Post by Raiden Ishimori on Sept 25, 2018 21:44:53 GMT -5
Date: September 19, 2018
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
{To say that the Boston-Newark Connection had been inactive in recent times would be an understatement. In fact, neither Soul nor Marcus had their first chance to showcase their skills in the ring yet before the sudden closure of Suzuki Blitz Wrestling, leaving them scratching their heads on where to go afterward. Instead, Soul had the chance to show the Network what he was capable of in-ring during AWF’s Wildfire Tournament, making the semi-finals and putting on a rather strong display against his team’s opponents before succumbing to the well-versed veterans. On the other hand, their training had started to increase in intensity with the first round of the Tag Team Annihilator fastly approaching, especially with the brackets now being out for all participants to see.}
{Today, however, was more of a rest day for the tag duo as they strolled around the city, taking in the sights that Boston had to offer along the waters of the Atlantic. The sea salt breeze blowing in from the harbor only added to the smell of the food stands and small shops running along the edge of the water where many people, residents, and tourists alike, were crowding the market in an effort to get the food they desired or the shops they wanted to browse. Up above on the second floor, Soul Hunter and Marcus Jackson were staring out the windows from their table, watching ships drift by along with the low-flying birds gliding past.}
Soul: “Another average day in the city.”
Marcus: “What else is new? Cities are like clockwork: just the same routine day in and day out.”
Soul: “Well, unless there’s some random parade or holiday event happening.”
Marcus: “That’s true.”
Soul: “Speaking of clockwork, we’ve training how long now for this tag team tournament?”
Marcus: “If memory serves correctly, about three or so weeks now. Obviously not including rest days of course.”
{Nodding along, Soul turns his attention to the window beside him, looking out at the crowd below. The floor below was practically swarming with people coupled with the noise radiating from underneath them. Leaning back in his seat, Soul exhales a sigh as he turns his head up towards the ceiling.}
Marcus: “Something on your mind?”
Soul: “Eh, somewhat.”
Marcus: “Do tell.”
Soul: “Just thinking about what the older generation accomplished in tag team action. Both of our relatives were exactly known for being tag specialists and instead, they excelled in singles competition. Both Avalon and Shadow became NWC World Heavyweight Champions and of course, they went on to record more title wins in the coming years. I know your cousin was a prime player down in Lone Star Wrestling for some time judging from what I’ve read in the history books.”
Marcus: “Yeah, that cocky son-of-a-gun just seemed to have a knack for making it to the top whether it was clean or underhanded, he always managed to be in the spotlight one way or another before leaving the NWC. Didn’t your dad roughly leave around the same time that Avalon did?”
Soul: “Well, he had me to take care of so yeah. It was rough after some time though once mom had passed and that pretty much kept him out of the industry for a while, but he still had the sports agency to run on the side so at least there was some form of income.”
{A defeated sigh escapes the youngster’s lips as he straightens himself in his seat.}
Soul: “It really wasn’t until we went to one of the shows being hosted by a local promotion that the old man decided to get himself back into the ring after getting the sudden urge to wrestle again. I think that was really the first step forward in coping with the passing of my mother and no one could really stop him from throwing himself back into the squared circle despite his age.”
Marcus: “I can easily say the same thing about my cousin and even my sis would agree with me. Sort of shocking news to hear that the S.O.B wanted to wrestle once more and he ended up going to…”
Soul & Marcus: “...WWO.”
{The two chuckle at the simultaneous saying and exchange high five across the table.}
Marcus: “Come to think of it, both of them didn’t really see much tag success in the modern era until they actually did stumble across WWO.”
Soul: “At least from my perspective, Avalon didn’t really see tag success till then but my dad found some in Millenium Pro with that chick Aeryn.”
Marcus: “They still together?”
Soul: “I don’t even know. From what I’ve seen, they still talk but I’m not sure if they’re still under one roof together. Either way, thanks to meeting her he was able to prosper in the tag division and finally captured his first tag titles in what was probably a fifteen-year gap. Last time he won tag titles was sometime before I was born with that old buddy of his, Dread Saxon.”
Marcus: “Damn.”
Soul: “Yeah. Shame they never won the WWO Tag Titles but at least they won something and stuck together as a team.”
Marcus: “They had chemistry at least. Avalon was shaky in the tag scene because once again, that cockiness always took precedence. Attacked his own partner after winning the tag titles only to name a new one the week right after. Don’t get me wrong, they held those titles for a solid period of time but that shit was uncalled for.”
