Meltdown 164/Ascension 141

After a lot of discussion that has still on going we've decided to mix it up a bit this round.

Firstly all RPs will go in here, the card will be decided based on your RPs, it won't be random drawn like the lottery rounds. This card will be decided before we vote.

Secondly what RPs are we doing? Based off what Gazprom said in the town hall "As a suggestion, I think it would be good for people ahead of the 'new year' to expect everyone have a sort of manifesto or big picture aim instead of an RP in the first round for where they want their character to go and what their aim is. The show that follows would try to set those up. Obviously, you can't satisfy everyone but not everyone will want to send PMs detailing plans, and people get jaded if their plans don't align with creative.".

Read it almost as a state of the union for your character, where you're at and where you want to be. EVERYONE is expect to RP with no extensions this round.

Deadline is Tuesday 3rd December 11:59pm EST.

Please also check out the townhall/creative application thread as well as we need all the help we can get.

RMK: STATE of the UNION, UNDRESSED EDITION


RMK: Eurasian Champion, his basic continuing story is he's fighting to be more of a heroic face but still harbors the darkness of being a heel not too long ago.

Same 80's gimmick. Gets into trouble and likes to stir up trouble to keep himself entertained. Won't be afraid to show disrespect to an interviewer or boss type. Likes the booze, partying and hits on the hot women.

---- I'd like Mark to get into a storyline with Flex Mussel for once, be it a feud or some kind of cross character study where RMK feel's he could look better and joins a Flex Fitness Gym only to end up disrespecting Flex's legacy.

----- If not Flex Mussel, some other serious feud for The Eurasian Championship. Maybe Garth Black didn't like the way RMK eliminated him during the Battle Royale? Or even Titus suddenly gets nostalgic after RMK leaves the belt near his dressing room to talk to a fan.

I'd also like a reunion with Xavier (Triple X) in tag team form for laughs, now that he's turned to the dark side (And an unstoppable World Champ) to boot.

(Author's note: This was a lot harder than I thought it would be, I trust Creative to fill in the blanks as I really can't think of anything else, my character is not really that complex to work with, so I have full confidence in what you folks come up with.)

So I sorta wrote a brief RP outlining Holmes' raw feelings following his loss. This can be found below.

But to further detail things, I essentially want Holmes to react to the loss in a vicious and nasty way. He was doing this for his dead daughter after all. You'll notice no mention of that here either. That storyline is over as far as I'm concerned, and he's not taking the loss in the most healthy way, holding onto the anger, the vile,l the loathing, the suffering in a deeply personal manner. Thus he's going to start making examples of people, relishing his victimising of people as a means back into the title picture. Is this heel Holmes in full swing or an anti-hero persona? I'm okay with either as Holmes returns to his roots of glory hunting and relishing the pain and suffering that only he can inflict:

________________

Sample RP:

A WZCW.com watermark in the corner, a shaky camera angle, hushed voices.

Reporter: Just through here nowâ?¦

The camera and the disembodied voice stagger through generic, off-white coloured hallways until they come to a door, slightly ajar. The reporterâ??s arm reaches out, tentative. There is hesitation, maybe even fear for what lurks behind this door. Then, after the moment of contemplation, the plunge. He knocks. Four times. Both men wait. The camera is still now, the person wielding it stables and surer now. The reporter knocks once more, rattling the wooden door another four times, with renewed ferocity. It pushes the door further open, and we see a peak of what lurks within.

Sat on a wooden bench all to themselves is a figure, a towel draped over their head. They are otherwise dressed in wrestling attire. Their skin shimmers in the unbearably bright light of the dressing room. They are hiding it would seem. Their chest and stomach move in tandem, signalling a heavy set of breaths being taken. They make no other movement otherwise.

Reporter: Umâ?¦ Mr. Holmes, sir?

No response again. Daringly, the reporter makes a move, stepping foot into the locker room. His back fills the screen as he enters. Then, the camera follows. Both men are soon in a bare locker room. A half emptied suitcase lies on the floor, several items tossed aside. An overly expensive, custom suit hangs neatly on a rail. Catering sits atop a table, mostly eaten, a morsel or two remaining. And of course, the man himself, sat there glazed in sweat, still unresponsive.

Reporter: Mr. Holmes, tonight, you fought in the main event of Kingdom Come X. You faced Xander for the World Heavyweight Championship and, unfortunately, you came up short. Did you have any words to say to the fans at home?

The response is a heavy breath from the hidden Holmes and nothing more. The cameraman pans slightly to try and find the reporter (and some answers). The man asking the questions remains anonymous and hidden. He puts the question to â??The Eliteâ? once more.

Reporter: I think the fans would love to know Mr. Holmesâ?¦

Suddenly, there is a grumble from beneath the towel. It appears to be an attempt at communication but it cannot be understood in its entirety. Thus, the reporter tempts fate.

Reporter: Mr. Holmes, I didnâ??t quiteâ?¦

Suddenly the figure of Holmes bolts upright and tears the towel from his head.

Holmes: I SAID BLOODY GET OUT!

Like naughty children caught up to no good, the two journalists scatter. The reporter can be heard exclaiming in shock before his hard soled, sprinting steps echo in the background. The camera meanwhile is dropped, the lens cracked, perhaps permanently damaged. Yet its contents remain, for we witness them now.

Holmes sighs. The view of him askew. The camera is on its side, everything in vertical. What was a floor seems like a wall now. His booted feet shuffle towards the camera. He picks it up, staggers backwards, still no doubt weary, exhausted from his battle with Xander. He crumples into a seat, holding the camera close to his face, and speaks.

Holmes: I have given my everything. I have scratched and clawed. Used all my cunning. All my guile. I am a genius, a warrior, a strategist of the highest order. I should be sat here with the worldâ??s grandest prize adorned on my shoulder, popping champagne, basking in glory. Iâ??m not. I merely sit, stewing in my own secretions, scowling. I had Xander dead to rights. I knew his every move, I anticipated, I countered, I out-wrestled him. I guaranteed victory. It was inevitable, how could it not be? I was riding an emotional wave, I was better than him.

