Creating Interest and Raising Capital [CROSS RUMBLE #1]
Apr 3, 2023 20:54:41 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, bloodiedfox, and 2 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Apr 3, 2023 20:54:41 GMT -5
Amongst the framed magazine covers,industry awards, and titles inside Reoba’s study hung one belt that took pride of place…the HCW Diamond Championship, the belt that should be the twenty-fourth inclusion in the X*Crown.
He took a sip from his bourbon and opened the laptop. Pressing a button, the red recording light burst into life.
“It’s that time again and, for the first time in three years, I’ve thrown my hat into the ring for the XHF Rumble. Relax though, we’re aiming higher than the last time I was in the match…”
Far higher if you count the lack of Cabin Fever this time around.
“I came sixth that year but the field was double this year’s and that means one thing…I’m after the grand prize. Dylan might say he’s confident but not one of the former X*Crown Champions in the match managed to keep that belt during the Rumble and I intend to take full advantage of that statistic.”
The Tap Out Owner rapped his fingers against the tumbler.
“This is the year of the XHF Box Office Smash. I should have walked out with the X*Crown on New Year’s Eve but I’ve had time to look at where it went wrong and learnt from it.”
A smile began to form.
“Inevitably, we’ve already heard from a few of the competitors who have a somewhat misguided sense of how this match is going to go. Lord Dominicus has taken the novel approach of using his time to talk about the match to talk about those on the Network who haven’t entered the match.”
Although, Frank, if you do enter, my PA is dying to find out where you got the hair extensions and liposuction from.
“But can I blame him? He’s having to actually wrestle instead of living out his Days of Thunder dreams one loss at a time.”
You can’t win the Rumble like you can’t beat the Angry Mad Chemists for sheer speed.
“If he wants to use his training camp to settle scores and hang out with a Trekkie who makes Tasha Yar look interesting then who am I to talk him out of it?”
At least you appear more charismatic by comparison next to Trekker.
“He’s not the only one with bad judgement. BEEF, owner of a first-class physique, world-class trainers in Zoran and El Rey, and the critical thinking skills of petrified bark. No experience and a brain that has four gears in reverse means the minute that match devolves into chaos that kid is toast. Zoran’s not going to save you, he’ll be the one throwing you over the top!”
Cross shakes his head at the oversight.
“Then there’s the least-talented member of the Anointed, AVB. You should know your genetics and heritage are a curse, not a blessing. You’re your father’s child though, Alex. He clings to Steve Awesome even in hatred to be relevant, you have Wesley Crane. I’d include Marty but by the time the Rumble comes around, I’ll have taken his crown and left him waiting for the Mouse-acre to occur.”
How much use does Crane really have for any of the Anointed?
“Lastly, there’s Donzig. His videos have Apocalypse Now for a short trailer. I’m not going to dwell too long on him, his words spoke for themselves.”
Hey, Donzilla. I hear Primal fucked you.
The Crown Bar was once filled with tobacco smoke, spit buckets, and the loud chatter of workmen drowning their aches with beer. Those days, like the customers, were in the past.
“Just a bottle, Greg.” the man spoke with familiarity.
The barman uncapped his beer. In return, a hand slid a twenty across the bar and waved away the change.
Taking a sip, the man was grateful that a business meeting had given him the excuse to come to Cheyenne, a five-hour drive needed a good reason for his wife and, with a bit of self-manifestation, he’d found one. Seeing his guy, he approached the booth.
“Take a seat, Bob.” The man removed a hand from his stein and gestured opposite him. “Are you in town long?”
“Only the night, Esme’d have me home now if the drive wasn’t so long back to Pinedale.” Bob replied as he sat down.
“She’ll forgive you when you show her this.” The man slid an envelope over the table, “Even Ranch owners don’t turn down that amount of money.”
Esme didn’t need to see this.
“Half of this is to expand the Montessori business…the other can ride on this weekend’s fight.” He hoped his voice sounded confident, if it didn’t then the desperation and fear would come through.
“Really?” The man’s voice almost sounding concerned, “You got lucky last time out. Sure, the YouTuber wasn’t expected to win but you got the knockdowns right and it going to points!”
Bob paused for a moment, feeling as if he’d been accused of insider information. He couldn’t read the face looking back at him.
“I’ll be honest, once the Brit was cut I couldn’t watch.”
“A boxing fan who hates blood? I’ve heard everything now.”
“It’s a good excuse to get the guys round, I’ve got a decent set-up to watch it at the Ranch.”