Soul: “No kidding. Well, in this industry, what can ya do? Sometimes you’re forced into unwanted situations, and other times you just somehow get sucked into something by chance. Yet, we’re gonna be the difference makers in this generation.”
Marcus: “Hell yeah we are my brotha. That tournament is gonna be ours for the taking.”
{The two exchange another high five across the table as they stand from their seats, picking up their belongings from the table, ready to depart the building. Scoping one last time, the two start to make for the stairs, descending down into the chaos of people down below.}
{The shot transitions to an empty boxing gym with old, broken down equipment strewn about the place except for a few intact punching bags neatly stacked in a distant corner. Some weight machines are surprisingly still intact but the rust and dust caking the equipment only proves just how old it really is. On the left-hand side, a faint sound of fists battering against rubber can be heard, with the camera moving in the direction of the noise, trying to locate its source. After winding past a few more decrepit machines, the camera stops as it catches Marcus and Soul training by themselves, sporting regular gym attire while Soul wears a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over his head with headphones in as the youngster shadow fights, practicing various knee strikes, punches, elbow strikes, and various other combos while dodging, ducking, and swaying. A few feet across from him, Marcus is working on the speed bag with a rather fluid movement, eyes solely trained on the rubber bag in front of him. After some time, Marcus gives the bag one final punch, powerful enough that it causes the equipment to swing about several times before coming to a halt. With a sly grin, he turns from the speed bag to face the camera while Soul continues on with his shadow fighting.}
Marcus: “XHF Network!!! What is up? Been awhile since we’ve spoken with one another...well, at least since I’ve addressed you fine folks. Recently you all got to get a good look at what Soul over there can do in the ring but the potential I have has yet to be tested in an XHF ring ever since the unfortunate closure of SBW but now is not the time to look back on the past because the future ahead of the Boston-Newark Connection is what matters the most right now. The Tag Team Annihilator, the golden opportunity to step up and make ourselves known in this organization despite us being free agents but who cares if we are free agents right now? This entire End of Days schtick, we’re going to make ourselves known to everyone out there that’s gonna be watching this tag team competition, ain’t that right, Hunt?”
{Soul simply nods along with the statement while continuing to box with the air.}
Marcus: “Hehe, kid’s got some good spirit flowing through him. Think that Wildfire Tournament really sparked a fire in him after the competition he was pitted against, so shout out to Seth Dillinger and Chris Card for that. Anyway, onto the real matter at hand, we got our first round opponents here in the form of Team Viper. The father and son combination of wrestlers, first generation and second generation working as one...at least that it what appears to be on paper. In reality, you got two people who hate one another down to the core and the bad blood between them...although I don’t really want to think about how bad Jeffrey Viper’s blood is, probably got a shit ton of STDs floating in that so uh, enjoying thinking about there, Dylan.”
{Marcus chuckles at the remark, waving his hand about before composing himself.}
Marcus: “Regardless, these guys have got no actual chemistry between them whatsoever. They may be listed as a team but it’s obvious enough that they’re practically be forced into this tournament by that woman they both care for as a means to learn to operate as a team. Gentlemen, you’re already doomed to fail from the start. Say what you will about going on to win this entire tournament and that everyone will be praising the Viper family as Gods, it’s not gonna happen. One thing I learned from my cousin Avalon is that cockiness and arrogance only get you so far in life and what happened every time he tried to test the limit? He lost titles, allies, friends, he was ultimately backstabbed and left to feel the wrath of those he tried to defeat in his schemes. So Jeffrey, act all cocky you want like you actually pack a big fishing rod in those trunks of yours but we all know it’s about the same size as Dylan’s faith in you as not only a father but also a tag partner. Yo, Hunter, you got anything you want to get off your chest?”
{The young, second-generation wrestler glances up at his tag partner and camera, pulling his hood back while taking his headphones out of his ear, stuffing them in the pouch of his sweatshirt. Walking over, he exchanges a slap of hands with Marcus as the latter steps away from the camera, leaving the floor to Soul.}
Soul: “Hey, Dylan, you’re a second generation wrestler, why aren’t you trying to achieve anything? You’re sitting in your father’s shadow constantly bitching and moaning about how much you despise him and how you wish he’d just go away but guess what, you’re stuck with him! Every time I look at you, I see the complete opposite of me. Subpar, unrefined, hell half the time you look like you don’t care whenever you’re in the ring and other times it’s hard to tell if the risks you take are because of the adrenaline or if you’re just that stupid in the ring. Look at what happened at Open Fight Night against the big boy Dreadvan there. You went for high risk thinking you had the fat man beat but instead you got driven into the mat for your efforts. Where’s your burning inner strength? Where’s your resolve? Matter of fact, where are you? At this point in time, you’re nothing more than a walking husk of the former man you used to be. You’ve wasted so much time trying to rid of your father that you’ve become rusty and now you’re just sitting there, rotting at the bottom without a care in the world. How pathetic of you.”
