Battleground #37 : Easter Explosion! (Show)

[HNDRXX]

The Syndicate Wrestling and Tradition Banner has been hung just outside of Pais Arena in the mediterraenen heat of Jerusalem.

While the normal hustle and bustle makes for a low pulse in the background, HNDRXX’s head bobs slightly with this urban beat.

“Jack, while you tryin’ to figure out how the push feature works on a door, I got a little tutorial.”

Hndrxx stands alone in front of the banner, now rippling slightly in the evening breeze, golden light casting long shadows, ready to head down to the ring, Flatbush Zombies Hoodie is on pulled up over his head, wrestling tights and boots on.”

“You know when you lookin’ at hebrew, a push door gonna have a push bar on it, and a pull door gonna have a handle on it. Right there, I’m solvin’ problems for you my dude. I ain't gonna have you getting lost 'fore our match or nothing my dude.  Now, I get you like to run your mouth, cause you ain’t got a whole lot to say that I didn’t say already do you?”

HNDRXX flexes his knuckles the pop audible.

“I get it, you don’t wanna be exposed as the type of man who is basically cut from the same cloth as every other smarmy without exception type, and I feel that, I really do, you honest with yourself and you gonna cast shade in the way you do.

Yo, but you need to check it out, when you castin’ shade, I’m sitting out the sun, you dig it? You just a palm tree on the beach of Tel Aviv, keeping me out the sun while I enjoy the surround. ”

HNDRXX wags a finger.

“Man it true that dudes with the most opinions seem to have the least.

Union Jack showing us that time and again. Man come out and try to get a rise out of me, talkin’ bout Chemo, like he ever had any hardship in his life, like he ain’t always been riding the coattails of some other dude.

Miss me with that my dude.”

HNDRXX who has been keeping his bowed this entire does look up, a glint in his brown eyes.

“It real rich from a dude who thinkin’ bout paychecks and the shortest route to get one, ain’t it. I ain’t gonna do the many hands nonsense, cause when you think on Union Jack, he just another evening breeze, all movements, no substance.

An’ choking on the girl next door? I ain’t touchin’ that, sounds like you and a couch and some hourly type gonna need to have a long talk soon enough.”

HNDRXX removes his hood and runs his hand over his head from his neck, flicking away some of the accumulated sweat. He looks off into the distance towards the hills of Jerusalem and the ancient city beyond.

“Man cause what else are you talkin’ bout, rice cakes and onions, like you just been sent to the grocery store with a list from Pequeno, like you an errand boy, my dude.

Cause that’s what you are, you that guy in every crew who sit in the back, talking about a bunch of nonsense, dressed like a peacock and tryin’ his damndest to sound like he should be in the front with the mic in his face.

You that third row dude in every rap video, blunt he ain’t bought in his hand wrapping for the dudes who matter my dude. So when you out buying lazy metaphors for the fuckboy invitational, I ain't gonna stress too much that you ain’t inviting me. I ain’t worryin’ that no zoo-kept lion who ain’t had to fend for himself is roaring at me neither.

What he gonna do? Make Union Jack noise, get fed from the hand of his keeper and then he gonna go take a nap.”

HNDRXX, for his part is holding back the smirk that has begun shining behind his eyes.

“But yo, you got that girl next door fantasy from back in the day to keep you warm at night right?

An’ when you need it, you can always lean on your betters to make sure you got someone to run errands for, and manager after agent after manager after handler to make excuses for you when you come up short. Cause you got what an entire career mapped out point by point, paycheck by paycheck,

Cause you need it my dude. I get the sense you need to try an’ distinguish between what a legacy is, and what yours ain’t.

Cause when it come to it, you kept.”

HNDRXX stretches his arms methodically before stretching out his hamstrings. Moving from left to right with good extension comes from much practice.

“You upset cause you homogenous? Don’t fret none on it, you just like every other loud roaring been raised captive to think they wild too.

That real difference ain’t it. You just didn’t wanna know you was kept. You got some roar to you, you speak loud cause you think it gonna make other dudes nervous. An’ maybe to the rest of the kept, it has an effect.


You just gotta keep that honesty ‘bout you Jack, you know you got limitations on who you could be, you just didn’t have no one tell you word for word what they were.

An’ that stinging you felt earlier. That twitch at the back of the neck my dude, that was your pride. You knew for the first time you ain’t got the respect of anyone.

I’m gonna make you respect me Jack. I know how to hurt. I know how to be down an’ counted out and hit those threes from on high and bring it back. You talk a lot, an’ you run your mouth from the background, but that time, it almost past. Ain’t it?

I can tell you about pain Jack. I can tell you how to hurt. I can show you how to hurt.

I will make you respect me Jack.

With that HNDRXX takes a look past the camera to the slowly turning purple dusk, that moment when the shadows merge into the background and cease to be. HNDRXX pulls his hood up and makes a finger gun at the camera,

Before walking off screen.

And we return to BattleGround!

[Deleted]

Through the winding corridors of Pais Arena with a pit stop at catering for a chicken breast and a salad…beyond the swarms of activity from production assistants, stage hands and ring crew…high above the last minute preparations and past a security guard that unlocked a door for a crisp fifty, Pequeno Dinosaurio is outside the upper level of the arena.

Since Jack and Vanessa had interview time booked, he’d taken advantage and disappeared for some much needed quiet time. So much had happened with more to come.

Esmeralda’s interest had been tempting and flattering at first, but despite his stance being firm on leaving her alone, she seemed oddly adept at appearing from nowhere.

Looking over his shoulder lest she appear, he sighed in relief. Not a soul in sight, he truly was alone.

Having Jack around had been a great distraction from the shambles his rookie ear had become. Undoing the strap of his mask, he opens his salad, cutting up the chicken breast to top a light pre-match dinner.

Looking out over a portion of the city, you’d never guess this was Jerusalem. He had been raised Catholic until his mother’s passing. Part of him called to this place.

Domed architecture seemed to hold the contrasting street lights creating tiny globes of light throughout the city. It was beautiful and unexpected. A rarely appreciated perk of the job.

He expected the old city, old and crumbling buildings held together for the sake of history and little else. A place where the old world was alive and well. What he got was a place where people still believed in miracles.

Sat upon the cold concrete ledge, his makeshift bench had done little to cool his anger at Vanessa throwing in the towel for him had only subsided slightly, imposing an uncomfortable silence between the two. Even if his father had technically sided with her.

And this he was here, looking out into the world and hoping peace was out there somewhere. He’d always found solace in the night sky. If there were anywhere he’d find hope tonight, it would be here.

He gotten the predictable reaction from Oxford Osland, taunting while lauding his own abilities over a win that was tainted at best. The only portion of his bravado dripping self indulgent rambling that he’d truly taken note of was Osland’s stopping short of offering a rematch. That spoke volumes about the new Television Champion’s true mindset. He knew that “lucky” didn’t quite define his win, but good fortunate certainly played its part.

Still, watching that buffoon parade around with his title was difficult to say the least. Stuffing a combination of lettuce and chicken into his mouth, he swallowed hard deciding tasting his food was too time consuming, he devoured the salad as his totem animal might have devoured countless creatures.

Wiping his mouth, he starts to rummage through the contents of his gym bag, he retrieves his entrance attire, laying it out in a very practiced manner. He’d spent his entire life in arenas and stadiums watching his father prepare for his matches, “Remember to take time to address the mental aspect of the game, bumps and bruises heal, bones mend with time, but the mind? Having a strong mind, that’s the hardest part cosmos.” He’d said time and time again using the childish nickname his father had given him from his hours spent stargazing.

To carry the metaphor further, too many young stars got caught “stargazing” these days. Osland was a perfect example, too many were caught up in their own hype, preparing only for the the physical demands of the sport, which were brutal, neglecting that the mental side of things had broken just as many promising wrestlers along the way.

If Osland fancied himself the face of SWAT, then the answer was simple. He would become the mask that covered that face.

Egos, relationships, the pressures and temptations of the road; he would learn of these things as his journey continued. Juggling anything more would cause all the balls in the air to come crashing down.

Taking his time, he dons his entrance costume, the green fabrics and leather keeping him from the chilled night air. Fastening his mask, he sets his phone up for a picture with Jerusalem as his background.

Spreading his arms with the old city at his back, the flash tells him he’s free to move.

Stuffing his entrance costume back into his bag, he shoulders it and heads back in making sure to stop by to thank the security guard for the moment of peace.

The transition from the peace of outside to the controlled chaos of a SWAT production on any given night was like night and day. Assistants and cable runner seemed to be everywhere at once.

“There you are…” A voice came calling as a salt and pepper haired man in a grey pantsuit and a baby blue golf shirt comes jogging up to the young Dinosaur. “…Sorry to bother you, but I’ve been looking all over for you. I’m one of the road agents, Dan McMicheals. I’ve got something here…” Reaching into his jacket pocket, the object made the young dinosaur shake his head. It was the name plate he’d had upon the Television Championship during his reign. “…Osland insisted we throw it out, said you wouldn’t be so lucky ever again.” Realizing he was starting to ramble, he glances at the floor. “Look, I just thought maybe you’d want it back.”

Subconsciously, his right hand went to the straps of the protective brace, “purely precautionary” he’d been told. If didn’t feel right, not just the outcome of the match, the lack of a rematch, everything.

Taking the nameplate from him, the shine and lister it carried just an event ago had eroded away. Glancing down briefly as he stuffed it in his bag, all he saw now was a piece of metal. “Gracias…thank you.”

He managed politeness despite feeling as though he’d been handed a piece of his broken dreams, he’d make Gabriel Tuck pay for what he did. But knowing Gabriel was little more than an attack dog, he’d turn his attention to the man holding the leash. Armand Von Krauss.

