“Wolfsbane” Adam Brock vs. Clyde Sutter

[The Assassin]

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January 20th, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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“The Assassin” Clyde Sutter returned to Supreme Championship Wrestling and has been all business ever since; devastating Adrenaline Champion Glory Braddock and then crushing the likes of Sapphire Taylor and Sean Michael Prime. All three were choked out by Sutter’s overpowering Judgment Day submission hold. The Birmingham, England has been quite pleased with his second stint in SCW thus far. It could not have gone any better. Yet as a man who fiercely believes in the power of fate operating not only within his life, but within the universe at large, The Assassin now finds that fate has thrown a new wrinkle into his SCW return. William Heaven of The Fall of Man has paid Sutter quite a large sum of money to take out a new problem for them: Adam Brock. The Wolfsbane returned to attack The Fall of Man. Heaven cannot afford to have his group distracted heading into a Tactical Warfare Match at Dogfight in Dusseldorf. Thus it becomes Sutter’s duty to take care of the Adam Brock problem on behalf of The Fall of Man. And for Sutter, that is no problem; no problem whatsoever. It is the fate of every human being to eventually fall. Adam Brock just made his fate come along a lot quicker thanks to his own actions.

First, however, Clyde Sutter has another situation to take care of; with less than a week before his trip to Germany to compete against Brock, Sutter has decided to fulfill a promise he made to his biological mother, Autumn Van Stanton. Clyde wants to reconnect with the woman who had given him up at birth in the hopes of saving him from a dark future. Autumn told her firstborn son that she and her husband, Clyde’s step-father Henry Van Stanton, want desperately to reconnect with Melinda Braddock, Clyde’s current girlfriend who had once been engaged to Autumn and Henry’s late son Archie who got killed in a drive by shooting. Needless to say, such events are horrific and are difficult for anyone to get over. Melinda herself has yet to fully get over that horrible incident. Seeing the Van Stantons, the people who would have been her in-laws, would have brought back bad memories. Melinda has only now worked up the strength to go see them again.

The dining room is grand yet modern, with high ceilings and a stunning chandelier cascading down from above, its crystals catching the dim light and scattering it across the room. A long, polished mahogany table dominates the space, flanked by high-backed chairs upholstered in deep navy velvet. The walls are adorned with abstract art in muted tones, providing a contemporary touch to the otherwise classic decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows draped with sheer curtains allow a soft glow of twilight to filter in, complementing the warm amber hues of the wall sconces. A vase of white lilies sits at the center of the table, their fragrance subtly mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread. Melinda Braddock sits at the edge of the table, her elegant posture accentuating her black, form-fitting dress. The high neckline and long sleeves of her outfit lend an air of sophistication, while the daring slit up one side reveals her toned legs crossed gracefully. Her blonde hair falls in soft waves over her shoulder, contrasting strikingly with the dark fabric of her dress. Golden earrings, intricate and bold, catch the ambient light, and her black pointed heels add a sleek finish to her ensemble. She leans slightly back against the table, her expression poised yet mysterious, as though lost in thought or observing her companion. Her boyfriend, the ever intimidating Clyde Sutter, stands near her, dressed impeccably in an all-black suit. The Assassin’s tailored jacket and straight trousers complement his broad frame, while a shiny black tie is knotted neatly against his shirt. Silver rings glint on his fingers, and a matching bracelet peeks out from beneath his cuff. His neatly combed-back hair and short beard give him an air of quiet authority, his piercing gaze softened only slightly by the subdued lighting of the room. His stance is relaxed but deliberate, one hand resting casually in his pocket while the other lingers near the back of the woman’s chair, a subtle gesture of protection.

“I am glad you decided to come, my love. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.” Clyde says in a hushed whisper. He knows that Henry and Autumn are in another room. He doesn’t want them to overhear anything. Melinda sighs, indicating that she is a little upset, but she hides it well underneath a warm smile.

“Honestly, this is something I should have done a long time ago. I’ve just been afraid.”

“Fear is understandable.” Clyde pulls up a seat next to her. He kisses her hand reverently. “What you went through that night when Archie…when he…”

“It’s not that.” Melinda shakes her head. “I mean, yes, the shooting was traumatic. I was shot. I almost died. Archie did die. And yeah, it did take me awhile to get over his passing. But that’s not why I was afraid to come back here, afraid to see Archie’s parents again.”

“Then why?”

“You.” Melinda says quietly.

