Battleground #33 : Battlelines (Show)

[SWAT Team]

(Backstage...)

(Deathless is walking down the hallway like a man possessed - sort of like the grim reaper was paying Frostbite and Rally Jackson a visit for their Helloween in a Cell transgressions.)

"Hey champ, we got you on double duty tonight."

(The Sacrificial Idol looks ready to kill someone as senior road agent Sam Burton approaches him with the evening's line-up.)

Radu Matei: I thought I told you-

Sam Burton: Lay off the singles workload, I know. We got you teaming with Linda, after getting betrayed again at the Cup she needs a partner she can trust. We are also having you come down as a lumberjack.

Radu Matei (snatches the paper away, then looks over it sternly.): Well, even if he acted unhinged - in the ring, he carried his weight - I guess I owe Soutter that much. BUT what is the deal with the rest of these lumberjacks?

Sam Burton: We wanted them to reflect Soutter and Bruno's long history.

Radu Matei: Yeah, but most of their history is in the KGB. Half these names are Armand stooges. AZTEC Dracula He's practically Bruno's blood brother. ...And I thought Halloween was over. You want me an Soutter to get gang beat by twenty men, put it in a damned Doomsay Cage match. NO. Paul worked hard to get this lumberjack match with Bruno... he's getting his shot at him. I'll be down there to keep Armand's lumberjacks in line.

(Deathless starts to stalk off, before stopping in his tracks.)

Radu Matei: You know - I'll do you one better. I'm bringing in MY own lumberjack. Some real muscle. Someone who can take twenty men by himself. Someone who I NEVER expected would step foot in a SWAT ring again, but what the hell, this is just ringside! Yeah. I got to make a call.

Sam Burton: No, heads will roll-

Radu Matei: They will be REALLY lucky to have him. Paul may have burned this bridge, but I only have a few hours to rebuild it from scratch.

Sam Burton: This list was carefully-

(Deathless tosses the lumberjack line-up back to Burton. The road agent does not look pleased.)

[SWAT Team]

Syndicate Wrestling & Tradition and the XHF presents ....

[We switch now to the commentary booth, Jeremy Tucker and Andrew Fulton wearing headsets and SWAT Blazers.]

Jeremy Tucker : Welcome! Welcome to Phili! Welcome to Battleground! WELCOME TO SWAT!!! What a show Helloween was! Rally Jackson is STILL World Heavyweight Champion Fulton!

Andrew Fulton : I knew he would win. He is on a roll!

Jeremy Tucker : What about what he did to poor Rajiv Khan? The man is in the hospital burns unit, 3rd degree burns to half of his body.

Andrew Fulton : It was just a prank Jerry. Lighten up man.

Jeremy Tucker : Lighten up? Just a prank? Our Champion is out of control! He was even featured on the latest Dark Side of the Ring!

Andrew Fulton : My fav part was the watch.

Jeremy Tucker : Favourite part? He is a bully and a when he meets El Combatiente he is going to get his.

Andrew Fulton : We’ll see. I heard Rally has something special planned for his mask.

Jeremy Tucker : He wouldn’t dare! Speaking of El Combatiente, what a victory that was for him in the Helloween Cup to receive this shot at the belt, he is sticking it to the KGB and riding this wave of momentum all the way to the top.

Andrew Fulton : They were outnumbered nine to three Jerry, they will get theirs back for that, you mark my words.

Jeremy Tucker : We also have a NEW Amazons Champion!

Andrew Fulton : Blaze Freya baby! She is going to take over the world!

Jeremy Tucker : What’s with her and Armand teaming tonight? Is she now affiliated with the Bandits?

Andrew Fulton : I got no idea, but they would do well to bring her in.

Jeremy Tucker : Also tonight, we have Keith Williams hooking up with THE Big Deal Eddie D for the Renegade Belt. Keith has signed on to stay here in SWAT following Helloween, and the office have put him straight into title contention.

Andrew Fulton : Same as Pequeño Dinosaurio. He is debuting against Goth for the TV Belt! What an initiation that is!

Jeremy Tucker : Yeah, welcome to SWAT, this is Psychotic Goth. Good luck with that.

Andrew Fulton : What about this Lumberjack match Jerry! Suit and Bruno! Who would have thought we would see the day?

Jeremy Tucker : Not me. And what about what Radu just said? Who is his Lumberjack he is bringing?

Andrew Fulton : If it’s someone Paul burnt a bridge with, the list is long and distinguished, as is my Johnson.

Jeremy Tucker : Yeah ….. O_K. We’ll be right back folks with some words from out Superstars, then it’s the Society of the New Breed Vs Rayzor and RDS!

[Rayzor]

[Rayzor is seen walking backstage towards the ring, dressed in his wrestling gear with a pissed off look on his face. He grabs the camera stares into it.]

Rayzor: There is something wrong here in Philly tonight. Someone put the main event on first. There's no way that Rayzor and RDS should be going on first.

[Rayzor starts walking as the camera stays with him.]

Rayzor: The problem here in SWAT is that we are not getting the respect that we deserve. So, now.. we have to go out first and kick the shit of Valentine and some Sailor Moon reject.

[He makes his way to stairs leading to the stage as he stops and looks back to the camera.]

Rayzor: It's the New Breed versus The Old School. Two men that are tried and tested beyond the years of the New Breed. We will once again go out and handle business like we do. We will go out there and dominate them, we will hurt them and we will get closer to the Gold. A tag title match that we deserve.. I don't care what we have to do. We will go through ever single so-called team that SWAT has to offer. Right now, its the New Breed. Once we are done with you.. there will be blood, there will be pain... there will be one team standing.. and that team will be RDS and yours truly.. See ya out there.

[Rayzor walks up the stairs to prepare for his entrance.]

[vastrix]

Back at the office of Armand von Krauss, he sits behind his desk with Gabriel Tuck, Hehehe, and Hahaha across the desk. Gabriel sits down while the horrendous twins stand and giggle.

Tuck: We have a shareholder tracked down to tonight’s show, boss. We’ll have him trussed up and brought before you before the end of the night.

Armand nods, lighting an Egyptian cigarette, and blowing smoke into the air.

