Post by soulshadow on Aug 25, 2013 0:44:37 GMT -5
{On a laptop monitor is running a clip from Emi Yamamoto’s recent promo for her match against her friend Taufik. She is dressed as a sexy bunny, hopping around unintentionally seductively while avoiding an inept hunter. The camera shot pulls back, revealing MPW talent Soul Shadow and his niece Shakira watching the action. Soul looks shocked and confused, his mouth slightly agape. Over his shoulder, Shakira is amused at her uncle’s reaction.}
Soul: Are you kidding me? This is what passes for a promo these days?
{Shakira covers her mouth, unsuccessfully trying to hide her giggles.}
Shakira: Today’s fans seem to eat it up. You wouldn’t believe the following she has on Twitter. Even Hunter really likes her.
Soul: Considering his favorite animes are “Heaven’s Lost Property”, “Strike Witches” and “Sekirei”, I’m not surprised. With her body, she looks like she could have leaped right out of the streams he downloads.
{Just then, Taufik, who has been dressed as the hunter, steps out the changing room looking like a Chippendale’s stripper. Soul rolls his eyes at the image, but Shakira’s are slightly alight with desire.}
Soul: These two are the co-challengers to the Television title at High Stakes? Really?
Shakira: Yes, really. Both are talented wrestlers. And believe it or not, bits like these get over with the fans. You may want to give one of those a try sometime.
Soul: Sorry, I’m a little too old school. Taufik and Emi can get away with it since both are in their twenties and still relatively new to the business. As a veteran on the wrong side of thirty-five, “insanely stupid” doesn’t even come close to describing how I’d look.
Shakira: Hey, I know a few of my friends who would love to see you in that get-up…
{Soul shoots her a horrified look, eliciting uproarious laughter. Even the wrestler has to finally shake his head in amused disbelief. Finally, the humor dies down as the promo ends. Soul closes the laptop and turns to his niece.}
Soul: Okay, Shakira, time to go back to work. Do me a favor and give both Aeryn and Jason a call. See if they’d be interested in a joint training session ahead of the six-man tag match in Los Angeles. They may be involved in some pretty idiotic skits, but both Taufik and Emi must have some talent to be in the TV title picture. And I can personally attest to Radke’s abilities. Wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.
Shakira: I’m on it. Think they’ll come?
Soul: Not sure, but won’t hurt to ask.
{Shakira nods as she exits the office. Soul watches her go, then looks down at his laptop. Once again, he shakes his head in amazement.}
Soul: Fucking bunnies and strippers…
{A few days later, the workout area in the Boston offices of the Soul Connection Sports Agency is busy. The center ring is full of action as four wrestlers are putting themselves through the paces in a practice tag team match. At the moment, a short but well-muscled man, obviously a high-flier judging from his build, is climbing to the top turnbuckle. Lying prone on the mat in the center of ring is Soul Shadow, not moving a single muscle. Aeryn Ashfield is standing in the far corner, looking extremely concerned. The high-flier finally completes his ascent, raises his arms in triumph, and launches himself for a frogsplash on his opponent.}
{Unfortunately for him, Soul’s greater experience comes to the fore as he raises his knees, catching his opponent square across them. The young man somersaults, painfully clutching his stomach, into the corner where Aeryn stands. Without hesitation, Soul tags in his partner. Aeryn wastes no time, using the top rope to vault herself inside the ring. Her outstretched leg crashes across the back of the young’s man neck, collapsing him like a rag doll. Aeryn shows no sympathy, grabbing him in a rear waistlock and executing not one, not two, but three rolling German suplex. She even releases him mid-arc on the last one, sending him crashing into the turnbuckles.}
{At that moment, Soul holds out his hand for a tag. Aeryn seems annoyed by it, but when Soul tells her it is time for the finish, she agrees to it. Soul enters the ring, cutting off the young man from crawling to his partner’s corner. The MPW wrestler hooks his opponents from behind with a double chicken-wing, holding him up in the center of the ring. Not yet out the ring, Aeryn runs to the ropes, rebounds with a spin, and delivers a devastating lariat to the trainee. Riding with the impact, Soul bridges into a pinning position while slamming the young man’s head and neck into the mat. Aeryn smartly cuts off their opponent’s partner with a vicious elbow while the attending referee counts the three.}
{After releasing the hold, Soul checks on his sparring partner. In contrast, Aeryn ignores both of their opponents, exiting to get herself a drink of water. Once he is assured of the young man’s health, Soul follows his partner. She jumps a little when the older man clasps her on the shoulder, but slowly relaxes.}
Aeryn: Not bad, old man. Looks like you haven’t lost too much step despite being away for ten years.
