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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:39:33 GMT
Originally posted by Man. BREAKING IN “This interview is being conducted by DS Cartridge and DC Gabriel at ten-thirty on the morning of Thursday, tenth of November 2022 at Abbey Wood Police Station. Mister Peacock, do you understand that this interview is being recorded and that you remain under caution at this time?” The younger of the two detectives said as he looked up from his notes on the desk towards Chris Peacock.
Chris stared blankly at the younger but more senior detective, and then to his female partner, who was not leading the interview. He finally snapped back into the room and sat up slightly in the cold metal seat that had been provided to him, but the handcuffs around his wrists prevented him from becoming truly comfortable, no matter how he sat. “Hmm? Oh, yeah.”
It was an empty response. He didn’t care if he was being recorded or not. It was not going to change anything. It wasn’t going to change how he had thrown away the biggest opportunity of his life and obliterated any and all aspirations that he had for himself. Cartridge and Gabriel might as well have been interrogating thin air. Chris’s extremely unkempt appearance and defeated demeanour was not going to stop the two diligent detectives from trying, though.
“Good. So, as you were made aware by the arresting officers, PCs Michaels and… Knotting… you have been arrested under the suspicion of aggravated assault and trespassing.” Cartridge stopped reading from his notes and then motioned for Chris to address him. “Is there anything that you’d like to say about those charges, Mister Peacock? Anything you’d like to say to assist us in our line of enquiries?”
There was silence in the room as Chris considered his options. How was he supposed to play this? It was over. Nothing mattered anymore. Everything he had worked towards had ultimately been for nothing, and he had no one but himself to blame. The female detective, Gabriel, reached forward and touched his hand, causing him to recoil slightly and feel the strain of his handcuffs even more. “Chris, this will work out better for you in the long run if you decide to cooperate with us. How about we start with when you arrived in the UK? Your travel records show that you landed into Heathrow Airport at around this time yesterday.”
There it was. The one thing that Chris knew he could not afford to hold on to at the moment. Hope. He knew in the pit of his stomach that these were just formalities and they had everything that they needed already. The last thing he wanted right now was the carrot being dangled in front of him only to get the stick later on. Hope was not helpful. No matter what he felt though and how desperate his situation was, he could not let that faint glimmer of hope fade. He’d tried giving up before and it didn’t suit him.
Chris took a deep breath, and he began to tell the detectives about his arrival into the country the day prior. 10:30am Wednesday, November 9 - Heathrow Airport
Chris Peacock was on the top of the world. He strutted through Heathrow Airport on the morning of Wednesday the 9th of November, pulling the large suitcase he had brought with him for the FWA’s European tour with his right hand. In his left? Well, it was only the most important thing that he has ever owned in his entire life. The Golden Opportunity briefcase.
It mattered not to Chris whether it was the golden briefcase that all of his fellow passengers were looking at, or if it was just the fancily-dressed man who was exuding confidence from every single pore of his body. For once, everything in Chris Peacock’s life felt like it was just going right. Outlasting six of the best that the FWA had to offer and walking out with the stick of dynamite that could blow Executive Excellence’s entire operation down in three seconds felt good.
Chris was not going to be journeying through the continent on his own, either. He’d taken a first class flight (his treat), accompanied by three men that he allowed to penetrate his inner circle; Allen Price and the Diamond Dogs boys - Slick Rick and Sonny D. If Danny Toner could have a back up crew in place, why couldn’t he? Not that Chris thought he needed any assistance when push would come to shove with Executive Excellence after their performance inside the Steel Roulette at Lights Out.
Despite the luxuriousness of their flight, Allen was still dissatisfied. He was not used to being catered for or pampered and failed to abide with any of the unwritten rules of travelling in first class. His exuberance and excitement on the plane resulted in him being told to quieten down by the majority of the other passengers on the flight. His neck roll was also confiscated by a flight attendant, so he rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “Chris, thank you for the flights, but I’ve got to say that I don’t think this long-distance travel suits me. Why are we in Europe again?”
Sonny and Rick walked on as Allen paused and looked around, almost causing Chris to walk into him. “Allen, what’s the fucking problem, man? Why all of the complaining? We won! We did it! There’s nothing to be upset about at the moment, we’ve got our ticket.” It was a change in dynamic with Chris being the one to pick Allen’s spirits up, but Chris did see that Price appreciated the comments.
Allen looked down and released his bag, and fiddled with the handle. “You know, Chris, I’m truly happy to see you like this. With how hard you’ve worked and everything you’ve had to go through to get to this point, to see you with the pressure off-”
“Oh shit!” Chris said loudly, totally interrupting Allen. “She’s choking! Ma’am! I’m coming!”
Chris then bumped past Allen, knocking the latter to the ground, and he quickly grabbed the middle-aged woman gagging on the Subway sandwich that she was trying to engulf seemingly all in one go. “Come! On!” Chris urged as he gripped his hands under her diaphragm and wrenched back on her body, and after a few attempts at the Heimlich manoeuvre, a mixture of half-chewed bread and salami shot out of the woman’s mouth.
As he picked himself up from the floor, Allen looked over to see that Chris was being surrounded by an applauding crowd and the woman hugged him as thanks. He shook his head as he heard Chris declaring that “Choking is NOT something that happens on my watch, anymore, motherfuckers!”—————— “Sounds like you’re something of a hero, then?” Cartridge said in a condescending manner. “It surprises me that we’ve managed to end up with such an upstanding member of society sitting here in our interview room for aggravated assault that has left a man in hospital.”
Despite his mood perking up slightly after being able to recount the heroics that he displayed the day prior, he felt some of the colour in his face re-fade when Cartridge brought up the condition of the other man that was involved in the altercation. “Is he okay?”
“How about we let the professionals worry about that, because you’ve got plenty of things to worry about right here.” The DS smirked as Chris backed down and hunched his shoulder slightly, the power dynamic in the room changing. “What is it you’re even doing in London, anyway? We’ve seen some of your employer’s advertising and there’s a show in Hyde Park this evening, but I can’t see anything about you being on this show? You’re supposed to be facing… Cyrus Truth… this weekend in… Denmark?! So what brings you to the UK, Chris? Was hospitalising a station guard the sole purpose of your visit?”
The dry sarcasm of Cartridge caused Chris’s blood to boil and at that moment he wished for nothing more than to jump across the table and shut him up. He’d nothing left to lose at this point, with the exception of that increasingly-smaller piece of hope that he’d found a few minutes earlier. “I’m here for Danny Toner.”
The two detectives looked at each other in a nonplussed way for a few seconds and then back to Peacock. “Ah, Danny Toner, then. He’s supposed to be here in London because he does have a match on this show tonight. That doesn’t explain to me why you’re here. This Danny Toner chap is a future victim of yours, then?”
“Yes.”
The short and immediate answer took the detectives by surprise. Chris couldn’t help but break a small smile upon seeing that. “He has something that I want, and I’m going to wait until the right moment to take it from him. Or I was, anyway.”
“I see.” DC Gabrielle chimed in again, using a soft voice. It was another attempt to be the good cop to Cartridge’s bad, but Chris saw straight through it. “He’s got something you want. So you’re going to need to fill a couple of gaps for us, Chris. Where does this Cyrus Truth fit into all of this?”
Where does Cyrus Truth fit into all of this? It was a thought that had scampered around Chris’s mind several times in the last couple of weeks, ever since he and Cyrus had been drawn in the same pool in the F1 Climaxxx. Was he an obstacle in the way? Was he someone Chris should take seriously as a threat? These thoughts had lingered and developed in the back of his mind. 14:00pm Wednesday, November 9 - Searcys at The Gherkin
“This means that where Danny Toner is, I will also be there. I don’t want Danny to be able to close his eyes without thinking of me bringing everything that he has built crashing down around him. Executive Excellence may think that they run the game, but you’re looking at the most valuable player, folks.” Referring to the Golden Opportunity briefcase on the table in front of him, Chris believed that he had the crowd of one hundred or so journalists and media professionals eating out of the palm of his hand.
Little did he know, he did not. The assembled guests had in fact just endured a ten minute tirade about how Chris has overcome his failures and now it is nothing more than a matter of time before he would be calling himself the FWA World Champion. He even retold the story of saving the woman in the airport. The Londoners were not as vocal of their disdain towards Peacock as the New Orleans crowd at Lights Out were, and as a result of this, Chris came off as incredibly oblivious.
“You there! The man in the rather fascinating yellow jumper!” Chris pointed at one man in the rabble with his hand up in the air, who had been patiently waiting for several minutes to ask his question. Chris sipped on a glass of champagne as he waited for the question to be asked.
“Thank you, Chris. Jim Phillips, Independent. You’ve spoken at length about your future intentions for the Golden Opportunity briefcase and Danny Toner, but what about Cyrus Truth? You have a match with him this Saturday, thoughts on that?” Jim sat down and Chris slowly nodded his head.
“I’ve been thinking about Cyrus Truth a lot, Jim.” Chris sat forward in his seat and looked towards Allen who nodded. “In fact, I was talking to Allen about him on the flight over here this morning. Allen thinks that I should sit here and talk about the fact that Cyrus Truth is a legend of this business and having the chance to compete against someone of his calibre is a sign that I’ve finally made something out of myself in this business and in the FWA. I think that’s a load of shit. No offence, Allen.”
The look on Allen’s face indicated that there was in fact offence, but Chris jabbed his finger into the top of the briefcase on the table in front of him. “You want proof of me making something of myself in the FWA? It’s right here. I’m doing this tournament because I can. I could sit here and try to paint Cyrus out as someone who is past it and can’t keep up with me, but that’d be stupid. To write him off as a threat to me winning this tournament and solidifying my position would be stupid. That being said, I’m going to beat him… because I can.”
With a smirk filling the corner of his mouth, Chris scans the room and sees a number of hands raise. Allen puts his head in his hands. Jim Phillips stands up again, and his garish yellow jumper causes him to stand out from the crowd once again. “Jim, go for it again.”
“Thank you, Chris… I suppose my follow up to that would be about your attitude. I think that you’re being clearly dismissive of Cyrus whilst trying to make out that you are taking this match seriously. I’m sure you can draw on your experience against him before, but those were in multi-person situations. On Saturday, it is going to just be the two of you. You’ve got nowhere to run.”
“Why would I be running?” Chris asked, incredulously. “Cyrus has been consistently one of the best performers in the FWA for fuck knows how long now. That’s not an accident, but why is he dedicating his time to whining and complaining? All he wants is a title shot, right? Why hasn’t he gone out and won one yet? He’s been in Carnal Contenderships, Golden Opportunity and that Bounty thing, but he’s not won?”
“Two fucking years I’ve been called a choker and a loser, but what about him? Why is Cyrus just exempt from all of that? Cyrus hasn’t got a title shot because he hasn’t earned one. That’s the plain and simple fact. He can say he’s not been given the opportunities, but he’s had the same chances as everyone else. I’m sure you think that I should be concerned or worried about facing him, but I’m not. Cyrus has the sure, but he’s like a shark with no teeth.”
Chris pointed onto the briefcase again. “I won this. Fair and square. When Gabrielle wanted to cash in on it, no one batted an eyelid. When Nova did, everyone was excited. Now, what about when it's me? Why are you talking to me about my attitude? Like Cyrus is going to put me in my place or something? My place is as a future FWA World Champion. If Cyrus wants to do something about that then I suggest he brings his A-game on Saturday. He’s been on the block for a long time, but he’s never faced anyone like me before”
That comment was met with groans from the people in the room, but Chris scoffed. “What is it with you people over here and sentiment? You’re so content with everything being the same and when something changes it's this whole massive deal! Cyrus Truth’s time at the top is over, get over it. Better yet have a fucking four day funeral or whatever it was when that Queen of yours died, huh? Talk about someone overstaying their welcome, am I right?”
The atmosphere in the room became immediately hostile, with the crowd full of Brits not taking the jibe at their monarchy very well. “You know what? Fuck this. You want to tell me that I’ve changed? Yeah, I have. I’m not a loser anymore! I’m not the silly dancing guy that you can all laugh at anymore and I’m not a desperate monster either. I’m a fucking winner… I’m Peacock Prime, motherfuckers!”
Chris grabbed his briefcase and walked behind the press wall that had been constructed. Allen did not immediately follow and Chris heard him attempting to appease the baying mob that he had left behind. With a shake of his head, he left.
—————— “Sounds like you’re something of an opportunist, then? Quite insecure as well, I’d say. Is that why you hospitalised Keith Trundle? Why his wife and kids are sitting by his bedside at the moment, wondering when he can come home?” Cartridge pressed, and as he did, Chris’s urge to lash out at him increased. “Sounds to me like this Cyrus Truth is someone that you see that’s just in your way, but all they are doing is what they’re supposed to do. Sounds a lot like Keith Trundle before you fractured his skull last night.”
Chris stayed silent, his head facing the floor in between his feet.
“Do you have a problem with authority?”
The direct question asked by Cartridge caused Chris to look up. He went to speak but he thought for a moment about how he would answer. “No.” He lied.
“Do you require constant attention? Some of the things that you’ve been saying suggest to me that you’re jealous of how well this Cyrus Truth is regarded. Why else would you be comparing yourself to him? What does it matter to you that he wants the same thing as you?”
“Because I’m the one that matters!” Chris said, slamming his hands down on the table through the handcuffs. “Everyone gets in a line to lick his boots and I don’t play like that! Just because he’s been there a long time, we’ve all got to bow down to him. Fuck that. I can show respect where it is due, but I’m not going to play along with the charade that Cyrus Truth is entitled to anything more than kissing my ass!”
After calming down, Chris leant back in his chair once again. Cartridge remained stoic, but a small grin formed on his face. “So you do have a problem with authority. You don’t like the established hierarchy and with this briefcase you’re able to skip the queue. I can see why that wouldn’t make you popular with your peers. You’re acting entitled.”
“You don’t know a thing about me, man.” Chris said, now getting openly frustrated with the DS. “I earned my shot. No one can take it away from me.”
“Perhaps we should see how the ongoing investigation goes first, though.” Gabriel said, popping up back into the conversation. “I think we should talk about the incident itself that led to you being here, Chris. Can you walk us through your version of events?” 03:15am Thursday, November 10 - Farringdon Station
Chris rounded the corner and arrived at the tube station, but he found that the main entrance of Farringdon station was barricaded up. In an intoxicated state after a night out with Sonny and Rick (both of which he lost in a club in Soho), Chris failed to notice the other entrance to the tube station immediately behind him. Instead, he got to work on forcing the doors open.
The large metal fencing was not going to be moved by the combined might of one man, who could barely stand on his own two feet. Still, despite how poorly equipped he was, he tried. He used his hands, feet and at one point attempted to bite through the railing. Various passers by watched Chris through his many failed attempts.
He turned around and completely missed the other entrance as he scanned the immediate area for something he could use to force entry. At this point, he did not think that what he was doing was illegal or wrong; his goal was to get where he needed to go. The moral dilemmas needed to be ignored for now whilst it was time for business.
An unsuspecting homeless man found himself accosted by the jazzy-looking American man and Chris did not hesitate to rifle through the man’s few belongings that he stored in the shopping trolley that he used as the main form of storage for the various belongings that he had accumulated. Chris dumped a lot of his trinkets and tat on the floor, but a metal plumbing pipe was just the kind of thing that Chris was looking for. Chris didn’t even thank the homeless man after he had disrespected his belongings, and he paid no attention as he turned his attention back to the large cast-iron gate.
He wedged the pipe in between the opening of the doors and shimmied it as much as he could to loosen it, but it did not move. No matter how hard he tried, he still could not get the gate to open.
“HEY!” Shouted a voice from the open entrance of Farringdon station, and a security guard dressed in standard tfl uniform walked out, pointing at Chris. He was a middle-aged white man and keen observers could see his security pass which read ‘Keith Trundle’. “You can’t do that! Stop or I’m going to call the police!”
“Fuck off!” Chris shouted back without even looking or stopping what he was doing, and he soon found himself having to wrestle for the pipe. He turned around and Keith had his hands on the pipe, but Chris snatched it away from him. “I’m trying to get through! You can’t stop me, so get lost!”
“Sir, you cannot do that. Please put the pipe down or I will call the police.” Keith stood his ground, trying to calm himself down. “You can use the alternative entrance-”
“No, I’ll use this entrance, thank you. Now, get the fuck out of here.” Chris dismissed the security guard and then went back to the fence.
Keith stood with his hands on his hips and then he unfastened the radio from his upper arm and spoke into it. “I’ve got an attempted break-in here at Farringdon, there’s some guy with- ugh.”
A loud thud followed, being the sound of Keith’s body hitting the pavement and Chris standing over him with the pipe in his hand. Several screams followed from some onlookers and Chris noticed the homeless man abandoning his trolley to book it away from the scene. Chris looked down at Keith and found himself sobering up almost immediately as he realised what he had done by lashing out.
Blood dripped from the pipe onto the pavement and a separate pool of blood began to form around the head of the downed security guard. The groaning and laboured breathing from the guard evidenced to Chris that he had not killed this man, but he was not in a good way. Chris panicked, unsure of what to do or where to go. He lashed out in a moment of madness.
The decision was taken out of Chris’s hands in mere seconds though as he saw the reflection of blue lights down the road and two police cars making their way towards him.
—————— “I felt awful about it, as soon as it happened. I just lost it, but I knew what I was doing. I remember it all so vividly. I don’t know, I’ve kind of just conditioned myself to think of people as obstacles that I need to get past. I wanted to get into that station, so fucking badly.” Chris said as he forced a year to return to his eye. “Attacking the man did not get me into that station. It was all for nothing. It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.”
“He could have just let me be. I’ve tried telling myself that; that he brought it on himself, but he didn’t. All he was doing was what he was supposed to do, but clearly that isn’t enough to keep someone safe around me when I am like that.”
It angered Chris that Cartridge was so right about him before, about how entitled he is. Chris can talk about Cyrus Truth having a chip on his shoulder, there is no one in the FWA more desperate to prove themselves right now than Chris Peacock. People have expectations of him - he is the champion in waiting. He can’t show weakness, even if it means having to follow through and hurt people if they’re trying to stop him.
Cyrus Truth finds himself in the same position as Keith Trundle did. He is the one trying to stop Chris from breaking into the upper echelons of the FWA. Surely, if Cyrus Truth can win against Chris Peacock then he will only have more ammunition for demanding the title shot that he feels like he is owed. Chris can’t let that happen. He can’t afford to. Beating Cyrus Truth is necessary to proving that he deserves to eat at the top table.
He can’t stop there, though. No one else in the F1 Climaxxx is safe, either. Eleven people for Chris to prove himself better than; a myriad of former and current champions. Then at the end of it all waits Danny Toner.
Chris got so far away in his thoughts that he forgot where he was for the moment. All of that is moot anyway, because Chris is about to be put away for what he did to the security guard. There was glee on the face of Cartridge as he tidied his papers up. “Well, I think that we have everything we need to call for charges, Peacock. We are charging you with-”
“You will do no such thing.” A fourth voice said, entering the room briskly. Chris looked up at the man and he screwed his face up slightly, because he did recognise the man, he just could not remember where. “Not until I have had the opportunity to confer with my client.”
The two detectives seemed very annoyed as they rose from their seats, realising that they had to give Chris and this new person some time to themselves. The man, dressed in a smart grey suit and holding a briefcase of his own, waited for Cartridge and Gabriel to leave before closing the door behind them.
“Who are you?” Chris asked the man as he sat down. “Where did you come from?”
“Well, my name is not important but if you must have it, you can call me James Bennett. My employer received word that you were being detained here and he sent me here to get you out of this.”
“Who is your employer?”
“Rupert Watkins.”
Chris shook his head and pounded his fist on the table; the mere mention of Rupert’s name causing anger to surge through his body. “What does that piece of shit want?”
“What he wants,” The man adjusted his glasses. “Is for you to hold up your end of the agreement. Do I need to refresh your memory? He doesn’t pursue you for breach of contract and uses his remaining connections in the FWA to secretly ensure you take that final slot in Steel Roulette and in exchange you…”
“Claim the FWA World Championship and bring those traitorous bastards crashing down to Earth.” Chris said, taking over from the aide. “I remember what he said and what we agreed.”
“So you agree that getting yourself arrested is jeopardising that? You’re lucky that Mister Watkins has the connections that he does, because you’re about to be allowed to walk out of that door a free man. Tonight though, if the opportunity is there… you do not hesitate. You cash in, got it?”
Chris nods his head slowly, reluctantly showing his understanding of the agreement made between himself and Rupert Watkins prior to his returning after the Anniversary Show.
Chris had once again made himself a deal with the devil. He did not know whether he would live to regret putting his faith in the man who has mentally manipulated him on multiple occasions, but if Chris was looking for his way through the door, Rupert was the one with the key… |
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:40:06 GMT
Originally posted by Tommy. Life Changes
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity. It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness. It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
The real problem was, Tommy Bedlam had no idea that it was the worst of times. He wasn’t aware of the impending season of darkness. Nor did he realize that the winter of despair’s cold, bitter winds were blowing in faster than the spring of hope could possibly fend them off.
As the referee’s hand hit the mat surrounding the outside of the ring three times, Tommy felt himself exercising the demons of his past. The X-Rules match at Lights Out had been every bit as brutal as Tommy assumed it would be. The fight had seen Tommy and Jason battle through the concession area, into the bathroom, and finally back to the ring.
At one point during the match, Jason doubled Tommy over with a chair shot to the stomach. Tommy knew was coming next, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. As he gasped for air, Randall delivered a brutal chair shot against Tommy’s spine. The same spine that Jason had damaged roughly six months ago. As Tommy crumbled to the floor, his mind went back to the surgeries that he had gone through to repair the damage. His career flashed before his eyes as Jason rained down another blow with the chair on his back. Then another. And another. In the midst of a crowd that was screaming, Tommy was deafened by the silence.
Was he about to lose to Jason Randall again? Moreover, was his career really going to end like this. In that moment, his mind went back to Uncle Jimmy, the man who had overcome his own wildcard the weekend before. Endued with a power that he could not explain, Tommy started fighting back.
As he dangled off the apron over a table that had been set up at ringside, he experienced another flash back. Months before, the week after Jason had broken his back, Tommy crashed through a table in a match with Joe Burr that ended in a no contest. He never should’ve been in the match, but cowboys rarely know when to walk away. After battling his way back into the ring and away from the table, Tommy saw the chair flying towards him yet again. In his heart of hearts, he knew if Randall made contact, things were over. The match would certainly end, and his career may soon follow.
After dodging the chair shot and trying to create some separation between himself and The Wildcard, Tommy lay there, nearly motionless as he watched Jason empty a small bag of thumbtacks onto the mat. He had seen spots like this in the past, and he knew what was coming next. Somehow, he managed to fight himself free of Jason and spinebuster Randall into the thumbtacks. Suddenly, the blood that flowed from Tommy’s head mixed with the blood that was seeping from Randall’s back on the mat.
Suddenly, it was Randall who needed to create some separation between himself and Tommy. As he rolled onto the apron, Tommy saw his opportunity. Suddenly, he lunged forward with a size-13 boot that caught Randall flush across the chin. The Buckshot Superkick landed perfectly, and Randall crashed through the same table that he had sat up. Tommy crawled out of the ring, onto his fallen foe. The ref counted.
1…
2…
3…
The bell rang, the crowd cheered, and for a moment, Tommy forgot about the searing pain coursing through his back.
It truly was the best of times. Unfortunately, all of that was about to change.
Tommy looked around ringside to see if Randi, his new “friend” whom he had gotten a front-row ticket for was there. He had noticed her during his entrance but managed to avoid looking towards her during the match. Defeating Jason Randall was going to require his full attention. She wasn’t there. Seriously?! She missed the end of the match?!
Tommy’s disappointment was short-lived. He made his way up the ramp, held his arm up in the air as the crowd threw their support behind The Cowboy.
As he made his way through the curtain, Rocco Sullivan leapt out of his chair at the gorilla position. He had wanted to accompany his on-again/off-again client to the ring, but the two had decided it would be best if Rocco stayed in the back. The nature of an X-Rules match made ringside an unsafe place.
“Holy hell, kid! You did it. You got past Randall.”
Tommy felt compelled to hug the man who had returned to his corner, but he knew that Rocco would never go for a bloody, sweat soaked hug. His suits were far too expensive for that. Instead, Tommy extended a hand that Rocco shook. The two made their way towards Tommy’s locker room as Tommy grabbed a towel from a backstage staffer and wiped the mix of sweat and blood from his own face.
He walked over to a chair in the corner, opened a bottle of water, and took a gulp. He poured the rest of the water into the towel and started wiping his face.
“Listen, they haven’t made any announcements yet, but you know I know people. That win right there has you a spot in the F1 Climaxxx. You have the option to decline, but you know I don’t think you should.”
“Decline? Why would I decline a spot in the F1?! Tell ‘em I’m in.”
Rocco immediately started pecking away at his cellphone.
“When will I know what pool I’m gonna be in? Any word on who I’m gonna face?”
“Well, that’s the thing. Since you took the spot, you’re probably gonna be starting out against the winner of Black and Toner.”
“The winner of Black and Toner? So, I’m getting the World Champion in the first round?! How did that happen.”
“Well, the official draw hasn’t been announced yet, but a lot of this stuff has been set into motion for weeks. You’ve spent your whole life working for a moment like this.”
“Yea, I know. But holy shit, Rocco. You really think I’m ready for a match like that?”
“I know you are. The work you put in going into this Randall match, the roll you’ve been on since you came back, all of it. You’re ready for whoever they put you against.”
“Well, guess I need to stick around and see who wins that one.”
Tommy was somewhere between thrilled at the prospect of getting into the F1 Climaxxx and riddled with anxiety that he was going to be leading off against the FWA World Champion, whoever he may be. He reached into his bag and pulled out his cellphone. There was a text from Randi. Tommy responded:“Rocco, can you head to the backdoor and get them to let Randi in? I’m gonna grab a quick shower.”
Tommy wanted to be happy, but he couldn’t get past the fact that Randi’s text said there was an emergency. He had just received news that had the potential to change his entire career, but something had to be wrong back home.
He came out of the shower area, having already put on a pair of jeans. His wet hair fell across his exposed back, and he could immediately tell by the looks on the faces of Randi and Rocco that something was seriously wrong.
"What happened to him?”
Tommy knew something had to be wrong with Jimmy. There was no other emergency that would’ve caused Randi to need to see him in person.
“Mom said that something happened a few hours ago. They’ve done one surgery already to stop some internal bleeding, but there’s an issue with some infection. Tommy, I’m so sorry, but she said you need to get there to tell him goodbye. He’s still there, but they aren’t sure how much longer they can keep him alive.”
Keep him alive?! He was fine when Tommy had left him. They were joking about him spitting into a bedpan. He was already talking about getting a shot at the Texas Rodeo Championship.
“Rocco, when can you get me on a flight?”
“I’ve got you a ticket on a Delta flight. Last seat they had. Leaves in an hour and should take about an hour and forty-five minutes.”
Tommy threw on a black t-shirt, grabbed his bag, and headed to the door. Suddenly, he stopped and turned around. He looked at Randi.
“Wait, what about you?”
“My flight leaves in the morning. I had kinda planned on us spending the evening together after the show. Just go. I’ll meet you back home tomorrow.”
Tommy pulled his ballcap down low over his eyes, ran down the corridor of the arena, out the back door, and jumped into the rental car that he had brought to Lights Out. He pointed it north towards the airport and stood on the gas.
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A drive that should’ve taken 30 minutes took 15. Tommy threw the car in park, tossed the keys to a valet, and ran into the airport. He made his way to the Gate B10 and explained the situation. The gate attendant had already spoken to Rocco on the phone, and she had his boarding pass ready for him.
Tommy made his way to his seat, threw his bag in the overhead compartment, and silently waited on the flight to take off. A lovely flight attendant, a woman Tommy would usually notice, came around and asked him if he would like a beverage. He had sworn off alcohol after his drug and alcohol induced stupor that Rocco had found him in more than a month ago.
“I’ll take a beer.”
Within minutes, she returned with his beer as the plane began to roll down the runway. Tommy looked out the window as the airport began to grow smaller. He took a long drink, realized the beer was empty and motioned for the flight attendant. He held the beer up to her, and she went to find him another.
The next hour and 45 minutes were going to feel like an eternity. Tommy knew he would need something to take the edge off.
A little more than an hour into the flight, Tommy’s phone dinged. It was a text from Rocco. Tommy didn’t even respond. A match against Toner should be the highlight of his FWA career. When he originally signed on, he had dreamt of a moment like this. When he fought in his first match, the Battle Royal, and turned it into a Gauntlet Championship match, he thought about the idea of one day getting into a tournament like the F1.
Now, he wondered if any of it really mattered. When he beat Randall, he felt like he was on the highest high of his career. When Rocco delivered the news of the spot in the F1, somehow, things got even better. This whole thing with Jimmy just seemed like the pattern of Tommy’s life. Two steps forward, three steps back.
Tommy knew that Rocco would be putting together a thorough film study on Danny Toner, but nobody around the FWA wasn’t already familiar with his work. After all, Toner was the top of the mountain in FWA.
He had seen every match of Toner’s over the course of the last year. Even when he was out with his back injury, he kept up with what was going on in the FWA, and if you followed the FWA, you followed Danny Toner.
Tommy should’ve been focused on enjoying the news he had received and getting ready for a match against the champion. Instead, he was wondering how much longer the flight was going to last. He ordered another beer, his fourth of the flight, and the flight attendant let him know that she was going to have to cut him off.
Did she know who he was? Four beers in a nearly two-hour span weren’t enough to do anything. Screw it. They could do what they wanted. He’d get more to drink when he got home.
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Rocco had thought of everything and had a second rental car waiting on Tommy when he landed at the tiny airport in Sweetwater, Texas. Suddenly, home was the last place that he wanted to be. He jumped into a tiny Ford Focus and set out for the hospital.
It was 2:15 AM when Tommy walked through the front doors of the hospital. Randi had texted Tommy that Jimmy was in room 828. The eighth floor of the hospital was intensive care. Tommy knew that.
As he got off the elevator on the eighth floor, he immediately saw Suzy sitting in the waiting area. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. She stood up and made her way towards Tommy.
“What happened? He was fine when I left here.”
“The doctors said that the internal damage must have been worse than they thought. He’s septic, and his body is struggling to fight off the infection.”
“Worse than they thought?! They’re doctors! Shouldn’t they know about this kind of thing. How was it worse than they thought?”
“The injury to the spleen and the liver also messed up something in his intestines. There was so much blood in there from the liver damage and his spleen, they couldn’t see it. It didn’t show up in any scans.”
“I’ve gotta get back there and see him.”
“Visiting hours don’t start for another 4 hours. I’m not sure they’ll let you in.”
“They’ll let me in, or they’ll haul me out of here in a cop car.” Tommy went to the small reception desk outside the ICU and told the unit secretary who he was.“I’m sorry sir but visiting hours don’t start until 6:00 AM.”
“I’m well aware. But I just flew straight from New Orleans to get here because I was told that you people are trying to keep him alive long enough for me to say goodbye.”
“I’m sorry sir. Visiting hours start at 6:00 in the morning.”
“Yea, I’ve heard about that. Is Dr. Beckett here?”
“Hang on a moment. I’ll page him.”
Dr. Beckett, the same elderly doctor who had performed the surgery on Jimmy appeared at the unit’s desk with a concerned look on his face.
“It’s OK, Tammy. He can come on back with me.”
Tommy wanted to be relieved that he was going to be allowed to go see Jimmy. However, in his gut, he knew that if a doctor was breaking hospital protocol, things had to be bad. Really, really bad.
As he stepped into the small room, he was immediately overwhelmed by the number of tubes flowing into his uncle’s body. The man had more IV bags hanging around his bed than Tommy had ever seen. Couldn’t any of them help? When he had left Jimmy, his color was good, his eyes were vibrant, and he was making plans for his next rodeo appearance. Now, only a few days later, Jimmy looked like a corpse already.
A sickening greenish-grey color had taken over his face. His eyes were closed, and each breath that he took seemed labored. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, and Tommy was sure that it was only a matter of time.
“Jimmy?”
Tommy’s whisper could barely be heard over the beeping of the machines. If he was being honest with himself, he would admit he didn’t really want to wake his uncle, his hero up. However, as he pulled a chair closer to the side of his bed, the screeching sound the small wooden chair made against the cheap tile floor caused Jimmy to open his eyes.
“Hey, you made it.”
Jimmy’s voice was weak, and every word seemed to require more effort than the patient had to give.
“Of course I made it. I gotta drive you home when you get out of here.”
Tommy knew there would be no drive home. So did Jimmy.
“I’d say you’ll be able to leave the truck in park, bub. Doctors say I won’t be going home.”
“What do they know?”
“They know a whole lot more than you or me. Say, I saw that match against Randall. Suzy set her phone up on my table there so I could watch. You got your revenge.”
“Yea. You got yours, too.”
Jimmy chuckled slightly.
“I’m not so sure about that. Looks like I won the battle but ole Cyclone won the war.”
Those words hung heavy in the air as neither man was exactly sure what to say next.
Suddenly, Tommy’s sadness was replaced by anger. This should’ve been one of the best nights of his life. He had beaten Randall and was waiting on the official announcement that he was going to face Toner in the first round of the F1. More anger. More sadness. Tommy reached in his back pocket and pulled out the can of tobacco that he had.
“You’re gonna share that ain’t ya?”
“Jimmy, I don’t think they want you chewing tobacco.”
“What’s it gonna do, kill me? Hell son, my clock is ticking anyway.”
Tommy put a pinch of tobacco into his bottom lip and handed Jimmy the can. He didn’t realize that the IV tubes running into his uncle’s hands and arms made it impossible for him to reach out.
“You’re gonna have to do that for me.”
Tommy pulled a small pinch out of the can and reached for Jimmy’s mouth with it.
“That’s all you’re gonna give a dying man?! C’mon, boy. I deserve a better last chew than that.”
Tommy couldn’t help but chuckle at how crass Jimmy was about his own impending doom. He pulled a much larger pinch out and stuffed it into Jimmy’s lip.
“Push that table over here and set the bad pan on it.”
Tommy simply did as he was told. He felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out. He had a large file from Rocco, who had already started compiling a scouting report on Toner. The first file was from the match that had just ended at Lights Out between Toner and Black. Tommy, looking for something to distract himself from what was going on turned the volume down and started watching the match he had missed when he left the arena early.
The next 30 minutes passed in total silence outside of an occasional spit from Jimmy into the bed pan. Tommy glanced at the monitors hanging over his bed, knowing full well that he had no idea what any of the numbers meant. Jimmy’s blood pressure was low, 80/51. His respirations were slow at only 20 per minute, and the machine indicated that his heartrate was dropping. Any minute now.
Any minute now went on for another hour. Suddenly, Jimmy cleared his throat as Tommy was watching another of the matches that Rocco had sent him to study.
"You need anything?”
“See if they’ll let Suzy in here.”
He knew his time was drawing close.
Tommy stepped out into the hallway and motioned for a nurse. He told her what Jimmy was asking for, and with a silent nod, she stepped out into the hallway to get Suzy. Suzy appeared a couple minutes later with the strong smell of cheap cigarettes firmly attached to her clothes.
“Hey baby. I’m right here.”
“Yea, I knew you would be. Listen, I don’t think I’m gonna get to take you on that cruise next summer like I had talked about. I just want you to know that I wish I had given us a real chance back in the day. I wasted a lot of damn time on some women and none of them were half as good as you.”
Suzy collapsed into a sob onto the side of Jimmy’s bed.
“Tommy. There’s some things I need to tell you. You’re gonna have to work with Suzy to handle all the arrangements. Y’all don’t fight over my fortune. I’ve got about $76.00 in the bank.”
Tommy couldn’t help but chuckle. Even in his final, fleeting moments, Jimmy was cracking jokes. His ability to break the tension in any situation was one of Tommy’s favorite things about him.
“Don’t let that pastor down at the Pentecostal church handle the funeral. You know I don’t like all that running around, falling in the floor, speaking in tongues stuff. Just get Ronny to say a few words. He’s the rodeo chaplain, and he doesn’t beat around the bush. He says whatever he needs to say and shuts up.”
“You got it.”
“Tommy, I want you to give my eulogy.”
Tommy could’ve puked. Or fainted. Or both. A eulogy? No. That was out of the question. It was almost as though Jimmy could read his thoughts.
“Don’t say no. You can’t deny a dying man his final wish. I know I’m your uncle, but I feel like you and me kinda grew up together. Just tell them the good things about me. There should be enough stories that you can pick one or two and send me out right.”
Tommy choked back tears as he nodded. How could life change this fast? He was so excited about calling Jimmy after he had processed the events of Lights Out. Things with his mother had never really returned to normal, and Jimmy was the one family member that he had that was still supporting his professional wrestling career.
“Tommy. Try to straighten things out with your mom. Do that for me. And find you a good woman, a woman kinda like Suzy. Don’t fuck around and waste your time chasing all the wrong ones when the right one is living right down the road, you hear me?”
“Yea, buddy. I hear you.”
“You think you two could hang around for a minute? I’m awful tired. I’m just gonna close my eyes and get a little sleep. If I think of anything else, I’ll tell you when I wake up.”
Tommy put a giant hand on Suzy’s shoulder and guided her to the chair that he had been sitting in. He walked over to the window seal and propped up on the edge of it. He glanced down at his phone. 3:57 AM.
Tommy stared out the window. There are few things as beautiful as the night sky over Texas. For a moment, he wondered where Randi was at in that sky. He wanted her to get there soon. Hell, he wanted Rocco to be there. Soon, he told himself. They would be there soon.
At 4:17 AM, a long, steady beep flowing from one of the machines broke Tommy’s concentration. It was happening. In fact, it had already happened.
A team of doctors and nurses rushed into the room as Suzy let out a guttural moan. One of the nurses spoke loud enough to drown at the beeping of the machines.
“Time of death: 4:18 AM.”
He was gone. Life had suddenly changed again. Just when Tommy thought one thing was going to happen, the polar opposite had taken place. It had happened when he suddenly found himself competing in the FWA. It happened when he became a champion in his second match. It happened again when he lost his championship in only his fifth match. It had happened when his father came back into his life, when he betrayed Rocco, when Deathswitch Initiative had formed, and when Jason Randall had broken his back.
Dammit all to hell, tonight was supposed to a night where everything changed for the good. Tommy, almost in a zombie-like trance walked past the team of medical professionals, past Suzy, and into the hallway. Without even realizing it, he found himself in his rental car. He punched the dashboard so hard that he cracked the plastic above one of the vents. He looked up towards the sky and screamed. Was there anyone listening up there? Tommy didn’t know, but somebody needed to hear his outrage.
He put the key in the ignition and headed towards his apartment. On the way, he stopped at his favorite liquor store, and the only one that was open 24 hours a day, Cheech’s Carryout. There, he picked up two fifths of Jack Daniels. It was Jimmy’s favorite, and Tommy somehow felt like he should grab one for his hero.
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He walked into the apartment, plopped down on the couch, and opened one of the bottles in the dark. He started to look for a glass and then realized he didn’t need one. He turned the bottle up and took a long, sorrowful drink.
He leaned back and went to the next match in Rocco’s attachment concerning Toner. Should Tommy even go on with the F1? Maybe he should text Rocco and let him know to give the spot to someone else. That new girl, Vampyra, had looked amazing in her first couple matches. She would probably be much better suited for the tourney.
The soft glow from his phone barely lit up the room. Jean Luc Watkins voice was the only sound in the room as he delivered the commentary as Toner hit Satan’s Spike on someone. Tommy wasn’t even paying attention to who Danny was facing.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Probably Rocco. Shit. Tommy hadn’t texted Rocco and let him know that Jimmy was gone.
