Promos for Assault 2/9/18

[Nick Spoils]

EDIT: Original Title "Backstage with Nick Spoils"

After Assault, Terry Schneider tracks down Nick Spoils.

TERRY: "Nick, do you mind if I ask you..."

NICK: "Hold up, son. I know what you're going to ask, but I've got more issues to talk about tonight than you're going to let me get to. So why don't you just hand me that microphone and scram."

TERRY: "I don't know if that's..."

NICK: "Just look behind you son."

The camera pans around as Terry looks behind him to see Yamasaki Nakamura looking down at Terry, a handful of tenpenny nails in his hand. Terry gulps as Yamasaki calmly takes one of the nails and pops it in his mouth, chewing on it as if it was candy. Terry backs away for a second, then wordlessly hands Nick the microphone and runs away. Camera focuses in on Nick as Yamasaki makes his way behind him, periodically munching on another nail.

NICK: "So as I said, I have a number of issues to talk about tonight. First and foremost, as that boy was about to ask me, has to deal with my man Yamasaki Nakamura, and why I was at ringside tonight. In case it isn't patently obvious at this point, we have joined forces. That is right, Nakamura is my latest client. As for why now...well, I travel all over the world looking for talent, looking for the men who intimidate and destroy. But even I cannot know everyone everywhere, and until this man's match with Akira Wyld, I was unaware of him. But when I saw him tear apart Wyld, well, there was only one thing I could possibly do. So after that match, I tracked him down, and we had a...meeting of the minds. So now, PWA, be warned. Yamasaki Nakamura is here, he's on the warpath, and he WILL tear each and every one of you apart. See, he may not win often according to the dirt sheets, but be certain of one thing. When you step into the ring with Nakamura, you WILL NOT leave the same man you were when you entered. Ask Wyld. Ask Holliday. And that is a win is anyone's book."

Armageddon steps into the frame, forcing the cameraman to re-frame to get everyone in the shot. Ragnarok is obviously sporting a bandage down one side of his face, and there's a set of stitching on his arm.

NICK: "Now, on to my next issue. See, the powers that be here in the PWA haven't seen fit to give my boys Armageddon a match since the debut episode. And on that episode, they face the Ripcord Brothers. The...far be it from me to disparage anyone else on this roster, but the Ripcord Brothers? They faced Brian Fury in a handicap match the very next episode, AND LOST! Now, Brian's a beast. I know this better than most, because he was under my tutelage at one point before he and James Savage decided they'd be better off without me. Brian, incidentally, should you ever wish to come back into the fold, all you have to do is ask. My point is, the one and only tag team my boys have faced off against LOST in a handicap match where they had the superior numbers. Not exactly the biggest test of their strengths, is it?"

NICK: "Which brings me to my last point for today. See, if PWA management isn't going to book Armageddon in a match, it falls on my shoulders to find one. And it so happens that there was a challenge made to my boys a few weeks ago that I have seen in a new light. There was a match tonight between two rather interesting teams. One, Alpha Omega, came out and looked good for a while. But the true light at the end of the tunnel, the sublime pain that ended the match? Junior Cobra, the way you absolutely laid out Bokrug Manaj in one single move? Truly phenomenal. Bellisimo, as they say. A few weeks ago, I told you to prove yourself before I deemed you worthy to step in the ring with my boys? Well, tonight, you proved yourself. So, I have taken it upon myself to craft a match, for the next episode of Assault, between Armageddon and the Coldsnakes. All you have to do is say yes. I truly hope you do, gentlemen. My boys need a test. And just think of the storylines. Hades Lock against the Anaconda Vice. Awaken the Serpent against the Cobra Strike. Beautiful music will be made in that ring. Just say yes."

NICK: "And that's that. Boys, let's go."

Nick walks out of frame, followed closely by Armageddon. Yamasaki Nakamura starts to follow, then stares directly at the camera for a moment. He tosses the rest of the nails in his hand into his mouth, and chews a couple times, wipes a trace of blood off that has started running out of his mouth, and follows.

[BG05]

(Gary Bloomfield is backstage in the PWA arena standing in front of a PWA banner with a cameraman as they begin to tape promos for the upcoming Assault show. Bloomfield motions “Insane” Jack Lane towards him.)

Bloomfield: Jack Lane, you were victorious on the previous episode of Assault: How do you feel about your win?

