06-08-2021, 08:56 PM
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May 30th, 2021
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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It’s been two days removed from SCW Breakdown when Glory Braddock successfully defeated Gavin Taylor. The arrogant All-Star pushed her even further and proved to be an even tougher challenge than when they did battle at Under Attack. A part of The British Bombshell would like to think that some of her words did sink into the rather thick skull of Gavin. She would like to think that maybe what she said did some good. People in this business do not change all that often and Glory isn’t holding her breath on Gavin Taylor changing his stripes anytime soon. This match against Taylor, just like her match against Katie Steward at Be Careful What You Wish For, is just more challenges for Glory and more preparation for what is in store for her next, the biggest challenge of the calendar year for Supreme Championship Wrestling.
Taking Hold of the Flame.
Braddock admittedly wasn’t certain if she would enter the yearly match or not. In previous years she was obsessed with being world champion and that obsession led her down a dark path. But that obsession has since subsided. Does she still want to be World Champion? Of course. If you are not in this business to be World Champion then you are in the wrong business. But it is no longer an obsession, it no longer defines her reason for living. Being World Champion for Glory Braddock now is about making the championship respectable, and in turn making SCW and all of wrestling respectable, by holding it and defending it to the best of her ability. She had a brief taste of it thanks to Ace Marshall’s Trios Cash In only to lose it to Chris Cannon. But now she is ready to win it back. Winning Taking Hold of the Flame would cement her spot in the main event of Rise To Greatness and guarantee her a world title match.
Currently work is the furthest thing from the mind of Glory Braddock. She is lying on her king sized bed wearing a flirty pink polka dot baby doll chemise nighty with a ruffled hem. She is waiting here on her husband, Kurt Logan, who is putting their other child, eight year old Dawn Aphrodite Logan, to bed. As soon the beautiful blonde hears the door knob begin to turn, she puts a seductive grin upon her face. Braddock watches the door open and Kurt Logan enter the room.
“Well, Dawn is…” Kurt stops his talking immediately upon seeing his wife in this sexy attire “...uh…”
“Cat got your tongue, love?”
“...something like that.”
Glory turns and eases herself off of the bed. She approaches her husband and plants a kiss on his lips. “You were saying about Dawn?”
“Who?”
“Our daughter.”
“Oh! Yeah…” Kurt says chuckling “...she’s asleep.”
Dawn Aphrodite Logan is the daughter of Kurt Logan and Glory Braddock. Dawn is actually Kurt’s only biological child. Melinda Braddock, Glory’s eldest, is from another relationship when Glory was much younger. Kurt still treats Melinda as his own. Being a father is something Kurt enjoys but he also enjoys the private alone time he gets with his lovely wife.
“Did I do something right?” Kurt asks gazing at his wife almost lustfully. Glory shakes her head.
“Nothing at all, Kurt. You just being you is enough. Fact is, you and I have been through hell the past couple of years and I have to admit that most of it is my fault. This family feud with my sister? My fault. How I got us in trouble with organized crime? My fault. Mason Van Stanton and Ronald D. Kennedy both trying to ruin us? My fault.”
“If this is your way of apologizing then forget it. You don’t need to apologize for anything, Gloria.” He looks her over again and smirks. “Not that I’m complaining about any of this.”
“I think I do need to apologize and I do need to do something...this specifically? Maybe it’s just a start of correcting an error on my part.”
“What error?”
“I have been putting myself and my interests ahead of our marriage. And if you recall, it almost ended our marriage.”
Kurt sighs deeply. This isn’t a memory he wants to revisit. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Well all of those items on that list, those things I said were my fault? All of them can be attributed to the fact that I was selfishly putting myself and my career ahead of this family. That changes starting now. Family is first, work and my career is secondary.”
Glory and Kurt begin to passionately kiss. The kiss goes on for several moments before they finally come up for air. Kurt is grinning from ear to ear, as is his lovely wife. “That’s fine but, I don’t want to hold you back. I mean, you do still want to be a World Champion don’t you?”
“Of course I do. Kurt, I still have goals in SCW and becoming a sixteen time World Champion is right on up there on that list of goals. But I have never held the United States Championship, the Television Championship, or the Tag Team Championship. I would love to see what I can do if given a chance at those. But I am not going to achieve those goals at the expense of this family. You, Melinda, and Dawn are my life and my most important priority right now. Especially, Melinda…”
Glory sighs as she walks back over to the king sized bed. Kurt can tell something is bothering her. He follows her back to the bed and sits down next to her. He wraps a comforting, loving arm around her shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Glory?”
“Melinda graduated from the wrestling school.”
“Yeah, I heard you telling me about that. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“It is, I suppose. I was hoping she would take me up on my offer to negotiate her a contract with SCW, MWE, or even GCW. But she would rather follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and compete on the European circuits first.”
Kurt smirks. “Yeah, Mel is definitely a lot like you. Stubborn. She wants to do things her way.”
“You can say that again.”
“Is that what’s bothering you? Are you worried about her competing in Europe instead of being under your watchful eye?”
Braddock shakes her head. “No, of course not. She can handle herself. She was near top of her class as far as wrestling skill and mat strategy go. And she has a great support system up there ranging from my sister to my good friends Sophie and Mark [O’Brian].”
“So what IS the problem?”
“Melinda isn’t using any of them as her support system. She’s been using Archie.”
“Archie as in Archie Van Stanton, Henry’s son?”
Glory nods her head. “That’s the one.”
Kurt sighs deeply. He begins to massage his wife’s shoulders. “I can see why that would bother you.”
“I don’t trust him, Kurt.”
“Because of who his father is?”
“Precisely. His father took my company away from me. Archie’s uncle tried to destroy our family’s good name. And Archie’s grandfather is the one who ended my father’s wrestling career with a back injury.”
“I get it. Your father has been feuding with their father, you and your sister feuded with Henry and Mason, this is a generational blood feud. It is a grudge you can’t quite let go of.”
Braddock jumps up off of the bed and starts pacing. “This isn’t just a grudge! I have good reasons to distrust that whole family!”
“But what has Archie done?”
Glory stops her pacing and turns and glares daggers right through Kurt’s heart and soul. But The British Bombshell still remains silent. Kurt smirks knowingly. “That’s what I thought.”
“He hasn’t done anything yet, I’ll grant you that, but I still don’t trust him.”
Kurt rises up off of of the bed and embraces Glory in a tight hug. She begins crying on his shoulder. “I know you hate the Van Stanton brothers. And you have good reason to hate them. They’ve done terrible things to you and your sister. But just because Archie is related to them doesn’t mean he is like them.”
Glory looks up at her husband through tear filled eyes. “How can you be so sure?”
“Do you trust Melinda’s judgment?”
“I think so, yes.”
“Well she seems to trust him.”
“She’s crazy about him.”
“Exactly, and that’s my point. Melinda does love this boy and the more you try to push him away without even giving him a chance the more you will push her towards him. You should at least give him a chance, prove to Melinda that you are willing to at least be open minded to Archie, that he may be different from his father and uncle.”
Glory wipes some tears from her eyes. “I did promise Mel that I would give him a chance…”
“Even more reason to live up to your word.”
Glory pauses for a moment to think about what her husband said. Then she kisses him again, passionately on the lips. Upon breaking the kiss Kurt smiles. “What was that for?”
“For just being you...and for reminding me of the promise I made, not just to Melinda but to you.” She takes Kurt by his hand squeezes it tightly. “Now come on, like I said, I’m going to start putting this family first.”
Glory Braddock walks back over to the bed and slides onto it. Kurt follows suit. They begin to cuddle and then passionately kiss. Kurt then reaches up for the light switch and turns off the lights.
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June 1st, 2021
London, England
Off Camera
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It has been a little over a week since Melinda Braddock, oldest daughter of Glory Braddock, completed her lessons at the Braddock Wrestling School, an academy of wrestling knowledge originally built by her own late grandfather. It has also been little over a week since The British Bombshell learned that her daughter was still dating Archie Van Stanton, the son of her arch rival Henry Van Stanton. The fact that her daughter and her rival’s son are seemingly crazy about each other is a tough pill to swallow but Braddock has promised to put her family ahead of her own selfish desires, and in this case if Melinda truly does love this Archie Van Stanton, then Glory is willing to give him a chance.
Still, the bad blood is there. Henry’s father ended the career of Glory’s father. Henry and his brother Mason both in various ways and methods tried to ruin the careers of both Glory Braddock and her sister Julia Braddock. This is a blood feud that has spanned two generations, but now the third generations of this dating. It is a story right out of Romeo and Juliet, or maybe a better metaphor would be the Hatfields and McCoys? Either way, Glory realizes that accepting Henry’s son Archie will be quite a challenge but she is willing to give it a try for her daughter and for the sake of the family.