Tommy picked up the bottle of whiskey, which by that point was more than half gone, and walked to the door. He opened it, and there was Randi.
“Hey.”
She looked incredible for a woman who had just flown all night from Louisiana to Texas. But that sympathetic look on her face was the kind of thing Tommy was hoping to avoid. He remembered a long line of mourners giving him the same look when his grandmother had passed away years before. He wasn't sure what they were all so sympathetic about. None of them liked the old woman, and she certainly didn't care much for any of them.
“Come on in.”
Tommy pointed towards the couch with the same hand that clutched the bottle of whiskey.
“Mom’s asleep. I figured you’d come over here and see if you needed to talk.”
“Not a whole lot to talk about.”
“Tommy, you can’t bottle all this up. You need to talk to someone, and I wanna be that person.”
“He’s dead. I’m not. Life changes. Gonna happen to all of us one day. I think that’s about all there is to say.”
“He was proud as fuck of you. You know that, right?”
“Yea, I’ve heard.”
He took a huge drink from the bottle and extended it towards Randi.
“Wanna drink?”
She smiled, took the bottle and took a small sip before handing it back to him.
“Listen, I know you’re a big tough guy, and you don’t wanna let anybody in, but I really think it would help if you-“
“Randi. I may wanna talk about this, but not tonight. I’ll be honest, I really need a distraction. Do you think you can be a distraction without us having to talk about any of this shit?”
She smiled everso slightly at him and slowly eased over towards him on the couch. Their lips touched, and in that moment, Tommy forgot about the mass chaos of the last eight hours. She slid her hands under his shirt, and pushed it off over his head. He quickly returned the favor. With his arms around her, and her legs around his waist, Tommy carried her to the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind them.
He left his phone on the coffee table so he didn’t see the text from Rocco:
More changes. Of course. Fuck it. Tommy would deal with them in the morning. |
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:40:42 GMT
Originally posted by PheTomenal. Episode 1 of The New Era of Television
“CUT!”
The voice of the director booms through the area of Hyde Park where FWA cameras set up on the lawn in front of the broad walk path. FWA keen to get Kensington Palace in the background. Jackson had been shooting some video for the Climaxxx promo material.
“Phillip, you're finished for the day. Good work.”
Jackson nods.
That's why you get the professionals.
Jackson annihilates a bottle of water, quickly drinking the whole bottle of it. Jackson is handed a white towel and he dabs his face with the towel. The runner who passed it over is quick to turn the other way. Jackson taps him on the shoulder.
Thanks, do you feel different?
The runner hesitates slightly caught off guard by the question.
“No?”
The weight of history in this park...I love it...
“ooooohhhhkay....Did you want your belt?”
The runner hands it over to Jackson.
Jackson nods and takes it off him and places it over his shoulder. Jackson points to the camera man to follow him. Jackson looks around quickly and grabs some spray paint.
We are filming episode 1 right now. That was the deal I made. We are set up just where I want you, so we are gonna go from here.
Jackson marks an X on the floor where he wants the camera set up.
Can you see the statue?
The camera man nods.
If you pan over to the right can you see the garden hedge?
The camera man nods.
Perfect, I nailed the set up hey.
Jackson lets out a small chuckle.
Lucky the weather held, cloudy with a bit of moisture in the air but dry. Classic November weather. We are lucky it hasn't rained though. Glad we got this area closed off. Right, I'm going to stand on the path way and we are gonna get this down in one.
Jackson throws the towel and the spray paint back towards where the camera is set up to get it out of shot and adjust his shirt to make it a bit neater. Jacksons mood shifts to more serious and focused. Jackson counts himself in...3...2....
Welcome to the New Era of Television live from Hyde Park, where I will walk out for the first time as a champion. The first time in years that I will do that. I am in a great mood, it's bit cold but it is London in November. I've been thinking about the show and why Hyde Park is in an interesting location. It lies beside the seats of power in the UK. This is the land I called home but London is meaningless to me. It will get peddled around that I am “home” but I am not. I am 100 miles from home. They will give me a positive reception but they should be reminded that there is never going to be another great Englishmen because I have already claimed that title. I also left this place in pursuit of something bigger and something better. Where I could be free from what held be back. From the powers that put me down. That's is where I am now and that's all that matters to me. I did what all great stars do and cross the world in pursuit of opportunity and that is exactly what I have right now. The opportunity to launch the New Era of Television. Where better to launch it than in the land I was born, the place that people like to tell me is home. Home?... This country I called home for much of my life. Where I struggled, where I thrived. Where I became the man I am today. This is not a soppy story about my life or my childhood. I've told that story and closed that chapter of my life. Just like this country has entered a new era. New leaders, new monarchs and the worst recession in 100 years. I emigrate to Canada and all of this happens? I didn't think you would miss me that much. Despite everything that has gone on, there is nothing quite like this feeling of home but there is danger in that because I went back to my home city. I saw friends, family and people I hadn't see in years. It was familiar but refreshing. There is comfort in familiarity. That is what this place is to me, comfortable. I hate being comfortable. I hate being content. It brings bad tendencies, it brings complacency and although I now hold a belt. This is not my last dance, one last belt for a legend. This is a symbol. A symbol to remind FWA the kind of man I am. I don't care for wins and losses, I'm a big match competitor. I raise to the big challenges that I face and Lights Out proved that.
Jackson looks backwards with his upper body and gestures behind him. The camera man focuses on the statue of Queen Victoria that is behind Jackson. It is no accident where I'm stood. I am between monuments that define the history of my home country...
...The statue of Queen Victoria, the second most famous Queen...
We see the white statue of Victoria towering over Jackson before Jackson nudges his head to the right. The camera quickly pans over to the right of Jackson.
… and the Princess Diana memorial garden...
We can't see into the garden but we can see the hedges on the slight grass incline to the right. There are a few members of FWA staff milling about near the fence that protects the grass. The camera focuses back on Jackson.
They are historic figures in this country, just like me but we will get to them. Did you know that from this part of Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and Downing Street are within 3 miles of us. The power and history you can feel courses through you but I didn't come here just because of the show. I love history. I love this stuff. That's why I dressed as Napoleon Bonaparte when I walked out at Back in Business as a world champion, with a song in his honour. The weapons they held were power but they held power in different ways. Historically amazing but right now I don't care about who sits on those seats of power because they are not using it correctly. They only care about holding onto their power, doing whatever they can to ensure they keep it. My people is for the people, my power is for the greater good. My power is the new era of television. My message for the masses. My gift to the world however, these are symbols of power that show you that all sins are forgotten if you are famous, if you are rich and if you are powerful.
Jackson does a full turn and looks up in admiration at the statue of Queen Victoria. Jackson studies the details of the statue and is overcome with some emotion looking at it.
The camera man coughs to try and get Jackson attention.
“Phil-”
Jackson snaps back into the reality, still with a glint of emotion in his eyes.
Queen Victoria was even known as the Grandmother of Europe but she was a ruthless expander of the British Empire. The ruthless power hungry Queen, now memorialised and beloved in the most famous park in the country and that was without the modern propaganda machines that exist today. Her power was the biggest economy in the world. It was easy to be beloved back then because our sins were hidden and we memorialised them for it. Even I admire our grandmother of Europe. The original “The Queen”. A great woman.
Jackson shifts his body to the right and looks over at the edge of the memorial garden. Jackson is slightly less overcome with emotion but is respectful of what he is looking at.
Diana, that's different. She was beloved. She is not the villain of this story. Even America loved her. She was genuine to the people but the royal family were not too keen on her normality because that was her power. She had the people and the press in her hands and her power was her authenticity. Royals maybe did not like that but hey, I'm not one for conspiracies but it was all too convenient that she was out of the picture and this in front of our great queen, is not the place. What this place is, is a monument to power, to the empire that once spread across the globe. They ran the world, like countries these days *think* they do. Look around the park and everything is a memorial to some great English person. Soapboxes where Orwell and Marx used to speak. Art Galleries and the former home of many great royals. I've spent many hours here already and not because I have too.
Jackson has a genuine smile on his face looking around at Hyde Park around him, seemingly overcome by a sense of national pride and excitement to be wrestling in front of British fans again.
This memorial to former British power is all that we have left. What do we have now? No more empire. They gave it all up and are now squabbling over any amount of power that remains and they aren't even very good at it. They are tearing each other apart over nothing. At least FWA Climaxxxx has a winner and not a best runner up winning. This country has no idea about power, no-one has any idea. All the power is behind the scenes. The people calling the shots are not visible to them. They are behind the curtain and I want to make the promise that I would never deceive like that. I will be clear with my intentions because I don't shy away from using my greatest weapon.
Jackson smirks and points to his mouth.
FWA does not forget my sins, how I betrayed them by joining CWA in the invasion, how I ruled FWA through being the biggest asshole imaginable and so much more but I was a trailblazer, I changed FWA forever and the “powers” of FWA remember my sins, so I am held back from the hall of fame. I have been a future hall of famer for 5 years. Where were they in my struggles? When I needed them? Non-existent. I gave everything to them and I got nothing because the power said so. I was no longer a problem because I could no longer betray them, I could no longer hurt them and I could no longer dominate this company. Yet, years later, Rupert Watkins proved that nothing changed. Despite all the things I have done, the fans will forgive my sins because there is no-one more untouchable on the planet than an athlete who knows not to say stupid stuff. I will be absolved of whatever I have done because I have earned that. The power in FWA sits with the winner of the Climaxxx, the power of a world title match. Right now, though, that is a long way off and I proudly hold the FWA Television title. No legal challenge can change that. This is the premier belt in the FWA behind only the world title. Why you ask? Because of the man who holds it. My power is in my status, in my reputation and I have elevated this belt by it simply being in my presence. The premier belt of FWA around my waist and another tick on my career. Another new accomplishment and a challenger already awaits. I, like all the champions, will need to pull double duty and when the time comes, I will need to face Vampyra. Another faceless no name who has no pride in who they are. Hidden away from public eye because they fear failure. Like all the other masked wrestlers. It isn't mystique, it isn't mind games, it isn't “honour”. My face stands behind my successes and my failures. I don't shy away from it but there will be a time when Vampyra will need to look me in the eyes and see I have no fear. I have nothing to fear. That is also enough speaking about a future opponent. It is day one of the FWA Climaxxx, a new challenge for me. A new opportunity and a free elevator ride up the mountain to face the FWA World Champion.
Jackson looks at the title on his shoulder and smiles. He had almost forgotten the belt having been wrapped up in the excitement he is feeling.
Regardless of who wins, they hold power. I've already said that and power comes in many forms and is different for everyone. For me, I want to win because I want to make one last run at the top, Danny will want to win because he can choose an opponent for his belt. This is a massive advantage. Everyone else can skip the queue and try and seize the day. I intend for that to be me, but that will be said by every single person who is in the tournament. They all have the same delusion that success is given to the one who says they will achieve it more than anyone else. I don't doubt anyone in this tournament and whether they are a champion or not, they have earned this but I will be facing a champion. The North American Champion, who seemingly got the week off from defending it at Lights Out. America loved it, you winning the belt. Austin loved it. The sweetheart and little sister of FWA yet again beloved for no reason but Lizzie, you are entering my domain. You aren't Britain's little sister, like you are Americas. A country where I should have a statue next to Victoria because I am the icon of this country. The 21st century deity, where I am the God of television, the God of entertainment and the last great hope for professional wrestling in this country. There is no song and dance from that can make it any clearer. You are going to feel what I feel every single week. A crowd at my back, thousands of miles from home. It is a tough environment, not like when you lose your glow-sticks, this is real. People booing you, wanting to see you fail. They want to see you be beaten up. Are you ready for that? The thought of seeing thousands people waiting for your demise. For me, it's why I wake up in the morning. I love it. For you? Well let's find out whether you have the mental fortitude to enter my world. To enter the world of a legend, who has not wrestled in his home country in almost 5 years. You're entering one of the most difficult environments in pro wrestler. A British wrestler at home. I can talk all I want about all the negatives because it is my country and although this is no longer home, it is my land. Welcome to the madhouse that is British Pro Wrestling.
Jackson spreads his arms and imagines the atmosphere of the crowd. He mutters
Welcome back...Welcome back...
UK...CLAP CLAP...UK...
Jackson smiles. He has truly missed his home country as much as he doesn't like to show it. Jackson smiles again.
There is stuff here for you as well. This is home of the thing you love the most, other than me. Raves. This country love them and they grew them in popularity. I don't get it. Never have, never will. Partying in some abandoned building in the middle of nowhere, off your face on whatever you get your hands while trespassing on private property before the police would come in and smash skulls...sounds...delightful... I'm sure if you go about 15 miles in either direction you'll find something. Anyway despite all that, somehow you've had success? I guess something of use came out of that environment. I guess they are different in the USA. I'm not an expert in the field. I am an expert in professional wrestling. I have been doing training for more than half my life. I have been professional for more than a third. The ring is my domain. The words are my weapons...sorry, Chris...that soften you up ahead of it. North American Champion is nothing to sniff at. I've held that belt twice it was what elevated me from just another guy to someone to be watched. I did it with my mentor at my side. The Syndicate taught me not just how to win gold but how to hold gold. I don't need a little lackey at my side to ensure success. I have always believed in doing your own dirty business, doing the tough job yourself. I don't shy away from that. I will fight and claw my way through my enemies because I believe in doing things myself. I don't need anyone at my side because they are incapable of being Phillip A. Jackson. I don't need some voice gnawing at me thinking that I am helping them. Trying to pollute you with their thoughts and needs and wants. History only remembers the individuals. History does not care for lackeys. Power does not get held by those second in command. For one week only, I have the fans on my side. I have the people in my corner. For one week only, I will make the exception because they will not stop me from doing what I do best. Cleansing FWA from those who are not worthy. As the oracle of the pure, the master of ceremonies of the new era of television and the cleanser. I do not have much sympathy for your “hobbies” it is an impure, dirty form of partying that I shall never tolerate. Is that really what we want representing the FWA? It is not within the scope of tolerance for the purity of FWA or for the new era of television. Do you want to upset me when I am in such a *good* mood. I have seen two great women of history in some capacity and they are the pillars in which all should be held. Regardless of their gender. They were icons of their time and held power because of it. They were admired by the people, the masses and that is why they were successful and tonight Champion versus Champion on the opening night of the Climaxxx, I can't wait because I am admired by the people and Lizzie, I will see you in the madhouse.
Jackson points behind the camera and you can see the frame of the FWA set being set up across the round pond.
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:41:05 GMT
Originally posted by TGO. A breeze rips through Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, where XYZ is currently sitting under a gazebo next to the lake. The weather in Central Florida in November is ideal, a cool 68 degrees with scattered clouds that cannot hide the bright Florida sunlight.
XYZ is wearing his usual attire, a green cape tied around his neck, plus a plain white T-shirt with sparkling rainbow glitter. He also has short running shorts going down half his thighs. The entire “look” is silly, but X doesn’t really give it much thought.
His mind is elsewhere, particularly on the person he’s to meet. X looks contemplative, his eyes staring down to his Birkenstock sandals before gazing at the swans floating nearby in the lake. Then he looks out to the north of the lake, where XYZ spots the nearly broken-down Magic School Bus parked in the grass under the most-northward oak tree in Lake Eola park. No one in the park seems to mind this rusty and paint-scraped school bus parked in the grass, obviously illegal, and separate from the nearby street parking. It stands out like a sore thumb, but no one pays any attention. X chalks it up to people choosing to ignore it. Maybe it’s just too outlandish and awkward for them to face it directly.
Again, XYZ thinks about the man he’s supposed to meet. Any second now.
As if the timing was planned, X perks up as he looks out across the nearby grass field. Walking towards him is a familiar face. Separating this person and X is a walking path filled with Sunday morning walkers in Orlando. The person coming toward XYZ seems to glide through the crowd of walkers going directionally across from him. The crowd doesn’t slow his momentum, almost like he’s a ghost moving through the bodies of walkers, but more likely someone excitedly and quickly maneuvering through a crowd with an intent focus on reaching a destination.
“Big AL! My friend! My comrade! The original XYZite!”
“X! It’s good to see you. Been a while.”
Big Al and X embrace under the gazebo. A few of the walkers glance towards the pair but continue on, whispering to one another if they are in a pair or group.
Big Al looks quite thin, at least in comparison to how he looked the last time we saw him. It’s quite understandable, though, considering Big Al finished 12 rounds of chemotherapy for lung cancer. Remarkably, the chemotherapy worked! The cancer shrank enough for surgery.
Then the surgery happened. Big Al got two lobes of his right lung removed, with doctors taking out an entire chunk of diseased tissue. There were no more signs of cancer. The disease was “in remission,” to use medical terminology.
Big Al is on his way to being a cancer survivor! He dropped more than 55 pounds since the start of his chemotherapy. He was down from 364 pounds to a slim 306!
And he had no desire of returning to his previous weight. Big Al was in the gym or on the treadmill five days a week, trying to rebuild his energy and strength after surgery. Big Al’s main concern is a lack of breath, especially when trying to work out or walk on the treadmill, but doctors say this is common for people after lung surgery.
“X, I can’t thank you enough for bein’ a friend and bein’ supportive. You called every day. You texted every day. You offered to come with me to doctor visits. You told me what to ask about and how I should prepare for stuff.
Without you, I couldn’t have made it.”
XYZ feels a sense of companionship toward Big Al like never before. Big Al’s words to him and his depiction of the importance of XYZ’s friendship is making X appreciate Big Al’s place in his life. XYZ just wants to be wanted – doesn’t everyone? – and wants to feel he is having an impact on people’s lives. Big Al expressed to him, emphatically, that X is having a major positive impact.
XYZ needs Big Al because he needs someone to need him. Big Al needs X, so X needs Big Al for that reason.
And others.
X wasn’t the only one offering companionship and help and advice. Big Al was doing the same. Big Al’s loyalty the past few weeks has not gone unnoticed. X has fallen into a bit of a rut in the FWA, taking a few losses in consecutive matches, after nearly winning the X Championship on two occasions against Alyster Black.
X feels out of place, again, in the FWA, largely because he doesn’t have Big Al every day as a stable presence. He doesn’t feel as confident to go into interstellar fights with muckrats and dingbots on other planets and in other solar systems without Big Al’s aide.
And he doesn’t feel he is full or complete enough to compete at the highest level in the FWA.
So, XYZ doesn’t just need Big Al because X wants to feel needed. He needs Big Al because Big Al is needed. Big Al is X’s best friend. And while he has been land-locked undergoing chemotherapy to treat his lung cancer, and while he had been preparing for and having surgery done to remove two lobes of his right lung, Big Al has not been able to join X.
“Nate Savage, huh?”
“I feel like I haven’t been whole, Al, since you’ve been … away. Now I feel like the air is back in the gulf of the sands. I feel the turtles have their full shells. I feel the fur is back on the brown grizzly bears. The tree bark is thick and sturdy. The burger is meaty. The lightning bolt is zapped with electricity of ten thousand countries from different light years.
I feel right, Al. I feel like a friend has returned to my side. There is a feeling like a goat who can spit fire. I have a desire to soar a rocket ship deep into the heart of the earth.
So, yeah, Nate Savage.”
“Nate Savage is getting your X Championship shot.”
“Nate Savage is keeping it warm.
With Big Al back and the cancer gone … there’s a sense of everything just … glowing. The earth is downhill now. I can sprint as fast as the jaguar with eight legs! I can LEAP … over entire MOUNTAINS FILLED WITH SANDSTONES FROM THE MAGNA CARTA!”
“I get it, X. I get it! You’re happy I’m back.”
Big Al says this with a wide smile on his face. X returns it with his own smile.
“I’m happy the XYZites are in full form. Do you know Jeremy Best and his … troubles with the Undisputed Alliance?”
“I’ve kept up, X.”
“Then we do this for you … for Jeremy … and for a message: that the world will turn back our way. It will turn back the way of the downtrodden, of the men and women and children and sheep and spiders and particles and red-headed cranes who cannot get an edge in this world. It’s for all of us looking for a light amid the consistent darkness.
This is for … the electrical car that can create gasoline in its trunk. So fly with me and the dolphins, Big Al. Fly with me once again. Win or lose on Fallout, we will let the world know that we are back to our true Charizard form when we face Nate Savage.”
“I’m in, X.
And I’m not going anywhere.”
X then points his finger to the beaten-down Magic School Bus. With a smile, XYZ has his marching orders ready.
"Then we must board the bus and head our way to Freetown Chriiiiistiana! It's a land of small folk and shops and people fighting to make their way. It's a place of people like US! It's a place of unfortunate and misguided. They are looking for a fighter, for a hero, for a soldier to stand on top of the rocks and shout, 'WE WILL KEEP GOING! ONE STEP IN FRONT OF THE OTHER! WE WILL ALWAYS GO FORWARD! WE ARE FREETOWNERS!'
So, we go to Freetown for ... them. Wherever they are."
"You've kept the Magic School Bus up, huh? How'd you manage that without me? How'd you keep it going up into space without my mechanic skills? You don't know how to change a carburetor any better than you know how to win the X Championship."
X thinks of Alyster Black and the two misses he had for his first singles championship belt in the FWA. He thinks of how close he was to taking down one of the best X Champions ever. He thinks to how people admired his performance, but then XYZ thinks about how he remains empty-handed.
In the recent weeks, this thought brought XYZ down -- because Big Al wasn't his companion to lift him back up. X needs someone to lift him up when these negative thoughts come in.
Now? This thought of the near-misses only motivates him. |
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:41:36 GMT
Originally posted by OMB. "Requiem For A Dreamer"
…In an instant, Gabrielle is back in her death bed, a broken and lonely old woman, though she manages a smile now.
“I regret not loving myself more. I regret not making the most of the opportunities before me. I held a Golden Opportunity once, and I could have held it again. Oh how I regret not making amends and holding it a second time…”
A single tear rolls down her cheek before the storied and once revered life of Gabrielle Montgomery comes to an end...
…But death just takes everyone’s existence to another plane…
The old woman awakens in this place of bright light, and nothing else. No landscape, no trees, no scenery, no other people. Nothing. Is this hell? An eternity spent alone. Did she not already suffer enough in her life? Where are her loved ones that should greet the former Goddess in the afterlife? Did she even have any?
It's lonely, she’s lonelier than she ever has been before. Her tragic life and the emptiness she endured for those last several decades pale in comparison to whatever this is. The start of forever spent here, alone. Gabrielle had failed to make amends for her career. A second chance at the Golden Opportunity unfulfilled. The first one out, the first one who’s hopes were dashed. In the seconds before her death that moment had become so pivotal in her memories. A moment where perhaps she could have turned the rest of her life around.
Too much of her thirties was spent chasing any kind of success, any kind of glory, any kind of moment to justify her existence, that never came.
The briefest of stints as a Tag Team Champion alongside Kayden Knox wasn’t enough. The woman who had previously twice held the World Title for almost a full year wasn’t able to hold the Tag Team Titles longer than a month.
The ‘reality’ that she’s going to be stuck here for eternity with these thoughts brings her down to her knees. This frail old lonely woman, the last person you’d ever pick to be who Gabrielle becomes. But her failures to find lasting love, her failures to reclaim past glories, her failures to live up to the standards that being the Caramel Coated Goddess had set, broke her as the decades passed on by.
But then an instant she’s not alone. She’s surrounded by three young women. Are they angels? Are they demons? Well that all depends on who you ask. Who was Gabrielle in her youth? The Goddess, or the Devil in disguise?
So these three women with the caramel skin tones surrounding her could be either, or could be nothing. They could be a figment of her imagination as her last few synapses die. What they could be, is the Past, our Present, and the Broken of Gabrielle.
The ethereal Goddess who had mocked this dying old woman in the moments before her passing. The Executive who had tried to recapture her old glories with a return of Excellence. And the woman who crumbled under the weight of her own expectations and became Broken.
Is this her life flashing before her eyes (again?). Are these visages of her younger selves here to take her to heaven, or to hell? Is this her final moment to reflect upon just where it all went wrong for her? Where she started to punish herself for her own failings and closed herself off to the World. Is this a chance at redemption (again)?
Is this just the Gods themselves mocking her one final time? Does it even matter what it is?
No. She needs this. This frail old, lonely woman NEEDS this. Even if their first words to her are so cruel.
Goddess Gabrielle: You…I become you! You actually let me turn into this! How pathetic.
Executive Gabrielle: If I had of known this is where I wound up, I would have tried harder. I would have fought so much harder to not become you!
Broken Gabrielle: …I should have done us all a favour and jumped off that bridge. I should have killed us before we became ‘this’.
There’s a disturbing moment of silent agreement between the three younger visions of Gabrielle. Those haunting words from a Gabrielle whose mental health had snapped lingering in the air far too long. The other two not wanting to break the importance of those words. An earlier death would be preferable to seeing just how miserable their life becomes.
But still somewhere deep, deep in her belly is that fire and passion that had once made her great. Deep within the old woman there remains some kind of spark. Being so looked down upon by these three is not something she can accept just lying down.
Old Gabrielle: You’re blaming me? You three are blaming me for this. This is all on you three. Look at you Goddess. You think you’re so great, so perfect, so untouchable…
Indeed she does. The Goddess version of Gabrielle carries herself exactly like that. A smug grin that never wavers. Looking down her nose at everyone else. Her skin is blemish free, perfect even. Her figure is to die for, her every movement, her every breathe is calculated and purposeful. She exists to tantalize and distract all who gaze upon her. It was her greatest tool, her signature weapon.
Old Gabrielle: You deceived us, you lied to me. You made us all think we were so great. You made me spend the rest of my life chasing what you had achieved. I, no we all spent the rest of our days trying to become you again. But you had convinced us that you did everything you had accomplished on your own. That all those men who constantly had your back, and all those men who put you on your back were irrelevant. I spent so many years thinking I was good enough to recapture everything you had done.
But I didn’t want to sleep around with every guy who smiled at me. I didn’t want to have to rely on all those people constantly helping me. You made me think I could do it myself because thats what you told yourself even as you’d let referees put you on all fours in exchange for them counting your pinfalls a little bit quicker…
The youngest Gabrielle just rolls her eyes. She doesn’t care. She’s the version of Gabrielle that every other Gabrielle strived to be after all. She did it all and then some. She still has a Legacy of being a great Goddess.
Old Gabrielle: You were a lie. Smoke and mirrors. A deception that made my life so much harder. Everything you did made everyone else look down on us. Even those who said they loved us could never truly trust us or be there for us. You’re no better than me, you are me oh Goddess. Everything you did and it meant nothing in the end.
The Goddess still doesn’t care. After all, she’s but a distant memory. Her life was perfect, her life was carefree. Her life was one of excess, gluttony, carnal sin, devilish delights, and everything else she could ever desire.
Old Gabrielle: As for you…this was our solution huh? Things weren’t going so well for us, so we cozied up to Danny Toner again, toyed with Rupert Watkins, and brought back Executive Excellence. One final attempt to recapture what we used to be.
The old woman has turned her attention to the eldest of the three Gabrielle’s now. The ‘Executive’. That poise and confidence is largely gone. More of a sneer upon her face as she glares at her elder, presumably now dead self. This Gabrielle is trying so hard to be what she once was, but just can’t commit to it. A revealing outfit, accentuated by a pair of black leather gloves and messy hair. Does she want to be a Warrior or to be the Goddess reborn? The truth is the Executive became lost in who she was and had just absent-mindedly chased…something.
Old Gabrielle: This was the best you could possibly come up with? Falling back into old habits, relying on other people to do our dirty work. We wanted to be better than this, didn’t we? But it just wasn’t to be. Danny, Kayden and Mike they were our last hope. I remember how much faith we put in them, how much we were relying on them to get us what we had been chasing.
I wish we were stronger than that, but I understand why you had to do this to us. Why you had to bring Executive Excellence back. The last time the name Gabrielle truly meant something and was truly special was when Executive Excellence was around. It didn’t really work out for us though did it. You needed to have more belief in yourself. I’ve been plagued by images and memories of my life, and its all been so empty for so long…because you gave up on us.
The Executive just shakes her head. She’s not looking at her older self, almost refusing to acknowledge her and the truth she’s speaking. So Gabrielle just moves her attention to the third image of herself.
Old Woman: Why couldn’t you just talk to Alyster?
Broken Gabrielle. The woman who felt so empty and defeated that she almost took her own life. The woman who thought she had nothing left. The woman who gave up on herself completely and saw no purpose or meaning to her life. The woman who found herself with nothing in her life, a sad glimpse into what is the end of her life.
Old Woman: We lost to Davey and it broke us. It really did break us.
The room falls silent. Even the Goddess seems hurt at acknowledging just how low Broken Gabrielle was. She was a shell of everything everyone knew about Gabrielle. Throwing away the life she had built up for herself. Alienating herself from her family and friends. Choosing to punish herself by living in squalor and misery.
Old Woman: The Goddess may have created this false image of who we all were and what we were capable of. But you…Broken Gabrielle, you are were this life I had to endure truly began. You gave up on us and we never ever truly recovered. We never stopped ourselves, never quite silenced those voices that told us we’re old, washed up, terrible, useless, and worthless. I never got past being you. Everyone moved on from the chapter of our lives known as Broken Gabrielle. 2021 became 2022 but we never really recovered.
You don’t need to be standing here in front of me, because I still am you. We never got better. We tried too, we wanted too. We leaned on Alyster and he made things better for a while, but the failures kept coming and we turned on him. We tried to rely on Executive Excellence…but we all remember how that ended up. The failures kept coming and couldn’t be tolerated.
She casts her attention back toward the Executive for a moment.
Old Woman: God! Remember that Golden Opportunity we were so utterly terrible in? That YOU were in. Three members of Executive Excellence but you were eliminated first and from there the numbers game wasn’t enough and despite having half the field in the match we couldn’t win.
Her gaze turns back to the Broken one.
Old Woman: I could never recover from being you. Why couldn’t you just have turned to our family in those darkest moments? Maybe they could have saved me from suffering decades of nothingness and dying alone…
Silence befalls this quartet of Gabrielle’s from different periods of her life. Reflecting upon everything the woman they all inevitably become has said. Broken Gabrielle looks even more defeated, the Executive looks hopeless…but the Goddess, she seems oblivious. Life was too good for her, nothing can bring her down.
The Goddess: It is not we who are to be judged…you old hag…
So she brings all of this back on track. For this, whatever this is has a meaning, has a purpose. These ghosts of herself are here to take Gabrielle somewhere in the moments after her death. So the Goddess turns on her heels and without saying a word the others follow her through an expansive nothingness of white. Just white and light as far as the eye can see, where could they possibly be going right now?
But then suddenly, somehow in this empty World, there’s something before them. A large structure stand’s before Gabrielle and her ‘guides’. A structure with six large black staircases that lead up to seats overlooking and surrounding her. As she takes in this strange area, whatever it is it feels cold, it feels unnatural. It feels like she’s been brought here to be judged, to be executed, to be cast aside or cast out. It feels like nothing good can happen to her here. As her younger selves stand around her silently, gazing upon her footsteps pulls her attention away. The silhouettes of four men are approaching them. As they get closer, rapidly so she can see that it's none other than Kayden Knox. A man she had confided in, and in a way loved as a friend who knew her trauma and her pain is approaching her. He’s older, much, much older now. Has he died too? Was Bad Reputation somehow so linked together that 50 years later they both passed away at the same time? Like her, Kayden is not alone, being led by three other out-of-sight figures who she couldn’t quite make out, they looked as though they were apparitions of a mirage in the desert. This doesn’t feel like a happy reunion though, at least not yet. Kayden looks as tired and worn out as Gabrielle imagines herself to look.
But then suddenly he doesn’t. As he closes in those last few steps between them she can see that Kayden was as she last remembered him and always as she used to remember him. She can see her own reflection in his eyes and she’s younger too now. A spitting image of the ‘Executive behind her, only with the wisdom of knowing where the failures of the Executive lead. The pair just stare at one another, not knowing what too say. It has been so very long since they last saw each other, not since ‘that’ night 50-odd years ago. Kayden just like her, is flanked by three images of himself. Sterling Jagger, The Afflicted, and The Suit. The faint smell of whiskey starts to permeate the room, emanating from Kayden, the elder Kayden.
The six guides, the six haunting reminders of who they were, the six Demons or Angels, the six visions of all that these two were, are and could have been huddle around each other. Their whispers carried throughout the white space. Gabrielle couldn’t make out what exactly was said but she heard the phrases “under trial”,and “found guilty”. Gabi leans over to Kayden asking what is going on. Their reunion in death all these years later a confusing one. She hears nothing from him for what seems like an eternity until the six start to make their way up the staircases to each of their respective seats. It is then that Kayden leans over and whispers to Gabi.
Kayden Knox: Judgement.
The first words Kayden says gives a chill up her spine as she tries to ask another question to Kayden, but a loud bang echoes through the white space and stops her. A gavel being slammed down into a benchtop as the three younger Gabrielles and Kaydens tower over them.
The Executive: The two of you have been brought in front of this council to stand trial.
The Suit: How do you plea?
This would come from the versions of Gabi & Kayden that looked more like their Bad Reputation versions of one another. Youthful, hopeful but pained. While the Kayden and Gabi that they speak too look so similar, their faces still bear the weight of decades having passed since. As Gabrielle looks for the right words to say, trying to understand what she would be pleading to, what she is on trial for Kayden intervenes.
Kayden Knox: What crimes do you think we have committed?
The Afflicted version of Kayden Knox on the far right shouts in anger.
The Afflicted: You know what you did. You know what you have DONE.
The Sterling Jagger version of Kayden on the far left laughs to himself joyously as he twist’s his mustache between his fingers. A steely gaze in his eyes as he glares at what he becomes.
Sterling: The two of you couldn’t keep it up. So much promise, so much potential. Kayden…Gabi and I should have been fireworks together. But you two blew it…and not in the fun way.
The Executive Excellence version of Kayden and Gabi start to speak again, taking control of the conversation.
The Executive: The two of you were lead astray by your own doubts. You became complacent and in the end you two have become so very weak. This weakness that oozes from the both of you continued to lead you down the road of failure long after Bad Reputation was a distant memory. Long after Executive Excellence 4.0 had come to an end. The two of you failed so many times that a pattern occurred. One that you could not escape from. A Pattern that drowned you both…that drowned all of us.
The Executive gestures around this space. The four versions of Gabrielle, the four versions of Kayden all crumbled. All were Broken and miserable. The Goddess and Sterling may try to hold their heads high and feel above this fate, but it is still their fate as well to die alone and in turn be mocked and judged by themselves.
The Executive: Did the two of you ever wonder what could of happened if you had beaten Aka & Cole? You indulged the vices of the good life allowing yourselves to be enticed by the money, the power, and the fame. You see because the two of you should have risen above it. You should have been able to lean on one another to balance.
The Suit: Two same sides of a different coin.
This catches Kayden off guard, before his attention shifts towards Gabi, staring at her by his side. She though seems unable to meet his gaze in turn. Not yet at least.
The Suit: The two of you for whatever reason, seemed to lose all trust in one another. You got to the top and it was like that was enough. Kayden we struggled for so long for a purpose, for an identity, for success. We were in this World surrounded by great Champions and we so desperately wanted to be just like them, to be one of them. Was a brief reign as X Champion and a shirt run as Tag Team Champion really enough for you?
The Executive: And what of you Gabrielle? Putting all your hopes into Executive Excellence taking you back to the top, and you got lazy. Thinking that all you had to do was surround yourself with those people and glory would follow. You blame the Goddess for setting forth such lofty expectations, but she never sat back and let everyone else win her matches for her. Remember how hard we worked to even get into that first Mile High match?
Silence. The words of these Executive Excellence / Bad Reputation ‘memories’ just left to hang in the air, weighing heavily over Gabrielle and Kayden.
The Suit: Both so consumed by your failures, so focused upon yourselves that you missed what the other one was enduring.
The Executive: You should have been there for each other.
Broken Gabrielle: Why weren’t you there for me Kayden?
The Afflicted: Why weren’t you there for me Gabrielle?
Silence. Neither of them quite knows how to answer. What happened between happened. But before then they had started to drift apart. Started to rely on each other less and less. For Gabrielle, Kayden was meant to be like so many others before him and help her get everything she wanted. Though their relationship was different, non-sexual and in Kayden she had seen someone who shares her pains and fears. For Kayden, Gabrielle was meant to be a Mentor of sorts. She had achieved everything he wanted. He could learn from her, and she could help him through his fears and his pains.
The Executive: It was all going so well until those two, Aka and Cole got the better of us the first time.
The Suit: That is undeniably where Bad Reputation started to fall apart…
The Executive: That month we were Tag Team Champions was everything I had been needing for years.
The Suit: But it didn’t last, and it took such a toll upon us.
Gabrielle and Kayden have heard enough. They know all of this far too well. And in reality, they’ve both had these conversations with themselves before. They’ve both blamed themselves for their failures and what their lives became. This is nothing new for either of them. A tired moment of self-destruction and self-loathing.
Something different happens here though.
Gabrielle: He wasn’t the man I thought he was. He dragged me down.
Her venomous words are directed at Kayden beside her. But he’s not even shocked, he was thinking the same thing.
Kayden Knox: She deceived me. I thought I was getting a Goddess, but she was nothing like what I thought she was.
Silence. It needed to be said.
Sterling: Enough. This bickering is what does us in. This lack of faith in each other is what means I endure everything I do, I TURN MY LIFE AROUND, and defeat my Demons…only to be consumed by them again.
The Goddess: This bickering ruins my life. I become everything that all me doubters claimed I was because you two give up on each other.
Broken Gabrielle: Kayden did you see what became of Gabrielle?
The Afflicted: Gabrielle did you see what became of Kayden?
Kayden and Gabrielle share a glance for a moment. Those words they’ve each put out there still ring in their ears. But less and less as the reality of where both of their lives went sinks in. Gabrielle had heard many, many years ago where Kayden ended up. Kayden in turn many, many years ago had watched what Gabrielle was reduced too.
And now they’ll each get to see exactly what becomes of the other one. Those chapters of their own lives they’ve tried to hide even from themselves.
In an instant, the white nothingness that is this landscape morphs around them both. Gabrielle is sent in one direction with the three versions of Kayden. While he in turn is sent in the opposite direction with the visages of Gabrielle.
The World around Gabrielle starts to take shape, a large building towering over her. It looks clinical and drab. Just a large grey box housing people. The words ‘Northstar Mental Hospital’ jumping out at her above the main entrance.
Gabrielle: This is where Kayden ends up…
Indeed it is. Gabrielle had meant so much to Kayden. She was a light in his World. This beautiful, talented woman that understood him on every level. Without her in his life he had slipped back into old habits and ended up here.
The three Kayden’s then take Gabrielle inside, down several halls past nurses, doctors and various patients who look utterly lost and broken. Finally, they get to Kayden Knox. Peering in through the small window in the door and he’s just sitting there on his bed, a blank, vacant expression upon his face. He looks like a man with nothing left, a man with no purpose, no reason for getting up in the morning. This is his life now.
Wake up, take some pills, sit on his bed, take some more pills, go to sleep.
Gabrielle steps inside with the Afflicted following her in.
The Afflicted: I thought I was past all of this. I thought I had found something in life to get me away from this sort of life. I knew for so very long that this is exactly where I would end up. So I changed, I bettered myself, I found small things to fight for, and then bigger things. I found you Gabrielle and I felt like this was no longer my destiny. I felt like I could actually be someone who mattered.
Bad Reputation meant that I could leave my reputation behind. We both had these reputations we wanted to leave behind. To move on from. But neither of us seemed truly able too. We just slipped back into old habits the second things got tough and weren’t going our way anymore. You liked me didn’t you Gabi?
This afflicted version of Kayden standing before the man he becomes and the woman he had let into his life thinking she would be his rock, his foundation seems lost for a moment. A couple of tears running down his face at the reality that he never escaped this fate, and its worse than he ever imagined.
