Never Broken

[Ben M]

The camera faded in to the backstage area of the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, which was buzzing with activity ahead of EBWF’s final show of the year, Christmas Eve of Destruction. The air was electric, and the faint hum of the crowd could be heard in the background. Britt Baker stood in front of a black-and-red EBWF backdrop, looking full of confidence. Dressed in a sleek black leather jacket adorned with gold accents – a nod to the championship she was determined to reclaim – Britt adjusted her collar and looked directly into the camera. The lights illuminated Baker's determined expression as she began to speak, her voice steady yet passionate.

Britt Baker: Chicago... The Windy City. A city built on resilience and grit. It’s fitting that tonight, in this very building, I will step into the ring for the fight of my life. Not just any fight – a Last Woman Standing match. A match where one woman will walk away, and the other will be left in the dust. Tam Nakano, you have been a thorn in my side for far too long, and it ends tonight.

Baker paused, letting the weight of her words settle. Her gaze never wavered from the camera.

Britt Baker: I'm sure you all know my history with Tam, but let’s rewind for a moment. Let's go back to October 30th, 2022 – Fanniversary. That was the night Tam Nakano took the EBWF Women’s Championship from me. I’ll admit it, Tam – you were the better woman that night. You didn't just take my title; you went on to hold it for an entire year, setting a new record for the longest Women's Title reign in EBWF history. But let’s not forget – records are made to be broken. And just like your previous reign came to an end, so too will your stranglehold on this division. You won't be getting anywhere near to the 12-month mark this time.

Baker’s lips curled into a smirk, a mix of defiance and confidence. She crossed her arms, her body language exuding control.

Britt Baker: Tam, I don't need you or anyone else to remind me that you didn't just beat me two years ago; you beat me again six months ago in the final of the Queen of the Ring tournament. I’m not here to dwell on the past. You’ve had your time in the spotlight, but now it’s my time. Since you regained the Women's Championship at Gateway to Glory, you’ve tried to make this division your personal playground. You’ve hidden behind your Oedo Tai minions, using them as your enforcers, your shields. You’ve run roughshod over anyone who dared to challenge you. But here’s the thing, Tam - I’ve been watching, learning, growing. And now, I’ve fought my way through every obstacle you’ve thrown at me. Jamie Hayter? Dealt with. Mina Shirakawa? Done. Himeka? Handled. You can bring your whole damn crew tonight, but it won’t matter. I’m ready for all of you.

As the crowd’s distant cheers grew louder, Britt’s smirk widened, her confidence palpable.

Britt Baker: You’ve called yourself the most dominant champion in EBWF history... And sure, you’ve had a hell of a run. But dominance isn’t just about winning. It’s about standing tall when the odds are against you. It’s about fighting with honour, with integrity. And that’s something you’ll never understand, Tam. You’ve built your legacy on manipulation and deceit. Tonight, I’m tearing it down.

Baker took a step closer to the camera, her expression hardening. The fire in her eyes burned brightly.

Britt Baker: Our match tonight is a Last Woman Standing match, which means I have to keep you down for ten seconds, not just three. It also means that anything goes, and maybe that favours you, Tam. After all, it means your minions can get involved, and the referee can't do anything about it. But as you found out last week at Warfare, I'm not the only person sick of Oedo Tai. I'm not sure I can call Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia friends, or even allies, but there's at least a couple of things the three of us have in common - we all have our eye on the Women's Championship, and we're all willing to go to war with Oedo Tai to earn the gold. So maybe Vaquer and Giulia will have my back tonight; maybe they won't. I'll give you and Oedo Tai the fight of my life regardless.

Baker’s expression softened momentarily, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her fiery resolve.

Britt Baker: I know what I’m walking into tonight. I know it’s going to hurt. Tam, you’ll throw everything you have at me – the weapons, the chaos, the interference – and I’m ready for it. I’ll fight through the pain, through blood, sweat and tears, through whatever you throw my way. Because when the stakes are this high, nothing else matters.

Baker's voice grew stronger, each word carrying the weight of her determination.

Britt Baker: Tam, you have mocked me, dismissed me; called me a has-been, a never-was. But as tough and as talented as you are, you’ve never faced me when I’m like this. I am relentless, I am hungry, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to walk out of here as the EBWF Women’s Champion. So tonight, when the dust settles, it will be my hand raised in victory.

Britt uncrossed her arms, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

Britt Baker: You’ve got this whole Oedo Tai facade going for you, Tam. The bad-girl attitude, the sneers, the taunts. But deep down, I know you’re scared. Scared that tonight, your reign of terror ends. Scared that you’ll be exposed for what you really are – a woman who’s afraid to fight her battles alone. Well, Tam, bring Oedo Tai. Bring all the tricks, all the weapons, all the interference you want. It won’t save you. Because tonight, I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting for the entire EBWF women’s division. And most importantly, I’m fighting for the EBWF Women’s Championship.

Baker paused, letting the weight of her declaration and the intensity of her words sink in.

Britt Baker: Tam, you might have beaten me every time we've faced each other one on one, but you’ve never broken me. So tonight, I’m not just looking to beat you. I’m looking to end this once and for all. When that bell rings, and the referee counts to ten, it won’t be me lying on the mat. It’ll be you, broken and defeated, and brought back to reality by yours truly. And when I wake up tomorrow morning, bloody, battered, and bruised, I’ll be waking up with the EBWF Women’s Championship around my waist. And that, Tam? That will make it all worth it.

Baker stepped back, her intensity never wavering. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as a smirk returned to her face. Her tone was laced with defiance as she uttered her final words.

Britt Baker: Merry Christmas, Tam... Enjoy your final few hours as champion. Because after tonight, the Doctor reigns supreme.

With that, Britt turned and walked away, leaving the camera to linger on the EBWF backdrop. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as the feed cut back to the arena, setting the stage for the epic showdown to come.