Sooner Squeeze Challenge: Sheik Edition
Jan 21, 2023 2:21:56 GMT -5
Oh-Oh, Visit Neom, and 1 more like this
Post by Anthony Jordan on Jan 21, 2023 2:21:56 GMT -5
EXT. WATTS FAMILY TRAINING FACILITY (BARN) OUTSIDE TULSA, OK – DUSK
A day of training is being wrapped up by the WUK British TV Champion. The Sun is beginning to set on the western horizon. It is a brisk time of day with temperatures in the 40s (4.5 - 9 Celsius). KALMIN WATTS stands in front of the orange sky. His silhouette would have been complete with a cowboy hat…cowboy, Watts. Fits well together, doesn’t it? Anyway, Watts is in a pair of University of Oklahoma workout shorts and some sneakers. As he walks into the barn, the British TV Title is displayed on a table in the corner. Watts looks at the belt and smiles. It’s a knowing smile that conveys how the title was a bright light at the end of a dark path.
After a couple of seconds, ANTHONY JORDAN walks through the barn door. He is in his black suit, black shirt, and yellow tie. He catches Kalmin admiring his prize and gives his goofy grin. He could let a nice moment be or he could spoil it. What will he do?
Watts shakes out of his trance and notices his manager. He chuckles and shakes his head. Jordan decides to ease up.
A day of training is being wrapped up by the WUK British TV Champion. The Sun is beginning to set on the western horizon. It is a brisk time of day with temperatures in the 40s (4.5 - 9 Celsius). KALMIN WATTS stands in front of the orange sky. His silhouette would have been complete with a cowboy hat…cowboy, Watts. Fits well together, doesn’t it? Anyway, Watts is in a pair of University of Oklahoma workout shorts and some sneakers. As he walks into the barn, the British TV Title is displayed on a table in the corner. Watts looks at the belt and smiles. It’s a knowing smile that conveys how the title was a bright light at the end of a dark path.
After a couple of seconds, ANTHONY JORDAN walks through the barn door. He is in his black suit, black shirt, and yellow tie. He catches Kalmin admiring his prize and gives his goofy grin. He could let a nice moment be or he could spoil it. What will he do?
JORDAN
If you two need a minute alone, I can leave and close the door.
Watts shakes out of his trance and notices his manager. He chuckles and shakes his head. Jordan decides to ease up.
JORDAN
Hey, you earned it. I always admired my belts, too. They are physical proof of our dominance. I carried mine everywhere, but maybe it is healthier to have a professional distance with your belt.
WATTS
Ha ha. It’s my first title in wrestling…well, anything. We had some Big 12 titles with the Sooners, but kept running into SEC teams in the playoffs. The teams from your neck of the woods are big, strong, and fast.
JORDAN
Do not lump us in with Louisiana or Alabama! Besides, Mississippi schools always choke.
WATTS
Is Ole Miss still trying to get Admiral Ackbar to be their mascot?
JORDAN
I think that was a joke. However, I will file that away if I ever need an icebreaker with Marty Donovan.
WATTS
Want another champion as your client?
JORDAN
You have set a standard, kid.
Watts smiles as Jordan gives his goofy grin.
WATTS
It’s still cool!
JORDAN
Feeling never goes away!
WATTS
So, when are we going to San Francisco?
JORDAN
(rolls eyes) As late as possible.
WATTS
(intrigued) Why?
JORDAN
It is low on my list of favorite cities.
(remembers his experiences in the cities)
Sure, the rapid inclines and declines make for great exercise, but it is a city taken over by hippies who are too lazy to help the homeless. They are surrounded by crime, but congratulate themselves on how righteous they are from their gated communities. That is something a third world oligarchy would pull.
Jordan grumbles to himself about having to go to San Francisco.
JORDAN
A “fine” place for your first British Television Title defense…assuming that is what you want.
WATTS
What do you mean?
JORDAN
The Sheik's people are pushing for a British Television Title defense since you remarked that you would be a fighting champion.
WATTS
Isn’t the Sheik an HKW exclusive wrestler?
JORDAN
That would be our out, if we want to use it. On top of that, we can say “no” since it is not a Wrestle:U.K. event.
WATTS
(looking offended) I don’t need an “out”! I don’t run from a challenge! You tell whoever you need to tell that I’ll defend my title against the Sheik.