Von Krauss: We have a busy night tonight, boys. I think the Fairtexes will find the missing SWAT stock and sell to me once Psychotic Goth is safely out of the way. Goth is defending against newcomer, Pequeno Dinosaurio. I don’t really care how the match ends. I just care that Goth doesn’t have another match in his living years. Mach ihn heute Nacht fertig.

Gabriel Tuck rolls his eyes, not understanding a lick of German even after working for Armand for years.

Tuck: Hehehe, Hahaha. Handle it.

Hehehe: Can we-

Hahaha: Kill him?

The twins giggle their horrible giggle. Gabriel looks to Armand, who just flicks ashes onto the floor with a smug expression.

Tuck: I didn’t ask how you were going to handle it. I said handle it!

Hehehe: Lovely.

Hahaha: We’re on it, boss.

The twins leave the room to go prepare whatever wicked things that they have planned.

Von Krauss: Bruno is facing Soutter tonight.

That statement hangs in the air for a few moments.

Tuck: Is he going to crush Soutter as per the plan?

Von Krauss: I have informed Bruno that I have a sniper stationed somewhere in the arena. If he doesn’t try to end Soutter with all of his might, the sniper will. He will maim his friend in order to save his life.

Tuck: That’s...that’s just sick, boss. Remind me to never cross you.

Von Krauss: I would think that the leader patch on your coat would remind you of that well enough, Gabriel.

Gabriel puts his hand to his shoulder where he has the patch that signifies that he had taken over the clown gangsters after the death of his brother, Harold Tuck. He looks a bit somber, looking down at the floor. Harold had indeed crossed Armand von Krauss.

Von Krauss: After the match between Bruno and Soutter, Eddie D defends his Renegade championship.

Tuck: Should we rally the KGB to help him keep the title?

Von Krauss: No. Let the man stand on his own two feet if he is to remain champion.

Tuck: I can get behind that. And then the next match is Radu Matei and Linda La Fey against you and Blaze Freya?

Armand grins, crushing out his cigarette onto the table with the other burn scars.

Von Krauss: Go to Blaze Freya and offer her a KGB shirt. We would use a powerful woman on board and she would be good for it. If she doesn’t answer the door, leave a note and the shirt.

Tuck: I can do that. What about the main event?

Von Krauss: El Combatiente will fail without the support of the KGB. We will bring the full force of the KGB down to the ring to defeat any interference from the Society or anyone else for that matter. We will help El Combatiente win the World championship when he accepts a shirt. When he finally gives into greed and becomes one of us.

Gabriel sighs.

Von Krauss: El Combatiente will fall to Rally Jackson without the support of the KGB. See to it, Gabriel.

Gabriel Tuck rises up from his seat. He’s got a full plate for himself tonight.

Tuck: Alright, boss. I’ll be in touch.

Armand watches him leave the room and chuckles to himself. He lights himself another Egyptian cigarette.

Von Krauss: Do not fail me, Gabriel.

[Deleted]

Deep within the confines of 2300 Arena, social distancing had afforded some privacy for a young man who was about to introduce himself to the SWAT crowd.

Surrounded by white brick work, he checks his ring gear for the thousandth time. Black folding chairs are the only “furniture”. Staring at the screen of his iPhone, the reflection of his face was all he sees.

He’d hoped for a call from his father; to wish him well on his debut, to check in, anything. It had been weeks since he’d heard from the mighty Tiranosaurio.

Snapped from his staring at a phone that wouldn’t ring by the opening of the door. He scrambles to pull on his mask.

“It’s just me.” Came the voice of his agent, Vanessa Martinez. She was carrying a simple brown folder.

Her heels clicked on the floor, her black skirt was impossibly short. It was all an act, Vanessa knew she was a beautiful woman in a man’s game. Her counter was leaning into her sexuality and using it as a weapon. Her appearance was designed to drive a man’s thoughts anywhere but the negotiations at hand.

She dropped the folder on the empty chair, “Against all logic, you somehow secured a promo right before the main event, when the most people are watching. That was great stuff…”

Pulling out her phone and handing him the device, she continues. “…it was your next move that puzzled me. Instead of calling me and us setting up something that properly introduces you to the SWAT audience…you did this…” Playing the vignette from Halloween in the Cell, Vanessa doesn’t watch the promo. Her eyes are on her client.

Shaking her head, she can’t believe despite his sulking how proud he was of himself. His father had taken recurring roles on tele novellas, her client fancied himself an actor it seemed.

“I looked…” Cutting him off, she finished his sentence, “…ridiculous. You looked ridiculous. But somehow you got enough attention to gain a Television title match. A win could mean big things. Really big things…Are you ready?”

Looking down at his phone, the best he can muster is an unenthusiastic “Yeah…”

Sitting across from him, like it or not, their fathers had engineered their careers to start together. They were stuck with each other. She could see her only client moments away from taking a loss in what should be, at the very least, a memorable debut.

“This…what was his name again? Psychotic Goth! Yes, he’s been here a while. Has a following, this is a good debut opponent. Lots of attention, but you need to focus! Forget about your father for now! He’s not going out there against someone who literally has psychotic in their name, you are!”

Looking down at the iPhone one last time, he nodded. “I know, I know. Papa is a busy man Vanessa, but this is big for me. My second tour of America, this time I’m not leaving empty handed!”



Fade to black.

[edwarddubin0604]

(The Tron shows Psychotic Goth and Vampira surrounded by evil red and green mists and behind them are what looks like two crosses standing several feet tall each with two moaning figures out of camera range.)

Vampira: "People of Philadelphia it's good to be back here after three years and myself and m husband are honored that you have come out to see us.
The Last time we were here 'The King of the Goths' was on the verge of regaining his ACW Heavyweight Championship which he never lost but one Joe Pesci who cancelled the rest of the show in the middle of the match."

Psychotic Goth: "Pequeno Dinosaurio you should be quite honored to get such a debut. A trial by fire as it ever was and should be and obviously you were considered worthy to face me for the SWAT Hardcore Television Championship and in front of my fans in the great city of Philadelphia. The home of the underdog which you are surely playing the role of Pequeno Dinosaurio."

