Post by Dave D-Flipz on Apr 29, 2020 23:30:00 GMT -5
*The scene opens up a few minutes after the previous promo (Kill You Conscience). The camera zooms in through a light rain on the front door of a Gothic style Church. We get a sweeping shot of the whole cathedral before entering the front door and getting another panoramic view of the interior of the Church. There are stained glass windows and panoramic frescoes. We see Death Trap is standing in the center aisle just behind the front set of pews staring at the altar and the rather large crucifix sporting a rather buff Christ figure hanging from it. (He was a carpenter, he’d totally be ripped yo). The cameraman steps into the Church and the door slowly closes behind him. DT slowly lowers his head and steps to the side into a pew and sits down as if lost in thought. The lights illuminate the front few pews and the altar but since this is a Friday evening in a pandemic the sanctuary is mostly dark to save on costs.*
”What am I doing here? Am I so worried about myself that a simple lack of a will to brutally injure my opponents is causing me to doubt my abilities? I mean … if anyone knows why it sucks to be injured by your opponent it’s me. I lost my first X*Crown title after being injured by my opponent. I have a history of concussions precisely because people had that mode where they wanted to win so bad they might even kill their rival.”
*The cameraman sits in a pew in the darkness a few rows back.*
”Am I here seeking guidance? Or am I just crumbling under the weight of the task I have set before me? I dunno it seemed the right move to make. That last promo was meant to show my fire. And all it did was tell everyone I am not a threat because I won’t risk their health for a title belt. But that should be the default shouldn’t it? Isn’t this about sporting competition? How many men have I injured in my time? I dunno if I ever have. And my arsenal these days is all about stiff strikes and submissions meant to inflict pain. But never injury. I have tapped out the best and brightest and none have ever missed a paycheck because of me. I’ve never thrown a man off an arena roof. I’ve never kicked legos down their throat … *he rubs his jaw again* I’ve certainly never fed a man to a Sarlacc pit …”
*From the side of the Church we see a door open and a head peek in. They look around and spot DT sitting in the pew. They perk up and enter the room, silently shutting the door. As they approach DT is still lost in his own head*
”It seems all these new guys make their names off of literally eliminating any competition. Where’s the fun in that? It’s not entertaining to the fans to see your favorite wrestlers all go down to injury because Michael Storm is a choking hazard … er … phrasing. Just makes me think. I know what I can do in that ring. I know it also takes a lot of luck to win an event like this. I could come out like fifth and have to REALLY test my endurance and pace myself. I have what it takes to win … don’t I? I am one of the favorites to win this thing and yet … all I keep hearing is how old I am. Am I breaking down? I know my injury history from back in the early naughties but … I’ve been such a reliable hand. It can’t be over right?
*The man reaches DT and sits next to him. It is now clear it is a priest who must live in the chapel nearby and saw the doors being opened. He gives DT a second to jostle from his melancholy. DT smirks and looks back at his feet.*
“My son, what brings you to this place of sanctuary and worship during these troubling times. Seattle is not in the best of conditions right now.”
”Forgive me father. It’s been … well a long time since I’ve been around. Like … twenty years. Or more. I don’t remember. I guess that makes me a bad Catholic huh?”
”Well you are Italian so you get a head start …”
*DT laughs at the humor. He didn’t expect that here. He didn’t know what to expect.*
”Well padre … I’ll tell you. My world is kind of closing in around me lately. I have never been one who is short on self confidence. Like usually it’s the opposite. I am pretty good at thinking only the best of myself and loving myself. And the fans still love me. I know this. They keep me going, they are why I do this. After a year of MCCW and the XHF Global events and legends deals and endorsements … I’m good financially again already. But I … I guess I’m not feeling fulfilled. I want more out of my career. I want one more crack at the top. I need to be the best.”
”Well what has you feeling unfulfilled? Have you not reached the pinnacle of the sport yet?”
"Well I mean … I’ve been a world champ recently, I’ve won a huge global tournament. I’ve held pretty much every title I could dream of. Barring tag team. I’ve been to the top so many times and I suppose I just wanted to STAY there longer. Ya know prove I am worthy of it. Mae the fans hyped one more time for a long time. Really justify their belief in me. Give them a GOOD role model to root for."
