#auntie hydie

[mpwxpress]

SECRET SANTA Results - 12/10/21

Everyone loves a Secret Santa – mysterious gifts from an unknown benefactor, an exchange of tokens from anonymous friends to celebrate the spirit of the season. Maybe it's a great gift, maybe it's...not so great, but the mystery is half the fun. Plus, if you're lucky, you might get some new insight into people you thought you knew until they had to give you a present under the cover of secrecy.

This past Friday, MPW's Secret Santa event...well, we definitely learned a lot about the stars of the MPW Arena, and some of them even learned a few things about themselves. However,were the gifts great or ghastly?

Let's find out. Spoilers below, for both Secret Santa and for the last MPW event of the year, Naughty Or Nice coming on December 17th.

Ready? Onwards, my friends. We go to glory.

Rebel Storm vs. Danny Divine

This was not your average confrontation. It was, however, promising to be a great contest – Divine and Storm even shared a handshake before entrance themes even stopped playing. Reports from the site of the event made via Instagram were also accurate: Rebel Storm showed up in a Santa hat. We can also confirm that it looked very fetching on referee Victor Cuentas when Storm shared the spirit of the season – and his festive cap – with the official.

...and then Miggy Rose showed up.

Still frustrated by the indecisive conclusion of last week's bout with Divine – a sentiment Divine shared – Rose demanded that Storm step aside so he could gain satisfaction against Divine. It was a difficult choice for Divine to make, but as many wise men before him have proclaimed, why settle for one when you can have it all?

You heard right, folks: this was now a three way dance.

Rebel Storm DEFEATS Danny Divine & Miggy Rose

The ensuing match was a free for all, and one hell of a way to kick off a show. Everyone was in top form, from Rebel Storm with an airplane spin of Miggy Rose that knocked Danny Divine flat on his back to Miggy assaulting his opponents at both corners, right up to Divine taking brutal fists to Rose in the center of the ring.

Miggy was, of course, up to his usual tactics as he pulled the referee out of the ring during one pinfall count, but the facts are hard to deny at this point. Yes, Miggy Rose has a miserable attitude and a penchant for fighting dirty – but the quality of his performances is as honest and as true as they come.

Still, despite his incredible athleticism and Divine's usual perfection, the return of the Rebel Storm would not be denied, with Storm taking the victory by pinfall. Rose was visibly unhappy, but Divine took the victory with a little less grace. Visibly frustrated – nay, seething with fury – while his conduct was not unbecoming, it does bring into question whether or not Danny Divine's checkered win/loss record is starting to get under his skin.

Brendan Divine DEFEATS Artorius w/Auntie Hydie

This match was, without a shred of question, the match of the night. Brendan Divine entered first, and barely started to make his way around the ring before Artorius was out at ringside, launching a brutal assault on the champion of the Believers. Hydie was right there by his side, directing traffic as he beat, choked, and just generally manhandled Divine. Artorius even went so far as to brutalize Divine in front of his own fans, snarling in their faces with undiluted rage etched in every line of his face and body.

“You're gonna believe in me tonight!” was his parting epithet at this reporter before he continued his assault straight into the ringing of the bell. From there, Divine did his best to fight back, but the early attack by members of Hydie's Void left him at half capacity. It also left Artorius with a distinct advantage during the course of the matchup.

Brendan, and his Believers, however, would not be defeated.

In the world of professional wrestling, there are good matches and there are great matches. There are also those rare moments where they cease to be matches and become something more – a battle of wills, a cause, a crisis. Sitting at ringside, beholding the spectacle, listening to veteran fans jaded by too long in the trenches, this reporter saw something remarkable happen.

When Brendan came to life to mount an offense, these jaded fans began cheering like children just discovering the sport. When Hydie attempted a distraction with that mysterious and sinister symbol of power on her hand, they screamed in fear and despair. When Brendan kicked out of pinfall attempt after pinfall attempt, they lost all sense.

This match ended long before it began – by the end, this was a war between darkness and light. A war with little hope, a bleak confrontation...a fight for the soul of the crowd that ended in a dazzling blaze of light with Brendan Divine, with the spirit of his Believers by his side, declaring Artorius Left On Read as he took a pinfall victory.

The electric confrontation didn't end there, either. After the match, Hydie had words for Divine – and a few skeletons to drag out of the closet. Brendan emphatically declared that win or lose he would not be defeated...and then Hydie reminded him of the past with a memento of his misdeeds.

