***Pyro erupts through the PWA Arena over an enthusiastic crowd.***
GARY BLOOMFIELD: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the PWA Arena in San Diego, California! Welcome to the sixth season of PWA! And welcome to PWA Assault! The King of Deathmatch tournament begins tonight with four opening round matches, to be competed under no-disqualification rules! No countouts, no rope-breaks, and no holds barred! Among those matches we will see Mysterious Jai 1 take on “The Natural” Kevin Starr, the return of Nemesis Rex and he will face Robert MacElro-“
***”Charisma” cuts off Bloomfield’s greeting and the cheers in the arena turn into thunderous boos. Damion Black steps onto the stage, resplendent in his custom black Armani suit, hair perfectly tied back. Black is all smiles as he greets the boos and jeers of the audience and makes his way to the ring. Black calls for a microphone as he enters the ring.”
BLACK: “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to personally welcome you all tonight as we kick off season number six! And, while all of us at PWA are anxious to begin tonight’s action, I think it is important that we reflect upon one of the most successful runs for PWA which occurred last season. PWA: Black was, I dare say, the most impactful and significant event in the history of PWA. We saw history unfold before our very eyes, the result of which was the crowning of three champions that Prestige Wrestling Association can truly present to the world as the very finest competitors in this or ANY wrestling promotion worldwide! These are men we can look to with pride, knowing they represent our very best, our crème-de-la-crème, the very pinnacle of wrestling greatness! And they are all here tonight! It gives me great pleasure and pride to introduce to you the man who defeated one of the toughest men in our history to become the PWA Heavyweight champion, Ronnie Lassiter!”
***Lassiter comes out, his title belt over his shoulder, to a rain of boos. Lassiter, at the top of the ramp, looks about, steely-eyed. He seems to nervously ring his wrists, as if uncertain about something, then sets his jaw and steadily walks to the ring, ignoring the audience. Climbing through the ropes, he takes his place behind and to the right of Black.***
BLACK: “Next, of course, is a man who has proven his mettle, his charisma, his unmatched ability time and again in the hallowed squared-circle. He is an athlete of supreme caliber who maintains a sense of humility and fair sportsmanship becoming of a champion. I give to you the PWA Light Heavyweight champion, Bartholomew “Brawler” Beckett!
***Beckett emerges to the thundering groove of Subtle Hustle. Dressed in a 3-piece suit, bowler hat cocked over his right eye, and the Lt. Hvywt. Championship Belt secured about his waist. He comes out to a storm of boos; he closes his eyes and tilts his head back, spreading his arms wide, soaking in the wrath of the fans. When he opens his eyes, he looks to the ring, right a Lassiter, and smirks as if to say, ‘Like that, my boy.’ He struts to the ring, taking his time, making g the crowd more furious that, not only was he here, but they were having to wait on him. Rather than standing near Black right away, he takes the time to go from turnbuckle to turnbuckle. As the each, he presents himself and his title to the fans, and each time he is greeted with more and more hatred. Finally, he goes to Black and shakes his hand, then stands behind Black, watching the crowd to see whether anyone would dare to throw something.***
BLACK: “And last but far from least, the man who single-handedly brought the NWC World title home to PWA, where it belongs, a legend among men, and a man I am proud to call my friend, the NWC World Wrestling champion “The Heartthrob Kid” Jonathon Eckstrom!”
***Jonathan Eckstrom, the world champion of the NWC walks out to his famed music, the crowd boos him heavily. Ecks dances with his belt. Upon entering the ring, he shakes Damion’s hand and the two embrace briefly. John takes the mic from Damion.***
ECKS: “Thank you, brother Damion! You asked me to win you this world title and well, old balding Pat ain’t the champ no mo!
“I would like to thank at this time, the planner. You! Damion Black! You, my best friend, were right. You knew it when you signed me up. Magic would happen, and look! I am now the goddamned champion!”
***The crowd boos even louder.***
ECKS: “Ah shaddap!”
***YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!***
ECKS: “Let’s get one thing straight: Jonathan Eckstrom does not suck! Far from it! I am the king of bling bling! I am a talent you all admire! I am your role model! Heartthrob International! Bigger, better and yes folks I am BADDER than most! If you don’t like it, learn to love it, to quote…’it’s the best thing happening today. Wooooooo!’ Dick Slender, folks!”
***BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
ECKS: “Well then screw all of you! I am the greatest! Go tell em what’s up Damion!”
BLACK: “Each one of these men fought with passion and conviction and they achieved their goals in front of the world itself. They looked adversity in the eye, they climbed the proverbial mountain and reached the summit, and as none of you here tonight could never aspire to such greatness, how fortunate for you that you may live vicariously through the accomplishments of these great, upstanding warriors.”
***The booing grows in intensity. Damion stops and grins wickedly.***
BLACK: “Oh, don’t be so indignant, it’s true! None of you could possibly hold a candle to any one of these three men! You can’t even find your way out of your mother’s basement!”
??????: “Well, look what we got here ladies and gents!”
***Black’s smile immediately turns into a murderous scowl as Watts comes in through the crowd holding a microphone.***
WATTS: “The Armada’s fearless loser… I’m sorry… Fearless Leader and his band of gold-plated groupies!”
***Watts takes a few steps down getting closer to the guard rail as the fans cheer and pat him on the back.***
WATTS: “Now for those of you who may have missed PWA: BLACK or have possibly suffered a concussion recently, like my good friend Mr. Black, I’ve got the guys in the truck ready to put that ass whoopin’ on loop for the rest of the evening!”
***Black looks up toward the camera to address the production crew.***
BLACK: “DO NOT show that footage or you’re FIRED!
***Watts laughs.***
WATTS: “Come on boss man, don’t tell me you’re the type to dish it out but can’t take it…”
***Watts jumps the guard rail and makes his way around the ring to be closest to Beckett.***
WATTS: “Besides, I ain’t out here for you Black… Beckett, you got a debt with me, and I’m here to collect. I want my damn Light Heavyweight Title shot!”
BLACK: “Watts, not only have you spoken out of turn, but you have spoken in complete ignorance and disrespect of the men who lead your company. These three supreme gladiators back down from no challenge! They fear no man! They will gladly take on any athlete in the locker room at any time!”
***Beckett blanches slightly and his sneer drops from his face. He begins nervously tapping Black’s shoulder.***
BLACK: “That is exactly what these men are made of! They will meet any challenge in the ring, against anyone, any time, even tonight…”
***The crowd erupts in cheers and Spencer nods his head in anticipation. In the ring, Beckett clutches his Light Heavyweight title and shakes his head vigorously, mouthing the word “no” over and over again.***
BLACK: “…but you see, I have to temper their competitive fires in the best interest of PWA. Watts, you don’t seem to understand that PWA is a BUSINESSS. In order for PWA to continue, it must make money, and to make money it is my responsibility to assemble matches and events that the wrestling fan will buy tickets to witness in person. We have already seen Watts versus Beckett for the Light Heavyweight championship and, well, to put it bluntly, it was clear then that you were not Beckett’s peer in the ring and I doubt much has changed. No one wants to see that match again.” ***Boos rain down in the ring. Beckett visibly relaxes and smiles menacingly at Watts.*** “You see? These Neanderthals agree with me. I cannot put Brawler Beckett vs. Spencer Watts on a marquee and expect to turn a profit. You are simply not financially viable to get another shot at the Light Heavyweight title. Better luck next time, kid.”
WATTS: “The only thing stale and over done around PWA is you four circle-”
***Black signals by swiping his hand across his neck. Watts continues talking into the mic, going off on a tirade, but there is no sound. The crowd realizes what’s happening and boos voraciously at Black. Watts slaps the mic against his leg, then rears back and throws the microphone into the audience, then locks eyes with Beckett and flips him the bird as Beckett laughs in his face.***
BLACK: “I think we’ve heard enough. Security, escort Mr. Watts from the arena and give him the night off.”
***As security attempts to drag him away, Watts feints a punch at the first two guards, assuring them he knows the way out. He points at Beckett with a smile, nodding his head then motioning his hands around his waist as he leaves through the crowd and security follows.***