Promos for Assault 3/9/18

[Nick Spoils]

Fade up from black to see Nick Spoils standing, arms crossed, in the front of a gym. Behind him, Gehenna can be seen lifting weights nonstop. In the far back, a wrestling ring is set up, in which Yamasaki Nakamura is calmly ripping pieces off the turnbuckle and tossing them into his mouth.

NICK: After facing a loss, it is always time to reflect and consider what it was that caused your loss. In the case of Armageddon, I believe the cause was clear. Someone forgot he was wrestling in a tag team match and tried to take on both Coldsnakes at once. Well, Ragnarok has been suitably...chastised, after a meeting of the minds with Nakamura. He is, shall we say, still in recovery after being brought around to seeing things the right way.

In the meantime, we look ahead to our next challenge. Gehenna takes on Cassidy Cray in the ring. I must say, the team of Alpha Omega is intriguing. Both men are skilled, and such opposites in manner and action. Yet, they team up together well. It is a shame that the darker one is in a recovery of his own at the moment. It would have proved and interesting challenge. Still, Cray is nothing to sneeze at.

And yet, when it comes down to it, Gehenna is coming off a loss. That doesn't sit well with him. It doesn't sit well with me. And when things make us uncomfortable, when things upset us...people get hurt. So let's just make one thing clear. Before you step into that ring with Gehenna at Assault, Cassidy Cray, I want you to make sure your insurance is up to date. We cannot be held responsible for your medical expenses when you join your partner in the hospital.

Nick starts to walk out, then pauses and looks back at the camera.

NICK: But Nick, I hear you say, what do you have to say about Nakamura taking on Tiger Gold?

I hear you, you pitiful fool. But we have already explained ourselves in that matter. Nakamura has a record of futility according to the dirt sheets. Never won a match, they say. Well, as we've said before, when Yamasaki Nakamura steps into the ring, the battle does not take place between the ropes. The battle takes place in his opponent's head. The fear, the terror, the abject and painfully humiliating desire to be somewhere, ANYWHERE else that he can see in his opponent's eyes? That's what really gets Nakamura going. He doesn't care about straps of metal. He doesn't care about the adulation of the fans. What he cares about is subject his own brand of sadism on his opponents. They know that his sickle is there somewhere...and even if it goes away, Nakamura isn't above walking away with a piece of his opponent in his mouth. And when they finally start to rise above that fear, to think they can work through it? That's when Nakamura chooses to end the match. Because if they can't break free of the fear, the next time they meet, it returns in full force.

That is what Tiger Gold has to face at the next Assault. Not someone trying to pin him or cause him to submit. No, someone who is willing to maim, to disfigure, and to destroy his opponents mind. And after the match is over, he'll face doubts. Tremors of fear in every other match he works. Because, if he couldn't get past his fear of Nakamura, could he fall prey to that fear again against someone else?

THAT is what Nakamura brings to the table. Tiger, get a good night's sleep now. You never will again.

Nick walks out of frame, as the camera lingers on Nakamura, who has by now completely dismantled the turnbuckle, and is starting to chew on one of the ring ropes. Camera fades to black.

[Quillz]

***The scene opens in the PWA Weekend Rewind studio, where hosts Rich Bayner and Damon Knight are recapping the thrilling last week in Prestige Wrestling.***

BAYNER: “Welcome back folks. As we said at the top of the hour, this has been an absolutely scintillating week of action here in PWA. The Rise of Kings Tournament is on fire as all of our heavyweights are competing to earn favorable placement in the RoK Battle Royal.”

KNIGHT: “That’s right Rich, and things took a personal turn last night in Tallahassee where Tiger Gold faced off against PWA journeyman Lance Steamer. Following an impressive victory, Tiger Gold attempted to address the PWA Armada when things got juuust a little bit violent. PWA cameras were there to catch all the action.”

***The scene switches to a ringside camera at a PWA show in Tallahassee. Tiger Gold is pacing in the ring holding a microphone. In the background, a prone Lance Steamer can be seen being tended to by a ringside physician. A trainer throws Tiger Gold a white towel which he uses to wipe sweat from his shoulders and neck. The crowd is cheering and chanting his name. Gold nods to the crowd and raises his microphone to speak.***

GOLD: “There is nothing like the roar of the crowd. Each night I draw strength from the hearts souls of the amazing fans here in PWA. I came here to this organization to find the spirit of the warrior... and I found so much more. This is the realm of the immortals. The fighting spirit is alive and well in the Prestige Wrestling Association.”