Soul (chuckling): Neither have you, having missed the past five years. You performed really well in your first two matches back with Lance Smith and Laila.
Aeryn (scowling): Don’t remind me of that bitch. I owe her big time for trying to end my comeback a little early.
Soul: I’m sure you’ll get an opportunity for your revenge soon. But right now, we’ve got to keep our focus on Emi, Taufik, and Chris. We’ve both got an excellent chance to put on a good showing for the league’s higher-ups.
Aeryn (toweling herself off): I have to admit, I’m a little surprised Jason didn’t show.
Soul (shrugging his shoulders): I’m not. He has differing priorities than us for the match. He already has a belt and will be looking to show his upcoming challengers just how out-classed they are. He has far less on the line than we do. I’d be shocked if he didn’t consider teaming with us to be nothing more than a nuisance.
Aeryn (nodding): I feel ya. He’ll be a bit of a lone wolf on our team. At least we are working well together.
Soul: Yeah, it’s like we’ve been teaming forever. We seem to be really in sync.
{Aeryn gives Soul a curious glance at his casual statement.}
Aeryn: I’m not looking for a regular partner.
Soul (a little surprised): Neither am I at the moment. I was just commenting on how well we click.
Aeryn (looking a little doubtful): Okay. Let’s get back to training.
Soul: No problem. I have an idea for another tag team finisher we can try…
Aeryn: Oh, the last one wasn’t good enough?
Soul: Always is good to have some variety…
{Their voices recede from hearing as they climb back into the ring. Their opponents once again take their positions as the training session begins anew…}
{That night while sitting in his office in Soul Connection’s headquarters, Soul is reviewing the match between himself and Chris Radke from last week’s Reloaded. Behind him, his niece enters the room. She look around, slightly surprised he is the only one here.}
Shakira: Where’s Aeryn?
Soul (eyes never leaving the screen): She went back to her hotel. I don’t think studying opponents’ past matches is quite her thing.
{Shakira mouths an “oh” as she closes the door. She grabs an empty chair next to her uncle.}
Shakira: Aeryn is very attractive.
Soul: Yeah, she certainly is. Why?
Shakira: It’s been ten years…
Soul: I’m fully aware of how long it has been.
Shakira: Well, after so long, I realize you may be a little rusty when it comes to putting yourself out there…
{Soul finally turns his attention to his niece.}
Soul: Even if your assumption I would share every single detail of my dating life over the past decade with you was correct, which it damn well isn’t, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Aeryn and I are working together for purely professional reasons. Nothing more, nothing less.
{Shakira holds her hands up in mock surrender. The MPW wrestler’s annoyance bleeds through his visage as he rewinds the DVD. Shakira watches with bored fascination.}
Shakira: Why are you concentrating so much on Chris? You beat him already!
Soul: That wasn’t the real Chris Radke I defeated last week.
Shakira: Huh? What do you mean? Was that an imposter?
Soul (with a slight laugh): No, that’s not what I meant. The Chris Radke I faced last week was definitely not the one I read so much about on the dirt sheets. Perhaps he underestimated me because my age or the length of my layoff. Maybe he was unprepared for the increased pace of the MPW style. Regardless of the reason, I’m experienced to know he didn’t give his all in the ring. And I made him pay for that with a loss in his debut match.
Shakira: So you expect him to bring even more this week?
Soul: He’d be a fool not to. He wants to climb the MPW ladder as badly as I do and the only way to do that is through victories. If we end up in the ring together during this match, he’s going to apply all he learned from our previous match-up. That’s why I’m putting so much into studying him. I’ve got to make sure I stay one step ahead of him and use some moves he won’t be expecting. He’s gonna up his game. I’m going to up mine more.
