Genesis [CROSS #5]
Apr 14, 2023 7:42:30 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Jack Diamond, and 4 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Apr 14, 2023 7:42:30 GMT -5
The XHF camera crew see Cross sitting in a home-theater, he’s watching the 2022 Rumble. A cough from behind the camera tips him to their filming, he swivels his chair around to face them.
“It’d be a shame if, after all the time we’ve spent together, I didn’t address those people in the Rumble who are seen as the favorites. You know who they are, they’re the former X*Crown champions, the people always headline global events and proving that for some people, stupidity really is doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome.”
I’m sure it’ll be your time one day, Fox.
“Since the last Rumble, there’s barely been a Network Event that didn’t feature at least two of these guys and personally? It’s tiresome, that’s why this year is the smallest Rumble since the Network launched.”
Cross reaches for a soda.
“Take Steve Awesome, his special talent, the only reason for being near to joining the three-time club is ely persistence and time. I wasn’t around for his peak almost fifteen years ago, when he was a wrestler outright, the only exposure I’ve seen of him is since he returned the third-time. Sure, he won the X*Crown title but when Frank Windsor’s in your only successful defense, it negates it somewhat.”
And luckily we didn’t have to suffer the overblown pomp of Oh Violent Night with a Steve Awesome title match.
“Steve’s only driven by the box-office for whatever C-rate movie he starred in that month despite the fact that more people saw him win and lose the X*Crown than streamed one of his movies. The smartest move he made was aligning with the Bang Bros! because everything outside of that? It’s been disappointing.”
The most-used word on Rotten Tomatoes for his movies too.
“Pick a run and then see it fall apart. AWF, The Awesome Bastards showed the world when they didn’t beat Chris Parsons and Rob Riot! What grates more for me than most is that some bright spark decided that two relics were a better bet on Clash of the Icons than I was! Whilst I was left having to interview Eddie Walker and Adam Sanders, the Awesome Bastards had everyone’s dream match against the NukeBusters! This story has a happy ending though, High Finance ran them out of the company when we beat them at Beach Blast.”
If only that were the end.
“How about JROK where Yuki Sakaraba sent you packing? Maybe the NPW stint that saw you finally beat D and win the Openweight title but when it comes after a loss to Billy Fowler, the bloom has somewhat fallen off the rose. Then there’s the issue of you seemingly picking small companies to be their big fish, nCw and REIGN come to mind. Legends don’t face Charlie Velez or Damien Walker, you’re a busted flush?”
Wasn’t that one of your direct-to-TV movie titles?
“Now, you’ve joined HardKore World and unfortunately for you, it’s not a small pond. They’re not impressed you’ve been to Hollywood and at the Rumble I’m going to show you just how far off the top you are. I’m going to remind people of what happened at Beach Blast and just how overmatched you’ll be in HKW if you see my name opposite yours. That’s your best-case scenario because at least I have some credibility. If the son of your former tag-partner gets near you, we both know he’ll throw you out and dine out on the event for the year!"
Cross sips from the soda.
“Then there’s Fox. The man who was universally loved and threw it all away. I get it though, I’ve always seen it run through you and saw it in the ring when you beat me in Ascension but that was then, my mind focused only and entirely on beating Chris Card, and now my focus is where yours is. The difference is that the pressure is all on you, not me. With such a small list of entrants you’re seen as one of the favorites. Feel good or, like me, do you suspect you missed your window?”
Well done on kicking the shit out of Zoran, by the way, shame your big wins these days only come when it doesn’t matter.
“Maybe though, I’m kicking you when I shouldn’t. At the 2020 Rumble you won almost universal respect for the heart and guts you showed in trying to retain the tag-team titles and then getting so far in the Rumble. You were the longest-running Junior Heavyweight Champion and no-one can take that away from you but it still doesn’t change the fact that when the pressure is really on when it matters, you crumble.”
In the background we see Donzig and Fox stare each other down.
