PWA Assault – 08 JUL 2021

***The lights dim and Akira Wyld’s theme echoes through the PWA Arena. The Surgical Specialist steps through the entrance ramp and makes his way to the ring to a mostly positive crowd reaction. He rolls into the ring and asks for a microphone. As the music stops he looks out at the PWA Armada and nods.***

AKIRA: “This past season in PWA, I finally exorcised some demons and put paid to a debt that has eaten at my soul since I first set foot in the PWA Arena. And now… as I stand in this ring, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel that, maybe for the first time… Akira Wyld is exactly who he is supposed to be. As I look out there at all of you in the PWA Armada, I see a clear horizon full of possibilities. I see a world in which I can truly step forward and be better… not only for myself, but for this company. For this locker room. For this sport. It’s a new dawn, and I’m ready to take that first step.”

***Akira nods and paces around the ring.***

AKIRA: “For nearly 20 years I’ve traveled the world. I’ve taken on the best of the best that the wrestling world has to offer. I’ve won championships in the IWF, PWS, and iNCW. Twice I’ve held the NWC World Title proudly over my head. Everywhere I have gone, I’ve risen to the top. But there is one company that I have never held a title in. And that company… is PWA. In eight backbreaking seasons, Akira Wyld has never had a match for a PWA title. Akira Wyld has never held a championship in the greatest, most prestigious organization in the world. I think it’s time that changed.”

***Akira frowns with a serious look on his face.***

AKIRA: “As we enter season nine of PWA… we stand at the foot of a mountain. The King of Deathmatch is the most deadly, career-threatening tournament in this sport. The toughest, fiercest wrestlers from PWA do battle in bloody, barbed-wire wrapped combat to earn the right to be crowned the King of the Deathmatch… to stand tall as the toughest, unkillable survivor in the world of professional wrestling. And mark my words… this year, I have my sights laser focused on winning that crown. Akira Wyld will be the next PWA King of Deathmatch… and I will finally etch my name in this company’s history. But this year… things are even tougher than before. This year, the King of Deathmatch will be held under tornado tag-team rules. And that means, in order to make it to the finals at PWA’s next supercard, I need to work with a man I have never shared a ring with before. I have…”

***Suddenly Akira is cut off mid-sentence by the familiar bass-heavy theme… of Victor Sokolov. Wyld stops pacing in the ring and turns to face the entrance ramp. After a moment, Victor Sokolov steps out onto the stage. Next to him is his manager, George Prescott, III. Prescott has a microphone in hand.***

Prescott: “Yes, I’m sure we’re all impressed at your ability to steel yourself for yet another futile attempt at championship glory. You come out here and prostrate yourself before these heathen fans and beat your chest and swear that you will not rest until you have claimed GOLD! Nothing specific, mind you, it could be PWA Heavyweight gold, or Tag Team gold, or even the gold cap in Mighty Cobra’s disgusting maw. It’s hard to be particular when you’re so desperate, isn’t it? You have twenty years in this illustrious business, and yet it took less than two years for the Siberian Psychopath to completely eclipse all of your long-forgotten accolades that you trumpet to anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot! Viktor Sokolov has been and continues to be the pinnacle of professional wrestling! 3-time INCW Heavyweight champion, current reigning PWA Heavyweight champion, and a neigh undefeatable tyrant of pure, raw power and merciless brutality! Viktor Sokolov has already taken your measure, Akira Wyld, and you have been found wanting! The Viktor Sokolov Challenge has yet to be conquered, and the Siberian Psychopath hungers for fresh competition!”

***Akira leaps up onto the middle turnbuckle and beckons to Prescott and Sokolov.***

AKIRA: “You talk a hell of a game Prescott. But I was under the impression that the PWA Heavyweight Champion was a man of action. If you’re saying that the Challenge is still on… then why doesn’t the Siberian Psychopath march his ass down to the ring and put a championship opportunity on the line TONIGHT?”

***Prescott smirks and holds up a program for tonight’s event.***

PRESCOTT: “Ha ha ha ha, oh son…. Did you forget that you are already booked in a King of Deathmatch tournament match tonight? It is beneath Viktor Sokolov to face a man who is not at his best. Crushing you beneath his heel after you have been in the ring once in the same night proves nothing. I suggest you cease chasing old glories and prepare for your match tonight before your mouth brings an end you your wrestling career!”

***Wyld frowns and leaps down from the ropes. He yells at Prescott off-mic and pantomimes for Sokolov to get into the ring. Prescott looks at Sokolov, who is glowering in the ring at Akira with an intense glare.***

PRESCOTT: “Oh dear… I’m afraid, Akira Wyld, it may already be too late for you….”

***Sokolov cracks his knuckles and marches to the ring. Akira squares up as the Siberian Psychopath rolls into the ring. Before Sokolov can stand, Wyld rushes in and hammers him with punches and kicks. Sokolov manages to get a hand on his shirt and heaves him across the ring. Wyld crashes to the mat and scrambles to his feet. Sokolov rushes at him and pancakes him into the turnbuckle. Wyld stumbles out of the corner and collapses to his knees. Sokolov stalks the fallen Wyld with a look of contempt on his face. He drags him to a standing position and cinches him around the waist. He heaves Wyld up over his head into a Dominator, but Wyld slips out behind the Russian. Sokolov whips around and eats an Akira Kick to the face! Sokolov stumbles but doesn’t fall! Akira takes a step back to measure him for another Akira Kick… but before he can unleash it, Prescott dives in under the bottom rope and grabs Wyld by the ankle! Sokolov quickly recovers and rushes in and delivers a Siberian Legsweep to Wyld. He then hoists him up and destroys him with a Dominator in the middle of the ring! He paces around the ring like an uncaged beast. Wyld slowly pulls himself to his knees on shaky limbs. But Sokolov grabs him and smashes him into the ground with a second Dominator! Wyld is completely unconscious in the middle of the ring as Sokolov matter-of-factly rolls out of the ring and stalks back toward the entrance area.***