Glory Braddock vs. Ryan LeCavalier

[supremecw]

Glory Braddock vs. Ryan LeCavalier

2 RP Limit per character (No word limits)
Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Saturday, July 26, 2025

[Braddock]

1 of 2
======

==========
July 10th, 2025
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========

Breakdown in Miami proved to be a very successful night for “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock. In the main event, Braddock became only the second person to defeat the juggernaut that is Waylon Creek. She pinned him after dropping him on his head with Glorification and this was despite attempted interference and distraction from Ryan Lecavalier. The British Bombshell now heads into Rise To Greatness with as much momentum one could possibly want, five straight victories. Furthermore, she is still living rent free in the head of her Rise To Greatness opponent, Ryan Lecavalier. If she can make it to Rise To Greatness and pick up the victory over the so-called monarch, Braddock will have won six straight matches since her controversial decision to drop out of the Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal. Stepping away from Taking Hold of the Flame was a very difficult decision for The British Bombshell, because she knew that her fans would miss out on watching her compete in the unique once a year match. But Glory decided to take a risk and bet on herself. She decided that she would try to earn a championship opportunity by winning enough matches and eventually proving to CHBK that she was worthy. She is now on a five match winning streak that includes a victory over a big win over Waylon Creek. If she hasn’t already earned herself an opportunity, a victory over Lecavalier at Rise To Greatness would most certainly put her into title contention yet again.

Glory Braddock is arriving back home now that Breakdown has come to its conclusion. It is convenient that Braddock happens to live in Miami, Florida so her trip back home isn’t that terribly long. She also isn’t alone this evening. Glory Braddock is being accompanied home by her older cousin, Angelica Jones. Angelica has gone into semi-retirement and helps out as an advocate for both her daughter Kimberly Williams and her cousin, Glory Braddock, backstage for Breakdown. Angelica has proven to be an invaluable resource for The British Bombshell. Angelica is Glory’s voice, talking to CHBK on her behalf, allowing Braddock to focus on her wrestling career. Angelica was also the one who suggested that Glory delegate the authority of running her company to Aphrodite Noel. With Noel managing the company, Glory could focus on her wrestling and not worry too much about the ongoing tension within her company. She certainly owes a great deal to her cousin Angelica and looks to pay it forward in some way, maybe starting tonight.

Glory Braddock led the way inside, her keys still dangling from one hand, her wrestling gear bag slung over the opposite shoulder. She looked exhausted, but not defeated. Tonight was another victory and another step forward, closer to Rise To Greatness, closer to the biggest event of the year. More importantly, The British Bombshell was even closer to proving all of her critics and doubters wrong; proving that she did not need Taking Hold of the Flame to earn her way into the championship picture. There was a slow-burning intensity in her eyes—a quiet storm she carried in her bones after every match, especially tonight, because she knows that, perhaps after Rise To Greatness, she will prove her point and will be back into championship contention. Her long blonde hair, still damp from the post-show shower, was tied loosely at the nape of her neck, a few stubborn strands clinging to her temples. She wore a gray tank top and track pants, the minimal outfit doing little to hide the bruising already starting to form along her arms and collarbone. Behind her, Angelica Jones stepped in and shut the door gently. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor, more measured than weary. Her red hair was styled perfectly, cascading over her shoulders. She wore a fitted red blazer over a sleek black blouse and matching pants, every stitch flattering, precise, expensive.

Glory led them down the hallway and into the living room, the space opening up with the inviting sprawl of understated wealth. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the Miami skyline glowing in the distance, casting fractured reflections in the glass as city lights played off the pool in the backyard. The air conditioning hummed low and steady, a welcome contrast to the thick tropical heat just beyond the walls. They sat down on the cream colored comfy couch together without a word. The cushions dipped slightly under their weight. Glory leaned back with a soft grunt, her shoulders slumping, her arms resting limply across the top of the couch. Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling, not seeing it so much as staring through it. Angelica crossed her legs gracefully and unbuttoned her blazer before removing it, folding it neatly across her lap. She studied her younger cousin for a moment before speaking.

“Thanks for letting me stay overnight.” Angelica says with a friendly smile on her face.

“There’s no way in hell I’m letting you drive all the way back to Boston.”

“I could catch a bus.” Angelica snickers.

“Yeah, no way.” Glory shakes her head. “You’re not catching a flight this late at night, either. You’re family, Angel, so you can stay here tonight, get some sleep, and then catch a FLIGHT to Boston tomorrow.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Angelica says teasingly.

“Besides,” Glory sighs “you’re doing a big favor for me.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ve been my voice backstage for three weeks now. Prior to that, it’s just been me getting into shouting matches with CHBK and, quite frankly, he was giving me a bloody headache.”

“To be fair, you were giving him a headache too.” Angelica says, winking.

“Good.” Glory snarls. “He deserves it.” Braddock then chuckles lightly. “There I go again, getting worked up over nothing.”

“You’re stubborn, Glory.”

“Just like my father.”

“Well true.” Angelica nods her head. “But I was going to say like me. Your mother Maria and her sister, Kelly…my mother…they were both very stubborn women. Your father was stubborn, your mother was stubborn; face it Glory, you and I both, we get it honest.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Glory smiles. “That’s why I am grateful to have had you these past few weeks. Even though things have been going my way with now a five match winning streak, including tonight’s big one over Waylon Creek, I am sure I would have said or done something to get me in trouble with that moron CHBK. But thanks to you, I didn’t have to deal with him. I didn’t even have to speak to him at all.”

