Reality Check

[Ben M]

The scene opened backstage at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Britt Baker was in her locker room, watching old EBWF footage on her monitor. The footage was from Wrestlemania 19, where Britt Baker had made her EBWF debut against the woman she was facing again that evening, Becky Lynch. As Britt watched herself submit to the Dis-arm-her, she signed. Baker then turned to face the camera and began to speak.

Britt Baker: Who’s ready for story-time with Dr Britt Baker, DMD? My opponent tonight, Becky Lynch, likes to tell a lot of stories, but tonight’s story is about yours truly giving Becky a reality check. Becky, I don't know you’ve been hitting the Irish coffees a little too hard, but just so we’re clear, Hollywood is a place for actual stars... not those who just think they are. If you listen to Becky Lynch, she’d have you believe she’s a Hollywood action star. In fact, for a while, there were even rumours that Becky was going to quit wrestling altogether to focus on her acting career... rumours Becky started, by the way. And I know why you started those rumours, Becky. It was to try and mask your frustration at how your wrestling career is going. It’s sad, really, how far you’ve fallen.

Britt looked back at the monitor, which had paused on an image of Becky Lynch standing over Britt Baker, celebrating her victory.

Britt Baker: Let's rewind the tape, shall we? EBWF Wrestlemania 19, March 2020. That's where it all began for me; that’s where I made my in-ring debut for EBWF. I signed my EBWF contract, and I challenged Becky to a match, wanting to make a statement by getting a win over one of the biggest stars in the women’s division. Becky and I got to open the show, and instead of getting the debut victory I had dreamed of, Becky made me tap out. Even watching it back now, almost four years later, I can admit the better woman won that night. There’s no doubt about it; I didn’t deserve to win that night. But that was then... this is now. Since that day, I've risen from the ashes like a phoenix. I've worked my way up, scratched and clawed my path to the top. In January 2022, after two years of blood, sweat and tears, I won the Last Survivor match, earning a shot at the Women’s Championship. I went on to beat Alexa Bliss at Fallout in a no disqualification, 30-minute Iron Woman match, becoming the EBWF Women's Champion. I got my hands on a title that, try as she might, Becky Lynch has never managed to wrap around her waist. You see Becky, you might have beaten me in my EBWF debut match, and then beat me again a few months later... but since those losses, I’ve gone from strength to strength, while your career has been in decline. That’s why you’ve attached yourself to Alexa Bliss and Liv Morgan, arguably the two biggest losers on the EBWF roster. Remind me, how many broken bones does Brittle Miss Bliss have at the moment? Or is it Liv Morgan who’s injured now? I lose track, but it seems like one of them always has something bandaged up. The three of you call yourselves Rebellious Angels, but all I see is a trio who are desperate to try and stay relevant. And honestly, the three of you are lucky to still have jobs after that snuff movie.

Baker shook her head in disgust, then continued speaking.

Britt Baker: Becky, in Hollywood and wherever else you’re filming those home-made movies of yours, you can play make-believe all you want. You can write yourself as the hero you so desperately want to be. But in that ring, under those lights, you’ve got to face reality. You’ve got to face up to the fact that you’ve gone from being a woman who seemed to be the EBWF Women’s Champion in waiting, to being nothing more than a Hollywood wannabe and Alexa Bliss’ lackey. I’m not sure which of those things is worse. I only ever wanted to be two things in life – a wrestler and a dentist – and I’m lucky enough to get to do both, successfully. You see Becky, while you were daydreaming about red carpets and flashing lights, I’ve been here, busting my ass, earning the respect of the EBWF fans. I may no longer be Women’s Champion, but I know I will hold that title again. Your victories over me back in 2020 were an early chapter in my story. It was a chapter of disappointment for me, but the story since then has been much more positive. For every setback, there’s a comeback. Tonight, the story continues, and when I stand tall over you... when I make you tap out this time... I will prove that my rise to the top was no fluke. So, Becky, enjoy your Hollywood dreams and your delusions of grandeur, but remember, in that squared circle, I’m a star you just can’t measure up to.

Baker smirked, looking confident as the scene came to a close.