Post by mosler on Apr 24, 2023 11:05:51 GMT -5
[The cameras pan through the crowd, shot after shot of audience members screaming their approval. The switcher usually likes to cut to a pretty girl in the crowd to downplay the homoeroticism of the sport, but after the tenth smash cut continues to find the eye candy preoccupied with the event, we finally cut to the source of their approval.]
[Radu Matei.]
[The most successful World Champion in the history of SWAT, is standing in the centre of the ring. Deathless' face is still heavily bandaged from that horrific LEGO bump. Beyond the obvious trauma, the man who inspired fear, hate, loathing, and conquered those feelings to create respect, stands before the SWAT faithful looking tired. For all the abuse that Matei's body has endured over the past two years, he seems to finally be showing the pain.]
Jeremy Tucker: Fans, we have been joined at ringside by the Sacrificial Idol.
Andrew Fulton: Talk about your double rainbows, we sure haven't seen a lot of him this season.
Jeremy Tucker: Given how many times he was at death's door, but still managed to compete on a weekly basis, his recent break has been troubling. I know a lot of the boys, and us crew, have been concerned about him...
Andrew Fulton: I'm surprised he has the nerve to show his face in SWAT, protecting Death Trap from Zoran's killer LEGO climax? Matei practically handed MCCW the X*Crown!
Jeremy Tucker: This really isn't the time, Andrew.
Andrew Fulton: I'm just saying what we're all thi- um... Radu looks like he's lost a lot of muscle mass.
Jeremy Tucker: It's just good to have him back.
[The 2019 Helloween Cup winner slowly raises a microphone. Looking at the friendly faces in the crowd - you can tell he is struggling.]
[Sad smile.]
Radu Matei: Fans... there has been a lot of speculation about my future in the sport.
"How did SWAT Classic lose the Anzac Cup?"
"Has The Beast lost a step? Did he come back too soon? It seemed like he gave all he had left to get past Caffrey - but the KGB took him apart, and the finals? He was fighting against time." <shakes head> The finals. It seems like you can't read a dirt sheet or blog without someone analyzing my performance in that match. "Was he working hurt? Did he blow his knee out in the first minute?" I am not sure if the version in the XHF archives uses the best camera shots, but If any of you still have the live broadcast on your PVR, or pick up the bluray, I'm told you can find the exact Johnny Valentine punch...
...where my kidney exploded.
[...A hush sweeps over the crowd.]
Radu Matei <forced smile>: I'm sure if it had been one of his patented dropkicks, I'd be dead. <tries to chuckle, but the attempted mirth dies fast> No worries, half my body is probably artificial at this point, but that, uh, that organ being PULPED was the last straw for my doctor. "You step in that ring one more time, and you're not leaving it." I like to laugh off the pleas for retirement - and other common sense medical professionals throw my way... have been for a decade.
[Beat. Radu is having a visibly hard time composing himself.]
Radu Matei: ...but this time... yeah. I'm not sure what I have left.
[As a few chants start up in the crowd that seem vulgar enough to warrant audio being dampened, Radu raises a shaken hand to silence them.]
Radu Matei: No. This isn't Johnny's fault. Every man and woman in the back knows the breaks when they step in the ring. One could also say that I pushed my luck a little too far with my championship run. I haven't stepped foot in a SWAT ring without suffering at least one career ending injury or another per match, I was just too stupid to listen when my body screamed out in pain "FUCKING KILL ME!" So don't chalk it up to that kidney injury. Maybe I came back too soon for the Anzac, and maybe I should have thrown in the towel a long time ago. God knows I feel like my current situation is more related to my Rumble match, but I refuse to give Zoran and Timeless the satisfaction of saying they put me out to pasture. Few would have crawled back from that LEGO bomb... when I look at my handful of 2020 appearances, I'm inclined to agree with the professionals in that I *might* have a death wish.
So... blame? That is all on me.
When you make your gimmick "bleeding for good causes," eventually you are going to run out of blood.
(A strong "Radu" chant starts up from the crowd, paying tribute to a fallen hero.)