***The crowd begins to chant “PWA” over and over again. Gold nods and holds his microphone up to the adulations of the fans.***

GOLD: “And nowhere have I seen that fighting spirit personified more intensely than in the soul of my opponent last week, Brian Fury. When I came to this company... I did so in order to seek out the greatest warriors in the world and test them in the field of combat. Brian Fury was the man I came here to fight. No other warrior possessed an intensity and fortitude that could match my own. When we clashed last week at Assault, the PWA Armada bore witness to a war like no other in the history of this grand vocation. When we collided, the universe shuddered with the impact of a thousand suns. And... when the dust settled... Tiger Gold stood victorious.”

***Gold lowers the microphone and looks out at the cheering crowd. He nods solemnly... and raises the microphone once more.***

GOLD: “Fury... I know what you put into our battle, and what it took out of you. I know because I myself feel hollowed out by the ordeal. Together we drank deeply from the well of the immortal soul... and it will take time to replenish what we depleted. But know that you have earned my respect... and when the time comes for us to meet again, I shall give you the my merciless best... and expect no less from you in return.”

***Gold paces back and forth in the ring again. He lowers his head and speaks in an even, measured tone.***

GOLD: “For now though... I must look forward. Forward to the remaining matches in the Rise of Kings Tournament. The battle is not yet won... but due to recent events I have been bequeathed a mantle that carries with it certain... expectations. Thanks to my victory over Brian Fury... I am being referred to as the sole, UNDEFEATED competitor in this illustrious contest. This is a great and impressive title to bear... but it is not entirely accurate is it? A true warrior must assess himself honestly. He must both bask in his glories... and acknowledge his defeats. And there is one man in this tournament that has DEFEATED me in the past. One man that took all I had to offer in the ring, and answered with an intensity and strength worthy of the gods. If I seek to truly call myself the greatest heavyweight in PWA... I must face this man once more. ROBERT MACELROY, your destiny awa...”

***Before Tiger Gold can finish his thought, the guitar licks of Spectre General’s “Nothin’s Gonna Stand in our Way” fire up over the arena speakers. Tiger Gold stops mid-sentence and turns a confused look toward the entrance ramp. After a moment, The Surgical Specialist, Akira Wyld appears from the backstage area. He has a disrespectful smirk on his face and a microphone in his hand. Gold takes a step back in the ring and squares his shoulders at Wyld. His eyes narrow and his face creases in a frown.***

WYLD: “Isn’t this noble... the invincible Tiger Gold humbly praising his opponents. Acknowledging his defeats and standing bravely, facing the future. How ‘inspiring’. I’ve gotta hand it to you big man... you know how to work a crowd. What a salesman.”

***Wyld offers a mock golf-clap in Gold’s direction. Gold’s eyes flash with anger and he begins pacing back and forth in the ring like a predatory cat.***

WYLD: “Ah, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you really do believe your own hype. Who knows... who CARES? Regardless... I think you’re focusing on the wrong faces in this tournament. Robert MacElroy isn’t the guy you need to be worrying about right now.”

***Wyld flashes a humorless smile in Gold’s direction. Gold lets a cold laugh escape his throat as raises his microphone to speak.***

GOLD: “Is that so ‘Surgical Specialist’? You think that perhaps my attention would be better spent focusing on YOU? There is a REASON that I have not focused my considerable ire in your direction Akira Wyld. I seek honorable competition. I wish to test my mettle against those who represent true fighting spirit. You... are an impudent whelp who has squandered an honorable family name in the pursuit of shallow material glories. You are a scoundrel who is not WORTHY of being honored on the stage of the immortals. In time, we will meet in the Rise of Kings Tournament...but that eventuality will NOT save you tonight. For unlike some others in this tournament... I do not respect you enough to grant you respite until our scheduled encounter. Prepare yourself charlatan... not for destiny... but for an ungodly thrashing at the hands of an immortal!”

***Tiger Gold throws his microphone down and pounds his chest with his massive bronze hands. He throws back a roar and advances out between the ring ropes in Wyld’s direction. Akira Wyld’s eyes go wide as the arena erupts in cheers. Wyld puts up a hand in warding-off gesture. He looks terrified.***

WYLD: “Woah, woah... hang on a minute. You... you stay right there. I’m warning you! Take one more step and... and...”