Lane: You know what, G-Money? I won on the last show but I didn’t get to show the world what I can really do. I got the big head and was spending too much time focusing on all the fly girls and Wyatt Sharpe wasn’t having it, ya dig? Homie came straight out the gate looking to take my head off so I had to dig deep to put him away.

I went to the back and asked for another match on Assault and they said I get to fight Brawler Beckett. That’s all well and good....IF he has the guts to actually step in the ring with me. Week after week I see this fool giving people cheap shots, talking trash, and running from fights. I’m here to let the WORLD know AND Brawler Beckett know that I’m humming, coming atcha bro! At Assault I’m gonna show Beckett that we don’t get down like that here with all that cheating and what not. The fans don’t wanna see it and the homies in the back are sick of it.

Beckett better be ready to hit the bricks and head to another promotion because when I’m through with him, Jack Lane will make sure Brawler Beckett is INSANE!!

(Scene fades to black)

[BG05]

(Gary Bloomfield and a cameraman catch up with Brian Fury as he’s walking down the PWA Arena hallways leaving the arena.)

Bloomfield: Mr. Fury, can you give us your thoughts on your match and the tournament?

(Fury stops and speaks to Bloomfield.)

Fury: I was just in one hellacious match, Gary. I knew Robert MacElroy was tough but I ‘ll be honest with and tell you I didn’t know he was THAT tough! He’s as tough as they come and much stronger than I thought. We went toe to toe tonight and I came out the winner.

A funny thing happened on my way back to the dressing room. I got a chance to watch a replay of the match and I saw that I ran into the referee. MacElroy threw me across the ring so hard when I collided I didn’t remember that even happening. What I also didn’t remember but saw with my own two eyes was that he had me beat. That doesn’t sit well with me, Bloomfield! As far as I’m concerned he and I have unfinished business and we’ll settle it down the line.

I’m getting word that I have to face Rhett Holiday at the next show. Here’s a guy that just made Yamasaki tap out. I know I have to watch out for that cross-breaker armlock or I could go down next. We’re both hungry and both looking to make some noise in this tournament. When you get the opportunity to compete for a championship you have to be at your best and that’s what I expect from Rhett...his best. But make no mistake about it Bloomfield, I’m coming to take his head off so I hope for his sake he understands what’s coming.

I gotta jet, man. We’ll hook up another time.

(Fury snarls and pushes his way past Bloomfield as the scene fades.)

[Ameronth]

TERRY SCHNIEDER: "Derrik Arzon, you were scheduled to wrestler Brawler Beckett this evening in a match that you seemed very excited about. Yet, before your match when Snow came out, you stepped aside and let Snow wrestle Beckett. Why?"

DERRIK ARZON: "You know Terry, you're right. I was completely STOKED to face Brawler Beckett in that ring but man, when Snow came out?! I mean, freaking SNOW?! Are you kidding me?! SNOW is my FAVORITE of ALL TIME! I would do anything for him because SNOW is my HERO! He asked to take my spot in the match and offered me his... check this out.... *Derrik reaches back and produces a framed, official-looking form, which is signed by Snow on the bottom of the page* his AUT-O-GRAPH! I mean, I'm so HONORED! I'm keeping this thing for EVER!"

SCHNIEDER: "...Um, Derrik, did you read that paper that Snow, erm, autographed? That's a contract to wrestle Snow on the next PWA Assault."

*Derrik takes a closer look at the framed form, his eyes as big as saucers.*

ARZON: "NO!!! WAY!!!!! I'm gonna faint! I'm totally gonna faint!!"

SCHNIEDER: "Derrik, uh, before you pass out, do you have any thoughts on your upcoming match with Snow?

ARZON: "TERRY!!!! *Terry startles* I'm gonna wrestle SNOW! FREAKIN' SNOW! MY HERO!!! Snow, um, man, my hero, my IDOL, I won't let you down! I'm gonna give you everything I've got! I'm gonna make you proud of me! Dude, this is gonna be SO COOOOL!"

