Post by coolfactor27 on Mar 7, 2021 14:12:21 GMT -5
(Scene opens backstage at the Xcess Center in Colorado Springs where Monday Night Ravage is currently underway. Time stamp reads: 02-22-12 06:43 PM. Camera pans over and catches Willie Steen storming down the hallway through the locker room. He is still dressed in his ring gear, having competed earlier. He unravels and rips the tape off of his wrists as he makes his way down the hallway. Camera follows him as he comes up to the door of James Ranger’s office and lets himself inside. Ranger turns towards the door as Steen barges in.)
Steen: We need to talk.
(Two personal security guards approach Steen on both sides but Ranger quickly puts up his hand. The guards stand down as Steen approaches Ranger.)
Ranger: Something I can help you with, Hollywood?
Steen: Yeah, I was just curious as to how long you intend to keep your hottest superstar off of television. Last show, my match got cancelled and this week you put me on the preshow. What the hell?
Ranger: First of all, what happened last week was out of my control. I’m not the one who told Tommy Lipton to come down to the ring and get himself concussed. That’s on him. As for tonight, look, someone had to be on the preshow. It just happened to be you. Those are the breaks.
Steen: Just saying, I would think an experienced and competent general manager would have the common sense not to put his hottest performer in an untelevised dark match.
Ranger: Hottest performer? You? Oh, wow. I wasn’t aware that I was in the presence of such greatness.
Steen: Yeah, well, maybe if you took your lips off of Syndicate’s ass for a second, you’d look up and realize that.
(Ranger’s eyes narrow as a wry grin creeps onto his face. He chuckles softly to himself as he steps up to Steen.)
Ranger: You know, just because I’m in a management position, and not an active competitor on the roster, doesn’t meet I won’t still drop your narrow ass right here.
(For a few moments there is silence as the two men glare at each other with fists clenched. Ranger’s expression then softens a bit as an amused smirk spreads across his face.)
Ranger: Then again, I’m a fair man. And if you think you deserve be in the spotlight, then you should get a chance to prove it. And as fate would have it, you’re going to get a chance to do just that at Holiday Hell, when you one on one with the International Champion, AJR. Sound fair.
(Steen’s eyes narrow as he draws in a deep breath and hunches his shoulders back with his arms folded in front of him. He exhales slowly and nods curtly.)
Steen: Ok.
Ranger: Fantastic. Now if there’s nothing else, I have a show to run. So if you would be so kind as to excuse yourself . . .
(Ranger motions to the door. One of his security guards opens the door. Steen turns and makes his way toward the open door.)
Ranger: Oh hey, Willie . . .
(Steen stops and turns back to Ranger who has a smug grin spread across his face.)
Ranger: Good luck. I’m really hope this title opportunity won’t go to waste like your last one.
(Steen gives him one last annoyed eyeroll and shakes his head before turning and walking out of the office. Camera closes up on Ranger with a self-satisfied grin on his face. Scene fades to black momentarily before transitioning to an establishing shot of an apartment building in downtown Colorado Springs. Camera cuts inside the apartment where Willie Steen sits in a reclining chair in a very dimly lit living room area. He stares quietly across the room at the large display case showcasing his various WWX championship belts. His eyes fixate on the one empty shelf dedicated to the International Championship belt. He then looks down at an open picture album he is holding in his lap. Camera closes up as Steen scrolls through pictures of himself celebrating various title victories.)
When I first came into the WWX, believe it or not, my goal wasn’t just to win as many titles as possible. Granted, I did, and became quite good at it in fact, if I do say so myself.
(Steen points to the trophy case)
For me, though, it wasn’t so much about winning titles or being champion. It was about making a name for myself and establish a legacy as one of the all-time greats. I wanted to create moments and memories. I wanted to be the guy you talked about at the water cooler and looked forward to seeing at the next show. When the story of the World Wrestling Xsistence is written, I want my name to be more than just a footnote.
(Steen peruses through the photos a bit more)
That is why I work so hard to ply my craft in the ring. And why I’ve always fought so hard to be featured on the card. For a chance to showcase my talents for the world and prove that I am worthy of mention and regard. And yet, for so long, in spite of my skill and success in the ring, I spent my career being labeled as an afterthought or an also-ran by certain people with authority. Even now, as I stand here today, a former World champion on the one of the hottest runs of his career, it feels like I am still fighting the stigma of that label.