***Wyld is drowned out by the roar of the crowd. He shakes his head and narrows his eyes at Gold. He drops his microphone and adopts a reluctant fighting stance as he prepares for Gold’s advance. Tiger Gold nods and steps through the ropes... but before he can jump down to the ring floor, PWA manager and ring-vetaran NICK SPOILS leaps over the guardrail and stands with his arms folded, blocking Gold’s path.***

***Tiger Gold pauses, looking confused. He glances from Spoils to Wyld and back again... and does not notice as The Divine Psycho, YAMASAKI NAKAMURA leaps up onto the ring apron... and spits a strange foreign substance right into the FACE of the masked wrestler. Gold violently recoils as he clutches frantically at his face and falls backwards back into the ring onto his back. Nakamura stands on the apron and scans the crowd with his eyes. The remnants of a broken bottle are clutched in his hand. His mouth has shards of glass and rivulets of blood staining it. On his back in the ring, Gold is pawing at his eyes, wiping the shards that Nakamura spit into his face away, but the damage has been done. Blood runs from his eyes and mouth, and Gold has been temporarily blinded by the assault.***

***Nakamura deliberately steps between the ropes and silently stalks around the prone Tiger Gold. As Gold tries futilely to right himself and rise to his feet, Nakamura turns to Spoils and cocks his head quizzically. Spoils responds with a slow nod of affirmation. Nakamura’s face creases into a bloody smile as he drags Gold roughly to his feet and DDTs him violently into the canvas, right on top of the scattered broken glass in the ring. Without missing a beat, Nakamura drags a thumb across his throat and spits a wad of blood, saliva, and glass onto Gold’s back as he lies supine in the ring. As the crowd erupts into a chorus of boos, Nakamura calmly reaches down... and grasps the back of Tiger Gold’s mask with a taped hand. He cocks his head and seems to consider his actions for a moment... then, silently, he releases his grip on the mask and brings his now blood-covered hand away from Gold. Nakamura holds a bloody hand high in the air as he stands over the unconscious Tiger Gold’s body.***

***On the entrance ramp, a relieved looking Akira Wyld relaxes his stance and smiles subtly. Next to the ring, Spoils turns to Wyld and they seem to share a passing glance, before Wyld backs up the ramp and disappears into the backstage area. The final image is of a disturbingly calm Yamasaki Nakamura standing over an unconscious and bloody Tiger Gold as Nick Spoils looks on. The tape ends and the scene returns to the set of PWA Rewind.***

BAYNER: “An absolutely grotesque scene in Tallahassee this weekend Damon. Nakamura has made an emphatic statement to his opponent at this week’s Assault, Tiger Gold.”

KNIGHT: “That’s an understatement Rich. I can’t remember the last time I saw Tiger Gold dominated like that. There are just some things you don’t do. It’s like the old song goes. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind...”

BAYNER: “And you don’t disrespect Tiger Gold the way we just saw Nakamura and Nick Spoils do. You have to think there will be repercussions to this assault Damon.”

KNIGHT: “Reprecussions AT Assault you mean. I for one am looking forward to seeing where this goes... and to finding out what, if any role Akira Wyld has to play in this conflict. Was this just a one-off marriage of convenience or are Wyld and Spoils brewing something?”

BAYNER: “Only time will tell Damon. That’s it for us for PWA Weekend Rewind. Goodnight PWA Armada, and we will see you at Assault!”

***Fade to black***

[Ameronth]

*The camera shows an empty corridor inside the PWA Arena and Training Center. The walls are a pristine white with gold painted doors at regular intervals. All is quiet, except for a faint noise, like a distant thump. The camera moves forward down the hallway, and the noise becomes louder and more distinct. The thumping intensifies, accompanied now with grunts. A sharp, brief cry rings out, then more thumping, then a loud crash. The camera stops at a pair of double doors, both half painted green over their original gold. One of the doors opens. The camera enters the room, revealing a training area dominated by a wrestling ring. In the ring, a young man with long, curly black hair is locked in a Roman knuckle lock with a much larger, much more muscular man in a distinct black and green mask. The young man is putting forth a Herculean effort, straining against the hands of the masked giant, who is standing almost completely still, distracted by something off to his right. The young man continues pushing and struggling, grunting with the effort, as the giant continues looking around the room. Another sound accompanies the effort the young man; a sound similar to paper being crumpled. Near the ring, lounging on a bench, head down in a magazine and loudly munching Cheetos, is a man similarly dressed as the giant in the ring but much smaller in size. He absently shoves a handful of Cheetos into his mouth and wipes his hands on a nearby gym bag, which is beginning to turn orange. The name stitched on the side of the bag is "Arzon".

