Post by EXODUS Office on May 11, 2015 17:38:29 GMT -6
May 11th, 2015
San Diego, CA
The show opens up, much to the chagrin of the fans to Chuck Matthews, standing outside an office door, a cold sneer on his face. Slowly, he raises his hand, pausing briefly, hesitating...and then rapping his knuckles sharply against the office door. The voice of the new director of EXODUS sounds from within.
Michelle Collins: Come in.
Chuck slowly opens the door and slips inside, closing it behind him. Michelle sits at her desk, reading over a small stack of papers in front of her, as if she hasn't even noticed that someone has entered the room. Chuck's eyes, ever vigilant, dart across the room, taking everything in, from the wooden desk to the neat stacks of pages on the desk to the few pictures she has on the walls. Michelle continues to read, not so much as looking up to acknowledge Chuck's presence.
Chuck Matthews: You summoned me?
Finally, Michelle looks up, smiling warmly.
Michelle Collins: Mr. Matthews! I’m so glad you got my call. Please, have a seat.
Chuck Matthews: I'll stand.
Michelle eyes him, but doesn't object. She does, however, glance at the chair across the desk from her, hinting to Chuck that the offer is still there.
Michelle Collins: If you’d prefer. Now I’m sure you know why you’re here?
Chuck Matthews: Well, from what you told me over the phone, it sounds to me like you’ve got a bit of a problem.
Michelle looks at Chuck, as though expecting him to say more. When he doesn’t, she nods.
Michelle Collins: I’ll come clean with you: You were not my first choice-
Chuck Matthews: I’d be more surprised if I was.
Michelle ignores the interruption.
Michelle Collins: I understand that you have plenty of bad history with my brother, with his closest friends...with this entire company, even.
Chuck shrugs.
Michelle Collins: But...I also understand that while I can’t condone the things you’ve done, it would be stupid of me to ignore the efficiency with which you’ve done them. You’ve demonstrated an uncanny ability to plan ahead, to observe, and to keep an eye on each and every person in this company simultaneously. While some might see you as a con artist and a cheat, I see you as someone who can prove to be invaluable, if I can only convince you to use that head of yours for our cause. You said yourself, after all: In a not so different universe, my family and yours would have been on the same side...or has that changed?
Chuck says nothing. His eyes continue to bore holes in the woman before him. His furrowed brow tells the whole story: He’s reading her. The gears in his head are turning. He’s plotting, thinking...but whether he could, in fact, see through Michelle’s plan was a mystery known only by the “Smartest Man in Wrestling” himself. Chuck shakes his head with a smirk.
Chuck Matthews: Clever, aren’t you?
Michelle Collins: I’m very good at what I do.
Chuck laughs as she repeats the words Chuck so often says himself. This time, it’s Michelle who smiles. She opens the top drawer of her desk and from it, procures three folders, which she lays in front of Chuck. Chuck narrows his eyes, looking from the folders to Michelle, looking for any indication as to what will come next.
Michelle Collins: Like I told you, Mr. Matthews: I’ve heard quite a bit about you. Now I know you don’t play well with others, and your little stunt at the end of last week’s show showed me, if anything, that you’re not going to show your cards just yet. So I’m going to give you one opportunity to choose your path here in EXODUS. Now you remember, I’m sure, that you left us quite a mess to clean up the last time you were here?
Chuck nods with a smile, as though recalling a pleasant memory.
Chuck Matthews: Good times
Michelle snorts.
Michelle Collins: For you, maybe. But it took this company a while to recover from the fires you set here. And had it not been for your sudden departure, you can be sure we would have filed legal action against you.
Michelle opens the first folder, revealing a rather sizeable stack of paper, at the top of which is Chuck’s EXODUS rookie contract from the year before, stolen from William Darlington. The word “TERMINATED” is stamped in bright red letters across the center.
Michelle Collins: You didn’t think those lawsuits would just disappear, did you? Letting you back into this company is a risk, but it’s one I’m willing to take. That being said: If you come into this company and try and pull that same trick you did last time, I can personally guarantee you that each and every one of these litigations will fall upon your shoulders. Maybe you’ll beat them. Maybe you won’t. But it will be long, it will be expensive, and it will surely damage your reputation for years to come.
Chuck stares down at the pages in the folder, nodding at the number of lawsuits in place. Michelle opens the third folder, leaving the middle alone for a moment.
