20 Years In The Making [Rumble RP #1]
Apr 10, 2023 22:54:40 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Venom đź•·, and 4 more like this
Post by Jack Diamond on Apr 10, 2023 22:54:40 GMT -5
March 26th, 2023 - The Sands Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Steve Morrison: It’s a short card but each match has the potential to steal the show! I’m Steve Morrison, joined by Cross Recoba. Don’t forget to tune into the Rumble next month but make sure you don’t miss Tap Out Wrestling 13: Poena vs McConalogue only on the XHF Network, May 28th!
The cameras power off wrapping up a twelfth and as always successful episode of Tap Out Wrestling. The crowd is still buzzing after the back-and-forth main event; the emotional Rollercoaster they were on that saw the champion, Jack Diamond, steal the victory at the end to retain.
Jack's opponent protests the result of the match to "Big" John Quinn all the way up the ramp and through the curtain as the crowd taunts the former rocker. They begin showing their respect for the company.
TAAAAP OUUUUT!
TAAAAP OUUUUT!
TAAAAP OUUUUT!
The chants are reverberating off of the walls. I'm the Lanksy Ballroom. They get a smile and wave from play-by-play Announcer, Steve Morrison as he and owner, Cross Recoba, remove their headsets and gather their notes. Cross looks around to the crowd, giving a quick bow of acknowledgment to the sold-out room. Just as some in the back start to move towards the exit, the lights go out bringing on more buzz as everyone freezes.
The roof to The Sands Hotel and Casino almost blows off at the eruption of cheers. As the smoke fills the entryway, the strobes making it dance around, Jack Diamond re-emerges wearing one of his patented Icon vests, his Tap Out Openweight Championship around his waist. He stops and smiles, opening his vest all the way so the crowd sees the entire Championship. He meets Cross in the aisleway, and they stare down each other for a moment. Cross motions with a sweeping arm that Jack has the ring, and he continues to the back. The crowd begins loudly chanting.
I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS!
Jack put a hand to his ear as if to try and hear the chants which inevitably get louder. He smiles and points with both arms to the entryway and out steps Jason Long also in an Icon vest. The crowd is in a frenzy as they nod, fist bump, and continue to the ring. As they get in, they climb opposite ring posts. Jason throws up an upside down "Westside" sign, the shape of an M for Maverick. Jack throws up his tried-and-true Diamond sign. The two of them jump down as Jason Long acquires a microphone. He holds it up to his mouth and allows the crowd noise to die down a bit.
Jason Long: I'm going to give the stage to Jackie-boy here, but before I do, I just like to ask… who's ready for a bit of an Icon reunion?
The crowd explodes again, and Jason looks at Jack who mouths "Sounds like they're ready" with a shrug. Jason laughs.
Jason Long: I think that answers that. If that's the case, then I need all of you to show up and show out in May at Tap Out Thirteen! For the first time in a lonnnngggg time… it's Maverick, it's Jack Fucking Diamond, it's the former ICW Tag Team Champions… the Icons back together!
The crowd erupts in loud cheers and Icon chants again as Jason Long hands the microphone to the Tap Out Openweight Champion, slaps him on the shoulder and exits the ring after a bow of respect for his friend and fellow Icon. The fans show even more respect back to the Maverick as Jason makes his way to the back. Jack stands silent in the middle of the ring, all smiles, while he gives the crowd a chance to honor Jason. As things settle down, Jack pats the Icon logo on his vest.
Jack Diamond: The Icons… a brotherhood that can never die. That's in May though…and boy do we have A LOT to do before May! April is fast approaching and it's possibly one of my favorite times of the year here in the XHF because as you heard the sound bite earlier… the X*Crown is once again on my radar… Dylan Black is on my radar! Thirty-some of the best wrestlers on this planet are on my radar! The XHF RUMBLE IS ON MY RADAR!
RUM-BLE!
RUM-BLE!
RUM-BLE!
Jack Diamond: I love it! The XHF Rumble is without a doubt my favorite match. Those who have won it, I'm sure will tell you it's one of their greatest in ring accomplishments. Just making it in the final few competitors or being in the match for a long duration can strap a rocket to your back. My very own career here in XHF was solidified when in my first XHF Rumble I pushed the legendary Rob Arnold, a man I have a great deal of respect for as one of the greatest X*Crown champions of all time, to the absolute limit. As I hit the floor just slightly before Rob and failed to capture the X*Crown, I could tell I did obtain something else. His respect. It was that respect that put us together in a one-on-one match that would see me achieve my first X*Crown reign.
