DAMION: “You know, I have to say this Heavyweight tournament is exceeding all expectations, wouldn’t you agree? *Crowd cheers* Eight of the finest heavyweight athletes in the world going toe to toe for the ultimate prize: the right to be known as the most skilled, the toughest, the absolute best heavyweight wrestler in professional wrestling today. For the past few weeks, every one of these competitors has given everything they had each and every time they come out. They have proven themselves time and again. We’ve seen some surprises, we’ve seen incredible action and heart, and displays of will and fortitude as yet unrivaled anywhere else in the world of professional wrestling, and we’re only halfway through! I think all of you here tonight will agree when I say I personally can’t until the Rise of Kings spectacular to see who will be crowned Prestige Wrestling Association’s very first Heavyweight champion.
“With that being said, there’s only one thing that’s bothersome about the heavyweight tournament, and that is the fact that only our heavyweights are able to participate. PWA has amassed an all-star roster of vastly talented athletes in all weight classes, and to shine a spotlight on only a select few is a disservice to the rest of the roster of deserving athletes in the PWA locker room. I’ve given it some thought and deliberation and I am now ready to announce plans for the crowning of PWA’s very first Light Heavyweight champion! *Crowd cheers* Before I make this announcement, I would like to invite to the ring a man to whom this announcement would chiefly concern. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the ring… Bartholomew “Brawler” Beckett!”
*The crowd boos and jeers as Beckett steps out from backstage, dressed sharply in a custom-tailored three-piece suit and immaculately groomed. He appraises the hundreds of detractors, basking in their disgust with a self-satisfied sneer. He acknowledges Damion Black with a shallow bow, then starts down the aisle. Beckett stops about halfway down, drawing more ire from the fans. He spreads his arms and smiles as they roar louder, then gets to the ring. He climbs in, smiles to the venomous crowd once more, and addresses Black.*
DAMION: “Mr. Beckett, thank you for joining me.”
BECKETT: “It is my pleasure, Mr. Black, and I must say that it is an honor and a privilege to have earned a chief place on your roster, being a man as yet …. UNDEFEATED …”
*The rest of his statement is drowned out by the fury of the fans. Beckett looks perturbed at first, then smirks in satisfaction.*
DAMION: “Certainly, Mr. Beckett, there are those who are of the opinion that, due to your impressive though not unblemished win\loss record, you would be deserving of being crowned the inaugural Light Heavyweight champion. However, we have many light heavyweight wrestlers on the roster who deserve a shot at becoming the first Light Heavyweight champion, and so, to my mind, it would not be sporting to simply crown you as Light Heavyweight champion. So, here is what I have decided: over the next four weeks there will be a series of matches where light heavyweight competitors will face each other one-on-one in a single elimination format. The four winners of these matches will meet at the Rise of Kings event in a no disqualification every-man-for-himself contest. Participants in that match may be eliminated by pinfall or submission. Once they are eliminated, they will no longer be eligible to win the championship, however they will not be required to leave the ring and may continue to compete until only man remains without being eliminated himself. That man will be crowned PWA’s Light Heavyweight Champion!”
BECKETT: “I must admit, I am a little surprised that I am not simply being given the honor that I so richly deserve of being the inaugural Light Heavyweight Champion of PWA, but I understand. Certainly! We do not fight in private here. This ring is surrounded by empty seats in which you lot may fill your empty lives! You’ve come for a show, and, let’s face it, I am magnificent to watch!” *Jeers and heckling from the fans* “That said, I would be more than happy to crush each of my deserving opponents in turn before you all, and silence the doubters, if for no other reason than – ha – I rather enjoy beating the daylights out of them!”
DAMION: “Now, Mr. Beckett, I did bring you out for a specific reason as it pertains to this light heavyweight tournament. I have decided that you will participate in the first one-on-one contest to determine the first entry into the Rise of Kings Endless Fatal 4-Way Light Heavyweight Championship match, and I have a few opponents in mind for you to face, one in particular that I think everyone here would love to see. I have received word that Snow has been cleared by our medical staff to compete-“
BECKETT: “I’m sorry, what? WHAT!?” *fans roar in excitement, leading quickly to chants of, “Sno-ow! Sno-ow!” as Beckett whirls around from one side of the ring to another, shouting at the fans to “Shut up,” barely audible over the din* “No! No, he must have bribed the doctors or something! There’s no way he can be out of the hospital yet!” *To Black* “You CANNOT allow this!”
DAMION: “Mr. Beckett, please. Such outbursts are unbecoming of a gentleman. Why, people may get the impression you are afraid to face Snow in the ring again.”
*The fans cheer at that, laughing at Beckett. Beckett trembles in rage at first, turning scarlet, then regains his composure. When the clamor has died down enough, he responds…*
BECKETT: “Well, well, well. You lot of bloodthirsty, degenerate, sadists think you have me, eh? You finally get your match in which I permanently cripple old Snowdrift?” *To Damion* “Mr. Black, you are a competitor and athlete yourself, and a champion besides, so if anyone here will understand me – and none of these losers here will – it is you. I cannot, in GOOD CONSCIENCE, fight Snow at this time. I firmly believe that he should not have been released from the hospital so soon, and, despite his obvious hubris, has no business in the ring. This is your company, Mr. Black. Do you really want to see him permanently crippled in this place of honor, simply because he thought with his pride instead of his head?” (fans begin to “boo” Beckett again, afraid that Black will listen to the argument) “Now, if you want me to do that to him, I’ll be more than happy to, but not tonight. Not like this! I will NOT stain my own reputation by having it said that the only reason Bartholomew Beckett won his title was because he started off by beat up a cripple!”
DAMION: “Mr. Beckett, you do bring up a good point. It is entirely reasonable to consider that, due to recent events, such as his friend and partner being arrested on live television, backstage assaults and public slander, Snow may be too eager to get back in the ring to face you and not allow his body enough time to heal. My chief concern is the health of my athletes. Therefore, Snow will not be your opponent. *Crowd boos* Not to worry, for there is another wrestler who I believe will give you the competition a man of your caliber requires to test his skills to the very limit. Therefore, the first match in this light heavyweight single elimination series will be “Brawler” Beckett versus Pantaro! *Crowd cheers* That match will take place in the main event TONIGHT! *Crowd roars* Best of luck to you both!”
