Post by Nicholas Gray on May 6, 2015 21:22:38 GMT -6
“Revolution” by Authority Zero begins to blast across the soundwaves, as does the opening video package to (R)Evolution Wrestling’s fancy Fox Sports 1 programming that we rarely see for whatever odd reason now before we go to the (R)Evolution Dojo in Anaheim, California, where people are going bananas with their signs and stuff in the process before we pan over to the commentating booth...keep in mind, the booth has various bottles of liquor and whatnot to boot. It’s almost impressive.
Minoru Asano: HELLO FRIENDS AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF (R)EVOLUTION WRESTLING! LET THE DRINKING BEGIN!
Pond: ...I’m not opposed to that by any means Minoru, but we probably should run down the card fir-
The house lights in the arena go out completely, thunder and rain can be heard from a distance, all while the image of a large mountain complete with a temple atop the peak is seen on the LCD screen while the beginning of “No More Regrets” by Arch Enemy blares out of the PA system, green spotlights beginning to swirl all across the arena. The LCD screen zones down from the heavens onto a field filled with high grass covering it and the wind beating against it…and at its center, there is one man standing and as he opens his way and lifts his head up, lightning strikes him down!
As the lightning hits the man at the center, streams of smoke shoot up from the ramp way area and high above, covering the entrance ramp as the song kicks into full motion, as Chris Strike emerges from the smoke to heavy boos from the crowd in a pair of navy blue sweatpants, taped fists, and a black t-shirt with the words “I'M A PiNeAk GUY” written across it in a bold font - in which the colors resemble that of an actual pineapple - and sporting a large bandage across his forehead and some bruising while slowly stepping out into the limelight, drawing a loud reaction from the (R)Evolution Wrestling faithful as he stops in front of the entrance ramp and slowly raises his right arm up – EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title held high as the smoke emerges higher and pyros shoot out from each side of the ramp before he makes his way down, having the occasional fans reaching out towards him from the rail, keeping his eyes solely focused on the ring, ignoring any distractions in his way.
… Never again!
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! NO MORE REGRETS!
WHAT’S DONE IS DONE, CAN’T BE ERASED!
KNOW! KNOW YOUR REGRETS...SAVOR THE BITTER AFTERTASTE!!!!!
Chris then makes his way up the ring stairs, using the steel pole for support, putting his right foot over the middle rope. As he is about to get inside, Strike suddenly turns around and finds himself with both elbows locked around the top rope, his entire upper body exposed to the crowd’s sight as he then slowly raises the EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title in the air, savoring the moment as the crowd boos him with a grin before going under the middle rope with ease. He looks around at the crowd, raising the EXODUS Pro World title in the air again before walking to the nearest corner, asking for a microphone and getting one as the crowd is still nowhere near pleased and are still booing vicariously.
Minoru Asano: OH MY GOD FRIENDS! IT’S CHRIS STRIKE! EVERYONE TAKE A SHOT!
Pond: ...Um...he’s not in this show. What the hell?
Chris Strike pounds the top of the microphone a few times, letting the boos grow louder with an annoyed expression on his face, rolling his eyes until they settle down.
Chris Strike: ...So...this is the future right here…
...Surprisingly, the crowd approves because, well, (R)Evolution Wrestling IS the future y’know.
Chris Strike: I can see it. In this Dojo right here, a lot of memories have been made in its short history. A learning place where we watch people grow before our eyes from greenhorns into blue chippers. Hell, a lot of great battles between the men and women who will carry this industry into its next generation have been wagered in this ring that I stand in. In fact, I came here to pay my respects to the place that has brought forth stars of the likes of Black Jones…
Good amount of cheers for the former EXODUS and R(W) World Tag Team champion.
Chris Strike: ...Sydney Christensen…the Galactic Pretty Boys...
Another set of cheers for the former R(W) World champion and former R(W) World Tag Team champions.
Chris Strike: ...the “fine” folks of the REVOLUTION faction in Shozo Arino, Aries Reed, Devan Amidala...and that other guy whose ass I just got done beating last week…
HEAVY boos for the REVOLUTION faction.
Chris Strike: ...Shinji Uchikawa…
MASSIVE pop for the EXODUS Pro Pacific Coast champion, with a small “UCHI-KA-WA” chant breaking out in the process as Strike nods.