Michelle Collins: Now...should you decide to help me with the problem I mentioned before...this is what you will be worth to me.
Chuck glances at a new contract sitting in folder #3. He nods, evidently impressed with what is written before him.
Michelle Collins: I thought you might appreciate that. You finish the job, and this contract is yours. And, just as it says, you help me out, I’ll help you. And these lawsuits-
Michelle motions towards the first folder.
Michelle Collins: -Will disappear, never to bother you again.
Chuck Matthews: Bold play.
Michelle Collins: I had to make it worth your while.
Chuck eyes the center folder, which remains unopened on Michelle’s desk.
Michelle Collins: Ah. This one.
Chuck waits for her to open the folder, but she doesn’t, instead folding her hands on top of it, so that Chuck himself can’t open it either.
Michelle Collins: I said last week that each and every member of EXODUS, past and present, begins with a clean slate with me. I meant that. Even for you. And I think it would be unfair of me to offer an open door and not give certain people, regardless of their history, that option. This folder is that option. You can come into EXODUS, do what you like, be the Chuck Matthews I’m sure you’re just dying to be again. The lawsuits will disappear. I will not take legal action against you for opting out of this task. However, you will not know the details of this contract until you’ve made your choice...and I assure you, you will not be nearly as valuable to me.
Chuck looks from one folder to the next, his eyes hovering over the center one, contents still unknown.
Michelle Collins: If I know one thing about you, Chuck, it’s that you are not a gambling man. Everything you do is calculated. It’s thought out. You never leave anything to chance.
Michelle rests her finger on the center folder.
Michelle Collins: This is chance.
She points to the two open folders on either side.
Michelle Collins: These are certainty. Now you tell me, Mr. Matthews: Which is more important to you? Being able to play your little ‘lone wolf’ game? Or knowing exactly what lies ahead before you take your leap?
Chuck stares long and hard at the center folder. Michelle offers Chuck a pen, which he slowly accepts.
Chuck Matthews: This job…
Michelle Collins: Things are happening in EXODUS, Mr. Matthews. A storm is brewing, and I’m not entirely sure this company is adequately prepared to handle the damage it may cause. You have...the skills. Maybe more importantly, you have the experience. I need you to fix the problem...or at the very least, to keep the threat in check. I intend to use you as one last line between EXODUS and those that would wish it harm...a last full measure of defense against the growing threat.
Chuck nods.
Chuck Matthews: I’ll give you credit, you’ve got some balls. Can’t imagine it’s a popular decision, bringing Chuck Matthews of all people back into the fold.
Chuck looks from the contract to Michelle.
Chuck Matthews: If I do this...I do this on my terms. I will not answer to you. I will do this my way, and you’re going to have to trust that I know what I’m doing.
Michelle Collins: I thought you might say that...and I’ll let you have your space. But don’t expect free reign here. I’m giving you a timeline.
Chuck Matthews: Oh?
Michelle Collins: You have six months. If this isn’t done by Autumn Effect…
Michelle eyes the first folder, and all the litigations within. Chuck nods slowly, locking his eyes on the center folder once more. Slowly, he reaches forward, making his choice...
And the show begins.
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
SAVANNAH TAYLOR vs. ARIES REED vs. BEOWULF
David Zinkus: The follow contest is scheduled for one fall…
The fans in the RIMAC are in their seats, anxiously awaiting the start of the match. Before they have a chance to say anything, the lights suddenly fade to black. The noise of the crowd is replaced by a loud whistle emanating from the sound system. The whistle repeats, only this time it is accompanied by a few riffs from a synthesizer. As the synth pulses on for a few seconds, red strobe lights around the stage begin to pulse in perfect synch with the music. The heavy guitar and drum tandem that follows truly signals the beginning of “Engel” by Rammstein. The black of the arena has been replaced by a vivid crimson as the song plays on. The fans immediately leap to their feet and showing a rather mixed reaction at the arrival of the woman dubbed the she-wolf, Savannah Taylor.
David Zinkus: Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada...weighing in tonight at “none of your damn business”, SAVANNAHHHHHHHH...TAAAAAAYLOOOORRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The blonde steps out onto the stage, decked out in a sharp black military-style jacket that falls to around the mid-thigh level her blonde hair falling over her shoulders. In her right hand she carries a solid black leather riding crop. She glances to either side of her before walking purposefully down the aisle, tapping the end of the riding crop in her left hand. She climbs the steps and stands on the apron, scanning the crowd before raising the riding crop towards the kids in Section B and dragging it across her throat. Stepping into the ring, she stands in the center and raises her hands above her head, seeming to soak in the boos. She then removes her coat and hands that to a stagehand before setting her riding crop down in the corner. She then rests her back against the turnbuckle and waits for the lights to return to normal and the music to fade out.