{Soul just rolls his eyes at the thought of it.}
Soul: “If you think this tag tournament is going to change your career around for the better, it’s not gonna happen. What you guys lack, is what Marcus and I already down to a T. Talking double team maneuvers, reading one another in the ring, how to flow in between one another’s moves in order to keep our momentum going. Then there’s your pairing of a clueless father and son not knowing what the hell they’re supposed to do as a team all because Mommy Viper told you guys had to cooperate if you wanted to improve the relationship between one another. To hell with that, man. This isn’t a family therapy session in trying to solve your daddy issues with Jeffrey, no, this is going to be a clinic of what a proper team can do in the ring against those who have no experience as a team whatsoever.”
{Soul draws out a picture from his pouch but he moves another picture out from under it, revealing three men and one woman between the two. One appears to be of an older date while the other is more modern.}
Soul: “More than twenty years ago, my father worked with a talented man by the name of Dread Saxon before the NWC was formed and together they managed to capture tag team gold twice thanks to their cunning strategies and amazing cooperation between one another. The same also applies to my father with the woman in the other picture, Aeryn Ashfield. They easily clicked, became champions, and were almost near unstoppable by the time MPW closed its doors. Just like my father and his tag partners, Marcus and I understand the dynamics of tag matches. Our trainers taught us everything we need to know and how to deal with losers like Team Viper. This Sunday marks the first step forward in making the Boston-Newark Connection known in the company but it also serves as the stepping stone for as to why we shouldn’t be taken so lightly despite our rookie status. Don’t sleep on us, otherwise, you’ll be the ones looking up at the lights at the end of the night.”
{Soul turns away from the camera, raising the hood up over his head as he returns to his spot from earlier and resumes his shadow boxing while Marcus goes back to working on the speed bag. The camera offers one last glance of each wrestler of BNC before fading to black.}
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
{To say that the Boston-Newark Connection had been inactive in recent times would be an understatement. In fact, neither Soul nor Marcus had their first chance to showcase their skills in the ring yet before the sudden closure of Suzuki Blitz Wrestling, leaving them scratching their heads on where to go afterward. Instead, Soul had the chance to show the Network what he was capable of in-ring during AWF’s Wildfire Tournament, making the semi-finals and putting on a rather strong display against his team’s opponents before succumbing to the well-versed veterans. On the other hand, their training had started to increase in intensity with the first round of the Tag Team Annihilator fastly approaching, especially with the brackets now being out for all participants to see.}
{Today, however, was more of a rest day for the tag duo as they strolled around the city, taking in the sights that Boston had to offer along the waters of the Atlantic. The sea salt breeze blowing in from the harbor only added to the smell of the food stands and small shops running along the edge of the water where many people, residents, and tourists alike, were crowding the market in an effort to get the food they desired or the shops they wanted to browse. Up above on the second floor, Soul Hunter and Marcus Jackson were staring out the windows from their table, watching ships drift by along with the low-flying birds gliding past.}
Soul: “Another average day in the city.”
Marcus: “What else is new? Cities are like clockwork: just the same routine day in and day out.”
Soul: “Well, unless there’s some random parade or holiday event happening.”
Marcus: “That’s true.”
Soul: “Speaking of clockwork, we’ve training how long now for this tag team tournament?”
Marcus: “If memory serves correctly, about three or so weeks now. Obviously not including rest days of course.”
{Nodding along, Soul turns his attention to the window beside him, looking out at the crowd below. The floor below was practically swarming with people coupled with the noise radiating from underneath them. Leaning back in his seat, Soul exhales a sigh as he turns his head up towards the ceiling.}
Marcus: “Something on your mind?”
Soul: “Eh, somewhat.”
Marcus: “Do tell.”
Soul: “Just thinking about what the older generation accomplished in tag team action. Both of our relatives were exactly known for being tag specialists and instead, they excelled in singles competition. Both Avalon and Shadow became NWC World Heavyweight Champions and of course, they went on to record more title wins in the coming years. I know your cousin was a prime player down in Lone Star Wrestling for some time judging from what I’ve read in the history books.”