SCHNIEDER: "Derrik, one last question, which I already regret asking you, but all this enthusiasm over Brawler Beckett and now Snow, and then during the Coldsnakes last match you were seen front row with a Coldsnakes tshirt and cheering them on-"

ARZON: "Well, I mean, come ON, Terry, I mean, Brawler Beckett is like a LEGEND and Snow is just freakin' AWESOME, but man, the COLDSNAKES!? They are the ULTIMATE!!!!!!!!! I've been following them since I started watching wrestling, man! Junior Cobra, he's like, my IDEAL, you know? My ROLE MODEL! Junior, if you're watching this, we need to grab a burger some time, man, seriously, since we're, you know, PEERS now... I JUST TALKED TO JUNIOR COBRA!!!!"

*Derrik goes racing off camera, whooping with joy, as Terry scratches his head and then tells the camera man to cut feed.*

[Pennyworth]

"Looks like I am the man to beat...no, scratch that, cut."

static

"They say to be the man, you have to beat the man. At Assault...cut. That doesn't work either."

static

"Last week on Assault, I went toe to toe with Akira Wyld and came out victorious. I want to get one thing straight about that. It wasn't a fluke. It wasn't luck. That was hard work, from start to finish. There is no doubt that Wyld pushed me to my limit. And if I'm being honest, there's no doubt that he's still got to be the favorite in this tournament going forward. But one thing that match did prove, to me, to Akira, to the fans, and to the rest of the competitors, is that I can do this. My hard work has paid off."

"Akira, before the match, you complained about my training methods. That I was just a rich boy using my money to get ahead. All I have to say about that is that the results speak for themselves. I hold a victory over Akira Wyld, and that's going to stay in the record books."

"But, this tournament is about more than a single match. Next time around, it appears that I'll be taking on yet another legend in Tiger Gold. Once more, I must work my ass off to prepare. See, this time around, I'm putting in the work. I'm not resting on my laurels. But in the end, I expect the result will be the same, and I will emerge victorious."

"Dammit, that one was good, too. Whatever, cut it there, and ship it over. A little ego never hurt anyone."

[Snow]

Terry Schneider catches up with Snow later on.

TERRY: Snow, at the last Assault, you gave Derrik Arzon a contract for a match against you.

SNOW: That's right. See, the way I figure it, I was taking a match away from the youngster. An opportunity to prove himself. And if I was doing that to satisfy my own agenda, then it was only right to give him something in return. Another chance to prove himself, this time against me.

TERRY: Derrik seems rather excited about your match. Do you have anything to say to him?

SNOW: Well, for starters, I'd say the hero worship isn't really something I'm worth. There are a lot of skilled competitors in this sport, and while I've had some better luck and better results than others, I wouldn't say it's anything to fawn over. But then, he doesn't seem to care who he idolizes, since he seems to like Beckett as well. At the end of the day, though, it comes down to the results in the ring. If he's able to put aside his excitement, and get down to business in a ring, and fight the good fight? It's all good.

TERRY: And about the other elephant in the ring?

SNOW: You mean Beckett? The man proved my point at the last Assault. He can't fight clean. When I stepped into that ring with him, he bailed. He's a coward. And the record sheet now shows that we're all knotted up. That can't be good for his ego. Pantaro is healing up and will be back soon, but I can't help it...I'm still looking for a little payback. I'd prefer it to be in the ring, but if I can't get him there? Well...I'll find a way.

TERRY: Thanks for your time Snow.

SNOW: Anytime.

[Quillz]

[THE FOLLOWING WAS VIDEO TAPED DIRECTLY AFTER THE LAST EDITION OF PWA ASSAULT.]

***The scene opens in the halls of PWA Arena shortly following the most recent episode of PWA Assault. A camera crew follows PWA reporter Ronnie Stockholm as he heads toward the talent locker room.***

STOCKHOLM: “Hello PWA Armada and welcome to another edition of PWA Aftermath, the weekly internet-exclusive show that dares to show you what happens on Assault ‘after’ the three-count. I’m standing outside the wrestlers’ locker room waiting to have a word with Brawler Beckett after his shocking attack on...”

***A loud crash can be heard coming from inside the locker room. Stockholm darts a confused glance at his cameraman before gingerly pushing open the door to investigate. As the view tracks into the locker room, the camera reveals the FIERCE and DEADLY Coldsnakes futilely trying to climb out of a small window above a row of lockers. Giant Anaconda is boosting Junior Cobra up through the open window. A locker has fallen over and is lying askew on the ground, its contents scattered across the floor of the concrete floor. Cobra has a dingy gym bag slung over his shoulder and is stuck halfway through the window. A large, well labeled exit door leading outside stands ten feet to their left, unlocked and clearly visible.

