Post by Anthony Jordan on Jul 23, 2023 8:34:17 GMT -5
EXT. DUSTLANDS OUTSIDE TULSA, OKLAHOMA – DAWN
KALMIN WATTS is shown jogging on a dusty road. Hard times have hit Oklahoma. The grass is a crunchy brown. The ground beneath is cracking. There are a few green trees that soak up any and all moisture, but they don’t provide any food.
WATTS (V.O.)
A lot of people think I’m pursuing these matches with Wesley Crane because of the belt, but that’s not the case. The belt is leather, metal, and some rocks. Anyone can get that. Dozens of fans have belts at the shows. I’m interested in the championship. A champion is a champion with or without a belt or trophy. Wesley Crane has lost sight of that. He carries all his belts around like he’s afraid someone’s going to forget his achievements. If he’s that worried, then how much did any of his achievements matter?
(beat)
The WUK World Heavyweight Title belt is just another nice thing he owns. He doesn’t care about inspiring people or carrying himself with a sense of honor. Maybe that’s enough for a belt-holder, but it’s not enough for a champion.
INT. WATTS TRAINING FACILITY (BARN) - DAY
Watts is repeatedly bench pressing an indistinguishable amount of weight.
WATTS (V.O.)
Is it personal? Hell yeah, it’s personal! Crane has never fought me like a man, and he’s had two chances. If Crane had knocked me out with his fists or In The Face or the HRKO, then I’d give him his due. That didn’t happen. He loaded up his fist for a cheap shot, then hit me in the face with the belt he says he cherishes so much. The old timers say, “It’s a show of respect” that he resorted to cheating. I don’t see it that way. If you use a weapon on an unarmed man, there’s no way you respect him.
EXT. ARENA AFTER A WUK SHOW - NIGHT
Watts is shown signing autographs for the die-hard fans and posing for pictures.
WATTS (V.O.)
I feel fortunate to have won the respect of the people. Everywhere I go, I get encouragement and support. Wrestling fans are some of the bluntest people in the world. If they stop believing in you, you’re gonna hear it. They don’t stay loyal for the sake of it. They see themselves in the wrestlers. When I win, they win. If I can’t do it, they’ll move on to someone else. I haven’t even been in WUK for a year, and there’s a line of people waiting to replace me.
INT. ROYAL ALBERT HALL – INFIRMARY
Watts is getting looked at by the medical staff after being hit in the head with the WUK World Heavyweight Title. As Watts’s voice over plays, the scene transitions to him taking out the High Rollers Club in Bolton and forcing Crane to accept one more match by choking him with a chain. The “conversation” between Watts and Crane plays in slow motion.
WATTS (V.O.)
I won’t apologize for what I did. I may be a wrestler, but I can be a fighter, too. I had to go through three men to get to Crane, so that’s what I did.
(beat)
“How do you beat a man who always has a plan?” I’m asked that a lot. I don’t use dirty tricks, so I’m not gonna out-think him in that area. I’m gonna get violent. I’m going to use every inch of the cage to brutalize Wesley Crane. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to wrestle me, so let’s brawl! Let’s find out who hits the hardest! Let’s see who still wants to fight after having his body broken by the steel!
INT. CENTRAL SAVINGS BANK – NEW YORK CITY
The arena is set up for Night of Champions. Watts stands in the ring and takes it all in. This will be the biggest show he’s ever been on. With Hell in a Cell constructed, it could easily just be Watts, Crane, and the referee. If there are fans on that level, they’ll be right up against the Cell. It’s nice that most of them will be on Watts’s side. Watts turns and looks at the camera.
WATTS
You know what’s funny? I have two matches at Night of Champions, but Wesley Crane is the one who looks tired. He looks…done. I haven’t figured out if it’s arrogance or something else. If he thinks he’s done with this match before it’s started, then he’s in for a rude awakening on July 30th!
Watts shakes his head and chuckles.
WATTS
He had to sit in a chair before the biggest match of his life. A CHAIR! I can barely sit still! I want this match! I want Crane in that violent, unforgiving structure!
Watts looks around imagining Hell in a Cell. He has vengeful thoughts before looking back at the camera.
WATTS
I’m not taking it easy on you just because you’re tired! You’re not escaping this, Crane. You’re trapped. You can run away all you want, but, sooner or later, you’re gonna have to face me.
(beat)
What will you do then? What will you do without your weapons or the High Rollers Club? The better question is “What can you do?”. What can you do against a man determined to pay you back for your cheap shots and insults? What can you do against a man who’s been wrestling both amateurly and professionally for over ten years? What can you do when the Sooner Squeeze is applied to you? Crane, we’ve all seen enough of you to know the answer. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO DO A DAMN THING!