“The pinnacle of your career was beating Seth and after that? You fell to pieces. You didn’t even look like you wanted the title whenever you fought Keith Williams. You just can’t make it count in those big moments. Dethroning Seth seemed to diminish you, took away some of the drive. People say you came close to beating him for the NLW World title but that’s hardly true, Nathan Cage did for you what he did to The Thespian and really, he was Seth’s biggest weapon in that match.”
I think that’s the only talking point about you in NLW, wasn’t a patch on you in the AWF.
“Now though, as one of the favorites, what do you have? You haven’t got the fans on your side, haven’t got the underdog tag that you thrived on, so what are you really left with? A watered down 2020 Seth Dillinger act that does nothing but prove exactly how desperate you are to win the title. It’s not a good look, Fox, you’re going to come up short and I’m going to have to tell you that I told you so.”
I’m not going to lie, I’ll enjoy every second of it.
“You’re not the man I stood across the ring from in AWF, you’re not the man who managed to get crowds on his side no matter where in the world he was. You’re just driven by the hatred that comes from knowing that you just can’t make it happen when it counts. You're driven by hatred and arrogance alone, in your mind there’s only three people to look out for…Zoran, Awesome, and Dylan…”
Cross leans forward in the chair.
“But back to the people who’ve won the title. Jack, I’ll keep it brief and respectful. You’re going to need to be careful out there, I’m worried I’m going to lose my champion and not because you’ll be defending the X*Crown. Do you realize how close Tommy Strychnine came to taking that Tap Out Openweight title from you? That you had to resort to combining two less than legal moves to come out on top? Is it that you’re splitting your focus between the X*Crown and keeping hold of that Openweight belt?”
I’m here to simplify that one for you, Jack.
“Or is it the result of the physical and mental toll Poena has put on you? Are those injuries taking longer to heal? Or do you know winning the X*Crown title isn’t going to change anything for those that matter to you. It isn’t going to give Tug back an eye and it won’t undo the mental scars worn by Austin, Dakota, and Ace?”
For that I’m truly sorry. Blame the sponsors.
“I know if I win the title it won’t take it to Tap Out but you’ll still get to see it, Jack. I’ll keep it on the announce booth at ringside whilst you put on another Match of the Night for us all!
[ 5th April 2023]
[Laramie, WY]
“Perhaps, we can find a solution to this.”
Opening his eyes, Bob found himself at the familiar sight of the Laramie mountains dominating the view that slowly came into focus.
“My apologies. You’d never believe it but in this particular exercise, I’m just the mouthpiece.”
Butler’s face unknowingly became one of disbelief.
“No, really. I’ve done my time on that side of the business…Think of me like the surgeon who has grown tired of blood. I’m content to let others carry out operations.”
The mention of blood alarmed Bob. Instinctively he went to raise a fist and was surprised to find he wasn’t restrained. The smell of coffee pervaded the air, another curveball to his instincts.
“Being truthful, this might just be your last chance of settling this situation in a mostly non-violent way. What I’m offering buys you time.”
Turning around he saw Cross organizing papers at the far end of the room. A French Press sat in front of the papers, a spare mug warmed up against it.
“I’d offer you a beer but it’d be far easier to explain to Esmé that you stayed in Laramie after a fender-bender if you haven’t got beer on your breath.” Cross pushed the chair out with his foot in invitation. “Take a seat, have some coffee.”
The screen now shows the stabbing of Steve Awesome. Halcyon days.
“Of course Zoran entered. I’ve said it before but when I joined the Network he was the man who stood out above all others, who I wanted to beat. He wasn’t the biggest wrestler, he wasn’t the toughest, but he was by far the most impressive. His ability to plot and plan anad scheme ended matches before they’d even begun.”
A man after my own heart.
“But that was a long time ago and at GUNS’ New Year’s Eve event, we faced off. You want to know why I’m giving GUNS such a hard time, by the way? If Magnus didn’t have such a shrill and high-pitched voice, I’d have won the X*Crown title! But that means little in a match where there are people who’ve gone one further than me and, outside of Dylan, where he’ll be the most wanted man in the match. So, for those of you thinking you’re going to see me try and get payback for not getting that win at the end of last year, sorry, that dance card’s oversubscribed.”
