|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 11:57:16 GMT -6
 January 5th, 2015
Los Angeles, CAThe 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 “Pull Me Under” by Dream Theater blares out of the PA system. The shot zooms into the temple, as the crowd begins to clap along with the beat of the song, watching as a man rises from the throne inside of the temple and makes his way down the steps. Once he nears the camera, he looks up at the sky and makes his way over towards a pool of water. The man looks down into the water, and once he does…a shot of lightning hits the water! Lost in the sky
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Arrows fly, seas increase
And then fall again…As the lightning hits the water in the video, streams of smoke shoot up from the ramp way area and high above, covering the entrance ramp as the song kicks into full motion, the fans clapping along with the song in full while white, yellow and blue spotlights swirl all across the arena. This world is spinning around me…
The whole world keeps spinning around me…
All life is future to past…
Every breath leaves me one less to my last!David Zinkus: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…THE EXODUS PRO WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! HE IS “THE WAR MACHINE,” HE IS...CHRIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS…STRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Chris Strike emerges from the curtains in a three-piece suit with a gold tie matching with the title and Brazilian cufflinks, stepping out into the limelight with the EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title across his right shoulder, drawing a loud reaction from the EXODUS faithful at the Honda Center as he stops in front of the entrance ramp and slowly raises the title up in the air with his right hand. Strike is showered by gold, white and black streamers and smoke appearing 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 with the title held high as the fans begin to sing along with the chorus. Pull me under! Pull me under!
Pull me under I'm not afraid!
All that I feel is honor and spite,
All I can do is set it right!Chris places the title on his shoulder again before making his way up the ring stairs, using the steel pole for support, putting his right foot over the middle rope and 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. Strike just gives the fans a sly smirk and a nod as flashes of light go off, before going under the middle rope and into the ring. He makes his way towards the nearest turnbuckle, ascending it and slowly raising the EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title in the air again, basking in the reaction before stepping down from the turnbuckle. He looks around at the crowd and walks up to the nearest corner, leaning against the ropes and grabbing a microphone from the timekeeper as “Pull Me Under” fades… As they fade away, the sold out crowd at the Staples Center roared in their approval as Chris Strike looked up and around, soaking in the reaction with a massive smile on his face as he grabbed the EXODUS Pro World title and raised in the air once again, drawing an even louder reaction from them and letting it soak in before he brought the title down to his shoulder again and the microphone near his lips to speak onto it. Chris Strike: Hello, Los Angeles. Another loud reaction garnered here for the mention of the City of Angels, as the World champion overlooks the sold-out crowd. Chris Strike: We’re only two weeks away from Dead in Hollywood here at this very building and ever since we started this expansion in Year Three, I’ve been very fortunate and proud to see how much EXODUS Pro has meant to professional wrestling fans all over the country and how this company has grown from its humble roots over at the RIMAC Arena in San Diego and over these next few weeks we take the next big step forward by heating up things in L.A.! And in two weeks, I get to proudly stand here in front of you and defend this EXODUS Pro World championship for the first time against Abby Park. Abby gets her own roar of approval from the Los Angeles crowd, the camera panning to a “Seoul Train” sign somewhere in the audience. Chris Strike: But before that, I get to go up here tonight against none other than her former partner in Johnny Cannon. And without missing a beat, the Staples Center begins to boo the man known as “Mr. EXODUS” vicariously, although there are a few noticeable cheers in the first few rows from perhaps some of the more elite status crowd that can appreciate somebody like Cannon due to his Hollywood pedigree. Chris Strike: Make no mistake...this is the night where I’m going to shut him up nice and good before coming back into this building in two weeks and defending my championship, come hell or high water! Even if the person I face is the strongest challenger I’ve ever met for a championship belt...make no mistake, Abby Par- Cutting off Strike’s speech is the now-familiar, almost chanting vocals calling out ‘MAW MAW’, complete with the applause and cheers from the crowd. From behind the curtain comes Abby Park, soaking in the reaction from the crowd by smirking. Abby doesn’t rush towards the ring, though she does have a slight briskness to her step, stopped only when she pauses to slap a few hands as she gets closer. Abby takes the stairs to get into the ring, walking past Strike to ask for a mic of her own. Clutching it in her left hand, Abby crosses back to stand in front of Chris, though her posture and expression show that this is not a meeting she wishes to be hostile. The Tennessean Tomboy waits for her music to cut off and for the crowd to die down slightly before speaking to the champion. Abby Park: Two weeks...it hardly seems real. Not even two weeks ago I was more concerned with the awkwardness that comes with family holiday get-togethers and here we are just two weeks away from what is, in my case anyway, one of the highest stakes matches of my career. And we’re still in January, for God’s sake. I hope you’re not too attached to that belt, Chris, but at least you’ve got two weeks to say your goodbyes. Abby pauses, increasing the width of her smirk before raising her right hand and playfully shaking it in a dismissive motion. Abby Park: You know how it goes, no one ever got anywhere by hiding their confidence. But that’s two weeks away, that’s the future. Let’s focus on the now. I appreciate you saying that you’re going to ‘shut up’ He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but I mean, hasn’t someone already done that? Have you forgotten already? I made him say ‘I Quit’, there’s not much more you can do to shut him up. Not for lack of trying, I’m sure. I get it, though. I do. He has such an easily punchable way about him, and besides, you’ll feel better beating ONE of the former Heroes, and I know you’re going to beat him because...it’s HIM. Relish it, Strike, because in two weeks time, the better Hero isn’t going to come down to the ring to talk to you. One of the cameras gets a good close-up of Abby Park while the crowd reactions in awe and shock, some cheering with a few very faint boos as well. Abby Park: But of course...no hard feelings, right? Still smiling, wanting to be as diplomatic as she can, Abby extends her right hand for a simple, non-threatening handshake, if only to solidify things prior to the upcoming match. Strike glanced down at the hand, before looking right at Abby Park again, this time with eyes widened… Until a certain song spontaneously interrupts them, breaking the tension. “Cinderella Man” by Eminem begins playing through Staples Center as Johnny Cannon and Quinton Goodrich appear from behind the curtain. As always, Goodrich walks in front, leading his client as they arrive to a thunderous chorus of boos. Equipped with a microphone in hand, the silver tongued confidante to Mr. EXODUS holds his arms out with a shit eating grin, opening he and his client to more heat from the crowd. Quinn Goodrich: Good evening ladies and gentleman… The entrance theme comes to a halt, and the boos continue as Goodrich raises the mic to his lips again. Quinn Goodrich: For those of you who don’t know, and for those of you whom may have forgotten, allow me to properly, and formerly re-introduce myself. My name is Quinton Goodrich Esquire, and I am the legal, financial, and professional advisor to a man who single handedly put this company on his back for two years and never took a day off. My client is the standard, and the measuring stick in this company. My client is a man whose accomplishments, and accolades stand in a stature of their own that can never be reached, that can never be diminished, and can never be denied. My client is a Triple Crown winner. My client is the only two time International Champion in the short history of this company. My client is the man who went toe to toe with a living legend, with a Godfather of this industry, and brought him to his KNEES. My client embarrassed, disgraced, and DESTROYED Andreas Lasiewicz. My client beat him to within an inch of his life, and made him BEG for mercy before he put him out of his misery by KNOCKING HIM OUT! So without further adieu, it is my humble appreciation, and pleasure to introduce to you MR. EXODUS, JOHNYYYYYYYY CANNNNOOOOON! Having provided him an introduction, Quinton quickly hands the microphone over to the dashing Brit who grins his usual cocksure smile to a wave of boos. The British Mamba, dawned in a two piece suit from Paul Smith for tonight’s occasion, stares into the ring at two of his biggest detractors - Park and Strike, who both have a bone to pick with him. Johnny Cannon: What’s it been, three weeks since EXODUS broadcasted the best professional wrestling show to a live audience? It’s almost odd, having such a layover. I’m a creature of habit, as are most athletes of my caliber. Well, that’s not entire accurately, since there’s nobody on my level, nor has there ever been, but you get the gist. The great ones possess a work ethic second to none, and with those abilities they stick to a specific regiment that they adhere to at all times. But I understand the need. Of course, the handpicked EXODUS World Champion needed an extra week to prepare himself for a this level of competition, which I cannot blame him. Tonight, the best in EXODUS by virtue of holding the company's biggest prize takes on the pound for pound Best in the Game Today by virtue of being leaps and bounds better than every professional wrestler breathing. The opening statement from the Mr. EXODUS receives some jeers from the crowd, a snarl from the EXODUS World Champion. Johnny continues to smile his narcissistic smile as he slowly removes his sunglasses and clips them on the breast pocket of his suit jacket. Johnny Cannon: You would think such a showdown would be worthy of closing the show on the first EXPRO on FX of the new year, but alas the powers that be see fit to give the curtain call to a cliched stereotyped wanker, and a Magnus Gunner fanclub member which infuriates me to no end. Speaking of the new year, of course due to Chris Strike’s need for an extra week of preparation EXODUS forgoed it’s holiday show, denying you the stuffing stocker of me besting your favorite in the house of the wine and gold. However, notice the date on the calendar - January 5th. With the turn of ‘d the calendar every year people come up with these, resolutions to better their terrible lives. For example, the terminally ill children from the Make-A-Wish foundation hope to become healthier. Some of your mothers vow to stop collecting wages on the pole at 2AM to put food on the table. And even you people, who claim that you’ll stop spending the minimum wage you earn grilling burgers here to see me JUST to spite me. But the thing about these resolutions is that they’re lies. Just like you can’t turn your eyes away from me, none of you can change who you are in a year to make up for the pathetic wastes of existence you’ve been your entire lives. Haha. And on that note, a huge chorus of boos fills Staples Center, much to Cannon’s delight. Johnny Cannon: You would understand that more than anyone, wouldn’t you Abby? For the last two years you’ve been making resolutions. Each year you’ve vowed to make yourself better. You’ve vowed to get stronger, faster, and fiercer, and that by doing so people would take you seriously. And the only way to be taken seriously in EXODUS, is to become the EXODUS Word Champion. Strike knows that. After spending year floundering, and fumbling the ball each time it was handed to him he’s finally getting some respect because he’s holding the big gold belt. But the funny thing is respect isn’t a two way street, is it Chris? The crowd dies down as the tension in the arena builds. The silver tongued devil grins as the World Champion and number one contender try to follow his train of thought. Johnny Cannon: You see Abby, love. The friendship, or should I say sportsmanship the two of you have developed, this mutual respect is foolishness because The War Machine does not respect you. For him to respect you, that means he would have to acknowledge you as his equal. He does not. How could he? He thinks he’s better than you, better than us. If he respected you Abby, he’d treat you more like a threat, more like an adversary, someone who could end his career if he underestimated you, but no. He’d treat you like someone who could easily best him if he wasn’t prepared. But that’s not the case and Strike knows it. He knows it because deep down he doesn’t think you deserve to be in the ring with him. He doesn’t think you deserve to be here. He doesn’t think you deserve to be in the Main Event of Dead in Hollywood competing for the EXODUS World Heavyweight Championship. The arena becomes even more silent, an apprehensive silence as all eyes turn to the two competitors standing in the ring. Strike holding a stern gaze, while Park mulls over what she’s hearing. Johnny Cannon: I may have ended our business partnership Abby, and our friendship may have ended in a bloody resolution, but the ideals we forged as a team still remain. Once a hero, always a hero, right? And what did the Short Change Heroes stand for? We were the ones who were overlooked. We were given the short end of the stick. We were denied respect. And you’re still being short changed even after everything you’ve accomplished, all the momentum you’ve amassed and the consistency that you’ve maintained, you know that word Chris and the EXODUS brass love to use. Yes, despite all this that man you’re sharing the ring with, that man does not respect YOU as a competitor and I know why. Anyone of us can be beaten on any given night. Christm Furor looked unstoppable, and was for a year until his time ran it’s course. You can look at my win-loss record and it’ll ring true. The thing about us wrestlers, us gladiators, us warriors, is that we feed off competition, off combat. We have a thirst for it. A LUST. We live off of it. That thirst for competition allows us to test our own abilities, to push past our limits and continuously evolve and the only way to do that is to fight opponents that we fear, that we KNOW can beat us because defeating them allows us to cement our legacies that will stand the test of time long after we decay. Thirteen years, thirteen years Chris Strike has been in this game, and the only reason he’s still in it is because he’s trying to cement his place in history. And history only remembers the winners, right Abby? Cannon points at the ring now, first at Strike... Johnny Cannon: And according to that man… And now his finger turns toward Park. Johnny Cannon: History will NOT remember YOU, because to HIM, you are just a LOSER! Again, the crowd boos now, but their cries have little to no effect on the Brit who seems thoroughly amused as Park turns to Strike. Strike didn’t hesitate to finally the microphone to his hand. Chris Strike: So, let me guess...you basically gave us all a soliloquy for the sake of, what exactly, Cannon? To actually try to stir the pot? Or do you just love hearing the sound of your own voice? The crowd begins to cheer up again as the British Mamba seems about ready to respond before the EXODUS World champion steps in again. Chris Strike: Oh no, you have done your talking...now, you just get to shut up and listen! Because later on tonight, I’ll be seeing you into the ring and giving the world a taste of what EXODUS’ present is like when I bury my knees into your skull. Just like I’ve done to Justin Brooks and Alexandra Chapel, your name gets added to list of those struck down by the Narukami before I leave Andreas to deal with your goddamned carcass. And then, after this night is all said and over… Suddenly, the champion turns his head slowly to look at the other, former half of the Short Change Heroes. Chris Strike: You. I am going to focus every single fiber of attention that I have upon you, Abby Park. Then, in two weeks, I am going to take everything that the strongest challenger for this championship can do, what somebody who has been waiting for this golden opportunity since the damn near inception of this company can dish out, I’m going to take it all in and regardless of what you will do to me, Abby Park...I’m going to leave you staring up at the lights come Dead in Hollywood and after that, you can feel free to go do your own version of the Walk of Shame through Hollywood Boulevard. Because contrary to what you were boasting about a few minutes ago? I’m not planning on kissing this title goodbye anytime soon...and on the other hand, you won’t be kissing this championship at all, let alone coming anywhere close to holding it over your head. I did not spend nearly an entire year coming after this title to lose it as fast as this douchebag in the ramp did. You want it so bad? You’re going to have to damn near kill me to get it, Abby... The tension in the air returns tenfold as Strike takes a step closer, glancing down at Abby Park. Chris Strike: ...But of course… no hard feelings. There are a few gasps from the audience at the bold claim from the champion, as both champion and challenger stare down one another at this point while Johnny Cannon watches in amusement from his spot away from the action. Abby could feel the mood in the air, could feel how quickly it changed from a positive vibe to whatever it was one called it now. And of course, of course, it stemmed from him. Even when she had wanted to be done with him, Cannon still found ways to get involved in affairs that were, at best, tangentially related to the matter at hand. And as Cannon and Chris exchanged their words, all Abby could do was think, search for the right thing to say. She hated that some of the words coming from Cannon’s mouth were making sense, especially the spiel about respect. About the short end of the stick. Sur, she was going to be in a main event match, a title shot, but why, then, did she feel like it was a pity? A bone thrown to keep her happy. No, that had to be just the atmosphere talking. Abby shook her head when Chris’ retort came around to her, and Abby listened. She listened silently and without passing a judgment until it went silent again and she knew that she had to speak. Abby Park: Wow...It’s kind of funny. Speak of the devil and what do you know, here he is, like the voice on the shoulder whispering what you want to hear. But what’s funnier is the fact that...you, Chris, are only proving him right. I thought sure, we could be playful, trade a friendly jab or two, because we respect one another enough to know that when the time comes it’s all business, it’s all left behind when the night is over. And yet...why do I get the feeling that he, loathe as I am to admit this, has a point. This is a gimme for you, isn’t it? All I ask is that people be decent to one another, is that so much to ask? When I said ‘no hard feelings’ I meant it. To throw it in my face like that...I dunno...that’s… Abby shakes her head as words just don’t come to her. It was nerves, or tension or a thousand other excuses on why she wasn’t thinking straight. Wasn’t able to think straight. Abby Park: I don’t know, it’s just that time and time again it seems like for as much as people praise me or whatever that something in their tone just doesn’t sit right, as if it’s insincere. Which, I guess, is why I’m getting that from you right now, Chris. I get it, you’d rather have a defense against someone better, fine. You play with the hand you’re dealt. Like it or not, I’m not just going to stand by and let you just damn me to a Walk of Shame. Abby turns her head to acknowledge Cannon for the first time since his interruption. Abby Park: You talk about history? I’ll be sure to go down in the books at Dead in Hollywood...but I figure...why wait until then? Abby, her emotions taking hold, turns back to Chris Strike and instead of a handshake, she takes advantage of Strike’s location, and delivers a punch, a declaration of her intents in their upcoming match. The crowd isn’t sure what to make of it, but all Abby could focus on was herself as she readied another punch. But as the title came off his shoulders, the champion did not hesitate to step forward and deliver a closed right hand right back at the challenger as the crowd does start going wild at the idea of the two brawling away as Strike’s other hand reaches out, pulling Park in close as the two begin to exchange punches with neither one daring to give the edge to the other. Finally, Strike pulls away from Abby and then returns forward with an attempted Shotei to her face which Abby manages to avoid. As the champion turns around, Park jumps the air and catches Strike right in the jaw with the Gourd-Head, the jumping superkick flooring him on the spot as the Staples Center gasps at both the impact and the fact that the challenger just got a hell of a shot on the champion. With Strike floored, Abby looks to the championship belt laying next to him. Abby picks up the title, holding it, getting a feel for it. With belt in hand, she raises both hands triumphantly skyward, holding the pose for a few seconds before placing it back next to the champion. Shaking her head as what transpired sets in, Abby heads out of the ring and back up towards backstage, her head lowered. She pays no mind to her former partner laughing, clapping, enjoying the show and his part in making such a spectacle play out while Strike begins to stir back to a kneeling position, looking over the ropes and towards the ramp, a clearly frustrated expression on his face while he holds his jaw and checks it to make sure nothing just got broken here given what will happen later on tonight as the cameras move over to the commentator’s booth. Dick Morosi: What a way to start the show here tonight folks, and needless to say, that made events later tonight very interesting as Strike is still set to face Johnny Cannon. Seth Ericson: Abby Park stepped up big tonight and the way I see it, she’s going to be champion in two weeks if she hits that loudmouth Strike across the jaw with the Gourd-Head again. Thing of beauty! Now, we’ve got a helluva show ahead so let’s keep it moving. Dick Morosi: You’re quite excited all the sudden, Seth. This is unusual. Seth Ericson: Three things I love in this world, Dick. Professional wrestling, beautiful women and Chris Strike getting his ass handed to him. I just got a trifecta here tonight. Dick Morosi: *sigh* We’ll be right back after a word from our sponsors. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 12:01:00 GMT -6
TAG TEAM MATCH
STEVE LENTON (EXODUS Pro Tag Team Champion) & ANGELA JAMESON vs. GRENDEL & JUSTIN BROOKSThe lights in the arena slowly dim to a subdued level. Smoke starts erupting from the entranceway. After a few moments, drums begin to beat out an intro. Then: I AIN'T LIKE YOU On the word "you", bright lights snap up on the entranceway, as GRENDEL emerges through the cloud. He stops at the top of the ramp as he surveys the ring and the crowd before him. Darius Reed emerges behind him, yelling to the crowd to psych them up, wearing a simple black REVOLUTION t-shirt. AND I DON'T WANT YOUR LOVE
AND I DON'T NEED YOUR RESPECT,
I JUST CAN'T HATE ENOUGH,
BUT I GOT NO TEARS OR REGRETS He sets off down the ramp, ignoring the boos and jeers of the crowd, occasionally responding with a snarl, or a threatened backhand. Darius keeps two or three steps behind, raising his hands energetically, all the while roaring, trying to get the crowd hyped. I WILL NEVER LIVE LIKE YOU,
AND YOU WILL NEVER WALK THE PATH I DO,
I WILL NEVER BE LIKE YOU,
AND NEVER BE A PART OF YOUR SOCIETY OF LIARS AND FOOLS He approaches the ring, and climbs the apron, before stepping over the top rope, pushing it down slightly to do so. Meanwhile, Darius skirts around the ring to GRENDEL's corner, shouting in the faces of some of the front row as he goes. In the ring, he stops once more, and surveys the scene before him. I WILL NEVER LIVE LIKE YOU,
AND I WILL NEVER WALK THE PATH YOU DO,
I AM YOUR WASTED YOUTH SO,
FUCK YOU AND YOUR SOCIETY TOO 'CAUSE,
MY KIND JUST AIN'T LIKE YOU! GRENDEL stands in the centre of the ring, and slowly raises his hands out besides him, looking down at the mat. I'M A KING OF NOTHING,
'CAUSE NOTHING'S WHAT I AM AND NOWHERE'S WHERE I'LL BE,
BUT I'D RATHER BE A KING OF NOTHING THAN A SERVANT IN A SICK SOCIETY,
'CAUSE PRETTY LITTLE CHILDREN PLAYING PRETTY LITTLE GAMES IN THEIR PRETTY LITTLE WORLD IS ALL I'VE EVER SEEN
YOU'VE NEVER FELT MY PAIN,
AND I JUST GOT TO SAY TO YOUR FACE GRENDEL's head snaps up. I AIN'T LIKE YOU GRENDEL brings his hands down hard, prompting explosive pyros to trigger at the top of all four ring posts. Darius lets out an audible "Woooooo" just after the pyros, followed by a hearty chuckle. As the smoke and debris clears, GRENDEL stands, in the centre of the ring, waiting, the hate palpable as it emanates from him. "TO BEAT ME, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SUFFER." [Rick Ross - Chorus]
Pork on the fork, widen the pot
By any means if you like it or not
Malcom X, by any means
Many 14 stuffed in my denim jeans
As-Salamu Alaykum Wa alaikum as salaam
Whatever your religion, kiss the ring on the Don
Real nigga, street certified, hit the streets whip cost 335 David Zinkus: Now coming to the ring...hailing from Atlanta, Georgia...standing at 6'4" and 267 pounds, he is Justin Brooks! [Wale]