Radu Matei: I was the gross guy who covered his opponents in live insects. Playing with, and consuming bugs, to illicit feeling of revulsion from both my opponents and the crowd. During this SWAT run, you people took a man - a man who wasn't especially nice - and you looked past the many peculiarities to discover and embrace the little good in him. Good he still can't see himself. I don't know why you took a chance on this rotting husk, but these past two years have been the finest of my career, and happiest of my life. Even if it sped me along to an early retirement... I wouldn't trade our time together for the world.
[There is that "R" word again. The fans want to be respectful, but every time DEATHLESS pumps them up, a retirement reference hurts.]
Radu Matei: If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
I can retire content, knowing that SWAT is in good hands, and look back fondly on our time together with no regrets.
[Radu starts to leave the ring....]
Jeremy Tucker: I can't believe what we're hearing.
Andrew Fulton: We all knew he was on borrowed time but-
[...Radu stops halfway through the ropes.]
Radu Matei: ...maybe one regret.
*POP OF THE NIGHT*
(A smile creeping in, Matei slowly walks back to the centre of the ring. Chants start up through the audience with suggestions on who he should wrestle...)
"Valentine Dream Match!"
"Kill Zoran!"
"Lucky Linda! One. More. Time!!!"
"Fuck Zoran Up!"
"Syberus Rematch!"
"Zoran needs a maggot shower!"
"Stake Canelli!"
"Save us from Zoran!"
"Timeless Must Die!"
(There are a lot of strong opinions on final opponents. It's touching that none of them thought to chant, "put your health first." Radu takes in the suggestions, acting like he's actually considering them to work the crowd into a frothing excitement.)
Radu Matei: ...I have been told that wrestling again is just too damned dangerous. So to risk stepping into the ring for action, would require the kind of regret... that would haunt the rest of my days.
[...]
Radu Matei: Suzi Spitz.
*POP*
Radu Matei: In the past eight years I have a single SINGLES loss.
Battleground 20. The Gold Standard. My twelfth world title defence. A four-way-dance. You. Me. And the KGB's Canelli and Timeless.
My world title run came to an end... with me dragging your unconscious body on top of me to prevent Timeless from becoming world champion.
Now, I really dislike the KGB - but even though I chose you to carry on the legacy of the world title, its not as though I passed the torch in a way that made you look like the champion. You are an amazing wrestler Spitz, and I respect the hell out of you. Looking back, I'm not sure if my efforts to thwart Timeless did you any favours. Holding the belt is still a great honour. You are part of a small group of athletes that can claim the Syndicate Wrestling And Tradition World Championship. No matter how many defences, length of run, or the manner in which you won it - Suzi Spitz holds the same distinction as Dan Stein, Vince Viper, Johnny Valentine, or myself.
So when I say that I am CHALLENGING you to a match at Memorial---
*BIG POP*
Radu Matei: It is not to avenge my ONLY loss, nor is it a way to pay you back for not passing the torch in a more dignified manner. NO.
This is about TWO SWAT WORLD CHAMPIONS... and there aren't a lot of us - finally having the singles match they SHOULD have had when the belt switched.
Is it going to be my last match?
[Beat.]
Radu Matei: Memorial is the event in which we pay tribute to members of our family that are no longer with us. Most mornings I feel like I am drawing closer to the other side of that festival. Celebrating history. Our one on one encounter is a piece of SWAT History that doesn't exist. Beyond our complicated past, I know that the two of us can put on a contest worthy of our fallen friends.
...And if it ends up being my final appearance?
I can't think of a person I would rather have opposite me in the ring.
[Lowering the microphone, The Sacrificial Idol nods to the camera before exiting the ring. Radu chants go up, but the career heel still finds the audience approval uncomfortable.]
Jeremy Tucker: Wow.
Andrew Fulton: No way is Radu retiring. Dropping people on their heads is like crystal meth to him.