Holmesâ?? eyes are shrunken, black buttons filled with nothing contempt and loathing as he spits his complaints out.

Holmes: My fingers locked, his chin and neck jarred upward at an angle so painful, so awkward he would have no choice but to relent, submit, admit Aristocracy Reigns. My hand to be raised up high. The weight of the world relieved. My moment had come. Yet he didnâ??t relent. He didnâ??t submit. He didnâ??t do any such thing. The bloody bastard escaped, and he beat meâ?¦ he beat me.

The voice of Holmes shrinks into an almost nothingness upon the final three words. He sits and contemplates for a moment or two. The pause is potent and powerful as he wanders off mentally. Then, slowly he returns.

Holmes: I lost. I actually lost. I still havenâ??t won at Kingdom Come. Iâ??m still a perpetual loser. I canâ??t win for me, I canâ??t win for my family, I cannot do anything. I sit atop a fortune of money, of power, all perceived as greatness and in reality nothingness. I spent a long time rebuilding, recovering trying to sacrifice everything in a bid at this moment. And when it came? I failed. Again.

The year is drawing to its close. Maybe so am Iâ?¦ but Iâ??ll be damned if this is how it goes. When people associate my name with things, I want them to associate it with glory, grandeur and more. I want everything, the fat, all the trimmings. I want to be what I once was. Merciless, cunning, vicious. Maybe I canâ??t be in the same way, but I will achieve it. And mark my words, when I am here at Kingdom Come XI, not if, when. I will stand high atop the mountain, gold glittering in my hands, champion of all.

With his last ounce of energy for the night, Holmes raises the camera up before casting it aside. It bursts into static as the video draws to a closeâ?¦

________________

Essentially this encapsulates the raw emotion Holmes has. I would love to see Holmes move onto newer adversaries, having fought exclusively previous/established opponents, but either works against this version of Holmes as he avenges his past and seeks to rectify the future before it can cost him. I trust creative with the direction in storyline and have no exact opponents in mind at this time, but I'm happy to face whoever, just as long as we stay true to who Holmes is; a vengeful, angry, passionate man with a fair bit of wealth and a mean streak a mile long. He gets off on causing mental and physical pain, and his goal by Kingdom Come XI isn't just to main event that show, but walk out bathed in both blood and glory.

From the pen of Garth Black

I think Iâ??ve made my peace with the fact that it isnâ??t really about what WZCW can do for me, and I donâ??t really care what I can do for it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, is it freedom or is it an oncoming train? I think Iâ??m on the wind down, my illness issue didnâ??t really go anywhere and wasnâ??t how Iâ??ve planned. Iâ??ve broken the fourth wall, Iâ??ve kicked the habit, Iâ??ve found redemption. Iâ??ve done everything that one could really hope to do. Iâ??ve been at the top of the hill and the bottom of the valley.

The reality there is no direction I can take myself in without being utterly ridiculous and completely changing the persona that I have crafted for almost ten years. I donâ??t want to do that, I want to be myself and I will be myself until the bitter end.

The end is nigh.

But that doesnâ??t mean the business is finished. Iâ??ve never been Elite X/ Openweight /Overweight Champion. Iâ??ve never won any of the multi-men matches. I like to think of myself as having won Gold Rush, but I didnâ??t, regardless of the circumstances of that. Iâ??d like to do both before I hang up the boots. Increasingly, I want to get my little sister, Jezebel Jones involved in the business, and she will be in my corner going forward from this day. Who knows? Maybe she will continue to make a name for our little clan once Iâ??m gone, but thatâ??s it.

The truth is, Iâ??ve won hearts and minds and championships but Iâ??m losing energy. One last hurrah might give me the impetus to go forward further. I havenâ??t put the effort in for the last few months, but that will change. Iâ??m not putting a date on it, and I may be here at Kingdom Come 11 or 12 or 13 or beyond. I know that I need to set my mind on a specific goal, and for now that is winning the Elite Championship. After that, who knows? Lethal Lottery? King for A Day?
All I can say is this. I have a list of three or four things I want to do before I retire. Some of them Iâ??ve listed. All of them I intend to do before the end of my career. I promise I wonâ??t go until itâ??s the right time for us all.

Sebastian Copeland and Titus Avison are shown on screen. Both are in chairs and suited, behind a WZCW logo.

Copeland: I'm here with a man who needs no introduction.

Titus: Oh come on Seabass, let's hear it.

The theme music replays starting from the beginning.

Copeland: I'm here with possibly the greatest person in WZCW history. Outside of WZCW he's decorated with 5 Oscars, a Tony, a Grammy, various Golden Globes and other awards but it's inside the company he's made his name known. He has held the Mayhem Championship, Elite X Championship, famously held the EurAsian Championship for 951 days, he's a three time World Heavyweight Championship, he's a Lethal Lottery winner, Hall of Famer and the winner of of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. Ladies and Gentlemen...Titus Avison!

Titus: There was no need for an introduction like that, but thanks.

Copeland gives Titus a glance as if to say “are you for real”.

Copeland: We're here for a retrospective of the year, a few key moments for you. Lets start in the aftermath of Kingdom Come IX, where you were defeated by John Constantine.

Titus: Defeated? I suppose so. I lost my belt but who won overall? I'm sat here today and where's he? Resorting to buying groceries from Stevie Broon? Taking up lookalike jobs for Anthony Michaels? Hoping Trump throws in the towel so he can run for president? Either way I wasn't defeated. I am the man who is still here, fighting week in and week out. There are people out there who think John Constantine is a member of Legends of Tomorrow who controls demons and hates Newcastle.

Copeland: Putting it that way, it makes sense. You bounced back immediately and won the World Heavyweight Championship.

Titus: Again. It's not that hard really, the problem is just whether I want it or not. I don't need it but quite often it needs me. That's the beauty of WZCW, will I get it back over the next year? Very likely. Do I need to do it? Unlikely.

Copeland: Well you achieved one of your goals this year at the Lethal Lottery, talk us through that.

