Glory Braddock vs. Dexter Grant

[Konrad Raab]

SCW Adrenaline Championship

Disconnect Match

2 RP Limit for singles

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Saturday, March 15, 2025

[Braddock]

1 of 2
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February 20th, 2025
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Off Camera
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A black luxury sedan glided silently down a long, winding driveway in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a driveway lined with towering oak trees, their skeletal branches casting spindly shadows in the cold afternoon light. A dense fog hung low over the sprawling estate; beyond the mist, the stately home came into view. It was a grand mansion of gray stone, its symmetrical façade imposing yet elegant. The wide steps leading up to the entrance were framed by pristine hedges. Inside the car, Glory Braddock sat with perfect poise, though the slight clenching of her fingers betrayed a hint of tension. The British Bombshell was about to pay a visit to someone who was, and always has been her best friend; Sophie O’Brian. Glory and Sophie grew up together as children, they went to school together, trained together as two of Glory’s father’s, Glenn Braddock’s, first students at the Braddock Wrestling School. They broke into the wrestling business together. They competed together and against each other. They have always been close, closer than even friends. They have been more like sisters. This sort of visit should be cordial and friendly, and yet Braddock cannot help but think that she is walking into a dangerous trap. Her friends and family, Julia Braddock and Sophie’s brother Mark O’Brian, both feel that she is making a mistake. They would rather Glory call the authorities and let them deal with Sophie. But what has Sophie done? Why is she suddenly a threat?

Glory learned recently that Sophie was the mastermind behind the guy who stalked her and her family. She hired a creepy stalker to watch them, take pictures of them, send them gifts, and basically terrorize and instill fear in Braddock and her family. But why would Sophie do such a thing? It made little to no sense to The British Bombshell and when she confronted Sophie. According to Sophie, she wants to teach The British Bombshell. She wants to educate her and help her learn the truth about her father’s professional wrestling, and life, philosophy. This is a debate Sophie and Glory have had before. Sophie always felt that his philosophy was winning, achieving your life goals, by any means necessary. The British Bombshell has always disagreed with that statement. She refuses to believe that was the motto her beloved father lived by. The two have always disagreed but Sophie has never been so forceful about it than she has now. In fact, she has threatened to continue the harassment unless Glory agrees to sit down and listen to what she has to say. Perhaps it would be best to just get the authorities involved. Perhaps she should just get a restraining order. But Glory refuses to believe that her childhood best friend is completely lost. She refuses to believe that there is nothing she can do to save Sophie.

This is why The British Bombshell has decided to pay her friend a visit. She has decided to take Sophie up on her offer to ‘sit down and listen’ to what she has to say, to potentially be educated on what she claims Glenn Braddock’s philosophy truly was. Braddock isn’t interested in debating about her father again, she has had that debate to death. This is just Glory’s chance to get close to Sophie and, hopefully, help her. The British Bombshell, knowing that Sophie now resides in a mansion, is dressed immaculately for the occasion, wrapped in a tailored navy-blue wool coat that accentuated her slender frame. Beneath it, a cream-colored silk blouse peeked out from the lapels, tucked neatly into a high-waisted pencil skirt of deep charcoal. Her legs, crossed at the knees, were clad in sheer black stockings, and her feet rested in a pair of sleek, patent-leather heels that caught the dim light as the car slowed to a stop. Her blonde hair, styled in soft waves, framed her face. Braddock can feel the vehicle slowly coming to a stop. The driver exited the car and moved swiftly to her side. As he opened the door, the crisp air rushed in. Glory hesitated for the briefest moment before stepping out onto the gravel, the sound of her heels against the stones sharp in the stillness. She straightened her coat, adjusting the belt at her waist, and exhaled a quiet breath that misted in the cool air. Up just ahead, standing in front of the grand double doors of the mansion, is none other than Sophie O’Brian. She was dressed in a fitted black turtleneck and a long, camel-colored coat, the fabric draping elegantly over her slender frame.

“There you are, my dear friend, my Gloria.” Sophie’s voice is full of sweetness but even Glory can tell that there is also a hint of mischief there as well. She used to be able to read Sophie like a book but now she is finding it increasingly difficult. “I must admit that I am rather surprised to see you. I always thought you to be too stubborn to ever admit that you were wrong, too stubborn to ever admit that you might need to learn something new.”

“I admit to being stubborn. I got that quality from dad.” Glory smirks knowingly. “But dad also taught me that we are never done learning something, that we can always learn something new.”

“A smart man, your father was.” Sophie remarks. Glory nods her head in agreement.

“Yes, yes he was.”

With a subtle nod, Sophie gestured toward the entrance, an invitation unspoken yet understood. She had no idea what to expect from this encounter but she was still determined to help Sophie. She would not back out, not now. Whatever awaited within, Glory knew she had already stepped too far into this path to turn back now. Steeling herself, she moved forward. Her focus remained on Sophie, on the threshold she was about to cross. As she ascended the steps, her heels clicking against the stone.Sophie turned and led the way inside, the heavy doors swinging open to engulf them in the warm glow of the grand foyer. Glory followed, her steps steady but measured. As Braddock looks around at her surroundings. This entire home, almost more like a castle, exudes luxury and wealth. Glory has never known Sophie to live in this kind of wealth before.

“You’ve done quite well for yourself, Sophie.” She looks over at Sophie. “I didn’t realize you were so well off?”

“I wasn’t. I inherited this from an old friend. Let’s leave it at that.”

“An old friend?” Glory arches her brow. “I never knew that you had such wealthy friends. Is there more to this story that I should know?”

“Do you really want to know?” Sophie asks with a knowing smirk on her face. Glory looks into the eyes of the Northern Irish woman. Those eyes tell Glory all she needs to know. She shakes her head.

“Maybe another time.”

Sophie nods her head and then leads The British Bombshell down a long hallway and then into a luxurious living room area, one that equals the grandeur and wealth of the rest of the house. Once again Braddock is impressed and surprised by it all. Sophie walks on past her over to a gorgeous, red leather sofa. Sophie sits down and then pats the cushion next to her, smiling like a serpent ready to strike.

