Post by Zero on Dec 30, 2012 20:16:26 GMT -5
[The scene opens shortly after the end of the December 20th TNT. Shaun (Now back in his casual attire) and Warren Bay are taking a stroll around Denver, Warren smoking a “much needed” cigarette. The roar of the crowd as Shaun’s hand was raised in victory is still humming in his head.]
WB: Goddamn, Mr. Cross, you looked good out there…I haven’t seen you in a match that good since one of the first encounters you had with that guy you had the Boston Wrestling Revolution…What was his name? Jason something wasn’t it?
SC: Jason Plague? Damn, haven’t thought of that name lately…Wonder what he’s been up to? Shit, last time I saw him, we were both at a party at a buddy’s house…
WB: Wait, you mean you were around him outside of wrestling?!
[Shaun laughs and nods]
SC: What?! You haven’t heard this fuckin’ story? Oh yeah, he and I go waaay back to when we were just starting grammar school.
[Warren looks at him in shock, for once in his life unable to find words for at least a good thirty seconds, as Shaun looks on with a grin, finally able to one-up “The Beatdown” in terms of storytelling]
WB: So…That explains the almost telepathic chemistry you guys had in the ring? Because you guys had some fucking amazing wars…I can remember calling my satellite provider to get the local Massachusetts TV stations JUST to watch you guys every week…It was like you could almost read one another’s minds…It was spooky really…
SC: Dude we grew up together…From the minute we discovered that we both had an equal passion for wrestling, we clicked and it was just there. We’d just hang around talking about our favorite matches and wrestlers.
[He smiles nostalgically]
He was always a Jimmy Snuka guy…
[Warren butts in, interrupting with a question, seemingly wanting to get the story over with]
WB: So when did the actual wrestling start?! When did you discover you could put on such a hell of a match?!
SC: Well, being wrestling fans, going to school with one another, we were constantly in trouble for horsing around. Only we went at it pretty hard every recess until we got caught…Especially in the winter…Hell, snow pants and big jackets were clunky, but it didn’t stop us.
[He winces as if remembering a painful memory]
Shit I can remember one time, he fuckin’ superplexed me off of a tall plowed up snow bank that led to the downside of a hill that everyone else used for sledding…That sucked a lot.
[He laughs]
But for real you mean? Umm, freshman year of high-school, our friend Kale was trying to start up his own entertainment business. Umm, one summer right after school had got out; he rented a big bouncy castle, a dunk tank, and bought a popcorn machine. He threw this HUGE end of school-year bash for kids of all ages in the area. (This of course being way back before I moved to Portland and met you). Jason and I found our way to the bouncy castle and began horsing around as we always used to. One thing led to another, we got someone in there as a referee, we gathered all of the wrestling fans at the party, and we had our first “legitimate” match. It went for two out of three falls, I won. The next three summers we did the same thing, our matches got better every year. In between the bouncy castles matches, we had a few just “normal” backyard wrestling matches without anything for a ring. We traded wins and losses back and forth, videotaping all of our matches. So our senior year, I told him I planned on going to North Andover, MA to the New England Pro Wrestling Academy…We both went and basically lived out of our cars throughout the training. He stuck around with the small training promotion they run, and I came back to Maine getting into the IWE, at the same time meeting you. After I left IWE back to Boston to work for BWR, we met up again, told the promoter that we were childhood friends, and we got put together as enemies.
[Warren takes a final drag off of his cig before dropping it and stomping it out. They continue to walk, both men excited, but Shaun absolutely unable to sleep after his first victory.]
WB: Helluva story, man, I had no idea that you knew him.
SC: All my life…
WB: Well, I gotta question about you two in BWR. You told the promoter that you knew one another. What made him put you as enemies? Seems like with such a history of wrestling together, you’d be a God-Almighty good tag team!
