The lights start to flash around the entrance as Guile's Theme begins playing through the PA system. Out from the back, accompanied by Anna Giovanna, come Gunnar Stahl and Mattias Jepsen... BLOODSPORT! Mattias comes out with a towel over his head and a black custom Under Armour shirt, shadow boxing and looking ready for a fight! Meanwhile with a towel draped around his neck and a powder blue custom Affliction shirt, Gunnar Stahl comes out confidently marching down from the ramp! Not gesturing to the fans, the pair make their way to the ring with purpose before getting in and taking a small skip in his step before raising their hands! Letting Anna do her assigned job as his ring girl, the pair moves to stand in their corner, removing their towels and shirts, before turning back to face the ring, Gunnar taking a second to adjust his curly moustache before the pair begin to bounce on the balls of their feet, ready for battle.
Darrin Stearns: And now, a special extra televised match! Wulf Erikssen’s protégé, Coyote, graduates from the (R)Evolution Pro Dojo today, and in a special showcase Tag Team match, the mentor will be teaming with the student to face the Scandinavian force of Bloodsport!
Minoru Asano: NOT ONLY THAT! BUT TONIGHT, FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, WE’LL SEE THE RETURN OF WULF AS COYOTE HIMSELF! IT’S COYOTE I AND COYOTE IV TEAMING UP AS LOS COYOTES!
Darrin Stearns: Coyote IV? Really? There’s been that many?
Minoru Asano: I DON’T KNOW, IT’S JUST WHAT THIS SHEET OF PAPER TELLS ME!
Darrin Stearns: And why are you shouting?
Minoru Asano: BECAUSE DRINKING, THAT’S WHY!
Deadfall by Snot blasts from the PA as Los Coyotes enter the gym. Coyote IV stands tall, surveying room, whilst Wulf, in his classic Coyote I gear, stands in front of him. As the music kicks in proper, Coyote I points to the ring, and sprints at it at full pelt, whilst Coyote IV walks slowly down behind him. Coyote I hits the ring at full speed, sliding in under the bottom rope clear to the centre of the ring, causing the Bloodsport boys to each take a step back. Coyote I quickly gets to his feet, and runs to the ropes, raising his fist for the crowd there. He quickly runs to the opposite ropes, as Coyote IV enters the ring over the top rope, and repeats the process there. The pair gather together in the centre of the ring, where Coyote I gives his signature “Silent Howl” taunt, with Coyote IV looming over him.
Darrin Stearns: Bloodsport have been impressive both in training and in the ring, but this match they face a member of the full roster, as well as Coyote, who’s been in quite a funk these past two weeks.
Minoru Asano: I THINK I’M SUFFERING DOUBLE VISION. FOUR COYOTES?
The pairs bundle into their respective corners. After some deliberation, Coyote IV exits to the outside, perhaps slightly reluctantly, leaving Coyote I to start up the match. On seeing this, Mattias gives Gunnar the nod, and remains in the ring whilst Stahl leaves, walking to the centre of the ring to meet his adversary.
COYOTE GRADUATION:
BLOODSPORT vs. LOS COYOTES
Darrin Stearns: Looks like we have the Danes facing off against each other, as Erikssen starts off against Jepsen.
Minoru Asano: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I SEE NO ERIKSSEN. ONLY COYOTES! AND THEY COME FROM PARTS UNKNOWN!
Darrin Stearns: Sigh.
The bell rings as the pair slowly approach each other. Suddenly, Mattias bursts forward, catching Coyote I off guard, and hooking him straight up collar and elbow. The pair start jockeying for position, with Mattias spinning Coyote I around towards his corner, followed by Coyote I spinning Jepsen towards the adjacent ring post. Mattias spins again, landing Coyote I in the corner. Jepsen pushes Coyote I into the corner hard, leaning in against his chest, and slapping him across the face. Mattias lifts his hands, and taunts the crowd, laughing aloud. As the boos begin to echo throughout the room, he turns back to Coyote I, only to be met by a sudden Head butt, knocking Jepsen clear off his feet and flat on his back. Mattias rolls backwards through onto his feet, and as he gets upright is met by a Running Cross Chop from Coyote I as he bursts out of the corner. Coyote I grabs a handful of Mattias’ head, and pulls him upright, before locking him up and dragging him to Los Coyotes’ corner, reaching his hand out and allowing Coyote IV to tag in.
Darrin Stearns: And here we go, for his final (R)Evolution match, Coyote tags into the ring!
Minoru Asano: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? COYOTE’S BEEN WRESTLING THIS WHOLE TIME!