“Like you said, Glory, we’re family. I would do anything for family.”

“Yeah, well, it isn’t like I’ve been acting like someone who deserves the help.” Glory remarks quietly. “So that’s why you’re staying over tonight. It’s my way of saying thanks.”

“A thanks isn’t necessary but…” Angelica shrugs her shoulders “...you’re welcome.”

The cousins share a laugh together as they both lean back and relax, enjoying the comfort of the living after a long night of SCW Breakdown from Braddock’s adopted home of Miami, Florida. She may not originally be from Miami, having grew up in London, England, but the people of Miami have accepted her as one of their own. She enjoyed being in front of these fans, her fans, tonight. Angelica, for her part, can tell that Glory’s soul is a little troubled, and not just from anything that happened tonight. She wants to poke and prod to learn more about what is troubling her younger cousin but she is interrupted with the sound of footsteps approaching. Glory and Angelica turn their heads in unison to see who it is that is coming to pay them a visit.

It is Kurt Logan, Glory Braddock’s husband. Glory smiles lovingly at the black haired Texan. She is even happier to see that he is carrying two glasses of beverage with him; in one hand is water and the other a glass of red wine.

“I thought I heard talking.” Kurt says. “So I figured I would come bring you ladies some drinks.”

“You’re too kind.” Angelica says. “And as the functioning alcoholic here, I take it that wine is mine.”

“Well you DO love your wine a heck of a lot more than Glory.” Kurt says as he steps forward. He hands Angelica the glass of wine and she nods her head. He steps over to his wife and hands her the glass of water. She kisses him on the lips.

“Thanks, love.”

“Don’t mention it.” Kurt says. “Did you tell Angelica she could stay overnight?”

“Way ahead of you.” Glory nods her head. “It took some arm twisting but she accepted.”

“Great.” Kurt says as he steps back. “Now I’m sure you two have a lot to discuss, and I don’t want to interrupt whatever business you two have going on, so I’ll give you some space. You can fill me in on what happened tonight later.”

“Will do. Thanks, love.”

And with that, Kurt turns and starts walking away. He exits the living room. Glory and Angelica listen as the footsteps start to sound more and more distant. Angelica sips on her wine and then, once she is certain Kurt is gone, she turns to face her cousin.

“So tell me, what’s bothering you?”

“Nothing’s bothering me.” Glory denies it. Angelica isn’t buying it and presses the issue.

“You are on a five match winning streak heading into Rise To Greatness. You made a huge gamble by pulling out of Taking Hold of the Flame and betting that you could earn your way to a championship match of some sort the old fashioned way, by winning. You have beaten some top contenders…Kemal, Amelia, Striker, Darius, Waylon…the only annoying little problem you have is Ryan Lecavalier. You are proving your critics wrong. CHBK may not want to say it publicly but even he cannot deny that you have earned something from this incredible series of victories you’ve racked up. You have no reason to be upset right here and now.”

“Why do you think I’m upset?” Glory asks, now sounding a little annoyed.

“I can see it in your eyes.” Angelica remarks, pointing at her. “It’s that same look me and my sister get when we get annoyed. THAT is a trait you get from our side of the family, not your father’s.”

“Bloody hell…” Glory shakes her head out of frustration “...fine! I admit, I am a little annoyed!”

“Annoyed at what?”

“More like annoyed with who.” Glory sighs. “I’m annoyed with myself.”

“Ok, you’re annoyed with yourself.” Angelica sips on her wine some more before setting the glass down. She studies her cousin closely. “What’d you do?”

“I feel dumb!” Glory exclaims. “I feel like a complete fool! So many stupid decisions…I let myself get suckered into that bloody triple threat match at Rebirth. I should have just told that idiot CHBK that I didn’t want it, that I was backing out, let Selena and Syren fight over number forty. But no, I stuck to it. Which put me in that impossible situation where I either keep the number one entrant spot, knowing I can’t win from that position, or drop out. Either way I’m fucked.”

“At least with the decision you made, betting on yourself and dropping out of the battle royal, you were able to go on this huge five match winning streak.” Angelica points out.

“Yes, but it also pissed off Ryan for some ungodly reason and now I have her obsessing over me like a damn fool stalker.” Glory rolls her eyes. “The only good decision I’ve made lately is bringing you on board to help me with my SCW affairs. But that isn’t even the least of my worries.”

“What else is wrong?” Angelica asks.

“Glorious Golden Enterprises.” Glory shakes her head. “I had been at war with Taylor Enterprises for months, because my former friend Frances thought it would be a great idea to run me into the ground.”

“I remember this.” Angelica nods her head. “I thought Aphrodite Noel was helping you?”

“She was. And things were going splendidly. Things were going so well, in fact, that the authorities managed to discover some rather…shady business dealings within her company. All of which could be traced to Frances and Dominic.”

“Wow, that’s news.” Angelica takes her wine glass and begins to sip. “So I take it she’s done?”

“Everything was perfect. All I had to do was sit back, and relax, and just do nothing. The authorities would eventually arrest her.”

“And what of Dominic?”