Right now The British Bombshell finds herself in a small gymnasium on the outskirts of London, England. This place is playing host to a small wrestling event that her daughter, Melinda Braddock, is competing in. The sights and sounds of a small but lively, passionate wrestling crowd brings back memories of her own childhood when she watched her own father, the late Glenn Braddock, compete in small venues like this to small crowds like this crowd. Making money and becoming famous wasn’t important to Glenn Braddock. He just was passionate about the sport and was passionate about competing. Competing in small venues like this all over Europe is how he got his start and now his granddaughter is determined to follow in his footsteps.
Braddock’s seat is near the back, near the entrance. She could have secured better seats closer to the ring but she hopes that once her daughter’s match is over she can sneak back and quickly meet up with her to talk to her about the match itself. Melinda wants to do this on her own but Glory cannot help herself, she too is passionate about wrestling and will always be a coach. She is also a mother and cannot help herself when it comes to advising her daughter.
Currently she notices that her daughter is what appears to be considerable danger, locked in a tight rear naked choke from her much larger opponent; a tall, muscular powerhouse female with blonde hair. Melinda appears to begin fading away from the move that cuts off the blood flow to the brain. Most parents would be concerned at this point but not Glory. She has every confidence that her daughter knows how to escape.
Melinda reaches down towards the ankle of her opponent. Glory smirks knowingly, sensing what her daughter is about to attempt. Melinda manages to wriggle free and get enough leverage on her opponent to grasp the ankle and begin twisting. It takes some time but eventually her larger opponent does manage to relinquish the hold. Glory Braddock grins from ear to ear. She taught Melinda that escape.
The powerhouse lunges forward with a lariat that floors Melinda. She pulls Melinda up off the mat and whips her into the ropes. Melinda rebounds and her opponent attempts a tilt-a-whirl but Melinda counters it into a ddt. Melinda’s mother smiles with pride, another brilliant counter from her daughter. Melinda pulls herself and waits, measuring the larger opponent as she pulls herself up. Melinda spots her mother in the crowd and points at her. She then strikes her opponent with the double knee strike Glory calls Gloria In Excselis Deo. Melinda then applies the Indian Deathlock, the variation her mother calls Glorify Thy Name. It isn’t long before her opponent taps out.
Glory begins applauding for her daughter as she watches on with pride as Melinda’s arm is raised in victory. The ring announcer then makes his official announcement “Here is your winner, Melinda Braddock!”
The British Bombshell continues to applaud and whistle loudly for Melinda Braddock. She continues to applaud loudly even as Melinda makes her way back up the entrance ramp. She stops at her mother, leans over, and embraces her in a tight hug. Melinda then turns and exits into the back. As soon as her daughter is out of sight, Glory Braddock backs out through the crowd and begins to head towards the back as well. She approaches two security guards who do not even stop her. They recognize her immediately and smile and nod in her direction.
“Your daughter was great out there, Ms. Braddock.”
“Thanks, mate.” Glory says to the one guard who spoke. Braddock walks past the guards and further into the backstage area. She makes her way towards the dressing room area where she is nearly floored with a charging embrace and subsequent bear hug from her eldest daughter.
“Mom!”
Whoa, hold on there, love, you almost knocked me down!”
Melinda chuckles as she releases the embrace. “Sorry, I’m just so excited!”
“Why? It wasn’t like that was your debut or anything. You have had a few matches already, am I right?”
“Yeah, of course, but this was the first time I competed in front of you. To be honest with you, I was kinda nervous knowing you were out there watching me. That probably caused me to make some mistakes.”
The British Bombshell ruffles her daughter’s hair. “Could’ve fooled me, love. You looked damn near flawless out there tonight.”
“Eh, I dunno,” Melinda shrugs her shoulders “I nearly got caught with that rear naked choke.”
“So you nearly got caught? So what? It happens to everyone in every match. This is wrestling, this is real life, and there is no such thing as a flawless victory.”
“You had to bring my favorite game, Mortal Kombat, into this didn’t you?”
“Maybe I did, but you’re too much of a perfectionist like your grandfather. You need to learn that you will get caught in these matches. And while your career has been successful thus far, you will eventually get caught and lose. So prepare yourself for that.”
Melinda frowns. “I thought we had agreed that I would do this on my own?”
“Sorry, my mistake.” Glory says chuckling. “I’m your mother, I can’t help myself.”
“No, no, it’s ok, I was just messing with you anyway.” Melinda says, gently and jokingly shoving her mother. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind receiving some pointers from the Best in the World.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I mean, you were out there, you watched the match, what did you see that I did good and what did you see that I can improve upon?”
The British Bombshell pauses to stare into the loving eyes of her oldest child. She does want to help her and offer her advice. Though she promised her not to butt in. Yet, now it seems as if Melinda wants her advice, as if she wants her to butt in. Glory grins and nods her head.
“Ok, one thing I saw out there is that you are a tremendous counter wrestler. Everything that woman threw at you, you seemed to have a counter for. That is what ultimately led to your victory tonight. Skills like that will help you in the future. But on the flip side of that coin, being a great counter wrestler sometimes isn’t enough. Sometimes you get an opponent who is just as good at countering and can counter your counter. Or maybe they are good enough to stop your counter?” Glory sighs as she wraps an arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “If I could offer one bit of advice, one criticism that you could work on improving, it is to try to avoid getting in those positions in the first place. I mean, you got out of several dangerous spots there, Mel…”
Braddock holds up one finger “...but your opponent only needed to connect once, to be effective once, and it could have been over. You needed to be able to counter every time. Having the ability to counter is good but it will serve you even better if you can minimize the times you have to utilize those skills. Do you understand, love?”
“I think so, mom.”
“Great.” Glory kisses her on the cheek. “You’re doing great, love. You are going to have a great career. Now how about you go and get changed so we can go and celebrate? I know a few places to go out and enjoy ourselves.”
Melinda always has been more of a party girl and her mother expects her to be absolutely thrilled with the prospect of her mother endorsing a night out partying. But much to her surprise, Melinda just sighs and shakes her head.
“Uh, actually, I think I’d rather just go on and get to bed early tonight.”
“Are you sure? Is it because I’m here, because if you’re embarrassed of your mother then I can always just leave you alone. I trust you.”
Melinda smiles warmly “I appreciate that, mom, but I’m serious, I’d just rather go to bed. And, if it’s ok, I think I’d like to stay with you tonight, wherever you’re staying.”
“Of course it’s ok, love. You never have to ask if it’s ok to stay with me. I’m staying with your aunt at your grandfather’s old place. But I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning to catch a flight back to Miami.”
“I understand. In fact, I was going to talk to you about that.”
“Oh?” Glory arches her brow out of curiosity.
“Yeah, I have two more matches in the next two days. Then I am on a bit of an extended break before my next match. I would love to fly back to Miami. I haven’t seen Kurt and Dawn in forever, so seeing you guys would be great.”
The British Bombshell grins from ear to ear. She has missed seeing her daughter. She enjoys spending time with her. Still, there is one other item that Glory has almost forgotten about. She sighs and nods her head. “Uh, that sounds great Mel, but…”
“But what?”
“...but what about your boyfriend?”
“You mean Archie? Well, I know how you feel about him. He will probably want to stay behind with his dad anyway.”
Glory shakes her head. “Then change his mind.”
“Huh?”
“I want you to bring him with you to Miami.”
Melinda’s eyes grow wide with surprise. She isn’t certain she believes what she is hearing. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am serious.” Glory places a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You love him, I can tell. And while I admit that I still do not entirely trust him, I do love you. And as I said, I trust you. If you love him, clearly you must trust him, and if you trust him then maybe I should give him a chance. So bring him to Miami, both of you can stay with us for awhile and that will give me plenty of time to get to know him.”
Melinda is stunned into silence, still unsure if she heard her mother right. Finally after finding the right words… “Seriously? I mean, are you sure?!”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Melinda embraces her mother in a tight hug. “I love you mom! Thanks for giving him a chance!”
“Anything for you, Mel. Anything…”
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June 6th, 2021
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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Glory Braddock immediately had some concerns and nervous feelings after promising her daughter Melinda Braddock that she would let Archie Van Stanton stay with them for the duration of her break from competition on the European wrestling circuits. It’s one thing to say that she will put her family first and be a better person but to actively put it into action is another thing entirely. Deep within her heart she knows that giving Archie a chance is the right thing to do. But her mind tells her otherwise. She cannot forget the nightmarish feud she has been enduring for years with his father and uncle, Henry and Mason Van Stanton. The British Bombshell also cannot forgive what Archie’s grandfather did to her father, Glenn Braddock. It is a hard thing to simply forgive and forget something that horrific, especially when it was her own father’s career that was ended. But what makes this an even more difficult memory for Glory, and what makes this grudge even harder to let go of, is the fact that she was present and in attendance the night Glenn Braddock injured his back. Glenn was not just her father, he was her hero, and she had to watch her hero writhing and screaming in agony. And now Glenn’s granddaughter is dating the grandson of the man who ended his wrestling career. She promised she would do anything for her daughter; but that’s easier said than done when a Van Stanton is involved.