SC: Well, you’d think that, Hell, we even discussed that. But two things were against us. One, we had SUCH amazing chemistry as opponents…And two, we were the only two kids in the area we lived in doing the whole backyard wrestling thing, we couldn’t anyone else in the area to wrestle us as a tag team.
WB: Shit if only I’D been there! I woulda been a one man tag team wrestling handicap matches all the time with ya!
[The two share a laugh as they sit down on a bench at a bus stop. After a bit of silence, a lightbulb of a thought pops into Warren’s ever working mind.]
WB: Daaaamn son, I can see it now!
[He pauses, staring up toward the top of a building, forcing Shaun to pry the information out of him]
SC: See what now? Where?!
WB: Just imagine…A picture of you, and a picture of Jason, separated by the letters “Vs.”…The word “Unsanctioned” written below…Goddamn it could be billed as the grudge match of the Millennium! Of course…The World Title would just HAVE to be on the line…
[Warren grins, jokingly pushing Shaun’s buttons again]
SC: Yeah yeah fuck you…
[Shaun gives in and laughs]
Hey I won a match, that’s a start!
WB: Very true my friend…You’re on your way…So, you gotta match next week? TNT’s holding that award thing on the 27th yeah?
SC: Yeah, the 27th, I’m not booked. There’s only gonna be a few matches…
[They sit in silence again for a moment, before Warren looks at his watch.]
WB: Well shit, I’m gonna head back to the hotel and catch a couple Z’s, it’s been a helluva night, and I leave, flyin’ back for Portland later this morning…
[They both nod in agreement, both making a sort of “Mhm” noise.]
Make sure you get a hold of me when you find out about your next match. I doubt I’ll be able to come watch it live, but I’ll definitely be tuned in.
SC: Will do man, it’s been great seein’ ya! I doubt I’ll get to sleep if I turn in right now. I’m gonna just chill and wander a bit more before I head back. My flight’s not until the afternoon…But yeah, I’ll probably see you when I get home, and you’ll definitely be one of the first to be notified as soon as I find out about my next match.
[They laugh again, shaking hands before parting ways for the evening]
[Sunday December 30th. Glad to be back at home, yet anxious to know where he’d be wrestling next and who he’d be wrestling next. When he was finally contacted by TNT’s GM, Madd Katt, he immediately went to the IWE gym where he knew he could find Warren.]
SC: Tyler friggin’ Rose!
[He yelled the name out as soon as he saw Warren wrestling around with a newcomer that Shaun didn’t recognize. Warren stopped everything, simply sidestepping the kid as he was charging forward attempting a closeline. Warren hopped out of the ring and approached Shaun with a bit of a laugh]
WB: Yeah? He’s a douchebag, what about him?
SC: Nah man, I’m wrestling Tyler Rose next week.
WB: No shit? Easy win then right?
[Warren grins]
SC: I dunno man; he seems like a pretty squirrelly character…
WB: Yeah but…You’re coming off a win, and he lost his last two. Momentums gotta be in your favor…Hey I need your help with something.
SC: What’s that?
WB: Well shit, my boy here umm…Fuck…What’s your name?”
[Warren turns his attention to the younger looking wrestler standing in the ring, looking bored. He’s standing in black wrestling tights and a t-shirt, with one elbow pad on. From what Shaun saw earlier, the kid was looking to be a cheap Chris Hamrick knockoff.]
Wrestler: Aaron Webber…
WB: Riiight, Aaron Webber here is gonna get started up in IWE next week. I’m thinkin he should cut a promo to start up with…One problem…He can’t act for shit…
[Shaun nods and laughs a bit with Warren]
SC: And?
WB: Walk with me…You too Webber…
[The three walk out to the sidewalk, into the chilly Portland winter air, a light snow is falling after the two heavy storms that hit the state days ago.]
Alright Shaun, show this kid what a promo is supposed to be…
SC: What should I talk about?
WB: Jesus I don’t know, you’re an MPW wrestler who has a match next week, shoot on Rose!