Titus: Eliminating Chris K.O. I mean that was something that was worth the years of waiting. I particularly enjoyed when...

Copeland: I mean the three faces of Titus.

Titus: There were only two. Fake actor everyone loves me Titus and my normal behavioured Titus Avison.

Copeland: What about Red Mask?

Titus: I'm not Red Mask. He's just the red version of Haven.

Copeland: But Red Mask came first.

Titus: So you're telling me that Haven just copied Red Mask and made it Green? That's preposterous.

Copeland: Moving on from that then, Kingdom Come X. You finally did it.

Titus: Indeed. Wiped the floor with him. Time to move on. You all saw what happened. He can move on with his life now instead of obsessing over me, wondering when I'll strike. He now knows that I have struck and can strike any time I want.

Before you ask me that's the beauty of the next year. I could do anything I wanted. I could take any title. I could reinstate the tag titles. I could stop Callie Clark from being suck a whiny bitch. I could win the Lethal Lottery. I could start another legacy. I will just be myself, go with the flow and pounce when possible. Titus Avison doesn't give a crap how plans are, for the show is about him not anyone else.

Copeland: What about your buddy Mikey Stormrage?

Titus: I'm not his buddy, friend.

Fade to black as Copeland just shakes his head in despair.

Chapter 6: Epilogue

The NFL, NBA, and other major sports organizations all have exit-interviews at the end of their seasons. Why wouldn’t WZCW?

Chris K.O. takes a seat behind a table with a bouquet of microphones in front of him. He looks very exhausted as he is only one day removed from Kingdom Come X. Camera flashes sparkle like fireflies.

REPORTER #1: Chris, tough loss against Titus. How does the finish of the match affect where you go from here?

CHRIS: I don’t think exposing the turnbuckle is an honorable way to win by any means, but I don’t blame him. I would be a hypocrite if I said I wouldn’t have done the same thing a few years ago. At this moment, I’m not sure what’s in the immediate cards, but I know at some point that I owe Titus one.

REPORTER #2: If the “immediate cards” were in your hands, where would you want them to land?

CHRIS: *chuckles* If you are asking me what I want, I have the same answer of every WZCW superstar. Shouldn’t their answer be, “a shot at the WZCW World Championship?” If the pathway presented itself, I would be eager to traverse it.

REPORTER #2: So, we can tell the dirt sheets, “Chris K.O. wants Triple X!”

CHRIS: You can say whatever you want; I just said if the pathway presents itself.

REPORTER #3: So, Kingdom Come marks the end of the calendar year. What kind of statement would you like to make in general by the next Kingdom Come?

CHRIS: That’s a big question. I don’t know? I’m not really trying to be a poster child for anything. I think for a long time I thought I needed to be the loudest to be heard. I just want to show more and say less. I guess that’s my mantra this upcoming year.

REPORTER #3: Thanks for your time, Chris!

Chris waves and exits the stage. As he gets off the stage, a WZCW Network Executive is ready to greet him with a card.

EXECUTIVE: Chris, we need to talk!

Black screen

â??Ok and now when I see the red button it'll be on-"

Tap tap tap

â??Is this thing on? Oh! Okay cool. I know we're supposed to say our resolutions and what we want in the roaring 2020s blah, blah, blah, but I thought I would bless you all with a song.â?

Instrumental version of Diamonds are a girls best friend starts playing

â??A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But titles are a girl's best friend
A kiss may be grand but it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat, or help you at your title match
Men grow cold as girls grow old (Callie)
And we all lose our charms in the end (except me)
But square cut or pear shaped
These belts don't lose their shape
Titles are a girl's best friend-
Kagura's, Flex Mussel, Stormrage, Titus, Burna
Talk to me, Leon, Stacy, tell me all about it
There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer
But diamonds are a girl's best friend�

Alice laughs as the music ends and walks up to the camera

â??Believe me when I say this, Iâ??m coming for whatâ??s mine, come hell or high water, I will destroy anyone who gets in my way, these lazy bitches are gonna flip when I come back. Because Iâ??m hungryâ?¦ and I know EXACTLY what I need to do to satisfy my hunger. See you all in 2020.â?

The hotel room was illuminated only by the street lamps, polluting the air with an orange bathe of light. It seeped through the curtain, falling across the bed and reaching all the way to the door as Xander entered. He walked straight to the bed, throwing his gear bag down on the floor before he sat gingerly on the mattress. His back was in bits. His ribs were messed up. And his head hurt like hell. It didn't matter.

I fucking did it.

Quote:

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I'm still in shock. Genuinely. To say I never expected to have been in this position; not only to have won the WHC and Lethal Lottery but also to have defended it at Kingdom Come would have been a hideous understatement.

---

He reached down to his bag, unzipping it. The WZCW World Championship glistened as he slowly slid the belt out, holding it in his arms. The same way he held it after winning it back at the Lethal Lottery.

I did what no-one said I could. Once again.

Xanders mind cast across to Steven Holmes; the man he had obsessed over defeating not just since he became the number one contender. No, the man who he saw take his spot years prior, who he had always hoped would step back into the ring so he could, no, would get his revenge over.

Quote:

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...against FunKay as Steven FUCKING Holmes no less! How the fuck did that happen???

---

The feeling...I thought would be indescribable...

...but it's not.

Quote:

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So; where would I like to take Xander now?

---

Xander closed his eyes, lowering his head down, resting his head on the Championship.

It's the same. The same as how I felt when I won the Championship. The feeling of fulfilling destiny. The feeling of achieving a goal others thought unobtainable.

The feeling of shoving it into every single WZCW fans face.

Quote:

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Let's start there. I want to try and focus more on Xanders relationship with the fans. He hates them, and he feels hatred from them.

---

He felt Talia's hand move across his shoulder, as he sat there, completely still, feeling the gold centreplate resting against his skull.