Braddock picked her daughter up on Saturday June 5th from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Part of Glory had hoped that Archie’s father would have said no. In fact, she was partially expecting to hear from Henry Van Stanton about this arrangement for Archie to stay with them in Miami but Glory never did hear from him. Her best guess is that he trusts Archie’s judgment or he just doesn’t care. While the radio silence from her nemesis Henry Van Stanton was unexpected, the arrival of his son Archie by Melinda’s side as they descended from the airplane was most definitely expected. The British Bombshell had been mentally and emotionally preparing herself for this moment in the days leading up to June 5th. She does not trust his family and therefore does not trust him, but for whatever reason, her daughter seems to like him and she is determined to give this a chance. She doesn’t want this to turn into a tragedy similar to Romeo and Juliet.
Things were well prepared by Glory Braddock’s standards and liking. There was a guest bedroom, but she wasn’t about to let Archie stay in their home. A very nice camper that Glory and Kurt had bought years ago was set up just outside the home. Considering the luxuries contained within the camper, she thought that was good enough. Kurt wasn’t exactly thrilled with his wife’s refusal to let the kid stay in the home but she had put her foot down on that one. He would get to spend plenty of time socializing with the family. Tonight would be one of those nights.
Glory Braddock finds herself in the kitchen, pacing back and forth impatiently and nervously. She is dressed in a knee length pink dress with half-sleeves and her patent leather black high heel pumps click across the marble floor. Her husband, Kurt Logan, is trying his best to ignore his anxious wife as he puts the finishing touches on their meal tonight. A meal of chicken, baked potatoes, and corn, fit to serve five people; Glory Braddock, her husband Kurt, their daughter Dawn, Glory’s oldest daughter Melinda, and Melinda’s boyfriend, Archie Van Stanton.
“Careful babe, you’re going to create a trench.” Kurt says as he chuckles under his breath. Braddock either doesn’t hear him or just chooses to ignore his sarcastic comment.
“This is going to be a disaster. I don’t know why I even agreed to it.”
“Because you are a mother who loves her children and wants to support them?”
“If I wanted to support her I would end this damned relationship between her and Van Stanton’s spawn.”
Kurt sighs as he steps away from the stove and steps in front of his wife, stopping her from pacing. He puts both hands on her shoulders. “We’ve been over this.”
“I know, we have been over this many times. I should give Archie a chance. My heart knows this but my logical mind can’t help but remind me of what his grandfather did, what his father did, what his uncle did…” Glory shakes her head furiously “...look, there is a history here that we cannot ignore!”
“You’re right, there is a history that we cannot and should not forget. But just because his family wronged you doesn’t mean he will too. He could be different. And that’s what this is all about, trying to find out if he is different, if he can earn our trust and if he is worthy of Melinda.” Kurt runs his hand through his wife’s long blonde hair. “Melinda may not be my daughter biologically, but I have watched her grow up through the last eight years. I was there practically through her entire teenage years. I love her as if she is my own. You remember what I wanted to do to Clyde Sutter when I learned about how he treated her?”
Braddock smirks. “You wanted to, and I quote, ‘tear his fucking head off.’”
“I wanted to tear his fucking head off? That’s ALL I said I would do? Wow, I was tamer than I remembered.”
“I could have forgotten something.”
“Maybe, but the point is I love Melinda and I would fight to the death for her. There’s a kid out there sitting in the dining room whose father, whose uncle, whose grandfather has some past with your family. But I’m willing to give the kid a chance. You keep saying you’re willing to give the kid a chance but you still seem unable to do so. You wouldn’t even let him stay in the house, you made him stay outside in a camper.”
“It’s a bloody nice camper!”
“That’s not the point.”
“Right, the point is that I’m not letting that boy and my daughter stay under the same bloody roof!” Glory pulls up a chair and sits down. Kurt sighs as he goes back over to the stove and checks on the potatoes and corn. Then he looks back over at his wife. He grins from ear to ear.
“You really should stop complaining, Gloria. This could be a lot worse.”
“How could it be worse?”
“You’re lucky at least ONE OF US knows how to cook, otherwise we would have to have some pizza delivered tonight!”
Braddock rolls her eyes. “Thank God for small miracles!”
Kurt chuckles. “So what is bothering you, Glory?”
“You weren’t there when I picked them up from the airport. Archie has changed a bit since the last time I saw him. He looks a lot like his father. And so every time I see his face, I see the man who tried to brand me as a lunatic so he could steal my company out from under me.”
“That was Henry, not Archie.”
“I’m having a difficult time differentiating right now.”
“How? How is it so hard? Henry DID try to steal your company. That kid in there has been very polite. He had every right to complain about being made to sleep in the camper but he seemed perfectly ok with it. Even Melinda hasn’t batted an eye about any of this.”
Braddock nods her head. “Fair enough, love, he has been acting like a proper gentleman so far.”
“So can’t you at least admit that maybe you were wrong about him?”
“Sure. I could be wrong. But there’s still a long way before he fully earns my trust.” Glory rises up out of her chair and marches towards the exit. Kurt sighs and shakes his head.
“Be polite, Glory!”
“I know!”
Braddock exits the kitchen and walks just out in the hall and then into the dining room. There she finds an eight year old Dawn Logan sitting side by side at the table with her older half-sister Melinda Braddock. Noticeably missing is Archie Van Stanton.
“How is London, Mel?”
“Oh it’s great, Dawn. You’ll have to get used to the different accent, since you were born and raised American and all.” Melinda chuckles. She takes note of her mother standing there just inside the dining room. “Y’know, mom, you should bring Dawn with you to my next match. She hasn’t been to London that much. It is our grandfather’s home.”
“It’s also where I grew up.” Glory says, smiling warmly at her two daughters as she approaches. She sits down next to Dawn. “I think I can arrange for you to come with me on my next trip, Dawnie.”
“Thanks, mommy.” Dawn says happily. Glory gives her a kiss on the cheek. Then she looks over at Melinda.
“Where’s Archie?”
“He just stepped out to use the bathroom. Anything wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” Glory says, shaking her head. “It’s just, uh, Kurt is about finished preparing the dinner.”
Melinda stares deeply into her mother’s eyes. There is a deep skepticism in Melinda’s eyes. “You don’t like Archie, do you?”
“Do we have to do this now? In front of Dawn?”
Melinda sighs. “Sorry, mom.”
Glory shakes her head. Then looks over at her youngest daughter. “Why don’t you go help your father in the kitchen?”
“Sure, mom!” Dawn quickly hops up off of the chair and rushes out of the dining room. Glory turns and looks over at Melinda.
“He’s been very polite. He has been good to me. And despite your negativity he’s been good to you.”
“My negativity?!” Glory exclaims. Melinda nods her head.
“Yes, everyone can tell that you’ve been in a piss poor mood ever since me and Archie came back from London. Even Archie can tell, he just doesn’t say it to your face because he’s trying to be polite. So what else do you want from him, mom? What is it going to take for you to like him?”
Braddock shakes her head. “It isn’t that I don’t like him. I don’t like or dislike him. I just don’t trust him.”
“But do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then prove it. Trust my judgment.”
That is quite a loaded challenge from Melinda Braddock. Glory ponders the statement but isn’t sure how she should respond. Luckily she doesn’t have to respond as Archie Van Stanton enters the room, immediately breaking up the moment.
“Oh, hi Ms. Braddock. You and your husband have a lovely home.”
“Thank you, Archie.”
Just then Dawn Logan and her father Kurt enter through the other entrance. Kurt has the food with him and Dawn has a tray with the drinks. “Dinner is served!” He looks over at his wife and winks. “Thanks for sending me a little helper, Glory.”
Everyone takes their places at the table while Kurt and Dawn pass out the food and drinks. Melinda and Archie sit next to each other on one end of the table. Glory sits on the other end of the table with two other seats reserved, apparently for Dawn and Kurt. While this is going on, Glory decides to make conversation with Archie.
“So, Archie, what do you plan to do with your life?”
“I’ll be honest with you, Ms. Braddock, for awhile I wasn’t sure, but after shadowing my dad with this project he’s been working on in England the past few months, I think I’ve decided that I want to learn more about business law and maybe become an attorney.”
Glory nods her head. “Wise choice. Attorneys make good money and, I have to admit that your father does have quite the legal mind himself.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what made you decide to get into the business side of wrestling?”
“Well, Archie, I always knew I wanted to give back to wrestling in some way. I give back as an active competitor, I give back by continuing to run my father’s wrestling school, and I give back through my business.”
“Very noble and selfless of you, Ms. Braddock.”
Glory puts on a smile; she hopes that it at least has the appearance of being real even though it is faked on her part. In fact, The British Bombshell cannot help but feel that much of this conversation is faked. Archie seems overly polite. But then again, maybe he just is a good kid? Maybe Glory has read him all wrong?
==========
3 Hours Later
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========
The remainder of the evening went off without one single problem. The meal was delicious, conversation was made, Archie and Glory were polite to one another. It almost seems too perfect for Glory’s liking. She cannot help but sense that something is wrong and that sixth sense is eating her alive as she sits next to her husband Kurt on the living room sofa watching television. It has been three hours since dinner and Dawn, Melinda, and Archie have all gone to bed. The television is tuned in to the evening news but Kurt can tell that his wife is just staring blankly ahead. She isn’t paying one iota of attention to what the reporter is saying.