Gabrielle: Of course I did. There were times where you meant the absolute World to me. We saved each other at what was up till then our lowest points. We could have saved each other from this fate. What I did…what you became, what I became. We didn’t deserve that. We were never perfect Kayden but we both deserved better than our fates.
Kayden Knox who has just sat there unmoving, with needle marks all over his arms actually seems to respond to the presence of Gabrielle now. Glancing up at her with a warm smile.
Gabrielle: You deserved so much better than this, and being friends with me made you see this life you could have. The money, the power, and the fame meant so much to you Kayden, and to me. It was everything I ever wanted. Everything you ever wanted and needed.
It's a sweet moment, for just a moment. Then the walls start to melt and the smile on Kayden’s face turns much more sinister. The Afflicted is whisked away, banished from here as Kayden rises up off his bed and comes face to face with Gabrielle.
Kayden Knox: You put me in this hell. You showed me a life I wanted so badly and then you took it away from me. You claimed to be my friend but you just wanted to use me. I was meant to prop up your career. So when things didn’t go our way you lost interest and gave up on me so quickly. You put me here, you cast me aside, you doomed me.
Why weren’t you better? Why didn’t you carry me up to the heights you had been? Instead, you rested on me and demanded that I do all of the work, and it broke me, it put me here. Your failures destroyed me, Gabrielle.
Gabi listens to the words that were said as she does she notices the sound of broken glass as it shatters around her. The room starts to fade away into the darkness as the glass falls around her.
[/HR] Kayden is led by the three Gabi’s to a glass-like structure where through it he could see an old run-down building with graffiti sprayed on either side of it. There was a woman in a black hoodie jacket standing outside a doorway. The face was covered, and her body and the curves of her hips seem familiar to Kayden. He turns to the three Gabi’s as then Broken Gabrielle would step forward grabbing Kayden’s hand and touching the glass. The shattered pieces fell like raindrops over them. The glass didn’t hurt them. No instead, it turned into a different world. The other Gabi’s fading away, Kayden and Broken Gabrielle were now the only two left. Broken Gabrielle's hands started to shake for a moment as she then pointed across the street.
Broken Gabrielle: The third floor is where she will be.
Kayden Knox: Where are we?
Broken Gabrielle: …
She simply points once again to the building. Kayden made his way across the street and started to walk up the stairs to the third floor. He finally gets to the floor and as he does he notices the hooded mystery woman once again. She was standing outside a door. She knocks on it and a few moments go by until a man steps out. The man had a black leather jacket very similar to that of Kayden’s back in the day, with black sunglasses that he pushed to the bridge of his nose.
???: You here for the audition? Come on in…
They walk through the door but, it was left with a crack as Kayden approached it. He started to try and open the door and noticed he couldn’t budge it. Kayden hears a whisper as Broken Gabrielle once again appears behind him.
Broken Gabrielle: Just watch.
Kayden turns to her as he does she once more vanishes. Kayden watches through the crack of the door to the conversation.
???: So Gabrielle Montgomery, I can’t believe we finally were able to convince you to star in this production.
Kayden can now see the face of the woman is that of Gabrielle Montgomery. She is looking tired her once beautiful face is now damaged. She has crow's feet under her eyes. Her hair is a mess of dead ends and it looks unclean. She is wearing heavy black makeup around her eyes. She has black lipstick as she talks back to the man.
Gabi: You can just call me Gabi.
This wasn’t a confident or even a lively response. She wasn’t even looking him in the eyes. This response was different than anything Kayden had seen from her before. This was timid, this was submissive. This wasn’t the Gabrielle Montgomery that Kayden Knox knew. This was beyond broken, this was desperation. It was just then that Kayden clinched his eyes and saw Gabi was on a couch, not just any ordinary couch; It was the couch. Kayden wanted to close his eyes as the bright lights shined down on the Caramel Goddess. She would undress and her eyes pierced into the door as the red light of a camcorder turned on. Kayden couldn’t watch turning his head in disgust as the sounds echoed throughout the floor. Kayden saw Broken Gabrielle appear again smoking a cig as Kayden walked to her.
Kayden Knox: What the fuck is that! Gabi, she…. you … would never do that.
She cuts him off as she takes a drag from her cig.
Broken Gabrielle: You see Kayden when we started to come into each other's lives. You and I both were in two very dark places. You had been dealing with the endings of The Affliction. You also were trying to turn a new leaf. The thing though is that there was a light in our darkest days in one another. What do you think would happen if that night we didn’t end up on that same bus?
Kayden runs his hands through his hair and then notices a spot on his wrist.
Kayden Knox: I know, that I felt alone. I felt that everything I was doing was nothing. That it was meaningless. I felt like I was just going through the motions.
Broken Gabrielle: How do you think I felt? I had every judgemental eyes on me. I had everything I ever wanted taken from me. I was broken… and I wasn’t far off from those same thoughts in your own head. You never strayed, you never gave a damn what those people thought of me. So tell me why do you care now? Why do you care about what people think of me? Is it because we are a team and what I do well somehow reflect you?
The sound of Gabi can be heard moaning through the door as Kayden walks down the stairway. When he does though he realizes he is on the same floor again the moans our louder.
Broken Gabrielle: Don’t you know that this is all I am good at? Don’t you know this is the only thing I can’t fail.
The door cracks a little more open as Gabi is seen face down on the couch her backside up as the sound of moans intense. You then hear the sound of it finishing as the red recording light fades and a demoralized Gabi is on her knees. Gabi stares at Kayden through the door as money is thrown at her. Broken Gabrielle appears she is staring down at Kayden as he has fallen to the ground curled up.
Broken Gabrielle: You did this, no matter what way the outcome became this is your fault Kayden. You should of never given me false hope. You should of never given me light. That was cruel that was a fate far worst than death. You give someone hope, you even give it to them for a second to just take it all away that is hell.
The room starts to crack and shattered all around them pieces of broken glass from the floor go off until there is nothing. There just in the empty dark was Broken Gabrielle & Kayden Knox. The two of them not saying a word. There is another glass shatter as Kayden sees the present Gabrielle coming back from her venture. Kayden and Gabi stare at one another through the glass and as they touch it shattered down the middle before hitting the ground. You can then see spread out across the floor different each other in each one of the glass pieces.
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:42:00 GMT
Originally posted by Sully. Voodoo Doll
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The clock on the wall. It's the only thing that can be heard in the silent old church, abandoned long ago and yet still inhabited. Now it's only visitors are two sisters...The Ravenwood sisters. Blair and Celestia had been there for about a week now. It was the perfect spot for them really. It was old, dark, dingy, and best of all quiet. Overall the perfect place for the two sisters to scheme, plot, and plan.
Inside the church, there was what you would expect. Church pews, most of them broken or worn down. An altar, an organ, and a ton of cobwebs...although it was likely those weren't there when the church was at its peak. Then there were some objects that didn't typically belong in a church. A cauldron, a spellbook, a jar filled with toad legs...
Notably, missing from the wall of the church was a cross. It had been taken down by Celestia shortly after the two girls claimed the church for themselves. It now sits facing the corner and out of view. There is some tension in the air as Blair and Celestia have not said a word to one another. Blair is tediously sewing away at something, while Celestia is just watching her do it.
Finally, Celestia breaks her silence.
Celestia Ravenwood: Which one are you making first, sister?
Blair looks at her sister and smiles.
Blair Ravenwood: Roderick.
Celestia giggles.
Celestia Ravenwood: I had a feeling that's who it was! I could tell by that ugly looking hair you sewed on top!
Blair Ravenwood: Hey, it was quite the mission to get this hair! Do you know the sneaking around I had to do.
Celestia Ravenwood: You are quite good at sneaking around.
Blair Ravenwood: And how about you? Did you get what we needed from del Circo?
Celestia holds up a little bag with what look to be tiny pubic hairs.
Blair gives her a look of disgust.
Celestia Ravenwood: What? You didn't specify what hairs to get!
Blair rolls her eyes at her sister.
Blair Ravenwood: I'm putting them the head still.
Celestia Ravenwood: You might as well, it's very fitting for him!
Blair Ravenwood: Celestia, you don't understand, these voodoo dolls need to be perfect. One little mistake and the entire spell won't work!
Celestia gives her sister a look of annoyance. It doesn't go unnoticed, as Blair's expression turns sour as well.
Blair Ravenwood: What? Do you have something to say?
Celestia stays quiet for a moment, as if she's pondering whether it's worth starting something, but she decides to say something anyway.
Celestia Ravenwood: It's just...honestly, I don't know why we even need to use these Voodoo Dolls anyway. Don't you think we could take these two rookies on our own? I mean, we already have FWA experience. We competed on Ground Zero...these guys? They're fresh.
Blair Ravenwood: Exactly, Blair...exactly. We don't know them...we don't know what they're capable of. It's better safe than sorry, and with Kleio...
Celestia Ravenwood: That's another thing, Blair...why won't you let me talk to Kleio! Where is our Queen? You keep telling me that she's doing important work, but you won't tell me where she is!
Blair stays silent for a minute...she thinks about her next words carefully, but then she decides to change the subject.
Blair Ravenwood: We need to focus on our match.
Blair picks up the Roderick Vasyl voodoo doll as she finishes up the final touches. She looks at her work in admiration. She rubs her painted red nails along the doll as she smiles, slowly rubbing her fingers across the doll's knee.
Blair Ravenwood: You know, Sister, it would be a tragedy if...during our match...Roderick were to tear his ACL for a second team?
Blair twists the doll's leg, nearly crunching it up in her hand.
Celestia lets out an evil laugh, as she continues to work on her our MDC doll.
Blair Ravenwood: A little boy he is. Just 24 years young, and what does he have to show for it? A life of trauma and despair? Our queen, Kleio, has overcome far more adversity. If she were able to fight, she would crush him with just her fist.
And with that, Blair squeezes the Roderick Doll's head in her hand.
Meanwhile, Celestia is just putting the finishing touches on her doll. Sewing the last of, what appear to be MDC's pubic hairs, onto the doll's head. Celestia seems proud of the doll she's created. The tiny little hairs poke up out of the doll's home made mask, one that looks just like one MDC would wear.
Celestia Ravenwood: I have to say sister, your doll is a lot more interesting than mine is. At least Roderick has some personality to him. I mean sure, Kleio already did the whole life filled with trauma, living on the streets thing already, so he's sort of a copy cat...but at least he has personality! My doll...he's got nothing! Oh look, another luchador with a mask. And...that's it. That's his story.
Blair yawns.
Blair Ravenwood: HOW BORING!
Celestia Ravenwood: Win or lose sister, one thing is for sure...we have more flair, more personality, and more power than either of these two clowns. And...and...if Kleio comes, they won't stand a chance. She'll summon the wendigo, and have them sucked into the underworld...forced to be slaves of Lilleth for all of eternity!
Celestia begins to cackle, but Blair doesn't. Blair tightens up when Celestia mentions Kleio again.
And Celestia definitely noticed it too. The younger sister gives her sister a concerned look, but soon that look turns to anger.
Celestia Ravenwood: Blair, I am sick and tired of you treating me like the kid sister. I am not a kid anymore..you and I are sisters, and partners, and we are in this together. I deserve to know what you and our Witch Queen are planning. You cannot keep pushing me out of the loop! And if you do, I'll...I'll track down the Queen myself, and I'll make her get me more involved!
You do not get to keep being the boss of every little thing we do!
I let you choose the spells. I let you plan tricks...with the voodoo dolls, and the rituals...but you have to talk to me.
How are we going to be a team in that ring, when we can't even talk like sisters?
Celestia finishes her rant.
Blair doesn't respond. Instead she looks down at the ground...
Celestia doesn't stop however. She is insistant to figure it out.
Celestia Ravenwood: BLAIR! TELL ME WHERE KLEIO IS! I haven't talked to her since Back in Business...since she went into that hospital. I deserve to know!
Blair finally shouts back.
Blair Ravenwood: I don't know where she is! Alright? I don't know. We were with her at the hospital, after Back in Business...and the last time you saw her was the last time I saw her. After she got transferred back to Miami, I...I lost her.
Celestia seems stunned. All this time and Blair didn't know either.
Celestia Ravenwood: You lost her? How did you lose her?
Blair Ravenwood: I don't know. I checked the hospitals, I checked the hotels...I checked everywhere. She just...she vanished. And I don't know if she's ok or not. She had a concussion Blair, a pretty bad one...she might not even know who she is, or where she is. But...I promise you, we're going to find her. In the mean time, please...just...let's focus on what we're doing.
Celestia nods at her sister.
She then picks up the MDC Doll, and wraps her hand around it's neck.
Celestia Ravenwood: First...we take care of these two. And then...we find Kleio.
Blair smiles at her sister, and then pokes a sharp pin through the head of the Roderick Doll.
The two girls share a cackle. But behind it, the worry and tension is there. Their witch queen is missing, and without her they are powerless.
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:42:29 GMT
Originally posted by CBK.  |
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:43:03 GMT
Originally posted by rawr. The Reunification of a Fractured Heart
Part I: Hope
[ATTACH type="full" width="381px"]32473[/ATTACH]
We’re a week removed from Lights Out. One week since Danny Toner delivered the final blow to end the Alyster Black/Danny Toner rivalry. A week since two souls who were bound together and destined to fight forever were put to rest.
The loser of the war was more than heartbroken. It’d been a week since he’d seen sunlight, and longer still until he would again. Inside the ring in New Orleans Alyster Black didn’t just lose the most important match of his life, he lost a part of himself. A most crucial aspect of his very being that was responsible for keeping the engine running. In its absence the machine that was Alyster Black has ground to a halt and is left to rot inside his San Dimas domicile.
A domicile where one Violet Dreyer finds herself in the early mornings of the weekend before Fallout. The typically sunny and warm San Dimas is cold this early. Enough where Violet’s breath takes shape. The Australian native is in no mood to endure this hardship, it’s bad enough that she’s awake this early but to be forced to endure the cold is unforgivable. Especially in her current state. Still hurt, barely able to walk. Relying on the use of crutches to remain upright and having a tremendously difficult time breathing.
"Being here is better than being in that hospital." She thought to herself as she raised one of her metallic crutches high and began slamming it against Alyster Black’s front door.
The obnoxious banging was followed by a long and awkward silence. The punk sighed before raising the crutch once more and banging even harder. The exertion caused her tremendous pain and she was infuriated when her efforts weren’t rewarded.
Violet pressed her ear against the door. Nothing. No footsteps, no yelling to wait a moment, not even the sound of snoring. Dead silence, it was all he’d shown to the world for the past week, and all he’d shown to those who were closest to him.
He was home, she knew he was home. His car was right fucking there. The asshole was ignoring her. "How fucking dare he!" She moved away from the porch, looking up at the second floor at the window she assumed belonged to his bedroom.
“Hey asshole! What the fuck?!” She screamed and was met with further silence. “God damn it Alyster! Let me in cunt!”
Not only did she have to make the effort to come out and see him, but he had the audacity to ignore her once she’d arrived. Violet was steaming, it was one thing to ignore her texts and phone calls, she could forgive that considering his situation. But this was too much.
“You fucking bitch!” She screamed again, lucky that Alyster’s home was situated far enough away from any neighbours to disturb them. “People lose matches all the time. I lose all the time. You don’t see me hiding away from the world like a goddamned man-child.”
She turned around in frustration, slowly approaching Alyster’s car. A nondescript black sedan. Alyster wasn’t much of a car guy, as long as it had four wheels and air conditioning he was happy. But even the least caring car-owner would mind what Violet was about to do.
Once she’d finished smashing in his tailight she turned back to his window to scream some more, “I just fucked up your car loser! You still gonna wallow in there and ignore me? Huh?”
Five minutes passed, apparently he was in fact just going to wallow in self-pity and ignore her. After all she’d done for him, after everything she’d had to endure in his name, this is how he repays her?
“Bastard.” She whispered to herself, “Danny Toner goes full psycho because of you and takes it out on me. I get to sit in a hospital for a few weeks recovering and you don’t even have the decency to beat that fucker.” The volume of her voice slowly rose during her rant.
“I get laid up in a hospital bed, bored out of my mind while you get to fly out to New Orleans and main event on live pay-per-view.”
She kicked at a loose stone on his driveway, attempting to send it through a nearby window but instead lost her footing and took a flat back bump on the concrete. Gasping for air, which was made all the more difficult thanks to the freezing cold morning temperature, she stared at the mostly grey sky above and swore.
“FUCK!”
Violet gritted her teeth and sighed in frustration before turning over onto her front and crawling to the front porch. She sat up against the raised step and pulled out her phone to call a cab which would rescue her from having to endure Alyster Black’s bullshit anymore.
It was his fault that she was hurt.
"Fuck him."
She turned her head back up to the window. “What are you going to do? Miss the entire F1? You’re one of the favourites to win you fucking idiot! You have another chance to get back at Danny “Goddamn Fucking Asshole” Toner! Don’t piss away an opportunity that someone like me would literally die for!”
She really would, someone like Violet Dreyer would sell her soul for a chance to enter something like the F1, and as far as the outside world could tell, Alyster Black may possibly be throwing away his chance to compete.
It’s circulated through every wrestling news outlet, the absence of Alyster Black following Lights Out. There’s been no media appearances, no comments, and leaks from within the FWA organisation show that higher ups in the company, namely Jon Russnow and Cal Robinson, have little faith that Alyster Black will actually participate in the tournament.
The rumour mill was proving to be true, and this frustrated Violet Dreyer more than any perceived lack of revenge on Alyster’s part for her ever could.
~~~~~~~~
The curtains were drawn closed, barely a speck of light entered the dark bedroom of FWA’s X Champion. A common misconception of depression is that those suffering are in a state of constant sadness. Whilst this is partially true another symptom is a lack of emotion.
Alyster Black laid awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling up above, unfeeling, uncaring. His body had acclimated to the nagging physical pain that lingered from Lights Out. Numb, it described Alyster to a T. He didn’t care to leave this bed, he didn’t care to shower, to eat, to drink. He hadn’t bothered answering his phone and had neglected it for so long that it’d run out of charge. He was now unreachable.
It was easy to ignore the commotion outside, he simply didn’t care to attend to it. He didn’t care about anything anymore. He was a failure, an abject failure. Every promise he’d made was a lie. The foundation of his very being was flawed. His world was crumbling around him.
Wrestling? It was a fool’s errand. Who was he to think that he could be a world champion? That he could ever be considered “the best”? That distinction is saved for those with talent, not bums who had no business even stepping in the ring.
Chris Kennedy, Michelle von Horrowitz, Devin Golden, Nova Diamond, Jon Snowmantashi, Cyrus Truth… even Danny Toner. These were real gladiators, these were real wrestlers who were worthy of main eventing. Alyster Black had no business looking at the world championship, let alone challenging for it. Danny Toner made damn sure of that.
So Alyster laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, broken inside. The sound of breaking glass didn’t alarm him. He continued to lay down and stare above. The loud shrieking of a woman outside, hurling abuse his way, didn’t bother him at all. He paid no attention to it. What she was saying was probably right anyway. Who was he to argue with her?
She definitely said something about the F1 Climax. What was the use? It’s not like he could overcome the odds. Every other gladiator in his block deserved to win more than he did. They were better wrestlers. Danny, Mike, Michelle, Tommy and Caesar. Who the fuck was Alyster Black to think that he had a shot in hell of even winning a match let alone the tournament? And the big prize, another shot at Danny Toner that he would fuck up.
He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve the adulation of the fans. He didn’t deserve to become some sort of hero to them. He was incapable of beating Danny. He was incapable of overcoming Executive Excellence. He didn’t deserve to become World Champion. He didn’t even deserve to be X Champion.
He was a liar and a failure. His claims that the X Championship was the real World Championship was false, disproved twice by Danny.
He deserved to rot in this room for the remainder of his days.
Turning over onto his side, he clutched his pillow. Turning it horizontal and hugging it tight. He closed his eyes in a desperate attempt to sleep. He hadn’t slept in days. While he was awake he had to endure existence, in his slumber he was spared this pain, or lack thereof.
Sleep wouldn’t come to Alyster Black. Just like with the FWA World Championship, he was unworthy of slumber. If he was capable of feeling anything he would likely be frustrated right now, or perhaps he’d cry. He was unsure that he could cry anymore. The days following Lights Out were spent mostly crying. His pillow, the case of which had been unchanged since before he flew out to New Orleans, was covered in tear stains. Perhaps Alyster had cried all the tears he was capable of crying for the remainder of his pathetic existence.
It was a disturbing thought to be sure, at least it would disturb the masked man if he was still capable of feeling disturbed. The shrieking outside surly wasn’t capable of disturbing him. Nor was the smell of burning wood.
"Burning wood?" Alyster raised his head up and scanned his bedroom. Sure enough there it was, smoke rising from the wooden floorboards at the foot of his bed. Perhaps Violet Dreyer was attempting to smoke him out. The joke was on her, he didn’t care to leave his room, nor did he care if he perished in a hellish inferno. Alyster had long suspected that he was hellbound and this was a sure sign that he was.
He laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. Maybe fate would show him some mercy and let him get in a few minutes of shuteye before the smoke inhalation, or blazing inferno, did its job.
“You know, you have got to be the most sensitive wrestler in FWA history. I mean just look at you.” A deep, resonating voice sung out. Smooth and honey-like, not unlike that of the late Alan Rickman. “Have you no shame? Honestly, how many times have you ended up in this situation? At least a dozen since you made your return to professional fighting.”
Alyster’s head rose groggily. Standing at the foot of his bed was almost incomprehensible. It was man shaped but lacked all detail. Smooth all over, yet appeared to be on fire, the creature shone bright but didn’t illuminate the room around it. Alyster sat up further, looking at the creature’s feet. Around it was a flaming circle. Was this some sort of demon? Had Alyster finally passed on to the next plane of existence?
“I know what you’re thinking. No, you’re not dead, and no, I’m not a demon. Not that you care, right?”
It was right, he didn’t really care. He was incapable of caring. A divine looking creature appeared from out of nowhere and Alyster Black felt nothing. That’s how dire his situation had become.
“Are you really going to just lay there and ignore me?” The creature was becoming impatient, its tone snapped from alert and boisterous to low and almost threatening. “I’m a creature beyond comprehension Alyster. You can’t just lay there and hope I’ll go away. It’s not how this works. Aren’t you even the least bit curious as to what I am or what I want?”
The silence was long and awkward, and frustrating enough for the creature that it raised its hands and snapped its fingers. At the sound of the snap Alyster Black pillow was consumed in an inferno, the fire beginning at the bottom of the pillow and spreading over the remainder of it. The fire didn’t burn, nor did it leave any residue. The pillow simply vanished. This was enough to snap Alyster’s attention.
“Alright…what are you and what do you want?” His voice was monotone, lacking all semblance of spirit. His passion had been sucked dry and he was a husk of a man.
“Firstly, I want you up and out of bed. I want you showered and I want you to brush your teeth because frankly you stink and a creature of my stature should not have to put up with your nauseating human stench.”
It had a good point, of course Alyster didn’t care about the creature, especially by how offended it was by him simply existing.
“If you don’t like it then there’s the door.” He weakly raises his hand, not even bothering to fully extend his index finger as he points toward the general direction of the door.
“Now that simply won’t do.” The creature tutted then snapped its fingers once more. A blinding flash consumed Alyster and in an instant he found himself submerged under water.
Darkness surrounded the X Champion. There was nary a speck of light to guide Alyster from his predicament. He had no way of knowing which direction would lead to his salvation.
It's said that drowning is one of the more peaceful ways to go. Once you let go and allow the water to fill your lungs, you simply drift off. It sounded like a more fitting ending for Alyster Black than meeting his end inside a wrestling ring.
When he opened his mouth and breathed in the water he was left in a state of bewilderment. He was not drowning, nor was he breathing, or suffocating. He was comfortable. It was an odd experience, indescribable. How does one convey the feeling of not-breathing and not-suffocating at the same time?
He flapped his arms and tried to swim but had no way of even knowing if he was moving. Such was the power of complete darkness. Alyster pondered his lack of sight for a moment, he had no way of knowing if that flash of light that brought him here had blinded him or not. For all he knew his vision had been stolen from him and he was in fact in a well illuminated space.
What he did know for sure was that his feeling of touch was still intact. As he waved his arms he could feel a soapy lather begin to cover his naked flesh. The more he moved around the more it seemed to cover his body, until he was completely consumed. Once the outside of his skin was covered the lathering began to move inward, filling his mouth and spreading throughout his insides.
In another bright flash of all consuming light Alyster found himself back inside his bedroom, fully dressed and cleaned. His hair freshly cut, his beard shaved, and feeling cleaner than he had had before in his life.
His room was equally cleaned. The blinds were drawn open. The floor was immaculate, piles of clothes that had been carelessly discarded all over were gone, assumed cleaned and put away. His bed sheets had been changed. The smell of death permeating had dissipated. If Alyster was capable of caring he might have cracked a smile at the quick turnaround.
“Much better, just one more touch.” The creature approached, holding out a pine scented air freshener. You know the kind, pine tree shaped, the sort you hang from your rearview mirror. The creature fastened it around Alyster’s neck.
“What did you do to me?” Alyster felt uneasy, his legs wobbled and a knee buckled. He fell over, grabbing the edge of his bed to keep from hitting the floor.
“I sent you off for a deep soul cleansing. In your state it’s not going to do much for your soul, on account of your lack of one, but it still does wonders for the physical body.”
“Soul cleanser? I thought you said you weren’t a demon.”
“Oh heavens no. Nor am I an angel. I’ve no affiliation with the afterlife. I deal with the metaphysical, we’ve met before Mr. Black. Don’t you recall?”
Alyster shook his head.
“I’m sure it’ll come back to you eventually. For now we’ve a matter of grave importance to discuss.”
“Sure, whatever.” Alyster steadied himself, but felt bothered by having to stand and instead decided to sit down on the edge of his bed. The creature tutted for a moment, believing that Alyster may lay down yet again but was content with him simply sitting.
“Your enthusiasm is comforting.” The creature remarked as it took a seat beside Alyster. It leaned forward, resting its elbows on his thighs, hands crossed over, slouched. The creature turned its expressionless face toward Alyster and continued, “It’s not entirely your fault that you’re like this at the moment. This isn’t some normal grieving period. We all know how those usually go for you. A few days locked in here, spending time alone, lamenting your bad luck. You’d normally never allow your loved ones to worry about you like they are now. Violet’s calls wouldn’t go unanswered, and if he was still alive neither would Krash’s.”
“Uh-huh.” Alyster sounded bored, of course he wasn’t bored. Boredom was reserved for those capable of feeling anything. Alyster lacked all feeling. He was broken inside.
“You see, it’s your heart.”
“My heart’s fine, Dr. Smith checked it after my match against Danny.”
“Not that heart. Don’t you pay attention? I deal in the metaphysical. I’m talking about the concept of heart. You know, that thing that keeps you swinging?”
“Oh. Well I guess my heart is broken.”
“That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one. It’s more serious than that though, your heart isn’t just broken. It’s missing. Usually a broken heart sits inside someone until they fix it. But you my friend, well, yours is lost.”
“Danny took my heart?” Alyster sighed, “Bummer.”
The creature shot up to its feet. “No, Danny didn’t take your heart. You lost it in your pursuit of the World Championship.” It clapped a hand on Alyster’s shoulder, “You threw everything you had at Danny Toner and the World Championship, everything. And you lost the most important piece of yourself in the process. Your heart was more than just broken, it was fractured and scattered. Lost to other worlds. Fortunately for you, I’m here to guide you in restoring your heart.”
Alyster weakly slapped the creature’s hand from his shoulder. “That’s cool and all but it’s hardly something I care about. So what if my heart is gone, I don’t need it. It’s not like I’m ever going to be able to come back from losing to Danny. It’s not like I’m ever going to win a match again.”
Shaking its head in pity, the creature squatted down, meeting Alyster at his eye-level. “Your heart was broken into five pieces, and I’m going to help you restore them all. Everything that is Alyster Black depends on it. You’ve got a good thing going Aly, you’ve finally arrived. Losing to Danny on a coin flip was your first step toward immortality. Toward Godhood. You can’t abandon the path.”
Alyster didn’t respond. He simply turned away and slowly fell down, laying back down on his side. Staring out the window at the grey skies of San Dimas.
“This is a lot to take in, especially for someone lacking what you are. Why don’t you just sleep on it? You could use the rest.”
Before he could even reply the creature snapped its fingers and Alyster was pulled into a deep slumber. One that had been eluding him for ages.
~~~~~~~~
A lush green field greeted Alyster Black. Adorned with a perfect blue sky, a small,refreshing lake, and plenty of tall trees whose shade were begging to be rested in. It was perfect, a slice of heaven. Alyster walked slowly, weighed down by two golden belts that shone so brightly that the eye could barely stand to look at them. Alyster couldn’t help but to steal the occasional glance. Over the blood stained face plate of the FWA X Championship, and then over the freshly polished faceplate of the FWA World Championship. The nameplate of both belts bore his name. They were his and his alone.
He found a shady spot, overlooking the lake. Laying down in the grass with both championship belts at each side. Alyster was content. This could be his final resting place. There was no need to die in the ring, or to die in a blazing inferno. Drowning was not a preferable way to go. This was it. The end of his journey, adorned with the very gold he had devoted his life to obtaining.
Everything felt right.
“This beats rotting away in self-pity doesn’t it?” That warm British accented voice rang out. “And you’d throw away a chance to obtain this peace?”
The creature stepped out from behind the tree, leaning against the strong trunk with its arms crossed over its chest.
“The first fragment of your heart that we’ll restore is the most important. It’s hope. Do you know why hope is so important?”
“It drives me.”
“Very good. Hope keeps you going when all else fails. Hope is the base for all dreams. Without hope then this little slice of heaven is unfathomable.”
Alyster took a deep breath, he reached out by his right and rubbed the palm of his hand over the FWA World Championship, every crevice, every embellishment, every jewel was distinct. It was perfect. “I want it. I want this. I want it so badly. I need it.”
The masked man muttered under his breath, repeating his last sentiment over and over again.
The creature snapped its fingers and the World Championship disappeared in a puff of smoke. The masked man groaned in pain, a pain that felt unnatural, it did not belong in this plane of existence.
“If you even think you’ve a hope in hell of obtaining it then you’d better embrace the journey. Let me lead you to the promised land. It all begins with restoring your hope, it all begins with Mike Parr.”
Alyster looked up at the fiery figure with anger permeating from the very depths of his being. For the first time in weeks Alyster actually felt something, loss, anger. But it was only for a brief moment. He returned to his blank expressionless demeanour and spoke in a monotone voice. “Mike Parr?”
“Mike is the embodiment of hope in the FWA. Don’t you agree?”
The masked man nodded his head, he supposed that was true. “Who has more hope than Mike Parr?” He pondered aloud, “No matter what happens to him, Mike always bounces back. Every loss is quickly brushed aside and eventually rectified.”
“Exactly. Mike has challenged for that beautiful championship belt more times than you can count. And not once has Mike ever fallen as hard as you have in failure. When things go wrong for Mike Parr he recollects himself and continues onward. His will is indomitable. His hope is never ending, it will burn for all eternity.”
“So I just have to beat Mike Parr and I will restore my hope?”
“Oh Alyster, this isn’t just about winning and losing. All you have to do is understand Mike Parr. Understand what keeps him going when so many others in similar circumstances have stumbled and fallen from the path. The likes of Randy Ramon, Krash, Chris Kennedy. These so called greats, their hope has died out, that’s why they’re gone. Mike Parr persists no matter what. His hope burns bright. All you need to do is get close enough to reignite yours. And from there we can work on restoring the rest of your heart.”
“That makes sense.”
“Everything makes sense in a dream.”
~~~~~~~~
Alyster awoke. Laying on his side, clutching his pillow to his chest. The same pillow as before, covered in tear stains. His nose flared, a stench permeated the room. When he raised his head and examined his surroundings all he could see was darkness, the blinds were still drawn shut.
The sound of screaming could still be heard outside. Alyster hopped up to his feet and made the long trek downstairs to the front door.
Hoping to contain his modesty he picked up a dirty robe from the floor by his bedroom door and put it on.
Violet Dreyer shrieked when the front door of Alyster’s home swung open.
“Hey.” Alyster greeted her in a monotone voice. “Sorry about that. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
A voice echoed through his head, "Ha, nice one."
- Fin
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:43:37 GMT
Originally posted by Rosie. Submitted Sunday November 6th at 11:45pm EST. For Vampyra vs Tommy Bedlam in the F1 Climaxx.“Finding Your Inner Huntress”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 2nd, 2022Hyde Park, London, UK
2:03 pm Local Time
At the future site of FWA’s hit show, Meltdown, we are having a bit of promotional work for the event to kick off a busy time for the company. Soon, a section of this scenic park will be replaced with a wrestling ring and stage, ready for some of wrestling’s most passionate fans. For now, all is peaceful on this brisk fall day under grey cloudy skies. Some of the green is beginning as the leaves on the trees are beginning to fall, showering the ground in a mix of red, yellow, and orange with brown. Near the beautiful huntress fountain, we see a bit of a photoshoot for FWA. The fountain provides a backdrop as its water is covered in a mix of fallen leaves. The golden huntress stands tall on top of the fountain. A group of photographers for FWA stands over the stone path, taking pictures of a wrestler standing in front of the water.
With her signature mask, showing a base black design with purple trim, and silver “Fangs,” we know her, Vampyra. Though her look is a touch unique for the photo shoot. Wearing a predominantly black dress, it has an almost heart-shaped design near the breast with a purple colour and black straps reaching along it. The hips of Vampyra are made more predominant with a corset that blends into the main colour of the dress with ribbons on it. The actual skirting of the dress opens wide, going down to her knees where we see leggings and black boots on her legs and feet. Her arms are covered with black lace sleeves, though her shoulders are bare apart from two straps. On her chest, we see a stunning necklace with purple and black gems, forming a heart. In her hand, a black lace parasol. As the camera crew takes photos of her, Vampyra switches between different poses, not at all unfamiliar to her, having done similar photoshoots for her home promotion in Japan.
Standing out a bit from the group of photographers, we see a girl who only stands at about five feet. Her skin has a light tan with a mix of some Asian descent, and she has a backwards ballcap on covering her black hair. She has a red jumper on her with jeans and she is enthusiastically taking photos with a black purse slung over her shoulder. Vampyra puts the parasol over her shoulder and does her Unit’s main “M” taunt before putting her finger up near the fang design of her mask. Here, she is in her element. There is no mistaking it. She is perfectly in the mindset of being Vampyra. Calm, cool, collected. After, a gentleman standing on the outside of the photographer wearing an FWA branded jacket claps his hands together. He has greying hair with a clean shaved face.
“Excellent work. I think we can take a break and submit these pictures to the social media team before we do some more with other wrestlers.” He approaches Vampyra who closes her parasol. “Once again, thank you so much for agreeing to this. Great look.”
Putting the parasol under her arm, Vampyra gives a small nod. “You would be surprised how much I have done photoshoots like this back in Japan. I suppose it is nothing muc-”
The short girl, unable to contain her glee, rushes over and tries to “correct” Vampyra. Her accent is slightly London influenced, though appears to have a mix of other influences.
“No, it is awesome! You look so cool!” Then she takes the parasol from Vampyra’s hand and puts it over her shoulder, trying to mimic Vampyra’s last pose. “You’re all like, ‘Look at me, I’m mysterious, I’m going to kill yo-”
Rolling her eyes, Vampyra takes the parasol back, a little annoyed, but she seems to brush it off quickly. The gentleman from FWA blinks. “I’m sorry, but why were you invited again?”
The new girl puts her hand on her hips and says, somewhat proudly. “Excuse me? I’m Vampyra’s new director!”
And Vampyra is quick to correct her. “No, Kimmy. I did not agree to that, yet.” Kimmy sighs, before Vampyra turns to the gentleman. “She is a friend of a friend. While I am in London, we agreed she can keep me company. She has an interest in filmmaking and photography so FWA let her join in this session today. My apologies if she is a bit much.”
The gentleman looks at Kimmy before looking back at Vampyra before shrugging. “Works for me.” Then looks at Kimmy, “And a word of advice, missy, remember to take your medicine. It will do you some good. Take care, Vampyra.”
He turns around and walks towards the photographers to help them pack up and move. Kimmy sticks her tongue out at him before Vampyra and her “friend of a friend,” head down to sit on a bench. Vampyra folds her legs and Kimmy talks.
“You seemed to have calmed a lot from being the ‘bundle of nerves,’ Cali described you as feeling before you left.” Kimmy adds, “Even when I took you to the pub you were still a bit on edge.”
The masked wrestler looks around and talks, keeping to a whisper, “Well, you have to remember, here I am on stage, if you will. That is what FWA management sees me as. That is what viewers near-by see me. I wish to keep that image.”
Humming, Kimmy responds, “I know a lot of wrestlers are image conscious, but you take it to a whole new level. Does that have to do with the fact you’re a masked wrestler?”
Taking a few extra seconds to respond, Vampyra tries to find the right words, “In some ways, yes, but not exactly.” She points to her mask, “This mask and what it means was created over years of my work. The identity of Vampiress, or now, Vampyra, in a way is part of me. It was born from inside of me, became my spirit. It is certain traits of mine that come to life.” Then she folds her hands, “But yes, being masked does add pressure as I like the tradition to keep my name off of public record.”
“And yet you have posted a few maskless pictures on Twitter before or ones where you peek behind a mask and show part of your face.” Kimmy mentions it, but Vampyra chuckles.
“And yet each time I do, I censor it online. Because Cali vouched for you, you saw my face when you took me to a pub the night I arrived. But, I do not tell anyone my name or family name. Even the few who know I keep to a circle of people I trust. COSMIC management knows, select names in FWA management know. My friends in MAYHEM know, but they have the habit of not saying it.”
“Like how Cali calls me Cyber most of the time because of my username!” Kimmy tries to draw a personal connection and Vampyra touches her nose.
“It is like that in a way. Though more important. This is a name that is not a username online. It blends with who I am. A public persona. In the end, I value it.” She grabs her purse from Kimmy and paces it over her shoulder. Then we hear a vibrating sound from Kimmy’s pocket.
“Discord notification, again?” Vampyra chuckles.
Taking out her phone, Kimmy examines the notification. “No… Oh yeah, it is just Shake Meltzer’s breakdown of the F1 Climaxxx.” She turns to Vampyra. “Say, why aren’t you in it? You’d do great!”
The wrestler quickly dismisses the idea. “No no. It is not needed.”
“Aww. Come on!” She pats Vampyra on the back, “Not even at all a bit curious!?”
Vampyra takes a deep breath, stressing, “I won a briefcase where I have a match for the Television Championship soon. That right now is my focus and even if competing in a tournament like that would be an honour, I did not expect it truly when I have only had two matches in FWA.”
“Come on, where is the fun in that?” Kimmy tries to encourage her. “Don’t say that! You’ve been in the Comet GP before and that has like 20 people, not twelve.”
Vampyra corrects her, “I have been in it four times. My best showing wasn’t even a win.”
“It's hard to win! Your best was 6 wins! You can win your block with five wins!” Kimmy continues to press. “Why are you doubting yourself?”
Sighing, Vampyra stands up. “Walk with me. I will explain.” And Kimmy joins her as the two begin to walk through the picturesque park in the heart of London.
“When I decided to go to America, I expected that things would move slowly. Though I want competition, I did not expect to be in the conversation for a championship right away. But because of Cali, I took a leap forward to enter the Secular Spooktacular and I have a championship match.”
“Because, you’re good!” Kimmy encourages Vampyra more and Vampyra raises her finger, giving her a ‘one moment’ hand gesture, and she continues.