Marcus: “Yeah, that cocky son-of-a-gun just seemed to have a knack for making it to the top whether it was clean or underhanded, he always managed to be in the spotlight one way or another before leaving the NWC. Didn’t your dad roughly leave around the same time that Avalon did?”
Soul: “Well, he had me to take care of so yeah. It was rough after some time though once mom had passed and that pretty much kept him out of the industry for a while, but he still had the sports agency to run on the side so at least there was some form of income.”
{A defeated sigh escapes the youngster’s lips as he straightens himself in his seat.}
Soul: “It really wasn’t until we went to one of the shows being hosted by a local promotion that the old man decided to get himself back into the ring after getting the sudden urge to wrestle again. I think that was really the first step forward in coping with the passing of my mother and no one could really stop him from throwing himself back into the squared circle despite his age.”
Marcus: “I can easily say the same thing about my cousin and even my sis would agree with me. Sort of shocking news to hear that the S.O.B wanted to wrestle once more and he ended up going to…”
Soul & Marcus: “...WWO.”
{The two chuckle at the simultaneous saying and exchange high five across the table.}
Marcus: “Come to think of it, both of them didn’t really see much tag success in the modern era until they actually did stumble across WWO.”
Soul: “At least from my perspective, Avalon didn’t really see tag success till then but my dad found some in Millenium Pro with that chick Aeryn.”
Marcus: “They still together?”
Soul: “I don’t even know. From what I’ve seen, they still talk but I’m not sure if they’re still under one roof together. Either way, thanks to meeting her he was able to prosper in the tag division and finally captured his first tag titles in what was probably a fifteen-year gap. Last time he won tag titles was sometime before I was born with that old buddy of his, Dread Saxon.”
Marcus: “Damn.”
Soul: “Yeah. Shame they never won the WWO Tag Titles but at least they won something and stuck together as a team.”
Marcus: “They had chemistry at least. Avalon was shaky in the tag scene because once again, that cockiness always took precedence. Attacked his own partner after winning the tag titles only to name a new one the week right after. Don’t get me wrong, they held those titles for a solid period of time but that shit was uncalled for.”
Soul: “No kidding. Well, in this industry, what can ya do? Sometimes you’re forced into unwanted situations, and other times you just somehow get sucked into something by chance. Yet, we’re gonna be the difference makers in this generation.”
Marcus: “Hell yeah we are my brotha. That tournament is gonna be ours for the taking.”
{The two exchange another high five across the table as they stand from their seats, picking up their belongings from the table, ready to depart the building. Scoping one last time, the two start to make for the stairs, descending down into the chaos of people down below.}
{The shot transitions to an empty boxing gym with old, broken down equipment strewn about the place except for a few intact punching bags neatly stacked in a distant corner. Some weight machines are surprisingly still intact but the rust and dust caking the equipment only proves just how old it really is. On the left-hand side, a faint sound of fists battering against rubber can be heard, with the camera moving in the direction of the noise, trying to locate its source. After winding past a few more decrepit machines, the camera stops as it catches Marcus and Soul training by themselves, sporting regular gym attire while Soul wears a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over his head with headphones in as the youngster shadow fights, practicing various knee strikes, punches, elbow strikes, and various other combos while dodging, ducking, and swaying. A few feet across from him, Marcus is working on the speed bag with a rather fluid movement, eyes solely trained on the rubber bag in front of him. After some time, Marcus gives the bag one final punch, powerful enough that it causes the equipment to swing about several times before coming to a halt. With a sly grin, he turns from the speed bag to face the camera while Soul continues on with his shadow fighting.}
Marcus: “XHF Network!!! What is up? Been awhile since we’ve spoken with one another...well, at least since I’ve addressed you fine folks. Recently you all got to get a good look at what Soul over there can do in the ring but the potential I have has yet to be tested in an XHF ring ever since the unfortunate closure of SBW but now is not the time to look back on the past because the future ahead of the Boston-Newark Connection is what matters the most right now. The Tag Team Annihilator, the golden opportunity to step up and make ourselves known in this organization despite us being free agents but who cares if we are free agents right now? This entire End of Days schtick, we’re going to make ourselves known to everyone out there that’s gonna be watching this tag team competition, ain’t that right, Hunt?”