“Me?”

“I love you, Clyde. But I had also loved Archie. I thought Archie and I would spend the rest of our lives together. I thought…” she chuckles “...it’s a stupid fantasy, I suppose, but the Van Stanton and Braddock families had been feuding for two generations. I had hoped this third generation, myself and Archie, would end the feud with our marriage. Then the shooting happened and Archie was murdered. I intended to come see Autumn and Henry at some point after I recovered from my shock, from the trauma of it all, but by the time I had recovered, I was already developing a romance with you.”

“I see.” Clyde’s voice trails off.

“I didn’t know Autumn felt about you but I knew Henry hated you. I was afraid…” she sighs and shakes her head “...I was afraid me being here, me dating you after what had happened to their son, that it would just rub salt in the wound. I felt that maybe it would be best if I stayed away.”

“Oh my sweet Goddess.” Clyde hugs Melinda tightly. “You had nothing to fear. My mother still cares for you. Henry still cares for you. And so much time had passed between my half-brother’s death and when you and I renewed our destined relationship. They knew better than to expect you to never again seek out a love interest. They knew that Archie would have wanted you to find love.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am positive.” Clyde runs his hand through Melinda’s long blonde hair. “Besides, you still do get to fulfill your fantasy. I may not be a Van Stanton by blood, but my biological mother married into that feud. So in a way, our love can heal the divide between the Van Stanton and Braddock families.”

“Nice thought, babe.” Melinda smirks. “But have you forgotten that my mother hates you?”

“Your mother does not matter.” Clyde answers quietly. “What matters is you, me, and our love.”

“You are right, of course.” Melinda leans in and kisses him on the lips. The kiss is broken almost immediately because they hear footsteps approaching. Sutter and Braddock snap to attention as they turn to see Autumn Van Stanton and her husband Henry entering the dining room area. Both are impeccably dressed, Autumn in a form fitting long sleeved red dress and heels. Henry in a brown blazer, matching slacks, and a white button up silk shirt. Clyde smiles pleasantly, motioning to Melinda.

“As you can see, mother, I kept my word. Melinda is here.” Clyde remarks. Melinda stands up and extends a hand to Autumn.

“Nice to see you again, Ms. Van Stanton. I apologize for not reaching out sooner or…”

“No apology is necessary.” Autumn says as she fights back tears. Autumn doesn’t accept the handshake. Instead she hugs Melinda. “Henry and I missed you so much. You were like a daughter to us.”

“I had no idea you felt that way.” Melinda says through a mix of laughing and some tears.

“There is quite a bit we should catch up on.” Autumn says as she wipes away her tears. She turns to Clyde and Henry. “Why don’t you boys go to the living room while Melinda and I put the finishing touches on dinner?”

“You literally just asked me to come in here with you.” Henry says, chuckling.

“Now I’m literally just asking you to leave.” Autumn says, winking. Henry shrugs his shoulders.

“I know when I’m beaten. Come along, Clyde.” Henry turns and motions for Sutter to follow him. The Assassin, for his part, doesn’t feel comfortable being alone with Henry Van Stanton. Henry had always hated him. If there is one person who hated him as much as Glory Braddock did, it was Henry. Clyde casts a gaze at Melinda, as if to ask for a way out. But Melinda simply nods her head, as if to indicate that she supports Clyde, that she thinks Clyde can handle this. Sutter sighs with resignation and then exits the dining room, following Henry into an equally nice living room area. Henry sits down in a recliner. Sutter sits down on a sofa that sets perpendicular to the recliner. If Melinda had feared a meeting between herself and the Van Stantons, this is the one confrontation Clyde had feared; himself and Henry.

“It appears as if my mother has quite the commanding presence in this household, Henry.” Clyde remarks. Henry chuckles and shoots right back through a wry grin.

“From what I saw, Melinda has a fairly commanding presence in her own right.”

“Fair point.”

“Let’s face it, Clyde, the women in our lives have us wrapped around their fingers.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. My love, my Melinda, she gave me a second chance when I did not deserve one. She also helped me get a second chance with SCW when they had no reason to grant me a second chance or to sign me to a new contract.” Clyde states. “I owe a great deal to my love.”

“Ah yes, your return to SCW. I admit that I have been following your career with great interest ever since your surprise return at Fatal Fortunes. You have been quite a dominant figure.”

“I suppose my performances against Ms. Taylor and Mr. Prime were rather impressive.” Sutter answers flatly.