“Come. Sit down.” She winks. “I promise not to bite.”

“Very well.” Braddock rolls her eyes as she approaches the sofa and sits down next to her longtime friend. Almost instantly as she settles in, a butler comes by with two glasses of red wine. Glory looks at them and hesitates. She looks up at Sophie who has already taken one of the glasses and takes a sip.

“Go ahead and take one. It’s Merlot, your favorite.”

“You really are pampering me, huh?” Glory remarks as she takes the other glass and takes a sip. The butler walks off.

“What can I say? You are my friend, Gloria, and I would do anything for you, just as I know you would do anything for me. Plus, I happy that you decided to take me up on my offer. I am happy that you finally admit that maybe you were wrong about your father, about his lifestyle and philosophy, that maybe there is something more that he taught me that he never taught you, some bit of wisdom that I now can impart upon you.”

“Let’s get something straight.” Glory begins directly, commandingly. “I am not doing this because I think I am wrong. Your philosophy is win by any means necessary. I think I knew my father pretty damn well and he didn’t agree with that. I am not here to rehash or debate that again. I am here, willing to hear you out, willing to listen to whatever ridiculous lesson you THINK you have to teach me, for the sake of our friendship.” Glory stares at Sophie with a determined glare mixed with a hint of concern. “I don’t know what’s happened to you, Sophie, but I am determined to help you.”

“Just as I want to help you.” Sophie winks. “Besides, your purpose for being here is irrelevant. All that matters is that you are here and you are here, if not with an open mind at least with open ears willing to hear what I have to say.”

“Well let’s get on with it then, shall we?” Glory says as she sips on her wine and leans back into the sofa, getting comfortable and preparing herself for whatever it is Sophie has in store. “What bloody brilliant words of wisdom do you have for me? What do you think that you know about MY FATHER that I somehow don’t know?”

“Let’s begin with your own name.” Sophie remarks as she sets her wine glass down on a glass coffee table in front of her. “You do not truly understand the significance of the Braddock name. The Braddock name is…or at least is was…revered throughout Europe and your father understood that.”

“I understand it too.” Glory snaps back. “What’s your point?”

“Quit being so damned humble.” Sophie answers sharply. “Recognize who the hell you are and make sure everyone in the arenas, everyone else on the roster, recognizes, respects, and fears who you are. You have surpassed your father, Gloria, but no one except me gives you credit for it.” Sophie smirks. “You may be a Supreme Champion in SCW but allowing a talentless fool like Dexter Grant defeat you in Dusseldorf for the Adrenaline Championship was absolutely unacceptable.”

“Oh here we go…” Glory sighs as she sets her wine glass down and glares angrily at Sophie “...did you even watch the match? Did you notice him cheating? Going to my eyes? Using the ropes?”

“Excuses.” Sophie states. “If he cheats, you should cheat more. Use his own tactics against him. The only thing matters in wrestling is defeating your opponent.”

“By any means necessary, right?”

“Precisely. If you remember that lesson then you MIGHT regain the title at Retribution. But losing to that fool Grant isn’t your only problem. The way you allow your own daughter, Melinda, the way you allow her to rebel against you the way she does, that is shameful.”

“Don’t you ever mention her name!” Glory is angry now. Sophie bringing up Melinda Braddock, Glory’s oldest daughter, really struck a nerve. The British Bombshell stands up and stares down at Sophie as she continues to verbally berate her. “You know nothing about my family, Sophie! Nothing! So keep my daughter’s name out of your damn mouth! Do you understand me?!”

Braddock expects an equally testy response from Sophie. She even braces herself for a physical attack as Sophie stands up and gets nose to nose with The British Bombshell. But instead Sophie just chuckles softly.

“You’re angry. That’s good.” Sophie nods her head. “You could afford to be angry more often, you know? There have to be certain things that anger you, that frustrate you. Channel those emotions, use them against your enemies…enemies such as Dexter Grant.”

“Might be a good idea, I’ll give you that…” Glory sighs as she sits back down, Sophie follows suit “...but Melinda really is bothering me.”

“Yes, I cannot help but notice how you two have drifted apart.”

“Bloody hell, the whole world has noticed.” Glory states. “Its advertised on television now that she’s out there with Sutter week in and week out on SCW programming. I just wish I knew what to do about this…I wish I knew how to get through to her, to make her realize that I am not her enemy.”

“I think you know what you must do, you just are afraid to do it.” Sophie answers. “All goals worth achieving should be sought after with fervor. And you should achieve them by any means necessary.”

“What are you saying?” Glory arches her brow out of curiosity.

“I’m telling you to go get your daughter back.” Sophie smirks knowingly. “And when you do, tell me how it went. Tell me if you were successful.”

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February 22nd, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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Glory Braddock went to Charlotte, North Carolina for Breakdown with a mission; she wanted to send a message to Dexter Grant through the reigning SCW Underground Champion Colleen Macdonald. She wanted to prove that she could adapt to any wrestling style, compete against anyone under any conditions, and still come out victorious. She wanted to prove that it didn’t matter what his ridiculous “Disconnect Match” was, Glory Braddock would defeat him and regain her SCW Adrenaline Championship. She also went into the night with some of Sophie O’Brian’s words of wisdom in the back of her head; focus on winning, do not get distracted on anything else. Yet, needless to say, The British Bombshell was not expecting Kimberly Williams to show up out of nowhere with a BED OF NAILS! The unexpected and unwanted arrival distracted Colleen but not Glory. The British Bombshell kept her focus on Colleen and managed to make her pass out to the Shekhinah Glory. Braddock sent her message and is now riding a wave of momentum into her rematch for the Adrenaline Title at Retribution. Braddock did not take any time to celebrate her victory. Seeing Kimberly Williams there with a bed of nails ready to do who knows what to the fallen Colleen Macdonald, Glory decided to leave well enough alone and head for the exit with her own victory secured and ready to move on and focus on Dexter Grant.

