David Striker vs. Glory Braddock

[Braddock]

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October 19th, 2024
London, England
Off Camera
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Glory Braddock is laser focused on chasing the SCW Adrenaline Championship and dethroning a certain Magical Cosmic Princess. Braddock has already sent a message, proving to the locker room and to YUYO herself that The British Bombshell is most certainly up to the challenge after she made Sapphire Taylor pass out to her patented triangle choke submission hold that she calls The Shekinah Glory. Now The British Bombshell looks to continue her momentum and send yet another message, this time against a much more difficult and, arguably more personal, challenger in the form of David Striker. Braddock recalls all too well their rivalry when she was still in the tag team division with Brittany Lohan. Together as Twisted & Sadistic they laid waste to the entire tag team division, without a care for who got caught in the crossfire. Striker and the Phantom Troupe were among those who became victims of Twisted & Sadistic’s rampage. Now before she can face YUYO for the Adrenaline Title, Glory must deal with one final ghost from her past. This is about more than simply sending a message. This is about more than just creating momentum. Braddock knows that Striker will be out for blood, out for revenge. This challenge is something she has to deal with first before she can finally put her past behind her and look towards reclaiming the SCW Adrenaline Title.

Dealing with the ghost of her past in David Striker and reclaiming gold by defeating YUYO are not the only issues facing The British Bombshell. Glory Braddock also has a bit of a sibling rivalry brewing. She was recently put into a very awkward and very uncomfortable position when wealthy entrepreneur Franklin Jefferson approached The British Bombshell with a rather hard to believe story; that Glory’s niece, Julia Braddock’s adopted daughter Serena Grace, is actually Franklin’s missing niece Grace Jefferson. Franklin’s brother, wife, and twin daughters were on a skiing trip and an accident happened leaving all dead or missing. Grace was presumed dead. But upon seeing a picture of Grace Jefferson, Glory cannot deny how alike the two look. Serena truly is the spitting image of Grace Jefferson. She is also the same age Grace Jefferson would be today. Franklin just wants DNA tests to prove, one way or another, if Julia’s adopted daughter is actually his missing niece. Unfortunately Julia Braddock has thus far refuse to allow testing to be done. Glory Braddock hates being put in this position but when Franklin approached her about this, she felt the need to at least try and convince Julia to change her mind. Thus far she has not been successful. But Glory is very stubborn and will not give in so easily.

This day Glory Braddock finds herself in a familiar setting; her father’s wrestling school in London, England. She stands facing a large group of students seated on the floor, eager for her guidance. This is a ritual all too familiar for Braddock. These students are ready to graduate and she is continuing a tradition started by her father; she is prepared to give the final lesson.
She’s wearing a white blouse, the sleeves rolled up to just below her elbows, giving her a relaxed but authoritative look. A short, dark-colored miniskirt hugs her waist, accentuating her athletic build, while her black stockings add a layer of sophistication. On her feet are simple black flats, practical for the setting but still fashionable. Her posture is confident, shoulders back, and chin slightly raised. Her expression is focused, a mixture of determination and empathy, understanding the challenges these students face but also demanding their best. The wrestling ring behind her adds to the gravity of the scene, a subtle reminder of the hard work that lies ahead. The students, dressed in various workout gear, sit cross-legged, attentively waiting for her to speak, their eyes wide with anticipation.

“Well you survived.” Glory says with a smirk on her face. The students share in her laughter, recognizing that this was, indeed, a long and tough journey. “My father always made sure that this school was among the toughest, most difficult schools to endure. He lovingly referred to it as hell on earth. He wasn’t a hard ass out of the simple desire to be mean. He just wanted to make certain that anyone who became a professional wrestler, who left those doors and competed in that squared circle, who decided to make this their life, knew what they were getting into and was prepared for it. In memory of my late father I have strived to maintain this school’s level of difficulty. So yes, you lot have survived. I can confidently say that all of you are ready for your own careers, to make your own impact in the wrestling world beyond this place.” Glory shakes her head.