Malcom X get your hand out my pocket
Some niggas walking with death guess they ran out of options
Tell them niggas we moving, tell them niggas to do it
I swear we going ham, throw some, my niggas sew me
They burn on every block,
Snitches ain't got no heart
Shit ain't been the same since Ronald Reagan helped Plymouth rock
And we don't land on it Mr. Reagan,
But this gonna make us rich Mr. Reagan
Now As-Salamu Alaykum Wa alaikum as salaam
She near that every Friday and then go to Jummah
Let her play with the box, she give the greatest of top
She said these niggas out here prayin' she makes a lot, word
How they say that we not fly, how they say that we not working
They just need convincing like Malcolm Little 'fore he converted
I'm on my dean Insha Allah I'ma get her right
On the Bible you can run (Qu'Ran) but you can't hide A large chorus of boos erupt from the E-Pro faithful as Justin Brooks appears from the curtain and stands there with a smirk on his lips as he places his hands on his waist. “By Any Means” by Wale continues to blast through the PA system as he keeps his eyes on the middle of the squared circle as he slowly makes his way towards the ring, sliding underneath the bottom rope and quickly standing to his feet and looks amongst the crowd as run his tongue over the front of his teeth. Justin just leaps to the second turnbuckle and throws his hands in the air before leaping down from the turnbuckle. The sounds of cheers are heard around the arena. The fans wait in anticipation, almost eager for him to come out. The lights flash a royal blue and suddenly "Aw Naw" (Remix) by Nappy Roots ft. POD blares. The crowd begins to sing along with the opening part. Lenton busts through the curtains. The fans bust into a defying scream of cheers. Lenton is talking to the crowd jumping up and down on the stage, walking from one end to the next. The camera zooms in on his face, "Listen to that!" Lenton exclaims with a smirk. He walks up the ramp with a slight strut, looking out at the crowd. He stops short and looks around for a moment. He takes it all in, listening to the fans cheer for him. Some of the fans hand touch him. Stephen slaps the hands and continues to make his way up the ramp with his eyes glued on the arena again. Once he makes it to the apron, he looks at the ring and then climbs up on it quickly and stands up on the turnbuckle. The lights around the arena then turn into a spotlight. Lenton's eyes turn towards his opponent eyes locked on directly, staring intensely. The fans continue to cheer as the song begins to break down. Lenton turns back to the crowd, forms a smirk on his face and lifts his arm in the air with enthusiasm. He wipes his mouth and leaps down from the turnbuckle and stands in the ring, circling it. He decides to hit the turnbuckle again standing on it lifting his right arm in the air the same way he did. He takes in the cheers, looking around slowly. Stephen leaps down and stands in his corner, getting ready to fight. The fans in the arena are eagerly anticipating the next thing to happen when all of a sudden, the lights are cut off sharply, causing the fans to murmur among them as to what is happening. As they continue to wonder, a solitary guitar riff echoes throughout the arena, furthering the confusion of those in attendance. As the riff keeps playing, the clash of a bass guitar and the beat of drums chime in, and red spotlights begin to pulsate in perfect sync with the beat of the music. While this is going on, the eerie voice of Tom Araya breaks through, reaching the audience. "An unforeseen future nestled somewhere in time. Unsuspecting victims, no warnings, no signs. Judgment day the second coming arrives. Before you see the light you must DIE!!!" As soon as the final word is uttered, the loud crash of the drums and guitar signal a brilliant white light to take over the arena, truly kicking off “South of Heaven” by Slayer. Once the light fades out, it has been replaced by blood red lights. Spotlights frame the aisle and begin to pulse with the music. A few seconds pass and out from behind the curtains emerges ‘The Fallen Angel’ Angela Jameson. She steps out onto the stage, clad in her purple and black entrance robe, the hood coming down to just below her eyebrows. Her crystal blue eyes show little emotion as she stands there, surveying the scene for a moment before moving slowly down the aisle, the fans showering her with a loud chorus of boos. Her arms remain at her sides as her laser-like gaze remains focused on the ring as she climbs the steps slowly. She stands on the apron, with her back resting slightly on the ropes and glances to her right and left before reaching up with her right hand and yanking back the hood. As soon as she yanks the hood back, the lights slowly return to normal. Angela then steps through the bottom and middle ropes. Standing up tall in the ring, she quickly undoes her robe and hands it to the stagehand before slowly pacing around the ring as her music starts to fade out. The bell sounds as Ref Katie attempts to get the match started, but all four combatants seem eager to be the ones to start the match. However, the decision is by GRENDEL when he sends Jameson flying into the corner. He follows this up by rushing to said corner and slamming his entire body into hers. Jameson drops to the mat as GRENDEL points mockingly at Lenton, who is visibly seething from his corner. GRENDEL turns back to Jameson and is met with a standing dropkick. Its not enough to take the big guy down, but as he staggers, Jameson follows this up with a russian leg sweep, finally sending GRENDEL to the mat. Jameson smartly follows this up by applying a painful looking armbar. GRENDEL yells out in pain, reaching out instinctively with his free hand. He twists his torso around and manages to catch Jameson around the neck. He is able to take advantage of his size and strength and pulls down on Jameson enough, forcing her to release the hold. He gets to a knee, only to be met with a boot to the face by Jameson. Dick Morosi: This match is showing early signs of being in favor of the veteran Angela Jameson over the rookie monster, GRENDEL. Seth Ericson: Don't count out the big guy yet, Dick. GRENDEL has proven that he is dangerous, if nothing else. Jameson looks towards the crowd and points in Lenton's direction. The crowd cheers wildly, encouraging the tag. Jameson obliges the fans, tagging in Lenton, who wastes no time charging into the ring. GRENDEL had been attempting to crawl towards Brooks for the tag, but Lenton cuts him off and begins curb stomping him. GRENDEL grunts in pain, attempting to roll out of the way. Lenton grabs him by the scruff of his neck and drops him right back down with a DDT. Lenton goes for the cover. 1... 2... GRENDEL kicks out with authority. Hanneman backs away as both men get to their feet and begin exchanging blows. Lenton gains the advantage and backs GRENDEL into the corner... Unfortunately, its right into GRENDEL's corner. Brooks discreetly makes the tag as Lenton wails on GRENDEL. Lenton doesn't notice this and continues his assault, slamming GRENDEL back to the mat with a brainbuster. He goes for the cover, but Katie doesn't begin the count, pointing towards Brooks. Lenton looks incredulous, and as he turns to face Brooks, is met with a shoulder slam by Brooks. GRENDEL rolls out of the ring and staggers around, attempting to catch his breath. Lenton recovers from the attack by Brooks and the two big guys begin exchanging vicious blows. Lenton gains the advantage and begins cornering Brooks, switching between punches and chops to the delight of the crowd. Jameson cheers him on from her corner, slapping the ring post enthusiastically. GRENDEL has made his way back to his ring corner and watches indifferently. Lenton drags Brooks to the center of the ring attempts to lift him for a scoop slam, but Brooks counters with a nasty clothesline legsweep. Brooks quickly goes for the cover. 1... 2... Suddenly, there is a ruckus from the crowd at the sight of a female figure strutting down the ramp. She walks by GRENDEL, running a hand across his arm, which distracts both Hanneman and Brooks. Brooks looks out in annoyance, while a slight grin forms on the face of GRENDEL at the sight of the unexpected visitor. Dick Morosi: What is going on? Wait a second, is that...? Seth Ericson: That is GRENDEL's REVOLUTION sister, Devan Whitmore! And she appears to be heading our way! Dick Morosi: Given recent controversy involving the members of REVOLUTION, Katie Hanneman should be ejecting her any second now. Indeed, Katie is shouting at Whitmore to return to the back. Whitmore smiles slyly and gestures towards the announcers table, sauntering towards it. She sits down next to Seth and slides on the headset he is offering to her. Meanwhile, Brooks has taken full advantage of Lenton in the ring, having applied a vicious camel clutch. Seth Ericson: Lenton is in a world of trouble right now, Brooks has that clutch locked in tight! Meanwhile, we have been joined at the table by the lovely Mistress of the Sith herself, Devan Whitmore. Welcome aboard, Miss Whitmore. Devan Whitmore: Happy to be out here, Mr. Ericson. Dick Morosi: Why exactly are you out here, if I may ask? Devan Whitmore: Just observing. Moral support and such. Oh look, Stevie boy seems to be escaping from his world of pain. Whitmore's appearance does seem to have riled up Jameson, who is glaring at her from the ring corner. Whitmore just smile and blows a kiss in her direction. In the ring, Lenton has made it to the ropes, but Brooks doesn't release the hold until Hanneman reaches four. She chides him mildly, backing away slightly. Brooks backs away, measuring up Lenton as he slowly gets to his feet. Lenton grabs the top rope, using it to pull himself to his feet. Brooks chooses his moment and rushes at Lenton. Lenton predicts Brooks' action, and drops down, pulling the top rope down with him. Brooks flies over the rope and crashes to the floor below. The crowd cheers loudly as Lenton shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. Jameson is bouncing from foot to foot in her corner, leaning over the top rope and holding out her hand, stretching it as far as it can reach. GRENDEL is looking out on the floor to where Brooks is slowly getting to his feet as Katie continues to count. He hops down casually and grabs Brooks, rolling him back into the ring just as Lenton makes the tag to Jameson! Katie calls the tag as the crowd cheers wildly. Jameson rushes in and begins delivering kicks to the midsection of Brooks. When this fails to bring him down, Jameson switches tactics and in almost cat-like fashion, bounces off the ropes and delivers a stunning hurricanrana! Brooks falls and Jameson gracefully drops for the cover. 1... 2... Brooks kicks out quickly, pushing Jameson off him with ease. Jameson wastes no time getting to her feet and stomping Brooks to keep him from rising. However, Brooks manages to catch one of her boots and trips her up, causing Jameson to crash gracelessly to the mat. Seth Ericson: A smart move by Brooks right there! Instinctive and effective. Devan Whitmore: Angela should have laid off the boots a lot sooner than she did. This is one of the many things that make her predictable and boring as a performer. Dick Morosi: Predictable and boring? This is the woman that trained you. You of all people should know that Angela Jameson always has a trick up her sleeve for any situation. Devan Whitmore: Go ahead, Dick, keep kissing her ass. She is one of the many reasons evolution is absolutely necessary. Seth Ericson: These people should be so lucky to be as evolved as you are, Miss Whitmore! Dick Morosi: Now who's kissing ass, Seth? Brooks has locked Jameson in a headlock and has dragged her over to his ring corner, where he tags in a bored looking GRENDEL. Devan cheers loudly from her seat at the announcers table. GRENDEL enters the ring and drags Jameson to the center and lifts her high into the air. He holds her there for what seems like an eternity before finally suplexing her to the mat. Jameson gets the wind knocked out of her as GRENDEL goes for the cover. 1... 2... Jameson manages to get the shoulder up. GRENDEL gets to his feet casually and bends over to drag Jameson to her feet. He has her about half way up, but Jameson instinctively flings out a hand, cross chopping GRENDEL directly in the throat! GRENDEL staggers at the unexpected blow, holding his throat in pain. Jameson slowly gets to her feet, Lenton and the crowd cheering her on loudly. She attempts to make her way over for the tag, but GRENDEL grabs her and stops her progress. GRENDEL picks up Jameson and sets her atop his shoulders for a powerbomb. Desperation drives Jameson as she begins to rain down blows on GRENDEL's face and neck. He is forced to release her and Jameson wastes no time going, chopping and kicking. GRENDEL begins to stagger, causing Whitmore to rise from her chair. Jameson doesn't notice as she builds up her steam. Hopping up to the top rope, Jameson waits for GRENDEL to turn. When he does, she leaps, performing a perfect sunset flip! 1... 2... GRENDEL barely kicks out. Jameson signals for the End Of Days, much to the delight of the crowd. Before she can execute, however, there is another commotion from the crowd. Jameson spins around in time to see Venus hop up onto the ring apron. Jameson walks over and gets in her face. Katie walks over, sock puppet on her hand, and comes between the two women. Using the puppet, she starts yelling at Venus to get back to the backstage area. While Venus keeps Katie busy, GRENDEL has gotten to his feet and is taking in the scene before him. He attempts to sneak attack Jameson, but the veteran sees it coming and dodges his attack. What she doesn't notice is that during the interference from Venus, Whitmore has left the announcers table and made her way quickly to the ring. Dick Morosi: Jameson is in dire straits here! Between Venus and Devan, Angela finds herself in the figurative rock and the hard place! Seth Ericson: Devan is just out here to root on her good friend GRENDEL! Dick Morosi: Sure, and Venus just wants an up close look at the match? As Jameson backs away to the ropes, Whitmore reaches in and grabs Jameson by the feet, causing her to fall! This spurs Lenton into action. He hops down from the apron and approaches Whitmore, who backs away with her hands up. Venus has finally hopped down from the ring apron as well and makes her way up the ramp again, a satisfied smirk on her face. While Lenton keeps Whitmore at bay, GRENDEL takes advantage of the distractions provided and takes Jameson down with a snap suplex. Picking her back up by the hair, he sets up for Some Kind of Hate... AND NAILS IT! He goes for the cover as Lenton turns around in shock to witness what is happening. 1... 2... 3!!! David Zinkus: YOUR WINNERS.... GRENDEL AND JUSTIN BROOKS!! Lenton looks on in horror as Whitmore cheers loudly. She brushes past him and nudge Katie out of the way to raise GRENDEL'S arm in victory herself. Brooks has already jumped off the ring apron and is making his way to the back. Lenton is walking away, looking disgusted and keeping a close eye at the pair in the ring. Whitmore hugs GRENDEL gleefully before motioning to Zinkus to relinquish his mic to her. Jameson has begun to stir. Whitmore points towards Jameson and GRENDEL obediently lifts her up, pinning her arms behind her back. Whitmore bends over and grasps Jameson's chin, lifting her face up to look at her. Devan Whitmore: Teacher, teacher... Once I was the quiet, eager, stupid obedient student. But I have shed that shadow and am become the master. With absolutely no thanks to you... To Jaime... To Jon or Darrin or Jimmy or any of the other self-righteous, self-absorbed, self-serving veterans in the Dojo. You old-heads, waving your status in the faces of the students. Laughing as we train with every wrong bump, every move done incorrectly. Or in your case, laughing as I got stretched like a rubberband my very first day of training by Jon Collins, just because I had the courage to show a little spunk? Whitmore shakes her head angrily, turning away for a moment as if to regain her composure. Suddenly, she turns back and slaps the taste out of Jameson's mouth! Devan Whitmore: WELL NO MORE! I'M NOT SOME STUPID, IMPRESSIONABLE STUDENT ANYMORE! AND I'M SICK OF THE FACT THAT I'VE MADE IT TO THE MAIN ROSTER AND STILL GET TREATED LIKE I'M SOME KIND OF NOVICE! MY STAR IS ON THE RISE! I AM THE FUTURE! I AM... EVOLVED! Whitmore stops when GRENDEL reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder. Devan looks up at her enormous friend and grins. She nods and takes a breath. Devan Whitmore: Fiona... Adrien. It's been great getting myself warmed up. But now... I'm going after who I want... Starting with you. At Dead In Hollywood. Whitmore drops the mic and GRENDEL drops Jameson. The two exit the ring together and make their way to the back as the camera cuts to backstage. WINNER: GRENDEL & Justin BrooksA lonely white corridor lined with doors. Shuffling into view at the far end is a figure with long black hair wrapped in a fuzzy pink dressing gown. She moves slowly, getting closer and closer, but pausing at each door to count it off on her hands. As she moves towards us it becomes apparent who it is: Laurel Anne Hardy. She's carrying an envelope in one hand. She nears the static camera, and two details become apparent: she's carrying a wax-sealed envelope in one hand, and her face is utterly devoid of emotion, haunted and hollow eyes staring out from what could be a death mask. Finally Laurel counts off the right door, and takes a step back to look it over. From the outside, it looks identical to all the others, but she glances down the hall, nodding as she counts along to confirm that this is the correct one. She holds up the envelope and we see, in green pencil, one simple word: FiONA She kneels down and slides the envelope under the door, then closes her eyes and - silently, mouth remaining shut - sighs. Then she pushes herself up, turns around, and starts walking back the way she came, and we go to another place in the building. We cut away where we see Jimmy Riley heading down a corridor. He seems to be discussing the rest of the show with one of the technical staff and takes the clipboard they’re holding, signing something and then hands it back before walking quickly toward a closed door with the word ‘OFFICE’ on it. He opens the door and begins to step inside when he abruptly stops and we see a confused look on his face. The camera pans to reveal the former EXODUS Pro International Champion, Mrs. Lexy Chapel, sitting on the table in the office playing with what appears to be a Jon Collins action figure. Riley grins at her and she looks around a little nervously, twirling the figure in her hand. Jimmy Riley: Am I interrupting? Lexy Chapel: I was just... err... I wanted to talk to you and... um... I saw the... you know what, I’ll just put this back... Lexy jumps up from the table and places the action figure back on a display case in the corner of the room that’s filled with various company merchandise and other wrestling related memorabilia. The figure falls down when she tries to stand it up and she can be seen desperately trying to get it to stay upright before slowly taking her hands away. Lexy Chapel: Stay... stay... ok, I think that’s going to stay now. Riley just laughs and shakes his head as he walks in to the office and Lexy backs slowly away from the display case, still almost willing the figure to stay upright and not fall back down again. She turns to Jimmy who just rolls his eyes. Jimmy Riley: Not that I’m necessarily upset by the idea of you randomly dropping by unannounced, it’s not often that you randomly drop by anywhere unannounced. In fact there’s a whole section of people who seem to think that you enjoy spending the entire night locked away in a locker room. Lexy Chapel: Well, that’s technically not true... it’s not actually LOCKED. But yeah, err... I’m not really big in to the whole ‘ooh, let’s go waste people’s time telling them the same thing every week and boring the crap out of people’ thing that a lot of people get in to, and it’s not like I’ve overrun with friends around here either. But that’s not the point. I actually need to talk to you about something. Jimmy walks around the desk and sits down in his chair, seemingly very relaxed. Jimmy Riley: Go ahead, what’s on your mind? Lexy Chapel: Rumours. See, I already know not to listen to most rumours. I hear rumours about me all the time and I just laugh at how untrue they are, so I know that most of the time someone apparently just makes up some crazy story and spreads it around and there’s a whole bunch of people that believe it, only this story I’ve heard doesn’t seem so crazy. There’s a rumour going around about a triple threat match for the International title at Dead In Hollywood, a triple threat match made by you. Jimmy nods his head. Jimmy Riley: Ok, but before you question that you’ve got to know a few things. First off, I understand how you feel, but Justin Brooks has been proving himself, and a lot of people agree that— Lexy holds up a hand and shakes her head, trying to stop him before he says anything else. Lexy Chapel: This has nothing to do with him. If you want to give him a shot at the International title then that’s great, go for it, you’re the one in charge and the one who makes the decisions so it’s your choice. The reason I came is because you’ve included ME in that match, and I don’t get why. I mean, I know that nobody around here listens to anything I say, I got that a long time ago, but in case you haven’t noticed I didn’t ASK for a rematch, I didn’t hint I wanted one, I didn’t make a challenge and most of all, above everything else, I don’t WANT the match! Jimmy Riley: You don’t want a rematch? Lexy Chapel: I... well, it’s not like I’m saying I NEVER want a rematch. It’s not like I’m saying I NEVER want to challenge for the title again. But right now, at this moment in time, with everything that’s happened over the last few months... honestly? No, I’m not sure I do. I haven’t earned it, and my confidence right now is really down, and— This time its Jimmy’s turn to hold up his hand to stop her from talking. He shakes his head and lets out a sigh. Jimmy Riley: Ok, stop right there. You were the International Champion for a big chunk of 2014. You’ve done more with that title than anyone else in the history of the company. You’re the most successful International Champion we’ve had to date. So the idea that you haven’t earned a rematch is absolutely crazy. You’ve more than earned a rematch! Lexy Chapel: Yeah, I’ve heard that a lot. I’ve heard how I’m so successful and how great I was and all that stuff, but that didn’t help me when I got my ass handed to me by Christian before, did it? That didn’t help me when I gave everything I had three weeks ago and still came up short. And right now it’s just like... it’s just like... I didn’t ASK for the rematch! Jimmy Riley: No, you didn’t. Do you want to know who asked for it? The fans did. Ever since Autumn Effect we’ve had thousands of fans tweeting us, we’ve had people asking on message boards, we’ve even had people asking us in person when we were going to see a rematch between Lexy Chapel and Christian Kane for the International title. You may not have asked for it Lexy but there are a LOT of people out there who want to see this match, so we made a decision to make it happen. I understand how you feel— She cuts him off. Lexy Chapel: You understand how I feel? You have no idea how I feel Jimmy. You didn’t go through what I went through. You didn’t hear people singing and celebrating you losing. You didn’t... you don’t understand how I feel. Jimmy Riley: I understand how frustrated you must feel. I understand how difficult it’s been. I understand how hurt you were. And I understand how it’s rocked your confidence. If it makes you feel better I can pull your name from the match. I can make it a one on one match between Justin Brooks and Christian Kane. I can do that right now with one phone call, but I don’t want to do that, and deep down inside when you look past the pain and the way you feel I don’t think you want me to. See, this match isn’t just about you, this match is what they want. It’s what the fans have requested. They want to see you get your rematch. They want to see you get another chance. And it’s not often that that much support comes out for anyone. There are thousands of fans out there who want to see you succeed. There are thousands of people anticipating this match. The entire EXODUS fan base is talking about it. They want to see it... but if you don’t want to take part I can’t force you. I can’t force you to take the match, but if you want my opinion then backing out of this match is the wrong thing to do. You’ll be denying those people what they want, and you’ll be taking yourself out of something you’ve earned, and for what? Lexy looks less and less sure of herself the longer he talks. She begins to shift awkwardly, obviously thinking carefully about everything he’s saying, and then bites her bottom lip and shakes her head slowly. Lexy Chapel: You know when I came in here I was just going to tell you that I didn’t want the match and I was going to leave and... and now I’m not so sure. Jimmy Riley: Well, if you want to pull out let me know and I’ll make the call and get it arranged, but I think you’d be making a mistake. You’ve not got a whole lot of confidence right now, but there are still people who believe in you, and this is the kind of opportunity you don’t get often. But it’s up to you... She puts her head in her hands for a moment and then looks up again at Riley before letting out a sigh and nodding her head slowly. Lexy Chapel: You know you’re really good at this? I can see why you’ve got this job. Jimmy Riley: Does that mean you want in the match? She nods her head. Lexy Chapel: Yeah, I guess it does. And Jimmy? Thanks. Jimmy Riley: Make it up to me by making an appointment next time, yeah? Lexy laughs and nods her head before leaving the office. Jimmy shakes his head and begins to go back to work as we fade out to commercial.