(He roars in Lenape Indian dialect.)

Psychotic Goth: "You're agent seems to think this is just some kind of publicity stunt to gain you attention bit to me this match is so much more important. You see I intend to wipe out a real sour memory that has haunted me for three years. Those who remember the match that I was in remember I never lost the championship. They remembered that Eric Dane attacked me from behind and bragged that he took me out allng with Hells Bouncer."

(Psychotic Goth roars louder in Lenape Indian dialect.)

Psychotic Goth: "Yet guess what happened my ever faithful followers. Thanks to AWF's Xiaolong and my wife vampire. I returned here to this arena and I showed my rage and just when I as ready to get my championship back Joe Pesci cost me my opportunity. Oh how my revenge is so sweet now."

(He laughs maniacally.)

Psychotic Goth: "You see how much of a maniacal competitor I am at Helloween in a Cage 2020. You see that I can wield a scythe in a cage and how dangerous I can be when angered or provoked. I'm talking to you now Armand von Krauss along with you Gabby and your little freaks of clowns.
I shall address you a bit later but right now I am still focused on you Pequeno Dinosaurio. You come from tradition and this sport is in your blood. Yet why do you need a mask when you can make your own way without one. Do I need a mask. Do I need to adopt some stupid gimmick like Armand's clowns or Jonnie Valentine who seems to have an identity crisis since he can't decide on his gimmick."

(He pauses.)

Psychotic Goth: "I don't have such a problem and I shall never have that problem."

(Psychotic Goth yells in a Lenape dialect.)

Psychotic Goth: "Still I shall not underestimate your abilities Pequeno Dinosaurio. I never underestimate my opponents and you shall be no different and you can ask yourself if you can survive my relentless ten minute assault. I'm sure you can Pequeno Dinosaurio since you look ike the type of individual who can and I hope you do so I can present you personally with my gift which isn't the championship but something else."

(He looks at his velvet bag that Vampira is holding and cackles.)

Psychotic Goth: "Now Vampira mount the ladder and climb up to our two special guests."

(Vampira sets up a ladder between the crosses and the camera pans upwards to see Armand's henchmen HAHA! and HEHE!.)

Psychotic Goth: "Gentlemen you are found guilty of trying to kill me and now you shall be sentenced to true hell. You shall live forever and like Joanne Canelli you shall be thirsting for the first blood you smell which shall by your bosses Gabriel Tucker and Armand von Krauss. Vampira the honors are yours."

(HEHE! cries out in pain as Vampira bites his neck and then HAHA! suffers the same fate screaming in pain as the ringsiders loom shocked but seem appreciative of his dealing out the punishment they so richly deserve. Vampira climbs down wiping her mouth in satisfaction.)

Psychotic Goth: "Now Armand you are such an idiot to think Team Fairtex has the stocks in their midst again. However, I turned them over to a Devil's Advocate...."

(He laughs.)

Psychotic Goth: "Or did I. Did I split it up with others or did I move the location of it. Oh what a fool you and Gabby are Armand. Try to kill me Armand. I don't think so. However, I can't assure your clumsy clowns will live in the sunlit world again."

(Psychotic Goth shoots his arms up and flames surround the crosses as he laughs as he presses a button on the wall which makes the crosses fall.)

Psychotic Goth: "Let this be a lesson to you Armand and Gabby to never and I mean never fool with the devil himself."

(He signals and what looks like demonic beings and they grab Armand's two clown henchmen and drag them away by their feet.)

Psychotic Goth: "Take those to pieces of shit away and dump them in a place that both Armand and Gabby are familiar with."

(They disappear in the green and red mists as Psychotic Goth lowers his head and raises his arms before flinging his head back revealing his pale handsome goth like looks.)

Psychotic Goth: "Tonight Pequeno Dinosaurio you shall be in the spotlight but it's not going to be your time to shine. You have a bright future but it won't start with me. Still I never underestimate anyone and that includes you as I mentioned earlier. As for you Armand and Gabby your fate is in my hands and mine only and it's an ominous sign. Thus I have spoken and thus it shall be your fates."

(The tron goes black as the scene fades to black.)

[frostbite]

Earlier in the day....

A bright and sunny day here in the city of brotherly love, it does not feel as though Fall is really around us, even though we see the many different color leaves on the many trees but the weather feels as though spring is in the air. We see a short brown haired lady on her bicycle wearing a yellow tank top with tight fitted green shorts as sweat is rolling down her face as she is moving right along down the street. A few blocks away after following this young lady we see a young short black haired gentleman wearing a Carson Weintz jersey but the young man take a off his jersey revealing his pot belly, he has on black jeans. He tosses the jersey in the middle of the street after he does so, a car runs right over it, as they turn the corner.

A few seconds right behind the car is a short blonde haired gentleman running not too far behind the car, as he muscle in his legs are pounding the pavement. The young man is running so fast that the Eagles but want to consider signing the young man because it appears he is blazing speed. He is wearing a blue tank top, with blue and black shorts, and matching shoes, as he looks born ways as he hits an intersection. In the meantime suddenly the famoys Gonna Fly Now in most of those Rocky movies begin to play as this young man continues to run through the streets of Philly as he continues on his way, a older lady at a corner market throws him an apple as the young man makes a one handed catch, as he does not miss a beat as he moves on down the streets as a few other people way at the young man as he goes back. He picks up even more speed as it appears he is about to reach the steps where once Rocky Balboa made quite a few trips. He races up those steps as he quickly stops as he looks around, no jumping up and down or thousand of people jumping around him, he is alone. The young bends over to catch his breath but straighten up as he takes in the view. Our cameras zoom in we see that it is Frostbite.

Frostbite tilts his head up as if he is looking for something.

Frostbite.. Come on. You can do it.

