JWA Glory Episode 197 - Openweight Championship Match

[Kip Whistler]

It's happening a week later than originally advertised, but it IS happening! Tonight on Glory Penguino makes his first defense of the JWA Openweight Championship against Domination, Inc.'s "The Debonair" Mack Caliber. Will it be a successful first outing for the new champion, or will Caliber force Penguino into the record books as both the first champion and the shortest reigning champion? Don't forget that we're likely to see the other members of Domination, Inc. at ringside, and it's not above them to get involved when the referee's attention is diverted. This could be quite the test for our champion!

(The polls will be open for at least 24 hours. It doesn't matter who you vote for, just that you participate!)

Whoever walks out of Glory this week with the belt, they'll have a pretty quick turnaround as in two weeks' time they'll be defending against the winner of last week's bout, that being Thumper Moore III. Moore picked up a hard fought victory over "The Closer" Omega Satyros to earn the title opportunity, and we expect to hear from the big man during the show.

It's not all bad news for Satyros. Even though he was defeated last week, he's still one half of the World Tag Team Champions alongside "Charismatic" Conor Caine. The pair known as The Alpha & Omega will be defending those titles next week against the team they beat for the belts, that being the Pirates OF DOOM, in a match where DOOM & Rogers will decide the stipulation. I, for one, cannot wait to find out what kind of match those two have come up with. Of course, all of this hinges on whether or not Caine can pass the JWA medical evaluation.

Should we anticipate another visit to Burl's Butterfly Room?

We learned over the past week that there's much more to the relationship between Artemis and Lady Diana Gallus than we all thought. It also seems that "Lord" Taylor Thorin and Tembleberry have gotten mixed up in this matter somehow after all of the "secret admirer" shenanigans. Thorin, via Tembleberry, has vowed to get to the bottom of this situation, with my help. I'll gladly offer any assistance I can to facilitate a resolution of this murky situation.

While he seemed more subdued than usual, Duke Mongoose did make a challenge for "The Reminiscer" Winter Hex and her World Heavyweight Championship. We hope to be graced by our champion during tonight's broadcast, where she will hopefully address the challenge.

All this, plus we hope to catch up with Killie's Crew and find out what's next for our own trailblazer, Daisy Turner.

Get out there and work your gimmick!

[Duke Mongoose]

(As things are settling in right before the main event, Duke Mongoose casually makes his way down to ringside and takes a seat at the end of the commentary desk)

Beeman: Great! A GOOD commentator is going to be joining me tonight.

LeRay: I don't have anything about this on the format. Duke, what's the-

(Without looking at either Mick or Sean, Duke aggressively waves them and the spare headset away. Duke simply stares intently into the ring through his sunglasses)

[Bayou Burl]

The titantron cuts to the increasingly familiar title card of Bayou’s Butterfly Room. It then cuts to Bayou Burl inside, he’s watching Death Note on TV.


“Hi kids! You’ve caught me in the middle of watching some anime…I'm pretty sure someone I used to know was a big fan of it..Eh, no matter!”


He switches off the TV and stands up

“Welcome to episode 3 of Burl’s Butterfly Room! I’m so glad you came back, because I owe you all an apology. Yes, I sure do, because our first 2 episodes focused all on me, and my story. I didn’t tell you about the story of this place! Of the Butterfly Room itself! Believe it or not kids, a few months ago all this place was was a cabin left out in the swamp. it was rundown and on the verge of collapse and left behind by all who’d known it"

Burl nods as the 'children' make surprised gasping noises


"But through hardwork and a little bit of knowhow, that place got turned right around! Now I’d like to be able to claim that it was my TLC that turned this place around, but it was really the handiwork of someone else, who I’ll tell you all about in a moment. He turned that forgotten dump into this awesome, friendly place! The Butterfly Room! And now it acts as a sort of safehaven for me, for all of you and for anyone else who wants to come in. It’s a paradise where we can all be happy, where we can all live forever.…But at the end of the day it isn’t really ours.."