"So you are not personally satisfied? My son you have reached the top many times and done so over a long breadth of time. Not everyone is destined to sit on the top for a while only to tumble. You my son, have climbed to the top and kept climbing. You weren’t satisfied with one so you got many. How many people can claim to have been at the top for so long even if you only held the prize for short bursts?"
"Never thought of it that way. Something must be right with me to always be in the title picture. Despite all these people telling me to retire … I’m still a favorite, I’m still the biggest threat. I’m not some late bloomer like Zoran or some choke artist like Maverick. Heck even Reeshi was unstoppable for 2 maybe 3 years before he faded from memory. Michael Storm got to the top recently after years of toiling … but me … I’ve been at the top since 2003 in some form or another. And I came back from what should have been career ending injuries only to remain at the top again. Do you think I still have more to give padre?"
"Now that is something only you can answer. Your sport presents great risks to the body. You have a history. Do YOU feel you can still perform at the high levels you clearly see yourself needing to be performing at?"
"*sigh* I’ve always been my own worst enemy. Not knowing when to stop and rest, not knowing when a risk was a risk and when it was insanity. I lost the closes chance to win a rumble in 2006 because I gassed myself early and toyed with a good fighter enough to let him take me out at the end. But … that was so long ago. I am in the best physical condition of my life. I have abs for Christsak…. Er … I have abs is what I mean to say. I am one of the few wrestlers known for their ability to keep coming and out last people. My cardio and endurance are second to none. I’m more entertaining now than I ever was. And I have honed my style in the ring to fit a safer but more dynamic match structure. I have been healthy for over a full year since returning full time to the ring. I am on the most grueling schedule in terms of quantity of matches and I still am not fazed by it. And I certainly proved via End of Days that I have … to put it in terms Timeless would understand … multiple health bars, multiple phases to my wrestling. I get a third and fourth wind is what I am trying to get across."
*The priest smiles and nods.*
"So then my son, why do you doubt yourself now? If your recent run has you feeling satisfied with yourself, and has produced results … why do you worry about not having that unsavory aspect to your persona?"
"I … don’t know. I guess seeing all these people talk about how I changed I got into my own head again. But … why is that bad? Yes I am not the same DT I was in the original XHF. Most would consider that a good thing. I hated myself then. I was a pandering sycophant. I wasn’t being true to myself or honest with the fans. And they are the reason I do this, they are what fuels my fire. And they certainly haven’t given up on me. I owe it to the people watching at home to go out and give the best performance I can in the rumble. Win or lose I want to walk out head held high and know that if this IS the last run for me then I gave a performance anyone could respect. And I want them to know that of the feeling strikes me … I still have it in me to keep coming back for more. It is after all, what I do best. I use what they give me against them, I adapt, I overcome, and I take control of the situation. I am the Master of Puppets after all."
"Let’s not regress into bad habits my son."
*DT laughs*
"Yeah I suppose the days of being a catchphrase machine are done. Not really the best way to promote yourself. But I think my crisis of confidence is over. I have renewed vigor and I am ready to give all 111% of myself to this match."
"111% my son?"
"Sure I’m better than Syberus and he’s 110%. Still plenty to overcome Caffrey I bet. Thank you padre. I honestly didn’t know what I wanted or expected when I came in here. But I’m glad you still remember me from all those years ago. I guess the people who really matter never really forget. Even if you take your sweet time remembering who they are."
"David my son, you were involved with us right up until you left to play baseball. We here at home will always root for you. Time, work, and life take us many places but in the end the best ones never forget where they came from. You’ve represented Seattle well. And I have no doubts you will keep doing so. Mind your head and go cause some mayhem!"
"Bless you father. And maybe have the big guy give me a cheer?"
"Not sure the Big Guy would be ok playing favorites. *he chuckles* I am glad to be of service. Oh and have that cameraman hiding back there do five Hail Mary’s as penance and leave a donation … yes?"