Our camera suddenly catch a young lady with blue hair as she reaches the steps, she looks up at Frostbite with a disdain look in her green eyes as she is about to pass out, but she gathers up enough mustard to jog up those steps. This young lady is wearing a black tee shirt cut off just enough to show off her belly button where it is pierced. The young lady is wearing black sweats and black and white shoes. She gets about midway as the camera catches her nose and ear pierces as she finds enough strength to get up those steps. After she does so, she drops to one knee breathing heavy. She stays down on that knee for a few minutes until she pulls herself up as she looks over st Frostbite. She just shakes her head. We see that it Frostbite new friend Zoey.

Zoey.. Damn how often do you do this?

Frostbite.. Everyday if you want to stay in good shape and be able to hang in that ring with the best in the ring you must do that. Stamina is key in this business trust me on this.

Zoey.. I have never ran like that in my entire life.

Frostbite.. And it shows, but in time you will get better trust me on this. You want to jump into the ring and you are not ready. Your in ring work is really good for somebody that has never been in the ring before. But you must build up your strength and stamina before you are able to get into a ring, the ladies here in this company will beat you badly.

He walks over to Zoey and helps her up.

Zoey.. I just need to let off plenty of steam.

Frostbite.. I get it, years of frustration and what that bastard did to you. You want to take it out on the world but you must control that anger at times. In some instance that anger and help you but sometimes it can be a sign of weakness. But you will learn in time.

Zoey.. How is that punk? The arm I think I might have broken.

Frostbite.. Adam, to what I understand is doing okay. You did break it, yes but Linda is taking care of that. You will not have to pay a single penny or I should say we will not have to.

Zoey.. How?

Frostbite.. I explain the situation to Linda and she said it was harassment plan and simple and he can do not do anything to you as far as trying to get money.

Zoey.. That is good. You are lucky to have a woman like that.

Frostbite.. Indeed I am.

The two walk over as they stand in the exact spot where the Rocky statue once was.

Frostbite.. The love those Rocky movies. You does not love the underdog coming out on top.

Zoey looks at Frostbite and then looks back down those long steps.

Zoey.. Please do not tell me we have to run back those steps and back to the hotel.

Frostbite.. You might.

Zoey looks at him as if he lost his mind.

Frostbite.. I am kidding you. No jogging but we will walk back to it though.

Zoey looks dejected.

Frostbite.. Walk is not that far.

Zoey pulls out a bottle of water from her pocket as she takes a few sips, and then pours the bottle of water over her head.

Frostbite.. Hot there young Skywalker.

Zoey.. You though it would be 100 degrees here in November. Damn global warming.

Frostbite walks over out his arm around Zoey.

Frostbite.. However, later on tonight. You are going to make your debut. I think you have done enough to accompanied to down to ringside. It appears that you can handle yourself.

Surprise look on Zoey face as her eyes get wide.

Zoey.. You are serious?

Frostbite.. You have earned it.

Zoey clinches her fist as if she is ready for a fight right now.

Frostbite.. However, I can not have to break my opponents arm because if you do that will get me DQ. But I might allow you to break the guy's arm after the match.

Frostbite laughs, but that laughter dies out as he is about to get serious.

Frostbite.. Helloween did not according to plan. Yours truly was kicking every was in that match and if you do not believe me then you idiots need to go look back at film because I am s8mply speaking the truth. That match was mine for the taking. I should have been the one that was going to take on Rally for the World title instead we have El Combatiente the new flavor of the month around here. The man that I have beaten twice already and he gets the shot.

He looks at Zoey.

Frostbite.. What in the hell do i have to do around here to get that shot. I should be the World Champion. I do not know how many times I must repeat myself. I am going to keep saying it until I speak it into, he comes true. Frostbite as the World Champion. That does not sound so bad? The match as that I could have with anybody in this company would be talked about for years, matches that would butts in the seats and put money in your pocket Paul. You are suppose to be the businessman and you do not see that. Armand sees it, that is why he tried to help myself for Eddie D to win this spot. So since I came up short it appears I need to take out my frustrations on something or in this case someone. That would be you TJ Zousa.

TJ this what we call, wrong place and wrong time. It is nothing personally, no hats feelings but there must a some sacrifices made along the way and you my friend qualify for such. When we get into that ring later I am going to allow all the frustration build up and then beat you into that mat and pick up up and do it all over again as many times as I want until I feel the point has gotten across and then finish you off. TJ I will not any mercy tonight, I will not give any because I need for this company to understand one thing. And I need to make it clear as the nose on everybody worthless face from the wrestlers in the locker room, to announce team, to the idiots the call themselves fans and even to you Paul. You can only delay it, because it is going to happen. I need to send a clear message to the world, whether I have to beat you senseless TJ or maybe I need to break your arm or another body part.

Zoey.. I thought we were going to allow me to break an arm.

Frostbite.. Patience, you are going to have plenty of time to do such, but I need to send a stern message. After I hurt you TJ Zousa, then I have so many bigger plans laid out for later on in this damn show. Please TJ, I am not taking you likely at all. But please I know we are in the city of brotherly love, and maybe you feel there is a Rocky moment for you tonight, but remember that shit only happens in the movie. After I take care of you then tonight I make my damn move. No longer will I watch others get the chance that I deserve. This company needs a real champion. I have allowed to many people take over this worthless company. So after I best you TJ.

Frostbite drops his head.

Frostbite.. Rally you and El Combatiente is does not matter which one of you wins tonight main event because I plan on getting into that ring and look either one of you in your eyes and then drop you on your pathetic heads and I will issue you a challenge and you will accept it. Because if you do not i will continue to make your lives hell until I get my chance and when that day comes. I will walk out the new champion. Rally you are worried about being the big man on campus. Dude you are the champion and nobody knows cares who you are? People know who I am. Rally when you get into that ring with me, I can promise you I will make you famous.

El Combatiente your 15 minutes of fame is about come to an end.

He lifts his head back up with an intense look in his blue eyes.

Frostbite.. Zoey, tonight I believe it is time that I make an impact. TJ, is starts with you and I will finish it in the main event. Zoey is is time to break some bones.


Zoey breaks that imaginary bone.

Frostbite.. It is on..

The two head back down the steps as the scene fades out.

[vastrix]

Out behind the arena where the trash dumpsters are, Gabriel Tuck walks out of the building behind an arena worker that is throwing a bag into the dumpster. The worker screams when a voice calls out, "Ouch! Quit it!", from inside the dumpster.