I prefer to remember Zoran with a fitting end to his career like when was put into the chest freezer at Supremacy.
“Talking of those who’ve seen better days, how’s it going DT? You’re coming back to try and prove to people that you can be relevant without a tag-partner by your side. I understand that, I lost count of the amount of times I was referred to as ‘Chris Card’s boy’ or ‘lackey’, and everything in between. That we’ll only point out that your best years are far behind you, that your last relevant period ended the moment you pinned Caffrey and got your hands on that title once more.”
I will admit, I’m jealous that you beat the tar out of Caffrey with no distractions.
“I’ll be gracious to admit it was a hell of an achievement, much like your record-breaking tag-team title run. Where I differ from the others is that I respect what you’ve done too much to not tell you the truth, you’re last week’s man. The game’s moved on and I’m sure you told the veterans that when you were where I am. You’re not up to speed on how it works anymore. You’re not equipped to keep up, it’s why a tag-team suits you. You come in and use your experience and power to make a difference and then, when the gas tank needs a refill, you tag out. Do you think you’re going to be able to keep up with the most demanding match the XHF has ever produced at your age?”
Cross leans forward more still.
“People talk about Lego Minefield matches, Blanket Fort Deathmatches and everything else that a clearly overstimulated and undertaxed XHF department can come up with but the Rumble? Your stamina’s shot, your reactions too slow, and your moves are too predictable. I’m sure the crowd’ll give you a hell of a reception but that’s where your night peaks, Death Trap…”
[ 5th April 2023]
[Laramie, WY]
The coffee was strong, dulling his headache. He tried to read the face across the table but all he saw in it was amusement at being in the stronger position at the table. For a moment he let his guard slip and his mind started to race to the worst possible scenarios. If they had him then what about Tom? What would his wife say or Esmé? Even if that didn’t come out, how would he be able to look at Tom’s son and know the reason his father wasn’t there fell squarely at his door? What about his own family? He felt the color drain from his face and was helpless to stop it.
“Shall we make this prompt?” Cross smiled as he spoke, only unnerving Butler more. “It’s a clear-cut deal”
Butler said nothing.
“You owe the casino a million, it might be a little more but once you’re at that level, we can afford to cap it where we want.”
“Bu-” Bob started to talk.
“We’re partly to blame, extending your marker and that’s why you’re getting anywhere near as fair terms as these. We’re overlooking the pocket change, the fact that you ignore our calls and we don’t rat out our customers.” Cross' voice varied in volume but never increased, the emphasis being placed where he dropped the loudness of his words.
Bob reached for the French Press but Cross started to pour him a cup.
“Thanks.” Bob’s voice was weak. “But I was going to have the money by next week. I’ve got another couple of bets to pick up, another fifty-grand.” Butler was bargaining.
“From the bookies in Cheyenne? Who do you think they put their money with, Bob? Us. Fifty-grand isn’t touching the sides.”
“But if I came to Vegas, you’d have the lot in an hour or less.” Bob tried to flash a smile but only formed a rictus.
“Without my help, without this deal, you gamble on our Casino floor or any floor in Vegas for that matter...you’re dead. It won’t be me you’re dealing with, it’ll be people far worse and far less compassionate than me. If anything happens to you,the debts stand. Banks wouldn’t forget it, why should we? So, you’re dead, Esmé gets your life assurance payout, we take the majority of it because we’re owed it and your darling wife and kids get hammered into homelessness by the property taxes. Not exactly ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is it?”
Butler was struck by the directness.
“Here’s the pitch, Bob. I want to expand Tap Out Wrestling, your Montessori business has twenty locations and took nine-million last year….don’t tell me revenue’s vanity, I know. You owe us a million and right now, it’s doing nothing for us, you’re in my pocket.”
Here comes the kicker.
“You’re leaving here today and tomorrow, your company secures a loan for a mill-and-a-half. You’re going to put that through to a construction company out in Vegas and when the work is complete at The Sands and we’re back in our new, far larger venue…we’ll pay you back fifty-grand a month for a year. What’s your bankroll, right now?”
