The scene opened backstage, where Britt Baker was getting ready for the Women's Last Survivor match. It was the first match of the show, and Baker would be entering at number for. She was excited; since joining EBWF, she had been craving an opportunity to become the Women's Champion, and if she could outlast nine other women, she would earn a title match at the as yet unnamed March pay per view. Although Baker couldn't deny the fact that competing for the Women's Title at Wrestlemania would have been a dream come true, deep down she knew that winning the gold was far more important than where she won it. In Britt's mind, winning the championship was just the first step. Once she had that title, she would cement her legacy. And if she did win the Last Survivor match, the person she would face for the Women's Title was a woman she had already beaten... Alexa Bliss. "One step at a time", she told herself. Although she was confident she would be able to beat Alexa, Britt knew she had to focus on the Last Survivor match first. With the quality of the other women in the match, it wouldn't be easy. There was, however, one thing in her favour. Baker would have an ally with her in the match... her friend and tag team partner, Leva Bates. Britt and Leva were sharing a locker room, and as Britt stared at the list of women in the Last Survivor match that she had printed out and stuck to the wall, Leva entered the room. She saw Britt looking at the list and smiled.
Leva Bates: Are you planning to cross them out, one by one?
Baker laughed, and shook her head, then put down the pen she was holding. She had been so lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realise she was holding a pen.
Britt Baker: Nah, pen and paper is more your thing. I was just trying to figure out who the biggest threats are. There might only be ten women in the Last Survivor match, but every single one of them is capable of winning it.
Leva nodded.
Leva Bates: We're sticking to the plan, right? Work together until the end?
Britt Baker: Not exactly. Work together? Absolutely. But remember what I told you when we first formed a partnership... I've got your back, but when we're opponents, all bets are off. I'd love for you and I to be the final two, but cards on the table, if an opportunity come along for me to eliminate you I'll take it. I'd expect you to do the same.
Leva looked a little surprised by Britt's response.
Leva Bates: I mean I appreciate your honesty, but surely it makes more sense to try and keep each other in the match until it's just the two of us?
Britt Baker: That's a little naïve, don't you think? If I go out of my way to save you, Leva, I might be putting myself at risk of elimination. And that's not a risk I'm willing to take. You've got to be tactical in this match... you might be book smart, but I'm street smart. So let's go out there, give it our best shot, and may the best woman win. And if that means one of us has to betray the other to get what we want... no hard feelings, right?
Leva nodded, albeit unenthusiastically.
Leva Bates: Sure, I guess. I'm going to get some air.
As Leva exited the locker room, Britt saw a cameraman waiting outside. She invited him into the locker room, and when the camera started rolling, Baker began to speak.
Britt Baker: 2022 marks the dawn of a new era for EBWF, did you hear? For twenty years, EBWF has had a licensing agreement with WWE which meant they shared the rights to Wrestlemania, King of the Ring, Summerslam and the Royal Rumble. Now WWE is in EBWF's shadow, Wes Ikeda has let that licensing agreement expire, so EBWF can focus on its own brand. As a result, tonight I'm competing in the first ever "Last Survivor" match. The rules are still the same, but the name is different. And that's not the only thing that's staying the same... the reason us girls get the "honour" of competing in the first Last Survivor match is because Wes Ikeda still sees us as the warm-up act for the men. Isn't that right, Wes? Honestly, I've lost count of the number of times over the years that I've seen you admit you "don't really care" about the women's division. Thank god for women like Trish Stratus and Raquel Diaz, who have made this division stand out from the crowd. Raquel even got a special Warfare and main evented, but how many women's matches have main evented a pay-per-view? That's right, zero. So Trish, Raquel, thank you for everything you've done... but it's time for a change. This women's division needs a facelift, the EBWF fans need a new role model... and you're looking at her.
Baker grinned, waved into the camera, then continued speaking.
Britt Baker: For the record, Trish, a role model is not someone who gifts their title shot to a woman who doesn't deserve it and then helps them win because... I don't know, I assume it must be pity? We're in a strange situation right now where the Women's Champion is a woman who has been beaten by every other woman on the roster. That can't be right, can it? What was your plan, Trish? Were you afraid that you couldn't beat Raquel Diaz yourself? Is that why you helped Alexa win the title, so you could keep your record for the longest reign intact and then take the title from Alexa instead? I'm sure it sounded like a smart idea at the time but as the saying goes, karma really is a bitch. Because you've drawn the number one spot in this Last Survivor match, and entering at number two is the woman you screwed, Raquel Diaz herself. Now I've seen what Raquel is capable of... she has dominated the women's division over the last few years, the way you used to back in the day. And to be honest Trish, I'm a little scared for you. Because Raquel isn't going to be content with just throwing you over the top rope, she's going to want to hurt you. Honestly, I'm slightly concerned that they will have to stop the Last Survivor match temporarily to clean your blood off the canvas... but if you are still in the match when I enter it, I will gladly let you stand aside for me. Or if you're actually able to put up a fight, I'll show you why I was the last woman standing when I faced Alexa Bliss at Christmas Eve of Destruction.
Baker stopped for a moment to laugh.
Britt Baker: As for you Raquel... if it isn't obvious already, I have a lot of respect for you. I saw you win the Royal Rumble from the number one spot in 2019, earning the Women's Championship in the process, and I was impressed. You dominated that match, just like you've dominated in your second championship reign... and honestly, I think it's a shame that your incredible reign was ended by another Montreal screwjob. But as you know, respect goes out the window when it comes to competing. Like I said before, the EBWF women's division needs a new role model, and when I taking you out of the Last Survivor match will be an honour that I will relish.
