts to get up to go after her but Glory stops her. Melody looks at Glory curiously.

“We have to stop her…this has been a disaster, we cannot let her walk away…”

“It has been a disaster.” Glory nods her head. “But she’s right. Ever since I brought her into my company I have treated her like my sidekick, not like a friend.”

“So what are you suggesting?” Melody asks. “Take her up on her offer? Absorb Taylor Enterprises and give her the power she wants?”

“I am considering it.”

“But do you really want Dominic Sterling, a known con-artist, in that kind of influential position?” Melody asks.

“Absolutely not.” Glory says. “It would be insanity. If I agree to the merger, I have get rid of him first. Somehow we need to make Frances see reason, see that he is not who he says he is.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Then we find another way.”