Shortly Before Assault

[Gary Bloomfield]

***The scene opens backstage at the PWA Arena. Backstage reporter Ronnie Stockholm is standing by with the former PWA Heavyweight Champion, Tiger Gold. The bronze grappler stands with his hands on his hips and his head held high.***

STOCKHOLM: “Tiger Gold... this season has been a tumultuous combination of highs and lows for you. After winning the heavyweight title from Ronnie Lassiter at King of the Deathmatch II, you stated that it was your mission to be a fighting champion. Yet, your title reign was beset by a string of unexpected setbacks. Thanks to the mental manipulations of the Spoiler, you found yourself on the losing end of a series of non-title affairs. But then... a few weeks ago you began to turn things around. On Battery you successfully defended your title against Nakamura Yamasaki, and then against Giant Anaconda. It seemed as if your title reign was finally on track.”

***Tiger Gold focuses inward and nods.***

STOCKHOLM: “But then... the unthinkable happened. This past week on Battery, you entered this very arena with the intent of once again defending your heavyweight title. This time... the man across the ring from you was none other than your oldest foe, Nemesis Rex. In a surprising development, you found yourself busted open and bleeding profusely. After heavy blood loss and a series of underhanded maneuvers, the leader of the Devil’s Own defeated you and took your heavyweight title. An inauspicious end to a championship reign fraught with controversy.”

***Tiger Gold looks down and takes a deep breath.***

STOCKHOLM: “Now, one week later, you stand again at the site of your defeat. With the past seven days behind you... how do you reflect on your unexpected loss, and what comes next for the legendary Tiger Gold?”

***Tiger Gold rubs his mighty hands together and stands straight.***

GOLD: “Ronnie Stockholm, the truest measure of a man is NOT in how he holds his head high in times of triumph... it is how he reacts to adversity and strife. Defeat is an inevitable part of the path walked by the true warrior born. For many years I have stood toe to toe with immortals on the field of combat. And as iron sharpens iron, I too have been forged by the blazing fires of adversity and hardship. I had only one goal in mind when I became PWA Heavyweight Champion... and that was to fight with every breath of my body until a more worthy competitor put my mighty shoulders to the mat. Nemesis Rex is a vile and unruly villain... but he is also a time-tested, worthy foe. I make no excuses for my loss other than to say...”

***Just then, the reigning PWA Heavyweight Champion, Nemesis Rex strides slowly into the frame. Tiger Gold stops talking and glares at Rex. Nemesis Rex smiles broadly and chuckles under his breath.***

REX: “Well said Gold... well said. You may be a pompous blowhard with delusions of grandeur... but never let it be said you aren’t a good loser. Always quick with the compliments. Always taking the high road. Good for you... not getting teary-eyed as you watch what was probably your LAST brush with gold fly away out the window. I mean... after all, you have nobody to blame but yourself, right? You with your “open challenges” and “fighting spirit”. It was OBVIOUS from the beginning that you didn’t have the steam for a long title run. It was only a matter of time before an...opportunist came along and relieved you of your title. Just in time too... you were on the verge of embarrassing yourself. You’re welcome for giving you the honor of dropping your gold to one of the few truly worthy heavyweights on this depleted roster.”

GOLD: “You may insult me villain... but do not speak ill of the honorable locker room of PWA. We fought atop Mount Olympus... and on that fateful night, you were the better man. But Tiger Gold is more than a single victory or loss in a record book. For thirty years I have carved a legacy in sweat and fury... and I have many battles left in me. If you are so keen on parading around your victory and besmirching my legacy, then I challenge you to match your words with action! Face me in the ring and prove once and for all that you are truly worthy of calling yourself champion!”

REX: “Haha... there is the Tiger Gold I know and love. Too humble to ask for a rematch unless it’s disguised as honor and duty. Well... as much as I’d like to drop that ridiculous mask of yours to the mat with another Unkindest Cut... it seems to me that you might not be the only one who thinks they have a right to a shot at this title.”

***Rex stares over Gold’s shoulder and his smile widens.***

REX: “Speak of the devil.”

***The Spoiler III quietly, purposefully, approaches the three men. Seeing that this situation may become dangerous, Stockholm slinks away. The Spoiler eyes both men with a mix of confidence and malice. He looks back and forth between Gold and Nemesis, before sticking a finger in Nemesis Rex's face.***

SPOILER: "I'll get to you in a minute."

***Nemesis Rex scowls and swats away at Spoiler's hand. Spoiler pays him no mind and instead turns to Tiger Gold. Spoiler's scowl visibly deepens under his mask as he regards the former Heavyweight Champion coldly.***

SPOILER: "You misguided, pompous old fool. I did everything I could to preserve that title around your waist. Yes, you took a few loses, but you were still champion. I wanted you to remain champion, all so that I could be the one to defeat you on a larger stage befitting of my crowning as champion. No... you couldn't keep your pride in check. You had to be this ridiculous 'fighting champion' to feed your own overstuffed ego. Along comes a true test, a real competitor, and you... lose and throw away all of MY work, MY chance, MY destiny as champion!”

***Gold glares at Spoiler as he goes nose to nose with the former champion.***

SPOILER: “You are a useless relic. You are a self-righteous has-been and you need to be put down like the crippled jackass you are, all shot knees and stubbornness. At Assault, that's just what I am going to do. As for you...”

***Spoiler turns and steps a little closer to Nemesis Rex. Spoiler's gaze shifts from the Heavyweight belt to Nemesis Rex's smug grin.***

SPOILER: "You, I can actually respect. You saw that Tiger Gold was off-balance and you took the advantage. You made your shot count and you claimed the title for your own. Well, more accurately, you took MY shot built off of MY work and claimed MY title for your own, but let's not argue and quibble. If I'm honest, I would have done the same in your boots. I'm not a man to hold grudges. While we're being honest, let me make this very clear: there is only one clear #1 contender for your championship. PWA doesn't guarantee rematch clauses to failures like the former champion. I'll see you in the ring soon."

REX: “Far be it from me to argue with such sound logic. You’re absolutely right... PWA doesn’t offer automatic rematches. Of course, that applies to you as well doesn’t it? I seem to remember you taking a voluntary count out loss to Gold as part of your... grand plan.”

***Spoiler narrows his eyes at Rex and raised a menacing finger at the champion.***

REX: “So... near as I can tell, right now both of you have exactly the same right to a shot at this title. Which is to say... none. So it looks like at Assault, it’s going to be up to BOTH of you to go out there EARN your title shot like a man.”

***Gold turns to Rex.***

GOLD: “Nemesis Rex... on this one thing we agree. At Assault I shall show the world the true way of the warrior, when I vanquish the Spoiler once and for all. Then, you and I shall have our reckoning.”

***He turns back to Spoiler and growls.***

GOLD: “Is this the fruition of your misdeeds that you imagined Spoiler? Prepare yourself... for at Assault, your destiny awaits.”

***Spoiler eyes Gold with contempt as he walks away. Then he turns his attention back to the smirking Nemesis Rex.***

SPOILER: "Don't make any presumptions about Assault. Tiger Gold will be dealt with, and then I will be coming for you. Enjoy your time with my belt while it lasts."

***The Spoiler turns on his heel and stalks out camera shot. Rex sneers and watches him go.***