“A hundred-and-” Bob’s arithmetic was failing him. “A hundred-and-ninety-five thousand, two-fifty after I’ve collected this weekend’s winnings.”
Cross smiled warmly.
“The good news then is that, by the end of the year, your business is only going to be stung for three-quarters of a million dollars. This is the very best solution, Bob. I get to expand my business, you get to keep your dignity and your mobility and-”
“My company gets international exposure!”
“No, Bob, you’re a very silent partner. I’m doing you the favour, don’t forget it. I could have blackmailed you into this, I could have let the physical negotiators get involved but instead I’m going to pay your debt off out of our increased profits over the year because that satisfies my bosses.”
“So, I’ll be able to go to Vegas again?”
“Absolutely not. Take the year ban, you’ll live longer. I catch word of you even in being in Clark County, I’ll show you the other way this conversation could have gone.”
Bob gulped.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.” Bob’s voice was resigned.
“If that money doesn’t hit the coffers by the end of the month, we’ll make it look like suicide and force your family onto the streets.”
Recoba finished his cup of coffee and walked out of the room. He heard the footsteps grow quieter before being replaced by a new set drawing nearer.
“Mr Butler, do you understand?”
Bob nodded.
“We’re to take you back into Cheyenne.”
He knew he was free so why did he feel like he was placed in a smaller cage?
Cross swapped the soda for a bourbon over ice.
“That only leaves one man. Dylan Black, the X*Crown Champion and you know, for two of your reigns, I admired you.”
It’s the problem with admiration, you can never recapture it.
“How could you not admire someone with your roots, overcame the stink of being associated with Jeffrey Viper and became an unlikely but great champion. You voluntarily took matches where I wouldn’t take contracts. NPW, Destiny, NLW…do you think I’d ever want to find myself in a match with Eric Dane? I’m good but even I’m not that good to make him entertaining! You set a record-length with that reign, one you’re already looking to break but this time it’s not the same. You’ve gone into protection mode and you have to wonder why the man who lost his limb doing a Luke Skywalker cosplay is worried about anything.”
Except not living up to his own hype.
“But that all changed when you told Brandon McKay that you had no interest in touring with that title, it’s what separated you from the likes of Awesome, El Rey, or any of the FIRESIDE champions. You didn’t just cost Tap Out money, you sold out!”
Cross sips the bourbon.
“You have the temerity to accuse me of being a flat-track bully? Of only mentioning the ‘little guys’? Well, congratulations, Dylan, it’s your turn and that dig reaffirmed everything I thought about you. You’ve forgotten where you came from, how your story was something people could buy into but now what are you? You’re just another FIRESIDE champ keeping to GUNS, afraid to venture out beyond Network events because you lost the belt on your travels both times.”
Was it worse when your second reign ended so quickly or losing the first-time to Adrien Cochrane?
“You think you have a twenty percent chance of retaining it, Dylan? You’ve got half the Rumble coming after you and you’re convincing yourself, no-one else, that you’re going to do what only one man has ever done and retain the title after this event? I’ll tip the odds slightly in your favor, I’ve got no interest in you, no interest in throwing you over the ropes, I don’t need to. I don’t have to throw you over the ropes to take your belt and with the shit you’ve pulled this year alone? You’re not going to be short of people queuing up to try and eliminate you.”
Jesse, Steve, AVB, anyone from JROK, and anyone looking to make their name.
“I’m doing this because I know that my value as a wrestler and my bottom line in Tap Out relies on a strong Network. I don’t want the adulation of the fans, I don’t even want the respect of my roster or my peers in HardKore World when I take that belt from you. I want the HKW roster to look at what I did and know that, if they had my talent, they could do it too.”
As improbable as that is.
“I want to take the belt places you refuse to. Do you know how you stop The Bastards? You don’t ignore them, you routinely embarrass them in front of their own ‘fans’. I’m doing this so that people don’t just look at the X*Crown title and see a closed shop. I’m doing it because you clearly don’t want to anymore, you just want to turn up and get the money, the prestige, and the glory of the title without doing the work.”
Cross sets the drink down and leans into the camera.
