Post by Robbie A on Feb 17, 2022 10:39:00 GMT -5
Fade in to the locker room, Leon Chant walks in to join Riley Richards, who stands up on Leon’s arrival, exchanging a fist bump. Both men are in street clothes.
“Masquerade is right around the corner, kid. You excited?”
“Crazy excited about the show, but perhaps not about our match…”
“Really? Why not? We have the chance to finally get those NLW Tag Team Titles around our waist!” Chant’s surprise is quickly replaces by more enthusiasm.
“I know, but Leon, tables, ladders, chairs? I’m not exactly built like you for these sorts of matches, remember what E.V.E did to me with tables?” He winces.
“Yes, they tried to rearrange your spine, but Riley, remember when you threw a chair in David Goon’s face? And look at me, I’m not exactly built to climb a ladder, you on the other hand, you can scale a climbing wall like a squirrel climbs a tree…you’re going to be fine.”
“Yeah but I have a harness on the climbing wall, and the fall from ten or so feet doesn’t really appeal to me, bein’ honest!” He comes to a realisation and shakes his head. “And hang about! At last year’s Masquerade you won a ladder match to retain the Heavyweight Title…So you’re not incapable of climbing a ladder!”
They both sigh and a small silence lingers. Leon shakes his head ruefully.
“I don’t get it, we have all the reasons to be positive, yet we’re so damn flat. Is it winter blues? Is it being completely overlooked at the XHF Network Awards?”
“Is it because Eli is seeing another guy?” This was possibly a poor reply, given that Chant begins to scowl.
“I told you that we’re not talking about it. Besides you’ve been moping around ever since you got catfished by that Mexican dude pretending to be Brazilian model. I mean seriously, I can’t believe I’m the one who needs to teach you about internet safety when I barely use the damn thing.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault that-”
“Yes, it is your fault-” Both men are cutting each other off, but they’re both cut off by somebody else.
“What the actual fuck is going on with you two?” The two of the spin around, and the camera follows their gaze to reveal Rob Arnold, arms folded, and an angry expression written over his face.
“Mr Arnold!” Riley’s eyes narrow. “Uh, how long have you been stood there?”
“Long enough to know that the pair of you have seriously missed me being around.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Leon’s tone is full of sarcasm.
“You two never argue like this.” Arnold continues, ignoring Chant. “Listen, I know it’s been a tough few months, things haven’t gone our way, but just because we’re having some hard times-“
“Oh please don’t tell me he’s drunk and going to do the hard times promo again…” Riley sighs under his breath. Leon also rolls his eyes in anticipation of what may follow.
“Just because we’re going through hard times…” Arnold repeats, staring a hole through Riley as he does. “…doesn’t mean we have to suddenly take it out on each other. We’re The Academy, and we have each other’s backs.”
Chant goes to say something, but Arnold cuts him off.
“And I know what you’re going to say Leon, I have been splitting my time and spending more of it with Trixie in UPW, but until we get past Masquerade, you two will be my focus, you clearly need it.”
“I mean…” Chant tries to make a further sarcastic comment but Rob doesn’t allow him to get anything else out.
“There’s no discussion about it, you both need a shot in the arm, and here I am.” Arnold walks in between Chant and Richards and faces the camera. “Let’s face facts, since Homecoming it hasn’t been the best time for The Academy, but despite that, they’re here as legitimate contenders to the Tag Team Titles, and you just know that the Tilted Cartridges are afraid of them, The End? They won’t be afraid, not their M.O., but they are damn well wary of Leon Chant and Riley Richards. And here’s the thing, they should be. Even if they’re stuck in second gear, these two can get more done than some others in the back even dream of! When they’re fully firing? There isn’t a team in the world that can beat them.”
Arnold smirks and places a hand on Leon’s shoulder.
“Leon Chant. The only person to hold the NLW Heavyweight Title twice. The guy that made MCCW stand up and take notice time after time. Call him The Hired Gun, call him The Avalanche, call him whatever you like, he will hurt you and he will throw you around. He is, quite simply easily one of the most dangerous men in the XHF.” He swaps hands to place his left hand on Richards’ shoulder. “And Riley Richards, have people forgotten that he’s European Champion? Have people forgot that he beat Zoran Sainovic, Tommy Kelly, Jason Long, oh, and a certain Wellington Dunne in that match? And he managed to do that without being stabbed.”
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to talk abou-” Arnold grips his shoulder to prompt him to shut up.
“Riley Richards is more than just a future star, he’s a current star waiting for the right moment to take off. All he needs is the right opportunity, when he gets it? He could be a bigger and better champion than either Leon or I have ever been. But for now? They both have a different goal away from their singles credentials, the NLW Tag Team Titles.”
Arnold lets go of Riley’s shoulder and folds his arms.