"You see, on my travels away from the JWA, I met someone really great! Someone who promised me the two things I'd always wanted: Friendship..And immortality! He promised me that he would give me and all others the safety of this home he'd created for himself, the Butterfly Room, and that he’d help me go down in history as the best wrestler who ever lived. But he said that if I wanted his help, I’d have to do one thing for him first. If he was to let me into his home, I’d have to let him into mine too. See, the Butterfly Room is a friendly place for all beings, but its first inhabitant has always been my new friend! But it turns out that room-mating with all the creatures in the world can sometimes get a little noisy, so he asked me to give him a second home - just for him - and I agreed. He lives up here now.”


Burl taps his temple


“You are going to LOVE him! He’s a great guy, so helpful and kind and patient. He forgave me for all my mistakes and said he’d help me get better! He's taught me so much! I was having a little chat with him earlier and he said he doesn’t quite feel ready to meet you all just yet, but I could tell you all a little bit about him if I wanted. I said sure, after all…Who am I to mock someone for being too scared to show their face right?”

Burl gestures to the pictures of his former/masked personas behind him. He laughs a bit too loudly and for a second too long


“I call him The Fright. I know, I know.. It sounds like a mean thing to call your friend…But I bet you won’t forget it right? After all, think back to some of your most visceral memories. What are they? Sure some will be when you felt sad, or angry or even happy, but I can bet most of them are when you felt….Fear…Maybe Fear of that school test tomorrow or fear of sleeping without your nightlight for the first time...A fear that you’d be forgotten by the world…but don’t worry! Even someone as big as ol’ Uncle Burly here feels scared sometimes too! It’s nothing to be ashamed of…In fact, if you face your fears then you should feel proud of yourself! Maybe you went to school the next day and you got an A on that test or you slept without your nightlight and you were totally fine…Or maybe you made sure you’d never be forgotten again.”



Like the last time, Bayou’s entire demeanour suddenly turns more threatening


“Maybe you began to do everything in your power to make sure you’d always be remembered by those left to remember you. You should feel proud of yourself for facing your fears…And I think he’s ready to face his fears now too…He’s ready to meet you…Do you want to meet him?”


The screen bugs out again and flashes of Burl, or at least his body, wearing a red and white mask flash on the screen. The cages hanging from the ceiling begin to rock. The camera stops glitching and focuses on the man in the mask now standing there: No longer Bayou Burl, but The Fright.


“Remember me.”

[Penguino]

“Stay Vicious” by The Gaslight Anthem plays over the loudspeakers and Penguino comes out with Johnny Kobra by his side.

LeRay “Johnny Kobra out here looking a little bit more prepared than usual, I suppose he doesn’t trust that the rest of Domination inc. won’t interfere in the match tonight.”

Beeman “Or maybe because he needs to cheat to beat “The Debonair.”

LeRay “Penguino now takes his corner and is having a conversation with Kobra as he awaits his opponents arrival.”

[Pierre The Enormous]

*KC is watching Glory at the bar*

Troglo: BIRD FRIEND WIN!!!!!!

Pierre: I hope he wins too Trog

Jax: I feel like the "dissension" in Dom Inc. is smoke and mirrors

Huggy: Same...

["The Reminiscer" Winter Hex]

~Winter Hex Productions~

Winter: I'm back bitches. Yes I have been away for a long time, but that time is up, I had just finished screening for my latest picture "Legacies of a Champion" The story about a fresh, hot, seductive woman played by myself who went through many hardships and pain to become a champion and set a world record in the Olympics, where my character was an expert in swimming. Now the reason I was gone for longer than it expected was because well, I wasn't the greatest swimmer so I needed more training to become a magnificent swimmer so that plus the screening took a long amount of time so apologies for my absentee. Now that I am back, time to get down to business. As you can see I am the JWA World Champion and I see that everyone fears me, not a single person would want to challenge m-

A production member whispers something off camera

Winter: WHAAAAAAT!!? Duke Mongoose is challenging me? How could this be? I thought he liked me? I certainly liked him, what could've gone wro- Oh what am I saying. Duke Mongoose wants to challenge me, well I'm here to make it official. But don't panic Dukey, I won't embarrass you, like I did to that fail actor no no no. I'm still going to beat you, but since I still sorta like you. I won't humiliate you. NOW! That's all wrapped up time for some promotional work. "Legacies of a Champion" will be available in your local cinemas on just in time for after my next Successful defence. You can all go to that cinema after my match and say, "hey, that woman is playing a champion, while she is THE champion". So since that's all I've got to say, Adios

~Fin~

[“heartBROKEN” Mack Caliber]

The Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet plays and I head out from behind the curtain. I have a rose in my mouth as I head down to the ring. I pause to approach a beautiful woman, and she swoons as I start to give her the rose, then toss it back over my head and laugh in her face.