Dick Morosi: Our starting contest here tonight is a triple threat and we’ve got some sparks that are going to fly here tonight, as Savannah Taylor is priming herself for a possibility at an International championship opportunity and a bit of payback against the REVOLUTION after the events of two weeks ago...
Seth Ericson: Yeah, Savannah basically making a note for Zinkus to tell everybody her weight is none of our damn business. She probably got fatter off all the bombons she’s been eating since she misses Chandler Scott so badly...
Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix) starts to play, as the arena is plunged into blackout. After a few moments, white lights starts scanning the crowd, mimicking spotlights, searching for something. Suddenly, after about half a minute, as the electronic beat starts, they all snap to a single position, as the rear of one of the lower banks of seating, where a lone man stands, black hood pulled over his head, holding a pool cue high up in the air.
David Zinkus: And her opponent, from Romford, Essex, England, weighing in tonight at a two hundred and twenty-four pounds...he is a part of THE STORM...HE! IS! BEOOOOOOOWULF!!!!!!
As the music continues, he drops down into the crowd, making his way through the throng of people, ignoring the slaps on the back he’s receiving as he goes, before finally reaching the barrier. Placing one chain wrapped fist on the metal barricade, he vaults it with ease, before sliding straight into the ring under the bottom rope. He quickly trots to the opposite rope, and stands up on the bottom rope, again raising the pool cue high above his head as he salutes crowd. Dropping off the ropes, he moves to the ropes adjacent to the right, and repeats the procedure again, doing it twice more until all sides of the ring have been covered. After jumping off the last set, he returns to the centre of the ring, and jerks his head back, revealing his ginger beard and mohican. He hoists the pool cue aloft one last time, before making his way to his corner, and removing his hoodie.
Dick Morosi: And after the events from two weeks ago, Beowulf is looking to finish the job on the third member of this match here tonight.
Seth Ericson: Things between REVOLUTION and the Storm have been getting more intense with each passing show here but you can’t forgot the Savannah Taylor factor as well.
'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 goes into the beginning of "Blackened the Sun", 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.
David Zinkus: And their opponent...from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at a two hundred and thirty-five pounds, he is a member of the REVOLUTION…“THE BLACKEST SUN” ARIIIIIEEES...REEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
Dick Morosi: And Aries Reed is sauntering into this match like he owns the place, but you have to believe he’s ready to dish out some payback on Beowulf...
Seth Ericson: ...after he and Abby Park took some liberties with Shozo until the rest of REVOLUTION made the save. Yup, this is going to be a crazy one, folks.
The bell rings...and IMMEDIATELY both Savannah and Beowulf go after Aries Reed, wailing away at the REVOLUTION member with stiff kicks and punches respectively. Reed is quickly double-teamed as he’s irish whipped across the ropes and then met with a double set of back elbows from Taylor and Beowulf before Savannah executes with a standing moonsault to the prone Reed and Beowulf follows with a running knee to the Blackest Sun’s face. Reed rolls around in pain as he slowly slides out of the ring, leaving Taylor and Beowulf to stare each other down. Before Beowulf can react, Savannah kicks him in the stomach, sending him to the ropes. She hits the deck as Beowulf hops over and heads to the opposite side after the rebound, but Savannah leaps over as he comes back again, but Wulf manages to stop and catch Savannah on her shoulders before he grabs her arms and crosses them, dropping her with an ocean cyclone suplex. Wulf quickly drops down to hit Savannah with a headbutt before getting back up and starting to wrap her arms up before rolling her up for a cradle. He goes for the pin!
ONE...
TWO.....
ARIES SAVES BEFORE A THREE! Aries yanks Savannah out so hard, she hits the guardrail, and Aries hops in, using the ropes to slingshot in and nail Wulf with an elbow. He smirks as he quickly starts to wrap up Beowulf in a figure four, making sure to get even more pressure on the knees to wreck him. Savannah slowly starts to crawl into the ring, and as Aries smirks, he's surprised as one of his arms is grabbed and Savannah puts Reed into a cross armbreaker! Aries is trying to escape, and has to stop focusing on the figure four to attempt to get out, and as he finally reaches for the ropes, Beowulf is able to shake him off before hitting him with a jumping legdrop!