The boys were mostly Franklins and the excuse was a win like tonight.
“Who do you want this weekend?”
“Give me the former Champ but, I’ll go against the line, it’s going to go the distance. He’ll get it on points.”
“That’s a lot of money to put down against the odds. Most of my customers have a knockout in five.”
Bob didn’t have a choice. He wasn’t seeing daylight in this lifetime with short odds.
“Yep, do it.” He hoped he sounded confident.
“Got to be cash?”
“Would you want the tax-man to know about this?”
The man didn’t reply. Taking the envelope back he emptied the bet into a bag as Bob watched and drained his drink.
“See you in a week.”
One bookie down, four to go.
“Let’s focus on the real heroes of the Rumble, those who enter knowing that they’ve no hope but are undeterred. The guts it must take to commit yourself to the most gruelling and agonizing match on the XHF calendar knowing you’re just cannon fodder.”
A saga as old as time.
“There’s Pepsiman who, once you get past the product placement payments for Mongo to let him in, you’re left with little to nothing of note. If I’m being charitable, he’s persistent. Anyone else who only had one Network match and lost by being burnt to a crisp would sensibly retire. Not this guy though, instead he tried to come back in 2021 with an open challenge only to find out that NO-ONE CARES! Then no-one cared in Champoon and now the people of Foxborough get to suffer through his third ‘comeback’. I’d love to say that he might surprise the critics but I’m being realistic for his own good: Pepsi, just don’t turn up. Book a telethon, give yourself a non-lethal bout of food poisoning or if you have to turn up, throw yourself over the top rope!"
Because drink promotions in wrestling peaked at SoFi stadium.
“If we’re sticking with people who forced Champoon to abandon re-opening then who better than the Devil’s Reject. Between him and Pepsiman you get the feeling you’re watching an old-school Indy 500 where hobbyists meet professionals, and look at what happened then. He hasn’t got the mental strenght for the match, he tucked his fake tail between his legs and left Destiny when he lost his only match. I suppose rebranding to Destiny’s Reject was just a bit too pricey if you wrestle at a rate of half a match a year.”
Cross swirls the ice around the tumbler.
“To complete a trio of people who literally have no business in the match, Mike Dexter. Mike’s tall, Mike’s heavy, Mike idolizes his brother, Cheez, and yet, despite his brother’s lack of talent, Dexter still lives in his shadow. He’s Tarrasque without the merchandising potential! Mike, now isn’t the time to make your return to the ring for your second match, how can you possibly think the Rumble will top your debut at Joe Nobody’s Birthday Backyard Bonanza? It can’t!
The Rumble will actually have an ending to the show, how can it beat an event that’s still in progress two years later?
“But of those with no hope, you almost feel bad for this Terrible Trio. After all, God loves a trier…”
[ 29th March 2023 ]
“Numbers don’t lie, Cross. It’s what drew me to the game, it’s not just maths, it’s puzzle-solving.” Caspar was almost gloating.
Only Tap Out would employ an extroverted numbers guy. They’d been at this for an hour and the only thing that had grown was Caspar’s boasting..
“You’re at capacity in the Lansky Ballroom but you could always up the ticket prices.”
“We’ve got our regulars, not just tourists, actual Vegas residents. They’re even spending on the casino floor. I’m not pricing them out.”
“Then you’ve got to face facts: you’re limited to the size you’re at. There’s no shame in being the best small company on the Network. You could cut back on the guest appearances and the half-time show. Cut Long and Diamond loose, they’re costing you on the wage bill and no-one expects you to see them when the attendance is only a thousand.”
Recoba felt his hand reflexively clench into a fist, he left it under the desk.
“I need to talk with Al.” Cross kept his words measured, devoid of emotion as he stood to leave.
“He knows everything I’ve told you. Good luck…”
Recoba polished off the last of the quarter-century old Kentucky bourbon in the tumbler.
“What’s worse than guys with no hope and no experience to push them beyond their skill-level? Those wrestlers who enter and really should know better.”
Even Marty knows his limits.
“The Tilted Cartridges once held gold in NLW and have used that anomaly to cling to their careers. I’m surprised BB Gunn didn’t treat Cheez like Bradshaw did Copycat, at least he had a cult following. The biggest question hanging over his head is this: will he log more hours on Dead Island 2 when it comes out or will he actually prepare for the match? I’ll give you even odds on both sides. But, Cheez, this match does play to your core strength of making up the numbers, you can have that one for free.”
I hope Tinto throws you out.