“It took some time for me to truly come into my own as a wrestler. I debuted with a mask, but Vampiress, or, Vampyra was not born until after. Then I was struggling for a long time to find out what being ‘Vampyra’ was about. I suppose that was because of how I entered wrestling. I entered at 15 years old and in Japan with the culture, you often do not really focus on yourself. We focus on the good of society. In school we were taught omoiyari, or to notice or think of others. But when I entered wrestling, I did it not to think of others, but myself. In a way, I was ashamed of it. I was scared of what others thought. I could have done something else to help others, but I did not.”
Looking down, Vampyra takes a deep breath, “That was because I had people who valued me for me. They value both the mask and the woman under it. They showed me what omoiyari really meant and Cali was not even born in Japan and she did that. They thought of me. They notice how I feel. They saved me. I nearly quit and I gave them that in return. I also realised how even being a wrestler can touch others. After I entered MAYHEM, I walked out for a match and saw in the front row, a little girl wearing a mask like mine for the first time.”
She turns to Kimmy and has a small grin, “I was taken back. I had to hide my face in case I cried tears of joy. I touched someone in their heart. If Vampyra is a symbol of strength and power to me, then maybe she is to that girl? Even if not everyone supports me, the fact there was even one, gave me strength. So I suppose I was content to not rush, show appreciation to those around me, and let my opportunity come with time.”
“That’s touching and all,” Kimmy then asks, “But what does this have to do with not wanting in the F1?”
“Well…” Vampya inhales, “I suppose I also never wanted to step too far too soon. Step in front of other people also deserving. I know that even with me stepping through the curtain as Vampyra, letting that spirit consume me, giving me strength I am not invincible.”
They turn a corner on the path and Vampyra continues on, seeing some of the FWA staff having a break and talking she motions towards them.
“In FWA, I did not want to rush. The process to become who I am has taken six years of wrestling. What would be a bit longer? There is a song we sing as kids in Japan called Umi, with lyrics saying ‘The ocean is so wide and big, I wish I could go see other countries.’ and I have opened up to that. But why dive when I am not ready? I prefer that way because it is what Vampyra does. What the Dark Huntress does. I wait. I am patient. I wait for when there is an opening in the shadows.”
Kimmy hums, she is getting the ‘Vampyra’ treatment, then, she gets a response. “Well, take what I say with a grain of salt here. I’m not a wrestler, just a fan-”
Vampyra quips, “Superfan,”
“-Yeah,” and the film student chuckles before explaining, “But where I am from, the only way to know if you are ready is to try. Maybe be patient, but if you fail you get back up. You won’t be in the F1, but I think you should keep an eye on it, maybe make that a goal for you next year, or at least the people in it. It’s the best of the best in FWA. You’re trying to become the FWA Television Champ too, you’re going to have to defend it against top people. Keep an eye on the tournament.”
Vampyra paces, putting her finger up against her cheek. “You may have a point…”
“And I think you’d be ready to at least give the people in that tournament a run for their money if you were in it.” Kimmy takes out her phone. “In fact… Let’s see the opinion of someone who knows better…” and she starts to text. Vampyra knows exactly what is up.
“You’re texting Cali? It is six in the morning where she lives!”
“And knowing her, she probably got up early to edit her stream highlights from two days ago. She was replaying Persona on her Halloween night stream and she usually rests a day after a big stream before getting a head-start on editing.”
Vampyra blinks.
“Why do you think that?”
“I told you, we’ve talked since we were kids. We know things even you don’t know about her.” And, sure enough, Kimmy gets a quick response. She holds her phone up to Vampyra. “SEE! She agrees you’d do great if you were in it!”
“So don’t sell yourself short.” Kimmy puts her hand on her shoulders, “Keep an eye on it and maybe you’ll know what you’re up against as Television Champion. Like think of it, we have all the champions in FWA competing in it. There’s Cyrus Truth, Peacock, who won the Golden Opportunity and may just cash in at any time to shut up Danny Toner, Caesar is a former tag champ, Mike Parr was North American Champ.” And Kimmy hums, “Although lowkey I’m rooting for Tommy Bedlam.”
Vampyra raises an eyebrow, “Tommy. I saw his match with Randall. He has a fighting spirit. Interesting choice, though not out of the question.”
“I guess I have a soft spot. He’s had a real change of heart recently and he’s really on the rise. His match against Jason Randall was one of the biggest of his career and that isn’t even counting the fact he won the FWA Gauntlet Championship when that was around. Thinking about it,” She turns to Vampyra, “He almost reminds me of you in a way… Like not in a cowboy way. You were part of Sin-” Upon mentioning the name of her former stable, Vampyra stiffens, she doesn’t respond as Kimmy continues “-and they’re probably the most hated group in COSMIC, but when you went to MAYHEM you really started to rise in popularity and you’ve gotten better as a performer and person.”
“Right, I was not liked then…” Vampyra mutters… before brushing off her negative emotion, “But yes, I have grown a lot since then. I suppose it did not help that I was not even out of High School.”
“It’s just kind of interesting parallels. He even helped start a group before, Deathswitch Initiative. And of course, units are a pretty big thing in Japan and you created YOKAI Death Squad as a sub-group of MAYHEM.” Kimmy puts her hand on her chin, “Huh, now that I think of it, it is not a traditional dream match I’d think of, but it’d be interesting to see that match. Speaking of…” She lightly shakes Vampyra’s shoulder, “Uh, you against Aka WHEN!?”
Vampyra takes Kimmy’s hand off her shoulder, “Let’s not rush into dream matches. Aka Yurei is focused on her tag team pursuits and Bedlam is in the F1. Though I suppose he did beat the current Television Champion recently… Perhaps he’d be in line after the tournament?”
Motioning for Kimmy to continue following her around the park, Vampyra talks to her.
“If what you are saying is right, I suppose if I am to be a good champion, I need to keep a close eye on the F1 tournament. The predators of FWA are in the tournament and when I fight for the Television Championship, they will be hunting gold. Bedlam would be included. I need to live up to what the Vampyra name is. I need to be able to show it to the company. Truthfully, to many, I am still a ghost. My sample size is too limited. It will not be enough to beat Sawyer. I need to show I am ready to fight the very best in FWA.” Then, she sighs, “But of course, I doubt I would even be considered for that tournament.”
Looking out at one of the many lakes in Hyde Park, Vampyra thinks, “I know a tournament like the F1 would be a challenge. The Comet GP is infamous for how grueling it is. My first appearance was only due to another competitor’s injury and I failed miserably…” She takes a deep breath, “No, Katsuki, stop doubting yourself again…”
“No, what?” Kimmy asks, not quite hearing what she said.
“I should stop doubting myself.” Vampyra clarifies and in a way, reminds herself. “I am stronger than before. I can face those people. I can fight against Michelle. I can face Alyster Black. I can fight Chris Peacock, Tommy Bedlam, whoever of them would come for me after I beat Phillip Jackson. My time will come. I just need to wait for the opportunity. As I would say, my prey will come-”
A lightbulb goes off in the head of Kimmy as she shouts much like Phoenix Wright, “HOLD IT!” and she turns to Vampyra, putting her hands up as if she was holding a camera. “I got it! I have an idea. I told you I’m good with film-making and editing. Let’s make a video together! Not a YouTube video, but something for FWA.”
“Hmm?” The masked wrestler blinks as Kimmy explains.
“Like, let’s take that idea and film a video around it. If we like it, send it to FWA so they can post it online sometime. Use it to send a little message to Mr. Face of TV, that Bitch Summers, and just the roster in general. You will not be hunted. You are the Dark Huntress. Nobody can stop you. Not Reagan Cole. Not Caesar. Not Lizzie Rose. Not Danny Tonner. Not Tommy Bedlam, anyone.” Kimmy winks and Vampyra digests the idea. She hums more before nodding her head.
“I suppose that would be a way to keep busy. How about we text some ideas and record over the next few days?” Vampyra motions down the path towards where they saw the FWA staff on break. “First I need to see how my pictures turned out.” and Vampyra quips, “Maybe me showing up in pictures will show some people I am not a real vampire.”
“Sounds awesome! I think I have some ideas already.”
Kimmy nods and she extends a little fist bump towards Vampyra which the wrestler politely accepts. The two unlikely friends walk down the path of Hyde park.London, England, UK
November 6th
9:51pm Local Time
Several days later, the duo are in Kimmy’s flat in London. The place doesn’t look to be the most well kept, with some clothes and dishes left out. The wall is covered with posters of various video game franchises. In the main ‘living area’ there's a couch next to the kitchen area, with a coffee table in front of it. Across is a television with various game consoles on its glass stand. Lying on the couch, we see Vampyra without her signature mask on, and instead opting for a black cloth face mask. She is in street clothes with a pair of jeans and a personalised hoodie design. It has a mix of branding from Vampyra’s main stable, MAYEM, mixed with branding from the Trio name her, Ririko, and Cali use, YOKAI Death Squad. In her hands is her phone and she has an ear bud in. Across the room, we see Kimmy, wearing PJs, on her computer desk editing the video they have discussed making. With her editing program of choice open, she is trying to put the final touches, sipping on tea as she does so.
“So tell me, Vampyra, you know I know what your face looks like. We both know neither of us have the flu and are up to date on COVID shots, why are you wearing a facemask again?”
“Because your place stinks! It smells like a fish in dirty socks” Vampya explains. “When was the last time you cleaned it?”
“I’ll clean it before we go to Denmark…” Kimmy’s eyes shift to the side. “Promise…”
“Sure… Just show me the video when done, Miss Director.” Vampyra shows some sass and she continues to look through her phone. Open on it is a YouTube video in Japanese.
The title translates to “Vampiress Comet GP History” and is a collection of highlights and lowlights of Vampyra’s history in the Comet GP, COSMIC Joshi Wrestling’s Tournament similar to the F1 Cliimaxxx. The earlier clips show Vampyra in her time as part of the villainous Sin group. Her appearance is far more aggressive, with darker colours and more pronounced “fangs” on her mask, but her results are anything but, mostly being on the receiving ends of losses. However, as the years go on and Vampyra shifts to MAYHEM, her performances gradually get better. A graphic shows the standings from each tournament. The first tournament was 5 points out of a possible 20, two wins and a single draw. The second was 8, but in recent years, getting better breaking into double digits with 11 and the most recent being 13. Not a world ender, but trending in the right direction.
“And Got it!”
Kimmy motions for Vampyra to head over to her desk and her guest goes over to her desk.
“I think you’ll appreciate it.”
And… she hits play. Fantasy Wrestling Alliance Presents:
A Cyber-Kay Production…
Huntress{"Music"}[MEDIA=youtube]06FLWzE_MfU[/MEDIA]
The filter of the video has several lines going through it as if it was an old film. Rolling green grass hills expand as far as the eye can see, the fall trees showing their different shades of colour through the filter. A light wind blows through the air, catching leaves as they fall to let them flow into the distance. A creek is flowing nearby, creating a crackling sound. The sun is nearly set over the horizon as the last gaps of daylight touch rural England. On the edge of the forest, we see a figure seated down cross legged in the grass. Her cape gently moves in the wind. Her dress is all black, going down to her knees where we see boots and a band on her leg. Long black gloves cover her hands as they rest on her knees. We see the signature Vampire mask of the Dark Huntress is seen, her “fangs” bearing near the mouth opening. Eyes are closed. We hear Vampyra narrate, with subtitles on it appearing in both English and Japanese.
“She was a predator - a creature of the night who rejoiced in the thrill of the hunt.”
She quotes Alan Kinross. The Dark Huntress takes a deep breath. The camera takes a long zoom around, giving a long look at her. Gently, her hand twitches.
“She was hungry. She was never satisfied. Though an impatient huntress is a reckless one.”
BANG
The video’s audio is cut with the violent pop of a gunshot..
Flashing on the screen is a mix of images and footage of warriors and hunters throughout history. The fox hunts in the United Kingdom of men on horseback leading hounds. Roman soldiers standing in a phalanx position. Men in the army during the world wars, facing unGodly conditions in order to fight for the freedoms and right to human decency which we do not fully appreciate today. It even goes to hunters today enjoying the wilderness for sporting purposes. Traditional Samurai warriors in battle from Vampyra’s native Japan. Then, and cowboys riding across the open plains.
“For generations, when approached with a challenge, there are different strategies. But the strong always have a plan.”
Tying it back to wrestling, we see a mix of highlights from FWA history. From the dastardly such as Danny Toner recently attacking Violet Dreyer. Managers getting involved to help their clients win such as George E. Brilliant helping Sawyer Xavier win the Gauntlet Briefcase. Tommy Bedlam smashed Randall's head against a toilet bowl of all things. Finishers are hit, weapons are smashed. A shine appears on the screen. A golden one as held high is the FWA World Championship. The Dark Huntress leans her head back, eyes still closed.
“A goal, a mission. Mine is to cast aside what haunts me and most importantly-”{"Music"}[MEDIA=youtube]yR7xk3Nfruo[/MEDIA]
The music changes to that more fitting of a battle as Vampyra says.
“To thrive.”
In front of the Dark huntress, a bow and quiver lie on the ground. Its limbs appear to be carved expertly from wood, creating a smooth finish as they are connected by the string.
“As a venture to a new place, a new landscape, I would be remiss to be narrow in my approach. My actions will affect the next decision and the one after that. As night falls, my time will arrive.”
Grasping the bow, the Dark Huntress picks it up and slings the quiver over her shoulder. Standing up, she takes her first steps into the forest as the sun sets over them. Going into the forest, the trees stand tall and cover her in darkness, only small glimpses of moonlight breaking through the leaves. The Dark Huntress steps carefully, waiting for her prey to step out.
“As my journey continues, new obstacles will make their way, some are known. Though they may appear to be below me…”
Hearing a rustle in the bush, the Dark Huntress quickly turns, readying her bow with an arrow. Pulling back the string she launches an arrow forward and it drives itself into a tree. On the tree is a picture of Sawyer Xavier. His eyes are marked with red “X’s” and his neck has two red dots as if he was bitten.
“You will provide sustenance all the same…”
Continuing forward, the Dark Huntress readies her bow preemptively, ready for a tougher target.
“Of course, this is further towards a more rewarding capture. It is kill or be killed and some prey are worthy in name itself. A king of the jungle, long served and long reigned. Though there comes a time where he must be dethroned. Ready to refresh the cycle…”
The grass continues to rustle and a growl of a lion is heard. Showing a smirk, the Dark Huntress turns and fires her arrow in the direction. Making a mark in another tree, an emblem of three lions, symbolic of the British empire is carved into a tree and a warning shot to a champion in Vampyra's sights. The arrow is jabbed in the neck of one of the Lion’s markings and some sap is pouring out of it.
“And cleanse the past for the sake of the future.”
More rustling is heard as the Dark Huntress has a wide grin on her face, turning to shoot what is behind you.
“And of course, those who make too much noise will be easy targets as well...”
The narrator gives a cold laugh and we turn to see an arrow stabbed in another tree, this having a copy of Shawn Summers’ letter to management contesting Phillip A Jackson’s championship win.
Keeping calm, the Dark Huntress readies another arrow and continues down the clearing.
“But when the huntress stumbles she becomes the prey… I must not let my guard down. I shall not live in my own world…”
On the screen flashes a collection of images and videos related to the FWA roster, both old and new, from Andersen Vega arriving on the scene, Shawn Summers rising through the stage, Akihiko Kawaguchi’s debut vignette, Reagan Cole hitting his signature Cyclone Kick, Aka Yurei making her way out but it specifically highlights all the performers currently in the F1. All the current Champions winning their championships for the first time flash on the screen preceding Danny Toner yelling into the camera after beating X Champion, Alyster Black. Then the other top contenders that made their way in the tournament appear. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar pinning Uncle J.J. Jay’s shoulders to the mat. Bryan Baxter is seen grabbing his briefcase in the Secular Spooktacular. Mike Parr is seen driving his knee straight into Lizzie Rose’s jaw in the corner. Chris Peacock’s hand is held high after he does the unthinkable and wins the Golden Opportunity match. Cyrus Truth, looks into the camera and is cutting a passionate monologue, spitting his gospel. Then we see Tommy Bedlam, an underdog in the tournament, nailing his signature Super Kick on Jason Randall, driving him through the table on the outside…
“There is a vast roster of people already established in this new world, or, like me, are finding a way to make their imprint. Some will come sooner, rather than later, but as I am more known, my time in the shadows will become mute. I will be hunted. So, why should I be scared? Why be scared of the other hunters when you know what will come? Why worry, when you have all the time in the world to be ready for the time to take them down…”
Pulling back her bow, the Dark Huntress’ pose is reminiscent of the fountain which Vampyra took pictures of the day before. She launches an arrow forward and it strikes a tree with two “E’s” carved into it.
“One…”
Turning around, she readies another arrow and this one launches into a bush, taking a rose from it and jabbing it into a tree.
“By one-”
The footage of an arrow flying is repeated as we see the weapon pierce into a tree with a Peacock feather on the end of the arrow.
“By one…”
And another arrow cuts into a replica of the signature mask of X Champion, Alyster Black.
“By one… and so on.”
Through a rapid fire selection of arrows flying, we see the arrows of the huntress striking various other items. A wreath crown hangs on the top of one arrow, swaying as it was knocked off what it was on before. Another arrow jabs its way into a book titled “The Truth.” Peaking out of one of the bushes is a set of legs with wrestling boots on, though no people were harmed in the making of this or any film. Sticking out of the last tree, we see the arrow spiked through a brown ten-gallon cowboy hat… Having taken out most of her prey, the Dark Huntress stands in the middle of the clearing, breathing heavily. Around her she takes a look at the destruction her bow has caused and has a satisfied look on her face.
“Though who’s to say I’m not prepared already?”
Turning, the Dark Huntress heads through a space between trees to get out of the brush. The sea of trees ends and she finds herself on top of a hill. She takes a look at the night sky. Far enough away from the nearest city, the night sky is covered in stars. The moon shines through the sky, giving a slight glow. Crickets chirp in the night as the near-by stream continues to flow water.
“Every good huntress has patience. Every good huntress can adapt. She must prepare. I do all three. Deep down, I know that soon the road will be tougher. I have no friends here. There are only trials. One by one I will conquer each. I will feed. I will devastate those who stand against me. I will free myself of my own shackles. It is nothing personal, but it is the work of the Dark Huntress.”
The camera zooms towards the front of the Dark Huntress as she readies her bow one final time. Holding it up, she steadies it towards the camera.
“Death… awaits…”
Releasing the string, the arrow darts towards the camera as the feed cuts to black and the video fades away. |
Having watched the video back, Vampyra seems taken back. Blinking, almost in awe of the video. Kimmy swings her chair around, showing a grin.
“Well, what’cha think?”
It takes a few moments for Vampyra to find the right words. But, she finally does. “You were right. You are amazing when it comes to video-making. Thank you.”
“You mean Arigatō?” Kimmy has a wide grin. “See? I remember a bit of Japanese.” Vampyra grins under her mask and Kimmy nods. She then asks, “So, how are you feeling now? Feeling more sure of yourself?”
Turning, Vampyra takes a deep breath. “It was therapeutic. I told you, being Vampyra is what helps me. When I put on the mask and I truly let her spirit through me, my worries fade. I think you can see that now. I am in a much better mental state.”
Kimmy lightly pats Vampyra’s arm. “That’s what I’d like to hear. I'm really looking forward to seeing that Vampyra side more... Even if sometimes she scares the shit out of me."
Vampyra laughs. "Then I am doing my job."
"I think I'm a bit easier to scare than the average wrestler. But I'm sure it will work on some of them." Kimmy winks, "Now kick Sawyer’s ass, why don’t ya?”
“I will. He’ll be first.” Vampyra walks towards the bathroom, grabbing her nose. “Now if you will excuse me, I will find some air-freshener.”
“It’s not THAT bad!” Kimmy laughs. “But there is a can under the washbasin.”
Vampyra goes into the bathroom to search for the air fresher as Kimmy puts on her headphones and opens the YouTube tab of her computer. She opens a tab and types in a channel called “Chuggaaconroy” and looks for the creator’s recent videos before beginning to play their newest upload titled “Paper Mario – Episode 20: Chucky Buddy.”
On her coffee table, Vampyra’s phone begins to vibrate because of a call. It begins to shake and move. Eventually it leans over the edge before falling to the floor, the phone case preventing the phone from having any damage. It continues to vibrate as Vampyra walks in the room and sprays some air freshener. The caller for Vampyra goes to messenger and we see a notification for a missed call.
The caller.
Jon Russnow.
Vampyra will not be able to return that call, but little does she know, her plans for FWA will have a massive change, potentially for the better.
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:44:13 GMT
XXI: HYDE PARK.
Live from Hyde Park in London, United Kingdom.
Thursday 10th November, 2022.
[MEDIA=youtube]LNQXmLbisXU[/MEDIA]
After the opening video package that is seen at the beginning of each edition of Thursday Night Meltdown, we open up to the large outdoor space that is Hyde Park in London. It is a chilly night in the UK’s capital and with this being an outdoor event, the FWA fans that have been admitted into the enclosed space hired by the FWA are appropriately dressed in thick winter coats and wooly hats.
The ring is in the middle of the park, connected to a stage by a relatively short entranceway. A large screen has been erected above where the wrestlers will be making their entrances, and aerial shots reveal that behind the stage itself a makeshift backstage area has been put together, assuredly constructed by some of Britain's greatest engineers. We cut to the commentary table that has been set up next to the ring and Rod Sterling and Anzu Kurosawa are both shown. Rod is distracted talking to a roadman in the front row.
Rod Sterling: "Any time I’m here with the homies is a good time, G!"
Anzu awkwardly eyes the camera, her partner not realising that he is missing what must be his cue.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Meltdown! Tonight we’ve transformed one of London’s greatest tourist hotspots into ‘HYPE PARK’! The temperatures are taking a turn for the worst here, but the rain is staying away, and there's plenty of FWA action to look forward to!"
She looks over to Rod, who is practising a handshake with his companion behind him, and still with his back to the camera entirely. Anzu rolls her eyes.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Tonight the F1 Climaxxx will be kicking off with two matches from across both pools; the FWA World Champion Danny Toner - fresh off of defending his title against Alyster Black at Lights Out - faces Tommy Bedlam, and the North American Champion Lizzie Rose will be taking on the NEW FWA Television Champion - and the United Kingdom’s own - Phillip A. Jackson!"
Another look from Anzu to her commentary partner shows that Rod STILL is not finished with his conversation, although it looks like the young man he is talking to is beginning to tire of the out of touch middle-aged man attempting to speak like someone from Peckham.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Not only that but this is a big night for the tag division as the former FWA World Tag Team Champions, Reagan Cole and Aka Yurei, take on Executive Excellence’s Bad Reputation and the new champions, The Connection, defend their titles against newcomer Andersen Vega and a partner of his choosing in tonight’s main event contest. Rod! You want to pay attention here? We’re live, dude!"
Still, Sterling fails to pay any attention to his commentating duties and Anzu throws her hands up to the camera in a moment of frustration, but the floodlights shining down onto the ring and the set up quickly cut out. The screen on the stage comes to life.
Rod Sterling: "Someone running up on us?"
[MEDIA=youtube]94aqYK1o2E8[/MEDIA]
The video finishes and the fans cheer, and the lights spring back up and AL BLIZZARD IS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO ROD STERLING! Blizzard - from London - is met with cheers from his home city crowd, and he stares around the assembled masses for a moment and then looks down at Rod with an intrigued look on his face.
Rod Sterling: "What’s up?"
Blizzard says nothing and looks around once more - and the lights cut out again!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Has he gone?"
The lights then return back to normal for a second time and Rod Sterling breathes a large sigh of relief upon learning that Blizzard is no longer standing next to him.
Rod Sterling: "That was very strange… we saw something like that happen at Lights Out when one of those videos interrupted Price, but Al Blizzard stepped it up a notch here on Meltdown, Anzu."
Anzu Kurosawa: "A mysterious individual for sure, Rod. I don’t know what he wants or what his intentions for the FWA are, but given the intrigue he has caused already, he could be looking to make some waves for sure."
Rod Sterling: "I agree. So… you ready to run down what we’ve got coming up tonight?"
{Cola || Lana Del Rey}[MEDIA=youtube]lBakG7KtVZE[/MEDIA]
After the hype that had surrounded the appearance of Al Blizzard here at ringside, the reaction in Hyde Park flips on its head in anticipation of the entrance of ‘Der Bastard’ Shawn Summers. Roughly ten pounds lighter than when he last made an entrance on an FWA show, the London-based crowd soon delight in mocking him over his loss of the FWA Television Championship at Lights Out to their fellow countryman.
Summers also forgoes the majority of his pre-match ritual, making it clear that this is one pissed off ‘Der Bastard’ that we are dealing with tonight.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The following contest is your opening contest on Meltdown, and it is a singles match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Laguna Beach, California and weighing in tonight at two-hundred and twenty-five pounds… he is ‘Der Bastard’ himself… SHAWN SUMMMMMMMMMMERRRRRRRRRRSSSS!!"
Rod Sterling: "Well, Anzu, tonight marks the first time that either of us have had the pleasure of calling a Shawn Summers match on Meltdown! With his well-publicised Fallout-exclusive deal seemingly being ignored by FWA management for this match, Summers has yet another reason to be unhappy with the situation he finds himself in at the moment."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Shawn Summers holds a firm belief that he should still be the FWA Television Champion, after being defeated by Phillip A. Jackson at Lights Out, and given how things went down, he believes he has a case."
Rod Sterling: "Summers has taken exception with how the official for that match - Joey Ortiz - handled things and he believes that the referee is to blame. He has campaigned for FWA management to step in and overturn the decision, give him back his TV title and install him in the F1 Climaxxx tournament!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "That might be a bit too much to ask for, although he may have been thrown a bone as Gracelynn Guerrero is in the middle for this match."
Summers sideeyes Guerrero as he passes her in the ring and his gaze then moves past Katie-Lynn Goldsmith to his opponent, who looks extremely nervous.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "His opponent… PRESTON STERLING!"
The former child star Preston Sterling raises both of his arms and attempts to mock some of the fans who he thinks may be jealous of his celebrity, but he does not have long to gloat as SHAWN SUMMERS FLATTENS HIM FROM BEHIND! Guerrero ushers Katie out of the ring and then calls for the bell!With Sterling already on the ground, the former child star is already easy pickings for Summers to lay into him with several stomps to the ribs after barrelling him over to jumpstart the match. ‘Der Bastard’ pulls Sterling away from the ropes at the referee’s request and then gets on top of Sterling’s chest and starts laying into him with a combination of punches and forearm strikes!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Summers coming out of the gate hot with some Blitzkreig. Being a famous celebrity, Preston Sterling relies on his face for work and publicity, but he’s getting a free rearrangement courtesy of Shawn Summers at the moment! Summers is NOT here to play, Rod."
Rod Sterling: "There is plenty right now that Summers is angry about, and Preston could just be in the wrong place at the wrong time against the wrong player."
After pummelling Sterling all over his face, Summers grabs the already limp body of his opponent and props him up against the bottom turnbuckle. Summers looks around at the crowd who are jeering him and he shows them what he thinks of them with a couple of choice hand gestures, before charging across the ring and he slams his knees against Sterling’s face and chest - The Bee’s Knees!
Summers is forced to back away and Sterling slowly emerges from the corner, blood dripping from his nose. Things only go from bad to worse for him when Summers breaks free from Guerrero and connects with a Penalty Kick right to the face!
Rod Sterling: "Summers scored big with that kick and I’m sure all of the soccer fans here in the UK enjoyed that one!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Calling it that around here could get you hurt, Rod.."
With the kick all but knocking Sterling out completely unconscious, Summers picks up the deadweight and hooks Sterling’s head under his arm… AND HE DROPS HIM WITH MIDSOMMAR!! Sterling gets spiked on the top of his head and Summers presses both shoulders down onto the mat;
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winner: Shawn Summers via pin fall at 1:29
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here is your winner, Shawn Summers!"
Summers wastes no time in rising to his feet following the bell ringing to signify the end of the match and he then peels Preston from the mat and throws him through the ropes and out of the ring, where he lands with a thud. The referee attempts to raise Shawn’s hand, but he pulls his arm away and looks at Guerrero with disgust.
Rod Sterling: "Shawn Summers not working by the hour tonight in London - and with his attitude being displayed towards the company at the moment, of course he’s going to punish these fans and not put on a good showing for them!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “He doesn’t care about these people, Rod. There’s one person that Shawn Summers cares about and he sees them every time he looks in a mirror."
Shawn paces back and forth between the ring and the fans. He mutters to himself now and then, ignoring the jeers coming his way from the fans. Shawn begins to walk towards the entrance ramp before stopping. The audio picks up him saying, "fuck it," as he suddenly turns and makes his way toward the timekeeper's area. He snatches a microphone from the ring announcer, startling her before approaching and rolling into the ring.
Shawn surveys the arena for a moment. He looks around as if he were trying to capture the faces of each of them with his mind. He slowly begins to sit in a criss-cross position - tapping the microphone rhythmically with his finger to alert everyone that it is on.
Shawn Summers: "I've given the FWA five days."
Shawn raises his nondominant hand in the air signalling the five days he's given the company.
Shawn Summers: "I've given them that long to respond to my petition to the Louisiana State Athletic Committee for the reversal of the decision made by their official in my match at Lights Out. I gave them five days - and the FWA has said absolutely nothing in those five days. But I'm not sitting here because of what they've said or didn't say. I'm out here because of what they've done."
Anzu Kurosawa: "He can't be serious, can he? He's acting like he's a victim all because he lost?"
Rod Sterling: "Let's give him a chance, Anzu. We have to at least hear him out."
Shawn Summers: "In those five days, the FWA officially recognized Phillip A. Jackson as the television champion. In those five days, the FWA granted Phillip A. Jackson a spot in the F1 Climaxxx due to his status as champion."
Anzu Kurosawa: "What were they supposed to do? Leave everything up in limbo because Summers can't admit defeat? Are we really allowing him to sit on his soapbox?"
Shawn pauses and glances down. Almost as if he were disappointed or saddened by realizing what the FWA had done to him.
Shawn Summers: "In those five days, the FWA allowed referee Ortiz to officiate matches despite the credible allegations against him. In those five days, the FWA has proven that they don't give a damn about their talent."
Shawn pauses to allow for his words to sink in. A substantial majority of the fanbase boo and shower him with terms of refutation. Their reaction does little to stop his actions tonight, though.
Shawn Summers: "The FWA not caring about their talent is anything but new. It's something we've seen documented countless times over the years. We saw it a year ago when Gabrielle had her 'mental breakdown .'The FWA decided to parade her around on every show, promote her tweets, and document her mental deterioration, all for entertainment."
Rod Sterling: "Wow...we all know the history between Shawn and Gabrielle. I can't pretend to believe that he is bringing this up with any form of sincerity."
Anzu Kurosawa: "This is 100% Shawn Summers trying to use anything he can to paint the company as bad. That is truly pathetic of him."
Shawn lowers the microphone from his mouth and twitches as he thinks back to the treatment of Gabrielle.
Shawn Summers: "When my best friends, Noah and Trevor, brought up valid arguments about the lack of respect that the FWA had shown the tag-team division, the company decided to profit off of their frustration and feelings of despair by holding a tag-team tournament. They hosted a tag-team tournament and completely disregarded any input from the one tag team willing to risk it to promote the division.
"How can we forget that the FWA allowed Devin Golden to mutilate Alyster Black on live television - scarring him physically and mentally? Let's not forget that the only reason they edited it out of future broadcasts is that their advertisers brought concerns about the graphic nature of the scene.
"Need another example of how the FWA has shown they don't care about talent? I've got one for you - the FWA has filmed and exploited the apparent deaths of not one, not two, but three of their employees. Instead of giving their talent time to grieve, they've adopted the show must go on narrative and continued to jeopardize their physical and mental well-being. "
Rod Sterling: "Minus the claim about Gabrielle, Shawn brings up some pretty valid points. Those were some questionable decisions by the higher-ups."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Do not let him fool you into believing what he is saying. Shawn Summers does not care about anyone else on the roster but himself."
Shawn Summers: "That's why I'm speaking out. The FWA hates that I am not afraid of them and their lawyers. The FWA hates that I'm not simply allowing the decision at Lights Out to stand. It's why they've painted me as bitter and disillusioned. They've taken a page out of the liberal media's playbook.
"They want you to believe that I care about some fourth-rate championship. They want you to think I'm just upset that I 'lost .'I've experienced a loss before and never complained about the situation. When I'm on, I'm on. When I'm off, I'm off. At Lights Out, I was not off. I was cheated by biased officiating from an FWA employee. I saw an injustice and decided to do something about it. And for my efforts to bring to light this injustice, the FWA has done everything to ignore me.
"But do you know who didn't ignore me? Do you know who the one who has stood by my side since the beginning is? My dear old uncle Ru."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Are you kidding me? His uncle Ru?!?! Rupert Watkins?!? Give me a break. Of course, those two would be tight. Of course, they are. It just makes sense."
Shawn Summers: "My Uncle Ru is why I'm standing here today. He signed me to one of the most significant contracts in FWA after I headlined Back in Business. He ensured that I was taken care of because he knew the FWA alone wouldn't do so. He knew that the FWA would screw me. He knew that. So, when I told him I would contest the Lights Out decision, he provided me with the backing of his legal team to fight this. My Uncle Ru has done more for me than anyone in this company, and it's a shame that you people have tried to paint him as anything but a man willing to provide opportunity."
Rod Sterling: "That's not how I would describe Rupert Watkins. Based on his last months in charge of Fallout, I don't think anyone would describe him as a man willing to provide opportunity."
Shawn Summers: "I know what's happening backstage. The FWA executives are probably scrambling. They're probably trying to figure out how to shut my microphone off. They're probably looking for someone to come out here and put me in my place. They're thinking of a way to remind me and everyone else that they can make or break you. But I'm different. I'm Shawn Summers, and you cannot break me."
Shawn drops the microphone and stands to his feet. He motions at the stage area for the FWA to bring it. The crowd show their disapproval for Summers and his stance, as he is now threatening to bring the entire show to a standstill. After a few moments, Jon Russnow emerges from the back and as predicted by Summers, the FWA Brand Consultant looks stressed out, but he shows no fear of ‘Der Bastard’ as he marches down the ramp with a microphone in his hand.
Jon Russnow: "Shawn, I can’t allow this to continue. Let me assure you, that we’ve got enough problems back there right now without you coming out here and making things worse. This needs to stop… right… now."
Russnow enters the ring and stands in front of Summers, who attempts to intimidate the much smaller man, but Russnow does not back down.
Jon Russnow: "I understand that you are not happy about what happened at Lights Out, and there are probably some people out there who agree with you. That doesn’t mean that you get to hijack this show and deny these people the wrestling that they have paid good money to see tonight! You don’t get to do that, Shawn. Nuh-uh.”
The crowd shows their support for Russnow, as Summers offers the staff member some words off-mic, but he is clearly being dismissive of the requests being made of him. Russnow shakes his head.
Jon Russnow: "I think there might be a little miscommunication here, Shawn, because I am not asking you to get out of the ring. I am telling you!”
More cheers for Russnow, and the anger levels in Summers are beginning to rise.
Jon Russnow: "I have security personnel on standby and they are ready to forcibly remove you from the ring if you do not leave on your own accord. I will not tolerate you or anyone else threatening this company, especially if you’re going to align yourself with scum like Rupert Watkins!”
Big cheer.
Jon Russnow: "Shawn, I’m willing to work with you on this without the need for lawsuits, court cases or anything like that. I am willing to look into this for you and conduct my own unbiased investigation into what happened at Lights Out and if Joey Ortiz is found to have not conducted himself in the manner becoming of an appointed FWA official, necessary action will be taken. Let me be clear though, you will NOT be awarded the FWA Television Championship on a technicality and you will NOT be installed into the F1 Climaxxx. The result of the match is going to stand regardless, and Phillip A. Jackson will not be punished.”
The London crowd cheer in approval for that and Summers stands with a scornful look on his face as he ponders his next move.
Jon Russnow: "So I’ll look into this for you, but I will only do that if you leave the ring right now and allow this show to continue. What is it going to be, Shawn? All it takes is one word and the security will be out here. Your call, Summers.”
Without saying a word, Shawn Summers walks past Russnow and ensures that he bumps shoulders with him as he does so. Russnow breathes a heavy sigh of relief as ‘Der Bastard’ walks up the ramp towards the back.
Rod Sterling: "Jon Russnow laying down the lawn on Shawn Summers and stopping this protest in its tracks. Summers surprised me though, Anzu. He didn’t cause a fuss!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I think we all know better than to trust someone like Shawn Summers, Rod. Just because he’s dropped this for tonight, doesn’t mean that he won’t go back on his word. He’s a snake, after all. That being said, though, Jon Russnow has given his own word to investigate this matter further, so watch this space, I guess?"
Shawn Summers disappears behind the curtain on the stage and Russnow then takes his own leave from the ring as Meltdown fades away elsewhere.
Backstage, Big Bryan Baxter is doing some curls in preparation for his F1 match with Gerald Grayson on Fallout. However, his workout is interrupted as an unexpected visitor walks in.
???: "Look at you, you're really takin' this seriously, aren't you?"
Surprise crosses Bryan's face as he looks over to the door of the locker room to find his agent, Bill Scorpane, standing in the door with a grin on his face.
Bryan Baxter: "Bill? What are you doing here? You don't normally travel with us... what's that you've always said... why go along for the ride when you can just sit at home and cash your check?"
Bryan doesn't seem necessarily pleased to see his agent and his tone is only half joking. Mr. Scorpane simply lets out a hearty laugh.
Bill Scorpane: “Hahaha! Right you are, Baxter. But I gotta say... I may have underestimated you, my boy!"
Bryan Baxter: "So I get a title shot and a spot in the F1, and suddenly you don't think I'm just good for helping Jeremy win?"
Bill Scorpane: "Don't be silly! I've ALWAYS knew you had it in ya... I just thought Jeremy was the cash cow I should back. But I dunno, after seeing you victorious and Jeremy once again failing at Lights Out... I'm thinkin'... maybe I'm backin' the wrong horse."
Baxter rolls his eyes.
Bryan Baxter: "I won a Battle Royal that was like 50% joke characters like vampire cosplayers and Frankenstein for some reason. Meanwhile it took everything and the kitchen sink for one of FWA's top stars, Chris Peacock, to keep Jeremy down with a World Title shot on the line. I don't think you can compare it. I don't want to hear you cutting Jeremy short for what he's done in just a year here in FWA."
Scorpane once again laughs, moving in closer and patting Bryan on the back.
Bill Scorpane: "Oh, of course! What I mean is... I realize now that there's money to make in both of you! Why back one horse when I can back two. I haven't given up on Jeremy. Our little plan continues to pay off, after all. Just take a look... I got another one of those pen pal letters of his."
Scorpane reaches into his sports coat and retrieves a white envelope, labeled with Jeremy's name, addressed to Scorpane's office. Baxter quickly snatches it away.
Bryan Baxter: "Are you crazy? Jeremy is here too!"
Bill Scorpane: "Don't be so worried, Bryan. You know Jeremy. We could easily come up with an excuse that he'd believe."
Bryan Baxter: "I don't know, man... I'm been feelin' real bad. I really just want to tell Jeremy... I just haven't found the right time."
???: "Tell me what?"
Both Bill and Bryan are taken by surprise as Jeremy is now standing in the doorway, big smile on his face.
Jeremy Best: "Mr. Scorpane! What a pleasant surprise!"
Bryan puts his hands behind his back, trying to hide the evidence.
Jeremy Best: "So what's up guys? What did you want to tell me, Bryan?"
Bryan Baxter: "Uhh... well... you see... the thing is... uhh..."
Jeremy Best raises an eyebrow, sensing the anxiety in both Baxter's voice and face.