“He already fled.” Glory smirks. “What a great boyfriend huh? Not only does he abandon his girl when the heat gets turned up, but he also manages to forge her signature, transferring all of her assets to his name in foreign accounts.”

“Ouch.” Angelica winces, almost as if she can feel it herself. “So she has nothing?”

“Right.” Glory nods her head. “Frances was done for. But then I made another foolish decision.”

“What did you do?” Angelica arches her brow, partly out of curiosity and partly out of concern. Glory has made questionable decisions as of late. Braddock sighs out of frustration.

“Melody begged me to help. So I did. Melody and I pooled our resources, got our best attorneys working on Frances and have cleared her name. In fact, I am even going to bat for her in front of the board of directors, I am trying to get her rehired in her old position within my company.”

“Does she get the free reign to do what she wants?” Angelica asks. “That’s what she wanted in the first place.”

“Of course not.” Glory shakes her head. “There’s no way in hell the board would even consider it with those terms. It’ll be a damned miracle if I can convince them with the newer, tighter restrictions she’ll be placed under. She’s lucky that she has a few friends and allies, other than me and Melody, on the board who will vote for her.” Braddock sighs. “I am an idiot. I am letting a woman who betrayed me, who tried to put me out of business, come back without any real repercussions.”

“You’re wrong, Glory.” Angelica snickers.

“What do you mean I’m wrong?”

“There’s plenty of repercussions here.” She states. “One big one is her reputation. Frances’s reputation is permanently stained. Sure, she may not get convicted of crimes because your attorneys and Melody’s attorneys did some legal magic and got the authorities to drop all charges, but everyone will look at her and know what she did.”

“But she didn’t do it.” Glory shakes her head. “Dominic did it all and framed her.”

“It doesn’t matter, perception is everything. OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony were both acquitted. Both are guilty as hell in the eye of just about every man, woman, and child walking this earth. In fact, if you didn’t give her that job back, she wouldn’t be able to get any job period; at least, not the style of job she is used to having.”

“Flipping some burgers might do her some good.” Glory says spitefully. “But no, I had to go play hero.”

“Glory, listen to me.” Angelica sets the wine glass down. Then she takes her cousin’s hands and holds them tightly. “You did the right thing.”

“No I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.” Angelica insists. “Frances has suffered enough and what she needs now is a friend, not more enemies. God knows that she has created enough of those.”

Braddock studies her older cousin skeptically and with a bit of surprise. She knows Angelica very well and this certainly doesn’t sound like the Angelica Jones, the angry Dragon, that she knows.

“I gotta admit, mate, that I am surprised to hear you say that. I always recall you being spiteful and vengeful.” Braddock snickers knowingly. “I mean, they don’t call you The Dragon for no reason.”

“You’re right, I used to be extremely spiteful and extremely vengeful.” She shuts her eyes and breaths out a calm sigh. “I suppose you can say that age has calmed me tremendously.” She opens her eyes and points at Glory. “But you, I’m afraid that you are growing angrier, more petty, and stubborn with age.”

“I hate to say it, but you’re right.” Glory says with a sad expression on her face. “I remember when I was just so outgoing, so fun loving, I was the life of every party. Nothing bothered me. But now? Now I refuse to budge on anything. Every single dispute I have with CHBK is a hill that I will die on. Every single confrontation I have with the blokes in the back is something worth going to war over. And Frances, my longtime friend since childhood…she made a mistake, yes, but it was one mistake, albeit a big one, and I couldn’t find it in my heart to forgive here? I needed Melody to strongarm me into it.”

“That definitely doesn’t sound like the Glory I remember.” Angelica shakes her head. “But I don’t think you are completely lost.”

“Finally some good news.” Glory chuckles.

“You need to get in touch with that fun loving persona of yours again. You also need to learn what hills are worth dying on and which ones aren’t. In the meantime, I will gladly continue to deal with CHBK on your behalf. But what you need to do, my dear cousin, is to do whatever it takes to find yourself. Remember who you are.”

==========
July 19th, 2025
Birmingham, England
Off Camera
==========

The scent of aged leather, disinfectant, and the faint metallic tang of old sweat hung heavy in the air, a familiar perfume to anyone who had spent time in this gym. It was a smell that clung to the walls, soaked into the cracks in the concrete floor, and lived in the worn turnbuckles of the wrestling ring visible through the large window behind the desk. The gym, nestled in the heart of Birmingham’s grittier industrial district, was far from glamorous. The office sat elevated at the back of the facility, offering a partial view of the main floor through that grimy glass pane. Behind the large oak desk sat Blake O’Malley, the man who had seen it all. His hair had gone entirely white, though it still held a thick, unruly volume, swept back and slightly damp from a morning shower. His face bore a neatly trimmed beard the same color as his hair, lending him a regal, old-world air. He wore a dark navy cardigan over a white button-up shirt, collar open and sleeves pushed up to the elbows. His hands, broad and knuckled with years of strain, rested on either side of a weathered clipboard. There was an air of quiet contentment about him as he sat there, back straight in his old leather chair that creaked every time he shifted. The room around him was cluttered, but in an organized way. Then the door opened. Glory Braddock stepped into the room like a gust of fresh air. Her blonde hair was damp from the Birmingham drizzle outside, pulled into a loose ponytail that swung just behind her shoulders as she moved. She was dressed in fitted jeans, boots, and a royal purple t-shirt that clung to the sharp lines of her athletic frame. Blake looked up from his paperwork and smiled. A slow, genuine smile that reached all the way into those tired eyes. There was history between them. Deep, unspoken history. Not of blood, but of bond. He had been there when she was born, held her in the crook of one arm while her father laced his boots. He had watched her grow, stumble, fight, rise, fall, and rise again.