A spiteful moment had him want to find her, if he was to be accused of a crime, he might as well enjoy himself. That was Jack speaking.

Realizing he’d been silent since thanking Dan, he excuses himself. “I’m sorry…Dan was it? My apologies I have a lot on my mind, you know? I should get back to the dressing rooms before intermission, thanks again amigo.”

Sensing the sullen mood of the young man, Dan makes sure to end things positively. “My pleasure, look, don’t get too down on yourself. I hear management has big plans for you. Watch that knee, ok?”

Slapping his brace as he walks away he smiles, nodding. “Thanks.”

Making his way back through catering to the locker rooms, he reaches theirs at the conclusion of Vanessa delivering an intense objection to Union Jack’s interview with a beleaguered Warren W. Webber.

Missing the beginning, an exasperated Vanessa is practically pleading with the Brit to understand just what he had done, “…you talked about his dying father. You had to know that would be an issue! You were supposed to stay on topic, what happened to that idea?!”

Looking every bit as innocent as a grown man dressed as a bear can, Union Jack objects, “I did stay on topic, thank you very much! I said I would kick Hendricks’s ass…it’s not my fault his dying father’s going to have to watch!”

Using her eyes to implore him to help, she’s shut down. “Sorry Vanessa, I’d love to help with…” Swirling his finger around, he continues, “…whatever this is, but I have my own issues. Champion one week, eight man tag match the next? That’s a car crash match. This is not good.”

In Mexico, he’d have been right. Tagteam matches were different in his homeland, teammates need only exit the ring to change with their partners. Eight man matches got particularly out of control.

Bodies flew everywhere, injuries happen like that.

But it was more than that, more than his apprehension following Gabriel Tuck’s cowardly attack. It was more than the resulting injury, he felt his stock had dropped following the loss. He’d need to do something to show them all he was more than a “one hit wonder”.

As though she could read his mind, Vanessa makes sure to remind her client of the facts. “Look, the doctors said you avoided serious injury, so look at this as a match off with pay. Let your teammates carry the load, get a few moves in for the cameras, pick your spots and we can coast you through this injury and you’ll be good as new without missing any time. But if you insist…”

Leaving her objections to Jack’s behaviour for for another time, the inflection in her voice tells she has a plan, or the beginnings of one at least.

“…I get your concern, but with a win in that ‘car crash’ you could have something to build on when you’re interviewed by Warren, assuming he’ll speak to me again.” Casting a sideways glance at Jack, she still couldn’t believe the lengths ‘The bad influence bear’ had gone to.

Genuinely confused, he scratches at the chinstrap of his mask. “Why would I have an interview after a team effort?”

Allowing a thin smile to slide across her delicate features, she replies. “Because, if you win. You’re going to remind everyone of something everyone might have forgotten after Texas.”

Tiring of her coyness, he’s forced to play along asking, “And would you care to tell me what that is?”

Like a Cheshire Cat, her smile turns to a grin, “That you’re undefeated against the current World Heavyweight Champion and deserve a chance.”

The realization washed over him like a wave. It was a bold plan, especially at this stage of his career, but Vanessa had a point. With a time limit draw and a pinfall victory, he could argue that the line to the champion forms behind him and Eddie D.

Ever the realist; there was still Devon D’Andre to consider, “What if Goth loses?”

She shrugged his question off like water off a duck’s back. “So?” She started. “He’s still a former World Champion. And beating him again could still get you to the front of the line. At the very least, a lot closer to the front than you are now.”

She wasn’t being rude, but the truth didn’t feel great. Thanks to the damned KGB, he no longer had the Television Championship to set him apart from the pack. He’d get his revenge, he just didn’t know how he’d get his hands on a non wrestler like Gabriel Tuck. Shaking his head, he couldn’t believe what he was about to say.

With a fair amount of disbelief in his voice, Pequeno Dinosaurio answers, “Ok Vanessa, I’ll do it. But this is the sort of thing a manager should be doing. Maybe it’s time to look into having someone handle these sorts of things for me?”

Rather sheepishly, Vanessa offer up the solution to that problem as well. “I could apply for a license and up my fee accordingly. Couldn’t hurt to learn as much of the business as possible. I mean, as long as you still trust me after Texas…” She lost her intensity as she addressed the elephant in the room head on.

“Look…” He started, doing his best to look her in the eye. It was moments like this he remembered all those years ago and the little girl who tagged along with him around arenas all over Mexico. “…I trust you. I just have a hard time watching Osland parade around with the Television Championship while I team with everyone but Jack.” He takes a deep breath. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you for throwing in the towel, I know where the line is now. So if you want to become a manager, we can talk about it…” He didn’t want to make such a decision while still emotionally amped up. Forgiving her was one thing, giving her more of a role in his career was quite another. “…but not tonight. Tonight I need to walk out of this car crash in one piece and then take my shot. Let’s hope Psychotic Goth pulls another one out.”

[Kyle]

CLINK!

Is the sound two titles make when they're knocked against each other. As the scene materializes, those championships are unveiled as the SWAT Television and Universal Sin. Their owners? Oxford Osland and Keith Williams.

Filmed at Texas Turmoil after Keith's match with Soutter, he's a bloody mess due to the violent encounter. Dripping everywhere, nasty gashes covering his body, Williams slaps the chest of Double O.

Keith Williams: "I'm proud of you!"

Beaming, Mr. Unbelievable adjusts the SWAT Television Championship on his shoulder and gives Keith a receipt, slapping the chest of the Sleazy One.

Oxford Osland: "I'm proud of you!"

Holding his title at waist level, KW looks down at the crimson stained state the SWAT Universal Sin Championship is in.

Keith Williams: "If you've been listening, we've been preaching! And the good word of The ReVenants came true! I've comfortably been defending my title, but now we have another! Two titles in the camp of The ReVenants!"

Looking Osland up and down, Williams admires his partner in crime.

Keith Williams: "But it isn't enough! The KGB... They hold the SWAT World Tag Team Championships and we want 'em! What's better than double champions?"

The Ultimate Kingpin nudges the Unbelievable One in the side, wanting him to answer and ask.

Oxford Osland: "I don't know. What?"

Keith Williams: "Double double champions!!"

Laughing together, Oxford Osland and Keith Williams are merry about their respective victories.

Keith Williams: "We won't be denied! We'll collect ALL the gold!"

Appreciating their titles, Keith eyes the Television title as Oxford looks at the Universal Sin.

Oxford Osland: "All of it!"

Looking up at the camera, Williams leaves the floor open to the tag-team champions.

Keith Williams: "When Armand and Frosbite want a challenge, they know where to find us."

Clinking their titles a second time, The ReVenants start to laugh again as they walk off to celebrate.

[Isabel Rios]

“Tonight there is no Amazons championship.”

We open on Isabel Rios in the parking lot, sitting on the hood of her rental car, her bag beside her. It’s still early, the moment clearly taped well before the start of the show, not much hustle or bustle going on around her.

“Tonight there’s no number one contendership, no No Man’s Land or the check I got for winning that. Tonight all there is is me and Joanne Canelli, one on one, middle of the ring. Tonight there is dislike and disrespect and destruction. Tonight I have tunnel vision Jo-Jo, tonight I only have eyes for you.”

Isabel gets up, shouldering her bag as she starts through the parking lot, the camera moving along with her.

“Everywhere I turn lately I seem to have someone gunning for me and that’s fine. Don’t need a belt to have a target on my back, I get it. I’ve been showing everyone in the XHF Network that bell to bell I’m as good as it gets. Ask Deco, ask Mistress Discipline, ask Kirsty McKinney, ask everyone I've faced. And J-Cans? I like them, I respect them. You? Not so much.”

Isabel reaches the door, nodding in greeting to the security staff manning it before heading inside, the camera still following along.

“But apparently I need to start showing people that I’m not that bitch to steal on. See, costing you last show was a measure of revenge for jumping me Joanne, but tonight? This is an education, this is a lesson for every person, alien and whatever the hell else we’ve got in the XHF network that you do not come after me from behind and walk away unscathed. You want a piece of me, you want to make an impact at my expense? You put on your big girl pants, you look me in the eye and you call me out for a match. I respect that. I’ll oblige that with a smile on my pretty face and the worst thing you gotta face is the high probability of a loss at my hands. You come at me from the back? The worst you gotta face is me kicking the shit outta you til I decide I’m done, then dropping you on your head and maybe choking you out too, just for the hell of it.”

Isabel reaches the locker room door, pausing to look into the camera one more time.

“Joanne, you’ve sown the wind and now you get to reap the whirlwind. Tonight The Don is done.”

With that Isabel turns and pushes her way through the locker room door as the shot fades to black.

[SWAT Team]

Jeremy Tucker: Already in the ring we see Benjamin Bolt as he is waiting for his opponent Kaupena Yoon.

Andrew Fulton: I think this might be Bolt’s night.

Jeremy Tucker: One never knows around here. Psychotic Goth is our World Champion.

Andrew Fulton: Point made there. And my NCAA tournament is shot. I had the Buckeyes winning it all. There goes my money. I made need a loan from you.

Jeremy Tucker: What do you mean a loan? I believe we make the same amount of money.

Andrew Fulton: (scoffs) Yeah, sure we do Jerry. I have gotten myself addicted to fanduel. I am getting bets all the time, I am nearly breaking even.

Jeremy Tucker: So we are plugging fanduel on here? It must be one of our new sponsors.

Andrew Fulton: I hear rumors that they just might start placing bets on wrestling. Can you believe that? I might actually make a killing.

Jeremy Tucker: I have not heard about that. I really believe you are making this stuff up.

Andrew Fulton: I wonder if Armand will spot me some money.

Jeremy Tucker: I do not believe he is a type of man that you would want to be late on a payment with.