JORDAN
(unhappy with the needless risk)
I will set it up.
WATTS
I can beat the Sheik.
JORDAN
Maybe you can, but the Sheik is a weird case. I would prefer to avoid him. Since that is off the table, my vote is to not defend the title.
WATTS
You’re worried about him?
JORDAN
We wrestled in the same companies over a decade ago. I know it sounds crazy, but he has not aged a day. He is still the same rabid dog. He lives for hardcore matches, pure violence, and lots of blood. He is a “special attraction” wrestler like Bruiser Brody near the end of his career. He burns everything down, then moves on. He has nothing to lose.
(thinks)
Well, he is normally like that. The more I think about it, the more I think he may be making a home for himself in Hardkore World. He probably does not appreciate your dual allegiance with Wrestle:U.K. among other things. Here, let me show you.
Jordan walks over to the table and opens a laptop. He pulls up MXG and the Sheik talking about Watts in WUK and HKW. Watts watches with amazement as the Sheik yells and screams in Arabic as MXG translates. Once both promos end, Jordan closes the laptop.
JORDAN
He is a frightening force in a hardcore match.
WATTS
Well, we’re not having a hardcore match. He sounds like a street fighter. Anyone has a shot in a street fight. Anyone can get lucky or find a weapon. You have to be tough to win, but it’s not a skill. I’m going to San Francisco to wrestle. Let’s see how the Sheik handles wrestling holds and throws.
JORDAN
It is like trying to suplex a honey badger. You have to strike first and hit him hard. If he gets started, then he will not stop.
WATTS
And I didn’t care for that Graves guy. What makes him think he can talk that way about me? The Sheik doesn’t even seem to like him. If Graves wants to fight me, I’ll take him on, too!
JORDAN
That is a good attitude. Who does Graves think he is? M.X.G.? He sounds like the stuff added to Chinese food.
WATTS
Explains why he’s so salty.
Jordan can’t even respond. He loves that joke so much that all he can do is point at Watts with a big smile on his face. The two high-five and even hit a down low on the backside.
WATTS
Let him run his mouth. If the Sheik wants to be upset about having to wrestle me, then he can pout about it. If he’s unprepared, I’ll beat him like I beat Oxford Osland. The Sheik seems to only care about fighting Donzig in their exploding barbed wire death match. If he forgets about me, I’ll make him pay!
JORDAN
(getting amped up by Watts’s confidence)
Of course, you will! You can out wrestle the Sheik! It is not like he is Jack Brisco.
WATTS
(displeased) An Oklahoma State example? Danny Hodge was more accomplished as an amateur and went to Oklahoma, not Oklahoma State.
JORDAN
Okay.
(pauses to set things back up)
The Sheik is no Danny Hodge!
WATTS
Damn right! The heat of Arabia is tough, but I’m tougher!
JORDAN
Yeah, who cares if they cut off your ear if they do not like your face?
WATTS
(stopping his fired up rant to inquire about this)
Really?
JORDAN
It was in a song for Aladdin.
WATTS
(dryly) Another ice-breaker for Marty Donovan.
JORDAN
(snaps fingers) Yeah!
WATTS
While it’s not a Disney animated classic, I’m looking forward to seeing the Sheik in San Francisco. I know he'll be intense. If the city is what you claim it is, he will probably go insane.
JORDAN
That is why I am glad he is fighting Donzig in Los Angeles. Those two in San Francisco would leave a lot of bodies in their wake.
WATTS
Let him bring all the crazy he wants! It will make him a good challenge. The British TV Title deserves to have every wrestler take his best shot. I believe I’m going to fend him off and retain my title.
JORDAN
The Sheik was in Hardkore World first, so this is a good, old-fashioned Crusade!
WATTS
Wait, didn't Christians have a bad record in Crusades?
JORDAN
Won three and lost six. However, their biggest victory was the first. This will be your first. That is a good omen. If Hardkore World is the Holy Land, then we have to win it!
WATTS
I’m coming to San Francisco to wrestle, but if Sheik wants a war, I won’t run away. I’m not afraid of him! The Sheik is talking tough now, but let’s see how tough he is once I squeeze all the air out of his lungs!
JORDAN
The Sooner Squeeze Challenge: Sheik Edition!