Shakira: What about Emi and Taufik? You haven’t faced either of them before. Shouldn’t you be putting some more time into them?
{Soul sighs as he pauses the DVD. He swivels his chair, folding his hands on the desk.}
Soul: Actually, given how long they have been wrestling for MPW, I was able to compile enough footage of their past matches to review. Emi is fascinating, given her childlike personality. Outside the ring, I’m sure that makes her a wonderful person. But inside the ropes, innocence and lack of experience is a major liability.
Shakira: Is this where you say you’ve forgotten more than she will ever know?
Soul: Oh God, I hope not. I hate that cliché as it makes someone sounds like an Alzheimer’s patient. I’m not even forty yet!
Shakira: Doesn’t mean you’re not old…
{Shakira’s sticks her tongue out at Soul’s scowl.}
Soul: I would hope she knows more than I have forgotten as, trust me, I haven’t forgotten a damn thing during my career. She certainly has capable trainers. But her whole demeanor… did you see her last week after she just hit a simple powerbomb? She looked shocked she actually did it.
Shakira: I think she was. You don’t see women pulling that move on men many times…
Soul: Really? You don’t expect Aeryn to pull it off? Or Roxi? Chrissy? Bliss?
Shakira: I see your point…
Soul: Any wrestler worth a damn in this business isn’t surprised by anything they do in the ring. They KNOW what they are capable of doing the moment they part the backstage curtain and execute it with precision and confidence. By contrast, Emi projects an aura of uncertainty whenever she wrestles. Despite all of her training as well as the success she has so far achieved, she still doesn’t seem to be sure of herself. I might find that cute outside the ropes, but inside it is a weakness I can and will exploit to my advantage.
{Soul gives a little sigh as he leans back in his chair.}
Soul: Still, the one I am most worried for is Taufik.
Shakira: Really? I thought you viewed Chris as more dangerous.
Soul: I said Taufik is the one I’m most worried FOR, not ABOUT. He has been sporting a pretty serious knee injury since Gold Rush. He’s been wrestling through it, apparently with the doctors’ okay, but you can easily see how badly it is hampering him during his matches.
Shakira: So you’re gonna focus on it if you two face each other?
Soul: How can I not? Such an injury is a blatant target for anyone. You can bet Jason X is going to do everything he can to aggravate it in preparation for their title match. I won’t try to end Taufik’s career, but I will work on it every chance I get. Hopefully Taufik will recognize the situation and do the right thing.
Shakira: The right thing?
Soul: Give up. Let’s be real here. He, Emi, and even my own partner Jason X have NOTHING riding on this match. Their spots in the Television title match is assured. The only thing that could jeopardize them is a serious injury. Taufik by far has the most to risk with that. If he finds himself in a submission position, he’d be wise to tap out immediately. Taking a loss here won’t hurt him. Having his knee torn to shreds certainly will.
Shakira: What if you are the one having him in a submission hold and he refuses to quit? Would you release it or would you lock it in tighter, damn the consequences?
Soul: Taufik may have nothing riding on the six-man tag, but I do. Aeryn and I were talking about it during our training. Unlike him and Emi, our spots are NOT yet secured. We still have a ton to prove to the higher-ups. Losing would be a serious set-back to both our returns.
{Soul leans forward, looking directly into his niece’s eyes.}
Soul: I won’t cheat. I won’t toss Taufik to the floor to beat on his leg outside the ring. I won’t try to distract the ref so we can sneak in illegal double-teams. But if he doesn’t submit, I will crank up the pressure even if the entire audience can hear the echo of his knee popping throughout the entire Staples Center. Nor will I lose one ounce of sleep over costing him a Television title match. For this match still means something to me.
Shakira: Wow, uncle, guess that absence didn’t do anything to dull your edge.
Soul: If it did, I wouldn’t have come back. Now come on, I’ve done enough studying for one night. Time to head home.
{Both Soul and Shakira stand up from their chairs, each giving a little stretch to relieve their cramped muscles. Soul turns the television off before joining his niece at the door.}
Soul: Need me to give you a ride home?
Shakira: No, Greg is picking me up. We’re heading to Legal Seafood tonight.