The British Bombshell steps back through the curtain and into the guerilla position. She keeps on walking past the production crew and back into the backstage area. Her job tonight was done and done to perfection. Except, as she scans the area looking around at other officials and other wrestlers scurrying about, she realizes that she still has one other job that needs to be done. She still has something else just as important, maybe even more important than a wrestling match, that she needs to take care of. She recalls the words she heard from Sophie O’Brian back in Belfast; get your daughter back, do so by any means necessary.

Braddock has felt awful about the deteriorating relationship between her and her oldest daughter for a long time and she cannot help but partially blame herself. She hasn’t exactly been accepting of her relationship with Clyde Sutter. She has, at times, been very overprotective. There are a long list of reasons why The British Bombshell blames herself for the wedge that has been driven between herself and Melinda and she would do almost anything to make it right. But would she resort to Sophie’s philosophy of ‘by any means necessary’ to repair the relationship between her and Melinda? She realizes that she doesn’t have much time to think it over; she spots Melinda, alongside Clyde Sutter, walking through the hall of the arena. She doesn’t know where they are going but she does know if she waits up too long she might miss out on this rare opportunity. Glory quickly approaches the couple, flagging them down by waving her arms.

“Mel! Hey, wait up!”

She can hear Melinda groaning, as if she does not really want to talk to her right now. She cannot blame her. But Melinda and Sutter do come to a stop and wait as Braddock approaches them. The younger Braddock puts on an obviously faked smile as her mother steps forward.

“Good evening, mother. I should probably say that congratulations are in order after you choked out Colleen?”

“Thanks.” Glory grins. “I wish I could’ve done it without the distraction but, eh, you take a win however it comes.”

“I never thought I’d hear you say something like that.” Melinda snickers. “Maybe if you keep it up, you’ll actually beat that idiot Dexter Grant and win back the Adrenaline Title.” She pats Clyde on the back. “Or if you want, Clyde here could help you at Retribution. He would do it for free since, you know, he’s sleeping with your daughter.”

“A family discount, eh?” Glory grins and shakes her head. “Maybe another time.”

“Suit yourself.” Melinda shrugs her shoulders. “But, uh, do you have anything important to say? Because Clyde and I have places to be, money to make…” her voice trails off. Glory nods her head.

“Yeah, I’m sure you do, but this won’t take long. I just need to talk too you…” she looks up at Clyde “...alone.”

“Fine.” Melinda kisses Clyde on the lips. “Run along, babe. I’ll catch up.”

“I won’t be far, my love.” Sutter remarks as he walks off. Melinda and Glory watch him go. Once he is out of sight Melinda turns back to face her mother. She rolls her eyes.

“So what is it this time?” Melinda now sounds much more annoyed than before. “You know me and Clyde are very busy.”

“You may need to sit down.”

“I thought you said this wouldn’t take long.” Melinda sighs as she walks over to a nearby packing crate and hops up on top of it. Glory sits down next to her. The British Bombshell gazes deep into her daughter’s eyes with warmth and love, but also with determination.

“We need to finally address the elephant in the room.”

“I don’t see any elephants, mom.” Melinda remarks with a grin.

“You know what I mean.” Glory snaps back. “We have been growing farther and farther apart. We used to be close, Mel, very close, but now we’re distant. I look at you and I don’t even know who you are anymore. And y’know, maybe some of it is my fault. Regardless of whose fault it is, I want to do what I can to fix this.”

“Oh so it’s gonna be one of THOSE talks?” Melinda chuckles. “I need a drink for this. Something that will make me good and drunk.”

“Please take me seriously, Mel.”

“Fine…” Melinda says in a huff “...look, you’re right, we have grown apart, and you bear some of responsibility. Actually, no, you bear ALL of the responsibility. You don’t know who I am or who I have become? Look in a mirror. It’s your fault I became this.”

“As the parent I bear some of the responsibility, but I think you’re being unfair.” Glory states. “If this is about Clyde, I have already said that I am willing to give him a chance and, look, if I have to reassure you then I will…”

“If you think this problem between you and me is just about Clyde then you are stupid.” Melinda says with a chuckle. “Yeah, I am not exactly happy that you seem to look at my boyfriend with such disdain, but the real reason for this problem between you and me boils down to the fact that I seem to be the only person proud to carry the Braddock name, proud to uphold its legacy.”

Those words sting when Glory hears them, not only because they come from her own daughter but also because they sound oh so similar to the words uttered by Sophie O’Brian just a few days ago in Belfast. Could Sophie have been right? Glory can’t think about that now. She needs to focus on the task at hand; repairing her relationship with Melinda at any cost.

“What are you talking about, Mel?”

“It goes back several years, mom.” Melinda retorts. “I was disappointed when Aunt Julia willingly surrendered herself to another family…”

“Not this again…” Glory sighs, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, this! She embraced Aphrodite Noel, a known con artist and bully, and took the Noel name. For a moment I was proud at how you resisted them both but then you too embraced Aphrodite. You didn’t change your name but you just may as well have. Anytime she’s near you bend over and kiss her ass. Hell, you made her a minority owner in your company.”

“Aphrodite is a very brilliant businesswoman.” Glory states. “She knows a heck of a lot more than me about the corporate world.”

“That’s no reason to practically hand over the keys to the kingdom and that’s no reason to almost make it look like you admire her.” Melinda shakes her head. “What’s with being a Braddock? Why aren’t you proud of being a Braddock?”

Melinda isn’t thinking with blind rage. She cannot see that Glory Braddock is still proud of her family and heritage. Yes, what Julia did was sell out the Braddock name but Glory? Glory did what was best for business. That doesn’t mean she isn’t proud of her family. Glory instinctively wants to explain that to her daughter. Yet something tugs in the back of her mind; a voice that tells her that Melinda will not buy that explanation. A voice in her head tells her to just tell Melinda what she wants to hear, which will be a first step towards repairing their broken relationship. And that’s what Glory wants. And sometimes you have to get what you want by any means necessary.

“You’re right…” Glory nods her head “...what I did was wrong. I should never have showed such deference towards Aphrodite, I never should have made her minority owner. I never should have done any of it.”

“Wait a sec…” Melinda looks confused, obviously not expecting to hear that “...I’m right?”