“His partner though is far worse. Wellington Dunne has shown in his time on the Network that he won’t change, he refuses to, the only thing he changes is where he wrestles. AXW? Lacked any sense of judgement and put his career in the company on the line against Caffrey. Then he lost. JROK? Lost and left. AWF? Flamed out. Pick a Network company and chances are that Wellington Dunne can rank them based on the coffee machine. But here he is, yet again, like he was when I was last here in 2020. No Chris Card, no Saga this time but I remember you trying to throw me out. Try it this year, see how far you get, at least you can keep your tag-team partner company when you go over the top-rope.”
Recoba leant in towards the camera.
“You know what the definition of a tag-team specialist is? Someone who can’t be trusted to get the job done inside the ring full-time.”
The weekend was predicted to be a great one, the big boxing match had caused a surge of bookings from the United Kingdom from fans who decided that with the London venue sold-out, why not watch from the spiritual home of combat sports? Costello was only happy to house, feed, and water them, he’d even give away some free chips to help them get started.
“Cross is here…” the PA’s voice sparked the speaker into life.
Costello set down his coffee.
“Send him in…”
Costello noted the folder in the hand of his protege as he walked in.
Recoba approached the desk, his face impassive as he passed over the folder.
‘COMPETITIVE THREAT ANALYSIS: AWF’
Sitting down as he unbuttoned his blazer, Cross was noticeably irked.
“How’s it looking, Cross? Are we all set for the fight tomorrow?” Costello ignored the document, for now.
“It’s all fine, we’re pretty much printing money this weekend from it. One Brit announced ‘he is the pub’ at the bar.”
Costello nodded as he handled the folder without opening it.
“That needs to be clipped before it become a problem.”
“Your old stomping ground?”
“If the rumors are true, a lot of our talent could be at risk. Diamond, Long, Strych, and Merric among them. We need to increase what we take, we need capital….we need to expand the Ballroom.”
Costello smiled, the Ballroom had been pushed since before Christmas and Cross wasn't going to let it drop.
“Ticket sales to date are what? Two? Two and a half million? You’d be looking at half of that to increase capacity.”
“You’re forgetting merchandise and our cut of the Network subscriptions.”
“Another half a million tops? Not enough for me to want to spend it all.” Al knew when to take risks, this was one he couldn’t see paying off. “You could always ask the Network…”
“They’re not likely to budge, Al…” Cross knew that Costello knew this, “if I win the Rumble and become the X*Crown Champion that changes to a maybe but it’s also a huge if…”
“Then either look outside or get creative…”
He took a sip from his bourbon and opened the laptop. Pressing a button, the red recording light burst into life.
“It’s that time again and, for the first time in three years, I’ve thrown my hat into the ring for the XHF Rumble. Relax though, we’re aiming higher than the last time I was in the match…”
Far higher if you count the lack of Cabin Fever this time around.
“I came sixth that year but the field was double this year’s and that means one thing…I’m after the grand prize. Dylan might say he’s confident but not one of the former X*Crown Champions in the match managed to keep that belt during the Rumble and I intend to take full advantage of that statistic.”
The Tap Out Owner rapped his fingers against the tumbler.
“This is the year of the XHF Box Office Smash. I should have walked out with the X*Crown on New Year’s Eve but I’ve had time to look at where it went wrong and learnt from it.”
A smile began to form.
“Inevitably, we’ve already heard from a few of the competitors who have a somewhat misguided sense of how this match is going to go. Lord Dominicus has taken the novel approach of using his time to talk about the match to talk about those on the Network who haven’t entered the match.”
Although, Frank, if you do enter, my PA is dying to find out where you got the hair extensions and liposuction from.
“But can I blame him? He’s having to actually wrestle instead of living out his Days of Thunder dreams one loss at a time.”
You can’t win the Rumble like you can’t beat the Angry Mad Chemists for sheer speed.
“If he wants to use his training camp to settle scores and hang out with a Trekkie who makes Tasha Yar look interesting then who am I to talk him out of it?”
At least you appear more charismatic by comparison next to Trekker.
“He’s not the only one with bad judgement. BEEF, owner of a first-class physique, world-class trainers in Zoran and El Rey, and the critical thinking skills of petrified bark. No experience and a brain that has four gears in reverse means the minute that match devolves into chaos that kid is toast. Zoran’s not going to save you, he’ll be the one throwing you over the top!”
Cross shakes his head at the oversight.