Out came, from beneath her cloak, a handmade Millennials shirt still stained with blood from an encounter gone wrong. It seems that once, she wanted nothing more than to be his friend, and he had spurned her desire for camaraderie. This, it seemed, was all about getting revenge against him for this very fact: the corruption of J2, the acquisition of Artorius, all of it.

Despite his previous sins, however, Brendan appears to be a changed man. He's focused, he's steady – and he's not alone with the Believers at his back. The past, according to him, is in the past: he will stay the course, and he fully intends to become National Champion once again.

Brendan's confidence is admirable, but Hydie's remarks were worrying – in an exclusive moment with the X-Press, Hydie made a chilling confession about the Void, and about Brendan, that casts his match next week with J2 in a whole new light. When asked if she had designs on Brendan for corruption or recruitment to the Void, she laughed quietly. Deceit is unbecoming: this reporter got chills to hear it.

“Oh, my dear,” Hydie sighed, “it was always the plan to draw him in.”

What could this mean for Brendan at Naughty Or Nice? What kind of danger could he possibly be facing when he takes on Hydie's thrall, J2, for the National Title?

We can't know for sure, folks, but one thing became clear as Brendan left ringside: Hydie had a few things to say about the latest thorn in her side, Johnnie Robbie.

They would have been great things to hear, I'm sure – but then Robbie herself made an appearance, and she made sure to bring her own seat.

After assaulting Hydie with a chair, Robbie made her frustrations public – while she shared with the X-Press last week her desire for vindication against Hydie, tonight she made a very public demand for a rematch. She appeared to catch Hydie at a good time, too: namely, at the end of her patience.

Robbie got her Christmas wish, it seems: next week at Naughty Or Nice, it's going to be Hydie versus Robbie in a Holiday Hardcore match.

NAUGHTY OR NICE SCRAMBLE DRAWING

Coming to the ring with clients Michael Hopkins and Diego Valens, the reigning MPW Tag Team Champions, officiant Bryan Carter introduced himself and his duo as the Men of Business, or the M.O.B. After his usual derisive spiel about the greatness of his group and the ways in which others were lacking in virtue, he finally went about the business of drawing the names of those who would appear in the Scramble next week.

Each name was drawn, and with each, Carter had something or another to say. First came Dr. Phil Goode, followed by his partner Bulletproof. While his comments weren't glowing, he was decidedly less biting with them than with others as he warned Bulletproof to keep a clear head.

Next came Rebel Storm, followed by Miggy Rose and Danny Divine. Carter had a real chuckle at that, given these three men had just taken each other apart earlier in the evening. He was quite pleased with himself, Carter was, and still had a sixth name to reveal.

That name?

Bryan Carter.

While the competitors had a laugh over the promise of being able to beat Carter to a pulp next week, after the show the X-Press tried to get a word with the suddenly very quiet Perfect Gentleman.

“This was rigged.” he insisted vehemently. When this reporter pointed out that he did make an appearance as a competitor in the California Classic, albeit briefly, Carter grew quiet again, claiming to have a plan and little else.

It seems that plan, in the interim, has been to try and contact the MPW Board of Directors to try and relinquish his slot in the scramble. To date, sources indicate he has been unsuccessful – a fact that I'm sure Divine and Storm are very pleased about. Storm himself commented to the X-Press, with great dignity, that he felt another shot at Divine would be an incredible competition.

When asked about Carter, however, the human personification of lightning in a bottle absolutely came to life.

“I'm SO HAPPY to get a shot at Carter!” he gushed. “I mean – I've been waiting all year for revenge!”

Let's hope the Board of Directors starts taking Carter's calls.

NON TITLE MATCH

Full Send (Dustin Daniels/Bucio) DEFEATS Tag Team Champions M.O.B. (Michael Hopkins/Diego Valens)

A high energy match with a high stakes vibe after the Naughty Or Nice Scramble drawing, this match was pure chaos from start to finish. Valens and Hopkins may have a bad attitude, but they have great chemistry as a team – something that Full Send has struggled with off and on for a few weeks now. Tonight, however, they matched the M.O.B. with their own thriving connection. It made things difficult when Bucio was trapped in the M.O.B. corner for a good portion of the match, but the wild child of Full Send refused to let his shoulders stay down for more than a two count, if that.