Quote:

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I want to show Xander as the sick, sadistic and arrogant son of a bitch he has become. But deep down, with all of his changes, theres an underlying urge to be loved from the former Triple X. He pushes those closest to him away only to seek them back later. He professes to hate the fans, but does he really want to make them suffer or is his cruelness masking a desire to be cheered once more? I'd like to explore that in some way. Face turn perhaps? In the right way, and I have ideas, but not right now. That's post World Title, me thinks. But Xander fighting for redemption is something I want to do, and I think it could be great when the time comes.

---

Xanders mind flicked through other WZCW superstars; the likes of Mikey Stormrage, Titus, Kagura, Chris KO amongst others. The finest WZCW had to offer would surely be gunning for him, and he would be waiting.

Quote:

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The names there...they are some of the best we have. I could really see myself getting stuck in with Yaz or Kermit with Mikey or Chris. Like Holmes, Xander has a little history with both, and we could make some good shit happen. But even then I could see it against one of the GOATs here with Lee and Titus. But that isn't for me to decide. I'm happy facing anyone, and I'd like to help however I can with making it a good as it can be. I sit back far too often here; even if I'm just giving suggestions or imput on the direction I think he should go, I want to do some more.

---

None of them mattered, he thought. Not one. This is about what I can do. This is my story, and mine alone.

He lifted his head, looking over to Talia, who smiled back at him. Her eyes, red and sore from tears of joy, began to glass over again.

'I'm so proud of you.'

He grinned back, placing the championship down on the bed. He leaned in, kissing her.

Quote:

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Above all else, I want to just give my best, see how far I can go with this, then once this phase is over maybe look at switching things up. Again, I have ideas on what I'd like to do...

---

'This is only the beginning.' Xander uttered between pressing his lips against Talias.

Quote:

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...but whether they're good or not is another matter!

---

We see Keith Kole n Kassandra Kross standing on front of their apartment complexes courtyard. Kole is wearing jean shorts and an old WZCW shirt. Kassandra moves her hair out of her face, the wind not helping keep it out of the way. She holds up her phone, setting the camera to prepare to record.

Kross: Ready? Starting in 10 seconds

Kole smiles and flashes the ok sign to Kassandra.

Kole: So, Kingdom Come 10 came and went. It's officially the past now. You know what else is in the past? This shitty year I had in my first foray into the wrestling world. It was a serious learning curve for ya boy here. Maybe I was too cocky. (A loud "Hah" can be heard from Kassandra, but if Kole hears he doesn't show it.

Ah hell who am I kidding? I was a cocky arrogant asshole. I thought that's what I needed to be to succeed. I've been watching professional wrestling since I was 3 years old. I tried to be what I thought the fans wanted. I should've known the answer all along. The fans don't want someone trying to be cool, or be a rebel. Fans want someone real, someone relatable. Well any of you fans that watch this, I want you all to know. I'm that guy! I am literally "one of you" I'm a lifelong fan who loves this sport, I'm not rich, look this is where I live! It's just a regular non fancy apartment. I don't consider myself a superstar, or that I'm too good to stop for a picture with a fan. I was and I still am a fan myself. Going forward all you're getting from me is me. I'm not gonna try and be something I'm not, I'm not gonna lie to you guys. You guys are more than welcome to join me on this journey. Let's get a fan to the top of the mountain amirite?

Kole stops to laugh a bit, before pointing at the camera and continuing.

Kole: I need you guys to come with me. I can't don't it alone. Kassandra is coming along of course. But we need more of you guys. Come join Kole's Krew and let's show the management of WZCW that this fan can develop a following and let's climb to the top! Hell I'm not saying we're gonna get there fast, I know my place and it definitely is not at the main event table haha.....yet. I'm ok having to start at the bottom and earn everything I get. Gimme a feud with Dirk, I'll make it work. Gimme a chance at a title? Any given Sunday. And if they bring those tag titles back, I think I might know a guy....

Basically this is me pleading to not just WZCW, but also to you guys the fans. Don't give up on me cuz of a poor rookie year....and God PLEASE don't make me a comedy jobber. I left McDonald's so I've already done that haha.

Kole stops and Kassandra laughs, while putting her arm around Kole's waist. Kole looks surprised but ignores it as the two watch the playback.

Kross: You're such a dork....but I think this might work. WZCW did say they wanted input from their roster after all. "Kole's Krew" though? Really?

A random voice is heard from a distance...

???: I think it's a great idea guys...and if that potential tag partner us who I think it is....

The passerby pats Kole on the shoulder as he walls past and Kassandra struggles to catch a glimpse of the man's face. As quickly as he appeared he was gone.

Kross: I think that was Carl....from WZCW....

Kole: (puzzled) Really? Looked like just a guy to me...

Kassandra just shakes her head as she motions for Kole to head back to the apartment.

Basically what I'm trying to do with this RP is make Milenko's world smaller. I've been trying to go 'big picture' and it's not been working out. Maybe if i go smaller things will work out better. I'm also hoping as more of a crazy psycho as opposed to a Ty Bunraesque character.

************************************

The camera turns on and we see Milenko genuflecting in the middle of The Big Top, pleading with an unseen figure.

'The Great' Milenko: Please forgive my continued failure Master. I am not worthy to be called your disciple.

The Wraith: Only so much can be forgiven. There comes a time where punishment is the only option.

The figure motions behind Milenko and another man appears causing Milenko to jump but as he starts to talk he is immediately interrupted.

The Wraith: From this day forward you are banished from The Dark Carnival. In your place The Ringmaster will spread my message until you are once again deemed worthy.

Milenko jumps up with a look of fear on his face but is shoved face first back into the dirt by The Ringmaster.

The Wraith: Don't do anything stupid. You may have fallen out of favor but you can earn your way back. I will give you continued use of your conduit as well as Edgar.

With that said The Wraith waves his arm and he along with the entire Dark Carnival disappear leaving Milenko with Edgar and his black crystal skull in a field in the middle of nowhere. As he gets up Milenko grabs the skull and holds it tightly to his heart. Without a word Milenko aimlessly wanders off leaving Edgar to run after him as the camera fades to white

Carl hung his head in shame, he had been defeated again and this loss hurt. He debated screaming but took a deep breath and set the controller down. The Blazing Bull mini-boss in Sekiro: Shadowâ??s Die Twice was no joke and beginning to piss him off. Carl facepalmed himself at getting angry over a video game before taking a sip of his vanilla pepsi and rising to his feet. He stretched his back and gazed at his watch, already 4 oâ??clock. He scratched his beard and finished his soda. Carl got his phone and flipped it around on himself.