“Gloria?” Blake is surprised, pleasantly so, as he sees a woman he considers his niece walk into his office. “What the bloody hell are you doing here? I thought you were still living it up in Miami?”

“I was…still am, really…but who says I can’t stop in and say hi to my uncle Blake?”

“You’re always welcome to visit, Gloria, you know that.” Blake remarks, narrowing his eyes as he stares at her closely. “Although, it has been nearly two years since you visited.”

The British Bombshell smiles sheepishly. He is correct, Glory has not visited him in quite some time. Part of it has been distractions, whether it was drama within her company or drama within SCW. There was a point in time when she had considered letting him step in as her full time trainer. In fact, he helped her win her first SCW World Championship. But since that time that student-teacher relationship has fallen through. Even her personal relationship has almost fallen away when one considers the time she has spent away. But she is here, she has returned because she needs him. The fact that she is visiting him now, after nearly two years away, brings even more guilt, because she knows she is here just because he needs him.

“I know and I am sorry, uncle Blake. I’ve just been very distracted.”

“Yeah, I know, I have been following your career.” He smiles warmly. “I always have.” He motions to some chairs by his desk. “Please, sit down.” Glory Braddock nods her head. She finds a seat across from his desk. Blake returns to his seat and leans back.

“If you have been keeping up with my career then you probably are well aware of my five match winning streak.” Glory states. Blake nods his head.

“It’s impressive. Very impressive. Especially your victory over that bloke Waylon Creek. Wasn’t he undefeated?” He asks. Braddock shakes her head.

“Not quite.” She holds up two fingers. “I am the second person to put a loss on his record.”

“Still, that’s an incredible statistic to add to your resume.” He studies her closely, glaring daggers at her. He is going into teacher mode now. “Just don’t get careless as you go into Rise To Greatness.”

“I’m not.” She shakes her head. “I know exactly what kind of challenge I’m facing.”

“Good. That Lecavalier brasser might be annoying the crap out of you right now, and she may be on a bit of a downward spiral, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t deadly. In fact, she’s backed into a corner right now. She arguably needs this win more than you do and will fight like it. So don’t sleep on her.”

“Uncle Blake,” Glory smirks “have you ever known me to sleep on anyone?”

“Fair point.” He chuckles. “You and your father both were super focused when it came to professional wrestling.” He sighs. “It could be annoying at times. But is that what brings you back here after almost two years? Do you really need advice from an old man like me on how to handle Ryan Lecavalier at Rise To Greatness?”

“I would never turn down any advice from you, uncle Blake.” She pauses. “But I’m actually here for a bigger problem.”

“Yeah?” He arches his brow out of curiosity. Glory nods her head.

“It’s complicated…” Glory pauses, struggling to find the right words to describe her problem “...there’s just so much involved. I mean, even this problem with Ryan started when I chose to back out of the Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal.”

“I admit, that one did surprise me.” Blake states. “Your father never would have backed away from a challenge.”

“I didn’t view it as backing away from a challenge.” Glory explains. “I honestly viewed it as taking on an even tougher, more difficult challenge. It wasn’t that long ago that Syren was forced to win ten matches in a row before she could be considered for a world title match again. Besides that, you and I both know that world title matches, earning them, takes time. Hell, I could have to win five, six, or sixteen matches, or even forty matches before I’m considered for a title match. Who knows? I took a harder road because I believed in myself.”

“But you do see why that decision would make some people mad, right?” Blake asks. Glory nods her head.

“I do, I really do. And maybe I should have just bit the bullet and competed in Taking Hold of the Flame? But it was CHBK’s stupid stipulation and I refuse to let him bully me around and push me around.”

“Fighting with management is never a good thing.”

“Well, that part is settled…hopefully…my cousin offered to be my advocate of sorts, talking to CHBK on my behalf.”

“At least that might be settled.” Blake says. “Anything else going wrong in your life that I should know about?”

“Well, there is the drama within Glorious Golden Enterprises…” her voice trails off. Blake shakes his head.

“I’m not interested in your white collar issues.”

“Just bear with me, ok? It’s more than just corporate issues. My best friend, Frances Taylor, who happened to be corporate president, quit and then tried to restart her company, Taylor Enterprises, in an attempt to run me out of business.”

“Some friend.” Blake chuckles. “How’d that work out for her?”

“Not very well.” Glory shakes her head. “Turns out her boyfriend, who was the mastermind behind it all, was conning her from the start and stole everything from her, leaving her to take the rap for bad, potentially illegal, business decisions. I could have just back and let her rot for what she did, I could have made her pay the price for what she did, but…” Braddock sighs “...I didn’t. I helped her out.”

“That’s very nice of you.”

“Yes, but that’s the thing,” she shakes her head “I didn’t want to help her. I was angry, Blake, I was enraged, and I wanted her to pay the consequences for her actions. I had to be strong armed into helping her out.” Glory chuckles softly. “Paying the consequences. That’s the fool CHBK’s favorite motto lately. But that isn’t who I am. At least, it wasn’t. I used to be a firm believer in forgiveness and second chances. I used to be the kind hearted person who would march into hell to fight for the soul of my friends and family. But I look back at some of the things I have done lately and I do not recognize who I am.”