“What’s bothering you, Glory?”
“Huh?” Glory says, somewhat startled.
“You’re quiet. What’s up?”
“Me? Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m fine.” Braddock again puts on a fake smile, hoping to fool Kurt. “I mean, why wouldn’t I be fine? The dinner went off rather well, don’t you agree?”
“Oh I agree that it went very well.” He smirks. “But you are a terrible liar and it is obvious to me that something is bothering you.”
“Bloody hell!” Glory exclaims.
“Everyone got along brilliantly. As far as Archie himself goes, he was very polite, friendly, and seems like a great kid. He treats Melinda like she is a goddess.”
“I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“Like with Sutter?” Kurt asks, again bringing up Melinda’s first love, Clyde Sutter. “Sutter didn’t give a damn. He treats all women like sex objects. Archie seems to genuinely care about Melinda. Not only that, but he cares for your feelings as well. Notice he never once kissed her or cuddled with her all night, all because he knew how awkward it would make you feel.”
“You don’t understand, Kurt. The Van Stanton family poses a different kind of threat than Sutter. With Clyde Sutter you have someone who lacks the ability to be subtle. He will make it obvious what he wants out of you. With Mason and Henry Van Stanton? They are more conniving, more strategic. They can hide their true agenda and their true feelings. They can put on a show for a short period of time just long enough to get what they want.”
Kurt looks over at Glory and frowns. “Aren’t you being a little paranoid? Archie is just a kid.”
“But he’s a Van Stanton. What they’ve done to my family…” she shakes her head “...I cannot forget, and I will not forgive. That’s why I have trouble trusting Archie.”
“But it’s been almost two days since he’s been with us. You have to admit that he’s done nothing to raise any red flags.”
“Yet…” Glory says. Kurt rolls his eyes and finally loses patience with his wife.
“Damn it, Glory, are you going to actually give this kid a chance or did everything you told me a few days ago, and everything you told Melinda over a week ago, was all that just bullshit?”
“Fine! I admit, I am warming up to the kid. So far he seems sincere. But I still can’t let my guard down. His family has done so many horrible things to my family that I cannot just go in and blindly trust him with my daughter.”
“Our daughter.” Kurt says, correcting his wife. “She is my step-daughter, after all.”
“Fair enough.” Glory clears her mind and then smiles genuinely, warmly at her husband. “I’m sorry, Kurt. This is just all very hard for me, you know? These are memories that I cannot easily forget about. Those wounds do not heal so quickly.”
Kurt embraces Glory in a tight hug. “I know, Gloria, I know. But trust me, everything will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right, Kurt. I do hope you’re right.”
==========
June 11th, 2021
St. Louis, Missouri
On Camera
==========
The camera begins to roll and we find ourselves in a park. The bright blue sky with the sun shining overhead creates quite the beautiful scenery. It also serene, with an empty and quiet background. A few moments later “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock emerges into view from stage right. The blonde is wearing blue denim jeans, black boots, and a royal purple t-shirt. Her long blonde hair hangs straight and unrestrained to past the shoulders. A look of confidence is etched across her shoulders as she begins to speak, with the camera following her every step of the way.
“Welcome to St. Louis, the city which will host the annual Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal.” She allows a light chuckle to escape her lips. “I suppose this is the time where I gloat about being The Best in the World and how this is just the beginning of my journey towards regaining the SCW World Championship and becoming a sixteen time World Champion in the process.”
She shakes her head. “Not today. That was the old Glory Braddock. That was the arrogant brasser from last year who made everything about herself. That was the monster willing to do anything and everything just to pad her record and build herself up, to make herself look great.”
The British Bombshell comes across a black bench. Braddock walks over towards the bench and sits down. “What a difference a year makes, am I right? Last year I thought I was bigger than the business. Last year, I thought I alone was the sole judge of what was right and wrong in professional wrestling. I believed that I alone had the proper moral compass to determine what was best for professional wrestling. Looking back I see how wrong I was. I wasn’t looking out for the best interests of wrestling, I was looking out for my own best interests. I was a fraud, a hypocrite, and I did not care about what was best for professional wrestling. Hell, last year I didn’t even compete in Taking Hold of the Flame, because I couldn’t be bothered with it. I had a Trios Contract that guaranteed me a world title match anytime I wanted anywhere I wanted, so I didn’t see the point in competing in the Flame.”
“But I missed the entire point of the Flame. The Flame isn’t about entirely about becoming World Champion. I mean, sure, that’s part of it; because the winner does get a guaranteed world title match in the main event of Rise To Greatness. But the even bigger, more important point behind The Flame is competition. Yourself pitted against thirty nine of the very best to lace up a pair of wrestling of boots in a battle royal scenario; and the last person left standing can truly call themselves the best of the best in Supreme Championship Wrestling.”
She nods her head. “That’s what wrestling is all about. It is the spirit of competition; facing the toughest of competitors, the stiffest of challenges, and seeing just how you measure up. Can you hang with the best or will you fold under pressure? Last year I folded under the pressure. I didn’t want to bother risking myself and my precious reputation in Taking Hold of the Flame when I already had a Trios Contract that guaranteed me the same damn thing that winning the Flame would guarantee me. So I balked, I did the weak and cowardly thing and walked away from the Flame, and called my shot when I felt I was good and ready. And I remember quite well how that turned out for me.”
“I called my shot against David Helms, the man who would WIN The Flame last year and go on to successfully defeat Bree Lancaster and become World Champion. I challenged Helms at Apocalypse, truly believing that my strategy of waiting, biding my time, would work…” she sighs and shakes her head “...I was wrong. I was beaten and humbled. I failed to become World Champion.”
Another light chuckle escapes her lips. “It was the second year in a row I wasted a Trios Contract. But as humbling and embarrassing as that moment was, it was also the reality check I needed. I looked back at David Helms, last year’s Flame winner, the man was nearing the end of his professional career and he knew it but he still felt the competitive flame deep down inside that would not be extinguished, he still wanted to test himself against the best; that’s why he enter the battle royal in the first place. And then when he won, he would go on to prove himself yet again by winning the World Championship on the biggest stage of them all.”
“Now how does all of this tie in to me? Quite frankly, I am looking to challenge myself and test myself. That’s what wrestling is all about, isn’t it? You want to challenge and test yourself against the best to see how good you are. And you cannot and will not find a greater challenge in this business than Taking Hold of the Flame. So this year I refuse to walk away. Instead I am going to march right into Taking Hold of the Flame and redeem myself.” She smirks knowingly.
“Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean I’m guaranteeing victory. Bloody hell, I know the kinds of odds I’m up against. First of all, I am up against thirty nine other competitors. Many of those thirty nine other competitors are world champion caliber athletes. Secondly, I could end up having to do battle against lady luck herself. I mean, I could get real lucky and get a late entry, I would be fresh and the odds would be in my favor. But look at Syren and Gavin, entering at numbers one and two respectively. They have the tallest mountain to climb if they expect to win it all. But what if I draw number three? Or four? Or any other early number? My endurance could end being tested like never before depending on how lady luck treats me. I have wrestled for over sixty minutes before, but with thirty nine other competitors I may have to go much longer than sixty minutes.”
“But whatever I have to do, whatever obstacles I have to overcome, all of it will be worth it. No matter the outcome, all of this will be worth it. Because by challenging myself against some of the best the SCW has to offer in its most difficult of matches of the calendar year, I will be able to measure just how good I am. I have fans who call me The Best in the World.” Braddock shakes her head. “I don’t call myself that any longer, but some of my fans still do. And in a match like the Flame, I can prove whether or not I rate up their amongst the best wrestlers to compete in the squared circle. And that, ultimately, is what The Flame is all about; competition. At its heart and soul, Taking Hold of the Flame is all about competition.”
Braddock pats herself on the chest. “And that’s all I have been seeking these past few weeks. I want competition. I want to face the best of the best. I want to prove myself in front of the entire world. Taking Hold of the Flame is the singular night where I have the opportunity to do that. And should I win Taking Hold of the Flame, I will main event Rise To Greatness, I will get another opportunity at the SCW World Championship. Only this time I will have earned it the hard way, the way of the grappler, the way of the warrior.”
Glory shuts her eyes. “Sic Semper Tyrannis...the tyrant has fallen,” she opens her eyes and smiles “all that remains is me, Glory Braddock, and at Taking Hold of the Flame I promise to give each and every one of you everything I have; my heart, my soul, everything...because that is what this business and competition is all about.”