{Shakira gets a little gleam in her eye.}
Shakira: Why don’t you call Aeryn? I’m sure she’d want to get a little tour of Boston…
Soul: Will you stop?
{Shakira’s laughter fills the air as Soul hits the lights prior to closing the door. The office is plunged into darkness as the scene ends…}
Soul: Are you kidding me? This is what passes for a promo these days?
{Shakira covers her mouth, unsuccessfully trying to hide her giggles.}
Shakira: Today’s fans seem to eat it up. You wouldn’t believe the following she has on Twitter. Even Hunter really likes her.
Soul: Considering his favorite animes are “Heaven’s Lost Property”, “Strike Witches” and “Sekirei”, I’m not surprised. With her body, she looks like she could have leaped right out of the streams he downloads.
{Just then, Taufik, who has been dressed as the hunter, steps out the changing room looking like a Chippendale’s stripper. Soul rolls his eyes at the image, but Shakira’s are slightly alight with desire.}
Soul: These two are the co-challengers to the Television title at High Stakes? Really?
Shakira: Yes, really. Both are talented wrestlers. And believe it or not, bits like these get over with the fans. You may want to give one of those a try sometime.
Soul: Sorry, I’m a little too old school. Taufik and Emi can get away with it since both are in their twenties and still relatively new to the business. As a veteran on the wrong side of thirty-five, “insanely stupid” doesn’t even come close to describing how I’d look.
Shakira: Hey, I know a few of my friends who would love to see you in that get-up…
{Soul shoots her a horrified look, eliciting uproarious laughter. Even the wrestler has to finally shake his head in amused disbelief. Finally, the humor dies down as the promo ends. Soul closes the laptop and turns to his niece.}
Soul: Okay, Shakira, time to go back to work. Do me a favor and give both Aeryn and Jason a call. See if they’d be interested in a joint training session ahead of the six-man tag match in Los Angeles. They may be involved in some pretty idiotic skits, but both Taufik and Emi must have some talent to be in the TV title picture. And I can personally attest to Radke’s abilities. Wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.
Shakira: I’m on it. Think they’ll come?
Soul: Not sure, but won’t hurt to ask.
{Shakira nods as she exits the office. Soul watches her go, then looks down at his laptop. Once again, he shakes his head in amazement.}
Soul: Fucking bunnies and strippers…
{A few days later, the workout area in the Boston offices of the Soul Connection Sports Agency is busy. The center ring is full of action as four wrestlers are putting themselves through the paces in a practice tag team match. At the moment, a short but well-muscled man, obviously a high-flier judging from his build, is climbing to the top turnbuckle. Lying prone on the mat in the center of ring is Soul Shadow, not moving a single muscle. Aeryn Ashfield is standing in the far corner, looking extremely concerned. The high-flier finally completes his ascent, raises his arms in triumph, and launches himself for a frogsplash on his opponent.}
{Unfortunately for him, Soul’s greater experience comes to the fore as he raises his knees, catching his opponent square across them. The young man somersaults, painfully clutching his stomach, into the corner where Aeryn stands. Without hesitation, Soul tags in his partner. Aeryn wastes no time, using the top rope to vault herself inside the ring. Her outstretched leg crashes across the back of the young’s man neck, collapsing him like a rag doll. Aeryn shows no sympathy, grabbing him in a rear waistlock and executing not one, not two, but three rolling German suplex. She even releases him mid-arc on the last one, sending him crashing into the turnbuckles.}
{At that moment, Soul holds out his hand for a tag. Aeryn seems annoyed by it, but when Soul tells her it is time for the finish, she agrees to it. Soul enters the ring, cutting off the young man from crawling to his partner’s corner. The MPW wrestler hooks his opponents from behind with a double chicken-wing, holding him up in the center of the ring. Not yet out the ring, Aeryn runs to the ropes, rebounds with a spin, and delivers a devastating lariat to the trainee. Riding with the impact, Soul bridges into a pinning position while slamming the young man’s head and neck into the mat. Aeryn smartly cuts off their opponent’s partner with a vicious elbow while the attending referee counts the three.}
{After releasing the hold, Soul checks on his sparring partner. In contrast, Aeryn ignores both of their opponents, exiting to get herself a drink of water. Once he is assured of the young man’s health, Soul follows his partner. She jumps a little when the older man clasps her on the shoulder, but slowly relaxes.}
Aeryn: Not bad, old man. Looks like you haven’t lost too much step despite being away for ten years.