Chris Strike: Yeah, quite possibly the greatest graduate that this place has produced. So, my whole thing was to come here, look at the talent at hand, see what the next class is bringing forth to the table...and I am not going to lie to you guys. I…
Strike pauses for a moment, sighing.
Chris Strike: I am disappointed in what I see in this place right now.
Welp, the cheering party for the earlier names now turns into a full-fledged boo fest for all the right reasons.
Chris Strike: You may be blind to it given your fervent passion for this place, but the amount of talent inside of this company right now can be counted in my one hand! So, I ask of you knowledgeable ones who have been here since the start...what the hell has happened to this place? When the hell did the talent stop being produced and when the hell did you all decided that settling for mediocre talent like the woman holding your World championship and her equally as inept number one contender rival was suddenly acceptable?!
Loud boos, especially at the mention of the number one contender Carey Dean.
Chris Strike: You have jiu jitsu European jerkoffs, spoiled children, a bunch of suck-ups, Emi Watanabe doing God knows what, drunken messes who should be in a county jail or a mental ward, never-have-beens, bounty hunters, a fucking atrocity dressed up as a moth, A BOY NAMED SUE, the trainers have completely lost control, Makoto decided to go from drill sergeant to that one guy who gets fat off eating donuts, Angela honed in so much on Venus that she forgot she actually has other children to look after this, BEOWULF is a complete fool, Papa Arino has been bed, bath and beyond DONE with everything since Shozo stabbed in the heart, this entire place is in flames and you people sit there and cheer like it’s the biggest and best thing going today, ARE YOU [BEEP]ING [BEEP]ING ME RIGHT NOW?!
...I think you know the drill by this point. It’s that simple tried and true method of “BOO THIS MAN!”
Chris Strike: When in the HELL did this company change from producing some of the best wrestling talent in the world today to...what I now see before me? This has to change...and it has to change fast. I will not see the future of this industry compromised by neg-
In the middle of all that, the crowd starts to stir with cheers as quietly, Caleb Storm steps out. In a basic (R)Evolution Wrestling t-shirt and some track pants, Caleb starts making his way down to the ring, keeping an eye on Strike. The crowd still seems genuinely surprised at the arrival of Caleb before he steps in and asks one of the crew for a microphone before he sighs, reaching to wipe the hair out of his face with his hand.
Caleb Storm: Hi, Chris. I’m Caleb Storm. Now I don’t know if you know this, but I’m one of the wrestlers back there in that locker room. Now I might not be the MMA guys, the moth, the drunk guys, or the bounty hunter, but I am a professional wrestler. I am a (R)Evolution Wrestling star. And I happen to take offense to everything you’ve just said.
The crowd cheers a little bit, Caleb smiling as the reaction has now inspired him to be a little more bold.
Caleb Storm: See, I don’t dispute you’ve worked hard to get where you’re at. Only two people have ever held the EXODUS World Title twice. You’ve paid your dues to get there and hold that title. You’ve done your work and you’ve earned it...but those guys and gals back there? Me? We’re just starting to pay them. And even if you don’t think we’re much now, we’re gonna be. And we’re gonna be even better in two weeks. And we’re gonna be even better two weeks after that. And when we’re completely ready, we’re gonna turn a lot of heads here! And maybe, just maybe, one of us is gonna be good enough to take that belt from you. I don’t think you’re upset at who we are...I think you’re afraid of what we’re gonna become.
And THAT gets a huge pop from the crowd, Caleb taking a step forward to close the distance between himself and the EXPro World Champion.
Caleb Storm: You were afraid of what Carey Dean could become because he was just like you, but better. You’re afraid of what could happen if the veterans who actually care about what happens here start to pass on their knowledge. What I see are the signs of someone paranoid about their place in the future. I see someone afraid that their legacy’s already been etched in stone. Someone told me that it’s not too late to rewrite history and let them remember you in a different light. And that someone? That someone is CHRISTIAN KANE!
And just like that, the crowd explodes like a woman being woo’ed by The Handsome Drifter himself.
Caleb Storm: So maybe you don’t think we’re anything, but we’re gonna grow and we’re gonna be great. So instead of being afraid and concerned about losing your place to one of us, maybe it’s time you tried to contribute like Kane has! Maybe it’s time you actually pay attention, because the future? It’s here, and it may just pass you by.
