Post by fowler on Apr 26, 2022 5:15:48 GMT -5
*PARRRRRRRP! BAHHH BAHHH BAHHHH DUN DAHHH!*
A thunderous fan fair of orchestral music assaults the senses as a large cinema screen flickers to life. As the image upon it settles so does the music into Elgar’s “Jerusalem”. An iconic piece of music synonymous with England, scenes of which now start to play our on the screen. We fly over the peaks and lakes of The Lake District, watch wild mountain sheep brave the Yorkshire Dales, canal boats cruise down the river Thames under willow trees.
As these scenes play out the voice of iconic actor Brian Blessed bursts to life as he delivers the following iconic William Shakespeare speech;
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands,--This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
As he utters these famous words the scenes slowly start to change. We are now greeted with scenes of children kicking a ball against a wall with a sign affixed to it stating “No Ball Games” on a Manchester council estate. A group of severely drunk women wearing the smallest of dresses stumble down the streets of Newcastle on a freezing cold winters night with no coats. A bunch of students set off a red flare amongst a sea of people at a music festival.
As the words of the speech and music begin to fizzle out, Billy Fowler walks up onto the stage in front of the massive screen which still scrolls with images of England.
He looks a little different, age is starting to show and he’s not the youthful man that many of his oldest fans would remember him as.
His hair is starting to grey but he’s still in tremendous shape and proudly wears a vintage Bastards t-shirt.
“So, here we go again.
The landscape certainly has changed a lot in the last month or so. My phone had been lighting up every hour with an update from Rob Riot on which federation we were going to be showing up in next. Which tournament wanted us on their marque to draw that big money, we call that Bastards money. Which subpar tag team or faction wanted to call us out to make a name for themselves.
To be honest, it all got a little boring. I mean at this point what is left for us to do? What do we even need to prove…nothing. You all wanted to make us “those guys”. You know what I mean, the special attractions, the enhancement act who turn up and make young guys stars, the names you can put on a poster and sell out an arena.
You’re fucking kidding me right?
When have you even seen the Bastards do that kind of business? We’re in the industry for two things these days. Bastards’ money and taking every piece of gold that we can. Because we know we are the very best at what we do.
So when Wrestle:UK came knocking on the door I asked two questions. How much are you paying and what’s in this for me.
The reply caught me off guard.
See Rob Riot… every one knows that he is a multi-time world champion. Frank Windsor… He’s even held the big one.
Billy Fowler.”
Fowler pauses for a moment. He looks down at his waist for a few seconds, almost as though picturing something there that isn’t.
“I’m a multi-time tag team champion, I’ve held mid card titles a plenty, I’m a founding member of the most industry shaking faction of all time and an RSW hall of famer.
But I’ve never held her. The big one, the WORLD championship. I’ve never held aloft the main belt of any promotion I’ve set foot in, knowing that I. Am. The. Man!
That is all about to change. I agreed to sign here not just because my friends were coming, but because Wrestle:UK offered me a chance in this tournament to be the very first UK World Champion!
To get there I need to walk through the rest of the field and the first hurdle is you Xiaolong. I remember you kid, we’re no strangers, which means it should be easy for you to face facts. You’re out of your depth thinking that you can beat me, on my home ground, this hallowed earth! You’re out of your mind if you are thinking anyone, anyone but me is going to be the first UK World Champion!
I’m a changed man, I’m not the guy that everyone thinks they know any more. I’m older, and you may think of that as a bad thing, but it’s the opposite. I’m more focused, more aware, I’ve learned lessons in my life which have led me to this point, a point of one focus and one goal. To become the man.
You can bring your silly, slapstick shit or you can bring your absolute best. The fact is you are not walking away from this match the victor.”
Fowler looks up at the screen behind him. It shows scenes of football fans cheering in reaction to a goal, punks rocking out in front of the Sex Pistols, Pub beer gardens full of tables of friends laughing in the warm summer sun. Slowly the familiar bass riff of The Clash “London Calling” begins to fade up.