Aaron Webber: Shit, you’re in MPW?!
WB: Don’t talk…Just watch and learn kid…
[Shaun nods and thinks for a moment, before leaning against the side of the building and beginning to talk]
SC: Victory… [He scoffs] …Victory is a hell of a drug, easy to become addicted to. I myself recently felt that rush, that high produced when a referee raises your hand after a match. Of course…Some people will do anything, going to any length, be as ruthless as needed to get this high that’s known as victory. Tyler Rose…You and I both have been on either end of the spectrum…Though more recently, you’ve fallen, you see? The past two times you’ve stepped into an MPW ring, you’ve not been so lucky. I don’t have the most impressive Win/Loss record yet, but momentum will certainly be on my side on January 3rd. If I may quote Henry David Thoreau here: “Rather than love, than money, than fame…Give me truth…” Well Playboy, truth is I don’t expect to get in that ring for a fair fight. I’ve done enough of my homework to know that you’ll probably have something up your sleeve. Truth is…I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love a good a challenge. Stack the cards, go ahead. I’m no gambling man Playboy, but shit…I’ll push all of my chips to the center of the table…Just don’t bitch to me when you’re forced to fold as I walk away with everything you thought you had. See you on the 3rd…
[Warren and Aaron look on in amazement as Shaun calms down, bringing himself out of whatever state of mind he took himself to to deliver such words.]
WB: BAM! That’s how it’s done! Goddamn it Shaun you never cease to impress me…
[He thinks for a moment.]
“Rather than love, than money, than fame…Give me truth…” Damn what a quote you snuck in there…And it fit a like a glove. Aaron, you better have fuckin’ took notes!
AW: Man once…Shaun is it…?
[Shaun nods]
Man once Shaun got going, I completely just stopped trying to learn and listened…I’ll agree with Warren here; that was fucking amazing…
SC: Well thanks guys...
[Shaun and Warren do Aaron a solid, finally trying to actually help, giving him a few in and out of ring pointers as they walk back inside to the gym. The scene fades as “The Beatdown” is bragging up Shaun to the young upstart.]
WB: Goddamn, Mr. Cross, you looked good out there…I haven’t seen you in a match that good since one of the first encounters you had with that guy you had the Boston Wrestling Revolution…What was his name? Jason something wasn’t it?
SC: Jason Plague? Damn, haven’t thought of that name lately…Wonder what he’s been up to? Shit, last time I saw him, we were both at a party at a buddy’s house…
WB: Wait, you mean you were around him outside of wrestling?!
[Shaun laughs and nods]
SC: What?! You haven’t heard this fuckin’ story? Oh yeah, he and I go waaay back to when we were just starting grammar school.
[Warren looks at him in shock, for once in his life unable to find words for at least a good thirty seconds, as Shaun looks on with a grin, finally able to one-up “The Beatdown” in terms of storytelling]
WB: So…That explains the almost telepathic chemistry you guys had in the ring? Because you guys had some fucking amazing wars…I can remember calling my satellite provider to get the local Massachusetts TV stations JUST to watch you guys every week…It was like you could almost read one another’s minds…It was spooky really…
SC: Dude we grew up together…From the minute we discovered that we both had an equal passion for wrestling, we clicked and it was just there. We’d just hang around talking about our favorite matches and wrestlers.
[He smiles nostalgically]
He was always a Jimmy Snuka guy…
[Warren butts in, interrupting with a question, seemingly wanting to get the story over with]
WB: So when did the actual wrestling start?! When did you discover you could put on such a hell of a match?!
SC: Well, being wrestling fans, going to school with one another, we were constantly in trouble for horsing around. Only we went at it pretty hard every recess until we got caught…Especially in the winter…Hell, snow pants and big jackets were clunky, but it didn’t stop us.