Caleb gives an earnest nod, taking a deep breath and looking at Strike as he remains unafraid to stand up to him, believing in the conviction of his words.
Chris Strike: Ah, Mr. Gerrard. How good of you to join us. Now, that was a passionate speech. I can feel the fire from here, kid. Although I do have to wonder...are these your actual thoughts we’re hearing here? Or am I hearing yet another Jonathan Collins speech after he gave up the Linkin Park records and the overly tight pants he used to wear? Or wait, wait, better yet...am I hearing a “redeemed” Christian Kane speech in a nutshell coming from a kid whose claim to fame is marrying the techie making sure these shows run smoothly in Las Vegas, of all [BEEP]ing places?
And now the boo birds begin to return at the Dojo, as Chris Strike stares down Caleb Storm although his demeanor doesn’t change into a furious one by any means. In fact, he’s overly calm about all of this.
Chris Strike: This place has already seen a MAJORITY of its greatest talents come through and now? They’re shining in the main stage. It won’t be long until the few good ones remaining here like Sydney, Vivienne, NoVaK and even Cthulhu’s crazy ass join us at the RIMAC. And the rest of you? Well...it’s a shame. Because instead of being the (R)Evolution of this industry, you’re just going to be...well, developmental. Yet another feeder system, yet another wasteland where the lot of you will get sacrificed left, right and center for the few diamonds left in the ashes of what this place used to be…
The EXODUS World champion shakes his head.
Chris Strike: I pity the fate that awaits you more than anything, Mr. Gerrard...because you see, when this place started? I was here helping it get off the ground. I was the one who recommended DEMON Suzuki myself to Jonathan Collins. And yet, here you sit, saying “oh, Christian Kane is passing something forward” because he’s giving you a helping hand. So, not only are you a little suck-up but you’re also a disrespectful brat...and quite frankly, Mr. Gerrard? You’re not anywhere near part of the solution. YOU...are a part of the problem.
Chris Strike crosses his arms, soaking in more boos and glancing around the Dojo with a disgusted expression on his face before looking back at Caleb Storm.
Chris Strike: ...So, you know what? Instead of talking about it, I’m simply going to go ahead and prove my point. To both you and the entirety of this locker room. ...Get me a referee out here.
The sudden words out of the EXODUS World Champion’s mouth surprise the crowd although a buzz starts building within the crowd as a referee does indeed make their way towards the ring in a rather hurried fashion before sliding on in.
Chris Strike: So how about it, kid? Wanna put your money where your mouth is? Or are you going to do your best Christian Kane impression and run away from all your problems when things get a little too heated?
Caleb looks at the referee, then to Strike, then back to the referee, frowning as he realizes just what’s going on. And with that, he steps up to Strike again, nodding as if he almost agrees with him.
Caleb Storm: You’re right, I’m gonna do my best Christian Kane impersonation. So bite the pillow, bitch!
And OUT OF GODDAMN NOWHERE, CALEB STORM SUPERKICKS THE EXODUS PRO WORLD CHAMPION! Tossing off his shirt, he motions for the referee to ring the bell!
Pond: Just like that, we’re having a huge match on (R)Evolution TV tonight! Caleb Storm is having a non-title match against the EXODUS Pro World Champion!
Caleb starts coming toward Strike as the bell rings, and before Strike starts to compose himself, Caleb charges toward the ropes and springboards up, leaping off with a picture perfect asai moonsault, landing it and trying to hook the leg, but Strike quickly scrambles out of the ring to shake off the cobwebs! He starts trying to walk off what’s transpired already, but before he can blink, he turns his head toward the ring to find a charging Caleb Storm! He steps back to get out of the way to avoid Caleb, Strike bragging about his veteran savvy, but Caleb leaps over the ropes and hops up to sit on the top rope before flipping back into the ring and dropping to a knee, reaching his hands out to dare Chris Strike to come at him! The crowd starts getting behind the young star, and he starts waving his hands to get the crowd riled up, leaving Strike to slide in while he’s hyping the crowd to attack him! The ref starts yelling at Strike for the underhanded tactic, but the World Champ blows him off before harshly whipping Caleb to the corner as Caleb falls to the mat after that hard shock to his back. Strike calmly goes over and grabs up Caleb by the hair before nailing him with a vicious European uppercut, leaving the youngster reeling. Caleb steps away, holding his jaw before Strike pulls him back and starts clubbing the kidney area of Storm with forearms, leaving him wincing, before grabbing his arm and whipping him to the ropes before dropping him with a massive spinebuster!