May 30th, 2021
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========
It’s been two days removed from SCW Breakdown when Glory Braddock successfully defeated Gavin Taylor. The arrogant All-Star pushed her even further and proved to be an even tougher challenge than when they did battle at Under Attack. A part of The British Bombshell would like to think that some of her words did sink into the rather thick skull of Gavin. She would like to think that maybe what she said did some good. People in this business do not change all that often and Glory isn’t holding her breath on Gavin Taylor changing his stripes anytime soon. This match against Taylor, just like her match against Katie Steward at Be Careful What You Wish For, is just more challenges for Glory and more preparation for what is in store for her next, the biggest challenge of the calendar year for Supreme Championship Wrestling.
Taking Hold of the Flame.
Braddock admittedly wasn’t certain if she would enter the yearly match or not. In previous years she was obsessed with being world champion and that obsession led her down a dark path. But that obsession has since subsided. Does she still want to be World Champion? Of course. If you are not in this business to be World Champion then you are in the wrong business. But it is no longer an obsession, it no longer defines her reason for living. Being World Champion for Glory Braddock now is about making the championship respectable, and in turn making SCW and all of wrestling respectable, by holding it and defending it to the best of her ability. She had a brief taste of it thanks to Ace Marshall’s Trios Cash In only to lose it to Chris Cannon. But now she is ready to win it back. Winning Taking Hold of the Flame would cement her spot in the main event of Rise To Greatness and guarantee her a world title match.
Currently work is the furthest thing from the mind of Glory Braddock. She is lying on her king sized bed wearing a flirty pink polka dot baby doll chemise nighty with a ruffled hem. She is waiting here on her husband, Kurt Logan, who is putting their other child, eight year old Dawn Aphrodite Logan, to bed. As soon the beautiful blonde hears the door knob begin to turn, she puts a seductive grin upon her face. Braddock watches the door open and Kurt Logan enter the room.
“Well, Dawn is…” Kurt stops his talking immediately upon seeing his wife in this sexy attire “...uh…”
“Cat got your tongue, love?”
“...something like that.”
Glory turns and eases herself off of the bed. She approaches her husband and plants a kiss on his lips. “You were saying about Dawn?”
“Who?”
“Our daughter.”
“Oh! Yeah…” Kurt says chuckling “...she’s asleep.”
Dawn Aphrodite Logan is the daughter of Kurt Logan and Glory Braddock. Dawn is actually Kurt’s only biological child. Melinda Braddock, Glory’s eldest, is from another relationship when Glory was much younger. Kurt still treats Melinda as his own. Being a father is something Kurt enjoys but he also enjoys the private alone time he gets with his lovely wife.
“Did I do something right?” Kurt asks gazing at his wife almost lustfully. Glory shakes her head.
“Nothing at all, Kurt. You just being you is enough. Fact is, you and I have been through hell the past couple of years and I have to admit that most of it is my fault. This family feud with my sister? My fault. How I got us in trouble with organized crime? My fault. Mason Van Stanton and Ronald D. Kennedy both trying to ruin us? My fault.”
“If this is your way of apologizing then forget it. You don’t need to apologize for anything, Gloria.” He looks her over again and smirks. “Not that I’m complaining about any of this.”
“I think I do need to apologize and I do need to do something...this specifically? Maybe it’s just a start of correcting an error on my part.”
“What error?”
“I have been putting myself and my interests ahead of our marriage. And if you recall, it almost ended our marriage.”
Kurt sighs deeply. This isn’t a memory he wants to revisit. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Well all of those items on that list, those things I said were my fault? All of them can be attributed to the fact that I was selfishly putting myself and my career ahead of this family. That changes starting now. Family is first, work and my career is secondary.”
Glory and Kurt begin to passionately kiss. The kiss goes on for several moments before they finally come up for air. Kurt is grinning from ear to ear, as is his lovely wife. “That’s fine but, I don’t want to hold you back. I mean, you do still want to be a World Champion don’t you?”
“Of course I do. Kurt, I still have goals in SCW and becoming a sixteen time World Champion is right on up there on that list of goals. But I have never held the United States Championship, the Television Championship, or the Tag Team Championship. I would love to see what I can do if given a chance at those. But I am not going to achieve those goals at the expense of this family. You, Melinda, and Dawn are my life and my most important priority right now. Especially, Melinda…”
Glory sighs as she walks back over to the king sized bed. Kurt can tell something is bothering her. He follows her back to the bed and sits down next to her. He wraps a comforting, loving arm around her shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Glory?”
“Melinda graduated from the wrestling school.”
“Yeah, I heard you telling me about that. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“It is, I suppose. I was hoping she would take me up on my offer to negotiate her a contract with SCW, MWE, or even GCW. But she would rather follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and compete on the European circuits first.”
Kurt smirks. “Yeah, Mel is definitely a lot like you. Stubborn. She wants to do things her way.”
“You can say that again.”
“Is that what’s bothering you? Are you worried about her competing in Europe instead of being under your watchful eye?”
Braddock shakes her head. “No, of course not. She can handle herself. She was near top of her class as far as wrestling skill and mat strategy go. And she has a great support system up there ranging from my sister to my good friends Sophie and Mark [O’Brian].”
“So what IS the problem?”
“Melinda isn’t using any of them as her support system. She’s been using Archie.”
“Archie as in Archie Van Stanton, Henry’s son?”
Glory nods her head. “That’s the one.”
Kurt sighs deeply. He begins to massage his wife’s shoulders. “I can see why that would bother you.”
“I don’t trust him, Kurt.”
“Because of who his father is?”
“Precisely. His father took my company away from me. Archie’s uncle tried to destroy our family’s good name. And Archie’s grandfather is the one who ended my father’s wrestling career with a back injury.”
“I get it. Your father has been feuding with their father, you and your sister feuded with Henry and Mason, this is a generational blood feud. It is a grudge you can’t quite let go of.”
Braddock jumps up off of the bed and starts pacing. “This isn’t just a grudge! I have good reasons to distrust that whole family!”
“But what has Archie done?”
Glory stops her pacing and turns and glares daggers right through Kurt’s heart and soul. But The British Bombshell still remains silent. Kurt smirks knowingly. “That’s what I thought.”
“He hasn’t done anything yet, I’ll grant you that, but I still don’t trust him.”
Kurt rises up off of of the bed and embraces Glory in a tight hug. She begins crying on his shoulder. “I know you hate the Van Stanton brothers. And you have good reason to hate them. They’ve done terrible things to you and your sister. But just because Archie is related to them doesn’t mean he is like them.”
Glory looks up at her husband through tear filled eyes. “How can you be so sure?”
“Do you trust Melinda’s judgment?”
“I think so, yes.”
“Well she seems to trust him.”
“She’s crazy about him.”
“Exactly, and that’s my point. Melinda does love this boy and the more you try to push him away without even giving him a chance the more you will push her towards him. You should at least give him a chance, prove to Melinda that you are willing to at least be open minded to Archie, that he may be different from his father and uncle.”
Glory wipes some tears from her eyes. “I did promise Mel that I would give him a chance…”
“Even more reason to live up to your word.”
Glory pauses for a moment to think about what her husband said. Then she kisses him again, passionately on the lips. Upon breaking the kiss Kurt smiles. “What was that for?”
“For just being you...and for reminding me of the promise I made, not just to Melinda but to you.” She takes Kurt by his hand squeezes it tightly. “Now come on, like I said, I’m going to start putting this family first.”
Glory Braddock walks back over to the bed and slides onto it. Kurt follows suit. They begin to cuddle and then passionately kiss. Kurt then reaches up for the light switch and turns off the lights.
==========
June 1st, 2021
London, England
Off Camera
==========
It has been a little over a week since Melinda Braddock, oldest daughter of Glory Braddock, completed her lessons at the Braddock Wrestling School, an academy of wrestling knowledge originally built by her own late grandfather. It has also been little over a week since The British Bombshell learned that her daughter was still dating Archie Van Stanton, the son of her arch rival Henry Van Stanton. The fact that her daughter and her rival’s son are seemingly crazy about each other is a tough pill to swallow but Braddock has promised to put her family ahead of her own selfish desires, and in this case if Melinda truly does love this Archie Van Stanton, then Glory is willing to give him a chance.
Still, the bad blood is there. Henry’s father ended the career of Glory’s father. Henry and his brother Mason both in various ways and methods tried to ruin the careers of both Glory Braddock and her sister Julia Braddock. This is a blood feud that has spanned two generations, but now the third generations of this dating. It is a story right out of Romeo and Juliet, or maybe a better metaphor would be the Hatfields and McCoys? Either way, Glory realizes that accepting Henry’s son Archie will be quite a challenge but she is willing to give it a try for her daughter and for the sake of the family.
Right now The British Bombshell finds herself in a small gymnasium on the outskirts of London, England. This place is playing host to a small wrestling event that her daughter, Melinda Braddock, is competing in. The sights and sounds of a small but lively, passionate wrestling crowd brings back memories of her own childhood when she watched her own father, the late Glenn Braddock, compete in small venues like this to small crowds like this crowd. Making money and becoming famous wasn’t important to Glenn Braddock. He just was passionate about the sport and was passionate about competing. Competing in small venues like this all over Europe is how he got his start and now his granddaughter is determined to follow in his footsteps.