Arzon, the smaller man, suddenly wrenches his left hand free and spins under his right arm which is still holding the big man's left hand, his athletic pirouette punctuated with an enthusiastic "Ha!". That "Ha!" quickly turns into "HaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHH!" as Giant Anaconda II deftly clamps down his left arm to his side, catching Arzon in a headlock. Anaconda's gaze never leaves whatever it was that has distracted him. Arzon tries in vane to lift the big man into a back suplex to counter the headlock, to no avail.*

ARZON: "Nhn! Nhhhhhhhhn!!! Uh.... Mr. Cobra, sir, uh.... how should I get out of this.... nhn! headlock?"

*Junior Cobra's eyes narrow as he slowly looks up from his magazine to glare at the ring.*

COBRA: "... the spit did you just call me hayseed?"

ARZON: "Oh!! Uh, Supreme Master Cobra! How should I get out of this headlock?"

COBRA: "Better.”

*Junior Cobra looks down at his magazine and stuffs more Cheetos into his mouth. *

COBRA: “Thush hiw fut."

ARZON: "What was that, Supreme Master?"

*Junior Cobra crunches loudly a few times then swallows.*

COBRA: "Sorry... ahem. Touch his butt."

*Giant Anaconda blinks a few times and looks down at Arzon. Arzon looks up at Anaconda as best he can. They both look at Junior Cobra. Cobra feels the eyes on him and looks up again from his magazine.*

COBRA: "What?! Touch his butt! He won't be expecting it! You'll catch him off-guard!"

*[1]A single bead of sweat runs down Anaconda’s chest. He and Arzon look at each other again, then back to Junior Cobra.[/1]*

ARZON: " ... are you... sure that will work?"

*Junior Cobra slaps the magazine down on the bench and leaps to his feet.*

COBRA: "ARE YOU QUESTIONING ME?!?! Listen up, you greenhorn punk, you are locked in a death battle! This is survival!!!! There are no rules!!!! If touching another man's tuff cakes makes you squeamish, then get out of that ring and quit wasting my time, because you clearly DON'T care enough about winning to SACRIFICE and PAY YOUR DUES!!!!"

*Anaconda and Arzon look back down at each other as Junior Cobra slumps down on the bench in a huff and picks his magazine back up. Arzon looks down at the mat. Anaconda suddenly jerks upright, his eyes wide and his arms spasm outward, freeing Arzon from the deadly headlock.*

ARZON: "...... kinda firm...."

*Anaconda blushes through his mask. Cobra looks up from the magazine.*

COBRA: "Whoa! Dude, di- did you just touch his butt? Man, that's GROSS!!!! This is an honorable contest, you freak!!!! What the Hell?!?!"

ARZON: "But you just said-"

COBRA: "Who's the teacher here?! Don't listen to what I SAID, listen to what I'm SAYING!! And what I'm saying is... Give Anaconda twenty bucks."

*Arzon, still in the headlock, digs into his tights and pulls out a sweaty $20 bill. He waves the bill in front Anaconda. Anaconda looks down a the sweaty bill then look s at Junior Cobra and cocks his head to one side.*

COBRA: "Don't you have a couple of tens or fives?"

ARZON: "N- no, Supreme Commander Cobra. I wasn't able to get change today."

COBRA: "...................fine. Dinner's on you tonight, big man."

*Giant Anaconda shrugs his shoulders and grabs the twenty with his free hand, looks around, then looks up and gingerly stuffs the twenty in his tights.*

ARZON: “Done, Supreme Master Cobra sir! Uh.. what should I do next sir?!”

COBRA: “Smell him a little.”

ARZON: “...”

COBRA: “...”

ARZON: “How uh... just how is this all helping you train for your match against Insane Jack Lane?”

*Cobra rolls is eyes INTENSELY under his mask.*

COBRA: “It clears my mind Daryl. You wouldn’t understand. You’re just a wet-behind-the-ears rookie. In time you’re going to learn that working out the body is only one way to train. Half this stuff is mental. And everybody knows that Junior Cobra is COMPLETELY mental.”

*Anaconda nods enthusiastically and gives Arzon a thumbs up.*

ARZON: “I have so much to learn.”