As the camera crew approaches, Cobra turns and screams***

COBRA: “Jesus it’s the cops! They found us! Run Anaconda, every man for himself!”

***Anaconda immediately drops Cobra and runs for the door, flailing his arms wildly. Cobra crashes unceremoniously to the ground. Cobra jumps to his feet and turns to run, slamming ankles first into the fallen locker, causing him to sprawl violently to the ground.***

COBRA: “GAHHH!!!”

STOCKHOLM: “Woah, Junior Cobra, Giant Anaconda, what in the world is going on in here?”

COBRA: “It’s the fuzz Stockholm! The po-po! They’re after us! You saw what happened out there! I dropped that Twisted Sister guy on his head and I totally heard like... I sick-ass popping sound! The ref stopped the match! I totally killed him man! And now the cops are on their way! I’m not going to prison man! I’m too pretty! I have soft features and supple hips! I won’t survive a single night in Shawshank!”

STOCKHOLM: “Um... I’m pretty sure Bokrug Manaj is going to be just fine. He got his bell rung out there but I saw him up and walking around backstage half an hour ago. I don’t think you have anything to worr...”

COBRA: “I have a DELICATE and FEMININE bone structure! I’ve watched Oz! I know what they do to the young pretty ones in the slammer!”

STOCKHOLM: “Junior Cobra, you’re really panicking about nothing. The cops aren’t on the way.”

***Suddenly, a loud pounding noise erupts from the room’s exit door.***

COBRA: “GAAAHHHH!!! What did I tell you?! It’s the cops! They’re here and if they catch me I’m totally F’d in the A! Come on Anaconda, we’re getting the hell out of here!”

***Stockholm and the cameraman exchange a quizzical look. Stockholm shrugs and walks over and opens the door.

On the other side of the door is a blur of dark hair and energy wearing silver spandex tights emblazoned with yellow lighting symbols on either leg.***

ARZON: "Whereishewhereishewhereishe?!?!"

STOCKHOLM: "Where's wh-"

ARZON: "JUNIOR FREAKIN' COBRA!! I know he's here man, the hairdresser saw him and Anaconda after they asked her about a 'good place to lay low from the fuzz'! That's gotta be, like, 'insider' talk for a badass party or something, right?!"

STOCKHOLM: "..........He's over there. Guys, that's a wrap. We're leaving before this gets any weirder."

ARZON: "Thanks dude you're awesome, I- **Derrik Arzon stops dead in his tracks as his eyes lock on Junior Cobra, who is busy hiding behind Anaconda.** -....oh....my.....God......it's you......it's realy you!! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?!"

***The Coldsnakes, Arzon, Stockholm and the camera crew all stand in awkward silence for several seconds. Cobra’s eyes are wide as saucers as he stares at Arzon trying to decide if he should run or attack.***

ARZON: “Derrick Arzon. Honored...NO! ‘PRIVILEGED’ to meet you Junior Cobra SIR!”

***Arzon reaches out and grasps Cobra’s right hand tightly in a fierce two-handed grip and begins shaking it vigorously. Cobra’s eyes go even wider as he bares his teeth and begins hyperventilating. His panicked eyes dart between Arzon’s maniacally grinning face and his violently pistoning hands.***

ARZON: “BIG fan Mr. Junior... Mr. Cobra... J.C. Oh my gosh you have NO idea how long I’ve been waiting to do this.”

***Cobra’s mouth twists into an insane grin of fear and he shoots a panicked look at Anaconda. A bead of sweat runs down Cobra’s face as he whispers to Anaconda under his breath.***

COBRA: “I’m freakin’ out man. His hands are so clammy! That’s it... I’m chewing off my hand in 3-2-1...”

***Suddenly, Arzon lets go of Cobra’s hand and begins wiping his moist hands on his tights.***

ARZON: “SORRY! Sorry... I’m just... oh holy cow I’m just a HUGE fan of you guys!”

***Cobra yanks his hand back and begins wiping it savagely on Anaconda’s bare chest.***

COBRA: “Oh god, so wet! It won’t dry off! IT WON’T COME CLEA..”

***Cobra stops mid-wipe and stares blankly at Arzon.***

COBRA: “Waitaminute... what did you say? You’re a... fff... a fff... a what now?”