Jeremy Best: "What's behind your back there, buddy? Did you get me a present to try and cheer me up from my Golden Opportunity loss? Aw, you shouldn't have!"
Jeremy happily moves in, reaching behind Bryan's back wanting to see what he is hiding back there. Bryan reluctantly gives in and hands over the envelope. Mr. Scorpane brings his palm up to his face as Jeremy inspects the envelope.
Jeremy Best: "Hmm.. what's this?"
Jeremy opens up the envelope.
Bryan Baxter: "Listen... Jeremy... I've been wanting to tell you..."
Jeremy is silent as he reads the letter. The camera can't make out what it says.
Jeremy Best: "...I thought...these were from you? But this is a new one? And definitely not from you.."
Bryan Baxter: "Jeremy.."
Jeremy Best: "Did you... lie to me? This whole time?"
Bryan Baxter: "It was all his idea! I wanted to tell you...I feel awful! He told me it was the only way to get you to even talk to me again."
Jeremy Best: "So you earned my trust through a web of lies? And you put him up to this, Mr. Scorpane?"
Mr. Scorpane shrugs his shoulders.
Bill Scorpane: "Hey, kid, I've never claimed to be your friend, ok? It's always been business. And getting Bryan back in your corner as an insurance policy... someone willing to do things you weren't willing to do... that was good for business. And it certainly has been. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me."
But it isn't anger on Jeremy's face. It's sadness. It's disappointment.
Jeremy Best: "I... I just think... I need to go."
Tucking the letter in his khaki pockets, Jeremy turns and exits the room in a haste.
Bill Scorpane: "He'll be fine. Just give him a little space and he'll forgive you. It's Jeremy. He always forgives. It's just his nature."
Baxter shook his head in frustration.
Bryan Baxter: "Jeremy! Wait up man! Let's just talk about this!"
Not listening to Scorpane's advice, Bryan dart out of the locker room in pursuit of his friend and tag partner.
Anzu Kurosawa: “It looks like there’s trouble in paradise in regards to The Buddy System, and hopefully it can get straightened out before Bryan Baxter’s F1 Climaxxx match this Saturday on Fallout as he takes on one half of the tag team champions, Gerald Grayson.”
Rod Sterling: “Speaking of the F1 Climaxxx, we’re about to kick it off with our second match of the night here on Meltdown and the first in what should be a banger of a tournament.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “What better way to kick the F1 off than with a champion vs champion match up!”
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The next contest will be the opening round in the F1 Climaxx, and it is scheduled for one fall with a 30-minute-time-limit!”
{The Key The Secret || Urban Cookie Collective}[MEDIA=youtube]-PfM2-dlt6M[/MEDIA]
“The Key, The Secret” begins to play and after a few seconds of the song playing, Lizzie Rose sprints out on stage and in what is usually a more positive reception for Lizzie, the crowd welcomes her with jeers and Lizzie puts on a brave face and dances her way down to the ring with her North American championship resting snuggly around her waist.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, from Brooklyn, New York and weighing in at 99 lb, she is the current FWA North American Champion…”The Rave”...Lizzie Rose!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “An unusual crowd response for Lizzie Rose who is used to being welcomed by cheers.”
Rod Sterling: “That would have a lot to do with the man that she’s about to square off with, Anzu.”
{Heights Above || Siamese}[MEDIA=youtube]KznDgHkalhs[/MEDIA]
“Heights Above” hits and the crowd roars to life as Phillip A. Jackson walks out on stage, and he wastes no time hamming it up for the crowd. Jackson plays up for his home country as they welcome him home.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing her opponent, from Bristol, England!”
That gets more louds cheers from the crowd as Jackson continues to hype up the crowd while making his way down to the ring.
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Weighing in at 235 lb, he is the current FWA Television Champion…”The Cleanser”...Phillip A. Jackson!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, I think it’s obvious who the crowd favors in this match!”
Rod Sterling: “You think so?”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Lizzie Rose is probably a bundle of nerves right now but she’s doing a bang up job of hiding it!”
Rod Sterling: “She can’t let this phase her or else that will be her downfall!”
Jackson is in the ring but he’s still playing up to the crowd and he even raises his newly won TV Championship high up in the air to even louder cheers.
Anzu Kurosawa: “PAJ’s homecoming tonight and him being a champion is just the icing on the cake!”
Rod Sterling: “Are we even sure that he should be champion right now? I mean, you heard what Shawn Summers was saying earlier, he did make some pretty valid points.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I still can’t believe you bought into that nonsense from Summers!”
Rod Sterling: “Believe or don’t believe him, but you have to think that he’ll be keeping a close eye on this match.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “As well as Vampyra, who earned her opportunity to challenge PAJ for the TV Championship in a future match.”
Both competitors hand off their titles to referee Richard Davis and Davis hands them off to the ringside area before calling for the bell. Rose springs from her corner and charges towards Jackson knocking him back into the corner with a shoulder tackle! Rose gives it her all as she pummels Jackson in the corner while the crowd showers her with boos, but she does her best to ignore that as she backs up and she goes for a running splash but Jackson moves out of the way and all Lizzie meets is a turnbuckle to the chest that sends her stumbling back after she bounces off of it and Jackson takes her down with an arm drag! Jackson follows up with a few more arm drags before wrenching back on Rose’s arm while she reaches out to the nearest rope for a break. Jackson drags Rose up to a vertical base and sends her off to the ropes and Jackson attempts a clothesline but Rose ducks it and comes off the opposite ropes with a springboard crossbody on Jackson and she stays on top for the pin!
One..TW-NO!
Jackson kicks out with a bit of authority as it sends Lizzie back a few feet away. Jackson kips and catches an incoming Rose with yet another arm drag! Jackson plays up a little to the crowd while Rose kips up this time and Jackson turns around only to be met with a standing dropkick that knocks him off his feet! Jackson is back to his feet however but Rose takes him down with an arm drag of her own. Jackson is up again once more but this time he’s met with a european uppercut from Rose, and she has him reeling against the ropes now as she lays into him with more european uppercuts before sending him off to the ropes but Jackson counters and pulls Rose towards him by the wrist and takes her down with a lariat! Jackson takes Rose by the head in a front face lock and backs her into the corner and drives the back of his elbow into Rose’s head repeatedly until she’s slumped down and Jackson drives a running boot straight into Rose’s face, and then he follows up with a face wash and some stomps before dragging her away and he makes the cover…
One…TW-NO!
Rose gets a shoulder up and Jackson instinctively traps her in a side headlock, but for extra added punishment he peppers her head with more back elbow strikes!
Anzu Kurosawa: “This started off fairly evenly matched but PAJ seems to have taken control for the time being.”
Jackson brings Rose up on her feet while the headlock is still applied, and Rose does her best to fight out of with several back elbows to the midsection but Jackson blocks them and strikes the back of her head with a forearm smash and follows up with a bridging german suplex!
One…two…NO!
Lizzie stays alive with a kick-out! Rose rolls to her side after kicking out while Jackson postures for the crowd some more, and the fans respond with more cheers and chants.
“OOOOOOH PHILLIP A JACKSON! OOOOOOH PHILLIP A JACKSON!”
The London fans chant to the tune of “Seven Nation Army” and Jackson has a wide grin on his face in response to the cheers.
Rod Sterling: “I get that he’s happy to be back but PAJ is wasting far too much time, I’m afraid.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Yeah, all of this posturing and playing along with the fans has given Lizzie ample time for recovery.”
Jackson returns his attention back to Rose, who has risen up and is leant up against the ropes, and Jackson grips her in a rear waist lock and goes for another german suplex only for Rose to flip out of it and out of nowhere she hits the Brooklyn Flash! Just like that, the crowd goes silent and Rose jumps on top of Jackson for the pin!
One…two…NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Lizzie nearly stole the win with her sling blade on PAJ but he somehow manages to stay alive!”
Rod Sterling: “It didn’t keep PAJ down, but it did suck some of the life out of these fans though!”
Jackson begins to slowly rise up and Rose is waiting for him as she connects with a spinning back elbow! Rose then follows up by sending Jackson off the ropes and she takes him down with a flapjack off the rebound and follows up once more with a jumping seated senton and she hooks the leg!
One…two…NO!
Jackson kicks out again with authority and Rose is launched off of him across the ring! Rose has him in her sights and she seems to be setting him up for the Goomba Stomp, but Jackson shoves her back into the ropes and he connects with the PAJle! Jackson’s patented pele kick makes contact but Rose is still barely standing as Jackson strikes with a dropkick to the knee and follows that up with an enziguri! Jackson then runs off the ropes and springboards off with a moonsault landing on top of Rose!
One…two…THR-NO!
Rose kicks out!
Jackson starts to show some signs of frustration but he does his best to shake it off and Rose is starting to rise up and Jackson is sizing her up…
Rod Sterling: “It looks like Jackson is going to dust off his old curb stomp finish, which will most definitely put away Lizzie Rose!”
Jackson does indeed go for the curb stomp but Lizzie slides out of the way in time, and she instinctively shoves Jackson forward towards the ropes and as he comes back she catches him with a roll-up!
One…two…NO!
Jackson kicks out and rolls through and he’s back on his feet, and he goes for a clothesline but Lizzie ducks and she has him where she wants him as she’s positioned for Sliced Liz as she signals for it, but before she can do anything, Jackson shoves her forward into the corner but Lizzie catches herself and leaps over an incoming Jackson and she catches him again with another roll-up!
One…two…THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Lizzie Rose via pinfall at 21:50 …
Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The winner of the match, Lizzie Rose!”
Rod Sterling: “Talk about an upset! That has to be the biggest surprise so far in the tournament, and that’s just the first match in many!”
Anzu Kurosawa: "A quick look at the standings sees Lizzie, of course, head to the number one spot in the Pool B rankings given - as you mentioned - that we are only just getting started here in the F1…"
A graphic flashes up as Lizzie celebrates in the ring…
Rod Sterling: "We've got Pool A action upcoming later on, but that's it for Pool B as Meltdown is concerned, with Bryan Baxter taking on Gerald Grayson and Chris Peacock versus Cyrus Truth scheduled for Fallout…"
Anzu Kurosawa: “This crowd is definitely not pleased about the outcome!”
Rod Sterling: “That’s understatement, but can you blame them?! Lizzie Rose has fluked her way to another victory!”
Lizzie has her arm raised and quickly exits the ring and makes her way to the back to relish in her win, while PAJ remains in the ring with a deflated expression.
“I’m sorry”
Anzu Kurosawa: “PAJ has nothing to be ashamed of, that was a highly competitive match and he gave it his all.”
“I’m sorry”
He keeps saying that to the crowd as he solemnly makes his exit. The crowd show him their appreciation with clapping and cheers but he still seems upset and keeps apologising to them.
Making her way back into the backstage area, Lizzie Rose is making her way from the ring back into the backstage area in a clearly cheerful mood having picked up the big win in the first match of the F1 Climaxxx. She’s so caught up in the euphoria of the win that she isn't quite paying attention to her surroundings as a upset and disheveled Jeremy Best bumps right into her as she turns the corner of the corridor.
Lizzie Rose: "Oh no! So sorry! My bad"
Jeremy Best: "Ahh, no! My apologies!"
Lizzie adjusts herself, realizing it was Jeremy she had bumped into.
Lizzie Rose: "Oh, hi Jeremy! Really, I'm super sorry about that. I just was pumped up from my win, didn't even notice you there."
Jeremy Best: "No, no. It's totally my fault. I was rushing by and wasn't paying attention."
Lizzie chuckles as the pair can't agree on who should be more sorry about their collision. She then realizes Jeremy seems a bit off.
Lizzie Rose: "Rushing and not paying attention? That doesn't sound like you, Jeremy. Is everything okay?"
Jeremy Best: "Oh, not exactly..."
Lizzie Rose: "Oh no! Do you want to talk about it? I can be a really good listener!"
Jeremy shows a brief smile at Lizzie's sincere offer.
Jeremy Best: "Thanks, that's a really sweet offer. But right now, I think I just need some time to myself... I'll be okay."
Lizzie Rose: "Well.. ok! But the offer stands if you change your mind!"
Jeremy nods, acknowledging the offer as Big Bryan Baxter can be seen jogging in in the background.
Bryan Baxter: "Hey! Jeremy! Wait up! Come on man, let's talk about this."
Jeremy Best: "Not right now, Bryan. I just to be alone right now."
Bryan Baxter: "C'mon dude...just give me a chance to..."
Lizzie Rose: "Dude! Did you not hear him? He said he wants to be alone right now? Give him some space."
Baxter turns his attention away from the upset Jeremy, bringing his gaze down to the much smaller Rose. The woman who just happens to be holding the North American championship that Baxter has earned a title shot for.
Bryan Baxter: "Really? Who the Hell asked you? This ain't none of your business, pip squeak."
Showing no fear of the man who is over double her size, Rose bows up.
Lizzie Rose: "Pip squeak? Really? That's the best you can do? You can remember that when this pip squeak is kicking your ass! And I don't know what's going on right now between you two, but I'm just here to be a friend for Jeremy if he needed one right now..."
Bryan shoves Lizzie backwards.
Bryan Baxter: "He already has a friend, and you're looking at him. This is none of your business."
Lizzie comes right back after the shove, going right back into Baxter's personal space.
Lizzie Rose: "Maybe that's not for you to decide?"
Bryan Baxter: "Maybe not. It's his... tell her Jeremy...."
Bryan looks for a response but hears nothing.
Bryan Baxter: "Jeremy?"
Lizzie and Bryan turn to look where Jeremy had been standing to find that he had already left.
Bryan Baxter: "Great! You ran him off! Way to go!"
Bryan rushes off, calling out for Jeremy as Lizzie is left by herself.
Lizzie Rose: "What the heck did I do?"
She shrugs her shoulders and heads off on her way, once again relishing in her victory.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "The following match is scheduled for one fall with a twenty-minute time-limit!"
{Smells Like Teen Spirit || Nirvana}[MEDIA=youtube]hTWKbfoikeg[/MEDIA]
The grunge rock anthem of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” strums its way through the air of Hyde Park, striking an overall positive reaction from the rowdy UK crowd. After the initial intro, Sawyer Xavier makes his way out. There is a small grin on his face as he puts his hands on his hips, surveying the crowd, although he doesn’t have quite the same pep in his step, coming off a rough Television Title match in his last appearance. The winner of Brand-warfare makes his way down the ramp, looking out at the vast crowd as he heads towards the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Introducing the participants first! From Savannah, Georgia, weighing in at 170 pounds, Sawyer Xavier!"
Rod Sterling: "Sawyer Xavier, after coming up short against the disputed former Television Champion, he is looking to find himself back in the championship hunt. His opponent, in his absence, has hit the ground running and already finds herself in the hunt for that very championship."
Anzu Kurosawa: "You want my genuine thoughts? He needs to up the aggression in this match. After his recent loss, he missed the next Meltdown and Fallout, he wasn’t on Lights Out. Vampyra seems to be dead-set on doing things he has tried to accomplish, except actually doing them! I know he’s here, trying to keep positive, but I know he is angry deep down and he needs to use it. Don’t get left behind."
Rolling into the ring, Sawyer Xavier heads towards a corner and ascends to the second turnbuckle. He flips back his air and looks out to the crowd at Hyde Park, an Autumn wind blowing through his hair from this outdoor venue. The classic song by Nirvana fades as he jumps down.
{Vampire || Versailles}[MEDIA=youtube]4runjD3c3-s[/MEDIA]
The lights around the stage dim before they start flashing a mix of purple and pink in tune with “Vampire” by Versalles to signal the arrival of Vampyra. The UK crowd, with Vampyra’s recent success, shows her a positive reaction. Smoke builds near the entrance as the masked Joshi makes her way out, coming up from the smoke. Adding to her usual predominantly purple attire is a secondary entrance mask. It has a black base with a purple trim and horns on top. Her arms are out to her side as fire shoots up in puffs on either side of her. Putting her hand up, she does a throat slashing gesture with her finger as she makes her way down the ramp, her cape flowing in the breeze behind her from the outdoor venue.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his opponent, representing MAYHEM’s YOKAI Death Squad, from Osaka, Japan, she is the Dark Huntress, the YOKAI Queen, this is Vampyra!"
Rod Sterling: "She has a championship match already secured in the future against Phillip A. Jackson for the Television title, pending Summers’ legal action. Some say she has hit the ground running, but we have only had a taste of what Vampyra can do."
Anzu Kurosawa: "We’ve been excited to see her, but I’m curious to see if she will really match the promise we have seen from her. It’s one thing to beat up the Backstreet Boy. It’s another to win a chaotic multi-man match with four winners, but she is in a one on one match with someone who has fought for gold in FWA before. If there is any indication that she can beat a Grand Slam Champion like PAJ, or Shawn Summers, she needs to show it tonight."
At the end of the ramp, Vampyra reaches forward for the camera and grabs it with her hand as if someone was holding someone’s chin. She motions for the lens to come closer before she does a throat slash and she spins the camera around, walking around the ringside area. Unclipping her cape, she slides onto the apron and stands up. Undoing her entrance mask, she places it on the apron before turning upside down like a bat. Looking in the ring, we see Sawyer raise an eyebrow at Vampyra’s… unique display before the Joshi swings into the ring. Grabbing her mask, she ascends to the second turnbuckle and holds her mask up, doing an “M'' hand gesture with her free hand. Jumping down, Vampyra calmly leans in her corner, placing her entrance mask on the apron as her theme music fades.
The match official does a quick check on each of them for weapons before turning to the ringside area and motioning to ring the bell. Sawyer Xavier takes a cautious step forward, likely a bit on edge with a new opponent and not having a match for several weeks. Vampyra shows a smirk under her mask, confident in this encounter. The two wrestlers do a collar and elbow tie up with Sawyer overpowering her instantly to transition into an armbar, one of the few opponents he has the strength advantage over. He wrenches the arm but the YOKAI Queen just keeps a confident grin on her face and flips herself over to loosen Xavier’s grip and transitions into an arm drag! Sawyer rolls through and quickly takes a run, but Vampyra goes low, tripping him back into a schoolgirl pin, lying on top of both legs and putting her entire weight into it.
One… T-
And Sawyer Xavier scrambles to get his shoulder up!
Rod Sterling: "Quick pin by the number one contender to the Television Championship!"
Sawyer Xavier scrambles to his feet but Vampyra rushes in and does a knee lift, catching him under the chin! Sawyer falls back into the corner ropes and the Joshi grabs him by the wrist and Irish whips him across the ring. She leap frogs Sawyer on the rebound then quickly darts towards the ropes on the side. Meeting him in the middle of the ring she does a headscissors and takes him down to the mat! The momentum forces Sawyer near the corner. The speedy Vampyra lunches forward and hits a double knee to his face in the corner! Hitting with a thud in the corner Sawyer Xavier struggles to keep standing. Taking a moment to breathe, Vampyra lifts her foot up and presses it hard against the chin of Xavier, pressing with force and trying to choke him in the corner. She shows a devious grin as the official counts to four and she has to let off, drawing a bit more of a mixed reaction from the fans. Grabbing Sawyer again by the wrist, Vampyra twists his arm before quickly heading to the top rope. She balances as she takes a couple of steps across the top rope then leaps, hitting a hurricanrana! After impact, Vampyra goes over for the pin.
One… Tw-
And Sawyer Xavier kicks out.
Rod Sterling: "I think this match, we’re getting a bit more of Vampyra’s MO already. Sawyer Xavier is an accomplished high-flying himself, but she has seemingly out-paced him early on."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And I’m a fan of the fact that before she did a riskier move she was able to slow down a moment and just grind Sawyer into the corner like paste. I’m interested in seeing how she'll control the pace and far she’ll bend the rules as the match goes on."
Keeping Sawyer on the mat for a moment, Vampyra quickly goes for a front facelock and catches her breath for a second, pressing down on the neck of Xavier to keep him grounded. As Sawyer gets his wits about him, he begins to push up, getting to a knee and nearly to a standing position. Vampyra quickly switches grip and goes to a rear waistlock. She pulls, trying to get Sawyer up for a German Suplex. Sawyer is on his tippy-toes, but doesn’t budge as he breaks the grip of the Joshi and goes into his own rear-waist lock. He lifts Vampyra up for a German Suplex and it lands with Vampyra rolling on impact and quickly heading onto the apron!
Holding the back of her neck, Vampyra rubs it to get feeling back as Sawyer Xavier heads over. He pulls Vampyra up but his throat is pulled across the top rope! His head snaps back and he holds into the top rope, stubbed. Grabbing her opponent, Vampyra turns him so his back is to the ropes and she gets up, wrapping both her legs around his neck! She hangs upside down and begins to choke Sawyer Xavier out!
Rod Sterling: "And Vampyra is choking him in the ropes in a very unique way."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Keep it up and she may end up becoming a favourite of mine."
Vampyra crosses her arms on her chest, hanging like a bat as she has a bit of a smirk on her face. The official counts again and on four she quickly lets go, flipping so that she lands feet first on the floor. Coughing and trying to catch his breath, Sawyer Xavier goes towards the middle of the ring, trying to keep some distance between him and his cunning opponent. Sliding back onto the apron, Vampyra readies herself before she leaps off the top rope with a springboard dropkick-
And Sawyer Xavier side steps the dropkick! Vampyra crashes back first onto the mat and Sawyer runs off the ropes, hitting a shining Wizard to a seated Vampyra! He goes for the cover.
One… Tw- Nothing. Vampyra gets her shoulder up.
Rod Sterling: "Sawyer Xavier capitalizes on a mistake and he gets some offence in!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "What he needs to do now is try to overpower her. This is one time he may not be able to really outspeed or outpace his opponent. Grind her down and you won’t just get the win, but you’ll be back in the Television title conversation."
Dragging Vampyra up off the mat, Sawyer Xavier catches her under the chin with an uppercut! The head of the Dark Huntress snaps back and the winner of Brand Warfare quickly kicks her across the chest! Then a second kick across the chest! He spins around with a heel kick to the abdomen of Vampyra then follows with a spinning backfist! Vampyra goes into the ropes and Xavier slaps her across the face with an open palm strike! A loud slap is heard and some of the audience members wince…
And Vampyra slowly turns, showing a wicked grin. Sawyer Xavier blinks and the audience, surprised, begin a chant.
“Vampyra’s gonna bite you! Vampyra’s gonna bite you!”
Rod Sterling: "…Sawyer Xavier laid in multiple hard kicks and strikes and Vampyra just grinned them off."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And those aren’t light kicks might I add- And what’s with the United Kingdom and their chants?"
Sawyer Xavier throws a forearm forward, but the masked wrestler blocks it and she returns with multiple of her own! The fans continue to chant as Vampyra gets Xavier down to a knee and repeatedly kicks him in the chest with a loud thud each time! Backing up, Vampyra licks her chops and readies for a big roundhouse to the head… as the chant continues.
“Vampyra’s gonna bite you! Vampyra’s gonna bite you!”
Showing a smirk, Vampyra gets an idea and… she grabs Xavier by the head and bites his forehead to cheers from the fans!
Rod Sterling: "Okay, that’s more than enough, Vampyra!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Are we SURE she’s not a real Vampire!?"
She lets go after sinking her teeth in and the official gives her a warning. Vampyra shrugs, putting her finger on her cheek like “Oops.” Sawyer grabs his forehead, trying to check if there is blood and Vampyra creates some distance between them. She runs off the middle rope and flies through the air with a crossbody! She lands across Sawyer’s chest and goes for the cover!
ONE… TWO- And a kickout from Sawyer Xavier.
She goes behind and, with Sawyer Xavier still trying to gather himself after the pin, she is able to go to a rear waist-lock and this time she is able to somehow lift him up for a snap German Suplex! She doesn’t bridge though and instead she keeps hold and drags Xavier back to his feet. She hooks his arm before grabbing his leg and in a vicious sweep drives the back of his head into the mat with a Lightning Spiral!
Rod Sterling; "Dark Lightning Spiral!!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "After she somehow hit the German Suplex!"
Vampyra hooks the leg and goes for an aggressive cover.
ONE… TWO… THR-
And Sawyer Xavier just manages to kick out. Vampyra sits up after the kickout, and takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
Rod Sterling: "Near-fall on the Lightning Spiral. I’m surprised, especially after she managed to hit the German Suplex."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Sometimes it isn’t about size in hitting a suplex like that, it is about how you pop your hips and she's been learning how to hit them like that since she was in High School. Great move but Sawyer stays in it, somehow."
Signaling for Sawyer’s end, Vampyra does a small throat slashing gesture and pulls him up. She wraps his arm around her leg and tries to grab the other arm. A big Crucifix driver, the Lunar Eclipse, is in Vampyra’s sights. She is about to jump, but Sawyer slides his arm out of Vampyra’s grip and elbows her in the gut. He blocked the Lunar Eclipse attempt for now.
Catching his breath, Sawyer tries to think of a game plan. He’s no stranger to fighting from underneath in a match, but Vampyra has been a unique challenge. Pulling her off the mat, she Irish whips her across the ring and lunges…
And Vampyra goes with a headscissors and transitions into an Octopus Stretch! Leg wrapped around his head to cut off the oxygen flow to the head, arm stretched out, she has him trapped!
Rod Sterling: "And an Octopus Stretch is locked in! We haven’t been able to see too much her submission game yet, but here we go!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And the Octopus Stretch is probably a more extreme version of an abdominal stretch. Unlike the Abdominal Stretch, it can be effective against anyone at any size and someone as agile as Vampyra can find many ways to lock it in!"
Members of the British Crowd cheer, shouting for Sawyer Xavier to tap out. He yelps out in pain as Vampyra pulls back the arm and squeezes his head with her calf. Sawyer’s free arm is outstretched as he reaches for the ropes. The official asks if he gives and Xavier stays in it, but he is being worn down by the YOKAI Death Squad member’s submission. He goes down to a knee as Vampyra shouts in Japanese, doing some trash talk she wouldn’t get away with in English. Slowly, Sawyer Xavier starts to get back to a vertical base but his stance is wobbling. As he moves, Vampyra’s grip begins to slip. Sawyer Xavier pushes Vampya’s leg off of his neck and he pulls her to the mat with a vicious snapmare, tugging the mask as he does!
Sawyer has to go down to a knee to catch his breath after nearly passing out from the submission. He shakes his arm as Vampyra readjusts her mask. Seeing some distance, Sawyer Xavier runs towards the ropes for a springboard-
And as his feet rough the middle rope, Vampyra drop kicks him in the back and he tumbles over the top rope to the outside!
Rod Sterling: "And Sawyer Xavier crashes and burns to the outside!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "He waited too long. The submission wore him down too much."
Crashing hard into the edge of the ring, which incidentally is the hardest part of it, Sawyer Xavier is down on a knee and holds his back. Some red is seen from the impact, likely forming a bruise there in the morning. Vampyra backs up to the opposite side of the ring and watches, measuring where he is standing. She gets to the corner and darts across the ring. Leaping over the opposite corner, she springboards to the outside with a triangle moonsault that hits the mark!
Rod Sterling: "TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! A thing of beauty!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I think we may have found a new name to add to the conversation of the best High-flying wrestlers in FWA."
The London crowd began to chant “Holy shit!” at the dive to the outside and Vampyra stands up, catching her breath, soaking it in. This is the showcase match she was waiting for, or at least as close as she is going to get right now. She pulls Sawyer Xavier up off the floor and notices the red on his back. Further targeting it, she turns him around and drives him back first into the apron! Then she Irish whip him into the barricade, creating a loud thud as he hits! She shows her high-flying ability, now this is the bite behind Vampyra.
She backs up and nails him with a hard kick across the chest as he leans against the barricade then she backs up with a roundhouse kick to the head that drops him to a knee! She hears the official’s count get to a six so she rolls in the ring quickly to reset the count and rolls back out for another forearm to the head of Sawyer Xavier. Then, she pulls him in a front facelock…
Rod Sterling: "No. Vampyra’s going to drive him into the floor with a DDT!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, if she wants to become Television Champion, removing the competition beforehand is a good thing, hahaha!"
Sensing disaster, Sawyer Xavier throws a forearm to Vampyra’s gut to help break out of the DDT and he pushes her back towards a ring post! Her shoulder barges into it and she is stunned for a moment. Sawyer Xavier is slow to react, still feeling pain from his fall on the apron, but he charges forward-
And Vampyra goes low, drop kicking him in the knee! Sawyer flies forward and collides with the ring post, leaving him in a daze! Taking a few moments to collect herself, Vampyra backs up to the barricade and notices Sawyer on his knees, turned away from her. She does a throat slash with her finger before lunging forward with both her knees driving into the back of the head of Sawyer Xavier and he crashes face first into the ring post!
Rod Sterling: "BITE INTO THE RING POST! OH SHI-"
Vampyra stumbles around the ring post and looks back, blinking. She was surprised by that result as well. The fans gasp after Sawyer’s face lands into the post. Vampyra’s gaze is broken as the official gets back to an eight count and she has to very quickly reset the count again.
Rod Sterling: "I can’t believe it! The Bite to the back of the head of Sawyer Xavier and he crashes face first into the ring post. He’s got to be done for the match."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And I’m not talking about the literal bite Vampyra did earlier. That move can put you down even in the ring. But no, just, Sawyer has had a rough enough match as it is, but he's done."
Going over to Sawyer Xavier, Vampyra slowly lifts him up, though it is mostly dead weight. The small cut in his forehead from earlier has opened up more and now we see his forehead have a red gash across it. Slowly, Vampyra rolls back in the ring as his eyes are glazed over. A small hush is over the normally loud UK crowd. Vampyra takes a few extra moments to think. She doesn’t hold back, but that was more brutal than expected.
The official checks on Sawyer Xavier and Sawyer slowly begins to get to a knee. “Don’t ring the bell,” We hear him mutter. That is enough indication for Vampyra to grab his wrist and kicks him in the head! She drags him closer towards the middle of the ring and she pulls him a vicious Triangle Choke! Sawyer Xavier flails his arm as she begins to choke him out!
Rod Sterling: "Life-Drain Triangle Choke! Just ring the bell!"
Sure enough, Vampyra adds an extra elbow or two to the crown of Sawyer’s head before securing the hold even tighter. After just a few seconds, Sawyer Xavier fades with his arm going limp. The official grabs his arm and it drops, and that is it. He rings the bell and Vampyra releases the hold.
{RESULT}Winner: Vampyra via Technical Submission at 6:42
The crowd, surprised at the vicious ending from Vampyra, gives a cheer, though some are made uncomfortable by aggression near the end and keep quiet.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And here is your winner by technical submission, Vampyra!"
Going over to Vampyra, the official raises her hand in the air as she is declared the winner. She holds up the MAYHEM “M” with her other hand.
Rod Sterling: "Sawyer Xavier, not a top tier talent yet, but he usually isn’t a slouch, but Vampyra, wow. Just, have we seen such a bend of agility and aggression?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "It’s a rare combination but she has it and I think now, after matches where she didn’t get to shine due to a lack of competition and the chaos of a multi-man, this was the most complete version of Vampyra we have seen yet and I’m impressed."
“Vampire” by Versailles continues to play as Vampyra heads to the top rope, doing a small throat slash and once again holding up her Unit’s hand gesture. The official goes down to check on Sawyer Xavier who is out of it, some more blood appearing on his forehead from before after Vampyra’s elbows. Heading down from the turnbuckle, Vampyra takes a look at Sawyer Xavier and gets an idea. She heads over to the corner where she places her entrance mask and walks over to Sawyer Xavier, putting him in a seated position.
Rod Sterling: "Hold on, what is Vampyra doing?"
Vampyra puts her entrance mask on top of Sawyer Xavier’s head, it isn’t a perfect fit, but it mostly covers his face. She tilts his head to the side so his neck is exposed. She runs her finger along his neck as if she was going to bite it and holds up the MAYHEM “M” once again, her head just hanging over Xavier’s neck.
Anzu Kurosawa: "She’s sending a message, Rod. Phillip A. Jackson, watch out. This is the woman you’ll be dealing with. "
Vampyra does a quick throat slash gesture across Sawyer’s neck before she drops him, removing her mask from his head. She rolls out of the ring as the official continues to check on Sawyer, perhaps more injured than we expected as we cut to break.
{Mouth For War || Pantera}[MEDIA=youtube]a3JSbOt7CLo[/MEDIA]
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is scheduled for one-fall, with a twenty minute time limit… introducing first, currently residing in Seattle, Washington… 'The Crimson Ghost', Aka Yurei… and from Essex, England… 'The British Apprentice', Reagan Cole… THE SPIRIT WALKERS!!"
Rod Sterling: "And, as expected, Reagan Cole is enjoying hometown support here in London, just down the road from where he grew up and made his name… but the former FWA World Tag Team Champions will have to have their eyes on the future, not the past…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "That's right, Rod. If Aka Yurei and Reagan Cole have any ambitions of climbing back to the top of the tag team mountain here in the FWA, they'll have to start with a win here against a pair of old rivals they know very well…"
The Spirit Walkers have climbed into the ring, where they whip the crowd up on opposite turnbuckles, the British audience clearly on the side of Cole and his tag team partner. They turn towards the ramp, in time for…
{Bad Reputation || Adelitas Way}[MEDIA=youtube]Z8e5oU6_2uA[/MEDIA]
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their opponents… representing Executive Excellence… they are Gabrielle and Kayden Knox… they are… BAD.. REPUTATION!!"
Rod Sterling: "A less favourable reaction for Gabrielle and Knox, here, who - as you mentioned - have already clashed with the team in the ring before tonight."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Indeed, after Bad Reputation dethroned MOOT on Roughs Tower on Fallout: Rebirth, it was the Spirit Walkers who overcame the Executive Excellence pairing back at the Anniversary Show. There was bad blood back then, and I'm sure it still exists between this quarter now…"
Hyde Park continues to boo as Bad Reputation slides into the ring, the Spirit Walkers remaining in their corner, not backing down from these familiar foes. The two teams enter a brief stand off, the official coming between them and sending them back to their respective corners. He conducts his final checks, and then calls for the bell. The contest starts off with Reagan Cole exchanging holds with Gabrielle, the interactions even and coming to repeated stalemates: each exchange invariably ends with a roll-up and a one count, two for each competitor, before Bad Reputation break the cycle thanks to a blind tag to Kayden Knox, who takes Cole out with a springboard clothesline after he's Irish whipped into the ropes by Gabrielle. Bad Reputation deliver a double suplex before Montgomery exits the ring, and then settle into a rhythm from there. They cut the ring in half, not allowing Cole to get the tag, and work on the British Apprentice in front of his home crowd. This part of the match is punctuated by frequent pinfall attempts, with Knox earning two counts after a snap DDT and later a swanton bomb, and Gabrielle's highlights include a Head Over Heels hurricanrana after one of many frequent tags.
After several minutes of domination from Bad Reputation, Kayden Knox has Cole in a single-leg Boston crab, and for a while it seems as though Reagan might fade away, especially after Knox drags him back into the middle of the ring and applies an STF. Cole, though, seems to feed off the energy from the crowd, and begins to drag himself towards his own corner. It's a painstaking process, with Knox wrenching hard on the hold…
Across the ring, Gabrielle comes into the ring, and the official is immediately over to make sure she remains in place on the apron… just as Reagan makes the tag to Aka! The Ghost comes into the ring and breaks up the hold, before pounding on the grounded Knox with right hands! The referee turns around to see a mounted Yurei…
Rod Sterling: "The referee didn't see the tag, Anzu! He's telling Yurei to get out of the ring!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Aka Yurei is understandably frustrated, but she's got to keep her cool here! In comes Gabrielle whilst the referee's back is turned…"
Bad Reputation put the boots in whilst the official's back is turned, until Gaby finally retreats and allows Knox to hit a snap suplex. Cole rolls beneath the bottom rope, and Kayden knocks him off the apron with a triangle dropkick! Gabrielle is tagged in, and what follows is a lengthy period of the former world champion taking it to Cole on the outside. She uses the environment to her advantage, namely the posts, the apron, the barricade, and finally the steel ring steps, breaking up the official's count each time he nears ten. This passage culminates with Gabrielle leaping off the apron and hitting Cole with another hurricanrana. She follows up by rolling him back into the ring and earning a close two count for her troubles.
Knox is tagged back in, and he busies himself in placing Cole in a front face lock whilst Gabrielle ascends towards the top rope. Kayden looks to be going for a suplex or brainbuster, but Cole drops to a knee to block it… and then he causes some separation with a vicious European uppercut! And a second rocks Knox back into his corner, where he knocks Gabrielle off the top turnbuckle! Gaby hits the apron and rolls to the floor, as Kayden turns back towards Cole… who connects with a flapjack!
… And then he makes the tag to Aka!
Yurei leaps over the top rope before taking Knox swiftly off his feet again with a roundhouse kick! Knox, to his credit, fights back up to his feet and attempts a lariat on Yurei, who is able to duck beneath it, and then she connects with a Tiger Suplex! Aka grunts as she heaves Knox over and bridges for the pinfall attempt!
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!!
Knox is able to thrust a shoulder up, and Yurei looks to position his legs for a Texas Cloverleaf… only for Kayden to lash out with a boot to Aka's face. Knox scrambles up to his feet, but Yurei is waiting for him with a boot to the midsection… swinging neckbreaker! Aka doesn't go for the cover, though, and instead she seems intent on turning Knox over… and the Texas Cloverleaf is locked in!
Rod Sterling: "Aka Yurei has Kayden Knox all stretched out, here! That Texas Cloverleaf is locked in deep, and Knox doesn't have anywhere to go!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "The Crimson Ghost could be seconds away from securing victory for her team, with the official in close and checking on Knox… Poor Kayden is in agony!!"
Rod Sterling: "But Gabrielle out of nowhere with a spinning heel kick to the back of the head!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And here comes Reagan… he clotheslines Gabrielle right out of the ring!"
Reagan Cole looks on as Gabrielle climbs to her feet on the outside, and he hits the opposite set of ropes… SUICIDE DIVE! The crowd pops as Cole and Gaby sprawl on the outside, whilst inside the ring Aka Yurei lifts Kayden Knox up to his feet, readying herself for one last push. She drags her thumb across her throat, signifying that this one is over for Kayden, before turning him around with a hard forearm shot. Aka leaps up onto Knox’s shoulders, perhaps going for the poisoned frankensteiner that she calls Vengeful Strike… but Kayden holds onto her legs to resist her pulling him backwards! Yurei changes tact, instead rolling Knox up with a victory roll!
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Knox just about gets the shoulder up, and both competitors scramble to their feet. Yurei goes for a discus lariat, but Kayden ducks beneath it…
Rod Sterling: KNOX OUT! Kayden with a poison-rana of his own!”
Reagan Cole slides into the ring, looking to turn things back to his team’s advantage… but Gabrielle reaches beneath the bottom rope and grabs his legs, causing him to faceplant the mat! Gaby pulls Cole out, and throws him face-first into the steel ring steps! And in the ring, Kayden Knox has climbed up to the top rope, looking down at Aka, who is face-down on the mat…
Anzu Kurosawa: ”He calls that the Seventh Seal! Kayden rolls her over into a lateral press…”
Rod Sterling: “Count to a hundred!”
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Bad Reputation via pinfall at 12:15.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners… Gabrielle and Kayden Knox… BAD REPUTATION!"
Rod Sterling: "An impressive win there for Gabrielle and Knox, who manage to get one over on the Spirit Walkers, who have been a proverbial thorn in their side as of late until tonight."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And where do the Spirit Walkers go from here? They lost the tag team titles to the Connection, and now they've lost their second outing in a row against a team that, as you've said, they've bested not too long ago. A frustrating loss for Aka and Reagan, I'm sure…"
The cameras cut from Gabrielle and Kayden Knox celebrating up to the ramp to The Spirit Walkers nursing their injuries inside the ring, the team, that at the beginning of the last show was on top of their game as tag champions, are now taking their second loss in a row. There is a sense of dejection in the ring as Reagan manages to bring himself up to his feet using the ropes while Aka is still resting in the corner, making almost no effort to get back up, feeling the effects of the loss still. Reagan after a moment staring off into the crowd walks over to Aka. A few words are shared between the two, none of which are caught by the microphones but what is caught by the camera is Reagan offering his teammate a hand which The Crimson Ghost reluctantly accepts, pulling herself up and almost immediately Reagan uses the opportunity to raise her arm in the air causing a big pop from the crowd in support of Aka Yurei.