Gabriel just shakes his head as the worker runs back into the arena. He strikes a match along his chin to light up a cigarette.

Tuck: Come on out, Hehehe, Hahaha.

Hehehe: We cannot.

Hahaha: The light. It burns us!

Gabriel frowns, looking around. It's evening so the sun has gone down. The only real light is a street light nearby.

Tuck: So, Vampira bit you boys and now you're vampire clown motorcycle gangsters?

Hehehe: We are creatures of the night now.

Hahaha: We cannot come out until nightfall!

Gabriel flicks ashes onto the ground with a sigh.

Tuck: You know that night fell awhile ago.

Hehehe: What's that-

Hahaha: Burning light?

Tuck: Street light, mother fucker.

Hehehe: Turn it out?

Hahaha: We will come out then.

Tuck: Alright. It's your call and shit.

Gabriel Tuck walks away from the area and comes back in a few minutes. He has exchanged cigarette for a bottle of 151 Rum. He stuffs a rag into the bottle and lights the rag on fire. He hefts the bottle for a moment.

Tuck: You two just come on out whenever you're ready.

Hehehe: Thank

Hahaha: You.

Gabriel uses the burning molotov cocktail to light another cigarette and throws the bottle into the dumpster where the bottle shatters and starts a fire. Hehehe and Hahaha scream as they come climbing out of the dumpster to stand in front of the grinning Gabriel Tuck. Hahaha puts out a small fire on his right leg.

Tuck: Glad to see that you two decided to come out of the dumpster.

Hehehe and Hahaha look back at the dumpster that's now full of flames. They look back at Gabriel, their sadistic grins seemingly locked into place. It is, after all, what they would have done to him.

Tuck: When I told you to handle things. I meant for you to wait until the match has started and then handle things. Don't let them get the drop on you again.

Hehehe: Of course, boss.

Hahaha: Wouldn't dream of it.

Gabriel flicks his cigarette butt into the burning dumpster.

Tuck: Don't fuck up again.

Gabriel Tuck walks back into the building before the twins can speak again.

[Deleted]

Back within the dressing room of Pequeño Dinosaurio, the rookie luchador continues to ready himself to challenge current SWAT Television Champion, Psychotic Goth.

His agent sits, watching her client pace nervously, stop to throw some quick combinations and then get back to pacing. She tells him, “You don’t have to do this.”

Stopping dead in his tracks, he nods. “But I do. This isn’t a machismo thing, this is about family pride now.” A knock at the door brings Vanessa to her feet.

Ushering in a cameraman, she purrs “Capture his good side, yes?”

An enthusiastic “Yes ma’am!” and the camera was rolling, Dinosaurio front and center.

“Psychotic Goth, yours words betray you ese. See you talk about my tradition and how this sport is in my blood, then you ask why I wear the mask? No gringo, this isn’t just a gimmick.” Tugging at his green and red mask, he isn’t finished. “This is my heritage, mi familia. I was literally born to do this, I have trained my entire life for this moment and I have the opportunity of a life time to prove it later tonight!” Staring straight into the camera even Vanessa was impressed at the passion bleeding into his words. He would like nothing more than to be able to call his father and say, he too, was a champion.

“But enough about me ese, what about you? A six foot five cabron with a Dracula fetish shouldn’t be talking about other wrestler’s gimmicks. I don’t know what kind of weird stuff you’re into with clowns and what not, I don’t care about who you robbed or that this Armand Von Krauss wants it. All I want is that Television Championship. If that means taking down a big powerful vampire cosplay enthusiast…so be it.” The questioning of his mask seems to have drawn the ire of the young dinosaur but there was always one truth he would be forced to acknowledge.

His small stature had always been why he assumed his father hadn’t passed on the mantle of Tiranosaurio, now the ‘little dinosaur’ was on a quest to prove himself worthy, a quest that now placed a six foot five, two hundred and thirty plus pound monster before him, and he was smiling. He was finally smiling, “This is every day for me. My size, many say I am an underdog, but no bandito…I have speed, youth, endurance. Your ten minute assault? I say you’re lucky I only get ten minutes. The longer this match goes, the more it favours me big man. I’m going to set a pace you just can’t keep cabron, then when I get a chance…I’ll shock the world and, like El Combatiente before me, SWAT will have a luchador as Television Champion on my first night in the company!”

Walking off camera, the camera man sends the feed to black as Vanessa is beaming, “Great work! That’s the Dinosaurio we want to show the SWAT fans!”

Fade to black

[Soutter]

We see The Big Bad Bustling Bandit scrolling through his phone, he has googled landmarks in Philly looking for a place to host his promo, he skims the Liberty Bell. Fuck that Bell, He skims Rocky’s statue. Fuck Rocky, he is no Founder. He skims their church and Ben Franklins home and grave. This is his church, the wrestling arena. THE ARENA, the 2300 Arena. Pan out and he is at the front of the Arena.

Soutter: So Radu thinks he has a special Lumberjack lined up for my match with the Compton Colossal, does he?

Well, if its who I think he is, I best advise you Radu, keep him away from my reach. I said last week I would spit in his face next time I saw him and I MEANT IT! I DON’T GIVE A FUCK WHERE WE ARE! When SWAT sets up the ring, this becomes OUR HOME! My HOME!

As for Bruno. Dawg. I bent over backwards for you. We were as close as you can get. CLOSER! What? Armand threatens ME and you lose your BALLS?!

How many people have threatened either of us over the year?

Sorry, Years? Who am I? Frostbite?

The day we reopened, you were our first signee Bruno. Our Finkel. Then, Adrian Tanner crippled you. No hard feelings, he is gone, he was a warrior, he crippled MANY!

So you were down and out, a shell of the former World Champion we all knew, and who offered you a life line?

ME! I DID!

[Suit starts intently into the camera, he is wearing a “New Years Nightmare” t-shirt. You know, the PPV SWAT has closed out the year with for eons. The PPV upstart hump feds think, we will do that too and pretend it’s not from SWAT! Fuck them.]

Wow, so aggressive my inner thoughts.