“Dylan, you’ve become everything you stood against when the bell rang at All That Glitters and you’re no longer the Champion I want representing my brand. Every other fed owner feels the same, I’m just the only one who can make it happen!”
“It’d be a shame if, after all the time we’ve spent together, I didn’t address those people in the Rumble who are seen as the favorites. You know who they are, they’re the former X*Crown champions, the people always headline global events and proving that for some people, stupidity really is doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome.”
I’m sure it’ll be your time one day, Fox.
“Since the last Rumble, there’s barely been a Network Event that didn’t feature at least two of these guys and personally? It’s tiresome, that’s why this year is the smallest Rumble since the Network launched.”
Cross reaches for a soda.
“Take Steve Awesome, his special talent, the only reason for being near to joining the three-time club is ely persistence and time. I wasn’t around for his peak almost fifteen years ago, when he was a wrestler outright, the only exposure I’ve seen of him is since he returned the third-time. Sure, he won the X*Crown title but when Frank Windsor’s in your only successful defense, it negates it somewhat.”
And luckily we didn’t have to suffer the overblown pomp of Oh Violent Night with a Steve Awesome title match.
“Steve’s only driven by the box-office for whatever C-rate movie he starred in that month despite the fact that more people saw him win and lose the X*Crown than streamed one of his movies. The smartest move he made was aligning with the Bang Bros! because everything outside of that? It’s been disappointing.”
The most-used word on Rotten Tomatoes for his movies too.
“Pick a run and then see it fall apart. AWF, The Awesome Bastards showed the world when they didn’t beat Chris Parsons and Rob Riot! What grates more for me than most is that some bright spark decided that two relics were a better bet on Clash of the Icons than I was! Whilst I was left having to interview Eddie Walker and Adam Sanders, the Awesome Bastards had everyone’s dream match against the NukeBusters! This story has a happy ending though, High Finance ran them out of the company when we beat them at Beach Blast.”
If only that were the end.
“How about JROK where Yuki Sakaraba sent you packing? Maybe the NPW stint that saw you finally beat D and win the Openweight title but when it comes after a loss to Billy Fowler, the bloom has somewhat fallen off the rose. Then there’s the issue of you seemingly picking small companies to be their big fish, nCw and REIGN come to mind. Legends don’t face Charlie Velez or Damien Walker, you’re a busted flush?”
Wasn’t that one of your direct-to-TV movie titles?
“Now, you’ve joined HardKore World and unfortunately for you, it’s not a small pond. They’re not impressed you’ve been to Hollywood and at the Rumble I’m going to show you just how far off the top you are. I’m going to remind people of what happened at Beach Blast and just how overmatched you’ll be in HKW if you see my name opposite yours. That’s your best-case scenario because at least I have some credibility. If the son of your former tag-partner gets near you, we both know he’ll throw you out and dine out on the event for the year!"
Cross sips from the soda.
“Then there’s Fox. The man who was universally loved and threw it all away. I get it though, I’ve always seen it run through you and saw it in the ring when you beat me in Ascension but that was then, my mind focused only and entirely on beating Chris Card, and now my focus is where yours is. The difference is that the pressure is all on you, not me. With such a small list of entrants you’re seen as one of the favorites. Feel good or, like me, do you suspect you missed your window?”
Well done on kicking the shit out of Zoran, by the way, shame your big wins these days only come when it doesn’t matter.
“Maybe though, I’m kicking you when I shouldn’t. At the 2020 Rumble you won almost universal respect for the heart and guts you showed in trying to retain the tag-team titles and then getting so far in the Rumble. You were the longest-running Junior Heavyweight Champion and no-one can take that away from you but it still doesn’t change the fact that when the pressure is really on when it matters, you crumble.”
In the background we see Donzig and Fox stare each other down.
“The pinnacle of your career was beating Seth and after that? You fell to pieces. You didn’t even look like you wanted the title whenever you fought Keith Williams. You just can’t make it count in those big moments. Dethroning Seth seemed to diminish you, took away some of the drive. People say you came close to beating him for the NLW World title but that’s hardly true, Nathan Cage did for you what he did to The Thespian and really, he was Seth’s biggest weapon in that match.”