Soul (chuckling): Neither have you, having missed the past five years. You performed really well in your first two matches back with Lance Smith and Laila.
Aeryn (scowling): Don’t remind me of that bitch. I owe her big time for trying to end my comeback a little early.
Soul: I’m sure you’ll get an opportunity for your revenge soon. But right now, we’ve got to keep our focus on Emi, Taufik, and Chris. We’ve both got an excellent chance to put on a good showing for the league’s higher-ups.
Aeryn (toweling herself off): I have to admit, I’m a little surprised Jason didn’t show.
Soul (shrugging his shoulders): I’m not. He has differing priorities than us for the match. He already has a belt and will be looking to show his upcoming challengers just how out-classed they are. He has far less on the line than we do. I’d be shocked if he didn’t consider teaming with us to be nothing more than a nuisance.
Aeryn (nodding): I feel ya. He’ll be a bit of a lone wolf on our team. At least we are working well together.
Soul: Yeah, it’s like we’ve been teaming forever. We seem to be really in sync.
{Aeryn gives Soul a curious glance at his casual statement.}
Aeryn: I’m not looking for a regular partner.
Soul (a little surprised): Neither am I at the moment. I was just commenting on how well we click.
Aeryn (looking a little doubtful): Okay. Let’s get back to training.
Soul: No problem. I have an idea for another tag team finisher we can try…
Aeryn: Oh, the last one wasn’t good enough?
Soul: Always is good to have some variety…
{Their voices recede from hearing as they climb back into the ring. Their opponents once again take their positions as the training session begins anew…}
{That night while sitting in his office in Soul Connection’s headquarters, Soul is reviewing the match between himself and Chris Radke from last week’s Reloaded. Behind him, his niece enters the room. She look around, slightly surprised he is the only one here.}
Shakira: Where’s Aeryn?
Soul (eyes never leaving the screen): She went back to her hotel. I don’t think studying opponents’ past matches is quite her thing.
{Shakira mouths an “oh” as she closes the door. She grabs an empty chair next to her uncle.}
Shakira: Aeryn is very attractive.
Soul: Yeah, she certainly is. Why?
Shakira: It’s been ten years…
Soul: I’m fully aware of how long it has been.
Shakira: Well, after so long, I realize you may be a little rusty when it comes to putting yourself out there…
{Soul finally turns his attention to his niece.}
Soul: Even if your assumption I would share every single detail of my dating life over the past decade with you was correct, which it damn well isn’t, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Aeryn and I are working together for purely professional reasons. Nothing more, nothing less.
{Shakira holds her hands up in mock surrender. The MPW wrestler’s annoyance bleeds through his visage as he rewinds the DVD. Shakira watches with bored fascination.}
Shakira: Why are you concentrating so much on Chris? You beat him already!
Soul: That wasn’t the real Chris Radke I defeated last week.
Shakira: Huh? What do you mean? Was that an imposter?
Soul (with a slight laugh): No, that’s not what I meant. The Chris Radke I faced last week was definitely not the one I read so much about on the dirt sheets. Perhaps he underestimated me because my age or the length of my layoff. Maybe he was unprepared for the increased pace of the MPW style. Regardless of the reason, I’m experienced to know he didn’t give his all in the ring. And I made him pay for that with a loss in his debut match.
Shakira: So you expect him to bring even more this week?
Soul: He’d be a fool not to. He wants to climb the MPW ladder as badly as I do and the only way to do that is through victories. If we end up in the ring together during this match, he’s going to apply all he learned from our previous match-up. That’s why I’m putting so much into studying him. I’ve got to make sure I stay one step ahead of him and use some moves he won’t be expecting. He’s gonna up his game. I’m going to up mine more.
Shakira: What about Emi and Taufik? You haven’t faced either of them before. Shouldn’t you be putting some more time into them?