|
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 12:10:37 GMT -6
“Anti-Gravity” by Lindsey Stirling hits, and the crowd launches into boos as Shozo Arino appears on the stage. He walks down to the ring and snatches a microphone from ringside before entering, looking out at the crowd for a moment before speaking. Shozo Arino: I need you all to listen to me. The crowd boos him in response and he only seems annoyed. Shozo Arino: All that does is prove the point I want to make. The REVOLUTION is trying to do what's best for wrestling, to save it, and yet not a one of you will open your ears and LISTEN to us! And I understand why, I do. Change is scary, the way things are right now are all you've ever known, and the future is an unknown to you all. So you shut your ears, because you can get away with it. Why should you listen to me, or to GRENDEL, or to Aries or to Devan? We might be the ones who'll change this business for the better, but to you all we're nothing but overexcited rookies. So it's easy for you all to shut your ears, and ignore the message, and so things march on as they are, spiraling towards decay. He pauses, a look of disgust crossing his face before he continues. Shozo Arino: But there are ways to make you listen. The easiest one is to do what we did at the Autumn Effect 2. Attack those you look up to, decimate them, leave them broken on the ground. The heroes you've built up in your heads, suddenly taken back to Earth by some rookies breaks your ability to seal your ears, and you have to listen. But that has it's costs. A friend, my best friend, has shown to me that that's not the best way to go about things for me. But only for me. Everyone can choose their own evolution, so my allies can make their own choices on the subject. Just as I have. I could lose something very important, so I have to find another way. So I started to think of other ways to make you listen...and then I started looking at some people you have listened to, despite what comes from their mouths. Like Jerry Matthews! The crowd boos quite heavily at the preacher's name. Shozo Arino: A lunatic, an extremist, but you let every single word that came from his mouth enter your minds and register. Or Kira T. Zeppeli! Again, a lunatic, an eater of emotion but you heard every dark twisted word that came from him. Savannah Taylor, a part of a group of psychos led by King Psycho himself but you LISTENED to her! And what is it that united those people, why you heard what they said no matter the content? He pauses a moment, hands falling down around his waist to indicate a belt. Shozo Arino: Because they were San Diego Bay champion. That title is the first step in this company. Almost everyone that's held it held it as the first accomplishment on a road paved with them! The people who hold that belt are marked as the future of the company, those that will one day stand at the top. And you can't ignore that. You can't shut your ears off, you have to let my words in. You have to listen. So, I'm making my intentions clear. I, Shozo Arino, will be San Diego Bay champion. The crowd does not seem to be very into the idea, booing at him once again. This time he smiles. Shozo Arino: Boo now, that's fine. But once I have that belt around my waist, the message of REVOLUTION will be impossible to ignore, and you will LISTEN TO ME! The sound of an organ plays throughout the arena, catching Shozo's attention. The lighting in the arena slowly switches to an orange hue, causing the fans to quickly shift their attention to the entrance way. As "Perfect Strangers" by Deep Purple kicks in, the crowd leaps to their feet to cheer the man that's about to walk out. At around the 30 second mark, Chandler Scott bursts through the curtain as the crowd shows its support with cheers, applause and various shrieks of excitement. There's a smattering of boos here and there. But for the most part, this is a pro-Chandler crowd. Dick Morosi: Things are heating up now Seth, here comes Chandler Scott! Seth Ericson: I'm surprised he had time to come here considering he's got Savannah waiting for him. Dick Morosi: I...I don't have an argument against that. Seth Ericson: Hah! Pervert. Instead of heading down to the ring, Chandler stays on the stage. Dressed in a black Adidas tracksuit, Chandler slowly removes a mic from his pocket and raises it to his mouth. As the music fades, Shozo heads to the ropes and narrows his eyes, wondering why Chandler's out here and what he has to say. Chandler Scott: Well if the person that holds this belt is the future, then you're looking at the man that will help lead EXODUS through the New Year and beyond. The crowd cheers over Chandler's reassurance that he is indeed the future. Chandler Scott: Really, Soz, really? Yet another uprising? Yet another ragtag group that wants to rail against the so-called "corrupt" system? Another group with an agenda who will be heard and taken seriously once you take out the fan favs? You, another pseudo-revolutionary in a long, long list of pseudo-revolutionaries? Is anyone else tired of this or is it just me? A "Yes" chant develops throughout several pockets of the crowd. Chandler Scott: What makes you think you're any better than Kira... or Jerry or even Christum? Because I've got news for you, guy, you're not. You don't even belong in the same sentence as them. All you're doing is coming out here and spouting the same sermon that many before you have preached. And let me tell you something else? They all did it far better than you, too. The crowd applauds, agreeing with Chandler's words. But Shozo doesn't look too thrilled. He isn't heated, per se. Chandler Scott: This isn't me slighting you. I'm sure you're one heck of a prospect. But that's all you are, Shoz. You're still a prospect. You're still a work in progress and it is going to take a long, long time for you to even compare to a finished product such as myself. Just because you went from (R)evo to the main show doesn't automatically mean you're on our level. What you are is an annoyance... a nuisance... a gnat. The sooner you realize this, the better off you'll be. Because if you don't? Well, you'll end up sharing the same fate that they did. Chandler paces from side to side, allowing the crowd to once again cheer him. Chandler Scott: As far as your championship aspirations are concerned, well that's fine with me. But here's the thing. To get this belt, you're going to have to go through me. You know, the guy that's actually holding the title. You know, the guy that you conveniently forgot about. That's okay. But if you really do want this belt... and the time comes when you and I step into that ring... I'll have no qualms with reminding you of just who the hell I am. A "Chandler" chants develops throughout several pockets of the crowd. Chandler Scott: Oh, and one last thing. A little word of advice. I wouldn't try jumping me from behind. The last thing a young lad like you needs is to be cut off at the knees. See you around, rook! And with that, Chandler arrogantly drops the mic as he heads out to the back, for a last minute prep before his match, seemingly already forgetting Shozo. Shozo watches him leave and the expression on his face is, surprisingly, one of disappointment. When he next speaks into the mic, it seems more to himself than anything else. Shozo Arino Spoken just like the people we're rising up against...oh well. I suppose that'll make what comes next easier. He drops the microphone and, surprising again, does not head up the ramp as he instead opts to hop the railing and disappear into the crowd. Dick Morosi: Very tense exchange there between Chandler and Shozo, as it seems we have a San Diego Bay match for the PPV now. Seth Ericson: I'm wondering what Shozo meant there at the end... Dick Morosi: I don't know Seth, but I know I'm uncomfortable about it. Seth Erickson: Me too. But wow! What an explosive night so far, and we're still just getting started! Dick Morosi: Next up, we've got a hell of a match as the former International champion, Lexy Chapel, takes on current San Diego Bay champion, Chandler Scott! NORMAL MATCH
CHANDLER SCOTT (EXODUS Pro San Diego Bay Champion) vs. LEXY CHAPELAs the spotlights flash across the stage and the video screens come to life, “Cynics and Critics” by Icon For Hire hits the PA system. “We’re not cynics; we just don’t believe a word you say
We’re not critics, we just hate it all anyway” As the music continues blaring, Nate andLexy Chapel walk out on to the stage, each carrying with them a camera-phone. They each stage on different sides of the stage at first, looking out over the fans and both filming the fans, before Nate turns and Lexy runs at him, leaping in to his arms and kissing him passionately on the stage. . T H E . C H A P E L . S H O W . They both make their way to the ring as the music continues to play, filming the fans as they walk down to the ring and posing on the entrance ramp together. As the chorus of the song begins, both slide in to the ring and climb up on to opposite corners, filming the fans again with their phones before turning and filming each other. “Oh this is all we know
Oh tragic and miserable
We’re not cynics; we just don’t believe a word you say
We’re not critics, we just hate it all anyway
Oh this is all we’ve got
Oh we do what we’ve been taught
We’re not cynics; we just don’t believe a word you say
We’re not critics, we just hate it all anyway” They both jump down from their corners and walk to the middle of the ring where Nate grabs Lexy and spins her around before kissing her again. He takes the phone from her and she removes her ring jacket before sliding over to her corner and jumping up on the turnbuckles, posing there again for a moment before flipping over backwards and readying herself for the match. Dick Morosi: We are set for our next match, as Exodus Pro San Diego Bay Champion in Chandler Scott steps in to take on the former International ChampionLexy Chapel. Seth Ericson: This should be a very interesting match up. They circle one another, slowly moving into a collar and elbow tie up. Chandler walks Lexy back into the corner, the referee calls for a break, Chandler steps back, as Lexy moves out of the corner. They circle one another, they move to lock up Lexy takes Chandler down with a single leg takedown. Lexy goes to grab Chandler’s leg, as she goes to lock on a leg lock, Chandler grabs the middle rope, Lexy breaks the hold. They move around one another, Chandler takes Lexy into a wristlock, he grabs on the hold, as Lexy rolls forward onto the mat springing back up taking Chandler over with a arm drag taking Chandler into a arm bar. Lexy floats over taking Chandler into a headlock, as Chandler tries to break the hold. Chandler breaks out of the hold taking Lexy into a hammerlock. Dick Morosi: Chandler Scott takes Lexy Chapel into a hammerlock. Seth Ericson: We have a good exchange going here in the early going. Dick Morosi: Seth Ericson, folks...Only the best commentary here in Exodus Chandler turns Lexy around into a snapmare. Chandler goes back off the ropes, he runs back at Lexy, she leapfrogs over Chandler, as he returns into the ropes. Chandler runs back off the ropes landing a dropkick. Lexy steps back Chandler rises to his feet, she runs at him, as he falls back into the corner, Lexy runs at him for a running knee, Chandler moves out of the way, as Lexy’s leg slams into the turnbuckles. Dick Morosi: Lexy Chapel’s knee just slammed into the turnbuckle! Seth Ericson: This is Chandler's opening! Chandler moves toward Lexy, he looks at her grabbing her taking her over with a snapmare. Chandler turns grabbing Lexy into a rear chinlock. Chandler locks his arm around her head, as Lexy tries to get out of the hold. Lexy forces Chandler to his feet, she is still favoring that knee. She breaks out of the hold moving around taking Chandler around into a front facelock. She locks her arms around his head, as Chandler tries to get free. Dick Morosi:Lexy Chapel is still favoring that knee that slammed into the turnbuckles. Seth Ericson: She sure is. Chandler Scott didn’t take advantage of it either. I can’t understand that. Dick Morosi: Maybe it is all part of his game plan. Chandler walks back against the ropes, as Lexy breaks the hold. They go to lock up, as they do, Chandler shoots around on Lexy into a rear waistlock. Chandler goes for a release German suplex, Lexy blocks it. Lexy shoots around on Chandler, he blocks her attempt. Chandler shoots back around throwing Lexy, she lands on her feet. Lexy runs Chandler into the ropes, he manages to push her back, she tumbles back, Lexy kips up back to her feet. Chandler runs at Lexy, she drops down, as Chandler runs over her. Chandler runs back at Lexy, she grabs him around his arm for a hip toss, Chandler blocks it. Chandler pulls Lexy around running her into the ropes, he rolls her back with a backwards roll. ONE... ...KICKOUT! They both return to their feet, Chandler pulls Lexy around sending her into the ropes. Lexy runs off the ropes, Chandler runs at her for a clothesline, she ducks under the clothesline attempt. Lexy moves near the corner, Chandler runs at her, but she dodges out of the way, as Chandler’s shoulder slams into the turnbuckles. Lexy takes Chandler’s legs out from under him with a single leg takedown. She grabs his legs flipping over holding his legs into a pinning position. ONE... ...KICKOUT! Dick Morosi: Chandler Scott seems to be favoring his shoulder. Seth Ericson: Just like Scott, Lexy Chapel didn’t take advantage of the injury. Dick Morosi: I don’t understand this, but it is a great show of respect. Seth Ericson: I guess, so I always believed you take apart your opponent, but these two are giving us a wrestling clinic here tonight. Dick Morosi: You can say that again. They move toward one another, Lexy runs into the ropes, she comes off the ropes running at Chandler, he goes for a hip toss, Lexy blocks it. She flips over onto her feet. Chandler grabs Lexy around her waist throwing her back down with a German suplex with a bridge. ONE... TWO... ...KICKOUT! They both return to their feet, as they do, Lexy takes Chandler’s legs out from under him with pinning him. ONE... ...KICKOUT! They both return to their feet, as they square off, as the fans are cheering them on showing respect for the action, and the respect they are showing. They lock up, as they do Chandler grabs Lexy leaning her over lifting her up, she manages to take Chandler over with a arm drag. They both spring back up to their feet, Lexy runs off into the ropes, she runs back at Chandler taking him over with a hurricanrana. Chandler moves back to his feet, he runs off the ropes, he runs back at Lexy, she leapfrogs him over him, Chandler goes off into the ropes. Chandler takes Lexy over with a hurricanrana of his own. They both return to their feet, each jump into the air with a double dropkick, they return to their feet standing off to a course of cheers. Dick Morosi: Listen to this crowd! Seth Ericson: We are seeing a classic! They tease a knuckle lock, Lexy grabs Chandler’s leg taking him down with a single leg takedown, she drops down pulling back on Chandler’s foot. Lexy leans back, adding just enough pressure to let Chandler know she’s there. Chandler pulls his legs up taking Lexy into a head scissors, locking his legs around her head. Dick Morosi: Chandler Scott with a head scissors. Seth Ericson: I don’t understand this. Lexy Chapel has banged up her knee, and Chandler Scott has rammed his shoulder into the turnbuckles, and neither one will attack the others weakness at this point. Dick Morosi: I guess they’re trying to be good sports about this. I don’t know. I do know, we are getting a classic match up here tonight. Seth Ericson: You can say that again. Lexy pushes Chandler's legs off, as they both kip back up to their feet. Lexy shakes her leg from the kip up, but is pushing through. They circle around one another moving into a knuckle lock, they lock up, as they try to gain the advantage. Chandler manages to take control, he forces Lexy back, as he places his knee around behind her, she bridges back onto the mat. They hold onto the knuckle lock, as Lexy rolls back still holding onto Chandler, she goes to flip him, Chandler blocks it. He pulls Lexy back up breaking the knuckle lock holding onto one of her hands. He pulls her around dropping Lexy down with a Saito Suplex. Chandler turns covering her. ONE... TWO... ...KICKOUT! Chandler turns on the mat, he grabs her into a front facelock, staying away from her knee, and leg. Chandler turns on the mat into a side headlock. Chandler locks his arms around her head, as Lexy forces him up to her feet. Lexy sends Chandler off into the ropes. Chandler runs back off the ropes, Lexy leapfrogs over him, but catches onto Chandler, she takes him over into a roll up. ONE... TWO... ...KICKOUT! They both quickly return to their feet, as they stand off at one another, as the fans once again show their respect. They move around one another, they move to lock up, Chandler takes Lexy into a hammerlock, Chandler reaches around taking her head into a headlock. Lexy sends him off. Chandler runs off the ropes, she drops down, he runs over her back into the ropes. Chandler runs back at Lexy, she leapfrogs him over, as he returns back into the ropes. Chandler runs back at Lexy, goes for a leapfrog again, Chandler stops. Lexy turns, Chandler goes to grab her, she ducks under grabbing Chandler around his head, she kicks off the turnbuckles planting him down with the DENTAL CHECK. Lexy covers him. ONE... TWO... ...KICKOUT! Dick Morosi: What a match!! Seth Ericson: This is amazing! Dick Morosi: This is a career defining match for these two! Seth Ericson: You can say that again! Lexy grabs Chandler into a rear waistlock. Chandler reverses out, he swings around behind her running Lexy into the ropes, he pulls back, Lexy holds onto the ropes. Lexy turns, Chandler runs at her, she leans over sending Chandler over the top rope, he lands on the ring apron. Lexy turns, as Chandler pulls himself over the top rope taking her over with a Sunset flip. The referee goes to count, but Lexy flips over onto Chandler's chest. They lock arms, Chandler bridges back up to his feet. Lexy goes around Chandler, as they lock arms. She tires to take him over with a backslide, but he blocks it. Chandler pulls her around holding onto her arm. Chandler goes into a rear waistlock, she counters into a rear waistlock of her own. Lexy runs Chandler into the ropes, she pulls him back with a O'Connor Roll. The referee goes to count, but Chandler reverses it he bridges back. The referee counts. ONE... TWO... Lexy kicks out, and as soon as both are on their feet, Chandler nails a discus lariat that leaves her flattened! He looks to be setting up for the CRS ONE...only to stop when he sees someone hopping the barricade... Dick Morosi: What's Shozo Arino doing back here? Seth Ericson: He's going to the time keeper's table. Indeed he is, and Shozo is picking up the San Diego Bay title, glancing it over as he thinks for a moment before Chandler starts yelling at him to back away from his title. Shozo holds his hands up innocently, stating he just wants a look, but Chandler continues to yell as Shozo points back to the ring, where Chapel has recovered, nailing the Dental Check! She hooks the leg! ONE! TWO! THREE! "Cynics and Critics" starts up and Chapel looks over at Shozo, realizing what transpired. Leaving the ring, she shakes her head in a frustrated manner, not wanting to take joy in what happened. WINNER: Lexy ChapelDick Morosi: Lexy Chapel takes this one, but you have to wonder what's going on in Chandler Scott's mind right now, considering what just happened with Shozo Arino. Seth Ericson: I don't wanna give anyone ideas, but you have to wonder if Shozo's rattled the cage of the Harvard Hammer. If he has, Chandler may have some issues in two weeks. Dick Morosi: Let's not take anything away from Lexy Chapel though, she's been nothing short of great. This may be the win she needs to kick things back on track. For now, let's head backstage. We cut backstage, and we see a mirror with a reflection. The face in the mirror lets her long brown hair flow down as hands slowly reach for a brush on the vanity in front of her, the hands now brushing her hair as she sits there. The entity known simply as "mara" sits in the chair, what seems to be almost a smile coming on her face. mara: Tonight. Tonight, the transmission truly begins. The message reaches its core audience, and you will bear witness to what happens with life and death meet. How I've longed to show you the world, my dear. How I have yearned to show you what the world really is when one is set free. The Allmother sits there with an almost serene look on her face as the pair of hands continues to brush her hair. Standing behind Mara was the figure of one Brianna Singer. Brianna’s own blonde tresses hang down over her shoulders, which were covered by a fitted black silk-like blazer, which went with her matching black skirt and black high heels. A slightly off-putting smile creeps onto Brianna’s face. Brianna Singer: I am honored you think that highly of me. I look forward to seeing what the world is truly like through the expert eyes of you, Allmother. mara: It takes a lot to set free a mind corrupted by the drivel of Hal Snyder's teachings. That trollop Mr. Gray didn't know how to properly utilize the teachings. At that moment, Mara turns her head to look up at her. mara: But I do. And now your head is in a much better place. You have ascended, dear Brianna. From this moment, there is much to be done. I thank you for helping me find homes for the Daughters and the Supernova. And now, as one of my own, you are home with me. Brianna Singer: There is much talent within the Daughters and the Supernova. People will soon start to stand up and take notice. The blonde says with slight force as she looks down, then back at mara. Brianna Singer: I am glad to have a home with you. I don’t wish to do anything that would cause you disappointment. You have liberated me from Cleon, and I can’t begin to thank you enough. The entity known as Mara stands up and cups her cheek, kissing the forehead of Singer tenderly. mara: I do what is needed. Now your loyalty is with me, poppet. You will serve me well, and I will love you so. Together, we will resurrect my monster and I will make sure we are all a family. How I wish you could have known him. He would have loved you. You were his type before she destroyed him. Brianna stands there for a minute before she smiles, a somewhat genuine smile. Brianna Singer: I promise you. The one who took your monster away, the one who destroyed him will pay. I will do whatever it takes to assist you in achieving your ultimate goal. mara: Of course you will, Brianna. You will do as I need, and we will be a family. And you will be such a good member of our family! Mara gently moves aside to let Brianna sit down now as she takes the brush from Brianna to begin to brush her hair. mara: Tonight, you must look your best for my arrival. I want you to represent me well. Tonight, mother's love will engulf all of EXODUS...and it will leave them wanting more. Mara then leans her head down and kisses the top of Brianna's head before starting to brush her hair. mara: Hush little baby, don't say a word...Mara's gonna buy you a mockingbird... And on Mara's disturbing song, we go to commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 12:25:11 GMT -6
We return to EXODUS Pro on FX #28 where we see Tom Matheny standing by an interview set, smiling at the camera with a microphone in his hand. Tom Matheny: Ladies and gentlemen I’m Tom Matheny backstage at the Staples Center here in Los Angeles, California, and I’m delighted to introduce a resident of this city - EXODUS Pro’s International Champion, Christian Kane! Thanks for being here Christian. The camera zooms out and pans left slightly to include The Handsome Drifter in the shot, who is checking himself out in the reflection of his International Championship belt. He licks the tips of his thumb and pinky finger then runs them over his eyebrows before turning to Matheny. Christian Kane: ...The International Champion has granted you his precious, important time - you may speak. Tom Matheny: Thank you. So... Matheny begins. Tom Matheny: ...EXPRO on FX #27, you defeated Angela Jameson in a fantastic contest, now here tonight you team with EXODUS superstar Fiona Collins to go up against the eerie Daughters of Janus. Can I get your thoughts on that? Kane runs a gentle hand over his hair, making sure everything is in place and looking how it should be before throwing the belt over his shoulder, preparing to answer the question. Christian Kane: Yeah, you know...three weeks ago Jameson put up a great fight, eventually I dispatched of her and past that we all know what happened between her and my girl. That’s been dealt with rather publicly already so I’m not going to get into it, but she did good. Tonight is an entirely different story. I’m teaming with Fiona for the first time EVER, and I’ve got to tell you I’m looking forward to it. I don’t remember stepping into the ring much at all with her nevermind actually teaming with her, so yeah, I’m excited. My opponents, well...they’re creepy. They’re weird. And if it were six months ago I probably would have bedded them and some weird things would’ve happen, things I can’t say on television - but that’s besides the point. He grins, knowing exactly what he’d like to say, but refraining from doing so. Surprisingly enough. Christian Kane: The Daughters of Janus...closely aligned with Mara and her gang of carnival freaks. I’ve watched them, the Sisters, that is. They’re a good team, if not by talent then by cohesion, but this match asks the big question. Does pure talent defeat cohesion? Myself and Fiona, two of the best this company has ever seen, if not two of the best any company has ever seen, can pure cohesion defeat us? I think not, Tom. We’re special, and if you think two circus freak twins are going to beat us then they have another thing coming. Ugh, they need to get a tan, too. Tom Matheny: Well I will agree they certainly seem like a cohesive team, and who they hang around with does not bode well for EXODUS at all. However, moving on. This is the last show before Dead In Hollywood, so let’s talk about your International Championship - are you defending it, and if so, against whom? Christian Kane takes a second, proudly looking at his belt before patting it. Christian Kane: To be honest with you, I’m not all too sure. But I said it the show after The Autumn Effect 2, I am going to make this championship greater than ever. I am going to make this THE championship, Matheny, hear me? Christian Kane is a fighting champion and whoever I face is gonna find o- Out of nowhere, a large individual barrels into the shot and drives Christian Kane into the wall! As the camera moves back slightly we see that it’s Justin Brooks! Kane grunts audibly as he bounces off the wall and to the floor. The Monster From The Bay then rips a monitor from the wall slamming it down onto Christian Kane’s head, but the Canadian moves right at the last second! The dodge stuns Brooks just enough for Kane to leap up to his feet and into the big man, the pair of them trading shots as the camera backs up along with the retreating Tom Matheny. Kane is using his speed to pick his moments whilst Brooks is throwing haymaker after haymaker looking to catch the International Champion. Eventually in the scuffle the security team runs in to break up the fight, several more men holding back Justin Brooks than Christian Kane. Both men have bloodied lips but don’t particularly seem to care as they shout at each other, their words however lost in the loud ruckus. What we can make out however is Justin pointing to Kane’s belt which he’s holding above his head, signifying that he’s the champion as we go back to ringside. NORMAL MATCH
MARA vs. EVANGELISTAMulticoloured spotlights swirl around the entranceway as the martial-sounding intro to Glass Candy's "Candy Castle" comes across the PA. As the beat kicks in Evangelista walks through the curtain and places her hands on her hips, surveying the auditorium with a smile. Laurel Anne Hardy is by her side, dancing around with a feather boa. David Zinkus: From St Helens, England, weighing one hundred and thirty-three pounds, being accompanied by Laurel Anne Hardy and representing The Asylum... The two young women share a good luck hug, then start down the aisle and head in opposite directions when they reach the bottom - Evangelista focused on the task ahead and absently tagging a few outstretched hands, Hardy dancing back and forth and interacting with the fans much more with hugs, high fives and handshakes. After completing a circuit of the ringside area they regroup and Evangelista slides under the bottom rope while Laurel leaps over her onto the apron, and somersaults over the top rope. They run up opposite turnbuckles and pose, then drop and repeat their actions in the other two corners. Hardy throws her boa into the crowd, prompting a scrum to catch it. David Zinkus: She is "The Prodigal Daughter"... EVANGELISTA! They both moonsault down to standing positions in the centre of the ring. Evangelista crosses herself and warms up while Laurel steps out to ringside. Dick Morosi: Folks, we’re set for a debut bout here over something that’s been talked about ever since the aftermath of the Autumn Effect and Evangelista gets to be the first person tested against this new entity. Seth Ericson: Evangelista is one of those wrestlers used to breaking through frontiers, if you will. But I have a feeling she’s going to need eyes in the back of her head and Laurel’s crazy ass to watch for whatever may happen here tonight. The lights in the arena black out as a flashing image comes onto the EXOScreen... As soon as the pulse of electronic drums kick in, the crowd notices a woman standing at the entrance way wearing a kabuki mask and a long black and blue robe. Slowly making her way down the aisle as "Reach for the Dead" by Boards of Canada continues to play, the crowd continues to stir and make a reaction as the woman walks toward the ring. The woman hops up onto the apron and grabs the ropes as she places her back against them before flipping in and landing on her feet, removing her kabuki mask and ripping it off, instantly spitting out black mist. When the crowd realizes this is none other than the entity known as "mara", the reaction becomes more negative as she looks out at the crowd for a moment without a sign of emotion on her face, before standing up and going to her respective corner to remove her robe and prepare for her match. David Zinkus: And her opponent...from Anaheim, California, weighing in tonight at one hundred and thirty pounds...SHE IS MAAAAAAARA!!!!!!! As Mara hands the robe over to one of the timekeepers, her eyes fixate on Evangelista while the “Prodigal Daughter” stands her ground on the other side of the ring, having a conversation with Laurel on some last minute strategy for this one. Dick Morosi: And there is the entity that we’ve been seeing and ladies and gentlemen, there does not appear to be anything orthodox about Mara. This could get ugly real quick and for somebody who excels at the textbook style like Evangelista, maybe not the best match-up. Seth Ericson: Evangelista is going to have to bring every bit of skill and experience she’s had in that ring to this one. I got a bad vibe about this Mara, Dick. Like, I literally do not want to stick my dick in it. Dick Morosi: Seth, that’s disgusting… The bell rings and the two come forward. Evangelista makes the first move while attempting for a collar-to-elbow tie-up but Mara sees this coming and chooses to quickly evade the attempt by going low and leg sweeping Evangelista right down to the mat. Mara doesn’t hesitate to take the mount position from there and dish out a few, well-placed forearms to Evangelista before being told to get off of it by the referee. No wasted motion occurs as Mara stands Evangelista back up, irish whipping her into the ropes and catching her on the return with an arm drag, then following up with another one after Evangelista returns to her feet...but when Mara attempts to go for a third one, Evangelista displays some great athleticism by landing on her feet and then catching her with an elbow to the face, a headbutt to the jaw that sends Mara reeling back and then eventually a sitout jawbreaker to complete things out to floor the newcomer to the mat. Dick Morosi: Mara was off to an incredible start on a rather orthodox manner, to the surprise of everyone here. Seth Ericson: Followed by Evangelista taking the reins in the unorthodox manner of strikes rather than her patented, technical holds this early into the match. We’re off to a stellar start in this booth in 2015, Dick, to say the least. Evangelista doesn’t hesitate to pounce on this window of advantage she’s created as she stands Mara back up, bringing Mara close and keeping her from trying anything to turn the tides with a series of European uppercuts that sent the Tempest reeling back but there’s no display on her face indicating that she’s being affected by any of them. Seeing this, Evangelista fires off a particularly nasty European uppercut her way that sends Mara back to the ropes...but comes back with a forearm of her own to The Prodigal Daughter. Evangelista sees the approach of the uppercuts isn’t working and she attempts to reply with a few sets of sharp kicks that do seem to have a little more effect on Mara, one of them particularly sending her a few steps back to the turnbuckle. Evangelista takes advantage of this and proceeds to bounce her head right onto the top turnbuckle for added damage before grabbing on to Mara’s head and coming off the turnbuckle with a two-handed bulldog. Quickly after that, she covers Mara: ONE!!!! TW- And a kickout from Mara before even reaching the two count. Evangelista doesn’t stop, as Laurel screams from the outside for Eva to stay on Mara regardless of what happens. The Prodigal Daughter stands Mara up, using a few knees to keep her from counterattacking until pushing her against the ropes where the referee does step in, asking Evangelista to either break it off or get Mara away from them. Evangelista does take a step back but comes back with a knife-edged chop while gets a resounding gasp from the crowd...but a smirk from Mara Tempest. The smirk grows wide as Evangelista hits her with another chop but before Evangelista can go for a third...Mara reaches out and grabs on to Evangelista’s neck, beginning to apply pressure as Evangelista’s eyes go wide in pure horror while Laurel starts SCREAMING at the referee to get Mara away from Eva and the neck! Dick Morosi: WHOA! Evangelista looked in pure control but Mara’s got a hold of her neck and the Prodigal Daughter looks like she’s seen a ghost! Seth Ericson: I’ve heard rumblings that Evangelista has this nervous tick when people go for her throat and when you consider who’s against her here tonight, you almost wonder if it was done on purpose. Mara pushes her back further, as Evangelista screams out much to the Tempest’s amusement before breaking off the blatant choke hold and letting the Prodigal Daughter step back, her hands moving to her neck immediately as if to check on it. Showing an unusual amount of anger, Eva charges at Mara, who ducks under a wild clothesline attempt before taking off to the opposite ropes while Evangelista bounces off of them on the other side. As the two meet in the center of the ring, however, Mara takes a wild spin and catches Evangelista in full with a backfist that FLOORS her to the mat in a vicious manner. Seth Ericson: HOLY SH- DID SHE JUST USE... Dick Morosi: ZERO HOUR! MARA JUST USED JONATHAN COLLINS’ ZERO HOUR ON EVANGELISTA! The Staples Center is in shock as Mara glances down at the fallen Evangelista and then over at Laurel Anne Hardy, who seems to be beside herself while trying to encourage her tag team partner to get back to her feet. Mara gradually drags Evangelista back to her feet, who still looks rather out of the commission before Mara places her in a full nelson, dragging Evangelista as far backward as she can do before beginning to nail her with a series of vicious, gruesome looking left knees, one after the other before hooking her arms back and elevating her up, connecting with a tiger suplex which Mara keeps bridged for the pin: ONE!!!!!! TWO!!!!!!!!! TH- Evangelista manages to somehow to get the shoulders off the mat, but Mara does not let go of the hold, instead choosing to roll over, bringing the two of them back to a vertical position. With wicked intentions, Mara nails Evangelista with a swift knee to her lower back for good measure before shifting the grip to a full nelson once again and this time around, lifting Evangelista up in the air before turning her right around and connecting with a massive reverse STO that again leaves the Staples Center crowd gasping in both the impact and the smooth transition into the maneuver. Dick Morosi: Mara calls this one the “Danse Macabre” and Evangelista just took the full brunt of it! Seth Ericson: No matter how much Laurel’s screaming right now, I don’t think it’s going to change the fact that Evangelista is out right now! With a large exhale, Mara sits up and glances at Evangelista’s floored body for a moment, then back at a screaming Laurel Anne Hardy and mutters “she’ll live to fight another day...I am a woman of my word” before flipping Evangelista over and covering her: ONE!!!!!!!!!!! TWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bell rings once again as “Reach for the Dead” by Boards of Canada plays over the PA system as Mara stands up, dusting herself off before having her hand raised by the referee and looking at the camera lens with a determined expression on her face. David Zinkus: Here is your winner...MAAAAAAAAARA!!!!!!!!! Dick Morosi: The Danse Macabre finished things off here tonight, but you gotta believe that the moment Mara went after Evangelista’s neck is when everything changed. Seth Ericson: She suckered Evangelista in, alright...but who in the world expected Mara to use Jonathan Collins’ ZERO Hour, of all things, to shift the balance in full? Hell, she hit with the same kind of force we’ve seen Jonathan use for years and years. Dick Morosi: The link between this mysterious woman and the Collins family continues to grow, folks...but in two weeks’ time, she’s got a VERY aggravated Seraph to deal with and unlike Evangelista, there’s no neck touching to leave her unbalanced. Seth Ericson: At the same time...imagine if she can somehow get into Fiona’s head… The cameras eventually go elsewhere as Mara makes her way out of the ring while Laurel is now at ringside, checking on Evangelista. Mara goes to approach the entrance area as she's greeted by...a new but familiar face, holding the handle of a black lantern. Seth Ericson: ...she did not... Dick Morosi: Seth...that's....that's Audrey Lloris. Without hesitation, Mara takes the lantern and lays it at the top of the entrance ramp, leaving it as the camera leaves its shot on it. WINNER: maraDick Morosi: A huge debut win for this girl known as Mara! Seth Ericson: The offense is familiar, the atmosphere is creepy, and she seems absolutely primed to face Fiona Collins in two weeks at Dead In Hollywood. Dick Morosi: I don't know what else to say about this unorthodox individual. In the meanwhile, let's head backstage. Heartbeat. A lizard looks to the Sun. A wild dog stalks towards us, shimmering in the heat haze of the badlands. A parched voice speaks from beyond the burning shimmer. The Man In White: We are born. Flashes of a vulture egg cracking, a litter of desert rats sucking at their mother's teat, a juvenile snake slithering from its nest for the first time. The Man In White: We die. Carrion birds tearing something to ribbons. A snake and a rat locked in combat, teeth sunk into each other. Bleached human bones, forgotten among the dunes. Heartbeat. The Man In White: We die, and from our death, others live. Some would have you believe it's part of a pattern, an almighty plan writ in the great tome of the world. Heartbeat. The Man In White: Others would tell you it's all chaos. All the whims of random chance in a universe with no consciousness with which to even know we exist within it. Heartbeat. The Man In White: But nobody knows for sure. Deep eyes beneath thick black eyebrows slam open. The Man In White: We stumble through the light, and through the dark. We scurry from shadow to shadow. The cycle of life and death goes on for all time and we have no roadmap. We have no compass. We have no provisions. A wide shot of the vast, blazing emptiness of the Mojave, from so high that towering fan palms and Joshua trees look like nothing but weeds in the dust. The Man In White: I have the seen the way, EXODUS. I know which sands are safe to tread. I can guide you through the shadows. I can help you break this cycle. Heartbeat. Darkness. The Man In White: You just have to come with me... Fade to commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 13:31:53 GMT -6
Backstage at the Staples Center, in front of a fancy-schmancy new EXODUS banner, interviewer extraordinaire Tom Matheny stand, lacking only one thing - a guest.