“Now don’t get me wrong, just because you have finished all of the lessons that The Glenn Braddock Wrestling School have, just because you have ‘graduated’ does not mean that you are no longer welcome back.” Braddock happens to hear a door opening and shutting. She turns to see here younger sister, Julia Braddock, entering the main gym area of the school. Julia is wearing a tailored, light pink silk blouse with a subtle, sophisticated sheen. The blouse is slightly loose, with billowy sleeves that gather at the wrists in delicate, ruffled cuffs, adding a feminine flair. The top is tucked neatly into high-waisted white trousers, which are form-fitting but not too tight, emphasizing her long legs while maintaining an air of elegance. The pants have a wide-leg silhouette, flowing gracefully as she moves, giving her outfit a chic yet comfortable feel. Julia’s shoes are a pair of nude leather loafers, with a low heel and gold hardware. Julia stands there for a brief moment staring a hole right through her older sister. Glory ignores it and continues with her speech.

“You may always return. This place, the Glenn Braddock Wrestling School, will always be your home away from home. You will always be welcomed back. This is your home now.” She puts an emphasis on the word home, hoping Julia gets the message. She notices Julia walking off, towards Glory’s office. Again, The British Bombshell just continues with her speech to the students. “Remember, most importantly, that the skills you have learned here, the knowledge you have gained, all of these moves and holds, the strikes you learned, all of it can and is one big deadly weapon. These skills you have learned can become a weapon of destruction. So use these skills wisely and not recklessly. Do not hurt someone just because you can hurt someone. Be competitive, of course, go for the win, but do not recklessly try to hurt people just because you have the ability to hurt people.” She waves for one of the trainers, her childhood best friend Mark O’Brian, to join her. “Mark?”

Mark O’Brian, a muscular Irishman wearing simple black wrestling trunks, elbow and knee pads, and black wrestling boots, joins Braddock, standing at the front of the group of students. “Yeah?”

“I think I’m done here. I turn this group over to you. I trust you know what to do with them?” Glory winks. Mark chuckles.

“Yeah, I do…”

Glory and Mark nod their heads. The British Bombshell then walks off, leaving the students at the mercy of Mark O’Brian. Glory Braddock has other, bigger fish to fry. Namely, she knows that she has to deal with her sister. Julia is waiting for her in her office and she is certain that this is no friendly social call. Glory’s relationship with her sister has been rocky ever since The British Bombshell decided to involve herself in this dispute with Franklin Jefferson. Is it any of Glory’s business? Maybe not. Still, Glory feels that Serena Grace deserves to know the truth of where she came from, of who she is, especially if Franklin’s claims prove to be true. Glory approaches her office. She opens the door and steps inside, shutting the door behind her. Immediately she finds Julia Braddock, sitting behind her desk with her arms folder over her chest, glaring angrily and impatiently at her. Despite this, Glory grins and attempts to be friendly.

“I didn’t see Serena among the graduates today.” Glory says. “But I hear she’s made good progress.”

“Tremendous progress.” Julia says pointedly, as if to correct her sister. “Serena should be ready to graduate and move on to an actual wrestling promotion in no time. And you can save that speech you give to the others. I am perfectly capable of giving the speech myself. Father gave me the same speech, if you recall.”

“Of course. Dad always gave that same speech to every student who finished their training. Anyone who passes this school should be more than capable of giving that speech.” Glory says with a wink.

“Let’s just cut to the chase.” Julia says coldly. “Why are you here?”

“Uh, we have graduates.” Glory says. “You know I like to give that final lesson…or speech…just like dad always did. It’s a tradition.”

“It’s only a tradition if it is maintained. But you haven’t been here to keep up that tradition in a long time. Me, Sophie, or Mark have had to give that dumbass speech while you’re away traveling the world with SCW. Yet now suddenly you find time in your busy schedule to make it here for this grand tradition of yours?” Julia, obviously not convinced by Glory, shakes her head. “You have an agenda. So just drop the act and tell me what you’re really doing here.”

“Ok fine…” Glory sighs and sits down in one of the chairs at the desk “...I was kind of hoping that you and I would run into each other, that we could talk while I’m here in London.”

“Talk about what?” Julia asks curiously. “Is this about my daughter? Are you here just to continue to be like that nuisance Franklin and beg me to have pointless, useless DNA testing done?” She shakes her head. “If so then you’re wasting your time. Quit middling in my affairs with my daughter. Back off, Gloria. This is your final warning.”

“Calm down with the saber rattling, please.” Glory sighs. “Honestly, I’m not here to get try any and change your mind. I am not here to get involved with you and your daughter. Quite the opposite. I just…I hated the way things ended between us the last time we spoke and I…” she sighs again “...I want to apologize.”

“Go on.” Julia smirks knowingly.