There is a tense pause as Glory Braddock and Blake O’Malley, this long time family friend, lock eyes. He has known her as long as she has been alive. If anyone can help her find herself, it is Blake O’Malley. Finally, after a long pause, he chuckles lightly.

“You are just like your father.”

“Huh?”

“Glenn always thought he was right about everything and would never ever back down or compromise.” He points a finger at Glory Braddock. “What you have just told me? That is Glenn Braddock to a T.”

“Maybe…” her voice trails off as she ponders what he just proposed.

“Think about it, love; you were absolutely certain that you were right about Taking Hold of the Flame and that Syren and CHBK should have kept their noses out of your business with Selena Frost. That’s the real reason you chose not to compete, because you think you are right and you refuse to compete out of principle. You did not want to forgive your friend, you did not want to help her when she needed you, because you felt you were wronged and you felt justified in making her pay. Funny thing about all of this is that you and Ryan are not all that different. She is stubbornly obsessed with you because she is convinced she is right.” He smirks. “Does that sound like someone we know?”

“You’re right.” Glory bows her head in shame, she feels convicted by Blake’s words. “I shouldn’t be picking fights with CHBK just because I disagree with him. I shouldn’t hold grudges against my friends. I am a lot like my dad…”

“Your father was a man of principle. He knew what he believed in and fought for it. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Blake remarks. “But sometimes you have to know when to quit being so bloody stubborn. Your father didn’t know. That was his flaw and I see so much of that in you right now.” He points to her chest. “You have a big heart, Gloria. Your father did too, he just kept it hidden because he wanted to maintain his reputation as a hard ass. The one thing that made you different from your father is that you never kept your heart hidden.”

“I think that’s what I’m really here for, Uncle Blake.” Glory says as she wipes a tear from her eye. “I have become too much like my father, I lost track of what made me…well…me! I need your help to remind me of who I am.”

“I’m not sure how much help I can be with that.” He shakes his head. “I mean, I will gladly continue working with you as a trainer if you want. But for this personal problem you seem to have? Well, I’m not a psychiatrist. All I can tell you is that you are STILL a good person, you never lost that, and you haven’t lost sight of your heart…yet. But you are becoming too much like your father in that you are taking too much of this life seriously. You need to relax, be loose, and be more like that fun loving Glory Braddock I remember.” He smiles warmly. “If you need to know who you are, then that is who you are; a fun loving young lady with a big heart. Find her.”

[Braddock]

2 of 2
=====

==========
July 23rd, 2025
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
==========

The sun was high and merciless over Miami, casting sharp gold light through the tall windows of The British Bombshell’s home. The house was quiet, the kind that feels heavy, like something’s sitting just beneath it. Glory sat curled up in one of the armchairs near the window, half in sunlight, half in shadow. Her long legs were folded beneath her, a mug of tea resting in her hands, hands that looked tired despite their strength. She wasn’t dressed up. Black jeans, a soft royal purple t-shirt, and her blonde hair pulled back loosely with a few strands falling forward. It was the look of someone who’d come home but hadn’t fully arrived. Her eyes, normally sharp and focused, were distant. She stared at the floor, not really seeing it, her thumb slowly tracing circles along the rim of her mug. Across from her, on the long cream colored couch, sat her loving husband Kurt Logan. He was watching her the way a man watches someone he loves when he knows there’s nothing he can do except be there. He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, his fingers laced together. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up. Everything about him was calm and patient, but underneath it, there was worry. He wasn’t pressing her, though. Not yet, at least. He knew better. Between them, the coffee table held the remains of a half-hearted welcome home. A bottle of red wine with one glass barely touched. A bowl of grapes. Crackers. Her suitcase was by the hallway, unzipped and untouched.

She had only been gone a few days. A quick trip back to London. Just enough time to visit her home, the place she was born and raised, visit the Braddock Wrestling School, but most importantly visit the one man who might be able to help her more than anyone; Blake O’Malley. Blake, her father’s closest friend, a man she considers an uncle, would always be there for her. She needed him to help her find herself, to help rediscover who she was, what was wrong with her. She returned with no real answers other than what she already knew. It felt like a wasted trip, except for the brief training session Blake provided for her. Blake was still one of wrestling’s greatest minds and Glory does have a match at Rise To Greatness again Ryan Lecavalier. If he couldn’t help her with her personal problems, at least he could provide her with tips, advice, and strategy on how to approach this challenge at Rise To Greatness and, hopefully, pick up a sixth win in a row. And now she is back in this clean, quiet house in Miami with little to show.

The silence between her and Kurt wasn’t cold; it was just simply careful. He didn’t ask what was wrong. He didn’t have to. Whatever she brought back with her, or didn’t bring back in this case, it wasn’t ready to be spoken aloud. Not yet. She looked like she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the place to start. Or maybe she wasn’t ready to let go of the quiet. Maybe she needed it. Needed the stillness. Needed to sit here, with her bare feet tucked beneath her, with Kurt across from her, with sunlight warming one side of her face while the other lingered in shadow.

“You’ve been awfully quiet, babe.” Kurt says, hoping to break the silence and get something, anything, out of his wife. For her part, Braddock just lets out a low soft chuckle.

