Post by Anthony Jordan on Oct 22, 2023 21:06:35 GMT -5
INT. 02 ARENA
KALMIN WATTS sits alone in the back. Everyone who cared about Battle of Britain is long gone.
WATTS
Two world titles, two defenses, two losses. I wish there was some excuse, but there’s not. At Night of Champions, Cross Recoba was better. He called me his Buster Douglas and proved that it was true. He won honestly and won again a week later. No weapons, no interference. He did everything to ruin my career because he said his hold was better. How can I say otherwise? I tapped out. I quit. I didn’t just lose. I was beaten so badly that I refused to go on. Said I wouldn’t quit, but here we are.
He winces as he thinks about how the best night in his career quickly became a bittersweet night.
WATTS
Yet, that same night, I finally beat Wesley Crane, back when that was something not everyone and their brother did. It was my greatest achievement. I was the WUK World Heavyweight champion until Eron Hunter came back. He’s faster, pins Goth, and takes my title. The people made it clear that he’s their champion.
The disappointment of Battle of Britain is still fresh in his mind. Watts wasn’t pinned. He didn’t tap out, yet he’s no longer a champion.
WATTS
I’m here alone with the criticism. I heard it from the fans tonight and read it online. “Watts only got title shots because no one else was left.” “Watts kept the belt warm until a real champion showed up.” What am I supposed to say? Wesley Crane and I were WUK, but, by the time the biggest show ended, we were unceremoniously deposed. As far as Wesley Crane goes, the only tragedy in his match with L.D. was that one of them had to win. I don’t care for either man, and I’m glad someone lost. I won’t cry for “The High Roller”.
Seeing Crane get beat by the otherworldly Lord Dominicus did spark joy with Watts. He still owed Crane a few beatings.
WATTS
And I will congratulate Eron Hunter. I wasn’t being fake before the match. I like and respect the man. It was a great learning experience being in the ring with him. Hunter’s achieved more than me and is a fine man to hold the WUK World Title. I’m man enough to admit that Eron inspires the people more than I do. He doesn’t just talk about never quitting. He actually doesn’t quit. He wins the World Title in his first try. It doesn’t take his three times. Eron was better than me tonight. He very well be better than me overall. I hear the murmurings that I might be Buster Douglas in WUK, too.
Watts shakes his head. That’s not what he wants to be. That’s not why he started his career. He doesn’t want to be a guy who gets lucky or a company’s “last resort” when times are lean. He hates being more of a fluke than a star. He never thought of himself as a “loser”. He’s never been a loser. He hates losing, inevitable thought it may be.
WATTS
Everyone in WUK has called me a “liar” or a “phony” since day one. I heard it from Eddie Havok. I heard it from Frank Windsor. I heard it from Wesley Crane. (chuckles) I guess Crane might be disappearing soon.
It’s funny how things work out.
WATTS
No one believes I can succeed when times get tough. No one believes I can overcome adversity!
He stands up.
WATTS
At some point, perception becomes reality! Legacy 20 is my last chance to prove I’m not a second-rate star! If I can’t beat Eron Hunter, then all the doubters will be proven right! I will be a lost cause.
This is his reality. Legacy 20 is a referendum on his career. Either he’s an elite star in professional wrestling or he’s one of the mediocre guys who bubbles up from the ooze every once in a while. He knows this is it. If he can’t take back the WUK World Title, it’s over. There’s no career rehabilitation. He becomes Eron Hunter’s sidekick or big little buddy.
WATTS
This time there will be no distractions! There will be no cheating! Two men are going to fight, and the better man will win! It doesn’t matter if I’m the champion or challenger, I have to win this match! Like it or not, this match will define me as a man!
Watts begins trashing the locker room. He slams his fists through tables, throws chairs, and destroys lockers. He pauses in his attack and turns to the camera.
WATTS
I’m not Buster Douglass! It’s not 42-to-1! I’m dangerous, and you better not forget that, Eron Hunter! You did what you had to do to win, but you damn sure weren’t trying to pin me in the match! I didn’t beat you, but you didn’t beat me, either! For you to truly feel like the champion, you have to beat me!
Watts stomps off as the scene fades to black.