Darrin Stearns: You know what I... actually, forget it.
Coyote IV clambers into the ring, as Coyote I whips Jepsen into the ropes. Mattias rebounds, and as he comes back is met by a hard Double Thrust Spinebuster from Los Coyotes! Coyote I hits the deck and rolls out of the ring, as Coyote IV stands ominously over the fallen Jepsen. As Mattias slowly starts to stir, Coyote IV leans over and starts dragging Jepsen upright. As Mattias gets to his knees, he strikes out with a hard backhand to Coyote IV’s midsection, knocking the big guy back and off balance. Mattias follows up with a Forearm Smash, but Coyote IV rallies, and knocks Jepsen back to the corner with a massive Shoulder Block. Coyote IV follows up, but Jepsen counters, and strikes out with a Side Kick, knocking the air out of the big man.
Minoru Asano: VAN DAMME BOY NEEDS TO MAKE THE TAG. TAG VAN DAMME BOY, TAG!
Mattias dashes forward, and as Coyote IV reaches to stop him, Mattias hits the deck, and tries to crawl between Coyote IV’s legs. He starts crawling through, trying to get the tag, only for Coyote IV to take hold of one of his trailing feet, and stop him dead in his tracks. Coyote IV drags the struggling Dane, as he steps forward and tags Coyote I back in.
Darrin Stearns: Coyote has been focused as a tag team wrestler here in (R)Ev Pro, and it really shows. Just see what he’s able to achieve with a competent partner, they’ve effectively dissected the younger Bloodsport team.
As Coyote I steps in, Mattias has managed to get to one foot, and hits Coyote IV with a quick Reverse Enzuigiri, knocking the big man crashing into the incoming Coyote I. Jepsen uses the confusion to dive across the ring, and slap the outstretched hand of Gunnar Stahl. Coyote I disentangles himself from Coyote IV, and begins his pursuit of Mattias, only to be knocked down by a Springboard Spinning Heel Kick from Stahl as he explodes into the ring.
Minoru Asano: SEE VAN DAMME BOY FLY!
Not pausing for a moment, Gunnar mounts the prone Coyote I, and starts hitting him with a flurry of mounted Forearms, Punches and Elbows.
Darrin Stearns: Stahl is really putting his MMA skills to work here.
The referee hovers over the pair, and starts the count. On the count of three, Gunnar ceases his assault, and pulls Coyote I up to a seated position. He raises his hands, and runs to the ropes, before coming back and hitting Coyote I with a Slap Shot!
Darrin Stearns: Hear that kick echo. Wulf’s got to be seeing stars!
Minoru Asano: WHAT WULF? I ONLY SEE COYOTES!
Gunnar hooks the leg.
1
2
Coyote IV breaks up the pinfall with a massive stomp to the back of Gunnar’s head. The referee moves to force Coyote IV back to his corner, but is interrupted by Mattias appearing out of nowhere with a Rolling Koppo Kick, knocking the big man down. Mattias starts to walk back to his corner, allowing the referee to concentrate on removing Coyote IV, forcing the resisting big man back to his corner. Mattias stops leaving, however, and helps Gunnar get Coyote I up to his feet. The two Scandinavians exchange a quick high five, before Mattias goes low with a Spinning Leg Sweep, and Gunnar goes high with a Spinning Leg Lariat, sending Coyote I spinning and crashing down to the mat.
Darrin Stearns: Bloodsport now firmly in control. This isn’t how Los Coyotes wanted their graduation to go, I’m sure.
Stahl and Jepsen stand, celebrating in the ring, before Jepsen quickly retreats before the referee can see him. Gunnar goes for the cover as the referee turns around.
1
2
Kickout! Gunnar slams the mat, indicating what he felt was a slow count, but the referee shrugs it off. Frustrated, Stahl returns to his corner, and tags Jepsen back in. As Coyote I starts to sit up, Mattias runs forward, going for the PK Blitz, only for Coyote I to quickly curl up, in a tight ball, with one hand outstretched.
Darrin Stearns: Well, this is old school. I don’t think someone like Mattias Jepsen will every have seen something like this.
Mattias just looks, scratching his head at the balled up Coyote I. He reaches out, and tries to move the ball, but it just wobbles in place. Coyote I starts wriggling the fingers of his one extended hand. Mattias looks to Gunnar for advice, unsure of what to do.
Minoru Asano: WHAT CRAZY DRUNK COYOTE DOING?