“Then there’s the least-talented member of the Anointed, AVB. You should know your genetics and heritage are a curse, not a blessing. You’re your father’s child though, Alex. He clings to Steve Awesome even in hatred to be relevant, you have Wesley Crane. I’d include Marty but by the time the Rumble comes around, I’ll have taken his crown and left him waiting for the Mouse-acre to occur.”
How much use does Crane really have for any of the Anointed?
“Lastly, there’s Donzig. His videos have Apocalypse Now for a short trailer. I’m not going to dwell too long on him, his words spoke for themselves.”
Hey, Donzilla. I hear Primal fucked you.
*****
[ 27th March 2023 ]The Crown Bar was once filled with tobacco smoke, spit buckets, and the loud chatter of workmen drowning their aches with beer. Those days, like the customers, were in the past.
“Just a bottle, Greg.” the man spoke with familiarity.
The barman uncapped his beer. In return, a hand slid a twenty across the bar and waved away the change.
Taking a sip, the man was grateful that a business meeting had given him the excuse to come to Cheyenne, a five-hour drive needed a good reason for his wife and, with a bit of self-manifestation, he’d found one. Seeing his guy, he approached the booth.
“Take a seat, Bob.” The man removed a hand from his stein and gestured opposite him. “Are you in town long?”
“Only the night, Esme’d have me home now if the drive wasn’t so long back to Pinedale.” Bob replied as he sat down.
“She’ll forgive you when you show her this.” The man slid an envelope over the table, “Even Ranch owners don’t turn down that amount of money.”
Esme didn’t need to see this.
“Half of this is to expand the Montessori business…the other can ride on this weekend’s fight.” He hoped his voice sounded confident, if it didn’t then the desperation and fear would come through.
“Really?” The man’s voice almost sounding concerned, “You got lucky last time out. Sure, the YouTuber wasn’t expected to win but you got the knockdowns right and it going to points!”
Bob paused for a moment, feeling as if he’d been accused of insider information. He couldn’t read the face looking back at him.
“I’ll be honest, once the Brit was cut I couldn’t watch.”
“A boxing fan who hates blood? I’ve heard everything now.”
“It’s a good excuse to get the guys round, I’ve got a decent set-up to watch it at the Ranch.”
The boys were mostly Franklins and the excuse was a win like tonight.
“Who do you want this weekend?”
“Give me the former Champ but, I’ll go against the line, it’s going to go the distance. He’ll get it on points.”
“That’s a lot of money to put down against the odds. Most of my customers have a knockout in five.”
Bob didn’t have a choice. He wasn’t seeing daylight in this lifetime with short odds.
“Yep, do it.” He hoped he sounded confident.
“Got to be cash?”
“Would you want the tax-man to know about this?”
The man didn’t reply. Taking the envelope back he emptied the bet into a bag as Bob watched and drained his drink.
“See you in a week.”
One bookie down, four to go.
*****
“Let’s focus on the real heroes of the Rumble, those who enter knowing that they’ve no hope but are undeterred. The guts it must take to commit yourself to the most gruelling and agonizing match on the XHF calendar knowing you’re just cannon fodder.”
A saga as old as time.
“There’s Pepsiman who, once you get past the product placement payments for Mongo to let him in, you’re left with little to nothing of note. If I’m being charitable, he’s persistent. Anyone else who only had one Network match and lost by being burnt to a crisp would sensibly retire. Not this guy though, instead he tried to come back in 2021 with an open challenge only to find out that NO-ONE CARES! Then no-one cared in Champoon and now the people of Foxborough get to suffer through his third ‘comeback’. I’d love to say that he might surprise the critics but I’m being realistic for his own good: Pepsi, just don’t turn up. Book a telethon, give yourself a non-lethal bout of food poisoning or if you have to turn up, throw yourself over the top rope!"
Because drink promotions in wrestling peaked at SoFi stadium.
“If we’re sticking with people who forced Champoon to abandon re-opening then who better than the Devil’s Reject. Between him and Pepsiman you get the feeling you’re watching an old-school Indy 500 where hobbyists meet professionals, and look at what happened then. He hasn’t got the mental strenght for the match, he tucked his fake tail between his legs and left Destiny when he lost his only match. I suppose rebranding to Destiny’s Reject was just a bit too pricey if you wrestle at a rate of half a match a year.”
Cross swirls the ice around the tumbler.
“To complete a trio of people who literally have no business in the match, Mike Dexter. Mike’s tall, Mike’s heavy, Mike idolizes his brother, Cheez, and yet, despite his brother’s lack of talent, Dexter still lives in his shadow. He’s Tarrasque without the merchandising potential! Mike, now isn’t the time to make your return to the ring for your second match, how can you possibly think the Rumble will top your debut at Joe Nobody’s Birthday Backyard Bonanza? It can’t!