(Steen shuts the album and places it on the coffee table. He folds his hands and stares off into the void.)
See what I realize now more than ever, is that I’m not just fighting opponents in the ring. I’m fighting the unending narrative that still plagues me. The narrative that Willie Steen is not main event material. That Willie Steen doesn’t belong on the level of guys like Tommy Lipton, Krimzon Blaze and Syndicate. That Willie Steen is just another guy.
(He turns his gaze back to the trophy case.)
That’s why I know what I have to do.
(Steen stands up and starts waking toward the case.)
I'm done waiting for higher ups like James Ranger to recognize me and give me props. The only way I’m gonna change the minds of those who still doubt is with tangible, golden proof. If I win the International Championship this Sunday, it will give the higher ups in the company no choice but to feature me as a headliner. I’m gonna make damn sure that the world gets to see me and all that I can do. But it doesn't stop there. No, see, in addition to granting me headliner status, winning the International Championship will also officially make me a WWX Grand Slam Champion. My legacy will be cemented in WWX lore forever.
(Steen stands in front of the trophy case with his arms folded and stares at the empty void on the second shelf of the trophy case.)
Now, I realize that in order to do this I have to accomplish the task at hand by beating the current champ, AJR. I realize this is a big "if". I'm not stupid. Ashton is a lot of things but one thing he is not is a pushover. He knows what the International Championship represents and he isn't going he isn't going to let a jacuzzi bath with some random celebrity cameo distract him from the task at hand. I know him better than that. He is a man who enjoys a good time and appreciates the finer things in life. I can respect that. Who wouldn’t wanna party in a boat with a reformed stripper turned multi-platinum recording artist? Although, I’m a bit more partial to Doja Cat, myself, but that’s just personal preference. That being said, I also know that when he steps in the ring he is all business and fully capable. He isn’t going to relinquish the title without a serious fight. Lucky for me, a serious fight is exactly what I am looking for and expecting. And I promise you that nothing he and his flunky Bryan Chase have planned will compare with what I am ready to do to claim that belt.
(Steen turns toward the camera.)
So enjoy the moment right now, Ashton. Enjoy your women. Enjoy your yachts. Enjoy your fancy clothes and your shoes. Your money, your cologne and your celebrity guest hosts. And most of all, enjoy your last few precious moments with that luscious gold around your waist. Because after Sunday, you’ll be experiencing life with one less luxury.
(Steen takes one last look at the trophy case and then turns and walks away. Scene fades to black)
Steen: We need to talk.
(Two personal security guards approach Steen on both sides but Ranger quickly puts up his hand. The guards stand down as Steen approaches Ranger.)
Ranger: Something I can help you with, Hollywood?
Steen: Yeah, I was just curious as to how long you intend to keep your hottest superstar off of television. Last show, my match got cancelled and this week you put me on the preshow. What the hell?
Ranger: First of all, what happened last week was out of my control. I’m not the one who told Tommy Lipton to come down to the ring and get himself concussed. That’s on him. As for tonight, look, someone had to be on the preshow. It just happened to be you. Those are the breaks.
Steen: Just saying, I would think an experienced and competent general manager would have the common sense not to put his hottest performer in an untelevised dark match.
Ranger: Hottest performer? You? Oh, wow. I wasn’t aware that I was in the presence of such greatness.
Steen: Yeah, well, maybe if you took your lips off of Syndicate’s ass for a second, you’d look up and realize that.
(Ranger’s eyes narrow as a wry grin creeps onto his face. He chuckles softly to himself as he steps up to Steen.)
Ranger: You know, just because I’m in a management position, and not an active competitor on the roster, doesn’t meet I won’t still drop your narrow ass right here.
(For a few moments there is silence as the two men glare at each other with fists clenched. Ranger’s expression then softens a bit as an amused smirk spreads across his face.)
Ranger: Then again, I’m a fair man. And if you think you deserve be in the spotlight, then you should get a chance to prove it. And as fate would have it, you’re going to get a chance to do just that at Holiday Hell, when you one on one with the International Champion, AJR. Sound fair.
(Steen’s eyes narrow as he draws in a deep breath and hunches his shoulders back with his arms folded in front of him. He exhales slowly and nods curtly.)
Steen: Ok.
Ranger: Fantastic. Now if there’s nothing else, I have a show to run. So if you would be so kind as to excuse yourself . . .
