Post by Anthony Jordan on Oct 7, 2023 10:57:08 GMT -5
EXT. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING OUTSIDE 02 ARENA - LONDON
KALMIN WATTS sits at a table with a stack of pictures, sharpies, and the WUK World Heavyweight Title propped up. The amount of pictures has shrunk as Watts has met most of the people lined up. The late arrivals are still waiting in line hoping Watts won’t leave. Lucky for them, Watts plans to stay as long as necessary. This is something his manager would frown upon, but the two are working more from a distance over the past couple of months.
If you took time to circulate through the fans, you’d notice a civil war brewing in WUK. It’s a new development, but the intensity grows with each passing day. Over the past few months, the fans were unified. Watts, or anyone taking on the High Rollers Club, was an instant hero. The fans suffered with Watts as he came close to beating Wesley Crane, but the cunning superstar always found a way out to save his title. When Watts finally beat Crane, it was a moment of triumph for both Watts and the people. The return of Eron Hunter is driving a wedge into that one tight constituency. Before Watts, Hunter was the people’s champion. Hunter was never defeated for that title. He still has a claim to it. It’s the debate that happens daily at the school yard: Watts or Hunter?
Watts isn’t a politician like his manager. He’s blue collar. He wants to show up and compete to the best of his ability. Things like popularity, money, wins, and titles will sort themselves out. He avoids dipping into the fray. He respects Hunter. Early on in his career, he was inspired by Hunter. He knows that this match would have to happen eventually. Both men want the WUK World Title and to be the shining light of WUK. Only one can have it.
Watts signs for a young fan, then poses for a picture. He lets the boy the hold the WUK World Heavyweight Title, which amazes the kid. He never thought he’d get anywhere close to the belt he sees on TV. He also can’t believe how heavy it is. How can anyone carry it around?!
KID
I can’t believe you’re fighting Eron Hunter. It’s all my friends and I talk about.
WATTS
I don’t believe it, either. I never thought my first defense would be against Eron. I figured he’d need a little more time to round back into shape, but he looks as good as he’s ever been.
KID
Eron says it’s because he’s failed in the past. It makes him better. Is that true?
WATTS
I’ve only ever seen him in WUK, so I’ve rarely seen him fail. I think he’s only lost once or twice. I’ve lost more than he has, and it’s molded me and made me better. I think he’s right about that. You learn more when you lose. You find areas to improve. We all have weaknesses, and that’s what makes Eron scary: he admits it. Lots of wrestlers lie and pretend to be perfect. It’s easy to take advantage of those guys. Eron isn’t delusional. He finds every weakness in himself, then eliminates them. He deserves all my respect, and he has it.
KID
How do you beat someone as good as Eron?
WATTS
You have to need to beat him. I don’t think it’d be nice to beat Eron. I need to beat Eron! I’m still hungry. I can easily lose this belt, and I know that. Eron and Goth are both good enough to beat me. If I’m not at my best, one of them would beat me. I’m not satisfied with being the world champion. I want to be the best world champion! I have to be better than my opponents as well as the legacies of Eddie Havok, Billy Fowler, and Wesley Crane. The old timers tell me it’s harder to defend a title than win it, and they’re right. Eron has all the motivation. He’ll have a level of intensity I’ve never seen before! I’m gonna have to dig deep to match it.
KID
How do you do that and make sure Psychotic Goth doesn’t kill you?! He’s scary.
WATTS
You can’t let him be the monster that he is. You can’t give him that chance. I’ve fought Goth before. He wounds you. He hurts you. He does everything he can to put doubt in your mind. If, even for one second, you start thinking he’s a beast and not a man, he’s got you. He’ll rip your body and soul to shreds. I make sure to remind myself that he’s a man, not some horror movie monster that’s destined to get me. He’s nothing like Eron. He doesn’t care about his own weaknesses or even his opponent’s. He's an overwhelming force. You have to survive him, stay brave, then push through!
(beat)
The truth is that I don’t know how to handle him while also making sure Eron doesn’t take me to school. I do know that they’re going to fight each other, too. Eron has to prove he can handle Goth’s intensity while Goth has to prove he can focus himself. It’s gonna be a war, kid, and war is hell.
The kid is amazed by all of this. He’s collected by his father who shakes hands with Watts and thanks him. Watts goes back to meeting and greeting the other fans, but his thoughts are with the match. How will he beat Goth and Hunter? Watts exhales and finds peace. He’ll prepare the best he can. Sometimes you don’t need answer. Sometimes you need to be at your best and trust your abilities. He’s the WUK World Heavyweight champion, and he’s going to prove he deserves it!