The Rumble will actually have an ending to the show, how can it beat an event that’s still in progress two years later?
“But of those with no hope, you almost feel bad for this Terrible Trio. After all, God loves a trier…”
****
“Numbers don’t lie, Cross. It’s what drew me to the game, it’s not just maths, it’s puzzle-solving.” Caspar was almost gloating.
Only Tap Out would employ an extroverted numbers guy. They’d been at this for an hour and the only thing that had grown was Caspar’s boasting..
“You’re at capacity in the Lansky Ballroom but you could always up the ticket prices.”
“We’ve got our regulars, not just tourists, actual Vegas residents. They’re even spending on the casino floor. I’m not pricing them out.”
“Then you’ve got to face facts: you’re limited to the size you’re at. There’s no shame in being the best small company on the Network. You could cut back on the guest appearances and the half-time show. Cut Long and Diamond loose, they’re costing you on the wage bill and no-one expects you to see them when the attendance is only a thousand.”
Recoba felt his hand reflexively clench into a fist, he left it under the desk.
“I need to talk with Al.” Cross kept his words measured, devoid of emotion as he stood to leave.
“He knows everything I’ve told you. Good luck…”
*****
“What’s worse than guys with no hope and no experience to push them beyond their skill-level? Those wrestlers who enter and really should know better.”
Even Marty knows his limits.
“The Tilted Cartridges once held gold in NLW and have used that anomaly to cling to their careers. I’m surprised BB Gunn didn’t treat Cheez like Bradshaw did Copycat, at least he had a cult following. The biggest question hanging over his head is this: will he log more hours on Dead Island 2 when it comes out or will he actually prepare for the match? I’ll give you even odds on both sides. But, Cheez, this match does play to your core strength of making up the numbers, you can have that one for free.”
I hope Tinto throws you out.
“His partner though is far worse. Wellington Dunne has shown in his time on the Network that he won’t change, he refuses to, the only thing he changes is where he wrestles. AXW? Lacked any sense of judgement and put his career in the company on the line against Caffrey. Then he lost. JROK? Lost and left. AWF? Flamed out. Pick a Network company and chances are that Wellington Dunne can rank them based on the coffee machine. But here he is, yet again, like he was when I was last here in 2020. No Chris Card, no Saga this time but I remember you trying to throw me out. Try it this year, see how far you get, at least you can keep your tag-team partner company when you go over the top-rope.”
Recoba leant in towards the camera.
“You know what the definition of a tag-team specialist is? Someone who can’t be trusted to get the job done inside the ring full-time.”
*****
[ 31st March 2023 ]The weekend was predicted to be a great one, the big boxing match had caused a surge of bookings from the United Kingdom from fans who decided that with the London venue sold-out, why not watch from the spiritual home of combat sports? Costello was only happy to house, feed, and water them, he’d even give away some free chips to help them get started.
“Cross is here…” the PA’s voice sparked the speaker into life.
Costello set down his coffee.
“Send him in…”
Costello noted the folder in the hand of his protege as he walked in.
Recoba approached the desk, his face impassive as he passed over the folder.
‘COMPETITIVE THREAT ANALYSIS: AWF’
Sitting down as he unbuttoned his blazer, Cross was noticeably irked.
“How’s it looking, Cross? Are we all set for the fight tomorrow?” Costello ignored the document, for now.
“It’s all fine, we’re pretty much printing money this weekend from it. One Brit announced ‘he is the pub’ at the bar.”
Costello nodded as he handled the folder without opening it.
“That needs to be clipped before it become a problem.”
“Your old stomping ground?”
“If the rumors are true, a lot of our talent could be at risk. Diamond, Long, Strych, and Merric among them. We need to increase what we take, we need capital….we need to expand the Ballroom.”
Costello smiled, the Ballroom had been pushed since before Christmas and Cross wasn't going to let it drop.
“Ticket sales to date are what? Two? Two and a half million? You’d be looking at half of that to increase capacity.”
“You’re forgetting merchandise and our cut of the Network subscriptions.”
“Another half a million tops? Not enough for me to want to spend it all.” Al knew when to take risks, this was one he couldn’t see paying off. “You could always ask the Network…”
“They’re not likely to budge, Al…” Cross knew that Costello knew this, “if I win the Rumble and become the X*Crown Champion that changes to a maybe but it’s also a huge if…”
“Then either look outside or get creative…”
*****