I think that’s the only talking point about you in NLW, wasn’t a patch on you in the AWF.
“Now though, as one of the favorites, what do you have? You haven’t got the fans on your side, haven’t got the underdog tag that you thrived on, so what are you really left with? A watered down 2020 Seth Dillinger act that does nothing but prove exactly how desperate you are to win the title. It’s not a good look, Fox, you’re going to come up short and I’m going to have to tell you that I told you so.”
I’m not going to lie, I’ll enjoy every second of it.
“You’re not the man I stood across the ring from in AWF, you’re not the man who managed to get crowds on his side no matter where in the world he was. You’re just driven by the hatred that comes from knowing that you just can’t make it happen when it counts. You're driven by hatred and arrogance alone, in your mind there’s only three people to look out for…Zoran, Awesome, and Dylan…”
Cross leans forward in the chair.
“But back to the people who’ve won the title. Jack, I’ll keep it brief and respectful. You’re going to need to be careful out there, I’m worried I’m going to lose my champion and not because you’ll be defending the X*Crown. Do you realize how close Tommy Strychnine came to taking that Tap Out Openweight title from you? That you had to resort to combining two less than legal moves to come out on top? Is it that you’re splitting your focus between the X*Crown and keeping hold of that Openweight belt?”
I’m here to simplify that one for you, Jack.
“Or is it the result of the physical and mental toll Poena has put on you? Are those injuries taking longer to heal? Or do you know winning the X*Crown title isn’t going to change anything for those that matter to you. It isn’t going to give Tug back an eye and it won’t undo the mental scars worn by Austin, Dakota, and Ace?”
For that I’m truly sorry. Blame the sponsors.
“I know if I win the title it won’t take it to Tap Out but you’ll still get to see it, Jack. I’ll keep it on the announce booth at ringside whilst you put on another Match of the Night for us all!
*****
[ 5th April 2023]
[Laramie, WY]
“Perhaps, we can find a solution to this.”
Opening his eyes, Bob found himself at the familiar sight of the Laramie mountains dominating the view that slowly came into focus.
“My apologies. You’d never believe it but in this particular exercise, I’m just the mouthpiece.”
Butler’s face unknowingly became one of disbelief.
“No, really. I’ve done my time on that side of the business…Think of me like the surgeon who has grown tired of blood. I’m content to let others carry out operations.”
The mention of blood alarmed Bob. Instinctively he went to raise a fist and was surprised to find he wasn’t restrained. The smell of coffee pervaded the air, another curveball to his instincts.
“Being truthful, this might just be your last chance of settling this situation in a mostly non-violent way. What I’m offering buys you time.”
Turning around he saw Cross organizing papers at the far end of the room. A French Press sat in front of the papers, a spare mug warmed up against it.
“I’d offer you a beer but it’d be far easier to explain to Esmé that you stayed in Laramie after a fender-bender if you haven’t got beer on your breath.” Cross pushed the chair out with his foot in invitation. “Take a seat, have some coffee.”
*****
The screen now shows the stabbing of Steve Awesome. Halcyon days.
“Of course Zoran entered. I’ve said it before but when I joined the Network he was the man who stood out above all others, who I wanted to beat. He wasn’t the biggest wrestler, he wasn’t the toughest, but he was by far the most impressive. His ability to plot and plan anad scheme ended matches before they’d even begun.”
A man after my own heart.
“But that was a long time ago and at GUNS’ New Year’s Eve event, we faced off. You want to know why I’m giving GUNS such a hard time, by the way? If Magnus didn’t have such a shrill and high-pitched voice, I’d have won the X*Crown title! But that means little in a match where there are people who’ve gone one further than me and, outside of Dylan, where he’ll be the most wanted man in the match. So, for those of you thinking you’re going to see me try and get payback for not getting that win at the end of last year, sorry, that dance card’s oversubscribed.”
I prefer to remember Zoran with a fitting end to his career like when was put into the chest freezer at Supremacy.