“Yes.” Glory sighs. “I really don’t know what I was thinking but obviously I wasn’t thinking clearly.” She reaches out and takes her hands and clenches them tightly. “We are Braddocks, and we are the best wrestling family there is. We have a lot to be proud of.”

“Damn right we do.” Melinda says sternly.

“Look, I know everything that has happened between us, with Aphrodite, Clyde, all of it, I know it will take time. We cannot just have this heart to heart right here and now expect it to be fixed overnight. But will you at least promise to give me another chance?” Glory smiles warmly. “I miss having you as a big part of my life, Mel. I really do.”

This is it. The moment of truth. Will Sophie’s advice pay off? Doing whatever is necessary, in this case telling Melinda whatever she wants to hear, will it work and at least begin the process of repairing this relationship? Glory waits as Melinda thinks it over. Finally Melinda nods her head.

“Well, you did promise to give Clyde another chance. The least I can do is give my own mother another chance.” She leans over and embraces her in a tight hug. “Love you mom, and thanks.”

“I love you too, Mel.”

It worked. Glory utilized Sophie’s advice tonight and it worked; it helped her to gain the victory over Colleen Macdonald and it helped her to at least begin the process of repairing her fractured relationship with her oldest daughter. The British Bombshell went to speak with Sophie, agreed to hear her out, only to appease her and, hopefully, get an insight into what makes Sophie tick, and maybe find a way to help Sophie. Glory never expected to find herself doubting her own philosophy and considering, if only for the briefest of moments, that maybe Sophie was right all along. If this worked tonight, could this strategy and approach work at Retribution and help The British Bombshell recapture the SCW Adrenaline Championship?

[Braddock]

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February 25th, 2025
London, England
Off Camera
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It has been a few days since Glory Braddock’s successful evening in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was successful for two reasons; she defeated the SCW Underground Champion, Colleen Macdonald, giving herself much needed momentum and confidence as she marches forward to Retribution where she hopes to regain the SCW Adrenaline Championship from Dexter Grant. Furthermore, later on that night after her match was over, she managed to catch up with her oldest daughter, Melinda Braddock, and managed to reach out. After a difficult conversation, Glory managed to at least begin repairing the rift that had existed between the two. No, it will not be easy. Yes, there will still be tough and difficult moments between mother and daughter, such as the one from that occurred recently between Glory and Melinda’s boyfriend Clyde Sutter. Still, for the first time in a long time Glory Braddock feels hopeful that she might win her daughter back someday, that she might win back the Adrenaline Championship at Retribution. This success she achieved, all of it came as a result of her taking Sophie’s advice and using it.

She took advantage of Colleen being distracted. Glory had done nothing wrong. It wasn’t her fault Colleen wasn’t paying attention. Glory just won the match.

Braddock didn’t exactly believe everything that she said to Melinda that night, but she knew it was what Melinda wanted to hear, and it got Melinda to finally open up.

She had her goals and she met them. She achieved those goals. That’s what mattered, right? Glory Braddock still isn’t sure. As thrilled as she was to win her match, as confident as she is heading into Retribution, and as good as it feels to finally be on good terms with her daughter, The British Bombshell still cannot help but feel as if she betrayed her own morals. She cannot help but question whether she is falling under Sophie’s spell. Her instinct tells her to just leave Sophie well enough alone. She heard her out, she gave Sophie what she wanted, that should be the end of it. Yet The British Bombshell can sense that something is amiss. She knows that her friend, the closest friend she has ever had, is hurting. Sophie may put on the appearance of strength but Braddock has a feeling that Sophie is hurting deep down inside, that she needs help. Glory refuses to abandon her friend, even if it means risking her soul.

Thus The British Bombshell has once again made the trek across the pond to her native London, England. She has been spending a lot more time here lately, mainly due to the fact that she has been trying desperately to help Sophie. But it does feel good to be back home, her real home. And on this evening Braddock is here with Sophie at a semi-upscale bar in London. The dim glow of the London bar’s lighting bathed the room in golden hues, casting elongated shadows along the polished mahogany counter. Crystal decanters glistened on glass shelves, reflecting the warm light in tiny bursts as they stood in precise rows behind the bartender, who moved with the quiet efficiency of someone accustomed to the ebb and flow of late-night conversations and whispered secrets. The air carried the rich scent of aged whiskey, sharp citrus from freshly sliced limes, and the faint, lingering traces of expensive perfume. The bar was neither overly crowded nor deserted; a perfect middle ground where these two could speak freely and conduct their business without fear of being overheard. At the heart of this refined yet intimate setting sat Glory Braddock and her longtime friend Sophie O’Brian. Braddock, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves and the sequined black dress she wore hugged her form. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the room with an air of quiet calculation.

Beside her, Sophie O’Brian carried herself with a quiet confidence, her posture relaxed but composed. Her dark hair framed her face in waves that seemed effortlessly styled, and her deep brown eyes held a steady, knowing gaze. Her expression was unreadable, a practiced neutrality that masked the sharp intellect lurking beneath the surface. Sophie wore a black dress that was nearly identical to The British Bombshell, except Sophie’s had no sequins. It was simply dark, making her like a shadow to Glory’s light, which always has been the case for the two women. Soft music hummed in the background, the sultry notes weaving through the low murmur of conversation. Ice clinked against glass as the bartender slid a freshly mixed cocktail toward Glory, who accepted it with a graceful nod. Sophie, for her part, simply swirled the amber liquid in her own glass, her fingers lightly tracing the rim before she finally took a slow, measured sip.

“You know Sophie, I never took you for places like this.” Glory says as she sips her drink. “It seems a little too…uh…”

“Upscale?” Sophie smirks. “Things change when you come into wealth, dear Gloria.”

“You never did explain HOW you came into all this wealth.”

“If you must know,” Sophie sighs “my mentor left it to me after she passed away.”

“I know who you’re talking about.” Glory says with an ice cold expression on her face. “I would hardly call her a mentor. She was demanding, ruthless, cutthroat…”

“All expressions that could also describe Aphrodite Noel, a woman that mentored you and your sister briefly, if I am correct.”

“Touche.” Glory remarks with a nod of her head.