“Yes, and what about your performance against Glory Braddock.” Henry smiles. “That was one of your best matches to date.”

“Yes, a match I lost. I would hardly call it a stellar performance.”

“You’re being hard on yourself. There is a reason why so many fans call her the best in the world and yet you left her laying, and had it not been for a lucky roll up on her part, you might have won the Adrenaline Title that night.”

“Thank you, Henry.”

“You’re good Clyde, far too good to be doing the dirty work of that Heaven fellow.”

“What I do is my own business, Henry.” Clyde remarks coldly. “I would eventually have choked out Brock just like I choked out Glory, Sapphire, and Sean. Why not earn an extra paycheck for something I otherwise would have done for free?”

“We can agree to disagree.” Henry shakes his head. “Let’s just focus on the positives…like, how I want to thank you for getting Melinda to agree to come by today.”

“I was only fulfilling a promise I made to my mother.” Clyde begins. “My love would have reached out sooner but the trauma she felt from…well…the incident left her suffering emotionally and mentally. By the time she had finally managed to cope with the trauma, she had already reconnected with me and she was afraid…” his voice trails off.

“She was afraid of how Autumn and I might react to the fact that she was dating you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s fair. Obviously you do have a reputation.”

“One I have been trying to change.” Clyde snaps back sharply. Henry quickly nods his head in agreement.

“Yes, and I was about to say that out of everything I have observed from you recently, the one thing I have been most impressed with…even more so than how you handled your last three matches in SCW…is how you have managed to contain your anger.”

“Oh really?” Sutter arches his brow, his curiosity genuinely peaked at Henry’s comment.

“I recall when my brother managed your career.” Henry chuckles. “You were quite the angry rage monster at that time. I honestly didn’t think anyone could control you and yet here you are, perfectly calm and focused. You managed to control that rage yourself. Yes, Clyde, I am impressed. How did you do it?”

“My rage, as you put it, was due to me being a nameless, faceless individual in a society that not care about me or care to get to know me. I did not even know who I was. All I had was the rage. But then I learned about my past, I put a name to my face, I learned about my family…namely my mother…I gained family, namely Melinda…and that, combined with some therapy, has helped me to focus and channel that rage. It no longer controls me, I control it.”

“Therapy always helps.” Henry chuckles.

“I am just grateful that fate has allowed me to receive a second chance from those I care about, especially from Melinda. I recognize how horribly I treated her. I recognize that I did not deserve a second chance. But here we are, together again thanks to fate, and I am not going to waste this opportunity. I am determined to make Melinda happy. Everything I do, every dollar I make from SCW…and from other job opportunities…will be dedicated to making Melinda’s life a good one.”

“Yes, she DOES have you wrapped around her little finger.” Henry laughs and, despite himself, so does Clyde. “And you know something, Clyde? She isn’t the only one willing to give you a second chance.” Clyde extends his hand. “Look, I know this must have been difficult for you…”

“Very.” Clyde admits.

“...and I admit, for the longest time I did not like you. I did not trust you. I looked at you and only saw that monster. But seeing you here, now, so calm and collected, how you are such a gentleman around Melinda, seeing you treat her like a princess, it has helped me realize that you have changed. Plus Melinda isn’t the only person whom we both care about.”

“My mother?” Clyde asks. Henry nods his head.

“That’s the one. Autumn was grieved for a long time ever since she learned who you were, when she learned you were her son, the one she gave up so long ago. She felt so guilty and wanted so badly to make it up to you, to have some sort of relationship with you. She was so happy when you reached out and tried to make it happen. I suppose it’s only fair to my wife that I do my best to make you feel comfortable, to make you feel like a part of this family.”

Sutter accepts the handshake. “I appreciate it, Mr. Van Stanton.”

“Henry. Call me Henry.” He chuckles. “And remember, if you need anything, anything at all, just ask. We are family now.”

“I will remember that.” Clyde says, a warm and sincere smile on his face. It is then that they hear Autumn’s voice from the dining room.

“Boys! Dinner is ready!”

Henry looks over at Clyde and smirks. “Let’s not keep the women waiting.”

“After you…Henry.”