Jeremy Tucker: He didn't look happy about his health prognosis, but it certainly explains his current schedule. Either way, the memorial challenge has been laid down. The Sacrificial Idol and the woman who beat him for the world title, finally having a singles match. Radu Matei and Suzi Spitz. That promises to be something special.
[Radu Matei.]
[The most successful World Champion in the history of SWAT, is standing in the centre of the ring. Deathless' face is still heavily bandaged from that horrific LEGO bump. Beyond the obvious trauma, the man who inspired fear, hate, loathing, and conquered those feelings to create respect, stands before the SWAT faithful looking tired. For all the abuse that Matei's body has endured over the past two years, he seems to finally be showing the pain.]
Jeremy Tucker: Fans, we have been joined at ringside by the Sacrificial Idol.
Andrew Fulton: Talk about your double rainbows, we sure haven't seen a lot of him this season.
Jeremy Tucker: Given how many times he was at death's door, but still managed to compete on a weekly basis, his recent break has been troubling. I know a lot of the boys, and us crew, have been concerned about him...
Andrew Fulton: I'm surprised he has the nerve to show his face in SWAT, protecting Death Trap from Zoran's killer LEGO climax? Matei practically handed MCCW the X*Crown!
Jeremy Tucker: This really isn't the time, Andrew.
Andrew Fulton: I'm just saying what we're all thi- um... Radu looks like he's lost a lot of muscle mass.
Jeremy Tucker: It's just good to have him back.
[The 2019 Helloween Cup winner slowly raises a microphone. Looking at the friendly faces in the crowd - you can tell he is struggling.]
[Sad smile.]
Radu Matei: Fans... there has been a lot of speculation about my future in the sport.
"How did SWAT Classic lose the Anzac Cup?"
"Has The Beast lost a step? Did he come back too soon? It seemed like he gave all he had left to get past Caffrey - but the KGB took him apart, and the finals? He was fighting against time." <shakes head> The finals. It seems like you can't read a dirt sheet or blog without someone analyzing my performance in that match. "Was he working hurt? Did he blow his knee out in the first minute?" I am not sure if the version in the XHF archives uses the best camera shots, but If any of you still have the live broadcast on your PVR, or pick up the bluray, I'm told you can find the exact Johnny Valentine punch...
...where my kidney exploded.
[...A hush sweeps over the crowd.]
Radu Matei <forced smile>: I'm sure if it had been one of his patented dropkicks, I'd be dead. <tries to chuckle, but the attempted mirth dies fast> No worries, half my body is probably artificial at this point, but that, uh, that organ being PULPED was the last straw for my doctor. "You step in that ring one more time, and you're not leaving it." I like to laugh off the pleas for retirement - and other common sense medical professionals throw my way... have been for a decade.
[Beat. Radu is having a visibly hard time composing himself.]
Radu Matei: ...but this time... yeah. I'm not sure what I have left.
[As a few chants start up in the crowd that seem vulgar enough to warrant audio being dampened, Radu raises a shaken hand to silence them.]
Radu Matei: No. This isn't Johnny's fault. Every man and woman in the back knows the breaks when they step in the ring. One could also say that I pushed my luck a little too far with my championship run. I haven't stepped foot in a SWAT ring without suffering at least one career ending injury or another per match, I was just too stupid to listen when my body screamed out in pain "FUCKING KILL ME!" So don't chalk it up to that kidney injury. Maybe I came back too soon for the Anzac, and maybe I should have thrown in the towel a long time ago. God knows I feel like my current situation is more related to my Rumble match, but I refuse to give Zoran and Timeless the satisfaction of saying they put me out to pasture. Few would have crawled back from that LEGO bomb... when I look at my handful of 2020 appearances, I'm inclined to agree with the professionals in that I *might* have a death wish.
So... blame? That is all on me.
When you make your gimmick "bleeding for good causes," eventually you are going to run out of blood.
(A strong "Radu" chant starts up from the crowd, paying tribute to a fallen hero.)