“Things change, Gloria, people change, it is a fact of life. I am pleased to see that you are finally accepting that even you might need to change once in awhile, that might need to learn something new every now and then.” She grins knowingly. “I watched your performance on Breakdown. I saw you take my advice. Good job.”

“Well, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I really did need to take a different approach going forward, not necessarily when it came to Colleen but for Retribution. Dexter has this insane idea for a Disconnect Match which he still won’t say what the rules are and that puts me at a distinct disadvantage. Being the challenger I am already at a disadvantage but now?” Glory sighs. “So why not be a little more aggressive? What is the worst thing that could happen?”

“That’s my girl.” Sophie says teasingly. “You did sort of get yourself into the situation…I never would have agreed to let him pick the match type, so what if he or others call you a coward for backing down from his challenge…Adrenaline Title should be defended under Adrenaline Rules. That was your ace in the hole but you threw it away.” Sophie shrugs her shoulders. “What’s done is done. But like you said, if you are aggressive, if you go in there at Retribution and take no prisoners, then I am quite certain you will manage to defeat this Dexter Grant and regain your title.”

“Well…” Glory holds her glass for a toast “...here’s hoping.”

“Cheers.” Sophie clinks her glass against Glory’s and they sip on their drinks. Sophie sets her glass down and smiles as she looks back at The British Bombshell. “What about that other task I assigned you?”

“What task…?”

“Melinda.”

“Oh…” it’s like a lightbulb goes off over Glory’s head, she smiles “...it worked. Melinda and I are well on our way to repairing our damaged relationship.”

“That’s good news.” Sophie winks. “But you’re leaving out the details.”

“Let’s just say your strategy worked and leave it at that.” Glory answers back.

“Come on, Gloria, that’s not fair to leave your best friend in the dark. I am quite curious as to how my strategy affected your familial relationships.”

“Sorry, but all you’re gonna get is vague and cryptic stuff out of me.” Glory snickers. “Look, I knew what I had to do to convince her and I was aggressive enough to do it. Let’s leave it at that.”

“Fair enough.” Sophie remarks. “But that DOES prove that you need to be more aggressive. Your victory against Colleen…whatever it is you said or did to win back your daughter…all of that proves that what I said about you was true; you have not been aggressive enough. If you only increase that aggression then you will also see an increase in your success.”

“That’s what you say. I’m just not sure if that’s the person who I want to be for the rest of my life.” She sighs. “Sophie, we’re friends, you are my best friend, and I honestly have enjoyed hanging around with you and talking with you this past week. It has been just like old times. But Sophie, I did my part in all of this. I listened to what you had to say, I heard you out, and hell, I even tried out your strategy. But face facts, we are just different people with different approaches to wrestling and life.”

“Yes, you did live up to your end of our bargain, you heard me, you listened to me, and that’s all I wanted. I will live up to my end of the bargain and leave you alone if that is what you wish. But just humor me one final time and answer me this one last question, dear Gloria.”

“What?” Glory asks, a look of skepticism written all over her face.

“Are you really content with everything you have accomplished in Supreme Championship Wrestling?” Sophie smirks. “Say you go to Retribution, you beat Dexter at his own game, and you become a three time Adrenaline Champion. That’s impressive. You are already a Supreme Champion. That’s impressive. But you have to know that you could have so much more. Especially after last Breakdown when you took my advice, you took my strategy, and you ran with it. You had to know that with that kind of aggression, your potential for greater things is unimaginable. There are things you have yet to accomplish. Taking Hold of the Flame? Maybe another Trios win? Or better yet, why not finally have a meaningful reign as SCW World Champion?”

The words were like low hanging fruit from the forbidden tree. Braddock has to admit that she has thought about all of that, especially the notion of becoming SCW World Champion again. Her first priority is to defeat Dexter Grant and regain the Adrenaline Title. But what next? What happens after she disposes of him? Sophie is right. She has yet to reach her potential in SCW. She could still accomplish so much more if she was aggressive enough to go after it. Sophie can tell that Glory is having doubts and starts laughing.

“Thinking it over?”

“I’m not like you, Sophie.” Glory says, shaking her head.

“I’m not asking you to be like me. You do not have to be a villain. Some in this industry embrace that role but I am not asking you to do that. I’m just asking you not to be the clean cut goodie-two-shoes, either.” Sophie winks playfully. “Heroes can be a little rough around the edges, after all.”

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February 26th, 2025
London, England
Off Camera
==========

It has been twenty-four hours since Glory Braddock had yet another meeting with Sophie O’Brian at the bar in London, England. Part of her has enjoyed these visits with Sophie. She does enjoy being around Sophie and she misses how close they once were. Still, she knows that her purpose isn’t just to hang around Sophie and be pals. The British Bombshell is doing this with the sole purpose of trying to help Sophie, trying to listen to her and figure out what has set her off this time, what has possibly sent her over the deep end and provoked her into stalking Braddock and her family. Braddock knows that she should get the authorities involved, or at the very least walk away from Sophie and leave well enough alone. She did her part, she heard what Sophie had to say, and now Sophie has promised to leave her alone. Glory knows Sophie and she is certain that she would keep her word. The British Bombshell could end this by just leaving it all alone and leaving Sophie alone to suffer in her madness.

Glory Braddock cannot leave it alone and she cannot just ignore Sophie when she is certain that she is in pain. There are other doubts and questions that are creeping into the mind of The British Bombshell that keep her from completely turning away from Sophie O’Brian; the strategy and tactics that Glory Braddock learned from Sophie worked. The approach of doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal worked against Colleen Macdonald on Breakdown and it worked to repair the damaged relationship with her daughter, Melinda Braddock. If it is working so well, why stop? Why not continue to use this approach as she heads into Retribution to challenge the unorthodox and unusual Dexter Grant for the SCW Adrenaline Championship in the most unusual Disconnect Match? The British Bombshell doesn’t even know what the rules to a Disconnect Match are. She just knows that it is a match conceived of by Dexter himself. It is his match which gives him the edge. Why not be more aggressive than usual? It might give Glory the edge she needs to regain the gold?