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January 20th, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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The dinner has concluded. Henry and Autumn enjoyed the company of Clyde and Melinda. They enjoyed seeing Melinda again and Henry, for his part, was pleasantly surprised at how well Sutter carried himself. Despite their pleasant words earlier, Henry still half expected The Assassin to lose control at any point. Yet he was ever the gentleman the entire time. This is slowly but surely bringing about what Clyde Sutter has secretly wanted but yet even he never knew he truly wanted; acceptance and a family. For the longest time he had no one but now he has Melinda Braddock, he has his mother Autumn, and her husband Henry. This is a true family and support system, one Clyde knows he can count on, unlike his sister Lilith Sutter, who has returned to his life for reasons he still does not know, or even Henry’s brother, Mason Van Stanton, who had used him as nothing but a mere weapon during the early part of his career. This dinner has been a truly wonderful experience for the normally cold hearted Assassin. But all things must come to an end and Clyde knows that, soon, he will have to start packing for his trip across the pond to Europe, to Germany for Dogfight in Dusseldorf. He has to prepare for Adam Brock. So he and Melinda are now preparing to leave, saying their goodbyes to Henry and Autumn Van Stanton as all four are gathered around the door.

“We have certainly enjoyed this, mother…Henry…” Clyde says “...we should do this again.”

“Of course.” Henry remarks. “I wish you two could stay longer but I know you have important SCW business to handle, a match coming up next week in Germany.”

“Yes, Mr. Brock.” Clyde nods his head.

“I may not agree with how it came about but I wish you the best of luck nevertheless.”

“Thank you, Henry.”

“And as for you.” Autumn hugs Melinda again. “Do not be a stranger next time.”

“I promise I won’t, Autumn.”

Their goodbyes are interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. Immediately all four have confused looks on their faces. Autumn looks over at her husband.

“You weren’t expecting anyone, were you?”

“No, not at all.”

Henry approaches the door and opens it. Standing there dressed in denim jeans, black dress shoes, a black shirt, and black blazer is Henry’s brother, Clyde’s former manager Mason Van Stanton. This is an unwelcome and unexpected surprise visitor. Which immediately sets Clyde off.

“What are you doing here?” Henry asks.

“Yes…” Clyde growls as he steps in between Henry and Mason “...what are you doing here?!”

“I just figured I would pop in for a visit. No harm in that, is there?” Mason shrugs his shoulders. “A birdie named Autumn had told me that my nephew had been calling her and visiting her more frequently lately.”

“What of it?” Clyde asks coldly.

“Well, you visit my brother and my sister-in-law but not me?” Mason feigns a pout. “I’m offended.”

“I highly doubt someone of your pathetic morals can possibly be offended.” Sutter scoffs. “Still, I did not intend it as an insult.”

“Great!” Mason exclaims. “So can we talk?”

“Perhaps I should make myself clearer.” Clyde growls. “You are NOT my uncle. Your brother just so happened to marry my brother. And our previous business arrangement did not end on a positive note. So I warn you, Mason, tread carefully. My advice? Leave now.”

“Whoa, Clyde, back off.” Melinda grabs Clyde by his arm and gently pulls him away from Mason. “Do not let him get to you. Remember? Control yourself.”

“Yeah, listen to your girlfriend.” Mason winks.

“I can control my rage for so long, Mason.” Sutter answers. “I warn you once more. Leave.”

“Fine.” Mason throws his arms up in the air in defeat. “I can see when I’m not wanted.” Mason turns and walks off. Clyde stares daggers as he watches his former manager walk away. Melinda keeps a firm grip on his arm to keep him from going after Mason.

“I wonder what that was all about?” Henry asks curiously.

“I have no idea.” Clyde remarks, shaking his head as he regains his composure. “Knowing Mason it could be anything.”

“He is still technically family.” Autumn points out.

“No.” Clyde insists, shaking his head. “He is a bad influence. His corrupt. What’s more is that he is just a reminder of the painful past.” Sutter shakes his head. “I do not need him in my life right now, or ever.”

“What if he genuinely wanted to get to know you?” Autumn asks. “People change, Clyde.”

“I don’t know, Autumn, I tend to agree with Clyde on this.” Henry remarks.

“Henry!” She exclaims.

“I’m sorry, but he is my brother, I know him well, and he is bad news.”

“This is true.” Clyde answers. “He never does anything without there being some shady motivation or suspicious agenda. He wanted something from me, I am sure of it, even if that something was to just rekindle our relationship so he can try to manipulate me and use me in the future.” Sutter shakes his head. “And quite frankly I want nothing of it.”

“Fair enough.” Melinda nods her head. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”