It’s like a ball of rage. You know what it does? It drives me. The SPITE! That’s all it’s about. I gladly admit it. The Spite makes me work more than any ambition. Than any lofty goals. Last week on Suits Suite, our Sacrificial Idol. He left me standing in the ring, all alone. Offended at my questioning his motives. Good for him. He would rather walk away from me than answer why he would, as ‘the Sacrificial Idol of SWAT’’, team with the ‘Benedict Arnold of SWAT’. We all know who you should really walk away from, Pal.

Bring him here tonight as this Lumberjack of yours, and he won’t walk out of the arena. He will never walk again.

[Suit glares in defiance to the camera.]

Back to Bruno.

[The Founder sighs]

Really? He threatens my life and you just give up and stab me in the back?

I call BULLSHIT!

You don’t need to pretend to threaten him any more Armand. We all see where the cards lie. As for the Lumberjacks. I don’t give a stuff WHO is outside the ring. You can bring the whole ensemble and collective of who have it in for me.

But I want to call out to one man …. EL COMBATIENTE!

As much as I don’t care who is a lumberjack. You can NOT be one! You my friend have bigger fish to fry tonight!

In the name of a WORLD Title match!

So, man to man, friend to friend. Please, stay outta this little scuffle. I got THIS!

Anyone else on the roster who wants to join the fight and choose where they stand on the BATTLE LINES! Bring it!

I am the Big Bad Bustling Bandit!

The Master of the Powerslam!

The FOUNDER!

The Centre of ATTNETION!

The SUIT! MAD DOG PAULIE MOTHER FN SOUTTER!

I got the Skill to Thrill!

The Name to Entertain!

I’m loud and proud and well ENDOWED!

I am about to school them KGB wankers and Bruno in what wrestling is all about …. And I like it like that!

[Jonnie Valentine]

(Tuxedo Mask and "Kind Of A Big Deal" Jonnie Valentine are at the Fall Festival county fair. Tuxedo Mask is wearing a brace with a tether on it, with Jonnie holding the leash. Tux's face is painted like a kitty, and Jonnie's face is painted like a white bunny. Tuxedo Mask is holding a balloon while they walk amongst the rides and carnival games)

"Kind Of a Big Deal" Jonnie Valentine: Did you want to get another balloon?

Tuxedo Mask: Nah, this one's fine.  Unless you see one of those balloon animal guys.  It's one of my favorite art forms.

Jonnie Valentine: So misunderstood. Did you want to ride the Ferris wheel?

Tuxedo Mask: Maybe later, I threw up alot of cotton candy after the Gravitron. 

Jonnie Valentine: Sure. 

Tuxedo Mask: Why did you take me here?

Jonnie Valentine: What? Can't a former promoter turned wrestling zeitgeist take his favorite former employee/stablemate out for some corn dogs and bumper cars?

Tuxedo Mask: I guess. (walks a way) Why do I have to wear this thing?

Jonnie Valentine: Remember when you got lost when I took you to Coachella? And Childish Gambino had to stop his show to announce you were at Lost & Found? 

Tuxedo Mask: I wasn't lost, I was trying to find the Cradle of Filth tent and they thought I was having an acid freakout.  

Jonnie Valentine: Either way, safety first. 

Tuxedo Mask: It's not because you think I'm going to leave The Society like Rally and Syberus, and Kilroy, and Karnage, and Suzi is it? 

Jonnie Valentine: (unconvincingly) Wha-no! No, I just don't want you getting away from me... (corrects himself) In the crowd. The crowd, I mean. (changes the subject) You sure you don't want another balloon? That one is a balloon inside another balloon. 

Tuxedo Mask: What am I, crazy?! Of course I do. 

Jonnie Valentine: (to balloon vender) One double balloon please. 

Vendor: Coming right up. 

Tuxedo Mask: (takes balloon) Because I'm not leaving, you know. We got a tag team match against Dave Sadler or Rage Sadler or RDS or...

Jonnie Valentine: People who keep changing their names are so desperate. 

Fan: Hey, look, it's "The Kit and The Kaboodle" Jonnie Valentine! 

Other Fan: Hey, "Mr. Dropkick!"

Female Fan: It's "Pretty Over" Jonnie Valentine! 

Jonnie Valentine: Thanks for watching, thank you. (back to Tux) These guys helped put Syberus in the hospital with the ankle surgery. I'm looking for a little payback and to get our SWAT World Tag Team titles back with a win over the top contenders. But most of all, I want to re-establish The Society of the New Breed as the undisputed stable in SWAT.

Tuxedo Mask: Do you and me qualify as a society?  Definitely maybe a subculture or something.

Jonnie Valentine: That's for wrestling archaeologists to figure out.  What we need to figure out is how to get those belts.  I didn't make it this far in this business by giving up.

Tuxedo Mask: You got this far by mortgaging Bobby Nowa's house in Florida.

Jonnie Valentine: We all need to make sacrifices. Look, The Society of The New Breed has the best match, by far, on the entire show. They can put us on last, right after the terrible Eddie D match to bring the crowd up after that bearhug fest, or even in time to give Benjamin Bolt and TJ Zousa pointers at gorilla before you head out. We allow the audience to see what is possible before they are lulled to sleep by stunners and brainbusters. Sure, we might be getting punished for me working in other territories, but it won't temper our drive to avenge Syberus in our match with RDS and Rayzor. 

Tuxedo Mask: You're right, you and I have been through...wait, what?

Jonnie Valentine: Syberus' ankle injury was exacerbated...

Tuxedo Mask: Well, first of all, I'm pretty sure you can't say exacerbated on television, but what I'm talking about is the thing about us being punished? 

Jonnie Valentine: Yeah, I may or may not have white hot heat with SWAT management for working in the other promotion in Philly, FIRESIDE, as well as my Canada shots; the dirtsheets are still working on that story. My stooges have heard some rumblings that I'm maybe not allowed to be in the World title picture for the foreseeable future. 

Tuxedo Mask: (rubbing temples) I don't believe it, my partner is radioactive.

Jonnie Valentine: Radioactive is such a subjective term, I prefer "hard to work with". 