Andrew Fulton: I am sure it is with some interest. We are pretty tight you know.

Jeremy Tucker: Benjamin Bolt is bouncing off the ropes, as he waits for his opponent..

[Suddenly the lights go out as My Hawaii by the Green begins to blast over the sound system, as the crowd is starting to get whipped up in a frenzy. ]

Frank Salazar: Being accompanied by his manager Cassandra Ortiz he weighs in at 180 pounds from O'ahu, Hawaii here is Kaupena Yoon.

[The lights appear back on as the crowd begins to chant his name as he comes from behind the curtain with his lovely manager by his side as they make their way down to the ring. ]

Andrew Fulton: Wow, I am looking at his manager, she is looking good tonight Jerry.

Jeremy Tucker: Could you please put your tongue back in your mouth.

Andrew Fulton: You believe I can get her number right? Are these two dating?

Jeremy Tucker: I do not know? You do not stand a chance.

Andrew Fulton: Just as much of a chance as you stand to get your Lexus back.

Jeremy Tucker: You know that was uncalled for.

[Kaupena is at ringside as he climbs the steps as he springs over the top ropes. He goes back as he looks at his manager getting some last minute instructions. He holds her hand, as she walks back down the steps. The ref calls for the bell. ]

Ding... ding....ding..

Andrew Fulton: The two men circle each other as Bolt goes in behind, he grabs Yoon’s waist, but Yoon quickly with a drop down toe hold. He quickly springs to his feet as he connects with a spinning legdrop. He sits up Bolt but knocks him back down with a hard clothesline. He picks himself up as he races into the ropes as Bolts sits up and catches a leg lariat right into the chest. He races into the ropes as he springs off of them and catches him with a moonsault as he goes for the cover.

1

2

Jeremy Tucker: Bolt is able to kick out. Yoon pulls Bolt to his feet as he lays in a couple of knife edge chops. He slowly backs Bolt into the corner and he throws a flurry of rights and lefts to his ribs. Bolt staggers out of the corner as Yoon catches him with a nice dropkick right in his jaw as he is knocked through the ropes.

Andrew Fulton: Wait a second Yoon races into the ropes comes flying over the ropes and catches Bolt with a high cross body block. The crowd is getting behind this young man. And it appears his manager nods her head in approval. Yoon pulls by Bolt as he tosses him back into the ring. He springs up to the ring apron as he now climbs the top ropes, he comes off and connects with a diving headbutt. He goes for the cover.

1

2

Jeremy Tucker: Bolt kicks out. Yoon pulls Bolt to his feet as he goes in behind as he is grabbing his arm maybe in an attempt for a pumphandle slam, but Bolt connects with an elbow right on his jaw and this stuns Koon. Bolt lays in a couple of forearm shots to the side of the head. Bolt picks up Yoon as he connects with a backbreaker. He goes in for the cover.

1

Jeremy Tucker: Easy kick out by Yoon. Bolt pulls Yoon to his feet as he Irish whips him hard into a far corner the force brings him out and he catches him with a high backdrop. It appears that Cassandra Ortiz is concerned.

Andrew Fulton: Maybe I should go over there to her.

Jeremy Tucker: I believe you need to stay here.

Andrew Fulton: Bolt pulls Yoon to his feet as he is laying in some bombs one right behind the other. He pulls Yoon toward him as he picks him up to connect with a high vertical suplex but Yoon slides down his back as he bounces off the ropes, as he comes off and connects with a dropkick right to the knee.

Jeremy Tucker: He quickly grabs his neck and drops him right back into the mat with a hard ddt. He races to the ropes and he climbs them and comes off and connects with a senton splash. He pulls Bolt to his feet as he picks him up and whips him hard into the corner as Yoon goes in and catches him with a body avalanche, he comes out of the corner, he springs off the ropes and catches him with a stunner.

Andrew Fulton: Yoon races over as he pulls Bolt to his feet as he picks him up and hits a double Underhook face buster. He pulls Both groggily to his feet and puts him on the top ropes. He goes up as he connects with a top rope hurricanrana. Bolt somehow bounces to his feet stunned as Yoon races into the ropes as he catches him with superman punch.

Jeremy Tucker: Yoon is having some fun in that ring as the crowd is getting behind this young man. He pulls Bolt over to the ropes as he goes up as he looks into the crowd, he comes off and catches Bolt with the 450 splash. He goes for the cover..

1 …………………..

2 …………………….


3!!!!!!

Frank Salazar: Here is the winner of the match Kaupena Yoon!!!!

Andrew Fulton: Cassandra gets into the ring as she raises the hand of her client with a nice win.

Jeremy Tucker: Indeed a nice win. I believe he has quite a bright future here in this company.

Andrew Fulton: Time will tell.

Jeremy Tucker: Bolt slides out of the ring as the two continue to celebrate with the fans as we head toward a commercial break.

[Lucky Linda]

”Lucky Linda. Thanks for joining me for a few words before your upcoming match. How are you?” asks Glamorous Glenda. The pair standing in front of a SWAT Banner.

“Top of the morning to you Glenda” replies Linda. “I couldn’t be feeling any better. Grand you may say.” Linda beams.

“Last week you lost to Graysie Parker, what happened there?”

“Well, I didn’t exactly lose to her, that was Liz Idol.” States Linda. “But I didn’t get the win either, so credit to Graysie. She is one tough cookie and I’d love to get in the ring with her one on one.”

“Now that would be some match up.” Glenda agree’s. “During your match Blaze and you seemed to have some great Chemistry. Both against each other and teaming up there. “

“Blaze is one of the best wrestlers in the world today. We took our eye off the prize last week and were too focused on each other, and Graysie got the W. In the bigger scheme of things, I have learned to brush them loses away and continue to push for the bigger showdowns, but truthfully, I am a very proud competitor, and ALL loses hurt. I would love to get the opportunity to face either Graysie, or Blaze. I respect them both and welcome the challenge to take either of them, or anyone else on.”

“How about tonight’s opponents. Team Fairtex and the Hired Killers.”

“Jade and Kim are stalwarts around here, as are their husbands. I have been round the loop with them time and time again, and it’s always a battle. I don’t expect tonight to be any different. Lucky for me, I have some great tag team partners tonight to watch my back.”

“Yeah, well, we all know you have not had the best luck in previous tag team partners.”

“Too be sure, too be sure.” Agrees Linda. “Sleaze like Keith Williams. Envious BFF’s like Avery McCullen. Who would have it any other way? Pequeno though, he is a man of great honour. He is going places here and I am thrilled to be on the same team as him, and the Hellhounds? Well, lets just say im lucky they are on MY side and not the other side of the ring.”

“What’s next on the horizon for Lucky Linda after tonight?” asks Glenda.

“Well, as I said, I want Graysie. Then, the Anzac Cup. The Founder and Lady Luck! Who is going to be able to stop US?” Linda beams,

“So you are teaming with Soutter in the Cup?” confirms Glenda

“You know it! Last year Radu and I made the finals, this year, with the Mad Dog we are going one step further and bringing the Cup home baby!” Linda pumps her arm in the air. “Then, I’m coming for my Amazons Gold. That new belt looks mighty pretty and I want it back. I don’t care if its Kid Dynamite, Isabel Rios. Joanne Canelli. Whoever ends up with it from that little triangle, enjoy it while you can, because I am coming for my belt.” Linda smiles and winks to the camera as we fade.

[thejerseydevildiva]

Act 1: Lessons need to be learned

"If you're smart, we'll get along just fine... If not... There is a chance they will never find you in the end! I don't play games, but when I do I play for keeps."

Voice Over: Ive never backed down from a fight. In all the years that I have been in this business I have faced people that think they are better than I am, but most have never been able to do the impossible. There is only one that has ever destroyed me, but you...You're a nobody that just got lucky... Nothin' more... And I'm goin' to be the one that ends it... Luck be a lady tonight.

The scene opens on the beautiful city of Jerusalem. The night had come on quickly and the lights of the city had come on casting shadows along the streets. The camera soon stops on the Pais Arena, the large trucks filled with the equipment was parked in the parking lot with a few rental cars and buses sat near them in the parking lot as cars started to come in. The lights from the arena were now lit, and a line wound itself from the front doors and around the corner of the building. The camera moves to the interior of the arena where we see stage hands moving about, and putting the last finishing touches on everything. A black limo soon pulls into the underground parking lot and soon stops. The back door opens and out steps Joanne with Reno, Rude, and Scarpaci following behind.

Rude: Are you sure you want to go through with this?

Reno: She seems awfully pissed.

Joanne: I don't care if she is. I plan on takin' her ass out and showin' her why I am the Jersey Devil Diva. She made me look like a punk last week and now it's time to take off the kids gloves and fuckin' end this bitch!

Scarpaci: Damn she got under your skin.

Joanne looks over at him as she grabs her bag from the trunk.

Joanne: This match isn't goin' to be a pleasant one. I'm not goin' to let her run wild on me, or on my guys.

Rude: That's sweet that you worry about us boss.

Joanne: Not just you. I men my guys of the KGB. She's insulted all of us and when I get my hands on her, she will wish she never got her hands on a title, or ever heard of me.

They round the corner and there was Glamorous Glenda.

GG: Miss Canelli! It's so good to see you.

Joanne: You too Glenda. Can I help you with somethin'?

GG: I was wondering if I could get a few words about your match tonight against Isabel Rios?

Joanne: Of course you can. I have a bit of time to speak with you.

GG: First off welcome back to SWAT. A lot of fans wondered where you went after you took your leave.

Joanne: I needed to handle some business, with family and such. It was a pain in the ass, but it had to be done. But I'm back and lookin' forward to everythin' that is comin.