ARZON: "A FAN!!! And not just any fan, your BIGGEST fan!!! Why, I can tell you anything about your career! I've been following you since your first match in September 17th, 1999 at the Johnny Mack Brown High School in Knoxville, TN. You wrestled "Bruiser" Bob Thornton in a FIVE-MINUTE CLASSIC!!!! I have that match on VHS, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and LaserDisc! PURE GOLD!!!"

***Cobra exchanges a confused look with Anaconda, who just shrugs his massive shoulders. Cobra turns back to Arzon and eyes him with a suspicious look.***

COBRA: “I’m not following... you’re like... a FAN... of... us?”

ARZON: “Hell yeah I am! You’re my heroes! You should see my room! I have posters and action figures and collectible masks... literally EVERYTHING with your faces on it is hanging on my walls.”

***Cobra leans over to Anaconda and whispers.***

COBRA: “I know it’s been awhile but... did... did we have action figures?”

***Anaconda shakes his head.***

ARZON: “Well, I made THOSE myself, but, but... you SHOULD have had action figures! They would have totally sold through the roof. Man... you don’t even know how influential you guys were to me... I’d literally do anything for you!”

***Cobra’s face lights up and he shoots Anaconda an opportunistic glance. Anaconda nods and rubs his thumb and forefinger together. Cobra nods back and looks back at Arzon.***

COBRA: “Anything huh? Would you... would you give us twenty bucks?”

ARZON: “Twenty bucks? Uh... I mean... sure!”

***Arzon reaches into a small lavender fanny pack around his waist and fishes out two crisp ten-dollar bills. Cobra’s eyes go wide and he snatches the money from Arzon’s hand. He sniffs it... rubs it between his fingers, and then nimbly passes a ten spot to Anaconda who quickly stuffs it in his tights. Cobra and Anaconda exchange a meaningful glance and nod at each other before turning slyly back to Arzon.***

COBRA: “Allriiiiiiiight... this is going to work out just fine. Darrel, you have just been officially welcomed into very exclusive INNER CIRCLE of the FIERCE and DEADLY Coldsnakes.”

ARZON: “OH MY GOD REALLY?? It’s Derrick by the way BUT HOLY COW IS THIS REAL LIFE? I’m a Coldsnake now?!”

COBRA: “Woah woah woah, lets not get ahead of ourselves Dylan. Let’s start slow. For your first task... can you... give us twenty bucks?”

ARZON: “Uh... let me see here...”

***Arzon starts fishing around in his fanny pack again. Cobra shakes his fists above his head in excitement and then notices that the camera crew is still standing there dumbfounded.***

COBRA: “Hey, get out of here. This is official Coldsnakes business! Shoo!”

***Anaconda clumsily muscles the camera crew out of the locker room and shuts the door loudly in their faces. Fade to black.***

[Ameronth]

*The scene opens in the graveyard of an old church. Two figures are in view, both in shadow created by a lamp carried by one of the figures. The lampless figure sits on a headstone as the lamp-carrying figure stands nearby.*

MANAJ: "Balance. A fragile state of being. One push, one nudge is all it takes to send a soul hurtling to oblivion. Coldsnakes. You came close to sending me over the edge, yet I remain. I grow... stronger."

CASSIDY: "You win some, you lose some. It's all yin and yang, the cycle of life, and one loss changes nothing. *Cassidy sets down his lamp, illuminating both members of Alpha Omega* Destiny can't be derailed by a minor setback. Enlightenment's glorious beams will break through any barrier and shine it's brilliance for all to see!"

MANAJ: "The unworthy and ignorant shall cling to the suffocating shadows in paranoid fear and self-loathing, where their wills shall be crushed by Inevitability."

CASSIDY: "We walk with the light..."

MANAJ: "...and control the shadows. There will be a Reckoning."

Cassidy: "True Wisdom and Enilghtenment await you, Coldsnakes. We'll meet again..."

MANAJ: "...when you walk with us."

*End scene*

[Quillz]

[THE FOLLOWING WAS VIDEO TAPED DIRECTLY FOLLOWING LAST WEEK’S PWA ASSAULT]

The scene opens to an already in-progress episode of PWA Aftermath, the web-exclusive show that gives fans an up-close look at what happens after the 3-count.