[He winces as if remembering a painful memory]
Shit I can remember one time, he fuckin’ superplexed me off of a tall plowed up snow bank that led to the downside of a hill that everyone else used for sledding…That sucked a lot.
[He laughs]
But for real you mean? Umm, freshman year of high-school, our friend Kale was trying to start up his own entertainment business. Umm, one summer right after school had got out; he rented a big bouncy castle, a dunk tank, and bought a popcorn machine. He threw this HUGE end of school-year bash for kids of all ages in the area. (This of course being way back before I moved to Portland and met you). Jason and I found our way to the bouncy castle and began horsing around as we always used to. One thing led to another, we got someone in there as a referee, we gathered all of the wrestling fans at the party, and we had our first “legitimate” match. It went for two out of three falls, I won. The next three summers we did the same thing, our matches got better every year. In between the bouncy castles matches, we had a few just “normal” backyard wrestling matches without anything for a ring. We traded wins and losses back and forth, videotaping all of our matches. So our senior year, I told him I planned on going to North Andover, MA to the New England Pro Wrestling Academy…We both went and basically lived out of our cars throughout the training. He stuck around with the small training promotion they run, and I came back to Maine getting into the IWE, at the same time meeting you. After I left IWE back to Boston to work for BWR, we met up again, told the promoter that we were childhood friends, and we got put together as enemies.
[Warren takes a final drag off of his cig before dropping it and stomping it out. They continue to walk, both men excited, but Shaun absolutely unable to sleep after his first victory.]
WB: Helluva story, man, I had no idea that you knew him.
SC: All my life…
WB: Well, I gotta question about you two in BWR. You told the promoter that you knew one another. What made him put you as enemies? Seems like with such a history of wrestling together, you’d be a God-Almighty good tag team!
SC: Well, you’d think that, Hell, we even discussed that. But two things were against us. One, we had SUCH amazing chemistry as opponents…And two, we were the only two kids in the area we lived in doing the whole backyard wrestling thing, we couldn’t anyone else in the area to wrestle us as a tag team.
WB: Shit if only I’D been there! I woulda been a one man tag team wrestling handicap matches all the time with ya!
[The two share a laugh as they sit down on a bench at a bus stop. After a bit of silence, a lightbulb of a thought pops into Warren’s ever working mind.]
WB: Daaaamn son, I can see it now!
[He pauses, staring up toward the top of a building, forcing Shaun to pry the information out of him]
SC: See what now? Where?!
WB: Just imagine…A picture of you, and a picture of Jason, separated by the letters “Vs.”…The word “Unsanctioned” written below…Goddamn it could be billed as the grudge match of the Millennium! Of course…The World Title would just HAVE to be on the line…
[Warren grins, jokingly pushing Shaun’s buttons again]
SC: Yeah yeah fuck you…
[Shaun gives in and laughs]
Hey I won a match, that’s a start!
WB: Very true my friend…You’re on your way…So, you gotta match next week? TNT’s holding that award thing on the 27th yeah?
SC: Yeah, the 27th, I’m not booked. There’s only gonna be a few matches…
[They sit in silence again for a moment, before Warren looks at his watch.]
WB: Well shit, I’m gonna head back to the hotel and catch a couple Z’s, it’s been a helluva night, and I leave, flyin’ back for Portland later this morning…
[They both nod in agreement, both making a sort of “Mhm” noise.]
Make sure you get a hold of me when you find out about your next match. I doubt I’ll be able to come watch it live, but I’ll definitely be tuned in.
SC: Will do man, it’s been great seein’ ya! I doubt I’ll get to sleep if I turn in right now. I’m gonna just chill and wander a bit more before I head back. My flight’s not until the afternoon…But yeah, I’ll probably see you when I get home, and you’ll definitely be one of the first to be notified as soon as I find out about my next match.