GG: When you came back you interrupted Isabel Rios celebration. Do you think that might be the reason that you two are facing each other now?

Joanne looks down at the floor and folds her arms in front of her.

Joanne: It could be. I mean when I showed back up I figured she didn't need to be in the spotlight for long, and she already had her five minutes of fame. It was my time to make my presence known and show the world and the rest of the locker room that I am back and ready to take my place in the KGB once again. Rios doesn't know what she is gettin' into by any means.

GG: She is the No Man's Land Champion, and says she doesn't have a target on her back. Do you believe that?

Joanne shakes her head.

Joanne: Hell no. If you have a title you will ALWAYS have a target on your back no matter what. Everyone looks at you like you're the measurin' stick. But Rios... She got lucky. If I had been here at that point she would have never gotten her hands on it.

GG: I take if you've heard what she had to say about you then?

Joanne: I have and I'm not impressed. She thinks she is big and bad, when I know that she isn't worth my time but I have to face her just to prove a point to her. Everyone that I have ever faced I've taught the same lesson to.

GG: And what lesson is that?

Joanne: Don't fuck with me!

Glenda's eyes get wide as she looks at Joanne.

GG: Is there anything else that you want to say to your opponent tonight?

Joanne's eyes flash red before they go back to their normal color.

Joanne: Rios I'm not sure you understand what is comin'. You think this is goin' to be an easy match and that you're just goin' to walk out of this with the win but I'm afraid that I can't let you do that. I came back to SWAT with one thin' in mind and that is takin' title after title for the KGB. Now you can see my dilemma can't you? I have to destroy you and make sure you know where you stand with me and the lesson that I beat into you won't be one that you will forget easily. Just ask a few people around the locker room and they will you that I am not an easy target. I will make you wish you were dead by the time I am done with you. If I were you I wouldn't show up. Just walk away and don't look back. We are the Mafioso and we get paid to kick your ass.

GG: Thank you Miss Canelli.

Joanne: Not a problem. Now if you excuse me I have a match to gt ready for.

GG: Of course. Good luck tonight Miss Canelli.

Joanne: I'm not goin' to need it. Rios will...

Joanne turns around and smirks as they walk off.

Joanne: And a body bag...

Joanne and the guys head toward the door, and head into the building as the scene fades to black.

[sc4r]

| YOU AND ME AND ONE SPOTLIGHT |

## Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones ##

The inside of the Pais Arena is almost completely empty, being a couple hours before the show begins. Some of the tech crew are wrapping up things on the stage, a few of the arena crew roam about the stands. The road crew finishing up around ringside. Inside the ring, we see Devon laying down in the center of it looking up towards the lights overhead. "You know" he begins as he points upwards to the lights.

"When I first got into this business, I had a trainer tell me to beware of the killing lights. And, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what the fuck he actually meant. A couple of years later and I'm in match for... I think it was a TV title or something, I can't remember now. I don't even remember where I was. Anyways, what I do remember was hearing Liz tell me that as I started to walk out."

He sits up and slides back towards one of the ring corners, propping his arms up on the bottom rope, his head tilted back against the turnbuckle. "I heard that and I was confused and then I stepped into the ring and I wasn't. You see, when you're in that moment, those lights that are the same for everyone else? They burn just a little bit hotter, just a little bit brighter. And some people get done in by them. Every single time, they burn like Icarus nearing the Sun."

Slowly, his head lifts up from the turnbuckle. His hands out in front of him, he stares down at them as he turns them over back and forth. "Not everyone though. Some.. long for that burning sensation. Thrive by it. For some, those lights are home."

His body relaxes slightly as he turns to face the camera. "Which are they to you, Goth?" He swings his body around, legs now dangling off the ring apron, arms crossed over the bottom rope. "I guess fourth time's the charm for you, wasn't it? Finally, get to the point where the lights didn't burn you down. But now you have to defend under them. It's one thing to climb the mountain, which I'm sure you're well aware of. It's something else entirely to defend your spot on top of it."

He gazes off into the distance, seemingly lost for a moment. "It's funny how shit works, isn't it? A month and a half ago, we were opening this fucking thing. And now here we are, closing it out. I'll give you some advice, Gothy, and this is just from my perspective. When I'm in matches like these.. there's no crowd. I barely remember entering half of them or if I had seconds at ringside with me. The lights even just become one big.. spotlight. It's just you and me underneath that spotlight and for one of us, it gives us life and ignites us and the other it's strikes us down and burns us to ash. I know what they do to me.. and I think I know what they do to you. Or did. Now may be a different story. But then again, maybe not. Maybe you're just a one hitter."

He laughs as he snakes his body underneath the bottom rope, landing feet first onto the floor.

"Imagine."

He slips past the camera and makes his way backstage to get ready.

|FIN|

[frostbite]

Flick...

Flick...

We hear this noise in the dark and cold locker room or so that is what our camera crew is being told because they can not see anything.

Flick...

Once again we hear that noise our crew is getting a little bit worried as they st ill can not see anything in front of them.

Flick..

A light is shinning but that of something deep in the locker room we see. Our crew us taking there time to find out where that light is coming from. As they take a few more steps, a flame shoots out right toward them as it makes them jump.

Voice.. You should not get to close to the fire, you might get burned.

A sadistic laugh is heard through the flames.

Voice.. I think these idiots my love, have been pee in their pants long enough because I smell urine and it is not from this locker room either.

Clap..

The lights come on in the locker room.

Voice.. I must admit, love that was a nice touch adding the clapper in here.

The flames dies out as we see someone as a lighter in there left hand,as it appears that are rocking back and forth in a brown leather chair. This person turns toward the chair that they are in, as they look down.

Voice.. Then again my love. I smell something burning. You are not cooking anything in the locker room are you?

Our crew focus in on what is next to this person. It is a phone with a pic of the SWAT World title on it.

Voice.. It must be the burn flesh of the Indian Assassins.

Another loud sadistic laugh is heard throughout the locker room. Our cameras zoom in, we see that it is Frostbite. He reaches down beside him as he picks up the phone as he blows it a kiss. He looks at it as if he is talking to him.

Frostbite.. I know love, I need to jump in the shower and get that rid of that smell. But I thought you like what I did for you love. I burned two more worthless jesters all for your amusement.

He tilts his head a little as if he is listening to what the phone as to say.

Frostbite.. I will jump in the shower soon my love. I could use some company or is that a little to early in the relationship.

He gets out of the chair, as he looks at the phone.

Frostbite.. I am sorry about that love. I promise I will not do that no more. You are a lady and you should be treated with respect and not like some whore. But I could not help myself because you are such a beautiful creature that your beauty makes me lose my mind. I hope you understand love.

He drops his head as if he feels ashamed.

Frostbite.. Thank you for understanding my love. That is why I care so much for you. Your heart is so big, I wish the world could see that. Maybe when we are finally together I can show the world of such kind acts.

He sits back down in the chair, as his phone is right in his lap.

Frostbite.. But I hope you really like, what I did earlier in the evening for you my love. You deserve so much more than these other men do for you. All you have to do, my love is come with me and things will be great, I promise you such. I know these idiots out here believe that my acts of late are uncalled for but these morons do not understand what true love really is. The men wished that had someone like you by there side but soon we will be together. It is destiny.

Frostbite finds the lighter that he placed in the chair as he picks it up.

Frostbite.. I do not know what I have to do to get my point across. That we need to be together. How hard is that for you idiots to understand. I will continue what my love wants done until we are finally together. I will not stop until we can have a happy life together. Just let us be together that is all we want.

He looks at the phone on his lap.

Frostbite.. Right my love?

He blows her a kiss, as he looks back into the camera.

Frostbite.. Yet another successfully to the defense for myself and Armand. You should know by now that the KGB run the place. But tonight line in any war, casualties happen. This was will continue to rage onward until we are together once and for all.

He cuts the lighter on as the flame shoots up.

Frostbite.. It appears that are new champion as bought up my name. Now Goth, I will be first to admit.

He claps.

Frostbite.. Congrats, well deserved after all being a two class citizen around here you to finally made it to the top. But Goth, you have my woman in your arms, and that upsets me. You would not want somebody to take your woman from you. I am sure you would not want another man putting their hands on Vampira would You? I know you would not. But you hold my love in the plan of your hands. It eats away at my very soul that you are not together every day we are apart it hurts me that much more. I will admit, I am depressed, i need to have her in my arms.

He looks down at the phone once again.

Frostbite.. She has always belong to me. She wants me as much as I want her. How much longer Goth or this company can keep us apart.

He picks up the phone as he holds it in his right hand as the camera shows the phone.

Frostbite.. My love why don't you say a few words.

The cameras focused in one the phone but they know it will not say anything but they are humoring Frostbite because they he just might snap on them.

Feostbite.. You have nothing to say love. This is your kingdom, you should tell your subjects what they can look forward to once we are together.

He pulls the phone back as he looks at it.

Frostbite.. You are right my love. These idiots do not deserve to hear your lovely voice and by the way, you have a nice one. I heard you just the other day. You could be the biggest pop star in the business.

He pulls the phone closer to his chest.

Frostbite.. I made you blush. It is the truth my love. I would never lie to you. I would do anything in the world for you.

He puts the phone back in his lap as he rocks back in forth in the leather chair.

Frostbite.. Goth, I heard you made a remark about this Frostbite or maybe I should be the Cold Hearted Bastard. Goth you must ask yourself this?

The last couple of times we were in that ring you could not handle the bastard. So makes you think you can handle a man that wants his Love? Now Goth I do not handle the booking around that is in the hands of Johnnie, a man that neither one of us care much about. But there is only one way to find out if you truly believe that you can handle the fire that had engulfed this company. Go to Johnnie, ask him for you to get in that ring with me. Maybe Johnnie might give you want you are looking for. But be very careful what you wish for.