Dick Morosi: Beowulf coming strong at both Taylor and Reed here tonight!
Seth Ericson: There's a lot of red on the ledger of both participants, you've gotta think that's right in Beowulf's mind.
Wulf grabs Aries, and given their not-so-friendly history over the past few months, starts slamming Reed's chest with hard chops before he whips him to the ropes, but Reed reverses, and as Wulf comes back, he hits him with a back elbow. Aries drops a huge fist drop on Wulf before he gets up and points to his head like he's got a bright idea!
Seth Ericson: Well that's never good...
Reed gets up and starts to pull out from his crotch a black glove, the crowd jeering as they realize that it's time to see a Black Sack. Savannah starts to whip him around before she winds up on the receiving end of one before going "SORRY I AIN'T SORRY, WHITE GIRL!" before looking at the camera and going "Sup, Chandler?" before approaching Wulf with his glove and smacking him across the face to Black Sack him too! Posturing to the crowd, they begin to jeer as the whole crowd watches Reed pick up Wulf again before he looks to lock him into a rear waistlock to prepare for the Chaos Theory, but Savannah quickly grabs him and pulls him away from Wulf to cradle him!
ONE!
TWO!
THR--WULF MAKES THE SAVE!
Wulf yanks up Reed by the hair before he bounces off the ropes and leaps up at Aries...FALCON PUNCH! Beowulf starts to warm up before...GAMBLE! Savannah Taylor looks like she's starting to get ready to take control of this match, delivering a huge superkick to Reed! She's starting to size up Beowulf...SNAKE EYES! She lands on her feet after that avalanche shiranui, and she looks to go for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
ARIES YANKS HER AWAY FROM WULF! HE GOES FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
"Blackened the Sun" starts and Aries Reed has stolen a victory!
WINNER: Aries Reed
David Zinkus: Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this bout... ARIES REE-
David Zinkus’ mic suddenly cuts out. As he bats it in confusion, The Hanging Tree by James Newton Howard featuring Jennifer Lawrence starts to play through the PA, as Shozo Arino, Devan Whitmore and GRENDEL all enter the arena, walking slowly and methodically down to the ring.
Dick Morosi: Damn, what are REVOLUTION doing coming out here?
Seth Ericson: I don’t know Dick, but I’m going to guess it’s got something to do with Beowulf and his buddies giving Shozo a kicking last week.
As they draw closer to the ring, Shozo and Devan sprint forward, sliding in under the bottom rope. Joining Aries, they all start stomping on the stricken Beowulf. GRENDEL eventually reaches the ring, climbs on the apron, and steps over the top rope, before joining the assault.
Dick Morosi: This is savage. This is undeserved!
Seth Ericson: Undeserved? After what Storm tried last week, I’d say this is their fair comeuppance.
Suddenly, Shozo finds himself grabbed by the shoulder, and spun round, into a hard elbow from Savannah Taylor!
Dick Morosi: Savannah trying to get herself some vengeance too, after last week’s post match attack from Shozo!
Seth Ericson: She was playing possum! She almost broke up the pin, and the rest of REVOLUTION just ignored her as they went for their target.
Shozo and Savannah start trading blows, moving away from the main cluster, the rest of REVOLUTION totally focussed on Beowulf. Suddenly from the back sprint Abby Park and Saikosoma, both with steel chairs in their hands! In the ring, Savannah has just hit Shozo with a choice low blow, and taking him by waistband and the scruff of his neck has thrown him out of the ring, between the top and middle ropes! As Abby and Saikosoma slide in under the bottom rope, the three remaining REVOLUTION members scatter, escaping out of the ring, GRENDEL narrowly avoiding the chair Saikosoma hurls at him as he climbs out. Aries and Devan both helping Shozo up, the foursome start to leave the arena, Shozo laughing all the time, regardless of just being thrown out the ring. Savannah is shouting at Shozo to get back in the ring with her, whilst the Storm members just stare daggers into the eyes of the smiling REVOLUTIONaries, as Beowulf slowly begins to move.
Dick Morosi: Storm and Savannah Taylor saving Beowulf’s bacon there, but he looks to be in bad shape. We’re going to get the EMTs in here, and then we’ll be right back with you.
: Try me, sweetheart.