(Ranger motions to the door. One of his security guards opens the door. Steen turns and makes his way toward the open door.)
Ranger: Oh hey, Willie . . .
(Steen stops and turns back to Ranger who has a smug grin spread across his face.)
Ranger: Good luck. I’m really hope this title opportunity won’t go to waste like your last one.
(Steen gives him one last annoyed eyeroll and shakes his head before turning and walking out of the office. Camera closes up on Ranger with a self-satisfied grin on his face. Scene fades to black momentarily before transitioning to an establishing shot of an apartment building in downtown Colorado Springs. Camera cuts inside the apartment where Willie Steen sits in a reclining chair in a very dimly lit living room area. He stares quietly across the room at the large display case showcasing his various WWX championship belts. His eyes fixate on the one empty shelf dedicated to the International Championship belt. He then looks down at an open picture album he is holding in his lap. Camera closes up as Steen scrolls through pictures of himself celebrating various title victories.)
When I first came into the WWX, believe it or not, my goal wasn’t just to win as many titles as possible. Granted, I did, and became quite good at it in fact, if I do say so myself.
(Steen points to the trophy case)
For me, though, it wasn’t so much about winning titles or being champion. It was about making a name for myself and establish a legacy as one of the all-time greats. I wanted to create moments and memories. I wanted to be the guy you talked about at the water cooler and looked forward to seeing at the next show. When the story of the World Wrestling Xsistence is written, I want my name to be more than just a footnote.
(Steen peruses through the photos a bit more)
That is why I work so hard to ply my craft in the ring. And why I’ve always fought so hard to be featured on the card. For a chance to showcase my talents for the world and prove that I am worthy of mention and regard. And yet, for so long, in spite of my skill and success in the ring, I spent my career being labeled as an afterthought or an also-ran by certain people with authority. Even now, as I stand here today, a former World champion on the one of the hottest runs of his career, it feels like I am still fighting the stigma of that label.
(Steen shuts the album and places it on the coffee table. He folds his hands and stares off into the void.)
See what I realize now more than ever, is that I’m not just fighting opponents in the ring. I’m fighting the unending narrative that still plagues me. The narrative that Willie Steen is not main event material. That Willie Steen doesn’t belong on the level of guys like Tommy Lipton, Krimzon Blaze and Syndicate. That Willie Steen is just another guy.
(He turns his gaze back to the trophy case.)
That’s why I know what I have to do.
(Steen stands up and starts waking toward the case.)
I'm done waiting for higher ups like James Ranger to recognize me and give me props. The only way I’m gonna change the minds of those who still doubt is with tangible, golden proof. If I win the International Championship this Sunday, it will give the higher ups in the company no choice but to feature me as a headliner. I’m gonna make damn sure that the world gets to see me and all that I can do. But it doesn't stop there. No, see, in addition to granting me headliner status, winning the International Championship will also officially make me a WWX Grand Slam Champion. My legacy will be cemented in WWX lore forever.
(Steen stands in front of the trophy case with his arms folded and stares at the empty void on the second shelf of the trophy case.)
Now, I realize that in order to do this I have to accomplish the task at hand by beating the current champ, AJR. I realize this is a big "if". I'm not stupid. Ashton is a lot of things but one thing he is not is a pushover. He knows what the International Championship represents and he isn't going he isn't going to let a jacuzzi bath with some random celebrity cameo distract him from the task at hand. I know him better than that. He is a man who enjoys a good time and appreciates the finer things in life. I can respect that. Who wouldn’t wanna party in a boat with a reformed stripper turned multi-platinum recording artist? Although, I’m a bit more partial to Doja Cat, myself, but that’s just personal preference. That being said, I also know that when he steps in the ring he is all business and fully capable. He isn’t going to relinquish the title without a serious fight. Lucky for me, a serious fight is exactly what I am looking for and expecting. And I promise you that nothing he and his flunky Bryan Chase have planned will compare with what I am ready to do to claim that belt.
(Steen turns toward the camera.)
So enjoy the moment right now, Ashton. Enjoy your women. Enjoy your yachts. Enjoy your fancy clothes and your shoes. Your money, your cologne and your celebrity guest hosts. And most of all, enjoy your last few precious moments with that luscious gold around your waist. Because after Sunday, you’ll be experiencing life with one less luxury.
(Steen takes one last look at the trophy case and then turns and walks away. Scene fades to black)