EXCELLENCE INVITATIONAL
CHAPTER 1:
Ah, yes… So this is Pro Wrestling Excellence.
If you’re not already well aware of who I am…
Shame on you.
If you’re not well versed in what I bring to the table.
Do your homework.
If you’re under the impression that I’m going to take you by the hand, lead you like a sheep that’s being led to slaughter I don’t have to because that is already your foregone conclusion should your path cross mine within this little party we’ve gotten ourselves involved in. We are all here with but one goal in mind, winning the Excellence Invitational. This marks our opening round, it’s our moment in time that will define how we are viewed by an established roster. Now, I won’t speak for anyone else by myself… I didn’t come here to lose.
My name is “Chronic” Chris Page.
You can call me the Excellence Invitational winner.
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CHAPTER 1.1
FLASHBACK
TUESDAY
11.30.21
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
CHRIS PAGE PENTHOUSE APARTMENT
2:30 PM
Featuring: Thaddeus Duke
Chris state in his office at this Penthouse Apartment that overlooks Fight Tower and the Velvet Rabbit in West Manhattan of New York City, New York.
His move from Tampa went flawlessly.
CCP Enterprises is in full swing and coming up at the end of December Chris will get to crush Centurion under the sole of his boot. Chris sits at his desk, his eyes on his laptop as it notifies him of a new message as he is on his cell phone. We join Chris while engaged in mid-conversation.
CHRIS PAGE: It’s not the annoyance of The Ramsey’s either, it seems the younger generation all share the same brain. Just listening to them try to sling some shit is like listening to a broken damn record.
How many times can you listen to the same regurgitated bullshit? It’s like listening to children on the playground trying to impress their friends yet ultimately establishing they have the creativity of a piece of poop.
CHRIS PAGE: Hey Thad, what have you heard about Pro Wrestling Excellence?
Thaddeus Duke, my first client to CCP Enterprises, works prominently out of the Xtreme Wrestling Federation. He’s a Grand Slam Champion, and someone I grew to respect after working extensively against him in the last quarter of 2020 and beginning of 2021.
CHRIS PAGE: They just sent me an email.
Chris opens the message as he reads it aloud.
CHRIS PAGE: Dear Chris, Pro Wrestling Excellence hereby accepts your entry into the Excellence Invitational. We look forward to seeing you on January 3rd.
Chris puts Thad on speakerphone as he puts the phone on his desk.
CHRIS PAGE: This has to be some sort of mistake.
I mean it’s common to receive offers to make appearances but usually, that requires some sort of a conversation.
THADDEUS DUKE: What’s the mistake? Sounds like you put in for a slot in a tournament and it was accepted. To answer your question I don’t know a whole lot about them other than they’re a new company that is developing a little bit of a following.
CHRIS PAGE: I don’t even remember speaking to these guys.
Chris’s tee’s up Thaddeus for sheer sarcasm to flow.
THADDEUS DUKE: Let’s be fair Chris you ain’t getting any younger, and I think it’s safe to say you were also stoned when said conversation took place.
CHRIS PAGE: That’s a very good point.
Chris starts to draft a response.
CHRIS PAGE: To whom it fucking concerns, line them up so daddy can knock them down.
The good news about taking part in something of this nature under the umbrella of an organization that I am not familiar with is taking the same approach I have with FIGHT thus far. Their crop of younger stars hasn’t held a candle to what I’ve got. I’ve toasted them much like I am going to toast each of you. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
THADDEUS DUKE: Tell me you didn’t send that…
Thad states literally as Chris clicks send.
CHRIS PAGE: Just did.
THADDEUS DUKE: Don’t ever call yourself daddy again. That’s just creepy.
CHRIS PAGE: Check it out, I need to get going. Need to do some research on this Reynolds prick for Silent Fight. I’ll catch up with you shortly.
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I’ll be the first to admit that I might have forgotten that this was even a thing, my apologies. I’m kind of a busy guy with a lot of moving parts, so to grant you even just a little bit of my time is more of it than you deserve. The Pro Wrestling Excellence Championship has now become a focal point with a shot at it being the carrot dangled in front of our noses. This has to be executed in phases to ensure proper execution.
Phase One: Taylor Blazer.