I gracefully leap onto the apron, glide through the ropes, and await the official match announcement and the bell. I allow my mind to envision lifting Penguino up, tossing him skyward, watching his beak collide with my fist, and pinning him for the victory. I see in my mind’s eye the four of us, each holding aloft a belt to end the show. Forcing Kip to reinstate Caine or holding his belts hostage. Using the power to pick and choose our opponents to bolster our prestige. I’m determined to make this a reality.

I hear the bell ring and walk confidently toward Penguino.

[Artemis]

"Run The World" by Beyonce sounds and Lady Diana makes her way down to the ring.

Diana: Artemis. I wish it didn't come to this. You needed help. Last week you hopped on screen and lied through your teeth. You acted like you were all fine and good, like nothing was wrong, as if this was a spur-of-the-moment, jealousy-fueled attack on your career. As if this was the first time. Fans of AOE might remember an eight month stint a few years back before you started your record-long Ladies' Television Title reign where you disappeared from tv. Some speculated there were issues between you and management, some speculated a hidden injury, some assumed they just didn't have you in their plans and you were hanging out in catering. None of them knew that when you were disqualified in the finals of a #1 contender tournament for the Ladies' World Title that you were trying to actively rip La Exilia's shoulder from her socket. You had the match won but refused to let that armbar go, to the point you had to drop the Phalanx Maneuver from your moveset to try and limit people remembering that.

The crowd murmured, some remembering the match, some shocked at this revelation.

Diana: You hadn't been in the company for long, but they were gracious and didn't fire you outright and black ball you from all the "big leagues" you mocked Queen Amana for not subjecting herself to. They gave you the option to go to an intensive inpatient therapy program that took you six months to complete, and two more months of monitoring before you were brought back into the fold. I watched you go through that and hoped that would've quelled the worst of your anger issues. So back in April when you were showing signs of 'Shattering' again. I had to act. Because you had only been in JWA for six months, and we had no guarantee that Whistler would be as lenient. We had to act before you pulled another stunt like you did with La Exilia. So, I had you readmitted to that intensive inpatient therapy. In order to let you save face, I told Kip Whistler that you were taking a sabbatical. I took the name 'Lady Diana' to keep your memory alive if worse came to worse and you ended up unable to overcome your demons and were ultimately released from JWA. I stepped into the roster to try and keep the Women's division afloat when a full 25% of the top of the division was going to be absent. I'll admit it ultimately didn't survive with Jessie Aldean seemingly taking her ball back to the tiny ballrooms of Alabaster, Alabama and Winter Hex eschewing the Women's Division, ultimately setting the groundwork of integrating inter-gender wrestling into JWA, while leaving the Women's division to the wayside to be reborn like a Phoenix into the Openweight Division that's reignited the fire in JWA.

The crowd's really getting behind Diana's speech, cheering her on.

Diana: I didn't want to send you away, but who's to say you don't walk into that next match with Daisy and put the "Anarchy of the JWA" in the emergency room, or gods forbit a casket? You were on the precipice of throwing away everything you worked for, but at this point, I feel like you'd rather break everything around you, so you look less broken by comparison rather than work to fix yourself. And if you insist on not getting fixed, to the point you assumedly broke out of the treatment center, I can't force you to. But I can keep you from dragging me down in your messes yet again. I can't force you to put yourself back together, but YOU WON'T BREAK ME! So, try whatever underhanded schemes you want. I will stand in this ring and prove to you and every doubter who bought into your bs that I will not be broken.

Diana drops the mic to a standing ovation; the camera's follow her backstage before lingering on Kip's office as she continues past.

[“The Relentless” Conor Caine]

Outside JWA Studios a limousine pulls up...

BEEMAN: Who's riding in style to our humble studio?? Maybe one of Winter Hex's Hollywood friends?!

A security guard approaches the limo as a window in the back glides down. It's controversial MD, Dr. Charles Zamboni. The studio audience boos.

LERAY: Not this guy! I sincerely hope they're not going to let him in here!!

The guard asks Zamboni if he needs any assistance.