He jumps out of the chair.

Frostbite.. Goth, she should have been in mine a long time ago. Everything has had their hands all over her body. I should have been the only man that should have touched her. I had my chances for you to be with me and yes I failed but my love knows that I will not fail no more. She knows that I love her, and she loves me. So Goth, please by all means get the matched booked but I am sure Johnnie as something bigger in mind for you probably something that you will not see coming for a mile because he does not like you and he could care less about me. But in someway twisted way, I like it. You know why?

He starts to laugh as he drops his head.

Frostbite.. Because it makes me want her so much more. Think about how much more damage I can do around here. How many more fires I can set. So Johnnie can keep me way from her, but she will be be mine one day. But all of this destruction that is on him. But Goth if that day does come. What makes you really believe that you have stop me.

He picks his head up as an intense look in his blue eyes.

Frostbite.. Trust me when I say this..

You can feel the intensity build up.

Frostbite.. Because if she not by the end of that evening. I will burn everything that you ever care about to the damn ground. That includes you, Vampira, the ref, and even Johnnie himself. She will be mine before long, I promise you all that because it she does not become mine, then you will all burn..

BURN BABY BURN.....

He looks down at the phone.

Frostbite.. Now love I will go take that shower.

He walks away as the scene fades out.

[thecomedian]

<We fade in to "The Golden God" Rally Jackson.>

Rally Jackson:  I am holding a press conference.

<He is at a press conference.  There is a podium, tables, and members of the press seated socially distanced.  He wants you to believe it is very professionally done, but it looks a little bush league.  He however, does not have an entire binder to read off of complete with talking points and color coded pictures of reporters.  What kind of person does that.>

Rally Jackson:  I have brought you all here today to officially bring you the unfortunate news that my upcoming heavyweight title defense against Erotic Goth is officially canceled.  I have tested positive for covid-19 and I cannot compete.  Guys I am so sorry.  Safety first.

Member of the Press 1:  Rally, you already had the title match against Psychotic Goth and you lost.  He beat you clean 1.... 2.... 3.  He beat you with a {insert method of finish here}.

Rally Jackson:  How can that be if I'm still the champion?  ::holds up his heavyweight championship::

Member of the Press 45:  Rally that's the replica title of the WWE Universal Championship.  Correction, Women's Universal Championship.

Rally Jackson:  The most prestigious belt in the business considering both men and woman can compete in the women's division now.

<Somewhere out there, Radu Martel is celebrating like a pig in shit.>

Member of the Press 69:  Psychotic Goth was presented with a new shiny belt.  You could have just still brought the old one.

Rally Jackson:  What shiny new belt?  I never lost.  The fight is officially canceled due to covid regulations.  I'm very sorry.

Member of the Press 68:  ::rolls a clip on his phone of Roddy Piper getting pinned by Bret Hart::  This is how you lost.

Rally Jackson:  I dunno.  Maybe we are all stuck in some sort of space time anomaly?

Member of the Press 2:  Should we be alarmed you were coughing all over Goth the entire match?

Rally Jackson:  Just a time anomaly.  Not space.

Member of the Press 14:  You also sneezed on him.  Sneezed on the ref.  And sneezed out into the audience.

Rally Jackson:  Everyone is aware of the risks.

Member of the Press 7:  You have an upcoming grudge match against Soutter.  Is that canceled then?

Rally Jackson:  No, that one is still on.  I can beat that fat fuck with one hand tied behind his back.  Make that both hands tied behind his back.

Member of the Press 12,000:  Did you send the text message Rally?

Rally Jackson:  Do you know how many texts I send in the course of a day?  "How much will it cost me?"  "Are you a cop?"  "How many roses do I leave on the dresser in an envelope?"  "Do you offer trips to the greek isles?"  Did I send the text you're accusing me of?  Yes, probably.

Member of the Press -1:  Should we all be getting a covid test?

Rally Jackson:  No but your mother should be getting tested for aids.

Member of the Press 3:  Is there any truth to the rumors that you are asking the women wrestlers if you could purchase their N 95 masks so you can "sniff them?"

Rally Jackson:  Paul Soutter is so fat when he steps on a scale he crashes through the floor.  I guess not everyone could be a physically fit God like me, though.

Member of the Press 40:  Will you try hair club for men?

Member of the Press 90:  Have you gained even more weight?

Member of the Press 100:  Is there a reason we are holding a press conference in a Luv Boutique parking lot?

<Owner of Luv Boutique comes out.>

Luv Boutique Owner:  You leave!  You leave now!  I don't care if you're one of our top clients!

Rally Jackson:  Ok as this press conference draws to a close, I promised you a big announcement.  That big announcement is there will be a live beheading for one of you lucky members of the press right now!!

<Bryan Gordon comes running out with a ski mask on and a machete.  We fade leaving the viewer wondering if they will witness a violent act or if it was all just a joke.>

[Jonnie Valentine]

You are watching The Blessed Be Network. At 6:00 it's The Easter Miracle, an annual  celebration of the re-birth of Jesus Christ, with no jelly beans. Then at 7:00, it's Peace Of Cake, where Christian bakers compete to see who can bake the better cake that does not violate their belief system Then at 8:00, Redeemed, the true story of Reverend Cornelius Marsh, a successful megachurch pastor who was sent to prison and the story of his survival and resurgance. But coming up next is Comfort From the Storm, with The Reverend Cornelius Marsh. 

(Whimsical organ music plays as the camera fades to Reverend Cornelius Marsh seated at a talk show desk. Seated to his right is a pink haired middle aged woman petting her white pekingese dog. Marsh has his hair slicked back and a honey sweet Southern voice)

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: Hello friends, and welcome to Comfort from the Storm. I am the Reverend Cornelius Marsh and Nancy. 

Nancy: (waves with both hands) Hey ya'll! I'm so excited. Cause we's goin to The Holy Land!

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: That's right, Nancy. This is a blessed occasion, for I, finally get to set feet on the consecrated ground of Israel. 

Nancy: I can't wait, Rev. I got my sunblock. I got my Torah. I got these fun sunglasses!

(Nancy puts sunglasses where the eyes are the Star of David)

Nancy: Ain't these cute?

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: Yes, Nancy they're...very observant of the Jewish people and their centuries long struggle. 

Nancy: I know and look...(hits a switch) they light up! 

(The Stars of David flash) 

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: Mazel Tov! It truly is a time of celebration. Where we observe the miracle of the resurrection in the cradle of Christianity, Jerusalem. I will be at the Wailing Wall, I will visit Temple Mount, and will go see Nazareth. 

Nancy: Aw, I wanna go, Rev. I love "Hair of the Dog" and they do a cover of "Love Hurts"! It's all (singing) "Love Hurts, Love scars..."

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: (slaps the table) THAT'S THE BAND, NANCY!! I am talking about the birthplace of Jesus...

Nancy: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Rev...

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: Well, he lived there, Ok, Nancy!?! 

(Marsh smooths out his hair, and tried to calm down) 

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: We will also be the most violent part of an 8 man tag team match where we will be teaming with Pequeno Dinosaur, "Lucky" Linda La Fey to take on Team Tongtex and whatever The Hired Killers are. 

Nancy: Ohmigod, Rev! Are you serious! I love Pequeno Dinosaur. He's all (singing) "Pequeno The Last Dinosaur, he's my friend and whole lot more." (clap clap)

(Cornelius rubs his temples) 

Nancy: Ohmigod, (singing)  "Pequeno The Last Dinosaur, shows me a world I never saw before." (clap clap)

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: (slaps the table) DENVER!! DENVER THE LAST DINOSAUR!! He's your friend and a whole lot more! (clap clap)

Nancy: (disappointed) Oh yeah...

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: You know how I love your songs, Nancy, but the fact of the matter is in Israel, will be a reckoning for Tong and his special brother, Phantom. The hands of fate have delivered you to The Hellhounds and your judgement will be swift and horrifying. The Israelites have seen plague, pestilence and war, but what is coming for Team Tongtex has no name. 

Nancy: Yeah! And me and the Rev ain't married! Reverends can't get married. I'm a god fearing lady!

Reverend Cornelius Marsh: That's priests, Nancy, but your point is valid. The End of Days are coming sweet Tong, but in your case, we're going to make it just a bit
sooner. 

(Organ music plays as the camera pulls back from Cornelius Marsh and Nancy)

This has been Comfort From The Storm. Coming up, the My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell will tell us how the election was...

(papers rattling)

I've been informed Mr. Lindell's appearance has been canceled for a repeat episode of Touched By An Angel. 

[SWAT Team]

Frank Salazar: The following contest is an eight man tag team match scheduled for one fall! Featuring first the challengers in this corner...Pequeno Dinosaurio, Lucky LindaLla Fey, and the Hellhounds!

Jeremy Tucker: The valiant heroes acknowledge the fans’ cheering.

Andrew Fulton: “Valiant heroes”? That’s a bit much isn’t it? Aren’t the Fairtex people heroes too?

Jeremy Tucker: How so?

Andrew Fulton: In that they fight against the “villainous” KGB.

Jeremy Tucker: Oh I suppose they are that.

Andrew Fulton: Not that the KGB are really villains. There is no good or evil, only power and those who acquire it.

Jeremy Tucker: Okay, Voldemort.

Andrew Fulton: Hey, he was a hero in my book!

Frank Salazar: And their opponents: Tong Fairtex and Phantam Fairtex, they are Team Fairtex! Their teammates, their wives will also be with them. They are Kim and Jade, the Hired Killers!

Jeremy Tucker: The Fairtex family seem a bit put out that the fans are booing them, but it is to be expected when they face people as popular as Pequeno DInosaurio.