Tom Matheny: Good evening, everyone. Please welcome my guest at this time, the Masked Salaryman.
Oh, look, there’s a guest now!
As the purveyor of Glorious Nipponese Values(™) comes into the camera shot, he is clutching his attache case in one hand, clad in his usual finery If not for his mask, he would look just like any other salaryman on his way to a day at the office.
Masked Salaryman: Thank you, Mister Matheny! I appreciate this chance to speak with you, however brief it may be!
Tom Matheny: The pleasure is all mine. Now, in just a little while, you’ll be going one on one with Zack Lifer in a No Disqualifications match, a stipulation that you yourself requested. You’ve told Zack and the world that you won’t raise a weapon against him unless he does first - but do you really expect him to not use a weapon in the sort of match he’s known for?
The Salaryman allows himself a moment to think about that question, before finally speaking.
Masked Salaryman: I have said a great deal about this contest, both on Twitter and for the world to see. I am, in truth, a little weary of speaking about it, and will be very happy when the bell rings! But to answer your question, Mister Matheny...it doesn’t matter if Zack uses one or not!
Matheny cocks an eyebrow at the Salaryman, only for the purveyor of Glorious Nipponese Values(™) to offer a shrug.
Masked Salaryman: If he doesn’t use one, it will be his first step down a long, painful road to redemption...in a place far away from EXODUS! If he does, I assure you that I am prepared for all manner of weapons-related skullduggery! This is a battle of good and evil, and in such battles, the Masked Salaryman gives it one thousand, two-hundred and forty seven percent at all times!
Interviewer extraordinaire or not, the oddly specific number catches Tom a bit off guard.
Tom Matheny: I...err, any last words, Mister Salaryman?
Masked Salaryman: Just the same that I have been saying for the past few weeks, Mister Matheny! Tick tock, Zack Lifer.
The Salaryman looks straight ahead into the camera, and nods his head once, with a solemn finality not usually seen from the jovial Japanese juggernaut.
Masked Salaryman; Tick tock.
And on that, we're back to Dick & Seth.
Dick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman looking prepared for tonight.
Seth Ericson: Here's hoping he can find it in himself to top Zack Lifer tonight. There's a lot of people hoping he can.
Dick Morosi: Speaking of Lifer, his opponent at Dead In Hollywood is up next! Adrien Cochrane meets Devan Whitmore...next!
NORMAL MATCH
ADRIEN COCHRANE vs. DEVAN WHITMORE
Dick Morosi: Here we are ready for action, as Adrien Cochrane takes on Devan Whitmore.
Seth Ericson: These has the potential be something special especially with the rest of REVOLUTION waiting in the wings.
The bell sounds, they lock up into a collar and elbow tie up. Cochrane takes Devan into a side headlock. He wrenches his arms tight around her head, she sends him off into the ropes. Cochrane runs back at Devan, she drops down, as Cochrane runs over her back into the ropes. Cochrane runs back at Devan, she leapfrogs over him, as Cochrane returns back into the ropes. He runs back at her, Cochrane goes for a hip toss, but Devan blocks it. She jumps up nailing him with a enzguri, which sends him down to the mat. Devan pulls Cochrane up hitting him with a pair of stiff forearm strikes, which stagger him. Devan grabs Cochrane around his head, she runs toward the corner kicking off the turnbuckles for a tornado DDT, but Cochrane holds onto Devan throwing her down onto the mat. Devan returns to her feet. She runs at Cochrane hitting him with a clothesline. She turns leaping into the air nailing Cochrane with a dropkick. Devan goes out to the ring apron, she makes her way up to the top rope. She leaps off landing down onto Cochrane with a frog splash. Devan grabs to her stomach for a moment grimacing in pain. She turns covering him.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Devan returns to her feet, she lands a pair of stiff kicks to the chest of Cochrane. She pulls him up to his feet sending him into the ropes. Devan jumps up into the air for a leg lariat, but Cochrane rolls out of the ring. Devan turns, as Cochrane nails her with a stiff European upper cut. He grabs her around her head lifting her up and down with a snap suplex. Cochrane returned to his feet moving back into the corner moving up onto the second rope. Cochrane jumps off landing down onto Devan with a elbow drop. Cochrane pulls Devan up off the mat, he grabs her around her head lifting her up and back down with another snap suplex. Cochrane turns covering her.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Dick Morosi: Adrien Cochrane with a near fall.
Seth Ericson: Cochrane didn't hook the leg, and it costed him.
Dick Morosi: Adrien Cochrane is a well traveled veteran, he should have known better than that.
Seth Ericson: Sometimes even the best make the smallest mistakes.
Cochrane pulls Devan up to her feet, he sends her into the corner. Cochrane runs in at her, but Devan dodges out of the way, as Cochrane slams into the turnbuckles chest first. Cochrane staggers around, Devan jumps up taking Cochrane over with a hurricanrana. She returns to her feet moving out to the ring apron. Devan makes her way up to the top rope. Devan leaps off taking down Cochrane with a diving crossbody, but Cochrane rolls through taking Devan over. He turns moving up to his feet taking Devan around trying to lock her into a sharp shooter, but Devan kicks Cochrane off. Devan rises up to her feet, Cochrane moves toward her, she kicks him in his stomach doubling him over grabbing him around his head sending him down with the Toronado DDT. Devan pushes Cochrane over covering him.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Dick Morosi: That was close!
Seth Ericson: Close but not close enough!
They both return to their feet. Devan grabs Cochrane, as she does, Cochrane nails her with a back elbow staggering her. Cochrane kicks Devan in her stomach doubling her over. He grabs her around her head sending Devan down into the mat with the THE DREAM BREAKER! Cochrane pushes her over covering her.
ONE...
TWO...
KICKOUT!
Cochrane rises up to his feet, looking over at the referee in disbelief. He steps back moving back across the ring. Cochrane raises one arm into the air and leans over waiting for Devan to return to her feet. She slowly rises up, Cochrane steps toward her setting her up for the LIGHTINING KICK but Devan dodges out of the way. Cochrane turns, as Devan jumps up dropping him down with Kessel Run and Adrien crumbles in the middle of the ring. Devan, knowing what's next, races to the nearest turnbuckle and climbs to the top before leaping off with JEDI MIND TRICK, landing flush on the former World Champion! Devan grimaces in pain as she covers him.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
David Zinkus: The winner of this match Devan Whitmore!!
Dick Morosi: Devan Whitmore picks up her first win here in EXODUS!
WINNER: Devan Whitmore
Outside the Staples Center, a young dark-haired woman is seen arguing with the security team.
Woman: Listen, dude, I know I’m not on your list, but my name is Ruby Tyler and I swear to God, if you just go in there and talk to Jonathan Collins, you will find out that I contacted him weeks ago about coming in to investigate some of the weird stuff that’s been going on. I will wait here while you go.
The security guard crosses his arms and stares down at her. She looks back at him, apparently unimpressed by the size and weight advantage he has over her. She’s tall for a woman and slenderly built, but the way she hooks her thumbs through her belt loops and shrugs in the face of this mountain of a man blocking her way suggests there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Security Guard: No dice, kiddo. You’re not on the list, you’re not getting backstage. And you can’t get into the arena without a ticket, so it looks like you’re SOL.
She rolls her eyes and thrusts her hands into the pockets of her leather bomber jacket, tapping the toe of her boot on the floor.
Ruby Tyler: All right, clearly there’s no reasoning with you, but I do need you to get that message to Mr. Collins as soon as possible. I’ve heard that among other things, there’s a desk that seems to spontaneously generate random objects and may also occasionally function as a trans-dimensional wormhole, and I have a feeling he and his staff are going to want my input on that situation.
Security Guard: I can’t guarantee that message will be received. I’m told Mr. Collins is a very busy man. And I can’t pull someone away from their job to play errand boy to some no-name girl claiming to have set up a meet.
Ruby bites her lower lip, crossing her arms over her chest and drumming her fingers against her arm as she considers her options. After a few moments of silence, she exhales slowly and shakes her head.
Ruby Tyler: Fine, you win. I’ll get in touch with him some other way. But I want you to know that if something freaky pops out of that damn desk, or if the Voodoo priestess summons some crazy demon, or if the iGirlfriend goes all HAL on the company, it’s on your shiny bald head, you got that?
Security Guard: Yeah, I think I’ll live. You got a name, kiddo?
Ruby Tyler: They call me Ruby Tyler, urban legend hunter and pro wrestler. I swear, you go find me Jon Collins, he will recognize that name.
Security Guard: We’ve been over this. Now get out before I call the cops, will you?
Ruby turns on her heel and walks out to the parking lot, taking a seat on the hood of a black 1966 Ford Mustang. She takes her phone out of her pocket and dials a number, waiting through several rings before voicemail picks up.
Ruby Tyler: Yo, Collins, it’s Ruby. Security’s not letting me through for our meet, so I’ll have to catch you when the show rolls back into the Bay Area. Call me back with a date and time. You know how to reach me.
With a frustrated sigh, she hangs up the phone and we go to commercial.
|
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 13:46:58 GMT -6
We come back from commercial to what seems to be a familiar sight. Tom Matheny: Aries? Looking up at Tom Matheny, Aries mouth is covered with a large piece of silver duct tape as he shrugs his shoulders. Tom Matheny: Okay, I'll bite what is with the duct tape? Reaching behind him, Aries pulls out a magic marker and a handful of index cards as he begins to write. He hands the index to Tom who arches a brow. Aries points to the card signalling him to read it. Tom Matheny: Alright...how can this go wrong? Tom clears his throat slightly. Tom Matheny: Due to circumstances outside of my control, it's come to my attention that my words have caused quite the stir within the administration of Exodus Pro. And while Mr. Collins and Mr. Almasy have yet to return my calls about my actions on the last edition of Exodus, I find this way beneficial to those with sensitive ears at home that I have my answers written and spoken by the likes of you.. Tom smile and looks up at Aries. Tom Matheny: D'awwww... Aries rolls his eyes as scribbles on another index card, handing it over to Tom to read. Tom Matheny: Easy, white boy. Your feminine-type voice is pleasing to those pasty-ass white people who sign my checks, so just read what's written and we'll all get along fine. Tom's smile fades from his lips as Aries hands him another index card. Tom Matheny: Furthermore it seems that my verbal exchanges between myself and Ginny Jameson have been teetering on assault and for that I wish to apologize. Tom arches a brow and looks over towards Aries who hands him another index card, a smile already peeking from behind the tape. Tom Matheny: ...I'm sorry for the fact that your virgin ears can't take a simple joke and your thin skin allows everything that I say to bother you. Understand that I'm not sorry for a damn thing and if you don't like me, well you can just simply suck a... Tom abruptly stops as he shakes his head. Tom Matheny: I'm not reading this, Aries. I'll lose my job. With a muffled groan, Aries scribbles on another index card handing it to Tom, who sighs. Tom Matheny: Fine...you can simply suck an egg. Put me on a three-second delay, censor my all together, pretty soon you'll be saying the name of Aries Reed to be synonymous with the word Champion. At Dead in Hollywood Aries Reed and GRENDEL will eliminate those dinosaurs known as TROUBLE and will ascend into Tag Team Greatness. It's change you can believe in...it's Evolution, it will happen because it has to happen. Another index card. Tom Matheny: No worries though, you can't silence the Blackest Sun of Exodus forever. But thank you Tom for being a trooper and reading my lines for me. Even though you are a pigmentary-challenge little F-Boy...you're still aces in my book. You're still more than welcome to come visit my farm, just make sure you bring a fine white bitch with you... Aries pats Tom on the back as he walks off leaving a confused Tom Matheny in his dust. Tom Matheny: What's a F-Boy? A production assistant appears from the left and whispers in Tom's ear as his face forms an expression of shock and disgust as he shakes his head slowly. Tom Matheny: ...goddamnit, Aries. And with that, we're back to Dick and Seth. Dick Morosi: Up next, folks, is a contest that’s taken on new meaning over our three week break. I don’t know how many of us truly understand GLORIOUS NIPPONESE VALUES(™), but there is a locker room full of people and an arena full of fans here in the Staples Center who are going to be 100% percent behind the Masked Salaryman tonight. Seth Ericson: Three weeks ago, Zack Lifer crossed a line, even by this company’s standards. Heather Halliwell is a retired competitor, suffering from the effects of Huntington’s disease. This company lets a lot slide, folks, but what Zack Lifer did to Heather has him #1 on the hitlists of a great many people, and a great diversity of EXODUS talent as well. Dick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman asked for this to be No Disqualification on Twitter - and gave Lifer the benefit of the doubt. He would not, the Salaryman promised, use weapons or otherwise illegal tactics unless Lifer did first. Seth Ericson: You heard the Salaryman earlier, folks. I...don’t think I’ve ever seen him this focused or serious. He’s ready for a war. Dick Morosi: And he had better be. Regardless of what one thinks about Zack Lifer and the cancer to this company that he has become, he is an extraordinarily talented competitor. And in a no disqualification environment, he may be the most dangerous wrestler in EXODUS history. With that solemn proclamation, the scene shifts to one David Zinkus, standing center ring in one of the most famous arenas on the planet. NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
ZACK LIFER vs. THE MASKED SALARYMANDavid Zinkus: This contest is scheduled for one fall, with a thirty minute time limit! Per the edict of EXODUS Director Jimmy Riley, it will be contested with NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Introducing first! A brief flash of silence passes through the arena as the stage is beamed on by gold and white lights, the bulbs dimming slightly. Heroic hues floated over the entryway, the ramp and of course the audience, boos cascading from almost every single corner of the Staples Center as they hear the words of "Alive in the Lights" by Memphis May Fire boom through the speakers signifying one man and one man only. From the beginning, I knew I was different.
I embraced it, but you didn't.
Your normal life, 9-5, it's just not for me.
I need to feel alive!As the lights of gold and white beam down against the crowd, searching up the stairs and to the cheap seats, they notice a familiar silhouette, and the booing only intensifies. Seth Ericson: I….Jesus Christ. Daisuke Iwakuma never got this reception. Dick Morosi: CHRISTUM FUROR never got this reception. Zack Lifer is on his way to the ring, being serenaded with all the hatred this MASSIVE EXODUS crowd can muster. The camera can’t even find the usual array of Lifer fans - other EXODUS fans jump in front as the few and proud try to make themselves known. Adorned in a white sweatshirt with his signature demented smiley face logo on the back, he makes his way down the stairs, finding no takers for his usual high-fives. Seth Ericson: This is as visceral as I’ve ever seen an EXODUS reaction. Don't you see the minds that have changed?
Do you see the lives that have been saved?
Don't you care to see the difference I've made?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
Don't you see this is my everything?David Zinkus: Introducing first, he comes to us from Newark, New Jersey! The crowd? Not Very Happy. “F*** YOU LIFER!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*
“F*** YOU LIFER!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*
“F*** YOU LIFER!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*Dick Morosi: Can we PLEASE not antagonize the mentally unstable guy? David Zinkus: He stands 5’11”, and weighs in at 201 lbs! Ladies and gentlemen...ZACK LIIIIIIIIFER! Lifer's slow, methodical walking gives way to sprinting, his legs moving him towards the ring down the nearly endless row of stairs before Lifer hops the leather barricade, a running jump that could only be considered impressive, a hint of confidence in the way he moved at a slowed down pace once more towards the steel steps. His eyes dart to the entrance way as he trudges up the few stairs, not looking away as he watches the curtain for just a couple seconds. As he gets to the top of the steps, his eyes dart across the arena, stunned by the sheer...vitrol of the crowd reaction. The audience gets louder and more hateful as he climbs the turnbuckle, a triumphant fist rising as high as he could, a laugh exiting his lips as a single golden colored firework shot diagonally on the stage, almost in mockery of the crowd’s reaction to him. Don't you care to see the difference I've made?The camera zoomed out from the scene of Zack's arm raised with the firework shooting by swiftly in the background and watches as he gets on the outside apron again. He quickly hops the top rope effortlessly in one movement, his eyes searching the enraged crowd as a smirk crosses his face. The sounds fade mid-lyric as he rests in his corner, looking anxiously at the referee and back at the entrance ramp for the match to finally make some progress. Seth Ericson: This contest has been building for over a month, folks. Now, in mere moments, we’re going to have it. Dick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman is a newcomer by most standards, but tonight...he’s fighting for all of us. Seth Ericson: What you said, Dick. What you said. David Zinkus: AND, HIS OPPONENT! On that proclamation, the lights in the Staples Center go out. For several moments all is quiet, with cell phones illuminating the huge stadium. The EXOScreen lights up, all white, with four Japanese katakana in red taking up the middle of the screen. After a heartbeat, the kana change into romanji, producing something more familiar to the audience. KA RA O KE And with THAT, the beginning notes of a timeless classic by Bonnie Tyler begin to play throughout the Staples Center as a white spotlight illuminates a man standing at the top of the lower deck, surrounded by the EXODUS faithful. Clad in a nice suit, and carrying an attache case with the Call Your Shot Contract tucked safely inside, there’s only one man it can be. The Masked Salaryman basks in perhaps the biggest ovation of his career to date, and then points to the EXOScreen. Dick Morosi: ...this is about to happen, isn’t it? Given the hatred of Zack Lifer flowing throughout the home of the LA Clippers and LA Lakers, it doesn’t take much more than the opening lyrics of “Holding Out For a Hero” to scroll across the bottom of the EXOScreen to get sixteen thousand fans to partake of some Glorious Nipponese Values(™) Seth Ericson: Let’s do it, Dick. The Hell with it! “Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need.” David Zinkus: From San Diego, JAPAN--- Poor Zinkus doesn’t have a chance, because here comes the chorus. “I NEED A HERO!
I’M HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO ‘TIL THE END OF THE NIGHT!
HE’S GOTTA BE STRONG
AND HE’S GOTTA BE FAST
AND HE’S GOTTA BE FRESH FROM THE FIGHT!” The Masked Salaryman makes his way down from the top of the bottom deck, slapping hands with the fans as best he can as he wades his way through the capacity crowd, most of whom are singing at the top of their lungs as he walks down the aisle towards the barricade at ringside. “I NEED A HERO!
I’M HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO ‘TIL THE MORNING LIGHT
HE’S GOTTA BE SURE
AND IT’S GOTTA BE SOON
AND HE’S GOTTA BE LARGER THAN LIFE!” David Zinkus: He stands six feet, four inches tall, and weighs in at two-hundred eighty-nine pounds! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MASKED SALARYMAN! The instrumental of the song continues as the Salaryman hops the barricade and climbs the ring steps. Stepping into the squared circle, he raises his attache case high, before quickly moving to remove his heroic cape and place the case on the apron to be taken safely to the timekeeper’s table. Dick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman is here, with tens of thousands in his corner! Ready for battle, the Salaryman nods to the official, who looks back at Zack Lifer. When Lifer also nods, she shrugs, and calls for the bell. *DING DING DING!*Dick Morosi:The emotion in this building is off the page! Can the biggest crowd in EXODUS history will the Masked Salaryman on to the biggest victory of his career? Lifer and the Salaryman go face to face at the bell. After a long moment, Salaryman steps back, and offers a hand to his opponent for the evening. Seth Ericson: This is not one of the better ideas I’ve ever seen play out in an EXODUS ring. Zack takes another moment to ponder the offer, and shrugs his shoulders. He extends his hand to take the Salaryman’s, and the two men shake. Dick Morosi: That is...not quite what I expected to happen. What Morosi likely DID expect to happen follows, though, as Lifer lashes out with his right leg, kicking the Salaryman square in the groin while still shaking the man’s hand. An audible gasp of pain escapes the Salaryman as he falls to his knees, and Lifer lets go of the hand, beginning to fire hard right hands to the head as boos cascade down from the stands. ”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!Seth Ericson: This is no disqualification - and furthermore, Lifer didn’t actually violate the letter of his agreement with the Salaryman! Dick Morosi: Maybe not, but the spirit of it has been well and truly destroyed not twenty seconds into the bout! Lifer continues to slug away, alternating closed fists with big forearms to the face that drive the Salaryman down to the mat. Zack assumes the mount, pummeling with more rapid fire shots, until the Salaryman is flat on the canvas. Lifer rises, driving a pinpoint boot into the chest of the masked man, nodding his head in the process. The words “I get it now” escape his lips, as two more stomps rain down on the suited Salaryman. Seth Ericson: The Masked Salaryman can’t honestly expect Zack Lifer to play fair - if he does, he’s going to get annihilated. Lifer’s a former International Champion and one of the most dangerous men this roster can boast - or be ashamed of, as the case currently is. Another big stomp follows, but the Masked Salaryman reaches up, grabbing the boot with both hands! The crowd roars in approval as Salaryman sits up, then slowly stands, leaving Zack Lifer hopping around on one foot off balance. To the surprise of everyone, though, especially Zack, the Salaryman puts Lifer’s foot down. Moments later, the masked man lunges forward, promptly DRILLING Lifer with a huge headbutt! Dick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman doesn’t have a fancy moveset. He doesn’t even really have that many moves, but what he DOES do hurts, and he’s fighting angry tonight, handshake at the start of the match or no handshake. Seth Ericson: Furthermore, Salaryman’s a big dude. There aren’t a lot of big competitors on the EXODUS roster. The only man bigger than Salaryman is GRENDEL. Justin Brooks, one of our other bigger athletes, gave Zack Lifer trouble. Same goes for Steve Lenton. For all of his seeming inexperience in wrestling, the big guy DOES know how to move that near 290 pounds around the ring. ”LET’S GO SALARYMAN!”