 A PWA camera crew is in the ring, directly following the Tiger Gold / Kevin Starr match from this week's PWA Assault. A winded Tiger Gold paces back and forth in the ring and adjusting the straps on his mask.  He rests his hands on the top rope and turns to look at Starr out of the corner of his eye. Kevin Starr has his back turned to Gold and is enthusiastically dancing on the far side of the ring and tossing brightly colored beaded necklaces to women in the crowd. A confused looking Tiger Gold shakes his head and scratches his chin with his taped fingers.  

The camera crew approaches the masked man, who looks more than a little out of sorts.  PWA reporter Ronnie Stockholm enthusiastically raises a microphone to Tiger Gold's face.  An uncharacteristically flustered Tiger Gold jumps a little at the reporter's eager approach.***

STOCKHOLM:  "Tiger Gold!  The PWA Armada is eager to hear your thoughts following your impressive win over 'The Natural' Kevin Starr in the Rise of Kings Heavyweight Championship Tournament."

***Tiger Gold shoots Starr a vaguely annoyed look and turns to face the reporter.***

GOLD:  "Yes... of course, as always, the fighting spirit of Tiger Gold has... um... did you say 'PWA Armada?'"

STOCKHOLM:  "Yes sir.  The PWA Armada."

GOLD:  "Isn't... isn't this program called PWA Assault?"

STOCKHOLM:  "Uh yes it is sir.  the PWA Armada is just a... just a catch phrase to describe our loyal fans at home."

GOLD:  "Armada as in... a fleet of Spanish warships?"

STOCKHOLM:  "Well... I mean... I think its just a metaphor for a... fleet or legion of... um... fans."

GOLD:  "No, I understand.  It's just... this organization has a king's court motif does it not?  Crowns and royalty?"

STOCKHOLM:  "Um... I suppose so."

GOLD:  "It doesn't seem as though Armada extends the metaphor very clearly... Armadas are synonymous with naval warfare while typical 9th century crown and conquest regalia predates European naval dominance by..."

***A gyrating Kevin Starr accidentally bumps up against Tiger Gold's back causing the microphone to poke Gold awkwardly in the nose.***

STARR: "WOO! Feel it, baby! All these mamas and sistas out here just got the show of a lifetime! They just got to see the Monument of Muscles go all-out! Hey, good match, put 'er there, bud! *without waiting, Starr grabs Gold's hand and shakes it, then says through a cough* I let ya win.

***Starr whips around, struts around the ring, slides out, then picks up two women out of the audience and carries them back up the ramp*
Gold glares at Starr with a look of exasperated rage on his face and raises his fist... only to lower it again and sigh deeply. He turns back around to face the camera crew.***

GOLD:  "My appologies.  It is not becoming of a warrior to give in to... frustration.  Where were we?"

STOCKHOLM:  "We were talking about your match with Kevin Starr.  And what an... unusual match it was.  What are your thoughts after your victorious outing tonight?"

***Tiger Gold sighs and puts his hands on his hips.***

GOLD:  "Uh yes... well... any match in an arena of combat surrounded by multitudes of cheering fans is a glorious encounter.  With the spirits of our ancestors watching, Kevin Starr and Tiger Gold clashed like true Olympians.  With the might of the Tiger Spirit, I...

STOCKHOLM:  "It's no secret that Kevin Starr is an unorthadox competitor with a dynamic moveset.  How do you respond to fans that claim that you spent more of this match upside down in a suplex than right side up?"

***Tiger Gold stares blankly at the reporter.***

GOLD:  "...where are you getting your information from?  What fans are saying this?"

STOCKHOLM:  "I've... been checking in with our fans on Twitter throughout the evening."

GOLD: "On what device?"

STOCKHOLM:  "Um... on my phone?"

GOLD:  "....“

STOCKHOLM: “....”

GOLD: “...social media is an unhealthy addiction."

***The two stand awkwardly in silence for several seconds.***

STOCKHOLM:  "Are you feeling okay?"

***Tiger Gold sighs deeply.***

GOLD:  "My apologies again... it has been a trying day.  Kevin Starr is a very unusual opponent.  Our match has left me somewhat... off-center."

STOCKHOLM:  "Some might say it had 'bowling shoe' like qualities."

GOLD:  "It... was not my finest in-ring experience."

STOCKHOLM:  "...."