Carl: â??Hey everyone, your resident jobber hereâ?¦ thatâ??s right, Itâ??s Just Carl. Looking ahead to 2020 after a rocky 2019 is a hard task to do. I go out there and I give it my all but so far, my all hasnâ??t been good enough. One win to my name in the WZCW and several losses. The fans have probably given up hope on me at this point and Iâ??m sure the boys in the back have as well. Iâ??m not one of the boys in the back, Iâ??m just another fan in over his head.â?

Carl shakes his head and sits back down.

Carl: â??And listen, Iâ??m not blaming them for those thoughts. If I was in their shoes, Iâ??d feel the same way. I have been awful this year, shocked I even still have a job... But I have more to bring to the table, I promise. Donâ??t give up on me just yet, donâ??t shut that door. You never know what you're capable of until your back is at the wall and yall, I've darn well IN the wall at this point. Next year Iâ??ll prove Iâ??m one of the guys, prove I belong. Earn myself title shots and even bring home a title. Business may be slow but itâ??s only just begun. Call me corny but Iâ??ve got 20-20 vision as we head into this new decade and business is going to be picking up!â?

Carl gives a big smile.

Carl: â??Maybe weâ??ll even get those WZCW Tag Titles back in order yea? I think I know someone looking for a partner. The faces of the WZCW Tag Division has a pretty good ring to it.â?

Carl winks at the camera.

Carl: â??2020? Yea. 2020 is looking good. Bet on that.â?

Carl ends the recording and then emails it to WZCW management before retrieving his controller, this time he was going to beat the Blazing Bull.

#Goals

A House In San Antonio, Texas:

Kingdom Come had come and gone, and of course I won, did anyone seriously expect anything different? I still had my title opportunity whenever I wanted it and after taking a much needed vacation after the show, I was back in the states and focused on becoming the greatest wrestler WZCW had ever seen. But tonight, tonight was a girls night in as I was staying with Kira at her place for a night before I had to go back on the road and that meant watching lots of disney plus. Next on the watch list was Boy Meets World season 6.

You know I still think it's crap Shawn and Angela didn't end up together.

Right!? Like come on after everything they went through, and then they didn't even get together on Girl Meets World either, the one big flaw with the show.

I nodded in agreement as I ate some popcorn and the next episode started.

Like come on they deserved their happy ending. At least I provided a happy ending at Kingdom Come to everyone by beating that crazy little whore Alice Adams and knocking her down right where she belongs.

Yeah but I mean, you did get lucky in a way, I mean grabbing the X as you were being lifted up for her finisher? That couldn't have been easy.

Of course it wasn't, but I'm just that good and that smart.

I smirked.

And now that that's taken care of, soon I'll be getting my Elite Championship back whenever the right moment comes, and taking my place back on top of the mountain.

Well I'm rooting for you, but is that all you have in mind?

What do you mean?

I mean think about it...last year at Kingdom Come you won the Elite Title, this year at Kingdom Come you fought for a shot at the Elite Title, you haven't exactly moved up yet. I know you said you have goals left to do with the Elite Title, but don't you want more?

Well of course, the Elite Title is just the start my dear Kira. Because it's simple, I want it all. The fame and the fortune and more.

More?

I want my name in lights, I want my star on the door, I want all the glam, all the press, all the fame, the success, I want it all.

....Did you just quote a High School Musical song?

I shrugged.

Sooo not the point Kira! The point is, I want it all and this is my time to get it, I want every single person wanting to be me and worshipping me, I want to become a grand slam champion, hell I wanna bring back the tag titles just to win them by myself and prove that I can! I want every championship, every record, every accomplishment, every win, and of course the grand prize that everyone is chasing, I want the World Title.

Well yeah but like you said everyone is chasing it, and you've had chances to win it or get a shot at it and didn't. You probably aren't at the front of the line.

I shrugged and laughed. Was she really talking to me about lines right now?

VIP's don't wait in line sweetie, you know that. Sure past opportunites might not have gone my way but look at the road blocks who have stopped me, Eve Taylor? I retired that bitch. Mikey Stromrage? That fatty is looking like a has been lately. Alice Adams? Taken care of. This is the beginning of a new era, the Callie Clark era, and by next Kingdom Come I will have accomplished exactly what I set out to do. But there is one thing I do need to take care of at some point this year...

What's that?

I need to beat Kagura, the one person who's blocked my path to the top that I haven't taken care of. And sooner or later, she will be dealt with.

I nodded with determination.

But right now the only thing I wanna accomplish is going back and watching that episode of Boy Meets World because we got talking and missed it.

We both laughed and turned our focus back to the tv. Disney Plus was quickly turning into my new obsession, well one of.

This really was an idea I wasn't a fan of. I had hundreds of other things I could be doing. Eating Thanksgiving leftovers. Going Christmas shopping. Saying I was going Christmas shopping but in reality just going and getting myself ice cream and pizza. Playing The Outer Worlds, which still sat unplayed thanks to the extensive Latin and South American tour. Anything would be better than the corporate media circus.

Las Vegas was ass anyway. You see it played up as this massive party city, but most of the party was your parents basement with your ugly Dungeons and Dragons friends. It had highlights for sure, and was enjoyable with the right people, but for the most part it was tourists eating overpriced food and throwing their mortgage payments and children's college funds down the drain after stupidly hitting on seventeen each time. Only about eleven percent of the strippers were attractive AND not addicted to meth. Traffic was Freddy Krueger levels of nightmarish. Everything outside the strip looked like post Katrina New Orleans. Like it was just an unpleasant place.