Andrew Fulton: The fans don’t really know what’s good. It’s a failing of theirs.

Jeremy Tucker: I think the fans know exactly what is good. You’re just sad that if you went into the center of the ring that they would boo you.

Andrew Fulton: I’ll have you know that I’m a fan favorite! The ring rats, I mean honeys, fight over who is going back to the hotel with me after the show!

Jeremy Tucker: Anyway, it looks like Tong Fairtex is going to start the match off with Pequeno Dinosaurio. They get into the ring and begin circling around each other. Wait, what now? Music?

Andrew Fulton: The entrance music for the KGB! Armand von Krauss steps out from the back, lighting himself an Egyptian cigarette. He is joined by Gabriel Tuck, Sir Monocle, Sticky the Clown, Hehehe, and Hahaha!

Jeremy Tucker: What are they doing out here? It’s not their match! Armand leads the KGB down to the ring where they take up places in surrounding the ring. Armand gets a microphone.

Andrew Fulton: Is this what I think it is?

Armand von Krauss: Because I am the REAL COMMISSIONER OF SWAT, I think this match shall become a LUMBERJACK MATCH!

Jeremy Tucker: Armand doesn’t have any real power to do that!

Andrew Fulton: The referee seems to be acknowledging Armand’s change in the match stipulations.

Jeremy Tucker: Yeah, what’s he going to do if he disagrees? He’s totally outnumbered!

Andrew Fulton: Pequeno Dinosaurio seems to be looking down at Gabriel Tuck. No love lost there since Gabriel sent that message to Pequeno. He’s just lucky that he’s walking semi normal this week instead of still limping.

Jeremy Tucker: Tong Fairtex kicks the right leg out from under Pequeno while he isn’t looking, drops to his knees, and begins pounding at the brightly colored luchador with his fists. That’s just sick!

Andrew Fulton: It’s taking every opportunity that you can. The bell to start the match had already rung so Pequeno should have been looking at Tong instead of Gabriel.

Jeremy Tucker: I suppose that there’s merit in that. Pequeno rolls away to his feet, leaping into the air as Tong goes for a roundhouse kick to the head. Pequeno hits a moonsault axe kick to Tong’s shoulder, sending him right down to the mat like a nail being struck by a hammer wielded by Mr. Miyagi.

Andrew Fulton: Karate Kid reference? Nice. Tong is back to his feet quickly, but is struck by several chops from Dino guy before being whipped into the ropes. Frostbite reaches into the ring, grabbing Tong by the ankle, and causing him to fall right into Dino guy’s waiting arms for a snap suplex! Who is taking advantage of what now?

Jeremy Tucker: I don’t know if Pequeno saw Frostbite interfere. Phantam Fairtex yells down at Frostbite, who just shrugs and looks innocent.

Andrew Fulton: Dino guy back to his feet, seeing the exchange between Phantam and Frostbite. He looks like he might want to get involved when Tong gets up to his feet. Tong Fairtex rushes at Dino guy, who brings him down quickly with a drop toe hold!

Jeremy Tucker: His name is Pequeno Dinosaurio. Say it!

Andrew Fulton: Look. I only speak Mexican when I order Mexican food. Ta-cos. Chimi-changa. See? That’s all. Looks like Dino guy is tagging in Lucky Linda la Fey!

Jeremy Tucker: Linda goes straight to the top rope from the outside as Tong starts to get up. She leaps into the air, connecting with a flying roundhouse kick that firmly plants Tong Fairtex onto the mat. She goes for the cover, rolling out of the way as Phantam goes for a leg drop to break the pinfall so that he hits his brother instead! What luck!

Andrew Fulton: That’s why they call her Lucky Linda. Not because she gets lucky on a nightly basis with different men...the whore.

Jeremy Tucker: You’re just mad that she won’t sleep with you.

Andrew Fulton: Maybe. Phantam goes back to the outside while Lucky Linda gets Tong up. She snaps off a scissors kick, followed by a drop kick that sends Tong crashing back to the mat.

Jeremy Tucker: In the middle of the ring, Linda goes for a standing moonsault, but Tong manages to get his knees up at the last second! Tong rolls toward his corner, reaching up and tagging in Jade!

Andrew Fulton: He tagged in his wife to face Linda?

Jeremy Tucker: I don’t think Jade is Tong’s wife. I think Kim is.

Andrew Fulton: Do you know for sure? I sure as heck don’t.

Jeremy Tucker: I suppose I do not know who is married to whom.

Andrew Fulton: Jade jumps into the ring, grabbing the quickly rising Linda, and hitting a backstabber to the back of the neck! She perches on the back of Linda, grabs two fistfuls of hair, and begins smashing Linda’s face into the mat! The ref yells at Jade to stop, but she does not.

Jeremy Tucker: Psycho runs into the ring and drills Jade upside the head with a kick to get her to release Linda and get off of her. The referee works to get Psycho back to the corner, Kim slips into the ring. Jade pulls Linda up into a fireman’s carry. Linda is just pouring blood from her smashed nose! Kim stands next to them and hits a backflip kick to the jaw as Jade sends Linda to the mat!

Andrew Fulton: The ref saw none of this while he was trying to get Psycho back into the corner. Now, Cerberus is out! He rushes across the ring, leveling Jade with a shoulder block! This prompts Tong and Phantam to get into the ring where they begin brawling with the Hellhounds. Dino guy starts climbing to the top rope, but his progress is halted when Gabriel Tuck grabs him by the leg. Dino guy kicks Gabriel in the face and goes to the top rope. He leaps into the air, hitting a moonsault axe kick to Kim!

Jeremy Tucker: The Hellhounds bring down both of Team Fairtex. Cerberus elbows Jade back down to the mat and throws Phantam Fairtex out of the ring where Hehehe and Hahaha begin pounding on him with brass knuckle shots! This is getting out of hand. Can the ref restore order?

Andrew Fulton: The ref is trying, but I just don’t think so. It’s not like the Hellhounds have listened to a referee in over twenty years. Dino guy strikes Kim in the gut to double her over, but then he catches sight of the twins. What are you doing? Just hammer Kim!

Jeremy Tucker: Pequeno Dinosaurio jumps onto Kim, using her as a springboard to leap over the ropes and bring down both of the twins. Gabriel Tuck runs around the ring with lead pipe in hand and a grin. No! Pequeno gets up to his feet, leaping over a swing of the lead pipe. He flips through the air, going over Gabriel’s head, and kicking him in the back of the head and shoulders to send Gabriel face first to the floor.

Andrew Fulton: Cerberus and Psycho bash Tong Fairtex with punches. He nearly falls as Cerberus bashes him, but he turns and falls toward Psycho, who smashes him with another punch to send him falling toward Cerberus. Rinse and repeat until Tong falls backwards to the mat. Lucky Linda gets up, hits Kim with a super kick and twists Jade back down to the mat with a snap mare. Cerberus smashes the fallen Kim right in the face with a knee drop. What on God’s Green Earth?

Jeremy Tucker: Kim looks like her entire face exploded like a bug hitting a windshield! That was over three hundred pounds coming down on her face! Is she dead?

Andrew Fulton: Jade jumps to her feet and screams in horror at her sister being smashed. She rushes to check on her, but is clotheslined by Lucky Linda! Cerberus gets off of Kim, watching as she rolls out of the ring, spilling blood everywhere, and maybe a tooth?

Jeremy Tucker: Sticky the Clown seizes Kim by the throat as she comes out of the ring. He hefts her into the air and choke slams her onto the concrete floor! Can’t the ref do anything about this?

Andrew Fulton: Dino guy is up, but now faces Gabriel Tuck, Hehehe, and Hahaha as they too get to their feet. Dino guy is getting ready to become extinct!

Jeremy Tucker: Pequeno strikes Gabriel in the gut with a punch while kicking Hehehe upside the head at the same time. He spins, ducking under a brass knuckle shot from Hahaha and drives a shoulder into his gut.

Andrew Fulton: The fact that Dino guy moved so fast has given him the chance to roll back into the ring. Phantam Fairtex rolls back into the ring while the three are focused on the retreating Dino guy.

Jeremy Tucker: Sticky the Clown rolls the bloody Kim back into the ring and now everyone in the match is back in the ring and out of the reach of the KGB. Looks like people are retreating back to their corners with Psycho and Jade staying in the ring.

Andrew Fulton: I don’t think I would be staying in the ring if I were Jade. The Hellhounds are monsters. I think Reverend Marsh would have thrown some weapons in the ring if he could get close. I think he’s watching for an opening with the KGB to get in there and throw in some weapons handed to him by the audience members.

Jeremy Tucker: Psycho charges across the ring, ready to demolish Jade when she launches herself at him. She slams into Pycho’s midsection and uses his momentum to hit a massive power slam in the middle of the ring!

Andrew Fulton: Where did she find the strength to do that? Jade watches Psycho get right back up and charges again. She knocks the breath from him with a low shoulder charge. She backs up while he’s doubled over and hits a gut wrench suplex. Psycho starts to get up again when Jade applies an omoplata!

Jeremy Tucker: Cerberus looks like he’s going to go save the day when Pequeno puts a restraining hand on his arm and says something that we can’t hear. Cerberus nods. Psycho gets to his knees while Jade pours on the pressure.

Andrew Fulton: Psycho stands up with Jade still holding on! Such power! Kim jumps into the ring, still bleeding from where Cerberus smashed her face in. Psycho turns and hurls Jade at her, sending them both over the top rope and to the floor in a mass of bodies! Oh...Sticky the Clown is waiting for them. This could get interesting.

Jeremy Tucker: Sticky grabs Jade by the hair, pulls her up, and opens his mouth up impossibly wide, and bites down onto her shoulder! Oh my god!