Pond: It was a good start for Caleb, but Strike is showing why he’s the World Champion.
Minoru Asano: Perhaps he needs a shot, my friend!
Caleb seems to be struggling, and as soon as he starts to crawl back away from Strike, a new figure begins skulking down to the ringside area, the intimidating “BIG BOSS” Chikao Kessin. Coming to stand at ringside as he observes the match going on, he watches as Strike hoists up Caleb before whipping him to the ropes. He catches Caleb on the rebound, but Caleb manages to hook him by the neck with his ankles and bring him down with a hurricanrana! Strike starts to head to the ropes, BUT CALEB SWINGS HIMSELF THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND BOTTOM ROPE TO SWING UP WITH A HUGE PENDULUM KICK! Pulling himself back into the ring, Strike is reeling and grabs Caleb off the ropes to irish whip him...CHAIN LIGHTNING! THE HANDSPRING CUTTER FROM CALEB STORM! Caleb watches as Strike gets up to his feet before delivering a massive spinning heel kick before he hears the crowd roaring for him! Caleb Storm starts pointing to the top turnbuckle before he steps towards the turnbuckle to start climbing! At that moment, THE BIG BOSS CLIMBS ONTO THE APRON! HE LOOKS TO TRY TO HOLD CALEB...GIVING STRIKE ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER AND SWIFTLY KICK THE (R)EVOLUTION WRESTLING STAR IN THE BALLS!
Pond: The ref saw it! That’s gotta be a DQ!
Minoru Asano: Caleb’s gonna need a drink after that…
The bell does indeed ring signifying the disqualification as Kessin starts to enter the ring and hammer the vulnerable Storm after that vicious blow from Strike. “LESSON ONE, KID...WHEN YOU HAND OUT CHEAP SHOTS, EXPECT A RECEIPT” was overheard from the EXODUS Pro World champion as he sees Kessin lift Caleb Storm up to his feet, allowing Strike to make a run for the ropes as the “BIG BOSS” holds Caleb up and doesn’t allow him to go nowhere as Chris comes back and connects point-blank with a Shotei to the young (R)Evolution wrestler’s face. Chris notions to Kessin with both hands to lift him on up in the air…but before doing so, the crowd’s negative reaction turns into a ROAR as none other than Carey Dean is caught by a camera shot rushing down the ramp and sliding on inside the ring, immediately going after the “BIG BOSS” and forcing him to drop his grip on Caleb. Strike sees this and his expression narrows as he joins the brawl, him and Chikao Kessin getting the advantage as they pull Carey away and begin to hammer at him with punches, Strike screaming at Dean to stay out of this...and the cheers suddenly grow louder as another person rushes down the ramp like a bat as CHRISTIAN KANE IS HERE!!!!!! Kane immediately slides under the ring and then spears the EXODUS World champion to the mat, hammering away with right hands on him as Carey Dean shows some fortitude of his own by holding up his end in a brawl against the “BIG BOSS.” It doesn’t take too long on Christian Kane’s case to bring up Chris Strike and throw him right over the top rope. Kessin sees this and he shoves Dean aside, rushing towards Kane instead. In a veteran move, Kane pulls down on the rope as Kessin goes for a boot attempt and uses his own weight plus Carey Dean’s help rushing in to throw the big man over the top rope as well.
Minoru Asano: FRIENDS, THIS CROWD IS GOING CRAZY RIGHT NOW! CHRISTIAN KANE IS HERE TOO! POND! TEQUILA!!!
Pond: ...Jesus this is all crazy and gone absolutely insane. The number one contender to the EXODUS Pro World title and most importantly, Caleb Storm’s mentor, is here in (R)Evolution Wrestling!
The exchange of words from Strike and Kessin outside the ring with Carey Dean is indeed very heated up until the time where Kane is more focused on checking up on Caleb Storm’s condition, the camera focusing on Strike as he tells them that there’s going to be hell to pay for this as we go to commercial break...