[They laugh again, shaking hands before parting ways for the evening]
[Sunday December 30th. Glad to be back at home, yet anxious to know where he’d be wrestling next and who he’d be wrestling next. When he was finally contacted by TNT’s GM, Madd Katt, he immediately went to the IWE gym where he knew he could find Warren.]
SC: Tyler friggin’ Rose!
[He yelled the name out as soon as he saw Warren wrestling around with a newcomer that Shaun didn’t recognize. Warren stopped everything, simply sidestepping the kid as he was charging forward attempting a closeline. Warren hopped out of the ring and approached Shaun with a bit of a laugh]
WB: Yeah? He’s a douchebag, what about him?
SC: Nah man, I’m wrestling Tyler Rose next week.
WB: No shit? Easy win then right?
[Warren grins]
SC: I dunno man; he seems like a pretty squirrelly character…
WB: Yeah but…You’re coming off a win, and he lost his last two. Momentums gotta be in your favor…Hey I need your help with something.
SC: What’s that?
WB: Well shit, my boy here umm…Fuck…What’s your name?”
[Warren turns his attention to the younger looking wrestler standing in the ring, looking bored. He’s standing in black wrestling tights and a t-shirt, with one elbow pad on. From what Shaun saw earlier, the kid was looking to be a cheap Chris Hamrick knockoff.]
Wrestler: Aaron Webber…
WB: Riiight, Aaron Webber here is gonna get started up in IWE next week. I’m thinkin he should cut a promo to start up with…One problem…He can’t act for shit…
[Shaun nods and laughs a bit with Warren]
SC: And?
WB: Walk with me…You too Webber…
[The three walk out to the sidewalk, into the chilly Portland winter air, a light snow is falling after the two heavy storms that hit the state days ago.]
Alright Shaun, show this kid what a promo is supposed to be…
SC: What should I talk about?
WB: Jesus I don’t know, you’re an MPW wrestler who has a match next week, shoot on Rose!
Aaron Webber: Shit, you’re in MPW?!
WB: Don’t talk…Just watch and learn kid…
[Shaun nods and thinks for a moment, before leaning against the side of the building and beginning to talk]
SC: Victory… [He scoffs] …Victory is a hell of a drug, easy to become addicted to. I myself recently felt that rush, that high produced when a referee raises your hand after a match. Of course…Some people will do anything, going to any length, be as ruthless as needed to get this high that’s known as victory. Tyler Rose…You and I both have been on either end of the spectrum…Though more recently, you’ve fallen, you see? The past two times you’ve stepped into an MPW ring, you’ve not been so lucky. I don’t have the most impressive Win/Loss record yet, but momentum will certainly be on my side on January 3rd. If I may quote Henry David Thoreau here: “Rather than love, than money, than fame…Give me truth…” Well Playboy, truth is I don’t expect to get in that ring for a fair fight. I’ve done enough of my homework to know that you’ll probably have something up your sleeve. Truth is…I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love a good a challenge. Stack the cards, go ahead. I’m no gambling man Playboy, but shit…I’ll push all of my chips to the center of the table…Just don’t bitch to me when you’re forced to fold as I walk away with everything you thought you had. See you on the 3rd…
[Warren and Aaron look on in amazement as Shaun calms down, bringing himself out of whatever state of mind he took himself to to deliver such words.]
WB: BAM! That’s how it’s done! Goddamn it Shaun you never cease to impress me…
[He thinks for a moment.]
“Rather than love, than money, than fame…Give me truth…” Damn what a quote you snuck in there…And it fit a like a glove. Aaron, you better have fuckin’ took notes!
AW: Man once…Shaun is it…?
[Shaun nods]
Man once Shaun got going, I completely just stopped trying to learn and listened…I’ll agree with Warren here; that was fucking amazing…
SC: Well thanks guys...
[Shaun and Warren do Aaron a solid, finally trying to actually help, giving him a few in and out of ring pointers as they walk back inside to the gym. The scene fades as “The Beatdown” is bragging up Shaun to the young upstart.]