WZCW HQ was at least pleasant. It wasn't a bukkake of color, but it was enough variation to buck the bland trends of most corporate buildings. It also wasn't just a bunch of faceless drones rushing around a hive. Sure, there were the interns and office workers whose names would never be known to the world at large, but it wasn't them shuffling past at light speed without raising their heads. They would acknowledge you. I always smiled and nodded when I was in a rush. Often a "hey" or "how are ya" if I had a minute. There wasn't an abundance of potted plants everywhere either. It all helped make the corporate experience, one that I loathed, a bit more manageable.

I took an elevator to the third floor and took a seat outside one of the production rooms. After two or three minutes of me checking on wedding planning updates on my phone, Sebastian Copeland walked around the corner. I felt relieved as the wedding planning was a real pain in the ass. I wanted to get the interview started.

"Seabass, what the hell is up man?"

We shook hands and I stood to pat him on the back, classic bro hug. He patted my upper back gently. Copeland was always a professional on screen, truly one of the best to ever call a match. Off screen he usually maintained that demeanor...usually. Occasionally he would lower the professional and proper standards to be more personal. To see him that way was rare, but rarer even was being on the receiving end of that. Only a privileged few veterans got that. It felt nice.

"Business as usual. Taking care of some of the post Kingdom Come obligations. Interviews, voice overs, and such."

"Well lets get down to business then. Got to get this interview done and Huns to defeat."

The look on Copeland's face told a different story.

"Actually, I got switched. I'm interviewing your friend, Titus."

"He's not my friend, guy."

Copeland just sort of shrugged.

"Well who do I have now?"

Copeland's face told the story again. I knew right away. Goddamn it.

As he walked away, the door across the hall opened and out stepped Jack Cohen. He smiled.

Fuuuuuuuuck. I knew it.

I pushed past him and walked inside. I looked over at one of the monitors and could see what I looked like on camera.

https://cdnph.upi.com/ph/st/th/52115...tacks-Kane.jpg

Not exactly thrilled by the turn of events and you could tell.

Jack sat down and we were fitted for our mics and given the go ahead.

"How are you doing today Mikey?"

I rolled my eyes.

"It was better about five minutes ago."

"No need to be hostile, I'm just here to do my job."

"Your job typically involves shitting all over me. I know you don't like me, and I don't like you so let's just get this over with."

"What ever gave you the idea I didn't like you?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe ask the tech over there to pull up a clip of any of the five thousand times on commentary you have made fun of me or wished harm on me or cheered when I lost."

"I do actually have a clip queued up."

Quote:

---

Jack Cohen takes his headset off and goes to the broken ring. Flex Mussel clutches the Elite title, muttering "It's mine. It's mine". Cohen passes him without a glance.

Along with a half dozen medics, Cohen checks on the well being of Mikey Stormrage. After a few uncertain minutes, Mikey gives the staff as well as the arena the thumbs up. The arena fills up with chants of gratitude for Mikey. Jack Cohen nods in reassurance, and gives Mikey's shoulder a squeeze. Cohen returns to the broadcast booth.

---

Jack sat there with a smug look on his face. I just sorta hung my head a little.

"I'll be completely honest with you. I don't like you. You are fat, sloppy, annoying. You represent so many things I can't stand. When I learned I was shifted to interview you today, I threw up a little in my mouth. That's how I feel about you. There is one thing, and one thing only I can stand about you. You live and breath wrestling. You are a Hall of Fame talent who goes out to that ring, even when you don't want to. I respect wrestling and I respect that. So even if I don't like you, goddamn it I respect you."

He stuck his hand out, and I returned in kind. It wasn't a happy or friendly shake, but it was a strong one.

"So let's just cut out the pleasantries and get to it?

"Sounds good."

"You are coming off a loss at Kingdom Come, one in which you lost the Elite Title. You were the longest reigning champion in the company going into that event. Some would say, just as your opponent that night did, that you made the Elite Title the most prestigious title in WZCW due to the prestige and length of your reign..."

"I don't mean to cut you off Jack, but I want to touch on that. Before I had won that title, it was the one title in WZCW that had eluded me. Around that same time I threw my hat into the Mayhem grinder and won that title and defended it a few times, but no one with a sense of self dignity is going to hold Mayhem title reigns in that era in high regard. The double champion bit I can also tack onto my resume, it makes me look good, but it has an asterisk on it and everyone knows it. The Elite Title, that was my main focus. Hell, I jumped off the top of a cage through a table to make sure I won it. Had I have successfully defended the title against Flex, it would have been a calendar year in WZCW that I held that title when the next pay per view came around. It's no Ty Burna World Title reign and it wasn't the EurAvison Era, but I put the elite back into the Elite Title when I held it close while every other title was being passed around like a cheap stripper at a frat house. I came fingertips away from the World Title while I held it. So yeah, I would agree with those who said the Elite Title was the title of the time. And I have full confidence that Flex will keep that prestige."

"Well that does cover part of my next question, how do you feel about the loss?"

I made a raspberry with my mouth.

"Now come on homie, what do you think? You've been around this business long enough to know the answer to that question. How many times in your career did you cheat to avoid a loss?"

Jack laughed a little.

"Fair point, I will give you that."

"But, I know what you mean when you ask it in this situation. It does suck. I've lost at Kingdom Come before, I've lost a World Title at Kingdom Come. This hurts, and it hurts a lot. When I lost to Justin Cooper, I felt like I had failed WZCW and the fans. I know you don't wanna hear me go on about the fans, but they are the blood that causes the heart of WZCW to pump. Without the thousands who pack the arena and the millions who watch at home, we are no better than the troglodytes who do this in backyards. And I did let them down by letting a snake in the grass like Cooper take the top spot. That was one of the most painful losses I ever had for that reason. This hurt is a bit different, it stings a lot because I'd never faced Flex in a one on one situation and I wanted to put that notch in my belt. I saw a lot of what Cooper pulled as well. I was doubly motivated. This time I don't think I let anyone down. Flex, I'm not going to sit here and say he is my best friend. I'm not even going to say I really like him, but much like you Jack, I respect him. I think he proved what he is capable of. Former World Champ or not, he went out there and for the most part was with himself and in the end he beat me fair and square. He had to break the ring to do it, but he did it and I tip my cap to him.