Glory Braddock stands alone in the dimly lit Braddock Wrestling School. She would always go here when she needed to think, to meditate; because training and working out has always been her best form of meditation. Plus there is the added benefit of preparing her for her upcoming championship match at Retribution. Braddock’s blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, with a few loose strands clinging to her sweat-dampened forehead. The rhythmic thuds of her fists and feet striking the heavy bag echoed through the otherwise silent gym. She is dressed in a fitted athletic tank top and compression shorts. The Braddock Wrestling School, usually filled with the sounds of trainers shouting and students grappling, was eerily quiet, save for the dull creak of the chains suspending the bag from the ceiling. But Glory preferred it that way. Here, in the solitude of the empty gym, she could focus, drown out the noise of the world, and lose herself in the rhythm of combat.

Her focus is broken when she hears the familiar sound of the door opening. This is nothing new. Sophie once snuck up on her like this. Braddock sighs as she stops laying into the bag. She turns around, almost expecting to see her friend. It is a friend but not Sophie. Standing there is Sophie’s brother, Mark O’Brian. The larger, more muscular O’Brian is wearing a simple white, stained shirt, blue denim jeans, black boots, and a black leather jacket. The British Bombshell breathes a sigh of relief upon seeing that it is Mark, not Sophie, who is paying her an unexpected visit.

“Mark, you startled me.”

“Expecting someone else?” He asks as he approaches The British Bombshell. Glory meets him in the center of the room and they embrace in a tight hug.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone, to be honest with you, mate.” Glory begins. “But if anyone were to drop in on me unexpectedly, I thought it would be your sister.”

“That’s fair. She’s known to do that.” He sighs. “Speaking of my sister, I want to talk to you about her. If you can pull yourself away from training for just a moment.”

“Sure.” Glory nods her head. “What’s on your mind?”

“I’m gonna be completely honest with you, Glory.” He begins, calmly but sternly, almost like a parent getting ready to discipline a child. “I know you have been spending a lot of time with her lately.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Glory nods her head “and I know you, my sister Julia, and everyone thinks it’s a bad idea…”

“We think that because it IS a bad idea.” Mark states. “She is dangerous and I do not like the idea of you spending so much time with her.”

“I appreciate your concern, mate, I really do. You and your sister have been my best friends for a very long time. I know you both and I can tell when something is off, when something is wrong. I know that Sophie needs help and I just cannot walk away from her. I refuse to believe that my best friend is lost to me, lost because of whatever madness she is suffering from.”

“You always were the eternal optimist.” He chuckles. “But seriously, I have not seen Sophie like this before. She has gone to dark places in the past, she has been downright evil in the past. But this?” Mark shrugs his shoulders. “I have never seen this. This is different and I’m afraid that whatever is wrong with her, whatever dark place she’s gone to, that there really is no coming back from it. You’re better off leaving her alone.”

“No, that’s not true. It cannot be true.” Glory insists, shaking herr head. “I just need more time to try and get through to her. And you can’t talk me out of it.”

“I still think it’s a bad idea…” his voice trails off but he can sense he is fighting a losing battle “...but if you must keep it up then so be it. But I figured I’d provide you with at least a little help.”

Mark reaches into his jean pockets and produces a card. He hands it to Glory. She takes it and inspects it closely. A name and a number is on it. She looks back up at Mark and furrows her brow in curiosity.

“What’s this for?” She asks.

“That’s the name of Sophie’s therapist.”

“She has been seeing a therapist?” Glory’s grow wide with surprise. “She never told me that.”

“Yeah, she wasn’t exactly proud of it. Also she hasn’t been to see her in forever.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe you could speak to the therapist and find out what’s been bugging Sophie.”

“Bloody hell, Mark.” She shakes her head. “You know how confidentiality laws work. There’s no way I could get that kind of information…not legally, anyway.”

“I also know you have connections.”

“Oh no.” She shakes her head. “I promised never again to use those kind of tactics.”

“Suit yourself.” Mark shrugs his shoulders. “But if you really want to know what’s bothering Sophie, if you really want to get her back, you might want to make an exception and break your promise.”

Those words from Mark O’Brian ring familiar; they are similar to the words from his sister Sophie. Sophie told Glory Braddock that if she wanted to achieve a goal bad enough then she do whatever it takes, use any means necessary, to achieve that goal. If she really wants to help Sophie then should she break her promise? Should she use any means necessary and break into her friend’s private life to learn what is bothering her?

==========
March 4th, 2025
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Off Camera
==========

Almost a week has passed and The British Bombshell has had time to think about Mark O’Brian and his suggestion. He had given her an avenue to pursue, a way to find out exactly what was bothering Sophie and, maybe, a way to get through to her and to help her. Any other time Glory Braddock would have instantly refused. After all, Mark’s suggestion involved invading Sophie’s privacy. But Glory knows that Sophie needs help, and she also thinks back to the lessons that Sophie herself taught The British Bombshell in recent weeks; if something is worth having, go after it and get it by any means necessary. She wants the SCW Adrenaline Title back and she plans to get it by any means necessary at Retribution. Now, today on this afternoon in Belfast, Northern Ireland at the stately home of Sophie O’Brian, The British Bombshell has decided to use Sophie’s own strategy against her. She will get to the bottom of this mystery, she will find out what is really bothering her best friend, and she will do it by any means necessary.

Braddock once again finds herself in her best friend’s extravagant living room, seated on the luxurious and comfortable sofa. The British Bombshell is wearing tight fitting jeans, black flats, and a silky royal purple blouse. Her long golden hair falls down in soft waves to past the shoulders. The pleasant smiles on her face hides the tension that hides just underneath; she knows that this could be a make or break moment for her friendship with Sophie O’Brian. She hears footsteps approaching. She turns her head to see Sophie entering the room with two glasses of red wine in her hand.

“Merlot just like last time…” Sophie says with a playful wink. Glory does not hesitate. She takes a glass begins to sip. Sophie grins with satisfaction as she sits down next to Braddock and sips on her own glass of Merlot.

“I really have enjoyed these visits, Sophie.”