Slowly, as the crowd goads him on, Mattias reaches out towards the outstretched hand. Slowly, slowly, but surely, tentatively, he moves towards the waggling fingers. Just as he’s about to reach the hand, Coyote I stretches further, grabs Mattias’ outstretched hand, and as he untwists himself uses the momentum gained to bring Mattias down with an Arm Drag!
Darrin Stearns: LADY OF THE LAKE! That’s Wulf showing some vintage British wrestling skill there.
Minoru Asano: COYOTE! COY-O-TE! YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO COMMENTARY SCHOOL!
Coyote I quickly gets the tag in to Coyote IV, and the big man comes in on fire. As Mattias gets back up, Coyote IV sends him down with a Shoulder Block. Gunnar gets in the ring, but as he charges Coyote IV takes him down with a Lariat! Mattias is back up, and charges, only to be met by a Back Body Drop! Jepsen reverses it in the air though, landing on his feet, staggering slightly, next to the rising Gunnar. As Coyote IV turns around, he’s met by a double kick to the mid section by Bloodsport. The pair nod at each other, and run off the ropes, only to be met by a hand around each of their throats. Quickly, they go for another kick to the midsection, making the big guy break his grip. They go to follow up with a Double Spinning Leg Lariat, but their legs hit Coyote IV’s chest with no effect, not even a stumble. The two men spin around in recoil, and quickly get knocked off their feet with a colossal Double Lariat, knocking them to the mat hard.
Darrin Stearns: Here he comes. The Coyote we all knew was waiting underneath. The main who would move mountains to help Anastasia, showing off the raw power he’s becoming known for.
With one hand on Gunnar’s throat, and the other taking a handful of tight, Coyote IV deadlifts Stahl up, and over his head in a Gorilla Press.
Minoru Asano: SUCH POWER! SO DOGE! MUCH WOW!
With barely a strain of effort, Coyote IV carries Stahl over to the ring ropes, and tosses the smaller man out over the top rope. Gunnar taken care of, he locks a death stare on the recumbent Jepsen.
Darrin Stearns: I think this might be the end for Mattias.
Without even a grunt, Coyote IV hoists Mattias up with a Karelin Lift. Coyote IV parades around the ring with Mattias struggling limply at his side. As he passes his corner, Coyote I lightly taps him on his shoulder, and starts to climb the turnbuckle.
Darrin Stearns: Blind tag, the ref has seen it, but I don’t know if Coyote knows it’s happened.
Minoru Asano: OF COURSE COYOTE KNOWS, COYOTE DID!
With a Silent Roar, Coyote IV spins Mattias round, and slams head first to the floor with a Kneeling Piledriver!
Darrin Stearns: COYOTE DEATH DROP! I THINK COYOTE JUST DROPPED MATTIAS THROUGH HIS OWN HEAD!
Minoru Asano: MORE SHOUTING!
Coyote IV leans back, exhausted with effort, letting Mattias drop to the floor. Suddenly, Coyote I dives off the top turnbuckle, landing with a Diving Somersault Leg Drop!
Darrin Stearns: AIR COYOTE! Well, the original Air Coyote! Wulf goes for the pin!
Minoru Asano: WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER?
Coyote I rolls up Mattias.
ONE!
Coyote IV, shaking his head, starts to stand.
TWO!
Coyote IV sees what’s going on, and looks on, a frown building on his face.
THREE!
WINNERS: LOS COYOTES
Darrin Stearns: Los Coyotes have won! A victory on Coyote’s graduation! A hard fought match from Bloodsport, but in the end, the combination of power & experience in Los Coyotes won the day!
Mattias has crawled out of the ring, and, assisted by Gunnar, is slowly retreating out of the gym, shouting at Coyote I, who just laughs at them as they leave. After a few moments of Deadfall playing, Coyote I signals for the music to stop, and for a mic. One of the ring crew tosses him one. Coyote I quickly unlaces his mask, and sits it on the top of his head as he addresses the crowd.
Minoru Asano: OH MY GOD! COYOTE IS FELLOW DRINKER WULF ERIKSSEN!
Darrin Stearns: ENOUGH WITH THE SHOUTING.
Wulf Erikssen: Oi oi boys and girls! How about that then? What did you think?
The crowd roars in reaction to the question.
Wulf Erikssen: Now, we’re here for a special purpose tonight. My boy Coyote here has proven his mettle, proven his worth, and is now ready to stand amongst the warriors of the Seikigun, and help us in our battle against whatever tosser is trying to destroy our company this week!
Another roar from the crowd.
Wulf Erikssen: And it ain’t been the easiest of jobs for the boy, let’s be honest. He’s been held back, distracted, but no more. From today on, he forges his true path. He forges his own destiny, and his own identity. From today, he forges his own identity in this world. He is Coyote, no more.