It was an uphill battle, made no easier by an instance of Daniels arguing with the referee long enough for the M.O.B. to launch a vicious double team attack on Bucio, but the long arm of Full Send managed to get the tag to Daniels at the end of the day. Entering the ring like a man possessed, Daniels made quick work of the other side, and together Full Send took a pinfall victory that the MPW Board of Directors is likely going to be paying close attention to when considering the next title defense for the M.O.B.

Sexy Fabrizio DEFEATS Richie Coy

When two larger than life personalities like Richie Coy and Sexy Fabrizio enter the ring, it's hard to know what to expect, but you know for sure that it'll be entertaining – and this match was absolutely no exception. Things began with Coy doing a lot of posturing outside the ring, reluctant to tie up with Fabrizio, but ultimately they could not escape the Sexy One and the match got underway.

One might hope that, in their absence, Coy might have learned to fight fair, but such was not the case. More than once, they used deceit and trickery to try and gain an advantage over Fabrizio, not above lashing out with a rake to the eyes among other things. Fabrizio wasn't about to go down without a fight, and gave as good as he got – though, as Coy gained the upper hand on more than one occasion, some of his offense was very much limited to simply making sure he could kick out of one pinfall attempt after another.

It was effective, however, as the evenly matched pair struggled to get the job done. Coy grew increasingly frustrated with every kickout from Fabrizio, so much so that they finally resorted to flat out throttling Fabrizio in the middle of the ring. The loss of focus served Fabrizio well in the end, as he eventually got Coy into a submission hold, earning him a victory by tapout.

MAIN EVENT

Tag Team Match

Bad Medicine (Bulletproof/Dr. Phil Goode) DEFEATS Ray Rosas & Johnnie Robbie

Previously scheduled to be Ray Rosas and Barbie Boi against Bad Medicine, the absence of Barbie Boi meant that Rosas had to fill the slot with his protege, Johnnie Robbie. It was a good call on all fronts, as the duo have proven to be an exceptionally effective team in the past, and tonight was no exception. Robbie started the match against Bulletproof, turning the early contest into a solid mat game. Bulletproof, of course, had to resort to low tactics with gratuitous use of grabbing Robbie by the hair and trying to break her toes to stop her, but Robbie remained focused and proactive despite the dirty dealing by the more volatile half of Bad Medicine.

Her performance was a credit to her mentor, who couldn't have been prouder from their corner as he called out to the crowd that he taught her everything she knows. Rosas seemed happy to watch Robbie at work, but happier still for his chance to do some damage when the tag came. He held his own, ducking blows but falling to a clothesline from Phil Goode to turn the tide of the match in Bad Medicine's favor.

From there, it was a struggle to hold onto the advantage for Rosas and Robbie. Phil Goode used his size to full advantage against the smaller Robbie with an incredibly painful looking submission hold, and handed her over to Bulletproof for more punishment, keeping a firm hold on the match's momentum. Fortunately, Robbie got some offense in, ducking a blow from Bulletproof, delivering a kick to Phil, and making a tag to her partner.

Once in the ring, Rosas was on fire, taking on both men at once. Unwilling to let her partner fight alone, as Phil Goode took Rosas down, Robbie came in and took Phil down just as quickly.

...and then Hydie showed up.

The distant clatter of chains became audible during the final moments of the match before Hydie emerged from the locker room, whipping chains about and with eyes for Johnnie Robbie alone. The distraction did its job, and gave the win to Bad Medicine by pinfall thanks to the shift in Robbie's focus.

That's normally where the night would end...but Ray Rosas had reached a breaking point.

In the aftermath of the pinfall, Rosas promptly lost his cool, making his way to ringside to start destroying everything in his path: the ringside barricade, the stacks of unused chairs – the people in the audience swiftly gave the enraged captain of Team MPW a wide berth. He finally made his way back to the ring, where an equally horrified Johnnie Robbie apologized to her partner in hopes of calming him down.

Taking up the mic, Rosas told Robbie he wasn't angry at her. Rather, he was angry at Barbie Boi for his absence. Finally revealing that the champion's absence was due to personal reasons, Rosas flat out said that he didn't believe it. He didn't believe that Barbie Boi was gone for anything other than a fear of retribution from Rosas – clearly a reader of the X-Press, Rosas made it clear he did not believe that Barbie Boi attacked him as a matter of mistaken identity.