“I literally just got home an hour ago.” She casts a smirk in his direction. “Call it jetlag, mate.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.” Kurt says skeptically. “I’m just concerned.”

“Don’t be.” Glory shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. I have to be fine. This weekend I’m going to Rise To Greatness to fight Ryan Lecavalier.”

“Fight?” Kurt arches a brow. “I thought with the two of you being wrestlers this would be more of a straight up wrestling clinic.”

“You would think but just in case you haven’t been paying attention, Ryan seems downright obsessed with me.”

“Who can blame her?” Kurt asks with a knowing grin. Glory rolls her eyes.

“Her obsession is for different reasons and you know it.”

“Sure but still, Ryan is a mat wrestler at heart. So are you. Even if she is pissed off at you, wouldn’t you think she would still stick with what she knows? I mean, why take a gamble and throw your best offense out the window on the grandest stage just because you are enraged?”

“Emotions will make people do crazy things, mate.” Glory states. “Trust me on that.”

“Kinda like how your emotions have caused you to make questionable decisions? Like exiting Taking Hold of the Flame, which is what started that whole situation in the first place?”

“No comment.” Glory states defiantly. “My point is that emotions do make people go nuts, it has caused Ryan to go nuts lately, and I am banking on her losing her cool at Rise To Greatness and if she does, I will definitely take advantage of it and make her pay by pinning her shoulders to the mat or making her tap out.”

“It would be your sixth straight win.” Kurt says. “Quite an impressive feat. If CHBK isn’t impressed already with your five match winning streak, including the most recent win against Waylon Creek, this one at Rise To Greatness should definitely force his hand.”

“If I win.” Glory says pointedly. “Nothing is guaranteed in this sport.”

“Is that another one of your ‘uncle’ Blake’s lessons?”

“That one I learned from my father. But Blake reiterates it every chance he gets.”

Kurt reaches over and grabs the wine bottle and pours some into a glass. He sips on the glass of wine. Glory just continues to stare emptily at her tea. Kurt furrows his brow, studying his wife carefully, trying to figure out what the right words are.

“So…” his voice trails off “...I take it that the trip overseas to your old stomping grounds helped?”

“It did and it didn’t.” Glory answers. Kurt looks confused.

“Ok, how did it help?”

“Blake had some damn good pointers on how to approach Rise To Greatness. He helped to get me in the right mindset, he helped me focus. He even had a solid strategy for someone like Ryan. Wrestling is like most anything else in life, sometimes it is good to get a second opinion. After getting Blake’s opinion, I feel even more confident that I can kick Ryan’s bloody ass up and down the state of Texas, put her in the rearview mirror, and get my sixth win in a row in the process.”

“Well that sounds good.” Kurt nods his head.

“Yeah but unfortunately it didn’t really accomplish my real goal.”

“I thought you were going specifically for match prep.” Kurt says with a bit of shock in his voice. “You always were more at home there when preparing for a big match.”

“That was just part of the reason.” Glory admits. “The real reason is that I needed some answers. I needed help finding myself. Unfortunately Blake just told me most of what I already knew.”

“And what do you already know?”

“For starters that I’m a lot more like my father than I thought.” Glory remarks quietly. Kurt, for his part, lets out a bit of a chuckle which frustrates Glory, causing her to shoot him an annoyed look. “What’s so funny?”

“Well you ARE his daughter. I would hope that you would be like Glenn Braddock.”

“It isn’t necessarily a good thing when you begin exhibiting his bad habits.” Glory points out. “I am stubborn, I refuse to compromise. Those arguments I used to have with CHBK before I let Angelica take over the management of my career? That kind of behavior has my father written all over it.”

“Ok, I admit I can see your point. Although from what I remember about your father, he would have punched CHBK.” He smirks. “At least you showed restraint.”

“But I used to be the kind of person who would be open to compromise, who wasn’t that bloody stubborn. I honestly don’t know what happened to me, Kurt. And that’s not all. This house we have; it is so nice, lovely and lavish. That’s not who I am…at least, not who I used to be.”

“In your defense, we did have both Melinda and Dawn, living with us at the time.”

“That’s not the point.” Glory shakes her head, refusing to listen to Kurt right now as she continues to rant. “This lavish lifestyle is not me. Dresses and heels sure as hell are not me. When I made my professional debut in 2008, I was a tomboy. Jeans…sneakers…t-shirt. That’s the only outfit you would catch me in. I used to be a prankster. Now everything has to be super serious. I take everything way too seriously, including this corporate drama.” She sighs and shakes her head. “I was holding onto a grudge and willing to let my longtime childhood friend Frances Taylor rot in prison without offering her any legal help to clear her name all because of corporate drama that I took too seriously.”

“Again, in your defense, she tried to run you out of business.” Kurt points out.

“Her boyfriend was manipulating her. He conned her. He practically brainwashed her. She finally figured it out and asked my forgiveness and I was going to throw it in her face had it not been for Melody.” Glory shakes her head. “I need to find myself, Kurt. And I fear there’s only one way to do it.”

“I don’t like where you’re going with this…” Kurt’s voice trails off as he studies his wife carefully. She looks deep into his eyes and, with determination, says something that he definitely wasn’t expecting.

“I need to sell the company. I need to sell Glorious Golden Enterprises.”