*DT smiles and laughs with renewed fire in his heart. He walks to the camera man as the priest exits*
"I may be a changed man… but that is a good thing. I have never stopped improving. I have never stopped training. I grew into my own man and I am proud of who I am. I will walk out through that curtain and create terror on the high seas. Talk about my senior status here in XHF all you want but all that means is I’ve been around long enough to know all the tricks and how to counter them. To all you competitors in the rumble, DT is no longer is own worst enemy. Just yours. So I welcome you all to a death trap of my design. All I have to do … is spring it."
*He takes money from the camera guy and tosses it in the collection box and lights a candle. He signs himself with the holy water as he exits the Church*
”What am I doing here? Am I so worried about myself that a simple lack of a will to brutally injure my opponents is causing me to doubt my abilities? I mean … if anyone knows why it sucks to be injured by your opponent it’s me. I lost my first X*Crown title after being injured by my opponent. I have a history of concussions precisely because people had that mode where they wanted to win so bad they might even kill their rival.”
*The cameraman sits in a pew in the darkness a few rows back.*
”Am I here seeking guidance? Or am I just crumbling under the weight of the task I have set before me? I dunno it seemed the right move to make. That last promo was meant to show my fire. And all it did was tell everyone I am not a threat because I won’t risk their health for a title belt. But that should be the default shouldn’t it? Isn’t this about sporting competition? How many men have I injured in my time? I dunno if I ever have. And my arsenal these days is all about stiff strikes and submissions meant to inflict pain. But never injury. I have tapped out the best and brightest and none have ever missed a paycheck because of me. I’ve never thrown a man off an arena roof. I’ve never kicked legos down their throat … *he rubs his jaw again* I’ve certainly never fed a man to a Sarlacc pit …”
*From the side of the Church we see a door open and a head peek in. They look around and spot DT sitting in the pew. They perk up and enter the room, silently shutting the door. As they approach DT is still lost in his own head*
”It seems all these new guys make their names off of literally eliminating any competition. Where’s the fun in that? It’s not entertaining to the fans to see your favorite wrestlers all go down to injury because Michael Storm is a choking hazard … er … phrasing. Just makes me think. I know what I can do in that ring. I know it also takes a lot of luck to win an event like this. I could come out like fifth and have to REALLY test my endurance and pace myself. I have what it takes to win … don’t I? I am one of the favorites to win this thing and yet … all I keep hearing is how old I am. Am I breaking down? I know my injury history from back in the early naughties but … I’ve been such a reliable hand. It can’t be over right?
*The man reaches DT and sits next to him. It is now clear it is a priest who must live in the chapel nearby and saw the doors being opened. He gives DT a second to jostle from his melancholy. DT smirks and looks back at his feet.*
“My son, what brings you to this place of sanctuary and worship during these troubling times. Seattle is not in the best of conditions right now.”
”Forgive me father. It’s been … well a long time since I’ve been around. Like … twenty years. Or more. I don’t remember. I guess that makes me a bad Catholic huh?”
”Well you are Italian so you get a head start …”
*DT laughs at the humor. He didn’t expect that here. He didn’t know what to expect.*
”Well padre … I’ll tell you. My world is kind of closing in around me lately. I have never been one who is short on self confidence. Like usually it’s the opposite. I am pretty good at thinking only the best of myself and loving myself. And the fans still love me. I know this. They keep me going, they are why I do this. After a year of MCCW and the XHF Global events and legends deals and endorsements … I’m good financially again already. But I … I guess I’m not feeling fulfilled. I want more out of my career. I want one more crack at the top. I need to be the best.”
”Well what has you feeling unfulfilled? Have you not reached the pinnacle of the sport yet?”
"Well I mean … I’ve been a world champ recently, I’ve won a huge global tournament. I’ve held pretty much every title I could dream of. Barring tag team. I’ve been to the top so many times and I suppose I just wanted to STAY there longer. Ya know prove I am worthy of it. Mae the fans hyped one more time for a long time. Really justify their belief in me. Give them a GOOD role model to root for."
"So you are not personally satisfied? My son you have reached the top many times and done so over a long breadth of time. Not everyone is destined to sit on the top for a while only to tumble. You my son, have climbed to the top and kept climbing. You weren’t satisfied with one so you got many. How many people can claim to have been at the top for so long even if you only held the prize for short bursts?"