“I need this. This is my one goal, my only reason for being in this time and this place. I need to prove to every one of my doubters that I am as good as Rob and Frank. I need that belt, for me and for all of you”
A thunderous fan fair of orchestral music assaults the senses as a large cinema screen flickers to life. As the image upon it settles so does the music into Elgar’s “Jerusalem”. An iconic piece of music synonymous with England, scenes of which now start to play our on the screen. We fly over the peaks and lakes of The Lake District, watch wild mountain sheep brave the Yorkshire Dales, canal boats cruise down the river Thames under willow trees.
As these scenes play out the voice of iconic actor Brian Blessed bursts to life as he delivers the following iconic William Shakespeare speech;
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands,--This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
As he utters these famous words the scenes slowly start to change. We are now greeted with scenes of children kicking a ball against a wall with a sign affixed to it stating “No Ball Games” on a Manchester council estate. A group of severely drunk women wearing the smallest of dresses stumble down the streets of Newcastle on a freezing cold winters night with no coats. A bunch of students set off a red flare amongst a sea of people at a music festival.
As the words of the speech and music begin to fizzle out, Billy Fowler walks up onto the stage in front of the massive screen which still scrolls with images of England.
He looks a little different, age is starting to show and he’s not the youthful man that many of his oldest fans would remember him as.
His hair is starting to grey but he’s still in tremendous shape and proudly wears a vintage Bastards t-shirt.
“So, here we go again.
The landscape certainly has changed a lot in the last month or so. My phone had been lighting up every hour with an update from Rob Riot on which federation we were going to be showing up in next. Which tournament wanted us on their marque to draw that big money, we call that Bastards money. Which subpar tag team or faction wanted to call us out to make a name for themselves.
To be honest, it all got a little boring. I mean at this point what is left for us to do? What do we even need to prove…nothing. You all wanted to make us “those guys”. You know what I mean, the special attractions, the enhancement act who turn up and make young guys stars, the names you can put on a poster and sell out an arena.
You’re fucking kidding me right?
When have you even seen the Bastards do that kind of business? We’re in the industry for two things these days. Bastards’ money and taking every piece of gold that we can. Because we know we are the very best at what we do.
So when Wrestle:UK came knocking on the door I asked two questions. How much are you paying and what’s in this for me.
The reply caught me off guard.
See Rob Riot… every one knows that he is a multi-time world champion. Frank Windsor… He’s even held the big one.
Billy Fowler.”
Fowler pauses for a moment. He looks down at his waist for a few seconds, almost as though picturing something there that isn’t.
“I’m a multi-time tag team champion, I’ve held mid card titles a plenty, I’m a founding member of the most industry shaking faction of all time and an RSW hall of famer.
But I’ve never held her. The big one, the WORLD championship. I’ve never held aloft the main belt of any promotion I’ve set foot in, knowing that I. Am. The. Man!
That is all about to change. I agreed to sign here not just because my friends were coming, but because Wrestle:UK offered me a chance in this tournament to be the very first UK World Champion!
To get there I need to walk through the rest of the field and the first hurdle is you Xiaolong. I remember you kid, we’re no strangers, which means it should be easy for you to face facts. You’re out of your depth thinking that you can beat me, on my home ground, this hallowed earth! You’re out of your mind if you are thinking anyone, anyone but me is going to be the first UK World Champion!
I’m a changed man, I’m not the guy that everyone thinks they know any more. I’m older, and you may think of that as a bad thing, but it’s the opposite. I’m more focused, more aware, I’ve learned lessons in my life which have led me to this point, a point of one focus and one goal. To become the man.
You can bring your silly, slapstick shit or you can bring your absolute best. The fact is you are not walking away from this match the victor.”
Fowler looks up at the screen behind him. It shows scenes of football fans cheering in reaction to a goal, punks rocking out in front of the Sex Pistols, Pub beer gardens full of tables of friends laughing in the warm summer sun. Slowly the familiar bass riff of The Clash “London Calling” begins to fade up.
“I need this. This is my one goal, my only reason for being in this time and this place. I need to prove to every one of my doubters that I am as good as Rob and Frank. I need that belt, for me and for all of you”