Baker looked back at the list of entrants, smirking as she reminded herself who was entering at number three.
Britt Baker: In at number three, just before yours truly is the returning Becky Lynch. The last time we saw her, she was set on fire... and she laughed about it, because she's crazy! I'm no burns expert – teeth don't tend to burn in my experience – so I'm not sure what sort of condition Becky will be in. But I do know that I'm not afraid of her. Becky has shown herself to be somewhat delusional over the past couple of years, and seeing Winter put her in her place was genuinely a joy to watch. So Becky, be warned... I'll be bringing the fire tonight, and if you get in my way, you're going to get burned. 90 seconds after me, we've got one of the newest women on the roster, Allysin Kay. I still get her and Winter mixed up, to be honest... is she the one that calls herself the Satanic Diva, or the one who claims to be the Baddest Bitch on the Planet?
A voice off-camera was heard confirming Allysin Kay's nickname, "The Baddest Bitch on the Planet". Baker nodded, stifling a yawn as she did so.
Britt Baker: I don't really care, but thank you for confirming. Allysin, you made a nice start winning that Inferno Match at Christmas Eve of Destruction – honestly why are the women of EBWF so obsessed with fire? But despite your best efforts, you didn't steal the show. I did. I proved that night that I am the woman to watch in EBWF, and when our paths cross in the ring tonight, it won't be AK47, it will be the four Bs – Bye Bye, Baddest Bitch!
Baker sarcastically waved goodbye, then continued speaking.
Britt Baker: Entering at number six is my friend and partner, Leva Bates. I know what you will all be wondering... will Leva and I be working together in this match? Yes. "But Britt, surely you can't coexist when it's every woman for themselves?" I hear you ask. You're right, we can't... at least not for the whole match. I warned Leva earlier that if I have to stab her in the back to win the Last Survivor match, I won't hesitate. But hopefully it won't come to that. The two of us together are a force to be reckoned with, so the other women in this match better watch out. Especially number seven, the woman who knows all about stabbing someone in the back... Winter. She's the Satanist, right?
A "yes" could be heard off camera.
Britt Baker: Honestly, why do people think claiming to love the Devil gives them a personality? It doesn't. Winter, your Lucifer rip-off gimmick has won you some fans, but that's about all it's won you. For years, you were standing in Becky Lynch's shadow, and it's no surprise that you turned on her. But what happened when you went out on your own? That's right, you got your ass handed to you by Allysin Kay. You see Winter, you thought Becky was holding you back, but really, she was protecting you. Being Becky's partner kept you relevant, and without her you fade into mediocrity and obscurity. Your winter of discontent is far from over... brace yourself for more disappointment tonight.
Baker stopped, looked back at her list, then turned back to the camera.
Britt Baker: Okay, three to go... in at number eight, it's Natalya. Her and Trish will be looking to form an alliance, just like Leva and me, but I'm pretty sure Trish won't be around by the time Natalya enters. She'll probably be on her way to the emergency room... who knows, maybe Natalya will forfeit her spot to go with her. After all, you don't really care much for wrestling these days, do you Nattie? I'm pretty sure this is the first match you've had for about six months. It's a shame, because you were one of the women I looked up to when I first came into this business. I don't want to say you're a has been, Natalya, but honestly these days you might as well not be here. It's been what, four years since you last held the Women's Title? Maybe tonight I'll get to see some of the old Natalya, but even at your best, I'm confident I can beat you. And speaking of women who might as well not be here... Mickie James, are you sure you still have a contract as an active wrestler? Because all you seem to be these days is your husband's eye candy. You're very pretty, I'll give you that... Miz is a lucky guy. But if you want to keep your good looks, I suggest you forfeit your place in this match... your smile won't be so nice if I knock your teeth out!
Baker took one last look at her list, then laughed, shaking her head.
Britt Baker: Last, and absolutely least, we've got Kris Statlander. Wow, we're really scraping the barrel now, aren't we? I can understand why Wes wanted ten women in the match – it's a nice round number, and anything less might call out the fact that he doesn't take women's wrestling seriously. But wouldn't you have been better off keeping that spot open? Torrie Wilson is due another guest appearance, isn't she? Is Angelina Love still the General Manager of the Women's Division? Let her take the spot. Hell, give Christy Hemme a chance to wrestle again... she was never very good at it, but she's not very good at ring announcing either and you still let her keep that job because it's cheaper than paying alimony. Kris, the only thing you've got going in your favour is that as the final entrant, you've got a slight advantage over everyone else. Sadly, for you, that advantage is somewhat nullified by a couple of things. Firstly, because there's only ten women in the match, there's only going to be about 12 minutes between the match starting and you entering. So whoever is left won't be that tired. Secondly, the sad fact is that compared to the other women in this match, you are by far the weakest. Every one of the other nine women in the Last Survivor match has accomplished something in their career. But you? Your greatest accomplishment is convincing people you're an alien. Was that too mean?
Britt waited for a response from the cameraman, but he didn’t say anything. She shrugged, then continued speaking.
Britt Baker: Eh, whatever. I talk tough, but I fight even tougher. Trish, Raquel, Becky, all of you... consider this a warning. I have been quietly making progress since I signed for EBWF, impressing people while staying under the radar. I have waited patiently for a big opportunity, and Last Survivor is that opportunity. I will seize it with both hands, I will give my blood, sweat and tears, and when it's all said and done the last woman standing will be yours truly... Dr Britt Baker... DMD.
Baker ushered the cameraman out of the room, then sat down and smiled to herself. Whatever happened tonight, she was genuinely excited. She had a good feeling about 2022... Britt was confident that it was going to be her year.