“In their way? The former champions, the first ever champions, The End. These two do not always play by the rules, they play by their own, as it is foretold, or written, or…whatever pseudo-cult theme they wish to project on us all. The point is, these sorts of men are dangerous, because they’re full of purpose, and they see their purpose to be the tag titles. Make no mistake, the inclusion of tables, ladders and chairs make them a different force, and all the more dangerous. Dangerous, however not unbeatable, as proved by our champions. Their desire to punish people got in their way, they got greedy. Will they make the same mistake? They better not, or else we’ll punish them.”
Arnold unfolds his arms and leans toward the camera, as if to tell a secret.
“Truth be told? I think we’re going to cross paths a lot more, and tear the place up every damn time.” He steps back and folds his arms once more. “However the world doesn’t always give you what you want, and we have to consider the champions, The Tilted Cartridges. We’ve crossed their paths before, Riley and Leon have dispatched them before. However we cannot look past the fact that they stopped The End in their tracks, some would even say it was out of nowhere. Indeed, in recent months, Cheez and Dunne seem to have done what all great tag teams have ever done, they’ve got the other’s back, they’ve cover the weaknesses, promote their strengths. They have become a legitimate tag team not just in NLW, but across the XHF Network. However in doing that, they’ve picked up a huge target and placed it on their back. Everybody wants a piece of them now, not just us, not just The End, but the whole NLW tag division. I have to ask you Cheez, I know Dunne can handle that pressure, but can you? When the chips are down are you going to cope climbing that ladder? Or are you going to get queasy when you reach the third rung? I don’t want to say Dunne’s carried you, I mean it was you who got the pinfall to earn the titles, but this is different gravy. This is pay per view, this is a dangerous match that can end careers. Cheez, are you really going to be ready for that?”
Arnold smirks.
“All four of you better be ready, because I’m going to make damn sure that The Academy will be, Riley and Leon somehow enter this match as underdogs but they sure as hell won’t leave as them, they’re going to be leaving as NLW Tag Team Champions. Because despite what some people think, these two work just as hard as anybody else out there, and they have deserved everything that’s come to them so far, and at Masquerade? You boys are going to see it first hand, and when it’s all said and done? You’ll be hearing three simple words…”
“Oh.”
“Hell.”
“Yes.”
Arnold smirks once more and leads Riley off camera, leaving Chant stood alone with an air of shock.
“Son of a bitch, that was a shot in the arm!” He chuckles to himself and begins to follow. “I’ll be freaking damned.”
Fade out.
“Masquerade is right around the corner, kid. You excited?”
“Crazy excited about the show, but perhaps not about our match…”
“Really? Why not? We have the chance to finally get those NLW Tag Team Titles around our waist!” Chant’s surprise is quickly replaces by more enthusiasm.
“I know, but Leon, tables, ladders, chairs? I’m not exactly built like you for these sorts of matches, remember what E.V.E did to me with tables?” He winces.
“Yes, they tried to rearrange your spine, but Riley, remember when you threw a chair in David Goon’s face? And look at me, I’m not exactly built to climb a ladder, you on the other hand, you can scale a climbing wall like a squirrel climbs a tree…you’re going to be fine.”
“Yeah but I have a harness on the climbing wall, and the fall from ten or so feet doesn’t really appeal to me, bein’ honest!” He comes to a realisation and shakes his head. “And hang about! At last year’s Masquerade you won a ladder match to retain the Heavyweight Title…So you’re not incapable of climbing a ladder!”
They both sigh and a small silence lingers. Leon shakes his head ruefully.
“I don’t get it, we have all the reasons to be positive, yet we’re so damn flat. Is it winter blues? Is it being completely overlooked at the XHF Network Awards?”
“Is it because Eli is seeing another guy?” This was possibly a poor reply, given that Chant begins to scowl.
“I told you that we’re not talking about it. Besides you’ve been moping around ever since you got catfished by that Mexican dude pretending to be Brazilian model. I mean seriously, I can’t believe I’m the one who needs to teach you about internet safety when I barely use the damn thing.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault that-”
“Yes, it is your fault-” Both men are cutting each other off, but they’re both cut off by somebody else.
“What the actual fuck is going on with you two?” The two of the spin around, and the camera follows their gaze to reveal Rob Arnold, arms folded, and an angry expression written over his face.
“Mr Arnold!” Riley’s eyes narrow. “Uh, how long have you been stood there?”
“Long enough to know that the pair of you have seriously missed me being around.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Leon’s tone is full of sarcasm.
“You two never argue like this.” Arnold continues, ignoring Chant. “Listen, I know it’s been a tough few months, things haven’t gone our way, but just because we’re having some hard times-“
“Oh please don’t tell me he’s drunk and going to do the hard times promo again…” Riley sighs under his breath. Leon also rolls his eyes in anticipation of what may follow.