“F*** YOU LIFER!
”LET’S GO SALARYMAN!”
“F*** YOU LIFER!”
”LET’S GO SALARYMAN!”
“F*** YOU LIFER!”Lifer gets up from the headbutt, only to walk right back into the Salaryman, who grabs him under the arm and promptly beales him halfway across the ring! The crowd roars its approval as Zack gets back up and charges. The Salaryman holds his ground, though, ducking underneath a big clothesline attempt, and scooping Lifer up on his shoulders. The big man spins around, before falling backwards, crushing Lifer under him with a huge Samoan drop! Salaryman reaches back and hooks a leg, as Katie Hannemann drops down for the first count of the contest. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Zack manages to push the Salaryman off of him at the count of two. The Salaryman reaches after Lifer, but Zack opts to roll out to the floor instead. He shakes out the cobwebs as Katie begins her count, Lifer looking up warily at the Salaryman. Dick Morosi: Let’s not forget that Zack Lifer’s...I don’t know if we can say smart, but he certainly is a thinking man inside the squared circle. Lifer takes a five count on the floor before sliding back into the ring. As he gets back up, Zack ponders the problem of the superhero before him. Salaryman moves in, but Lifer quickly drives his head to Salaryman’s jaw, reaching up to score with a quick jawbreaker that rocks the Salaryman - and more anger from the Staples Center. Seth Ericson: This crowd is staying on Zack Lifer from the opening bell! It’s like the Celtics are in town! Dick Morosi: The RIMAC gets raucous, folks, you all know that, but right now, it’s like the Staples Center has turned into RIMAC Los Angeles, multiplied several times - and ALL of that pro-EXODUS emotion is being thrown at Zack Lifer. “You opened my eyes,” Lifer tells the masked man, reaching in to promptly poke Salaryman in the eye. With Salaryman’s hands going up to his face, the midsection is open, and Lifer drives a vicious boot right into the big man’s ample midsection. As the masked man doubles over, Lifer butterflies the arms, driving down with a double-arm DDT. Seth Ericson: Lifer proving more than willing to take advantage of the no disqualification rules of this contest, and that’s giving him a decided edge thus far. Dick Morosi: It may be an advantage he needs - Salaryman’s size negates a lot of what Lifer can do. That said, he still has the Forced Suicide. He still has the Dead Air. Both of those don’t care HOW big you are, because if he hits you on the button, you’re going night-night. The New Jersey native rolls Salaryman to his back, and then quickly steps out to the ring apron. He measures the masked man carefully, then springs to the top rope, leaping off to drive a big knee into the hero’s chest! Zack throws himself on the Salaryman, hooking the leg for his own first cover of the contest. ”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Seth Ericson: Lifer back in control - and I will say this, outside of the groin kick and the eye poke -- Dick Morosi: Both of which were big turning points in the bout, by the way… Seth Ericson: Lifer’s actually adhered to the agreement he made with the Salaryman on Twitter. Dick Morosi: I’ll admit that. I didn’t expect that to last a minute. The Salaryman slowly makes his way up to his feet. Sensing weakness, Lifer buries a big knee in the stomach of the masked man, then leaps up and over, trying to execute a sunset flip. Salaryman wastes no time countering, simply immediately dropping down to butt splash Lifer, driving the air from his lungs as Katie drops to count. ONE! TWO! SHOULDER UP! A gasping Lifer manages to get his shoulder off the canvas. The Salaryman gets up off the prone Lifer, and picks the hated man up, slinging him back into the nearest corner. The masked hero follows up with a series of shoulders to the gut in the corner, driving them in again and again. “F*** ‘EM UP, SALARYMAN, F*** ‘EM UP!” *CLAP CLAP* “F*** ‘EM UP, SALARYMAN, F*** ‘EM UP!” *CLAP CLAP* “F*** ‘EM UP, SALARYMAN, F*** ‘EM UP!” *CLAP CLAP* With Lifer dazed, the Masked Salaryman fires him into the opposite corner. Hot on his heels, the Salaryman leaps to CRUSH Zack in the corner with a huge avalanche! The masked man pumps both of his fists to the capacity crowd, which respond with a HUGE roar. Seth Ericson: The Salaryman’s Sandwich! EXODUS’ self-appointed hero’s moving that weight around expertly right now! As Lifer totters back out of the corner, the masked hero doubles Lifer over, then hoists him up across his shoulders, in crucifix powerbomb position. Dick Morosi: Salaryman just manhandling Lifer, but what’s he going to do? Seth Ericson: He looks like he’s heading for the other corner! He’s going to powerbomb Lifer into the buckles! The resourceful Lifer, though, slips out the back door at the last moment, leaving a confused Salaryman wondering just what happened. Zack sneaks up on the Salaryman, fingers weaving their way into the laces of the Salaryman’s mask! “Let’s see who you are,” Zack murmurs, as Katie moves into position to warn Lifer. Before she can get too far into a count, though, the Salaryman manages to pull himself away, and firmly secures the mask back on his face, tightening the laces. Of course, this means Lifer’s right there to roll him up, schoolboying the Salaryman as a somewhat disgusted official drops down to do her job. ONE! TWO! THR--KICKOUT! Dick Morosi: The Salaryman was just almost unmasked! Seth Ericson: And the distraction almost cost him the match! I’m telling you - Lifer may not be all there, but in the ring, the dude knows his strategy! The Salaryman comes up hot, but Zack cools him off with a big forearm to the face. Lifer changes levels, slamming a one-two combination into the gut of the hero. As Salaryman doubles over, Lifer drops to his knees and fires off a vicious uppercut that sends Salaryman staggering back into the corner. Lifer follows him in, running to bury a knee in the midsection, and begins to stomp away, grabbing the ropes for leverage. The masked man falls to his backside, and Zack begins to scrape away at the Salaryman’s face with his boot, before hitting the far ropes and charging to DRILL the masked man with the facewash in the corner! Dick Morosi: Lifer is basically going toe to toe with the Masked Salaryman - and doing a good job of it! Seth Ericson: Zack comes at you at angles that you least expect - and in this case, I don’t know if the Salaryman expected a frontal attack without the weapons Lifer’s become known for. Lifer struggles a bit, dragging the masked man free of the corner, before dropping down to hook the leg. ONE! TWO! TH-KICKOUT! Dick Morosi: Only two, but Lifer’s getting closer and closer. Zack backs up to the ropes, measuring the Salaryman carefully as the big man struggles his way back up, clutching at his face. As he’s up to a knee, Lifer charges, aiming carefully to throw a big knee towards the Salaryman’s skull. Seth Ericson: Forced Suicide! ”BOOOO---YAAAAAAY!”The Salaryman, though, has it well scouted. He drops down lower, letting the knee pass harmlessly overhead, then grabs a high-crotch to scoop Lifer up over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. Lifer throws elbows to the head, but the Salaryman fights his way through, rising to his feet. Dick Morosi: Salaryman countered! He’s got Lifer up! This is it! The Super Sensational Sake Shooter Special! Better known as… Salaryman sends Lifer flying, spinning him off of his shoulders. Zack lands awkwardly, face-down in a heap from the move, as the hero wastes no time crawling over to Zack, rolling him over, and hooking a leg. Seth Ericson: THE S5! THIS IS IT! SALARYMAN’S GOT THE UPSET! ONE! TWO! THR--NO! Dick Morosi: NO! Two count only! Lifer got the shoulder up! The Masked Salaryman turns to the official, holding up a quizzical three fingers, but Katie shakes her head and holds up two in return. The superhero’s hands go to his head briefly, and he looks down at Lifer as if trying to figure out what’s next. The crowd, on the other hand, seems to know exactly what’s next. ”ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!”Seth Ericson: I don’t think the Salaryman believes that! No one’s kicked out of the S5 to date. Dick Morosi: It all comes back to what we keep saying - Zack Lifer, as hideous of a human being as he is, is a damned tough competitor. But the crowd has the right idea, I think! If Salaryman can hit a SECOND S5, victory might just be his! Even with the kickout, though, Lifer is still mostly motionless on the canvas. The Salaryman picks him up quickly, scoop-slamming him several paces nearer to the corner. With Lifer down once again, the Salaryman makes his way out to the apron, beginning to climb the ropes. Seth Ericson: If the S5 doesn’t work, the S3 might! Salaryman looking for that big, near three hundred pound splash off the top rope! Dick Morosi: This bit him against Chandler Scott, but if he hits it, we’ll be scraping Zack Lifer off the canvas! As soon as the Salaryman reaches the top turnbuckle he leaps off, spreading his arms majestically as he flies towards Lifer with the Salaryman’s Super Splash. Unfortunately for the masked man and EXODUS fans everywhere, Lifer rolls out of the way, turning the move into Salaryman’s Super Splat, instead. From his prone position on the mat, Lifer raises both arms in the air triumphantly - and promptly nearly has his hand hit by a flying half-full container of popcorn. Seth Ericson: Lifer got out of the way! Zack avoids the end of the contest! Salaryman’s body just smacked the mat hard, and he may well have the air driven out of those heroic lungs! Dick Morosi: The crowd’s getting ugly in a hurry, Seth! At this rate, we’re going to have a goddamned riot on our hands if Lifer wins this thing! A grimacing Lifer begins to pull himself back to his feet as the Salaryman wheezes and crawls towards him. By the time Zack is standing and shaking out the cobwebs, Salaryman is on one knee, trying to draw air into his big frame. The moment is perfect, Lifer knows, and he wills his battered body into one more charge, raising his right knee in the process. Salaryman never sees it coming, and eats the knee to the temple, sending him to the mat in a crumpled heap. Dick Morosi: FORCED SUICIDE! Lifer got the knee this time! Salaryman’s out! Clutching at his ribcage, Lifer crawls over to the downed Masked Salaryman, and manages to throw himself across the fallen hero. Seth Ericson: In three seconds, this place is gonna be PISSED. ”BOOOOOOOOOOO!!”ONE! ”BOOOOOOOOOOO!!”TWO! ”BOOOOOOOOOOO!!”THR--NO! SHOULDER UP! Seth Ericson: Salaryman’s still in it! The Masked Salaryman’s survived Forced Suicide! The Salaryman’s cheering section of, well, salarymen and #SectionB unite, trying to will the masked big guy up to his feet with the one chant perhaps able to make him do the impossible. ”KA RA O KE!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*”KA RA O KE!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*”KA RA O KE!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*Dick Morosi:This building is on the verge of a heart attack! The Masked Salaryman’s on the ropes big time, but they’re trying to get the big guy to mount one more comeback! Zack Lifer’s still on his knees in astonishment! Zack looks down at the Salaryman in amazement, reaching up to take handfuls of his own hair, tugging at them in shock. The masked man can’t quite get up, but his eyes bore into those of Lifer’s, and the ringside mic manages to pick up what he says to Lifer in a weak, near delirious voice: “Never again. No one can make me take my own life.” Dick Morosi: Lifer kicked out of the S5 just a few minutes ago! Both of these guys refusing to lay down and die. Seth Ericson: Yeah, and Lifer looks like he’s about to lose it! Dick Morosi: How many wins has Forced Suicide gotten Zack Lifer in this company? In his career? I don’t think he can believe that the man he thinks is a false hero was able to survive his kill shot! Lifer’s eyes dart around the arena wildly, as he looks from the official to the Salaryman, back and forth. A huge scream erupts from Lifer’s throat, and when he’s finished, there is madnesss in his eyes. Zack takes his leave of the ring, making a beeline towards where David Zinkus sits. Seth Ericson: Oh God, David, GET OUT OF THERE! Sensibly, Zinkus gets the Hell out of dodge ASAP, leaving Lifer to take what he wanted - Zinkus’ seat, the time honored steel chair. With weapon in hand, he rolls back into the ring, slowly, methodically, rising to his feet in the corner. Dick Morosi: Lifer’s got the chair! The Masked Salaryman doesn’t see it, he’s still down! Seth Ericson: This entire MATCH has been weapon-free up until now! I don’t think anyone thought Lifer had that in him, but when the chips are down, this is what he resorts to! Dick Morosi: You saw that look in his eyes, Seth! The world did! He’s frustrated! He couldn’t put the Salaryman down with the best in his arsenal! Salaryman kicked out of Forced Suicide, so now, Lifer’s going to cave his skull in! Lifer holds the chair, dangling from one hand as the other hand waves the Salaryman up, to his feet. The masked man moves slowly, feeling the exertion from the bout as he staggers back up to his feet, tottering around, slowly, to come face to face with an armed Zack Lifer. Seth Ericson: Get out of there, Salaryman! The crowd, too, pleads with the masked protector of EXODUS to get out of dodge. But the Masked Salaryman does nothing of the kind. Still staggering from the effort to stay standing, his arms fall to his sides as he looks at Lifer from behind the glasses of his mask, not going anywhere, looking from Lifer to the chair in his hands. Dick Morosi: Salaryman’s not moving! Lifer’s not moving! The Salaryman’s had this...odd control over Lifer for this whole match. He promised he wouldn’t use a weapon if Lifer didn’t, and that...pact has kept this the cleanest no disqualifications match of all time - Lifer’s shenanigans included - up until the moment Zack Lifer swings this steel chair! Seth Ericson: He’s not even protecting himself! He’s daring a crazy man to try and decapitate him! Lifer seems to be having a crisis of conscience as he brings a second hand to bear on the steel chair, brandishing it, poised to swing. His eyes are kaleidoscopic with emotion as he looks from the Salaryman to the official to the capacity crowd, booing him with just as much vitriol as they mustered the second he emerged from behind the curtain. Seth Ericson: HE’S GOING TO MAIM YOU WITH THAT THING! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE, SALARYMAN! The former International Champion takes a deep breath. He smiles broadly at the Salaryman, and nods his head. Then he hauls back, and swings for the fences. *CRACK!*”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!Dick Morosi: Dear GOD! The Masked Salaryman falls backwards to the canvas gracelessly, body hitting the canvas in a heap as the chair falls out of Lifer’s hands from the force of the swing. As it hits the mat, the camera zooms in on the chair, and the huge raised dent visible in the weapon. Seth Ericson: The Masked Salaryman trusted Zack Lifer! He trusted Lifer not to hit him, even when armed, and look where it’s gotten him! Zack Lifer dented the Goddamned chair over the Salaryman’s skull! No hands! All steel on skull! Zack Lifer is the only competitor standing, looking down at the Salaryman in near-shock as hatred cascades down from the rafters. Lifer carefully nudges the Salaryman with his toe once, then again, as if to test if the masked man is still coherent. Nothing. Nothing at all. And then, Zack shakes his head, and sighs. “Not a hero after all,” he says, as he drops down slowly to cover the purveyor of Glorious Nipponese Values(™), cinching one of the Salaryman’s legs deeply as Katie drops down to count. “Heroes don’t lose.” Dick Morosi: It was a Hell of a fight from the Salaryman, but in the end, he made one mistake - he trusted Zack Lifer. ONE! TWO! THRE--NO! Zack Lifer rises to his knees, as if expecting to hear his theme music playing. What he gets instead is a huge roar from the capacity crowd, and for all of Lifer’s supposed delusions, he knows damn well what such a roar means. It was two. Only two. Seth Ericson: Salaryman’s alive! He got the shoulder up! Dick Morosi: I can’t believe that! Zack Lifer hit him in the head as hard as I’ve seen one human being hit another with a steel chair! Tens of thousands of people in the Staples Center agree. Active the entire match, they pick up their chanting again. This time, it’s four simple words that speak to the heart of the torment in Zack Lifer’s soul at that very moment. ”YOU CAN’T BEAT HIM!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*
”YOU CAN’T BEAT HIM!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*
”YOU CAN’T BEAT HIM!” *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!*“I CAN SO! SHUT UP, DAMNIT!” is the best Zack Lifer can manage, a cry screamed to the crowd, to himself, to the heavens. As the Masked Salaryman rolls over to his stomach, slowly, so very slowly, Zack Lifer looks at the chair once more. He crawls over to it, on his knees, his fingers feeling the indentation that Salaryman’s head left in the chair. He then looks back at the Salaryman, a look of utter shock written all over his face. For thirty seconds, forty-five, sixty...he simply kneels there, watching in seeming horror as the Salaryman begins to push himself back up, struggling to keep himself in the match. Seth Ericson: The floodgates are open now, though! Lifer’s used that chair - barbed wire and worse probably aren’t far behind! Salaryman is still in IMMENSE trouble! Lifer finally manages to pick the chair up. Carefully, he rises to his feet, wobbling a bit from the cumulative damage of the battle as he measures the Salaryman. The masked man pushes himself up to his knees. Zack raises the chair once more, looking for the coup de grace, but the Salaryman grabs both of Lifer’s wrists, blocking the steel chair! Both men struggle, but even at a leverage disadvantage, the Masked Salaryman is stronger, surging to his feet, and wrenching the chair away from Lifer! Dick Morosi: Lifer’s been disarmed, and now, the Masked Salaryman has the steel chair! Seth Ericson: Brain him! This crowd is going insane! They want to see Lifer get his! For a long moment, the Masked Salaryman hesitates, the chair in his hands, as if trying to decide just what to do with the weapon he took away from his opponent. The crowd, naturally, are all in favor of the “pound Zack Lifer like a railroad spike” answer. Finally, the hero decides. The Masked Salaryman shakes his head, taking the chair and hurling it out of the ring! It lands nearly a third of the way up the huge Staples Center aisle. Dick Morosi: The Salaryman won’t do it! He says he doesn’t need the weapon! He’s going to show Zack Lifer how a hero handles his business! Lifer looks wide-eyed at the Salaryman, but charges, only for the masked man to side-step, and drop toe hold Lifer to the canvas. The Salaryman stands quickly, grabbing hold of Lifer’s leg, stepping over it and dropping down to lock on the facelock, to complete an STF to the approval of the audience. Seth Ericson: Salaryman’s told us about this for weeks, but he’s never had the chance to use it! This is the S2S - Surrender 2 Salaryman, his version of the stepover toehold facelock! Lifer reaches up to claw at the hands wrapped around his chin, but the Salaryman cranks down harder, briefly releasing one hand to swat one of Zack’s away, before re-cinching the hold in. Dick Morosi: And it’s not just anyone doing it! Salaryman’s over two-hundred and eighty pounds! He’s got all of his body weight on Lifer! Zack’s going to have to drag all of it to the ropes if he want out! It’s the same conclusion that Lifer himself has come to, groaning with exertion as his fingertips dig into the canvas, desperately trying to drag himself towards the ropes, but he’s in the middle of the ring, and the Masked Salaryman is pulling back on the S2S every inch of the way. Seth Ericson: Zack Lifer’s never tapped out in his EXODUS career! And if he does now, this place is gonna come unglued! ”TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!”The cries come from all corners of the Staples Center as Lifer’s eyes dart wildly around the crowd. His body finally flattens out from the exertion of trying to drag the larger Salaryman to the strands, and his arms reach out, fingertips stretching as far as they can and yet still coming up over a foot short of the bottom rope. A desperate Lifer finally tries one more gambit. Using his right hand, he pushes up, hard, barrel rolling to the side. He manages to dislodge the Salaryman from his back, and rolls on top of the big man… Dick Morosi: Lifer’s broken it! Seth Ericson: Or has he? Indeed, the Salaryman clings on, keeping the crossface around the neck and the foot of Lifer locked, continuing the roll, landing on top of Zack with the S2S still locked in! Dick Morosi: No! Salaryman holds on! The Masked Salaryman pulls back with everything he has, torquing Lifer’s neck at an unnatural angle. Lifer’s hand, reaching for the ropes, goes limp, and his eyes roll back in his head, a creepy grin on the former White Knight’s face as his entire body follows his hand. Katie prods at Lifer’s hand, checking the former International Champion, before calling for the bell! *DING DING DING!*Seth Ericson: Lifer’s out! The referee’s called an end to the contest! At the sound of the bell, the Salaryman releases the hold immediately, before flopping to his stomach in exhaustion from the effort of keeping the S2S on. The crowd roars its approval, as “Holding Out for a Hero” begins to blast in the Staples Center once more, and a chairless David Zinkus makes things official. David Zinkus: Your winner of this contest, at a time of fifteen minutes, seven seconds, by referee stoppage...THE MASKED SALARYMAN! WINNER: The Masked SalarymanDick Morosi: The Masked Salaryman has overcome Zack Lifer! He’s overcome pokes to the eye, low blows, and his mask being nearly ripped off! He survived the Forced Suicide and a chairshot to the head! He’s forced Zack Lifer to pass out, and in doing so, picked up what could be the biggest win of his career! Slowly, the masked man revives enough that Katie can raise his hand, to a ROAR from the crowd in Los Angeles. The Salaryman staggers to his feet, falling forward into the corner which holds him up. Lifer, too, is slowly stirring, having recovered his consciousness. Seth Ericson: The Salaryman continues his path of dominance in EXODUS! Said attache case is recovered by its owner, along with a pretty sweet cape, as the Salaryman begins the long walk up the aisle, slapping hands with fans on either side. Dick Morosi: It’s been a bad night for Zack Lifer, folks - and remember, he still has to have a conversation with Nicholas Gray tonight, so things could go from bad to worse! As Zack Lifer kneels in the middle of the ring, one final chant goes up from the crowd. It is, if the words of Jonathan Collins are any indication, prescient of a future that everyone on EXODUS not named Zack Lifer hopes comes far sooner than later. ”DA NA NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HEY HEY! GOOOOOOODBYE!”Lifer shakes his head, covering his face with his hands - even putting fingers in his ears. ”DA NA NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HEY HEY! GOOOOOOODBYE!”But the chants still come. He still hears them. ”DA NA NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HEY HEY! GOOOOOOODBYE!”After this day, regardless of the result of his talk with Nicholas Gray, he will always hear them. Seth Ericson: Well, folks, we’ll be right back with -- WAIT! DON’T CUT AWAY! Lost in the jubilance of victory and the chants directed at Lifer, the Salaryman never sees the vengeful Lifer coming. As Zack rolls free of the ring, he scoops up the chair he used to dent Salaryman’s head, and charges, catching the masked man across the back at a dead run, dropping the Salaryman to hands and knees. *CRACK!*Dick Morosi: Zack Lifer’s snapped! Seth Ericson: I hate to say it, but this is pretty much par for the course for him lately! Pure anger radiates from Lifer’s eyes as he slowly, methodically raises the chair, and drives it right down into the Salaryman’s back a second time. A third follows, as the crack of steel on flesh echoes up the aisleway. *CRACK!**CRACK!**CRACK!**CRACK!**CRACK!*Dick Morosi: That’s six chairshots! The Salaryman’s not moving! Lifer’s pummeling an unconscious body with that steel chair! Zack switches up his grip on the steel chair, and drops down, driving the top of the chair into the back of the Salaryman’s neck. He holds it there, digging into the neck for long moments before finally tossing the steel chair aside. Seth Ericson: This is a heinous assault, and Lifer’s not done yet! Once again, Zack’s fingers work at the laces of the Masked Salaryman’s mask. This time, though, the Salaryman can’t stop him. Slowly, painstakingly, Lifer works the laces, loosening them completely. Dick Morosi: Get the camera away! Don’t dignify this! As Zack reaches down triumphantly to pluck the mask off, though, a blur comes in from the side of the screen, tackling Zack Lifer to the aisle! The figure begins to rain down lefts and rights, and the crowd’s approving roar only intensifies when they see who it is. Seth Ericson: That’s Adrien Cochrane! Adrien Cochrane’s come to save the Masked Salaryman - and get himself a piece of Zack Lifer! Lifer turtles up under the assault, managing to throw Cochrane off of him. Adrien hops to his feet immediately, challenging Zack to bring it on. Adrien Cochrane: NO MORE! No more attacking people! At Dead in Hollywood, you’re going to PAY for all of this! With his moment spent, though, Lifer doesn’t seem particularly willing to tangle with the Dropkick King. Slowly, he saunters back up the aisle, through the curtain, and disappears from view. Moments later, a trio of medical staff come out, to tend to the Masked Salaryman, joining Adrien in hovering over the masked hero. Dick Morosi: Adrien Cochrane’s prevented an unmasking here tonight, and he’s got Zack Lifer at Dead in Hollywood! The Salaryman struck a blow for EXODUS tonight, but maybe, just maybe, Cochrane’s the man who can rid us of the scourge of Zack Lifer for good! As the camera goes elsewhere, the last we see of the scene is Adrien Cochrane, kneeling over the Masked Salaryman, his face a mask of sadness and anger, as the paramedics do their jobs, and then a commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 13:53:20 GMT -6
We come back from commercial, and entering the wrestlers' entrance at the Staples Center is (R)Evolution star and seemingly REVOLUTION member, Shinji Uchikawa. With a sigh and his backpack, he puts down his phone into the pocket of his jacket as he stops and notices someone there also from RW...champion Sydney Christensen. Sydney Christensen: You too, huh? Shinji Uchikawa: I am here to see my friends. This is a victory for (R)Evolution Wrestling, both Black and Shozo in the main event. People will see we are truly the future of EXODUS Pro. Sydney Christensen: Yeah...all of us. There is a moment of awkward silence before Shinji looks at her. Shinji Uchikawa: All of us, Sydney. You are my friend as well, and I have much respect for you. Sydney Christensen: Do you? Because from where I sit, you're the one nobody can trust here. You save Carey from Shozo, but you stand with them. You say you are, but you do nothing like them. Sooner or later, Shinji, you need to make a choice. Shinji sighs, looking at her. Shinji Uchikawa: This isn't easy, Sydney. I do not want to hurt anyone. Sydney Christensen: That's the problem in your logic, Shinji...you keep acting like nobody's gonna get hurt. Yeah, it's tough to hear, but at some point you need to make that choice...or you can sit on your ass and wonder why you became (R)Evolution's Zack Lifer. Or maybe you'll get lucky and win that tournament...have fun filling the void that guy leaves behind. There's another uneasy pause before he looks at her once more after a moment of looking away. Sydney Christensen: Have fun, Shinji. Sort this one out. Sydney walks away, leaving Shinji by himself as we go back to Dick and Seth. Dick Morosi: Shinji Uchikawa with a diffficult choice tonight. Seth Ericson: How's it so difficult? Before REVOLUTION, Shinji was nothing. Shinji was a struggling star who couldn't do this on his own! Now he's been given the keys to the kingdom. Make a smart choice, kid. Don't wait. Dick Morosi: Speaking of waiting...I have been waiting for this upcoming match all night as number one contender Abby Park takes on REVOLUTION loud mouth and all around nuisance, Aries Reed! Seth Erickson: I feel bad for Aries! All the man has done is excersized his First Ammendment right and backed it up to boot! Why all the hate? Dick Morosi: It may or may not have something to do with the acttions of REVOLUTION the past month or two. NORMAL MATCH