"Never thought of it that way. Something must be right with me to always be in the title picture. Despite all these people telling me to retire … I’m still a favorite, I’m still the biggest threat. I’m not some late bloomer like Zoran or some choke artist like Maverick. Heck even Reeshi was unstoppable for 2 maybe 3 years before he faded from memory. Michael Storm got to the top recently after years of toiling … but me … I’ve been at the top since 2003 in some form or another. And I came back from what should have been career ending injuries only to remain at the top again. Do you think I still have more to give padre?"
"Now that is something only you can answer. Your sport presents great risks to the body. You have a history. Do YOU feel you can still perform at the high levels you clearly see yourself needing to be performing at?"
"*sigh* I’ve always been my own worst enemy. Not knowing when to stop and rest, not knowing when a risk was a risk and when it was insanity. I lost the closes chance to win a rumble in 2006 because I gassed myself early and toyed with a good fighter enough to let him take me out at the end. But … that was so long ago. I am in the best physical condition of my life. I have abs for Christsak…. Er … I have abs is what I mean to say. I am one of the few wrestlers known for their ability to keep coming and out last people. My cardio and endurance are second to none. I’m more entertaining now than I ever was. And I have honed my style in the ring to fit a safer but more dynamic match structure. I have been healthy for over a full year since returning full time to the ring. I am on the most grueling schedule in terms of quantity of matches and I still am not fazed by it. And I certainly proved via End of Days that I have … to put it in terms Timeless would understand … multiple health bars, multiple phases to my wrestling. I get a third and fourth wind is what I am trying to get across."
*The priest smiles and nods.*
"So then my son, why do you doubt yourself now? If your recent run has you feeling satisfied with yourself, and has produced results … why do you worry about not having that unsavory aspect to your persona?"
"I … don’t know. I guess seeing all these people talk about how I changed I got into my own head again. But … why is that bad? Yes I am not the same DT I was in the original XHF. Most would consider that a good thing. I hated myself then. I was a pandering sycophant. I wasn’t being true to myself or honest with the fans. And they are the reason I do this, they are what fuels my fire. And they certainly haven’t given up on me. I owe it to the people watching at home to go out and give the best performance I can in the rumble. Win or lose I want to walk out head held high and know that if this IS the last run for me then I gave a performance anyone could respect. And I want them to know that of the feeling strikes me … I still have it in me to keep coming back for more. It is after all, what I do best. I use what they give me against them, I adapt, I overcome, and I take control of the situation. I am the Master of Puppets after all."
"Let’s not regress into bad habits my son."
*DT laughs*
"Yeah I suppose the days of being a catchphrase machine are done. Not really the best way to promote yourself. But I think my crisis of confidence is over. I have renewed vigor and I am ready to give all 111% of myself to this match."
"111% my son?"
"Sure I’m better than Syberus and he’s 110%. Still plenty to overcome Caffrey I bet. Thank you padre. I honestly didn’t know what I wanted or expected when I came in here. But I’m glad you still remember me from all those years ago. I guess the people who really matter never really forget. Even if you take your sweet time remembering who they are."
"David my son, you were involved with us right up until you left to play baseball. We here at home will always root for you. Time, work, and life take us many places but in the end the best ones never forget where they came from. You’ve represented Seattle well. And I have no doubts you will keep doing so. Mind your head and go cause some mayhem!"
"Bless you father. And maybe have the big guy give me a cheer?"
"Not sure the Big Guy would be ok playing favorites. *he chuckles* I am glad to be of service. Oh and have that cameraman hiding back there do five Hail Mary’s as penance and leave a donation … yes?"
*DT smiles and laughs with renewed fire in his heart. He walks to the camera man as the priest exits*
"I may be a changed man… but that is a good thing. I have never stopped improving. I have never stopped training. I grew into my own man and I am proud of who I am. I will walk out through that curtain and create terror on the high seas. Talk about my senior status here in XHF all you want but all that means is I’ve been around long enough to know all the tricks and how to counter them. To all you competitors in the rumble, DT is no longer is own worst enemy. Just yours. So I welcome you all to a death trap of my design. All I have to do … is spring it."
*He takes money from the camera guy and tosses it in the collection box and lights a candle. He signs himself with the holy water as he exits the Church*