COBRA: “Now then... enough with this undercard bull crap. It’s time for the main event. For this I’m going to need some support. Anaconda, come out here and hold my hand. I need moral support.”

*Giant Anaconda nods and exits the ring. He kneels by Junior Cobra and clasps his left hand gently with one gloves mitt. Arzon stands in the ring looking mildly confused.*

ARZON: “Um... wh- what about my match with Spencer Watts, Supreme Commander Cobra, Your Honor, sir? Do you have any poin-”

COBRA: “Sigh... in a minute Dylan. I need to concentrate.”

*Cobra takes a deep breath... then exhales slowly.*

COBRA: “See kid... like I said. This game is all mental. A true badass can defeat an opponent without even lifting a finger. And this week on Assault, Jack Lane is going to learn what it means to face a man with the mind of a Mensa patient.”

ARZON: “A Mensa... a what now?”

COBRA: “Watch and learn Diane. Now... I need you to do exactly what I say. Can you do that?”

ARZON: “Yes sir Supreme Commander Cobra.”

COBRA: “Arzon, I’m going to need you to to suplex yourself.”

ARZON: “...um...”

COBRA: “Did I flarking stutter Arzon?!”

ARZON: “Uh... NO sir!”

*Derrick Arzon promptly cinches himself in an imaginary suplex and forward flips onto his back.*

ARZON: “OOF!”

*Anaconda and Cobra exchange an amazed look.*

COBRA “(whispering) oh my god he actually did it.”

ARZON: “What was that?”

COBRA: “Nothing! Good job kid. Um... now chokeslam yourself.”

*Arzon promptly goozles his own throat, jumps into the air and slams himself back first on the mat.*

ARZON: “GAFF!”

*Anaconda and Cobra exchange a wordless high-five and smile.*

COBRA: “Ah it’s gonna be a neat day. Arzon... get the tables.”

*Arzon takes a deep breath, groans... then rolls outside to the floor and starts digging under the ring. Fade to black.*

[Quillz]

***The scene opens in a haze-filled lounge. The floors and walls are adorned with lavish, hand-woven tapestries, and soothing sitar music fills the air. Lounging on a throne of satin pillows, The Pinfall Wizard Cassidy Cray sits, taking deep, slow drags off an ornate water-pipe. His face is serene, and he wears a calming smile.***

CRAY: “Brothers and sisters... never let it be said that the path to enlightenment does not come with it’s own trials and tribulations. True wisdom comes from understanding... and understanding comes from experience. Experiences can APPEAR to be good or bad... but in truth, they are all simply threads woven into a grand and glorious tapestry.”

***Cray stops and considers his pipe for a moment... then leans forward on his elbows.***

CRAY: “When my tag-team partner Bokrug Manaj and I arrived in PWA, we did so with one goal in mind. Our aim was to bring the glory of enlightenment to each and every superstar in this organization. Our methods differ but in the end our goals have always been as one. Only through the purifying power of understanding can we fulfill our true purpose.”

***Cray casually shrugs his shoulders and laughs a laconic mellow chuckle.***

CRAY: “Now I will admit... our first match in PWA did not go quite as I foresaw. Thanks to the exuberance of our opponent Junior Cobra, my good buddy Bokrug suffered a pretty gnarly neck injury... and it’s kept us out of tag-team contention for a few weeks. But after some rehab and a tune-up singles match I am happy to report that my colleague is back in the saddle and ready to administer his own special brand of ‘purification’ to the tag-teams of PWA. The road to glory and tranquility runs parallel to that which leads to tag-team gold. And the first step toward achieving those entwined ends will be taken at Assault this week.”

***Cray sits back in a yoga pose and takes a deep breath.***

CRAY: “Mr. Spoils... you and your boy Gehenna seem to feel as if your encounter with The Pinfall Wizard is going to be some sort of... tune-up match to help you recover your mojo. Well... Cassidy Cray is all about mojo... and you’d best believe that our match is going to be very revealing... but perhaps not in the way you expect. But that’s okay... surprise is the spice that flavors the soup. And won’t you be surprised Mr. Gehenna... when you open your eyes and find yourself staring up at the lights. Showing reverence through submission. With the voices of the multitudes ringing in your ears, you will take the first step toward enlightenment... and Alpha Omega will ascend upward and onward to the PWA Tag-Team Championship.”

***Cray closes his eyes and bows his head as the scene fades to black.***