Rosas has heard the accusations on commentary, the whispers in the shadows: that Ray Rosas has lost his will, that the Tin Man has no heart. In fact, Rosas has heart and more, and poured it out to the MPW audience still reeling from his display of emotion. Realizing he'd grown complacent, that he had put the company and friendships first for too long, Ray Rosas was clear, focused, and impassioned as he chastised Barbie Boi for not being there, for not being the general he ought to be with the World Championship around his waist.

By his declaration, everyone was in trouble – and at Naughty Or Nice, Ray Rosas will be collecting his championship title shot as the King of Xtreme.

For Your Consideration

Naughty Or Nice is, at this point, set with a full card.

In the Naughty Or Nice Scramble, Danny Divine, Rebel Storm, Miggy Rose, Bulletproof, and Dr. Phil Goode will square off against Bryan Carter for blessings and curses galore.

Brendan Divine will fight J2 for the National Championship.

Johnnie Robbie and Auntie Hydie will square off for Holiday Hardcore.

Barbie Boi versus Ray Rosas for the MPW World Championship – and it's looking less and less like this will be a gentleman's contest. Prepare for a grudge match, because Ray Rosas is on the hunt.

And because the MPW Board of Directors is always paying attention, as a last minute update? It seems that Full Send caught their eye -- a rematch for the Tag Team Titles against M.O.B. will be happening at the event!

As we all know, however, anything can happen in Millennium Pro Wrestling – there may be more yet to see. Spur of the moment matches, last minute additions...there's a reason they say the card is subject to change, because in MPW the future is never certain.

This show will be the last one of the year – if you miss it, you're nuts, but don't worry. The X-Press will roll in with the details as they come.

Who are your picks to win? What do you think will be up for grabs at the Naughty Or Nice Scramble? Tell me what you think, and prepare for a debate because this reporter has some very definite ideas about how things will turn out.

[squaredcirclesirens]

RESULTS: RISE Wrestling - 'Luminous'

RISE Wrestling returned to South Gate, California tonight to hold RISE – LUMINOUS live on iPPV on Fite TV. The event featured Zoe Lucas defending her Phoenix of RISE title against Aerial Monroe alongside Rosemary vs. Cherry Bomb inside of a steel cage. Here are the results:

Dark Match: Viva Van defeated Auntie Hydie.

Dust with Delilah Doom defeated Vipress via Double Foot Stomp. After the match, Delilah Doom attacks Vipress until Cherry Bomb comes out and attacks both Dust & Delilah as Rosemary looks on.

Shotzi Blackheart defeated Miranda Alize via Cattle Mutilation Submission. After the match, Miranda refuses to leave the ring until Mercedes Martinez comes out and tells her to head to the back.

Big Mama defeated Ruby Raze with an Earthquake Splash.

Team SeaStars, Nicole Savoy & Cheerleader Melissa defeated The Killer Baes, Taya Valkyrie, and Simone Sherie in the second annual BaeVivor Series Match when The SeaStars forced The Killer Baes to tap out simultaneously.

Madison Rayne defeated Mercedes Martinez. After the match, Miranda Alize attacks Rayne and forms a team with Mercedes Martinez.

Zoe Lucas defeated Aerial Monroe to retain the Phoenix of RISE Championship following an inverted leg drop bulldog. Aerial had her hand on the ropes but the referee did not see it and afterwards, Monroe tossed the referee out of the ring due to frustration.

Rosemary defeated Cherry Bomb via Spear inside a Steel Cage after Dust and Delilah Doom interfered in the match. Following the match, Dust & Doom carry Cherry Bomb to the back.

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[beenbettercomic]

"Bite The Void"

I've been wanting to do a full comic strip of Auntie Hydie for a while.

They're a patron of mine and an awesome wrestler. Here's a bunch of their links.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

“Easily Impressed Void Tribute”

There are a few patrons in this strip.

I couldn't mention any voids without including the wrestler Auntie Hydie. Here are their links. You should definitely purchase their merchandise.

Then there's Michael Chick. An artist with an Instagram that you should definitely be following. They’re also on tumblr. @nameofthemaster

A3 Publishing is how my books get published and how you find me at conventions.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, sign up!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Turkey God"

I should really draw the sketches in these sketch request strips.

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Waited Long Enough"

There are a few patrons in this strip. Each of them have links to share.

There's Ronda Topp Orda-Bottom. An amazing burlesque dancer with an Instagram that you should be following.

There's Auntie Hydie. An awesome imaginary friend that turned wrestler. Here are there links.