“Talking of those who’ve seen better days, how’s it going DT? You’re coming back to try and prove to people that you can be relevant without a tag-partner by your side. I understand that, I lost count of the amount of times I was referred to as ‘Chris Card’s boy’ or ‘lackey’, and everything in between. That we’ll only point out that your best years are far behind you, that your last relevant period ended the moment you pinned Caffrey and got your hands on that title once more.”
I will admit, I’m jealous that you beat the tar out of Caffrey with no distractions.
“I’ll be gracious to admit it was a hell of an achievement, much like your record-breaking tag-team title run. Where I differ from the others is that I respect what you’ve done too much to not tell you the truth, you’re last week’s man. The game’s moved on and I’m sure you told the veterans that when you were where I am. You’re not up to speed on how it works anymore. You’re not equipped to keep up, it’s why a tag-team suits you. You come in and use your experience and power to make a difference and then, when the gas tank needs a refill, you tag out. Do you think you’re going to be able to keep up with the most demanding match the XHF has ever produced at your age?”
Cross leans forward more still.
“People talk about Lego Minefield matches, Blanket Fort Deathmatches and everything else that a clearly overstimulated and undertaxed XHF department can come up with but the Rumble? Your stamina’s shot, your reactions too slow, and your moves are too predictable. I’m sure the crowd’ll give you a hell of a reception but that’s where your night peaks, Death Trap…”
*****
[ 5th April 2023]
[Laramie, WY]
The coffee was strong, dulling his headache. He tried to read the face across the table but all he saw in it was amusement at being in the stronger position at the table. For a moment he let his guard slip and his mind started to race to the worst possible scenarios. If they had him then what about Tom? What would his wife say or Esmé? Even if that didn’t come out, how would he be able to look at Tom’s son and know the reason his father wasn’t there fell squarely at his door? What about his own family? He felt the color drain from his face and was helpless to stop it.
“Shall we make this prompt?” Cross smiled as he spoke, only unnerving Butler more. “It’s a clear-cut deal”
Butler said nothing.
“You owe the casino a million, it might be a little more but once you’re at that level, we can afford to cap it where we want.”
“Bu-” Bob started to talk.
“We’re partly to blame, extending your marker and that’s why you’re getting anywhere near as fair terms as these. We’re overlooking the pocket change, the fact that you ignore our calls and we don’t rat out our customers.” Cross' voice varied in volume but never increased, the emphasis being placed where he dropped the loudness of his words.
Bob reached for the French Press but Cross started to pour him a cup.
“Thanks.” Bob’s voice was weak. “But I was going to have the money by next week. I’ve got another couple of bets to pick up, another fifty-grand.” Butler was bargaining.
“From the bookies in Cheyenne? Who do you think they put their money with, Bob? Us. Fifty-grand isn’t touching the sides.”
“But if I came to Vegas, you’d have the lot in an hour or less.” Bob tried to flash a smile but only formed a rictus.
“Without my help, without this deal, you gamble on our Casino floor or any floor in Vegas for that matter...you’re dead. It won’t be me you’re dealing with, it’ll be people far worse and far less compassionate than me. If anything happens to you,the debts stand. Banks wouldn’t forget it, why should we? So, you’re dead, Esmé gets your life assurance payout, we take the majority of it because we’re owed it and your darling wife and kids get hammered into homelessness by the property taxes. Not exactly ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is it?”
Butler was struck by the directness.
“Here’s the pitch, Bob. I want to expand Tap Out Wrestling, your Montessori business has twenty locations and took nine-million last year….don’t tell me revenue’s vanity, I know. You owe us a million and right now, it’s doing nothing for us, you’re in my pocket.”
Here comes the kicker.
“You’re leaving here today and tomorrow, your company secures a loan for a mill-and-a-half. You’re going to put that through to a construction company out in Vegas and when the work is complete at The Sands and we’re back in our new, far larger venue…we’ll pay you back fifty-grand a month for a year. What’s your bankroll, right now?”
“A hundred-and-” Bob’s arithmetic was failing him. “A hundred-and-ninety-five thousand, two-fifty after I’ve collected this weekend’s winnings.”
Cross smiled warmly.