{Soul sighs as he pauses the DVD. He swivels his chair, folding his hands on the desk.}
Soul: Actually, given how long they have been wrestling for MPW, I was able to compile enough footage of their past matches to review. Emi is fascinating, given her childlike personality. Outside the ring, I’m sure that makes her a wonderful person. But inside the ropes, innocence and lack of experience is a major liability.
Shakira: Is this where you say you’ve forgotten more than she will ever know?
Soul: Oh God, I hope not. I hate that cliché as it makes someone sounds like an Alzheimer’s patient. I’m not even forty yet!
Shakira: Doesn’t mean you’re not old…
{Shakira’s sticks her tongue out at Soul’s scowl.}
Soul: I would hope she knows more than I have forgotten as, trust me, I haven’t forgotten a damn thing during my career. She certainly has capable trainers. But her whole demeanor… did you see her last week after she just hit a simple powerbomb? She looked shocked she actually did it.
Shakira: I think she was. You don’t see women pulling that move on men many times…
Soul: Really? You don’t expect Aeryn to pull it off? Or Roxi? Chrissy? Bliss?
Shakira: I see your point…
Soul: Any wrestler worth a damn in this business isn’t surprised by anything they do in the ring. They KNOW what they are capable of doing the moment they part the backstage curtain and execute it with precision and confidence. By contrast, Emi projects an aura of uncertainty whenever she wrestles. Despite all of her training as well as the success she has so far achieved, she still doesn’t seem to be sure of herself. I might find that cute outside the ropes, but inside it is a weakness I can and will exploit to my advantage.
{Soul gives a little sigh as he leans back in his chair.}
Soul: Still, the one I am most worried for is Taufik.
Shakira: Really? I thought you viewed Chris as more dangerous.
Soul: I said Taufik is the one I’m most worried FOR, not ABOUT. He has been sporting a pretty serious knee injury since Gold Rush. He’s been wrestling through it, apparently with the doctors’ okay, but you can easily see how badly it is hampering him during his matches.
Shakira: So you’re gonna focus on it if you two face each other?
Soul: How can I not? Such an injury is a blatant target for anyone. You can bet Jason X is going to do everything he can to aggravate it in preparation for their title match. I won’t try to end Taufik’s career, but I will work on it every chance I get. Hopefully Taufik will recognize the situation and do the right thing.
Shakira: The right thing?
Soul: Give up. Let’s be real here. He, Emi, and even my own partner Jason X have NOTHING riding on this match. Their spots in the Television title match is assured. The only thing that could jeopardize them is a serious injury. Taufik by far has the most to risk with that. If he finds himself in a submission position, he’d be wise to tap out immediately. Taking a loss here won’t hurt him. Having his knee torn to shreds certainly will.
Shakira: What if you are the one having him in a submission hold and he refuses to quit? Would you release it or would you lock it in tighter, damn the consequences?
Soul: Taufik may have nothing riding on the six-man tag, but I do. Aeryn and I were talking about it during our training. Unlike him and Emi, our spots are NOT yet secured. We still have a ton to prove to the higher-ups. Losing would be a serious set-back to both our returns.
{Soul leans forward, looking directly into his niece’s eyes.}
Soul: I won’t cheat. I won’t toss Taufik to the floor to beat on his leg outside the ring. I won’t try to distract the ref so we can sneak in illegal double-teams. But if he doesn’t submit, I will crank up the pressure even if the entire audience can hear the echo of his knee popping throughout the entire Staples Center. Nor will I lose one ounce of sleep over costing him a Television title match. For this match still means something to me.
Shakira: Wow, uncle, guess that absence didn’t do anything to dull your edge.
Soul: If it did, I wouldn’t have come back. Now come on, I’ve done enough studying for one night. Time to head home.
{Both Soul and Shakira stand up from their chairs, each giving a little stretch to relieve their cramped muscles. Soul turns the television off before joining his niece at the door.}
Soul: Need me to give you a ride home?
Shakira: No, Greg is picking me up. We’re heading to Legal Seafood tonight.
{Shakira gets a little gleam in her eye.}
Shakira: Why don’t you call Aeryn? I’m sure she’d want to get a little tour of Boston…
Soul: Will you stop?
{Shakira’s laughter fills the air as Soul hits the lights prior to closing the door. The office is plunged into darkness as the scene ends…}