Jack pauses to soak in the acknowledgment from the crowd. A small chant from one side of the ball room, for Rob Arnold, makes Jack smile as he claps in agreement.
Jack Diamond: Yeah, give it up for Robbie. The dude put me on the XHF map by challenging me and graciously taking the defeat. Hell… he even would go on later to try and give me the ICW Championship belt back… a belt that while I took a lot of pride in it, I took even greater pride in it belonging to the X*Crown which I why I didn't hesitate to hand it back over to Dylan. That brings me to my first piece of business tonight. Current champ, an honorary Icon last year… Dylan Black.
There is a loud pop for the pride of Champoon and self-proclaimed heart of GUNS. Just as another Icon chants starts up, Jack quickly holds a hand up, clearing his throat in the microphone.
Jack Diamond: Ah ah ah. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. While we extended our hand to Dylan last year, he has made it abundantly clear that an Icon… he is not. Sure, the kid is talented. The kid has achieved more than damn near anyone in this business. But an Icon? No. It was clear to me from the onset of Call to Arms that he was not there for the group, only himself. That's ok, there was a time when I would have used any scenario I could as well to catapult myself to the top. That's what Dylan has done. He's used anyone he could. Rode any coat tail he could grab onto. He didn't need to, but he has and that shows what kind of champion he is. The XHF doesn't need that. It needs a champion that is a proven leader. It needs a true Icon. It needs Jack Fucking Diamond.
The crowd bursts into cheers and Jack smiles, loving the fact that he has the entire Ballroom eating out of the palm of his hands. He looks down at his Openweight Championship before continuing.
Jack Diamond: No, Dylan is not a leader. He doesn't lead a locker room in the way I've tried to lead this great locker room in Tap Out. All you need to watch to see how poor Dylan's leadership is, is the second season of GFC.
G-F-C!!!
G-F-C!!!
G-F-C!!!
Jack Diamond: Dylan couldn't lead us to a victory. I did everything in my power to make sure we took it home.
The crowd begins to murmur a bit and Jack stops to listen, hearing one name that sticks out amongst the fans.
Jack Diamond: Yeah, yeah, yeah… we all saw the final. Let's talk about another so-called "ally" here in XHF and Tap Out, a Team Black teammate of mine and he just so happens to ALSO be in the Rumble next month… Aiden Merric.
The crowd begins to boo as Jack rubs his Jaw.
Jack Diamond: Ah yes, the wonder from down under. Aiden you earned a lot of points with me when you came out to assist me and Jason with the whole Poena and Rat Bastard stuff, and… you landed one hell of a lucky shot during our GFC tournament matchup, ending my undefeated streak in season two… but one thing you won't do… much like GFC… finish the job. You just don't have it in you to win the big one. This isn't the Phoenix Championship… it's the X*Crown. We haven't spoken much since before our fight, but know this, I will issue my receipt for GFC and I plan on doing so at the Rumble. Now… Let's stay on GFC for a moment.
Before the fans can break out into another GFC chant, Jack continues.
Jack Diamond: The members of GFC… we like to fight. It's evident when you look up and down the Rumble list. Black, Capone, Merric, Florida Man, Awesome…hell even BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEF…
WHERE'S THE BEEF!
WHERE'S THE BEEF!
WHERE'S THE BEEF!
Jack grins and scoffs at the crowd, almost sidetracked from his point. He tries to regain his composure.
Jack Diamond: There is no one in GFC, or in this Rumble for that matter, that had been more of an annoyance to me in my time in XHF than Mr. GFC himself, Bloodied Fox. One third of a group that made my last run in AWF hell... Fox… the man I beat for the GFC championship, yet at the end of the season his hand was raised in victory again. You know as well as I do, Fox that it should have been you and I in the final. If it had been, my hand would have been raised again. Fox... the person responsible for ending my hopes of a third X*Crown reign one year ago by eliminating me from the 2022 Rumble...
Jack’s jaw is clenched so tight that he probably runs the risk of breaking a tooth, his disdain for Fox in that moment clearly showing on his face. He sighs deeply, regaining his composure and working to get back on topic.
Jack Diamond: We can run down the entire list of the Rumble, and you will find some very capable wrestlers. Dare I might say you will find some of the BEST wrestlers. Former X*Crown Champions, former World Champions, former… Diamond Champions.
The crowd “oohs” and “ahhs” at the last remark, as the buzz becomes a cheer, becomes another chant for Tap Out. Jack hushes the crowd with his hand.