Braddock’s seat is near the back, near the entrance. She could have secured better seats closer to the ring but she hopes that once her daughter’s match is over she can sneak back and quickly meet up with her to talk to her about the match itself. Melinda wants to do this on her own but Glory cannot help herself, she too is passionate about wrestling and will always be a coach. She is also a mother and cannot help herself when it comes to advising her daughter.
Currently she notices that her daughter is what appears to be considerable danger, locked in a tight rear naked choke from her much larger opponent; a tall, muscular powerhouse female with blonde hair. Melinda appears to begin fading away from the move that cuts off the blood flow to the brain. Most parents would be concerned at this point but not Glory. She has every confidence that her daughter knows how to escape.
Melinda reaches down towards the ankle of her opponent. Glory smirks knowingly, sensing what her daughter is about to attempt. Melinda manages to wriggle free and get enough leverage on her opponent to grasp the ankle and begin twisting. It takes some time but eventually her larger opponent does manage to relinquish the hold. Glory Braddock grins from ear to ear. She taught Melinda that escape.
The powerhouse lunges forward with a lariat that floors Melinda. She pulls Melinda up off the mat and whips her into the ropes. Melinda rebounds and her opponent attempts a tilt-a-whirl but Melinda counters it into a ddt. Melinda’s mother smiles with pride, another brilliant counter from her daughter. Melinda pulls herself and waits, measuring the larger opponent as she pulls herself up. Melinda spots her mother in the crowd and points at her. She then strikes her opponent with the double knee strike Glory calls Gloria In Excselis Deo. Melinda then applies the Indian Deathlock, the variation her mother calls Glorify Thy Name. It isn’t long before her opponent taps out.
Glory begins applauding for her daughter as she watches on with pride as Melinda’s arm is raised in victory. The ring announcer then makes his official announcement “Here is your winner, Melinda Braddock!”
The British Bombshell continues to applaud and whistle loudly for Melinda Braddock. She continues to applaud loudly even as Melinda makes her way back up the entrance ramp. She stops at her mother, leans over, and embraces her in a tight hug. Melinda then turns and exits into the back. As soon as her daughter is out of sight, Glory Braddock backs out through the crowd and begins to head towards the back as well. She approaches two security guards who do not even stop her. They recognize her immediately and smile and nod in her direction.
“Your daughter was great out there, Ms. Braddock.”
“Thanks, mate.” Glory says to the one guard who spoke. Braddock walks past the guards and further into the backstage area. She makes her way towards the dressing room area where she is nearly floored with a charging embrace and subsequent bear hug from her eldest daughter.
“Mom!”
Whoa, hold on there, love, you almost knocked me down!”
Melinda chuckles as she releases the embrace. “Sorry, I’m just so excited!”
“Why? It wasn’t like that was your debut or anything. You have had a few matches already, am I right?”
“Yeah, of course, but this was the first time I competed in front of you. To be honest with you, I was kinda nervous knowing you were out there watching me. That probably caused me to make some mistakes.”
The British Bombshell ruffles her daughter’s hair. “Could’ve fooled me, love. You looked damn near flawless out there tonight.”
“Eh, I dunno,” Melinda shrugs her shoulders “I nearly got caught with that rear naked choke.”
“So you nearly got caught? So what? It happens to everyone in every match. This is wrestling, this is real life, and there is no such thing as a flawless victory.”
“You had to bring my favorite game, Mortal Kombat, into this didn’t you?”
“Maybe I did, but you’re too much of a perfectionist like your grandfather. You need to learn that you will get caught in these matches. And while your career has been successful thus far, you will eventually get caught and lose. So prepare yourself for that.”
Melinda frowns. “I thought we had agreed that I would do this on my own?”
“Sorry, my mistake.” Glory says chuckling. “I’m your mother, I can’t help myself.”
“No, no, it’s ok, I was just messing with you anyway.” Melinda says, gently and jokingly shoving her mother. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind receiving some pointers from the Best in the World.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I mean, you were out there, you watched the match, what did you see that I did good and what did you see that I can improve upon?”
The British Bombshell pauses to stare into the loving eyes of her oldest child. She does want to help her and offer her advice. Though she promised her not to butt in. Yet, now it seems as if Melinda wants her advice, as if she wants her to butt in. Glory grins and nods her head.
“Ok, one thing I saw out there is that you are a tremendous counter wrestler. Everything that woman threw at you, you seemed to have a counter for. That is what ultimately led to your victory tonight. Skills like that will help you in the future. But on the flip side of that coin, being a great counter wrestler sometimes isn’t enough. Sometimes you get an opponent who is just as good at countering and can counter your counter. Or maybe they are good enough to stop your counter?” Glory sighs as she wraps an arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “If I could offer one bit of advice, one criticism that you could work on improving, it is to try to avoid getting in those positions in the first place. I mean, you got out of several dangerous spots there, Mel…”
Braddock holds up one finger “...but your opponent only needed to connect once, to be effective once, and it could have been over. You needed to be able to counter every time. Having the ability to counter is good but it will serve you even better if you can minimize the times you have to utilize those skills. Do you understand, love?”
“I think so, mom.”
“Great.” Glory kisses her on the cheek. “You’re doing great, love. You are going to have a great career. Now how about you go and get changed so we can go and celebrate? I know a few places to go out and enjoy ourselves.”
Melinda always has been more of a party girl and her mother expects her to be absolutely thrilled with the prospect of her mother endorsing a night out partying. But much to her surprise, Melinda just sighs and shakes her head.
“Uh, actually, I think I’d rather just go on and get to bed early tonight.”
“Are you sure? Is it because I’m here, because if you’re embarrassed of your mother then I can always just leave you alone. I trust you.”
Melinda smiles warmly “I appreciate that, mom, but I’m serious, I’d just rather go to bed. And, if it’s ok, I think I’d like to stay with you tonight, wherever you’re staying.”
“Of course it’s ok, love. You never have to ask if it’s ok to stay with me. I’m staying with your aunt at your grandfather’s old place. But I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning to catch a flight back to Miami.”
“I understand. In fact, I was going to talk to you about that.”
“Oh?” Glory arches her brow out of curiosity.
“Yeah, I have two more matches in the next two days. Then I am on a bit of an extended break before my next match. I would love to fly back to Miami. I haven’t seen Kurt and Dawn in forever, so seeing you guys would be great.”
The British Bombshell grins from ear to ear. She has missed seeing her daughter. She enjoys spending time with her. Still, there is one other item that Glory has almost forgotten about. She sighs and nods her head. “Uh, that sounds great Mel, but…”
“But what?”
“...but what about your boyfriend?”
“You mean Archie? Well, I know how you feel about him. He will probably want to stay behind with his dad anyway.”
Glory shakes her head. “Then change his mind.”
“Huh?”
“I want you to bring him with you to Miami.”
Melinda’s eyes grow wide with surprise. She isn’t certain she believes what she is hearing. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am serious.” Glory places a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You love him, I can tell. And while I admit that I still do not entirely trust him, I do love you. And as I said, I trust you. If you love him, clearly you must trust him, and if you trust him then maybe I should give him a chance. So bring him to Miami, both of you can stay with us for awhile and that will give me plenty of time to get to know him.”
Melinda is stunned into silence, still unsure if she heard her mother right. Finally after finding the right words… “Seriously? I mean, are you sure?!”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Melinda embraces her mother in a tight hug. “I love you mom! Thanks for giving him a chance!”
“Anything for you, Mel. Anything…”
==========
June 6th, 2021
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========
Glory Braddock immediately had some concerns and nervous feelings after promising her daughter Melinda Braddock that she would let Archie Van Stanton stay with them for the duration of her break from competition on the European wrestling circuits. It’s one thing to say that she will put her family first and be a better person but to actively put it into action is another thing entirely. Deep within her heart she knows that giving Archie a chance is the right thing to do. But her mind tells her otherwise. She cannot forget the nightmarish feud she has been enduring for years with his father and uncle, Henry and Mason Van Stanton. The British Bombshell also cannot forgive what Archie’s grandfather did to her father, Glenn Braddock. It is a hard thing to simply forgive and forget something that horrific, especially when it was her own father’s career that was ended. But what makes this an even more difficult memory for Glory, and what makes this grudge even harder to let go of, is the fact that she was present and in attendance the night Glenn Braddock injured his back. Glenn was not just her father, he was her hero, and she had to watch her hero writhing and screaming in agony. And now Glenn’s granddaughter is dating the grandson of the man who ended his wrestling career. She promised she would do anything for her daughter; but that’s easier said than done when a Van Stanton is involved.
Braddock picked her daughter up on Saturday June 5th from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Part of Glory had hoped that Archie’s father would have said no. In fact, she was partially expecting to hear from Henry Van Stanton about this arrangement for Archie to stay with them in Miami but Glory never did hear from him. Her best guess is that he trusts Archie’s judgment or he just doesn’t care. While the radio silence from her nemesis Henry Van Stanton was unexpected, the arrival of his son Archie by Melinda’s side as they descended from the airplane was most definitely expected. The British Bombshell had been mentally and emotionally preparing herself for this moment in the days leading up to June 5th. She does not trust his family and therefore does not trust him, but for whatever reason, her daughter seems to like him and she is determined to give this a chance. She doesn’t want this to turn into a tragedy similar to Romeo and Juliet.