Tuxedo Mask: (hyperventilating) I don't believe this...

Jonnie Valentine: Don't worry, I can fix this...(trying to change the subject again) Hey, look, it's one of those guys that draws horribly insulting caricatures of people. Should we get a quick sketch where there's a girl looking at you with hearts coming out of her head?

Tuxedo Mask: (catches his breath) That could work. I feel I was also hasty on the Ferris wheel. 

(Jonnie and Tux sit for their caricature as the camera pulls out of the carnival) 

[edwarddubin0604]

(The Hired Killers are in their locker room dressed in their wrestling attire and finished warming up for their match with Rayven Ryder and Industrial Woman. They are passing the time by cleaning and checking their Glocks before holstering them in their long black trench coats. The door opens and Glamourous Glenda enters.)

Glamorous Glenda: "Hired Killers a few words about your opponents."

Jade: "You know what we always say Glenda 'You got the money. We got the time.' We got plenty of time on our hands and we plan to use that time and since Rayven Ryder is still crying over the fact she can't beat us in singles competition. She might as well try to beat us in tag team competition."

Kim: "So who does she choose for a partner? Well it's not 'Lucky' Linda La Fey....."

Jade: "Since she doesn't have much intelligence in choosing partners."

Kim: "Yeah but choosing us for Call To Arms wasn't such a bad choice despite our side losing."

Jade: "She could have asked that paper champion Blaze Freya, but she prefers losers like The KGB which is stupid unless Armand promised her...shall we say investment in her gym franchises amongst other things."

Kim: "Just like her."

Jade: "So Rayven goes out and finds herself that original rookie competitor named Industrial Woman."

Glamourous Glenda: "Yeah she seems related to Industrial Man."

Jade: "More like what happens when you give a cyborg a sex change program. Why are we not surprised that she would choose someone who's going to do most of the work while Rayven tags in and takes the credit for the pinfall."

Kim: "Believe us that's the kind of individual Rayven is."

Glamourous Glenda: "You seem upset that you aren't in the two million dollar SWAT Amazons tournament."

Jade: "Oh I'm more than upset Glenda. I'm absolutely pissed off that my spot was stolen by J-ROK's Olympia in the same way I was robbed of my title shot by both Blaze Freya and Rayven Ryder."

Kim: "Believe me Jade wants to take it out on someone and Rayven has to be the one who has to suffer for Olympia's selfish attitude."

Jade: "Imagine she gets to make scant appearances in SWAT's most prestigious events and I don't get the same opportunity. So unfortunate that Rayven has to suffer from our wrath but we know her hired bodyguard Industrial Woman plans on protecting her sorry ass."

Glamourous Glenda: "Well that was an open challenge too."

Kim: "That means nothing since Jade should have had that shot and thanks to Rayven. She's been in our way for a long time and now we get a chance at removing her from our way once and for all."

Jade: "Yet she'll still insist on getting herself beat down just so she can prove she can hang with any competitor. So we're going to put a stop to that attitude."

Kim: "Then maybe Jade will get her well earned title shot after putting Rayven down and short circuit Industrial Woman and sending her back to wherever she came from and back to the junkyard of stupid gimmicks."

Glamourous Glenda: "Rayven's been planning her revenge ever since she claimed you kept robbing her of victories against you."

Jade: "Yeah the same whiny shit that all competitors say when they can't win a match."

(Kim goes into a mocking pose.)

Kim: "Someone kept coming out and interfering."

(Jade does a mocking voice.)

Jade: "Oh the referee kept getting distracted by someone at ringside."

Kim: "Seriously, the same stupid excuses in a futile effort to defeat someone they are feuding with. Then again this is Rayven we're talking about and we know she won't be satisfied until she's beaten us whether in singles or tag team matches."

Jade: "Well that's going to be tough because we plan on giving Rayven loss after loss until she realizes that we are better than she is and we're the dominant team and we're the better wrestlers."

Glamourous Glenda: "Rayven feels she's the better wrestler and she plans to prove it tonight."

Jade: "While she hides behind Industrial Woman most of the time and then makes scant tags just to work us over and then run back to Industrial Woman to do even more work until she tags back in for the finish and pin."

Kim: "Tonight we're going to see if she's going to actually wants to be in the ring or will it be a waste of our time. We won't be holding our breathe if she doesn't start the match or tag in unless it's convenient."

Jade: "Right now we have some business to attend to."

(They leave as the scene slowly fades to black.)

[Oh-Oh]

"I don't really need hair and makeup, I'm only here to scope out the talent."

[Before we see his face, we hear his voice. It doesn't take long for us to realize who it is, either.]

"Did I ever tell you that I have a side business that involves coaching males on how to improve 'their game' with women?"

[Oxford Osland.]

[Fraudulent Smile.]

[Punchable Face.]

"You see there are a lot of hopeless males out there who recite scripts from these silly Rom-Com movies, hoping that if they show their sensitive side for long enough - that the woman they desire will finally get with them."

[Mocking Chuckle.]

"But instead these misguided males end up with retraining orders when their persistence become irritating, and at times - frightening."

[Osland rolls his neck, as if to release some of the tension he's built up after his most recent excessive session at the nearest health club.]

"I'm not backstage in the 'hair and makeup' section of the arena because I'm looking for some bronzer."

[Osland makes brief eye contact with the young twenty something who's tasked with applying the shades of makeup for the women of SWAT, before their respective matches. The eye contact lasts long enough for Osland to play it off as if the eye contact was coincidental. Rest assured, this was premeditated. Osland turns back to the camera, which continues to watch his every move.]

"Did you notice that?"

[With certainty.]

"Our eyes just smiled at one and other."

[We believe it.]

"Now that she knows I've noticed her, it's time to create some distance that she can feel comfortable walking into."

[Osland removes his Black Hooded Sweater that was only zipped up halfway anyways.]

"Now before I go in for the kill over there, I figure I ought to use this airtime to remind the wrestling world of a few things."

"First..."

[Osland holds up his index finger.]

"Andrew Fulton's intuitions are correct. And yes, it's magnificent."

[Now two fingers.]

"Second..."