ARIES REED vs. ABBY PARKDavid Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first... The lights in the arena dim to just below total black as a soft, lilting tune from a traditional zither gently plays throughout the sound system. The figure of Abby Park stands in front of the entryway, her back facing the crowd. A light shines on the symbol emblazoned on the back of her attire. The zither fades as a roaring drum kicks in. MAW MAW MA MA MA MA MAW "Maw Maw Song" by The Joy Formidable blasts through the arena as the lights come up. Abby turns around and thrusts both fists into the air, her mouth open in a shout that is all but drowned out by the music. I'm big
Like a warrior I've grown sure
So draw, draw, let me right you Abby brings her fists down but looks at her right arm for a mere moment. After looking at the arm, she lightly slaps her cheeks three times and proceeds to walk down the ramp, her eyes focused intently on the ring. Though her eyes remain forward, she averts them as she slaps a few hands with the fans, grinning ear to ear. You want it all
You want it all
I know you do
I know you do Using the steps to get to the apron, Abby steps into the ring and stands in the center. Abby lifts her left palm in front of her chest. Quickly she hits her palm with her right fist. Once. Twice. Three times. After the third time she raises her right fist skyward, again her mouth letting out a yell. Here now, the wind it blows high
Just cover your mouth for a colorful lie
Your hand, put it right here
I'm taking you somewhere
Somewhere to live Before dropping her fist, she points towards a random section of the crowd and gives a thumbs up, listening for the reaction. She drops her fist and walks towards a corner and waits, eyes towards her opponent, as the music dies down until the zither plays briefly before coming to an end. David Zinkus: Weighing in at 118lbs, and fighting out of Nashville, Tennessee, USA, ABBY PARK!!! And now, her opponent... The following thoughts and ideas are not those expressed by Exodus Pro, its Sponsors, or its Affiliates. Viewer Discretion is advised. Suddenly, the lights in the arena dim, and all we hear is one voice. As the sun falls, darkness shall come... The opening rant Tech N9NE gives to begin "Blackened the Sun" by him begins, the crowd jeering as Aries Reed emerges from the entrance way! In a long black jacket and sunglasses, he smirks as he slowly takes the walk down the small ramp to glance over the crowd before chuckling. Without hesitation, he makes his way to the ring, all before hopping onto the apron and wiping his boots off before stepping into the ring. He quickly reaches a corner and climbs the turnbuckle to get a reaction, only getting jeers before he hops down and sneers as he starts getting himself ready for the match mentally. David Zinkus: From Atlanta, Georgia, and weighing in at 235lbs... he is The Blackest Sun... ARIES REED!!! Dick Morosi: REVOLUTION member Aries Reed here, setting up against Abby Park. Park has been outlining her position in the world title picture these past weeks, but takes tie out tonight to try and break the pace of the rise of REVOLUTION. Seth Ericson: Now, Abby Park is all fine and dandy, but Aries Reed is the Second Coming. You mark my words. D’Artis Johnson calls for the bell, as the pair cautiously start sizing each other up. They slowly approach each other, before locking up collar and elbow. Aries quickly seizes the advantage, taking hold of Abby’s arm, and applying a modified Armbar, wrenching it back at the socket, applying pressure. Seth Ericson: You see what I mean Dick? Aries Reed quickly getting to work on Park’s arm here. The man is a born technician. Aries takes a hold of the wrist, and twists the arm, before applying more pressure with an arm wrench. Abby tries to walk of the pain, walking, even briefly going to a knee before getting straight back to her feet. As Aries continues the twist the arm, Park suddenly springs forward, rolling out of the twist to her feet, before using the momentum to lean back into a Japanese Arm Drag, sending Reed flying. Reed quickly rolls through to his feet, kneeling in the corner a moment and gathering himself. Dick Morosi: The more experienced Abby Park taking advantage of Aries’ inexperience there, using his own momentum against him. Park just stands in the centre of the ring, looking at Aries, inviting him to come try again. The crowd roars in support of Park. Aries slams his fist on the mat, before coming straight up, and locking up with Park. He hastily goes for the Armbar again, but Park reverses it expertly and quickly applies one of the her own. Aries tries to overpower her, but she quickly twists the limb to apply pressure. She goes for a wrench, but Aries quickly rolls forward, rolling out of the hold and hitting Park with an Armdrag of his own, sending her flying to the corner. He quickly raises his arms in a boastful pose, as Park tries to gather herself. Seth Ericson: And that’s why this young man is so dangerous Dick, he’s a fast learner. Aries is still whooping in victory as Abby comes out of the corner, slowly circling the young man. Aries invites her in for another go at tying up, and she steps forward, but as Aries goes for the lock she slips round him, getting him locked in a Waistlock. Aries quickly reacts before she can get it locked in, however, taking hold of Park’s arm and spinning around behind her, applying a Hammerlock. Abby starts reaching about, trying to find some way to break the hold, before eventually reaching up, and hooking an arm around Aries’ neck, before leaping up, using her position to push herself up and over Aries’ head, before landing on her feet and rushing straight back in and applying the Waistlock. Aries again wastes no time, dropping out of the ground, and taking Abby down face first with a Drop Toe Hold, before quickly following up with a Front Facelock. Aries starts leaning back, applying pressure to the neck. Aries starts climbing to his feet, transitioning the hold to a headlock as he does, wrenching Park up by her neck as he does. Using his height, he tries to wrench her up off her feet, but she quickly counters, pushing him into the ropes, and using the gained momentum to send him running across the ring. Dick Morosi: Aries with a methodical technical offense here. Can Park build enough ground to overcome such a traditional form of attack? Aries comes back off the ropes, and but before Abby can put her plans into motion Aries leaps, taking her down with a hard Jumping Clothesline. Aries, looking to capitalise, runs to the adjacent ropes as Abby starts climbing to her feet. As he rebounds back, she drops to the mat, letting him run over her, before quickly getting upright and leapfrogging over him as he comes charging back. As he comes back one more time, she catches him with a Seoul Train out of nowhere. Dick Morosi: Seoul Train! That High Knee came out of nowhere! Aries can’t have a clue what hit him. Abby goes for the pin! ONE TWO Kickout! Seth Ericson: Comfortable kickout at two there. Aries isn’t stressed. Both competitors are straight back to their feet. Aries quickly charges in, taking Park down with a Jumping DDT. He tries to apply an Armbar on the deck, but Abby quickly gets her legs up, catching Reed in a Neckscissors. Aries quickly powers out, and both get back to their feet, adopting fighting stances, regarding each other wearily. Suddenly Abby bursts forward, taking Aries by surprise, taking him down to the mat with a quick Leg Lariat. She quickly capitalises, jumping on the bigger man’s chest, and unleashing with a series of Mounted Punches. After a couple of blows, the referee starts the count, relinquishing the offence at the three. Dick Morosi: Abby Park showing off that hard brawling style she’s gained herself a name with. She quickly follows up with a series of stomps, to Aries’ chest and head, before finally relenting as she turns and raises a fist to the crowd, who roar in response. She bounces off the ropes, and goes for the Nashville Shores, but Aries rolls clear, and Abby hits nothing but mat! She nurses her coccyx as Aries begins to climb to his feet. She quickly gets up, still nursing her lower back, and charges the still rising Aries, only for him to take her by surprise with a Corkscrew Dropkick. He quickly follows up with a cover. Seth Ericson: This is it Dick. ONE Kickout. Abby manages to wriggle free of the still dazed Aries’ pin, and quickly gets to her feet, watching as Reed tries to do the same. As he gets on all fours, she charges in, connecting with another Seoul Train, knocking Aries up and over onto his back. She goes for the quick pin, but Aries catches her, and shoves her off with a quick Benchpress, before scrabbling to his feet. She’s straight back up, and charging in once more, only to be taken out when Aries lunges forward with a Corkscrew Elbow Smash. She rolls through, and charges in once more as Aries rises again, only to be taken up and over this time with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Both are now on the floor, catching their breath. Groggily, they both get to their feet, Abby in the middle of the ring, Aries in the corner. He casts a quick look over his shoulder, and sees the referee watching Abby as she stands, and quickly takes the pad off the top turnbuckle, stuffing the evidence down his pants. Dick Morosi: Hey, Aries has exposed the top turnbuckle! And the referee hasn’t seen it. Abby steals the initiative, and charges forward, going for her Gourd-Head finisher, only for Aries to duck it. He grabs her by the waist, and roars, as he starts to charge her forward to the ring post. He rams her into the exposed turnbuckle face first, before using the moment from her rebounding to bring her back in a backward roll, before holding onto the waistlock and hitting a Bridging German Suplex. Seth Ericson: #ZEROFUC--I CAN'T SAY THIS!! Aries hits that big Rolling German Suplex. This must be it. ONE TWO THREE! David Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen, you winner in this bout, ARIES REED!!! WINNER: Aries ReedDick Morosi: A hard fought battle for Abby Park, but ultimately Aries’ underhanded tactics stole him the win. Seth Ericson: You say underhanded, I say resourceful! And the REVOLUTION carries on! Aries raises his hands in victory, before quickly hitting the mat and rolling out of the ring before D’Artis can spot what he’s done, emerging just by the announcer’s table. Dick Morosi: It’s cheating Seth, plain and simple. He shouldn’t be allowed to... oh. Aries has overheard Dick, and is now standing opposite him at the announce table. Aries Reed: What you saying Dick? You spreading some hate speech? You want to taste the Black Sack? With this, Aries removes the now sweaty turnbuckle pad from his trunks, and slaps it down on top of Dick’s notes, causing Seth to break out laughing. Aries storms off mumbling something about a farm. Seth Ericson: Hah, he’s a great joker. The life of the party. We’ll be back after commercials and this stuff backstage. The camera fades out on Dick looking down at the pad on his desk, clearly trying not to wretch, and we go elsewhere. A dry, croaking voice echoes down the halls of the Staples Center, and the camera hurries towards it. After a moment we round a corner to a backstage loading area where a crowd is gathering around a man standing on a crate. As he shouts out his message, his white sleeves swirl with his wild gesticulations and spittle flies past his black beard. The Man In White: Gods & Monsters are defeated! HATE is defeated! EXODUS no longer needs to fear Matthews Enterprises! And yet where is the peace you were promised? It's nowhere! Was it all a myth? Was it all a plan within a plan? GRENDEL! Aries! Mara! Lifer! They will not allow the peace EXODUS has earned! They will not allow the spirit that this company was founded on to flourish! They want you to remain in fear so they can grow fat upon it! But I will save you, people of EXODUS. Come with me and I can save you all! The men and women watching the men look at each other uneasily. The Man In White: This cycle of violence, of hatred and betrayal, will never end unless we - we! All of us! Unless we disallow it! Unless we refuse to fear! Unless we stand together! Unless we become one! Come with me - stand with me! The army that walks with me shall never be defeated! From the crowd watching him emerges a woman... long black hair, pink dressing gown. She slowly walks towards the man in white, her face as blank as it's been all night. The man's words falter as she approaches and, slowly, wraps her arms around him. The orator doesn't seem to know how to react to being hugged tightly, almost lovingly, by Laurel Anne Hardy, and neither do those who are watching as the embrace goes on for an awkwardly long time. Suddenly his mouth drops slack and his eyes glaze in shock. He takes a stumbling step back and Laurel turns away from him. She discards something from her hand - a nail, perhaps, or a shard of glass; it's hard to tell - that clinks away on the concrete as the man in white sinks to his knees, a crimson rose blooming through his shirt. Slowly, shaking, he touches his abdomen and blinks at the sight of his own blood while stunned whispers ripple through the crowd. As Laurel heads to the exit, one man moves from the throng to stop her. Jimmy Riley: Laurel- But she takes his hand off her shoulder. Laurel Anne Hardy: What was it Jonathan said to Nick? Nowadays we stop threats to EXODUS before they start? She takes one last look back at the bleeding man, her expression still blank. Laurel Anne Hardy: You're welcome. And with that, she softly pads out of the room while medics swarm in around her and we cut to commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 13:55:34 GMT -6
We come back from commercial after the confirmation for Dead In Hollywood...mara to meet Fiona Collins! Dick Morosi: It's official, guys! The Stardust Seraph herself will meet The Allmother in two weeks! Seth Ericson: Fiona Collins and mara are ready for a head on collision, and I'm convinced this is not going to end pretty, but that's not what we're talking about now. Dick, what did you have? Dick Morosi: After the war we saw the Masked Salaryman and Zack Lifer engage in earlier tonight - and the disgusting aftermath - this may seem to be a bit...out of sorts. The following video was recorded over the course of EXODUS’ holiday break. Seth Ericson: Indeed. After some words back and forth on Twitter, newly promoted EXODUS star Black Jones agreed to experience some Glorious Nipponese Hospitality from the Masked Salaryman. We’re being told that the following footage was recorded at a local karaoke facility in the San Diego area on the 30th of December, so, well...let’s see what happened! As the super-duper Staples Center EXOScreen whirs to life, the scene opens up on a small private karaoke room. Two old red couches line the walls of the facility, and on a small coffee table sits a veritable feast of Japanese delicacies. A tray of sushi is flanked by all manner of shrimp and vegetables tempura, and several icy cold bottles of Kirin Ichiban join the festive atmosphere. One of the two figures in the room is happily singing away to his chosen song, a microphone in one hand and a Kirin in the other, without a care in the world. Masked Salaryman: NEAAAAAAAAR! FAAAAAAAAAR! WHEREEEEEEEEEEEVVER YOU ARE, I BEELIIIIIIIEEEVE THAT THE HEART DOES GO OOONNNNNNNNNN! Come on, Mister Jones, this is the best part! The camera now focuses on Black Jones spectating and looking rather, unimpressed. Black Jones: REAL MEN DON’T SING KARAOKEEE! AND WE DO NOT EAT WITH CHOPSTICKS! AND WHY IS MY FISH STILL A FISH? The Masked Salaryman stops mid “HEAAAAAARRRRRRRRRT,” spinning on a dime (and almost falling down, indicating that he’s had more than one of the beers thus far) to address his companion’s inquiries. Masked Salaryman: WHERE I COME FROM, REAL MEN SING KARAOKE, DRINK BEER, AND PLAY GOLF! Otherwise you can’t be successful on company outings! And chopsticks are easy! I even had the takeout place make you the cute little springloaded ones the kids use! See? The camera pans down to the table, where two chopsticks are held together with a rubber band and the chopstick wrapper rolled up between the two sticks. Masked Salaryman: As for the fish, raw fish is how I developed my heroic physique! It is delicious AND nutritious! The Salaryman strikes several heroic poses, including a double bicep. Meanwhile, Black Jones’ face can best be described as pleading for a way out that does not involve the room’s fourth floor window. Black Jones: First off! I like my fish processed and left over from old meat served on two sesame seed buns alongside fries and a McFlurry. Raw fish? RAW FISH? Are you trying to give me SAL-MA-NEL-LAH? Jones puts a hand over his mouth, looking as if he’s on the verge of vomiting, but finally musters the strength to stave off the embarrassing episode. Black Jones: Wait… hol’ up… hol’ up. GOLF? GOLF! That’s not even sport. If the ball don’t go in a hoop it ain’t a sport. And I can’t get jiggy to this mess ya’ll playing. Real men don’t go to karaoke bars… they go to the CLUBS with the STRIPPERS and they make it rain and buy bottles of CIROC that cost a BEAN but would normally only be ten dollars at the local wine and spirit shop… and they do the SHMONEY DANCE! Jones stares at his heroic friend, and notices that he is lost in translation, unaware of what a Shmoney Dance is. Black Jones: Don’t you know Bobby Shmurda? The Masked Salaryman’s head is well and truly spinning by now, but he makes his best effort to try and keep up with the conversation. Masked Salaryman: Why would they want to make it rain? The strippers would get all wet! We can’t have that, now can we? The potential benefit of such a situation is naturally lost on our intrepid hero, who has moved on to puzzling out why someone would buy bottles of croc with beans. Masked Salaryman: I’m afraid not, Mister Jones! But fear not! I am aware of many elements of American culture! Why, the next song I put in the karaoke machine is one we should be able to bond over! It is about something that I am pretty sure we both appreciate! As My Heart Will Go On (mercifully) comes to an end, the next song begins to play. To the Salaryman, Black Jones, and probably 99.99999% of those watching, it is easily identifiable by its opening, spoken line. Masked Salaryman: Oh my GOD, Becky! Look at her butt! ...You know, before I came to California, I had no idea where people who talked like that came from! Now I, like, TOTALLY get it! Jones initially facepalms, before nodding to himself, seeing as the Masked vigilante has at least made some progress. Black Jones: Yo B, your musical taste to keep it one hunnit with you, it ain’t chillin’ whatsoever. You gotta get up on current events man. Young people don’t turn up to Sir Mix-a-Lot mane. You gotta play some Hov or something cause it’s not poppinton in here cuz. The cold yet cultured Jones folds his arms in disapproval. Black Jones: I could be at home watching anime right now. You cutting into my Bleach time, cannon. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING TO YOU RIGHT NOW? I COULD BE WATCHING ICHIGO KUROSAKI!!!! The Salaryman does at least recognize the name “Bleach.” It’s about the only thing he recognizes. Masked Salaryman: Is this “turning up” you mention like “turning down for what?” I hear that’s all the rage with the kids these days! As the Salaryman ponders this existential point, he remembers one other thing Black Jones mentioned - and frowns. Masked Salaryman: And I am NOT Cannon! He’s a British man who talks too much! I am THE MASKED SALARYMAN, A JAPANESE SALARYMAN WHO TALKS TOO MUCH! As the Salaryman finishes his declaration, Jones chuckles and scoffs to himself, realizing how easily his friend misconstrued his words. Black Jones: BRUH. A CANNON is not a CANNON as in JOHNNY CANNON… CANNON is a term like BRO… or PLAYBOY… AAIGHT… its like a term of endearment… like Partner In Crime. The Philadelphia wipes a fake tear from his eye as he approaches his masked friend. Black Jones: But you at least got something right… turning up is the rage outchea. It means to let loose, to get hype. Just to say IDGAF and to break stuff and go CRAZY! This, at least, the Masked Salaryman seems to understand. After another moment, he nods his head. Masked Salaryman: Ah! Now that we are speaking the same language, that gives me an idea! For today, I have realized that the best way for two men to bond is not over song, food, and booze - though I assure you, sushi is delicious and will not harm you! As if to prove it, the Salaryman reaches out with his chopsticks and grabs a piece of tuna roll, shovelling it down the hatch. Masked Salaryman: Delicious! But no, the best way for you and I to understand one another is not here, but inside the squared circle! As of now, I regrettably have no contest at the coming Dead in Hollywood event! Nor do you, which seems even stranger, as you are scheduled to main event the next edition of EXODUS television! That seems most odd to me! The Salaryman draws himself to his full height, and extends a hand to the Revolution Dojo graduate. Masked Salaryman: So what say you? The Masked Salaryman vs. Black Jones at Dead in Hollywood! I will show you the full force of my GLORIOUS NIPPONESE VALUES(™), and in return, I expect to be hit with the full brunt of...WHATEVER THE CATCHY NAME FOR WHAT YOU DO IS! The young Jones ponders for a bit, giving the Salaryman’s proposition a great deal of thought. Black Jones: Let me get this straight. Let me see if I understand this perfectly. You want ME, OG Black Jones, to go one on one with YOU. Hmmmm. Dead in Hollywood. Hmmm… alright alright. Jones cracks his knuckles, a look of “what the hell, why not” falling over him as he grins at his potential opponent. Black Jones: Get one thing straight though CELERY MAN. I don’t have a catchy phrase for what I do, son. I just do it, boi. Every damn day I do it. So I suggest you bulk up on all the sushi you can cause come Dead in Hollywood, you gone be catching the fade. Masked Salaryman: I don’t know what most of that means, but it sounds impressive! So let’s do this thing! Whatever this thing happens to be! As the EXOScreen fades away, we are left with our intrepid commentary team, who are both, uncharacteristically, somewhat speechless. Dick Morosi: Well...that certainly was a thing that happened. Seth Ericson: It was, but hey! We’ve got a new match for Dead in Hollywood, between two of the hottest young stars in the company! Everything works out in the end! Dick Morosi: Just like what's coming up next! It's tag team action when Christian Kane and Fiona Collins team up to meet The Daughters of Janus...next! TAG TEAM MATCH
FIONA COLLINS & CHRISTIAN KANE (EXODUS Pro International Champion) vs. THE DAUGHTERS OF JANUS“Battle In Me” by Garbage starts playing as Athena and Minerva Janus appear on the ramp. David Zinkus: Following contest is a tag team match-up, introducing first from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at a combined weight of 274 pounds! Athena and Minerva…THE DAUGHTERS OF JANNNNNUS!!! Seth Ericson: I love me some twins. Dick Morosi: I don’t think these fans and one of their opponents love them. They made their big debut attacking Fiona Collins. Not a good way to start things off with a high approval rating. Seth Ericson: Approval rating? What do you think this is, the US government? This is wrestling! It didn’t take long for their music to cut off after getting in the ring before the most popular entrance in all of EXODUS begins to blare. SHOT THROUGH THE HEART, AND YOU'RE TO BLAME
DARLING YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME! The guitars and drums of the timeless Bon Jovi classic kick in throughout the arena as Christian Kane makes his way through the curtain and onto the stage. Red, white and pink lights focus on the Canadian Sensation and flash rapidly, drawing attention to him whilst smoke pours across the entranceway. Holding his arms out in a ‘T’, the lights begin to illuminate his silhouette as David Zinkus speaks. David Zinkus: And their opponents, introducing first, from Toronto, Ontario, weighing in at 215 pounds, he is the Handsome Drifter…CHRISTIAN KAAAAAAANNNNEEEE!!! With a smirk Christian Kane pats the International Championship which is strapped across his chest akin to a seat belt before making his way down to the ring. As he struts he acknowledges certain fans with his merch, a few who wield signs, even going as far as to slap some of their hands before slowly coming to a stop at ringside. From the apron The Handsome Drifter climbs the turnbuckle, his left foot standing on the second rope while his right is on the top rope. He then lowers his jacket, allowing it to slide off of his body and to the floor before unstrapping his title belt, holding it down to his side. Kane takes a moment to looks across the arena, even taking time to shout ‘#STUDLIFE’ into the camera just by ringside. Christian then takes the belt in both hands and raises it high into the air, inciting an overwhelming response of cheers from the fans in attendance. After hopping down into the ring Kane runs across to the diagonally opposite turnbuckle, blowing a kiss to the crowd whilst raising his belt into the air again as high pitched cheers rain out from the female contingent of the die-hard EXODUS Pro faithful (mostly). As the music slowly fades, Kane jumps down backwards into the ring, handing his belt to David Zinkus before walking to his corner and preparing for the match ahead. Suddenly, the lights in the arena dim, and a hum and light orchestral music begins as "The Howling" by Within Temptation starts. The music continues to drift on as the lights blacken, all before the heavy portion of the intro kicks in, lights going to full blast as the crowd sees Fiona Collins standing at the center of the entrance stage, finger pointed to the air as the music continues! We've been seeing what you wanted, got us cornered right now
Fallen asleep from our vanity, might cost us our lives! Fiona starts to pump her fist, making her way down to the ring quickly, nodding as she looks out toward the ring, slapping hands with a few hands on her way down, touching foreheads with a young female fan by the rail, whispering a small promise before taking off a glow necklace from her neck to pass off to the fan! David Zinkus: And his partner, from Portlandia, Oregon, weighing in at 135 pounds, the Strong Style Seraph…FIONA COOOOOLLLLINS!!!! I hear they're getting closer
Their howls are sending chills down my spine
And time is running out now
They're coming down the hills from behind... Quickly, Fiona makes her way onto the apron by leaping up onto it, all before flipping over the top rope and landing on one knee, her hand touching the ground as if she just landed like some sort of superhero, all before she climbs one turnbuckle, quickly raising her hand and pointing a finger to the sky again as the crowd cheers again. When we start killing
It's all coming down right now
From the nightmare we've created,
I want to be awakened somehow