“The good news then is that, by the end of the year, your business is only going to be stung for three-quarters of a million dollars. This is the very best solution, Bob. I get to expand my business, you get to keep your dignity and your mobility and-”
“My company gets international exposure!”
“No, Bob, you’re a very silent partner. I’m doing you the favour, don’t forget it. I could have blackmailed you into this, I could have let the physical negotiators get involved but instead I’m going to pay your debt off out of our increased profits over the year because that satisfies my bosses.”
“So, I’ll be able to go to Vegas again?”
“Absolutely not. Take the year ban, you’ll live longer. I catch word of you even in being in Clark County, I’ll show you the other way this conversation could have gone.”
Bob gulped.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.” Bob’s voice was resigned.
“If that money doesn’t hit the coffers by the end of the month, we’ll make it look like suicide and force your family onto the streets.”
Recoba finished his cup of coffee and walked out of the room. He heard the footsteps grow quieter before being replaced by a new set drawing nearer.
“Mr Butler, do you understand?”
Bob nodded.
“We’re to take you back into Cheyenne.”
He knew he was free so why did he feel like he was placed in a smaller cage?
*****
“That only leaves one man. Dylan Black, the X*Crown Champion and you know, for two of your reigns, I admired you.”
It’s the problem with admiration, you can never recapture it.
“How could you not admire someone with your roots, overcame the stink of being associated with Jeffrey Viper and became an unlikely but great champion. You voluntarily took matches where I wouldn’t take contracts. NPW, Destiny, NLW…do you think I’d ever want to find myself in a match with Eric Dane? I’m good but even I’m not that good to make him entertaining! You set a record-length with that reign, one you’re already looking to break but this time it’s not the same. You’ve gone into protection mode and you have to wonder why the man who lost his limb doing a Luke Skywalker cosplay is worried about anything.”
Except not living up to his own hype.
“But that all changed when you told Brandon McKay that you had no interest in touring with that title, it’s what separated you from the likes of Awesome, El Rey, or any of the FIRESIDE champions. You didn’t just cost Tap Out money, you sold out!”
“The drive to defend is simple - it’s a desire to be the best.” - Dylan Black
Cross sips the bourbon.
“You have the temerity to accuse me of being a flat-track bully? Of only mentioning the ‘little guys’? Well, congratulations, Dylan, it’s your turn and that dig reaffirmed everything I thought about you. You’ve forgotten where you came from, how your story was something people could buy into but now what are you? You’re just another FIRESIDE champ keeping to GUNS, afraid to venture out beyond Network events because you lost the belt on your travels both times.”
Was it worse when your second reign ended so quickly or losing the first-time to Adrien Cochrane?
“You think you have a twenty percent chance of retaining it, Dylan? You’ve got half the Rumble coming after you and you’re convincing yourself, no-one else, that you’re going to do what only one man has ever done and retain the title after this event? I’ll tip the odds slightly in your favor, I’ve got no interest in you, no interest in throwing you over the ropes, I don’t need to. I don’t have to throw you over the ropes to take your belt and with the shit you’ve pulled this year alone? You’re not going to be short of people queuing up to try and eliminate you.”
Jesse, Steve, AVB, anyone from JROK, and anyone looking to make their name.
“I’m doing this because I know that my value as a wrestler and my bottom line in Tap Out relies on a strong Network. I don’t want the adulation of the fans, I don’t even want the respect of my roster or my peers in HardKore World when I take that belt from you. I want the HKW roster to look at what I did and know that, if they had my talent, they could do it too.”
As improbable as that is.
“I want to take the belt places you refuse to. Do you know how you stop The Bastards? You don’t ignore them, you routinely embarrass them in front of their own ‘fans’. I’m doing this so that people don’t just look at the X*Crown title and see a closed shop. I’m doing it because you clearly don’t want to anymore, you just want to turn up and get the money, the prestige, and the glory of the title without doing the work.”
Cross sets the drink down and leans into the camera.
“Dylan, you’ve become everything you stood against when the bell rang at All That Glitters and you’re no longer the Champion I want representing my brand. Every other fed owner feels the same, I’m just the only one who can make it happen!”
*****