The crowd adopts a subdued silence.
Wulf Erikssen: For those of you who don’t know, the South Street Gym traditionally awards it’s top student the identity of Coyote for their first year in the business. They get various perks, they we pay some of their basic living costs, and they get a leg up. All we ask in return is their dedication to the ring, and to the role of Coyote, including the vow of silence, which our young man here has upheld perfectly.
The crowd starts to give a round of applause.
Wulf Erikssen: And so, without further to do, Coyote, this is yours.
Wulf seems to not notice the vexed, angered look on Coyote’s face as he hands him the mic. Coyote looks down at the mic in his hand, almost unsure of what to do with it. He brings it to his mouth, but then stops, and pulls it away, uncertain. He scratches at his beard, shaggy, nowhere near as well kept as it usually is. He softly clears his throat, before bringing the mic back up to his mouth.
Coyote: I suppose I should say thank you.
The crowd grows to a hush as Coyote speaks his first words. His voice is deep, resonant, but with a slight underlying softness.
Coyote: I have truly been given an opportunity here. To grow, and to excel. And I truly am grateful for that. And you’re right. Even though it has not been by my choice, there was no other way this could have ended.
Coyote walks to Wulf, and stands in front of him.
Coyote: I thank you for the opportunity given here. For allowing me to be your Coyote.
Wulf smiles a broad smile.
Coyote: Even as I now shed this identity. And become your GRENDEL!
Wulf starts to question this, but is interrupted by a colossal boot to the stomach from Coyote, who casts the mic aside. Without pausing a moment, he hoists Wulf up upon his shoulders, before bringing him crashing down with a massive Call Of The Wild.
Darrin Stearns: WHAT THE HELL? Where the hell did that come from? Coyote just turned on his mentor, Wulf! And did he just announce he was going to become GRENDEL?
Coyote follows up the impact with a series of stiff kicks to Wulf’s head, before turning and leaving the ring, the crowd a chorus of boos and disbelief. However, as Coyote gets half way up the aisle, Anastasia Starling comes out from the back. He sees her, and stops in his tracks. She starts imploring him to stop, and talk to her. Coyote just shakes his head, and recommences walking. Ana runs down to him, and stands before him, demanding he speak to her.
Darrin Stearns: These two, the best of friends, seem to have suffered some kind of rift. Even over the crowd, you can hear her appeal to him.
Anastasia Starling: WILEY! WILEY, PLEASE STOP. PLEASE, TALK TO ME.
Rage building on his face, Coyote tries to sidestep to her left, but she moves to blocks him. Frustrated, he tries to go round her right, but she moves to block him once more. Frustrated, he roars at her.
Coyote: MOVE!
She just stands her ground, shaking her head, looking up at the giant before her. Slowly, she reaches out, with her hands, and takes one of his massive hands in hers. Slowly, she takes his other hand, and lifts it, until she is holding both hands in hers.
Anastasia Starling: please.
Coyote looks conflicted, unsure of what to do. Slowly, it looks like a smile is beginning to crack on his face, only to be very quickly replaced with an expression of rage. Suddenly, Coyote violently shoves Ana down to the floor, her head hitting the ground with a sickening thud. For a moment, he stands, looking over her cold, and emotionless, before carrying on out of the gym.
Darrin Stearns: This... this is sick. We’ve got to cut the broadcast. We need to get medical help for Wulf and Ana.
Minoru Asano: Ugh... I need a drink.
The footage that follows is anything but professionally recorded. It’s cobbled together from cell-phone cameras and single video camera shoots from far-flung regions of the Far East.
But be it the beaches of Thailand, the dojos of Japan, or even the mountains of Nepal, one thing is constant - the single pale man in each and every shot, both giving and dishing out ass-kickings.
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” - Sun Tzu
His knees and feet do just that - a 540 roundhouse kick landing square on the temple of some unfortunate soul here, a sharp knee out of a Thai plum jacking the jaw of another sod there. His hands let loose too, with palm heels and leopards paws and all manner of strikes that the uninitiated won’t recognize, because, well, that’s how he rolls.
Just as quick, though, the footage is gone, replaced by another quote.
“War used to be an art. So shall it be again. My fists are my brushes, my feet are my pencils, and my opposition? My canvases.” - Simon Raines
And then, a glimpse of the man himself, up close and personal. Dark-haired, with a devil may care grin on his face, he stands dead center of the (R)evolution ring, arms spread as if to welcome the challenge that is to come.
SIMON RAINES
THE ARTIST OF WAR
COMING SOON