(I WANT TO BE AWAKENED RIGHT NOW!) She looks out at the crowd and instantly flips back, landing on her feet before turning around and looking toward the center of the ring, steel eyed focus on what's in front of her, which in this particular moment is two identical twins. Christian Kane decides to let the very determined-looking Collins start things off as her eyes lock with Athena Janus as they step towards each other in the center of the ring. DING DING DING!! They grapple in the center and Fiona quickly changes it to an armbar. Athena rolls on the mat a bit eventually wiggling free, but she is met by a dropkick straight to the jaw. With Athena on the ground, Fiona doesn’t even need extra elevation to land a great moonsault on the Daughter of Janus in the ring. Seth Ericson: Fiona Collins is not wasting a second! Dick Morosi: She lands that moonsault on Athena Janus and is ready to drop another move on her. Here comes the elbow! As Dick called it, Fiona slams her elbow into the skull of Athena Janus. Athena rolls into her corner where Minerva is able to reach her and tag herself in. She is able to hit a quick hurricanrana on the former World Champ and begins to stomp on the midsection of the Strong Style Seraph. Seth Ericson: Vicious. Dick Morosi: Agreed. Fiona is able to eventually sweep Minerva’s legs and get to her feet to tag in Christian Kane, who flies into the ring like he was shot out of a cannon, taking down Minerva with a clothesline. He bounces off the ropes, knocking off Athena, and lands a splash on the downed Minerva. Keeps his balance for a legal pin. ONE!! TWO!! TH…NO! Janus is able to get her shoulder up. Kane is quickly back to his feet and awaits Minerva to get to her feet as well. Once she does, he grabs her and snapmares her. As he jumps to nail a dropkick to the back of her head to complete the combo, Athena grabs his ankle, tripping him up. Seth Ericson: Smart technique there by…which one is that one? Dick Morosi: That one is Athena, and it’s more like a cheap technique. Seth Ericson: There’s no DQ from doing that! Kane gets back up and baseball slides into Athena, but Minerva is back up to her feet. Hurricanrana onto Kane and she latches on to his legs to try to seal a quick victory. ONE!! TWO!! THR…NO!! Kane fights his way out to save the match. Tag to Athena. Athena gets on the top and leaps for a moonsault, but Kane moves out of the way. He looks at Fiona then at the downed Janus Daughter and decides to go for the pin instead of the tag. Seth Ericson: He could tag in Fiona or go for the pin. Looks like he’s gonna try to win this. Dick Morosi: Hope he doesn’t regret this decision. ONE!!! TWO!!! TH…NO!! Making the previous call by Kane moot, he is still able to tag in Fiona. Dick Morosi: Welp, that makes our previous comment invalid. Fiona starts stalking Athena, waiting for her to get up to her feet. Seth Ericson: Fiona looks like she’s going for the kill. Dick Morosi: SHINIGAMI!! Athena is down and out! Fiona springs to her feet, bumping into Chris Dawson, who was standing at the wrong place at the wrong time. As that happens, Minerva rolls Athena out of the ring and lays down in her exact position. Dick Morosi: Oh don’t tell me she just did that. Seth Ericson: Sneaky sneaky. The Daughters of Janus just pulled a switch. Fiona approaches the possum playing Minerva, still thinking it’s Athena, and gets caught in her trap. Seth Ericson: Small package!! Fiona did NOT see that coming! ONE!!! TWO!! THREE!! Dick Morosi: Oh give me a break!! DING DING DING!! Dick Morosi: The Daughters of Janus steal it! WINNER: The Daughters of JanusThe match is over, but the two teams continue to brawl, when suddenly the lights in the arena blackout... When the lights come back on, Kane is on the outside, being attacked brutally by the enigmatic NoVak, meanwhile the Daughters of Janus are holding Fiona Collins by the arms as a woman in a kabuki mask sits indian style in the center of the ring. Slowly, the crowd jeers as the mask comes off and people realize it is once again the Allmother herself, mara. She crawls over toward Fiona, having produced a microphone that was ressting in her lap, all as she turns her head to see that Brianna Singer and Audrey Lloris are watching from the entrance. mara: Do I have your attention now? See, it's funny how people puff out their chest and scream for a war when they don't have to be face to face with the person they want to go to war with. Mara lays on the canvas, her back to it as she then looks up at Fiona, raising her hand to wave at her as she brings the microphone to her lips to sing. mara: I was born without this fear, now only this seems clear. I need to move, I need to fight, I need to lose myself tonight... She rolls to her stomach before she slowly gets to her knees, reaching one hand out to forcefully cup Fiona's cheeks together to squeeze them. mara: I need to lose myself, Fiona. I need to lose this black cloud over me, and I need to hurt you, Fiona! I NEED MY LIFE BACK! I NEED WHAT YOU STOLE FROM ME, BECAUSE I WANT MY INNOCENCE BACK! I WANT MY MONSTER BACK, YOU MISERABLE TROLLOP! I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THE FACE OF THE LIFE YOU DESTROYED! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!Mara drops the microphone and starts yanking Fiona by the hair, practically shrieking at The Stardust Seraph. mara: YOU DON'T GET MY FAMILY! YOU DON'T GET MY ENDING! I WRITE THE STORY, AND THIS IS YOUR TRAGEDY! YOU. WILL. BURN! The Daughters throw Fiona towards Mara, who quickly spins her and hooks her in a full nelson before dropping her with a Danse Macabre! Kane, having seen enough of the triple team, again tries to crawl back into the ring to save his partner, only to be pulled out again by NoVak, who continues to hammer Kane as Mara once again drops Fiona with a second Danse Macabre. Upon completing that, The Allmother grabs Collins and wraps her arms around her, cradling her as she whips her head back, an emotionless look on her face as she cradles Fiona and we go to commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 13:58:30 GMT -6
We return from commercial, and we go backstage, to find the camera chasing after Tom Matheny after a rather irritated and frustrated Justin Brooks. After being pulled apart from Christian Kane by EXODUS Pro Security, Justin was more than ramped up. Justin was ready for war and he would happy battle with anyone and everybody. Tom Matheny: Justin! Justin doesn't even bother to turn around as storms through the hallways of the Staples Center. Finally, knowing that Tom wouldn't leave better enough alone. He stops dead in his tracks as Tom almost overshoots the Monster from the Bay. Closing the gap between them with a single step, Justin points a finger directly in his face in a threatening manner. Justin Brooks: Check yourself, Tom...you need to check yourself because at this I'll risk getting fined or suspended by putting my hands on you right now. Tom nods his head nervously, looking at the large finger pointing right between his eyes. Taking a step back to create some space, he looks over at the camera with a nervous smile on his face in hopes of calming his nerves. Tom Matheny: You attacked Christian Kane...unprovoked, might I add! What were you trying to prove? Justin Brooks: Trying to prove? Trying to prove?! I had sit here and listen to Lexy Chapel say that she's getting a rematch because it's what the fans what? It's what the fans want to see? That's bullshit! Tom Matheny: But it's true...it's what they want to see. She's entitled to a rematch for the International Championship. Justin's lips turn into a scowl as he runs a hand over his mohawk and shakes his head slowly before staring daggers into Tom. Justin Brooks: [CENSORED] that, Tom. I'm being ducked...I'm being looked over...I'm being disrespected...I'm being underestimated, Tom. That's going to equal a lot problems for a lot of people in the next few days because I refuse to sit back and watch me get jumped over because it's what the fans want to see. At Dead in Hollywood...I'm inserting myself into that International Championship and I'm make sure that Christian Kane nor Lexy Chapel walks out with that title...if I let them walk out at all. Tom Matheny: You can't do that..you can't just insert yourself into a match, let alone a title match! Closing the gap once again, Justin pins Tom against the near wall as Tom keeps a tight grip of the microphone to get every word spoken. Justin Brooks: Who's going to stop me? Jonathan Collins? Jimmy Riley? Seymour Almasy? They going to give me the Johnny Cannon treatment? I wish they would, I'll burn this entire operation down from the inside, Tom and that's not a threat, it's a good damn promise. With that, Justin quickly turns and walks away. Tom peels himself off the wall, letting out a deep breath of relief as he drops his hands to his waist happy to escape that encounter with his health intact. NORMAL MATCH
CHRIS STRIKE (EXODUS Pro World Champion) vs. JOHNNY CANNONDavid Zinkus: The following match is scheduled for one fall... Suddenly, the entrance tunnel is fixed with a bright purple spotlight, while the arena lights dim down to a purple tone as Cinderella Man by Eminem begins to play, starting off as a low ebb of drums before rising into a vast, vociferous crescendo of noise. The fans now lay claim to their hatred, bombarding the arena with unified chants of "Johnny Sucks!" while the entrance tunnel itself becomes surrounded by a shower of sparks. The Brit's silhouette emerges behind the sparks, only backed by another daintier image. David Zinkus: Making his way to the ring... On demand, bursting through the shower of sparks, emerges none other than Johnny Cannon. As per usual, the cocksure, megalomaniacal grin is obvious on the face of the Englishman as he pauses on the entrance ramp, head raised high and proudfully to the sky as he peers out at the incredibly one-sided EXODUS audience. Appearing just behind him is none other than his manager, Quinn Goodrich, who edges on the crowd. Wearing purple and black wrestling trunks, with matching boots and a knee brace (on his surgically repaired left knee), the Brit appears ready for action, not because of his attire, but due to the vindictive look in his eyes, which is revealed as he removes his Versace sunglasses. They are the eyes of a cold, calculating machine. Johnny places his expensive shades in his black track jacket with numerous insignias sewn on it in purple, and begins his haughty strut to the ring as David Zinkus reads off his introduction. "Who can catch lightning in a bottle? Set fire to water?
Comin' out the nozzle on the fire hose, flier than swatters?"
"Cinderella man, Cinderella man, Cinderella man, Cinderella man."
David Zinkus: Accompanied by Quinn Goodrich, he weighs in tonight at two hundred and forty-five pounds and hails from London, England; He is the self proclaimed ‘Greatest Man That Ever Lived’, 'Cinderella Man' and the ‘British Mamba'; Ladies and gentlemen... this is #MrEXODUS.... Johnny! CANNON! Dick Morosi: So, this is it. Round two of this negotiation gauntlet is about to start. How do you see playing out, Seth? Seth Ericson: Are you kidding me? Johnny Cannon is the greatest man who ever lived, of course he comes out with the victory! Cannon struts to the ring, marching with an undeniable swagger, vanity, and pretentious charm, while Goodrich continuously edges on the audience, swinging his arms up and pointing out at the sea of fans. Johnny, ignores the onslaught of hatred from the fans on either side of them, no longer caring about their opinions or beliefs. He spurts forward toward the ring, and slides in under the bottom rope, before launching himself to his feet and suddenly spinning to the center of the ring in a very Shawn Michaels-esque fashion, before positioning himself carefully in the middle. He unzips his track jacket, lowering it down his hands and to the canvas below him like a male stripper, before throwing up the offensive, British, two finger salute, eliciting tremendous heat from the crowd. From there, Johnny slowly backs into the ropes, hooking his arms back on them before bouncing several times, beginning his mental preparations and prerequisites as Quinn looks on from ringside; his face drops to a more solemn expression, and his eyes flicker with hundreds of ideas playing in his mind for the match. 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 “Pull Me Under” by Dream Theater blares out of the PA system. The shot zooms into the temple, as the crowd begins to clap along with the beat of the song, watching as a man rises from the throne inside of the temple and makes his way down the steps. Once he nears the camera, he looks up at the sky and makes his way over towards a pool of water. The man looks down into the water, and once he does…a shot of lightning hits the water!
Lost in the sky
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Arrows fly, seas increase
And then fall again…
As the lightning hits the water in the video, streams of smoke shoot up from the ramp way area and high above, covering the entrance ramp as the song kicks into full motion, the fans clapping along with the song in full while white, yellow and blue spotlights swirl all across the arena.
This world is spinning around me…
The whole world keeps spinning around me…
All life is future to past…
Every breath leaves me one less to my last!
David Zinkus: And his opponent…from Denver, Colorado via São Paulo, Brazil; weighing in tonight at two hundred and fifteen pounds...HE IS THE EXODUS PRO WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION...HE IS “THE WAR MACHINE,” HE IS...CHRIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS…STRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Dick Morosi: The War Machine, the guy who buried Gods & Monsters alive at The Autumn Effect! I can't wait for this.
Seth Ericson: Why can't you ever be objective, Dick?
Dick Morosi: Wait, you're talking to me about being— Never mind.
Chris Strike emerges from the curtains and steps out into the limelight with the EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title across his right shoulder, drawing a loud reaction from the EXODUS faithful as he stops in front of the entrance ramp and slowly raises the title up in the air with his right hand. Strike is showered by gold, white and black streamers and smoke appearing 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 with the title held high as the fans begin to sing along with the chorus.
Pull me under! Pull me under!
Pull me under I'm not afraid!
All that I feel is honor and spite,
All I can do is set it right!
Chris places the title on his shoulder again before making his way up the ring stairs, using the steel pole for support, putting his right foot over the middle rope and 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. Strike just gives the fans a sly smirk and a nod as flashes of light go off, before going under the middle rope and into the ring. He makes his way towards the nearest turnbuckle, ascending it and slowly raising the EXODUS Pro World Heavyweight title in the air again, basking in the reaction before stepping down from the turnbuckle. He looks around at the crowd and walks up to the nearest corner, leaning against the ropes and disposing of his tactical vest and t-shirt while stretching his arms out as “Pull Me Under” fades…DING DING DING! Right out the gate, Cannon wastes no time at all gunning for the EXODUS World Heavyweight Champion, strikes aplenty towards Chris' chest with vicious accuracy. The sounds were loud enough to get a reaction out of the crowd, timed 'oohs' over and over until the final strike. Chris backed into the ropes, nowhere to run, was narrowly hit by a powerful roundhouse kick in the early going, only to counter it with a swift enziguri, the fight already starting at an unpredictable pace as the crowd went wild. Dick Morosi: Did you see that, Seth?! Cannon tried to end this fight early with a roundhouse kick! If he managed to win right there, you better believe his raise would be up tenfold to whatever they're paying him now! Seth Ericson: Not to mention, a title match in his future, but this is Chris Strike we're talking about. He's no pushover by any means. That just goes to show the warped, twisted mindset of Johnny Cannon going into this match, that's for sure. Strike, without missing a beat, lands a standing senton across Johnny's chest. a swift turn to grab Cannon in a dragon sleeper position. Wrenching his neck, he puts the pressure on to wear down his opponent in the early going, 'The Greatest Man That Ever Lived' caught in a seated position. The crowd loud, he manages to slip an arm out of the grip, jutting his elbow backwards into Strike's sternum. Over and over, elbow after elbow, he gains the strength and the motivation from the jeering crowd to get to his feet, turning Strike around and landing a heavy European uppercut. Stepping backwards, Chris Strike responds with a forearm smash of his own, jumping in the air just to spike his opponent's jaw with as much force as he could. And before Johnny could respond, his expression clearly angry, he was dropped by a sidekick to the back of his left knee. Once he was down, Chris Strike pulled his leg upward in a one legged elevated boston crab, standing over his body while he wrenched his bad leg as far back as he possibly could. Dick Morosi: Strike, playing it smart here. Attacking that leg, that injured left knee. Cannon's Achilles' heel, as it were, isn't his achilles at all. It's that knee, and right now, the target is right there, clear as day. Wrenching and stretching his leg, the crowd chants the words 'Say I Quit! Say I Quit!' Instead, '#MrEXODUS' reaches for the ropes and pulls himself forward with all his might, the referee forcing the champion to let go. However, Cannon slips under the bottom rope and lays outside the ring, taking some time to rest so he wouldn't have to get on his leg right away. This immediately stirred up the crowd, boos and jeers aplenty for his cowardice, noises that caused a smirk to cross his face as he stared into the rafters above. 1! 2! Strike, having noticed where Johnny Cannon resided outside the ring, took the time to take a step backwards towards the far side of the ring, raising an arm to hear the cheers of the crowd, everyone on the edge of their seats to see what would happen next. 3! 4! Johnny Cannon slowly takes his time to get to his feet, using the bottom rope itself and knowing he has all the time in the world. 5! Right before Johnny can slide back in the ring again, his eyes look up to see a flying War Machine! Time seemingly slows down, the crowd watching in anticipation as they witnessed the World Champion suicide diving legs first through the ropes, gracefully positioning his body to land a missile dropkick right towards Johnny Cannon's head! Seth Ericson: Holy—! Before Seth Ericson can finish, the crowd does it for him - 'HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!' The count starts over, both men laid to waste from the horrific bump. 1! Seth Ericson: I... Don't know for sure, but I think Strike did a little too much for even him to handle. Did he hit his chin on the rope, Dick? His arm, maybe? Dick Morosi: He very well may have. It happened so fast, I don't even know. All I know is, he's not moving right now. That can't be a good sign. 2! 3! Chris Strike was beginning to move, starting to roll over to his back. However, Cannon did not, the camera zooming in on Quinn Goodrich to see his reaction. Outraged, he ran to his client's aid and began picking '#MrEXODUS' up carefully, making sure round two of this gauntlet went successfully. Of course, the crowd let their voices be heard, booing it all even louder than before. 4! 5! Cannon brought to his senses after a pep talk, he was able to roll into the ring with assistance, his body visibly worn from everything he's endured thus far, not to mention from the match with The Big L the show before. 6! Chris Strike to his feet, he was ready to get back into the match. That is, until Goodrich had other plans. The referee too concerned with Cannon, a small argument between the two that Goodrich used to his advantage, the businessman grabbed a pair of brass knuckles from his pocket and prepared to use it on his client's opponent, ensuring his victory. 7! That is, until Abby Park herself stormed down the ramp, running towards ringside! 8! Goodrich's eyes darted towards Abby, distracted while Strike finally slipped under the bottom rope again and pushed Cannon to the side, muttering something inaudible and unimportant to the referee. On the outside, the camera and the rest of the Staples Center watched as Quinn Goodrich got hit by a devastating Seoul Train for his troubles! As the match continued, Cannon started to get some steam on Chris Strike, weak punches and kicks, both men worn and tired from the bump they took earlier. With a final wind of air, Johnny set up the Cardiac Arrest, popping Strike in the air and kicking him straight to the chest, the sound loud enough so the people at the nosebleed section could hear! As soon as Strike went down, Cannon made sure his opponent stayed on his feet, landing The Clockwork Orange to set up his finale. Dick Morosi: This might be it. The Cannon Dri— Seth Ericson:No! Strike got out of it! Against all odds, Chris Strike managed to slip out of his grasp, Cannon dropping to his knee from the pain he already felt, grunting in pain. Seeing the opportunity, in one fluid movement... Dick Morosi: Narukami! Narukami ! It's over! 1! 2! 3! WINNER: Chris StrikeDick Morosi: STRIKE WINS! Johnny Cannon just watched that money flutter away, and Chris Strike is en route to Dead In Hollywood! Seth Ericson: I hate to give him any form of credit, but Strike derailed a lot of dreams from Johnny Cannon, and Abby Park has to be taking intense notes. This is going to be a hell of a fight in two weeks! Dick Morosi: While Cannon regains his wits, let's head backstage! We cut to the backstage area. More specifically, the special locker room given to the members of the REVOLUTION, arranged by Bryan Cade because Aries would not stop demanding one. In it is seated all the members of the group. Aries Reed sits with his brother Darius and his large angry best friend GRENDEL. The First Lady of the Sith sits across from them, engaged in some lively conversation with the giant. Off in one corner is the latest member to join, Kiriko Miura, who reads a book seemingly oblivious to the rest of them. And off in another corner, looking to be doing his best to not actively draw attention, is Shinji Uchikawa. The rest of the group seems, for once, to not be looking to draw arguments with him, likely because of the man that has just entered the room. The leader of the REVOLUTION, Shozo Arino, who looks at all of them with a wide smile. Shozo Arino: Look at you all. A success, each and every one of you! And even after a grueling night from each of you, you still found the time to come and sit with your comrades. Your friendship towards your fellow man is heartwarming. Devan snickers, casting a look at Shinji, who just sighs. Shozo, apparently not paying attention to all that, claps his hands. Shozo Arino: Even though they still talk about us like we’re nothing to them, we keep proving them wrong. Every event, we’ve shown how deep our unity goes. How this kinship we’ve forged between us all pushes us. We are successful because of that bond. We’ve started to become a family. A growing one at that! Because as the REVOLUTION grows in strength, so does our membership. We added Darius not too long ago, and now we’ve gone international, adding a poison flower to our ranks. He indicates Kiriko with one hand, who looks up at the rest of the group. She raises a hand in greeting and then drops it. Devan flashes a grin in the new girls direction and waves back. Kiriko doesn’t return the smile, her face remaining blank, but she does nod to Devan. Shozo, use to this from her, continues on. Shozo Arino: And as we bolster our numbers we continue to show them why we’re the future, why evolution is the right way. I mean...after tonight, how couldn’t they see that, right my comrades? GRENDEL clears his throat. GRENDEL: Idiots will continue to believe in the rubbish idiots choose to believe. Their opinions are irrelevant. The choice will soon be presented to all of them. Evolve, or die. And if they continue to be idiots, I’m more than happy to help them achieve the second one. Aries smile only grows larger after GRENDEL speaks his piece. The Blackest Sun of Exodus simply shrugs his shoulders and nods in agreement. Aries Reed: These people are going to say what they want to say. They have their favorite around here and honestly, I'm all about bucking the system. GRENDEL and I are more than ready to our part and take those Tag Titles from those goddamn dinosaurs. And I got space on my Farm those who think we aren't for real. Devan is grinning devilishly the entire time, mindlessly waving her hand around in the air. Devan Whitmore: Our doubters are dwindling in number just as ours continue to grow. If Adrien Cochrane thinks he has any legs left to stand on after tonight, we'll just finish him off permanently. Just as we will continue to do with anyone else who thinks we're just a passing thing. Evolve or die... Personally... I hope they don't learn, but that's just bloodlust talking. She looks over to Shinji and her eyes sparkle with mischief. Devan Whitmore: Welcome to the locker room, by the way. It's ever so nice of you to finally join us here. GRENDEL: Don’t antagonise poor Shinji, Devan. He has an important choice to make. It is only right one would weigh the gravity of their decision like this. Devan's eyes widen with innocence. Devan Whitmore: I meant every word. I was merely extending gratitude that he is here, for our dear brother Shozo if nothing else. Aries Reed: I'm glad you two are cool with it. But for me and Darius, I want to see what he's made of. Excuse me for being 'that' guy but everyone here has put in the work so far and I'm supposed to be all open arms for a guy who wasn't down since Day One? If Shozo vouches for him then so be it...but I'm still not sold. Darius Reed: Damn straight. At this point in time, Shinji stands up and looks at everyone, sighing with frustration before he looks at each member individually. Shinji Uchikawa: You all speak of evolution. You all speak of taking our rightful places. This is not an overnight process. You point your fingers at me because I choose to earn my evolution. I remain in (R)evolution Wrestling and am on the verge of proving I am the best remaining wrestler in the tournament, and then I will be up here to earn my place. I do it with honor. He turns to look at GRENDEL. Shinji Uchikawa: Not by anger and rage. Then to Devan Whitmore. Shinji Uchikawa: Not by deception and lust. Then to Aries Reed. Shinji Uchikawa: And not by obscene means that involve bullying someone who is but a backstage worker. Shinji kicks aside a chair as he looks at all of them once more. Shinji Uchikawa: If you want Revolution, you must be the change you want to see. You must set the tone. If this is your tone, I do not agree. I believe in Shozo’s message that we must take our spots if those before us will not give them...but I will not do it by devouring those that came before me. There is no honor in patricide. There is no honor in your blind rage, jealousy, or your flippant behavior. If you want a Revolution, do not fall into the traps of those that came before us. Then we are simply no better. Judge me for wishing to maintain my friends, but they have been there for me since I came to America. I would not have experienced amazing things like Las Vegas or riding in a mechanical hot dog! My life is a beautiful place because of Tom and Destiny and Black and Carey and all them. All you three have done is cause me stress. I stand by my brother...not your ways. Point your fingers, but I believe in the essence of the message. Do not pervert what you think is a lack of devotion because you want to find a pariah. You will someday reap what you sow. GRENDEL stands, stretching out his neck as he does. GRENDEL: Shinji. You, like those you call friends, have massively misunderstood the point. Probably rather than actually listening to Shozo, you run away crying at every possible instance. There is no “REVOLUTION” way. We all have our own methods, our own ambitions. But we all believe that the industry needs to change. You want to do it from within the system. Fine. But what of us that the system has failed? What of us who do not believe in the validity of the system that exists. We do what we feel we must. You do not have to agree with us. You do not have to “act” like us. But what you do have to do, and I’m sure you can understand our frustration in this, is choose. You can fight alongside us, not as one of us if you don’t wish, but with us. Or you can do something else. Probably inevitably end up fighting against us. But you must make a choice. Not because I’ve said you must. Or the brothers Reed have demanded it. But because Shozo deserves it. It doesn’t need to be now, but don’t wait too long either. Patience is a virtue best not tested. Shinji steps closer to the big man, who stands up and doesn’t look as prepared to back down either. The cold look in Shinji’s eyes indicates that he’s...well, he’s had enough of the bullshit. Shinji Uchikawa: If you believe the system has failed you, maybe you’re right. Or maybe you should look inward and realize you did nothing more than fail yourself. And when you one day are capable of holding yourself accountable for your shortcomings, perhaps we will be on the same page. GRENDEL leans in close to Shinji. GRENDEL: I wanted to believe you were different. I wanted to believe Shozo. I wanted to believe you’d actually listen to the words we say, and not just what you believe our actions say. I really didn’t want to be right. GRENDEL shoves Shinji, hard, taking the smaller man off guard, and sending him flying a number of feet. With nothing but an angry stare at Shozo, he grabs his bag and storms out of the room. Aries Reed: ...what the big angry guy said. Com'n D, let's roll. I suddenly feeling pretty crowded with all the self-righteousness in here. With a nod of his head, Darius follows his younger brother out of the locker room, followed by Devan and the Reed brothers. Shozo and Shinji stare one another down for a moment, Shinji sighing as we go to commercial. |
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 14:23:07 GMT -6
Back from the last commercial break of the night, Tom Matheny is standing by in the interview area with a serious looking Jimmy Riley.