Andrew Fulton: He must have been hungry? Tong Fairtex and Phantam Fairtex jump down from their corner to help, but Hehehe and Hahaha get in their way, hammering at them with their brass knuckles. Kim hits a low blow on Sticky so that he releases Jade. She drops down to the floor, clutching at her shoulder that spurts blood.

Jeremy Tucker: Pequeno taps Cerberus on the shoulder and nods. Cerberus runs into the ring where Psycho gets him up into a press slam position and hurls the bigger Cerberus at Sticky the Clown to take him down! Psycho rolls out of the ring, grabbing Hehehe and Hahaha by the heads before bashing them together! Gabriel Tuck starts walking around the ring to get involved, but is hit by a high flying moonsault axe kick by Pequeno Dinosaurio! On the other side of the ring, Sir Monocle starts walking toward the action, but is taken down by a 450 splash from the top rope by Lucky Linda!

Andrew Fulton: This is such bullcrap! The KGB were beating down their opponents for them, but noooo. They just had to get involved.

Jeremy Tucker: They are heroes for a reason. The Hellhounds each grab an arm of Sticky the Clown and send him head first into the security railing! Pequeno Dinosaurio with an inverted ddt on Gabriel Tuck. I see Armand von Krauss is standing there and smoking an Egyptian cigarette, but he isn’t getting involved in the chaos! Is he afraid?

Andrew Fulton: He’s being a general. Generals don’t often have to get involved in the fray.

Jeremy Tucker: The downed Kim, Jade, Phantam Fairtex, and Tong Fairtex are rolled into the ring with Pequeno Dinosaurio, Lucky Linda, Cerberus, and Psycho following. Cerberus piledrivers Psycho’s head onto Jade’s head before Pyscho goes for the pinfall.

Andrew Fulton: See? They are taking advantage of the damage done by the KGB!

Jeremy Tucker: No one stops the count as the ref gets down and counts to three. Now what?

Andrew Fulton: Armand von Krauss flicks his cigarette into the crowd and hammers Reverend Marsh with a hard right hand. He lifts the Reverend up into a power bomb position and then hits his free falling piledriver onto the concrete floor! Vicious!

Jeremy Tucker: The Hellhounds rush out to save their manager, but are taken down by Hehehe and Hahaha with their brass knuckles. This becomes a bloody affair as the twins pound on the downed Hellhounds with their brass knuckles. Pequeno Dinosaurio and Lucky Linda look like they want to join in the action, but Sir Monocle, Sticky the Clown, and Gabriel Tuck roll into the ring. Sticky seizes Lucky Linda by the throat, and choke slams her over the ropes where she slams into the ring apron on the way down to the floor.

Andrew Fulton: Hehehe and Hahaha roll into the ring to join the other minions. Armand walks into the ring, lighting himself a new Egyptian cigarette. Dino guy is surrounded on all sides by bodies and KGB people, but he still looks ready to fight!

Armand von Krauss: What, Kleiner Dinosaurier. Are you going to fight us all? You will lose...everything.

Pequeno Dinosaurio: If I must fight you all myself, I shall.

Jeremy Tucker: What’s this? Pequeno Dinosaurio is joined by Union Jack!

Andrew Fulton: Union Jack must be a good friend to die alongside Dino guy.

Union Jack: Ey Sport. He isn’t by himself though, is he?

Jeremy Tucker: Armand nods, flicking ashes onto the fallen Tong Fairtex.

Andrew Fulton: Kuapena Yoon is going to be the only luchador left standing soon.

Armand von Krauss: Why don’t I throw you gentlemen a bone? I’m sure, Kleiner Dinosaurier that you are just itching to get Gabriel in the ring. Why don’t you and Union Jack face him? A handicap match next Battleground!

Jeremy Tucker: Don’t do it. Armand wouldn’t book a two on one...

Andrew Fulton: Sounds too good to be true and so it probably is.

Pequeno Dinosaurio: I agree!

Armand von Krauss: Very well. You and this Englischer Müll Versus Gabriel Tuck, Hehehe, and Hahaha. Consider it done. Consider yourselves finished in this game. Let’s go...

Jeremy Tucker: Armand leads his people from the ring, leaving Pequeno Dinosaurio and Union Jack standing in the middle of the ring as people start to stir around them and medics come down to the ring.

Andrew Fulton: Who won again?

Frank Salazar: Winners of the match via pinfall Lucky Linda la Fey, Pequeno Dinosaurio, and the Hellhounds!

Jeremy Tucker: Yeah, though from the amount of bleeding bodies out there it doesn’t look like anyone won the match.

Andrew Fulton: Certainly a Pyrrhic victory.

Jeremy Tucker: We’ll be right back as all of this gets cleared up. I hope there are no serious injuries.

Andrew Fulton: Might be a few concussions, but with the Fairtex family and the Hellhounds...how could you tell if they done been knocked silly?

Jeremy Tucker: I’m sure that each of them will be checked out by medical staff.

Andrew Fulton: And funeral arrangements need to be made for Dino guy and his English buddy. Dino jumped the gun accepting the handicap match without all the information in front of him, now it IS a handicap but THREE on TWO!

[Justin]

Jerusalem.

Because why not? Am I right?

I’m right.

To be more specific, Golgotha. The place of the skull.

For those with no grasp on Western Civilization, which I assume to be the vast majority of you, we’re filming on location at the actual hill that Jesus died on. You can tell it’s real by the plywood crosses that have been erected in what can best be described as questionable taste.

Scott Steel for what can best be described as reasons, comes striding into frame, wearing a Roman Soldiers uniform directly on top of his normal wrestling gear, the helmet is a bit small for his head and comes off as the most roman yarmulke of all time. Also, the breast plate is at best an idea of what a breast plate should look like. There is duct tape, that’s how you can tell that we’re serious people doing serious business.

Behind Scott comes Eric Dane. The Only Star is swathed in the finest of Italian silk robes. If you can picture it, the immaculate toga combined with the laurel wreath perched atop his head gives him the look of a Roman Emperor. For clarification’s sake we’ll call him Tiberius, and considering the location and time of year it could be said that Scott Steel is dressed for the part of Pontius Potato.

Yeah, I said it.

Eric, in his most regal and commanding voice, bellows at the gathering crowd of the morbidly curious and easily offended. There may be a riot if everything goes just right.

Dane (Tiberius):
Bring out the blasphemer!

Oh, this ought to be good. Scott, er, Pontious Potato, snarled his way down the hill where he grabs our next participant in this living parody that the advertising department is urging us not to call Eric Dane Superstar. The WASP, who up until now Eric Dane had never so much as acknowledged as existing, is adorned in the way of a hat rack. That is to say he’s wearing something resembling the strikingly mid-90s chapeau that graced the head of one Death Trap. Further similarities between the drunkest hobo lawyer on the block, an actual coat rack, and the guy actively calling himself Death Trap became readily apparent, yet slightly understated so that there was no reason to get any actual lawyers involved.

Death WASP:
I tell you what, you get two hotrods and the Death WASP together, and you know you're in for one hell of a plane flight up the hill of legendary success in the sea of wrestling boatskis. When you hop in the ringcar with the most clutch driver this side of the left handed throttle switch, you know you're in for one hell of a fight across the freeway of cosmos blackholes, pulsars, Trapt's headstrong, a left sock with a logo unreadable on it.

And you will know. That Death WASP Trap is coming to a theater near you, limited run.

Pete Whealdon walks into the scene, not dressed in character.

Whealdon (not Keith Williams):
I hope you recognize that one, this absolves me of all other “favors” I owe you.

Dane, for his part, seems unsurprised by this turn of events and somehow still annoyed with his “colleague” of the last twenty years.

Whealdon (not Keith Williams):
Two, I am not dressing as the Kirkland Signature brand version of myself. Because what, dude’s like Death Trap don’t understand metaphors and analogies?

Or because Keith Williams now has something in common with my former partner and current farmer, Alexander Shaw, having lost to the sentient bag of frozen peas called Adam Sanders, and similarly has decided to flee North?

My guess is the first, but the second doesn’t seem too far off from reality. I’d spell out that last metaphor for Death Trap, but he’d spend the next forty five hours droning on like some kind of super-charged eighties wrestler on coke with even less of a leash, and certainly no editor. But hey. Match relevance is talking about every single dumbshit thing that comes to mind eh Trap?

That’s why dudes like Keith Williams are consistently the gas station bargain lunch meat of wrestling. Hey, better second than nothing though right brother? You’d be familiar with this because all of your “bastards” look like other men, and you can’t even properly beat a green ass woman.

But hey, here you are, in SWAT, and here I am in SWAT, ignoring the fact that Eric Dane has decided to ask me to play you of all the fucking people on Earth, because for a long time I did drugs and was cooler than you.

Like way cooler.

More suave.

Better shoes.

Better hair.

Better ring tights.

Better facial hair.

More rats.

Better rats.

But hey, look. I’m doing my best Death Trap, Except that whole part where I am painting a white wall white, and describing it as such because god knows he needs all the help in having the most basic things explained to him.

You want to see a man who owns books and doesn’t read. Death Trap. You want to see a man who is super into writing his own press releases and mythology, look at Death Trap.

I told Eric before he asked me to help with this, Why even fucking bother, Ghost the place and leave them crying like the infuriating fucking cunts they are. But Eric, unlike me, has some modicum of honor, or maybe he just enjoys beating up on the most useless wrestlers this side of a training school?

Not that I’d let someone like Death Tarp even push a broom. I hope it’s crystal that when you open your mouth it's like watching an asshole pinch a shit. Keith Williams may be like a chinese DVD ripoff of Star Wars, but at least he’s got something going for him.

You?