I’m not quite sure how to handle this one seeing as you’ve been released from this particular contract. I’m not so sure why you would want to just up and quit before things get started… but I suppose everyone has their reasons. I’m not going to slam you over your decisions nor will I pretend to talk shit about you. That’s cheap and childish. What I will say is that I was looking forward to brushing shoulders with you because I’ve seen you from a distance, I’ve followed your successes and failures…
I don’t have a clue if you’re even going to make this shot which means I don’t know what to expect.
It’s a weird place to find oneself in with so much riding on success.
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CHAPTER 1.1
12.22.21
BELLAGIO HOTEL
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
ACTION PRO WRESTLING: CRUSIERHAVOC 4
5:00 PM
Featuring: Thaddeus Duke
The Bellagio Hotel and Casino was rocking as the fourth annual CruiserHavoc Battle Royal was in full swing, yet there wasn’t a soul in the building that knew Chris Page was making a special appearance to deliver a message towards a punk kid that can’t keep Chris’s name out of his mouth.
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**-- #25 JC Keeton -- **
Jimmy Garcia: WELL!! HERE HE COMES!! THE FORMER CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION WHO JUST HAD HIS BELT TAKEN AWAY 2 DAYS AGO!!
Katta Pult: AND HES NOT SHYING AWAY FROM ZMAC AND THAT CHAIR!! HE SLIDES IN!! HE DUCKS!!
Jimmy Garcia: WHAT A FOREARM!! KEETON HITS A KICK!! AND TAKES DOWN ZMAC!!
Katta Pult: NO MORE CHAIR SWINGING NOW!!
Jimmy Garcia: ZMAC CHARGES!! BUT KEETON WITH THE LEG LARIAT!!
Katta Pult: ODE TO THE OUTLAW!! KEETON PUTS ZMAC DOWN!!
Jimmy Garcia: KEETON STANDS TALL!! WAIT WHO IS THAT JUMPING OUR RAILING?!
Katta Pult: A FAN?!
Jimmy Garcia: HE'S IN THE RING LOOK OUT!!
Katta Pult: NO NO NO NO LOOK OUT!! WAIT A MINUTE!! KEETON IS OUT!!
Jimmy Garcia: WHO IS THAT?! THEY JUST THREW KEETON OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Katta Pult: WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!! I KNOW WHO THAT IS!!
Jimmy Garcia: THAT'S CHRIS PAGE!! THAT'S CHRIS PAGE!! THE 18 TIME WORLD CHAMPION FROM XWF!! FROM FIGHT!! WHAT THE HELL IS PAGE DOING HERE?!
Katta Pult: HE HAD A RUN-IN WITH KEETON BEFORE!! I GUESS THEY HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS!! PAGE ISN'T IN ACTION WRESTLING THOUGH!
Jimmy Garcia: PAGE JUST COST KEETON THE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AND NOW HES LEAVING!! PAGE ISN'T IN THIS MATCH!! PAGE IS JUMPING THE RAILING!! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!
Katta Pult: AND KEETON IS ELIMINATED. THIS IS WILD!
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Chris escaped the ring and hopped back over the barricade where he exited through the crowd flanked by security guards as they assisted rushing him through the sea of fans who are mixed within the reception they are giving. Chris is whisked out through the arena entrance out through the casino through a private exit where his limo awaits. The door is opened and Chris quickly enters as they slam it behind him.
We fade inside the limo as it departs the Bellagio to find Chris Page getting a good laugh at the expense of the younger Keeton. His attention is drawn towards his cell phone, he reaches into his pocket pulling it out as he sees the name THADDEUS DUKE. He answers the call putting it on speaker.
CHRIS PAGE: Yo!
THADDEUS DUKE: What the fuck man!?!?
The reaction draws some laughter from Chris as he responds.
CHRIS PAGE: I have no clue what you’re talking about.
Thad’s not having it.
THADDEUS DUKE: You could have told me that you were popping up at CruiserHavok, I’d go with you!
CHRIS PAGE: When the opportunity presents itself you must strike while the iron is hot.
Let’s be clear that I’m on a revenge tour. It starts with Centurion as a headlining attraction for FIGHT! NYC’s Countdown event and will continue into the land of Action Pro Wrestling mixed in with some Pro Wrestling Excellence. The Tara Fenix Charity Cruise sticks in my mind because I did everyone a favor by stepping in to replace someone that backed out; while I delivered a match of the event, I did not get my arm raised in victory but also did not have my shoulders pinned in defeat.