“That much is obvious.” Sophie remarks. “I didn’t expect you to take me up on my offer, I did not expect you to come see me and hear me out even once. But here you are! You have been to see me and hear what I have had to say about your family, your father’s legacy, several times now.” Sophie sets her wine glass down on the glass table in front of them. “But what I am really proud of is the fact that you have put my advice into action. You defeated Colleen Macdonald in impressive fashion, so even in the OFF CHANCE you fail to win back the Adrenaline Title you have set yourself up brilliantly for another title shot…you did what you had to do to earn back the trust of your daughter…and from what I have seen of you, the extra aggression and intensity you have shown, I am certain that you will leave Retribution as the new SCW Adrenaline Champion.”

“Is that what this has been about, Sophie?” Glory asks. “Just to help me in my life and career. Help me with my daughter, help me defeat Dexter Grant and become Adrenaline Champion for a third time?”

“No, that’s YOUR prize.” Sophie grins knowingly. “What I wanted was simply to help you to understand that you do not really know your father as much as you think you do. I wanted to get you to finally understand that you were not really and truly following in your father’s legacy.”

“But you were?” Glory asks, pointing at Sophie, who chuckles and nods her head.

“Why yes, of course I was.”

“It’s funny you should say that.” Glory sets her wine glass down and composes herself. The time is now. “Like I said at the very beginning, I never once denied that I could learn something new, that I was capable of changing and adapting. I only questioned your tactics…by any means necessary was always something that I shied away from.”

“But now?”

“Now I have to admit, I can see its benefits. In fact, over these past few weeks of learning your tactics and philosophy and putting them into action, I have not only managed to achieve some successes in life and in wrestling, but I also managed to learn something that might intrigue you.” Braddock smirks. “Are you willing to keep an open mind and hear me out for a change?”

“I would be a hypocrite if I said no.” Sophie leans back. “Tell me, my friend, what do you have to say.”

“Once upon a time…”

“A fairy tale?” Sophie rolls her eyes.

“Just humor me.” Glory states. “Once upon a time there was a young Irish woman. She was very kind, compassionate, friendly. But life is never fair and life wasn’t fair to her. This woman was trapped in an abusive marriage.”

The British Bombshell watches and notices how Sophie’s smug, arrogant grin is slowly starting to fade away. She is growing more and more serious. Braddock continues with her story.

“It wasn’t like she could just get away from her circumstances. If she left her abusive husband, she would have nowhere to live and no way to support herself. Besides, they had a son together. She didn’t feel right about leaving the son behind. But eventually things got brighter for the young woman.”

“Stop…” Sophie says quietly as a tear rolls down her cheek. Glory shakes her head.

“No. I listened to you, you are going to listen to me. Now where was I? Oh right; the young Irish woman met a ruggedly handsome Englishman. He was a professional wrestler famous all over Europe. It began as a simple friendship but grew into much more. They had a heated affair and she loved it, she loved him because unlike her husband, this Englishman treated her like royalty.”

“Please stop!” Sophie begs but Glory ignores her pleading.

“She got pregnant. She had a girl…” she points at Sophie “...she named her Sophie.”

There is a tense pause. Finally Sophie sighs and wipes her eyes as she composes herself.

“How did you find out?”

“You told me to do whatever it takes to get what I want. All I WANTED was to help you, Sophie. Something is wrong with you, it has been wrong for a long time because normal people don’t pay others to stalk their friends. You have lost touch with reality and your brother knew it, everyone who cares about you knew it. I wanted to help you, that is what I wanted, so I did whatever it took to find out what was wrong, what exactly pushed you over the edge. I used my connections to…well, persuade…your therapist into giving up some information. Imagine my surprise when I learned that my father, Glenn Braddock, slept with your mom, which makes us half-sisters. Now it all makes sense. It makes perfect sense…why you became obsessed with the Braddock family beyond any normal rational human being…why you seemed so obsessed with my father…you were obsessed because you recently learned that you are a Braddock.”

“My mother was still sleeping with George O’Brian at the time, so she was able to keep it a secret from him for awhile. That’s why I was given his last name. My mother didn’t want him to find out, so obviously I became Sophie O’Brian, not Sophie Braddock.” She sighs. “But he found out and when he did he became furious. Mark and I always took beatings, just like mother, but after he learned who my REAL father was…mom and I started taking the brunt of the abuse.”

“When did you learn the truth?”

“About two years ago.” Sophie says quietly. “This wealth I inherited from my mentor, I used it to do some digging into your…OUR father’s background. I had always believed that he and I were a lot more alike than you ever dared to admit, Gloria. I wanted proof so I paid some private investigators, the best ones money could buy, to look into it. One of them happened to stumble upon the evidence to prove Glenn Braddock was my real biological father.”

“Why did you stop seeing your therapist?” Glory asks.

“Because I do not want to relive those painful memories!” Sophie shouts back at her. “My fath…George…whatever! He beat be ruthlessly! At first I thought it was because he was just an asshole. But now I know it was somehow my fault.”

“It was never your fault.” Glory states firmly. “You really need to go and see your therapist again.”

“Why?”

“I’ll tell you why…because it’s easier than the alternative. Do you know how many people, our friends and family, pressured me to contact the authorities…to have you committed…after they found out that you paid that creep to stalk me? I could have given in to that pressure but I didn’t. I did not give in because I do not believe you are completely lost. I think you can find your way back from whatever darkness you have found yourself in.” Glory offers her hand. “And I promise to be there for you every step of the way.”

“You promise?” Sophie asks skeptically, looking down at Glory’s hand. Braddock nods her head.

“I swear.” Glory smiles. “You are my best friend, we always have been closer than friends, like sisters. Now I realize we always have been sisters.”

Sophie looks at the hand again, the one offered to her by Glory Braddock. She then looks back up at her friend, her sister, and she accepts the hand. They embrace in a hug.