You’re lucky I even took the time to address you. Congrats on hiding in the sticks for the last twenty fucking years.

I think we’re done here.

An assistant to Whealdon hands him a smoothie which he begins slurping on loudly. Having stood there and watched Sweet Pete completely steal the scene from him, Eric Dane clears his throat as loudly and abruptly as is possible.

Eric Dane (Tiberius):
AH-HEM! Motherfucker. Thanks for adding nothing to the fucking situation.

The Only Star contemplates this momentarily.

Eric Dane (Tiberius):
Which, on second thought, I guess you’ve somehow actually fulfilled your role as Keith Williams out of some kind of smartass ex-sleazebucket born again vegan spite.

Pete slurps and flips the bird and walks off. Dane turns to Scott Steel and frowns.

Eric Dane (Tiberius):
Would you please crucify him so we can be done with this? We’ve still gotta get across town to the fucking venue.

Steel looks at his friend momentarily and ignores whatever feelings he has been told he doesn’t have. deathWASP for his part doesn’t seem to be particularly concerned, sober, or in a position to notice being easily hoisted by the Colossus.

If he noticed the punctuation of being powerbombed through a large and entirely made of wood replica of the cross of cavalry. He was too unconscious to notice epically crashing through it and reliving a thousand nights spent going to sleep unknowing in places he had never remembered having been to or waking up at later.

Scott Steel takes off his Pontious Potato hat and glares at The Only Star before stomping off.

[eddied]

(Eddie D is backstage with Armand Von Krauss in the KGB dressing room. Not as palatial as their set up in Texas, but the with some warm up equipment, homely touches and the size of the room points to this probably being the biggest dressing room available in the arena. Armand draws deep on an Egyptian cigarette and blows out the smoke over Eddie’s head. Eddie puts down his kitbag and looks at Armand quizzically.)



EDDIE: Nice work tonight with Frosty. Tag Team Champions gold in the KGB where it belongs. All showered and good to go already?

Armand: Ich kriege so eine Krawatte, it really gets my goat, when people waste their precious time after a fight. Unless you are injured, your day is not done. Don’t you agree?

EDDIE: After a match I have usually given everything I have to give. There’s never much getting done after a bout these days for me.
With your involvement with the lumberjack match tonight and your own match, you've hardly been idle... Then again, in the title fight... didn’t look like you were really tested out there tonight.

Armand: Indeed. Talking of being tested… why would you stupidly set a ridiculous stipulation like being naked if you lose with our enemy Blaze Freya tonight?

EDDIE: Stupidly?

Armand: Don’t pretend to be offended Eddie? You know that this is a ridiculous risk to the reputation of the KGB. A reputation I have fought so hard to build and maintain. Sie verstehen?

EDDIE: I understand you feeling that way, but I don’t plan on losing this match up. If the federation is going to condone her being pinned with her trunks around her ankles and if I get away with slapping her bare parts the other week, surely, I can risk getting nude as a forfeit?

Armand: Very well, but you’re not here to campaign for equal nudity rights, you are here to win big for the KGB. And what is this talk about you tagging up with Eric Dane? Without consulting me? Was zum Teufel ist das?

EDDIE: I just think that we need to combat Valentine trying to rig the Anzac cup. The Hellhounds need to be stopped and the KGB need to win that cup at all costs. The Revenants and The Society need to be stomped out of people’s memory. It seemed to make so much sense. More KGB, more chance of a KGB winner, right?

Armand: Eddie, you are so annoyingly naive that it makes me doubt you. What if Valentine books us against each other in the first round?

EDDIE: I’ve worked with Hogan before. I know the devastating power of the Fingerpoke of Doom.

Armand: So, you would lie down and let Frostbite and I go through to the next round?

EDDIE: Of Course. I’m a team player. If we had to face off in round one, we should set one team up nicely for a fresher start and better chance of winning the cup. The crowd can cry and boo all they want about a cheap victory. Unless it’s a rumble or a title fight, I see no reason to hit people I get on with.

Armand: But you haven’t cleared this with Eric Dane, I guess?

EDDIE: I don’t think it came up, no.

Armand: Dummkopf! I doubt that Eric is in a laying down mood when he is so new here. He’s a proud man and has a lot to prove to the SWAT crowd. I imagine Valentine could be free with sprinklings of the stipulations as well and make us fight. This is why you need to consult with me before making big decisions. Like entering rumbles outside of our federation for example.

EDDIE: The XHF Rumble? The X-Crown would be a glorious prize for the KGB, for me and for SWAT, with a beautiful chunk of change of a winner’s purse too. Why wouldn’t I chuck my hat in the ring?

Armand: And do you think that I would try to talk you out of it? No, das ist nicht wahr, but you should have asked me. You seem to have no idea of what being in the KGB, the best stable in wrestling, truly is. Compliance…

EDDIE: Anarchy…

Armand: Ich verstehe nicht… ?

EDDIE: I find that sometimes word association can really cut through a misunderstanding.
You say “Compliance” and I would say “Anarchy”, you might say “Teamwork” and I would say “Shared Goals”, you might say “nonconformity” I would say “Autonomy feeds Loyalty”.

Armand: I don’t like these parlour games…

EDDIE: When I joined your stable you knew that I was the mix of muscle and unpredictability that you had been looking for. I still bring the Anarchy baby and that’s not always stable friendly but don’t doubt me. I already said that I would lie down in that ring out there if I thought it was for the greater good of the KGB. I don’t think you understand what a short and privileged list you are on when I say that…

Armand: Eddie, I like you. If I didn’t you would have been taught a lesson months ago. Maybe even kicked out by now. That puts YOU on a very short and privileged list too.
I wish you every success in your World Title fight when you finally get it. I condone the entry of Dane and you in the Anzac Cup. I wish you the best of luck against that vicious bitch Blaze tonight.
All I ask is some consultation before you make any big decisions again.
United we stand, divided we fall, as you Amerikaner say.

EDDIE: Ja vol mein herr, as you German’s say…

(Armand looks like he’s going to take offense at the terrible war movie type German accent used by Eddie, but then he sees the funny side as Eddie smiles at him. The pair laughs and shakes hands.)

Armand: I think we finally understand each other.

EDDIE: I think we do.

Armand: Auf Wiedersehen und Good Luck Eddie.

EDDIE: Cheers Armand. KGB forever. Hail Hydra and all that shit.

(Armand doesn’t appear to get the Marvel reference but laughs to humour Eddie, turns away from him and walks away with a sterner and more ponderous look on his face than his chuckling KGB stablemate Eddie, busy rifling through a kitbag behind him. As he leaves the room Armand takes a call from a caller he clearly recognises from his reaction to the caller ID.)

Armand: Well, well, Guten Tag meine Dame… Pardon? … I don’t think I like your tone… Well of course, but… Yes, but we need to time things right… Yes, but… No, but… Yes I have spoken with him… Is he on board? Yes... But he's still... … so …So ver dampt "Eddie" all the time, you know? ... Ha-ha... Ja, The Big Deal is a lot to “deal” with sometimes... Yes the other plans are all in full swing... We'll talk later I think I might be overheard here, this line isn’t secure... I will call you later…"

(The scene fades to black.)


#BringItOn #THEBigDeal #KGB #MainEventEddie #XCrown #SWAT #RumbleKing

[Oh-Oh]

Oxford Osland proclaimed that he was on the hunt for Vanessa Martinez. He claimed he had an offer that she couldn't refuse. Inquiring minds have followed the SWAT Television Champion ever since. Our boastful and condescending antagonist has delivered on all predictions. But this? A proposal to the agent of his rival? Osland's ego knows no boundary, but even those who hang off of his every word must believe him to be delusional.

But, there he was.

And there she was.

Vanessa Martinez leaned against a wall backstage at Pais Arena. We aren't close enough to hear what Osland is pitching, but we're doing our best to read lips. For her part, Vanessa hasn't slapped him or ran off with him as of yet - so the discussion should be considered 'professional' until proven otherwise.

"The King of TV"

Osland's exuberance and inner-belief forces Vanessa to crack a smile.

"Now were getting somewhere."

Now it's Vanessa's turn to speak. Her tone appears to be polite, but matter of fact. Osland's energy comes down from a 10 to about a 7. Vanessa pulls out her phone, and starts to make notes, wanting to be sure that she has record of every key point of their discussion.

"I'm not so sure Pequeno will be happy about this..."

Osland relents, even taking the offer of the table momentarily. Just as Osland is about to turn to walk away.

"Hang on a second."

Osland takes a step in, perhaps a little too close for comfort because Vanessa takes a half step back to put herself in a more comfortable position.

"I don't have anything against your Dino friend. Sure, I might've teased him a little bit here or there... But he's like that pesky little brother who doesn't realize he's being annoying, you know?"

Vanessa nodded, and seemed to agree.

"Besides, if the rumours about the KGB are true. Our friend Pequeno could use some back up, don't you think?"

Vanessa appears to be seriously contemplating all of this. Could it be? Oxford Osland has proposed that Vanessa Martinez begin handling his career as his agent? Could she really be considering it?

"Vanessa, my father was a real hardcase. I know the immense pressure you must feel trying to make him believe in you. I've been there..."

It's as if Osland knows exactly what to say, which buttons to push.

Vanessa sighs, knowing she's been through the ringer today. First the Union Jack shenanigans, then Pequeno had officially asked her to manage his career and now this?

'Why don't you take down my personal phone number. Reach out to me when you're ready."

Osland swiftly takes Vanessa's phone and enters his number. As she's processing all of her emotions, Osland hands her phone back.

"I look forward to hearing from you."

Osland turns his back and feels he made a compelling case, and didn't talk himself out of the sale.

Our scene closes with Vanessa wondering what her best course of action should be. 

[Cut.]