GOLD:  "...."

STOCKHOLM:  "He has very large hands."

GOLD:  "Enormous."

***The reporter exhales a slow breath.***

STOCKHOLM:  "BUT... match quality notwithstanding, you were victorious in the first round of the Rise of Kings Tournament, placing you one step closer to being crowned the first ever PWA World Heavyweight Champion."

GOLD:  "Yes, it has been a glorious tournament.  Amazing competitors from around the globe have gathered to test their mettle in the arena of combat.  The first step on the path to immortality has been undertaken.  I have staked my claim to gold and glory.  May this be merely the first page in an epic tome that will be recounted for generations around burning hearths the world over."

STOCKHOLM:  "The first of many weeks of round-robin style matches that will determine the entry time in a massive 8-man time-delayed battle royal. As you've said, tonight's matches marked only the beginning of the amazing Rise of Kings Tournament.  There's plenty of time for all of our amazing competitors to score victories and improve their standing in what's sure to be an epic contest.  Tiger Gold... Kevin Starr took you to your limit in more ways than one tonight.  What if it comes down to the two of you one more time in the finals for the PWA Heavyweight Title."

GOLD:  "Then... God help us both."

STOCKHOLM:  "God help us ALL."

GOLD: “....”

STOCKHOLM: “....”

***The reporter turns to the camera.***

STOCKHOLM:  "That's all from us for tonight.  See you next time on PWA Aftermath, where we take you inside the ring to see what happens 'after' the three-count.  I’m Ronnie Stockholm. Goodnight everybody!"

***Fade to black.***

[Quillz]

***The scene opens backstage at PWA Arena shortly before the February 9th edition of PWA Assault. Akira Wyld is watching a backstage monitor where Richard Pennyworth’s promo is playing. Akira paces back and forth and seethes at the monitor. After the promo finishes, Wyld slaps the monitor and turns to face the camera.***

WYLD: “You think you PROVED something last week Pennyworth? You think you rose to the occasion and did the impossible? Well THINK AGAIN! I don’t care WHAT you and all those moron fans think... there’s no way in hell a champion caliber athlete like Akira Wyld would ever submit to half-rate competitor like YOU.”

***Wyld tears at his hair with both hands and yells in frustration.***

WYLD: “My undefeated streak in PWA has been tarnished by an undeserving pretender!”

***Wyld points at the camera.***

WYLD: “Read my lips Pennyworth. Just like Damion Black... you’re nothing but a spoiled, rich, self-promoting lightweight who has to buy every success you get. When push comes to shove you take any cheap advantage you can. You CHEATED in our match. You took a dirty, underhanded shortcut you trust-fund fraud! You slammed me back-first on a STEEL CHAIR! Yeah, yeah... I’m the one who brought that chair in the ring... but... but that was a TEST. I wanted to see what kind of man you really were. I knew the second you saw a weapon in the ring you wouldn’t be able to resist using and you’d be exposed for the low-class pretender you are. When I landed spine first on that steel I felt a pop in my back and I’m lucky I wasn’t crippled. The ONLY reason I tapped was because I was INJURED. My career and my future in the Rise of Kings Tournament was in jeopardy. So enjoy your TAINTED victory. I’ll see you again in the battle royal and then we’ll just SEE who’s championship material.”

***Akira Wyld yells in rage and kicks over a nearby trash can.***

WYLD: “Don’t think I can’t see what’s going on here. This is all part of a grand conspiracy by Damion Black to get me out of this tournament. First he sends Brian Fury at me to break me in half during my debut. Then he tries to MAIM me by having Nakamura come at me with a sickle two weeks later. Then after THAT he calls on his rich Yacht Club buddy Pennyworth and has him try to break my back with a chair... nice try Black... but as always I’m two steps ahead!”

***Wyld wags his finger at the screen and smiles, looking a little unhinged.***

WYLD: “See... I’m SMART. This tournament still has weeks to go, and I wasn’t about to risk an injury that would force me out of the competition. I quit last week and saved my injured back. I took some necessary time off and healed... and now I’m at 100%... as Robert MacElroy is about to find out tonight. You’d better be ready HARD MAN... because I’m pissed off and ready to make an example of somebody! Get this camera out of my face!”

***Wyld pushes past the camera and trudges off down the hall as his music erupts in the arena. Fade to black.***