[...]

"What happened to Rajeev Khan at Halloween Hell is a precursor for what is to be expected each and everytime that Oxford Osland sets foot inside of the ring. Tonight, 'Benjamin Button' will experience a very similar fate, as proof to the wrestling world that its only a matter of time before I have a championship around my waist for the third time in my career."

[...]

"Third..."

[Before the words can come out of his mouth, the makeup artist has walked up behind him. She clears her throat, as the two of them make eye contact once again.]

[No words, but she does use her eyes to request that Osland follow her. Exactly where, is to be determined. Osland lifts his eyebrow ever so slightly, to ensure the young lady that her leap of faith was indeed well received. Osland innocently raises his finger, as if to communicate that he will follow her once he has finished his thought.]

"Always make them wait. Always act on your terms."

"If it doesn't feel natural... If it requires work..."

[...]

"Walk away, and don't ever look back."

[That Toothy Grin is back.]

"Now, if you'll excuse me."

[Osland turns his back to us, and begins engaging in conversation with the young brunette. Within moments, she's smiling and touching her hair.]

[Moments pass before the final fade.]

[Cut.] 
 

[RDS 2020]

[The scene opens in the dark as we see a single bright light focusing on a well-toned wrestler wrapping his wrists as the camera starts to pan out.

We see RDS come into full view in his ring gear, splashing cold water from a bottle on his face to wet his hair before giving it a quick dry with a towel.]

In the background we see the World Heavyweight Championship draped over his bag on the bench in front of his locker, both in the distance behind him. RDS then turns to the camera and starts to speak directly to it.]

“I was doing some research on my opponents for tonight, and when I looked up Tuxedo Mask matches on YouTube I saw something bizarre.”

[RDS walks over to his back and pulls a laptop from it, he opens the Laptop up and quickly punches in the password and YouTube opens up immediately with a video pre-loaded onto the screen.]

“Can we get this for our TV audience please?”



[The scene returns to RDS in the locker room, now fully lit sat down on the bench next to the Laptop as the video finishes playing.]

Is this the same Tuxedo Mask, is he a wrestler, a cartoon, a toy?

What did I just watch?

Is this the sort of company Jonnie Valentine is keeping these days?

I and Rayzor have just gone 3-0 in SWAT and we’re already facing Valentine again and whatever this Tuxedo Mask is, some sort of amalgamation of Robin the Boy Wonder and the Monopoly man. It’s bizarre, to say the least. Well fun and games aside, I and Rayzor are all business which is why we are the undefeated, untouchable, and unbeaten tag team in SWAT. We are the Tag Champions elect, and when we have a shot at those belts we’re not going to need a court order or a recount because we’re going to walk away the SWAT World Tag Team Champions.

I know I promised some of those exclusive shoot videos a few weeks back but unfortunately, they have been held up, so I apologise it’s just me talking about current affairs this week. Since coming back to SWAT I have been undefeated, I revived the real Worlds Championship and I have worked hard to bring honour and prestige back to professional wrestling, and this is a personal mission, a crusade that I will continue until I retire in a few years’ time.

Which brings me to some of Rayzor’s comments about our billing on the show. We’ve just gone 3-0 undefeated and we’re treated like a sideshow act. I am the Worlds Champion, together we haven’t lost a match and have beaten the top teams in this company and we’re not getting the billing we should be. People are buying tickets to see us team and wrestle again, I have sold more merchandise recently than I have done for years. SWAT should be cashing in on us, our run, and for whatever reason management isn’t getting behind us as a team and the question is why?

The Society of the New Breed. What exactly is new about any of this? New? You are from before we even wrestled. Syberus only came in a few months after I did, and true to form he’s off injured again.

Well, there's soon going to be a new order of things here when it comes to tag team wrestling, when I and Rayzor topple Valentine for the second time and his Tuxedo wearing partner… Tuxedo… what does that even mean, sounds like a disease more than an outfit and I’d never be seen dead in one because I am a man’s man and not one of these champagne swilling, metropolitan woke types. As far as I am concerned New Breed you can keep your vegan diet and pumpkin spiced latte and all the other trappings of the elitist lifestyle that a Tuxedo represents because I am purely about the sport of wrestling and nothing else.

This isn’t about stables, gimmicks, elitist ideals. This is about sport, competition in the ring where there can only be one winner. When you face the combined might of the New Blood and the Untouchables, two World Champions, you're going to wish you’d have taken a dive and ducked out of the sport like your buddy Syberus because we’re the real deal and the next SWAT World Tag Team Champions.”

[Scene Fades]

[vastrix]

In the nosebleed section of the audience, we can find Bruno walking and searching for something. He looks toward the center of the arena in the scaffolding to see if he can see...

What exactly is he looking for?

A group of fans find their seats, laughing that they are at the top of the world with no seats behind them. They see Bruno and gush immediately. Bruno is stoic, trying to ignore them while looking around. A female fan blocks Bruno’s path to continue onward. She waves at Bruno, who finds that he cannot ignore her.

Bruno: What do you want?

Fan: Whatcha looking for?

Bruno tries to side step the fan, but she gets right back into his way.

Bruno: I’m looking for someone.

Fan: Oh hey, guys. He’s looking for someone. Maybe we can help him!

The other fans get up and surround Bruno, who sighs.

Bruno: I’m looking for someone hiding up here. I want to tell this person…

Fan: What? What do you want to tell this person?

Bruno clenches his fist, anger entering his expression.

Bruno: I want to tell this person that there’s no need for them to remain in their perch. I will end Soutter today. He wants to shit on our friendship, then we can consider it broken forever.

Fan: That’s so sad. I don’t understand what this person in a perch has to do with you fighting Paul Soutter though.

Bruno: Armand has said that he has placed a sniper up here and if I do not work to cripple Soutter, he will have my friend shot. However, since he cannot see what I do is for him...damn him.

The female fan now looks scared. She and the other fans in the group begin looking around the arena scaffolding as if the sniper might be looking for them instead of Soutter.

Bruno: I see that Armand may have been lying to me. I see no sniper, but my words remain strong. Soutter wants to doubt me. Fuck him.