{Soul simply nods along with the statement while continuing to box with the air.}
Marcus: “Hehe, kid’s got some good spirit flowing through him. Think that Wildfire Tournament really sparked a fire in him after the competition he was pitted against, so shout out to Seth Dillinger and Chris Card for that. Anyway, onto the real matter at hand, we got our first round opponents here in the form of Team Viper. The father and son combination of wrestlers, first generation and second generation working as one...at least that it what appears to be on paper. In reality, you got two people who hate one another down to the core and the bad blood between them...although I don’t really want to think about how bad Jeffrey Viper’s blood is, probably got a shit ton of STDs floating in that so uh, enjoying thinking about there, Dylan.”
{Marcus chuckles at the remark, waving his hand about before composing himself.}
Marcus: “Regardless, these guys have got no actual chemistry between them whatsoever. They may be listed as a team but it’s obvious enough that they’re practically be forced into this tournament by that woman they both care for as a means to learn to operate as a team. Gentlemen, you’re already doomed to fail from the start. Say what you will about going on to win this entire tournament and that everyone will be praising the Viper family as Gods, it’s not gonna happen. One thing I learned from my cousin Avalon is that cockiness and arrogance only get you so far in life and what happened every time he tried to test the limit? He lost titles, allies, friends, he was ultimately backstabbed and left to feel the wrath of those he tried to defeat in his schemes. So Jeffrey, act all cocky you want like you actually pack a big fishing rod in those trunks of yours but we all know it’s about the same size as Dylan’s faith in you as not only a father but also a tag partner. Yo, Hunter, you got anything you want to get off your chest?”
{The young, second-generation wrestler glances up at his tag partner and camera, pulling his hood back while taking his headphones out of his ear, stuffing them in the pouch of his sweatshirt. Walking over, he exchanges a slap of hands with Marcus as the latter steps away from the camera, leaving the floor to Soul.}
Soul: “Hey, Dylan, you’re a second generation wrestler, why aren’t you trying to achieve anything? You’re sitting in your father’s shadow constantly bitching and moaning about how much you despise him and how you wish he’d just go away but guess what, you’re stuck with him! Every time I look at you, I see the complete opposite of me. Subpar, unrefined, hell half the time you look like you don’t care whenever you’re in the ring and other times it’s hard to tell if the risks you take are because of the adrenaline or if you’re just that stupid in the ring. Look at what happened at Open Fight Night against the big boy Dreadvan there. You went for high risk thinking you had the fat man beat but instead you got driven into the mat for your efforts. Where’s your burning inner strength? Where’s your resolve? Matter of fact, where are you? At this point in time, you’re nothing more than a walking husk of the former man you used to be. You’ve wasted so much time trying to rid of your father that you’ve become rusty and now you’re just sitting there, rotting at the bottom without a care in the world. How pathetic of you.”
{Soul just rolls his eyes at the thought of it.}
Soul: “If you think this tag tournament is going to change your career around for the better, it’s not gonna happen. What you guys lack, is what Marcus and I already down to a T. Talking double team maneuvers, reading one another in the ring, how to flow in between one another’s moves in order to keep our momentum going. Then there’s your pairing of a clueless father and son not knowing what the hell they’re supposed to do as a team all because Mommy Viper told you guys had to cooperate if you wanted to improve the relationship between one another. To hell with that, man. This isn’t a family therapy session in trying to solve your daddy issues with Jeffrey, no, this is going to be a clinic of what a proper team can do in the ring against those who have no experience as a team whatsoever.”
{Soul draws out a picture from his pouch but he moves another picture out from under it, revealing three men and one woman between the two. One appears to be of an older date while the other is more modern.}
Soul: “More than twenty years ago, my father worked with a talented man by the name of Dread Saxon before the NWC was formed and together they managed to capture tag team gold twice thanks to their cunning strategies and amazing cooperation between one another. The same also applies to my father with the woman in the other picture, Aeryn Ashfield. They easily clicked, became champions, and were almost near unstoppable by the time MPW closed its doors. Just like my father and his tag partners, Marcus and I understand the dynamics of tag matches. Our trainers taught us everything we need to know and how to deal with losers like Team Viper. This Sunday marks the first step forward in making the Boston-Newark Connection known in the company but it also serves as the stepping stone for as to why we shouldn’t be taken so lightly despite our rookie status. Don’t sleep on us, otherwise, you’ll be the ones looking up at the lights at the end of the night.”
{Soul turns away from the camera, raising the hood up over his head as he returns to his spot from earlier and resumes his shadow boxing while Marcus goes back to working on the speed bag. The camera offers one last glance of each wrestler of BNC before fading to black.}