Reagan Cole: "Told ya…Only the start of the journey, kid."
And as that line is caught by the microphone, Reagan steps back letting Aka have her moment when suddenly out of nowhere, Reagan is tackled! IT’S BRITISH KID! BRITISH KID IS BACK! And he appears to be continuing right where he left off at Lights Out. British Kid has his worn-out friend on the ground, striking his former tag team partner with multiple punches.
Seeing this happen to her partner for the second time in a row lights a fire inside of Aka, and she pulls British Kid off of Reagan, unleashing a flurry of kicks on the masked attacker. She has the upper hand, getting him down to a knee. A devastating buzzsaw kick to the head takes British Kid all the way down, but the frustration and anger within Aka keeps this from being enough. She lifts British Kid to a sitting position and applies the Early Grave crossface chickenwing!
This time, Reagan Cole is the one pulling his partner off of his friend, as he pries the grip of Aka Yurei away. She gets to her feet and confronts Reagan, confused as to why he stopped her from further damaging Reagan’s assailant. The two exchange more unheard words, neither one really knowing what’s going on with any of this.
SMASH!
The argument is interrupted by the breaking of a lighttube over Aka’s back, courtesy of the British Kid. Cole is fuming mad now, and looks to be finally ready to fight back against his former friend. Before he can take a step forward though, another attacker has come through the crowd and climbed to the apron, grabbing Reagan by the arm. IT’S JEFFRY MASON! The Savior of Death has also returned, and before Reagan can process what’s going on, it’s too late as his wrist has been handcuffed, leaving Reagan tethered to the turnbuckle in the corner. He takes a swing at the man who has tormented him for months now, but to no avail as Mason has already dropped to the floor, making his way to retrieve a microphone.
Jeffry Mason: "Did you miss me, Cole? No? Well, why not? After all, at least one of your friends is happy I’m here."
Mason climbs up the steps as he speaks, reaching the apron and entering through the ropes just out of reach of Reagan. Upon entering the ring, he bumps fists with British Kid over Aka’s fallen body.
Jeffry Mason: "Reagan, I know you’re probably pretty confused right now with this whole situation. Why am I back here? Why did your friend disappear? Why does he suddenly hate you? What exactly was in that lighttube at Back in Business? And I’m sure a million other questions spinning around your little mind right now. And I’ve got the answers to all of them. Hell, I may even give you a few here tonight. But I believe we have something to take care of first."
Jeffry turns his gaze toward Aka Yurei, slowly starting to get to her feet. Without hesitation, British Kid knows what to do and plants his knee into her back, forcing her to the ground once more. Mason motions to the outside, and BK rolls to the floor and lifts the apron. He retrieves a cinder block and slides it into the ring, before rolling back in himself. He sits on Aka’s back and applies a camel clutch, facing her in the direction of Reagan in the corner, who can do nothing but watch helplessly. The two reach for each other, but this is more of a supportive gesture than an attempt with any hope of successful escape.
Jeffry Mason: "Don’t act like you suddenly give a fuck about either of them, Reagan. All you’ve ever done your entire career is make fake friends and use them as stepping stones to your own success. You can’t name one person who you’ve given to more than you’ve taken from. Where’s Luis Ovaldinho now, huh Cole? I guarantee not a single person in this building even knows who that is. Because you left him in the dust the minute your solo career started to take off. What about all the partners you sat idly by and watched get taken out by Deathswitch Initiative? I guess they were doing you a favor by taking out some of your competition for you, right? Or most importantly, the partner and friend who stood by you for over a decade? How many times did you try to get him booked since you’ve been in FWA, Reagan? ZERO!"
Jeffry gets inches away from Reagan’s face now. Reagan has some words for Mason away from the mic, but he knows getting physical will do neither him nor Aka any good.
Jeffry Mason: "Face it, Cole, you can tell yourself I’m the selfish prick in all of this all you want, but at the end of the day you know DAMN WELL that you’re a liar. You have made a career out of using your supposed friends to make sure that you’re the one in the spotlight at the end of the day. Me? I know my time is getting close to the end. It has been for quite some time now, and you’re not that far behind. The difference, though, is what we’ve done for others. Who was it that took Kelsey Taylor under his wing until he made her take the opportunity, letting her take the title right from him once she was ready? Or who was it that came here to FWA and gave you one of the most talked about matches, not just of Back in Business weekend, but of your entire pathetic career?"
Jeffry smirks and looks toward British Kid, then back at Reagan.
Jeffry Mason: "And who was it that’s been training every day since Back in Business with that kid, NO, that MAN right there? Who is the one that’s been pushing to his absolute limits to be the best that he can be instead of just being in your shadow? Who’s the one who’s entered him into Ground Zero? Because it sure as fuck wasn’t you!"
Jeffry returns to the center of the ring, standing up the cinder block in the center and taking a seat on it.
Jeffry Mason: "I’ll tell you why, Reagan. It’s because you’re a coward. You’re afraid that if he competes in Ground Zero, he’ll win the whole damn thing and do what you couldn’t do. Afraid that once he makes it to the FWA, that he’ll shine brighter than you ever have! Well, guess what, motherfucker, the two of us are here to help make that nightmare come true for you. It’s time to shine that spotlight on this man right here. The future of FWA. And the future, of deathmatch wrestling. Show him why you finally deserve the spotlight."
Jeffry rises from the cinder block and steps back. British Kid finally releases the camel clutch and drags the battered Aka Yurei to her feet. Reagan shouts for his friend to stop, but it’s no use. British Kid grabs Aka in a front facelock, then jumps into the air and comes crashing down with his Lightning Bolt DDT, head first onto the cinder block! Mason stands triumphantly over the unmoving body of Aka, as British Kid stands and faces him, putting the top of his head onto Mason’s chest. Jeffry begins untying the laces on the back of British Kid’s mask, loosening it enough to take it off and hands it to him.
Underneath the mask is an almost identical mask, except with the red, white, and blue of the Union Jack pattern being replaced by black and white. Mason pats him on the back before giving him the mic.
British Kid: "British Kid is dead-o. For so long now, he has been nothing but a joke to all of you people, and especially to you, Reagan. But now that Father Mason has shown me a glimpse of my true potential, I am no longer just the goofy, energetic sidekick. No more will I stand in your shadow. And no. More. O’s! From this moment on, I shall simply be known, as TYLER."
TYLER tosses the mask toward Reagan Cole, landing right at his feet, which gathers a large chorus of boos from the British crowd. He hands the mic back to Jeffry. Mason takes his hand and wipes some of the blood off of Aka’s back and walks toward Reagan, who is frozen with the numerous emotions after everything he has been forced to witness. He smears the blood across Cole’s cheek, Reagan not even flinching as he stares at Aka with almost a soulless look in his eyes as Jeffry begins talking in a low, somber tone.
Jeffry Mason: "This blood, Reagan, is on your hands. You’re the one responsible, not me, and not TYLER. The choice is yours, Cole. Step away from the spotlight you crave more than anything and start atoning for your selfish sins. Or continue down the path to becoming the monster you’ve always thought that I was. Either way, I suggest you either help or stay out of the way, because pretty soon you’re gonna be all out of friends to lose."
Mason drops the microphone and smiles, then goes to exit the ring. TYLER sits on the middle rope and holds it open for Mason, staring a blank stare the entire time over at the sullen Cole. Mason leaves the ring, and after a brief final gaze toward his former friend, TYLER follows him and the duo leave up the ramp, finally allowing the paramedics to enter the ring and tend to Aka Yurei.
Returning to ringside, there is no referee or ring announcer waiting in the ring at present and the fans are left literally out in the cold as they wait for what is coming next on Meltdown XXI.
Rod Sterling: "Well, we’re scheduled to be getting back into the action here on Meltdown, Anzu, but it seems like that we’re not quite ready yet?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, we’ve had some rumblings that things are slightly hectic backstage but we’re supposed to be seeing Tommy Bedlam in action against the FWA World Champion, Danny Toner, in a Pool A match of the F1 Climaxxx."
{AMERICA IS WAITING || BRIAN ENO & DAVID BYRNE}[MEDIA=youtube]cgk1xd4_YcI[/MEDIA]
There is some confusion from the crowd as Fallout play-by-play commentator and Executive Excellence sympathiser Jean-Luc Watkins emerges from the back. The reaction towards JLW is split, with some fans showing their gratitude towards their countryman but others jeering him due to his affiliations and general smarminess.
Anzu Kurosawa: "I don’t think we were expecting to see Jean-Luc Watkins here tonight, Rod. Is he going to be joining us for the next match here at the commentary table?"
Interestingly though, Watkins walks up the steps instead of making his way over towards Rod and Anzu. He is carrying a black knapsack in his hand and he handles it with care as he enters the ring. Once in the ring, he collects a microphone from someone through the ropes and then waits patiently for his music to cut out.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Ladies, gentlemen and wrestling fans alike, it is great to be here in London tonight and speaking in front of you, although I wish for me that it was under better circumstances. I have been entrusted by FWA management to deliver some extremely regrettable news."
There is some confusion and some concern among the fans and they speak between themselves until Watkins puffs his cheeks out and prepares to speak once again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "As you are all aware and as I confidently predicted, Danny Toner successfully defended the FWA World Championship against Alyster Black in the main event of Lights Out in New Orleans three weeks ago. However, I regret to inform you all that during that match, Danny Toner sustained an injury and as a result he will not be able to compete tonight in his scheduled match against Tommy Bedlam. I apologise."
A mixed reaction from the crowd, as despite his attitudes and actions as of the last few months, they did want to see the FWA World Champion in action.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This injury will also rule Danny out of the remainder of the F1 Climaxxx tournament and therefore he will be replaced in each of his matches going forward. To allow sufficient preparation time, tonight’s scheduled match will be taking place this Saturday on Fallout with Tommy Bedlam facing Danny’s replacement, Vampyra."
The fans show their approval for that, although Watkins is not enthused about the news in the slightest. He looks down at the ground and then addresses the camera in the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Unfortunately, that is not all. FWA management have made the decision that due to this injury, Danny Toner is not able to fulfil his duties as the FWA World Champion so have made the decision to vacate the FWA World Championship."
There are gasps from the crowd and picked up over the headsets of the commentators as Watkins opens the black sack and pulls out the now-vacated FWA World Championship.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "However, it is the plan for the FWA World Championship to not remain vacant for very long. This is because on Meltdown XXII in Rotterdam, the FWA World Championship will be awarded to the winner of an over-the-top-rope Battle Royal! Anyone on the FWA roster - and even those not - is eligible to enter, and-"
{HE’S THE GREATEST DANCER || SISTER SLEDGE}[MEDIA=youtube]TDwutKpVyas[/MEDIA]
There is a BIG reaction from the crowd, again mixed, and after a few seconds Chris Peacock walks out onto the stage! Peacock has a serious look etched on his face and he has a Singapore cane slung over his right shoulder and his left hand holds onto the Golden Opportunity briefcase that he won at Lights Out. Most intriguing though - Peacock is not alone. Referee Larry Stevens is a few paces behind him, and he walks towards the ring with some urgency.
Rod Sterling: "That’s a lot to take in as revealed by Jean-Luc Watkins, Anzu. Danny Toner is injured… out of the Climaxxx and no longer FWA World Champion. Now, what does Chris Peacock want?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well he’s got that Golden Opportunity briefcase, Rod! That entitles him to a shot at the FWA World Championship at any time of his choosing, and with Larry Stevens out here with him - is he looking to cash in right now on the vacant belt?"
Peacock enters the ring and JLW motions for the music to be cut and immediately steps forward towards Peacock, not waiting for either him or Stevens to get settled in the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is just typical, grand even. You’ve been scared of Danny Toner ever since you got here and now he’s gone, here you are. Well done, Chris, it’s yours. You really earned it."
Watkins offers the championship to Peacock, but Chris simply looks down at it and does not react.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "What are you waiting for, champ? This is what you’ve wanted this entire time, isn’t it? This is honestly the most you thing that I can possibly fathom, Peacock. You’re a fake, and you know that this is the ONLY way that you’ll EVER get to hold this title, so enjoy it! You’re a vulture, and a coward!"
It is impassioned stuff from Watkins, who is becoming agitated by the lack of response from the Golden Opportunity winner. Peacock looks around the assembled crowd and then back to Watkins, still without saying or doing anything.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I’d ask you who you think you are, but I already know everything I need to know about you, Peacock. I’ve had the displeasure of watching you attempt to define yourself as a main event competitor for over a year now, but complain when things are too hard for you. You’re the guy that didn’t show up for work for two months because you didn’t like it. You’re the one who has taken the easy way out at every available opportunity! One iota of actual success has gone straight to your head. You’d rather pick a fight with a commentator or a singer than compete at the top level where you know that you’ll be outmatched at every turn. You’re not good enough to win this title properly. I know it, all of these people know it and YOU know it, Peacock!"
Watkins sticks his finger just centimetres from Peacock’s face, but flinches slightly when Peacock reaches forward and snatches the microphone out of his hand. Peacock remains stone faced - as he did throughout that entire tirade - and looks around the crowd and then back to JLW. Peacock passes the briefcase to Stevens, who holds it in front of him.
Chris Peacock: "Are you done, Jean-Luc? You got all of that out? If so, shut the hell up for once in your life and maybe this time I won’t introduce you to my cane."
Peacock motions towards the cane over his shoulder with his head and Watkins gulps, having been on the receiving end of such an attack more than once in the past.
Chris Peacock: "I touched down in London yesterday morning with the full intention of arriving with that briefcase and leaving with the FWA World Championship. I was going to become the FWA World Champion tonight, Watkins. I wasn’t booked for a match, interview or anything. I came to Hyde Park to cash in on Danny Toner - before OR after his match with Tommy Bedlam - and leave London as the FWA World Champion."
The crowd waits in suspense as Peacock takes a moment and nods his head, affirmingly.
Chris Peacock: "Now though? I don’t even have to beat Danny Toner to become the champion. All I’ve got to do is give Larry here the signal and just like that, I’ve got everything that I’ve worked for these last two years."
Peacock snaps his fingers and the worry on Jean-Luc’s face increases as it becomes clear where Peacock is going with this.
Chris Peacock: "You’re wrong about me, Jean-Luc. I don’t take the easy way out. I never have, and I never will. I’ve fought for everything that I’ve got here in the FWA. Everything that I’ve achieved so far, is because I earned it. I didn’t beat Danny Toner for the Gauntlet Championship by accident, I didn’t become a two-time X Champion by accident, I didn’t last OVER AN HOUR in two Carnal Contenderships by accident, Jean-Luc! I didn’t win this briefcase at Lights Out by accident, either. I outlasted six of the best competitors in the world and I won. No one helped me do it."
Peacock takes a step closer to Watkins, who tries backing away slightly.
Chris Peacock: "I’ve had my ass handed to me by the Nephews, by Toner and countless others. I’ve never had it easy here. I was treated like a JOKE by some people here, and some still do, despite everything that I’ve done here. So don’t tell me that you know me, because unlike you who has had EVERYTHING handed to them on a silver platter, I’ve had to fight for every single thing I’ve ever had in the company!
I’ve never had it easy. I’ve never taken the easy way out, and I’m not going to start now. So, no. I’m not cashing in tonight. I’m not taking the easy way out. People might think I’m stupid for passing up something like this, but it’s not me. Anyone who thinks it is… doesn’t know the first thing about Chris Peacock.
I won’t be cashing in tonight, but I will be in that Battle Royal. I will outlast ten, twenty, thirty - it doesn’t matter how many - people until I am the last one standing. I will be the next FWA World Champion.”
Peacock stares aggressively into JLW’s eyes and Watkins steps away from him, leaving Peacock to turn to the camera that is also in the ring.
Chris Peacock: "Danny, I know you’re watching. I just want to tell you that I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have ended like this.
Despite everything that has happened between us, I just want you to know that I wish you the best and I do hope to see you back here, where you belong, as soon as possible. Like you or hate you, this place is better with you here.
So from me, the guys in the back and from all of these fans - regardless of how they feel about either of us - we love you.
You’re not alone in this."
The fans cheer the sentiments from Peacock, and his music starts playing again and he throws the microphone up into the air before retrieving his briefcase from Stevens and glancing at Watkins one more time before leaving.
Rod Sterling: "Chris Peacock is going to do things the hard way and he is the first to declare himself in the Battle Royal that we now know will be taking place on Meltdown XXII in two weeks’ time! Up next tonight though, it is time for the MAIN EVENT!"
{COCHISE || AUDIOSLAVE}[MEDIA=youtube]KDMvN45sjo4[/MEDIA]
Rod Sterling: "It's time, ladies and gentlemen, for your main event of the evening!"
Gerald Grayson walks out onto the stage to a pop from the London audience. He spends a moment on the stage alone, walking to opposite sides of the audience to whip them up further still. Eventually, Michelle emerges through the curtain too, and stifles a stumble as she catches up with Gerald at the top of the ramp. The two begin to walk down the ramp, but it appears that Dreamer needs the Daredevil's help and support to get down the ramp still upright. As a different camera shows them closer up, we see an anxious Gerald walking next to a pretty out of it Michelle…
Rod Sterling: "Here come the Connection ahead of their first tag team title defense, and… well, Michelle looks like she's maybe had better days. Not exactly sure on the cause of that…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I'm sure I could guess…"
Rod Sterling: "Well, regardless of the route cause, Michelle and Gerald face an interesting task tonight for two reasons: firstly, because they're both booked in their first F1 match in 48 hours in Copenhagen, and secondly because they have no idea who one of their opponents will be…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Could be a recipe for disaster, Rod. Don't forget that Michelle's last title reign ended in her first defense… she'll be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself."
Rod Sterling: "As will Gerald, I'm sure…"
The Connection have both entered the ring, after the camera picks up MvH having some trouble rolling under the bottom rope. Gerald goes to the second rope to whip up the fans into further frenzy, and Michelle - who should be enjoying the European favour right now, but isn't cognizant enough to do that - takes a seat in the corner with her head against the turnbuckle, and promptly closes her eyes.
We cut to Gorilla position (named after Gorilla Grayson, legend of the Carolina regionals of the 1920s), where Andersen Vega looks slightly frantic. He is noticeably alone, Cochise still playing in the arena and coming through the walls in muffled fashion.
Andersen Vega: "Hey, hey you! You wanna earn an extra thousand dollars tonight?"
???: "Sure…"
Andersen Vega: "Okay, let's go "
Vega grabs the extra and throws him through, the curtain, and we see a flash of red and blue before the figure falls out of sight. We cut to the arena –
{Bad To The Bone || George Thorogood and the Destroyers}[MEDIA=youtube]nqgUG_JVzCs[/MEDIA]
We zoom into the curtain as Spooderman falls face-first into the stage. His mask falls off, and he scurries about trying to put it on, which he finally manages to do as Andersen Vega appears behind him on the stage.
Rod Sterling: "Well, we already knew that Andersen Vega would be one of the challengers for the tag title here, owing to him snagging a prize during the Secular Spooktacular match… but his partner is something of a surprise."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It would have been a surprise regardless of who joined Vega tonight, but… Spooderman?! I guess from what we saw at Gorilla position Andersen may have had some trouble finding himself a partner for tonight."
Vega slides into the ring as Spooderman climbs up the steps. The camera shows Grayson, who has a look on his face as if he's questioning whether this is a joke, whilst behind him in the corner Michelle has fallen asleep against the bottom turnbuckle.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith is in the ring, ready for the announcements…
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is your Meltdown main event, scheduled for one-fall and with a sixty minute time limit. Introducing first, the challengers: Andersen Vega and Spooderman!"
There's a tepid reaction for the challenger, with the fans (rather understandably) expecting something more…
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And their opponents… represent Cthulhu's Nephews… they are the current, reigning, defending FWA Tag Team Champions of the World… from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Michelle von Horrowitz… and from Raleigh, North Carolina… this is The Connection!!!"
A big ovation for the champions as Gerald rouses Michelle, who grumpily gets to her feet and loosens up in the corner. Across the ring, Spooderman gets onto the apron whilst there is some debate about who is going to start things off for the champions, even as the bell rings to signify the start of the match. Michelle stumbles out of her corner towards Vega, but instantly she begins to hold her head, as if there's something rattling around inside of it. She holds a finger up to Andersen as if he needs to give her a minute before promptly rolling under the bottom rope. She is on her haunches for a moment, the headache clearly overwhelming her…
Rod Sterling: "I'm not sure why MvH didn't just let Grayson start this one off… she's clearly in no condition to be wrestling tonight!"
Dreamer looks up at the barricade, where a fan on the front row is holding his beer out towards her. She gives the fan a thumbs up and takes the pint of what looks like lager from him, downing it in one, and then rolling back into the ring…
… where, once up to her feet, she immediately begins to sway from side to side. Her guard is up, but she is on unsteady legs, stumbling slightly and swaying lots. She wills Vega on, her guard still up in this strange but oddly familiar fighting stance.
Andersen shrugs his shoulders and charges at Michelle, looking for a clothesline… which Dreamer avoids with a matrix evasion! She stands up to her feet as Vega goes for a series of right hands, some to the body and some to the head, but all of which Michelle is able to evade! Vega goes for a kick to the side, but Dreamer catches the leg, and hits a dragon screw leg whip!!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle might be out of it, and dead on her feet, but the reflexes are kicking in! Listen to this crowd!!"
'DRUN-KEN MAS-TER!'
*clap clap clap clap clap*
'DRUN-KEN MAS-TER!'
Vega thuds the mat in frustration, but then gets up to his feet and comes at Michelle with a flurry of rights and lefts… but the champion evades each and every one of them, bobbing and weaving as if she's channeling some sort of sixth sense to know what Vega is planning to throw next. Eventually, after Andersen seems to wear himself out throwing punches that don't land, Michelle hits a thumb to the eye! Vega stumbles back to the ropes, and MvH clotheslines him over the top one!
The drunken master stumbles a little, but - after Andersen has managed to find his way to his feet - springboards up to the top rope…
Anzu Kurosawa: "Shooting star press attempt from Michelle… but Andersen Vega simply sidesteps it!!"
Rod Sterling: "What nonchalance from Vega!! Michelle crashes and burns!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "A little overzealous, maybe…"
Vega has a little smirk and a shrug, but the audience don't like it. They drown him in boos as he hoists Michelle up and throws her beneath the bottom rope. He follows her in, noticing that she's almost back to her feet, and looks to run through her with another clothesline… but MvH ducks it and connects with a step-up enziguri! Both competitors fall to the mat, von Horrowitz still clutching her ribs after the heavy landing on the outside. She begins to crawl towards her corner as Vega does exactly the same thing, both competitors making the tag…
Grayson comes into the ring and takes out Spooderman with a slingblade… and then a standing dropkick! Spooder is slower to his feet this time, and GG rolls under the bottom rope onto the apron, before springboarding up to the top rope and taking Spooder out with a cross-body!
Rod Sterling: "There's the Anything Springboard!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Not sure we'll be seeing the Everything Springboard tonight… that level of coordination may be beyond the champions."
Rod Sterling: "But Grayson looks confident enough he can do it all alone… he's back on the apron, waiting patiently for Spooderman to rise…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Extreme Impact!! He takes his head off with the clothesline!"
Rod Sterling: "And a dropkick from GG sends Andersen tumbling off the apron! Gerald covers Spooderman…"
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
{RESULT}Winner: The Connection via pin-fall at 6:12.
Gerald is in the ring, where the official goes to lift his hand in victory. Michelle charges into the centre of the ring, though, offering her own wrist and demanding that the referee crowns both of the winners. The man in black and white acquiesces, though there is maybe some frustration in the eyes of Gerald.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners, and STILL the FWA World Tag Team Champions… The Connection!"
MvH hands Gerald his belt, which she has collected from the timekeeper, before also demanding a microphone from Goldsmith. Gerald has a bemused look on his face as he watches MvH lift the microphone to her lips. It's quite clear that Grayson hadn't expected her to say anything at all.
MvH: "Easy, tulips! Piece of God-damn cake!"
Michelle has a smile on her face, and the crowd responds by launching into an 'MvH' chant. Dreamer takes a deep bow for her adoring fans and then, as they get louder and louder, climbs up to the second turnbuckle and hoists her belt above her head, breathing it all.
Gerald, meanwhile, has a nonplussed look about him, standing with his hands on his hips and shaking his head slightly.
Eventually, MvH hops back into the ring, and continues to talk.
MvH: "Gerald and I want proper challengers, don't we, Gerald? I am aware, though that proper challengers are hard to come by in a division where, well… no TxR… no Gang Stars… no Golden Rock… hell, even MOOT, the New Breed, the Stocke Market… all gone. And what is left behind… well, it leaves a lot to be desired, tulips."
She shakes her head wistfully, as if the thought of these subpar challengers are painful to her.
MvH: "Wrestling these remnants of a division, one after the other, week after week… that's not going to do it for me. And I even heard from Russnow that there's no Mile High this year. But just because there's no Mile High… doesn't mean there can't be a Mile High Massacre!"
The crowd pops for this line, but Gerald is looking more and more glum by the second as his partner's trajectory becomes clearer.
MvH: "This is meant to be my historic reign, tulips! You don't make history with newcomer troglodytes and comic book cosplayers… you make history by being bold! By showing courage! So on Fallout 024… I want all of you! The Coven, the Lumberjacks, the Undisputed Alliance, Bad Reputation, the Spirit Walkers… anyone that shows themselves ready, willing, and able to walk into a steel cage with Dreamer and the Daredevil!!!"
The 'MvH' chant goes on, and she drops the microphone as if satisfied and leaves the ring. She begins to stagger back up the ramp.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wow… is that official?! Tag Team Mile High Massacre #2 on Fallout 024?!”
Rod Sterling: "I'm not sure if it's official or not, Anzu, but when Michelle lays down the gauntlet she usually sees it through… only, it doesn't seem that her tag partner is on the same page."
Anzu Kurosawa: "When are they ever?!"
Indeed, Grayson is still in the ring, his hands on his hips, watching MvH retreat up the ramp. The show closes on this image. [/color][/CENTER] |
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 17:44:56 GMT
”021: RETURN TO THE FREETOWN…”
Live from Freetown Christiania
Saturday 12th November, 2022
After the main titles for Fallout play, instead of going directly into the arena we are shown some short clips from Meltdown which took place earlier this week. The primary highlights are Lizzie Rose’s victory over Phillip A. Jackson in the first F1 Climaxxx tournament match, then The Connection retaining their titles in the main event of the show, followed by Michelle von Horrowitz laying down the challenge for Tag Team Mile High Massacre on Fallout 024. Then finally, Jean-Luc Watkins announces that the FWA World Championship has been vacated and will be up for grabs in an open invitation Battle Royal on Meltdown XXII, with Golden Opportunity winner Chris Peacock then staking his claim.
After that, it is into the familiar setting of Freetown Christiania, which has played host to Fallout once before. The setting is very much the same as the last time that the FWA was present in the commune, with the ring set up in the middle of an intimate area where there is not much room for those that have decided to come and watch. Just like in London on Thursday, the weather is cold and everyone has dressed appropriately.
In the ring, Natalie Rosenberg is standing by with a microphone in her hand, herself wearing a thick fur coat.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is your opening contest and an F1 Climaxxx Pool B match, scheduled for one-fall and with a thirty minute time limit!"
The announcement garners a positive response from the watching crowd and Rosenberg then smiles as upbeat music begins to play through the speakers that the FWA have installed specifically for the event.
{HE’S THE GREATEST DANCER || SISTER SLEDGE}[MEDIA=youtube]NDN5PD00CpQ[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing first, from Boogie Wonderland by way of New York City… weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds… he is the current holder of the Golden Opportunity briefcase… CHRIS PEAAAACCCOOOOOOOCCCKKKKK!!"
Peacock slides out through the curtains, dressed to compete in some purple suit trousers. As is becoming custom, he has his Singapore cane over his shoulder and his Golden Opportunity briefcase in the other hand. Looking slightly more relaxed than the last time he was seen on Meltdown, Peacock nods his head along with the music as he makes his way down to the ring. The fans in attendance are mixed in their reaction to him, but this is not something that Peacock is letting affect him it would seem.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Welcome, wrestling fans, to Fallout 021 where we have returned to the Freetown in Christiania. Jean-Luc Watkins here to preside over tonight’s show and call the action and as usual I am joined by Allen Price. Price, I think we have contrasting views about this man, but just for fun, why don’t I let you wax lyrical over Chris Peacock for a minute?"
Allen Price: "Jean-Luc, you got into it with Chris on Meltdown, but I think you’ll have to admit that he surprised you. You believed that he would take the opportunity to use that briefcase on a vacant title and take what you called ‘the easy way out’, but he didn’t Peacock is ready to fight to become the FWA World Champion."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Surprisingly less-biased than I was expecting, Price. Peacock has declared himself for the Battle Royal in twelve days’ time, but he still can choose to strike with that briefcase at any time before that. I wouldn’t put it past him. Although tonight, he’s going to have his hands full with his first match in the F1 Climaxxx tournament."
Allen Price: "He is. Chris knows that he overcame Cyrus Truth in that Steel Roulette match and I’ll be honest with you, J-L, I think that he is underestimating Cyrus Truth a little bit."
As Watkins is left wondering whether Allen Price has turned over a new leaf of sorts, Chris Peacock enters the ring and he acknowledges referee Larry Stevens - who was the man who accompanied him on Meltdown where he pondered his cash in. Peacock’s music fades out - but he is still the greatest dancer - and is replaced by that belonging to his opponent.
{THE SOUND OF TRUTH || AS I LAY DYING}[MEDIA=youtube]K91qwxCWmrs[/MEDIA]
A big pop rings up as Cyrus Truth marches out from the back, and he discards his grey hoodie as he approaches the ring. With his eyes locked on Peacock, Truth walks up the steps and brushes his feet on the ring apron before entering.
Natalie Rosenberg: "His opponent, from The Long and Winding Road and weighing two-hundred and twenty-five pounds… ‘The Exile’... CYRUS TRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTHHHHHH!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Price, you said that Chris Peacock could be overlooking the challenge that Cyrus Truth is going to present to him, and I do not think that you could be more accurate. Chris Peacock stepped up to me with all of his virtue signaling crap on Meltdown but I knew in the back of my mind that he was just days away from getting his ass handed to him by Cyrus Truth."
Allen Price: "This is going to be a motivated Cyrus Truth as well, J-L. Truth has been wanting a shot at the FWA World Championship for three years and he knows that in less than two weeks in Rotterdam that he’s got one if he chooses to be a part of that Battle Royal. He’s got to shut the door in Chris Peacock’s face, first."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Even though I spent time on the other side of the fence from Cyrus, it would be foolish to deny this man his place as one of the greatest competitors in the world. Peacock the vulture has bitten off more than he can chew and there are no flies on Truth either."
Allen Price: "I can hold out some hope, but this is one where I’m not sure. Chris Peacock and Cyrus Truth have never faced off one-on-one before."
Cyrus enters the ring and the assured demeanor of Chris Peacock immediately draws the ire of ‘The Exile’. Peacock has placed his accessories at ringside next to the steps and Cyrus is ready to go as Larry Stevens calls for the bell!
Both men approach the centre of the ring where they exchange some words which the microphones are unable to pick up, but Peacock goes for a PIMP SLAP on Truth - a big show of disrespect - but Truth catches it! Peacock looks wide-eyed at Truth for a moment and then TRUTH SLAPS HIM IN THE FACE! Peacock recoils and Cyrus brings him in closer and strikes him with a knee to the midsection and then sends him hard into the corner. Peacock attempts to come out at Cyrus, but Truth shrugs him off and sends him back up against the turnbuckle, forcefully.
With Peacock in position, Cyrus chops him across his chest and the sound reverberates through the commune. This continues and Peacock’s chest turns a shade of beet red once Cyrus is through with him, with the Golden Opportunity winner clearly coming off the worst in the opening exchanges. Cyrus attempts a running forearm with Peacock still in the corner, but Chris weaves his way out of contact. Whilst Cyrus does manage to put the brakes on before the contact was made with the turnbuckle, he is left open for Peacock to go down low with a Chop Block to attack the back of his knee.
Allen Price: "Peacock immediately targeting the knee of Cyrus Truth, Jean-Luc. That’s going to make the kneebar submission even more dangerous if Chris is able to find a way to lock it in on the veteran."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It is rather a basic strategy, Price. However, at least Peacock recognises that he will have to lay some sort of groundwork if he does want to gain a submission win against one of the most resolute members of the FWA roster."
Cyrus drops down and Peacock stomps on the back of the knee again, and then grabs Cyrus’s boot and pulls him closer, and lifts his leg into the air to cause Cyrus’s knee to slam onto the mat. Peacock repeats the action a few times and then retains his grip on the left knee of ‘The Exile’ and ducks out of the ring with Truth still in there. Peacock pulls Cyrus towards the corner where the majority of the action has taken place thus far, and Peacock then wraps Truth’s knee around the ring post! Cyrus groans in pain and Chris looks around the fans but receives little approval before doing it again!
All the while, the referee has been counting as Peacock is not in the ring, and Peacock rolls back in just as Stevens reaches the count of seven to avoid losing his first Climaxxx match via count out. Peacock pulls Truth out of the corner and back up to his feet and he grabs Cyrus’s leg once again and brings him closer and goes for a Dragon Screw, but Cyrus spins out of it and then connects with a forearm to the jaw of Peacock once he has done a full rotation. This rocks Peacock and Truth kicks Peacock in the midsection and drops him with a DDT.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Even a move as rudimentary as a simple DDT can be effective when used by someone like Cyrus Truth. Not only does he know how best to perform a move like that, he knows when best to do it as well. That’ll cut Peacock’s momentum off at the knees, rather ironically."
Cyrus slaps his knee whilst down on the mat and both he and Peacock begin their ascent back up to their feet at the same time. Peacock goes for a wild haymaker, but Cyrus ducks it and scoops Peacock up - Pendulum Backbreaker! However Cyrus himself comes out just as badly with him using the knee that Peacock has targeted to drop Chris’s entire body weight across. Cyrus holds his knee on the mat and Peacock crawls to the ropes to get himself back up and he stops Cyrus from getting up himself with a low Dropkick to the face.
Peacock holds his hand to his back and stands over Cyrus and then drops a leg down across his throat, and Peacock then goes back to the leg that he has put some yards in already. A stiff kick to the back of the knee follow and Peacock then steps over and looks to be going for a Figure Four - but Truth sees it coming from a mile away and then shoves Peacock into the turnbuckle with his free foot. Truth ducks the incoming Clothesline attempt from Peacock that follows due to not getting back up to his feet and when Chris comes back again, Cyrus reacts quickest and hooks Peacock up from behind - Dragon Suplex! The back of Peacock’s head smashes into the middle turnbuckle!
Allen Price: "Ouch. That was a nasty landing for Peacock. He’s got to find a way to bounce back from that."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The only bouncing I saw there was Peacock’s head on the turnbuckle! Great ring awareness from Cyrus Truth there; he knew how much power to put on that throw to cause Peacock’s head to hit the buckle in the manner that it did."
It is a rough landing for Peacock, but it does give Cyrus Truth the opening that he needed to take control of the match properly now. The fans cheer as Cyrus walks as quickly as he can towards Chris up against the bottom turnbuckle - and Cyrus starts stomping away at him with the First Five Steps! The fans count along as Cyrus hits the first four, but a desperate Peacock grabs Truth’s boot on the fifth and then stands up, looking for a Dragon Screw again - but Cyrus thinks quickest and cracks Peacock on the side of the head with an Enziguiri!
The kick hits Peacock right on the button and the Golden Opportunity holder stirs for a moment before falling backwards limply straight back into the corner up against the bottom turnbuckle. The crowd encourages Truth as he gets up and gives Peacock the Second Five Steps - with all five connecting with Peacock’s face this time. Cyrus pulls Peacock up out of the corner and with his wrist in his grasp, Truth pulls Peacock out of the corner into a Short-Arm Clothesline! Cyrus drops down and goes for the first pin attempt of the match;
ONE… TWO… NO!!
Allen Price: "We’ve seen Peacock endure a great amount of punishment in the past - he got hit by a car a few weeks ago and still almost went on to win the match - so Cyrus is going to need to do more than that to put him down!"
It is not enough to finish off the resilient Peacock, who does his best to pick himself up as Truth does the same. This time, Peacock does beat Cyrus to the punch and he connects with a solid right hand, and then another. Peacock spins on the spot and goes for another punch, but Cyrus blocks it and fires back with one of his own, but Peacock backs into the ropes and then comes back with a kick to the midsection that doubles Cyrus over.
Peacock places his leg over the back of Cyrus’s neck and then jumps into the air, looking for a Famouser - but Cyrus counters in mid-air and then drives Peacock into the mat with a Powerbomb! It is not a move usually seen in the Cyrus Truth playbook, but ‘The Exile’ is swift in his attempt to capitalise on it and he keeps hold of Peacock’s legs and flips over him into a Jackknife pin!
ONE… TWO… NO!!
Peacock holds on still, and Cyrus lifts him up into the air from the mat and places him on his shoulders in an Argentine Rack - perhaps looking for the Exile’s Edge, but Peacock shuffles his weight and this causes Cyrus to have to tip him forward, and Peacock lands on his feet on the middle turnbuckle in the corner. Cyrus attempts to grab Peacock, but Chris scores with a Mule Kick to the face that knocks ‘The Exile’ back. This gives Peacock the window of time he requires to steady himself on the top rope.
With Peacock perched on the top rope, Cyrus anticipates the incoming high-flying move and does the smart thing by getting out of dodge through the ropes, and Truth exits to the ringside area. However this does not quell Peacock’s attempts and Peacock adjusts slightly before flying from the top rope and he crashes on top of Truth at ringside with a Glitterball Drop!! The back of Truth’s head lands on the floor with a thud and Peacock is quick up to his feet himself, with Truth having broken his fall.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Slightly reckless there from Chris Peacock. Risking his own wellbeing as well as that of his opponent by doing something like that; there was a lot of margin for error on that one, and he’s lucky that he landed the way he did. That could have easily been his own knee getting blown out."
Allen Price: "Taking a risk like that just speaks to how confident Peacock is feeling about himself at the moment, Jean-Luc. He’s got all of the momentum heading into the World Championship Battle Royal on Meltdown XXII and then for the remainder of the F1 Climaxxx."
In control now, Peacock lifts Truth up from the floor and he powerfully Irish Whips him towards the steel steps, and Truth’s knees collide with the steps as he is sent into them, and he flips right over them and lands on his back! There is some concern as Cyrus reverts back to holding the knee that Peacock worked on earlier in the match, but there is no mercy from Peacock, who rolls Cyrus back into the ring. Chris follows Truth back in there himself and watches Truth try to pick himself up with the aid of the ropes before lining him up… and he kicks him in the back of the knee with enough force to cause Truth to get turned almost inside out!
Peacock goes straight back to that leg he was working on earlier in the match and uses it to bring Truth back up to his feet, and Peacock takes Truth over with a deep Dragon Screw! Keeping hold of the leg, Peacock repeats the action and with Truth up on one foot once again, Peacock repeats it! After two Dragon Screws, Truth is in some discomfort and Peacock stands over him for a moment before he slowly brings Truth up to his feet… and he connects with a Disco Thriller Stunner!