“I am not going to get involved in your business with Serena. Legally she is your daughter now and that means this decision is yours and yours alone. I can have an opinion, sure, but it is not my place to try and force my opinion onto you. I apologize for trying to force you to do something you are not comfortable with. Hearing these words bring a big smile to Julia’s face. The younger Braddock sibling smiles triumphantly, nodding her head.

“That’s good. I’m glad you figured it out, Gloria.” Julia rises up out of her seat. Glory stands up too. The sister share in a big hug. “We shouldn’t fight like this ever again.”

“I agree.” Glory nods her head. “We’ve lost so much already, we cannot afford to lose each other.”

“We won’t lose each other, Gloria. We may have our differences from time to time, but despite it all, we will still have each other’s back. I will always have your back.” Julia narrows her gaze at Glory, growing more serious. “Just understand, there are certain things you really need to keep away from. My business with my daughter, with Serena? That’s none of your concern.”

“I know. Ultimately it has to be your decision…but…” Glory shakes her head “...on that same notion, you cannot ignore the future.”

“What future?”

“Serena.” Glory says pointedly. “She may be under your legal care and control right now but she will grow and the time will come when she will be a grown woman herself. Then you will be unable to control her.”

“What exactly are you getting at, Glory?”

“You have control over things now, Julia. You have control over her right now. But what if later on she were to discover all of this for herself? Franklin Jefferson and his family were well renowned in Europe. They were quite the wealthy family. It isn’t beyond logic that someone might recognize her, that she might find out for herself about this missing girl named Grace Jefferson?”

“Ok, I see where this is going now.” Julia chuckles. “Serena IS NOT Grace Jefferson. So your point is moot.”

“Maybe? But what if you’re wrong? What if Serena really is this missing girl Grace Jefferson? And what if Serena not only found this out for herself but also learned that you willingly and knowingly kept this knowledge from her?”

“Stop it.” Julia says quietly and coldly.

“You are playing a dangerous game, Julia. By keeping this a secret you are taking a gamble. You might be right, Serena might not be this person, Grace Jefferson. But if you are wrong, and if she finds out for herself, she will more than likely grow to resent you for keeping this a secret from her. You are running the risk of possibly losing her forever.”

“SHUT UP!” Julia angrily shouts as she turns her back to her sister. Glory hates that she is putting her younger sister through this but it is the only way she knows how to possibly get through to her, to convince her to do the right thing, to get the DNA testing done and give Serena the chance to learn the truth. Glory carefully approaches her sister and places a comforting hand on her shoulders.

“I am not going to bring this subject up again because like I said, this has to be your decision. I cannot make it for you. I am only telling you what could be a potential consequence of your refusal to do the right thing. I do this because I love you and I do not want to see you get hurt.”

“I love that girl.” Julia says quietly. “I really do care for her. This isn’t about manipulation, I’m not trying to keep her away from the Jeffersons. I’m just…” her voice trails off.

“You’re afraid that if she learns the truth about where she came from that she might not want to stay with you.” Glory says. Julia turns back around and nods her head.

“Yeah…I’m scared.”

“Julia, you have been an incredible mother figure to that girl. I was there from the moment you took her in to the present day. You have given her everything she could ever ask for. And as corny and cheesy as it may sound, you just have to have faith in the power of love.”

There is a tense moment as the sisters lock eyes. Finally Julia starts to chuckle a little, the tension in the air lessons as a result.

“Yes, that was cheesy…”

“But it’s true.” Glory points out. “If you’ve loved her as much as you say you have, as much as I have observed, she will never ever cut you out of her life even if the DNA tests come up positive and she does turn out to be Franklin Jefferson’s missing niece. Will she spend time with Franklin? Of course, if he’s her uncle. But she will still be your daughter. That will never change.”

“God I hate you sometimes.” Julia sighs and shrugs her shoulders. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

“You will?”

“Yes, I’ll contact Jefferson and I’ll let him know that the DNA testing will be done.” Julia starts to walk towards the door. She starts to open it but stops. She turns back to face Glory. “You better be right about this.”

“I know I’m right.” Glory says. Julia sighs and then exits the office, shutting the door behind her. With Julia gone, Glory walks over and sits down at her desk. She breathes a sigh of relief, at least that is one weight off of her shoulders…for now anyway. Hopefully she is right and that Julia and Serena’s lives are not turned upside down when the DNA testing is done. But at least for now she can move on and focus on other matters; namely dealing with a ghost of her past, David Striker, next week. Then she can focus on becoming Adrenaline Champion. Things are looking up for The British Bombshell.