Things were well prepared by Glory Braddock’s standards and liking. There was a guest bedroom, but she wasn’t about to let Archie stay in their home. A very nice camper that Glory and Kurt had bought years ago was set up just outside the home. Considering the luxuries contained within the camper, she thought that was good enough. Kurt wasn’t exactly thrilled with his wife’s refusal to let the kid stay in the home but she had put her foot down on that one. He would get to spend plenty of time socializing with the family. Tonight would be one of those nights.
Glory Braddock finds herself in the kitchen, pacing back and forth impatiently and nervously. She is dressed in a knee length pink dress with half-sleeves and her patent leather black high heel pumps click across the marble floor. Her husband, Kurt Logan, is trying his best to ignore his anxious wife as he puts the finishing touches on their meal tonight. A meal of chicken, baked potatoes, and corn, fit to serve five people; Glory Braddock, her husband Kurt, their daughter Dawn, Glory’s oldest daughter Melinda, and Melinda’s boyfriend, Archie Van Stanton.
“Careful babe, you’re going to create a trench.” Kurt says as he chuckles under his breath. Braddock either doesn’t hear him or just chooses to ignore his sarcastic comment.
“This is going to be a disaster. I don’t know why I even agreed to it.”
“Because you are a mother who loves her children and wants to support them?”
“If I wanted to support her I would end this damned relationship between her and Van Stanton’s spawn.”
Kurt sighs as he steps away from the stove and steps in front of his wife, stopping her from pacing. He puts both hands on her shoulders. “We’ve been over this.”
“I know, we have been over this many times. I should give Archie a chance. My heart knows this but my logical mind can’t help but remind me of what his grandfather did, what his father did, what his uncle did…” Glory shakes her head furiously “...look, there is a history here that we cannot ignore!”
“You’re right, there is a history that we cannot and should not forget. But just because his family wronged you doesn’t mean he will too. He could be different. And that’s what this is all about, trying to find out if he is different, if he can earn our trust and if he is worthy of Melinda.” Kurt runs his hand through his wife’s long blonde hair. “Melinda may not be my daughter biologically, but I have watched her grow up through the last eight years. I was there practically through her entire teenage years. I love her as if she is my own. You remember what I wanted to do to Clyde Sutter when I learned about how he treated her?”
Braddock smirks. “You wanted to, and I quote, ‘tear his fucking head off.’”
“I wanted to tear his fucking head off? That’s ALL I said I would do? Wow, I was tamer than I remembered.”
“I could have forgotten something.”
“Maybe, but the point is I love Melinda and I would fight to the death for her. There’s a kid out there sitting in the dining room whose father, whose uncle, whose grandfather has some past with your family. But I’m willing to give the kid a chance. You keep saying you’re willing to give the kid a chance but you still seem unable to do so. You wouldn’t even let him stay in the house, you made him stay outside in a camper.”
“It’s a bloody nice camper!”
“That’s not the point.”
“Right, the point is that I’m not letting that boy and my daughter stay under the same bloody roof!” Glory pulls up a chair and sits down. Kurt sighs as he goes back over to the stove and checks on the potatoes and corn. Then he looks back over at his wife. He grins from ear to ear.
“You really should stop complaining, Gloria. This could be a lot worse.”
“How could it be worse?”
“You’re lucky at least ONE OF US knows how to cook, otherwise we would have to have some pizza delivered tonight!”
Braddock rolls her eyes. “Thank God for small miracles!”
Kurt chuckles. “So what is bothering you, Glory?”
“You weren’t there when I picked them up from the airport. Archie has changed a bit since the last time I saw him. He looks a lot like his father. And so every time I see his face, I see the man who tried to brand me as a lunatic so he could steal my company out from under me.”
“That was Henry, not Archie.”
“I’m having a difficult time differentiating right now.”
“How? How is it so hard? Henry DID try to steal your company. That kid in there has been very polite. He had every right to complain about being made to sleep in the camper but he seemed perfectly ok with it. Even Melinda hasn’t batted an eye about any of this.”
Braddock nods her head. “Fair enough, love, he has been acting like a proper gentleman so far.”
“So can’t you at least admit that maybe you were wrong about him?”
“Sure. I could be wrong. But there’s still a long way before he fully earns my trust.” Glory rises up out of her chair and marches towards the exit. Kurt sighs and shakes his head.
“Be polite, Glory!”
“I know!”
Braddock exits the kitchen and walks just out in the hall and then into the dining room. There she finds an eight year old Dawn Logan sitting side by side at the table with her older half-sister Melinda Braddock. Noticeably missing is Archie Van Stanton.
“How is London, Mel?”
“Oh it’s great, Dawn. You’ll have to get used to the different accent, since you were born and raised American and all.” Melinda chuckles. She takes note of her mother standing there just inside the dining room. “Y’know, mom, you should bring Dawn with you to my next match. She hasn’t been to London that much. It is our grandfather’s home.”
“It’s also where I grew up.” Glory says, smiling warmly at her two daughters as she approaches. She sits down next to Dawn. “I think I can arrange for you to come with me on my next trip, Dawnie.”
“Thanks, mommy.” Dawn says happily. Glory gives her a kiss on the cheek. Then she looks over at Melinda.
“Where’s Archie?”
“He just stepped out to use the bathroom. Anything wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” Glory says, shaking her head. “It’s just, uh, Kurt is about finished preparing the dinner.”
Melinda stares deeply into her mother’s eyes. There is a deep skepticism in Melinda’s eyes. “You don’t like Archie, do you?”
“Do we have to do this now? In front of Dawn?”
Melinda sighs. “Sorry, mom.”
Glory shakes her head. Then looks over at her youngest daughter. “Why don’t you go help your father in the kitchen?”
“Sure, mom!” Dawn quickly hops up off of the chair and rushes out of the dining room. Glory turns and looks over at Melinda.
“He’s been very polite. He has been good to me. And despite your negativity he’s been good to you.”
“My negativity?!” Glory exclaims. Melinda nods her head.
“Yes, everyone can tell that you’ve been in a piss poor mood ever since me and Archie came back from London. Even Archie can tell, he just doesn’t say it to your face because he’s trying to be polite. So what else do you want from him, mom? What is it going to take for you to like him?”
Braddock shakes her head. “It isn’t that I don’t like him. I don’t like or dislike him. I just don’t trust him.”
“But do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then prove it. Trust my judgment.”
That is quite a loaded challenge from Melinda Braddock. Glory ponders the statement but isn’t sure how she should respond. Luckily she doesn’t have to respond as Archie Van Stanton enters the room, immediately breaking up the moment.
“Oh, hi Ms. Braddock. You and your husband have a lovely home.”
“Thank you, Archie.”
Just then Dawn Logan and her father Kurt enter through the other entrance. Kurt has the food with him and Dawn has a tray with the drinks. “Dinner is served!” He looks over at his wife and winks. “Thanks for sending me a little helper, Glory.”
Everyone takes their places at the table while Kurt and Dawn pass out the food and drinks. Melinda and Archie sit next to each other on one end of the table. Glory sits on the other end of the table with two other seats reserved, apparently for Dawn and Kurt. While this is going on, Glory decides to make conversation with Archie.
“So, Archie, what do you plan to do with your life?”
“I’ll be honest with you, Ms. Braddock, for awhile I wasn’t sure, but after shadowing my dad with this project he’s been working on in England the past few months, I think I’ve decided that I want to learn more about business law and maybe become an attorney.”
Glory nods her head. “Wise choice. Attorneys make good money and, I have to admit that your father does have quite the legal mind himself.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what made you decide to get into the business side of wrestling?”
“Well, Archie, I always knew I wanted to give back to wrestling in some way. I give back as an active competitor, I give back by continuing to run my father’s wrestling school, and I give back through my business.”
“Very noble and selfless of you, Ms. Braddock.”
Glory puts on a smile; she hopes that it at least has the appearance of being real even though it is faked on her part. In fact, The British Bombshell cannot help but feel that much of this conversation is faked. Archie seems overly polite. But then again, maybe he just is a good kid? Maybe Glory has read him all wrong?
==========
3 Hours Later
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========
The remainder of the evening went off without one single problem. The meal was delicious, conversation was made, Archie and Glory were polite to one another. It almost seems too perfect for Glory’s liking. She cannot help but sense that something is wrong and that sixth sense is eating her alive as she sits next to her husband Kurt on the living room sofa watching television. It has been three hours since dinner and Dawn, Melinda, and Archie have all gone to bed. The television is tuned in to the evening news but Kurt can tell that his wife is just staring blankly ahead. She isn’t paying one iota of attention to what the reporter is saying.
“What’s bothering you, Glory?”
“Huh?” Glory says, somewhat startled.