The move causes Truth to bounce back up to his feet, slightly out of it, so Peacock kips up and then connects with a Pimp Slap to Truth’s face! There are gasps of shock at the disrespect shown towards the legend, and Truth seems temporarily roused and angered by the move, but it only served to be a distraction that allowed Peacock to pick Truth’s leg and then apply the Commentator’s Curse!
Allen Price: "I called it at the beginning of the match, Jean-Luc! You know all about this one! The Commentator’s Curse is locked in!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Will a show go by where you don’t make a comment like that, Price? But yes, you are correct. All of the work that Peacock has done on Cyrus Truth’s left knee has been leading up to this moment. Does Cyrus have what it takes to get out of the hold or is Peacock going to earn a very unlikely submission victory?"
All of the work that Peacock had been doing on Truth’s knee was to lead up to this moment and Peacock heavily implores Truth to tap out as he is trapped in the hold. Truth is in clear pain and his plight is not helped by the positioning in the middle of the ring, clearly by design of the calculated Peacock. Cyrus finds himself unable to break the grip of Peacock around his leg, and his attempts to do so only result in Chris cranking further back on the submission to make matters even worse for ‘The Exile’.
The fans are clearly in Truth’s corner and they clap their hands and stomp their feet to will him on to find a way to escape from the hold. It seems like Truth’s only recourse is to go for the ropes which are a good distance away from him across the ring. Truth finds the will in himself to drag both his own as well as Peacock’s weight on top of that in the direction of the ropes. Peacock senses that Truth is getting closer, so he loosens his grip before attempting to pull Truth back, but Cyrus pulls him in and gets him in a Small Package!
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
It is a close shave for Peacock, who creates a bit of distance between himself and Cyrus as Truth gets to his feet with the assistance of the ropes. Peacock charges in at Truth, but Cyrus ducks down and elevates him over the top rope, with Peacock landing on the apron after grabbing onto the top rope to maintain his balance. Truth turns around as Peacock looks to springboard over the ropes, but Truth catches him with a throat thrust right under the chin and this sits Peacock down on the ropes, so Cyrus gets him up in the Argentine Rack again.
Truth walks towards the middle of the ring, but it looks like his knee is struggling to support all of the weight being put on it, but Truth is able to drop Peacock with the Exile’s Edge nonetheless! The crowd cheers, but Cyrus cannot follow up directly with a cover as he grabs his knee and holds it close to his chest, the toll of enduring the submission becoming clear to those watching. After roughly ten seconds, Truth edges towards Peacock on the mat and then leans back onto his chest, with Stevens getting down to count the pin!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Cyrus could not get there quickly enough - and I’m not sure that he got the Exile’s Edge fully cleanly, either. Putting two-hundred and ten pounds on top of a bum knee is a risky strategy, but it would have been all worth it then if he was able to put Peacock away right there. Cyrus is asking all of the right questions of Chris Peacock though, and I think Peacock is struggling to keep coming up with answers to them.”
Peacock kicks out just in the nick of time; the delay in Cyrus getting to the cover was the difference in him winning this match and Peacock staying in it! Truth gets up to his knees and Peacock does the same, although both men are fatigued by the gruelling match. They start going strike for strike, with Cyrus getting the better of the exchange, until Peacock roars back with a Headbutt that catches Truth directly in between the eyes, that knocks him down onto his back.
Peacock uses this opening to get up to his feet and he backs into the corner and lines Cyrus up, before charging in and looking for THE STRUT - TRUTH AVOIDS IT - AND ROLLS PEACOCK UP!!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Allen Price: "I thought that was it, Jean-Luc!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That must have been thousandths of a second in it, Price. Peacock has not been having much luck with that Strut lately and Cyrus had clearly scouted it well!"
AGAIN, Peacock keeps himself in the match and both men seem to have found a second wind as both get up to their feet, fighting through their injuries. Peacock charges forward and tackles Truth into the turnbuckle behind him, and turns around, looking to complete the ROLLER DISCO - CYRUS COUNTERS IT INTO A TORNADO DDT!!! Peacock gets absolutely spiked onto the top of his head by ‘The Exile’, and Truth gets to his feet and waits on Peacock to groggily get up as well.
Staggering towards Cyrus, Chris is wobbly-legged and thus is in perfect position for Cyrus to scoop him up on his shoulders into a Fireman’s Carry! The fans cheer as Cyrus looks to put Peacock away with the JOURNEY’S END - BUT HIS KNEE GIVES WAY AS HE TRANSITIONS THE MOVE - AND PEACOCK GETS A VICTORY ROLL!!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winner: Chris Peacock via pin fall at 15:11
‘He’s the Greatest Dancer’ begins to play immediately and Peacock is sent forward onto his chest as Cyrus kicked out just milliseconds after the count of three by Larry Stevens. Peacock rests on his hands and knees for a moment, breathing heavily, but a smirk soon forms on his face as he realises that he won the match. Truth leans back with his head in his hands.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here is your winner… CHRIS PEACOCK!"
Allen Price: "Victory for Peacock! That was a gutsy performance from both of these guys, but Chris keeps the momentum rolling in what could potentially be one of the biggest victories in his career, Jean-Luc."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "In the end it was the work that Peacock had done on Cyrus’s knee that proved to be the difference between the two tonight, and Peacock takes an important scalp in the F1 Climaxxx. Let’s see what this has done to Pool B."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Peacock joins Lizzie Rose on two points at the top of the pool, following the North American Champion’s victory over Phillip A. Jackson on Meltdown. It is Gerald Grayson up next for Peacock, and Truth will look to bounce back against ‘The Immortal’."
Allen Price: "I understand that both of those matches will be taking place on Fallout 022, so before that we will surely see Peacock and Truth competing against each other once again in that Battle Royal for the vacant FWA World Championship on Meltdown XXII."
Peacock is handed his briefcase and cane by the referee and he leans back in the corner to take a moment to relish in his victory. Cyrus Truth sits against the opposite turnbuckle and looks disappointed with the result of the match. As Peacock leaves through the ropes, Truth is shown shaking his head, and we linger on this image for a moment before fading away.
The show cuts to backstage where the cameras find Nate Savage preparing for his upcoming match with XYZ. He’s walking down the halls and he reaches the entrance area as he waits for his music to hit when he’s approached by Jackson Fenix.
Jackson Fenix: “Nate, there you are!”
Nate Savage: “What is it? Come on, my match is next.”
Jackson Fenix: “Bro, chill. I was just coming to see if you thought about me joining you out there tonight?”
Nate Savage: “I didn’t, but if I’m being honest, I want to do this one on my own. No offense Jack, but I can handle myself out there tonight.”
Jackson Fenix: “Are you sure?”
Nate Savage: “Seriously? Of course I’m sure.”
Jackson Fenix: “Okay, you don’t have to get hot about it! Well, good luck out there tonight then, but I know you won’t need it.”
Nate Savage: “Thanks.”
Cut back to the inside of the arena where Natalie Rosenberg is standing by in the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The next contest is a singles match with a 20-minute-time-limit and it is scheduled for one fall!”
“ONE FALL!”
{BOW DOWN || I PREVAIL}[MEDIA=youtube]id=n2EjeMx4bSg;list=PLi4fSl2lEqRrC1jha0KDBwTL8Konv3bhQ[/MEDIA]
The familiar intro to “Bow Down” plays and as the song kicks into high gear, Nate Savage appears on the stage. Savage doesn’t pause on stage and instead continues his brisk walk down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and weighing in at 266 lb, and representing The Undisputed Alliance…”Nasty” Nate Savage!”
Allen Price: “It is rather unusual to see Nate Savage without Jackson Fenix at his side, J-L.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It isn’t something that we’re used to, but Nate made it very clear to Jackson moments ago that he wanted to go at this alone and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Allen Price: “Savage does have that future X-Championship match with the man that defeated him for the title over a year ago, Alyster Black.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You can bet that Savage would like nothing more than to suppress the reign of Alyster Black and reclaim that title, and a win tonight on the way to that match is the kind of momentum that Savage is looking for.”
{ONE HEADLIGHT || THE WALLFLOWERS}[MEDIA=youtube]id=Zzyfcys1aLM;list=PLi4fSl2lEqRrC1jha0KDBwTL8Konv3bhQ[/MEDIA]
“One Headlight” now plays and there’s a more positive reaction for the eccentric XYZ as he makes his way out on stage. He takes the time to posture for the fans on stage before trekking down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing his opponent, from Sitka, Alaska, and weighing in at 180 lb, XYZ!”
Allen Price: “As much as Savage is looking forward to that title shot, you can bet that a win for XYZ tonight would make him a favorite as a future contender for that title as well.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That is a possibility, so Nate Savage best be careful.”
The referee for the match is Larry Stevens, who checks on both men before calling for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Right out of the gate, Nate Savage charges out of his corner and bum rushes XYZ in his corner, and Savage lays into XYZ with several clubbing blows to the head, as well as several stomps to the midsection until XYZ is slumped down and Savage wastes no time as he delivers a devastating corner cannonball senton! Savage drags XYZ’s near lifeless body away from the corner and he hits a jumping seated senton and he reaches back to hook the leg for the pin!
One…NO!
Allen Price: “Nate Savage is all business tonight and tried to end it early but XYZ won’t stay down that easy!”
Savage runs the ropes and goes for a running senton but XYZ rolls out of the way, and Savage hits the mat back first! Savage clutches at his lower back as he sits up but XYZ knocks him back down with a running knee strike right in the mush! XYZ then runs the ropes and then does a fake out with a springboard moonsault before striking with a quick standing senton and then straight into a pin attempt…
One…NO!
Savage with a shoulder up and he rolls out to the apron, and as he stands up on the apron, XYZ grabs him in a front facelock and tries to drag him back in the ring but Savage counters by draping XYZ’s neck down on the rope and that flings XYZ back first on the mat. Savage re-enters the ring and this time he connects with the running senton! He opts to not go for the pin and instead he traps XYZ in an arm-breaker submission and then starts to stretch XYZ’s fingers before snapping them back! XYZ writhes around on the mat as he clutches at his hurt fingers with his other pair of fingers…
Allen Price: “Ouch! Did you hear that sickening snap?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Nate Savage is showing that vicious side with such a torturous move!”
Savage stomps down on XYZ for good measure before attempting to apply a chicken wing with an inverted sharpshooter, and just as he has it locked in, XYZ is able to grab hold of the bottom rope. Frustrated, Savage delivers some more vicious stomps to the head and chest area of XYZ. Savage drags XYZ up to his feet by his hair, but then XYZ counters out of that with a standing dropkick straight to the chest! Savage is knocked and XYZ sweeps the legs and strikes with a quick jumping elbow drop! The crowd is rallying behind XYZ as he’s feeding off their energy, and he climbs up to the top rope and waits for Savage to rise up before leaping up and he hits flying double knees to the chest! XYZ then drops down on Savage for the cover!
One…TW-NO!
Savage kicks out and rolls over as XYZ goes for another springboard moonsault, but again with the fake out but this time Savage pops up and doubles over XYZ with a boot to the midsection and this time Nate hits the bridging fisherman suplex on XYZ!
One…TW-NO!
Allen Price: “I don’t think Nate Savage was expecting so much resilience from XYZ coming into this match, J-L.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It appears so, Price. Savage is learning first-hand tonight how crafty a competitor that XYZ is.”
Savage brings XYZ up again and once more XYZ nails him with a standing dropkick! Nate is knocked back into the corner and XYZ comes charging towards him but Nate catches him and sends XYZ crashing down hard with a uranage! Savage climbs up top and leaps off, hitting a frog splash to XYZ and he hooks the leg!
One…two…NO!
XYZ kicks out and Savage can’t believe it and even checks with the referee to make sure. Nate brings XYZ up but XYZ counters with a jawbreaker this time, and then he unloads on Savage with a barrage of vicious kicks to the thighs and shins repeatedly for 20 seconds. XYZ then runs the ropes and comes back with a headscissors takedown on Savage after spinning at 360 degrees in the air and XYZ drops down for the pin…
One…two…NO!
XYZ signals that he’s going for his finish and he begins his ascent to the top, and just as he’s about to tight-rope walk he’s knocked down a peg by Savage! XYZ is dropped cross-legged on the turnbuckle as Savage drags him off and hits him with a package fall away powerbomb and quickly hooks both legs!
One…two…THR-NO!
Savage is irate with the referee now and he begins to berate Larry Stevens…
“COULD YOU COUNT ANY SLOWER?! DO YOUR DAMN JOB AND COUNT FASTER NEXT TIME!”
Savage turns around and leans down to pick up XYZ but then out of nowhere he’s caught by XYZ with an inside cradle!
One…two…THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: XYZ at 13:45
Natalie Rosenberg: “The winner of the match, XYZ!”
XYZ has his hand raised but before he can celebrate he quickly makes his exit as a furious Nate Savage chases him out of there!
Allen Price: “A big win for XYZ but Nate Savage is obviously not happy about the result!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Looks like he’s choosing to take his frustrations out on the referee.”
Allen Price: “I don’t get that, the referee was just doing his job!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Savage doesn’t see it that way apparently.”
Nate has referee Stevens backed up in the corner and he grabs him by the collar…
“WHEN I TOLD YOU TO COUNT FASTER, I DIDN’T MEAN COUNT FASTER FOR HIM YOU GODDAMN HALFWIT!”
Savage continues to berate the referee and before things get more serious, Jackson Fenix runs out and steps in between his friend and the referee.
“Nate, bro, calm down! He’s not worth it!”
Jackson is holding Nate back and eventually Nate opts to back away and leave as more referees come out to assist Stevens. Fenix helps Nate leave the ring but not before telling off the other referees when they look hesitant to get in the ring.
Allen Price: “Who would’ve imagined Jackson Fenix being the voice of reason here? Thankfully cooler heads prevailed for now.”
XYZ is shown watching from afar with a raised eyebrow before the show cuts to a brief ad break…
We cut to backstage to find Todd Salum standing by with a microphone in hand.
Todd Salum: "Joining me right now is one of our F1 Climaxxx competitors and also the Number One Contender to the FWA North American Championship. He’s also one half of the Buddy System… Big Bryan Baxter!
Walking into the shot, Big Bryan Baxter is chomping on some chewing gum while wearing a bright red “Buddy System” Letterman Jacket along with his black wrestling trunks, in full gear ready for action tonight.
Todd Salum: "Bryan, I wanted to first address some things we witnessed on Meltdown between you and Jeremy. I can’t help but notice that Jeremy Best isn’t here tonight… have you spoken to Jeremy since Thursday?”
Bryan stares at Todd intensely while continuing to chomp on the gum. An awkward silence ensues before Baxter finally breaks it.
Bryan Baxter: "No comment.”
Todd Salum: "Oh…well..um, okay then. You also had a run in on Meltdown with Lizzie Rose, who just happens to be not only sharing a Pool with you in the F1 but also the current North American Champion… the title you have earned a shot at. Tempers flared a bit after Lizzie was talking to Jeremy… what was that all about?”
Bryan again simply stares at Todd.
Bryan Baxter: "No comment.”
Todd Salum: "Um…well do you at least want to talk about your opening round match of the F1? Tonight you take on Gerald Grayson and…”
???: “Allow me….”
Interrupting the “interview,” is Mr. Bill Scorpane, the agent of both Bryan Baxter and Jeremy Best.
Bill Scorpane: "Clearly my client isn’t interested talking to you, and who can really blame him? He doesn’t owe an explanation to you or to anyone. What’s going on between Bryan and Jeremy is their business, not yours… not the people… and definitely not Lizzie Rhodes.”
Todd Salum: "That’s Rose.”
Bill Scorpane: "Yeah, whatever. Doesn’t really matter what her name is because she’s just keeping the belt warm for my man, BIG Bryan Baxter.”
Todd Salum: "Now, Mr. Scorpane… we’re not used to seeing you in front of the camera… why so suddenly so visible?”
Bill Scorpane: "Much like a lot of you… I underestimated Big Bryan Baxter. I brought him to FWA just to be in Jeremy’s corner. Someone who wouldn’t be afraid to do what needed to be done to win. To do what Jeremy would never do. But what I didn’t realize is… there’s something inside this man. There’s a real monster living inside him. He’s capable of much more than anyone has ever given him credit for. I feel like such a damn fool for never seein’ it until now. If anything, having Jeremy in his corner was holding HIM back! Keeping Bryan from being able to be the dominant force with that win at any cost attitude. Now with me at his side, he’s going to be damn near unstoppable! And it starts tonight… with lil’ GiGi… this ain’t your comin’ out party, ‘tulip’ - it’s HIS!
Scorpane gives a big ole’ grin and pats Baxter on the back before leading Baxter off screen. Baxter seems somewhat reluctant but does follow him off screen as Todd sends it back to the ring.
{Legacy of Rome || Andreas Waldetoft}[MEDIA=youtube]ZFvborIdCn4[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is an F1 Climaxxx Pool A match, scheduled for one-fall and with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, weighing in at three hundred and nineteen libra… from inside the sacred Pomerium of the Glorious Roman Empire… Cornelius… Aurelius…. CAESAR!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Caesar starts his campaign in the F1 with a tough opening battle tonight, but he’s overcome tough battles in the recent past. Most notably against Uncle J.J. JAY! at last month’s Lights Out supershow."
Allen Price: "That win all but earned Caesar his place in this tournament, and now a former FWA World Tag Team Champion is going to try his hand against the current one."
Caesar climbs into the ring, the audience positive in their reaction as he loosens up int he corner and waits for the appearance of his opponent.
{In Dreams || Roy Orbison}[MEDIA=youtube]MVRunwyoTMA[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… accompanied to the ring by Uncle J.J. JAY!... from Rotterdam in the Netherlands… she weighs in tonight at fifty four kilograms… 'Dreamer'... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "MvH qualified for the F1 thanks to being the FWA World Tag Team Champion, alongside Gerald Grayson, who will compete in the opposite pool in this preliminary stage. We also saw Dreamer and the Daredevil defend those championships at Hyde Park last Thursday…."
Allen Price: "*commentary relating to tag team match*"
MvH climbs into the ring, where Caesar waits for her in the opposite corner. The audience has been mixed in their reaction towards Dreamer and Uncle (the COSMIC HORROR has remained on the outside of the ring, and has in fact taken a seat next to the timekeeper), but it seems that the cheers are in the majority. The official coThe officialnducts his final checks and then call for the bell.calls for the bell….
The match kicks off and it looks like Caesar is attempting a collar and elbow, but Michelle neglects chain wrestling in favour of strikes, hitting Caesar with a trio of forearms to back him up into the ropes, and then a half-dozen alternating knife-edge and overhand chops. The Roman blocks an overhand, and fires back with a series of European uppercuts, backing Michelle up all the way across the ring. He whips Michelle hard into the turnbuckles and attempts a clothesline as Dreamer bounces back towards him, but she ducks beneath it and then fires off with Mongolian chops and forearm strikes. Caesar is backed up into the ropes, and MIchelle charges at him, only for the Roman to duck beneath her clothesline and lift her up and over the top with a big back body drop!
Caesar follows her out, and what follows is a tit-for-tat on the outside. After Ceasar whips Michelle into the barricade and follows up with a series of knife-edge chops, Michelle eventually blocks one, and then whips Caesar into the barricade in turn, proceeding to hit her own knife-edge chops in retaliation. After Dreamer connects with an Irish whip into the steel steps, which the Roman takes shoulder-first, Caesar reverses an attempt to repeat the gesture and sends Dreamer into the steps instead. Michelle hits them hip-first and lands in a heap on the other side. The contest goes on like this on the outside, a game of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’, the match punctuated by one of the pair constantly breaking up the referee’s ten-count and then continuing the battle outside of the ring.
This goes on until Caesar is able to hit a catapult into the steel ring post, which Michelle hits head-first at a funny angle, bringing a stream of blood out of her forehead. The official wants to check on Michelle, but the Roman refuses to let up, and once more throws her into the steel ring steps before following up with a frantic series of stomps. He rolls her into the ring, and then connects with a scissors kick as Dreamer fights back up to a vertical base! It wipes her out, von Horrowitz landing in a heap in the middle of the ring as Cornelius goes for the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Michelle kicks out, and Cornelius lifts her up by the arm, twists it into a hammerlock, and then attempts a hammerlock suplex… only for Michelle to anchor her weight down by grasping for the adjacent ropes. Caesar forces her to relinquish it with a headbutt, Michelle falling to her knees in the centre of the ring. Cornelius hits the ropes and winds up for a spinning backfist… but Michelle is up to a vertical base and fires back with a headbutt of her own!! Cornelius is staggered, and Dreamer immediately runs past him and hits the ropes, the Roman turning round into a big discus forearm that wipes him off his feet!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Is that the shift in momentum that Michelle von Horrowitz needs? Caesar has seemingly had the better of these early stretches, but Dreamer is finally able to knock him off his feet… a bloody Dreamer, after that connection with the steel ring post on the outside."
Allen Price: "It looks like Uncle J.J. JAY! is going to get a little company on the outside here, J-L! That’s Quiet and Thomas West appearing through the curtain at the top of the ramp… a regular Nephew reunion here at Hyde Park!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It’s not a reunion if they’ve never been apart, Price! The Nephews looking to get more eyes on the scene here in London…"
Indeed, the podcast host and the masked man have joined Uncle at the bottom of the ramp, and JAY! greets them both happily whilst the referee keeps a close eye on these new interlopers…
Michelle takes the opportunity to climb up to the top rope, but before she can make her way all the way to the top Caesar is back up to his feet and he cuts her off at the pass with a forearm strike, causing her to lose her balance and land split-legged over the top turnbuckle. Caesar follows her up, climbing up to the second rope and applying a front facelock. He looks to be trying to wrench her up for a superplex, but MvH wraps her arms around the top rope to avoid being lifted. Caesar relinquishes the front facelock in order to connect with a trio of forearms and then a European uppercut… but Michelle fires back with a headbutt to the chest, and then another one to the forehead of Cornelius! Caesar falls back into the middle of the ring, and MvH steps up onto the top rope… she leaps off, going for a frogsplash – only for Caesar to lift the knees! Michelle skids away across the ring!
Caesar scrambles up to his feet, and to her credit Dreamer does the same, but is holding her ribs after the connection with the Roman’s knees. MvH goes for another discus forearm, but Caesar ducks underneath it and lifts her with a fireman’s carry… and then the gutbuster! Caesar goes for the cover…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Michelle kicks out! Cornelius Aurelius Caesar edges closer to victory, but Dreamer’s resilience is on display here!"
Allen Price: "And yet more moral support is on its way down for Michelle, it seems! Here comes Harry the Sane Wizard, along with the Maid of Death!"
The two latest interlopers arrive at ringside, with the official noting the merry band of Nephews that have now accrued on the outside. Harry and the Maid join Uncle, Thomas, and Quiet on the outside, conversing about the seemingly dire situation going on between the ropes.
Meanwhile, Caesar feels like he’s closing in on victory, and he comes towards Dreamer from behind, maybe looking for his Et Tu, Caesar… but Michelle grips onto an adjacent top rope and Caesar falls back in the backstabber without her. The Roman scrambles up… but Michelle connects with a superkick! And then a mule kick! Caesar is doubled over, and Dreamer hits the ropes for a swinging neckbreaker!
She can’t follow up with a pin attempt, and is slow to get to her feet, and when she does she notices that a steel chair has been slid into the ring…
Of course, the referee notices it, too, having watched Harry the Sane Wizard slide the chair into the ring. Immediately he makes his decision, and decides to eject the Nephews from ringside!!
Allen Price: "A quick decision and an excellent one! The referee here decides not to run the risk of Nephew involvement, and he sends Uncle and his team to the back!"
But, whilst the official is busy ejecting Uncle, Thomas, Harry, and Quiet, the Maid is on the opposite side of the ring, and she slides a second chair into the ring…
Of course, the referee notices it, too, having watched Harry the Sane Wizard slide the chair into the ring. Immediately he makes his decision, and decides to eject the Nephews from ringside!!
Allen Price: "A quick decision and an excellent one! The referee here decides not to run the risk of Nephew involvement, and he sends Uncle and his team to the back!"
But, whilst the official is busy ejecting Uncle, Thomas, Harry, and Quiet, the Maid is on the opposite side of the ring, and she slides a second chair into the ring. Michelle, realising the official’s distraction won’t last forever, quickly drags Caesar over to the chair in a front facelock, and drops him onto the steel with a double-arm underhook DDT!! Dreamer quickly slides the chair out of the ring…
Allen Price: "The referee is none-the-wiser!! And Michelle von Horrowitz now makes her way up towards the top turnbuckle…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "She steadies herself… 450 SPLASH!! Michelle connects with Cornelius Aurelius Caesar in the middle of the ring!"
Allen Price: "And she hooks the far leg!!"
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Michelle von Horrowitz via pinfall at 11:38.
Uncle, Thomas, Harry, and Quiet are still on the top of the stage, and turn back towards the ring when the bell sounds to signify the end of the match. They cheer Michelle as she snatches her hand away from the official, deciding instead to prioritise the collection of her FWA World Tag Team Championship belt from the time-keeper’s area.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… Michelle… von… Horrowitz!”
Uncle and the Nephews have re-entered the ring, and busy themselves in lifting MvH up onto their shoulders.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Michelle moves herself ahead of the field in the early stages of the F1, recording the first victory in the first match of Pool A.”
Allen Price: “We’ve got two more huge Pool A matches coming up tonight, including Alyster Black versus Mike Parr in our main event, and the rearranged match between Vampyra and Tommy Bedlam.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “MvH was staring at a tough week ahead of her, with hers and Gerald’s tag team title defense against Andersen Vega and an unknown opponent on Meltdown, and then this opening match in the F1 Climaxxx… but she’s managed to emerge from it unscathed, even if her ego is responsible for another week of double-duty lying ahead in her future…”
Allen Price: “You’re referring of course to her challenge to the entire tag team division for a Mile High Massacre match on Fallout 024. The F1 Climaxxx will be almost at its conclusion by that stage, and we’ll see how Michelle handles split priorities again when we come to that business end.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Or perhaps that day will come sooner… we heard last Thursday on Meltdown that Fallout 022 will feature a Battle Royal to declare the new holder of the vacant FWA World Championship. It wouldn’t surprise me to see MvH entering the fray in hopes of her third reign with that title.”
Allen Price: “Unless her partner can speak some sense into her…”
Von Horrowitz is set down in the ring and climbs out of it, walking up the ramp as the Nephews follow merrily behind her.
Going backstage, we get a glimpse of the FWA Television Champion, Phillip A. Jackson in front of a television screen. “The Cleanser” has his eyes glued to the screen as he watches the end of the match from the other block of the tournament. He has a leather jacket along with a white t-shirt on and jeans. The FWA Television Championship rests on his shoulder, the piece which adds to his hall of fame resume. The gold plates have a light shine as the lights hit them. Then, a familiar voice is heard behind him.
???: “I suppose it is promising we have a champion who takes his preparation seriously. It is a shame it wasn’t enough against Miss. Rose.”
Turning to the side, Phillip A. Jackson sees someone outside of his block on his radar, number one contender Vampyra. The newcomer is in her full gear, minus her entrance mask. Though not initially expecting it, she has a second match in as many nights and finds herself in the same tournament as the Television Champion she has in her sights, though in an opposite block. One hand is behind her back, covered by her cape. Jackson is slightly bemused by Vampyras presence.
Jackson: “Can…Can I help you? I’ve come straight here from the airport. I’m not actually in the mood for visitors.”
Vampyra paces, taking a step or two around her future opponent.
Vampyra: “Being that I was… added to the card last minute, I thought it would be only fair to meet my future opponent at least for a moment. But seeing that you are not in a good mood, I’ll make my leave quickly.”
Vampyra glances towards her arm that is behind her back.
Vampyra: “This is a little present from me Just as a reminder as you are busy with the F1 not to lose sight…”
Reaching from behind her back, she pulls out a mask similar to the extra one she wears often for entrances with a striking design compared to normal. The base which is usually a darker colour is a pure white. There are some red and gold trims on it, taking inspiration from PAJ’s ring attire. The horns are black with red tips on the end. She hands it off to PAJ who turns it around and sees a Union Jack design on the back.
Jackson looks at the mask, lifts it to his eye line and stares at the mask. Jackson turns it around in his hand and stares at the back. Jackson lets out a wry smile.
Phillip A. Jackson: “This is different…”
Vampyra chuckles.
Vampyra: “It’s special. Just for you. Take care I’ll be watching and if you’re truly the champion you say you are, you’ll be keeping a close eye on my match… Maybe I can show you how to beat Tommy Bedlam, or at least last longer than you?”
And Vampyra winks before turning, leaving down the hallway to prepare for her F1 match.
Jackson continues to look at the mask as Vampyra leaves, almost as if he is entranced by it but quickly snaps out of it and smirks and scoffs.
Phillip A. Jackson: “Poor young Vampyra trying to buy my mercy with a present. It is good that she understands respect and knows that you need to pay your dues to the people who made this company. How dare she interrupt me?! She is getting ideas above her station, first thinking she can compete in the Climaxxx and challenge me and approach me backstage?! I’ll show her what her respect means to me…”
Jackson looks to the side and holds the mask over a trash can. Jackson is stuck between throwing it away and keeping it. He continues to be entranced by it. Jackson tries to throw it in the trash but can’t bring himself to do it. Jackson kicks the trash can and lets out a scream in frustration. Jackson brings the mask to his eye line and speaks to it again.
Phillip A. Jackson: “Fine, if I can’t get rid of you. I guess I’ll keep you with me.”
Jackson begrudgingly takes the mask with him as he walks down the hall in the opposite direction to his future challenger.
Back to the ring, two new faces are standing in the ring already.
Natalie Rosenberg: “This next match is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring, the team of Roderick Vasyl and M…D…C!”
The duo get a mild reaction from the fans, some fans recognizing them from other organizations. Neither man seems to thrilled about having to team up with the other however and some back and forth banter is occurring during the intros.
{Take Me To Church || Hozier}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
The crowd becomes a little more alive, giving some heat for the Ravenwood sisters as they slowly make their way out from the back.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And their opponents, weighing in at a combined weight of two-hundred twenty pounds… from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania… BLAIR… AND… CELESTIA RAVENWOOD…. THE CCCCOOOOOOOOVVEEEEEN!”
The sisters stop at the top of the stage to stare down their opponents in the ring with a sinister smirk on their faces.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “We’re getting our first taste of the Sisters of the Coven in action tonight after they’ve impressed in Ground Zero. For the last year or so, they’ve had their eyes on bringing Kleio De Santos into their Coven and have finally succeeded in doing so…”
Allen Price: “Speaking of Kleio… I’m surprised she’s not accompanying them to the ring.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That’s actually an astute point, Price. I’m not sure what to make about the whereabouts of Kleio here tonight.”
Allen Price: “Spooooooooky!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Settle down, Price. Halloween is over.”
The sisters slowly march their way down to the ring before they both, in unison, crawl under the bottom rope to enter the ring.
Unfamiliar with one another, Vasyl and MDC seem unsure about which one wants to start the match as the Ravenwood sisters both lean against the ropes with broodling looks in their face…Blair even licking her lips in anticipation before finally its Vasyl who starts the match off for the opposing team.
Vasyl moves in for a collar and elbow, but Blai Ravenwood decides to avoid the lock up and instead scores a quick ROLL UP!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO! Vasyl does in fact kick out!
Vasyl gets back up to his feet, clearly not amused by Blair’s attempt at a quick flash pin, while Blair sports a sneaky grin as she gets back to her feet. Vasyl runs in with a lariat, but Blair once again avoids the attack. She runs to the ropes where Celestia gets the blind tag. Off the ropes, Vasyl goes for a backdrop, but Blair leapfrogs over into a sunset flip attempt…but Vasyl fights it off, and sits down into a cradling pin attempt instead!
But it’s the legal woman Celestia coming in with a springboard dropkick to break that up! The pair team up, sending Vasyl into the ropes. Coming back, Vasyl POWERS through a double clothesline attempt from the twins before bouncing back off the ropes…he shows off his athleticism as he leapfrogs over Celestia, but he lands awkwardly on his leg and drops to a knee!
Allen Price: “Yikes, that was not a good landing by Vasyl.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My notes indicate some past ACL issues for Vasyl. He may have just tweaked it…or worse. Unlucky timing for an old injury to be rearing it’s ugly head here in your FWA debut.”
Allen Price: “Unlucky… or… dare I say it? Perhaps it’s…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Don’t you dare say it..”
Allen Price: “WITCHCRAFT!”
Blair wastes no time taking advantage as she targets the leg with a CHOPBLOCK, bringing Vasyl down to the mat where she immediately grabs that leg and turns him over into a Single Leg Boston Crab submission! MDC enters the ring but is cut off by Celestia.. but Vasyl has to quickly tap due to his injury!
{RESULT}Winner: The Coven by submission at 1:38
Blair and Celestia embrace each other with a hug to celebrate their very decisive victory as the crowd responds with some boos.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here are your winners… Blair and Celestia Ravenwood… THE COVEN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “An impressive start here in FWA for the Coven! We’ll be keeping an eye on this team, especially with the Tag Team Mile High Massacre announcement from Meltdown!”
While the Ravenwood sisters celebrate, the medical team comes out to check on Vasyl while an aggravated MDC watches on. He finally walks away, clearly frustrated while Vasyl is able to get up and walk to the back with some assistance.
Allen Price: “This was not the start to their FWA careers neither one of these men wanted, I assure you. But chin up fellas, it’s just the beginning and there will be better days!”
An advert airs for a blender.
{Animals || Nickelback}[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, our next contest is an F1 Climaxxx Pool B match, scheduled for one-fall and with a thirty minute time limit! Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Mr. Bill Scorpane… weighing in at three-hundred two pounds…. from Hickory, North Carolina…. BIIIIIIG BRYAN BAAAAAAAAXXXTTER!"
Big Bryan Baxter jogs out from the back in his glossy red “Buddy System” letterman jacket and is joined not by his normal partner, Jeremy Best, but instead by his agent, Bill Scorpane. A man who actually nearly matches Baxter in size and weight, Mr. Scorpane walks out slowly behind Baxter, dressed in a beige leisure suit.
Allen Price: “We witnessed some trouble in paradise on Meltdown for the Buddy System and now there’s no Jeremy Best in his corner tonight.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “No, instead we’re getting our first in-arena look at Jeremy and Bryan’s agent, Mr. Scorpane. Baxter has been making some waves lately on his own… not only qualifying for the F1 but he also earned himself a shot at the North American Championship during the Spooktacular at Lights Out. I think having Mr. Scorpane in his corner might actually make Baxter a more dangerous competitor.”
Allen Price: “We’ll see, JL. I think I speak for myself and these fans that we’re a little disappointed to not see Jeremy though!”
Indeed, the reaction for Baxter and Scorpane is not nearly as positive as it is when Baxter has Jeremy by his side. But Baxter appears focused as he and Mr. Scorpane make their way down the aisle, Baxter showing no interest in interacting with the fans.
{Cornflake || Psychedelic Porn Crumpets}[MEDIA=youtube]f60kHMYRsq8[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent, one half of the FWA World Tag Team Championships… weighing in at two-hundred twenty pounds… he’s from Raleigh, North Carolina… he is FWA’s Resident Daredevil…. GGGEEERRAALD GGGRAAAAYYYYSON!
Gerald trots out from the back, jumping up and down on the stage to get himself pumped up. He heads to one of corner of the stage and tosses his hands up in the air to get the crowd fired up as well before heading to the opposite side of the stage and doing the same there as well. He then heads to the center of the stage, looking up and pointing to the sky.
Allen Price: “The fans love them some GG! And who can blame them!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What a ride it’s been for Gerald Grayson as of late as he captured the FWA Tag Team Championship at Lights Out alongside Michelle von Horrowitz and also qualified for the F1 in the process.”
Allen Price: “It’s worth noting, JL, that both of these men feel like they have something to prove in this tournament.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That is true. Both competitors have had success in tag team action lately here in FWA, but want to show that they can have success on their own as well. The F1 Climaxxx is certainly a way for both of them to just that… and how funny it is that they both drew each other, not only in the same pool but in the first round of action!”’
Grayson now rushes down the ramp, slapping hands with the fans in the front row and then around ringside. He then slingshots himself into the ring and begins doing some stretches to prepare for the match about to begin.
As the bell rings, Bryan and Gerald meet in the center of the ring to trade some heated words with one another, but after some competitive trash talk, the duo start the match off with your traditional collar and elbow tie up. Baxter immediately uses his size advantage to push Gerald into the corner where a rope break is forced, but Baxter immediately hits a big knife edge chop to Grayson, sending a groan through the crowd.
Baxter winds up for another one, but Grayson’s speed allows him to elude the attack! Braxter turns around into a running boot to the face that seems to simply annoy Baxter more than anything. Baxter goes in for a right hand, but Gerald blocks it and delivers another high kick that staggers the bigger man. Gerald tries to make it a trifecta of kicks, but this time Baxter telegraphs the attack and catches his boot…
But Grayson responds with an enziguri! The bigger man drops to a knee but is right back up only to be met with a European Uppercut! This sends Baxter falling back into the corner as Grayson charges in with a big running high knee!
Allen Price: “I’m very impressed by this start from Gerald Grayson!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Bryan Baxter may have that size advantage but Gerald Grayson doesn’t care! He’s taking it right to the big man and using his speed to his advantage!”
With Baxter trapped in the corner, Grayson now unleashed a barrage of forearms to the chest of Baxter before ending his combination with a springboard side kick! Baxter stumbles out of the corner as Grayson scales the turnbuckles…FLYING CROSSBODY…
BUT IT'S CAUGHT BY BAXTER! Baxter then drives Grayson down into the mat with a powerslam! Baxter stays on for the pin! One, Two, KICKOUT!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “An early nearfall for Baxter… it was only a matter of time before he was able to really use that size to get the upperhand.”
Helping Grayson back up to his feet, Baxter takes him by the head before sending him head first into the top turnbuckle. The tables now turn as Baxter begins to take control, he unloads some punches and chops to Gerald in the corner. But Grayson begins to battle his way back out of the corner! He unloads some punches of his own to rock Baxter back before charging out of the corner with a running dropkick.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well placed dropkick there from Grayson! Right on target in the sternum! That has Baxter reeling!”
Baxter staggers backwards, falling towards the ropes before GG runs in with a running boot to the back of the head that sends Baxter falling through the ropes to ringside! This gives GG the chance to live up to his daredevil name as he runs to the ropes and dives out of the ring on the recovering Baxter with a suicide dive!
After both men crash to the floor, Grayson pulls BBB back to his feet and looks to send him into the ring post, but Baxter reverses an Irish Whip and instead its Grayson colliding HARD with the steel ring post! At ringside, Baxter takes some guidance from Bill Scorpane who is encouraging him to show no mercy outside the ring. Baxter inflicts some more punishment on his opponent as he lifts him up into his arms, driving Gerald THREE TIMES back first into the ring post!
Baxter starts to get more boos from the crowd as he adds some more insult to injury to the fan favorite GG, wrapping a camera cord around his throat, choking the life out of Grayson much to the delight of Mr. Scorpane.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I thought Bryan might’ve turned over a new leaf with Jeremy Best but with no Jeremy in his corner, we’re seeing more of what we initially saw out of Big Bryan Baxter when he debuted here in FWA! Someone who will do anything to win!”
Baxter relinquished the choke hold at risk of disqualification, and tosses Grayson back into the ring to avoid a countout. Grayson grabs the ropes in the corner, pulling himself back up only to have Baxter charge in with a big avalanche corner splash!
A growingly confident Baxter backs up as Grayson staggers out of the corner…into a kick to the midsection…POWERBOMB into a BACKBREAKER to GG!
Allen Price: “My God! I felt that in my back. JL, get my chiropractor on the line.”
Baxter makes the cover!
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO! Grayson with the shoulder up!