==========
March 5th, 2025
London, England
On Camera
==========

We open in London, England in front of a wrought-iron gate that surrounds a European style building. A vintage streetlamp is mounted on a stone pillar that is attached to the cobblestone sidewalk covered in autumn leaves. Then the sound of clicking heels across the sidewalk can be heard. Glory Braddock enters the scene. The British Bombshell is wearing a fitted black turtleneck sweater and a sleek black leather mini skirt. Her legs are adorned with sheer black tights featuring a delicate heart pattern, and she completes her outfit with striking black high heels with red soles.

“Dexter Grant…the SCW Adrenaline Champion…I am sure you are ecstatic, thinking that finally your message is catching on, thinking that your insane little movement finally has some momentum after capturing the Adrenaline Title. Then again, how would anyone know considering you have barely showed your face since Dogfight in Dusseldorf? Seriously mate, you won your first championship in SCW, one would think that you would be rubbing it in everyone’s face. One would think that you would make your critics eat some crow. Yet you have barely shown your face at all on SCW programming since Dogfight. You were there when we agreed to this rematch at Retribution. You wanted a Disconnect Match and I gave you what you wanted, I agreed to that insane match, giving you yet another victory, something else to crow about, and yet you still haven’t shown your face on television.” Braddock shakes her head.

“Pathetic. You have all of the talent in the world to be one of the greatest superstars in SCW and yet you seem content with letting your legacy be that of a pathetic buffoon who will not show up and do his damn job. I was not scheduled to compete on Breakdown in Columbus but I showed up anyway because it was my job and I believe in my commitment to SCW. I show up to each and every SCW Breakdown whether I am scheduled to compete or not. That is what a wrestler does and, more importantly, that is what a champion does. When you are a champion you carry that banner, you represent the company, so you show up and you show out each and every week. Except you don’t…”

“...now you might argue you are just ‘disconnecting’, because that is your shtick, right? Or maybe you are staying away from the cameras and the journalists like Jaina in order to avoid any secrets about your stupid Disconnect Match leaking. Huh? Is that it? Maybe. Except I don’t buy it. Not for one second. The problem with you is that as good as you are…and I do not take anything away from your ability…but as good as you are, your biggest problem is that you are lazy. You are chronically lazy in your approach to this game. Just look back at Dogfight. Instead of beating me straight up, it took several eye rakes, cheap shots, and your lackey boy toy to defeat me for the title. You didn’t want to wrestle me and defeat me straight up. Now in this rematch you proved your laziness once again because you wanted a match of your own creation, a Disconnect Match, and instead of letting me know the rules of the match you have opted to keep them a secret, you have chosen to keep it all to yourself, likely up until the bell rings. Instead of defending that championship against me straight up, you are intentionally keeping things close to your chest to keep an advantage. For that matter, have you defended the championship yet?” Glory smirks.

“No, no you haven’t. You haven’t even wrestled since Dogfight. You haven’t wrestled in over a month. You know what kind of champion that is? It’s a lazy one. People like Bree Lancaster, even Syren who is one of the worst people imaginable, YUYO, and myself fought hard to restore prestige to that championship, we elevated that championship, and in just a month you have degraded it. Do you know what I have been doing since Dogfight? I have been showing up to every Breakdown and when CHBK has a match for me I am there ready to throw down. I recently took on the Underground Champion to test myself, to prepare myself for anything and everything that you might throw at me. I have been actively preparing myself for whatever insanity your crazed imagination might come up with for the Disconnect Match.” The British Bombshell points a finger at the camera.

“But you have been hiding. You have been hiding in whatever basement you or ditch or sewer you can find. You have been hiding from me because now that you are the champion, now that the pressure of holding the gold is now on YOUR shoulders, you realize that you cannot handle it. You realize that you are no longer the hunted but the hunted. You are afraid because you know that it took every dirty trick in the book to beat me at Dogfight and now in order to keep the title you are hiding behind a set of rules that you still haven’t revealed. You are hiding and do you know who hides? Champions do not hide, Dexter. Cowards hide and that is what you are. You are a coward. You are lazy, you are a coward, and you are not deserving of that Adrenaline Championship. You are capable of being a worthy champion but you insist on hiding out of fear and laziness.”

“You also have made some serious mistakes, Dexter. Your first mistake is this idea that hiding, that not showing up to work, will somehow protect you. All it does is delay the inevitable because you have to show up at Retribution. You cannot avoid that date with destiny, that date with The British Bombshell. You cannot avoid defending that championship against me. And when you do defend the gold against me at Retribution, I am going to finally finish the job I started at Dogfight; I am going to put you down, I am going to defeat you, and I am going to retake the Adrenaline Championship.” Braddock holds up two fingers. “Your second mistake is thinking that this Disconnect Match will somehow protect you from me. Here is a little reality check for you, champ; I have been in and around this wrestling business for all of my life. I have been actively competing for almost twenty years. There isn’t a scenario, a match, a gimmick, anything that I have not seen, encountered, or personally dealt with in my life or in my career. Despite not knowing what the hell your stupid Disconnect Match is, the fact is that there is NOTHING you can throw at me that will surprise me. There is no way you can surprise me at Retribution.” The British Bombshell holds up three fingers.

“Your third and most fatal mistake was thinking that I am incapable of breaking the rules. Like I said, I grew up in this business. I know every dirty trick in the book. Yes, I try to wrestle and win the right way because I have morals, I have principles, but when I encounter a person like you who does not give a damn about morals, does not care about principles, and only wants to win by any means necessary, then it becomes evident to me that I have to also throw the rules out the window. It becomes clear to me that I have to become even more aggressive than before in order to take you down and put an end to your nonsense. So coming up at Retribution the roles will be reversed. At Dogfight you broke the rules. This time, at Retribution, you get to make your own set of rules but this time I get to be the rule breaker, I get to bend and shatter those stupid rules you invent, and I will take great joy in breaking your rules, breaking you, and in the process taking back the Adrenaline Championship.”

“So go ahead and hide, Dexter Grant. Hide while you can. But understand that your days are numbered. Your reign is about to come to an end and no amount of hiding, no fear, and not even your own match will be able to save you from the wrath of The British Bombshell. Nothing will save you when I march into San Antonio and take back MY championship.”

Glory Braddock turns and walks away. The camera fades to black.

[Digitox]

Retribution RP:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wOft...sp=sharing