Tom Matheny: We're short on time, right here before the main event, but Jimmy- you've asked to have a little bit of time?
Letting out a low sigh, Jimmy nods, the microphone being offered to him.
Jimmy Riley: I'll keep it short, because like you said Tom; we've got a great main event coming up between Black Jones and REVOLUTION's Shozo Arino. But I need to address Zack Lifer. Between his vicious post-match attack on The Masked Salaryman earlier tonight, and his...his attack that I simply can't put into words on Heather Halliwell a few weeks ago, it's clear that Lifer hasn't fully paid penance for his actions. Two weeks from now, at Dead in Hollywood, Zack Lifer's stepping in the ring with Adrien Cochrane...and much like tonight, that match will also be contested under No Disqualification rules.
Tom Matheny: And this...this hasn't changed his status going forward in EXODUS?
Jimmy pauses, looking at Tom; his face is...slightly pained.
Jimmy Riley: As I've said before; Zack Lifer's contract status isn't under my jurisdiction.
Tom Matheny: Very well; thanks for the time, Jimmy.
Jimmy Riley: Thanks for squeezing me in.
An...awkward pause.
Tom Matheny: You know...you're the director. You can just ask for time and get it. No need to thank me.
Jimmy blinks a couple of times, but the camera cuts back to ringside before he can respond.
Dick Morosi: It's time for our main event! Three weeks ago on our last EXPRO On FX, these two met in a time limit draw, and now Black Jones and Shozo Arino meet in a no time limit match!
Seth Ericson: These are two standout stars from the (R)Evolution Dojo, and now they're headlining our first show of 2015! It's a glimpse into the future, and it's our main event...next!
NO TIME LIMIT MATCH
BLACK JONES vs. SHOZO ARINO
The crowd falls into booing as "Anti-Gravity" by Lindsey Sterling hits and the leader of the REVOLUTION steps out onto the stage. He first looks out at the crowd, and their negative reaction to him, shaking his head in disappointment. He then looks up at the ceiling and beyond, looking up for a few moments before nodding and setting off down the ramp.
David Zinkus: From Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, weighing in tonight at 205lbs....SHOZOOOOOOOOOOO ARINOOOOOOOOOO!
He steps onto the ring apron and looks up at the sky again for a moment before stepping into the ring, rapidly turning to face the entire crowd before coming to a stop in the corner. He slowly undoes the hoodie he was wearing and ditches it, ready for his match to begin.
Dick Morosi: Shozo Arino looks focused, and after what happened earlier tonight with Shinji Uchikawa, you have to wonder if there's tensions boiling between him and his Gen2 partner.
Seth Ericson: You heard Shinji earlier. It's not about issues between Shozo and Shinji, it's about Shinji's issues with their methods. Those two will get on the same page, I know it.
Dick Morosi: Well here comes another friend of Shinji's!
The arena lights somewhat dim, causing the crowd to get restless in anticipation. Finally, "Braveheart" by Lupe Fiasco hits the speakers, starting as a slow electronic noise until the drums and bass kick in. The audience turns their attention to the entryway where the curtains dividing the ringside and the backstage area are suddenly thrown back as the superstar behind the music emerges.
May the Lord have mercy on my soul
Forgive me for my fetishes, my purchases, my clothes
Allow me to catch my rhythm so the nervousness just goes
That's why I sound so certain in my verses and my flows
The verbiage just gets merciless, the wordsmithness just rolls.
Black Jones scans over the audience while he stands draped in a hoodie vest with "Half Man- Half Amazing" written on the back before taking a deep breath; his eyes continue to survey the crowd until he suddenly begins to bounce around in place, making dodging movements as if he were fighting an imaginary opponent, a smile lining across his face.
David Zinkus: On his way to the ring, from West Philadelphia, PA, weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds... BLACK! JONESSSSSS!
I've tuned into my pertinence, my purposes, my goals
The feeling when you realize you've been working for your foes
And the curtains have just opened and they worthlessness exposed
You remember where you've came from, where the purses was stole
There was nothing in the oven and just work up on the stove
And you blossomed from the bottom, yeah, you worked with it and rose
From nothing to a dozen and a garden now there grows. Tell em!
Jones makes his way down the aisle with a steady march. His eyes remain focused and in front of him as he reaches ringside, "Braveheart" continues to blare through the speakers. BJ knees up onto the apron, quickly pulling on the top ring cable before using the elasticity of the ropes to propell himself off the apron and into the air. He somersaults into the ring, immediately exploiting the momentum into a roll before springing to a stand to excite the crowd with his athleticism and exuberance.
Courage under fire, gave me a brave heart (That's me)
Courage under fire, gave me a brave heart
(Yessir) Brave heart
(Yeah I got that) Brave heart
(You know) Brave heart!
Jones removes his vest, throwing it over the ropes before backing into the nearest corner. With his tune coming to an end, he strokes his fingers on his chin before cracking his knuckles and preparing for war.
Dick Morosi: Black Jones is no stranger to the big stage here in EXODUS or his former home in (R)Evolution Wrestling, and tonight he gets to take his former friend Shozo Arino to the limit!
Seth Ericson: If you haven't been following (R)Evolution at home, these two used to be part of a group known as the Based Empire. Shozo broke from the group to form REVOLUTION with his colleagues and now has left his former friends scratching their heads!
The bell rings and before Shozo can settle in, Black Jones has already sprinted across the ring and attacked Shozo! Shozo and Black continue to brawl, but Black isn't giving his former friend any quarter. Shozo starts to break free and get out of the ring to settle himself, but once he shakes off the cobwebs and looks back toward the ring, he's instantly greeted by a flying Black Jones, who has leaped out of the ring with a no hands tope! Black quickly lifts him up and whips him into the guardrail as he comes charging in with a huge dropkick, and the crowd has erupted for the young star! Black throws Shozo back into the ring before hopping up on the apron and leaping up to springboard in and nail an elbow drop! He quickly hoists Shozo to a seated position before nailing a shoot kick to the chest! He hooks the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-KICKOUT!
Black gets up and quickly bounces off the ropes to nail a rolling thunder senton! Again, Black continues to go after Shozo, looking to go for the Stay Schemin', but Jones climbs to the top turnbuckle, hits the feint moonsault, but when he goes for the standing one, Shozo gets his knees up, leaving Jones reeling before Shozo lifts him and grabs him with a vicious brainbuster! Shozo quickly lifts him up and drops him again with a second brainbuster before sitting him up and charging in with a huge kick to the face before hooking the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-KICKOUT! Shozo looks angry as the ref holds up two fingers, leaving Shozo to apply a side headlock to cut off the oxygen flow for Black. He continues to wrench it in as Black tries to slap the mat to get the fans behind him, and as the crowd starts clapping for him, someone starts to make their way from the back.
Dick Morosi: It's Shinji Uchikawa!
Seth Ericson: See? I told you they were on the same page!
Shinji stands in a neutral corner, watching the match as Shozo keeps the headlock on Jones before he starts to slowly stands up, all before he starts to push Shozo off toward the ropes, but Shozo reverses, and as Jones comes back on the rebound, Shozo catches him in a huge spinning spinebuster! Shozo smirks and gets up all before grabbing Black's arms and trapping him, starting to nail The Concussion before keeping his arms hooked and dropping him with a huge belly to belly suplex, getting up once more and looking to prep Black...EVOLVING TIMES! He hooks the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
TH--KICKOUT! THE YOUNG LION HAS HEART! Shinji slams his hand on the mat as he watches, all before Shozo picks up Jones again and whips him to the corner, but Jones slides out of the way of an incoming clothesline, all before Jones turns him around and backs up before he runs in to hit double knees to the corner, hits a rolling snapmare...KICKS TO THE CHEST! IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE! Black is starting to feel it, and as he looks for Poetic Justice...he charges in...BUT SHOZO BURSTS UP AND HITS A QUICK CRASH LOVE! Shinji's eyes widen and the crowd's stunned at that adrenaline fueled move from Arino, who looks like he's going to get up, quickly grabbing him and looking like he's going for the Meteor Crash!
Dick Morosi: I've seen Shozo do this before and it hasn't ended well for anyone involved.
Seth Ericson: Look who's trying to help!
Shinji Uchikawa hops onto the apron, trying to talk Shozo into not doing it, only for Shozo to keep screaming at Shinji that he's got a point to prove tonight. Beating Jones will helhp send a message to Chandler andnn the rest of the roster about evolution, and Shinji is screaming at him in Japanese, imploring him not to hit the move on Black. He slowly starts to hesitate, lowering Black as he sighs...BUT BLACK JONES GRABS HIM FOR THE MOJO SO DOPE AND SHINJI REALIZES WHAT HE'S DONE! The referee counts as Shinji seems ashamed of himself!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
WINNER: BLACK JONES
Dick Morosi: BLACK JONES DID IT! The kid is on a roll, heading toward Dead In Hollywood!
Seth Ericson: Black is sitting pretty, Dick, but what about Shozo? He has to realize Shinji Uchikawa cost him that match.
The two seem to be looking at one another, Shinji crestfallen as Shozo rolls out of the ring and walks to the back without him.
Dick Morosi: Folks, we've got one more commercial break, and we'll be back after this with a moment with Nicholas Gray!
|
|
|
|
Post by EXODUS Office on Jan 5, 2015 23:18:23 GMT -6
With the main event now concluded and everyone having left the ring, it seems the show is over, and the crowd begins to en mass stand up to leave. That is, until “Rocket Dive” by Hide hits over the speakers, heralding the arrival of Nicholas Gray, coming to the ring tonight without his trusty segway. He walks to the ring, carrying a manilla folder in one hand and a microphone in the other, as the crowd sits back down to see what the owner of EXODUS has to say. He climbs into the ring and moves to the center of it, looking out over the crowd. Nicholas Gray: Hello EXODUS. The crowd cheers. Nicholas Gray: How’s about that show, huh? Did we kick off 2015 right or WHAT?! The crowd cheers again, heavily. Nicholas Gray: That main event was something else. Those two, regardless how you might feel about them, are the future of this company. World champs, guaranteed. And this is just the start. 2015 is without a doubt going to be our biggest year, and you won’t believe what comes next….but first, there’s one more matter to talk about. We’re almost an entire cycle away but for me, the Autumn Effect 2 is still fresh in my mind. What a night that was, am I right? The crowd goes wild, remembering the excitement that was Autumn Effect 2. Nicholas Gray: You had Abby Park beating Johnny Cannon into quitting, you had Chris Strike RISE from the dead...and we pulled a fast one on Chuck Matthews and kept this company safe from his really annoying hands. The crowd boos Chuck Matthews’ name, Gray nodding. Nicholas Gray: I know, I know. But what a con, eh? I mean, Jimmy Riley fooling Chuck into thinking he was his friend, his comrade, someone he could trust with making sure Chuck got this company. We got him so confident we managed to get rid of him entirely! And all I had to do myself was sign a piece of paper saying that if Chuck won, he’d get the company. But you know the truth? I was never going to give that contract to Chuck. You know why? Because besides Jimmy Riley, I put my faith into someone, someone I believed could beat Chuck and keep this company safe, even if Riley wasn’t there. And damn it he did it. And now…. His head droops, the crowd booing already as they know who he’s talking about. Nicholas Gray: Now I don’t know what’s happening. That’s why the Autumn Effect 2 is still fresh in my mind. And I want answers. So Lifer, get out here now, so we can talk. A brief flash of silence passes through the arena instantly as the stage is beamed on by gold and white lights, the bulbs dimming slightly. Vicious hues floated over the entrance, the ramp and the audience itself. Audible boos are heard, the many in the crowd hearing the sounds of the first few words of "Alive in the Lights" by Memphis May Fire booming through the speakers over the heavy, iconic guitar riff they've grown accustomed to ever since he's arrived on the scene. This, of course, signified one man and one man alone, most of the crowd on their feet to let their opinions be heard. From the beginning, I knew I was different.
I embraced it, but you didn't.
Your normal life, 9-5, it's just not for me.
I need to feel alive! The camera searched the crowd, looking for his usual spot in the Staples Center near the top of the crowd. When his silhouette finally revealed itself, he was in no mood for taking his time, a microphone already clasped in his hand so he could state his highly controversial opinions on his way down the steps. Zack Lifer: You want answers? First, I get detention and now this? What are you, my mom? Making his way closer to the middle, the camera watching him the whole time, it’s clear the crowd wants to hear none of it, their eyes all fixated on the man standing among them who they already hated with a passion. Zack Lifer: You know what? Where are my answers, huh? Why didn’t you tell me that match with Chuck was just a distraction, was just some game you were trying to play? For that matter, why didn’t you even tell me Jimmy Riley was on our side, was ready to steal my thunder and be the hero to gain all the credit that I deserved?! Those would’ve been a couple teensy little details I probably should’ve known, oh you know, before I fought what I thought was THE MOST IMPORTANT MATCH OF MY [BEEP]ING LIFE! Nicholas Gray: And that’s fair, Zack. And I wanted to tell you, but I was outvoted on that one. Lifer scoffs, approaching closer. Zack Lifer: Outvoted? So, what? An EXODUS committee? More meetings? Nicholas Gray: This wasn’t something I cooked up. Only thing I got to do was pick who’d face Chuck. And I chose the guy who I knew would do it whether or not it was real. Because I trusted you. So why don’t you step back, calm down, and talk to me? The former New Iron Saint, now an iron sinner, took a deep breath and nodded his head up and down, reaching closer and closer to the leather barricade that surrounded ringside. Standing behind the barrier, he brought his microphone to his lips again, ready to answer. Zack Lifer: Sure. Sure, I’ll bite. I appreciate what you did for me, putting me in that match, honestly I do. Fake or not, it was one hell of a match, one I’m sure everyone’s gonna remember. So, what is it you have to say then, hm? Here to tell me you wanna put me in a seemingly impossible gauntlet like you guys did to Johnny Cannon to get my contract extended? Nicholas Gray: No, Zack. I said that I wanted an explanation, and I meant it. He holds up the manilla folder he has in one hand. Nicholas Gray: This folder contains the one thing you want more than anything. Inside this is a fully drawn up contract extension. All it needs is your signature. The crowd’s booing gets quite heavy, as Gray looks completely unsurprised by their reaction. Nicholas Gray: And all I want, is a damned explanation for what the hell is going on with you. Zack Lifer: I think I can manage that. With that, he hopped the leather barricade effortlessly and approached the ring, rolling under the bottom rope quickly. His hands popped up, mockingly showing him and everyone watching that he wasn’t going to try anything, the crowd booing louder than before. Zack Lifer: You want to know why I’ve been acting the way I’ve been acting lately? You wanna know why I knocked Adrien’s block off, sent Lexy Chapel away on a stretcher, and choked Heather last week? It’s simple. His words were methodical. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small burlap sack with a wide smirk. The crowd continued to boo, the memories of Christum Furor coming back to them as they watched to see what would happen next. To their surprise, all he did was toss the sack to ringside, as if to symbolize something left for the audience watching to decide. Zack Lifer: See, they wanted me to change, wanted me to become this heroic figure who always did the right thing, who always managed to try and help people, no matter what. It makes sense, it really does. I mean, what do they all have in common? They’re all Sekigun. They’re all a part of Mr. Collins’ regime, his little group of brainwashed ‘do-gooders’ that only look out for themselves and the Revo students, who only want the crowd to love them for what they see on camera without even caring about the people like me who genuinely ask to help. The way I see it, Gunner and Jon Collins were one in the same - both emotionally damaged and willing to do whatever it took to further their agenda as long as they were the figurehead. They’re both violent, you’ve seen it and so have I, and they both have a way of convincing people that their way of life is the right one, a way of speaking I can’t even come close to mastering, I’ll be the first to admit. Essentially though, they all agreed on quite a few things behind the scenes, it really takes an outsider’s eye to see it. He scratched the back of his head, his eyes moving back to Nicolas Gray instead of the crowd. Zack Lifer: The Sekigun held hands at the Dojo and the Gods & Monsters held it together in meetings of their own. They both praised themselves until they were blue in the face, am I wrong? So, what am, I getting at, Nick? I’ll tell you. They both wanted me to change. They both wanted me to make some essential leap that I just couldn’t do for a cause I just couldn’t believe in and even now, the Sekigun in ruins and the Gods & Monsters buried six feet under, people like Adrien and Heather keep the standards the same. ‘Lifer, how dare you think for yourself! The thought police are gonna get ‘cha.’ ‘Lifer, why’d you attack Lexy? I thought she was your friend, right? You talked to her once or twice, that means she’s your friend!’ No, that’s not how it works! That’s not how any of this works! His voice was finally raising, his eyes darting to the crowd all around him again. Zack Lifer: This business takes and takes until you’re nothing! This business rips at the core of who you are and tries to make you something you’re not, just ‘cause everyone’s watching! Why can’t we keep our individuality, why can’t we be ourselves? Why can’t we just be who we are and let it just end there? You force everyone to pick a side, force everyone to get brainwashed, and then you expect us to have a war? Really? When you want so many people to just change on a [BEEP]ing whim? I’m sorry I couldn’t do that, Nick. I’m sorry I couldn’t ‘grow up.’ THIS is who I am. THIS IS WHO I’LL ALWAYS BE. And it’s because of you, all of you, that I’m like this, you pieces of crap! If you would’ve just let me be the hero, if you would’ve just let me be a good guy, maybe this wouldn’t have ended the way it has, maybe I wouldn’t be so [BEEP]ing frustrated these days, but you unleashed this, you’ve brought this on yourself! Follow the leader? Change your ideals, change your subconscious? You want me to be a hero with none of the benefits, with none of the gifts that come with it like I’m some kind of puppet, and for the last time, I’m not a soldier, Mr. Gray! I’m not a [BEEP]ing soldier. I’m my own general, I make my own decisions, and if being myself is too much of a stretch for all of you, if you’re a little ticked off that I keep attacking your brainwashed friends, well, too [BEEP]ing bad! Storming back and forth, his words are loud and obnoxious, and yet everyone in the arena listens to every single word, taking it all in as they heard him finally air out his grievances. Zack Lifer: I’ve spent over SIX YEARS wrestling, SIX YEARS! And all I get, all I’ve always gotten, is spat on, disgraced by everyone I’ve ever met. They’ve all changed. Chris Jenkins, Brandon Banks, Zero McHannon, and everyone else in EXODUS… They’ve all changed and I’ve never ONCE got a real pat on the back for surviving, got a real thank you for everything I’ve managed to do when I put my body on the line every single week for your entertainment, so asking for one thing, just ONE THING isn’t something I’m not entitled to ask for, okay? Just one thing. So why… Why don’t you just… Just hand me the contract, I’ll show up at Dead In Hollywood, I’ll show up at the next ExPro, and you can put me near the top of the card like I deserve and we can just call it a night, okay Mr. Gray? Please… Just… Just once. For a few moments, Nicholas Gray doesn’t say anything. He just stares at Zack Lifer, a shocked look on his face. Slowly the shock turns into anger as he raises his microphone. Nicholas Gray: What the [BEEP] is wrong with you. It’s Zack’s turn to look shocked as Nicholas Gray begins to unload. Nicholas Gray: How dare you. How god damn DARE you. I ask for an explanation, I ask for the reason you’d done all of this, and you come at me with THIS? You’d dare to try this garbage on ME? This “woe is me no one’s ever believed in me why hasn’t anyone patted me on the back” BULL? Zack, for what’s felt like an eternity now, I’ve believed in you. I’ve carried your flag, I’ve shouted from the god damned rooftops that I believe in Zack Lifer, so you can take that excuse and put it in the trash where it belongs! He takes a step closer, getting almost into Zack’s face as he continues. Nicholas Gray: And did you seriously just try and say that wrestling OWES you something? Zack, shut the hell up. Wrestling doesn’t GIVE you anything. You have to earn everything you get, you don’t get handed it to you like some milestone. “Oh, I’ve wrestled six years and not once did anyone give me a reward for that!” Shut the [BEEP] up! I wrestled for ten god damn years and do you know what I [BEEP]ing got, Zack?! He holds up one finger in Lifer’s face. . Nicholas Gray: A drug addiction. A second finger. Nicholas Gray: Almost everyone I’ve met laughing behind my back. And a third. Nicholas Gray: And a year in a [BEEP]ing wheelchair. But do you see me blaming wrestling for that? Do you see me blaming everyone around me for it? Do you see me CHOKING a woman with a deadly disease because she hurt my ego? NO! So shut up, step the [BEEP] back and look in the mirror, because the only person you have to blame for any of this is YOU. He holds up the folder. Nicholas Gray: And this? This was suppose to be given to my friend. I had this drawn up, because deep down I hoped I could still reach my friend. That the guy I trusted, believed in for so long had to have a reason. That there had to be some explanation, of SOME kind that would make this all make sense. And now I can see there’s not. That my friend is gone, and in his place is some unbelievable bastard that I can’t stand to look at. And because I didn’t see that from the start, people will laugh behind my back for that too. So to hell with all this. You know what I’m going to do now, Zack? I’m going to walk back to my office. And once I get there, I’m going to take this contract...and I’m going to tear it up. And I’m going to feed the pieces through my shredder. And then I’m going to try my level best to forget about you entirely. Because even though you’re now...whatever the hell you are….I still remember my friend. And seeing what you’ve turned into hurts. So I’m not going to look at you anymore. So, quite frankly….piss off out of my fed, Lifer. Emotion on his face, sadness covering his expression as his breathing got heavier and heavier. He could feel the crowd laughing at him, hear it faintly if he listened closely enough, his mind trying to make sense of it all. His career in EXODUS was over? He shook his head, his eyes scanning the crowd as Nicholas Gray began to walk, his folder still in hand. And that’s when it happened. Zack Lifer: Hey, Mr. Gray? His voice was innocent, the voice of the friend he once knew. It wasn’t the voice of Zack Lifer, it was simply the voice of Nick Kramer - husband, father, friend. His eyes closed, Nicholas Gray turning his head one final time. That is, until the owner of EXODUS fell to the floor, the Forced Suicide heard around the world. With Nicholas Gray on the floor, his brain more than likely concussed by the way his head bounced viciously on the mat, the crowd booed violently and relentlessly his way. The Iron Sinner Zack Lifer could only stare at the folder, his heart beating as fast as it could. He dropped to his knees, tears falling down his face, and he did the unthinkable. Opening the folder up, he looked at the contract in bewilderment. His eyes told the story, the sight that this was his golden ticket to a happy life, the golden ticket to everything he needed. Tears still falling, he reached for the pen from Nicholas Gray’s shirt pocket and searched for the X. The camera spotted it too. He rested the contract over Nicholas Gray’s unconscious body, still on his knees with the pen clasped in his right hand, and signed the contract, the camera watching as the ink appeared on the page. At the very bottom, the signature “Zack Lifer” in cursive lettering made it official, right under the EXODUS logo in giant, blocky letters. The camera panned back to Lifer himself, a small smile across his face as more tears trailed down his cheeks. Somberly mouthing the words ‘I did it,’ the show came to a close, the crowd booing louder than they have all night, as copyright pops up in the corner, ending the night. |
|