“Whoa, hold on, babe.” Kurt remarks. “That’s a bad idea.”

“The corporate life is not my thing.” She insists. “And I am convinced that me getting involved in the corporate world is part of what corrupted me, twisted me, and turned me into whatever the hell I am now. If I am to have any hopes of rediscovering the old me…the old fun loving, good hearted Glory Braddock…I need to get away from that poison.”

“You need to think long and hard before you do anything rash.” Kurt states emphatically. “You spent a long time building up that company. People have tried to run you out of business before, they tried to take it from you, and you fought like hell to keep it. Now you’re willing to throw it away?”

“Yes…” Glory nods her head.

“You’re quitting. Just like you quit Taking Hold of the Flame.” Kurt points out. Glory rolls her eyes.

“Don’t throw that at me.” She states. “This is completely different.”

“It isn’t different. You think running away from this will make it easier but it won’t.”

“Ever since I bought that company I changed and not for the better.” Glory sighs. “I’m afraid, Kurt. I am afraid that I will lose myself for good.”

“It’s ok to be afraid but running from your fears is never the answer. You should confront them. That’s what the OLD Glory Braddock would do.” Those words ring true in the heart, mind, and soul of The British Bombshell. She sighs and nods her head.

“You’re right…of course you are right…” she shakes her head “...but I just can’t continue things as they are. Something needs to change.” She pauses as an idea enters her head. A smirk forms on her face. “And I think I know just the thing.”

“Uh oh…I know that look.”

“I need to put some serious distance between myself and this lavish lifestyle of mine. This nice house, the corporate world, all of it. I need to separate myself from it before I make any decisions on whether to sell the company.”

“Great. Sounds like a plan.” Kurt nods his head. “But how do you want to do that?”

“That all depends.” She smirks knowingly. She gives him a playful wink. “How far are you willing to go for me?” Kurt stares lovingly back at her. He leans forward and kisses her on the lips.

“I would go to hell and back with you, babe.”

“Great…although we’re not necessarily going to hell.”

“Where are we going?” Kurt asks curiously.

“We’re going home.” She states. “My home.”

==========
July 26th, 2025
Houston, Texas
On Camera
==========

We open in the streets of Houston, Texas, specifically a commercial street lined with small businesses and other larger buildings that loom intimidatingly in the background. The day is bright, the sunlight filters gently through the buildings and what few trees that also loom large overhead. A few cars are parked along the street and some pedestrians walk the streets in the background. Eventually the camera pans over to the opposite sidewalk and it finds the beautiful image of Glory Braddock walking confidently down the sunlit urban streets of Houston, Texas exuding calm, self-assured confidence and presence. The British Bombshell has long straight blonde hair that moves gently in the breeze. Based on her facial expression, which is intense, she is taking her upcoming match at Rise To Greatness against Ryan Lecavalier very seriously. The British Bombshell is wearing a vivid purple crew-neck t-shirt that hugs close to her body without being too terribly tight. She pairs this with a denim jeans that hug her hips, accentuating her long legs. A simple black leather belt is looped through the waistband. On her feet she sports a pair of well-worn canvas sneakers in a faded blue tone. Braddock approaches the camera and then comes to a stop. Her intense gaze forms into a confident grin.

“The time for talking is nearly coming to an end. I mean, face it, we are here in Houston, Texas, the great city that will play host to the biggest wrestling event of the year, Rise To Greatness. The trash talk, the mind games, all of the hype leading up to this one singular event, all of it comes to an end very soon. We all will have to shut up and prove whether or not we are all talk or if we can truly back up our words. Personally, I KNOW I can back up my words because this not my first Rise To Greatness. Last year I challenged for the SCW World Tag Team Championship. The year before me and my ride or die best friend Brittany Lohan laid waste to Team Desire. In 2022 I beat Danny Darko, Konrad Raab, and Christy Matthews. 2021 I threw down with the likes of Xander Valentine, Gavin Taylor, and Christy Matthews. In 2020 I won my first championship in SCW by defeating Peyton Rice for the SCW Adrenaline Championship. In 2019 I was in the main event of Rise To Greatness challenging for the SCW World Championship against Alistaire Allocco and Syren. Some of these names are popular, others are not, but regardless of what I or anyone else may think of them, they are well known legends, not just in this sport but in Supreme Championship Wrestling itself. I am proud of being able to share the ring and to have been able to compete against the very best SCW and professional wrestler has had to offer on the grandest stage, regardless of whether or not I came out victorious or not.” The British Bombshell points a finger at the camera.

“How about you, Ryan? The Lost Monarch’s Rise To Greatness picture should be rather easy to paint considering you have only been in one previous Rise To Greatness event and it happened to be last year, in the pre-show, facing my cousin “The Phoenix” Marie Jones. And if I recall, with all of your pomp and circumstance, with all of your boasting, especially the winning streak you were boasting, you went on to lose. You crashed and burned under the bright lights. My cousin spiked you with Ave Maria and pinned your shoulders to the mat.” She scratches her chin, feigning a deep thought. “You know, maybe it isn’t me you are obsessed with? Maybe you are just obsessed with my family? Be that as it may, one would hope that moment last year of going down in defeat to Marie would have sparked some humility within you. One would hope that it would have brought you some clarity and that maybe you could have learned from that defeat, grown from it, and become a better person from it.” Braddock shakes her head.