“You’re quiet. What’s up?”
“Me? Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m fine.” Braddock again puts on a fake smile, hoping to fool Kurt. “I mean, why wouldn’t I be fine? The dinner went off rather well, don’t you agree?”
“Oh I agree that it went very well.” He smirks. “But you are a terrible liar and it is obvious to me that something is bothering you.”
“Bloody hell!” Glory exclaims.
“Everyone got along brilliantly. As far as Archie himself goes, he was very polite, friendly, and seems like a great kid. He treats Melinda like she is a goddess.”
“I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“Like with Sutter?” Kurt asks, again bringing up Melinda’s first love, Clyde Sutter. “Sutter didn’t give a damn. He treats all women like sex objects. Archie seems to genuinely care about Melinda. Not only that, but he cares for your feelings as well. Notice he never once kissed her or cuddled with her all night, all because he knew how awkward it would make you feel.”
“You don’t understand, Kurt. The Van Stanton family poses a different kind of threat than Sutter. With Clyde Sutter you have someone who lacks the ability to be subtle. He will make it obvious what he wants out of you. With Mason and Henry Van Stanton? They are more conniving, more strategic. They can hide their true agenda and their true feelings. They can put on a show for a short period of time just long enough to get what they want.”
Kurt looks over at Glory and frowns. “Aren’t you being a little paranoid? Archie is just a kid.”
“But he’s a Van Stanton. What they’ve done to my family…” she shakes her head “...I cannot forget, and I will not forgive. That’s why I have trouble trusting Archie.”
“But it’s been almost two days since he’s been with us. You have to admit that he’s done nothing to raise any red flags.”
“Yet…” Glory says. Kurt rolls his eyes and finally loses patience with his wife.
“Damn it, Glory, are you going to actually give this kid a chance or did everything you told me a few days ago, and everything you told Melinda over a week ago, was all that just bullshit?”
“Fine! I admit, I am warming up to the kid. So far he seems sincere. But I still can’t let my guard down. His family has done so many horrible things to my family that I cannot just go in and blindly trust him with my daughter.”
“Our daughter.” Kurt says, correcting his wife. “She is my step-daughter, after all.”
“Fair enough.” Glory clears her mind and then smiles genuinely, warmly at her husband. “I’m sorry, Kurt. This is just all very hard for me, you know? These are memories that I cannot easily forget about. Those wounds do not heal so quickly.”
Kurt embraces Glory in a tight hug. “I know, Gloria, I know. But trust me, everything will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right, Kurt. I do hope you’re right.”
==========
June 11th, 2021
St. Louis, Missouri
On Camera
==========
The camera begins to roll and we find ourselves in a park. The bright blue sky with the sun shining overhead creates quite the beautiful scenery. It also serene, with an empty and quiet background. A few moments later “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock emerges into view from stage right. The blonde is wearing blue denim jeans, black boots, and a royal purple t-shirt. Her long blonde hair hangs straight and unrestrained to past the shoulders. A look of confidence is etched across her shoulders as she begins to speak, with the camera following her every step of the way.
“Welcome to St. Louis, the city which will host the annual Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal.” She allows a light chuckle to escape her lips. “I suppose this is the time where I gloat about being The Best in the World and how this is just the beginning of my journey towards regaining the SCW World Championship and becoming a sixteen time World Champion in the process.”
She shakes her head. “Not today. That was the old Glory Braddock. That was the arrogant brasser from last year who made everything about herself. That was the monster willing to do anything and everything just to pad her record and build herself up, to make herself look great.”
The British Bombshell comes across a black bench. Braddock walks over towards the bench and sits down. “What a difference a year makes, am I right? Last year I thought I was bigger than the business. Last year, I thought I alone was the sole judge of what was right and wrong in professional wrestling. I believed that I alone had the proper moral compass to determine what was best for professional wrestling. Looking back I see how wrong I was. I wasn’t looking out for the best interests of wrestling, I was looking out for my own best interests. I was a fraud, a hypocrite, and I did not care about what was best for professional wrestling. Hell, last year I didn’t even compete in Taking Hold of the Flame, because I couldn’t be bothered with it. I had a Trios Contract that guaranteed me a world title match anytime I wanted anywhere I wanted, so I didn’t see the point in competing in the Flame.”
“But I missed the entire point of the Flame. The Flame isn’t about entirely about becoming World Champion. I mean, sure, that’s part of it; because the winner does get a guaranteed world title match in the main event of Rise To Greatness. But the even bigger, more important point behind The Flame is competition. Yourself pitted against thirty nine of the very best to lace up a pair of wrestling of boots in a battle royal scenario; and the last person left standing can truly call themselves the best of the best in Supreme Championship Wrestling.”
She nods her head. “That’s what wrestling is all about. It is the spirit of competition; facing the toughest of competitors, the stiffest of challenges, and seeing just how you measure up. Can you hang with the best or will you fold under pressure? Last year I folded under the pressure. I didn’t want to bother risking myself and my precious reputation in Taking Hold of the Flame when I already had a Trios Contract that guaranteed me the same damn thing that winning the Flame would guarantee me. So I balked, I did the weak and cowardly thing and walked away from the Flame, and called my shot when I felt I was good and ready. And I remember quite well how that turned out for me.”
“I called my shot against David Helms, the man who would WIN The Flame last year and go on to successfully defeat Bree Lancaster and become World Champion. I challenged Helms at Apocalypse, truly believing that my strategy of waiting, biding my time, would work…” she sighs and shakes her head “...I was wrong. I was beaten and humbled. I failed to become World Champion.”
Another light chuckle escapes her lips. “It was the second year in a row I wasted a Trios Contract. But as humbling and embarrassing as that moment was, it was also the reality check I needed. I looked back at David Helms, last year’s Flame winner, the man was nearing the end of his professional career and he knew it but he still felt the competitive flame deep down inside that would not be extinguished, he still wanted to test himself against the best; that’s why he enter the battle royal in the first place. And then when he won, he would go on to prove himself yet again by winning the World Championship on the biggest stage of them all.”
“Now how does all of this tie in to me? Quite frankly, I am looking to challenge myself and test myself. That’s what wrestling is all about, isn’t it? You want to challenge and test yourself against the best to see how good you are. And you cannot and will not find a greater challenge in this business than Taking Hold of the Flame. So this year I refuse to walk away. Instead I am going to march right into Taking Hold of the Flame and redeem myself.” She smirks knowingly.
“Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean I’m guaranteeing victory. Bloody hell, I know the kinds of odds I’m up against. First of all, I am up against thirty nine other competitors. Many of those thirty nine other competitors are world champion caliber athletes. Secondly, I could end up having to do battle against lady luck herself. I mean, I could get real lucky and get a late entry, I would be fresh and the odds would be in my favor. But look at Syren and Gavin, entering at numbers one and two respectively. They have the tallest mountain to climb if they expect to win it all. But what if I draw number three? Or four? Or any other early number? My endurance could end being tested like never before depending on how lady luck treats me. I have wrestled for over sixty minutes before, but with thirty nine other competitors I may have to go much longer than sixty minutes.”
“But whatever I have to do, whatever obstacles I have to overcome, all of it will be worth it. No matter the outcome, all of this will be worth it. Because by challenging myself against some of the best the SCW has to offer in its most difficult of matches of the calendar year, I will be able to measure just how good I am. I have fans who call me The Best in the World.” Braddock shakes her head. “I don’t call myself that any longer, but some of my fans still do. And in a match like the Flame, I can prove whether or not I rate up their amongst the best wrestlers to compete in the squared circle. And that, ultimately, is what The Flame is all about; competition. At its heart and soul, Taking Hold of the Flame is all about competition.”
Braddock pats herself on the chest. “And that’s all I have been seeking these past few weeks. I want competition. I want to face the best of the best. I want to prove myself in front of the entire world. Taking Hold of the Flame is the singular night where I have the opportunity to do that. And should I win Taking Hold of the Flame, I will main event Rise To Greatness, I will get another opportunity at the SCW World Championship. Only this time I will have earned it the hard way, the way of the grappler, the way of the warrior.”
Glory shuts her eyes. “Sic Semper Tyrannis...the tyrant has fallen,” she opens her eyes and smiles “all that remains is me, Glory Braddock, and at Taking Hold of the Flame I promise to give each and every one of you everything I have; my heart, my soul, everything...because that is what this business and competition is all about.”
![[Image: qyA5u6K.png]](https://i.imgur.com/qyA5u6K.png)
SCW World Champion 1x
SCW United States Champion 1x
SCW Adrenaline Champion 1x
SCW Television Champion 1x
SCW World Tag Team Champion 1x (w/Brittany Lohan)
Supreme Champion
2019 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Regan Street & Kellen Jeffries)
2020 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Ace Marshall & David Helms)
SCW Adrenaline Champion 1x
SCW Television Champion 1x
SCW World Tag Team Champion 1x (w/Brittany Lohan)
Supreme Champion
2019 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Regan Street & Kellen Jeffries)
2020 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Ace Marshall & David Helms)