Radu Matei: I was the gross guy who covered his opponents in live insects. Playing with, and consuming bugs, to illicit feeling of revulsion from both my opponents and the crowd. During this SWAT run, you people took a man - a man who wasn't especially nice - and you looked past the many peculiarities to discover and embrace the little good in him. Good he still can't see himself. I don't know why you took a chance on this rotting husk, but these past two years have been the finest of my career, and happiest of my life. Even if it sped me along to an early retirement... I wouldn't trade our time together for the world.
[There is that "R" word again. The fans want to be respectful, but every time DEATHLESS pumps them up, a retirement reference hurts.]
Radu Matei: If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
I can retire content, knowing that SWAT is in good hands, and look back fondly on our time together with no regrets.
[Radu starts to leave the ring....]
Jeremy Tucker: I can't believe what we're hearing.
Andrew Fulton: We all knew he was on borrowed time but-
[...Radu stops halfway through the ropes.]
Radu Matei: ...maybe one regret.
*POP OF THE NIGHT*
(A smile creeping in, Matei slowly walks back to the centre of the ring. Chants start up through the audience with suggestions on who he should wrestle...)
"Valentine Dream Match!"
"Kill Zoran!"
"Lucky Linda! One. More. Time!!!"
"Fuck Zoran Up!"
"Syberus Rematch!"
"Zoran needs a maggot shower!"
"Stake Canelli!"
"Save us from Zoran!"
"Timeless Must Die!"
(There are a lot of strong opinions on final opponents. It's touching that none of them thought to chant, "put your health first." Radu takes in the suggestions, acting like he's actually considering them to work the crowd into a frothing excitement.)
Radu Matei: ...I have been told that wrestling again is just too damned dangerous. So to risk stepping into the ring for action, would require the kind of regret... that would haunt the rest of my days.
[...]
Radu Matei: Suzi Spitz.
*POP*
Radu Matei: In the past eight years I have a single SINGLES loss.
Battleground 20. The Gold Standard. My twelfth world title defence. A four-way-dance. You. Me. And the KGB's Canelli and Timeless.
My world title run came to an end... with me dragging your unconscious body on top of me to prevent Timeless from becoming world champion.
Now, I really dislike the KGB - but even though I chose you to carry on the legacy of the world title, its not as though I passed the torch in a way that made you look like the champion. You are an amazing wrestler Spitz, and I respect the hell out of you. Looking back, I'm not sure if my efforts to thwart Timeless did you any favours. Holding the belt is still a great honour. You are part of a small group of athletes that can claim the Syndicate Wrestling And Tradition World Championship. No matter how many defences, length of run, or the manner in which you won it - Suzi Spitz holds the same distinction as Dan Stein, Vince Viper, Johnny Valentine, or myself.
So when I say that I am CHALLENGING you to a match at Memorial---
*BIG POP*
Radu Matei: It is not to avenge my ONLY loss, nor is it a way to pay you back for not passing the torch in a more dignified manner. NO.
This is about TWO SWAT WORLD CHAMPIONS... and there aren't a lot of us - finally having the singles match they SHOULD have had when the belt switched.
Is it going to be my last match?
[Beat.]
Radu Matei: Memorial is the event in which we pay tribute to members of our family that are no longer with us. Most mornings I feel like I am drawing closer to the other side of that festival. Celebrating history. Our one on one encounter is a piece of SWAT History that doesn't exist. Beyond our complicated past, I know that the two of us can put on a contest worthy of our fallen friends.
...And if it ends up being my final appearance?
I can't think of a person I would rather have opposite me in the ring.
[Lowering the microphone, The Sacrificial Idol nods to the camera before exiting the ring. Radu chants go up, but the career heel still finds the audience approval uncomfortable.]
Jeremy Tucker: Wow.
Andrew Fulton: No way is Radu retiring. Dropping people on their heads is like crystal meth to him.
Jeremy Tucker: He didn't look happy about his health prognosis, but it certainly explains his current schedule. Either way, the memorial challenge has been laid down. The Sacrificial Idol and the woman who beat him for the world title, finally having a singles match. Radu Matei and Suzi Spitz. That promises to be something special.