“Obviously I am asking too much from you. I am expecting too much from the likes of Ryan Lecavalier for her to grow and mature even a little bit. Growth and maturity means willing to admit when you have made a mistake. Now I am willing to admit that maybe skipping out on Taking Hold of the Flame was a mistake but only in the sense that I let my fans down and I did offend some of the talent in the back who I deeply respect. But in making that decision I bet on myself. I bet that I could earn my way back to a championship opportunity, that I could earn a title match by winning match after match, defeating opponent after opponent, until CHBK could no longer ignore me. Since making that decision I have gone on to defeat Kemal Yilmaz of the European Fiery Nation, David Striker, Amelia Navarro, Sal Darius, and now the supposedly unbeatable Waylon Creek. That’s five in a row since I bowed out of the Flame and that last win was certainly big enough to open some eyes and get the attention of upper management. I regret offending my colleagues and letting my fans down by not competing in the Flame but I do NOT regret betting on myself because this has led to one hell of a winning streak.” Glory Braddock smirks knowingly.

“But can you say the same? Can you honestly admit that maybe, just maybe, you made a mistake since last year at Rise To Greatness? Can you admit that you have made some poor choices that not only led you to this downward spiral you are on but to this obsession with yours truly?” She pauses, as if waiting on an answer she knows will not be coming anytime soon. Finally Glory shakes her head. “I didn’t think so. We are a lot alike, Ryan, but where we differ is that I can admit when I made a mistake and I take the necessary steps to change. You are too stubborn to change. You refuse to admit that maybe, just maybe, you made a mistake in picking a fight with The British Bombshell. The thing is, I still don’t even understand why you are so obsessed with me. I had zero beef with you until you attacked me from behind on Breakdown after I made my announcement about the Flame. You claim you attacked me because I disrespected you and everyone else in the battle royal?” Braddock shrugs her shoulders.

“Who? Who did I disrespect and where are they? Ever since I made my announcement only two people made their displeasure about my actions known, one was Amelia and all she did was tell me she was disappointed. You went from zero to a thousand in a matter of seconds and attacked me. Overreaction, much? Amelia simply voiced her displeasure whereas you went straight to violence, and no one else has said or done anything. That is why I do not buy this line of crap you are spewing about how your beef with me is over the Flame. I don’t believe it, I think you are lying, I think you are making up an excuse to hide the truth. The truth, Ryan, is that you came in to SCW with high hopes and a high bar set for yourself. This company looked at you as someone with a hell of a lot of promise. And every opportunity they gave you, every time they handed you the football, you fumbled. Rise To Greatness you lost to Marie Jones. You lost to Selena Frost. You lost to Clyde Sutter. You lost to both members of Light in the Darkness in separate singles matches. Time and again you have had chances to prove yourself against the best SCW has to offer and you have come up short.” The British Bombshell snickers.

“And it’s driving you crazy. The truth is that I am not the one getting in your head playing mind games. I am not the one really and truly living rent free in your head. You are doing it to yourself. You are self-conscious, Ryan. You are looking at your time in SCW and you are worried that it is becoming a complete and utter failure. Waylon Creek is a nearly unstoppable beast, Selena Frost is a world class champion whether you love her or hate her, my cousin Marie Jones is great competitor and two titles away from Supreme Championship status, Light in the Darkness have held singles gold and tag gold and dominated both divisions; and you have been unable to conquer any of them. Now you look at me as the next target. I am a Supreme Champion and maybe if you can beat me you can get your career back on track. I think that is the real motivation behind your obsession. You can hide behind the whole Taking Hold of the Flame crap, but I can see right through you. I know what you want, I know what you need more than anything else. If you wanted a match with me at Rise To Greatness, all you had to do was ask.” Braddock shakes her head.

“No, instead you went and made it personal by attacking me from behind. You made a deal with Waylon Creek to try and take me out. Unfortunately for you, you failed yet again because I am still here, I am still one of the best wrestlers in the world, and I am still ready to march into Rise To Greatness tomorrow night and kick your ass. I am ready to teach you a lesson, beat some humility into you, and hopefully, for your sake, this time it will take. Despite me running down your list of failures, I am not here to trash you and your record. I recognize how good you are. You are a former Television Champion and winning even one title in SCW is enough to speak how good one is; you took Selena Frost to her physical limits and that also speaks of how talented you are. Your obsessive need to prove yourself, in this case by targeting me, it baffles me. Like I said, I would have gladly accepted a match against you if you had just asked and I know we would have tore the house down in Houston. But now things have changed. This isn’t going to just be a wrestling match. It is going to be a wrestling clinic. I am going to fight you, if necessary, I will choke you out if necessary in order to put an end to this once and for all.” Glory look on at the camera with an intense glare.

“CHBK speaks often about accepting the consequences for one’s actions. I mocked him frequently but you know what? I think I finally get it. I think I finally understand. I have taken responsibility for my actions in dropping out of the Flame. I have paid the consequences. Tomorrow night at Rise To Greatness, I am going to make you suffer the consequences of your actions in daring to step up to me, Ryan. After I have dropped you on your head with Glorification, or choked you unconscious with Shekhinah Glory, you will come to and realize that you made a very big mistake in pissing me off.” She shakes her head. “Sic Semper Tyrannis.”

[Ryan Lecavalier]

Lesser Evils