Jack Diamond: Yeah, we all know the history with the Bossman and Jack Diamond. Mr. Recoba, no doubt will remind everyone of just how prominent he is inside of this squared circle. In fact, several years ago he was probably the hottest free agent in the game and found himself in a little Jack Diamond funded company, High Calibre Wrestling. Man… those were some good days… days I’ve been thinking about quite a lot lately, especially as my entrepreneurial juices were jumpstarted again by Jason’s recent venture. But I digress… the point I'm trying to make, Cross is damn good in that ring. He is probably as close to my equal in tenacity and intelligence inside the ropes than I’ve ever seen. He’d love nothing more to walk out of Massachusetts as the X*Crown and use that as leverage in his business. Here’s the thing though, Boss, that you forget. You win that belt, and it STILL doesn’t do Tap Out any good. I know that thought has the potential of keeping you up at night, so allow me to ease your mind. The belt IS coming to Tap Out. It won’t belong to you though. No, I’m going to make good on my promise to you when I signed on the dotted line. I’m going to bring the crown to Tap Out and get all the eyes and exposure you need to grow this into the mega power that I know you want to. I’m sorry I’m going to have to do that at your expense.
Jack grins big as he looks towards the back, knowing that just behind the curtains, Cross is probably listening in as he wraps things up for the evening.
Jack Diamond: I’m sorry it’s going to be at everyone’s expense, because the only sure bet going into the Rumble next month is that nothing… NOTHING will stop me from winning those belts for the third time!
Jack raises his hands as the crowd cheers loudly. He waves goodnight to them before tossing the mic down and exiting the ramp, giving high fives to the crowd as he makes his way back up the ramp and exits behind the curtain.
March 30th, 2023 - Diamond Club Gym - Las Vegas, NV
Jack sits on the apron of the wrestling ring that sits in his gym, the sweat dripping from his brow. He pulls a towel out of his bag and wipes his face before tossing it over his shoulder and grabbing his water bottle. As he loosens the cap, a shadow comes over him. He looks up and his face is a mixed bag of emotions. Jack jumps up and as the camera pans out, he embraces his former trainee, his son… Austin Kade.
Jack pulls back, not sure if the emotional display was warranted. He looks at Austin, scarred from the torment that Poena had caused. A beanie pulled down low over what is undoubted an absolute mess where his ears are, the boiling water that Poena had poured in doing irreversible damage. Jack makes sure Austin is looking at him, knowing his voice will be muffled at best.
Jack Diamond: I… I’m sorry.
Even as Jack mouthed the words, he saw Austin flinch. The emotional and mental scars are too much to bear. More so than the physical ones... Austin dips his head, looking down at the ground for a moment, as he looks back to Jack, there is a dampness in the corner of his eyes. Jack stretches out both arms and places a hand on Austin’s shoulders, looking him in the eye.
Jack Diamond: I will do all I can to make it up to you.
Austin shakes his head, a mixture of anger and fear on his face. He speaks louder than he should to overcompensate for the lack of hearing.
Austin Kade: I want to finish it! We need to finish what we started!
Jack looks around at the gym. Austin was his first and last student, his career taking a bad turn before it even got started after the run in with Poena. Despite it all, Jack invested a lot of time, energy and money into the state-of-the-art gym. The wrestling ring, the equipment, the in-house studio, he hated seeing it go to waste.
Jack Diamond: If that’s what you want. We will do it. I will need your help.
Austin nods in agreement. A look that Jack instantly knows his long-lost son will do whatever it takes to not only finish his training but make the effort Jack put into the gym worth his while.
Jack Diamond: We work our asses off these next few months getting this place ready, when we do we do things the right way. Agree?
Austin nods again, holding out his fist. Jack smiles and fist bumps him. He looks over his shoulder to the ring.
Jack Diamond: Good, now do you want to work with me a bit? I am going to make damn sure I’m ready for the rumble. You know, today marks twenty years since the X*Crown was introduced? It just so happened to be about the time I was breaking into the business too. No matter where I went, I kept my eye on this prize. I heard the ramblings of it while on the indie circuit, and saw the prestige of it when the Network fired up, and when I finally won it… both times… I took it for granted. When I step in that ring next month, I want everyone who steps through those ropes with me to know that this moment is twenty years in the making. This time when I reclaim the X*Crown… I will do so with every ounce of focus going into showing I am and will be the best champion this place has ever had!
Austin gives Jack a small smile, and shrugs, motioning for the ring. Jack nods and smiles back and motions to Austin to go ahead. As the two of them enter the ring, the scene fades to black.