Then there's Khan-Avila. A phenomenal immigration lawyer with an Instagram that you should be following.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Horror Brawl"

There are two patrons in this strip.

There's AJ Herrera of the indie comic publisher, @forbiddenpanel. Here is their website.

Then there's Auntie Hydie, ex-imaginary friend turned wrestler. Here's their links.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

“Zodiac Stock”

It's the end of the month, so as usual, I have some patron catching up to do.

There are a bunch of patrons on this.The one with a link to share is the awesome wrestler hiding in the shadows.

Here's Auntie Hydie's links!

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"The Cartooner"

That’s not actually my Wasteland name. Not sure if I have to create my own name or just let a name happen. Until then, I’ll just be Jimmy. Or a Wasteland version of that.

There’s a bunch of patrons in this strip. Every one of them has a link to mention.

There’s, the Jack of All Nerds, Michael Maxwell. @jackofallnerdsshow He has a YouTube channel filled with awesome nerdy content.

Then there’s Kat d. An awesome gamer with an Instagram that you should be following.

Then there’s Auntie Hydie. An awesome wrestler with a linktree for you to check out.

Then there’s the person asking for my help, Ronda Topp Orda-Bottom. An awesome burlesque dancer with an Instagram that you should be following.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Picky About Mario"

There's a bunch of patrons in this strip. One of the end-of-the-month catching up that I have to do. Because I'm a procrastinator.

Here are the links to share!

There's The Jack of All Nerds, Michael Maxwell. They are always creating nerdy content. You should subscribe to their YouTube channel. Here's their tumblr @jackofallnerdsshow

Then there's Auntie Hydie. An awesome wrestler. Here's a bunch of their links.

Then there's Ronda Topp Orda-Bottom. An awesome burlesque dancer. Here's their Instagram.

If you would like to make a cameo in a strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Ethical Chocolate"

All of the folks in the background are patrons of mine.

Those with links to mention are:

Michael Maxwell.@jackofallnerdsshow He's always making amazing nerdy content. Everyone should subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Then there's Khan-Avila. An awesome immigration lawyer with an Instagram for you to follow.

Hiding in that shadowy doorway is the amazing wrestler, Auntie Hydie. Here's a bunch of their links to stuff.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"No Specific Pose"

There are a few patrons in this strip. Two of them have links to mention.

There’s the amazing immigration lawyer, Khan-Avila. They have an Instagram that everyone should follow.

Then there’s Auntie Hydie, lurking behind my banner. A wrestler for the void with a bunch of links for you to enjoy.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Make It Bluer"

Someone: But Jimmy, your cartoon proves that a diversity of opinions would make for a better painting!

Me: But I'm not actually painting. I'm voting to protect Californians from conservative cruelty.

Here's one of those strips that I fill with patrons. Those patrons with links to be seen are Auntie Hydie and Michael Maxwell.

Auntie Hydie an awesome wrestler and an agent of the void. Here's a bunch of their links.

Michael Maxwell is the amazing Jack of All Nerds. They are constantly making more nerdy content. Here's their website.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Unanimous Hate Tribute"

Imagine a book that you really love. Now it's a movie and everyone is played by Chris Pratt.

There are a bunch of patrons in this strip. Two of them have links that need to be mentioned.

There's Attorney Khan-Avila. An amazing immigration lawyer with an Instagram that you should definitely follow.

There's Auntie Hydie. A fantastic wrestler with a bunch of links to all of their stuff.

Then there's Ronda Topp Orda-Bottom. An awesome burlesque performer with an Instagram that you should definitely follow.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

A3 Publishing is how all of the Been Better books are made.

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

"Pumpkin Attack"

Entering Midsummer Scream for the first time of the show is always such an absolute delight. Especially with the Paranormal Pixie's Pumpkin Patch being easily within view.

You should check out posts about their time at Midsummer Scream by going to the Paranormal Pixie's Instagram.

Speaking of links, Auntie Hydie is hiding in the shadows in that first panel. They're an awesome wrestler and here are their links.

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, become a patron!

-Jimmy Purcell.

[beenbettercomic]

“Santa Knows”

So many patrons in this strip.

I'm still trying to catch up on April's missed cameos before I start working on May's.

The patron lurking in the background of the last panel is Auntie Hydie. They're an awesome wrestler. Here's their links!

If you would like to be featured in a monthly strip, sign up!

-Jimmy Purcell.