Jack nod his head along as I was speaking.

"But don't get it twisted, I would have preferred to win."

Jack looked down at his cue card and then back to me.

"You know what, I've watched you for years now. I know better than most you are a seat of your pants kind of guy. Let's just toss these softball questions out of the way. I'm gonna be blunt with you. You are now the fourth longest tenured person on the roster, you have won every title, put your name in the Hall of Fame, you have done almost everything and those things you didn't accomplish you came close. WZCW has gone through a lot of changes, but Mikey Stormrage is still there. Titus looks to be headed back down a dark path. Xander loathes the fans. Garth Black is all over the map. Of course you have Steven Holmes and Chris KO, but they have only just returned form lengthy layoffs. I think its fair to say you are the most beloved, the most well liked superstar in WZCW. Is that what keeps you going or is it something else? What keeps you from walking away? What is it that you hope to accomplish still?"

I stopped to ponder. It was a question I asked myself a lot. Sometimes too often.

"You know it may just be in my head, but I don't get the respect other veterans get. I love wrestling. I live and breath it. Can anyone else in my position say that? Let's look at the names you mentioned earlier. Titus? He's here for glory. He's good but he exists to put people down. Xander revels too much in gold. Black? Good luck figuring out what he is trying to do. KO is a family man first and only wrestles when he has the time. Holmes can still go, no one doubted that, but his status is his primary concern. Matt Tastic, all hate and love aside, wanted to pursue other ventures. I'm here, giving my life to this. I want to see WZCW grow and thrive. I want to see new stars born and shine."

"So the goal is to help build the younger generation?"

"You know, there was a time when I would be happy to say yes. I've been in more partnerships than most. I used to look at WZCW as this place where everyone had a common goal and we could all achieve that. Then, as time went on, I wasn't as naive. Pro wrestling is not some stroll through the garden. It is a jungle. There is no room for the civilized when grown men rumble in that jungle. To borrow a literary reference from a man Flex used to run with, there is a reason Simon and Piggy died. Ralph had good intentions, but he failed to protect Simon and Piggy and along the way, he was hunted just like the animal he tried to keep the other boys from turning into. I used to think I could be Ralph, but you can't. I want to protect and lead this company, but you can't do that with good intentions. So my motivation Jack, is to be Jack. I will lead the next generation, by any means necessary.

"You want to be a leader? I think its fair to say a lot of people already look up to you."

"It goes beyond that Jack. See I've been working on planning a wedding. My lovely fiancee has taken the lead in most of that, but we are at odds with her family on one key issue. Church."

"Church?"

"Church. We don't want to get married in a church. Never been a fan of churches. They tell us, we need religion. They tell us, they tell me, when I enter into that church for my special day, that I will have a religious experience. That I will see and feel God. I don't buy that though. I've never had a religious experience in a religious place. The closest I have ever been to seeing or feeling God, was when I was in that twenty by twenty. Wrestling is my religion. WZCW my church. So I invite anyone who wants to follow. I will lead you. I will keep you safe as I keep WZCW safe. Under my watch, my eye, you and WZCW will prosper. By any means necessary."

Angry. Rage. Fury. Those were the only emotions going through my head as I wailed on Mark Keaton. I brutalized him with shot after shot, but yet he kept coming. He didnâ??t give up. In the end I made a mistake and soon I felt myself being driven headfirst into the canvas. My head nearly bursting like a ripe cantaloupe being thrown into a woodchipper. The Voltron Suplex would follow. I could feel the wind being driven from my body as the man I once retired practically drove me through the ring. Three seconds later and the Eurasian gold was his.

â??Good for him,â?? I thought as I rolled out of the ring, clutching my head. â??I didnâ??t want that title anyways.â??

I was a horrible champion; Iâ??ll admit that. Now the Eurasian title was around the waist of a man who would respect it. I couldnâ??t picture Mark Keaton dropping the belt off of any balconies anytime soon. Now I was free to do what I wanted to, and what I wanted to do, was destroy. Nothing for me had changed one single bit. I still held so much contempt in my heart for everyone. For Vance Bateman. For the system itself. Without a single look back, I walked up the ramp and made my way backstage.

Minutes later I was standing in silence, Sasuke beside me, as I began wiping off my face paint. The older man reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette, not even caring about the no smoking symbol located nearby.

â??Why do I even bother sticking around, Kag? I mean, itâ??s clear that you donâ??t care anymore.â?

â??I do care, Sasuke - about hurting people. You know you donâ??t have to be here if you donâ??t want to.â?

I watched him shrug his shoulders, â??Meh. The moneyâ??s good, even though I donâ??t really need it. Iâ??m basically an overpaid translator now. Any who, if you need me, Iâ??ll be getting drunk at the titty bar across the street. Laterâ?¦ but donâ??t stay up too late brooding. Youâ??ll kill my buzz when I get back. And donâ??t put your fist through any more walls.â?

â??Whatever,â? I scoffed.

I was going to back to the hotel. I was going to sleep off this loss; fuck it. Honestly, I didnâ??t know what I wanted to do at this point in my career. I was just tired of all the bullshit the industry had to offer. I thought about just retiring and going back home to apologize to my family. What a bunch of ingrates they were. If any of them found out that I was loaded theyâ??d surely start hounding me for donations to the shrine. Well except Uncle. I got changed and started to place my clothes in my bag. The show was over and Xander was still champion.

â??Congrats to him, really,â?? I thought to myself. Inside I was seething. He was living my dream. That could have been me in the limelight, but of course I choked again like I always did when the chips were down. Hahaha, yeah right!

I wasnâ??t going to be sad about losing anymore. At this point I just wanted vengeance for all the time I felt I wasted trying to prove to myself that I was somebody. For always playing the good girl. The cute little foreigner girl that wound up being a doormat and a steppingstone for others. What a cute little novelty figure I was for all the weebs out there that wouldnâ??t know squat about my country if their homes were bombed. In the end, my successes didnâ??t seem to matter to anyone.