It’s a bitter pill that I have to swallow but one that I can cough right the fuck back up at a moment's notice; that notice is now.
THADDEUS DUKE: Days like today, days like Countdown make me wish you were still competing in the XWF. It’d be so much cooler to be working with you inside the ring on top of the support given to managing.
CHRIS PAGE: My time there has come and gone, but a piece of what we’re doing is laying some groundwork across multiple plains to make that happen. I’ve got a plethora of talents about to make signing announcements to CCP Enterprises, so the opportunity is going to be there.
THADDEUS DUKE: What’s up with the Pro Excellence deal?
CHRIS PAGE: That’s still a thing, at least so I’m told.
The reality is Taylor very well could show up and make the most of this opportunity or what’s to say the brass within Pro Wrestling Excellence doesn’t take matters into their own hands and throw me a curveball at the last minute?
Personally, it doesn’t phase me either way. I’ve been around long enough to understand that you should always expect the unexpected coupled with always being prepared. For over thirty years I’ve been at the forefront of this business, I’ve held my fingers on the pulse, I’ve developed the reputation of not only showing up… but knocking it out of the park with every appearance.
This Excellence Tournament is just another notch on the belt of Chris Page and the legacy that I continue to forge. There are not many accolades left for me to attain; I say that to say that this is all the equivalent of sport fucking amongst various companies, when you move the needle like a Chris Page you can pretty much walk through any door and command the spotlight without batting an eyelash.
CHRIS PAGE: The plan is still to show up in St. Louis for it. I mean it’s four days after Countdown so there’s plenty of recovery time in between the two. Plus neither of these adventures interfere with Wednesday nights. This is all just to kill a little time while collecting some easy paydays as far as I’m concerned.
I dare someone to step to the plate.
I dare you to find out what the fuck I’m all about.
I dare you to see just how far my reach within this profession truly goes for everything that you think you know about me is everything I want you to know. What should scare the shit out of you rests with where my true motives rest. Misdirection is a beautiful tool especially when you utilize it correctly.
THADDEUS DUKE: Think they’ll mind if I tag along and observe?
CHRIS PAGE: I don’t see why not, especially as a spectator. Perhaps the rest of the crew should tag along as well.
CCP Enterprises is growing by the time this show rolls around. I’m a firm believer in leadership by example. What kind of leader can I be for the team that I’m building within the ranks of the Enterprise if I don’t consistently deliver at a world-class level. Yes, my end goal is to build an incredibly successful brand… I have several roles to play within that outside of scouting and signing.
THADDEUS DUKE: I’ll shoot out some messages and round up the troops. I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than setting the stage with the genesis that is coming.
CHRIS PAGE: Listen, brother, this thing is going to blow up in just a matter of weeks. Saturday Night on XWF’s Savage the next layer reveals itself and comes to Fight's Countdown another layer on top of that with another layer coming after that. People are about to find out that you can’t put a leash on an old dog that’s always going to learn new tricks.
With age comes experience.
At fifty-one years old I’ve done a lot of things right to move needles as I move them. You don’t have to question the eyes that I’m going to draw towards your product while dominating this Tournament. As you see those ratings go on the rise, as you see your stocks starting to rise I want you to then consider what’s going to happen when I take that Excellence Championship.
PWE will become an overnight sensation.
I spoke earlier about striking while the iron was hot. It doesn’t get any hotter than Chris Page standing on top of your organization. Don’t take my word for it, I’ll just prove it in very short order.
CHRIS PAGE: Listen, have a good Christmas. Be sure to let me know how Frankie likes the gift I got him; although it won’t hold a candle to what you’ve got planned. I’ll see you Saturday.
THADDEUS DUKE: Later.
The call between Page and Duke is ended as he tosses the phone over onto the empty seat beside him. Chris leans back in his seat as he rests his head back against the headrest closing his eyes as he lets out a deep exhale.
There are only so many hours in the day.
One can only burn the candle from both ends for so long.
I am a goddamn stallion.
I am the guy that you will all aspire to be. Do you want competition? Congratulations Pro Wrestling Excellence, you’ve got it.