ZAMBONI: I wish to speak with Kip Whistler, please.
GUARD: Mr Whistler is overseeing a live taping right now - do you have an appointment?
ZAMBONI: No appointment but I need to speak with him urgently: I've been sent here by my patient, Conor Caine, to discuss the terms for his medical clearance ahead of the tag team title match next week. Unless you want to cost Mr Whsitler next week's Main Event you'll take me to him right away.
GUARD: ...uh, o-okay... follow me.

Zamboni nods to somebody else in the limo as he gets out and follows the security guard inside. A hand reaches out and pulls the limo door closed before the stretch, unmonitored by any guards, drives inside the loading bay.

LERAY: Wait a second! Who was that second passenger in Zamboni's limo?? They've just gotten into the building without a security check!!!

[Penguino]

LeRay “Both me- well creatures are walking to the center of the ring and there’s a tie up, Mack gets the upper hand and locks in a side headlock, Penguino slides his head and beak through the hold and grabs a rear wastelock position and hits a German suplex on Caliber.”

Beeman “Penguino knew he couldn’t beat Caliber in normal technical wrestling so he needed to end it before he got smothered, what a coward.”

LeRay “Caliber is now back on his feet and he charges Penguino to go for a clothesline and it’s ducked, Caliber keeps running though and hits the ropes hard and comes back off of them speeding fast with a bigger clothesline and nails ‘Guino.”


Beeman “Good luck beating that Penguino.”

[Duke Mongoose]

LeRay: Duke, I don't know if you heard, but Winter has accepted your challenge for a World title match at Super Glory.

Beeman: He's not on headset, LeRay. Hold on, I'll tell him.

(Sean leans over and whispers into Duke's ear. Suddenly Duke perks up, and stands up abruptly)

LeRay: What just happened?

(Duke starts to walk towards the back, but then turns around and heads toward the ring. Mack Caliber hits the ropes and Duke grabs his ankle, causing Caliber to trip. Luckily for Penguino, the referee was mildly distracted by something Johnny Kobra is doing at ringside)

Beeman: Look at that! Duke gets a World Title match AND he's still helping out his boy! What a guy!

LeRay: Duke is likely to incur the wrath of Domination, Inc. for this!

[“heartBROKEN” Mack Caliber]

OOC: I overestimated the amount of time I had between practices. Sorry y’all.

I pick Guino up easily over my head and slam him to the mat. I drop an elbow, go to the second rope, and drop a knee. I hoist him up on my shoulders trying to end it quick, but he squirms out and then beaks me in the back of the knee.

I wince in pain and drop to a knee, and when I look over my shoulder all I see is a flying meat tuxedo smashing into my face. Honestly, it makes me mad more than it hurt me, but still. I pop up and lunge in rage at the bird, and he jumps up and lands on my back with his stupid webbed feet.

I know my plan now. Everyone has always fought him without too much thought and tried to just beat him up— I’m gonna ground the flying penguin. I fake a punch to the face, and when he ducks, I grab the legs and drop him, then drop an elbow on the middle of the orange part. I hear him squeak in pain, and I hold on for an ankle lock, and then turn it into an STF.

[Red Pirate Rogers]

Honest Sal has his soap boxset up and is ready to start his interview segment:

Sal: My guest at this time needs no introduction--two time former tag team champion, former World Champion, JWA's resident innov--
(Red Pirate Rogers walks in)
RPR: Thank you Salvatore, but if I don't need an introduction then please, don't try to introduce me.
Sal: Red Pirate Rogers, it's always a pleasure to see you, but what is on your agenda tonight?
RPR: Would that it were pleasure Salvatore, but this is business. I've been delegated to present the Pirates' of Doom proposed match stipulation for next week's title bout. The one and only DOOM is currently still scrubbing out the blue cheese from behind his neck so, I have the task of telling Domination Incorporated what we have selected.
Sal: So you expect that they will be cleared to compete, despite suggestions of Conor Caine's injury.
RPR: I expect that Mr. Caine will employ any charlatan or snake oil salesman who tells him what he wants to hear. I'm not sure if Doctor Zamboni did his residency at Mass General or General Massage Studio or if he received a doctorate in Air Conditioner Repair from Greendale Community College, but that is immaterial. What is material is what exactly the Good Doct--excuse me, the "supposedly certified 'Doctor' is putting into Mr. Caine's system that is increasing his strength and stamina so much.
Sal: What are you implying?
RPR: Salvatore...it was a brutal battledome. We all left worse than we went in...and yet Conor manages to bring an extra degree of savagery to an attack on Messers Powell and Burrowitt on Mania a mere two days later? Two days after he sees the Good--the Yet to Be Proven Malpractitioner...he's up and at them? I have my inferences, you have yours. But I trust that whatever we see Conor will be served with his come-uppence in a week's time.
Sal: Yes, in one week, the Pirates of Doom and Domination Inc will have a final fight for the Tag Team Titles. What, Red Pirate Rogers have you selected as the stipulation?
RPR: I'm so glad you asked Salvatore, because it allows me to stop talking about Mr. Caine and start talking about other people I have much more respect for. The fans of the JWA know about the legendary teams in our divison, teams that garnered attention and acclaim around the world: Toxic Terror, Damage Control, the Grunge Brothers, the Gage Guys...all of them powerful, all of them daring, all of them willing to risk it all for the titles. In that spirit, we Pirates wish to bring out a degree of danger, a degree of difficulty, a degree of diabolical mayhem...Next week Domination Incorporated: it's time for each of our duos to embrace the terrible trinity: Tables...ladders...and Chairs. (Crowd roars)
Sal: There you have it folks, next week's Tag Title match will be a classic TLC contest!

[Thumper Moore III]

SAL: And look at this! Here comes Thumper Moore III!

Thumper walks up from behind and claps Rogers on the back.

SAL: Thumper, what are you doing here at this time?

THUMPER: Salacious Salvatore, greetings and salutations. I am here to wish the Burgundy Buccaneer here the best of luck next week, and to ensure that there will be no shenanigans from Misinformation Inc next week if I have anything to say about it.

ROGERS: Burgundy Buccaneer?

SAL: You managed a big win last week, but—

THUMPER: But Omega and I don’t seem to be through. Accurate investigative reporting as usual. That will resolve itself in time, but my focus now is on the winner of this week’s match. My next step to everyone reveling in my splendor will be to gain the Openweight title. Red, I relinquish the podium back to you.

[“The Relentless” Conor Caine]

Aug 14, 2024 9:53:20 GMT -5 Penguino said:

Beeman “Good luck beating that Penguino.”

BEEMAN: We're getting word backstage that Toni Cruz has caught up with the esteemed Dr Zaboni, following the good doctor's meeting with Kip Whistler!
LERAY: We're not going to give this creep air time, are we?!

Cut backstage to the corridor outside Kip's office, where Toni stands with Dr Zamboni...

CRUZ: Dr Zamboni, care to tell us how it went with Kip?
ZAMBONI: I was instructed by my patient, Conor Caine, to make it clear to Kip that I would be doing his medical examination - in front of JWA medical staff, of course - and that the examination would be strictly physical. Conor's injury is physical in nature and his recovery should be assessed on a physical basis--
CRUZ: So you're saying no blood tests?
ZAMBONI: No blood tests or toxicology. Conor had me express to Kip that if he doesn't accept the terms, that Conor would be initiating legal proceedings over discriminating treatment of Mr Caine - which would cause next week's Main Event to be held up, along with ownership of the tag titles.

Cut back to ringside, where most people are distracted by the Zamboni interview on the Jerkatron...

LERAY: What a disgrace! Kip should fire Conor Caine for this!
BEEMAN: Speak of the devil!

Caine hopes the barrier, slides in the ring and spears Penguinon out of his flippers as the Openweight Champion was just getting to his feet!

LERAY: Conor used the distraction of the Zamboni meeting to slip past Kip and security and interfere in this title match on behalf of his stablemate!
BEEMAN: Caine's out of the ring before the ref saw anything, and now he's counting the cover!
LERAY: The title's gonna change hands! One! TWO!!!

Suddenly canons blast and Red Pirate Rogers' music hits. The ref breaks his count in shock as the fans in attendance explode with cheers!

LERAY: He might have slipped by security and the officials, but Conor Caine couldn't slip past Rogers! And now the two are going at it at ringside!

Rogers and Caine brawl viscerally, having to be separated by a swarm if refs and officials, who usher them to the back.