I slung my bag over my shoulders and began walking towards the front door. I called up a taxi and responded in my best broken English to â??get cab to door pick up now!â? but I donâ??t think he understood because I wound up waiting for ten minutes at the back entrance just twiddling my thumbs. I seriously thought about going to get drunk with Sasuke. We were in Brazil after all and I couldnâ??t think of a better country to get plastered in.

I was about to ask directions to the nearest nudie bar when I heard a voice call out in Japanese behind me. I turned and nearly dropped my bag. Actually no, I didnâ??t. His unexpected presence just really startled me. It was my fiancé, Derrick.

â??Hey there, beautiful,â? he said.

â??Whatâ??re you doing here?â? I asked in shock. Legitimately I was flabbergasted. Last I heard he wasnâ??t going to able to make it due to work commitments.

â??Can a man not travel thousands of miles to surprise his fiancé at work?â?

â??I would have preferred it if you hadnâ??t,â? I stated as a matter of fact. Not that I wasnâ??t happy to see him, it was just a lot to take really. For starters, I looked and felt like shit at the moment. And I was pissed off and ready to fight a motherfucker again.

He just laughed and brushed me off. Same old Derrick. â??Come now, how long has it been since we had a proper date?â? He asked.

I sighed. I couldnâ??t fight him on this and didnâ??t really feel like trying. For the first time in months the burning hatred that had formed in my heart seemed to dampen for a moment. It was then that I realized that this dude might have been even crazier than I was, but then again, I had been so preoccupied trying to beat my opponent into another forced retirement that I hadnâ??t noticed him supposedly sitting front row cheering me on. Yikes.

Uh yeah, so, that was my badâ?¦

An hour later I found myself at a local restaurant. I felt horrible that I was only picking at my food, but we sat and talked. That was something I felt like I hadnâ??t done in a while. I told Derrick everything that had happened to me since he left to go back to Japan. Unsurprisingly, heâ??d seen it all on TV. My rise to the top of the card, the victory over Xander at the finals of Gold Rush, beating Titus at Unscripted, losing the belt at Lethal Lottery, and my decent into madness after that. He was surprisingly okay with that evening knowing that I had spent thousands of dollars in fines over the past few months. Not that I could hide that. It was all over the industry news. Throughout that ordeal he remained surprisingly quiet. I wondered if it was my grandfather who spoke to him about the issues I was having with my family.

â??So you know that Iâ??m a disgrace who was booted from the shrine, right?â? I asked.

â??Pretty much,â? he responded in deadpan tone.

I groaned wanting to sink into my chair. â??Listen Kagura,â? he replied. â??I didnâ??t fall in love with you because of what you are, be that a wrestler or a shine maiden, but because of who you are. I travelled with you for a long time and I watched you put up with a bunch of shit. Iâ??m glad that youâ??re finally getting the lead out.â?

â??So youâ??re not disappointed in me?â?

â??No, but try not to get fined anymore.â?

The meal continued in relative silence. That was until Derrick spoke up again. â??What is it about WZCW that keeps you going. What more do you have to prove at this point?â?

I sat there, staring out into space, absentmindedly watching as my fork tapped the side of my plate. â??Nothing,â? I blurted out.

â??Absolutely nothingâ?¦â?

â??Deep down I just wanted recognition for my achievements, thatâ??s all. Iâ??ve felt for a long time that I was overlooked, unappreciated, and underestimated. Winning Gold Rush and then winning the belt again was my career achievement. I donâ??t think that Iâ??ll ever accomplish something like that again and it pisses me off. It pisses me off that I tried so hard only to make a fool of myself in the end. I told myself that I wasnâ??t going to blame myself for my failures this time, but in the end thatâ??s exactly what happened. Well thatâ??s partially true. I still canâ??t bury my anger. I canâ??t just go back to being the Kagura I used to be. Not now. I canâ??t gear myself up for another climb to the top, not again. It just all seems pointless, because yeah, deep down I know Iâ??ve got nothing left to prove. The only thing I havenâ??t done in the company is win the Lottery itself or win the two titles that are now extinct, but that doesnâ??t bother me much. In the end I got to be world champion twice.â?

â??In the end no one can take your accomplishments away from you. On paper, youâ??re one of the most decorated performers in company history. Youâ??ve broken down barriers and youâ??ve inspired millions.â?

I grinned, â??I suppose youâ??re right.â?

â??Iâ??ll tell you what,â? he said. â??When you do finally get tired of busting heads around here, come back to me. Iâ??ll be waiting for you, silently supporting you, because to me youâ??ll always be number one no matter what.â?

I laughed, â??Oh you sad sap!â?

â??I donâ??t know what the future holds for me in WZCW, Derrick. Even though I claim to be able to see it. Right now I plan to coast and see what I can find. What I do know is that I have a bright future ahead of me post retirement with the man I love.â?

Flex Fitness Industries along with NBC Jive Present: The State of The Flex-

The title intro is cut before it has a chance to finish. Itâ??s rewinded.



Flex Fitness Industries along with NBC Jive Present-

The intro is once more abruptly stopped, rewinded again.



Flex Fitness Industries-

Stopped, third timeâ??s the charm.



Flex

The title card is paused. The name of the newly crowned Elite Openweight champion sits on screen. Alone in the spotlight the monsieur of muscle himself stares at the large emboldened letters in the press area his normal public addresses happen. This time however, he is silent. No crowd to play to, no pesky reporter questions to answer, no allies by his side to scheme with. Over the last year and some change Flex Mussel had returned, built an entire nation, put an end to old rivalries, won the World title, rose from the ashes of thievery and defeat, and became a champion once more, yet somehow he still felt nothing. Was it due to the lack of locker room appraisal from his hard fought victory against Mikey Stormrage? Could it have been that his closest friends in Cerberus have finally rode off into the sunset for good? Or is it possible that in all his accomplishments he now feels lost? He knew he didnâ??t have much time to decide as many wanted what he now had. He caresses his newly won championship as he knows itâ??s only a matter of days before he must face the locker room, the management, and the public universe once more. There and only there will he make his intentions truly known.