“Just because we’re going through hard times…” Arnold repeats, staring a hole through Riley as he does. “…doesn’t mean we have to suddenly take it out on each other. We’re The Academy, and we have each other’s backs.”
Chant goes to say something, but Arnold cuts him off.
“And I know what you’re going to say Leon, I have been splitting my time and spending more of it with Trixie in UPW, but until we get past Masquerade, you two will be my focus, you clearly need it.”
“I mean…” Chant tries to make a further sarcastic comment but Rob doesn’t allow him to get anything else out.
“There’s no discussion about it, you both need a shot in the arm, and here I am.” Arnold walks in between Chant and Richards and faces the camera. “Let’s face facts, since Homecoming it hasn’t been the best time for The Academy, but despite that, they’re here as legitimate contenders to the Tag Team Titles, and you just know that the Tilted Cartridges are afraid of them, The End? They won’t be afraid, not their M.O., but they are damn well wary of Leon Chant and Riley Richards. And here’s the thing, they should be. Even if they’re stuck in second gear, these two can get more done than some others in the back even dream of! When they’re fully firing? There isn’t a team in the world that can beat them.”
Arnold smirks and places a hand on Leon’s shoulder.
“Leon Chant. The only person to hold the NLW Heavyweight Title twice. The guy that made MCCW stand up and take notice time after time. Call him The Hired Gun, call him The Avalanche, call him whatever you like, he will hurt you and he will throw you around. He is, quite simply easily one of the most dangerous men in the XHF.” He swaps hands to place his left hand on Richards’ shoulder. “And Riley Richards, have people forgotten that he’s European Champion? Have people forgot that he beat Zoran Sainovic, Tommy Kelly, Jason Long, oh, and a certain Wellington Dunne in that match? And he managed to do that without being stabbed.”
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to talk abou-” Arnold grips his shoulder to prompt him to shut up.
“Riley Richards is more than just a future star, he’s a current star waiting for the right moment to take off. All he needs is the right opportunity, when he gets it? He could be a bigger and better champion than either Leon or I have ever been. But for now? They both have a different goal away from their singles credentials, the NLW Tag Team Titles.”
Arnold lets go of Riley’s shoulder and folds his arms.
“In their way? The former champions, the first ever champions, The End. These two do not always play by the rules, they play by their own, as it is foretold, or written, or…whatever pseudo-cult theme they wish to project on us all. The point is, these sorts of men are dangerous, because they’re full of purpose, and they see their purpose to be the tag titles. Make no mistake, the inclusion of tables, ladders and chairs make them a different force, and all the more dangerous. Dangerous, however not unbeatable, as proved by our champions. Their desire to punish people got in their way, they got greedy. Will they make the same mistake? They better not, or else we’ll punish them.”
Arnold unfolds his arms and leans toward the camera, as if to tell a secret.
“Truth be told? I think we’re going to cross paths a lot more, and tear the place up every damn time.” He steps back and folds his arms once more. “However the world doesn’t always give you what you want, and we have to consider the champions, The Tilted Cartridges. We’ve crossed their paths before, Riley and Leon have dispatched them before. However we cannot look past the fact that they stopped The End in their tracks, some would even say it was out of nowhere. Indeed, in recent months, Cheez and Dunne seem to have done what all great tag teams have ever done, they’ve got the other’s back, they’ve cover the weaknesses, promote their strengths. They have become a legitimate tag team not just in NLW, but across the XHF Network. However in doing that, they’ve picked up a huge target and placed it on their back. Everybody wants a piece of them now, not just us, not just The End, but the whole NLW tag division. I have to ask you Cheez, I know Dunne can handle that pressure, but can you? When the chips are down are you going to cope climbing that ladder? Or are you going to get queasy when you reach the third rung? I don’t want to say Dunne’s carried you, I mean it was you who got the pinfall to earn the titles, but this is different gravy. This is pay per view, this is a dangerous match that can end careers. Cheez, are you really going to be ready for that?”
Arnold smirks.
“All four of you better be ready, because I’m going to make damn sure that The Academy will be, Riley and Leon somehow enter this match as underdogs but they sure as hell won’t leave as them, they’re going to be leaving as NLW Tag Team Champions. Because despite what some people think, these two work just as hard as anybody else out there, and they have deserved everything that’s come to them so far, and at Masquerade? You boys are going to see it first hand, and when it’s all said and done? You’ll be hearing three simple words…”
“Oh.”
“Hell.”
“Yes.”
Arnold smirks once more and leads Riley off camera, leaving Chant stood alone with an air of shock.
“Son of a bitch, that was a shot in the arm!” He chuckles to himself and begins to follow. “I’ll be freaking damned.”
Fade out.