Baxter gets right back up to his feet, laying in some stomps to Grayson to prevent him from recovering while also dropping down with a couple of falling headbutts. Baxter then slows the pace down by locking Gerald in his Carolina Cloverleaf submission!
As the referee checks in on him, Gerald is refusing to give up and the crowd is solidly behind him, urging him to reach those ropes!
GG manages to pull himself up on his arms..inch by inch…slowly making his way to the ropes, finally reaching out and grabbing the bottom one, forcing the break of the submission!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Listen to these fans come alive for GG! They’ve willed him to the ropes and now Baxter has to release the hold! But how much has that taken out of Grayson?”
Baxter makes sure to hold the submission for the full five count before letting go. He then grabs Gerald by the hair, pulling him up to his feet and now takes him back to the center of the ring before lifting him up into a Torture Rack submission!
Gerald begins to fight his way out, delivering some punches to the forehead of Baxter until he loses his grip and Gerald is able to escape down the back! Baxter turns around and swings a wild right hand, but Gerald ducks and ROCKS the bigger man with his Spinning Backfist!
With Baxter staggering, Gerald bounces off the ropes… SLINGBLADE!
Gerald makes the cover! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Allen Price: “What a comeback from GG! Look at that guy go!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But he comes up just short of keeping the big man down!”
Both men are slow to their feet, but Grayson is up first and he jumps to the ropes, looking for a springboard DDT…
BUT BAXTER REVERSES IT - Northern Lights Suplex!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE…NO!
Baxter climbs back up to his feet as Gerald begins to sit up. BBB quickly strikes with a stiff kick right to his back. Baxter continues to lay into Gerald, wearing him down some more before sending him into the ropes with an Irish Whip. Off the ropes, Baxter catches Gerald with a tiltawhirl but this time it's Grayson who reverses it, connecting with a tiltawhirl DDT!
Baxter’s head bounces off the mat and he rolls out of the ring down to the floor at ringside where as he tries to get to his feet, he has to deal with Mr. Scorpane verbally berating him for allowing this “little gnat” to have him in this much trouble!
However, as Scorpane notices Grayson is back up, he quickly moves out of the way because Grayson comes FLYING OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE with MOONSAULT to the outside, wiping Baxter back out again!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What a move! Once again Gerald Grayson shows he’s not afraid to put his body on the line to win a match.”
GG is slow to recover but once up, he hits a big uppercut and a pair of punches to Baxter before rolling the big man back into the ring.
Grayson climbs to the apron…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This is it! He’s going for Extreme Impact”
Allen Price: “It’s looking like the end of the line here for Big Byran Baxter!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Not so fast…Mr. Scorpane is on the apron! This guy is making the most out of his first time at ringside here in FWA!”
Indeed, Mr. Scorpane has climbed up onto the apron, right beside Grayson! A confused Gerald can be seen yelling at Scorpane, telling him to get out of the way. The referee joins in too, warning Scorpane but all this has allowed Baxter to recover and he attacks Grayson on the apron and then SUPLEXES him back into the ring!
Bill Scorpane: “GIVE HIM THE POWER OF THE PUNCH!”
Allen Price: “Can we get rid of this guy? He’s wanting Baxter to use the brass knux! He’s openly telling his man to cheat right now!”
Baxter shakes off the advice from Scorpane, and instead lifts Grayson back up to his feet and sets him up for a Powerbomb, running towards the turnbuckles for a Turnbuckle Bomb…BUT GRAYSON REVERSES IT INTO A HURRICANRANA, sending Baxter into the corner back first!
Grayson stumbles to his feet…RUNNING KNEE into the corner to Baxter! Grayson staggers back as BBB begins to pull himself back up out of the corner…Grayson charges in…jumps to the ropes…and this time connects with the SPRINGBOARD DDT!
With Baxter once again down and slowly starting to stir, Grayson steps back out onto the apron, once again showing he’s going for the High Impact!
Grayson springboards in the ring with a somersault but is met with…A BIG STIFF RIGHT HAND FROM BAXTER sends Grayson to the mat instead!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Check that man’s hands! He had to have used the brass knuckles!”
Allen Price: “I’m looking closely, JL…he…DID NOT! That was as clean a right hand as they get! And what a punch!”
Sure enough, Baxter hands are empty and Grayson drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes. Baxter staggers over, pulling Grayson up to his feet…lifting him up into the air and then spinning him over into the BAXTER DRIVER! Baxter reaches forward and hooks the far leg:
ONE! TWO! THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Big Bryan Baxter by pinfall at 15:37
Baxter rolls to his feet, some disbelief on his own eyes as he picks up a big first win in the F1 Climaxxx. Mr. Scorpane climbs into the ring with a huge grin on his face as well to embrace his client. Bryan can’t help but be elated in the moment, allowing Mr. Scorpane to lift up his arm in victory.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… Big… Bryan… Baxter!
Allen Price: “I tell ya, both of these guys looked great here, but what a big win for Bryan Baxter! Many were surprised to see him even in this tournament and here he is getting the pin over one half of the tag team champions!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “There’s absolutely no denying that, Price. And don’t discount GG. This is a long tournament and there’s moor pool matches to come… he’ll still have his chances.”
GG slowly begins to pull himself up as Baxter and Scorpane are still revealing in the victory. Grayson walks over, pushes past Scorpane and confronts Baxter… before offering a handshake to his opponent.
Allen Price: “Look at GG, such a stand up guy! Such sportsmanship!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Yes, very much the opposite of his partner!”
Baxter looks down at Grayson’s extended hand, and seems to be about to accept the handshake but is pulled away by Mr. Scorpane! Scorpane seems to have some words for Baxter as he leads him away from the ring while Grayson is left standing alone in the ring, his arm extended before finally dropping it to his side.
As Bryan walks up the ramp with Scorpane, the standings are shown on the screen…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That concludes proceedings for Pool B tonight, with Bryan Baxter joining Chris Peacock and Lizzie Rose on two points after the first round of matches. But with four more fixtures to go, all is still to play for at this very early stage in the tournament…”
In the ring, Gerald shakes his head before climbing out of the ring as well.
Natalie Rosenberg: "The following is a tag team contest set for one fall-"
"ONE FALL!"
Natalie Rosenberg: ”Introducing the competitors... First, already in the ring... The team of Jimmy Boom Boom, and Kung Fu Karl-KUNG FU BOOM!”
The two get a minor pop as they do an elaborate cool guy high-five before playing to the crowd, the good vibes coming from them in waves.
Brrrrr....
Brrrr.....
Brrr....
Brrrr...
Brrrr...RANANNANANANA!
{THE LUMBERJACK || JACKYL}[MEDIA=youtube]jZfhI7t8ucs[/MEDIA]
The sound of a chainsaw is quickly followed by a blue-rock riff as "The Lumberjack" kicks into gear which, as you might expect, brings out two absolutely massive man mountains, wearing matching red and black flannel shirts and Denni blue jeans with brown boots dressing less like wrestlers and like two guys who just walked off a building site, and of course sporting two massive beards that totally cover the lower half of their faces. Such impressive facial hair; even Krash would be impressed. They don't play to the crowd, they simply look at each other, offering a quick fist bump, and they march in step, storming towards the ring with a purpose.
.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And their opponents from The Yukon, Canada... weighing in at a combined weight of six-hundred twenty-five pounds... DAN AND DOUG LUPONE... THE LUUUMMMMBERJACKS!"
Allen Price: ”I know this is 2022, and in wrestling, we've moved on from the concept of big=good....but WOW, these guys are massive! Two big bad scary dudes who seem poised to take the tag division by storm. Canada's greatest double act since Terrance and Philip."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Both nearly seven feet tall. Over six hundred pounds of sheer humanity. One of the largest teams we've ever seen-....I pity their poor mother. No wonder they hate trees so much; they don't like anything that can get to their eye level."
Allen Price: "We've seen The Lumberjacks a few times before, They're fixtures of the wrestling scene in Canada, and they dominated ground zero, and with good reason; they're a terrifying blend of size, speed, power and ability. You see these two walking towards you, and i'd argue the match is over before the bell rings."
Kung Fu Boom are now pressed up against the back ropes. This keeps them out of the way of Dan and Doug, who enter the ring, and march around menacingly while the typical snarky UK crowd tries to start an "EH? EH? EH?" chant, which Dan pumps his fists to, encouraging them before the towering twins exchange a look and stand side to side as an imposing unit that Karl and Jimmy seem more than a little intimidated by at the moment.
This match doesn't fill in many criteria of most tag team matches, with The Lumberjacks certainly looking to assert their dominance. That's true of what we see as we jump in with Doug just throwing Kung Fu Karl with right hands and clubbing blows and then a big exploder to him into the canvas. As soon as he stands, Doug grabs Karl by the head and yanks him up, too, rather than covering, and throws him into the KFB's corner, telling Jimmy to tag in. It seems like an odd thing to do, but the fact is that The Lumberjacks want to impose their will on both members; Jimmy tags in off the shoulder, stepping into the ring looking somewhat apprehensive, taking it slow as he squares up to Doug....and starts with a kick to the gut, throwing a bunch of right hands, but Doug shrugs them all off then solves Jimmy into the ropes, scooping him up when he comes back there's the military Press- THEN DROPS HIM TO EARTH! Jimmy plummets into the canvas, the crowd groaning as his body folds over in pain and Doug circles his hurt frame, heading to the corner while Jimmy begins to struggle up, wincing all the way, then turns around....SO DOUG RUNS THROUGH HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE!
Allen Price: "The logic here should be obvious; Kung Fu Boom, should use their speed advantage to befuddle the jacks, but how do you befuddle something that can hit THAT hard and sudden."
This is one-way traffic, as Doug turns and tags Dan in; The taller brother wants a piece of the pie, and he eagerly heads in.
Jimmy's up again, though he leans against the corner to stay upright. Dan measures him-a MASSIVE Body Avalanche follows! Dan uses his huge frame to his advantage there as Jimmy staggers out of the corner, allowing Dan to hook up the pump handle.....but no, Jimmy gets out and stuns Dan with a dropkick....it doesn't knock him down. Still, it stuns him. Jimmy crawls to tag in Kung Fu Karl, who heaves his tired body back between the ropes, having suffered just as much despite this match not running for that long. So Karl gets a run-up and CRACKS DAN WITH AN ENZUIGIRI....BUT IT STILL DOESN'T KNOCK HIM DOWN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That's the scary thing about these guys; they're one of the largest tag teams we've ever seen; it's hard enough to put them down, let alone keep them down!"
Jimmy grits his teeth as if to say..."oh shit," on the apron. And as Karl gets up, he gets scooped into the grip of Dan, who drops him with a couple of backbreakers, keeping hold of him the whole time....Then throws Karl with a fallaway slam! Karl crumples to the floor, but Dan isn't done, getting up without any real strain and hauling him up again. There's no resistance from the king fu master here as Dan hooks him up and hits him with GREETINGS FROM THE NORTH. It leaves Karl in a heap, but Dan makes sure to head to the ropes, bringing Jimmy Boom Boom over the top rope! Jimmy scrambles back to his feet, but he walks into Doug, who kicks him in the gut...up onto the shoulders...MAPLE BOMB! The young team have been massacred here, despite some good work in the early going, and now Doug leaves the ring so the ref will stop complaining, and Dan covers Karl.
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: The Lumberjacks via pinfall at 07:14.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here are your winners-THE LUMBERJACKS"
Well, that was ugly. Doug returns to the ring, slapping Dan on the shoulder to tell him "Good job" in a way. As the "EH?" chants start up again which Doug and Dan play to
Allen Price: "Kung Fu Boom did the best they could, but this, quite frankly, was a mismatch; these two monsters would have gone to hell and back to send their message tonight; they just didn't have to go that far."
Jean-Luc Watkins: “How glad do you think the Connection are that these guys couldn't climb fast enough to get a briefcase?"
Allen Price: "Well, I don't think either MVH or The Connection are intimidated by the size of the Lumberjacks, but they'd be stupid not to see the threat these two might be"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think everyone should be intimidated by The Lumberjacks; They're looking to cut through everyone""
Back in the ring, Doug makes a note to casually step over Kung Fu Boom and walk up to the hard camera and make several belt motions around his waist. His meaning was more than clear…
An advert airs for the Krash Memorial Extravaganza, airing live on the WCNetwork on Saturday 12th February, 2023.
{Wanted Dead or Alive || Bon Jovi}[MEDIA=youtube]8SiS9ZWaCLY[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a Pool A contest in the F1 Climaxxx Tournament, and is scheduled for one-fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, from Sweetwater, Texas, weighing in at two hundred and forty four pounds… TOMMY… BEEEDLAAAAAAM!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Tommy Bedlam has been very impressive since his return to action here in the FWA, recording three consecutive victories on his route to qualification for this F1 tournament. Those wins came over Nate Savage, Phillip A. Jackson, and Jason Randall, and now Bedlam prepares to fight a late replacement after Danny Toner - his originally scheduled opponent for this Pool A opening match - withdrew due to injury."
Allen Price: "That 3-0 record for Bedlam is important, J-L. He’s picked up some momentum on the run-in to this tournament, and many have Tommy marked as a dark horse here in Pool A. He’s motivated and mean, and I don’t think it really matters too much which poor soul you put opposite him in the ring here tonight. Bedlam’s been on a tear!"
Tommy climbs into the ring and climbs onto the second rope, where he’s cheered by the London audience despite his very American aesthetic. He climbs down and removes his hat, his music fading out before being replaced by…
{Vampire || Versailles}[MEDIA=youtube]4runjD3c3-s[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent, from Osaka, Japan… weighing in tonight at one hundred and ten pounds… she is ‘The Wicked Spirit’... VAAAAAMPYYYRAAAAAA!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And it’s a Vampyra fresh from success at the Lights Out pay-per-view, where she earned herself a shot at the FWA Television Championship at some point before Christmas… though the dispute rages on over who exactly is the champion…"
Allen Price: "Regardless, we last saw Vampyra on Meltdown, where she overcame the challenge of Sawyer Xavier and then, later on in the evening, was entered into the F1 tournament as a late replacement for Danny Toner."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Vampyra would’ve had very little time to prepare for her opponent here tonight, but the same is true of Tommy Bedlam, who would’ve been strategising with Danny Toner in mind until this week. We’ll have to see who is able to adapt more quickly in what is sure to be a clash of styles here in the Freetown…"
Vampyra gets in the ring and it’s immediately obvious what JLW is alluding to, with Vampyra less than half of Bedlam’s weight and giving up a lot of height to the Cowboy as well. Bedlam stands in the middle of the ring… and offers Vampyra a handshake. Vampyra slaps Bedlam’s hand away and then begins to circle the ring, Bedlam nodding and reciprocating as the official calls for the bell…
This one starts off with Vampyra attempting to use her speed to her advantage, at first sliding beneath a big boot and connecting with a jumping forearm strike followed by a low dropkick to the knees. Vampyra hits the ropes and then connects with a shotgun dropkick, backing the larger man up towards the ropes himself, with the smaller competitor looking to follow up with a clothesline. She's unable to take Bedlam up over the top rope, though, and has a second attempt, only for Tommy to duck beneath and then hoists her up and over with a back body drop. Vampyra lands on her feet on the ring apron, and then connects with an enziguri as Bedlam turns to face her! Tommy stumbles back into the middle of the ring, allowing Vampyra to springboard up and in with an attempted cross-brody…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "TOMMY BEDLAM WIPES HER OUT WITH A BIG BOOT!!"
Allen Price: "Impressive anti-air there from Tommy Bedlam, and Vampyra suddenly looks a lot smaller now she's not flying around the ring."
Indeed, Vampyra remains motionless in a heap whilst Bedlam shakes away the cobwebs after the enziguri. He finally hoists Vampyra up to her feet and connects with a quartet of right hands, backing Vampyra up into a corner, and then hits a trio of overhand chops whilst she's up against the opposite set. Bedlam hurls Vampyra across the ring with an Irish whip, but she shows her agility again in leaping up to the second and then third rope, before trying a moonsault as Bedlam re-approaches… but Tommy catches her, and then plants her on the mat with a power slam! Bedlam hooks the far leg.
ONE… TWO… NO!
Vampyra is able to get the shoulder up, but Tommy slows the pace down by applying a grounded headlock, attempting to keep his opponent on the mat and nullify her aerial advantage. The crowd begin to will Vampyra back into it, though, and after a lengthy period squirming in the hold she begins to fight back up towards a vertical base. When she's on her feet, she hurls an elbow into Tommy's gut… then a second… then a third… she walks Tommy into the ropes, and fires him off into the opposite set… Vampyra leaps up, attempting a standing dropkick, but Tommy has held onto the ropes to check his momentum! Vampyra lands in a heap, and Bedlam hoists her up before planting her back down with a sidewalk slam! Tommy isn't done there. He employs a methodical pace as he circles Vampyra with a series of well-placed stomps, before he lifts her to her feet again. He pulls Vampyra's head into position between his legs…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We've seen Tommy Bedlam employ a stout powerbomb before, and it looks like he's shaping up for that here."
Allen Price: "The Cowboy easily lifts his much lighter opponent up into the air… BUT SHE SLIPS THROUGH THE BACK! ROLL-UP!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Vampyra with the victory roll!"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Bedlam kicks out, and both competitors scramble up to their feet. Tommy winds up, looking to deliver a big discus lariat… but Vampyra ducks beneath it…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "REVERSE HURRICANRANA! Tommy Bedlam is spiked onto his head!!"
Allen Price: "And it doesn't look like Vampyra is done there. She's climbing up towards that top rope, facing away from the ring…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "She favours that top rope moonsault, and I think she's looking for exactly that here tonight… but Tommy Bedlam rather wisely rolls beneath the bottom rope!"
The Cowboy looks to want to take a breather on the outside, but Vampyra is already up on the top rope. She shrugs her shoulders before steadying herself, before leaping off the top with an attempted cross-brody body to the outside…
… only for Tommy Bedlam to catch her!! And then he hurls her into the second row with a fallaway slam! The crowd goes ape for the move, and Bedlam rolls in and out of the ring before collecting Vampyra and dumping her back to the ringside area. He throws her once against the ring apron, connects with alternating forearms and straight rights, and then sends her rolling back into the ring with a headbutt. He slides back into the ring and then drags Vampyra up in a front facelock, and then appears to be attempting to hook both of her arms.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Tommy Bedlam is going for his Bullseye DDT! Vampyra senses her peril, and rightly so – if the Cowboy is able to spike her with that DDT, this one's over!"
Vampyra anchors her weight down to the mat, dropping to one knee. She wrenches one of her arms free and uses it to pick Bedlam's ankle, sending him sprawling face first onto the mat. She hits a stomp to the back of Tommy's right leg, and then a knee to the back of the left one, causing Bedlam to roll over onto his back. Vampyra picks up his legs and then turns him over with a Boston crab! Vampyra sits down at a high angle, wrenching on the move, contorting Bedlam's body at an ugly angle. Tommy screams in agony… and then begins to fight towards the ropes. The movement of his much larger body makes it hard for Vampyra to keep her grip, and she shifts into a single-leg Boston, but Tommy continues to struggle, and eventually reaches the bottom rope!!
Vampyra backs away from Tommy when the official begins his count, allowing the Cowboy to use the ropes to regain his feet whilst she does the same. The pair suck in lung-fulls of oxygen, hardwon after the exertions of the match, as they come together once more…
Tommy stumbles away from the ropes, and Vampyra goes for a forearm strike… but it's blocked by Bedlam, who fires back with a headbutt! Vampyra stumbles back into the ropes, bounces off them, and lunges at Tommy with an attempted clothesline. Tommy ducks beneath it and hits the ropes himself, and Vampyra turns into a Lou Thesz press! Bedlam rains down the right hands, and then is all fired up when he gets back to his feet, the audience whipped up into a frenzy.
Allen Price: "Tommy Bedlam really feeling it now… He thinks he's closing in on victory, and it looks like that might be the case."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Indeed, Vampyra is stumbling around trying to get to her feet, and she turns around to face Bedlam… the Cowboy is preparing himself in the corner, and then comes at her for a superkick…"
Allen Price: "No dice!! Vampyra catches his foot! And then sweeps his other leg out… she's going for that Boston Crab again!"
Vampyra is trying to turn Bedlam over, but he lashes out with right hands, eventually forcing her to lose control of one of his legs. Tommy kicks out at her with this free leg, causing a little separation though that he can scramble to his feet… but Vampyra is already hitting the ropes, and she knocks the big man clean off his feet with a flying forearm! And she's not done there: she charges at the ropes once more…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Springboard moonsault!!! A thing of beauty!"
Allen Price: "Vampyra hooks the leg…"
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Tommy Bedlam forces the shoulder up! Vampyra doesn't show any frustration, instead hoisting Tommy up and planting him back down onto the mat with a Lightning Spiral!
Allen Price: "Whoa! What was that one called?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “She calls that Dark Lightning, Price!”
Allen Price: “...but no pinfall attempt from Vampyra this time… instead she's climbing back up to that top rope…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Vampyra likes to finish things off with her patented twisting frogsplash, which she calls Nightfall. I'd wager that's what she's going for here…"
Indeed, Vampyra steadies herself on the top rope, takes a deep breath, and comes off the turnbuckle with the beautiful move…
… but Tommy Bedlam gets his knees up!! Vampyra crashes and burns! She skids across the ring after impact, and to her credit she manages to battle up to her feet again…
… only for Tommy to knock her head off with a superkick!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "THE BUCKSHOT!!"
Allen Price: "THERE IT IS!!"
Tommy falls back into a cover…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
{RESULT}Winner: Tommy Bedlam via pinfall at 16:02.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here is your winner… TOMMY BEDLAM!!"
Bedlam is slow to rise to his feet, adjusting his pads and sucking in some deep lung-fulls of oxygen, the exertions of the match written all over him. When he has his wits about him, he allows the official to raise his hand in victory, a loud cheer emanating around the audience again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A hard fought victory for Tommy Bedlam, who was pushed to the limit here tonight by a very game Vampyra."
Allen Price: "Bedlam joins Michelle von Horrowitz from Pool A on two points, getting off to the best possible start here in week one of the F1 Climax…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Vampyra, meanwhile, slumps to defeat, but the short amount of time that she had to prepare for this battle with Tommy Bedlam - and to recover from her match only forty eight hours earlier in London for Meltdown XXI - would surely have contributed in some way to this result."
Allen Price: "Maybe. Vampyra has impressed in both the Spooktacular Spectacular and last Thursday's warm-up match against Sawyer Xavier, and did so again even in loss to Bedlam."
We have cut back to the ring, where Vampyra has got up to her feet. Her body language suggests that she is dejected, and she briefly looks up at Tommy. He offers her a nod, and it seems somewhat approving. She returns the gesture and then rolls beneath the bottom rope. The Cowboy climbs up to the second turnbuckle to whip up the fans some more.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… but to the victor go the spoils, and Tommy Bedlam moves to 4-0 since making his FWA return in the fall. Can anyone stop him?"
Allen Price: "He's beginning to look more and more like a genuine contender in Pool A each week… I wouldn't want to be Cornelius Aurelius Caesar right about now…"
Bedlam climbs out of the ring and begins to stride back up the ramp as we fade out.
Todd Salum is backstage, with his microphone in hand. Standing next to him is a freshly-showered and dressed man with a number of accessories in his possession at the moment; the holder of the Golden Opportunity briefcase (and Singapore cane), Chris Peacock.
Todd Salum: "As you can all see, I currently have the pleasure of being joined by the man who defeated Cyrus Truth in tonight’s opening contest and the man who can challenge for the FWA World Championship at any time he chooses, Mister Chris Peacock. Chris, thank you for joining me.”
Chris Peacock: "Pleasure as always, Todd.”
Todd Salum: "Chris, victory over Cyrus Truth. Not many people can say that they’ve done that. You’ve got to be feeling good going into this Battle Royal.”
Chris Peacock: "Todd, I feel great. I said on Thursday night that I was going to go into that Battle Royal and win it, and I think tonight that I showed that I deserve to be thought of as one of the potential winners of that match, because I just beat one of them earlier tonight. Cyrus Truth has been wanting a chance to challenge for the title, he’s got it on Meltdown XXII, but I think I showed tonight why he should be careful what he wishes for, because he just might get it.”
The assuredness of Peacock that was coming through on Meltdown appears to be making another appearance here.
Chris Peacock: "He made me fight for that win, but I’m no stranger to fighting and I’m no stranger to defying expectations. So, I don’t think there’s anyone that could possibly… bring me… down.”
Peacock trails off towards the end of his sentence as he sees a number of figures approaching him and he moves over to create some space between them. Todd pats Peacock on the shoulder and then takes a step back as a sizeable contingent of Cthulhu’s Nephews join Peacock in the frame.
Thomas West, Uncle and Michelle von Horrowitz stand at the front, with Quiet and Harry behind them and Gerald Grayson at the back, wearing his FWA World Tag Team Championship belt over his shoulder but looking rather uninterested and frustrated following his defeat to Big Bryan Baxter earlier tonight. Peacock scoffs as he sees the group in front of him.
Chris Peacock: “I’ve clearly pissed someone up there off, do I need to even ask what you’re doing here?”
Thomas West: “Still so distrusting, Peacock! No, we wanted to seek you out and congratulate you - you actually did it! You won a big match, despite our best efforts to make sure you didn’t get there in one piece. You didn’t get my Crown of Thorns, but you won this round, Peacock.”
As West motions to his accolade resting on his head, Uncle nods his head. Peacock laughs to himself, which raises a couple of eyebrows.
Chris Peacock: “Thomas, I know where you’re going to want to go with this, so I’m just going to tell you now that it’s not going to happen. You’re not going to goad me into doing anything stupid, alright? I’m focusing on that Battle Royal, although from what I hear I’m not going to be seeing the Battle Royal specialist there! You not thinking straight or something, Michelle?”
The smug smirk on Peacock’s face causes a flicker of annoyance on Michelle’s, but Wets snaps his fingers and causes Chris to divert his attention back to him.
Thomas West: “Hey! Don’t push your luck. You’re forgetting one important fact, Peacock. Whether you’re the champion of the world, the universe or the entire Cosmos… we still own you. Nephews always beat Chris Peacock. You’re our bitch.”
Chris shakes his head and points to the back of the group in front of him.
Chris Peacock: “No, your bitch is back there. What’s going on, Gerald?”
That caused Gerald to look in Peacock’s direction with anger behind his eyes, Chris ignores the other Nephews’ reactions to his comment.
Chris Peacock: “Yeah, don’t think I’ve forgotten. I might have a title to win, but I know we’ve got our match coming up next in the Climaxxx. I know you couldn’t get the job done against Baxter on your own, but what about me? Do you really need these pricks at ringside if Nephews always beat Chris Peacock? Or are you going to let Michelle’s bullshit drag you into something else that you don’t need to do?”
It seems as if Gerald is ready to respond, but Dreamer steps in front of him, indignant on his behalf in the general direction of Peacock.
MvH: “Don’t you start with this shit as well. People have been pointing at my work ethic as some apparent source of shame for years, tulip, and throughout that time I’ve just kept on winning... We have just kept on winning. And now, we find ourselves with the championships, standing at a frontier, a history reign already stretching out before us. We are united in this dream. Gerald’s loss tonight… well, it’s wrestling. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you don’t. We bounce back next week…”
Michelle is perhaps not quite finished, but she pauses mid-stream.
MvH: “You think Gerald needs me? Gerald’s been fighting without me his whole life. He did so tonight, not that I imagine you watched. You still only watch your own matches? But regardless, if Gerald decides he wants me, or Uncle, or Thomas, or Harry, or anyone else for that matter at ringside next week, we’ll be there…”
Gerald finally cuts her off by reaching out and dragging the microphone towards him.
Gerald Grayson: “You’re on, Chris.”
Grayson walks out of shot, with most of the Nephews following him after staring daggers at Peacock. There’s an uneasy stand-off between Michelle and Peacock, before Dreamer follows her partner and the other walks in the opposite direction, the Golden Opportunity winner clearly enjoying the tension currently present in the Nephews.
Fallout returns to the ring with the strange sight of none other than Steve the Techno Vampire standing in the ring on his own, ready for the next match. Steve sways back and forth to the music that is likely constantly playing in his head. Natalie Rosenberg looks slightly uncomfortable as she is forced to make the introduction.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with a twenty-minute time limit! Introducing first, Steve the Techno Vampire!”
Allen Price: "Always good to see Steve the Techno Vampire here, Jean-Luc?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It is? Well, we were supposed to be seeing the in-ring debut of Akihiko Kawaguchi here in this match against Steve, but due to visa issues, Kawaguchi has been unable to leave Japan and as such will not be able to join us on our European tour. It is our hope that once we are back across the pond that he’ll be able to show us his talents. Steve is still here though, and I understand that they did find him an opponent. No idea who this could be, other than it is a returning competitor brought in at the last second. Nova Diamond? Chris Kennedy? WOLF?"
{RAT IN MI KITCHEN || UB40}[MEDIA=youtube]yaoVlhghVlk[/MEDIA]
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Oh, for fu-”"
The cursing of JLW is not heard due to the loud clunking sound which indicates that he discarded his headset upon seeing the human anomaly that is Ratin Mikichin awkwardly strutting onto the stage. Ratin wears a long fur coat - which is not too dissimilar to that worn by Natalie Rosenberg - but he quickly sheds it to reveal that he is wearing nothing but a bright pink mankini underneath.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… Ratin Mikichin.”
Allen Price: "Hey! Ratin’s back! Good for him! It looks like Jean-Luc isn’t going to be taking part in this one, so it’s going to be time for me to practice some of my solo-commentating skills. Ratin Mikichin hasn’t been seen since the Carnal Contendership, and it doesn’t seem like he has changed a bit!"
Unfortunately and confusingly, the camera gets right behind Ratin as he bends over the second rope to get into the ring, which will appall the viewers at home as much as his general presence has done to the citizens of the Freetown. Referee Gracelynn Guerrero looks repulsed to have to check both competitors down - skimping on a lot of the physical checks - and she calls for the bell to get this one underway (and hopefully over with) as soon as possible.
Steve and Ratin circle the ring for a few seconds, before they come in together for a very sloppy-looking lock up. Ratin uses his height to get the better of the exchange and he does manage to apply a headlock on Steve, but the techno vampire pushes him away towards the ropes, but Ratin manages to get himself tangled up in them as soon as he touches them. Steve runs in and hits a knee to the midsection and he then Snapmares Ratin over his shoulder, leaving the semi-nude Kazakh in a seated position.
Steve runs the ropes himself this time and then jumps down with a low Cross Body to knock Ratin flat onto his back. Steve remains on top of him, which the referee registers as a pin attempt!
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Allen Price: "Ratin Mikichin kicks out at the last second! I don’t know if that is good resilience or not."
A shot of the commentary table shows Price looking over to Watkins for some advice, but JLW shakes his head, looking at the ‘action’ going on in the ring with his arms folded and a very displeased look on his face. Steve pulls Ratin up to his feet, but Ratin breaks free of his clutches and cracks him with a weak forearm. However, this does appear to do some damage to Steve, knocking him backwards where he almost trips over his own feet and lands with his back against the bottom turnbuckle.
Ratin looks around the crowd, as if to expect some sort of reaction, but no one offers anything up to him. However, his intentions become clear when he turns his back and gives himself a wedgie…
Allen Price: "OH YES! He’s going to back it up!"
The fans are disgusted as Mikichin raises the roof with his hands and starts walking backwards towards the trapped Steve, looking for his STINKFACE - BUT STEVE BITES HIM ON THE ASS!! Ratin howls in pain!
Allen Price: "OH NO! The fangs! The fangs sunk into the backside of Ratin Mikichin!"
Ratin comically holds his ass and jumps around the ring, yelping as he does so as for some reason the cameraman from behind attempts to get a close up of the bite marks. However, all of the lollygagging and jumping around allows Steve to get behind Ratin and go for a cover - and he rolls him up with a SCHOOLVAMPIRE!!
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winner: Steve the Techno Vampire via pin fall at 2:04
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, Steve the Techno Vampire!”
Steve the Techno Vampire immediately scurries out of the ring after getting the win; his first ever in the FWA. He cannot believe it, either, and the referee meets him on the ramp to raise his hand. Ratin sits on the mat and gets up, revealing a blood stain from the broken skin on his backside.
Allen Price: "Steve wins! Steve wins! I called a match on my own! What a night!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I want the resignations of whoever signed off on that match, and that perverted cameraman. What a monumental waste of time. Someone get out here and disinfect the ring as well."
As Steve celebrates, the camera catches a rueful Ratin Mikichin in the ring, who vows that this is not over as he leans on the ropes.
An island in a vast ocean.
A lonely mountain.
Upon a white sand beach lies a crown of thorns.
FWA: The King of the Deathmatch II.
Live from an undisclosed location on Saturday 25th March, 2023.
Natalie Rosenberg: “It is now time for your main event of the evening, it is an F1 Climaxxx match with a 30-minute-time-limit and it is scheduled for one fall!”
“ONE FALL!”
{Sonne || Rammstein}[MEDIA=youtube]YtEWoavDlcM[/MEDIA]
The familiar sound of “Sonne” fills the air and Alyster Black marches out on stage. Alyster looks out at the sea of rabid fans and then glances down at his X-Championship resting around his waist before marching down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, from San Dimas, California and weighing in at 220 lb, he is the current FWA X-Champion…”Black Jesus”...Alyster Black!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Fresh off his war with Danny Toner at Lights Out, Alyster Black now has his sights set on winning the F1 Climaxxx.”
Allen Price: “You have to imagine that Alyster is a heavy favorite to win the Climaxxx, right J-L?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My personal feelings for the man aside, I’d be a fool to disagree with you in that respect, Price. Indeed, Alyster Black is a favorite to go all the way, especially after coming up short at Lights Out he’s got to be hellbent redeeming himself.”
Allen Price: “You just had to get that little dig in there at his expense, didn’t you J-L?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What are you talking about, Price? I’m just pointing out the fact Alyster Black did lose at Lights Out, that was no dig at him in any way.”
{When the Lights Go Down || Downstait}[MEDIA=youtube]q2XuOvlzVHI[/MEDIA]
“When the Lights Go Down” hits and Mike Parr walks out on stage and briskly walks down to the ring looking all business for tonight’s affairs.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent, weighing in at 240 lb, representing Executive Excellence…”The Prodigy”...Mike Parr!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Speaking of redemption, that has to be on the mind of The Prodigy tonight after being unsuccessful in the Golden Opportunity match.”
Allen Price: “That Golden Op sure didn’t pan out for Executive Excellence, did it J-L?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “How hypocritical of you Price after you accuse me of taking a shot at Black, you blatantly take a shot at Executive Excellence! Yes, we get it. We all saw it. Your buddy Chris Peacock won. Move on!”
The referee for the match is Tommy Palmer and he checks over both men before calling for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
Black and Parr don't mess about and instantly lock up, and Parr traps Black in a side headlock but Black shoves him off into the ropes and off the rebound he knocks Parr off his feet with a shoulder block. Parr is quickly back up on his feet however and two square off again before locking it up, and this time Black gets Parr in a side headlock and he instantly takes Parr down and he wrenches back as he maintains pressure. Parr reaches out and he’s trying to free himself by any means and he grabs hold of Black’s mask, but before he can take it off, Black releases the hold and starts pummeling Parr with a ground and pound. Black opens up with repeated forearm smashes while Parr does his best to cover himself up.
Black backs off and allows Parr some room to breathe but not for too long as Parr is on all fours and Black nails him with a running soccer kick right into the midsection! Parr holds his midsection as he tries to crawl away to a nearby corner, but Black is hot in pursuit and doesn’t allow any opportunity of a reprieve for Parr as he unleashes vicious corner stomps until Parr is slumped down and Black doesn’t let up with a face wash to Parr. Black drags Parr away from the corner and drops down for the pin…
One…TW-NO!
Parr gets a shoulder up and Black brings him up only to take him back down with a snapmare and dropkick to the back of his head! Black then applies a rear chin lock with his knee digging deep into the lower spine of Parr…
Allen Price: “This has been all Alyster Black from the get go, are you worried J-L?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The only thing that is worrying is your infatuation with my current feelings, just do your job and call the match, Price.”
Parr is reaching out and he starts to rise up and drives some back elbows deep into the midsection of Alyster Black, and Parr has Black doubled over and Parr strikes with a jumping knee to the face! Then Parr hits a low dropkick that brings Black down to one knee, and Parr strikes with a shining wizard and Parr hooks the leg!
One…TW-NO!
Parr locks in a headlock on Black but slowly transitions it into an STF submission hold, and Parr cranks back with the hold while Black is reaching out and he’s able to break the hold! Parr seems a skosh agitated by this as he hits an elbow drop to Black’s back for good measure before hooking the leg again…
One…TW-NO!
Parr brings Black to his feet and Parr has Black on the ropes, and Parr looks to send him across but as he goes for it it’s countered by Black, who sends Parr into the corner and Black levels him with a corner clothesline! Black then proceeds to unload on Parr with a Violence Party!
Allen Price: “That is one party I would not want to be invited to, but it doesn’t seem like Mike Parr had much of a choice!”
Black then takes Parr by the wrist and sends him sternum first into the opposite turnbuckle with an irish whip and then Black hits Parr with a bridging german suplex!
One…two…NO!
Parr begins to crawl away after kicking out and he’s using the ropes as leverage to help himself to his feet, and he senses Black behind him and he throws back a couple of elbows and then a pele kick! Black is knocked for a loop and Parr shoves Black away and then leaps off with a springboard flying knee strike straight to the mush! Black is staggered but remains on his feet before Parr plants him to the canvas with a tornado DDT! Parr takes a few seconds to catch his breath before rolling Black over so he can make the cover…
One…two…NO!
Parr is showing more signs of frustration now as he begins to apply an inverted sharpshooter, but Black won’t allow it to happen as he kicks Parr away and he uses this time to help himself to his feet but Parr strikes with a knee to the side of his head! Parr takes Black by the head and drags him away from the ropes and he has him set up for the rolling cutter, and he goes for it but Black spins out and he drills Parr with a forearm smash! Black unloads on Parr with a barrage of forearm smashes to the face and Black hoists Parr up in position for Satan’s Spike but Parr drops out of it from behind and he spins Black around but Black is ready as he nails Parr with a headbutt! Parr is stunned as Black gives himself some distance…ONE SHOT KILL! Black’s patented lariat puts Parr away!
One…two…three!
{RESULT}Winner: Alyster Black at 21:52 …
Alyster Black rolls off Parr and slowly gets up to his feet, fatigue written all over him after the war with the Prodigy.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… ALYSTER BLACK!”
Bad Reputation, the Prodigy’s stable-mates as part of Executive Excellence, have appeared from the back to help Parr out of the ring. There’s a momentary stand-off between Gabrielle and the masked man in the ring, but Knox’s efforts to carry Parr back to the bag require her help, and she’s forced to turn away. Black is in the middle of the ring, and the official lifts his hand in victory.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Alyster Black joins Michelle von Horrowitz and Tommy Bedlam as the Pool A competitors with two points after the conclusion of Week One…”
Allen Price: “With Danny Toner’s withdrawal from the tournament, Mike Parr stands as the only member of Executive Excellence with hopes in the F1… hopes that have been dented by this loss here in the first match. Part of me would have expected Bad Reputation to be more aggressive in their response, but they focus on dragging the Prodigy to the back. Licking their wounds, maybe?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s week one, Price! There’s still plenty of wrestling to go. Mike Parr will be ready to bounce back next week against… against his old rival, Michelle von Horrowitz!”
Allen Price: “Another blockbuster week of F1 matches lies ahead of us!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “From the Freetown Christiania… good night, wrestling fans!”
The show ends with Alyster Black stood in the centre of the ring, his FWA X Championship at his side, the fans assembled in the Freetown cheering his name.
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